Prayer

This weeks theme will be the power of prayer. For all of you who know Doug Kensrue, and even if you don't...please pray without ceasing for him this week.  He has a tumor in his brain that is pressing on his communication center in his frontal lobe.  Pray that his family has a peace that surpasses all understanding throughout this week as they prepare Doug for surgery tonight or Wednesday.  Pray for the Doctors to have patience and steady hands.  Pray for the Doctors wisdom.  Pray for the family to feel love and support from those surrounding them.  God is MIGHTY TO SAVE AND TO HEAL.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18).

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26). 

Surprise Folsom!

This past weekend we had a much needed semi-vacation to Folsom in Northern California.  We went up to surprise our friend Todd for his 40th birthday.  It was gorgeous weather and we fell in love with Folsom all over again.  Kasey, Kris and Jamie got a chance to dirt bike on the track and I had a chance to sit and be still, which is something I rarely let myself do.  It was a restful yet tiring weekend, filled with good laughs, conversation and especially good food!  We were even able to go to this awesome church in Folsom called Lakeside.  This church is a sister church of Ethos in San Diego and Mosaic in LA.  They had awesome worship and it pretty much sealed the deal for my dreams to move up to Folsom (simply a dream that we are assessing the reality to).  It was so nice to just sit and be with eachother for the 8 hour drive up and down, and throughout the whole weekend.  It's crazy how sometimes we don't realize how little we allow ourselves to miss the other when we are on fast forward through the routine of life.  This weekend I fell in love with Kasey all over again, and it was the best!  Things I learned from our trip are that it is okay to sit and be still.  Thats the beauty of vacations.  It is okay to fall in love over and over again.  Thats the beauty of marriage. Its okay to get caught up in the moment and dream. Thats the beauty of life.


*picture of Folsom Lake at sunset

What did He do for you?

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross you broke my shame and sinfuless you rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny through the storm and through the fire there is truth that sets me free
 Jesus Christ who lives in me
You are stronger you are stronger
Sin is broken you have saved me it is written Christ is risen Jesus you are Lord of all
No beginning and no end You're my hope and my defense
 you came to seek and save the lost you paid it all upon the cross

So let your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher be lifted higher

.prayer.

"When I am praying the most eloquently, I am getting the least accomplished in my prayer life. But when I stop getting eloquent and give God less theology and shut up and just gaze upward and wait for God to speak to my heart He speaks with such power that I have to grab a pencil and a notebook and take notes on what God is saying to my heart." -AW Tozer

Thought for today

Truth

aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. aim at earth and you get neither. - CS Lewis

JAM Winter Camp

So as most of you know, Kasey and I are on Jr. High Staff at our church.  This past weekend, we went up to Forest Home Christian Camp for Winter camp with over 80 Jr. High kids.  Needless to say, we are just now recovering, 5 days later...  =)  We had such a blast hanging out with the kids, worshiping, praying with the kids, playing fun games, and falling deeper in love with Jesus.  Our theme was "The Wedding Feast."  

We talked about the parable in Matthew chapter 22 where the King throws a wedding feast.  All are invited to this feast; but not all are welcomed in.  The main point of this story is that the guests MUST be wearing the special wedding clothes; the Host's clothe.  In this story, Nate (the youth pastor) described the King as God.  God invites everyone to "the feast" (Heaven), but you have to be wearing the "host's clothes" (the righteousness of God).  

We explained to the kids that the GREAT EXCHANGE was when Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins.  Jesus took on ALL our sin (past, present, and future) and exchanged our "filthy rags/ filthy lives" with "pure robes" (the clothes of righteousness).  By this example of amazing love and forgiveness, we are JUSTIFIED through Christ.  This means we "move from guilty to guilt free."  

When we are justified, we must CONFESS our sin.  This means we must admit we are wrong.  Second, we must REPENT of our sin.  This means we must turn away from our sin.  Last, we must have faith.  Faith that Jesus Christ loves and forgives us.  When we are justified through Christ, we can have a HOPE THAT IS GREATER THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD.  We can have hope that we will spend ETERNITY with our Lord in heaven.  Heaven is a perfect place filled with joy and happiness.  There will be no more pain, tears, anger, stress, anxiety, hurt, disease, burdens. Instead, there will be pure and unconditional LOVE. 

 I think the best part about this is it does not matter what you have done.  It does not matter how unworthy of love you feel you are.  GOD LOVES YOU and He WILL FORGIVE YOU.  No matter what.  No matter what.   If you have any questions about this idea of perfect love... please talk to me or Kasey.  We would love to take you out and chat about it!  =)

here are some awesome pictures from our weekend.

Kasey and I led "TEAM BLACK" (and won)

All the Kids and Staff...note the passion and commitment to the team colors.

Our "awkward Prom" photo at the dress up "Wedding Feast" on Saturday night  =)

Voyagers- Junior High Ministry