Guest Blogger: Seth Barstow (Youth Convention)

God really hit my heart at Youth Convention '08. On the first night when our speaker, Pat Schatzline, called people to the altar and everyone in the stands flooded down to the stage, I knew that God's presence was with us. Then, at the second session he talked about purity and romance. I knew God hit a lot of souls with that session, but the session that really hit me was the last one. Pat talked about bone carriers and how God was there to help carry "them bones". After the sermon Pat did an altar call, and at that point I felt God's presence take control in a way I've never felt before. It was warming, and it gave me a new view on life. Most importantly, I felt God's love all over me. It was a beautiful moment. After a while I looked up and saw many people crying, unbelievers calling out to God for forgiveness, and believers thanking and crying out to God. I'm glad God gave me the opportunity to go to Youth Convention '08.

Awesome couple of days!!!

We all had a great time at the Youth Convention in Hershey PA. I wish we could do that everyday. Worship was awesome, the scriptures were right on and all the fun was great. Although Mike Allen managed to lose his bible at the hotel. Hopefully some one who needs one will find it and keep it.

District Fine Arts '08

Go Hannah!! a.k.a. ONES

Compromise?

How often have you thought about what is acceptable in light of not wanting to offend someone? How many times have you been torn between standing up for the standards in your life and not wanting to show judgement towards someone you care for that doesn't share your standards?
These are very valid questions that can seem to tear at our sanity! The very first thing that we need to do is go to God in prayer. It says in James 1 that all we need to do is ask for wisdom, and God will give it to us.
Then, we need to check our motives. Do we just want to fit in, or are we genuinely wanting to show love and support? Are we wanting to show the light of Christ, or are we wanting to show how cool we can be? After you have gone to God for wisdom and you have searched yourself for the true motives behind your struggle, follow through with what you feel God wants you to do. There is no reason to sit around and wait. If God is wanting you to step up and make a stand for what is right, then stand firm and know that God will never leave you. He will be your Rock!!
Now, if you feel as though God is giving you the peace to let a situation just die on its own, then love the people that are in the situation. You don't have to agree with everything that people you care about do. This never means that you have to compromise your standards. What it does mean is that God sent His Son down to this earth to die for our sins and I know that He hasn't agreed with every decision that you or I have made. But He made that sacrifice, anyway. I don't want to try to dictate someone elses growth, but I would like to be a part of it. I would hate to lose the opportunity to bless someone because I chose a really small hill to die on. I love the patience that God has shown with me, allowing me the room to grow. I pray that I can show others the patience that God has shown me!

March 2nd, 2008

Everyone do the Nacho!! (What's with the blue lips?)