Day 1

Day one of The Salvation Army Western Youth Institute 2009: Paradox started off strong. Delegates trickled into Camp Arnold, some traveled by van and some by aircraft. People were weary from travel but excited to be here.

The meeting that night was challenging. A paradox is an unlikely truth. It's not expected and this is how we should live out our faith in God, not by conforming to the expected patterns of people without hope.

Craig Bowler taught us that just like the guys who cut a hole in the roof to get their friend to the feet of Jesus to be healed, we need friends in our lives who will do anything to make sure we can get to the feet of Jesus. We can't do this on our own. We need encouragement and godly friends to lift us up when we fall.

In the middle of the meeting they made a Skype call to a good friend to see what it means to have that kind of friendship.

At the end Major Ivan Wild challenged all the young men and women to stand up and be the godly men and women they were called to be by lifting their Christian brothers and sisters up and taking spiritual responsibility in their communities.

We're off to a good start to learn what this Paradox is all about. To live is Christ and to die is gain.