Loneliness is a terrible thing to experience.    Isn't it ironic that with well over six billion people on the face of this planet, with all kinds of connecting technology....yet, so many are lonely.    When the resurrected Jesus ascended to heaven he told us that he would not leave us alone.    He promised us his presence through the Holy Spirit.   Now, instead of the earthly Jesus being with some people some of the time, through his Holy Spirit, he is with all his people all of the time!  

I hope the title got your attention.  A lot of our youth have indicated that this is a  major reason that many of them don't regularly read the Bible on their own.  According to a recent study from the University of NC at Chapel Hill, only 23% of United Methodist teens who profess a personal relationship with Christ read their Bible at least one time each week or more.

The author of the Book of Hebrews writes:   "Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress......"

There is a line from the Presbyterian Catechism (teachings) that has always caught and held my attention:  Our purpose in life is "to know God and make God known."     That is such an awesome motto for a believer's life and living!   For me, it summarizes very succintly our mission and purpose in this world.    We are placed on this earth, in this world, to know and experience God and his love, grace and justice.    And, not only are we to know God, we are also to make God known to others....so that they too may know and experience his love, grace and justice.

One huge praise that has occurred in the youth ministry over the past year is the growth in popularity and attendance with our prayer breakfasts.  Almost every Thursday of each month, some dedicated ministry leaders and I get the privilege of hanging out with the teens in our youth ministry for breakfast before they go to school. 

I have spent more than a fair share (in my opinion) of time in waiting rooms lately.  I spent time today in the day surgery center while my husband had a biopsy and I am always amazed at the different dynamics of families.  I am very much a loner in the waiting room,  I bring work and a good book.  This isn't to say I mind visitors.  Others, bring huge support systems, spouses, family, church members, ministers.  What I find most interesting is the conversations. 

On Sunday, June 7th in ORUMC's Educational Building at 11am a ministry birthing will take place!   A fourth worship service will be launched geared especially toward young adults - ages 18-30.   Please join me in praying for this service of Christian worship that followers of Jesus may be raised and strengthened.   The methods of worship will be different but the gospel message of Jesus Christ will be the very same!  

WOW, Blogger is not something I ever thought I would be doing, but then it made total sense that in today's environment, you must use every means of communication. Communication, it is essential to living.  Without it, how would you know that dinner is ready, or the news of the day, or even to hear (or sign) I LOVE YOU to the most important people in your lives.  And  in this technological world we communicate in a personal way via e-mail, internet, texting, cell phone and blogging, not to mention the good Ol' fashion one on one time! 

At youth group last night, I started a conversation with the high schoolers about stories / experiences from our past that still make us laugh to this day.  As the conversation progressed, there was an obvious smile on every face.  It was so much fun to hear them burst out in laughter before they could even get the stories out.