I don't know if your mind thinks like my mind does, but I usually am all over the map where one thing I see reminds me of this one thing that reminds me of the other thing and I start talking about it, totally randomly and my wife doesn't follow me at all...until I back up and explain how I got there. Well, this happened this morning when I woke up, it was foggy out which is strange weather for Colorado in the winter and that led me to the time I was solo camping in the back country just north of Santa Cruz, CA and I was praying and fasting before my first son was born. I guess that was my way of dealing with my nervousness of being a new father and hear from God what he wanted for my family. That thought then led me to how my perspective on life changed after our first child and that led me to thinking about students and how we can facilitate that perspective change to allow them to grow in character and integrity. Which leads me to the picture above, you see an experiential team building exercise that creates conflict and break down in trust. The goal of the group is to hold the tent pole on their two index fingers, the pole only resting on their fingers at all times...they must be touching the pole at all times and lower it to the ground. Usually what happens when I put the pole on their fingers one side starts going up, immediately, and then the group starts yelling at the side that goes up, people get defensive, communication breaks down...thus the conflict. The point of the exercise, in my opinion, is not to get the pole to the ground, but for the group to value each other regardless of what is going on. So, in the middle of struggle and conflict they can show love and communicate in a way they would want to be communicated to. Conflict is a part of life, we can not avoid it no matter who we are and if we can learn to turn conflict from negative into healthy conflict we have begun to grow in our relationships with each other. When the students I work with in detention centers start to get this, they start to understand God's unconditional love and treat others they way they would want to be treated. Their perspective changes which results in growth, spiritual and personal. It is so powerful! [I do not know the originator of this exercise above, if anyone knows let me know so I can give credit to the right person for this incredibly effective tool.]

Perspective should change us…when we were once naive to how we were living, but then come to understand or understand in a new way – we should change, right?! I wish perspective could stay as fresh as when it first illuminates the need to think about things differently in life. But it usually wears off when normal routine kicks in. How do we stay that raw, that changed [in our minds at least]? I believe that in that moment, our most vulnerable state of mind – we can make decisions and commitments that can truly changes us to be the best individual possible on this earth. I have to have hope that these instances of change happen enough in my life to grow, mature, and be a more loving individual.

Today, I gained perspective…on life, the need for love, the frailty of life, how we are not in control. And nothing I do, no matter how significant, can change a student’s life…only Christ is the hope they need. Frank is on suicide watch – he has been swallowing pencils, they don’t have any other way of hurting themselves. Some try to use their shoe strings, so they get these orange slip on shoes they call, “Bob Barker’s”. They even use erasers to burn their skin, until staff find out. Home-made tattoos using a pencil lead are common, they will even bang their head against their bed or wall just to feel the rush of pain, the adrenaline rush is their fix to fulfilling their fix, at one time on the “outs” they used drugs, alcohol, or sex. They are in a room with only their very deppressing thoughts and a staff person checks on them every 2 minutes. The most a psychologist does for the kid is talk about their self-worth…nothing about living for a higher calling. This calling that echos in eternity with a future, living for more than yourself...living for Him who has changed our lives forever.

I am helpless, I can do nothing, I can’t say anything that will help…so I pray, I ask for Christ to give peace the we can not comprehend why we feel it. I ask for comfort, as if God was in the same room, wrapping His arms around him. I can’t…I can’t even hug him, I can’t pat him on the back…I have to stand outside the door, cold talking through a shatterproof glass window. There is nothing I can do. We are not in control of this life, He is and that should comfort us…that should change things – perspective, it should change us. It SHOULD change us!

None of us have it all together, and when we start to think like we do something usually happens in life to show us we don't. We are never in control of our lives...we all mess up. The above picture is of the snow storm that hit our town this past month. The weather is something we are not in control of...many travelers were stranded away from their families on the most traveled holiday of the year. Not in control of their own destinations or itineraries. But for me, to not be in control is relieving because I know the One who is in control. I thought I'd give you a snap shot of what I do at the detention center, if you want to be caught up on WEM you can visit www.experientialministry.com. As I walk in the facility every week, I hear kid's hopeless stories after hopeless stories. They are not in control of their lives and now they are surely not in control of their immediate future, that is up to the courts. Many of these kids are character deficient where they can manipulate situations in their best interests with staff and the facility and me. They have the perception that they are in control, but when you hear their stories, they begin to unfold lives that desperately need God to be the leader of their life. One kid was put in isolation, a empty room about 4 feet by 4 feet, he was threatening suicide and knew how he would do it...the thing is he was crying out so much for attention and his life is so screwed up, he knew that was the only way to get someones undivided attention without having to share. He is so starved for love...love that only Christ can offer, heal, and bring transformation into his life. I talk to so many kids, simply offering them hope, whether we are meeting one-on-one or playing basketball in the gym during their free recreation time. We are all messed up and hurting whether we know Christ or not, but those of us that allow Him to have control...have all the hope in the world!

I was with a friend this weekend who came into town and has a love for the wilderness like I do. We were talking about what we have experienced with God when we are away from everything (email, phone, busyness of the city). My son and I were sitting eating breakfast at his favorite restaurant that has a slide, before heading to school, and I have a habit of asking him questions about life and I asked him what his favorite thing to do for fun was. He answered riding bizicles (bicycles), although he has never ridden a bike. Then he asks me the same question, he is thoughtful like that. I told him I like hiking and being in the wilderness, to this he throws back his head and laughs and says, "You're silly daddy". Many others have had that same reaction when I have told them where God is leading me in life. I truly believe God is allowing me to have the most fun I could have with Him by taking at-risk youth into the backcountry away from the normal routine of life and allowing their crisis of life to collide with Christ love, acceptance, and mercy! I am grateful that God is allowing me to be apart of what He is doing in Denver.

Imagine with me Christmas Day or Christmas Eve whenever your family celebrates and opens gifts. What is the feeling in the room? What are your emotions? Expectant? Excited? Anxious? Can't wait to see the reaction of the person you gave a gift too? Imagine that gift that you are giving in love because you care about that person, with no strings attached and given with the best intentions. Now imagine that person refusing to receive that gift. How would you feel? What is wrong with them? And they try to communicate to you that they don't deserve it and they could never repay it or live there life change because of it. How would you respond? Would that seem outrageous to you? As I was talking with a student, from the juvenile justice facility this past week they knew the gift was there but they refused to accept it because they didn't feel they could live up to it AND he hates hypocrites. I agreed with him, BUT I'm a hypocrite and so is he, if he was honest with himself. We try to live our lives as followers of the WAY, with Christ living through us. Christ asks us to depend on Him for strength. As you open gifts this Christmas, thank Him for His gift and supplying everything we need. In this season if giving and receiving, please remember, with me, to communicate this gift that we have in Christ.

I got a phone call early Saturday morning. "I'm out!" It was a young person that just got released from the Juvenile facility. "How does it feel?" I asked. "I'm never going back again," he told me. I caught up on some details about his release and how long he is on ankle monitor and his next steps...and then we prayed together. There is something about a student who realizes they have been granted grace and mercy, they walk in that new forgiveness with greater confidence than even I do. I'm following up with him this week and inviting him to our student ministry [www.thegaragesm.com], he has to get it cleared with his parole officer since he is on ISP (intensive supervisory parole). Please pray for this student and for our continued efforts to disciple him. Also, pray for two other students I'm trying to get a meeting with at their placement now that they are out of the facility. Mountview Youth Services Center is pictured above.

There is something about surprises that make the heart beat fast and bring an excitement of newness. The above picture is our October surprise of snow, everything is whiter, smells cleaner, seems fresher, and is a lot more fun. My sons and I were in the back yard playing in the crisp, clean snow. Our morning was filled with much more joy and excitement because of the snow. The young people I work with at the detention center usually are deep in routine at the facility they are locked into. Much of the routine is to guarantee control and safety, but there is one group that happens during their mundane routine called the challenge course. For those unfamiliar with challenge courses, it involves wearing harnesses, connecting to ropes, and completing objectives 40 feet off the ground. The surprise many of these young people experienced was jumping from a platform high off the ground to catch a bar hanging in the air, much like a trapezee performer. Many of these tough, unreachable youth shed that exterior and admitted they are afraid, I saw humility in them for the first time. We live our lives everyday under the guise that we are in control, but in all actuality, God is in control and our surprise is that He cleans our life of all the junk and filthy and makes it white as snow. Please, remember today that your life is in His hands, you can fight that every day or allow Him to lead your life.

The grassroots efforts of WEM will be with troubled youth or at-risk youth. The goal is to be a court ordered deferment or diversion program. Some people have asked me if we are doing trips this winter. We could fill our calendar with trips with youth from other student ministries or youth in crisis, but our desire is to work alongside the state and fulfill a need they have. To see a similar program visit www.9news.com/wildernesscamp. We are continuing to gain momentum in the juvenile justice facility and youth are being changed by the transforming "good news" of Christ. I want to thank the volunteers who give of their time to the facility and throw themselves into loving these youth that many don't take the time to care for. Our foundation will be working with youth from detention centers and the possibilities are endless from there.

Team is so crucial in God's story. There was a reason for the twelve that walked with Christ, God intended for us to do life together. As a chaplain at Mountview Youth Services Center I am a part of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and Denver Area Youth for Christ (DAYFC), I have the priviledge of being on two extrodinary teams. Mountview Youth Services Center (MVYSC) has given me a office and I'm helping lead groups on Tuesday and Thursdays. DAYFC is bring me on part-time as the Youth Guidance Chaplian at MVYSC. All of this to say that this adventure starting almost a year ago is now in full swing. These two partnerships are huge for the success of WEM and where God is leading me and my family. Thank you for your prayers and support. Please visit the website by clicking on the link to the right if you have not learned what WEM is about.

You know how we need validation in our lives that we are doing the right thing? WEM has been a risk for my family and I to head down this road of working more intently with at-risk youth in the juvenile justice system. The first student showed up in our student ministry this last Wednesday. He simply said, "Thanks for inviting me." As I continue to work with the youth at MVYSC, we are infecting them with a faith that gives them hope in this world that we live in. We are touching lives and youth are being changed because of Christ.

Many of the youth at the detention center use their past drug usage as bragging rights. I was just hanging out in one of the pods that holds up to 20 youth in the facility and they were talking about thier pasts. I asked them if they regret what the have done, many do, but a few would say that as soon as they're out they start using again. I realize that we are creatures of habit, my desire is to communicate hope so they do not have to be a part of their negative influences and behaviors. Every time I meet with youth I let them know that I believe in them and that more importantly God believes in them and loves them more than I can even love or care for them. Would you join me in praying for these youth at this facility and partner with me to free God's hands to allow change to happen with these youth.

"I'm going home today!" says one of the youth at the Detention Center. I hear that a lot as a chaplain, they say that with such hope in their voice and eyes. They head out of the facility with the best intentions to stay out of the negative relationships and behavior that got them in trouble in the first place. Today, I believe this student...his faith in Christ has changed him, he has a good plan, and he has a good family. I met with this youth on the "outs" this week. He has committed to asking Christ to live through him every day, he has my phone number to call when he feels like he is slipping. As I talk with him, I see a physical change in him, Christ's power has freed him from his addictions! I thank my God everyday that He is still in the business of doing miracles. I'm thankful that He allows me to be involved with what He is doing here in Denver.

My heart aches everytime I drive away from the Denver Youth Services building I am a volunteer chaplain at. As I drive home to my comfortable suburban home I remember all of the youth I had conversations with that day. One youth, we'll call him Clint, says he has no one...his dad died a year ago and his mom is in jail. He says all he has is his gang to go back to and that is the reason he is in this facility in the first place. He is broken and empty, nothing matters to him anymore. That is a scary combination on the outside when you don't have a care in the world. I'm thinking about how God has called me to the "fatherless" and how He can heal and mend broken hearts and spirits. I ask him how much he talks to God and he say not enough. I share with him that God is there when it seems like no one else is there for him. "People will always let you down," I tell him. "But God will never let you down or give you more than you can handle." He has a court date coming up soon and he is asking to get into a placement [a house for youth seeking emancipation]. Every day I will speak hope into these student's lives and know that God is working on their heart! I am called to youth and will follow that call with purpose and intentionality!

I sat across from a student the other day as he shared how his life has been stripped from him. I have heard so many stories from students in my past and I thought I have been shock proof, but nothing prepared me for what unfolded in our conversation. He was almost mechanical as he shared it, emotion was void from his voice. It was almost like he slipped into a different part of his brain as to keep his emotions from colliding with the reality of his situation. I can not share the details of this student's situation, but he is now states away from his home, his family has disowned him, and he hates his best friend who he blames for taking his life, as he knew it, away from him. I don't have much time, but to communicate to him a love that goes above all situations that happen here on earth. And a God who has a design for him and Hope for him. This student is still very angry and extremely lost, but I believe in a relationship that can restore his life and bring "real truth" into his chaotic situation!

One of the things we do at WEM is create opportunities for ministries that focus on youth to have experiences that can change their lives. These experiences are created through rock climbing and asking questions from the experience that relate to their spiritual lives. The topic of trust came up in this one day rock climbing trip. How do you trust God when bad things happen? One student on this trip had been let down in a previous rock climbing experience and it hurt him and damaged that trust. Another student had a good friend that believed in Christ and sacrificed a lot to follow Him that had died in a drowning. How does rock climbing relate to this?

A student has to trust the rope set up and the person belaying the climber [keeping them from falling]. When a student goes through this experience 30 feet of the ground it tends to affect them more than just sitting around a circle and talking about trust. On the field or in this case on a rock they hit those emotions and a heightened mental thought process and they are opened up to so much more transformation. God works in incredible ways when we are focused on learning from Him and growing in Him!

Three days, two nights, four lakes, thirteen miles, one million mosquitos later we are back at the vechile legs aching, back sweating, scratching our bites, and thankful for an incredible weekend. It was WEM's first unofficial trip with at-risk students. At-risk defined are youth that have been in the juvenile justice system, have had drug use, or dependency/behavioral problems, or have a broken family or a parent that is incarcerated. We learned a lot on this trip while hiking, sitting by the lake eating our "just add water" meals. Our pasts were talked about and how that affects are future, goals were set...like no more dirty UA's [urine analysis with drugs or alcohol in it].

God was the topic of discussion especiallly with some of the scenery that we were experiencing. How could all of this just have happened? WEM is about speaking hope into student's lives and believing in them because of Christ who lives through them. Our spiritual life is a journey as we continue to walk with Christ and work on our relationship with Him. So many at-risk youth are on a continuing process with their faith and figuring out what life is really about. Our goals were met, getting away from the routine of life, dedicating our thoughts to making choices that will have a positive influence, and changing our negative behavior into leadership skills that will produce positive behavior.

WEM is continuing to pursue official recognition from the juvinile justice system and will continue to be a safe place for youth to feel like they belong and are believed in.

_Ode to my Father

...studies have shown, and statistics prove that a positive adult male influence is crucial for the success of young people. My life is a true testimony of this statement. On this Father's Day I want to honor my dad and celebrate him and his influence in my life. As I have dedicated my life to be a positive influence in young people's lives, my father has been a key to this call. His constant love for his Heavenly Father and keeping that relationship as his first priority was evident in his love for mom and our family. I want to thank my dad for his provision, guidance, and direction in my life. I am stronger in my faith, have a genuine love for my wife, and a solid foundation in raising my children because of my dad's example. As I continue to dedicate my life to youth and guiding them to find "true North", I will continue to be reminded of my father and his love and care of me.

As a student pastor for the past 10 years I have found that experiences are key to a student's growth, maturity, and character. Becoming a chaplain at a local State-owned Youth Services Center (juvenile detention center), I have learned that students in crisis are in a perfect place to make a decision to change their negative behavior and turn it into positive behavior. They want to become leaders in this city, with integrity and character. These students have seen the consequences of their actions and have grown from them. We aspire to provide experiences through wilderness trips to allow students to make this discovery and change negative habits into life giving habits. They will learn respect for others in community, taking care of others needs, and to see themselves through others eyes that believe in them. Wilderness Experiential Ministry is in it's infant stages and will start by taking trips with Denver at-risk and/or detained youth. We are currently raising funds for this endevor. Please visit the website on the right side of this page to learn more. The above picture is a sunrise from the top of Mount Bierstadt, 1 of 54 fourteen thousand foot peaks in Colorado.