“By calling me into his service, Jesus has judged me trustworthy, even though I used to be a blasphemer and a persecutor and contemptuous. Mercy, however, was shown me, because while I lacked faith, I acted in ignorance.”  1 Timothy 1:12-13 (NJB)

This weekend, Pastor Rick began a new series, Live Your Calling: What On Earth Am I Here For?  He outlined eight things we all need to know about our calling.  Number four hit home:  my sins and mistakes don’t change my call.   I couldn’t help but think how unworthy I am to be accepting of God’s call in my life.  It was comforting to be reminded how the bible is filled with stories of sinners just like me!

For example, let’s look at the story of Saul.  Saul was a studious, Hebrew adolescent who got way off track.  Over time, the negative influences of the Pharisees fostered a devotion to man-made laws rather than the biblical laws of his upbringing.  Saul was actually traveling to Damascus to hunt down Christians for persecution when he experienced an amazing Godly transformation.  On this journey, a blinding light from heaven would begin a chain of events toward repentance.  God’s love and forgiveness changed the course of Saul’s life.

Here’s this totally messed up guy persecuting Christians, yet God looked past all that and saw his potential!  After Saul’s firsthand encounter with Christ, the apostle Paul (as he came to be known) spent the rest of his life serving Jesus and helping shape the history of Christianity through his missionary work.  Now there’s an exceptional transformation!  Here’s the bottom line.  Since Christ was able to change Paul’s life, I’m pretty sure He has the power to do amazing things in my life, too.  

Are you holding back from accepting Christ’s calling in your life based on a feeling of unworthiness?  Learn from Paul’s example.  There’s no mistake too big, or a life too off track, to experience the transforming power of Christ!  Accept God’s love and forgiveness and see the blessings He has in store for you!

“That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”  Solomon replied, “You showed faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you....Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong.”  1 Kings 3:5-6, 9a  (NLT)

To truly appreciate God’s amazing offer, you have to know the background story.  By this time, Solomon had already gone against God’s design for religious harmony in marriage by taking Pharaoh’s daughter as a wife for the purpose of political gain.  The marriage effectively formed an alliance with Egypt.  He worshiped idols and participated in the pagan practices of many wives, essentially sealing deals with several foreign countries.  So, why didn’t God use this opportunity to scold Solomon for his relational sins and demand repentance?  The answer is found in scripture:  “Come back to the Lord your God.  He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish.”  Joel 2:13  (GNT)  I’m continually in awe of God’s grace!

God appeared to King Solomon and offered to grant him one wish.  Solomon chose wisdom; wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong.  Although his wisdom as a leader was legendary and admired by neighboring kings, Solomon failed to apply that same wisdom in his personal life.  This blatant disregard for God’s design in intimate relationships kept him from receiving God’s full blessing until his repentance much later in life.  

Solomon’s story sounds all too familiar!  In today’s society, we often hear news of effective leaders being exposed and brought to ruin by irresponsible personal choices.  Public displays of wisdom can lead to success in the workplace, but it’s only an honorable virtue when put into action behind closed doors and in our personal lives.  

Be honest with yourself.  Is there an area of your life lacking in good judgement?  It’s easy to recognize the right thing to do, but much harder to actually do it!  Act on the wisdom of our Lord, and “you will be blessed by God in what you do!”  James 1:25b  (TEV)

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good...”  Romans 12:2 (Ph)

This is the time of year some of us jot down New Year’s resolutions.  This weekend, instead of the familiar choices of losing weight or sticking to a budget, Pastor Rick outlined four life-shaping resolutions:  1) I refuse to be defined by others, 2) I choose short-term pain for long-term gain, 3) I choose God’s values not the world’s, and 4) I choose to live by faith, not by fear.  I wrestled with my thoughts:  Who or what do I allow to help determine my identity?  

Human nature is consistent with world values when we place importance on popularity and acceptance.  Being a people pleaser inadvertently leaves the issue of our identity in other people’s hands.  I’ll be honest, I’ve often performed the mental question of “what will other people think” before moving ahead with a decision.  But scripture reminds me, “Our purpose is to please God, not people.  He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.”  1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)  Pleasing God should be my number one priority!

Here’s some great news.  You don’t have to wait for a New Year to be intentional about making God a priority in your life!  God meets us where we are all twelve months of the year.  But if you’re like me and want to make resolutions for 2013, why not choose to identify a couple Godly goals to work toward?  I am choosing to be defined by biblical principles instead of popular opinion.  I want my actions and words to be more Christ-like.  I’m also choosing to live by faith knowing God is able to accomplish immeasurably more that I could even hope for.  When trials and tribulation attempt to rock my world, I can relax in the knowledge that God has great plans for me.  And those plans are good!  

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Thanksgiving Day was first shared as a harvest feast between the Plymouth colonist and the Wampanoag Indians in 1621.  Pilgrims and Puritans carried on the tradition for more than 200 years.  On November 26, 1789, President George Washington proclaimed the first nation-wide thanksgiving celebration, “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God.”  George got it right.

“As a day of public thanksgiving” - “I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His rightness and justice, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.”  Psalm 7:17 (AMP)  What better way to publicly acknowledge God in your life than to sing praises for others to hear.

“and prayer” - “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 (CEV)  Even during his imprisonment, Paul reached out to the Philippians

with thankfulness and encouragement, showing unity in the face of persecution.

“by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God” - “Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning.”  James 1:17 (GNT)  We were created to glorify God through our thoughts, words and actions.  When we acknowledge His hand in the blessings of our lives we are bringing honor to God, our Creator.

Be thankful everyday!

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone...As much as possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:17-18  (NLT)

Typically, the art of conflict resolution is learned and reinforced through watching the conduct of others (most often

parents) as opposed to being taught specific or constructive tools.  However, since disagreements are inevitable in most relationships, its pretty important to approach conflict from a biblical perspective - regardless of what you observed.

One of the most misunderstood verses on this subject is found in Exodus 21:23-24, “But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot,”  When it comes to settling disputes, that’s the bible verse more likely to come to mind; not today’s verse from Romans.  Was God really justifying revenge and retaliation as appropriate responses to conflict resolution?  Read on.

Exodus was written to record events as Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt.  After years of captivity under Egyptian rule,    God speaks through Moses to establish His law system while founding the great nation of Israel.  Harsh and barbaric punishments where characteristic during this time, so the “eye for an eye” command was given to the magistrates as a guide for handing down punishments that more closely fit the crime.  It was God’s way to put an end to the unreasonable and cruel abuse the Israelites had endured. 

In a world filled with strife, God rejoices when followers choose reconciliation over insult.  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be call the children of God!”  Matthew 5:9 (NIV)  Ken Sande, president of Peacemaker® Ministries, is devoted to equipping Christians on how to respond biblically.  Sande explains, “When Christians become peacemakers, they can turn conflict into an opportunity to strengthen relationships and make their lives a testimony to the love and power of Jesus Christ."  

Now here’s the hard part.  Are you resolving conflict in a manner that strengthens the relationships in your life?  Or do you head into quarrels armed and ready to charge ahead; evil for evil, an eye for an eye!  Turn conflict into opportunities to share the grace and forgiveness of Christ.  Remember, others are watching and learning from you!

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. It can be dangerous to take a bible verse out of context.  Discuss the risk of doing that with Exodus 21:23-24.  
2. Re-read Romans 12:17-18.  Talk about what that means to you and how you can apply it in your life.
3. The bible is filled with stories of how Jesus offered mercy over evil to others.  Use a bible concordance or the internet to locate other examples of a Christ-like approach to conflict resolution.

“Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper make mistakes.”  Proverbs 14:29 (NLT)

If the bible tells us 375 times that God got angry, what are the chances that anger will pop up in your life?  In Part 2 of the series, You Make Me Crazy, Pastor Rick took the topic of anger and placed it front and center when he asked, “Who or what can quickly flip you from happy to mad?”  I looked around.  I wasn’t the only one shifting nervously in my seat!  

Anger isn’t prevalent in our home, but when provoked it’s like an infectious disease.  Its’ contagiousness easily spreads from one family member to another.  Ever notice how a person’s anger can be transferred onto others or spoil a friendly gathering?  Scripture describes the chain reaction of anger like this:  “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict”  Proverbs 15:18a  (NIV)  When I’ve had a stressful day I’m more likely to be short-tempered with my children and my husband.  I’m more inclined to stir up a good dose of conflict!

Somewhere in my flawed way of thinking, I assure myself that I’ll feel better if others around me know I’m mad.  I’m convinced it will be therapeutic if everyone shares my pain.  My thoughts shift nervously around in my head!  If I’m honest I can’t recall one time where my hot-tempered anger has brought me closure, let alone satisfaction.  However, I can look back and recognize the hurt and disappointment I’ve caused to others.  There it is.  The cost of anger mirrored in the faces of my family.  I can only imagine God’s sad expression as He watches from above.  I humbly ask for a re-do.

“People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.”  Proverbs 14:17  (GNT )  Once again, God’s word in scripture says it all.  I paused to pray:  Heavenly Father, guide me in keeping my emotions under control.  Help me to respond with love and grace, even when I’m tired and tempted to project my anger into the lives of those I love.

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. What situations cause you to become angry?  How do you respond when you get mad?
2. “An angry person causes trouble, and a person with a quick temper sins a lot.”  Proverbs 29:22 (NCV)  Discuss what this verse means to you and how you can apply it to your life.
3. The bible also tells us in 1st Peter 4:8 (GNT):  “Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.”  Talk about ways to offer and receive forgiveness when anger causes you to sin.

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”  James 3:17-18 (NLT)

If studies have shown that meaningful relationships are the number one predictor of happiness in life, how is it that most of what we do in relationships is counter-productive?  

Last weekend, Pastor Rick began a new series, You Make Me Crazy.  We all have people in our life - Rick called them “crazymakers” - that do just that:  make our life crazy!  It goes without saying, in order to have a relationship you need at least two people.  You do the math.  In any crazy making relationship, you’re half the problem!  I’m reminded of the words in The Serenity Prayer:  God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.  I can’t change others, but I can change myself.

The first step in achieving peace in relationships starts with me.  It starts with you.  The passage in James 3:17-18 is filled with biblical insight on the attributes of Christlike relationships.  The first word that jumps out to me is wisdom; not the wisdom of my head, but the wisdom of my heart.  Believe me, there is a difference.  I can fill my head with the wisdom of knowing God’s word, but if I don’t apply His principles in my life - do what scripture says - then I’m only fooling myself.

I’ve got to start somewhere, so why not begin at the beginning!  “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.”  According to the dictionary, pure means wholesome and untainted by immorality.  That sounds like a pretty important lifestyle choice to me.  Pastor Rick said it this way:  “If I want to be pure, I won’t compromise my integrity.  All healthy relationships are built on trust.  There is no trust without truth.”  Integrity, trust and truth:  those are some words I can relate to.  Those are words I can choose to live by.  

How healthy are your relationships?  Start with wisdom.  Make it a lifestyle choice and have the courage to change the harmful habits in your life. 

 TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

Here are the six keys that Pastor Rick discussed to help create peace in your relationships.  They all start with wisdom.  Review each one with your family and discuss how you can apply it in your life.

1. If I want to be wise, I won’t compromise my integrity.
2. I won’t antagonize your anger.
3. I won’t minimize your feelings.
4. I won’t criticize your suggestions.
5. I won’t emphasize your mistakes.
6. I won’t disguise my intentions.

WHAT’S YOUR LEGACY?

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.”  Psalm 78:4  (NLT)

What kind of heritage are you leaving behind?  

Guest speaker and author, Jason Frenn, raised that very question this weekend at Saddleback.  I was kind of embarrassed to admit I hadn’t given it much thought.  I’d like to think of myself as contributing to society, but that’s hardly the point.  The point is:  Am I using my influence to make a positive, Christ-like impact in the lives of those around me?  

Frenn provided a great analogy.  “Children are like video cameras with legs.  They record anything and everything they see.”  He went on to say, “Whatever we habitually seek in our time of need instead of seeking God, we teach that behavior to the next generation.”  I mentally hit the replay button on my 24-hour recording.   There were scenes I wished to edit; better yet, erase altogether!   I saw evidence of impatience as apposed to understanding.  I found resentment hiding where forgiveness should reside.  But even more telling;  I only saw hints of thankfulness for God’s blessings in my life.  I had also failed to acknowledge His strength and calming authority during my times of crisis.  I yearned for a fresh legacy.

It’s true.  The camera is always rolling to record the imagines of my life.  It’s up to me to provide footage bearing witness to the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. (Psalm 78:4b)  Preview your own tape.  What kind of heritage are you leaving behind?

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Reflect back over the last 24 hours.  What scenes were recorded on your one-day life tape?
2. Does your recording show the Christ-like character qualities of love, gentleness and self-control?
3. Leave a Godly legacy.  Share examples of where Jesus has worked wonders for you and your family.

“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves.”  Acts 2:4 (NJB)

This verse from Acts was written during Pentecost, the Jewish Feast of Weeks that marks the birth of the Christian church.  As crowds from every part of the Roman Empire gathered for the feast, the Holy Spirit spoke through the disciples allowing them to preach in the native tongue of those present.  Over three thousand listeners became believers and received God’s blessing that day. 

Amazing!  But how do I apply this verse to my life?  I struggle with getting my point across to others in the one language I know, let alone other native tongues!  Pastor Rick challenged us to be aware of the many languages we speak and he wasn’t just talking about our spoken or written words.  The dictionary also defines language as any nonverbal method of expression or communication.  We’ve all heard it before; actions speak louder than words!  The wheels began to turn.  Could I be using my time, my talents, and my hobbies to be a Godly witness to others?  Sure, now where to begin?

I decided to start close - in my own home.  To receive God’s blessing, scripture commands us to love each other.  “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”  John 13:34  (NLT)  With renewed awareness, loving each other means I must be intentional about paying attention to the people in my life.  My time is a gift and I can lavish it upon my family by slowing down to have meaningful conversations.  In his book, Replenish, Lance Witt writes:  “When you have a conversation, take time to listen.  Hurry is the archenemy of intimacy and deep relationship; it says to people, “I don’t really have time for you.”  In the grind of laundry and car pools, is that the message I sometimes give to my family?  Do I slow down to really talk or listen to my kids and my husband? 

Scripture inspired me to speak the language of love within my own home.  I guess that’s what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit and if I can do it, so can you.  Challenge yourself to get up-close and personal with the people in your life!  

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Be honest.  How much time do you spend talking together as a family?  Talking one-on-one?
2. Do you typically hurry through family discussions?  If so, discuss ways you could slow down to have more meaningful conversations.
3. Jesus commands us to love each other.  Tell each person in your family one thing you love about them!

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – JOY….AS DEFINED BY CLAIRE, AGE 11

My Mom asked me if I knew the difference between happiness and joy.  We talked about it at church one time, so I had already thought about it a little.  In church they said joy comes from inside my heart, because God loves me, and that it doesn’t depend on feeling happy about what’s going on at home or at school.  One time I was really disappointed because my soccer team didn’t win our Cup tournament.  I think we were better than the other team, but we lost in the championship game.  Where’s the joy?  I got to play soccer with my friends!  I even scored a goal!  Even though I wasn’t happy about the game, the smile on my face showed everyone the joy in my heart.  

I think joy is being able to be happy even when things don’t turn out the way you want them to.  Sometimes it’s easy for me to get sad or disappointed when things don’t go my way, but I just try to forget about it.  I try to remember all the things around me that are fun and good.  That’s what joy means to me.

FROM THE BIBLE: 

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17 

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  John 15:10-11

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. How do you act when you are sad or disappointed? 
2. When things don’t go your way, do you try to forget about it or do you let it bother you for awhile?
3. Claire says joy is being happy even when things don’t always work out.  How do you define joy?
4. Read the Memory Verse below.  What reason does it give for filling our lives with joy?
5. Name three great things in your life…things that fill your life with joy!

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN…

The second Fruit of the Spirit is joy, but it’s easy to mistake happiness for joy.  I heard a pastor describe the difference something like this:  “Happiness is an outward emotion based on circumstance, but joy is internal.  It comes from God.” So regardless of our circumstances, we can choose to be joyful.  Having a choice, or exercising our free-will, is a very powerful and spiritual path!

The bible doesn’t say our lives will be free of pain, disappointment, or sorrow.  The bible doesn’t tell us we will understand the trials we may face.  But in John 15 the bible does say, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love…I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Our joy can be made complete by obeying God’s commands, remaining in His love, and allowing His joy to be present in our daily lives.  Sounds easy, right?  No way!  I have faced some personal challenges where I struggled to find joy in the midst of the crisis.  Being happy seemed impossible, almost laughable, but I finally realized having a joyful attitude was the better goal to strive for.  I couldn’t control the circumstances, but I chose to stand firm in obeying God’s commands so I could sense His love and joy in my heart.  

My life will always have trials and challenges, but I’m getting better at choosing to use them as an opportunity to build my character, to grow my faith, and to experience joy as Christ intended.  In the book of James, the bible talks about the importance of doing just that!  ^“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (James 1:2-3)   

A dear friend once said, “The unbearable is the beginning of the curve to joy.”  Choose to be joyful!  Allow your unbearable moments to bring you closer to experiencing God’s joy in your heart.

MEMORY VERSE

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”  Psalm 126:3

CHILDLIKE FAITH….by ADAM, AGE 11

We’re Flyer hockey fans, so my dad took me to watch the Philadelphia Flyers play the Chicago Blackhawks in game three of the 2010 Stanley Cup finals.  The game went into overtime, so while they were preparing the ice I left my seat to go to the restroom.  Since I’ve been to games before, I knew the stadium pretty well.  Dad stayed in the stands and yelled to me as I left, “Hurry, Adam, you don’t want to miss the winning goal!  I’ll be right here when you get back.” 

My favorite player, Claude Giroux, scored the game winning goal in overtime to beat Chicago 4-3 while I was racing back to my seat.  The Flyers lost the first two games, so the place went crazy when Giroux scored for the win!  At first I was afraid; how was I ever going to find my dad in the crowd?  And I knew there was no way dad would be able to see me among all these grown-ups.  Then I remembered his promise, “I’ll be right here when you get back.”  So I relaxed and just kept moving back down toward our seats.  When dad saw me heading his way, his face broke out in a huge smile. 

Dad gave me a big hug and a high-five for the Flyers and their win!  I told him about all the people rushing through the arena.  Dad agreed, “The stands were clearing out pretty fast.  Were you worried I wouldn’t find you?”  It was my turn to agree; “At first I was, but then I remembered what you told me.  You said you’d be right here when I got back, and you were!  I knew I could count on you!”

FROM THE BIBLE: 

 “Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.  It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God.  But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.”  Hebrews 11:1-2, 6  (CEV)

“But we live by faith, not by what we see.”  2 Corinthians 5:7  (CEV)

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Adam’s first response was to be afraid.  Discuss what helped Adam overcome his fear.
2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:7 above.  Talk about how this bible verse relates to Adam’s story.
3. The kind of faith and trust Adam had in his dad’s promise is the same kind of faith and trust we should have in Jesus.  Discuss what this means to you.

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN…

We’ve all heard the descriptive term “childlike faith” at one time or another.  Most often, people equate childlike faith with naivety; trusting without the experience or wisdom to know any different.  But childlike faith is not about innocence, it’s all about dependence!  Just as children are innately dependent on adults to provide for them and meet their needs, God desires us to be dependent on Him.  Sounds logical, but what exactly does that look like in real life?

In the Old Testament, scripture illustrates servants of God who willingly stepped out in faith to obediently follow His directive.  The story of Noah is a perfect example of one man’s unquestioning faith.  “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”  Genesis 6:22 (NIV )  Noah spent years building an ark for an unprecedented flood when the only person forecasting rain was God!  Was this childlike faith, or a humble obedience and reliance on God’s command?

I’m a visual person, so coming from my perspective I was still a little fuzzy on the whole “what does faith look like” thing.  That is until I re-read scripture and allowed it to resonate within my soul.  The bible is consistent when it describes faith as a relationship of conviction versus something to be seen or touched.  I studied biblical translations of Hebrews 11:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 5:7.  Now I get it!  Faith is not a tangible object, but rather an emotion to be experienced!  When I choose to live by faith, I’m choosing to believe in Christ and the truth of His salvation.  Is this course of action a childlike expression of faith, or an educated decision to trust Him and follow a spiritual trajectory for my life?

Faith will always be a choice.  Unlike biblical characters who had the benefit of walking with Jesus and witnessing His miracles, our faith journey is a little more ambiguous.   But it’s by this faith, in lieu of eyewitness encounters, that we live our lives and conduct ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to God.   So what does faith look like?  In Galatians 5:6b, Paul gave a visual of faith in action:  “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.”  Quite simply, living out our faith should be noticeable to others in the form of loving acts of kindness and grace.  Childlike in nature?  Hardly.  Learning to live with dependence on God shows remarkable spiritual maturity and carries immeasurable, eternal rewards!

MEMORY VERSE:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1-6  (KJV)

HARD WORK IS SELDOM EASY.... BY MADDIE, AGE 7

I’ve been going to gymnastics since I was 3 years old.  My mom signed me up just for fun, but I loved it right away.  I love tumbling more than anything else!  When I turned 5, mom had me join a club with a Junior Olympic training team.  I started to compete a lot more.  Right now I compete at level 6, but I’m training really hard to get to level 7.  

Most people don’t realize how hard gymnasts train.  I’m at the gym everyday, except on Sunday.  Sometimes I train for over 5 hours at a time.  It’s tiring, but I still love it!  Sometimes I can’t have Friday night sleepovers because I have to be at the gym early on Saturday morning.  But I hope to be on the Olympic team someday, so it will all be worth it. 

Dad says I’m learning an important life lesson while I’m having fun in the gym.  I’m learning how hard work and determination help you reach a goal.  One thing’s for sure, if I keep training hard and moving up in the competitions, I’ll have a better chance of competing at nationals and being selected for the Olympic team.  There are a lot of girls who train for the Olympics at my club.  Dad says only a few of us will be Olympians, but he and Mom think I could be one of those lucky girls!  It’s a big goal, something really big to aim for, but I don’t mind training hard to help make my dream come true!  But even if I’m never in the Olympics, I’m sure having fun along the way!

FROM THE BIBLE: 

“No matter how much you want, laziness won't help a bit, but hard work will reward you with more than enough.”  Proverbs 13:4

“I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.”  Philippians 3:14

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Training to compete in the Olympics is an ambitious dream.  Talk about aspirations you may have for your life.
2. Working to reach a goal is seldom easy.  Name two qualities that are important while striving to reach a goal.
3. Read Philippians 3:14 above.  Discuss the importance of the goal and the prize mentioned in scripture.

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN…

We often ask children and youth, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  Perhaps that well-meaning inquiry may miss the mark.  Conceivably, the more relevant question may very well be, “What kind of person do you want to be when you grow up?”  Although changes in your vocation or place of employment may be frequent, one thing remains constant; you have to live with yourself.  Your life choices reflect your character while your reputation often precedes you.  The reality of a Christian life is this; we’re able to enjoy living in His peaceful presence when we keep it right with God.  And, believe me, that’s hard work!  Living out biblical principles is seldom easy, but the prize that God offers is well worth it!

I love the analogy found in Lysa Terkeurst’s book, Made to Crave, as she admires her neighbors garden.  See if you can relate.  “(My neighbor) has a garden because he invests time and energy to make it.  He didn’t wish it into being.  He didn’t hope it into being.  He didn’t just wake up one day and find that a garden of glorious blooms had miraculously popped up from the dirt.  No.  He worked for it.  He sacrificed for it.  Day after day.  Plant by plant.  It took effort, intentionality, sweat equity, and determination.  Then it took time and commitment before he ever saw any fruit from his labor.”  This observation drew her to conclude, “I want the flowers but not the work.  Isn’t that the way it is with many things in life - we want the results but have no desire to put in the work required?”  Where are you investing your time and energy?  Are you expecting significant results in your personal or professional life without putting in the effort required?

Just as an Olympian athlete must be committed to rigorous training, we must intentionally train our mind to follow God’s directive for living.  It takes effort and determination to tend to the spiritual side of life.  Pastor Rick Warren once said, “The grass isn’t greener on one side of the fence or the other.  The grass is greenest where ever you water it!”  How green is the grass in the garden of your heart?  In your relationships?  In your walk with the Lord?  Plant the seed of His presence in your life.  Water it and watch it grow.  Cultivate God’s word in your heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to take root deep within your soul.  

What kind of person do you want to be?  Strive to be a Godly individual that can recognize, welcome, and enjoy the fruitful blessings that Christ so willingly gives! 

MEMORY VERSE

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered.”  John 15:5,7

SLIPPING OFF THE PATH.... BY TOM, FATHER OF THREE

My life has always been pretty carefree; I have a loving wife, healthy kids, and a secure job.  But all that came crashing down when we discovered our oldest daughter, Julie, was using drugs.  I began by pointing fingers - wanting someone to blame:  Who was the loser friend that introduced her to this stuff?  Then I became angry:  How could she be so careless with her life and her future?  Finally, my anger turned to guilt:  Was I somehow blind to obvious warning signs?  As I sorted through the flood of emotions, one thing became crystal clear:  my carefree life was suddenly very complicated. 

My wife and I joined a support group and sought professional help.  It was all so helpful, but coming to terms with Julie’s addiction was going to require divine intervention.  Our youth pastor, Jeremy, helped us to view Julie’s lapse in judgment through the eyes of Christ.  He used scripture to illustrate the way Christ dealt with lost and hurting individuals who had slipped off the path and fallen into a personal pit of neglect or recklessness.  While my natural tendency may have been to rage and demand Julie’s obedience, Jeremy directed me to pattern my response after God’s loving example.  He doesn’t demand our obedience, in fact it’s quite the contrary; God planned and made provision for our disobedience: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)  We are extended His perfect grace - the free and unmerited favor of our loving Father.  If I’m serious about following His example, surely I could extend that same grace to my own daughter, my own flesh and blood.

I was finally able to adopt God’s design for compassion and forgiveness.  Julie would benefit from a Christ-like love to work through this crisis, and her mother and I were hand-picked for the job.  Her drug use didn’t become habitual overnight, so we accepted the fact recovery would take longer, too.  Small steps took her off the path, and smaller steps still would help to bring her back home.  By the grace of God, we were able to reclaim our daughter’s life and help her become drug free.  It’s true: our family will never be the same.  We are stronger and more supportive than ever before!

FROM THE BIBLE: 

“If I should say, “My foot has slipped,” Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up.  When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.”  Psalm 94:18-19

“My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.”  Proverbs 3:11-12

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Do you know classmates that do drugs or drink alcohol?  If so, talk about the consequences of these choices.
2. Sometimes kids feel trapped by peer pressure or addiction and believe there’s no way out.  Using bible verses, discuss how the Christian faith can offer wisdom, comfort, and encouragement.

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN...

While the rate of drug use among teens and adults is staggering, countless other addictions have harmful effects, too.  Alcohol, sex, and food addictions are consistently on top ten lists.  These destructive behaviors not only take a toll on relationships, but on the body, as well.  Healthy choices and disciplined living are all part of God’s plan for life.  

Retired NFL coach and author, Tony Dungy, writes about the cycle of poor choices in his devotional book, The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge:  “We know that the life God calls us to is straight ahead, that making a ninety-degree detour is clearly off track.  But that’s not how we get off track. We get off track when we take a five-degree turn off the straight path.  Suddenly we’re just a little bit sidetracked from where Christ wants us to go, not living as Christ wants us to live.  First there’s one compromise.  Then something else.  Before we know it, we’re so far off course, we can’t imagine how we got there.  Of course, looking back, we can trace the path:  one small step at a time.” 

When it comes to sin, most people don’t slide into a condition of moral decay overnight; invariably, one can observe the slow and damaging chain of events.  First, inclination leads to consideration.  Next, appeal or longing overrides logical thinking.  Without self-restraint, desire gives rise to action.  More often than not, morals and values are compromised in the process, so rationalization steps in to justify any wrongdoing.  It’s a vicious cycle with ruinous repercussions!  Scripture explains the progression of sin this way: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)

Small steps down the wrong path quickly take you off course.  Let’s face it - your course ultimately determines your destination.  Stay on the path of righteousness by applying biblical principles to your life.  This path leads straight to heaven!

MEMORY VERSE

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105

HIDE AND SEEK.... BY MICHAEL, AGE 13

I like hanging out with my friend, Mark, because he’s a lot like me.  We like to play sports and video games - we both like going to church, too.  Mark and I signed up for church camp this summer as teen camp counselors.  We’ve been assigned to lead a group of 4th graders in games and activities.  Everything is pretty much scheduled for us, except we get one free afternoon to be creative and do our own thing.  We’re supposed to take a bible verse and plan something to help kids memorize it.  Here’s what we’re thinking...

We decided to play Hide and Seek - everyone knows that game.  But I bet a lot of kids don’t realize Adam and Eve played a game kinda like it with God.  But their game of hide and seek wasn’t about having fun.  They hid because they had done something wrong - they disobeyed God, and they knew it.  It’s pretty silly to hide from God since He sees everything.  He knew exactly where Adam and Eve were hiding out!  This is where the “seek” part comes in.  Instead of trying to hide, Jesus wants us to look for Him.  He wants us to look and find Him from the bottom of our heart - you know, find ways to become more like Him.  

When we’re done, we’ll pass around heart-shaped cookies as a treat.  Mark and I wrote out our verse on pieces of paper to hand out with each cookie: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”   (Jeremiah 29:13)  Now when they play Hide and Seek, or even flashlight tag, they just might think about our verse.  But mostly, we hope they remember not to hide from God, but to obey Him; and to look for ways to be kind and loving like Jesus.  

FROM THE BIBLE:

“Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands.  Seek to do what is right and to live humbly.”      Zephaniah 2:3

“But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.”  Matthew 6:33

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Read the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3.  Discuss the consequences of their disobedience to God.
2. Have you ever tried to hide from someone or cover up a mistake?  If so, talk about what happened.
3. Michael used a game to help kids remember a bible verse.  Pick a verse and talk about ways to help you with memorization.

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN…

There are numerous books and several internet sites that address the value of teaching children through the use of games and activities.  Many studies point to the success of hands-on learning; giving children an opportunity to participate in activities that make learning more fun and exciting.  Even the old-fashion games of tug of war and the three-legged race teach cooperation and working together to meet a goal.  In "How to Promote Children's Development Through Playing Group Games," author Rheta DeVries writes how games can be used to develop a child’s inner moral conviction and to learn about appropriate interactions with others, too.  It’s not surprising that church camp counselors would turn to activities and crafts to teach lessons about the core Christian beliefs of honesty and integrity - knowing right from wrong.

But games aren’t just for kids; there are books and websites dedicated to the value of teaching adults through hands-on experiences, too.  Can you say “team building?”  One internet site offered this pitch to prospective corporations:  “The Leader's Institute Team Building offers Fun Corporate Team Building Events and Teambuilding Activities!  Our Fun Team Building gets results.”  The message is clear:  fun events and activities get results!  I still have my gold plated carabiner from a 1994 team building retreat.  I was inspired to succeed; I reached a record number in sales growth that year!

In it’s most basic form, Adam and Eve did play a game of Hide and Seek with God.  Their disobedience is referenced in the bible as “The Fall of Man,” setting in motion man’s tendency to disobey God.  But it wasn’t all fun and games; they played with some pretty high stakes.  Adam and Eve were hiding from sin.  Are we so much different?  The commentary in my Life Application Bible says it best:  “The thought of two humans covered with fig leaves trying to hide from the all-seeing, all-knowing God is humorous.  How could they be so silly as to think they could actually hide?  Yet we do the same, acting as though God doesn’t know what we’re doing.”  There’s a lesson or two to be learned from their story.

It’s human nature to attempt to hide from sin, yet the bible is filled with scripture asking us to search for Him - to seek salvation through an honest relationship with Christ.  Are you hiding from sin in your life?  Are you using a flimsy fig leaf of pride in an attempt to conceal yourself from God?  Take it from Adam and Eve - don’t hide out from the love of Christ!

MEMORY VERSE

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:13

40 DAYS IN THE WORD:  A ROCK-SOLID FOUNDATION.... BY BILL, GRANDFATHER OF 6

I enjoy reading to my grandchildren.  There’s something special about snuggling up together on the couch while we explore new places through the adventures of a good book.  I like reading fairy tales, too.  The grandkids always ask me to read their favorites: “The Ugly Duckling” and “Cinderella.”  Fairy tales are filled with imagination, and they teach moral lessons, too.  One of my personal favorites is “The Three Little Pigs.”  

We all know the story, right?  A mother pig sends three piglets out to live on their own.  The first pig builds his house out of straw, while the second pig uses sticks.  These homes were quick and easy to build.  The third pig builds his house out of bricks.  It was hard work to build such a sturdy house.  One evening, a hungry wolf came calling to each piglet house.  At the end of the night, one home is left standing; only the house built with bricks held up against the destructive wolf.

When I read stories, I change the sound of my voice for each character; they all giggle when hear my little piglet voice.  In spite of all this silliness, the lesson still comes across loud and clear: the third pig was pretty smart.  His hard work and effort paid off - it actually saved his life!  I use this story to remind my grandchildren that they should build their house (their life) out of something solid, too.  I pull out my bible.  Sometimes it’s easier to take the easy way out or just follow the crowd, but making good choices based on scripture is a sure way to build a rock-solid foundation for life.  I assure them, “Build your life rooted deeply in the truth and goodness of Jesus, and you’ll be safe from the sly wolf of sin!”

FROM THE BIBLE:

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Bill used a fairy tale to inspire his grandchildren to be deeply rooted in biblical principles.  Is there someone in your life that inspires you to be the best you can be, too?
2. Take the memory verse and make it personal by inserting your name.  “Therefore, _______, hear these words of mind and put them into practice.  _______ is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  (Matthew 7:24)  Doesn’t it sound like God is speaking directly to you! 
3. Talk about the impact of reading the bible verse this way.  Was it more meaningful?  Did the verse seem more private?

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN…

When I thought about an analogy for applying God’s word, “like a wise man who built his house on the rock,” it brought to mind the story of “The Three Little Pigs.”  That fairy tale is a great illustration for kids on the importance of hard work in building a solid foundation.  Bruno Bettelheim was a child psychologist and writer who articulated the value of fairy tales in this way.  He writes, “The fairy tale offers this promise: If you have courage and if you persist, you can overcome any obstacle, conquer any foe.  By recognizing a child’s daily fears, appealing to his courage and confidence, and by offering hope, the fairy tale presents the child with a means by which he can understand the world and himself.”  Let’s read that again, but this time insert the bible and make it personal.  “The bible offers this promise: If you have courage and if you persist, you can overcome any obstacle, conquer any foe.  By recognizing your daily fears, appealing to your courage and confidence, and by offering hope, the bible presents us with a means by which we can understand the world and ourself.”   Need I say more?

Week five of 40 Days in the Word is all about taking scripture and making it personal.  When you insert your name into scripture, that verse becomes intimate and resonates as though God were speaking directly to you.  Here’s another example:  “Whatever happens, Diane, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”  (Philippians 1:27)  When you put it that way, I feel empowered knowing how He wants me to respond in all situations.  I also realize I’ll be held accountable to God himself!  Talk about being personal - I hear His voice loud and clear!

Experience the bible in the first-person and learn from His Word - whether it’s hearing God’s voice by inserting your name into scripture, or walking alongside Jesus with the perspective of a real-life character from the bible - the words jump off the page right into your heart!  When you immerse yourself in the truth and goodness of His Word, you’ll be building a rock-solid foundation of faith strong enough to withstand any attack from evil - even a big, bad wolf! 

MEMORY VERSE

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mind and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  Matthew 7:24

40 DAYS IN THE WORD - ANGER MANAGEMENT GOD’S WAY... A STORY ABOUT KAYLEE, AGE 10

My day started off lousy, and just kept getting worse!  I forgot my math worksheet at home, so I had to miss recess to redo it at school.  Then we had a fire drill after lunch which made our class late to the computer lab.  The next bell rang before it was my turn to log-on.  Mom picked me up after school and we raced to soccer practice.  I got kicked in the shin going for a ball. Great, now I’d be bruised and sore tonight!  By the time I got home, I was in a bad mood - a little angry, too.

Dad made my favorite dish for dinner - spaghetti and meatballs!  I’m guessing mom told him about my bad day.  After the prayer, my little brother, Blake, reached for a slice of bread and knocked over my full glass of milk.  Now my spaghetti was swimming in milk and my jeans were soaked, too!  Before I had a chance to yell at Blake, my mom jumped up and handed a towel to him, saying, “Here, use this on the table while I get another one for Kaylee.”  Then she looked at me and added, “Boy, I bet you’ll be glad when this day is over.  You’ve had a rough one!”  I was ready to scream and cry all at the same time, but mom’s kind words made me smile instead.  I loved my mom so much right then!

Dad and I talked after dinner.  He told me how getting angry happens sometimes - how he’s had some bad days, too.  Then he said he was proud of me.  Proud?  You’ve got to be kidding, right?  Nope.  He said, “I’m proud of you, Kaylee, because you didn’t let a frustrating day get the best of you.  You could have easily lost your cool with Blake, but you didn’t.  Your self-control was a good example for him, too.”  I smiled after hearing those words.  I loved my dad so much right then! 

FROM THE BIBLE: 

“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.”  Proverbs 29:22 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen....Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:29, 32

“If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself.” James 1:26

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Frustration can easily lead to anger.  Talk about the source of Kaylee’s frustration.  
2. Discuss the chain of events at dinner.  What might have happened if everyone would have given in to anger?
3. Read the bible verse, James 1:26, from above.  Explain what that scripture means in your own words. 

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN…

The method of bible study for this week is “Paraphrase It” - knowing what the bible means by being able to express scripture in your own words.  Paraphrasing is a proven technique useful in everything from contract negotiations to interpersonal relationships.  A simple restatement of someone else’s words brings clarity to just about any situation - even your relationship with Christ.  After all, the bible is His spoken word - written down for our benefit.

Let’s try the paraphrase method with a bible verse:  “If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself.” (James 1:26)  What does this verse mean to you?  To me, it says:  If you claim to be Christian, but repeatedly speak words that hurt others, you are only kidding yourself.  Unfortunately, we are more likely to lash out in anger or speak harshly to members of our own family.   We tend to give friends or strangers a filtered response.

Ironically, the comfortable and safe setting of home is an ideal place to teach children how to express frustration in ways that are appropriate.  And just so we’re clear; adults don’t always have this skill perfected either.  In the book, “Children Learn What They Live”, authors Nolte and Harris write:  “Parents can strive to teach certain values, but children will inevitably absorb whatever values are transmitted through their parents’ behavior, feelings, and attitudes in everyday living.  How you express and manage your own feelings becomes a model that will be remembered by your children throughout their lifetimes.”  And on the subject of anger:  “As parents, we need to accept and respect our children’s feelings of frustration, while maintaining rules and limits of behavior.  How we handle our own feelings of impatience, hostility, and anger is a far more powerful example to our children than what we tell them to do with theirs.”

Study scripture, repeat it in your own words, and then apply it to your life.  Start at home with members of your family by conveying God’s love through your words and actions.  Demonstrate anger management God’s way - pattern your home life after the peaceful example of Christ!

MEMORY VERSE

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  Psalm 119:11

40 DAYS IN THE WORD - DO WHAT GOD SAYS....BY MASON, AGE 14

I could hardly wait to go to the orthodontist on Monday.  I’ve had my braces on for 18 months now and I knew I was close to getting them off.  I sat in the chair and waited patiently for my turn.  Dr. Hilgers came over to check things out.  He complimented me on brushing my teeth, he talked about the near perfect alignment, and then he asked me to bite down.  “Well, Mason,” he said, “you are so close to getting these off.  I bet you’re glad to hear that!  But I’ve got to ask you a question.  Have you been wearing your rubber-bands?”  Now I’m laying back in the chair and I’m looking up - right into his eyes!  How could I look Dr. Hilgers straight in the eye and lie?  I just couldn’t, so I told him the truth.  No, I hadn’t been wearing my rubber-bands.  I could tell by his smile; I only confirmed what he already knew.

I’m sure you can figure out what happened next.  My bite was a little off, so my braces were staying on.  I was so disappointed when I left the office, so bummed to be scheduling another four week visit.  The hardest part was realizing it was all my fault - I, alone, had caused the delay.  I had no one to blame but myself.  My mom wasn’t exactly thrilled either; this meant more trips to the orthodontist for her, too.  

Ever go to church and feel the pastor is talking directly to you?  That’s what happened that next Sunday.  This was the scripture in the bulletin:  “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what is says.”  (James 1:22)   He asked us to apply that verse to our life.  I thought about my braces and those tiny rubber-bands.  All I had to do was wear them and I’d be counting the days until my braces came off.  But, I did my own thing - went against what I was asked to do - and look where that got me:  nowhere!  Then I thought about God and how many times I’ve done my own thing there, too.  Disappointing my mom is one thing, but disappointing Jesus is totally different!  I said a prayer before I left church, “Dear God, Help me to remember to do what I read in the bible.  Help me to become more like You.  And, while I’m asking, remind me to wear my rubber-bands, too!”

FROM THE BIBLE: 

“Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.  Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”  Psalm 119:33-34

“I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.  I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.”  Psalm 119:59-60

“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”  James 4:17

TABLE TALK WITH THE KIDS

1. Can you relate to this story?  If so, discuss what happened in your life when you didn’t do what was asked of you.
2. Re-read James 4:17.  Talk about a couple examples from God’s word (the bible) that require action on your part.
3. Mason’s prayer was simple and straight forward, just like he was talking to God.  Next time you say a prayer, pretend that God is your best friend and tell Him what’s on your mind.  That’s what prayer is - a private talk with God.

WHAT ABOUT ME?  LET’S DIG IN…

We are into week three of 40 Days in the Word:  Discovering the eternal truths in the bible and then applying them in your life.  It’s probably fair to assume that most people read the bible to gain knowledge concerning how to become more and more like Christ.  The Godly wisdom one acquires from bible study should ultimately show up in their words and actions.  Unfortunately, many increase their knowledge on the subject of biblical principles, but then never commit to a way of living that actually reflects what they have learned.  Posturing of this kind dates all the way back to biblical times.  

In Hebrew history, the term Pharisee represented a deep devotion to God by living a strict religious life.  But somewhere along the way, the daily ritual of following the law took precedence over the love of obedience to God.  Many Pharisees had become self-proclaimed, religious authorities, yet rather hypocritical in their actions.  In Matthew 23:1-3, read Jesus’ warning:  “Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law are experts in the Law of Moses. So obey everything they teach you, but don't do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else.”  Jesus cautioned His followers to avoid hypocritical practices and become a legitimate doer of the God’s word.

The book of James is a great “how to” guide with practical advice on living a genuine Christian life.  Through his writing, James reminds us that living our faith is important.  Our words should convey real love and humility, and all of us will be held accountable to live out what He says.  Don’t just read the bible - study it and apply His truth.  His words have the power to transform your life! 

MEMORY VERSE

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what is says.”  James 1:22