PRAYER

Prayer is: “to speak the whole day so that after everything you say, you might be able to add ‘amen.’ ”

-A description of what he thought prayer was. Given by a Communist Red Guard soldier who had never been in a church but had come to Christ

I read this quote in my "Extreme Devotion" book today. I really thought it was a great and simple description of prayer. Prayer seems always to be an area of the Christian life that we "struggle" with. I think that is because that most of the time we put a lot of undue expectations on our prayer life. We almost make prayer a work that we must do to be spiritual. This is just not true. Prayer is the overflow of a life surrendered to and in need of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is if we understand it correctly as natural as breathing. When we think, need, feel, desire we turn naturally to the one source that is able to understand us completely and who with perfect wisdom is able to act on our behalf. This quote talks about speaking the whole day so that at the end of it all you can say amen. Amen just means "so it is" or "let it be." So this definition of prayer just says that we should talk (and live) in constant fellowship with God so that all we do and say is a reflection of Him at work through us. Therefore giving us the ability to say "Amen" to all of our life. This definitely speaks to the whole area of hypocrisy. It is letting us know that true prayer is living a consistent life where our words, actions, and attitude all reflect Christ. It is never to be forgotten that Christ is the one in us to will and to work for His good pleasure. He is not only the ability within us, He is the very desire.

Christian Artist Link

Hey everyone, take note that I added a link to the Christian Artists you have been suggesting!!!

KidVenture

What A great time we are having in KidVenture! Thank You Students for the way you are serving and loving these kids!

Baptism!

Congratulations to Ray and Tyler. What a special time in their life. To be baptized together. Baptism is a significant marker in someones life. In baptism we give: 1. A Public declaration-we are acknowledging before the rest of the world that we belong to and are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. A Picture- we picture for the watching world what God has done for us. We declare we have been buried with Him in His death and have been raised with Him in newness of life. It is so encouraging to see God at work in these 2 men. Thank you for your obedience to follow Christ!

Music!!

Hey Everyone! I have had a request to suggest some good Christian music. What I would like you to do is put your suggestions for good Christian artists. Just click on "comments" at the bottom of this post. I think you can comment anonymously if you do not have a yahoo or google account. Some of my favorites are: Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp. I favor/ prefer good contemporary "worship" music. Anyway I look forward to reading your suggestions.

Is Jesus a "part" of your life or is He your life?

I assume most know of and remember the name Rachel Scott. She was one of the students tragically shot and killed in the Columbine shootings. She was the young lady who reportedly was asked by the gunman "do you still believe in God?" and she answered "yes". Those were her last words. Rachel did not come to faith in that moment. Her diaries she left behind gave testimony of God's work in her life in the weeks/ months before this moment. The reason I bring this up is in the "Extreme Devotion" book that I read from time to time they commented on her story today. I just want to share a few quotes from her and then ask you some of the questions I began asking myself.
"I lost all my friends at school. Now that I've begun to 'walk my talk,' they make fun of me. I am not going to apologize for speaking the name of Jesus. I will take it. If my friends have to become my enemies for me to be with my best friend, Jesus, then that's fine with me. I always knew being a Christian means having enemies, but I never thought that my 'friends' were going to be those enemies."

I don't know why that struck me so hard this morning but it did. I guess in a culture that seems to take commitment to Christ so lightly, it just really begged the question, "Is Jesus just a part of my life or have I (we) come to the place like Rachel that we are ready to follow Christ even when it cost us?" As I was thinking these thoughts I returned to my computer to find an email from Shane and Alicia basically saying we are in the process of getting rid of all our earthly possessions because we can't take them with us to India where God has called us. They are giving up everything that we so often hold onto as security. Now hear me correctly I am not saying we have to get rid of everything we have and lose all of our friends to truly be followers of Christ. This is not some list of things I must do to be a truly devoted follower. This is what I am asking us to think about though: Is Jesus just a part of my life? Do I have a "good" life and I have Jesus as a part of the many good things that is in my life? Or is it true to say Jesus is my life and He is above all that I hold dear and "if" I had to give up or lose friends, family, comfort, wealth, material possessions, popularity, etc to follow Christ I would? Does He mean that much?
"I am not going to hide the light that God has put into me. If I have to sacrifice everything, I will." Rachel Scott