Letting God Renew Your Strength"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." —Isaiah 40:28-31 
It is such a refreshing feeling knowing that our Lord renews our strength when we feel as though we have nothing left. My name is Bo Bartlett, and I am a part-time youth minister at Prince of Peace in Melbourne, Florida. My official title is "Youth Missioner," and although I am part-time, it can feel like "double time." I also work as a full-time firefighter/paramedic for Brevard County, and have two beautiful boys, JT and Tyler. I am happily married to an incredible woman, Michelle. She is our Children's ministry director and home school Mom! I am writing to you today because I know you are busy. I understand how so many of you are either volunteers at a new church or part-time as well. You have other priorities in your lives and yet you have a deep passion for the next generation of Christians. I am here to help you hold tightly to this passage in Isaiah. God will renew your strength daily, if you allow him. Recently, I had the honor of working with Chris Zoephel and other Youth ministers at our leadership retreat in Daytona Beach. We started every morning with devotions and prayer time. I realized at that point, that I needed to ALLOW God to "renew my strength." You see God gives us free will, and he will watch us go 90mph forward and not stop for air. All the while, waiting for us to slow down, and spend some quite time with him. I have become determined to spend time with God daily, in prayer, in scripture, and in quite time. What a difference it has made in my life. Not only have I gained discipline in other areas of life, but I have enhanced my prayer life as well. When I am asked to pray for someone, or something I do it! And the best part is God does really listen! I know, you are so busy and you don't see how you can fit this in. Well, I said the same thing in Daytona Beach. It must amuse God to hear how busy we are. I recommend you start with some simple form of a morning prayer, and obtain a "One year bible" in which you can follow the outline and have accountability. Lastly, find someone in your church to hold you accountable for your readings. A spouse, clergy member, or friend works great. It has been truly a blessing being a part of YAMIA and to see where the Anglican Mission in the Americas is heading. I look forward to seeing you in Dallas this January. May God bless all of you in your ministries, Bo Bartlett 
Bo Bartlett has been in youth ministry for 6 years as both a volunteer and paid staff. He is currently full time at Prince of Peace Church in Viera, Florida. He is happily married to Michelle (Children’s Ministry Director) and has two incredible boys, JT (10) and Tyler (7). He resides in Palm Bay, Florida. |
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