n thinking about the best way to sum up this year's ski trip experience. I think that God gives me insight into what he's doing within our youth group while we're on trips like this and this year's trip was no exception. From the moment I looked out on everybody's tired faces at 7:30am on New Year's day to the moment I looked out at all of the students and adults who were participating in the baptism of Dominic Nanni, there is one word that has been forever etched into my mind about these people--FAMILY. I think about how grateful I am for my wife. She's amazing--truly! Then my awesome kids, John Mark and Riley. Words fail to describe how much joy they bring me. My mom and dad and all of my sisters--they are such a blessing. God has so richly blessed me with my family. But amazingly, family doesn't stop there. These students and adults that I have the honor of serving--they are all my family. I think it catches some of the students off guard when I tell them they're my family. I love that. They're like, "Family, really?" You bet. For some reason, most likely because He loves us like no other, God shows us glimpses of heaven. Specifically, how we will all be joined together in perfect unity. That is God's design for family--His family. Why I get to see it now, on earth, is something I can't fully grasp. I also can't describe the feeling I have in my heart toward these people that are my "family." I was trying to describe it to a student while we were on the trip. I said, "Y'know when you meet someone and there's something inside you, in your spirit, that goes off like a siren, and you connect with that person immediately?" That's God at work. When Jesus is praying for all the people who will believe in him after his ascension, he leaves no doubt as to what he desires for them. Three times he prays that we all will be one, as He and the father are one. Jesus and His father--the most amazing family ever--and that's what he prays for us. So something happened on this trip that took that to another level. The thing that I love is that I can't for the life of me put my finger on what it was. Whether it was having a blast playing catch phrase on the bus, sharing my water with a student while we were in the lift line, catching up with old friends, or just sitting there quietly watching everyone interacting, there it was--there was my family. I can't imagine what is going to happen this year as this family gets even closer. God is drawing us back to him, and in the process we are drawn to each other like never before. God's kingdom has come and will continue to come. He is manifesting it through his people and to quote Melanie Carter, "My heart is full." Praise be to the Most High God. The infinite creator of all things seen and unseen, and the intimate lover of our souls who brings us together and adopts us all into his perfect family! I love you guys!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
F-A-M-I-L-Y
If you're a follower/fan of the blogs of Melanie Carter, Jamie Vance, Melissa Carter, Erica Osborn, and Keith Trollinger (big shout out, guys), then this blog entry may seem a bit redundant. Oh well. I've bee
n thinking about the best way to sum up this year's ski trip experience. I think that God gives me insight into what he's doing within our youth group while we're on trips like this and this year's trip was no exception. From the moment I looked out on everybody's tired faces at 7:30am on New Year's day to the moment I looked out at all of the students and adults who were participating in the baptism of Dominic Nanni, there is one word that has been forever etched into my mind about these people--FAMILY. I think about how grateful I am for my wife. She's amazing--truly! Then my awesome kids, John Mark and Riley. Words fail to describe how much joy they bring me. My mom and dad and all of my sisters--they are such a blessing. God has so richly blessed me with my family. But amazingly, family doesn't stop there. These students and adults that I have the honor of serving--they are all my family. I think it catches some of the students off guard when I tell them they're my family. I love that. They're like, "Family, really?" You bet. For some reason, most likely because He loves us like no other, God shows us glimpses of heaven. Specifically, how we will all be joined together in perfect unity. That is God's design for family--His family. Why I get to see it now, on earth, is something I can't fully grasp. I also can't describe the feeling I have in my heart toward these people that are my "family." I was trying to describe it to a student while we were on the trip. I said, "Y'know when you meet someone and there's something inside you, in your spirit, that goes off like a siren, and you connect with that person immediately?" That's God at work. When Jesus is praying for all the people who will believe in him after his ascension, he leaves no doubt as to what he desires for them. Three times he prays that we all will be one, as He and the father are one. Jesus and His father--the most amazing family ever--and that's what he prays for us. So something happened on this trip that took that to another level. The thing that I love is that I can't for the life of me put my finger on what it was. Whether it was having a blast playing catch phrase on the bus, sharing my water with a student while we were in the lift line, catching up with old friends, or just sitting there quietly watching everyone interacting, there it was--there was my family. I can't imagine what is going to happen this year as this family gets even closer. God is drawing us back to him, and in the process we are drawn to each other like never before. God's kingdom has come and will continue to come. He is manifesting it through his people and to quote Melanie Carter, "My heart is full." Praise be to the Most High God. The infinite creator of all things seen and unseen, and the intimate lover of our souls who brings us together and adopts us all into his perfect family! I love you guys!
n thinking about the best way to sum up this year's ski trip experience. I think that God gives me insight into what he's doing within our youth group while we're on trips like this and this year's trip was no exception. From the moment I looked out on everybody's tired faces at 7:30am on New Year's day to the moment I looked out at all of the students and adults who were participating in the baptism of Dominic Nanni, there is one word that has been forever etched into my mind about these people--FAMILY. I think about how grateful I am for my wife. She's amazing--truly! Then my awesome kids, John Mark and Riley. Words fail to describe how much joy they bring me. My mom and dad and all of my sisters--they are such a blessing. God has so richly blessed me with my family. But amazingly, family doesn't stop there. These students and adults that I have the honor of serving--they are all my family. I think it catches some of the students off guard when I tell them they're my family. I love that. They're like, "Family, really?" You bet. For some reason, most likely because He loves us like no other, God shows us glimpses of heaven. Specifically, how we will all be joined together in perfect unity. That is God's design for family--His family. Why I get to see it now, on earth, is something I can't fully grasp. I also can't describe the feeling I have in my heart toward these people that are my "family." I was trying to describe it to a student while we were on the trip. I said, "Y'know when you meet someone and there's something inside you, in your spirit, that goes off like a siren, and you connect with that person immediately?" That's God at work. When Jesus is praying for all the people who will believe in him after his ascension, he leaves no doubt as to what he desires for them. Three times he prays that we all will be one, as He and the father are one. Jesus and His father--the most amazing family ever--and that's what he prays for us. So something happened on this trip that took that to another level. The thing that I love is that I can't for the life of me put my finger on what it was. Whether it was having a blast playing catch phrase on the bus, sharing my water with a student while we were in the lift line, catching up with old friends, or just sitting there quietly watching everyone interacting, there it was--there was my family. I can't imagine what is going to happen this year as this family gets even closer. God is drawing us back to him, and in the process we are drawn to each other like never before. God's kingdom has come and will continue to come. He is manifesting it through his people and to quote Melanie Carter, "My heart is full." Praise be to the Most High God. The infinite creator of all things seen and unseen, and the intimate lover of our souls who brings us together and adopts us all into his perfect family! I love you guys!
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2 comments:
YES! isn't it frustrating even trying to explain it?! When I was having lunch with my sis yesterday she was like, "I don't know how to explain how I felt about the people on that trip", and I totally understood...so awesome.
and to think...if this is what we're experiencing here...just imagine
wow, i so agree the experiencing what we get to here. I keep thinking, "and I get to do this all the time" How grateful I am to God. I love you JP. thank you for letting me be apart of this.
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