This weekend we enjoyed dinner at the Sullivan’s home. We lived near the Sullivan’s in Northern California and their daughter, Kelsey, was a part of our my small group there. Shortly after we moved to Orange County, they also moved and now live less than two miles from us! Now her younger sister, Caitlin, is in our new youth group and we are thankful to have them close again!

I was sharing with Christine (Kelsey’s mom) about our trip to Hume Lake. I almost didn’t go because my Explorer needs new tires and I wasn’t sure if it would be safe to take my old tires up 600 miles to the lake. I risked it and made it there and back. One of the roads was very windy, uphill and almost one lane. I was a little concerned and since I was not driving with the group of vans I checked my cell phone to make sure I could call Bobby if I had any trouble. But the screen said “no service.” It’s interesting how at this point in my trip my iPod connection to my stereo wouldn’t work anymore. So I drove up this windy hill, not sure if my car was going to get me to the top, in silence.

I think that the Lord had planned this because I spent that time talking to Him because I knew that He had to get me there. I started flipping through my 3×5 spiral of verses and as I mentioned a couple of entries back, I memorized some of them. One of them was Psalm 31:1–

While up here at Hume Lake this week I’ve been giving some thought to my ministry to our high school girls. I have the privilege of heading up some structured things for them and I enjoy encouraging them and challenging them to walk closer with the Lord. The Lord has put on my heart a desire to help young women grow in their faith as they mature in their walk with Christ. I am not alone in this desire. There are dozens upon dozens of speakers and books available for young women today, all designed to “help” them. Though I’m not sure that is what they are really doing.

They often seem so focused on being trendy or relevant that they lose any spiritual depth as they end up being simply a pat on the back instead of a way to inspire them to be more like Christ. I remember a few years back when one of my small group girls showed me a new magazine. It took me a minute to realize what it actually was—the New Testament in magazine form complete with dating pointers, beauty tips, and sections about what guys think about girls and personality quizzes. The publishers thought this magazine-Bible would be more user-friendly because then a teenage girl wouldn’t be embarrassed to read her Bible at school or Starbucks, or even show it to a friend. I feel that this is completely missing the point of ministry to young Christian women today. We should be encouraging them with 1 Timothy 1:7 that says,

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Instead of helping teen girls walk more boldly we tell them its okay to adapt their faith to a form that is more comfortable.

I was in the camp’s Christian bookstore today looking for a book I could read with some of my new high school girls. I found one that said:

As I read through these books or magazines I almost wouldn’t know they were “Christian.” They closely resemble a Seventeen magazine featuring a “5 tips to help you be a happier girl” section. That may seem harsh, but this is the reality of most youth ministry to Christian girls today. I really wish that it mattered more to people that Christian girls be taught the truth of the value, not of themselves, but of their relationship with God. I wish more youth pastor’s wives or women leaders would do Bible studies instead of book studies. We need to teach our girls to be spiritually disciplined, servants, using their gifts, and walking with God.

Today’s young Christian girl doesn’t need to esteem herself more, be convinced of her inner mystery, claim her beauty or demand respect. What do Christian girls need? Christian girls need to be transformed into the likeness of their Savior.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Romans 12:2

To be continued…

Since Sunday we have been staying up at Hume Lake Christian Camps. I stay “staying” rather than “camping” because Bobby and Tyler and I have a very nice room in one of the lodges. It’s basically the same as a hotel with amenities like complimentary coffee, an iron and ironing board and housekeeping.

I’ve been to Hume Lake one other time before this, I think it’s been over twelve years ago now. My family used to go camping every summer to Bass Lake, but one year we came to Hume. All I really remember about that trip was floating on a pink air mattress out on the lake with my sisters and a dead fish floated by my foot. The only other thing I remember is getting out of the water!

There is chapel twice each day with a worship band and speaker. Our group usually has meals together and the kids have lots of free time. It seems like the students are having a great time so far and I sure am having a good time getting to know them and some of our leaders better.

I’ve been keeping up with Compass’ daily Bible reading, I’ve mentioned before. Right now we are reading Ecclesiastes. Not the most cheerful book to read, but no less necessary. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, gives us his thoughts on life. And as far as I’ve read–only the first few chapters–he uses the word “vanity” about twenty times to describe the toils and strivings of life.

When I kept seeing the word “vanity” I thought, “How depressing…” but then I got to a verse that helped me realize one of Solomon’s points:

Nothing that man can do throughout all of time can replace man’s need for a Savior, can take the place of God. What God does is the same from beginning to end because He is about bringing glory to the only one due glory—Himself.

Chapter 1 verse 9 says “…there is nothing new under the sun.” I was somewhat surprised to read this because there have been a lot of new things since Solomon’s day. This book was probably written in 931 BC there are numerous new things like the internet, cell phones, cars, books—only to list a few of millions of “new” things since Solomon’s lifetime. Does that mean Solomon didn’t know what he was talking about?

No, because his point is that there is nothing new to take over the works of the Lord. What He does is all that matters and there will never be new pleasure, new wisdom, or new gain apart from God. Apart from Him everything is vanity.

On the trip up here it was just me and little Tyler in the car. My CD player is broken so I brought my iPod which wouldn’t work with the car adapter for some reason. Instead of listening to music I decided to memorize a verse instead. One of the more recent ones I had written in my 3×5 card spiral was —

‘“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom,
let not the mighty man boast in his might,
let not the rich man glory in his riches,
But let him who glories, glory in this—
That he understands and knows Me,
In these I delight,’ says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24

One pursuit in our lives that would not be vanity is to understand and know God. As I was memorizing it I thought, “Who can understand God?” I’m not sure I know the answer to that question. I don’t know if our tiny human minds can ever wrap around the Creator. But still, the Lord wants us to pursue knowing Him.

Last week Tyler turned 6 months old! To celebrate we took him in the swimming pool—one of his new-favorite things to do. The last few weeks he has been getting up on all fours and rocking forward and backward—no crawling yet though! It is such a joy to see him grow and develop. He’s even teething now too! Bobby has been teaching him how to give “fives” which is fun because he wants to do it to people if they hold their hand out. I notice a big change in the last month where Tyler is much more social and it’s pretty easy to get him smiling, talking and laughing. He also likes exploring things more, it seems that he’s always looking around for something to touch and wants to see what things taste like. He has yet to try any solid foods, but I’m sure that will be coming up this month.

Things with our youth group are going well. Bobby is teaching a series called “Back to School with Daniel” to get the students ready to return to school in the next few weeks. During the summer we do “Beach Day” every Wednesday and I have been blessed to have a girls small group for that each week. It takes time to get to know people and for people to feel comfortable with us shepherding this group, but I think we’re getting there.

Last Wednesday Bobby recapped his lesson from Sunday and then gave us some application-questions for small groups. The questions were from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5–

As we discussed thought patterns that we need to get in order I realized how daunting this can seem. I was convicted of some thoughts I need to take into obedience and they can seem so huge, not even able to get in control. Sometimes I wonder if we don’t even bother trying because we know that we have strong habits and are too stubborn or lazy to really change. It can be overwhelming to start breaking habits and getting control of our thoughts, but it is worth the pain it may take to discipline ourselves. We know it isn’t better to live in disobedience and unfruitful for the Lord.

At our previous youth group we studied Cliff McManis’s book Christian Living Beyond Belief. In his chapter “Think!” Cliff makes it clear that it is vital that Christians know how to think properly–according to the Truth in God’s Word.

Dawn at Spanish Morning has tagged me for a short book survey. I enjoy reading book lists from other people because it gives me ideas of books to read that I might not have known about. I also want to say that the Bible is the ultimate book and answer to most of these questions, so my answers are aside from the Bible. I like to read, especially books that address some area for spiritual growth, my role as a woman/wife, and these days, books on parenting. I hope you find a book on this list you might like to read!

A book that changed my life:
Seeing With New Eyes, by David Powlison. This book opened my eyes to see the amazing ability of Scripture to speak directly into my heart and life. It really shook up many assumptions I had about issues such as worry or the popular “love languages.” One chapter in particular that has greatly influenced how I think is called “God’s Love, Better Than Unconditional.” Powlison has helped me see that the Bible is not just a guidebook or some good suggestions. It is “…living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Seeing With New Eyes is a collection of essays Powlison originally wrote for a quarterly publication called the Journal of Biblical Counseling. The back cover explains the two main points well saying that the book seeks to explore:

A book I’ve read more than once:
War of Words by Paul David Tripp. I cannot say enough good stuff about this book. I hope that everyone who is reading this right now will buy it and read it. You can get it used at Amazon for just over $5!

This book is one of the best books I have ever read. The subtitle is “Getting to the heart of your communication struggles.” I don’t know anyone who doesn’t need to learn to hold their tongue, not complain or not speak selfishly. This book starts with problems we make with our tongue and goes straight to the heart–”For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34)

A book I’d want on a deserted island:
For sure, the Bible. I also thought this might be helpful: How to Survive on a Deserted Island.

Book that made me laugh:
I remember Monica and I reading some of the Christian girl series Christy Miller back in the day and laughing our heads off because they were so cheesy!

Book that made me cry:
I cry every time I’ve read Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities, a classic and a great story of a man giving his life for his friend.

A book I wish would be written:
God Calls it Love by Bobby Blakey.

A book I wish had never been written:
Though I’ve had the opportunity to have some good conversations about this book, it is so terribly unedifying I wish it hadn’t been written. Click the link to read my review of it–Captivating by John and Stasi Eldridge.

Currently reading:
-Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney
-Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Have been wanting to read:
-Lies Women Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
-Successful Christian Parenting by John MacArthur
-Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper