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In reading “The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains”, some great connections to scripture, as well as to other current thoughts/words toward God making us New Creations, are being made throughout.  One of the themes that comes up over and over again is that of “neurological plasticity”.

Which is a fancy way of saying, that even if our brain doesn’t grow in mass much past our early adult years, we still have the ability for our brains to rewire, form new connections, and in effect “change how we think”.  For a long time, scientists believed that once our brains were done growing in size, they were also set in their patterns and connections/activity.  But developments in technology have enabled us to actually map out not only what a brain looks like, but to tap into the synaptic impulses that come from specific thoughts and areas of the body. 

One illustration of how our brains form connections contained a group of adults.  The entire group was taught how to play a specific tune on the piano.  Then, over a period of time, half the group was allowed to actually play the song using the keys of the piano.  The other half was only allowed to look at the keys, and imagine playing the song.  At the end of the experiment, all of the adults brains were tested to see what changes occurred, and what synapses may have been impacted.  Obvious changes had occurred due to the piano playing, but there was something more interesting too.  Both those who had played, and those who had imagined developed exactly the same neurological changes.

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus warns against hating others in addition to murder.  He warns against lusting after a female right along with actually committing adultery.  What a great Truth for Jesus to have revealed so many years ago, that scientists are only now catching up with!!  That our thought life can lead to the same impact on who we are, as actually performing the actions….as Christians especially, we need to be active in pursuing Godly thoughts in addition to how we act.

May we hear the words of Philippians 4:8, “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

May our thoughts be reflecting the God who has already begun to do a new thing in our midst…

Each morning of IYC we spent time in worship together, inviting the Spirit to be with us throughout our day.  We were led in some thoughts on a specific topic, each day one of the major themes (Scripture, Team, Spiritual Formation, Service).  On the morning of “Spiritual Formation”, the One Thing (summary) was:

“Jesus Christ calls His followers to proactively seek growth in our relationship with God.  Through spiritual discipline and the power of the Holy Spirit we claim victory over sin rather than simply try to manage it.”

Doug Ranck led us through some important points, like discovering what “walls” we may hit along the way.  Asking the important question/s, like “How is it with your soul?”.  The warning signs of an unhealthy spiritual walk, including lack of prayer life, unrealistic expectations/goals, or viewing the disciplines as a mechanical prescription. 

From “The Godbearing Life” by Kendra Creasy-Dean and Ron Foster, we were reminded that:
1. Christian practices require active participation.
2. Christian practices do something to us.
3. The practices involve other people who do faith with us.
4. Christian life practices are the continuation of an ancient tradition.
5. Christian practices call for a standard of excellence.

We then were send off on our “solo” time, assigned the task of creating a “heart monitor style” chart.  To map out the events in our life, from birth until now, containing both highs and lows that have impacted us, especially in our spiritual journey. 

One of the greatest moments for me from all week, was when we gathered as a small group (just our youth group), and shared these time lines.  Not only to hear events from the lives around me, but also to see our teens being willing to share things they hadn’t before with each other.  To give access to painful, and joyful times in what has led them to this place. 

But also, the fact that in more than a couple of those time lines, some had written the high of “coming to Moundford Youth”.  How it impacted them.  Why they came back.  Why they come.  How God has, and is using the ministry that is happening here.

I confess to my wife, and to some others…I enjoy doing the dishes and the laundry on occasion.  Because I can start them, work on them, and finish them.  When they’re put away in the cupboard, or when I push the “Start” button on the dishwasher….I have a sense of accomplishment.  So many times in youth ministry, I love, and I work, and I “do/be”….but I can’t step back and say “there, that has been completed.”  So affirmation of a ministry’s effectiveness can sometimes be elusive.

But in that moment….I definitely felt God’s affirmation….He is at work here, lives are being ministered to, developed, and disciples are growing toward Him.  We are part of His Kingdom coming…and that feels good. 🙂

I knew that I’d be away for over a week with teenagers in San Diego.  I knew my wife would be at home, going about the normal routines of raising 3 very young girls.  Changing diapers, band-aiding boo boos, giving time outs, twisting arms for naptime, etc.  So like any husband, I tried to assuage my guilt, and speak her love language at the same time by ordering a little something special to arrive while I was away.

I ordered it a week or so before leaving for my trip.  It was difficult to contain my excitement.  I knew how much she’d love it, and how much of a surprised it’d be for her.  I didn’t know exactly what hour it would come, but I knew the day, and knew it was highly likely she’d be there when it arrived.

Every day that date drew closer, I got more excited.  I wanted to blurt it out in the middle of conversation.  Here’s how it could have gone:

Wife: So, how did work go today?

Me: I ordered you a gift a few days ago that will arrive while I’m in San Diego and you’re going to love it!!!

Wife:  Aww (gives me a big wet kiss)

But I never told her.  I kept it secret, and as I left for my trip, took my excitement with me.  Even in the midst of crazy times and teenagers spent on the beach in San Diego, I found myself spontaneously struck with the anticipation on her behalf of this gift of love that she’d be surprised by.  It made me smile.

And no, it wasn’t ridiculously expensive.  But it was a gift of Love.

I began to feel God using all of this to speak to my own heart.  As if He was revealing something important about the giddy anticipation He experiences in waiting for all things to be made new, and to complete fully the work He began in Jesus Christ.  Like He knows exactly what is coming, and in that knowing His Joy is a smile wider than the ocean shore.

But He couldn’t wait quietly.  He’s told us about what is to come, so that we can join in the excitement, and the active anticipation.  It brings to mind the image of Homer Simpson, doing his “oh boy oh boy oh boy” dance.  The kind of excitement I felt at knowing what my wife was going to receive, was not even a sliver of the full experience God currently enjoys, knowing the complete picture of what is ahead for us.

We get a peek at some of that, in the words and life of Jesus Christ.   The tears of joy when He and His followers spread the Good News of the Kingdom that is, and is to come.  The tears of pain when he laments there will be some who walk away from what is coming.  The tears of Love for His children, and His creation…that will be made new…

May we join in God’s Joy-filled wait even now…