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That’s the title of a youth event planned for Saskatoon on Saturday, May 9th.  Great Canadian bands, Will Graham as speaker, all held at Credit Union Centre.

Out of our youth planning meeting last night, we decided to take our youth into this event.  The behind the scenes push for the event is the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  Some of you will remember Billy Graham crusades from years back.  This is an updated version especially for youth.  The music will not appeal to those who like southern gospel music (one is a rapper).  The speaker will relate more to the facebook generation than the boomer gang.  But the purpose, to know Jesus, has not changed.

So, if you know a youth in the Kindersley area (or Saskatoon area for that matter) that would like to go, have them contact me at the Kindersley Alliance church.  We are all for getting youth out, so if cost is a factor, we can work with that!! The website for the event is http://www.epiccanada.com.

One of the enjoyable parts of my pastoral role is working with dedicated volunteers.  Tonight was spent with one of our youth leaders.  She and I worked over a schedule.  We will complete official activities on June 19th.  But we’re already planning into July and August.  Those things that just happen and are remembered for a lifetime.  Like, maybe, a trip to the sandhills, or to Drumheller, or helping at a Bible Camp, or doing renovations for a church in Prince Albert.

All looks good!  And I look forward to the actual activities.

We have a regional group called the Drug and Alcohol Wellness Network  — attended by health workers, addictions counselors, ministerial, education personnel, RCMP, town administrators and interested parties.  We meet every month or so — attempting to forward a strategy to combat the “dis-ease” our society is feeling over the noticeable addictions of drugs and alcohol.  Today we spent a few hours together — breaking down great statements into manageable steps.

I still remember the day I was confronted with the fact that the top three drugs are nicotine, alcohol and caffeine.  All of them are legal in our society.

We talked about denormalizing the use of drugs and alcohol in our culture.

Then I listened to the news about changes in liquor laws.  Things are getting easier to get alcohol delivery and to brew liquor.  The idea is to promote responsible alcohol use.  I’ll have to research the actual changes that are being made, but I guess I’m a little colored by walking from a preventative meeting into an enabling atmosphere. 

I wonder how those involved in drugs and alcohol addictions counselling see some of these changes?  As I’m standing in the hallway, I’m also overhearing the preparations for some of the addictions counselors to attend a seminar on gambling addictions.  Perhaps the liquor and gaming ministry in this province’s political cabinet needs to have a red X placed through it’s title??

When I started the day, 9:00 at the office was the initial start time.  Then an unexpected, and fully God given, appointment.  Then three further meetings with people.  By 4:00 in the afternoon I was ready for a rest — which I took.  And finally an evening appointment.

These are days of the unexpected.  These are days to trust God.  These are days to anticipate the upcoming days.

God’s blessing and strength are what we seek.  And somehow, he gives more than we expect!