As school starts again this year, I just wanted to leave a few thoughts and challenges...

This summer has been pretty powerful for our youth group. We have matured in ways that I never thought could happen, and God has used so many different people in our group in so many cool and unique ways. I remember at camp... the passion we had at worship. I remember WorldChangers... the desire to serve God in sacrificing our time, our money, and our bodies (in some cases). Will you let this school year be the same as last year? Middle school students - isn't it time you stepped out and was that person that made a difference in someone else's day? High school students - can't you be looking for opportunities to change your school for the better? New college students - you've got a fresh start... How are you going to use it?

I want to challenge each and every one of you. Don't let this year be the same! I remember in prayer group around December last year, we were all saying how the fire in us had faded, and how we wished it wasn't that way. This summer has made it quite apparent to me - we cannot have fire for something we leave on the shelf. We cannot have passion for something we don't take seriously. We cannot have a desire to share what is in God's Word if we aren't in it ourselves! I am so guilty of being a lukewarm, passionless, desireless Christian. I realize that I can't do it on my own.

I want this year to be different. But yet I say that, and look back on all the years I've said that, and just think, "Man, I am such a hypocrite." But I really want this year to be different. Will you join me?