Los Cabos, Mexico

I got up every day to see God`s light show! Sunrise was awesome and unique each day. Janice and I made many new friends from all over the country who work with youth and some now mentor young youth workers on the front lines. The newness that comes from slowing down is so profound. I learned so many things from my quiet time each morning with God in this beautiful setting.


Here is just one lesson: The cool sand stimulated each step that I took and then the tide would rise and the warm waves would crash and then smooth out onto the shore where I walked. God`s Spirit is very much like that in the way He comes on our coolness and warms it and smooths it out so that last moments print in the sands of life are gone and we must move on in his newness. The quiet swoosh at the end of a wave is in total contrast to the thunderous crash of the wave when it first hits the shore. God uses some of the most boisterous of circumstances to whisper peace into our hearts.

The waves not only smooth out the sand on the beach, but many other objects that washed up on the shore. There was a shine and a softness to all that the waves worked on. Yeah, that is for sure what God does with me. The longer He works on me in the surf of life, the fewer rough edges I have and His shine is on me.

Thank God for some R&R and for the still small voice of His refreashing Presence.

Castles & Kingdoms

I have been meeting with different groups of youth workers across our valley and in other parts of the country and have found a refreshing attitude, unity! I am certain that anyone who has been around "the church" for any period of time has felt the cold breath of division and puffed egos around leaders who may be afraid, inferior or a myriad of other things that cause them to stay safely bound in their castles. I have worked in many different settings, with many different people and one thing remains the same in the needs of youth workers and if we are all honest, all of humanity, that is "belonging". We are made to belong. Something in the human heart craves, longs for and seeks after the opportunity to be a part of something great and significant. God shows us clearly in the network of the first family that togetherness and belonging was plan A. However, as we all know sin has changed all of that and to this very day people find themselves slinking off in the shadows of self-pity, loneliness, or self righteous pride. Well, sounds pretty heavy, huh?

I do not like to hang out there very long. I am seeing the fruits of men and women of God across this land who have not settled for cultural norms or aloof family therapy, but have shared and affirmed Biblical truth into young lives. Oh Yeah! I see weekly, kids who are solid in their beliefs that separate them from today's` pop culture and the "whatever" attitude. I believe this is happening because people are getting out of their castles and looking where they are in the KINGDOM.

That is where I want my community to be, UNIFIED in Christ. We will have differences and meet in many locations, but we will know how to serve and love everyone in the KINGDOM. Can I challenge you today to at least look out the window of the castle of your life and look where you are located in God`s "BIG" Kingdom. You will find many who want the truth and an army of young warriors on the front lines sharing who Jesus is.

Go out and find someone quick and tell them Jesus loves them and show them that you do too!


All out 4 JESUS,

Dan

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