High School Youth Group~ Hume Lake Christian Summer Camp

I have expressed a lot this last year how it has been a huge blessing for our daughter to finally find some fruitful friendships with a handful of girls. She has blossomed in so many ways. Our church plant is very small and does not include young people her age...So she has been attending youth group with her bestie this last year at a community church on Wednesday evenings. A few posts back I shared the lip sync contest fundraiser they did to put funds toward the Hume Lake Summer Camp. They did very well with the fundraiser and gave many kids a nice sum of money toward their trip costs. Another gift/blessing was that an anonymous person wanted to help our daughter with some extra money toward her camp fees. So in the end we were

 able to send her to this great week long Summer Camp.  

We met at the church early Sunday morning to get them all signed in, health screened and to pack up the caravans that were transporting the kids up to the lake. I just look at my girl and can't believe how much she has grown in independence, starting High School this Fall and blooming this delightful character. The excitement of going to this camp was huge for days before the trip. We packed everything she would need! We all prayed together before they left, gave her hugs and kisses and sent her off with the group. I'm eagerly waiting in excitement for her, to hear about the whole trip. They have some awesome activities for these group of kids...

I heard from a gal friend of mine that they actually are using the movie prop Pirate Ship from Pirates of the Caribbean for their set at the camp. How awesome is that!!! They will also be enjoying times of worship, praise and devotions with their groups, and activities like kayaking, boating, swimming, grass games, adventure, team sports/games etc... 

I am so excited for her! 

I just know she's having the time of her life! I miss her at home, 

but this is really good for her! She will return home next Saturday. 

Oh Happy Summer!!!

Good Friday

 He was despised and rejected by men;
   a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
   he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

  Surely he has borne our griefs
   and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
   smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
   he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his stripes we are healed.
  All we like sheep have gone astray;
   we have turned -every one- to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
   the iniquity of us all.

 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he opened not his mouth;
 like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
   and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

   so he opened not his mouth.

Ish.53:3-7

*****

 God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us

Romans 5:8

****

»-(¯`v´¯)--»

Voting !!!!

Why did I vote for McCain and Palin?

I am proud to say I voted for them because I have Christian morals against abortion, for keeping marriage between a man and a woman only, they are for the family, McCain was a war hero, they are truly Americans.

I have many more beliefs and thoughts on this subject but for me these were some at the top of my list.

Obama wants to bring America down, he is a Socialist, he has no heart for women, he believes that murdering the unborn is okay, he wants to break up family and believes in same sex marriages, he wants to shove homosexuality down our throats by putting the agenda in our children's schools, he never served for America, he isn't even an American at all.

No, I am not a racist. I have many different Nationalities and colors in my own family, I have many black friends whom by the way are not voting for Obama. I am voting for the one with good Christian morals for this is the right thing to do.

I am proud to be an American and feel shame for those who are blinded from the biast media, those who have families of their own and are willing to vote for a Socialist who is against families and life.

I pray for those who are blind by this moral truth.

Please open your eyes folks !!!

God is in control and no matter what the outcome of the votes it is ultimately God's plan no matter who gets elected.

My hope is not in any man but in God who "directs the hearts of Kings".

My friend Liz summed it up well here:

It's an easy vote, Christians. We vote for LIFE. We imitate Christ who laid down His own life, so we might live. Before we had a vote, He voted for us. In obedience to the will of the Father, He voted for us. So we imitate Him, walk by faith, in obedience, knowing that our Father can raise the state of this nation's economy just as easy as He raised Christ. He is a God of miracles and redemption. So we lay down whatever we have to....

....... to vote for those babies.

I shall wash my hands in innocence,

And I will go about Thine altar, O LORD,

That I may proclaim with a voice of Thanksgiving,

And declare all Thy miracles.Psalm 26: 6 & 7

Time Again, Carving Prayer Pumpkins.....

We have become a new creation when Jesus comes into our heart.

#1 Read Matthew 23:25-28

#2 Revelations 3:20

How is the stuff we pull out of the pumpkin like sin in our hearts ?

( Both yucky, they're inside us )

How is the way we clean out our pumpkin like the way Jesus cleans us out when we confess our sins ?

( All the yucky stuff is taken away )

after you have completed the face of the pumpkin read 2 Cor 5:17 and Ephesians 2:10

How have we made this pumpkin a " New Creation " ?

( It started out only a pumpkin, now it is a Jack-O-Lantern )

How do we become a new creation, when Jesus comes into our hearts ?

(We learn to Love Him more... Our light shines and we become His Children )

#5. Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

When Jesus comes into our hearts, we become new creations.

#6. Read Matthew 5:14-16, then light a candle inside the pumpkin

Turn Off Lights

Discuss how God wants our light to shine before others ?

#7. Read 2 Corinthians 4:6

In what way does the candle light come through the pumpkin like, the way God wants our light to shine ?

Sing: This Little Light Of Mine

What happens when we hide our light so that others are unable to see it ?

Bring out a regular pumpkin....

If we live good Christian lives, in Glorifying God, His light will always shine through, no matter what !!!

Boldly Professing His Faith In Christ....

"When a person stands before other people and says he believes in me, then I will say that person belongs to me".

Our son made his descion that he wanted to profess his faith publically before our Church Family. His profession was done with integrity, conveying that his membership in our Church is a serious, core commitment to his life.

It was a blessing to see this young man of ours stand up with such boldness for Christ. That day was a special time in his life as for ours as a family. We are proud of the young man which he is becoming.

By the Holy Spirit, I am made one with the Lord Jesus Christ. I am baptized into Christ’s body, the church, along with all others who confess him by faith. As a member of this community, I trust in God’s Word, share in the Lord’s Supper, and turn to God constantly in prayer. As I grow in grace and knowledge, I am led to do the good works that God intends for my life.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith..." Heb 10:22

Good Friday .....

My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:45-46)

When Jesus cried out these words, they were not the delusions of a man in pain. His faith was not failing Him. As Christ hung there, He was bearing the sins of the world. He was dying as a substitute for others. To Him was imputed the guilt of their sins, and He was suffering the punishment for those sins on their behalf. The physical pains of crucifixion, horrible as they were, were nothing compared to the wrath of the Father being poured out upon Him.
In short, Jesus was dying on that cross for your sins and mine. The Apostle Paul said that Jesus “loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). And Jesus loves you too, and He gave Himself for you.
After this ordeal, Jesus gave His fifth statement from the cross and the first words of a personal nature:
“I am thirsty!” (John 19:28)

Jesus then uttered His famous last words:
"It is finished!” (John 19:30)

The word “finished” is translated many ways: “It is made an end of.” “It is paid.” “It is accomplished!” But what was made an end of?—Our sins and guilt that accompanied them. What was paid?—The price of redemption! What was accomplished?—The work the Father had given the Son to do.
Jesus’ final prayer to His Father was:

“Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

The Last Sin Eater ....

We watched this power film directed by Michael Landon Jr. and really enjoyed it !!! I am just sharing to those who are tired of Hollywood junk.. there are good films out there that have meaning to them. this one was really good and I am not afraid to recommend it.. but please do take a moment to view the link below.. see what it is about.. what other viewers have to say about it. Enjoy !!!

click here for the synopsis, some thoughts and praises for this movie Christian Entertainment.

The Pumpkin Prayer ....

Here are our children's Prayer Pumpkins .....

We have become a new creation when Jesus comes into our heart.

#1 Read Matthew 23:25-28

#2 Revelations 3:20

How is the stuff we pull out of the pumpkin like sin in our hearts ?

( Both yucky, they're inside us )

How is the way we clean out our pumpkin like the way Jesus cleans us out when we confess our sins ?

( All the yucky stuff is taken away )

After you have completed the face of the pumkin read 2 Cor 5:17 and Ephesians 2:10

How have we made this pumpkin a " New Creation " ?

( It started out only a pumpkin, now it is a Jack-O-Lantern )

How do we become a new creation, when Jesus comes into our hearts ?

( We learn to Love Him more... Our light shines and we become His Children )

#5. Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

When Jesus comes into our hearts, we become new creations.

#6. Read Matthew 5:14-16, then light a candle inside the pumpkin

Turn Off Lights

Discuss how God wants our light to shine before others ?

#7. Read 2 Corinthians 4:6

In what way does the candle light come through the pumpkin like, the way God wants our light to shine ?

Sing: This Little Light Of Mine

What happens when we hide our light so that others are unable to see it ?

Bring out a regular pumpkin....

If we live good Christian lives, in Gloryifying God, His light will always shine through, no matter what !!!