An eye for an eye, a tire for a side, a life for a life.

An eye for an eye.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right!!” How many times have you heard your parents relentlessly preach this line?! My favorite reply was “Yeah, but three rights make a U-Turn!” (I thought my wit was outstanding… but I never let on that I, in actual fact, got that line from Bullwinkle, the monotone moose!) No matter how many times my parents reminded me, it took me many years to understand fully what this meant. Sure I knew my “bad” actions in response to my sisters’ taunts didn’t make the situation right… but I thought that it made me feel just a little better in the end. Now that I am 22 and directing a youth program for inner-city kids, I hear myself echoing the same line that was spoken over me many years ago. My relentless plea seems to dissipate into thin air because no matter how many different ways I hide the same line, they just don’t seem to get it!

Why?

At times this can be frustrating, but if I couldn’t grasp the application when I was young and living in a culture fairly saturated in good morals, how can a child living amongst crime, violence, hurt, and pain grasp the same concept?


A tire for a side.

Tonight a man in a building on my street was stabbed. Police cars and ambulances blitzed the scene. The flashing lights beckoned the neighborhood to come and see the “parade”. It was 11pm and young children, less than 5 years old, were watching as the officials dealt with the situation. They heard from the grapevine of bystanders of how a man was stabbed because he had earlier slashed the tires of his enemy’s car.

An eye for an eye… a tire for a side.

There was a buzz in the air. Not one of franticness, but of fascination. It was a reality show being played before their very eyes. And they ate it all up.

So did the little boy who may forever believe that when someone wrongs you, you must take severe action to prove that you will stand up for yourself, for your family, and for your 4 door station wagon.


A life for a life.

“The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; but I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)

The young boy who has the preconceived notion of “an eye or an eye” may one day end up in one of my youth programs. I will inevitably say to him “two wrongs don’t make a right”, but what his ears hear will be drowned out by the static of the world. The world is very real to these kids. It doesn’t short change them; it doesn’t hide who it is. So why do we candy-coat the gospel? Is it an attempt to sweeten their lips? To lure them in with shallow lessons?

“While we stand on our dignity, generations are going to Hell.” (Catherine Booth).

Let’s not compromise our passion for lost souls by being afraid to speak the truth. God’s Word is so powerful that it can cut to the heart (Acts 2:37). This world is real to these kids; we too need to be real.

Of course we need to sensitive to remember that there are times when a person cannot bear every gospel truth at once (John 16:12). However if we only ever feed our children the same gummy bear of truth; how will they ever stomach an everlasting gobstopper?

Let’s build up our young people with the truth of the Word of God so that they can be beacons of light to this world (Matthew 5:14). Beacons that draw a crowd not to simply spy into the situation at hand, but beacons that beckon the world to arms! To fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12) of faith for our God!

To stand up when others would rather sit idly by.

To stand out when others would rather blend in.

And to stand firm on the promises of God when everyone else turns away.

This is our mission; our life; our love.

BT Kids!

This past Sunday we went to Brooklyn Tabernacle to visit their church and Youth programs. It was very encouraging to meet youth worker volunteers who are so committed to changing the lives of churched and un-churched children in their community. They do this task with such passion and desire to see the word of the Lord in their hearts. The teachers were loved by both the students and the workers and volunteers of the church.
The 7-13yr old church service was one that worked so well. The workers were prepared and were energetic from before the kids walked in the door until after they left. They had a sincere heart to serve the Lord and I believe the kids saw the Lord reflected in their lives.
Overall I was encouraged to be more energetic , creative, and thoughtful in my ministry with children and youth, making sure that I think through every circumstance from their first arrival to how they leave. I also want to strive to be more hospitable in my actions and relations with people around me. As soon as we arrived we were welcomed as if we were a part of the family and I think if this model was intentionally used in our ministry, our services would be filled with people ready to receive from the Lord!
There are many things that I would like to see adapted into my ministry repertoire, including specific games, more diverse worship focused songs, and different ways of ‘rewarding’ those who can remember their memory verse. I don’t believe in always giving prizes for kids who can remember things because some kids have a hard time memorizing words and they should not be memorizing them for the prize, however the king and queen chairs were a fun and inclusive way of making the kids feel special.

Mining for Diamonds

On Oct 31st and Nov 1st the Railton Team was able to take a day trip to the Metro Ministries in Brooklyn. This was my second time seeing the ministry and it was an overall great experience. The ministry was thriving with people from all over the world giving up their time to volunteer with the program. The program is highly volunteer based, but still has so many people willing to help.

One thing they did that I really liked was the truck ministry. I would really love to utilize this plan when I get into my youth worker position. It would definitely be a struggle to pull off but I think with some tweaking of ideas it was be possible! The truck would be the biggest obstacle being that money is not limitless, but the principle of the ministry is there! Go to where the kids are and being fun, games, and the gospel. It was awesome to be involved in going and doing advertising when the kids were getting out of school. It is a prime time to get their attention. Too often we think of putting up flyers and speaking to assemblies, but the best thing to do it word of mouth and telling the kids, getting them pumped up and excited!

The kids seemed to learn so much from these programs and I am excited to incorporate them into my ministry.