For the next generation

Today is my day off.  So you might say - Bruce what are you doing writing a post for your blog?  Good question.  Short answer?  I have a propensity toward being a workaholic.  But I'm not sure that is the problem today.  I've been a bit sick or I might be on the golf course!  Actually, there is another reason.  This week is Vacation Bible School and Youth Zoom (grades 6-8) at Northside.  We have a great staff and wonderful volunteer leaders and helpers.  I'm so grateful.

To be honest, I could have not showed up today, and not taken any flack for that.  Most people know that this is my weekend (Thursday night through Saturday afternoon).  Then I will preach three services - one Saturday night and two Sunday morning.  To preach is to die a little.  It takes something out of you.  But what a privilege.  I definitely need to refuel to keep the fire burning.  I want to be an instrument in the Carpenter's hands to inspire others to know Him!

I decided however that I would go by the church and just be incarnational.  That's what Jesus did.  Be among the people.  To be sure - there were times he withdrew to a solitary place - and we all need to learn that lesson as well.  It was my joy to speak with a number of people, greeting and encouraging them I pray.  What happened next was the joy of my morning.  I saw some of the youth zoom kids playing nerf baseball.  Well they were pitching and hitting.

When I was a kid growing up, I loved to ride my bike to my Grandma's house and get some pick up ball going with the neighbor kids.  I loved baseball.  This morning I said, - 'Hey, I want to pitch!'  For the next 15 minutes, I got to pitch and play some baseball with a great bunch of middle school youth.  Later on our leader gave me one of the bracelets being passed out for this group.  Our middle school ministry is now called 'Ignite'.  I grabbed the bracelet and put it on.  What it says sort of stunned me - in a good way - it says - 'Ignite the Fire Inside'.  WOW.

This keep the fire burning thing is not just for our generation but for future generations!  Before going to Bible School I had breakfast with a man who is a member of our church.  We talked about our families and encouraged each other in the Lord.  I reminded him and myself that as important as the church is, it all starts at home.

So let's keep the fire burning for yet another generation!  I'm confident they will ignite the fire inside - and if we are not careful will outrun us!  In one way that would be great - and in another - a sad commentary to my generation.  We need to keep blazing the trail for them!!!

I leave you with this challenge from the word of God.  'He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children so that a future  generation - children yet to be born - might know.  They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commandments.'  Psalm 78:5-7, HCSB.

So - let's keep the fire burning for the sake of this generation and the next!!!