Perseverance

God meets you when you push through... August was a very full month for me and JirehScope (Though Sept. is looking even busier!) As I was thinking about some of the highlights and what you might all like to read about I was reminded of how God moved while ministering at youth camp when I was in a very weak state... but willing to push through. Thought this is something we ALL need to be reminded of occassionally.

All in all, Pine Brook camp was amazing this year. (as it was last year!) I HIGHLY recommend this camp to anyone looking to send their children to a Bible focused INCREDIBLY fun and WELL RUN youth camp... and I should mention, wonderful food... both for the body and for the spirit! I was privileged enough to be welcomed back this year to bring some music and preach for 6 consecutive nights to a group of roughly 100 youth in Shutesbury MA... It was intense. Each night building off of the previous... and each muscle sore-ness growing deeper and wider with each passing day of activities.

As wonderful as the week unfolded to be, the first night was an ABSOLUTE FLOP! (Yes, I know... I can hear some of you saying, this is not a great way to start your blog and generate support... but it is the truth.) That said, I truly believe this 'misfortune' on the first night of teaching was part of God's plan and a means for ME to experience some of what I was sharing with the youth that week... persevering! It also held a unique blessing in disquise.

The second night I literally apologized to the youth... and made a reference back to a statement that was made about being "12 strokes behind by the 9th hole" because... that's where I felt like I was. Not only was this apology warmly accepted but some of the leadership said that they truly felt that was a HUGE lesson to the youth and one that made me VERY approachable to them. And while it was comforting to be praised for showing humility and taking responsibility without 'ignoring' or 'making excuses,' the bottom line was... it was the right thing to do and God honored. Lives were touched and much prayer occured on the second night of teaching.

The rest of the week was very meaningful and yet physically, mentally and emotionally challenging for me as I strove to be involved with the youth and their activities as much as possible and burning midnight oil in prayer and preparation for the ministry nights... often grieving at night, saddened by the 'life situations' of some of the youth. And in addition this, being involved in EVERY form of physical competitions, biblical competition, and even POETIC competition for 'my teams.' (GO "Kariel and the Mixed Nuts!" and "Made of Metal") I was also growing sick as a result of some bite or 'very gross' leg infection. I was waking (when I DID get some sleep) with fever and sweats and just feeling lousy when I was sitting still... luckily, I DIDN"T sit still for long the entire week... but by the final night of ministry, I was running about a 102 temp and my leg was... well, DISGUSTING and in a great deal of pain. The nurse was pretty alarmed stating, "I've seen hundreds of these and thats a REAL good one!"

Those of you that know me know that I typically don't even contemplate medicine or 'sitting out' but... I really was wondering if I would be able to focus and was taking a 'fair amount' of ibuprophen... but, was going to trust He'd get us through. WOOHOO, trusting Him is THE single most 'focused' and intelligent thing you can EVER do. Guys when God puts you in a place where you can see His purpose and you are draining yourself to fulfill that purpose and you sense that the enemy is just attacking and you wonder whether you really can go on and be focused and fruitful... the single most intelligent thing you can do is TRUST and know that in OUR weakness (yet submitted state to Him) HIS strength is made perfect. (I read that somewhere... ;-)

Long story short... it was SOO worth persevering... That last night, He honored with amazing ministry time... some VERY focused ministry and specific prayer and direction that could've ONLY come from Him... several were responsive and came forward believing and recieving prayer and encouragement sensing a 'call to ministry' and I was COMPLETELY blessed to share salvation with a wonderful girl and watch what appeared to be years of hurt and hardness melt into amazing smiles of joy as the love of Jesus flowed... she would have been worth persevering for all by herself! Just imagine what YOUR persevering will be worth.

Thanks again to those of you supporting me in prayer as I go minister where God opens doors.