Lifeline 4-13

Ever needed a few days to let things sink in before you speak your mind?? That's why this post is a week late...well honestly - - I think we could have heard this several years ago and been just fine. But here's what I've got::
Ted spoke last week about his "Top 5 List" and let me tell ya...Whoa. God was speaking through him, students were leaning in...and it was just a great night.
1)Start Now : This whole thing about people thinking they aren't good enough - or that they need to know the Bible inside and out before they even think about becoming a Christian is crazy talk. I understand the whole "feeling accepted" scenario...but seriously...why don't you just start with talking. Tell your story - let others in on what's going on inside of you and you'll be amazed at what you come to know. God didn't put us here to sit around and stare at each other - start talking.
2)We Are Not Alone : Understood. Plain and simple we aren't in this alone.
3)It Is Possible : No one said it was going to be easy, or that you wouldn't get pressured into doing something you know is wrong. This is all possible, if it's your status your worried about - stop worrying, because once you get to where you're headed...your status here means nothing. It can be hard to wrap your head around something as big as this when you're in high school. Trust me, I know. I was under the impression that everyone in high school ended up doing the wrong things while they were there. What a false claim. We are all here for bigger and better things, deciding what party you should go to this weekend shouldn't be at the top of the priority list.
4)Love First : (I loved this one) As humans, we get wrapped up in this thing called debate. Where everything has a right and wrong solution. I'm guilty of this in so many ways...I over analyze things constantly and forget about what it really all comes down to. We won't get anywhere with debate, we've got to learn to love each other first. Even if that means apologizing to someone that's hurt you in the past. Is it really worth jeopardizing something so great??....when I guarantee the other person is completely over what had previously happened between the 2 of you.
5)Tough Stuff : This is where Ted got fired up - it was amazing! Students are going to learn, but who is going to teach them? As leaders we can't tip toe around subjects that are hitting so close to home with our students. We've got to dig deeper - talk about stuff that actually matters. Maybe their home life is a mess, their friends are giving them false information, their schools don't talk about it - - in the end it leaves it up to the Church. C'mon, lets get dirty! My heart yearns for students to understand that they matter. If the Church is the only place they ever hear that, then let's scream it from the roof!

Ending - I just want to thank Ted for opening up his heart to the students (and leaders). Something huge is on the horizon, Lifeline only has a few more weeks to go and I can't wait to see how we're going to end the school year. All the missions teams are meeting in full force, many students are getting involved - - this is such a great thing!