God is amazing! That's the first thought that comes to my mind when I think about what's been going on in the life of our student ministry over the last month. Not only at Elevate Weekend, but throughout the month of February God has been doing big things in the lives of students and parents. We saw more visitors than ever before at our Big Game Bash in early February both with our middle school students at the church and our high school students that met in homes throughout our community. We saw students prepare their hearts for Elevate by reading our online devotionals, many of which were written by students in our ministry. I believe the Spirit of God poured out in unbelievable ways at Elevate Weekend. Students were challenged to read their bibles and to love the word of God; to tuck it away in their hearts so they will know it and live it every day. Many of you as parents were encouraged by our Elevate for Parents experience and I know you were challenged to think biblically about your parenting. So many of our students carried on their experience after Elevate into Challenge Week - they practiced spiritual disciples, shared the gospel and so much more.

So many people made Elevate and the entire month of February possible and I am so thankful for every one of those who served, opened their home, drove a bus, led small groups, organized our parent track - the list could go on. Everyone from staff to volunteers to parents and to students had a great month full of activity. But we get to the "end" of these times and there is a tendency to slow down, lose focus and maybe even forget all that God has been doing. I've been so blessed to hear story after story from parents and students who are getting up every morning and reading their bibles and thinking spiritually in ways they never have. Parents are praying with their students and talking as a family in ways spiritually that they never have. All of this is great, but we've got to be thinking ahead and asking God, "what's next, where do you want me to go from here?"

Earlier this week I was out at Orange Beach, AL taking pictures and meeting with ministry partners in preparation for Beach Camp this summer. It was a beautiful day (a break from our rainy weather) and the sun was shining and I was enjoying a few brief moments between capturing video and pictures to just stop and watch all God has made. I watched the waves come in and go out - they were gone as quickly as they came in. This reminded me that our spiritual lives can't be dependant of riding the waves of programming and events. If there was anything we learned at Elevate it was that God desires relationship with me and me with Him. This is something that must be cultivated EVERY DAY. The normal trend in so many churches is to throw another thing on the calendar, generate a spiritual high from that and hope it sticks for a few months longer. The idea is we'll live off those isolated spiritual highs in hopes that will supplement a daily walk with God. We "ride the wave" of those moments and hope that works.

So, where do we go from here? It's spring, the weather is changing, school is dragging on and there will be many days when your student will be staring out the window of history class wanting to be somewhere else. That's natural - - - what's supernatural is when you and I ignore the lull of the day to day, we stop worshipping at the altar of the urgent and we pursue a relationship with God. Today, right where you are, walk with God. Hide his word in your heart (Psalm 119:11) and challenge your student to do the same. Where do we go from here? We are gonig to continue to invite your student to serve with us this month - buy a shirt for Haiti relief, help us during spring break at the friendship house March 17, serve with us at the Forerunner Banquet March 23, come to LIFT, share the gospel - we do all of this not because it's another thing to do to keep us busy but because we believe they have incredible value. We believe they are teaching our students to take what they are learning and live it out every day. Continue to pray for us, pray for our students and pray together with your student. Model the value of God's word in your home and let's see what God will do when students and families and churches embrace these things. Remember, we love you, we're on your side and we're here for you.

JT