quick STARS update

We have been discussing the ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ in our STARS program. In each bible study, the students have been very interested about the life of Jesus. I have been impressed with many questions and discussion that the students have brought up. We have had many opportunities to discuss salvation and how to accept the Lord as their personal Savior. I know that doors have been opened and seeds have been planted to further the kingdom of God.

Angie Bishop
STARS Director

Pray for "D"

There are kids in middle school that even I can be intimidated by. Often they are more mature both physically and emotionally (kind of), and they make it clear that they want nothing to do with you. Recently I started a new Wise Guys group at Clark Middle School and invited one such guy, "D" to join. Because his friends were invited he joined and we've been meeting for about 3 weeks now. I have to say that I've really been amazed at how much his demeanor and attitude toward me has changed in such a short time. I even get the sense that the front he put up before was really just a defense mechanism to hide the fact that he really wanted to be around me. Lately he's been saying things like, "I wish we could stay in here with you all day", and just the other day I dismissed them early but he came back just to hang out a little longer. Yesterday we had a talk about the pressure to have sex that is placed on him by his friends. I had the chance to tell him that a "real" man doesn't do things for other people but makes decisions that are right for him. I could tell during our discussion that we were really connecting and he genuinely valued my input. Those are good days. The reality is, that whether a guy puts up a tough front or not, most desire real relationships and respond when we make it clear that we care about their lives. Pray for "D", I invited him to Young Life and he is planning on coming next week for the first time. Pray that the gospel message would break through and touch his heart, leading him to Christ.

Chris LeMaster
Associate Director, SCYM

Do not worry. Do not worry. Do not worry.

Confession: I've been anxious lately.

I've been anxious about money. Not my money, but SCYM's. It's no secret - the economy stinks. The stock market is sagging. Jobs are being cut. Everyone is limping along. And nonprofits are no exception. We survive on donations, so when our donors are hurting, we feel the pinch.

So the Dessert is coming, one of our major fundraisers, and apparently I'm anxious.

I didn't even realize it, until I had an anxiety dream last night. (I have two versions that pop up from time to time - one is waiting tables at a restaurant full of people by myself, and the other is packing in slow motion for a trip that is just minutes away. This happened to be the waitress scenario.)

I am trying not to consciously worry, but deep in my subconscious, questions are plaguing me: Will our Dessert be a success? Will we bring in enough money? What will we cut if there's not enough? Will we ever see money from our DJFS contract? (That would be the slow-motion packing dream, but I digress.) And ultimately - will God provide?

Today the kids and I were driving home from lunch with my husband. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw my 3-year-old daughter, playing with a stuffed animal and making silly noises for her brother. We're starting to teach Ada a little about money - how it works, what you can buy with it, that sort of thing. And as I looked at her, I realized there is one thing as our kid that I never want her to do: worry about money. It's great if she understands how it works, and of course we want her to be wise about it, but I never, ever, ever want her to lie in bed at night thinking, "What if mommy and daddy can't pay the gas bill this month? What if there's no heat? What if there's just not enough money for what we need?"

And in a flash it hit me: If that's how I feel about my kids, how much more does God want the same for me. How much does he want me to have a deep sense of trust, not only that he will provide but that he knows what I - and SCYM - truly need.

This could just be a nice thought - but it also happens to be biblical. It seems to me that it's pretty much what Jesus was trying to say in Matthew 6:28-34:

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Do not worry, Jesus says - three times in that chapter. I think that today I heard not just the words, but the heartfelt plea of a Father who not only longs for our childlike trust, but also has all the treasure in the world at his command.

No matter what the state of your life right now, no matter what the state of your economy - I pray you will embrace this truth with me, and truly rest in the promise of our Father to provide.

Faith Bosland
Executive Director

Join us for the Spring Dessert - Tues., March 3

We're looking forward to a great night next Tuesday, March 3! You'll hear from several students, the principal of one of the schools we serve, and our staff about what God is doing at SCYM. And of course, we'll have great desserts donated from local restaurants. (Along with fruit for anyone who is being virtuous.) The event starts at 7:00 and is at Courtyard Marriott in downtown Springfield.

You can RSVP via email (SCYMinistries@gmail.com) or leaving us a voice mail (937-325-6183). We look forward to seeing you there!

Resolutions

It’s a new year. This is a time for fresh starts and second chances. A lot of people make resolutions to better themselves. How long do those new year resolutions last? Why is it so difficult to stay committed to things that are meant to improve our lives? I know personally the reason for my own failures is because I set unrealistic goals. I set myself up to fail without even realizing it. Another reason I struggle is because I am the one trying to fix the “problem”. If I would just give these concerns and challenges completely over to God, things would be different. Only God has the power to make long-lasting changes in my life. So therefore, this new year I am making the commitment to put my entire life in the loving and capable hands of my Savior. With God all things are possible!! Many blessings to you during the year of 2009!

His Servant,
Angie Bishop
STARS and Summer Day Camp Director

Taking Advantage of a Teachable Moment

Recently on the way to an 8th grade basketball game (I'm the coach for Clark/Roosevelt) I overheard some of my players calling an Indian boy on our team a "terrorist". Knowing the two boys who were making the comments I understood that they were mostly joking around with the boy whom they both like. Yet as I sat there I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to take advantage of the opportunity, a teachable moment if you will. When we entered the locker room I told the kids we were having a team meeting. I gathered them around a marker board and began to write the words: Black White Indian. I then told them that I had been offended by some of the language that was used on the bus and wanted to talk about it. I asked them to shout out negative terms or thoughts that people have about each of the three races on the board before them. "Racist" they said for whites, "poor" they said for blacks, "terrorist" they said for Indian. I then had three boys come forward as representatives of each race and asked them to say things that described them. "Funny", "Hilarious", "Fun to be around", were some of their responses. I told them that language, whether joking or not, says a lot about how we choose to think about each other. A prejudice, I said, was when you chose to have negative views about all people in a race or ethnicity, because of a few bad apples. "I am a white man, and there are white men who are in the KKK, but I hope that when you met me you didn't think I was an angry racist bigot." I closed the time by saying that scripture says that we should treat others the way we would want to be treated and that we should do the same with the words we use toward each other. As I reflect on the whole interaction, which lasted about 5 minutes, I am thankful mostly that I was "there", that I was able to speak the truth of God into a teachable moment with these young men who have come to really like and respect me. I am convinced that many of them, especially the Muslim Indian, will remember my words for the rest of their lives. Thanks to everyone who supports SCYM and gives me the opportunity to be "there" in teachable moments like this.

Chris LeMaster
Associate Director

Elizabeth Baker

For the last few months, I have been leading a bible study once a week with 3 eighth graders from Clark Middle School. These ladies all attended Impact World Tour in the fall, and said afterwards that were interested in attending a bible study. Although I didn't know these ladies, I was involved at Clark WyldLife and was asked to start the study with these girls. Initially, I was very excited to meet these girls, but also a little intimidated by the idea. I had no idea what their church background or understanding of the Bible might be, and I was worried about how to explain something as complex as God and the Bible to a group of girls who might very possibly have no prior understanding of them! I was also curious how open and willing to interact these girls might be with me, since I was a complete stranger.

On the first day I met with the girls all my concerns with them not opening up were immediately relieved. These energetic, talkative young ladies were excited to meet me and wasted no time in getting to know one another. As I drove them over to Un Mundo for our bible study, they told me all sorts of information, from what their day was like at school to what they thought about my shoes and everything in between. I soon realized that rather than struggling to get them to open up, I might struggle with getting a word in edge wise!

This was my first time leading a Bible study for people younger than me, and my biggest concern was how to present the bible as being real and relevant, without dumbing it down and selling it short of the power of the words. As I was looking for material to study, I came a cross a lesson on the fruit of the Spirit. I thought that this would be a nice, easy topic to start with, since I could break it down easily and do just a couple every week. The girls seemed to enjoy the study, and were excited to come back every week. We have moved on to a new topic now, but I still ask them each week if they can remember all nine of the fruits of the spirit, and they've still got em! The most challenging thing for me is that while I was leading this study, each week the Spirit would convict my heart while I was speaking. Although I was starting with what I thought would be an "easy" topic, I realized that the Bible's truth cannot be lessened or simplified, and that it always has the power to teach and convict. The word was just as sharp and true in my heart, although I had heard it many times, as it was to these girls who were hearing it for the first time! I am so grateful for the opportunity I have with these ladies, and I ask that you would be praying both for these girls and for the work the Spirit is working in their hearts, and also to me, that I would be open and obedient to his pushing and prodding in my heart as I meet with these girls.

Elizabeth Baker
SCYM Volunteer