Friday, January 21, 2005
IT WAS ALL GOOD
I’m referring to the “Indiana Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values.” That’s a long title but it accurately describes what took place last weekend. I think this was the 9th or 10th year for this Forum.
We had less students than last year. The make-up of those attending was quite different, thus the dynamic was different than last year. It was not “better” or “worse” than last year—just different.
The weather was some better this year. The temperature was not so severely cold. Friday night and Saturday were beautiful, sunny days, although it was cold. But it snowed quite a lot in the night Saturday and Sunday. It was difficult getting checked out and home Sunday afternoon.
But the sessions were wonderful, as usual. The evening spent at the State Legislature was great and the service projects, called, “The Labor of Love”, were terrific. The highlight, according to most anyone you ask, was Saturday morning at “The Lord’s Pantry” with Luscious Newsome. That is an awesome experience.
Our small group, or “family”, was a different dynamic than last year but we got to know one another and had some good discussion times. We really enjoyed Saturday evening in our host home. Although the groups are matched with host homes randomly, Karon and I knew our host family from our old church. They were great.
So it was all good. Everyone was accommodating, loving and helpful to everyone else. It was moving to hear what all the youth attending had to say about the weekend as we shared around the circle in the closing session.
So what did I get from the weekend? Blessings untold! I was so blessed by listening to the legislators tell how they integrated faith and values in their family and political lives. (Peggy Welch from Bloomington is my all-time favorite!) It was a blessing to listen to an Indiana State Supreme Court Justice and his wife speak on that same topic. We got a tour of the State House and it included the State Supreme Court room. How awesome!
I got to spend the weekend with some really great leaders like Mike Pence, Luscious Newsom, David Macintosh, and many others. I associated with some great people who served as adult facilitators.
But of course the greatest blessing was spending the weekend with those college students. The stereotype of the boisterous, irreverent, disrespectful, sinful college student certainly doesn’t fit any of the students with whom I associated with this past weekend. They were the most loving, kind, considerate, intelligent, fun loving, dedicated and committed Christians I have ever been around. They are the “real thing”. No phoniness with them. They are transparent—‘warts and all”. And it has been that way every year that I have been associated with the Forum in any capacity.
There were 4 youth at the Forum whom I have come to know over the past few years. These are kids I’d give my very life to save any one of their lives. I can’t begin to express how much I love those young people and how much I enjoy being around them. And I met two new youth whom I enjoyed very much. They, too, are dedicated and living for Christ. Five of them and Karon and I had Sunday dinner together after the Forum. It was enjoyable. I am so grateful that they will let me “hang out” with them. I can’t wait to be with any or all of them again soon.
“Thank you, Lord!” I’m ready for next year!
Jim
posted by jim 4:00 PM 1 comments
Comments:
The forum was pretty good. Even though it was my third time (and I had done it all before) it was a real refresher. It helped to correct my perspective on life. Far too often I forget about the less-advantaged people in our world, because I don't have direct contanct with them on a daily basis. It was good to have my mindset corrected. May I not forget.
-Jeremy-
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-Jeremy-
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