​An all too familiar commercial used to come across the television and when it did so, it always seemed to catch my attention. The subject would wake to a familiar aroma and wander downstairs to find that someone had made a pot of their favorite coffee. [Cue Jingle] "The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup!".

Call me a coffee snob, if you must, but as my knowledge of coffee roasting and brewing methodologies has increased and my tastes refined, that commercial, though it may stir up a certain sense of nostalgia, creates no desire in me to put Folgers in my cup. These days I much prefer a cup made from freshly ground whole bean using the pour over method.

While you may have to wait a little longer (4 minutes to be exact) to enjoy a cup of pour over, it's definitely worth the wait. Beans ground just before brewing retain more of their natural flavor. The process allows the grinds to bloom under the hot water releasing their maximum flavor potential. Methods like French Press and Automatic Drip can leave the grounds in the water too long which causes the coffee to become bitter.

So, where am I going with this? I'm glad you asked. We can learn a lot from these coffee beans.  As we pray and ask God for His favor, we often grow impatient and miss out on something great. Going through the grinder (seasons of trial and suffering) reveals what's really in our hearts. When we feel like we're drowning in the water, when it's been so long and we don't see the end, we can become bitter. However, those of us that trust in the Lord and His timing, can rise to our maximum potential.

I will leave you with this reminder from David found in Psalm 37 (NIV):

In college I was more than an avid rock climber.  In fact, my entire spring semester class schedule was built around my love of climbing.  It was like playing a giant game of Tetris trying to squeeze all of my classes and labs into the beginning half of the week leaving me with four days off every weekend to climb but somehow I succeeded.

On one climbing trip to the Lake Chelan area, my climbing partner and I were installing a new climbing route when the unexpected happened.  From some 35 feet in the air, off the face of a rock wall deep in the wilderness of the Okanagon-Wenatchee National Forest-- I fell.  Luckily, I landed on my feet and somehow managed to not break any bones.  I had severe rope burn on my hand, under arm and neck.  My back had hit the rock face on the way down leaving a fairly deep scrape.  I was in shock.  I was bleeding.  I was hurt.  But, I was also alive.

 I have a lot to be thankful for.  We all do.  If your family is anything like mine, however, you're preparing to go from a busy Fall into an even busier Holiday season.  In the hustle and bustle of all the gift-buying, gift-giving, gift-returning and re-gifting, between all of the meals that we'll be sitting down to enjoy, it's easy to lose touch with the reason for all of this commotion.
In Psalm 9:1 the Psalmist boldly proclaims "I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;  I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."

I know this isn't always easy to do.  Especially during times when it feels we don't have anything to be thankful for.  In these times we have a tendency to focus on the negative.  Instead of thanksgiving, our words turn into grumbling, complaining and bitterness.  Sometimes the very things we choose to complain about are the things we should be thankful for.

That climbing fall left a scar on my back-- an ugly, jagged reminder of a mental mistake that I once made.  I used to wish that it would disappear.  I was self-conscious about the way it looked and hated it.  But today, I am thankful for that scar.  You see, if my back hadn't hit the rock, pushing me away from the wall, my head surely would have.  If my head would have hit that rock wall, I might not have been here to tell you this story.

Like the Psalmist, I too will choose to proclaim,  "I thank you, God, with all my heart, that you allowed my back to take the collision that day, so my head wouldn't have to.  You, great Lord, have saved my life...  I thank you, God, with all my heart, that You allowed Your Son to take the punishment that day, so I wouldn't have to.  You, great Lord, have saved my life, indeed!"

Time seems to be an extremely precious commodity these days.  If your family is anything like mine, you probably don't have enough of it. Between sports practices, school events, social activities and church events your calendar is probably pretty full.  Author and speaker Brené Brown says, "Exhaustion has become the new status symbol."  So what can you do to help combat this?  First of all, pause and take a deep breath.  Know that things will get better and we're here to help. 
 
Our ultimate goal is to partner with you to help your child undertake the mission "To know Christ, and to make Christ known".  As we communicate various youth events throughout the year, the last thing we want is to add stress by overloading an already busy calendar.  We design our events to nurture students Spiritually, Intellectually, Emotionally and even Socially.  Please know that you have our permission opt out of any of these events. Studies show that the greatest impact of Student Ministries is made through consistent attendance over a period of time, however, they also show that the greatest influence on a child's life, positive or negative, is made at home.

Here are some things you can begin doing right away:

• Pray.  Pray for wisdom and guidance as you undergo this difficult, exhausting, sometimes frustrating but extremely rewarding job called "Parenting".  Also, pray for the leaders that are here to walk beside you and your child.  Know that we are praying for you as well.
• Read the newsletter to familiarize yourself with our current curriculum and upcoming activities.  This will better prepare you for Faith Talks with your student and keep youth events from sneaking up on you.
• Follow up with your student.  After Sunday classes, engage your student about "The Story".  If you're not sure what to ask, Discussion Starters are included in each week's bulletin.
• Maintain a Master Calendar.  Have one calendar in the house that tracks all of the school, youth, family and social events.  When scheduling conflicts arise, help your student decide which events they'll do.  It's OK and often healthy to say, "No" to things.
  
  and finally...
   
• Ask for help.  We know it's impossible to be in two places at once.  If you find that the only reason you're saying, "No" to a youth event is transportation issues, call or email (preferably sooner than later) and we will try to help coordinate a ride from a leader or another parent.  (They were headed here anyway).  Remember, we're here to help. After all, it does take a village.

Last year about this time, several student leaders shaved their facial hair into exotic looking mustaches.  When I asked about it, I was informed that Cinco de Mustache was a fun, long-standing tradition at Mountain View Student Ministries.  "Cool," I thought, "I'll have to participate next year so I don't feel so left out."

Fast forward one year.

Imagine my surprise when I arrived at church Sunday morning only to find that no other members of Student Ministries decided to participate this year!

The thing about mustaches is when everybody else is wearing one, they're cool.  When you're the only one... not so much.  Anyway, I hope you're all enjoying a happy and safe Cinco de Mustache!

Today I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes.  I guess I could say, "I am a diabetic."  I could.  But I refuse.
  
There are many true statements I could make to define myself-- I am a Christian.  I am a husband.  I am a father.  I am a brother.  I am an uncle.  I am a friend. I am a Pastor.  I am African-American.  I am Korean.  I am an American.  All of these labels are a part of me.  They help define who I am.  I wear them proudly.

The same does not go for Diabetes.  I will not wear it's label nor let it define me.  It is a disease.  It's something I'll have to deal with.  A momentary setback. 

With medication, healthy diet and exercise along with the love, encouragement, prayers and support of my friends and family, I am going to kick Diabetes' butt!

So, Diabetes, get ready.  You've got a fight coming the likes of which you've never seen.  We've got this.  If you see me shaking, it won't be because I'm afraid but probably be from low blood sugar.  Which is easily fixed.  If you've got "dukes", Diabetes, put 'em up 'cause here we come!

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31–39 (NIV84) 

Today, my family and I began day one of a week-long vacation.  We'll  be spending our time in Eastern Washington visiting my in-laws.  If  your kids are anything like ours, they're sleeping longer, playing more and  trying to make the most of each and every sun-filled day.

Summer months can be a great time for  teens to invite their friends and build ministry momentum as we ramp up for the Fall but, unfortunately, most ministries tend to see a dip in attendance due to vacations or extended-length family activities during these longer days.  

Many families tend to prioritize relaxation and entertainment over church or church-related activities and the students we are used to seeing week in and week but disappear during the Summer but faithfully return in the Fall.  
Unfortunately, this can send an unintended message to teens that  "God Stuff" is seasonal.   Additionally, teens (and adults alike) can miss out on important relationship-building opportunities which may lead  to Spiritual Lethargy.

If your family is going to be taking a hiatus from church this summer, I strongly recommend being intentional about spending some time together, as a family, in the Word and in prayer for one another.