Part two of my "Miracles of Jesus" series for youth group.

John 6:1-13
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
Jesus was out and about doing miracles. He is CONTINUALLY doing miracles, healing people. I liken the idea to a celebrity who is starting out – they are all over the place. Facebook, twitter, Jimmy Fallon – everyone wants a piece of Jesus. So much so, that people have followed him to this small town near the Sea of Galilee. I love the word “fangirling” – people were fangirling Jesus. Everyone wanted to be around him. 

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
 Why do you think Jesus was worried about the crowd getting something to eat? I mean, shouldn’t they have brought their own food? Planned ahead? Why is it Jesus’s job to feed everyone? I bet there are times when you invite friends over and your folks are like “we have to feed them!” Jesus wanted to meet their needs. He CARES about us, and he knew that this crowd of people would be hungry. He also knew that the town was not equipped to feed everyone. There is a difference between taking a group to an all-you-can-eat buffet and asking a group to share your dinner plate.
 
Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Jesus knew there was not enough food for everyone. But he wanted to see what the disciples would say – how they would respond. Would they freak out? Worry? Would they come up practical solutions? I think sometimes God is curious how we’d respond to crisis. I know my boss does!
 
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up,“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Wow. A kid saved the day! Would you share your lunch? How is it that the only person who thought to bring a lunch was a child? God uses the young and the old! I imagine, that even the fact that the kid is FOUND amounts the thousands of people is a miracle.
 
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
Jesus gave direction. “Have them sit down.” I bet he was like “Sit down folks, and let me show you what I can do!” Its hard for me to imagine the logistics of all this. Did they get into lines? Did the disciples walk around, distributing the food? And how did it happen? How did two fish and five loaves of bread become such feast? Its hard to wrap our brains around it! How did he do it? How long did it take?  It’s a miracle! The Bible is full of stories where God’s gift to us is FOOD. Yum!
 
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
This blows my mind. ENOUGH! Jesus knew when the crowd was satisfied. He knew how much food the men would need, how much the kids needed. He provided exactly what every person needed. I bet all the Cocoa’s and Elwoods got fed too. Haha! When everyone was done, when they were no longer hungry, then Jesus told the disiples to collect all the leftover food and filled baskets. I wonder if this is an example of Jesus providing for the disciples- he not only made sure the crowd was taken care of, but he did not forget about those who were following him closely. He took care of his people. And there was overflow.
 
This story is found in all four gospels. It’s a story that demonstrates that jesus is the supplier of all human needs. It shows so clearly that God do incredible things with very little.
When we give little, God gives much. He doesn’t want us to be stuck with the math that 5 +2 = 7. He wants us to remember that WITH GOD, 5 + 2 = 5000 R12. This story shows an “only God” moment. Do you have your own example of an “Only God” moment? Maybe you didn’t know how something would work out? And then it did, and it only by God’s grace and provision!
 
Jesus also demonstrates a thankful heart. The simple act of gratitude sets up a miracle. I want everyone to take a moment to think of something they are grateful for right now- share it.
 
Nothing is too big for God. NOTHING! Jeremiah 32:17 says “Ah Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Like I said last week, God is able!
We have a tendency to ask God to do things that are just outside our ability. Is there an impossible situation in your life that “only God” can solve? An impossible person? An impossible dream? Write it down! And start believing God is bigger than your mistakes, biggest fears and biggest dreams.

Part one of my "Miracles of Jesus" series for youth group.
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​​Do you tend to look at people and think “wow they have a lot of potential?” or do you look at them and think “hot mess!”
It’s super easy to think hot mess. Because frankly, we are all a hot mess. We got stuff. We’ve made mistakes. We will make mistakes tomorrow and the next day. We are a hot mess.
But I like to look around the room and think: no this isn’t a room full of kids with tons of baggage. I like to look at you and think “there’s potential here.” God is working on the lives of each one of you and there are great things to come. There is hope for this generation. There is hope for you because of Jesus.
***
Last week, Pastor Dave had us read some scriptures. One of them was 2 Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!
I’ve been thinking a lot of this idea of being “new” – I like new things. I like turning the page in a notebook, and seeing a clean, white page ready to fill. I like using a new Sharpie pen, the point still sharp and pointy. I like the feeling of car after it’s been thoroughly cleaned – it feels new. We are in a new place, it feels good, right? When I think of myself as new- it’s harder to grasp it. I mean, I still look the same.
When Christ enters our life, when we give ourselves to him, he makes us new – every single time. This happens every time we let go of the old stuff, the past, the mistakes, the things we are worrying about and give them to God. And he does not grow tired of us. He wants us to come to him.
We give our stuff to God by praying. When we pray we are communicating to God our feelings and what we need. He already knows what we need. But God wants us to pray because he loves hearing from us. He loves us.
***
I am doing a bible study right now, where we are going through seven miracles that Jesus did. We’ve already gone through when he turned water into wine, and when he cured the royal official’s son. These are amazing stories to read and study and ponder. This week I read through the story of when Jesus healed in invalid at these healing pools called Bethesa. You can find it in John chapter 5.
Now these pools were pretty powerful. The people believed that when the water stirred that it was the act of angels, and whoever got in the water first would be healed. It doesn’t say whether or not people were truly healed, but people who were disabled came to this pool with the hope of healing. They would wait there for days, years for the chance that the water would stir. One guy, who we only know as the invalid, waited at the pool for 38 years. He had his own mat, and he lay there waiting, and waiting.
Jesus saw this man – I am sure a lot of the people in the area knew him. But when Jesus saw him and figured out that this man had been there for 38 years, he asked, “DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL?”
Guys, is there something that God is stirring in your heart where you know, deep deep down that something isn’t right. Maybe its not as extreme as being paralyzed. What is about that thing that makes you want to hold on to it so tightly? Do you feel safe? Do you love it? Does it love you back? Are you afraid? Is fear holding you back from change.
Jesus asked the invalid – wait, what? When you think of invalid you think of what? Someone without value, without purpose, without hope. Jesus asked this man, “do you WANT to get well?”
Whoa – we have a choice here?
“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
We can choose to stay on the mat, waiting for something that may never come. Making excuses – “oh no is helping me” I can’t do it alone. I am scared. I can’t reach I am too short. I am not smart enough, brave enough, strong enough… enough!
We have a choice to stay safe, stay on the mat or say YES! Yes, we want to get well. Yes we want something different. That’s some crazy power in the word yes!
The Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
Wait, what? Just like that? No magic water? The man got up – and not only was he able to walk but he was renewed and energized.
He was a new creation.
I think we can all related to the invalid. The good news is that Jesus died on the cross for us. “For God so loved the world he gave his only son…” We are so loved. Because of that love, we are a new creation.
***
I know I have negative tapes that play in my head. These tapes are often louder than the truth that God wants for me. How do I turn down the volume? How do I get well?
 
I believe.
I am loved.
I am chosen.
I am known.

I am a new creation. I am not a hot mess with no potential. God has purpose and meaning and so many great things for each one us. He wants to heal you from the places you get stuck in.  The Bible says that you more than a conqueror. You are the apple of God’s eye. You are sought after. You are a joint heir with Christ. You are a child of God.
The Bible is a mirror that enables us to see ourselves for who we really are. But you can’t just take an occasional glance. You need to stare at it until it changes the reflection you see in the mirror.
 
You have your WHOLE lives ahead of you. You are way too young to let your past stop you from an amazing future.

I was really anxious about going to this year's Unstoppable Love Women's Retreat (Revolution Church). I attended the previous year's retreat with the main goal of connecting with women. I remember feeling like a total newbie at the church, since I could not attend the Sunday services. I remember having a terrible migraine (not good), crying a lot (good) and being held and prayed over (very good.)
This year, I felt deep-down in my core that my set mission for this retreat was going to go beyond making friends. As a Pro-Avoid-er, I told my husband (about a dozen times) that I wasn't going, and he stayed patient. "It's your decision, Babe," he repeated. I made a list of all the reasons why I was nervous or why I should stay home. I was looking for excuses. But the list did not give me peace.
I shared with some dear friends that I was having some anxiety about going. They listened, asked thoughtful questions, and they prayed for me that whatever it was holding me back would be resolved. I knew I was trying to avoid something good, and I was letting fears get in the way. 
Once I made the decision not to go, I knew it was the wrong decision. Regardless of finances, worry or whatever else the Enemy would throw my way I was going to go. I said yes.
***
As I was leaving town, a friend called with word for me. She and I had been reading about the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine as past of a small group we were both in. She asked me: "What does the headwaiter say about the wine?" I respond, "He was impressed that they saved the best for last." She says ah-ha, and continues, "No, read it again! It says 'Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best til now.' It does not say last, it says NOW!" Her and I ruminated on the passage. And we both knew in our heart of hearts that God wanted the best for NOW - not later, not at the very end, but now. He cares immeasurably more than I could ever imagine about me at this very moment. It sounded weirdly perfect, and I held onto the promise. (John, Chapter 2)
***
I drove myself, listening to the radio and thinking about a million miles a minute. I stopped flipping the channels when I caught Terry Gross from Fresh Air interviewing a sculptor named Andy Goldsworthy, whose work sounded magical and mysterious. He sees wonderful beauty in nature, where his medium is fallen trees, leaves, ice, water, stones, wood and all-things-natural and his canvas is everywhere. He is patient, careful, persistent and thoughtful. His art could last years, changing through the seasons as decay and weather shape its new existence. His art could last minutes. That is the beauty. I learned about rainshadows and the word ephemeral. I was inspired to create, to think, to pray, to seek the beauty around me. 
*** 
I arrived late, not a surprise as I drove myself and had a billion things to do between getting off work and hitting the road (Food for Dave - check. Cats taken care of - check. Shower - check. Pack - check. Get gas - check. Snacks - check.) I knew everyone was meeting at the local Lutheran church for worship and ministry. We had grown out of our old meeting space, an exciting sign of growth for the church.
I entered the building, taking in the stained glass, rows of pews and the quilted tapestries so-familiar in older churches.  I was at first confident, spotting familiar faces and feeling inundated with the sound of worship. I found a seat in a back pew. As I was about to take off my fleece pullover, a woman stood up, walked to me and gave me a hug, welcoming me to the retreat. It felt really nice. But then she whispered in my ear, "You can't sit there. Someone else is sitting there, she just left for the bathroom."
Pain to the heart. I immediately felt two feet tall, awkward, unwelcomed and unloved. Why I had to go first to those terrible feelings, I don't know. But its real. I got up, walked to the back and leaned against the wall. The wall fell backwards as it was just a partition. My face blazed. I froze. Nowhere to go.  I couldn't find a spot, I didn't know what was taken or not. 
***
Worship ends and I am waved over to an empty space on a pew. Relief is all I felt. I sit, intent to listen and get myself ready for whatever God has for me. But I feel the wall is up around my heart and I don't know how to shake it.
***
"I had a vision," Kim, the women's ministry director, speaks over us. "I had a vision during worship where angels were at the door, welcoming us in. They looked like waiters, or ushers, and they were ready for us, asking to take our coats as we arrived. But instead of coats, what they wanted was our pride."
My heart leaps to my throat, and my brain immediately whirls with thoughts. I WAS welcomed in this space; God wanted me here. When I about to take off my fleece, God was asking me to take off my pride. To get comfortable. To enjoy. To rest. But I was interrupted, and I kept my fleece on; therefore, I kept my pride on and it became a hindrance. I knew in my heart, I needed to let go of my pride this weekend, and that God had plans for me.

ON MY AMAZON WISHLIST: 
Rivers & Tides (2001)