Blessings Through Obedience

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Ps. 40:8.

What a God is our God! He rules over His kingdom with diligence and care, and He has built a hedge-- the Ten Commandments-- about His subjects to preserve them from the results of transgression. In requiring obedience to the laws of His kingdom, God gives His people health and happiness, peace and joy. He teaches them that the perfection of character He requires can be attained only by becoming familiar with His Word.

The true seeker, who is striving to be like Jesus in word, life, and character, will contemplate his Redeemer and, by beholding, become changed into His image, because he longs and prays for the same disposition and mind that was in Christ Jesus. . . . He longs after God. The history of his Redeemer, the immeasurable sacrifice that He made, becomes full of meaning to him. Christ, the Majesty of heaven, became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich; not rich merely in endowments, but rich in attainments.

These are the riches that Christ earnestly longs that His followers shall possess. As the true seeker after the truth reads the Word and opens his mind to receive the Word, he longs after truth with his whole heart. The love, the pity, the tenderness, the courtesy, the Christian politeness, which will be the elements in the heavenly mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him, take possession of his soul. His purpose is steadfast. He is determined to stand on the side of righteousness. Truth has found its way into the heart, and is planted there by the Holy Spirit, who is the truth. When truth takes hold of the heart, the man gives sure evidence of this by becoming a steward of the grace of Christ.

Each steward has his own special work to do for the advancement of God's kingdom. . . . The talents of speech, memory, influence, property, are to accumulate for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. He will bless the right use of His gifts.

'Don't be a bystander,' Adventist leader advises young people

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Young people from Cambodia to Bangladesh met in Manila, Philippines on February 7 for the first of two Let's Talk installments in East Asia. [photos: Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN]

Adventist world church president Pastor Jan Paulsen urges a group of students and young professionals in Hong Kong to embody the image of the church. "It's important that Christianity be dynamic -- a rich and appealing way to live," he said during the hour-long live broadcast.

Getting involved in the local church is the best way to impact the global Seventh-day Adventist community, world church president Pastor Jan Paulsen told two groups of young people gathered for the first Let's Talk broadcasts in Asia. Urging active participation in both church activities and personal spirituality, Paulsen answered questions from students and young professionals from across East Asia.

Previous installments of Let's Talk, a series of unscripted, unedited conversations between Paulsen and Adventist students and young professionals, have taken the church leader to 18 other locations worldwide since 2003.

One theme -- how to make Adventism, a religion with predominantly Western roots, relevant in Asia -- emerged early in the February 10 broadcast from Hong Kong, which included young people from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and fell during Chinese New Year celebrations.

"You don't take people out of [their] culture," Paulsen, who donned a red changshan, the traditional Chinese formal wear, for the occasion, said. "The church has to find a meaningful way to reach people within their cultures. The values God teaches must make sense and be meaningful within your own culture."

Participants at both the Hong Kong broadcast and the February 7 recording from Manila, Philippines wanted Paulsen's take on marriage, divorce and being single.

Paulsen, citing his own 52 years of marriage, stressed the value of choosing partners wisely and attending pre-marital counseling. Because marriage is a "commitment, not an experiment," Paulsen said cohabitation as a "trial run" is not an acceptable means of cutting divorce rates.

Some participants wondered if divorce ought to even be an option. While certainly not the ideal, Paulsen described divorce as a "reality," not a reason to judge or ostracize members whose marriages have ended. "We need to remember that we are here to be a healing, forgiving, accepting community," he said.

One student at the Hong Kong broadcast suggested roles in the church for singles, whether divorced or never married, were narrow. Paulsen acknowledged that while some cultures prefer to hire married people, "God does not require that you marry and have kids in order to serve him." He added that being a minister or counselor is a "professional qualification" that need only be accompanied by "spiritual commitment."

Paulsen continued the theme of commitment -- this time loyalty to God -- when answering several questions about Sabbath observance from the group in Manila. When a student from Myanmar said some state exams are only held on Sabbath, Paulsen mentioned the work of the church's department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty to eliminate religious discrimination. "Governments don't like to be embarrassed, or viewed as depriving their citizens of the right to follow their consciences," he said.

One student asked whether it's OK to let Sabbath-keeping slip to curry favor with a professor or a boss. "We don't compromise the Sabbath for anything," Paulsen said. "The rest of life -- professional, educational or otherwise -- must fit into that context. Difficulties may come, but they will bring new opportunities to trust God."

And when young people trust God, they can also depend on their own "good minds and sound judgment," Paulsen stressed during both broadcasts. "Look, you know what's right," he said in response to questions about music, movies and other entertainment choices. He then shared the guidelines he uses to choose music for his iPod: "Is it worshipful? Does it communicate a message from God? Does it bond a community of believers?" If not, best not to "baptize" it, he said.

Several questions surrounded appropriate activities for Adventists. Should Adventists campaign for politicians, run for office, associate with other denominations, play sports? Paulsen's "Yes" to each question was tempered by a warning -- don't let anything elbow out your commitment to Christ. If you seek election one day, he told the students, "don't confuse the agenda of the state with the mission of the church."

"Know who you are and don't compromise your identity," Paulsen said, advising the students not to cloister themselves away in a solely Adventist community. "Christ said, 'Let's go down and meet those people.' So don't be a bystander -- go with conviction, the assurance of who you are and the value of what you offer," he said.

When a participant from Cambodia whose family died in the genocide under Pol Pot asked whether God would allow people into heaven who never had a chance to accept Jesus, Paulsen assured him God was "generous" beyond human comprehension. "Aren't you glad He is the One who will ultimately answer your questions?"

Qualifying for the Kingdom

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mark 10: 15.

Christ does not acknowledge any caste, color, or grade as necessary to become a subject of His kingdom. Admittance to His kingdom does not depend upon wealth or a superior heredity. But those who are born of the Spirit are the subjects of His kingdom. Spiritual character is that which will be recognized by Christ. His kingdom is not of this world. His subjects are those who are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And this grace is given them of God.
Christ does not find His subjects fitted for His kingdom, but He qualifies them by His divine power. Those who have been dead in trespasses and sins are quickened to spiritual life. The faculties which God has given them for holy purposes are refined, purified, and exalted, and they are led to form characters after the divine similitude. . . .

Christ draws them to Himself by an unseen power. He is the light of life, and He imbues them with His own Spirit. As they are drawn into the spiritual atmosphere, they see that they have been made the sport of Satan's temptations, and that they have been under his dominion; but they break the yoke of fleshly lusts, and refuse to be the servants of sin. . . . They realize that they have exchanged captains, and they take their directions from the lips of Jesus. As a servant looks to his master, and as a maid looks to her mistress, so these souls, drawn by the cords of love to Christ, constantly look unto Him who is the Author and Finisher of their faith. By beholding Jesus, by obeying His requirements, they increase in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. Thus they become changed into His image from character to character until they are distinguished from the world, and it can be written of them: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth he praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous
light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:
which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2: 9, 10).

Today's Devotion Feb 7th 2008

A Kingly Procession

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. Zech. 9: 9.

Five hundred years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Zechariah thus foretold the coming of the King to Israel. . . . Christ was following the Jewish custom for a royal entry. . . . No sooner was He seated upon the colt than a loud shout of triumph rent the air. The multitude hailed Him as Messiah, their King. . . .They could lead the triumphal procession with no royal standards, but they cut down the spreading palm boughs, Nature's emblem of victory, and waved them aloft with loud acclamations and hosannas. . . .

Never before in His earthly life had Christ permitted such a demonstration. He clearly foresaw the result. It would bring Him to the cross. But it was His purpose thus publicly to present Himself as the Redeemer. He desired to call attention to the sacrifice that was to crown His mission. . . .

Never before had the world seen such a triumphal procession. It was not like that of the earth's famous conquerors. No train of mourning captives, as trophies of kingly valor, made a feature of that scene. But about the Saviour were the glorious trophies of His labors of love for sinful man. There were the captives whom He had rescued from Satan's power, praising God for their deliverance. The blind whom He had restored to sight were leading the way. The dumb whose tongues He had loosed shouted the loudest hosannas. The cripples whom He had healed bounded with joy. . . . Lazarus, whose body had seen corruption in the grave, but who now rejoiced in the strength of glorious manhood, led the beast on which the Saviour rode. . . .

That scene of triumph was of God's own appointing. It had been foretold by the prophet, and man was powerless to turn aside God's purpose.

As well might the priests and rulers attempt to deprive the earth of the shining face of the sun, as to shut from the world the beams of glory from the Sun of Righteousness. In spite of all opposition, the kingdom of Christ was confessed by the people.

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE SUB COM YEARLY SCHEDULE GOLD AWARD

January February

*Meeting with interested youth to *Begin fitness practice sessions plan physical fitness practice schedules based on weather—indoors/outdoors

*Assign leadership roles under Section IV-1/2 *Plan Expedition for Section III and for first 6 months schedule based on optimal weather#

March April

*Select a Share Your Faith project for *Continue fitness practice sessions

Section IV-3 and schedule for optimum time of year.#

*Continue fitness practice sessions

May June

*Continue fitness practice sessions * Test first round of fitness activities

*Complete Community Service Honor I *Plan/Assign Cultural Improvement selected under Section IV-4 Section V

July August

*Complete Community Service Honor II *Begin Skills Honors selected selected under Section IV-4 under Section II

*Begin fitness practice sessions part two *Continue fitness practice sessions

*Assign leadership roles, Section IV-A for next group

September October

*Continue fitness practice sessions *Continue fitness practice session

*Complete Skills Honors selected in August

November December

*Complete Section V assignments *Test round two of fitness activities

*Have completed Sections II, III, and IV

# Be sure to insert these activities during the months selected and complete them prior to December.

Note: While this schedule presents the ideal of completing the Gold Award in one year, two or more

years is perhaps more realistic, especially considering the high level of physical training needed to complete the necessary events. It must be understood, that this Award is not designed for everyone, nor

should it ever be understood that all members of the Ambassador Club are somehow to complete this

Award—it is indeed for a select few who find its challenges enticing.

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE SUB COM YEARLY SCHEDULE SILVER AWARD

January February

*Meeting with interested youth to *Begin fitness practice sessions plan physical fitness practice schedules based on weather—indoors/outdoors

*Assign leadership roles under Section IV-A *Plan Expedition for Section III and

for first 6 months schedule based on optimal weather#

March April

*Select community project for Section IV-B *Continue fitness practice sessions and schedule for optimum time of year.#

*Continue fitness practice sessions

May June

*Continue fitness practice sessions * Test first round of fitness activities

*Assign Cultural Improvement

Section V readings

July August

*Complete Community Service Honor *Complete Skills Honor selected selected under Section IV-C under Section II

*Begin fitness practice sessions part two *Continue fitness practice sessions

*Assign leadership roles, Section IV-A for next group

September October

*Continue fitness practice sessions *Continue fitness practice session

November December

*Complete Section V readings *Test round two of fitness activities

*Have completed Sections II, III, and IV

# Be sure to insert these activities during the months selected and complete them prior to December.

Note: Due to the high level of physical training required, this Award is not designed to be completed

by all members of the Ambassador Club.

R E C R E AT ION A L S U B COM Y E A R LY S CHE D U L E

January February

Caving Trip Team Sport I Tournament

March April

Bicycle Camp Orienteering Meet

May June

Beginner’s Camping weekend Backpack weekend

July August

Rock Climbing Trip Track and Field Day/ Triathlon

September October

Canoe Trip Search and Rescue Training Camp

November December

Team Sport II Tournament Winter Campout

R E L AT ION SHI P S S U B COM Y E A R LY S CHE D U L E

January February

New Year’s Welcome Valentine’s Day (Friendship Day)

March April

Pre-marriage Seminars-1,2 Pre-marriage Seminars- 3,4

May June

Pre-marriage Seminars- 5,6 Lifestyle Seminar-1 (YLA)

“Social to Save”—Spring Party Weekend Retreat at Camp (YLA)

July August

Lifestyle Seminar- 2 Lifestyle Seminar- 3

“Social to Save”—Summer at the Lake Party

September October

Lifestyle Seminar- 4 Lifestyle Seminar- 5

“Social to Save”—Fall Party

November December

Lifestyle Seminar- 6 Christmas Sharing Party

COMMU N I T Y S E RV I C E S U B COM Y E A R LY S CHE D U L E

January February

Plan Community Project I Community Project I

March April

Plan Better Living Project

May June

Better Living Project (YLA) Better Living Project (YLA)

July August

Plan Community Project II Community Project II

September October

Plan Community Project III

November December

Community Project III Christmas party for orphans

OU T R E ACH S U B COM Y E A R LY S CHE D U L E

January February

Friendship Evangelism Project Friendship Evangelism Project cont.

March April

Holy Week Evangelism Seminar planning

May June

Community Seminars Community Seminars

July August

Evangelism planning Evangelistic meetings (YLA)

September October

Baptism Friendship Evangelism Project

November December

Christmas planning Christmas outreach

HONORS SUB COM YEARLY SCHEDULE

January February

Arts and Craft Honor Nutrition Honor (YLA)

Christian Storytelling Honor (MG)

March April

Health and Science Honor

Nature Honor

Arts And Crafts Honor

May June

Physical Fitness Honor (YLA)

Camping Skills II Honor

Camping Skills I

Honor Selective Honor I (MG)

July August

Selective Honor II (MG) Bible Evangelism Honor

Vocational Honor

September October

Outdoor Industries Honor Vocational Honor

First Aid Honor (MG)

November December

Wrap up unfinished Honors Wrap up unfinished Honors

YLA= Youth Leadership Award

MG= Master Guide

YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD SCHEDULE

January February

Pre-requisite You and God (required 2 continue)

You and God ((req. 2) You and God (req. 4b)

March April

You and God (req. 2 cont.) You and God (req. 2 cont.)

You and Youth (req. 1a) You and Youth (req. 1b; 2)

May June

You and God (req. 2 cont.) You and God (req. 2 cont.)

You and God req. 4a You and the Church (req. 2 cont.)

July August

You and the Church (req. 2) You and the Church (req. 2)

You and the Community (req. 1) You and the Community (req. 2)

September October

You and God (req. 1) You and God (req. 3)

You and the Church (req. 2)

November December

You and the Church (req. 1) You and God (req. 3 test)

You and the Church (req. 1 test)

MA S T E R G U I D E S CHE D U L E

January February

Devotional & Journal (Encounter Series I/Bible Year) Devotional (ES I/ BY)

Personal Goals & Objectives Begin Fitness program

Begin Path/Class curriculum teaching 2 hr. Seminar I

Leadership skills—e Christian Storytelling Honor

Introduction to Fundamental Beliefs Class curriculum

March April

Devotional (ES I/ BY) Devotional (ES I/ BY)

Fitness program Fitness program

2 hr. Seminar II 2 hr. seminar III

Christian Storytelling Leadership skills—b

Class curriculum Class curriculum

May June

Devotional (ES I/ BY) Devotional (ES I/ BY)

2 hr. Seminar IV Camping Skills II

Introduction to Church Heritage Honor I

July August

Devotional (ES I/BY) Devotional (ES I/ BY)

Steps to Christ book on church heritage

Pathfinder Story

Honor II

September October

Devotional (ES I/ BY) Devotional (ES I/ BY)

Education Leadership book

Field Path. Staff Training Weekend First Aid

Leadership skills—c Leadership skills—d

November December

Devotional (ES I/ BY) Devotional (ES I/ BY)

Child Development book or seminar Fundamental Beliefs—test

Leadership skills – a Church Heritage—test

Prerequisite: Must be at least 16 and a baptized Seventh-day Adventist.

Introduction

What is Ambassador Club?

Since its inception, the Seventh-day Adventist Youth Ministry Department has served the youth through three levels; namely, Adventurer Club for 6 - 9 years old; Pathfinder Club for 10 - 15 years old; and Senior Youth/Young Adults for 16 - 31+ years old.

However, divisions noted that the young people who complete the Pathfinder requirements are left without a program that meets their needs. They do not want to leave the pathfinder club, but at the same time they do not feel old enough to associate themselves with the Senior Youth/Young Adults. In the absence of an established program/level for this group several Divisions have been running their own programs, such as Companion in Europe, Medical Brigade in the Inter-America and South American divisions, etc., to fill this vacuum.

At the 2001 World Youth Leadership Convention a very important action was taken, charging the General Conference Youth Department to develop materials for a New Level to meet the need of the youth, ages 16-21, in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Today you are holding in your hands the outcome of this action.

Please note that the Ambassador Club is not intended to replace the AYS, but instead, will strengthen the current Senior Youth/Young Adult Ministry of our Church. This new level will provide a structured and organized way for 16-21 years olds to become actively involved in their church, both locally and globally.

Great appreciation goes to World Divisions that have contributed to the material in this manual.

The official levels of Youth Ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church are:

JUNIOR YOUTH MINISTRY SENIOR YOUTH/ YOUNG ADULTMINISTRY

Adventurer Club 6 – 9 years old Ambassador Club 16 – 21+ years old

Pathfinder Club 10 – 15 years old Senior Youth/Young Adults 22 – 31+ years old

AC T I V I T I E S

PHI LOSOPHY OF SOC I A L E D U CAT ION

Christian young people have every reason to be the happiest persons in the world. Jesus said, “I come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). A life lengthened by proper health habits but boring is not an abundant life. We are not just to be happy because life is good, life is fair, and life is long. None of those phrases are accurate for anyone—a Christian or a non-Christian. But, James tells us we can and should be happy in any and all circumstances. Paul understood that as well which is why he could sing while in prison and beaten. This all may sound a bit morbid as an introduction to this section, but there is a reason. Today’s society places a major emphasis on having fun—at almost any cost.

Entertainment is the way to happiness, so says the media. Jeff Jacoby, a columnist for a major newspaper was evaluating this concept once and wrote the following about today’s view of fun and happiness. “It is not that movies and TV shows are laced with dung, but that they cannot help being laced with dung. So much TV and movie fare is morally corrosive because those industries by their nature are at odds with traditional moral teachings…(they) contradict the fundamental messages of the Judeo-Christian tradition.” He then goes on to point out many of the contradictions and concludes with this observation: “One last contradiction: TV and the movies are obsessed with fun. In the Jewish and Christian traditions, the focus is on happiness.” In the movies, “when the dazzle is over, when the excitement has passed, what’s left? Very few people… want to be buried under a stone that says ‘Here lies… he had a lot of fun.’ Fun is not what life is about. Yet it is overwhelmingly what the media culture demands. The difference between fun and happiness is like the difference between sex and love. One is easy but quickly ended; the other takes work but can last forever. One appeals to the senses; the other nourishes the soul.” It’s not hard to see the contrast of Christian fun and those amusements that, sought merely for the sake of pleasure, tend to be carried to excess, weakening our physical, mental, and spiritual powers. Satan is constantly endeavoring to unsettle youth by creating new attractions and fascinating amusements that destroy the usefulness of young people and separate them from God.

Recreation that may cause us to lay aside religious convictions temporarily is disastrous. Although recreation invites us to take off from the complex rat race of modern technologically driven living, it never should encourage us to be off-duty Christians; religion cannot be a postscript for everyday living.

Having said all this, we do have some positive guidance: “It is the privilege and duty of Christians to seek to refresh their spirits and invigorate their physical and mental powers to the glory of God.” MYP 364. Notice it is our DUTY to have and participate in recreation.

GAME S

Games fall into several categories. The poorest of these are those games of chance that encourage gambling, dissipation, and cheating. Those that encourage stimulation of the brain, learning in all its facets from Bible to nature to general knowledge are more acceptable. Those that also encourage exercise and social interaction besides learning are even better.

S PORT S

While we may choose to involve ourselves in spectator sports to a greater or lesser degree, sports that are promoted by us as an organization should be more along the lines of participatory events. In spectator events, emotions tend to run high, adrenalin flows in excess and there’s nowhere for it all to go except in yelling and name calling. Commercial interests tend to exploit and make larger than life of so-called “star” players. These then enter a world of hero worship that is not healthy for a young Christian’s involvement. While commercialized sports and other such areas of competition exist in various public sporting leagues and should be avoided, a position against participating in sports in a recreational way should not be taken. After Ellen White enjoyed observing her grandchildren playing baseball one afternoon, someone questioned her about it. Her response was “I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but even this in its simplicity, may be overdone.” AH 499.

Temperance is the key to all social activities and recreation. Young people are sometimes confused by Ellen White’s statements that apparently condemn bicycle riding and tennis. Immediately they are tempted to condemn her writings—especially when these are used inappropriately by some well-meaning adults. The reasons behind these statements are extremely useful for us still today and they must be understood. Both these activities were written about for specific situations. In the case of bicycle riding, great sums of money were being spent for racing bicycles—to the tune of several months’ family wages, with the avowed purpose of engaging in races with towns-people. Basic family needs of food and clothing were being set aside in the effort. The whole thing was being carried to extremes. A similar situation occurred with tennis. Students were missing classes at school in order to play “just one more game”; competition against the community was organized that developed an unwholesome spirit which needed to be curbed. These are all reasons that could or should cancel many types of activities, not just bicycles or tennis. It was Tozer who put it very clearly: “Whatever keeps me from the Bible is my enemy, however harmless it may appear to be.”—Best of Tozer, page 108

MU S I C

Music is one of those subjects that do not seem to have any people that are opinionless. Most everyone seems to have very clear feeling of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable music. Most everyone seems to feel that whatever type of music they prefer is the best type that there is and any other type is either too old-fashioned or too far over the cliff. There is a line of thought that teaches that music is actually neutral in the over-all panorama of the Great Controversy. After all musical notes are just that—musical notes—they say or do nothing in and of themselves. While that is very accurate, it is also very deceptive. It is analogous to saying that letters are also just that—letters on a keyboard—they say or do nothing in and of themselves. BUT, the way letters are used to construct words is another story—so also the way musical notes are used to construct music is also another story. As Satan will use words to write that which will lead people away from God, so he will use music to do the same. Just as there is every genre of writing and speaking, so there is every genre of music: comical, dramatic, intense, inspirational, depressive, eloquent, folksy, uplifting, degrading, poetic, grating, all these terms and many more may be applied to both written/spoken language and musical language. In fact most composers will refer to their efforts as language. They can by skillful use of music evoke any line of thoughts they wish, any body reactions they wish—psychological and body chemistry studies confirm this. Music is not neutral. It is an integral part of the Great Controversy and is used by both sides in the battle for our souls. Every one has their own tastes in music, and that is quite acceptable—there are many forms of music to choose from for this. But a Christian should never be so narrow as to confine himself to only one type of music nor be so unfocused as to permit any form of musical production or sound volume to be used as an excuse to glorify God. He has been particular of what is offered to Him as worship since the beginning of mankind’s history as evidenced in the sad story of Cain and Abel. God is the source and author of a wide range of musical types. He likes variety just as is shown by his creation. But he is not the author or originator of that which evokes hypnotic effects, anarchy, dissonance, discord, and destruction of hearing—those are the thorns and weeds introduced into the fields. In our clubs and in our meetings we will want to focus on that music which will draw us to God without sending mixed messages of confusion. Of the wide range available to us we will want to select that which is near a “middle of the road” type that will elicit least controversy and division and yet resonate in the inner chords of the soul of every youth.

D I S C I P L E SHI P

There are numerous words that seem to be key words in youth ministry. Mentoring and discipleship are perhaps two of the most important. Youth Ministry does not involve just doing that which youth enjoy doing. Mentoring signifies the actions leaders must take, do take whether they recognize it or not in their leadership roles. Discipleship is the response to good mentoring. It is taking Christ’s narrow path we as leaders have pointed out for them. Youth Ministry is not a fun and games lifestyle alone (even though there is often fun and games involved). If the youth do not find the small gate and take the narrow path Christ speaks about, then all of our planning sessions and nice programs and all of our time, energy, and resources spent are meaningless. They become like the drums and cymbals alone—a lot of noise, a lot of emotion, but no melody and no harmony—no valid music.

WOR SHI P / D E VOT ION A L

A key component of every Christian’s life is found in their concepts and practice of worship to God and personal devotional time. Because mankind’s relationship to God is of such importance and these two aspects of life are so vital to that relationship, it would be difficult to even call a person a Christian who does not involve himself in these in some kind of systematic consciously planned pattern.

Worship

Often worship is seen as something that I must receive a benefit from or it isn’t of any value. We forget that worship is that which we give to God, it is not for ourselves. It is our outward expression of thanksgiving, of what our relationship with God means to us. Thus it is best done in a combined fashion of that which comes from the heart with that which God asks of us. We have in the Bible a very clear expression of this in the very first chapters of Genesis where God specifies the worship He expects. Abel worshiped according to God’s request, Cain chose to worship according to his own desires—using that which he

felt was of merit. Today is no different. For many today, worship is offering that which we choose to offer based on what we like or want with little or no consideration of what it is that God asks of us and therefore our worship can be just as offensive as Cain’s was. There are several components of worship; each must be carefully and prayerfully examined within our hearts in order to provide that which truly will be worship. The music used, the prayers offered, the words spoken, the actions involved; all are to be to the glory of God. There can be no mixing in of the profane under the guise of culture, times, personal preference or any other excuse.

Personal Devotions

This is the time for personal struggles and needs to be met. This the time when which most builds my strength, satisfies my innermost soul, is to happen. Timeframes are of no essence here, the Apostle says “I die daily”—that is the only reference we have for time. Devotions need to take place daily; other than that, they may last a few minutes or hours depending on the struggles at hand. They may consist of short readings one day and long tearful arguments another day. They may begin early in the morning by conversations with God before we even get out of bed and they may wrap up a day as we fall asleep in His trust. Any music, words read or words spoken, any actions; all are focused on that which will bring me closer to God within the frameworks of my culture, my times, my personal preferences—God is feeding me, giving me the strength and enthusiasm to face each day with and for Him. A hurried lifestyle is no excuse to limit personal devotions. It was Martin Luther who probably best understood this: he is quoted as saying something like “I have so much to do today; I must spend an extra hour on my knees to prepare for it.”

CAMP I N G A N D N AT U R E

Camping and other related outdoor adventure is a highlight in the programming of most youth groups. There are some clear guidelines recognized by all who venture into this world of discovery that must be an integral part of our teaching and behavior.

Pastor Robert Tyson, one of our early youth directors, who was also a true mentor, taught that if we are to be leaders of youth, we must become outdoors persons first. He meant that we not only must become skilled in the art of camping and high adventure, we must also develop a strong appreciation for and ethic towards nature—those small fractions of wilderness yet remaining for our enjoyment and protection. True outdoorsmen are not the “Rambo-type” that strap on a long knife and plow into the wilds, cutting, destroying, and imposing their presence on the environment. True outdoorsmen blend in; become a part

of this environment—they learn to “walk softly”. They follow fanatically the axiom: “Kill nothing but time, leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.” They familiarize themselves with every living thing and appreciate each and every species for what it is—a representation of the creative acts of God, another piece of the grand puzzle picturing the Great Controversy, each with lessons waiting to be learned as one deepens their powers of exploration and understanding. Nature should not cringe at our arrival, it should barely sense our presence and hardly notice our departure. One of the goals of every

club activity in the outdoors should be to leave the site in better, cleaner, more natural condition than when they arrived.

“He alone who recognizes in nature his Father’s handiwork,…learns from the things of nature their deepest lessons, and receives their highest ministry.” Ed 119-120. A web site called www.thru-hiker.com provides many great ideas for ultra light equipment that one can make and save money, from great sleeping bags to backpacks and simple stoves, everything an adventurer needs, cheap and ultra light.

My experiences

They say that experiences are the best way to teach another... If you have any experience to tell the Ambassadors and you think it is beneficial to us all, do tell.

My prayer request today

If someone feels that there is something that they want the rest of us to pray about, do tell and the team will get to praying...

The thought of the day

This is where we will get the thought that the special someone will give us a thought to think about everyday, as soon as we decide on a method

OUR OBJECTIVES

The following objectives can be, must be, will be achieved as club leaders explore and develop their programs based on the above seven foundations.
1. Help Senior Youth to realize that God and His church love them and appreciate the implementation of their talents for the fulfilling of their mutual gospel commission as established in Matt. 28: 18-20 and Acts 1:8. They will find fulfillment in their life-style as they share their beliefs with those whom God brings to them.

2. Encourage Senior Youth to discover their God-given talents and to use their gifts and abilities to fulfill God’s expectations for them.

3. Inspire the Senior Youth to give personal expression of their love for God by uniting them in
various outreach activities.

4. Make the number one priority of Ambassador programming to be the personal salvation of each and every youth who is a member.

5. Build into the youth’s lifestyle an appreciation, understanding and love for God’s creation through a safely planned program of adventure and discovery. They will find their fellowship with God to be more meaningful as they have the opportunity to experience that sense of wonder and worship as nature unfolds its deepest spiritual secrets as outlined in Romans 1:19, 20.
6. Teach Senior Youth specific vocational skills and hobbies that will provide them with purpose
and employment opportunities.

7. Encourage the youth to develop and maintain physical fitness through an active, energetic, drug free lifestyle.

8. Provide youth with opportunities to develop and demonstrate their leadership abilities. They
will strengthen their resolve to develop and maintain appropriate internal discipline and apply their skills of resourcefulness and understanding of the processes of group dynamics.

9. Provide ample opportunities for youth of both sexes to interact in wholesome activities that will lead to and strengthen life-long committed relationships.