Inspiration For Today

How scary it must be to be a worm (if a worm could ever possibly be conscious of such a thing). When storms come (like they did in our area last night), worms are flooded out of their homes into the open, hostile over-world, to be picked up and carried off into the frothing mouths of nesting birdlings. Or, perhaps even more terrifyingly, to be carried away by the grubby hands of my children where they will be overly pinched and squeezed, like a nightmare chiropractic experience.

Indeed, they are low on the totem pole.

My inspiration for today may not seem very inspirational at first. But I connected very much to Isaiah 41:14 this morning, which says, "Though you are a lowly worm..don't be afraid...for I will help you."

At first that sounds insulting--whom among us wants to be called a worm? But I do often feel very low on the totem pole, and very out of control of experiences that seem to threaten my experience. At times, I often feel lowly, and unable to save myself from forces bigger than myself.

That God would tell a worm to not be afraid, that God would tell something so low on the world's totem pole that He would help him, is an incredible mystery that I hope you take some comfort in, or would be at least willing to consider today.

A Currently Immense Need for Youth Leaders In Our Area

Chances are, you are only where you are in life because when you were in your adolescent years, someone saw through your pimples and indifference, and spoke to you in a way that changed your life. You were in a a vulnerable, impressionable place, and someone older than you took the time to actually SEE you--and not just for who you were, but for who you could be. When you were younger and in your teenage years, someone older than you chose to make you feel dignified and respected and like the adult you were striving to become.

Who would you currently be if not for them? What would be different in your life right now had they not been there for you?

You may not realize it, but there is an IMMENSE NEED for youth volunteers at Shoal Creek, and in the Northland.

What current needs are there?

1 - At Shoal Creek, there are only TWO adult males currently trying to connect with ALL the high school boys that call Shoal Creek home. There are two men who have identified themselves as willing and able to help high school aged young men grow into grown men by giving up time each week to build relationships with our young men at Shoal Creek, showing them just one step at a time how to not just "get through" life, but enjoy the goodness God has put into each moment. I refuse to believe there aren't any other men at Shoal Creek that God has called to make an investment in relationships with the teenage boys that call Shoal Creek home. Surely there are more guys at Shoal Creek that would be willing to make a difference in the life of another young man, and pay forward the compassion our mentors gave us when we ourselves were in need that long (or perhaps not so long!) time ago.

Are you a man who has benefited from another man's influence in yours? Would you be willing to talk to me about making a difference in the lives of the teenage boys that currently attend Shoal Creek, or might in the near future? Contact me if so.

2 - I have recently become aware of 60--SIXTY--high school students interested in attending a small group for the sake of learning who God is through the bible. However, 40--FORTY--of those students will have no chance of connecting with God through a small group because there is a shortage of volunteers willing help facilitate those small group environments. Of those forty students that would meet for a small group, nearly all are high school girls. It just feels unacceptable to me to have to tell 40 teenagers, "Sorry, good luck on your own."

Are you at least interested in learning if you might be one of the ones that could help these girls be a part of a small group that could introduce them to what God's says about self worth, body image, non-backstabbing friendships, and the like? Would you be willing to talk to me about what getting involved could look like? Please contact me if so.

3 - Every Sunday at Shoal Creek during our 11am service we have a ROCKIN' cool middle school program called Buya. Unfortunately, sometimes the schedules of our extremely committed volunteers keep them from being there on Sundays from time to time. We are short on enough Sunday morning volunteers to always ensure that each middle school student can always have an experience that leaves them thinking, "Wow! I hope I get to come back to Buya next week!" Occasionally the schedules of our current volunteers align in random, unfortunate ways, and there will be ZERO female volunteers available to lead our middle school girls.

Middle schoolers are fun, super-open to new friendships, and easily won over by any adult that is willing to make them feel as special as they deserve to feel. Could you see yourself joining our Sunday morning Buya Team and helping us make sure that every middle schooler gets the attention they deserve on a Sunday morning? Contact me if so.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, I know that God is a good, loving, always-in-control-God, and that he is going to move in the hearts of those (you?) called to serve teenagers at Shoal Creek and in the Northland. And, in all of this, I'm completely willing to take the blame in not putting Shoal Creek's student ministry needs out publicly enough, regularly enough, to draw out whom God is stirring to do something about this immense need we currently have.

Would you take the time to search yourself, seek God, and speak to me if something stirs in you when you think about the teenagers that needs guidance?

"The Next Time I Fall In Love"

Sex... dating... relationships... they're everywhere, from songs to movies to TV to the web, it is almost impossible to avoid the topic! But where can we find out what is true, what to think and more importantly, what to do with all of these conflicting message? 

Do you have a teenager that you think would benefit from hearing what the Bible says, and what it doesn't say about "love" and dating and sexuality? The KC Metro Young Life Team is bringing in Dr. Chap Clark, professor of Youth, Family and Culture at Fuller Seminary. Chap has authored dozen of books, including HURT--which I highly recommend--and has devoted his life to helping teenagers come to understand how deeply God unconditionally loves them. 

If you have some teenagers that you think would benefit from hearing Chap's message--or more importantly God's message--of the beauty of wholeness in sexuality--then please contact me to let me know you're interested in taking them to this event (which will do a lot of the work for you!). 

WHO: All high school students throughout the Metro

WHEN: Friday, October 21st @ 7:00PM-8:00PM 

WHERE: Colonial Presbyterian Church 9500 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO

COST: FREE by clicking this link to get a ticket to this special one-time event.

Shoal Creek Live

Not able to attend either of our Sunday services this morning?

Then watch live right now, or catch up later in the week!

"Hurt" - Inside the World of Today's Teens

Do you ever find yourself of hurting for the "hurting" you see in teenagers you know? When you look at the young people in your life, do you wonder what you could do to let those young people know how loved they really are? Then you need to check out the  HURT SEMINAR in Kansas City on Saturday October 22nd that the Kansas City Metro Young Life Team is brining into town.

In Hurt and Hurt 2.0 (2nd edition): Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers, Chap Clark details the results of a comprehensive nationwide study of high school kids in a research project that continues to this day. Today as the culture continues to shift and change everyone who walks with or works with pre-teens, adolescents and emerging adults face an increasing challenge to understand what is happening in their world and in their hearts.

In this seminar, Chap presents the latest research – both his and others – on how life has changed for kids and the effect it has had on every aspect of their life, from development to communication to friendship to spirituality. This seminar is for parents, people who work with kids, and anyone who knows that the young need our very best in order to thrive. The session will also lead us through a strategic response to the contemporary world and mindset that define today’s kids.

WHO: Any adult who wants to be a part of making Kansas City a better place for kids: this event is a must for teachers, coaches, mayors, police officers, youthworkers, pastors, parents, grandparents, neighbors, mental healthcare professionals and school administrators. Don't miss it!
WHEN: 1:00PM - 4:00PM Saturday October 22nd, 2016.
WHERE: YWAM Kansas City Campus (10121 Grandview Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137)
COST: $6 in advance or $8 at the door.

Interested in going, please contact me and we can talk details.

Must Reads - "Top Needs For Teenage Girls"

This is a must read for anyone with a teenage daughter looking for some guidance on what kind factors we should try to make sure are present in our daughters' lives.

Do yourself a favor and follow this link to Selma Wilson's post to think through how you might take a next step in giving your daughter (or any female teen you care about) the care they need to feel secure and loved.

Chipotle Lunch After Church for SC HS Girls

High School Girls Lunch This Sunday After Church at Chipotle in Liberty

SC High School Girls:  Please come get lunch with our newest Shoal Creek High School Leader--Kailyn Dowell--THIS Sunday after church. Meet in the Lobby directly after second service, and then drive out to the Liberty Chipotle together. 

Kailyn is SUPER excited to get to meet the high school girls that call Shoal Creek home, and will have information for them and their parents about upcoming small group opportunities, and current Young Life events.

If you/your daughter cannot make it out to Chipotle, but are still interested in meeting Kailyn and getting your daughter involved in the Shoal Creek High School ministries, PLEASE REPLY ASAP so that I, Justin Talley (SC Student Director) can connect your daughter to Kailyn and get her plugged in to all the things we'll be doing this school year.