Positive Focus

At this point in the summer, being just over the half-way mark of Camp, all I have is my hope in Christ...everything I have is my hope in Christ. Ive heard, seen and experienced a variety of situations and conversations that further confirm the Fall of Man (as if I didn't know/see it already) and the brokenness that we experience in so much of this world. One of the groups at camp is having a hard time getting along, and Jewels and Adam are working with them to help them focus on the positives of each day. As humans, it often takes 10 positives to make up for every 1 negative. However, that is for the mind without/not focused on Christ. We must focus on looking at the positives of what is before us at camp (and in life in general, of course). Mom always thanks Jesus for our many blessings before meals at home in ATL ...yes, we have many blessings. But our ultimate blessing is Christ Himself; so when campers disregard authority, counselors get burned out, and discipline issue after discipline issue occurs, I want to be able to see all the above as blessings and then move forward to see what is good around me as well:

- our awesome elementary and middle school coordinators (and the fact that one of them is a roommate and close sister in Christ with whom I can share this experience)

- the fact that all of camp is on one campus

- our amazing swim instructor AND photographer (both in one person - check out our facebook page for her great pics :)

- counselors whose hearts are fully in it and are working their tail ends off for the kids and ultimately the Kingdom

- every individual high-five and hug from a camper

- 5 and 6-year olds dancing to Justin "Beaver"

- running into camp kids and their families at Walmart during after-hours

- and even the hard disciplinary conversations with campers and their parents....

I believe I've blogged on this next concept once before, but over half-way through Camp, I can't help but reflect on discipline and how it leads to stronger, deeper and more real relationships with each camper who has to be corrected. Hebrews 12:4-11 tells us that the Father who loves disciplines His children. Though it's not pleasant at the time (neither for the one being disciplined or the discipliner) it produces a "harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." God disciplines us "so that we may share in His holiness." Therefore I do believe in Psalm 139 when it reads that God knows each day we live and each word we speak before one of them comes to be - mistake or not...Good or Bad... He knows. We learn, grow and become holy as He is holy all through the process of correction and discipline.

Yet an additional thought/aspect to add to this: the kids who I have had to discipline the most/strongest, are the ones who are the most friendly with me after-the-fact. They are the ones saying hi in the halls, giving me hugs and high-fives and going out of their way to call out "Coach Val!" every time they see me. Why on earth!?! I was just "coming down hard on them" the day before, and now I am those kids' "best friend"

...makes no sense... to the world.

...makes all sense... by the standards of the Kingdom.

God disciplines us so that we can share in His holiness - us sharing in His holiness allows for us to be close to Him. He is love and therefore we experience true love and life when we are near Him (disciplined and purified of our sin/"bad" actions through our relationship with Christ). So when we discipline children the way God disciplines us, we are cleansing them of what is not right and allowing for the relationship from leader to child to be restored, and therefore made stronger.

We were born to be directed in the right way. We need direction. Praise God that the slogan of NorthStar Youth Ministries is "Helping Youth Find Their Direction." We are a relational ministry and seek to give kids the best life-direction possible.

Discipline and correction --> Relationship --> Gospel opportunity. Yes. Good plan.