This is going to take awhile!

Hiking with a youth on a pass from the juvenile facility. 

Studies tell us that the youth I work with will not be fully mature until age 25, their prefrontal cortex has not become fully developed! [So, that’s why you can’t rent a car until 25.]

I’ve been working with incarcerated youth since 2005, one of my guys is just turning 18 this December. He is still on a journey, he has his ups and downs.  I continue you to with my youth how much I need Jesus moment by moment each day, and they start catching on. Our youth struggle to make good choices each day, they have a hard time controlling their anger, making good friends, showing self control, and giving into peer pressure.

But, if we can learn to trust Him more each day.  If we can love him more and more, moment by moment, minute by minute each day. We have to show more patience and grace with them.  It takes times.  Life is a journey, God is in the business of teaching us to be the best “me” I can be.  Sometimes that involves pain and hardship, my youth know that more than most people.  When we love Him more and trust Him more we begin to realize who God is and what he has for us.

What has caused you to lose trust in God or not trust Him at all?

What will it take to trust Him more and love Him more?

Who is it in your life that could use grace and mercy?

Remember, they are not 25 yet.  It’s going to take sometime, change your perspective and ask God for patience!

 

Culture Shock

Just finished the Colfax Half Marathon.

As I sat in my office (one of many coffee shops around the Denver Area) I overheard a young man talking to a girl about how he doesn’t like looking at “that stuff” because it degrades women.  (I usually have my headphones in but had just taken them out to take a phone call…I’m usually not the creep that listens into people’s conversations – at least I try not too!)  I was shocked, most of the conversations I have with young people I work with on the inside; I’m trying to get them to treat women with respect in words, actions, and with their thoughts!

I recently came home from being out on the streets of Denver and inside a juvenile detention center and heard the laughter of my kids in the backyard.  I thought to myself how “odd” this is.  I “get” to come home to a family, two parents who love each other, my children who know that nothing will take away their parent’s love or more so, nothing will take away their Heavenly Father’s love!  They are supported, not manipulated or abused. They are taken care of (hey, Raman is an acceptable meal…every once in a while) being fed, a place to sleep, and protected.  (I had walked into a “home” earlier that day of one of the other young men I mentor and he doesn’t have a bed to sleep on.)

I know, I know you are thinking how is this culture shock, you are thinking of third world countries and the lack of clean water, hunger, and homelessness.  But on this day, I reflected about how different of an environment my children are being raised in compared to the youth I work with on the inside and outside youth detention facilites.  Most of the youth I work with have less than 10 developmental assets which leads to so much more unstable living.  So…count your blessings today, realize that you are loved by a Heavenly Father, you are cared for and He will never give up on you.  If you want to be a part of this mission to bring hope and healing to these young people, give me a shout!

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Am I doing enough?!

Do you feel like you aren’t doing enough?

With the headline news lately and the way the world is, in this tumultuous election year; I ask myself this question daily. “Am I doing enough?”

I received a call from a mentor Clete who was matched as a faith coach/mentor to “Adam” the mentee. Adam is a parolee and has been going with Clete to church, has “adopted” grandparents from that church now, does community service there and is growing in his relationship with Christ and others! The local church is the hope of the world! “Enough” with God is always ENOUGH!

Miguel and I, he is on the outs now.

What is God asking you to do for Him?

Do you realize that He is the one to do the work?

What is He saying about your “work” for Him?