Presence of God

I am at the Googling Youth in Troubled Times Conference at Calvin College this weekend and one of the main things that stuck in my head from today is from the Googling For Presence talk this morning from Doug Kamstra. We referenced the Contempletive Youth Ministry: Practicing the presence of Jesus book by Mark Yaconelli. Which he says
We don't know how to BE with youth.
We don't know how to BE with ourselves.
We don't know how to BE with God.

Listening is also a disciple that has been referred to a lot here. And right away Quentin Schultze had us start by listening to what the youth are saying. He said Listening actually in its full original meaning refers to "being obedient to" or "allow yourself to be influenced by" I love it. Jesus was present with and listened to those that no one wanted to give the time of day to which is a lot to think about. It is important that we know how to BE with others and listen to them. And even more important that we know how to BE with and listen to GOD.

Often I believe that youth ministry is 1st and foremost about building relationships with youth (and this is extremely important and many wrongly put programs before relationships), but it is ultimately more important to lead kids to a relationship with God , to lead kids to awareness of the Presence of God more. That means that I need to be aware of the Presence of God more to lead kids to Him.

Hi God, thanks for this Reminder and Thanks for always being present wherever and whenever we call out to you. Well God I am off to buy some underwear, what kind should I buy?