The mystery of God's love

This past weekend was our fifth annual Illuminate Youth Conference. Once again, dozens of volunteers from Rochester Church came together to make this a great event. In addition, we were blessed by a variety of people who helped deliver God's message around our theme of "Mystery." Wiley Lowe delivered powerful messages, Salient and DeeperStill both lead us in worship. Ambassadors provided engaging drama (in the style of Scooby Doo). There were quality breakout sessions lead by Salient, Ambassadors, Patrick Mead, Pat Pugh, Sara Barton, Scott Ockerman, Adam Hacias, Evelyn Van Sloten, and Jim Calkin.

I am always impressed by the Rochester Church family, but Illuminate weekend is one of the times when they truly shine. We put out a call for a few hundred cans of pop and bottles of water, and they provided over a thousand. We needed housing for youth groups coming from out of town and everyone had a place to say. Registration, security, lunch preparation, and a variety of other areas were all taken care of and done with excellence. This is only because of the dedication and hard work of scores of Rochester Church members.

One of the most poignant moments of the weekend for me came on Sunday morning. While the conference officially ended on Saturday evening, Deeper Still was with us on Sunday morning to lead us in worship. As she had on Saturday, Veronica was singing with the rest of DeeperStill. J.T. Spivy, a member of Ambassadors, came up to provide a message leading us into our time of Communion. One of the key points he shared was how one day we will all be able to sit around the table with those we have lost. It was such a fitting message as I looked up at the men and women standing on the stage. The last several months have been challenging for many of us, especially Veronica and the DeeperStill family. I thought that J.T.'s words were a message of hope and light in the midst of a time still overshadowed by the darkness of Jeremy's death.

Life is indeed a mystery. There are many questions that may never be answered on this side of eternity. But there are some things that are not a mystery. God loves and cares for us. There may be moments of difficulty and pain where it's challenging to see or experience that love, but Love is present. God has given us one another to be a source of compassion and strength. When we find ourselves overwhelmed, there are others who are here to hold us up. that also means that when we see others who are overwhelmed, we must be there to hold them up. We are a family that must love our neighbors as ourselves.

I was reminded this weekend of the mystery of God's love. A love that never gives up in the midst of a world filled with conditional love. A love that gives all when so much love in today's society is more about taking. A love that brings light to darkness and hope to despair. It is not a surface, happy-clappy love that acts like everything is fine. Rather, it is a love that sustains and endures, even in moments where all seems lost. That's the kind of love this world needs and it's the kind of love that reflects the Kingdom of God.

shine
Jason

Fasting from Facebook

I have been thinking about what I could fast from during the season of Lent. While our particular religious tribe doesn't officially celebrate Lent, I thought it would be a great time to make some margin in my life.

I decided to go without Facebook for 40 days. Some of my friends have already reacted with gasps and disbelief. They wonder how I could go without updating my status, posting a picture, or sharing a link to spark some conversation. That's the point. I needed to give up something that would actually be a sacrifice.

Now, granted, going without Facebook is not a sacrifice in one sense, but it will be a distinct change for me. Facebook is a part of the rhythm of my life. I do birthday greetings every day, post interesting articles I come across, and post pictures from my personal life and ministry.

Part of the reason I am giving up Facebook is to create some margin in my life. While I don't sit and spend hours on Facebook, I do check it on my phone and sometimes when I am on my laptop I end up getting sucked into spending more time than I want or should spend browsing the News Feed and people's profiles.

So...enjoy the next six weeks, Facebook. I will miss you. However, you'll still hear from me indirectly. MyFitnessPal will still let you know when I exercise or lose some weight. I am sure a few people will tag me or post on my wall. But as for me? I will leave your icon quietly sitting on my iPhone and the bookmark tab in Safari will remain unclicked. I am sure I will miss you, but I will enjoy the moments of peace that your absence from my life will offer.

shine!
Jason