What an awesome time at this youth conference!! We were able to see old friends, meet new friends, and most importantly, hear some fabulous preaching from great men of God. They challenged us to be totally committed to serving Christ. One of our very own said he knew that the Lord wanted him to do something, he just didn't know what, and asked for prayers as he tried to figure out what Gods will was for his life.
Our teens participated in an ensemble and quartet competition, both of which they placed 3rd in ( not bad seeing this was our first year competing! ) and by the second day, they were already talking about how they couldnt wait to go back next year! Blessed Hopes (SC) teens also participated in quartets, where they placed 2nd, as well as Zach Brackett in the instrumental, placing 2nd!! and Brad Hanke, and Zach Brackett in the preacher boy contest, placing 1st and 2nd!! I was so proud of our teens for their efforts. I hope to see some of LBC's boys in that preacher boy contest next year!!
Our goal for taking them was this: Our life is about more than what we may consider comfort. It's about more than what we view as a difference of opinion, etc. It's about what we can do to give back to our Lord, who by the way, gave up all comfort to come to this world to die for us. Think about what He went through...do you for one moment think He cared that He had to walk in the dust, sleep on the ground, (with NO air condition might I add)or depend on the kindness of strangers for food? He had a goal. To seek and to save that which was lost. And He was totally committed. We may not be the Billy Grahams of our day, or the CH Spurgeons of our day, but can't we at least be committed to living for God? That's the LEAST I can do. We let our everyday comforts spoil us and get in the way of our spiritual goal. How will we act when some of our comforts are taken away for the cause of Christ? Will we spend more time complaining and pouting? Or will we focus on the commitment at hand?
