So, the youth room is being renovated to make a space that is actually nice to hang out in.  (GET EXCITED!!!)  In the process, we've had to empty everything out of the room.  It's absolutely unbelievable how much JUNK was stored in there.  It's a daunting task to even think about sorting through it all.  For the past several weeks, everything has been sitting out on tables in the room just taking up space because the thought of working through it is overwhelming.  Deep down though, I know that the room will look SO MUCH BETTER once everything is all cleared away.  We'll be able to enjoy it more when it's not full of the stuff that has been stored up for years. 

This got me thinking.  How many of us carry around "junk" in our very lives?  It seems that most of us have clutter around...and I'm not just talking about messy rooms.  Maybe we have divorced parents, and we have held onto bitterness that affects the way we treat others.  Maybe we struggle with addictions, and feel this sense of helplessness that carries over onto our view of life.  Maybe we have been hurt by girlfriends or boyfriends, and we harden our hearts so that we forget how to love or let ourselves BE loved.  Whatever it is, we all have baggage that we think we have to just live with.  We hide it in cabinets and store it away so no one can see what we have to deal with.  But my question is this...why?   

We can choose to live as free people!  There comes a time when a rennovation is needed in our lives.  We have to look at our lives and empty out all the junk.  Maybe it's confiding in a trusted friend, actually being honest with God, seeing a counselor...maybe all of the above.  I know it can be overwhelming to "lay it all out on the table" so to speak, but I also know that when we get rid of the junk in our lives, we can be free.  

I believe that God wants us to be free.  That is why he sent his son to die for us on the cross...so that we could be free of sin that we so often store up in our lives.  I challenge you to look at your lives this week.  What are you storing away?  What do you need to clean out?  What would it be like to be free? 

I will be filled with joy because of you.  I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

I have a daily devotion book that sits on my desk.  Sometimes there's an inspirational quote, sometimes there's a scripture passage, and sometimes there are simple words for reflection.  This small verse from Psalms was one of these daily devotions.  For some reason, it caught my attention.  So often in my life, I talk to God when I need something.  I am joyful when He has done something FOR ME.  I pray when I have a request, and I get frustrated and impatient when he doesn't grant my request when I think He should.  I find myself much less often singing God's praises...just because.  Are you like that too?

We live in a cause--effect society.  You stay out an hour past curfew--your parents ground you.  You study hard--you get good grades.  You practice your instrument--you win first at solo/emsemble.  I find that we often take our worldview, and apply it to God.  We're good Christians--God should bless us.  God gives us something we want--we praise Him.  This, however, is not how God wants us to view Him.  God is amazing, and is continually blessing us...even when we refuse to look around and take notice.  I rejoice that I have God in my life, and that I serve a God who desires a relationship with me.  I am filled with joy simply because God is God, and I will sing His praises! 

So, here we go...the first blog on our new youth website!!!  I'm so excited to have this site!  I think it's going to be such a wonderful way for all of us to stay connected throughout the week.  And by "us," I mean me, youth of the church, their friends, their parents, ya know...us!    I'm going to work hard to make this site the primary way for you to get information about what's going on in youth ministry.  That means, remember to check it often!  Since this is a NEW site, it's going to take me a little while to figure out how it all works and get everything all ready.  So, please bear with me!  I hope you find this site helpful, and easy to navigate!  Don't hesitate to contact me if you're having problems!  Have a wonderful and blessed Thursday!!