Friday, June 5, 2015

Best Laid Plans



Plans often fall apart at the last minute.  In fact, most of my life has consisted of well laid strategies that survive only until the first hurdle, where they all go to pieces.  Working with high school students is a similar process of continuous ideas turned into programs which have to be adjusted constantly for the simple reality that teenagers are never consistent.  Small games get thrown out when twenty extra kids show up.  Large games are downsized when a single dramatic event at school causes everyone to stay home ‘sick’.  


On club night, we had well planned games, a meticulous order of events, and a prepared 10 minute talk on Jesus.  And yet, when the start time came and went, we had only a handful of students to show for it.  We tried to come up with an eleventh hour plan and came away with only one thought...we were all truly craving some slurpees.  So, without much thought, we announced that we would be going to get some delicious icy treats.  Almost on queue, car after car of students arrived  - twenty minutes late, of course.  Yet, everyone was so excited about slurpees that we had no choice but to push forward with our new adventure.  

Unfortunately, our first gas station choice had a machine that was out of commission, so it was with mere minutes left of club that we swung by 7-11, grabbed our delicious reward, and snapped a picture.  After that, it was over.  All of our planning had turned into a hide-and-seek game for a simple cup of flavoured ice.  And yet, the students had fun, we got to still talk about life in our car rides, and everyone had a great time.  After all, isn’t this what friends are for?  Spending time together and letting them know that we don’t just like them, but we love them.  

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Move Me Like the Ocean- Kyle Reynolds

Kyle Reynolds is one of our awesome Wyldlife leaders. 
He is also a very talented musician. 
Kyle is leaving this next year to work on music full-time. 

Kyle recently wrote a song that was inspired by his Young Life story. 
I asked him to write up an explanation on how the song came about. Below is his response.....

"Young Life has been apart of my life ever since I can remember and I've recently been fortunate enough to start leading music at Young Life camps. After seeing so many kids lives changed last year while playing music at Oakbridge, whether it was during "Say So" or just talking to kids throughout the week and seeing the Lord totally change their hearts, I was inspired to write this song. This song is about the kid  who is sitting in the back of the club room. This song is about me, you, and the person who has decided to go all in regardless of what is ahead and what they've been through. I hope this song can be sung and listened to as a prayer asking God to move us like the ocean. I want to step out of my comfort zone and allow God to fill me up with His strength and courage; and not rely on my own. In the chorus it says Move Me Like the Ocean, Move Me Like the Ocean, I still have my doubts, but it's time to step out in the ocean. I think this is something we can wake up every morning and ask the Lord. Everyday we have the choice to step out in the ocean, the unknown, and trust the Lord. All we have to do is say yes."

The lyrics to the song are below along with a link to his iTunes account. 
This month proceeds from the song will go back to Young Life. So take a moment and check out Kyle.


MOVE ME LIKE THE OCEAN


I know there’s  more to this at least that’s what I’ve been told
I feel alone and I’m so sick of it I need a place to call home


Can we forgive our past, lets go and not look back


move me like the ocean
Ocean
without a doubt you’re pulling me out of the ocean


Clouded by racing thoughts, I feel so far away
Told myself I’m doing fine, but was that just another lie to say


Can we forgive our past, lets go and not look back


move me like the ocean
Ocean
without a doubt you’re pulling me out of the ocean


move me like the ocean
Ocean
without a doubt you’re pulling me out of the ocean









-Dave