I feel centered

I read yesterday but ended up going to bed and forgetting to do my blog. In just a few hours I have the privilege of sharing my faith and the word of God with some kids at the Red Mountain Youth Camp. Yesterday I prayed before I read (as I often do) and asked for God to give me something that would really center my mind for my talk tonight at the camp. I really felt like I should just stay in Mark where I have been for a while now. I finished where I left off in chapter 14 and then all of 15. As I read about the crucifixion of Jesus, my first thought was that I had really wanted something exciting. I was told that the theme for the camp this week is "Living an extreme life." My sermon title is "Extreme Faith: Teens on Fire for God" and it is about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (do you like the irony of "on fire for God?) As I read about the crucifixion and what Christ went through for me, it became very obvious to me that God had really wanted to make sure that I understood that it is all about Him and what He did for us. It really reminded me that, although I really wanted to motivate these kids, it all boils down to the fact that Jesus, even though he knew how screwed up I am, died for me.