tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23077352478192239742024-03-21T22:25:07.476-05:00Running with PerseveranceTherefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the reace marked out for us. Let us fixe our eys on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-4665339374293483682012-07-04T17:06:00.001-05:002012-07-04T17:07:10.861-05:00Challenge UpdateReconciliation. That has been a constant theme the last few days. What a powerful word that is. Reconciliation: to make something right, to make oneself no longer opposed, to re-establish relationship with. When God created Adam and Eve and gave them life in the fullest, they decided they wanted more. The completely rejected the rule God had for them and sinned against Him. Their act of rebellious disobedience caused a break in relationship. They were no longer in perfect unity with Christ. BUT the story doesn't end there. Genesis 3:15 is the fist foreshadowing of the the man who will make a way for that relationship to be reconciled. Jesus will come and conquer sin & satan. Jesus humbling came to earth as a baby, lived a perfect life and gave of himself for us. He took our sins, he became our sins ( 2 Cor. 5:21). He took our penalty of death upon Himself. Jesus has reconciled Himself to us. HOW COOL!<br />
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This theme has been an evident part of the way God has been working in students, leaders and even our speakers the last few days. I've seen students surrender to God, praise God for this reconciliation and be changed because of that. I've seen students realize some of their relationships with each other aren't at peace...and they reconcile those relationships. This morning one of the speakers spoke to the adult youth leaders about how God was molding and shaping him in this area. God is at work and it is so cool to see and be personally a part of.<br />
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This morning we continued on in the theme of getting rid of our old way of life and being hidden in Christ. (Col 3:5-11). We are made alive in Christ, we no longer our slaves to our sinful nature, but our slaves to Christ, to righteousness. Craig Cross did an excellent job conveying this to students this morning. He has a ministry specifically to porn/sex addicts and spoke directly to the hearts of teens in this area. Check out his ministry website <a href="http://www.xxxchurch.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. God is doing a work in our students. Pray for us as we process these intense messages from the word, pray that we would respond in surrender and obedience to our Savior.<br />
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Here are a few pictures of the last few days:<br />
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<br />Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-6841082166355601212012-07-02T13:59:00.001-05:002012-07-02T13:59:44.944-05:00Challenge UpdateHello Parents and fellow Wichita friends! We are having a great time in New Orleans! We apologize for the late communication with this blog...we just got hooked up with internet. So we have lots to fill you in on...so I'll just hit some of the main points.<br />
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Let me start by saying...your students are awesome! They have gone with the flow, been flexible, had great attitudes. They are a great group to travel with!<br />
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Saturday we started the day off hunting for alligators...well maybe not hunting...but we did find some!<br />
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I was not able to go on this swamp tour...but I heard lots of cool stories. A lot of the kids got to hold a baby alligator that was a few months old. I am sure you will hear all about the tour...if you haven't already :)<br />
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Yesterday we spent most of the day serving. What a cool day that was! Our group was split up all over the place helping the Challenge staff get ready for the conference. There were several groups standing out in the hot sun welcoming people and directing them where to go, they were groups helping carrying luggage in, there were groups helping with set up...and all of them were excited and ready to work!<br />
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Francis Chan hit us hard with some truth of Scripture last night and this morning. We have studied Colossians 1:15-23 in the last 2 sessions. *You check out some short clips and pictures of that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EFCAchallenge" target="_blank">here</a>.*<br />
You can never be told to often or too much who Jesus is and it can never get old. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, Jesus is the firstborn over all creations, all things were created FOR Jesus. WE are made FOR Jesus. Jesus holds ALL things together. Jesus is our everything and everything belongs to Him and is for Him! The cool thing about all of this...we rejected this magnificent, perfect, holy, Jesus but instead of Him just walking away from us...He reconciled himself to us. He made a way for us to be in unity with Him...the almighty God. Jesus made that sacrifice for us on the cross and paid the penalty for ours sins...so that God could reconcile Himself to us. COOL! It's all about Jesus who has made everything right on the cross.<br />
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I am so excited to see God continue to do a work in students and leaders. I know God has already been rocking my heart big time. I will try and give you guys an update every day to let you know what is happening. In the meantime, here are some things you can pray for:<br />
1. God would break down walls and break and humble us.<br />
2. Students would be responsive to God's voice.<br />
3. As we serve tomorrow all around the city that New Orleans would come alive with Christ...that people would encounter Jesus and the freedom He brings.<br />
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Check out the challenge <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EFCAchallenge" target="_blank">Face Book</a> page for more pictures and videos....but here are a few to keep you entertained :)<br />
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<br />Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-54969751939673017232011-03-10T19:33:00.001-06:002011-03-10T19:38:38.057-06:00ChurchAs I sit in class my mind wanders to the Church. Perhaps it is because I'd rather be sitting in Dan Kreis's living room studying Jesus with my brothers and sisters. But instead I must sit and listen to a lecture about oceanography. Growing up I when I heard the word "church" my mind automatically painted a picture of a building with 4 walls and a steeple; the place I went on Sunday mornings. When I hear the word "church" now my mind goes to an army, an army for Christ; my brothers and sisters. The people. What if we constantly had this imagine in our mind, what if we lived like we believe WE are the CHURCH? We are the Bride of Christ, we are the Kingdom. Oh the power in those statements! Why do we not grasp this? Why do we not live this way? Why do I not live this way? I was brought to tears watching a group of teenage girls living this out last night. As I sat and watched and listened to their words, their words of encouragement, the way they loved, how they shared scripture with one another, how they cried with one another, how they prayed for one another, how they were Christ to one another! The joy that wallowed inside of me came out in tears. We can learn from them. The amount of love they have for one another reflects just what Paul was talking about in 1 John 4. They love because they have been loved by Christ, they sacrifice because they were given the ultimate sacrifice. I long and desire to see this everywhere! I find myself crying out to God for Him to desperately break me, to desperately break His Church, to show us what it means to love one another. I see Him moving. Oh how I love my Heavenly Father.<br />
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I don't really know who reads this...or if anyone reads this. But if you are reading this and you want to know more about The Church, about love or just about God in general, I would LOVE to talk with you.<br />
For those reading that claim to be Christ followers, let this be an encouragement to love one another as Christ loved us. Don't go through another day without reaching out and loving people.<br />
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1 John 4: <br />
" Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-52638551690102480562011-02-16T12:58:00.000-06:002011-02-16T12:58:52.945-06:00What love really means.He cries in the corner where nobody sees <br />
He's the kid with the story no one would believe<br />
He prays every night, "Dear God won't you please... <br />
Could you send someone here who will love me?"<br />
<br />
Who will love me for me<br />
Not for what I have done or what I will become<br />
Who will love me for me<br />
'Cause nobody has shown me what love<br />
What love really means<br />
<br />
Her office is shrinking a little each day<br />
She's the woman whose husband has run away<br />
She'll go to the gym after working today<br />
Maybe if she was thinner <br />
Then he would've stayed<br />
And she says... <br />
<br />
Who will love me for me? <br />
Not for what I have done or what I will become<br />
Who will love me for me?<br />
'Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means<br />
<br />
He's waiting to die as he sits all alone<br />
He's a man in a cell who regrets what he's done<br />
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul<br />
"Oh Lord, forgive me, I want to go home"<br />
<br />
Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside<br />
And it said <br />
"I know you've murdered and I know you've lied<br />
I have watched you suffer all of your life <br />
And now that you'll listen, I'll tell you that I..."<br />
<br />
I will love you for you<br />
Not for what you have done or what you will become<br />
I will love you for you<br />
I will give you the love <br />
The love that you never knew<br />
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<strong style="color: black; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+4:10&version=NIV">1 John 4:10</a></strong><br />
"This <b>is</b> <b>love</b>: not that we <b>love</b>d God, but that he <b>love</b>d us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."<br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John+3:16&version=NIV">1 John 3:16</a></strong><br />
"This <b>is</b> how we know what <b>love</b> <b>is</b>: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."<br />
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I see and encounter people who ask the question "who will love me?", they feel alone abandoned and unloved by everyone in their lives. God has a special place for these people, God loves these people. He gave his son for these people. Jesus went through pain and abandonment far greater just so we could be in a love so great nothing can take us from it. Jesus has laid down his life for me, my life is now about laying down my life for my brothers and sisters. This song by JJ Heller makes me cry every time. This world is filled with darkness, and it breaks me to know there are people asking and saying somebody just love me! I want my life to be about loving these people, love every single person. I want every single person I encounter to encounter JESUS. If you are reading this and you feel alone and unloved, read those verses, get in contact with me. I would love to sit down and have coffee with you! Jesus will love you for you!<br />
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</div>Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-85012276901507935152010-08-18T12:49:00.000-05:002010-08-18T12:49:35.656-05:00New VisionSummer is quickly coming to an end and for a lot of you it has. You have made your way through your first day of school. Some of you, your first day of high school....those can be scary days but some of the best days of your life. This summer I have reflected back on last school year and looked ahead to this year. As I searched my heart and allowed God to show me what he wanted from me I found I had failed Him once again. God had given me multiple opportunities last school year to build relationships and direct people to the cross. But I didn't take them. I came broken before God knowing I had failed and missed opportunities to glorify Him. God is a gracious and forgiving God and for that I am eternally thankful! So God has given me a new vision and passion for school this year. Classes start for me on Friday. After looking at the roster of people who are in my classes I came to find that in all but one class I know no one. At first I was bummed about this...but then it hit me that this was God's way of placing me out of my comfort zone and giving me opportunities again to glorify His name. I am prayerfully looking forward to Friday to connect to people in my class. I want this school year to be about one thing and one thing only, furthering HIS KINGDOM!<br />
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So some of you that read that sentence about your first day's of high school being some of the best of your lives may be thinking,"ya right, it was horrible". Start looking at it through the eyes of Christ. Look at the hundreds of people you pass by everyday, hurting people, desperate people, lonely people, lost people, people who need Jesus. You aren't there by accident. God wants to use you in the halls and classrooms of your school...are you going to let Him? I'm done with high school I can't go back....I can't undo my bad attitude, my meanness and my apathy. But you are there now, this is your chance this is your opportunity to change your school for Christ. Allow God to work in and through you and you will begin to see His hand prints all over!<br />
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Therefore let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLbvp4_fZN41ii5GwG3An2g1V3WO3yBvrHVdXGk0jdXWn9VTQXVRbtFhNPsjoJCB_Cawf6uqZkORpagmvt2QbdhQMH7TqdwDtohsDlM3l06ZXlcG5TeZvM2iXCadLIJKGt-H-XOmmWs2A/s1600/images4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLbvp4_fZN41ii5GwG3An2g1V3WO3yBvrHVdXGk0jdXWn9VTQXVRbtFhNPsjoJCB_Cawf6uqZkORpagmvt2QbdhQMH7TqdwDtohsDlM3l06ZXlcG5TeZvM2iXCadLIJKGt-H-XOmmWs2A/s400/images4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-15320083130915755042010-06-22T23:25:00.000-05:002010-06-22T23:25:04.949-05:00What does God tell us to do with the poor?Old Testament passages<br />
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• "Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan." Exodus 22:22 <br />
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• "Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits." Exodus 23:6 <br />
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• "During the seventh year, let the land lie unploughed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove." Exodus 23:11 <br />
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• "Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19:10 <br />
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• "Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly." Leviticus 19:15 <br />
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• "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 23:22 <br />
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• "If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold. . . . If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. . . . If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave." Leviticus 25:25, 35, 39 <br />
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• "If an alien or a temporary resident among you becomes rich and one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells himself to the alien living among you or to a member of the alien's clan, he retains the right of redemption." Leviticus 25:47-48 <br />
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• "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18 <br />
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• "At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied." Deuteronomy 14:28-29 <br />
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• "However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you." Deuteronomy 15:4 <br />
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• "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother." Deuteronomy 15:7 <br />
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• "Be careful not to harbour this wicked thought: The seventh year, the year for cancelling debts, is near, so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin." Deuteronomy 15:9 <br />
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• "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be open-handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11 <br />
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• "Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns." Deuteronomy 24:14 <br />
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• "Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge." Deuteronomy 24:17 <br />
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• "When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow." Deuteronomy 24:19-21 <br />
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• "'Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow.' Then all the people shall say, Amen!'" Deuteronomy 27:19 <br />
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• "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honour." 1 Samuel 2:8 <br />
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• "as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor." Esther 9:22 <br />
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• "When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up and kills the poor and needy; in the night he steals forth like a thief." Job 24:14 <br />
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• "Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him." Job 29:12 <br />
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• "Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?" Job 30:25 <br />
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• "If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary." Job 31:16 <br />
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• "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9 <br />
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• "But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish." Psalm 9:18 <br />
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• "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the LORD, I will protect them from those who malign them. " Psalm 12:5 <br />
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• "You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge." Psalm 14:6 <br />
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• "This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles." Psalm 34:6 <br />
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• "My whole being will exclaim, Who is like you, 0 LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.'" Psalm 35:10 <br />
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• "The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright." Psalm 37:14 <br />
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• "Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay." Psalm 40:17 <br />
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• "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." Psalm 68:5 <br />
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• "Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, 0 God, you provided for the poor." Psalm 68:10 <br />
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• "The poor will see and be glad-- you who seek God, may your hearts live! The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people." Psalm 69:32-33 <br />
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• "Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay." Psalm 70:5 <br />
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• "He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor." Psalm 72:4 <br />
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• "For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death." Psalm 72:12-13 <br />
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• "Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name." Psalm 74:21 <br />
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• "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4 <br />
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• "But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks." Psalm 107:41 <br />
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• "For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him." Psalm 109:31 <br />
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• "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor." Psalm 112:9 <br />
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• "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;" Psalm 113:7 <br />
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• "I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food." Psalm 132:15 <br />
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• "I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy." Psalm 140:12 <br />
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• "He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free" Psalm 146:7 <br />
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• "The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked." Psalm 146:9 <br />
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• "I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy." Proverbs 13:23 <br />
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• "He who despises his neighbour sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy." Proverbs 14:21 <br />
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• "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God." Proverbs 14:31 <br />
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• "The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact." Proverbs 15:25 <br />
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• "Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." Proverbs 16:19 <br />
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• "He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished." Proverbs 17:5 <br />
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• "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17 <br />
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• "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13 <br />
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• "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 22:9 <br />
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• "He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich -- both come to poverty." Proverbs 22:16 <br />
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• "Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court." Proverbs 22:22 <br />
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• "A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops." Proverbs 28:3 <br />
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• "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27 <br />
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• "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." Proverbs 29:7 <br />
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• "Those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind." Proverbs 30:14 <br />
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• "Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:9 <br />
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• "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20 <br />
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• "If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still." Ecclesiastes 5:8 <br />
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• "Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17 <br />
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• "The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?' declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty." Isaiah 3:14-15 <br />
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• "to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless." Isaiah 10:2 <br />
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• "With righteousness he will judge the needy; with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked." Isaiah 11:4 <br />
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• "The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety. But your root I will destroy by famine; it will slay your survivors." Isaiah 14:30 <br />
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• "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall." Isaiah 25:4 <br />
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• "Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 29:19 <br />
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• "The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just." Isaiah 32:7 <br />
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• "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them." Isaiah 41:17 <br />
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• "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Isaiah 58:6-7 <br />
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• "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." Isaiah 58:10 <br />
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• "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1 <br />
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• "On your clothes men find the lifeblood of the innocent poor, though you did not catch them breaking in. Yet in spite of all this you say I am innocent.'" Jeremiah 2:34 <br />
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• "I thought, These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.'" Jeremiah 5:4 <br />
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• "(They) have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor." Jeremiah 5:28 <br />
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• "if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm," Jeremiah 7:6 <br />
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• "This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place." Jeremiah 22:3 <br />
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• "'He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD." Jeremiah 22:16 <br />
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• "Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked." Jeremiah 20:13 <br />
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• "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." Ezekiel 16:49 <br />
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• "He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked." Ezekiel 18:7 <br />
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• "The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice." Ezekiel 22:29 <br />
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• "This is what the LORD says: For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back [my wrath]. They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.'" Amos 2:6-7 <br />
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• "Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, Bring us some drinks!'" Amos 4:1 <br />
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• "Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land." Amos 8:4 <br />
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• "Buying the poor with silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, selling even the sweepings with the wheat." Amos 8:6 <br />
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• "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other." Zechariah 7:10 <br />
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• "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,' says the LORD Almighty." Malachi 3:5 <br />
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New Testament passages<br />
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• "Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Matthew 19:21 <br />
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• "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35 <br />
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• "They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." Mark 12:40 <br />
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• "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed." Luke 4:18 <br />
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• "So he replied to the messengers, Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.'" Luke 7:22<br />
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• "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." Luke 12:33 <br />
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• "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind." Luke 14:13 <br />
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• "When Jesus heard this, he said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Luke 18:22 <br />
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• "Beware of the teachers of the law . . . They devour your widows' houses . . . Such men will be punished severely." Luke 20:46-47 <br />
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• "'Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.' He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it." John 12:5 <br />
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• "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor." Acts 9:36 <br />
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• "Cornelius stared at him in fear. What is it, Lord?' he asked. The angel answered, your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.'" Acts 10:4 <br />
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• "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings." Acts 24:17 <br />
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• "On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'" Romans 12:20 <br />
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• "For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem." Romans 15:26 <br />
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• "All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." Galatians 2:10 <br />
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• "Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need." 1 Timothy 5:3 <br />
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• "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27 <br />
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• "Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and becomes judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?" James 2:2-6 <br />
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• "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-68416715520099071832010-06-11T22:52:00.000-05:002010-06-11T22:52:14.877-05:00RemainWell as you all know...we have made if home safe and sound. As I am sitting here processing the week...I stand in awe of how amazing the God we serve is! He did a mighty work within the lives of your students! I was blessed to be a part of it...and I know I can speak for the other leaders in saying that as well! I will continue to pray for you students...God isn't finished with them yet! I am praying Hebrews 12:1 over each of them!<br />
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Students...you are awesome! Run the race with perseverance! Hold each other accountable! I love each of you and look forward to the rest of the summer with you!<br />
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Yellow Swarm signing out...Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-47087980509618126012010-06-10T12:28:00.000-05:002010-06-10T12:28:34.566-05:00Sorry for the delay, we are alive...Greetings from the land of thin air and moose jerky! We apologize for the lack of bloggage, but we attempted to do a video update and it didn't want to upload, so let's recap the last few days, shall we?<br />
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The weather is phenomenatastic, comparable to a big bowl of tapioca pudding (if you're into that sort of thing). For fun we've enjoyed many a fun activity, such as swimming, volleyball, Nuke-em (ask your kid), ninja (ask your kid), Wa (pregunta tus hijo), and some card games of various varieties. Recreation time is also a blast. <br />
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As much fun as we've been having...God has been at work ten times more! He has been working in your students lives drastically and it is so cool to watch and be a part of. We have continued on in Genesis and the sin that continued. Tuesday night we looked at Genesis 6 (the story of the Sons of God and daughters of men). This was the last straw before the Flood. God came in and dealt with the sin again by destroying the earth. However the sin came back...last night we look at the Tower of Babel. So, God came in and dealt with sin every time, but every time sin came back. So is God incompetent? Did God fail? Absolutely not! He was pointing them to the only thing that could save them from their sin. JESUS CHRIST! He is and was the only thing that could save them from their sin. Christ not only took away our sin, but became sin for us ( 2 Corinthians 6:21). It humbles me and breaks me. Christ loves us so incredibly much.<br />
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Several students were broken before God last night. It was very cool to see the Spirit moving among them. I'm sure you are anxious to talk with your child...and several of them are anxious to talk to you about decisions they have made this week!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78sLPek6SRVNNVzbLdEkewNIzVcGhIlrAfwvkOxvwpccG2LDQXsh7aEbSuEM1bWF3QXJMAIcDtDldI8kreZUIgleq6I7-1cLUjEHiEk3foy60k5cXTn99lZEjvuQCqPMf73bWdy1KgEos/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78sLPek6SRVNNVzbLdEkewNIzVcGhIlrAfwvkOxvwpccG2LDQXsh7aEbSuEM1bWF3QXJMAIcDtDldI8kreZUIgleq6I7-1cLUjEHiEk3foy60k5cXTn99lZEjvuQCqPMf73bWdy1KgEos/s320/IMG_0732.JPG" /></a></div> Our group last night playing a game together!<br />
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Please continue to pray for us!Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-86423562404436353702010-06-08T00:19:00.000-05:002010-06-08T00:19:31.219-05:00How will you REspond?r<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFdRHbzXbWauYkFYe6rcU5XsM3ieSY1YAj49i96bDwGRKYnSKL2tcYlCrx3Q2qqXwVdhm9k0WK1Ytk7shoJyrvIXt2W6jQW8GT4YCIlNucV8ji120aTgiCLVzYAG0n_7OG6a3hVkUj6M_/s1600/IMG_2608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFdRHbzXbWauYkFYe6rcU5XsM3ieSY1YAj49i96bDwGRKYnSKL2tcYlCrx3Q2qqXwVdhm9k0WK1Ytk7shoJyrvIXt2W6jQW8GT4YCIlNucV8ji120aTgiCLVzYAG0n_7OG6a3hVkUj6M_/s320/IMG_2608.JPG" /></a></div>Caleb standing tall and proud on the mountain they climbed this morning!!<br />
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This morning at about nine we started out on a hike up the mountain. Most of the kids made it up, a few however just couldn't handle the change in the altitude so I headed back down with them. I heard it was a beautiful scenery! As you can see it sure looks like it!<br />
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Today was a full and challenging day. Matt led our "family group time". This is a time of Bible study with our group. We dug deep into God's word. We looked specifically at Micah 6:1-8. He gave them 3 things they should strive for in their daily walk with Christ; Walk Humbly, Love Mercy, Act Justly. I would encourage you to read the passage and meditate on it. This is a theme that will be throughout the week. God continually redeemed the nation of Israel even after they constantly rejected Him. God is a forgiving God! Thank you for constantly coming after and redeeming us!<br />
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The main session tonight was even more challenging for the students and leaders alike. We will be studying Genesis the next few nights. We looked at the story of Cain and Abel. Sin is deadly. When sinned entered the world...death entered the world. God told Cain in Chapter 4 vs. 7 " <i>If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." </i>God gave Cain a chance to flee...and Cain totally ignored it and ran straight into sin. Are we running from sin? Are we mastering the sin in our lives? Or are we ignoring and making it small, or simply going to deal with it later? Sin is DEADLY! Respond to God and Repent! As students process and work through sin in their lives my prayer is that they respond with a repenting heart. God is a forgiving and loving God and is waiting for them to come running into His arms.<br />
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Please continue to pray for us! Tomorrow will be our first full day! I am excited to see God continue to work in each of your students lives! He has already begun a mighty work!!Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-71447172311892001132010-06-06T23:29:00.000-05:002010-06-06T23:29:30.470-05:00Eagles and RainbowsWell, after a long day of traveling we made it in about 6:00 Mountain time. The travel time was good. Lots of fun times with the students! We had lots of free time once we arrived and got all checked in so the guys group went and mini golfed, while the girls chit-chatted and went on a walk. <br />
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Matt led a time of worship tonight for the group. He directed the focus toward a passage from John 4, where Jesus tells the Samaritan woman of the time when true worshipers of God will worship Him in spirit and in truth. What does that mean? It's our hope that no matter where we or the students are in their walks with the Lord, that we can come to the throne of God with the truth that we understand about Him and worship Him with our spirits, expecting that as we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us and reveal more truth about Himself.<br />
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As we begin tomorrow morning with a morning hike, our prayer is that students will experience God through His majestic creation!<br />
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Goodnight from the eagles and rainbows!Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-8819211851480997032010-05-31T17:07:00.000-05:002010-05-31T17:07:44.539-05:00Student Life CampWow 6 days till we are headed off to Student Life Camp in Colorado! I can't believe how quickly it is approaching. I am extremely excited! Nothing beats being up in the mountains with 20 students running hard after God!! I am praying for every student and adult leaders as the day quickly approachs. My prayer is that each one of them come back radically changed for God!!! See you all Sunday morning at 7:30!!!Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-12549510247007264822010-04-25T15:18:00.000-05:002010-04-25T15:18:28.746-05:00How should Christians handle doubt?<object height="344" style="background-image: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/K63CWOgiqbg/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K63CWOgiqbg&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K63CWOgiqbg&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-81420048552768777882010-03-10T14:37:00.000-06:002010-03-10T14:37:25.959-06:00Are we all called to be a Missionary?A missionary is someone with a mission, someone who has been sent out to get people to believe in their beliefs. In the Christian definition, a missionary is someone with a mission, a mission to share the gospel with the people of the world.<br />
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I grew up hearing of missionary's and our church supporting and sending these missionaries to foreign countries to tell people about Jesus. I always thought missionaries were people who went to other countries far away and told people about Jesus. I never thougth of them as being local...I always thought they had to be overseas. Well, that was a very wrong definition of a missionary. A missionary is somone with a mission, a mission to share the gospel with the people of the world....ALL the world. That doesn't mean only the far off plains of Africa or the crashing waves of Australia, it also ment downtown Wichita, Colorado, Chicago..ect. Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in <em>Jerusalem</em>, and in all <em>Judea </em>and <em>Samaria</em>, and to the <em>ends of the earth</em>." This verse speaks so well to where missionaries are to be placed geographically. To give a brief understand Judea is a region within Jerusalema nd Samaria was a adjoining region to the north. So Jerusalem would be like Kansas, Judea would be Wichita and Samaria would be Kansas City. I think Jesus was trying to tell us something there...we must start in own cities and spread from there. If we are living life with a mission now where we are...how are we suppose to live life with a mission to the ends of the earth?<br />
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So to answer the question is are we all called to be a missionary? I say YES! Why? Matthew 28:18-20 " Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everthing I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." This was written to just certain believers...it was written to ALL believers. We are all called to be missionaries. We all have a mission; to share the gospel to the very ends of the earth. Where God places us and where He calls us to go is different for every person. Some are called to stay in Wichita working at an office job; that is there mission field, some are called to India some are called to Colorado...it is different for everybody. God's body is spread everywhere...to the ends of the earth. So where is your mission field? Are you living a life that reflects the kingdom...are you fullfilling the mission?Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-9207499663112397252010-02-10T14:34:00.000-06:002010-02-10T14:34:08.284-06:00Living a holy life...is it possible?<div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Peter 1: 14-16</span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"As obedient children, do not confrom to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."</em></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be holy because I am holy....that is one of the most life alterning verse. God is calling us...no he is commanding us to be holy. So what does this even look like...how to we even come close to living a holy life? The verse spells it out...number 1."<em>as obedient children"</em> we are to obey, obey God in everything we do. I think it is so easy for christians to believe they are obeying God. But every day we make choices to disregard God's commands and disobey. As I think about my day and all the choices I make, I know there are a lot that are disobeying God. Just today for example I was in the WSU parking lot...full of great drivers ;) Somebody came flying through the lot without stopping and almost hit me...I got upset and called this person an "idiot". That was so wrong. God calls us all to <strong>LOVE</strong>. That is one of many mistake....one of many times I disobey God. Obediance to God is a daily surrender to Him. Obediance is being filled 24/7 with the Holy Spirit. Obediance is falling humbly on your knees in repentance when you mess up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2nd thing<em>.."do not confrom to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance"</em></span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God regenerates are soul...he makes us new creations! "<em>The old has gone the new has come!"</em> (2 Corinthians 5:17) It's okay to have desires, but when they don't line up with God and His will thats when problems arise. God makes us a new creation....we are to leave are own desires behind and conform to His image..we are to take up our cross and follow Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So this is all so easy to say and talk about...the hard part comes when you put it into action. I know for me my life needs to look radically different if I am to be holy because God is holy. So what are some practical steps we can take to make the move toward holiness? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Number 1: Acknowleding the fact that you need to make changes and that you need God for that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Number 2: Asking God to show you what is not holy about your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Number 3: Getting rid of those things. and replacing them with God things...<em>ie serving, evangelizing, time in the word.</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is not a process that happens over night..nor is it a process that happens only once. This is a continual daily surrender to God and living a holy life. Whether you are a student, a small group leader, friend or stranger, God is calling you to something higher...will you answer His call?</span></div>Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-80419352441487564212008-10-24T13:56:00.000-05:002008-10-24T14:08:05.864-05:00Tattoos or not?I was listening to the radio on the way to school the other day and it made me laugh. They were debating whether tattoo's were a sin or not. Well the verse they used to back up this argument is Leviticus 19:28 "Do not cut your bodies for the dead of put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am Lord." So your first respone is...oh crap now I guess I can't get one. Haha..do your research. I decided to look up the verse well as I read the whole chapter it is a long list of rules and laws for levites. Read it for yourselves but for example...one of them is Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material or do not trim your beard. Well why take only the tattoo verse out? Why are the others just looked over and thought nothing of? Those people who use that verse as their argument against tattoos in my opinion looks like fools because they hold the double standard there. The other thing that is important to remember is that we are no longer bound by the Old Testement laws because of Jesus' blood on the cross.<br /><br />I still have not decided the right or wrong of tattoos. My first thoughts are that if the reasoning is one of bringing glory to the Lord its okay. In everything we do we are to bring glory to the Lord. But I also know that we are not to be of the world. Where is the boundary? I'm still researching more verses on this. My challenge I guess is to do the research for yourselves, when someone uses a verse, double check it. Check the context, the verses surrounding it. You will find great things.<br /><br />In everything I want to bring Glory to Your Name. Guide me, Teach me.Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-11776660229824744342008-09-22T14:44:00.000-05:002008-09-22T14:49:25.031-05:00Lemons or God?When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.<br />A simple saying thats been around for years. Everyone has heard it.<br /><br />No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.<br />I like this saying better. Rely on God to get you through the hard times....its much better. Let God be your rock, your salvation, your strength. HE will never fail.<br /><br />God is there when lemons are not :)Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-43208650413379764772008-09-01T09:25:00.000-05:002008-09-01T09:41:50.419-05:00Art...in its natural habitat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKWaiR_JDT-20Arh2l1dtzgw6YzsCj9c5XwgJzHbe5JXzevdKQrtM3lJ0tkS0a4nsFHx6nUnWtFVkoY19lsSGqmBYixVyc2ILaTKd0qxvpQ6-Cri32jJl-FcQT1NwesvQCGNzKYTPTEXA/s1600-h/Honduras+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241063110948316050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKWaiR_JDT-20Arh2l1dtzgw6YzsCj9c5XwgJzHbe5JXzevdKQrtM3lJ0tkS0a4nsFHx6nUnWtFVkoY19lsSGqmBYixVyc2ILaTKd0qxvpQ6-Cri32jJl-FcQT1NwesvQCGNzKYTPTEXA/s320/Honduras+034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So this semester I am in a class called Appreciation of theater. I read my first chapter last night. I was angry, frustrated and broken. Why? Because one of the first things it stated was that Art can only be created by human hands. Now at first you think well yea...but when you think about it. What about the sunsets? Are they not a piece of art? So as I began to ponder that I continued to read...it began to give examples such as Mountains are not art because they were not created by human hands, but an artists who paints mountains his piece is artwork. How in the world does that work? God the ULTIMATE artist gave those mountains to us, he made them, that was his original artwork, his creativity. I was so frustrated. I wanted to just put down the book and refuse to read it. But i didn't. I continued to read. It stated that art made you feel something. One of my favorite, actually my favorite part of nature is sunsets. I fall in love with God every time I see one. Watching sunsets make me feel something, I stand in awe of the creator, I stand in wonder of the piece of art in front of me. I marvel at the beauty of the sunset. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As I begin to continued reading I took down all my arguments and thoughts on the chapter. I am going to be prepared to back up my reasoning's and opinions. I have this class Tuesday night. I know this is going to be a test of my faith as I stand by my beliefs and faith. I'm scared and nervous but excited to see what God is going to do with this situation.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I challenge you today to stand in awe of God's artwork. Don't take it for granted. Find something in nature that just makes you fall in love with God every time you look at it. For me its sunsets, for you it could be mountains, birds chirping, beautiful flowers, thunderstorms, whatever it may be find it and fall before your Savior thanking him for allowing you to experience it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>"...since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:19-20</div>Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-84236330781744100362008-07-23T23:22:00.001-05:002008-07-23T23:34:30.126-05:00God's StoryAs I was sitting at Middle School AFW this week I was challenged...challenged to write out my testimony and share it with someday this week. As I thought back throughout my day I realized that I had had the perfect oppurtunity to share my faith that exact day. My mother and I were test driving a new car, of course the sales person was in the car with us and like normal was very chatty. It's not like he could have gone anywhere! I should have shared Christ with him right then and there, but I didn't. That moment God frowned upon me. I don't want God to frown upon me, I want him to smile at me and say Well done my daughter.<br /><br />So here goes writing out my testimony...<br /><br />I was born and raised in a Christian home. I grew up in church, West Evangelical Free Church, to be exact. I was about 4 or 5 when I first asked Jesus to come into my heart. I remember kneeling beside my bed and praying the prayer. I knew I was a sinner and that Jesus died in my place. But I didn't really fully comprehend all of it at such a young age. I was baptized at age 7 to publicly declare I was a follower of Christ. I didn't begin to get serious about my faith and take it as my own until I was about 13 years old. The fall of my 7th grade year I rededicated my life to Christ. I had a wakeup call, I wasn't living my life for Christ. I had my up and downs. As high school begun so did a long and bumpy path for me. I had a lot of health problems during my high school years, one of which made me stay homeschooled for the majority of my junior year. This was a very hard and trying time for me. I was angry at God. I kept asking why me? What have I done to deserve this? Throughout that whole process I began to realize that God has a plan for my life and its perfect and pleasing to Him. Without the struggles in life I wouldn't grow at all. I've come to realize that I must put my whole life in His hands. Not just a portion. The WHOLE thing. My God is a massive God, He has my whole heart, mind, body and soul. My mind is His mind, my heart is His heart, my hands are His hands, my feet are His feet, my words are His words. I am ready, willing and able. Use me. I will go wherever you send me.Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-56564174690582699052008-06-08T23:20:00.000-05:002008-06-08T23:27:41.921-05:00ForgivnessIt's funny how concidental God is. These past few days I've been wresting with and struggling with forgivness. How much it too much? Am I to quick to forgive? Is there such thing as too much forgivness? Jesus forgave more than anyone...isn't my forgiveness much like a molecule in comparison to His?<br /><br />As I sat there wresting with these thoughts I was very torn. Jesus was the ultimate forgiver. For crying out loud he forgave every single sin of mine....oh yea and everyone elses! So how can I sit there and think I to easliy and to excessivly forgive? Well I began pondering on these thoughts as I sat down to do a Jammin-n-june lesson...Haha. The lesson is on forgivness. Good one God! So I thought hmm this really is a simple elementary question so why am I wrestling with it so much? I've still yet to come to a complete conclusion othere than that I know that Jesus forgave everyone without hesitation and my ultimate life goal is to become like Jesus and to live a life modeled after His. My challenge is to keep questioning these hard things and searching out answers....continue to model your life after Christ. Forgive like Christ Forgave.Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2307735247819223974.post-48634589702834923852008-04-27T16:24:00.000-05:002008-04-27T16:32:07.012-05:00Reality CheckWhy can't I fix things? Why can I not change people's hearts within a minute?<br /><br />Because thats not my job. I had to face that reality last night. It was hard and painful. I felt like I was reliving a portion of my life. I had decided to go to prom with some friends from school last night...these friends claim to be christians and follow christ but it doesn't seem evident to me at all. and it sure didn't seem evident last night. Why is it okay on prom night to leave christ at the door, to forget about who you stand for and who you claim to be? Or are these people that do this...truly these people. If they say who they were why would they leave it behind? It is not okay to dump Christ for a school dance...or anything that matter. I was soo disappointed and broken. I ended up leaving..only an hour after i got there. I was sick of the enviroment and i wasn't going to participate. My friends version of dancing looked more like baby-makin to me....and i don't want no babies right now :) So anyway the point of this is to challenge you all to walk with Christ EVERYWHERE. Those are my thoughts for now.Karyssahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03071648318246971636noreply@blogger.com0