A Verse For The Rest Of Their Lives


Ben Woodman
Ben Woodman

Speaking on his recent cross-province tour, Alpha for Youth Director Ben Woodman mentioned Jeremiah 29:11 as the verse he always puts in yearbooks or graduation cards for young people who have been his, "Spiritual children."
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
It brought to mind the verse I wrote in my own daughters' graduating cards, and I suppose it reflects the difference between a father and a youth pastor. The verse the Lord brought to my mind at the time was Philippians 4: 8-9.
 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
This passage reflected, and still does, the true sense of how I wanted to send them out into the world. I pray that I was not only a good father, but also a worthy example, as far as I could have been in the weakness of my flesh, for them to embark on the rest of their lives, flying on their own, so to speak.

As I said, the difference, perhaps, between a father and a youth pastor.

Just my thoughts.

Blessings,

Jophn

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