This is my story as reflected through Psalm 73:
1 Truly you, Jesus, came to give us life,
life to the full.
2 But as for me, I was hanging by a thread,
My mind was against me, my being divided.
3 Inside, I saw emptiness;
Outside, I saw fullness.
4 People whose lives seemed…simpler,
uncomplicated by the questions of faith.
5 Unconcerned with truth, they don’t bother with absolutes or universals.
6 They are blown by the winds of self-desire,
and their itching ears listen to whatever they want to hear.
7 They simply live in the world as they see fit:
consume, progress, compare, improve, obsess.
8 Their eyes feast on the kingdoms laid before them,
oblivious to your kingdom.
9 They are content to live in the seen world, saying, “This is all that is, isn’t it?”
10 Some, in a twisted irony, proclaiming no allegiance to you,
embody your good news more than those who proclaim your name.
Many others simply let people be:
walk silently by the homeless person without a twinge of guilt,
flip channels at the sight of yet another starving African child,
laugh quietly at the mentally deranged woman meandering down the street,
ignore their neighbours, cocooning into their caverns.
“Leave well enough alone,” they say.
11 They are enjoying living their own story, and that is enough for them.
12 Look at these people—fulfilling their every desire, they live for themselves.
13 Have I followed you only to lose my life?
14 Have I taken this path only to find hardship and mental anguish?
15 My mind betrays you, yet I carry on. Seeking. Searching.
16 When I try to understand who you are, my mind fails me.
I cannot rationalize you, cannot capture you, cannot grasp you, cannot think you.
17 Then I catch but a glimpse.
In a moment of prayer, you are there. For you bend down to listen.
In the story of a friend, you are there. For your glory shines through.
In a conversation with a stranger, you are there. For you are the stranger.
In the unmasked joy of a child, you are there. For you put on no masks.
In a moment of profound gratitude, you are there. For everything is from you.
When reconciliation begins, you are there. For only you can bring us together.
When love arises where it was before unwelcomed, you are there. For you are love.
18 Surely, a life lived selfishly is no life at all.
It is all vanity. Meaningless. A puff of wind, gone before you even know it came.
19 In an instant, the ways of this world will fall into nothingness,
swept away by the blinding light of you.
20 You laugh at their silly ideas, puzzle over their refusal to acknowledge you and cry
over their broken hearts.
21 Then I saw that my heart was still not far from theirs,
for I desired life as I saw fit.
22 I was fiercely independent, seeking my own way -
You must have laughed at my silly ideas, puzzled over my refusal to acknowledge
you and cried over my divided heart.
23 Yet still I am yours,
for your grip on my hand shall always be tighter than mine on yours.
24 Your Holy Spirit guides me – in communion with you and with others,
leading me to the true full life which you have promised.
25 I’ve had enough of independence, of strength, of willpower,
there’s nothing left but you.
26 And in the glimpses I catch, I know that is enough.
27 Those who ignore you will be in continual pursuit of more,
one more thing that will bring true contentment.
28 But as for me, I abandon this futile quest.
How good it is to see God!
God will encompass my entire life, for he is king over all.
And as I catch more and more glimpses of him,
I cannot help but tell everyone of your marvelous deeds and your gracious
character.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Our Stories | Scott Moore
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Our Stories | Jeremy Unrau
Jeremy also shared his story on Easter Sunday, a story of Christ bringing life and hope out of death and despair.
Download the story here (right-click and select Save As...) or listen to it below:
Our Stories | Peter D'Angelo
On Easter Sunday, Peter shared his 'resurrection' story. It was a story from (not too) long ago, but one that continues to have power today.
Download the story here (right-click and select Save As...) or listen to it below:
Monday, February 11, 2008
Our Stories | Jan D'Angelo
If you missed Jan's last update, make sure you read it here. Here's the latest:
As we begin a New Year I wanted to be in touch with you and let you know some of the exciting things that are happening at LAUNCH. As I took some time to reflect at the end of December, I was amazed and thankful to the Lord for all He has done in developing LAUNCH coaching in 2007 … and me, too!! I continue to be challenged and stretched with each new assignment but I have a healthier confidence these days as I contribute to the LAUNCH team. I am grateful for that, as it has been a HUGE area of growth for me.
We have just matched two of our coaches from the first workshop with two new LAUNCHee (young leader) applicants. It is such a joy to see the process that we have worked so hard to put in place over the past year, finally come full circle! There has been lots of refining and learning along the way … and there will be much more to come … but the system IS working and it is a thrill for us to be able to match coaches with LAUNCHees and see their partnerships spark with enthusiasm and momentum. You can learn more about our current LAUNCHees and their projects by visiting our website (Go to www.321launch.ca and click on “LAUNCHees” and then on “Current Stories.”).
DreamLAUNCH™, the computer software that Carl Nash the Director of LAUNCH has developed, has been well received and is being used by many young people across the country to discover “who” God has created them to be and “how” to put a project or dream in place. The 360° Leadership Assessment tool is also benefiting many young leaders as they identify goals for growth in both character and leadership development.
Your prayers DO make a difference and I want you to know that I appreciate them VERY much! Please join me in offering back to the Lord some prayers of praise for what He has been doing through LAUNCH over this past year:
Praise the Lord for …
• … the unity in vision, focus and purpose that our LAUNCH team has
• … the young people who have applied to LAUNCH in 2007 and for those who will be stepping out in making their dream a reality, in 2008
• … the mature Christian coaches He has brought to us and for their experience and expertise, which are exactly what the LAUNCHees are needing
• … the learning of 2007 and the opportunities before us to take LAUNCH onto the next level of development in the year ahead, as we fulfill our mission statement
• ... each one of YOU who have been such an encouragement in your interest, support and prayers
May 2008 be a year filled with new opportunities and development for you, too, as you seek to know and serve the Lord more fully.
Your sister-in-Christ,
Jan
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Our Stories | Jan D'Angelo
Jan D'Angelo is a beloved part of our TILT community. As many of you know, she has been ardently working with LAUNCH for the past year. (Note that a permanent link to LAUNCH is now under "TILT Friends" on the right.) Read more of her story...
It was a year ago that I returned to the workforce and began my journey with LAUNCH. It has literally flown, as I have been stretched and challenged and encouraged and inspired! My resolve has been to try and remember to pause and wait for the Lord to show me the next step about everything…and He has proven to be kind and faithful. I have found Youth Unlimited to be a special place to “hang my hat” three days a week as the LAUNCH Coach Coordinator. It is an organization that sets the bar high and in doing so, encourages each of their employees and volunteers to serve the Lord whole-heartedly and with excellence, as well. I feel well cared for…and that says a lot!
Since I last corresponded with you there have been a number of new LAUNCH developments:
:. Our 360° Leadership Assessment has been well received by many who develop youth, on an ongoing basis. It has helped in putting together target goals for growth in their leadership development and tracking their progress. It is available free of charge and can be downloaded from out website www.321launch.ca. I actually used this assessment tool in the Spring to target some areas where I need to be growing in my leadership development as the LAUNCH Coach Coordinator. It has helped me to be much more intentional as I lead.
:. DreamLAUNCHTM, a computer program that assists young leaders as they launch their dream, is available for the nominal purchase price of $10 (free to LAUNCH coaches and LAUNCHees). This phenomenal tool is a great resource for anyone who is guiding a young person in the discovery of ‘who’ God has created them to be and the ‘how’s’ of putting in place a project of dream that they are bursting to tell the world about. To view a sample and the potential of DreamLAUNCHTM see our website www.321launch.ca.
:. On September 23rd we held our second Coaching Workshop and we now have a total of 11 coaches committed to walk alongside the young leaders. They vary in age from the late 20’s to the early 70’s and bring a wealth of life-experience and expertise to LAUNCH. Their biographies can be found in the ‘coaches’ section of our website. We are grateful for how the Lord has brought each one to us. Our next Coaching Workshops will be held January 20, 2008 and April 20, 2008.
I have been extremely thankful for your encouragement, support and prayers over this past year. As you are able, I would ask you to continue to pray:
:. For young leaders to hear about LAUNCH and apply to the program as their hearts are stirred by the Holy Spirit
:. For the Lord to continue to bring potential coaches of His choice to future workshops
:. That every coach who is ready to be partnered with a LAUNCHee will be granted patience and continued enthusiasm for LAUNCH as they wait to be matched and that when the match does take place it will occur at just the right time and with just the right young leader
:. For the Lord to bring a Resource Developer and LAUNCHee Coordinator to complete our team (see our website for details of these opportunities to serve with LAUNCH)
If you have any suggestions for me as I start this next year in my journey with LAUNCH I would certainly appreciate your ideas and input. In the meantime, please note that it would be a real privilege for me to be able to pray for you in a specific way, if you have any needs that you would like to share with me. May you know the Lord’s guiding presence in your lives, every step of the way, too!
- Jan
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Moose Deer Trip | Update One
Well, this isn't really an update, but I thought I would post the flyers we are handing out tomorrow on the reserve. Prayers for a positive response to them would be much appreciated!
Check out the flyer here.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Our Stories | Diana Marello
In regards to TILT: I have so loved it. Just shortly after the night of the commissioning, I was asked three times...not once (just like Peter!)...by the staff of the Sanctuary to come to the drop-in for women. I prayed and I believe that this is where I needed to be now. I went yesterday afternoon and it felt just right! God is good! It felt so wonderful to be with my buds there. I will be going there on Tuesday afternoons from now on. Praise the Lord!
- Diana
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Our Stories | Becki Lee
I strongly believe that like many things in life, hearing from God is something that requires an investment of time in order to see fruit. Last spring, I was blessed with both the opportunity and desire to do just that. This was the first time in my life where I made a habit of devoting an extended period of time to prayer. To not only pray by speaking to God, but also by intentionally listening.
I am someone who thrives on structure and specific direction, which the book “Conversation with God” by Lloyd John Ogilvie provided for me as I delved into two-way prayer. One of the key components of prayer that he outlined was a time for silence and listening. At first, as is often the case with something new, I struggled to quiet my mind in order to hear God’s voice. With some practice though, I began to cherish these times and to hear specific things from God.
One such occasion of hearing from God came at the end of May when I simply asked God “What do you want to speak to me today?” and focused my mind until I felt His words forming.
“Move out” He said to me.
“Move out?” I questioned, “But Lord I just moved in!”
At the time I had been living in a new apartment for less than three weeks when I heard this directive. Why would God be leading me to move out of a place I had lived for less than a month, a decision in which I had felt His strong confirmation just weeks before? “This doesn’t make sense,” I remember thinking to myself. “I don’t know if this is really from God.” Given my predicament, I decided to pray a prayer of putting on the armour of God from Ephesians 6.
I really can’t explain what happened next, but the next thing I heard was “Move out...into new territory,” the way a military general would command his troops.
“New territory?” I asked.
“Move out into new territory” I heard again. “Take ground for my kingdom. Ryerson.”
Now in order to fully understand what God was speaking to me, I should explain a little about my work. I work in full time ministry with Athletes in Action, the sports ministry of Campus for Christ, at York University and the University of Toronto. So, it was clear to me that God was blessing and encouraging me to step out in faith and begin the process of developing a ministry at Ryerson University. God’s directive was further confirmed later the same day when I spoke to my co-worker Monica who told me she had been sensing a similar leading from God about Ryerson. So I began to explore some possibilities and move in this direction.
Although we are not yet actively doing anything at Ryerson due to a variety of circumstances, I still believe that it is God’s will that when we are more able, we will begin to do so. I also believe that this word from God was a general encouragement that I need to hold on to for my life ministry, both personally and professionally.
