This picture reflects the rejection of Christ. Logan who is portraying Christ, was with BJ in Peru in '05. BJ confided in him that the Lord had called him to lay down his life. Marti, playing the rejector of Christ, is known by most of you from this site. Four of her children preceeded her on Awe Star Missions trips. This time it was her turn. You can read her comments about it on yesterdays blog.


I remember the feelings Deanna and I had when we talked to BJ on the phone while he was in Peru in '04, and he told us he was coming home a man. That encounter and our reaction will always be etched in my mind. I am not sure I ever fully contemplated the levity of our reaction until recently.

We had a young man on our Mexico team who was the age Beej was when he first went to Peru. This young man, like BJ before him, surrendered his adolescence to take on a signficant task, and enter his manhood.

He was one who initially was a bit awkward, and uncomfortable around others. He seemed a bit of a loner, in many respects. Upon arrival in Mexico, as we began teaching, this young man responded in earnest! He responded to every challenge. He stepped up and began (reluctantly at first) sharing his faith, looking out for the women on our team, and participating as a valued gifted member of the the body.

Changes began to take place. He began to open up. A smile found its way to his face. He engaged in every activity. He began to understand who he was in Christ, and accepted the responsibility therein.

He was one of the students I come home from these experiences raving about. God moved in his life and it was apparent to everyone on the team. We took opportunities to pour into his life, and he responded to God's leadings that resulted. It is truly a beautiful thing to observe. It is one of my favorite things to see happen in life.

By the end of the trip, he was fired up! He understood what the Lord needed from him, and he responded very well. His confidence level grew. His experiences were in sync with the teachings he'd heard, his life was being yielded to the Lord in new and exciting ways. I am very proud of him!

Upon the return home, he would be immediately tested.

He unloaded himself from the van, found his parents, and proclaimed, "I am now a man."

He was quickly rebuffed and told in no uncertain terms, that his parents would have none of that kind of talk. Those who witnessed it, saw his countenance fall. A family member told me that he has been repeatedly shot down since returning home, as it seems he is being forced back into the mold his parents understand.

This experience has caused me to take a look at my own reaction to BJ's similar declaration. We did not initially believe him. God revealed to us that in fact it was true, and when he returned he proved it.

My prayer is that He does likewise in this home. This young man was ready to take on whatever task the Lord put before him, and then in just a few moments, he was downsized to a worldly perspective.

I think the problem is pretty clear. Most parents struggle to assist their children in becoming men and women of God because they still do not know or understand who they are in Christ, themselves.

There is much to do to assist them. The question is, how to reach those parents, except through their children. Most often, we do not have the ear of the parents the way we do the student. Many parents will not listen to their kids in these matters as they believe they already know best.

In many cases they do. Their authority stands and that is Biblical. However, when parents reduce their own children to less than God wants them to be, change is required. Education is necessary. We will not catch up to the rest of the world with Rite of Passage experiences until our culture decides it is more important for students to take on significant tasks, than to laze around in malls, theaters, and other local hang-outs.

They want to be adults. They want significant tasks. In most cases, they just don't have anyone showing them how and then reinforcing the experience.

Change needs to begin with you and me.

We can't afford to let those around us miss out on God's best for them, because we got in the way, or simply didn't believe.

Believe, and watch them change. They will still need your authority, your love, and your instruction, but they will take on more than you expect, and deliver more than you think possible.

dad