Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Tim. 4:12
Lately I have been on a health kick. A stressful couple years was taking its toll and I couldn't afford to get sick or drag around. One fear I had was that I would start out strong only to lose my enthusiasm and slack off. Instead, the opposite has happened. The more benefits I see (make that feel) in this healthier eating plan, the more I want to stick with it. The nice part is that my family is on board too, which hasn't always been the case in the past. I think part of this has to do with my attempts to make it fun. For example, we discovered that we can pack a lot of nutrition into a smoothie and it still tastes like dessert. The nice thing about smoothies is that you can throw in whatever you want. Here a few items to keep on hand for a quick health boost:
Milk
Yogurt (I like plain Greek style)
Frozen berries
Bananas
Other fruits like mango or kiwi
Honey
Wheat germ or ground flax seed
Ice cubes
If you really want to be brave, add a handful of spinach or kale. I tried this a few weeks ago and no one in my family could taste the difference.
You don't need to know how to cook; you only need to know how to operate a blender. Smoothies make for a great breakfast or afternoon snack.
Play around with different combinations and see what great-tasting things you can come up with.
I would love to read some of your creations if you come up with a recipe that you really like.
Camy here! I was at Yogurtland with the high school kids from my church youth group because only two of them came, so instead of having lesson, we went for frozen yogurt. :)
We were talking about social media--well, specifically Facebook and Instagram. It was neat getting their perspective on it and understanding how they used it as opposed to how I and my husband use it.
I use Facebook a lot for connecting with people who read my books, and also for playing Zuma Blitz. :) (I love Zuma Blitz!)
I haven’t used it for connecting with my youth group, mostly because I accept pretty much any friend request, and I don’t know a lot of those people personally, and I don’t want any of them to be able to be find the profiles of any of the youth I know.
The high school kids, on the other hand, use social media as “social” media. They connect with friends and utilize media in a way I don’t often think about. Take Instagram. I haven’t used it much, but they were talking about the ways they use Instagram all the time, and it enables them to post pictures on Facebook a lot easier than the clunky Facebook app on their phones.
So how about you? How do you use social media? And if you’re on Facebook, like my author page! Pretty please? :)
Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is the first book in her new series, Protection for Hire, which is like Stephanie Plum meets The Joy Luck Club. She is a staff worker for her church youth group, and leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she ponders frivolous things like knitting, running, dogs, and Asiana. Visit her website to sign up for her quarterly newsletter.
Interesting question, too - and if you ask a 4 year old, the answer is usually "nothing". lol They always want more juice in their sippy cup, more Cheezits in their bowl, more cartoons on TV, more candy at Halloween, more money in their piggy bank, more friends at their birthday party, and always, always more cake.
It's never enough.
And we're sort of like 4 years old too, aren't we?
We never have enough friends. Enough popularity. Enough allowance. Enough clothes. Enough attention from the hot guy at school. Enough status. Enough cash. Enough talent for the team. Enough GPA to get to the college we want to go to.
It's exhausting, isn't it? The good news, JESUS is enough. And I know that sounds like a trite, church answer. I used to think that too, used to think that I SHOULD believe that. And I did believe it. But rarely felt it. It was like, okay, God, I know you're supposed to be enough for me, and my pastor says that a lot, but I'm not feeling it. Come on - I'm human. I want this other stuff too. I want a boyfriend and a husband and kid and a good job and my dreams to come true. I want to love and be loved. I want money and a nice house one day and security. I want to tour Europe and live life. What's wrong with that?
Jesus came that we might have ABUNDANT life. And abundant life isn't found when we stick Jesus to one side and focus on that never ending, exhausting, "never enough list". Because when we get those things, we discover they weren't enough after all.
And that truly, seriously, deeply - only Jesus is.
Think about that today, as you review your list of wants and needs and desires and longings. Where does Jesus fit at the list? The Bible tells us to seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added. "Added" - meaning, later, in addition to, at another time. Because we have to get the steps in the right order, guys. And when we truly live for Jesus and want Him and let Him be enough in our hearts, we're strengthened and encouraged for the journey.
No one doubts that sexual activity is physically, emotionally, and socially dangerous.
But what are the actual risks?
10. The risk of death. More than 600,000 cases of AIDS have been reported in the United States since 1981. As many as 900,000 Americans may be infected with HIV.
1 Corinthians 6:18 says, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." 9. The risk of lost relationships. When you choose to develop a sexual relationship with someone, you've immediately changed the definition of the relationship. There is no such thing as casual sex. Once you have developed a sexual relationship, that relationship turns a critical corner. After the relationship ends, you and your partner will experience that guilt and pain of promises broken.
Hebrews 12:16 says, "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son."
8. Risks of incurable disease. Imagine you have found that one special person with whom you want to share your life . . . and now you are forced to break the news that you have an incurable disease. Even though such diseases like herpes are generally not considered life-threatening, currently no cures exist. Not only is it incurable, but it fills a life with worries, awkward revelations, and continuous need for medication.
1 Corinthians 6:13 says, "The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."
7. The risk of damaging the destiny of your future marriage. There is no way premarital sex of any kind is positive for your future marriage. (Just ask my husband how he feels "knowing" about my past.) It only causes suspicion, mistrust, and regret.
Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
6. The risk of permanently damaging your testimony as a Christian. You'll never be able to say honestly, "I was a virgin before I was married." You'll never be able to live as an example of committed purity.
Ephesians 5:3 says, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." 5. The risk of depression. Those who participate in premarital sex experience emotional damage that can lead to an increased chance of mental depression and emotional despair.
2 Corinthians 12:21 says, "I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged."
4. The risk of placing your future children in spiritual harm's way. The Bible clearly speaks of the concept of generational sin. What you sow (plant) spiritually may be reaped in the life of your children. Remain pure before God, and you'll be tenaciously guarding the future of the next generation.
Proverbs 20:7 says, "The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him."
3. The risk of sexual dysfunction. People spend millions of dollars to correct sexual dysfunction through drugs and psychotherapy. Why? Because they entered marriage with unresolved sexual issues. For example, a man may think that he will be free from the curse of pornography once he gets married, only to find that the problems are even more noticeable and controlling. Sexual purity before marriage is the first step to incredible sexual fulfillment after marriage.
Mark 7:21 says, "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,"
2. The risk of shame. Premarital sex imputes a spiritual state of shame that becomes a major weapon for our enemy. God forgives you, but you will still be vulnerable to Satan's whispering accusations on your worth.
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 says, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you . . . Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief?"
1. The risk of disobeying God and letting Satan get a foothold. The Bible, time after time, tells us to flee sexual sins. Why? Because it is a major strategy of the devil to sabotage God's work on Earth. How can God work through you when you aren't living up to His standards?
1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality."
I've been thinking a lot about Hannah lately; about her desire for a child.
Even when God was silent, Hannah continued to press in. Even when her heart was breaking... she didn't push the Lord away.
Lately I've been grieving my own lack of answers. And I know my heart is a great distance from Jesus, as if I've withdrawn into myself; somehow become immobilized.
Tonight, as I lay on the floor, I asked Jesus to meet me there. To make up the distance I could not reach. To give me the desire for relationship with Him in the midst of the pain He's allowing.
Not even to restore me... but just to begin by wooing me.
Woo me gently, Jesus
When I don't have the strength to raise my hand
Woo me gently, Jesus
When my heart breaks and cannot understand
I've knelt before You here so many times
I gasp for air, not sure that I'm alive
My hopes are scattered pieces on the ground
I try to speak -- my lips won't make a sound
When I am broken, lonely, and ashamed...
Gentle Jesus, woo me once again.
**** God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit... (Psa. 34:18)
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart... (Psa. 37:4)
Trust in the Lord and do good, trust also in Him and He will bring it to pass... (Psa. 37:3)
****
Postscript: I wrote this blog before God gave me the desires of my heart. He answered my prayer most of all in allowing me to see that He was enough for me in the waiting.
Will you ask Him to be enough for you today, even when it hurts?
This past weekend I attended a writer's conference, the 2012 American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas, Texas (www.acfw.com) and as always, it was fabulous. I took away a lot of info this year related to craft, and more importantly, related to my heart.
One of those nuggets of truth I'd like to tell you today.
Fellow author and teacher JIM RUBART (he writes fabulous books, ya'll) said during one class I attended "You can't see the label from inside the bottle." He was speaking partly in regards to our writing careers as authors - meaning it's hard to see how we are being perceived, how we appear to others, our label, our brand in our career, what we represent, etc. But he also meant in regards to our heart. And that applies to you too, author or not.
It's hard to see ourselves from inside us. After all, we all live internally. Only we hear the echoes of our hearts, only we hear the thoughts in our heads. These echoes and thoughts are what develop us and shape us and give people the outside persona.
What does your label say?
Your label, in my opinion, is how you dress, how you speak, how you act, how you react, etc. So what does your wardrobe say about you? What does your reaction to a traffic jam say about you? What does a bad grade on a paper say about you?
More importantly - What do you WANT it to say?
Think about today, as you go about school or work or other hobbies/chores. What is your outside label reading, and does it match what you want others to read about you?
I know what you're thinking: Classic movies are boring. They're old. They're not relevant. But let me just tell you that I loved these movies as a kid, and as my kids grew older and I showed them these movies, they came to love them, too. So, since this is the weekend, grab your friends and host a classic movie weekend. You might just be surprised at "new" favorites you'll find!
Tricia's Top Picks: Newsies—My 20-year-old daughter and I love watching it together. The music and dancing is great!
The Sound of Music—I didn't watch this until I was an adult, and now I watch it a few times a year. I've been to Austria and know members of the von Trapp family, so that makes it extra special to me.
The Parent Trap—This was my favorite movie growing up. I didn't know my biological father ,so I always dreamed I had a sister out there somewhere. Come to find out I had four sisters!
Beauty and the Beast—This was the first movie I took my son Cory to. He sat through the whole movie, eyes wide.
Annie (1982 version)—I love the music, and I love the story. Carol Burnett cracks me up.
The Princess Bride—This is a family favorite. If you are around the Goyers for any length of time, you'll hear us quoting it!
The Sandlot—This was Cory and Nathan's favorite movie when they were small. Along withThe Land Before Time,I can sit there and quote the whole movie!
It's a Wonderful Life—This is my favorite Christmas movie. I'd always begged my kids to watch it with me. They were turned off by it being black and white, but when they finally watched it, they loved it, too!
Below is a list of movies for teens. Make sure you check out reviews first.
Camy here! I came across this article in Publisher’s Weekly today about a study that showed 55% of YA Books are bought by adults. I thought that was interesting, although not really surprising.
I know this blog has a wide age range of readers, but the majority of you guys are young, right? So I thought if you guys are up for it, some of you please tell me:
1) how old you are (you can fudge and say twenties or thirties or forties rather than your age)
and
2) if you read young adult novels
I admit that I do, and I’m almost 40. But I’ve also worked with the youth group at church for 16 years now. My editors have often told me my adult characters sound too young, and I’m like, “But that’s how I talk!” so I think my youth group stint has made me think I’m younger than I really am. :)
Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is the first book in her new series, Protection for Hire, which is like Stephanie Plum meets The Joy Luck Club. She is a staff worker for her church youth group, and leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she ponders frivolous things like knitting, running, dogs, and Asiana. Visit her website to sign up for her quarterly newsletter.
Autumn brings to mind blessings, and for the above, trust me - I'm pretty grateful ;)
What about you? What does Harvest Season do for your soul? I've never met a person, young or old, who didn't like Fall.
Think about - Spring is pretty popular, but has naysayers because of the pollen. (achooo!) Winter is enjoyed or despised for various reasons (too cold, or some other people love the cold) Summer is controversial because kids love being out of school (and teachers too!) but a lot of people just can't stand the heat.
But Autumn? It's beloved.
I think Autumn reveals to us a lot about God. It's a season when things are reserved, calming. Leaves are changing colors and twirling to the ground. It's almost mystical. There is still color, but it's muted. The air is brisk and tangy. Some view the falling leaves as death, others as a peaceful wait period before the promises of Spring and renewal.
Are you in a rough season right now? Remember, God promises His own Spring. Whatever trials you're facing are only for a season, an appointed time until life buds forth again. Regardless of the season, God is with you. He promises that, friend.
(And I'm personal testimony to the fact that you CAN save up enough candycorn through Autumn to last well into the summer...)
In
the third book of the Hunger Games trilogy,
one of Katniss’s friends (I won’t say who in case you haven’t gotten to Book 3
yet) is held prisoner by the evil Capitol. He returns a completely different
person who has been so tortured mentally that he no longer trusts Katniss. In
fact, thanks to the Capitol’s cruel mind games, he is convinced that she is his
enemy. The method that finally brings him back to reality is an ongoing routine
of “True or not true.” He has a memory, good or bad, and asks her if it really
happened.
“You (fill in the good memory). True or not true?”
“True.”
“You (fill in the bad memory)? True or not true?”
“Not true.”
Even while hearing that some of his worst nightmares are
false, he must learn to trust Katniss again. Is she playing games with him like
the Capitol did? Learning to recognize the truth from the lies in his head forces
him to consider the source and choose to trust a friend who has so clearly earned
it.
Recently, the “True or not true” topic came to mind while
discussing fears with some friends at church. One friend wanted to teach her
kids to play this game when they got scared.
“There’s a monster under my bed. True or not true? Really?”
“God is with me, even in the dark. True or not true?”
I realized that I needed to start playing “True or not true”
in some areas myself.
“I can’t expect God to keep providing for me. True or not
true?”
“Life will always be this hard; I might as well accept it.
True or not true.”
“Just because I can’t see what’s next, doesn’t mean God isn’t
working. True or not true.”
I admit that it’s often difficult to sort the truth from the
mind games that the enemy plays with me, and even the games I play with myself. But I’m learning to trust what I know about God. He has
definitely earned my trust.
What about you? Do you feel like your mind is full of so
many confusing messages that you can’t decide which is true and which isn’t? Do
you need to start a regular “True or not true” routine? How do you know when a
thought is from God?
My mother raised me to be paranoid. Which is why I am probably still alive despite growing up in (name of town censored lest I receive hate mail for speaking the truth).
What mom did not foresee was the consequence of teaching her airhead daughter to lock the door every time I leave the house. Mom now has a daughter who cannot get back inside the house, even if someone was chasing me... because the keys are inside.
I have met every neighbor on my street because I am too ashamed to use the phone at the same house more than twice (in a week).
One neighbor felt sorry for me when I was expecting. "Oh, it's just pregnancy-brain," she said. Another (who smelled distinctly of marijuana) withdrew his offer of a funny looking rolled up piece of paper after he realized it wasn't just a tumor growing in my stomach (medical relief, he said).
I think I'm inadvertently teaching my daughter to be paranoid, too. We always lock our doors and never talk to strangers... unless they have telephones or can remind us which rock our spare key is under.
****
Q4U: What funny or helpful habits has your mom taught you?
****
Bekah Hamrick Martin is a local writer who can be reached at writebrained@gmail.com, unless she's accepting a ride from the neighbors.
Some of you may have already started back to school. I know colleges are back in session and some states start in August.
A few of you may have this one last weekend before you hit the hallways.
I was always nervous about going back to school. I never went to any school for more than 2 years in a row (until high school). One year I went to three different schools in two different states. That was second grade. It's a miracle I ever learned anything at all!
My kids have the opposite problem. Same kids year after year. And I've learned neither is easy. We all have challenges. In every school, there's that one mean girl who makes life extra miserable (you know exactly who I'm talking about).
And while some of you are probably homeschooled, I'll bet that there are challenges with that as well.
But challenges are made to be conquered. God has created us to be overcomers. But overcoming happens one step at a time, getting up every day and choosing to overcome rather than be conquered. Christ can help us if we're willing to see things through His eyes instead of our own.
So today, and every day, what's one thing you can do to try and have a different perspective?
Maybe you'll pray for that mean girl every morning. Maybe you'll try and make a new friend. Maybe you'll be more faithful to study every night. Maybe you'll pray for that teacher who is getting on your nerves. Maybe you'll run for student office so that your voice can be heard. Maybe you'll try a new sport or activity this year. Maybe you'll walk away from a bad influence.
What will you do? How will you take the next step?
Blessings to you,
Sarah
Sarah Anne Sumpolec writes for teens and has a series called Becoming Beka where you'll get to know Beka Madison as she navigates high school. Check it out here: http://becomingministries.org/teen-fiction/becoming-beka-series/
It's pretty easy. I guess its human nature. People like to know things, to know more than others, to feel special or elevated or in the know. We like to hear the gossip first and pass it on so we feel popular by having the scoop before anyone else. We like to feel included. We like to feel smart.
Human nature, yes - but that doesn't mean it's right or ok. ;)
I have definitely been there before, and guess what?
I've passed it down to my daughter.
And ummm let me say - the only thing possibly more aggravating than a know-it-all is a 4 year old know-it-all!! :)
Sometimes I'll tell her something and she will immediately argue the opposite, whether she knows or has a clue or not. It's this automatic defense in her. "Little Miss, the counter is wet." "No it's not." Long pause and wet hand. "Oh" - sheepish giggle "You're right".
Other times she'll argue 'til I give up from sheer exhaustion. Future lawyer, perhaps? :)
I think the majority of her issue comes from not just wanting to argue but truly believing in her own head that SHE'S right. Despite the fact that I'm 24 years older than she is and not completely stupid myself. ::eye roll:: It can definitely get frustrating, and I'm trying to work with her on this. "Believe mama," I say. "Trust me. I know things. I've been around a lot longer. I see the whole picture." Sometimes it works and she consents. Other times, we change the subject for peace.
The other day I was in the middle of this with her and it hit me HARD.
How often do we do this same thing to God? How often do I argue with God? Insist I know more or know better than He does, even subconsciously? Insist my way is best, my knowledge higher?
Bottom line - He's right. And I'm wrong. Or at the very least, confused.
I have to trust Him just like I want Little Miss to trust me.
He sees the whole picture. I only see it in part. Just like Little Miss only sees from her 4 year old perspective, I only see from my selfish, earthly perspective.
This proud, toothless boy is my son Nathan, taken five years ago for kindergarten graduation. Tomorrow, my baby starts fifth grade.
Although school means the end of summer, Nathan is actually excited. He likes to see his friends every day, enjoys learning new things, and is eager to start band for the first time. (He chose trumpet--lucky me.) In fifth grade, they get lockers, which is a very big deal. Who cares that they don't actually have locks on them; they are lockers and only the big kids get them. He isn't thrilled about getting up early, but the inconvenience is clearly worth what awaits him.
I, on the other hand, don't feel ready at all. After a summer that went way too fast, as usual, it seems too soon to face the daily routine of getting up and out the door, dealing with homework, and all the other details that make up a school year. I'm not ready for little Nate the Great to be in fifth grade, because that means next year he'll be in his last year at King's Academy then he'll be in middle school then . . .I don't even want to think about it.
But I'm glad that Nathan is excited for this new school year. He should be happy. It's fun to see friends and learn an instrument and get something new like a locker. Seeing time pass more quickly than I want it to is difficult, but it means that fun and exciting milestones lay ahead, experiences that I don't want to miss while I am wishing that things could stay as they are. Because, let's face it, they can't.
What new things does this upcoming school year mean for you? What are you excited about? What makes you wish that time would slow down a little?
Camy here! I don’t know if I ever shared this with you guys, but I recently was listening to Rush of Fools and remembered how the song “There is Nothing” really inspired me when I was writing Stalker in the Shadows. This became the theme song of the book because I’d play it over and over as I wrote key scenes, especially at the climax at the hotel.
“There is Nothing” by Rush of Fools from the album Wonder of the World
Songwriters: Kevin Huguley, Jason David Ingram, Wesley Willis
How far is too far for You?
How hard is too hard for You?
How much is too much for You, great God?
There is nothing, no, there's nothing You can't do
There is no wilderness, no desert place, no sickness
There is no sinking ship, no history, no weakness
That you can't save me from
That you can't save me from
How high is too high for You?
How low is too low for You?
How can I say thanks to You, great God?
There is nothing, no, there's nothing You can't do
There is no wilderness, no desert place, no sickness
There is no sinking ship, no history, no weakness
That you can't save me from
That you can't save me from
When I can't find the strength I'm needing to get up
I'm not outside Your reach, You rescue me with love
There is no wilderness, no desert place, no sickness
There is no sinking ship, no history, no weakness
There is no wilderness, no desert place, no sickness
There is no sinking ship, no history, no weakness
That you can't save me from
That you can't save me from
Aren't they awesome lyrics? They remind me how God is always there with me, no matter what happens to me or how I'm feeling. I am never alone.
Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is the third book in her Sonoma series, Stalker in the Shadows. She is a staff worker for her church youth group, and leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she ponders frivolous things like knitting, running, dogs, and Asiana. Visit her website to sign up for her quarterly newsletter.
My Little Miss is on a "Brave" kick. The Disney Pixar movie, Brave? Yeah - she's seen it in theater. Bought the action figure. Played with her friend's bow and arrow. Runs around the house pretending to cast bear spells. Ordered a Brave backpack and lunchbox tote for preschool. Whispers to herself about Merida. She took swim lessons a few weeks ago and was scared to jump in the pool. A few promptings of "be brave like Merida!" and she was leaping right in :)
Makes me wonder how brave I am, and where my courage comes from.
Sometimes I wish Disney would do a Christian based cartoon instead of magic spells or portions or whatever. How powerful would that be?! What if Merida got her courage from prayer, and not her hill country heritage or a potion from the crazy old lady in the disappearing cave store? What if her courage came from the Holy Spirit and not just love of family? Wow!
That's real life, guys. We live in the real world - there are no crazy witches brewing potions and selling bear statues. No disappearing cave stores. No spells to turn mom into a bear when you want some freedom. And thankfully for us in today's time in the USA, no arranged marriages ;)
Sadly, there are no highland games either, which seemed really fun! ha!
Seriously though, we need to evalute where we get our courage from. Not the courage to fight a bear (because honestly I don't think I'd ever have that much) but the courage to stand up to peer pressure. The courage to do the right thing when no one is looking. The courage to shut our mouths when it's easier to spout off, and the courage to speak when it's easier to be silent and blend in.
Does your courage come from the power of God's Word and His promises? From the urgings of the Holy Spirit living inside you as a Child of God? Or is your courage weak and fleeting, because it's not based on things eternal?
Are you brave? And where is your courage coming from? Do you courage and fear are opposites or not? Let's talk about it! :)
Today our church doors stayed locked, the sanctuary completely empty . . . because we had church in the Park, complete with baptisms in the river, volleyball, and activities for the kids.
We have been looking forward to it for weeks--the day when we would worship, learn, and fellowship out in the open. Everyone was told to bring sack lunches plus one extra. The church staff loaded ice chests with the lunches, as water and other drinks and plenty of extra sandwiches; they covered a table with baskets full of cookies and bags of chips. We didn't want this to be an exclusive "members only" event; we hoped people would hear the music or teaching and wander over, and if they did, we hoped they would accept our offer to stay. Since our church loves to reach out to the community, volunteers also planned to walk around with the extra lunches and invite people to join us or just give them something to eat. (I live in Reno, Nevada and we have a lot of poor and homeless downtown where this park happens to be.)
I must admit that I wondered how outsiders would respond. Would they make fun of our music or mock the sermon? Would they accept the offers to join the picnic or just take the food and walk away? Would half the lunches go uneaten? Instead, passers by stopped to listen and many set down for both the service and lunch. A rafter stopped to watch the baptisms. One teenage boy approached a girl who had been baptized and asked, "How did you know for sure you were saved?" and she got to share with him. No one seemed to care that it was 100 degrees outside; we were having too much fun to care about weather.
I have no idea who got the lunch I made, but I pray they walked away knowing . . .
God truly does love them
Their life can change
Following Christ, while not always easy, can fill your life with joy, hope, wonderful friends, and yes, even fun
When have you had an exciting opportunity to reach out to your community? How did you see God at work?
