Proverbs 22:3, Genesis 2:18, Lamentations 3:27-31, 1 Timothy 4:12

Going back to my example of the Titanic, I was shocked to learn that there was another ship SS Californian that was only a short distance away from the Titanic when it sank. The Californian had spotted the dangerous icebergs and as a result dropped anchor for the night and then sent messages by wireless to any vessels nearby. It was later confirmed that the Titanic received these messages, yet ignored them all and proceeded into dangerous waters under the assumption of it being 'unsinkable'.

No matter how strong you are, there will be moments when you need help; Genesis 2:18 says, 'It is not good for man to be alone'. In some of the most difficult moments of my life I have needed people to help me, pray with me and just hang out with.

When I heard comments like, 'You will never be able to build a youth ministry in a city like Bradford', those comments seem ridiculous now, but for a couple of years I held back some of the God-given ideas because I feared that I would fail. However, my wife and my friends encouraged me, prayed with me, risked with me, believed together with me and helped share my burden. I am sure that if I did not have great people around me that I could have easily sunk.

I remember when the doctors told my wife Charlotte and I that it was a medical impossibility to have kids. Of course today we have two amazing kids, Hope Cherish and Noah Brave and when I look back on the doctors reports they are totally ridiculous, but I am sure, if Charl and I did not know how to pray together, stand together and love together against all odds, that we would have both sunk in our faith.

What are you believing for today that seems ridiculous, out of the box, impossible? If you are serious about seeing God do some amazing things then you will need to learn how to build a life of INTEGRATION NOT ISOLATION.

Living an integrated life is about sharing life's highs, lows and in-betweens. Integration is about carrying another's burdens when you are strong, and recognizing that in our humanity there will be moments when you need the strength of others. Jesus did life integrated and connected. Sure there were moments when he was alone in prayer with God, but he was involved daily in the lives of 12 men and also with various women who were a key part of his ministry.

Solution: Live an integrated, not an isolated life.

2. I See The Berg Of IMMATURITY

It seems crazy to mention the Berg of immaturity to people called to work with young people. After all aren't young people meant to be immature?

Lamentations 3:27-31 has immensely helped my understanding of ministry to the emerging generation. It says, 'It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through hard times. When life is heavy and hard to take...bow in prayer, don't run from trouble. Take it full-face...Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.' (The Message) The NIV version says, 'It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.'

It's cool for young people to enjoy their youth and have fun, but what's not ok is for those who God has called to lead to be irresponsible in their 20's & 30's, reflecting the immaturity of those around them. I have always loved challenging young people to read 1 & 2 Timothy, 'Let no-one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity' 1 Timothy 4:12.

I have pastored young people over the years that reflect maturity far beyond their years. Believe it or not, I have even encountered adults in their 60's who can be more immature than some of the youth in the church. Again, going back to my Titanic study, the trained wireless operator of the Titanic was busy sending personal messages from passengers to the mainland when the SS Californians warnings about icebergs were received. Instead of processing the warnings in a mature way up his chain of command, the Titanic's radio operator wired back 'SHUT UP'. This immature response would later help contribute to the deaths of 1512 people.

So the Californian radio controller went to bed. Later on in the evening when the Titanic began to sink, it was reported that from the safety of the SS Californian deck that Captain Stanley saw 6 rocket warning flares in the horizon. He chose to ignore the flares and to let his radio operator stay asleep. It was later proved by a court of law that Captain Stanley ignored the cries of the dying and was stripped of his Captains license. So here is the proof that both Captains were irresponsible in their actions to safeguard and to actively protect the lives of others.

As the church representing Jesus on the earth, we must not ignore the cries of those who do not know him to go unheard. As long as people are lost, we must find the maturity and grace to respond.