Hope Set High

I've got my hope set high, and like a star at night

out of the deepest dark it shines the purest light

I've got my hope set high, beyond the wrong and right

I need to see the truth, I need to see the light

'cause I can do my best and pray to the Father

but the one thing I ought to know by now...

We've entered the home stretch now.  There are only three more days left (after today) in my first year of blogging, heading towards the big "birthday" celebration on Thursday.  I can't begin to explain the emotions and feelings I have been dealing with as I prepare for August 26th.  For me, it's not just about finishing the year of blogging I set as a goal for myself.  That, by itself, is not a very big deal, and I do intend to keep blogging after Thursday.  I am only up to 1999, so there is still much to tell.   What is a big deal (for me) is looking back at 28 years of student ministry- all at once.  For a year now I have been telling stories and reliving adventures from days gone by, but I have been doing it one tale at a time.  In preparing the slide show for Thursday, I have been looking back at all 28 years at once.  Hundreds of friends who changed my life in so many ways, captured in time.  And that has been overwhelming.

Anyone who reads this blog understands how much I loved and enjoyed all of the trips, programs, special events and adventures that were a part of being a youth pastor.  But as I have been putting together the birthday show, I have been reminded over and over again that what made my life as a youth minister so special were the people.  Hundreds and hundreds of teenagers, adult volunteers, co-workers and parents who impacted my life in so many ways- indeed, in ways I am just now beginning to understand.  There are over 140 pictures (yes, the number keeps going up!) in the 7+ minute slide show.  I estimate that over 300 different students make an appearance.  I can still tell you the names of the vast majority, because so many of them made such a difference in my life.  Looking at all the pictures and remembering all of the great times has humbled me and left me feeling blessed.  It has also left me very aware that everything good, everything worthwhile that happened over those 28 years happened because of Jesus.  To finish the thought from the Amy Grant song at the top, there is indeed one thing I ought to know by now:  "When it all comes down, when it all comes down, if there's anything good that happens in life it's from Jesus..."    There were so many moments, spent with so many students, that remind me of the overwhelming presence of Jesus in my life- both then and now.  Despite all my failures and sins, I still have my Hope Set High, because my life is not defined by my failure or my success; it is defined by the grace of God as shown through Jesus Christ.  And as I look at these pictures over and over again, remembering each face and each name, I know that the grace of God will reunite us all someday in a reunion that will be greater than anything we can imagine.

So today I ask a favor of all of my former students who are reading this blog.  Invite everyone you know who has a connection to any of the ministries we shared- Quaker Lake Camp, New Garden Friends Meeting, Springfield Friends Meeting, FUMC-Kissimmee, Union Church, Wesley Memorial UMC or Trinity UMC- to check us out this Thursday.  Share a link on Facebook.  Tweet to your followers.  Send e-mails to those with whom you are in touch.  You will see pictures of people you love; you may even see pictures of yourself.  I want everyone to be able to feel what I feel; to know the bond that acknowledges you are part of a long line of believers that is connected by God's love.  I have prepared this slide show as a gift to myself, to remind me of God's amazing love in my life- past, present and future.  I have my "hope set high" that as a bonus it may remind you of the same thing.  I know there are people out there who have avoided this blog because they are angry or disappointed with me.  I understand that, but it does not change the fact that God used all of us to make a difference in each others' lives- and that is what we will praise Him for this Thursday.  It's not about me- it's all about Jesus and His love for us.   Invite everyone to come celebrate together, because it is the people who made this such a Great Adventure!  I'll see you tomorrow with my most important Hall of Fame induction so far...

Because of Jesus,