Secret Church

Last night I got the opportunity to be a part of something powerful. David Platt did what he calls "Secret Church". It's six solid hours of teaching straight from God's Word, and praying for unsaved people groups. Last night the focus was Heaven, Hell, and the End of the World. We were praying specifically for the Hui (pronounced "way") people of China. Here are just a few of the things he said that stood out to me. 

How much do you have to hate somebody to sit next to them every day at work or school, knowing that they're facing eternal judgement, and not saying anything to them?

Don't leave it up to "somebody else" to share the Gospel!

Heaven is not foreign, but home. 

Here is a quote he used to emphasize this. "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can not satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." ~C.S. Lewis

There were so many more good points he made, but I'll stop here. Let the first two points be a challenge, and the third an expectant promise. 

White Knights

I read a really good book last night. It was The White Knights by W.E. Cule. It was about three boys who decided to start a modern Order of White Knights. They each chose someone around them to be the person for whom they would go out of their way to be helpful for. As they did so, they also found other people they could help. Some were one-time helps, and others were every day. Through this they made many new friends, and touched the lives of many people around them. 

It got me to thinking. What's to stop us from being "White Knights" for those around us? Why can't I go out of my way to help someone? How many people could I bless if I did so? These thoughts were floating around in my head enough that I emailed two friends of mine and proposed doing so. A crazy scheme, maybe, but one that has no way to go wrong! Will you also be a White Knight?

Encouragement

Something God gave me Sunday. Hope you enjoy it! 

Lift your chin! Hold your head high! You can look everyone in the eyes. You have no shame, no dishonor, no fault. You are strong. You are special. But think constantly of the important one. The One who took your shame. The One who makes you strong. The One who created your individuality. HE is why you can hold your head high and look every man in the eye. Because of that, you are His witness. A witness must stand firm and hold fast. Don't give people an image of a wimpy God by looking defeated. He is strong! He has defeated death! If that's not power, nothing is! Live appropriately as a child of someone that powerful. Do not fear! You are a child of God! 

Changes

Well, this week started out with my Dad leaving for Mexico. A friend of his has terminal cancer, and is going to Mexico to pursue treatment. Dad decided to accompany him, and at the same time get treatment for his prostrate cancer. This led to very mixed feelings for me. I'm very glad he's getting treatment, but at the same time, it made me unhappy. His stay is fairly open-ended at this point, and I think that's what caught me off guard. I'm used to knowing he'll be home at a certain time. It's definitely been a good time of trusting God. 

This week ends out with a change, as well. But this one is all good! I finally made up my mind to start Driver's Ed. Soon I'll be driving!! Which is, to some people, a scary thought. However, for me it's exciting. My goal is to have my permit by the time Dad gets back from Mexico. It's definitely possible, because my brother went through his driver's ed. in four days. He didn't have school to do at the same time, though. So I'll be happy to get it done in a couple of weeks. ;) 

Needless to say, both are things I would appreciate prayer for! Have a fabulous day!

Summit Trip

I was on a trip to Chicago for an extended weekend. Our church took a group of ten highschoolers and four adults to Awana Summit, which is the national competition for Awana games and quizzing. It was a very fun time! We spent a LOT of time together between the sixteen hour trip, being there four days, and then the trip back. Jokes were cracked, stories were shared, and snowballs were thrown. While in Chicago, it snowed almost ten inches. Then our group got the unique experience of having a snowball fight while swimming in a pool. It was super exciting, because in games we got eighth place overall. We also made it to the silver round of Bible quizzing! Here are some pictures. I may post some more later, when I get them from the rest of the group. 

Our group touring Awana headquarters. 

There was also a volleyball tournament. We got crazy socks for it. :)

One of the guys' shoes busted out during a race! The missionary, Taylor Lassiter, let him borrow his shoes.