Okay, so Nationals is taking over my blog for a week or two. I'll put all these posts under one label for ease and reference. We leave in 15 hours and I'm praying about our time away. I'm thinking about previous conferences. Thoughts from Challenge Conferences compared with Jesus' transfiguration:
1. Everyone doesn't get it. Remember Peter? This great emotional experience at the transfiguration and he was like, "let's stay here forever," and "let's honor Jesus as much as we we honor Elijah." Jesus rebuked them. Some of our students are actually bracing themselves AGAINST the emotion they know will be at Challenge. They are so tired of up-and-down spirituality that they see another person crying and they get cynical and sometime even angry. EVERY NATIONALS I've attended has had people of this ilk doubting the validity--especially 11th and 12th grade boys who are growing up. So pray for the SPIRIT to be at work, not simply heart-warming speakers to convince the heart. These students need a knowledge of GOD and His Word, not simply inspiration (yes, there's a place for both!).
2. Expect trouble when we get back. After the transfiguration, the disciples came down from the mountain with Jesus to find the other disciples engaged in a defeated and powerless experience with an evil spirit. They began to argue amongst themselves and Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith. After the mountain tops comes the valleys. Please prayerfully prepare for this valley. When the disciples asked Jesus why they were powerless to effect the evil spirit he said that kind of work could only be done through PRAYER and FASTING.
So if you are tracking with us, please PRAY and FAST! Don't just pray for safe travel and a good time. God's will could be accomplished through unsafe travel and tons of turmoil. But that God would set His Kingdom in the hearts of our students! That they would see Christ crucified, risen the third day for the forgiveness of sins and live each of their days from now to the end for Him! Pray with us!!
We leave at 3:15 a.m., Sunday June 29.
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