Engage '13

As I look around, I can see three circles of young people, Bible's open, pens out, chatting quietly over a passage in Matthew 6.  I'm at Engage '13 conference where we're training young leaders to engage better with Scripture, and teach it well.

This morning I sat and listened to Raj preaching from Matthew 6 and the Lord's Prayer, and I was so challenged as he demonstrated from the passage that it's all about our attitude to our heavenly Father.  I'm so encouraged to pursue the petitions in the Lord's Prayer in the context of seeing the Name of God made holy!  It was just so refreshing and challenging to be able to hear such clear expository preaching on such a well known passage.

I'm also loving the way there's such an emphasis on the place of the gospel in our ministry, and the power of God's Word to change lives, and I'm so encouraged by the passion of the delegates to learn and engage with Scripture!

And what a joy it is to meet and share with so many young people from across Victoria, to hear what's happening in churches, to hear how God is at work in their lives and ministry, and to be able to support one another in striving to be faithful to Christ!

2013

Did you know, that 2013 is the first year since 1987 where all the numbers have been different!

So my 'guy friends' have been trying to help me sort out my goals for 2013.  They all seem to have wonderfully exciting and adventurous years ahead of them!  I feel so proud of them for the godly risks they are taking this year, but maybe a wee bit sad (?) about the changes that this will bring to our relationships!

So, I'm hoping to have some sweet goals for 2013, that will help to live differently this year.  I think part of me is hesitant, because when something is on paper, and it doesn't happen, I feel like a bit of a failure.  Also, I'm always hesitant to box myself into things, rather than be flexible enough to go on the fly.

1. Relationships
a) Develop new relationships.  I plan this year to be a bit more pro-active at getting out of the bubble and meeting new people.  Instead of just meeting them, I'd love to develop good relationships with new people
b) Grow relationships.  This year, I want to really build a relationship.  Last year, one of my favourite things was the strong friendship that was built with my housemate, Tia.  We already knew each other, but since starting to think about moving in together, it's grown so much, and I'm so blessed to get to know her deeper.  More of this is good!

2. Opportunities
a) Start something new - in 2012, I started a new opportunity on Uni Campus, serving with the Christian group there.  I loved that and am still working out what my involvement might be for this year.  But it was a new opportunity, and I was pretty nervous about embarking upon something foreign.  Once again, I'm nervous, but at the same time, I'd love to do something new!

3. Skills
a) Develop a skill - maybe something I already have, or maybe something new, but I'd love to invest myself in developing a skill that I love!  Ideas: Sport (Footy? Basketball?) Music (Trombone?) Computer stuff (video editing? design?) Making coffee!!?)
b) Teach a skill - I love teaching, so this year, I'd love to pass on a skill that I already have to someone else. Maybe in the context of ministry?  Or maybe a less formal skill.  (Ideas: Piano, soccer, admin/organisation)

4. Travel
a) New places: I love seeing new places, and one of my favourite moments of 2012 was a relatively unplanned trip to Canada/US.  I'd love to see somewhere new in 2013: W.A. is very high on the agenda, Wilson's Prom follows closely behind
b) Revisit: Tasmania, Warrnambool, Adelaide, Canberra

5. Person
a) Grow more like Jesus: kill more sins this year, grow more fruits this year, imitate Jesus more
b) Be more well rounded: be less intense about the little things, and more passionate about the big things.  Get some balance in life and ministry.
c) Be more likable - not just for the sake of it, or for the sake of me, but for the sake of all the above goals!