Beach Trip/ Baptism

On Sunday we took to youth to mission beach/bay and Reagan got baptised while we were there in the bay. It was really cool! She is such a rock star!

We were all so proud of her…

And of course volleyball….(you can’t keep this group away from it)

Baptism

Hazel and Aleena got baptised at Youth Group last night.  Kenny and I were so excited to be a part of it. It is such a blessing to have the privilege of watching youths come to Christ, and grow in Christ.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them …” {Matt 28:18b-19

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to drink of one Spirit. {1 Cor 12:12-13

We are so proud of you both!

Youth Camping Trip

Over the weekend we took the youth camping to La Jolla Indian Reservation. I was very sick, but God gave me the strength to be there to do what He needed me to do. The kids had a good time…

Aren’t all religions basically the same?

Very very interesting article I came across today:

“Perhaps the greatest difference of all [among religious views] lies in the Christian assertion that none of us can save ourselves and make ourselves acceptable to God, try as we may: all the other faiths assert that by keeping their teachings a person will be saved, fulfilled or reborn.”

“All religions are not the same — Biblical Christianity is absolutely unique among all the religions and philosophies of mankind. Its claim to be necessary for salvation is based squarely on the uniquely powerful evidences for its truth and finality. Actually, true Christianity is not a religion, but a person, Jesus Christ.”

Read on…

http://christiananswers.net/q-aiia/religionssame.html

Fried Chicken Dilemma

For small group this week I am in charge cooking dinner. I was thinking Mom’s potato salad (Ohhhh YUM!), fried chicken (I know so unhealthy), and corn. The problem is I am not very good at making fried chicken. I tried once before and I am so paranoid about the chicken being cooked all the way through that I fry it too long, and it either burns or drys out. I found some help….

So I’m going to try out the fried chicken.

For desert, my own recipe of apple crisp over ice cream. I will let you know how it all turns out and posts some recipes. :p

What is real worship?

John, one of the youths; did such an amazing job teaching for youth group this week. We were all so proud of him. Most importantly, God was beaming from ear to ear watching His son teach His word to his peers. It moved my heart. John, good job buddy!

This is part of what he taught about. What worship really is, and what it isn’t. It isn’t a feeling, a type of music, or a performance. It’s a way of life, not a song. It isn’t what WE can GET out of it, but rather what WE can GIVE to God. It truly is an amazing concept to wrap our heads around that worship really has nothing to do with us, it is ALLLL about HIM.

To Write Love On Her Arms

My heart has been moved  this weekend some kids from youth group put on a fundraiser concert for the foundation, “To Write Love On Her Arms.” These kids amaze me at how much heart they throw into this foundation, into this cause. There were incredible testimonies about God’s love and grace in the midst of depression, being redeemed from suicide, cutting, drugs, darkness, and despair. These kids amaze me, and I can’t imagine how proud God was watching his children spreading His word of hope and encouragement to hurting depressed teens. A message of  Hope. Love. Pain. Failure. Regret. Brokenness. Broken People. HOPE. Community. Freedom. Redemption. Dreams. Prayers. Song. Fire. Movement.

 Absolutely incredible!

“Love is the movement”…

How Good Is God?

I say How Good Is God, because….. I have been praying all week that God would use me to reach out and bless someone, to BE the blessing. I wanted to give of my time or resources to someone in need one way or another, as I mentioned in my last blog. Also, in my pre-k Sunday School class we have been collecting for anyone that may be in need of food, so we have a large bag filled with cans and other non-perishables that my Sunday School class has been bringing in over the past 6 months. So I have been praying that God would reveal someone in need.

Well yesterday both prayers were answered, we received a call from a friend that needed help giving to someone in need. This friend got into a really bad car accident and is unable to work. His wife has been struggling to make ends meet for some time now. He asked us if we could help out with grocery’s!!!! I was SO excited that God answered my prayer! I know it doesn’t always fall in our lap like that, but it was awesome! I am so excited that God is using myself and my Sunday School to reach out and help someone in a difficult time. This was especially awesome after a very rough, discouraging morning. To hear God’s voice, and know that He is there!

Isn’t God good?

Valentine’s Banquet

Last night the junior high put on a Valentine’s dinner at church. It was nice, we had fun, and the food was good.

We had chicken green beans, and pasta.

God’s Love Letter To You And To Me

I just finished the February Secret Pal Newsletter for church. I inserted this………….

You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways…Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image…Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being…Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring….Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived…Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation…Ephesians 1: 11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book…Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus…John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed…John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being…Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that I could be reconciled…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you…I John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love…Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen…Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father…Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is … Will you be my child?John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you …Luke 15:11-32