Praying for our Campers-Day 6

But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

Father in Heaven,

How you love us! How you grace us with favor in this life. How you bless us! We praise you for your power and might as well as your tenderness and intimate whispers.  Thank you for this week that's been set apart to be different from our routine.  Thank you for all that you have done in the seen and unseen realm this week. 

We pray this last night at camp that you will anchor all that our kids learned securely in their hearts, and minds, and spirits.  Help them to skip home with joyful hearts and we pray as they reenter that they might continue to love you first. Bless them with some ability to share what they gained at camp.  Bless them with memories that really will last a lifetime.  Bless them with sustaining new friendships.

We pray for the leaders to know your delight in them. Help them to hear and see and receive gratitude from us and the campers and each other as they return home. Use what they experienced this week to equip and prepare them for whatever more you have planned in their lives. Bless them with rest and significance and seeing your glory.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Praying for our Campers-Day 5

God defilers are always in trouble; God affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around.  Ps 32:10

Lord God in Heaven,

Thank you for the ways our kids have been loved this week--every time the turn around--by leaders and cabin mates even campers from other YL areas.  We praise you that You are LOVE.  Thank you that there is love where your name is proclaimed.  Help us to be God affirmers wherever we go that we might spread your glory and bring your Kingdom down on earth as it is in Heaven.  

Direct from Tobias' phone

We pray that the teaching and messages at camp would be delivered clearly by speakers and received soundly by all the kids including ours with whatever challenges they have.  Soften hearts, unplug ears, connect pathways, and whether it be through music, or a game or a hug, we ask that you would be sure each camper comprehends your gospel truth. We pray they will make a choice to be God affirmers this week and to follow you.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Praying for our Campers-Day 4

You will show forth the praises of God who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Psalm 90:14

Lord,

We praise you God that you are the Light and the Way.  Tonight as our campers and leaders sleep I pray you would prepare them for tomorrow. In ways only you can communicate, will you call them out of darkness into Your marvelous light.  Make them ready, prepare their hearts,  show them how to show forth your praises.  We pray for a good solid night's sleep and rest for their bodies and minds that tomorrow would bear fruit in their lives.  

Thank you for your good design and the way that night follows day.  Thank you for your consistency and your plan that all should know you and none should perish.  We pray for kids at camp to meet you personally and understand their purpose on earth to glorify you.  We pray for the leaders to feel your glory as they follow you and share their own testimonies with those around them.  

Bless them all in Jesus name,

Amen

Praying for our Campers-Day 3

I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, to grasp how wide and long and deep and high is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge… Ephesians 3:17-20

Dear Lord, 

Our campers and leaders are no doubt tired tonight from settling into the new pace of activities and communal living. We pray that you will refresh them and restore them with a good night's sleep for a new day tomorrow. Thank you that you never slumber or sleep, that your infinite supply of wisdom and guidance and strength never run dry.  Your abundance is our inheritance.  Thank you for calling these leaders and campers by name for such a time as this because you love them.  Help each one receive your immeasurable love in every dimension.  Where they have unbelief, help them believe your thoughts of them.  Let your delight in them be palpable.  We pray your Holy Spirit will blow through Lost Canyon and empower every leader, camper, and staff person to be filled with more of you.  And dear Jesus, in your mysterious ways please give confidence and assurance to the parents at home that their kids are safe and sound.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Photo credit: http://www.chabad.org/blogs/blog_cdo/aid/1332626/jewish/Infinite-Love.htm

Praying for our Campers-Day 2

Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp.  Ex 33:7

Thank you Lord that you hear our prayers and answer them.  Thank you that you listen to us and speak to us.  We pray this week that each camper kid would truly seek you, inquire of you, find a "tent of meeting" and ask you the questions on their heart.  We pray that each one will hear from you directly this week. 

a glimpse at the Oceanside bus pick up

We join with Jesus at your right side who lives to intercede for us and with the Holy Spirit who intercedes with groaning too great for words.  We ask you things we know are your will since you promise them in your Word. Would you give wisdom, comfort, understanding, salvation, protection, provision, safety, and love to each one at Lost Canyon?  Lord, we pray that the leaders will see their campers and each other through your eyes.  Will you give them eyes to see what you are doing through every circumstance that arises? 

You are the one true God who makes the sun come up, numbers the hairs on our heads, and knows what time we sleep and wake.  Thank you Lord that keeping these kids safe and sound is well within your grasp.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Praying for our Campers-Day 1

 "The Lord replied, my presence will go with you and I will dispel your anxiety." Exodus 33:14

6 AM Departure this morning

Ahhh Lord,

Thank you for the 11 campers and the 12 leaders who are settling in at Lost Canyon camp.  Will you do what only you can do through the power of your Holy Spirit to comfort each one--camper, parent and leader?  We know that whatever happens this week is filtered through your Holy hands. Tomorrow as they wake, give wisdom to each leader, patience as needed, and stamina to last the week. We pray for each camper to experience your love, a sense of belonging, safety, and flexibility. For the parents, we ask you would grant peace and rest. Instead of calls and texts, will you yourself whisper in their ear tonight that every detail is within your control and careful watch.  We trust you, our Father in Heaven, to transform our kids this week from the inside out for your glory.  You can do that by making it go smoothly or through homesickness and difficulty. We trust you to know what's best. We believe you love them even more than we do for you created them and came to save them.  Thank you God!  In Jesus name,  Amen

He is risen!! And He is MOVING!!!

Hello Family!!!

I hope you all had an AMAZING Easter weekend!! What an amazing God we have!

I wanted to share a quick story with you all and an update.

David Augustine is a freshman at San Diego State University and has been going to SDSU Young Life for almost 6 months now. I met David early on in the year and had a few interactions with him at club. He was always polite and inviting to everyone around him and is quite honestly one of THE funniest guys I have come to know. When we were able to get a van with a lift (praise the Lord!!!) Tavo and I went to College YL one night and told David that we would be taking him to In N Out in the van. It was the most hysterical and uplifting time I had in a long time. At the end of the night David nicknamed the van "The Beast" haha (a name still in effect today). Just this past Wednesday David and I were leaving Flood Church's College Group (for our second visit there together) and when I asked David if he had a good time, he replied "Dude Tobias, I am so glad I came tonight!" I was surprised and joyful so I asked "Awesome! Why all the enthusiasm?" and he responded "It's just crazy how all this time we have had together has lined up so perfectly. God is moving and I can feel him moving in me. It is awesome" Profound words for a college freshman experiencing his first church college group. I was so excited to hear David say those words, God is moving. David is now in conversation with the Area Director of the SDSU Young Life group about training to become a leader for Young Life!! David has answered God's call on his life to love the lost and to spread the news about Jesus Christ to teens and young adults. YES!!!

God is moving in San Diego in the lives of teens and young adults with disabilities and David's story has caused me to make my own altered version of the popular "He is risen...He is risen indeed!" motto. I now feel the urge to shout aloud "He is risen...and HE IS MOVING!!" Jesus is active and changing lives in our city and I am so happy to be able to share the good news with YOU about what He is doing in San Diego Capernaum and Young Life.

Let Easter not only be a reminder to us about what Jesus Christ did but also what He is doing! Praise God for using us and allowing us the blessing to see His work!

Blessings and Happy Easter!
--
Tobias Haglund