Here is a song that one of our friends in Acapulco sent us. See said that whenever she hears this song she thinks of our lives. Thanks you Jesus for the encouragement that you send us throught the people you have placed so dearly to our hearts. Many blessing to all of you back home and we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving:) Truley give thanks for all that God has given you. Many Blessings, Amanda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36OWibR6nk
Friday, November 21, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
time to think
As I sat here tonight thinking about life and what we are experiencing here in Mexico I am beginning to see a face of God emerge that is totally different than anything that I have ever seen, thought, focused my attention on, or even dreamed about. I was always raised to see the importance of the things around me, and to make sure and provide for my family, and do all that I can do to make sure that they have enough. Then I was confronted with something totally out of this world. God began by showing us the things that are truely important; family, friends, accountability, and most of all Him. This is nothing new to me, or really any of us. Then I was confronted with the idea of having to do without. This idea I have been thinking about recently and pondering while we have been living here. What would happen if the financial markets fell out, what would happen if our country imploded, what would become of Mexico, and what would become of us living here. There is so much to do, so many to disciple, so many to help! This is what was so different for me to sit and ponder. I was not worrying, just talking to God about it as I contemplated what we would do, how we would live and etc. This quickly became the main topic of my prayers. I wanted God to show me what He though about this, then graciously gave me my answer, by the people around me, what living without is like. We have to admit that while mandy and I live in what is considered a third world country, we still have the availability to the USA if need be, and living in Mexico City we still have a WalMart, and Sears. This is no shocking revelation, or new news, but then God let me spend some time with people that literally have nothing. Let me tell you a little about this.
We were able to go help out a place that has people that literally have nothing. Kids coming up without shoes, with old clothes, but with big smiles on there faces. They have nothing earthly that we as productive citazens of society strive after, but they have Jesus. I was astounded at the idea of this, so I began asking questions. What I found out was that these kids do not actually live in the cities. They are native kids from mountain villages where they live like they have for hundreds or maybe thousands of years. I began asking them how things were going in the little villages where they lived and they began telling me stories that are incredable. I later began asking the adults in charge about the stories that they told me, and here is what the adults told me. Jesus is alive and real. He hasn't forgot about the people that the rest of the world has forgotten about. Jesus has been showing himself to the people in the rural villages, and they are getting saved, day after day, more and more people turning from there demon worship after a divine visitation from God. Jesus has been meeting kids in there bedrooms, in dreams, sometime actually there standing in front of them, while they are out in the woods, Jesus is coming and meeting them. Or sometime He calls them to a place where He is there waiting for them. One kids felt inside of him that Jesus was there and was running all over looking for Him. He ran all over the village looking for Jesus, because he just knew that Jesus was there. Finally he found Him, or Jesus ound him. Jesus has been telling them about how they are worshipping false Gods and they need to turn and leave that behind and follow Him. These are real occurences, and they are truning to the christians looking for discipleship and training because they are so hungry to know about this guy that they visited with. No just a single case, but many cases. The people that we were helping are now, are going there, to these villages (2 hours driving one way) to share about Jesus with them. One day in a little vilage they decided to hold a meeting to tell just kids about the love of Jesus, and they had over 400 people show up. You need to understand that most of the villages up there are little, and 400 people showed up!!! I was talking to a couple of kids 8 years old, and 10 years old and they kept wanting to talk about the bible so I asked them what they already knew so we could skip that part. They told me about the two parts of the Bible, the new and old testament. Then they told me how many books the bible has, and what they all were called. Then they went on to tell me in what language they were originally written in, and who wrote them, and they they started telling me, from memory, different verses of the Bible!!! Here is what I found most amazing of all, they didnt help each other, they had it memorized, both of them!!! These kids 8 years old, and 10 years old knew more about the Bible than me and most Bible teachers that I know. I asked myself how is this possible????? And I was shown the answer a little later in the night. Later that evening I was talking to a man that has dedicated his life to doing what we are now involved in, and he told me that he makes it a priority to spend atleat 3 days a week teaching these kids the Bible. They are so hungry to hear about Jesus they are taking parts of the Bible and memorizing it. They know that that face of Jesus is found on the pages of this incredable book, and that through Him and His Holy word they will find life, and life more abundantly.
As I have been praying about my life and how I can make the most impact what I am still alivem and what is truely important, God has been revealing that it is not about what we have and dont have that makes us who we are, it is Him who gives us our identity. Then finally, when I think that He felt I was ready, He showed me how much of an absolutely impossible task it is to actually think that I can provide anything for my family. According to the words of God, "My words will not return to me void, I make things happen that I want to happen, and I make them do things that I want to do". This I memorized years ago but the significance of it hit me like a Japanese gong. If God wants to give me a cattle on a thousand hills, and a house worth 10 million dollars, then He is going to do it, and there is NOTHING that WE can do for it, or against it. The same is true for the opposite, if God wants to withhold the things in life that make us "blessed" as we call it, He will do just that. We absolutely cannot sway the desires of God one little bit. What God wants, He gets, and that is that! These kids have shown me what a true blessing life is. When they dont have boots, or even shoes, to cover there feet in the winter snow, they are smiling. When they are wearing a t-shirt and it is only 20 deg. outside, they are still smiling. And when we pulled up in a vehicle full of cloths, and shoes, and other things, there was no pushing, pulling, fighting, crying, or anything, they just respectfully accepted what we gave, thanked us and then thanked God.
As I stood there in a dirty field, with sweat dripping off my foreheard, listening to the sound of worship music playing in the background in the church, watching my kids playing soccer in an open field with all the local kids, and watching the joy on the faces of the moms and dads, uncles, and brothers, daughters, and counsins. Listening to sounds of laughter and people swapping cloths for a size a little closer to something that they might wear, I thanked God for the amazing amount of Joy, Love, Peace, Goodness, Giving, and Life that He pours out on the people that He loves.
There is a song here that we sing in spanish that says, "Thank you, thank you for everything, for your love, for your salvation, and for the cross" These are the words that are now resounding through my body as I walk the streets of this city, and as I put my hands to the work that we are doing here. I have a new, revived energy to get the most out of every day, and every minute of every day to make sure that Jesus is made famous throughout my little part of the word that He has given me. No compramise, No change, No backing down.
We were able to go help out a place that has people that literally have nothing. Kids coming up without shoes, with old clothes, but with big smiles on there faces. They have nothing earthly that we as productive citazens of society strive after, but they have Jesus. I was astounded at the idea of this, so I began asking questions. What I found out was that these kids do not actually live in the cities. They are native kids from mountain villages where they live like they have for hundreds or maybe thousands of years. I began asking them how things were going in the little villages where they lived and they began telling me stories that are incredable. I later began asking the adults in charge about the stories that they told me, and here is what the adults told me. Jesus is alive and real. He hasn't forgot about the people that the rest of the world has forgotten about. Jesus has been showing himself to the people in the rural villages, and they are getting saved, day after day, more and more people turning from there demon worship after a divine visitation from God. Jesus has been meeting kids in there bedrooms, in dreams, sometime actually there standing in front of them, while they are out in the woods, Jesus is coming and meeting them. Or sometime He calls them to a place where He is there waiting for them. One kids felt inside of him that Jesus was there and was running all over looking for Him. He ran all over the village looking for Jesus, because he just knew that Jesus was there. Finally he found Him, or Jesus ound him. Jesus has been telling them about how they are worshipping false Gods and they need to turn and leave that behind and follow Him. These are real occurences, and they are truning to the christians looking for discipleship and training because they are so hungry to know about this guy that they visited with. No just a single case, but many cases. The people that we were helping are now, are going there, to these villages (2 hours driving one way) to share about Jesus with them. One day in a little vilage they decided to hold a meeting to tell just kids about the love of Jesus, and they had over 400 people show up. You need to understand that most of the villages up there are little, and 400 people showed up!!! I was talking to a couple of kids 8 years old, and 10 years old and they kept wanting to talk about the bible so I asked them what they already knew so we could skip that part. They told me about the two parts of the Bible, the new and old testament. Then they told me how many books the bible has, and what they all were called. Then they went on to tell me in what language they were originally written in, and who wrote them, and they they started telling me, from memory, different verses of the Bible!!! Here is what I found most amazing of all, they didnt help each other, they had it memorized, both of them!!! These kids 8 years old, and 10 years old knew more about the Bible than me and most Bible teachers that I know. I asked myself how is this possible????? And I was shown the answer a little later in the night. Later that evening I was talking to a man that has dedicated his life to doing what we are now involved in, and he told me that he makes it a priority to spend atleat 3 days a week teaching these kids the Bible. They are so hungry to hear about Jesus they are taking parts of the Bible and memorizing it. They know that that face of Jesus is found on the pages of this incredable book, and that through Him and His Holy word they will find life, and life more abundantly.
As I have been praying about my life and how I can make the most impact what I am still alivem and what is truely important, God has been revealing that it is not about what we have and dont have that makes us who we are, it is Him who gives us our identity. Then finally, when I think that He felt I was ready, He showed me how much of an absolutely impossible task it is to actually think that I can provide anything for my family. According to the words of God, "My words will not return to me void, I make things happen that I want to happen, and I make them do things that I want to do". This I memorized years ago but the significance of it hit me like a Japanese gong. If God wants to give me a cattle on a thousand hills, and a house worth 10 million dollars, then He is going to do it, and there is NOTHING that WE can do for it, or against it. The same is true for the opposite, if God wants to withhold the things in life that make us "blessed" as we call it, He will do just that. We absolutely cannot sway the desires of God one little bit. What God wants, He gets, and that is that! These kids have shown me what a true blessing life is. When they dont have boots, or even shoes, to cover there feet in the winter snow, they are smiling. When they are wearing a t-shirt and it is only 20 deg. outside, they are still smiling. And when we pulled up in a vehicle full of cloths, and shoes, and other things, there was no pushing, pulling, fighting, crying, or anything, they just respectfully accepted what we gave, thanked us and then thanked God.
As I stood there in a dirty field, with sweat dripping off my foreheard, listening to the sound of worship music playing in the background in the church, watching my kids playing soccer in an open field with all the local kids, and watching the joy on the faces of the moms and dads, uncles, and brothers, daughters, and counsins. Listening to sounds of laughter and people swapping cloths for a size a little closer to something that they might wear, I thanked God for the amazing amount of Joy, Love, Peace, Goodness, Giving, and Life that He pours out on the people that He loves.
There is a song here that we sing in spanish that says, "Thank you, thank you for everything, for your love, for your salvation, and for the cross" These are the words that are now resounding through my body as I walk the streets of this city, and as I put my hands to the work that we are doing here. I have a new, revived energy to get the most out of every day, and every minute of every day to make sure that Jesus is made famous throughout my little part of the word that He has given me. No compramise, No change, No backing down.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
A little catch up.
We have not wrote in a little while. We have been very busy at our home lately. Last weekend we had twenty teenagers spend the night with us on Oct. 31. We celebrated a night of life instead of a night of death. On Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and 2 Mexico celebrated it most famous holiday. It is called el dia de muertos (the day of the dead). We had a great time with this awesome group of teens. Needless to say we were very tired the next day but we were blessed right after the teens left to be able to go and hand out clothes to a shelter that our ministry helps with. This was a awesome experience for us and our daughters. God did many great things there and He was glorified. We have many pictures on our flicker account if you would like to see how our last weekend went.
Now for this weekend we were able to go to another town and hand out clothes, food, and help with another ministry our ministry provides supplies for. This has been our favorite place we have worked in. We are so blessed to have the boss that we have. Him and his wife have really taken us under there wings and blessed us with their family. This is also a great time for us and our spanish because none of them know english. Makes for some really memorable times. Then after being in the viliage for the day on Saturday we went to one of our friends birthday party. This woman is such a awesome person to us and we truly love that the Lord has blessed with her. She is searching for God in a way that I wish many people would. He is always faithful to the people who love Him.
We are very tired after our busy weekend. We were able to rest after our work with the teenagers this morning and after church. We are very thankful for these times of rest as a family. Our daughters always make us laugh and smile on these days of blessings. Please be in prayer for us for this very busy week we are coming upon. We have to have all our donations bagged and ready for our annual social help day coming up next Monday. There are around two thousand bags we need to prepare. Also Ross will be leaving for a missions trip on Friday through Sunday with the teenagers to a little village. We will write later to inform you with more information on these ministrys. Many blessings to you all and thanks again for your continued support of our ministry the Lord has placed us in. Amanda
Now for this weekend we were able to go to another town and hand out clothes, food, and help with another ministry our ministry provides supplies for. This has been our favorite place we have worked in. We are so blessed to have the boss that we have. Him and his wife have really taken us under there wings and blessed us with their family. This is also a great time for us and our spanish because none of them know english. Makes for some really memorable times. Then after being in the viliage for the day on Saturday we went to one of our friends birthday party. This woman is such a awesome person to us and we truly love that the Lord has blessed with her. She is searching for God in a way that I wish many people would. He is always faithful to the people who love Him.
We are very tired after our busy weekend. We were able to rest after our work with the teenagers this morning and after church. We are very thankful for these times of rest as a family. Our daughters always make us laugh and smile on these days of blessings. Please be in prayer for us for this very busy week we are coming upon. We have to have all our donations bagged and ready for our annual social help day coming up next Monday. There are around two thousand bags we need to prepare. Also Ross will be leaving for a missions trip on Friday through Sunday with the teenagers to a little village. We will write later to inform you with more information on these ministrys. Many blessings to you all and thanks again for your continued support of our ministry the Lord has placed us in. Amanda
Monday, November 03, 2008
The last of the questions from the teen in Acapulco
Here ya go. Hope they are informative for you. If you would like to comment on any of them please send a reply back to us. We would love to hear your input alsoo. This is the way we learn from each other. Iron sharpens iron. Later Amanda
Where do animal go when they die? Do they have spirits?
Animals simply die when they die. God made them a part of creation. Animals do have souls. We know this because they can think, feel, simulate love but they cannot truly love like humans can. They do not have spirits. You need to understand that God made man in His image. Not animals, trees and nature. This is all part of creation. This is a big difference. In the end all of creation will be made perfect and whole just like it was in the Garden of Eden. This is why we are alowed to eat animals and it is not wrong. Animal do not understand the concept of death. Please know that this does not allow us to be cruel to animal though. God says to take care of them and tend to them. When someone kills an animal for any reasons other than to eat them, we need to look at that person and see why they choose to do the things that they are to that animals. If people are hurting animal just to hurt them they are probably dealing with other issues in there heart.
How can I know when God is talking to me?
One way is by knowing the scriptures. God will never go against His word. If you are told to do something that the Bible says is wrong, it is not the Holy Spirit talking to you. You have to first start to trust in God in the small things. Some people would call Gods voice your conscience, but we as Christians know it is Gods voice. It is most likely not going to be a voice that booms down from Heaven. It can happen like this, but more than likely not. It is that voice that is inside of you that helps you make your everyday decisions. You can go against this voice and that is usually when you choose to sin and do something wrong that you feel is wrong. That is why when you choose to sin and you feel like you did something wrong or you feel bad about the choice you made. Gods choice will always lead you to peace in the end. God is not fear or chaos. He is a God of order and peace.
Are all the mental disease in the world spiritual problems?
No this is a good lie for Satan to get you scarred that there is a demon under every rock and around every corner. This way you will become fearful and for you to not understand the true power we have in God over demons. Yes obviously some of the mental diseases are caused by demons. It says it in the Bible, but why would God have given humans the knowledge to make medicines for these conditions. Some are simple chemical conditions in the brain. This is because the fall of man. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden sickness and pain came upon mankind. The choice was made by man not God. He intended to live in perfect harmony with mankind but we chose to disobey His commands. So with telling you this you also need to know that God can choose to heal these conditions. He has the power to do that. Have faith and talk to your Heavenly Father. He will talk back to you. Please also know this about depression our choices can be the cause of this disease. If we continually choose to sin against God and do the things He tells us not to do, depression can eventually come from this. Not because God is striking down punishment on you, but because He tells us not do these things because He knows what they lead to. Example: if you are having sex before marriage then your heart can be broken from that person. You gave a piece of yourself to that person. If you continue to keep giving pieces to people you are going to eventually have a broken heart. He tells us not to do this because He cares and doesn't want us to be hurt.
Can we be discriminated by the way we dress in church? Can we be seen as a bad infulence by the way we dress?
Ok yes and yes are your answers. I wish that the people in the church would confront people more often about this issue. Have you looked at the church women lately? You never know the difference from the Christians and the non-Christians anymore. If a woman has her goods hanging out, how are men around her suppose to be able to worship with a clear mind? We are suppose to be set apart from the world not the same as them. You may also be coming at this from a different perspective so I am going to also write about the other angle. There is also a difference in generations we have to look at. The older generations might not like the way you dress because they think you look sloppy. This is where the generations need to realize they are different and not everything is going to look the same. The older generations need to learn they are not in the 50s anymore and the younger generations need to learn how to respect the older generations. The new look now is all black and skulls and crossbones. This is one I would have to take the older generations side on. If you look dark they are probably going to think you are living that way. I love to where dark clothes but if you like that style you need to show them with your life that you don't believe in darkness, not just with your words. If you are living the true life of a Christian then they problably won't question you on this. But if you are living a luke warm christian life then they have reason to question. This all comes down to the way you live your life and the Christian testimony you show to people. This is why a relationship is important not a religion. If people your age would realize this, then your generation would be the one to help change the world of religion. You decide!!!!! OK with the skulls in this generation I do believe you need to skip this style. If you are a child of the light then you will not want to be associated with death. This can from a generations that is hurting and that death is try to destroy. Don't buy into this style. This is not the way of God. It is another spirit that you are suppost to be fighting against, and not by sporting its style. Think about it!
Why do many people laugh at the sins of other people?
Because they are ignorant and are not acting like a real Christian. People who are not christians love sin and they love to watch others fail. This is a good way for you to look at a person and see if they are truly a Christian or if they are just talking the talk. You need to be able to confront this person in love. If you don't pray first about confronting this person you will not have the Holy Spirit guiding your words. Read Matthew 18:15-17.The church has become a den of hypocrites, because they are not running the church how God tells us to. We shouldn't be supprised that the world doesn't want to hear what we have to tell them. True Christians need to step up to the plate and start living the life of Christ. I am so tired of luke warm christians it make me sick. This is why Jesus says if you are luke warm He is going to vomite them out of His mouth. Make sure you don't fit into this category! Your future depends on it!
Why do people with high positions in the church laugh at others when they are the ones who helped make them sin?
This also goes along with the last answer. Our churches need to go back to what the Bible has to say about its leaders and deacons. The church is not a place for a popularity contest. It is suppose to be the House of God. We are to follow His way on how to chose the leadership of our churches. This is found in 1 Timonthy 3:1-16.
How do I stand up in a difficult moment?
By testing your faith in everyday choices. This goes back again to what we drilled inside of you guys over the youth conference. It is not a religion it is a relationship. If you are only wanting a piece of Jesus during church, church events and to please your parents. You will never be able to stand strongh during times of troubles. Jesus is picking our His followers now during this time in history. Find out who this Jesus really is to you, and how He fits into your life. Be in prayer and thanksgiving during the easy times. So that you will stand strongh during the difficult times.
Is it true that God don't forget all the sin that we do just so we can remember how He saved us?
No this is not true. In the bible God tells us in Psalm 103:12 “ As far as the east is from the west, that's how far He has removed our transgressions(sins) from us”. He also give a lot more verses that say this. Now this doesn't mean that you will not have to deal with the consequences of your actions. This means that He will not remember them on the day of Judgement. Even if you were a chrisitan your whole life and have always been a good person. You still have to give Him thanks and remember what He did for you. You are a human and because of the sin of mankind you were born into sin. You didn't need to do something really bad for you to have to remember to give thanks to God. Giving thanks is an act of worship which we are to do nonstop. The only sin that will not be forgiven is to blasphemy the Holy Spirit. I am sure that you have not done this one. One thing I do want to say is Jesus died for all of mankinds sins so we wouldn't have to. He didn't die in vain. Remember He died for you. Keep this in mind. It will help you to remember to give Him Glory.
How will I know if I am a good servant of God?
If you are living like Jesus did in the Bible! Have you ever wondered why we call Jesus Lord? This is a very powerful word. A Lord is someone over us. Someone we will serve, obey, give honor, and do whatever is told of us to do. Think of the knights who served a king. They were loyal, trustworthy, honest and would died to defend the king and his kingdom. Do you live this way for God? This is what HE asks of us as His servants. Here are a couple verses that talks about a servant in the Bible. 1 Timothy 4:6-10 and Luke 19:17. Here is a poem that I hold very close to my heart. This is why I live the life that I do so that one day I might hear this from my King.
Welcome home my child, My son your work on earth has been well done. You have been a witness to many while on this earth. And you've shared the story of My miracle birth. You never hid the fact that you loved Me. You shared My Word no matter what the need might be. You spoke of me often to family and friends, and you showed how faith can streghten and often mends. You did your best to always give the glory to me; And, for this you will live eternally. And now the time has come for you to rest; I'm taking you home as my special guest. Welcome home My child, My son – your work on earth has been well done.
I was very hypocritical with so many people and I feel terrible. How do I make this right?
Well first of you have to be humble. Which it sounds like you are already trying to do. Admit that you were wrong and vow not to do it again. This is a question that I wish more people would ask more often. If people are not willing to hear you, then that is not your problem. It will become your problem again if you don't keep your word. Remember your word is your life. You are not to vow to anything because nothing is really truly yours to vow against. It all belongs to God. When you speak let it be like you are talking to God. This will help you be accountable to others. Remember that you are held accountable to God and not man. If they will not hear you will at least know your are right with the person that really matters. If they do hear you, then you need to forgive them completely and then forgive yourself.
I just wanted to thank you guys for such a awesome 8 days. You are all great young adults. We hope to get to spend sometime with you again soon. If you have any other questions please feel free to write us or call us anytime day or night. Blessing in His Name. Amanda Johnston
Where do animal go when they die? Do they have spirits?
Animals simply die when they die. God made them a part of creation. Animals do have souls. We know this because they can think, feel, simulate love but they cannot truly love like humans can. They do not have spirits. You need to understand that God made man in His image. Not animals, trees and nature. This is all part of creation. This is a big difference. In the end all of creation will be made perfect and whole just like it was in the Garden of Eden. This is why we are alowed to eat animals and it is not wrong. Animal do not understand the concept of death. Please know that this does not allow us to be cruel to animal though. God says to take care of them and tend to them. When someone kills an animal for any reasons other than to eat them, we need to look at that person and see why they choose to do the things that they are to that animals. If people are hurting animal just to hurt them they are probably dealing with other issues in there heart.
How can I know when God is talking to me?
One way is by knowing the scriptures. God will never go against His word. If you are told to do something that the Bible says is wrong, it is not the Holy Spirit talking to you. You have to first start to trust in God in the small things. Some people would call Gods voice your conscience, but we as Christians know it is Gods voice. It is most likely not going to be a voice that booms down from Heaven. It can happen like this, but more than likely not. It is that voice that is inside of you that helps you make your everyday decisions. You can go against this voice and that is usually when you choose to sin and do something wrong that you feel is wrong. That is why when you choose to sin and you feel like you did something wrong or you feel bad about the choice you made. Gods choice will always lead you to peace in the end. God is not fear or chaos. He is a God of order and peace.
Are all the mental disease in the world spiritual problems?
No this is a good lie for Satan to get you scarred that there is a demon under every rock and around every corner. This way you will become fearful and for you to not understand the true power we have in God over demons. Yes obviously some of the mental diseases are caused by demons. It says it in the Bible, but why would God have given humans the knowledge to make medicines for these conditions. Some are simple chemical conditions in the brain. This is because the fall of man. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden sickness and pain came upon mankind. The choice was made by man not God. He intended to live in perfect harmony with mankind but we chose to disobey His commands. So with telling you this you also need to know that God can choose to heal these conditions. He has the power to do that. Have faith and talk to your Heavenly Father. He will talk back to you. Please also know this about depression our choices can be the cause of this disease. If we continually choose to sin against God and do the things He tells us not to do, depression can eventually come from this. Not because God is striking down punishment on you, but because He tells us not do these things because He knows what they lead to. Example: if you are having sex before marriage then your heart can be broken from that person. You gave a piece of yourself to that person. If you continue to keep giving pieces to people you are going to eventually have a broken heart. He tells us not to do this because He cares and doesn't want us to be hurt.
Can we be discriminated by the way we dress in church? Can we be seen as a bad infulence by the way we dress?
Ok yes and yes are your answers. I wish that the people in the church would confront people more often about this issue. Have you looked at the church women lately? You never know the difference from the Christians and the non-Christians anymore. If a woman has her goods hanging out, how are men around her suppose to be able to worship with a clear mind? We are suppose to be set apart from the world not the same as them. You may also be coming at this from a different perspective so I am going to also write about the other angle. There is also a difference in generations we have to look at. The older generations might not like the way you dress because they think you look sloppy. This is where the generations need to realize they are different and not everything is going to look the same. The older generations need to learn they are not in the 50s anymore and the younger generations need to learn how to respect the older generations. The new look now is all black and skulls and crossbones. This is one I would have to take the older generations side on. If you look dark they are probably going to think you are living that way. I love to where dark clothes but if you like that style you need to show them with your life that you don't believe in darkness, not just with your words. If you are living the true life of a Christian then they problably won't question you on this. But if you are living a luke warm christian life then they have reason to question. This all comes down to the way you live your life and the Christian testimony you show to people. This is why a relationship is important not a religion. If people your age would realize this, then your generation would be the one to help change the world of religion. You decide!!!!! OK with the skulls in this generation I do believe you need to skip this style. If you are a child of the light then you will not want to be associated with death. This can from a generations that is hurting and that death is try to destroy. Don't buy into this style. This is not the way of God. It is another spirit that you are suppost to be fighting against, and not by sporting its style. Think about it!
Why do many people laugh at the sins of other people?
Because they are ignorant and are not acting like a real Christian. People who are not christians love sin and they love to watch others fail. This is a good way for you to look at a person and see if they are truly a Christian or if they are just talking the talk. You need to be able to confront this person in love. If you don't pray first about confronting this person you will not have the Holy Spirit guiding your words. Read Matthew 18:15-17.The church has become a den of hypocrites, because they are not running the church how God tells us to. We shouldn't be supprised that the world doesn't want to hear what we have to tell them. True Christians need to step up to the plate and start living the life of Christ. I am so tired of luke warm christians it make me sick. This is why Jesus says if you are luke warm He is going to vomite them out of His mouth. Make sure you don't fit into this category! Your future depends on it!
Why do people with high positions in the church laugh at others when they are the ones who helped make them sin?
This also goes along with the last answer. Our churches need to go back to what the Bible has to say about its leaders and deacons. The church is not a place for a popularity contest. It is suppose to be the House of God. We are to follow His way on how to chose the leadership of our churches. This is found in 1 Timonthy 3:1-16.
How do I stand up in a difficult moment?
By testing your faith in everyday choices. This goes back again to what we drilled inside of you guys over the youth conference. It is not a religion it is a relationship. If you are only wanting a piece of Jesus during church, church events and to please your parents. You will never be able to stand strongh during times of troubles. Jesus is picking our His followers now during this time in history. Find out who this Jesus really is to you, and how He fits into your life. Be in prayer and thanksgiving during the easy times. So that you will stand strongh during the difficult times.
Is it true that God don't forget all the sin that we do just so we can remember how He saved us?
No this is not true. In the bible God tells us in Psalm 103:12 “ As far as the east is from the west, that's how far He has removed our transgressions(sins) from us”. He also give a lot more verses that say this. Now this doesn't mean that you will not have to deal with the consequences of your actions. This means that He will not remember them on the day of Judgement. Even if you were a chrisitan your whole life and have always been a good person. You still have to give Him thanks and remember what He did for you. You are a human and because of the sin of mankind you were born into sin. You didn't need to do something really bad for you to have to remember to give thanks to God. Giving thanks is an act of worship which we are to do nonstop. The only sin that will not be forgiven is to blasphemy the Holy Spirit. I am sure that you have not done this one. One thing I do want to say is Jesus died for all of mankinds sins so we wouldn't have to. He didn't die in vain. Remember He died for you. Keep this in mind. It will help you to remember to give Him Glory.
How will I know if I am a good servant of God?
If you are living like Jesus did in the Bible! Have you ever wondered why we call Jesus Lord? This is a very powerful word. A Lord is someone over us. Someone we will serve, obey, give honor, and do whatever is told of us to do. Think of the knights who served a king. They were loyal, trustworthy, honest and would died to defend the king and his kingdom. Do you live this way for God? This is what HE asks of us as His servants. Here are a couple verses that talks about a servant in the Bible. 1 Timothy 4:6-10 and Luke 19:17. Here is a poem that I hold very close to my heart. This is why I live the life that I do so that one day I might hear this from my King.
Welcome home my child, My son your work on earth has been well done. You have been a witness to many while on this earth. And you've shared the story of My miracle birth. You never hid the fact that you loved Me. You shared My Word no matter what the need might be. You spoke of me often to family and friends, and you showed how faith can streghten and often mends. You did your best to always give the glory to me; And, for this you will live eternally. And now the time has come for you to rest; I'm taking you home as my special guest. Welcome home My child, My son – your work on earth has been well done.
I was very hypocritical with so many people and I feel terrible. How do I make this right?
Well first of you have to be humble. Which it sounds like you are already trying to do. Admit that you were wrong and vow not to do it again. This is a question that I wish more people would ask more often. If people are not willing to hear you, then that is not your problem. It will become your problem again if you don't keep your word. Remember your word is your life. You are not to vow to anything because nothing is really truly yours to vow against. It all belongs to God. When you speak let it be like you are talking to God. This will help you be accountable to others. Remember that you are held accountable to God and not man. If they will not hear you will at least know your are right with the person that really matters. If they do hear you, then you need to forgive them completely and then forgive yourself.
I just wanted to thank you guys for such a awesome 8 days. You are all great young adults. We hope to get to spend sometime with you again soon. If you have any other questions please feel free to write us or call us anytime day or night. Blessing in His Name. Amanda Johnston
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Using circumstances around us to learn about God
I really want to blog this time about what God has been teaching me lately. He has been teaching me about using the circumstances aroud us to propel us forward in our relationship with Him. The question that I have been asking is what does it take to live a life of excellence and not settling for a life of mediocrity. The first thing that I seen is that we need to be willing to have a change of heart before God will do anything with our lives. One thing that I am learning is that God is a gentlemen. In this day in age that we live in, commonly called the age of grace, God will not force himself on anyone. I have been asking somethings about our lives and why they are there. The answers that I have been getting are not what I was expecting. Instead of an easy answer, like I was expecting, God began showing me some negative things and how to turn them around for the positive. This is a concept that is not new, and I guess you could say that I am a slow learner. They are similar to ancient martial arts concepts. Using the force of your enemy against them. These things teach patience and perseverence, which is the only thing that will carry us through in these trying time that we live. I know that there are alot of people out there that are very worried about the financial market and what is going on with the politics in our country. These things I also spend a lot of time thinking about as well, but God has been showing me that it is not up to me to worry about it. Showing me that His will is being done in the world no matter what. Then I was given somethings that we might be able to use in our daily live. It is not much more than a paridime view. For example, we can us a time of trial, also as a time to learn perseverance.Also problems create perseverance, and in a time of what we feel as if we are defeated to learn about how to handle victories. We need to check our intentions and then we will learn consistancy, and also a time of cronic testing to learn to live in a state of constant fighting. This will produce a life of excellence and not a life of mediocracy. This is all fine and good and then I realized that in order to achieve that place, we need to go through those times of testing first. This is best seen in the world around us at the wellness centers. What does it take to make muscle??? This is the same with "spiritual muscle". I am learning to be quiet and still before God, and wait on Him for whatever comes my way.
I need to go now and get to bed and rest. I am so tired after the last few days of hosting parties, and a missions trip and other things. We have posted some new photos on our flickr account so you can see some of what we have been doing lately. Thank you for all of your support and for prayer. We have had some attacks lately from the enamy because he is scared. This means that we are making ground and pushing the kingdom forawd. We do need prayer for continued protection and provion while we push back the darkness and reveal the light.
I need to go now and get to bed and rest. I am so tired after the last few days of hosting parties, and a missions trip and other things. We have posted some new photos on our flickr account so you can see some of what we have been doing lately. Thank you for all of your support and for prayer. We have had some attacks lately from the enamy because he is scared. This means that we are making ground and pushing the kingdom forawd. We do need prayer for continued protection and provion while we push back the darkness and reveal the light.
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