Show Some Faith

MLK said "There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love." Julia and I got to take fourteen teens to the Banished retreat at Camp Patmos, seven guys and seven girls. The truth is that most of them have no relationship with Jesus, even after we’ve walked and talked Jesus with them for more than a year!

Saturday night, I took the guys deep into the woods at night, lit a torch I had hidden out there, and told them a story. “On a dark night in Lake Erie, two ships collided. Some heard the cries ‘To the life boat! The life boat!’ but believed that they were safer in the ship. They perished. Others heard and even believed the life boat could save, but they were afraid to jump out into the darkness. They, too, perished. Lastly, there were a few who heard, believed, and jumped. Only they were saved by the life boat. Which group would you say believed?” Obviously those on the ship, torn and unwilling to move, did not have saving faith in the life boat. I am disappointed to think of how many teens can see themselves in that story, but are still torn and unwilling to jump into Jesus' arms. I know that only the Spirit can do the moving... And has done the moving.

The encouraging the contrast came last Sunday night. Four people stepped out into baptized. They showed the world that they believe in Jesus and will live for Him, "buried in the likeness of His death, raised in the likeness of His resurrection." Three of the four who were baptized go to church without parents. I am now praying that their faith is a testimony to the unbelieving family members they love deeply.