Peace in Chaos
Katelyn Williamson, Director of Youth and Family Ministry
3/13/23
“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’” (Mark 4:38).
Question:
There have been plenty of moments when I’ve asked Jesus the exact same question: Don’t you care if I drown?
Maybe you can relate: Have you ever felt like you were drowning in schoolwork, and the stress felt like an anchor tied to your ankles, pulling you under? Have you felt pressure from your parents or coaches or teachers or friends to perform in a certain way? Or look a certain way? Have you been overwhelmed, worrying what other people think about you? Have you ever felt left out, alone, rejected and just wanted to run away from a situation? Have you ever experienced so much anxiety that you literally couldn’t move—like you were paralyzed?
If you’ve ever felt any of those things, you’re not alone. I know how you feel.
The disciples know how you feel. Jesus knows how you feel. But not only does he understand, he also provides a way out. His presence is light in darkness. His breath is peace in chaos. His voice calms any storm.
Scripture:
Go ahead and turn to today’s passage in Mark 4:35–41. Read how Jesus responded when the disciples experienced some of the same feelings you are experiencing. As you read, try to picture yourself in the middle of a tsunami, seasick on a boat. Use your imagination to engage the text. Then share your thoughts.
My Wonderings:
I wonder what kind of cushion Jesus was sleeping on? I wonder . . . I wonder . . . I wonder . . . In verse 38, it’s pretty clear what the disciples wondered. They wondered if Jesus even cared if they drowned. Do you wonder if God actually cares about you? Or is he just sleeping while your life is sinking?
Story:
When I was a teenager, I had a lot of “friends” but few that felt like real friends. Especially guys. I begged God to give me friends who wanted to follow Jesus with me, but all I heard back was silence. It felt like he couldn’t hear me. Or if he could, that he was just ignoring me. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that a kid named Matthew moved to my hometown and showed up at my church and school. He was the answer to years of prayer. What I didn’t realize at the time, was that while I was praying for a friend, I was actually developing a deeper friendship with God. Jesus was answering my prayer for a friend with himself. Jesus answered the questions of the disciples 2,000 years ago, and he answers yours today. How do we know he cares? First of all, he was not taking a nap on the shore. He was in the boat with the disciples. He also was in the middle of the storm. If their boat went down, he was going down. And he is in your storm with you. But he didn’t let the boat go down, did he? With a single word, he silenced the storm. When he spoke, “ . . . the wind ran out of breath. The sea became smooth as glass” (Mark 4:39–40 MSG). And then he asked his closest friends two questions: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). These [stories] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:31). Now here’s the curious thing. In the days and weeks before Jesus was snoozing in the storm, John had already watched him do plenty of miracles. Jesus cleansed lepers, made lame people walk, cast out demons, and even made a widow’s dead son come back to life. He’d witnessed all of that firsthand, and yet, in the middle of that storm, he still lacked faith. He still wondered if Jesus cared about him. He still questioned if the Son of God had enough power to stop a storm. And over and over again, Jesus continued showing John and all of the disciples the truth about who he was. That he was God with skin on. And it seems like by the end of his book, John was finally convinced. What do you think convinced him?
Fasting during Lent
Katelyn Williamson, Director of Youth and Family Ministry
2/27/23
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’” (Matthew 11:28–30 MSG).
Question: Jesus asks, “Are you worn out? Could you use a real rest?” Jesus wants that for you. How do you find real rest?
Scripture: Open your Bible to Matthew 11:28–30 and read what your translation says. Underline it. Imagine Jesus saying those words to you right now. Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” (v. 29a). “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it” (v. 29 MSG). So, let’s do what he says. Let’s look at the Gospels and watch how Jesus pursues rest. When you look at the miracles of Jesus, a clear pattern develops. It happens with almost every one of them, but let’s revisit the one we looked at last month, the healing of the leper. Turn to Mark 1:40. That afternoon, Jesus was healing a leper. But what was he doing that morning? Back up five verses and look at Mark 1:35 to find out. As you think about Jesus spending time alone with the Father, what comes to mind?
My Wonderings: I wonder what time Jesus usually went to bed at night. I wonder . . . I wonder . . . I wonder . . . “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Hours before he healed the leper, what did Jesus do? Got up early, went off by himself, and prayed. Before he performed his first miracle ever, Jesus spent more than a month in the woods with his Father. (v. 12) Before he called his disciples to follow him, Jesus took a walk alone on the beach. (v. 16) Before he began casting demons out of a boy, he was fasting and praying (Mark 9:2). Before he walked on water, Jesus climbed up a mountain to pray (John 6:15). He spent entire nights in prayer (Luke 6:12). Even the night before he was going to be crucified, Jesus was on his knees in the garden talking to his Father (Luke 22:41). “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Jesus says that the path to real rest is keeping company with him. That’s how we learn to live in freedom. Being with Jesus is the way to experience true rest. Jesus himself is our rest. But just like we saw last month, there are many things distracting us from “getting away to a solitary place with him.” How have the last few days been for you? Have you noticed those distractions having more or less power over you? Would you like for them to have less? If so, Jesus offers a solution in Matthew 6:16. It’s found right in the middle of his most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount. He makes this statement: “‘When you fast . . .” Not if you fast, but when. Jesus assumes his followers will practice the discipline of fasting. Fasting is simply voluntarily going without something. It’s most commonly associated with food, but it can be done with all kinds of things, as you’ll see in today’s practice. Fasting seems strange. We live in a culture that constantly tells us we need MORE of everything, not less. More money, more entertainment, more followers, more gadgets, more clothes, and more food.
Story: In 1955, when McDonald’s opened, the original size of the fountain soda cup was 7 oz. Now you can get one SIX TIMES larger! And if 42 oz. isn’t enough for you, you can get a 128 oz. Big Gulp at any 7-Eleven. Since iPhones first came out in 2007, I’ve personally owned at least eight different models, each one newer, faster, and better than the one I had before. We live in a world that makes us think we need MORE. Fasting takes us in the opposite direction. There’s a good chance that you’ve never intentionally fasted before. Maybe that’s because you didn’t know about it or understand why anyone would want to do it. Fasting is hard. The world, our flesh, and the devil often work together to keep us from it. What’s important about fasting is to remember why we’re doing it. What we long for is true rest and intimacy with God. We long for rest from worry, from striving, from pretending to be someone we’re not. True rest comes from a closeness with Jesus—from a resting in who we are in him. Lots of things get in the way of that. Fasting is a practical way to say, “No. I’m not going to pay attention to any of these distractions. I want to fix my eyes on Jesus alone.” Now when you fast, you might feel tempted to tell everyone you know about it. We somehow think others will think better of us if they know we’re fasting. But listen to what Jesus says about that. When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well (Matthew 6:16–18 MSG). What reward is Jesus talking about? He’s talking about himself. Jesus is the reward. When we deny the other temptations vying for our attention, and spend time with him, we get to experience the true rest of knowing Jesus.
Today’s Practice: In order to help you rest in Jesus this week, select one of the fasting options below. You might be tempted to do more than one. Don’t. Start small. You can pick another one next week if you want, but just commit to doing one for the rest of this week.
1. Scripture before Screen: Before you look at any screen in the morning, spend time reading God’s Word. If you’re looking for a place to start, turn to Matthew Chapters 5–7 and read the rest of the Sermon on the Mount.
2. Less Time in Front of the Mirror: If you struggle with finding your identity in your appearance or in what you wear, consider spending less time in front of the mirror. I had a friend who looked like a model. He exercised a lot and worked hard to impress others with his appearance. One day he became convicted about it. More than gaining the approval of others, he wanted to know God more deeply. To help him move towards that, he decided to spend less time focused on his appearance—less time in front of the mirror. He told me that it was crazy to see how differently people treated him when he didn’t look as put together as he had before. He said that their reactions led him into a deeper rest in the steady, constant love of God.
3. Giving Up a Comfort: We are people who consistently run to find pleasure in anything other than God. Consider giving up something that “soothes” you for the rest of this week. A comfort food like desserts, hitting the snooze button, watching a show before bed, etc. Where do you turn for pleasure?
4. Limited Media: Estimate how much time you spend each week on screens. You can probably look at the “Screen Time” report in your phone settings and get an accurate estimate. Add up social media, streaming video, video games, etc. Once you get that total for the week, divide it by seven and see what your average screen time is in a single day. Once you’ve got that number, consider cutting it in half each day for the rest of the week. For example, if you regularly watch an average of four hours/day of Netflix and YouTube, you would limit yourself to two hours/day. If you spend two hours/day on social media, you would limit yourself to one hour/day. You could also fast from screens for an entire day or don’t look at any screens until school gets out in the afternoon. A few years ago, I fasted from screens for 3 months. It was the most life-changing thing I’ve ever done. I’m convinced that fasting from screens helped rewire my brain. My relationship with technology has been much healthier ever since. If you’re anything like me, you might not have the self-discipline to limit your own screen time. That’s why I have a screen time limit set on my phone for my internet usage and time-wasting apps. After I reach my time limit each day, my phone locks me out, and I don’t know the password to get around it. Only a trusted person does. Consider asking your parents to put a code in your phone to help you set some boundaries when it comes to screen time.
5. Words/People: If you’re an extrovert, silence and solitude are probably pretty difficult practices for you to engage in. Consider giving up words or interaction with other people for part of a day. Leave your phone at home and take a walk with God.
*Remember, only pick one, and don’t tell a lot of people what you’re doing. Maybe just tell your parents and your youth leader. The goal isn’t to perform or be a better person. The goal is to give up something that might distract you from Jesus, in order to allow your mind and heart to find true rest in him alone.
Faith Formation for All
Faith Formation for Life
Katelyn Williamson, Director of Youth and Family Ministry
1/5/23
While many of us find ourselves going to church on a weekly basis, there is an entire group of church goers who do not enjoy the benefits and blessings of Sunday School. People who are not attending Sunday School are missing out on a powerful part of the church that helps its members mature in their relationship with Christ. You may have never attended, stopped attending, attended sporadically, or gone every week. Whatever your relationship with Sunday School or Sunday Education is, I want to share with you three benefits of attending Sunday School on a weekly basis. I share these to offer strength and encouragement in your faith journey.
Gain Encouragement
Let’s be honest with ourselves and one another. Life is hard. Life is hard, and it seems like the point in history we are living in is especially difficult. The troubles and trials are difficult for even the most spiritual, godly, and talented of people, not to mention the rest of us. Every week we have to deal with the task of keeping it together in the midst of chaos, making the right decisions concerning our children, providing for our families, fighting temptation, dealing with our sinful failures, and then battling the grief and shame that come with that failure. Depression, anxiety, and complacency loom large for many of us. We need a place to come to where we know we are not alone. The grief we feel is shared by many. The sorrow we battle is not isolated. The sin which so easily entangles us is entrapping others. The questions we have of how to live this life for Jesus when it seems so impossible are being asked by more than just us.
Sunday School offers a place to gain encouragement to know you are not alone, you are not on an island, the world is not only on your shoulders. Writing to the church at Rome, the apostle Paul says, “that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Rom. 1:12). Paul was away from the Roman believers, and he knew that if they could see each other they would encourage one another in life and in the faith. After a week of living, striving, and serving in this sin-stained world, we need a place where we can come together and be encouraged; encouraged in the word, encouraged in life, and encouraged through others. Sunday School offers a place where such encouragement can take place.
Strengthen Relationships
One of the difficult tasks of living as a believer is having intimate, life-giving relationships with other believers as we walk through this journey of faith. We have several types and levels of relationships in our lives. We have relationships with our immediate family. We have relationships with extended family. We also have relationships with friends (some close and some not so close) and neighbors. We also have relationships with coworkers. Then there are those we know as acquaintances. In each of these types of relationships we have varying levels of intimacy which help define the relationship. The issue that many believers have is we have a hard time being truly open and honest with other believers because in our fallenness we think we are the worst of the people we know. We often think there are no other Christ followers who deal with the issues we deal with and who struggle with the concerns we struggle with or who fail so miserably with sin as we do. One of the tools of the Devil is to make us feel that we are on a spiritual island that we can never get off. If we ever were to get off, no one would allow us to come and share their island. We are in desperate need of genuine, intimate relationships. I am not talking about Facebook and Instagram friends, I am talking about real, down in the dirt, fight all night, walk a thousand miles with you, help you conquer the most heinous obstacles in your life friends.
Sunday School is a place where you can plant, cultivate, and harvest this type of relationship. In Sunday School you hear people share prayer requests and realize their life is not as perfect as their social media accounts portray. In Sunday School you hear people’s experience in applying, misapplying, and not applying scripture in their lives, and you recognize you are not the only one who struggles. When Paul talks about bearing one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2) he is not expecting our burden bearing to be done in a vacuum but in the context of vibrant godly relationships. As we share our life experiences, we can begin to develop these deep, meaningful relationships with others. These relationships not only strengthen us, they strengthen others, and they strengthen the church. Sunday School offers a place for relationships to flourish.
Equipped for Life
The third reason to value Sunday School and make it a priority in your life is that Sunday School offers another, even more in-depth opportunity to study the Bible and be equipped for life. While attending the worship service of the church is healthy, beneficial, and encouraging, Sunday School provides a means to be able to dig into the meat of the word and pull out all of the hidden gems tucked away in God’s holy word. As the word of God is discussed, you can learn the historical intricacies of the text and context, how others have dealt with the passage, and how you can apply the passage to your life. Sunday School offers an opportunity to learn God’s word on multiple levels of thinking, feeling, and doing, helping us to grow in our understanding of God’s word, value God’s word, and appropriately apply God’s word to our lives. If you want to be equipped to live for and honor Christ in this world, I highly encourage you to attend and be a part of Sunday School.
I want to encourage you to make Sunday School a part of your discipleship with Jesus. Sunday School is one of the strongest parts of your spiritual formation in Christ.
A Different Kind of Gift
Katelyn Williamson, Director of Youth and Family Ministry
12/8/22
For the past five years, almost every summer, I’ve taken some junior high and senior high friends on a backpacking trip. On the first of these adventures, our guides for the week started a tradition that has continued each year. At the beginning of the hike, they passed around a bag of M&M’s. Each camper took a few, leaving enough so the bag could make it all the way around the circle. Once the M&M’s were divided out, the guides asked everyone to count and report how many they took. The guides then shared that over the course of the week, while stopping for meals on the trail, each person would get a chance to share one memory or milestone—one M&M—for each of the M&M’s taken from the bag. Over the course of the next six days, each of us was gifted an hour to share about any memories and milestones that had shaped our lives. It was powerful to watch others let their guards down and take off their masks. Part of being human is longing to be known.
I recently read my journal from a trip we took a few years ago. I’d written down notes on what some of the youth had shared. Underneath my friend Sean’s name, four things were written. Sean’s Memories and Milestones: The times I’ve made my mom cry, the year my dad coached my team and was proud of me, when only one friend showed up at my eighth-grade birthday party, and when I got hurt my junior year and couldn’t play ball. What a gift it is to get a front-row seat as another person pulls the cover off their heart and hesitantly, but bravely, shows it off, in all its mess and glory. In those holy moments, strangers somehow become siblings. Isn’t that what we all long for? To be listened to and loved. To be treated like family.
After Jesus listened to the bleeding woman’s story, he called her daughter. He made sure she knew that she wasn’t rejected but that she absolutely belonged. Jesus wants to call you his child, too.
Praying with Zach
Katelyn Williamson, Director of Youth and Family Ministry
11/21/22
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and saw the man and said, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry up and come down. I must be your guest today.’” (Luke 19:5 PHILLIPS)
Question: Who is the most popular cultural icon among your peers? A musician? An athlete? A social media influencer? Picture that person walking into the halls of your school tomorrow. What would happen? Would they get swarmed by students for selfies? That’s what it was like for Jesus. His public appearances turned into pop-up parades. Today’s story centers around another person who longed to get close to Jesus, but he had to figure out how to navigate the crowd. His name was Zacchaeus. I bet his friends called him Zach. That is, if he had any friends. Zach was a tax collector by trade, the most despised job in town. The Romans had conquered the Jews and bribed Zach to turn against his own people. His job was to go door-to-door with Roman soldiers and demand that his neighbors send a percentage of their income to Caesar in Rome. But tax collectors were known for up-charging everyone, becoming rich by stealing from their own community.
Scripture: Turn in your Bible to Luke 19:1–10.
Read it slowly and underline anything that catches your eye. Read the first five verses for a second time and then share your wonderings.
My Wonderings: I wonder how short Zach really was? I wonder . . . I wonder . . . I wonder . . . I wonder how Jesus actually saw Zach. I did a Google Image search of “sycamore trees” and they look like big pieces of broccoli. They have so many leaves that it would have been easy for Zach to stay hidden under cover. I wonder if Jesus was the only one who even noticed him hiding in the tree. Maybe you feel like that sometimes. Like no one ever notices you. You try your best to get bigger numbers on report cards, social media posts, and in the weight room. And smaller numbers on the scale. But sometimes you mess up on purpose, just to get someone’s attention. Many of my teenage friends are asking the question “Does anyone see me?”
Below are some actual statements my friends have posted on their social media accounts:
I’m screaming at the top of my lungs, and no one even turns their head. I hate when my mom talks about how awesome my brother and sister are. #IFeelLikeCrapNow. Try walking a mile in my shoes, then you can yell at me for not being perfect. OK, I’m bored. What should I pierce? I wish I believed I was worth loving. I wasted my childhood trying to grow up. Leave it to me to always mess everything up. I told my mom I’m depressed and can’t do my homework cause I’m emotionally damaged. She believed me and is taking me to the doc. LOL Crying because I’m so exhausted and I want to sleep, but I can’t because I have so much work. Emotionally . . . I’m done. Mentally . . . I’m drained. Spiritually . . . I feel dead. Yet physically . . . I smile.
One of my high school friends sent me this message recently:
Kate, last night . . . it hit the fan, and I mean hard. Everything was going good and then my mom had the great idea to start the timeless argument about how I don’t care about school. She called me downstairs and logged into the parent portal to check my grades . . . they were bad. I had pretty much given up hope this year. As the argument continued, I found myself falling into a pit of deep-seated hatred and anger for my parents. They just don’t get it, I thought. I punched my wall, ’cause that’s what kids do in movies and stuff, but it kinda hurt, and I didn’t feel any better. My dad is so angry. He took away all my stuff. My phone, my laptop, my friends, my driving privileges for, as he said, “the entire summer.” He even told my mom to take away all my clothes except for two pairs of shorts, two shirts, two pairs of socks, and one pair of shoes. He said my life is going to be like the military. We are talking about waking up early, doing chores and yard work every day this summer. This is the worst ever. My parents just don’t get what I’m going through. They don’t understand my emotions. I feel like nobody understands me. I have lost touch with God. I’m stupid, worthless, scrawny, ugly, too skinny, no girlfriend, and living for no reason. My parents came in to say good night to me and told me they were sorry, but they did it ’cause they love me. When they said “Goodnight, love you,” all I could mumble was, “I wish the feeling was mutual.”
Do you ever feel like that? Like no one truly gets you, like no one understands you, like no one sees you? Jesus. Jesus sees you. Just like he saw Zach hiding in that tree. But how would you know if Jesus was looking at you right now? You would have to look at him in order to really know, right? Your eyes would need to meet his. So how do we do that? How do we turn our eyes towards Jesus? The Message translation of Luke 19:3–4 says, “[Zach] wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way . . . so he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus.” Maybe we do the same thing Zach did. If we desperately want to see Jesus, maybe we figure out how to escape the chaos of the crowd and climb up a tree. How is “the crowd” distracting you? Could it be the notifications constantly buzzing in your pocket? Is it a constant fear of missing out? What if the distractions are keeping us from missing out on the one thing we want to see most? Jesus. Can anything compare to looking into the eyes of God and seeing that he is looking back at us?
At the heart of worship is attention. Make a list of things that are distracting you from paying attention to Jesus. Take your time and ask Jesus to reveal to you the things that are keeping you from seeing him. Then, as an act of surrender, write them down. Pray something like, “Jesus, just like Zacchaeus, I desperately want to see you, but I’m distracted. Will you help me turn from my distractions and look toward you?”
Falling in Love with Jesus
Katelyn Williamson, Director of Youth and Family Ministry
9/21/22
I remember going to summer camp right before eighth grade. That was the year I started asking more questions about God. Each night, the camp speaker opened the Gospels and shared stories about Jesus. He told us how getting to know Jesus helps us get to know God. Then, he told us how much Jesus loves us. This frustrated me. Mid-week, I cornered the speaker after his talk and said, “Chris, you’re being really repetitive. We know Jesus loves us. We get it! You can move on. Tell us how we’re supposed to be better people and stuff. You don’t have to keep harping on his love. Tell us what we need to do.” With kindness in his eyes, he leaned against the stage and listened. Then he slowly replied, “Kate, I’m not sure you do get it. When Jesus’ love grabs hold of you, that is what changes you—not a list of ways to be a better person.” I had grown up in the church, heard about Jesus, and called myself a Christian for years, but that was the first time someone had ever made me question if I truly understood Jesus’ love for me. At that moment, I felt incredibly lost.
On the first day of that week, everyone was placed on a team. At the week’s end, the winning team was awarded the cherished “Camp Champ” t-shirts. Points were distributed for winning competitions and performing obnoxious team cheers. There were bonus points for anyone who got up before breakfast and walked around the lake. I wasn’t a morning person, but I loved winning, so I decided I would wake up early every morning and help my team take home the shirts. It was about a half mile around the lake, and you got points for each lap, but the rule was you had to walk, not run. And you had to walk by yourself. And you had to be silent. As an extrovert, I’d never intentionally spent that much time alone or in silence.
This camp was nestled in the North Idaho mountains, and most mornings there was a mist that fell heavy on the lake. Often the fog was so thick I couldn’t see ten feet in front of me. During those mornings I began talking and listening to Jesus in a way I never had before. The morning after that conversation with John, I had a conversation with Jesus. We talked while we walked. “Jesus, I’ve been trying to live ‘the Christian life’ for a long while, and to me, it feels a lot like this competition at camp. The more I behave, the better I perform, the more likely I am to win at this religion thing. The more likely I am to be liked. But after this week and John’s talks, I’m thinking I might be getting the whole thing wrong. I want to understand your love for me, but I honestly don’t know what to do. Jesus, will you help me?” I didn’t hear an audible response from him, but that morning during the final lap around the lake, I experienced Jesus’ presence walking alongside me. I don’t really know how to describe it. All I know is that he answered my prayer and gave me faith to believe that he was with me.
A big part of being a teenager is asking questions. My guess is that, much like young Katelyn, you probably wonder what God is like, if he’s real, and how he feels about you. In the person of Jesus, we get answers to those questions. Jesus Christ reveals God’s heart to us. Since none of us were alive 2,000 years ago when Jesus walked the earth, how do we know what Jesus was like? The same way we know what our great grandparents were like. We listen to stories. And hopefully, you’ll read some stories about you. As you read the stories of Jesus that show us what God is like, read them with your mind because these stories are true. The gospel accounts are factual, historical reports. They were recorded by people who either knew Jesus firsthand or by close companions of people who were eyewitnesses of the risen Christ. But don’t just read them like a textbook. These tales are much more like love stories and action movies. Let your heart get wrapped up in the wonder of God’s love for you. Try to imagine what it felt like to be there 2,000 years ago. In the very presence of Jesus. God with skin on. Imagine being at the wedding when he turned water into wine or in the boat when he calmed the raging storm. When you put yourself in the scene, what do you see? What do you see on the face of Jesus? What do you hear, smell, taste and feel?
In the classic French novel Les Misérables, Victor Hugo wrote, “Le suprême bonheur de la vie, c’est la conviction qu’on est aimé; aimé pour soi-même, disons mieux, aimé malgré soi-même.” The English translation is, “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.” God has communicated his love for us in dozens of ways. He reveals it in sunsets, friendships, taste buds, and songs. But if you’ve ever doubted the way God feels about you, there’s nothing more convincing than the person of Jesus. And I am convinced that if you truly get to know him, you can’t help but fall in love with him.
Phone Home
Denise McClellan, Director of Adult Ministries & Missional Service
7/21/22
When I was in college, my dorm room was decorated with movie posters. My sister-in-law worked for a local radio station, and they often promoted movie premieres. She had access to original movie posters for the theaters, and she shared them with me. One of those posters was from E. T. My roommate and I taped it to the wall by the phone. Yes, back in those days, we had a phone hanging on the wall! She thought it was funny to add a sign to the poster that said “Denise Phone Home” because my dad and I talked weekly on that phone. Each Sunday afternoon we’d talk. About the Browns, my aunts, his work, my siblings, the Indians, my grades, the weather. It kept us connected. We continued those weekly Sunday phone calls until he died ten years later, and I’m so glad we did.
The article link below by Deb Koster, an ordained pastor in the Christian Reformed Church, contains some advice for parents sending children off to college. She speaks from experience about how to stay connected and how to adjust guiding your children as they head off on their own. Click the link below to read more.
Wise Words
Shannon Fossett, Director of Children’s Ministries
6/13/22
We don’t say the “s word” at our house. No, not that word. The “s word” I’m having a difficult time saying is senior. Our oldest is going to be a senior, and I can’t believe it! When I think of it, tears of sadness and joy come to my eyes.
Another thing that happens is I think of all the things our son needs to know before he leaves home. Wise Words sometimes come from books, but sometimes they come from the experience of friends. That’s what happened to the author of the article you’ll find a link to below. When her son was senior, a friend shared the wisdom of her experience of how to “foster independence” in your child so that they’re ready to make life decisions. Trust me . . . I’ll be looking back on this article many times over the next months.
Rite of Confirmation
Pastor Thaddeus Book, Associate Pastor
5/18/22
Desert Cross celebrated the Rite of Confirmation on Sunday. Nine of our youth participated. We asked them to write a faith statement that would help them articulate where their faith and lives intersect. Each of them then chose a portion to share with the Congregation during the service. They expressed themselves so well and so beautifully that we wanted to share their words with you. Let’s keep these young people in our prayers as they continue their faith walk.
- I believe there is power in prayer and that God is always listening. I believe you should live with faith every day and set out to do what God has planned.
- I believe that forgiveness is an important part of being a Christian. Jesus forgives our sins because he died on the cross for us. I believe in forgiving people’s mistakes. I believe in forgiving people who hurt you.
- I believe in life after death. I think after death I will ascend to heaven and spend eternity with Jesus. I’m not sure what heaven looks like, but I hope my family and friends that have already passed with be waiting for me.
- Grace is very important to me because it is not only just forgiveness, but it is also eternal love. This is much like how Jesus Christ always told us to love and forgive. Grace is also very important to me because if I show grace, it means I will be following in the footsteps of Christ and his disciples.
- I believe God’s eyes will never fail to see me when I am lost. I believe that God will never ignore my prayers. I believe that God will always sense my presence when I am in need. I believe that God will forever keep me safe and lead me through the desertedness of life. I believe that God will never forget me. I believe I will never forget God.
- I believe in the forgiveness of others. People are going to make mistakes, and if you can’t forgive them for something that they didn’t intend, then what does that make you? Forgiving someone is almost always the right thing to do, often, you never know what they have or are going through and if you judge them for a mistake they have made, maybe you don’t really see the whole story. And it would be wrong for you to judge someone, especially if you don’t understand their situation. Jesus forgave so many people, many of which were great offenses, but it shows you how forgiveness is the right option.
- I believe in service. We should always strive to help others. Through little good deeds, we can make a huge impact on someone’s life. I believe we should always cherish and be kind to everyone around us. Service grows from love and concern for others. I believe God wants us to love and serve others graciously and create a more positive community.
- I believe God helps guide me through life. God pushes me to continue improving and be a better person. With him I am able to make mistakes and learn from them and make good choices. God has taught me to spread my faith through actions. Through my faith I will always try to build good relationships and love others. I hope after confirmation I can be more connected to the community.
- In the verse Proverbs 3:5-6, we are told to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” What I believe this is trying to tell us is that we have our faults, we have made decisions that do not act on behalf of God. In these moments of decision and action, this verse is telling us to let go of these faults and rely on the Lord, to rely on love. I believe that God is telling us to love, for he is love, acting inside of us to spread the word to others. Faith is important to me because it teaches me not only what it means to be a member of the church, but how to be one. After my confirmation I will try to follow closer to the teachings of God, letting love guide me.
Guidance & Social Media
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
10/14/21
Parents, I know you are acutely aware of the impact that our teens are facing as it pertains to social media, but how do we provide guidance? Our role in shaping our children and their interactions with social media is a role that can feel daunting and nearly impossible to master. My own kids show a proficiency in social media that I can’t even fathom, and I’m the “youth guy” at the church!!! Social media has become one of the core influencers in the life of your teen, and it didn’t even exist 20 years ago. I remember when most of the youth at Desert Cross were just getting their first cell phones, which had no connectivity with the internet or apps, and Tetris was the big distraction during meetings. Here we are two decades later, and an entire crew of elementary kids are rolling around with connections that span our entire globe. News, photos, applications, pornography, videos of violence (sometimes even live) are all in the palm of their hands. Sure, we set some basic guidelines around what they can and can’t do with their phones. We give them a short lecture on the responsibilities that come with wielding this power. I just feel that we can and should offer them more. More instruction, more explanation, more understanding, and more guidance are needed as they learn to navigate the very adult world through their phone. Have you discussed what it means to honor God with their eyes, ears, mouth, and time? I know I didn’t do much of that as I raised my boys. At least not as much as I should have . . . looking back.
The link below is to an article that has some great Biblical perspective on your role in the life of your child’s social media footprint. It’s from Parenting for Faith, the program Desert Cross is offering this year. If you’re interested in learning more about that program, use the second link to our website. Take what you like from the article and know that you are not alone on this parenting journey. I hope you might also consider sharing your ideas with parents around you. My guess is we all could use some insight along our parenting journey.
Parenting for Faith at Desert Cross
Parenting for Faith
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
9/15/21
Parenting is tough, really tough. In a recent meeting with the high school youth, I asked a couple questions about parenting. The first was “What is something your parent/s do/does that you do NOT want to do as a parent?”. As you might imagine, this question gets a very wide range of answers. The next question I asked was “What is something your parent/s do/does that you DO want to do when you are a parent?”. Then we talked. A lot. You better believe that I pointed out to the youth that night just how difficult parenting is. I’m not sure they believed me, but I tried!
Parenting is the hardest thing that I have done, at least over a long period of time. If I add the expectation that we, as Christians, have in passing on our faith, then things get even more complicated. Please hear me when I say this: You are not alone. You are not alone in your struggle in finding ways to be a “good parent” and feeling like you are failing. You are not alone in your fear that your child will not adopt this faith that you value and where you have found so much hope, joy, love, and peace.
Desert Cross is working to figure out ways to support you on your parenting journey. Please find the link below to a lesson from the “Parenting for Faith” course we’re offering at Desert Cross. I hope you find a nugget of benefit from reading it. You’ll also find a link to more information about the Parenting for Faith course that begins at Desert Cross September 29.
Parenting for Faith at Desert Cross
Helping Teens Deal with Depression
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
8/11/21
May was Mental Health Awareness Month, and I find myself feeling like it needs to be longer than a month! Our teens are at a fairly high risk for many mental health related issues, and sadly I am not sure that most of us feel equipped to offer much help if an issue arises. If you are like me, I imagine there are moments, or phases, where you wonder about the mental health of your teen. Will this pass? Do they need to see a doctor or a therapist? Is this situational, or is there something chemically amiss with my son or daughter? Will I be judged by friends, family, and coworkers? Is this issue treatable?
It is easy to become frozen by our fears, but I pray that fear motivates you, for the sake of your child, to attack the situation. Be their advocate, champion, and most importantly their parent. As we learn more about the science of mental illnesses, we are also learning just how important societal acceptance is as well. I cannot promise that the process of your family’s journey towards healing will be an easy one, but I can assure you that your child is worth the challenge.
The link below is to an article on teen depression. Approximately 1 in 5 youth will experience depression during their teen years. After you read the article, please share it with someone else who might need the link for their child.
Helping Teens Deal with Depression
Changing and Growing as Parents
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
7/8/21
We are in the throes of a record setting hot summer, and we’re venturing out from our COVID-19 cocoons. Parents of teens are now being forced to ask themselves what this might mean for their teenage sons and/or daughters. For the past year we knew where they were . . . likely at home. We knew who they were with . . . likely alone or with family. We knew what they were doing . . . okay, that might be a stretch. This change in our environment has caused parents to now face the difficult challenge of parenting their teens through these changes. I found a really good article with some useful tips. They are not from a religious standpoint, but they are golden. My prayer for each of you is that you find ways to continue to improve as a parent. That doesn’t mean that you are not good at it now! It simply means that our youth need our best, so they can be their best. Keep growing and challenging yourself to adapt to their new needs.
My own boys are now in their early 20’s, so I’d appreciate you sending me an article on how the heck to parent them! =)
Click the link below to read how we can adjust our parenting as our kids get older.
Changing and Growing as Parents
Losing My Religion
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
4/29/21
I wake up each morning, throw on my reading glasses (yeah, I’m getting old), and grab my phone to read the latest news from the previous day. This time keeps me, at least a little bit, updated on current events in our city, country, and world. A couple of weeks ago an article caught my attention because of its title: Losing My Religion. I had to open it.
The article is well written and also covers a topic that many of us have thought about over the past several years, and especially as we have lived out this pandemic. Please click the link below take a minute to read it. You may not agree with everything the author says, but I do see great value in giving it some thought.
Learning Patience
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
3/8/21
A year ago, almost to the day, we found ourselves in a strange new pattern. Masks, distancing, hand sanitizer, and an odd lack of toilet paper were the easy signs of our new world. The more subtle signs took a little more time to manifest. Here are a few of my little indicators that life was going to be different. I received a letter from Arizona stating that I had filed for unemployment, which was false. Then a few months later Montana followed suit, yet I have never even stepped foot in Montana. Last month Kentucky also gave me the news. Of course, I spent the time to file my grievances and lock down my credit, but this was all a sign of unrest in our culture. People were showing their desperation and panic by stooping to new ways of finding stability financially . . . theft.
Another more subtle instance of our solitude creeping away at our psyche is the isolation. I am not yet sure of the impact of social distancing, but there is a price to pay. My fear is that our patience for others might deteriorate, or maybe our teens will lose their already frail ability to connect with peers in authentic relationships, or worse yet we simply become apathetic to the needs of others. Fear is such a temptation during times of stress.
My thoughts go to my source of peace. My thoughts go to my faith that our Creator gave us the tools to repair . . . and even to thrive during trials. My thoughts go to each of you, and my hope is that you too are able to seek these free gifts and blessings from our God. One word in particular has been on my heart and mind: patience. Please reflect on the verses below.
Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; it is not arrogant.
Romans 12:12 – Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
I am being taught patience. I would guess that many of you feel the same way.
Peace.
In Service to Others
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
2/8/21
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
–Mahatma Gandhi
Finding oneself is difficult. Finding oneself as a teenager during a pandemic…no thank you! Our teens are desperately seeking to discover who they are, where they fit in, what their purpose is, and why it all matters. Gandhi’s quote about finding yourself in the service of others is perfect. So often in our Western Culture we see our accomplishments, money, possessions, and authority as the path to understanding. Those things are not bad or wrong, but they certainly cannot answer the question of who we are or how to discover ourselves.
Serving others is not only a beautiful way to discover oneself, but it’s also a way to connect with our Creator and Lord. Jesus served with every breath, and his example should be a roadmap for our lives. I invite you to start your journey of self-discovery, of unveiling your true self, and start by offering more of you to others. It is a beautiful and rich journey.
The ELCA has many wonderful opportunities to get involved in service to the world. Click the link below to investigate some of the simple ways you can get started.
Talking Faith
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
1/18/21
Parents, as you have conversations about faith at home, I want to share an article with you that I think has some value. I know firsthand that sharing our own faith and guiding our children in faith is extremely difficult. This article does a nice job of offering ideas on how to approach it in ways that your teen will likely appreciate.
Know that you are all in my prayers, as are your children. We are on this journey together. Click the link below to read the article.
Life for Teens in 2020
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
12/28/20
Parents,
For months we have watched our sense of normal change. Working with teens and raising teens is difficult in the best of times, but this year has proven to be anything but that.
Stop and think, for just a moment, about what some of the most important things for teenagers are: developing independence, socializing with friends, playing a sport, having a hobby, getting good grades, learning to drive, and, of course, spending time with family. These are some of the biggies that come to mind. In 2020 their lives have been stripped of several of the items on the list. Through no fault of their own, they have lost almost an entire year of life’s normal educational routine.
My hope for each of you is that you will take time to discuss these losses with your child. Give them the acknowledgement that they deserve. Build in time to mourn what we are going through. Because of our faith in Christ, we have a sense of joy and hope that provides perspective. However, our teens are still formulating what their faith is, so they may not feel those assurances as strongly or as clearly as we do. Acknowledge that as well, but also take time to share your joy and hope with them, so that they might be inspired, or at least comforted, by your conviction of better days to come.
One thing 2020 has taught me is that our teens are strong people. They really are. Let’s pour into them! We finally have a “captive” audience with our teens, so let’s take advantage of our extra time with them. Shape them, prioritize them, cherish them, and listen to them. I promise you will not regret it! Please check out this interesting article from the New York Times. It covers several other aspects of raising teens during the pandemic and offers some great insight.
Jesus and Authority
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
10/20/20
Matthew 21:23-32
The Authority of Jesus Questioned
When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus said to them, ‘I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?’ And they argued with one another, ‘If we say, “From heaven”, he will say to us, “Why then did you not believe him?” But if we say, “Of human origin”, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet.’ So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And he said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
The Parable of the Two Sons
‘What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
From Faith Lens:
Gospel Reflection
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the “cleansing” of the Temple (Matthew 21:1-16) set the stage for his confrontation with the chief priests and elders.
“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” That is the question put to Jesus by Jewish leaders who are obviously upset at what they perceive as an attack against both the Temple and their own authority. Yet, their question is not an honest one. That is, they are not really seeking knowledge and understanding, but are looking to trap Jesus. Indeed, they are well aware of what his actions imply – that he is the Messiah, God’s anointed one. They hope, in answering this question, Jesus will give them something they can use against him.
Jesus is wise to their ploy. And while his counter-question hangs them on the horns of a dilemma, it is more than simply a clever way out. This question concerning John the Baptist is a clue to the answer Jesus would have given, had his questioners been open to the truth. If they truly understood what John was about (see Matthew 3:11-17), they would know where Jesus gets the authority to say what he is saying and do what he was doing.
In sharing a parable about a man with two sons, Jesus goes on to underscore the fact that they have chosen to ignore John’s message and, therefore, Jesus himself. After all, what does it say that even people whose daily lives seem to be a big “No!” to God believe John’s message of repentance and renewal, when the religious leaders do not? What does it say that even tax collectors and prostitutes “get it,” when those who should most welcome the Messiah refuse to see God at work?
This is not simply a story from long ago. Jesus continues to challenge us to open our eyes to what God is doing in the world, calling us to view our lives through our “faith lenses”. How we answer the chief priests and elder’s questions as it pertains to Jesus is critical. What does it mean for the church that Jesus is Lord? And, more personally, what does his authority as God’s Messiah mean to each of us?
Bible Study Tools
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
9/28/20
Students and Parents, as you know sitting down and reading scripture is sometimes an overwhelming and confusing experience. We often don’t know where to start or stop, are confused about the context or content, or simply avoid doing it altogether. In recent years a group of graphic artists and teachers got together to make really meaningful videos, covering the major themes, characters, history, and lessons from scripture. They do a fantastic job of it too!!! Please use this link to their YouTube page the next time you are curious about something in the Bible or simply want to grow in your faith and understanding of it. You won’t be disappointed.
Justice in the Home
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
7/28/20
As I sit here, now in JULY, I am truly floored by the magnitude and disruption that we have seen in our world, cities, schools, homes, and basically everything else. Not only are we facing a global pandemic, but we are also in an election year, and have civil unrest around the world. Two months ago I was confronted with a term that I thought I understood. Justice. In the past two months, however, I have been thinking about this word non-stop. In my search for a deeper understanding of justice, I found a well-thought-out article about justice in the home. This intrigued me as I care deeply about our youth and our parents. I reflected on my own parenting and how I could have been better and also ways that I succeeded in creating a just home for my family.
Click the link below to give this article a look please. You might find ways to begin teaching about justice by offering it at home for all to enjoy. Share your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
God’s Peace.
Serving Others Helps Teen Grow
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
3/4/20
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1
At Desert Cross, we are passionate about serving others. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest strengths and examples that we can offer our children. Apparently, I am not alone in my belief. Check out this article about adolescents and the importance that serving others can have on their growth in life. Notice that the article is from Psychology Today, not a faith-based publication. This is exciting! The research shows that God has literally designed us to serve others!
Click the link below to read how acts of service serve us in many, many ways.
Serving Others Helps Teens Grow
Parenting Teens
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
12/30/19
When it comes to parenting teens, I am convinced that the majority of us feel as though we are just hanging on for dear life. Obviously, there are a million methods to which we might subscribe to when it comes to our personal parenting plan, but I keep reading those listed in this article (please see the link below) and though I failed at several of them, they speak some fantastic truths.
A few weeks ago during our weekly gathering of high school students, I asked the teens about parenting. My two questions were:
What is something that your parents do that you do NOT want to do when/if you become a parent?
What is something that you dearly appreciate when it comes to how your parents are raising you?
No, I will not discuss your child’s answers with you =) . . . I will, however, let you know that they dearly appreciate you, even your shortcomings as a parent. They were extremely open, respectful, and even compassionate, when it came to describing their frustrations about you as a parent. The most beautiful responses came with the second question. You should feel proud of how much they appreciate you and your efforts. Your explanations, laughter, and even your discipline, have been gifts for them.
Raising a teen can be overwhelming, even scary at times. Please know that you are not alone in your fears, you are not supposed to have all of the answers, and your children will offer you the grace and forgiveness that God has shown to each of us. Hold these words from Matthew closely and trust that you, we, and God can figure this thing out.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
Click the link below and check out these fantastic ideas for some additional skills you might want to adopt. Have an idea to share? Use our comment section below.
The Gift of Listening
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
11/6/19
Listening sounds so simple! We have two ears, so it should be really easy. You and I both know that listening, truly listening, is a skill that takes time to develop, discipline, and patience. Tons of patience. Listening is actually a really complex word, but it’s a word that may prove instrumental in building a healthy relationship with our teenage children.
Reflecting on my experiences as a youth leader, I am often put in situations where listening is the single greatest gift I can offer to our teens. I listen to weird stories, strange situations, moments of doubt, conflict, pain, loss, grief, great joys, deep love, shallow lust, and the list could go on for pages. This act of listening is difficult at times. However, listening is the gift that teens crave from us. They crave it because they need to process without judgment or hear themselves speak so that they can process how they sound or even just to get something off of their mind.
I am aware, as a parent of boys who are exiting their teen years, of how difficult it is to listen, but even more difficult than listening is listening without judgment. At times I wonder how good my poker-face is because if my own boys were in tune with my subtle body language, I am convinced our conversations would have been far fewer and further apart. I have been listening to teens for 20+ years, and I can promise you that it is easier listening to “other people’s kids” than it is my own. I am convinced, however, that it is critical for us to offer our own teens this gift, maybe more important than other things we prioritize. We value our children’s education, friend groups, sports, activities, safety, vacations, and so much more, but I believe that one PRIMARY element of their overall health and development that we tend to neglect is having access to our ears, without judgment.
I know that if you are willing to grow in this area, for your teen, that God will work with you. That’s good news. My prayer for you, as a parent, is that you pray for this gift. If you have it already, congrats! Pray for more of it! I also hope that you take this gift seriously, as challenging as it may be, because it could prove to be profound for your child, your family, and for you.
I found an article that offers some great advice on how we might grow in this area. Click the link below to read more. Please share your struggles and successes with us. Reach out or use the comment section below. We need each other as we figure this stuff out!
Passing on the Faith
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
9/18/19
I so wish, as a parent myself, that I could impart faith on my children by dropping them off at church, similar to soccer practice or their education at school. However, I have learned over the years that this model simply isn’t as effective as we parents might have hoped. I think that we all know that we have the most profound effect on our children’s lives, but sometimes we don’t always know how to impart the “faith” side of our lives onto our children. Well, I don’t have the answers to this difficult dilemma, but I now know that my hunch was correct. How we model faith for our children is, in fact, key to them carrying on the faith in their own lives. Know that you are not alone in wondering how best to pass on your faith, and we here at Desert Cross want to walk with you as you discover how this important task might be carried out.
Click the link below to explore this topic further. Share a comment below. Let’s share the faith with our kids together.
Generation after Generation
Chad Diegle, Director of Youth Ministries
8/19/19
My thoughts come from the recurring sentiment that older generations have towards youth. I have heard, about a million times, that “today’s youth are (fill in the blank).” The adjective where you fill in the blank is hardly ever a positive one. Today, I most often hear that Millennials are lazy, entitled, and have no work ethic. Before they were here, I often heard that the Gen X Generation was not patriotic, defiant, and selfish. We all know what the Baby Boomers were like in the 60’s, and I am sure their parents and grandparents thought the world was doomed. I would imagine this cycle of worrying about the next generation has plagued us since the beginning of time. However, I’m challenging you to fight it.
Read the following article for a quick look into why these negative sentiments creep into our psyche.
Maybe we can start discussing what makes our differences beautiful rather than ugly. Start the conversation in the comment section below.
Desert Cross Faith Formation 