by Misti Sanders

I love that Hannah prayed (1 Samuel 2:1-10) a prayer of praise to God remembering the one who answered her prayer. There are times we can forget to not only thank God for the prayers He’s answered, but also we might at times not remember to praise Him for some of those unanswered prayers. I’m thankful that He knows best and that I do not have to lean on my own understanding but, get to trust a loving and good God. 

by Jami Wolfe

I started helping with the youth group a few years ago. I never had a “calling” or anything. I did get a phone call though, asking if I would help out. I had a good experience with my own youth group when I was a teen and knew there was value in showing up as a solid in a kid’s life, so I agreed. I had no clue what God had in mind.
Eventually, I came to a place in my life where God invited me to go deeper. It was either accept the invitation, or continue living in fear and brokenness. I was sick of the latter option, so I said yes to God. Sounds cute, right? Well, it didn’t feel cute. It mostly felt like stepping off the edge of a cliff. The best part though, was where I landed.
During this time, all areas of my life began to change, because God was changing me. My only part in this transformation was to say yes to Him and allow space for Him. So, along with everything else, Youth Ministry changed. God ever so gently said, “let’s take a look at a few things, and then I can show you a better way.” He showed me how Youth Group had really just been all about me. I always cared about the kids as much as I could, or knew how to, but I wasn’t really free to LOVE them. Monday nights, my thoughts were filled with things like “do the kids like me?” or “am I cool enough?” and “I need to think of something really awesome to say, so I sound really good.” Wow! Even though it stung a little to acknowledge this part of me, a part that I tried to keep buried down deep was revealed, and I am thankful God revealed it. I’m also thankful that God is big enough to still work through us, even when we are right in the middle of our “junk”.
True to His word, God showed me another way. When I let go, and allowed Him to be in control, allowed Him to love me, everything shifted. God has given me a heart for these teens. I absolutely know it’s God’s love, because it’s something I could never create on my own. Daily, I place this ministry in His hands. He does the work! I get to show up and be blessed by Him. 

Chapter I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost... I am hopeless;
        it isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in this same place;
        but it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it there.
I still fall in... it’s a habit.
        My eyes are open.
        I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V
I walk down another street.

by Shon Sanders

​I came across this passage from the book Men of the Bible by James Stuart Bell and wanted to share it with you:

by Chip Johnson

​I was having a drink with my co-workers from the Summit program when Sean and I stumbled upon a double epiphany. Summit is a joint program between the county and the school district that provides individual therapy, group skills work, and academic support for high school students who are suicidal and self-harming. There were four of us on the team. To say the job was taxing would be a gross understatement. These were twenty of the highest risk students in the county for suicide. As tough as it was, I absolutely loved that job, mostly because of the team of people I was working with. I can say without hesitation that the Summit team was the best team experience I’ve ever been a part of. We didn’t just do good work, we loved those kids, and we loved each other. I’ll probably spend the rest of my life trying to replicate what I experienced with those three. 
​
What Sean and I realized that day as we were reflecting on our team dynamic was this: No individual will ever be able to accomplish what a functional team can do, especially for any length of time. One person can do some heroic things, but a team can pull off what would kill a normal man, day in and day out.

The second half of our double epiphany was the mind-bending part: a good team is only as strong as the level of self-care of each individual involved. As we looked back on our time together, we realized that whenever our team dynamic had broken down in any way, the cause could ultimately be traced back to one or more of us falling behind in taking care of ourselves outside of the workplace. Whenever one of us would become exhausted or push themselves too far past their limits, the team would suffer. This seems especially ironic, because the usual expectation is that the members of a team prove their worth or contribution by what they are willing to sacrifice for the team. I have a ton more to say on all this, but for now, let me ask you a question:

Wouldn’t you prefer to be part of a team that not only accomplishes a great work, but sees to it that each individual member is being taken care of and living a balanced and healthy life?