EPIC Student Ministry

EPIC FAMILY NIGHT

2012-01-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

EPIC FAMILY NIGHT

WHEN: January 25th (TOMORROW!)

WHERE: Junior High @ RC St. Paul's Lutheran Church from 5:40pm to 7pm
High School @ Lytton Lutheran Church from 7pm to 8:30pm

WHO: All members of an EPIC students' families (extended family included)

WHAT: Come and experience what your children do every Wednesday as well as receive tools to help build vibrant faith in their lives

WHY: Because you as families to our EPIC students are very important to us and you as parents are the biggest spiritual influence in your child's life! We want to support, encourage and partner with you as you do what you do best, be their parent!

QUESTIONS: email me! everypersoninchrist@gmail.com

Hope to see you all there! :-)

Devotional Day 6

2012-01-11T08:56:00.001-08:00

Matthew 5:8 Blessedare the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Pure heart...will see God. Wow thatis an incredible statement. One for me that is hard to fathom. Isee my heart and all the things I want to change. I see the sins I makein my thoughts, in my deeds, and in my words. I see all the ways I letGod down. I see all the ways I don't live as a Christian. I see howthe others apply to me. Poor in Spirit, mourning, meek, hungry and thirsty,in these I can relate. It means I am lacking and God has filled thatneed.

But pure in heart? To be pure wasreferred to as being clean. A pure heart is without defect, it is unmixedwith impure things, and it unwavering int its single devotion to God. Atthe cross I see how impure I am. How can we be pure in heart? Is iteven possible?

And honestly I think being completely purein heart will not happen for us until we are created completely new in Heaven. We are never going to stop making mistakes and that leaves our heartimpure.

ere are ways to purify our heart now. To start to make it clean, to get read of the defects, and impurities,and to have its focus and devotion be to God.

Jesus started this process with his deathon the cross. Through acceptance of his FREE AWESOME gift of forgiveness,grace and mercy we receive a new life here and now. Our sins (impurities)are washed away and we are given a new start and a new beginning. It issuch an amazing feeling when you are standing in the grace of God.

Let's be honest, though, that feelingdoesn't last and neither does our new clean heart. We walk away and 5 secondslater sin again. It can leave us feeling discouraged, disheartened, andwell impure.

But that doesn't mean we should give up! Faith walk with Jesus is a JOURNEY full of ups and downs, really high upsand really high downs, droughts, storms, and sunshine. The point is thatwe KEEP GOING. We keep our faith in God even if we don't see Him. We keepour faith in his promises of always loving and being with us. We keepwalking forward knowing our destination (Heaven) is better than we can possiblyimagine.

But Jesus didn't die and rise again so wecan journey alone or without direction. To keep on purifying our heart,the Bible gives us great verses to show us how.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? Byliving according to your word” (Psalm 119:9)

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sinagainst you” (Psalm 119:11)

God's WORD shows us exactly what a pureheart does and doesn't do. It fits so well in our progression. Whenwe realize we have nothing or can do nothing to get to God, when we realizewhat our punishment is but yet know it has been paid, and we hunger and thirstfor righteousness pretty soon we see our heart start to change from impure topure.

If we purse God's word (that means youactually have to read it) and pray to God asking for help (it's okay to admityou need help) and guidance (Holy Spirit here for a reason) we will startleading a different life. A life that reflects a heart that is beingpurified.

But this road of purifying our hearts whichin turn changes how we live does come with a cost. We might lose friends,possessions, status, and family members. We might get made fun of and maybeeven persecuted. We might even lose our life.

But Christ tells us in Matthew 10:39 Whoeverfinds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will findit.

Jesus gave up his life for us! Left his heavenly throneand glory to come to a broken world to save sinful people. Who are we togive him anything less? Even if we give up our life here we are met withan eternal life and a pure heart. There we will see God.

But I also firmly believe on our path to purify our heartsthrough God we will see Him. If we pursue Him and have our hearts andeyes open to Him, we will find Him. We might not see Him face to face butwe will know He is there by the stirring of our hearts.

What things in your heart need to be purified? Whatpath and journey are you on today?

I suggest praying Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God,and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See ifthere is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

May we together pursue pure hearts through the God who gaveus the chance to see Him

The Message version "You'reblessed when you get your inside world- your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world."

Devotional Day 5

2012-01-02T14:24:00.000-08:00

Matthew 5:7: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

I love how Jesus orders the beatitudes. Blessed are you if you are or do this because this will happen. You can almost reverse and say you are bless with this because you have done or are this.

For example today's beatitude. Blessed are you if you are merciful because you will get mercy. OR You are blessed with mercy because you are merciful.

The blessing and the action go hand in hand. You cannot separate the two. With the action comes the blessing but the blessing also requires the action. Is God good or what!? I love discovering small (or big) things like that in His word. It is so active and vibrant, so full of life! I love learning new things as He opens my eyes to the wonder of it all!

But today's beatitude is simply beautiful to me. Blessed are the merciful for they will be show mercy. Well what does it mean to be merciful?

Mercy = not getting something we deserve. For example: anyone ever got caught speeding only to receive a warning? We broke the law and deserve a ticket but the policeman/woman may act mercifully and give us a warning. {Probably hoping we learn from our mistake and not speed anymore :-)}

There is a awesome story in the Bible about mercy that portrays exactly what this verse is saying. In Matthew 18:21-35 (story is paraphased in my words) we find a king who wanted the money owned to him paid and settled. A man who owed him 10,000 bags of gold.

Side note: according to the footnotes in the Greek language the bags are acutally talents. A talent was according to footnotes of two Bible versions was about 20 years wages of money! 1 talent = 20 years of wages. 10,000 talents = 200,000 years of wages. One version said millions of dollars. What we know for sure is that 10,000 talents was A LOT A LOT A LOT of money.

But the man could not pay and so the servant's master ordered that his wife and children be sold to pay the debt (the amount owed to him). But the man fell to his knees and begged the king to be patient and he would pay it back. The master felt bad for the man and CANCELED THE DEBT and let him go. (Just like that millions of dollars in debt gone!)

So the servant left and found one of his servants who owed him a hundred silver coins aka a denarius that was equal to a day's wage for a labor. The servant told his servant to pay back what he owed. He demanded it so much he even grabbed his servant and began to choke him.

His servant fell to the ground on his knees and begged for him to be patient and that he would pay him back. (Sound familiar?)

BUT the servant refused and had the man thrown in prison until he could pay his debt. When the other servants saw what happend they told their master everything.

The master called in the servant who put the man in jail and said, "You wicked servant...I canceled ALL your debt because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have shown mercy to your servant just like I did to you?"

In anger, he had the servant put in jail to be tortued until he should pay back all he owed.

WOW! This story was told by Jesus because the topic of forgiveness was brought up but I think it clearly shows mercy too! If the man who owed a lot would have forgiven the man who owed him little, he would have been blessed because he showed mercy! I mean why didn't he? Especially after he was shown such an example of what mercy was.

The servant's master was the prime example of what mercy can do! It can let go a HUGE DEBT. The servant deserved to pay it back but instead he received freedom. WOW.

Sounds like the ultimate mercy giver, GOD. We owe God everything. We have this huge debt we've piled up called sin and we have nothing to pay this debt. We only add to it. But instead of asking us to pay the price God, our sweet amazing God, sends His Son to pay if for us. It had to be paid, but God provided a way to give us mercy!

We deserved death. But through Jesus dying on the cross and being raised from the dead we no longer have to pay that price. We are not getting something we deservd!! Instead through faith in Jesus Christ we recieve the opposite just like the servant. We recieve freedom here and now and in Heaven. We receive something we don't deserve. We get grace!

So may we pass on this mercy that is so freely given to us. May we be blessed with mercy BECAUSE we are merciful to others. Who do you need to show mercy to? How can we pass on this mercy from God? What excuse do you have not to? God gave us His Son, which makes us pretty excuseless. How can your action of mercy affect those around you and beyond them?

The Message Version "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being "care-full," you find yourselves cared for."

Devotinal Day 4

2011-12-30T10:54:00.000-08:00

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Hunger and thirst...do any of us really comprehend what it means to truly be hungry and thirsty to the end of not knowing how we can fill that need in our lives?

Of course we have been hunger to the fact that when a meal is approaching, our stomach growls for food but true hunger your stomach isn't growling. True hunger is painful as your whole body aches for the nutrition it needs to survive. And we have all been parched or maybe even sensed that we are dehydrated, but we also live in a cultural where our doctors have to tell us to drink more water because we've chosen not to. While there are people who are drinking muddy contaminated water because that is all they can find.

It is hard for us to understand but some of the people Jesus was talking to would have known hunger and thirst. As Rev. Charmaine Braatvedt states, "In desert communities such as the one Jesus was addressing, hunger means starvation and thirst means a desperate need for water in order to survive."

What Jesus is saying is you are blessed if you are seeking, searching, and in desparate need for righteousness in your life. Just as those who ache for food and water, you are blessed if you ache for righteousness.

Braatvedt goes on to state, "Jesus is blessing, those who desire righteousness as a profoundly urgent priority in their lives, as something of vital importance."

We know the vital importance of food and water becuase we know without it we will die. So we work hard to buy it and we do whatever it takes to make sure we have it near us. But do we know the vital importance of righteousness?

Well what is righteousness?

As I looked up the Hebrew word for righteousness I discovered different words such as tzedek, tsadiyq, tsedek, even Tzadei-Dalet-Qof. But all words meant and centered on being just, having integrity, and being on the straight and true path that is outlined by God for us.

It doesn't say righteousness = perfect nor does Jesus even say blessed are the righteousness. Jesus says blessed are you who seek (hunger/thirst) for righteousness. Why are those who seek righteousness blessed?

Because the second half of the statement Jesus tells us that they will be filled. Just as those who seek food and water when they are hungry and thirsty, and find it are filled physically. Those who seek righteousness, in essence seek God, will be filled spiritually. So are we seeking righteousness? Because Jesus didn't say those who hunger and thirst for it might be filled. No, He says they WILL be filled. It is a beauitful guarantee by Jesus! How amazing is that! But Jesus also doesn't say I'll give you righteousness even if you don't seek. No, first you hunger and thirst for it and then you will be filled. Just as Jesus says in Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Rev. Braatvedt said one more interesting thing on this topic. He says, "...it occurred to me that in physical life, hunger is a normal healthy sign. There is nothing abnormal about the drive of hunger. It is the sick who have no appetite, no desire for food. Just so in our spiritual life. If a person is sick spiritually speaking, then he will have no appetite for God and the things of God. But if he is spiritually healthy, he will be hungry and thirsty for God and for the things of God."

And I agree with him to an extent. The healthier I am in my relationship with Christ (aka reading His word on a continually basis and praying/spending time with Him) the more I hunger for it. But I would always argue that when we are spiritually sick aka not seeking out righteousness that is when the hunger pains begin. It is in those pains I remember where I need to go for nutrition and renewal. As Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)
And thanks be to God that we can hunger and thirst for righteous but more importantly we can get our fill because Jesus has made a way for us to be connected the one and only God who can truly fill us! PRAISE THE LORD!

So may you and I hunger and thirst for righteousness continually throughout our whole life until we become truly new in our home forever, Heaven!

The Message version "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat."

Daily Devotional 3

2011-12-29T12:54:00.000-08:00

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Meek? I looked up and searched for the meaning of this word and found that it is the Greek word praus meaning gentle. We see this word meek also being defined a person who is humbled or who has self-control. The dictionary says meek means humbly patient.

We see this word meek used in different translations of the Bible in Numbers 12:3 (ESV) Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.

We see Jesus describe himself as meek in Matthew 11:20 (KJV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.
Other translations of the Bible of those verses we again see words such as humble and lowly. So what does the verse mean?

As we end this Christmas time we see the perfect example of a man who was meek except in this story the man was not quite a man yet, he was a baby. A baby who was King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, and Son of the Most High. Yet this baby was not born in a palace. He wasn't even born in a house. He was born in a stable, a barn, and some even wonder if it was a cave for the animals. He was placed in a feed trough! He who was said to be the SAVIOR of the world! If anyone deserved to have a grand entrance, a parade, a thousand TV shows and magazine publicizing the birth, and tons of people on pins and needles as He came into this world it was Jesus.

But God instead chose two poor people from a small poor insignificant town to be His parents. God chose to have Him be born in the lowliest place in Bethlehem. God chose Jesus to enter the world in a very meek way. But why?

The Jews were expecting the person to rule the earth to be big and grand, strong and tough, loud and persistent, and brave as he lead them to fight the Romans so once again Israel would be a grand nation. But Jesus was the complete opposite of what they were expecting.

Because Jesus is not a king to save them from the Romans. Rulers and kingdoms come and go. Problems, persecution, trials, and troubles they come and go. BUT Jesus came to save ALL people from a death and Hell that would not come and go but would continue on for eternity.

From the moment He was born God was trying to tell the world that Jesus was different. God says through the manager, "Pay attention because He is going to live a life that is completely backwards from what you are doing. He will live the the best life possible because He will be in constant communion with me. He knows that I am God, the Father, and Jesus will choose to humble Himself under My rule."

Jesus chose to follow God at any cost. Jesus chose to do whatever task God called Him to do even if that was giving up His life. Jesus chose to place God above everything in His life by giving up His desires, His dreams and His wants. And because Jesus chose to do that He lived a life full of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. He experienced life to the fullness and made a way for us to experience it too.

And who are we to receive such a gift? When we are poor in spirit, knowing we stand in judgment before a Holy God, and mourn for our deeds, we are humbled (meek) knowing that though we do not deserve it, our Great God gives us life anyways. Because of that we surrender our lives to him. We humble ourselves by placing God above us and over everything in our life. Granted, He is already is but through meekness our lives reflect that knowledge and action of surrendering.

And when we are meek it says we inherit the earth. We inherit life now here on earth. God's kingdom has come through Jesus and through humbleness we receive it. We start to be content. We do not go searching for more when we realize we have all we need. Or as The Message version states, "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."

So may we together be humbled before our Great God who chose to send us the perfect example of meekness through His Son, Jesus Christ. Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Devotional Day 2

2011-12-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

God's timing is uncannily perfect. I was gone these past couple days at my grandparents for Christmas and was unable to continue this blog devotional until today.

As we continue to look at the beatitudes I immediately was amazed and in awe of the next one we are going to look at. God always works in the littlest ways. With the recent lose of beloved former RC-L student, I think God chose to show up through this next beatitude.

#2 Beatitude (Matthew 5:4)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NIV)

There are many different interpretations of this text. Many writers think that this beatitudes follows the first one. When you are poor in spirit (humbled before the holiness of God) you mourn because you know there is no way you can do anything to earn salvation. But Jesus says you will be comforted because in Him there is hope for life here and now.

When Adam and Eve decided to disobey God, sin entered the world. And the consequences of sin were and continue to be horrible. As the booklet called The Story says, "Like a virus, sin entered into all of creation and into the hearts of Adam and Even. Sin, suffering, and pain were passed down from generation to generation; all of creation was distorted from its original design. We have all read or heard the stories of war, poverty, disease, greed, and scandals that plagues our world today, Those are all a result of sin."

And it all ends with death. Death is an interesting concept. We all know that is how this life ends. But how and when death comes about, it can leave us standing breathless, unable to process it. As David Crowder says in one of his songs, "Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die."

Death brings about so many questions and so much pain. I keep thinking to myself, "What can I say to those who are struggling right now to comfort them?" In the midst of loss so many questions run through our minds. "Why did this have to happen to them?" "Why now?" "Why didn't God stop this?" "How can God be good and let this happen?" "Where are you God?" "How can this be God's plan?" The Message version of this verse states, "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."

And when asked these questions I'm left with little to no answers. I am not God nor do I want to pretend to be. In this world of brokenness comes pain, hurts, fears, doubts, and lonliness. How then are we to be comforted?

Jesus. That is my only answer. Jesus. A man who knew what pain, hurt, abandoment, lonliness, fear, and death felt like all too well. He has endured the worst so in time of our mourning He is the very comfort that our soul cries for. He is the only one who can bring hope and love in times of sorrow. He is the only one who can turn our mourning into dancing and our sorrow into joy. He is a man who has faced death and overcomed it! And because of his victory we find the comfort that we too can overcome death through faith in Jesus Christ!

But the catch is this, if he is the only one who can do that and if we turn elsewhere to find comfort we will be searching our whole lives for complete comfort and healing. And when we realize we searched all the wrong places we find ourselves more empty and sad then when we started. Because nothing can fill us or give us hope like Jesus can.

I'm not saying you can't be angry at God or ask (yell) him all the hard questions. In fact, I would encourage you to do so. Go to him and ask him. Go to him and cry out to Him. Go to him and scream at him. Do whatever you need to do as long as you just go to HIM!

David was not a man who didn't know what pain or desparation felt like. Psalms is full of David crying out to God in time of need and sometimes they say exactly how we feel.
Psalm 38:8-9 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.
Psalm 143:6-8 I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

So cry out to Jesus (as Thirday Day states in their song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLSKSlJ0-2s) May the God of Comfort, comfort you in this time. May you find hope, love, peace and eventually joy in who He and what He has done for you.

Embrace Him full force! I'm praying for you all!

Check out 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Devotion Day 1

2011-12-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day will soon be here and with it the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And we could spend the whole year just talking about the prophecies leading to His birth and how they came true, or we could talk about every person involved in the story of His birth and how they affected the world, etc but Jesus' story doesn't end on His Birth. His story doesn't jump to Easter where we celebrate His death and resurrection.

He grew up in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men {Luke 2:52}

In these Daily Devos I want us to look at what Jesus did in the beginning of His ministry. Right after he had calls his first disciples and starts healing the sick, Jesus went up on a mountainside and he sat down. His disciples came to him and He began to teach them. And what he said would turn the world upside down.

The Beatitudes: were backwards from everything the world was telling the people who came to hear Jesus. They were upside down and inside out. They were radical statements and one of the first ones Jesus makes. Quite the way to start out His ministry. But I believe Jesus was showing the world. I am not an ordinary man, I am not a normal prophet or teacher, and I'm not just some guy who can perform miracles. I am the Son of God and I'm here to give and lead you into life. A better and more fulfilling life than you can possibly imagine and it all starts with the people who are blessed even if they don't realize it!

Matthew 5:3 (#1 Beatitude)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {NIV}

When I read the NIV version, I have to admit I was confused by the phrase "poor in spirit." What exactly does that mean?

The word poor we naturally assume is about material and wealth. But every one's definition of what "poor" really is varies from person to person. But Matthew writes that Jesus doesn't say just poor he says "poor in spirit" I feel as if the word poor means lack of something so if you are poor in spirit you lack spiritual awareness in your life but Jesus says those who are poor in spirit are blessed so there must be a different meaning for this saying.

As I was researching this phrase I found a common thread. The poor of spirit refers to spiritual poverty as in when you realize you have nothing to offer to a true, just, and holy God and you stand helpless before Him as you cannot save yourself. You see and realize your desperate need for a Savior.

I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior in 6th grade. And I mean every word as I asked Him to come into my life and that I believed in Him and what he did. But it wasn't until my sophomore year in college that I became poor in spirit.

As a "good Christian" girl growing up, I knew I did the wrong things sometimes (sinned). But I didn't understand the depravity (weight or consequences) of my sin. I knew Jesus had saved me, I just didn't realize how unworthy I was to be saved.

It wasn't until people pointed out in nice and some not so nice ways (sometimes we need that too) that I was doing things that I didn't see as wrong but really were. Then one day it hit me. All the sins that I had committed against other people flew right into my face. And there was nothing I could do to take them away. No amount of saying, "I'm sorry" or pledges to not do it again could undo what I had done. And I felt unclean and unworthy to be saved by Christ.

I didn't understand. Why would Jesus come down and die this horrible death to save me? I didn't do anything to deserve His sacrifice! What I had done had put Him there! The perfect gift of life stood before me but I felt like a cheat holding it because nothing I could do justified me getting this free gift.

One day at church, I was still feeling so, well to put it simply, yucky about myself. I kept crying out, "Jesus, God why would you save me." Then all of a sudden something that started in my chest spread throughout my body and I felt these words echo in my being, "Because I love you." At that moment, I realized yes I was so unworthy of Jesus' sacrifice and gift but it didn't matter because God's love for me was bigger than my unworthiness. He not only saved me but wanted and desired me to know the depth, length and breadth of His love for me so He gave me the best gift He could, His Son!

I felt as if I could fly in that very instance! It was the best feeling ever. And that feeling helplessness and spiritual poverty by being so humbled before a great God was completely worthy it! Because it was only when I realize how much I needed God, that I truly felt His love for me!

When I didn't realize how my actions were affecting other people I thought subconsciously I was "good enough." But standing in the light of a Holy God that changed and I thank God it did.

When I felt His love my life changed. I surrender my life more and more deeply and fervently to God and because of that I am experiencing more of the kingdom of heaven here on earth every day.

I see how God provides in the smallest and biggest ways, I see His creation scream His name, I see people in a different light and I begin to see moments as opportunities to shine for Him. His Kingdom truly is Here and Now. Of course being poor in Spirit and realizing your need for a Savior has heavenly awards too! Seriously, meeting Jesus in Heaven is going to be incredible!

So your spiritual wealth does not depend on your material wealth. You can be living in poverty and not see your need for a spiritual guide and Savior. And you can also be rich and be spiritual poor as you maintain humbleness before God as you know He is the only one and way who can save you.

Psalm 51:16-17 states "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite (repentant/sorry) heart, O God, you will not despise.

So what does your spiritual meter look like? Have you realized your need for a Savior? Because you have Savior ready to show you what He has done for you?

If you have had your "poor in spirit" moment, how do you see the Kingdom of Heaven around you? How are you reaching out to others so they too may be blessed by being poor in spirit?

PS I also like The Message version of this verse! You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

December!!!

2011-12-07T07:46:00.001-08:00

The first snow fall has come and winter is here! Does that make you happy or sad? I always really enjoy the first snow fall but by the 5th, 10th, 15th snow fall well I'm ready for spring! But the white snow is beautiful and I think it is such a great illustration by God to us.

The bare dead ground is covered in white untouched pure snow. It is just what Christ's blood has done for us. We once were dead in our sins but through the blood of Christ that was sacrificed we are now white, pure, new creations. We will become fully those new creations in heaven! What a great gift and snow is a reminder of that! So next time you see snow and before you think just how cold it is, stop and remember what snow shows us. Thank God for the gift of being made new through Christ!

Some Upcoming Dates in December:

December 18th = May possibly be a service day for EPIC to help in our communities. Seeing what kind of commitment we would have to do such a thing. I really would like to give back to the communities who do so much for us!

Dec 21st = EPIC CHRISTMAS PARTY

Methodist Church
ALL GRADES (6th to 12th)
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Transportation is provided from Lytton to RC and back. Please meet at the Lytton Lutheran Church at 6pm to go over.
Meal: Games: Skit: LOTS OF FUN all included

Dec 28th = NO EPIC - HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Don't forget on Dec 18th are the Christmas Programs. RC Methodist and Lytton churches are at 10:30am and the RC Lutheran Church is that night!

THANKFUL at THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-25T07:48:00.001-08:00

As November comes to an end and we leave the month with the celebration of Thanksgiving. I really want to take this opportunity to say my own personal THANK YOUs. We just learned about giving thanks in our Junior High EPIC. (Check out Psalm 100 for a great psalm to recite as a way to give thanks to God).

THANK YOU

• To EVERYONE who has ever prayed for EPIC as a ministry and given toward EPIC or toward my salary. Your prayers and gifts are HUGE and are appreciated way more than my words can express. Please continue praying. Your prayers are heard and they are not said in vain. They are answered in more ways than I think you or I will ever know.

• To our amazing meal makers who feed our hungry participants. Seriously you are great! In Acts we see that the early church gathered often around the table to bond and talk about Jesus and you are providing the very means to do so! They are delicious and the best part is I don’t have to cook that night! 

• To my behind the scenes volunteers! To my food coordinators Mary Voith and Cindy Souder I heart not having to worry about setting up food volunteers and keeping thinks stacked. You are serving EPIC and me in such helpful ways. To my right hand coordinators Diane Vavak and Candace Booth, you make my Wednesday nights so less stressful. I love that you serve EPIC by helping me get ready and tearing down. Words cannot express how much that is helpful and needed. To the Pastors who are so faithful in coming and helping in so many different ways from leading meal prayers and games, to taking pictures, helping set up things, giving students rides, and doing little errands for me.

• To the secretaries who check up on me and place announcements on the bulletin! Thank you for all you do to help with EPIC! You are so helpful!

• To all the parents who allow and encourage your children to come to EPIC! Your support is immeasurable and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Come anytime and see what your children are experiencing!

• To my small group leaders who continue to make such an impact with these students! I could not do EPIC without you and I take such joy watching you grow in your faith and love for these students. I love watching you bond, encourage, and pray for one another. Thank you for being faithful with your time!

• To the students who make EPIC epic. Your dedication and enthusiasm is contagious. I love your energy and how your eyes shine when something about Jesus clicks in your heart. I enjoy watching you pray for one another and support each other. I like how you are willing to serve others through our different mission. I am encouraged by your faith and your ability to question yet still believe that God is God. I heart the fun you bring to EPIC and the way you invite others to come and be involved

• And last but so NOT least. GOD who decided to take a fresh out of college girl who had no idea what she was getting into and let her experience something amazing. How unworthy am I yet at the same time so grateful to be in the presence of this amazing God. To Jesus who gave us the best gift of all His life and to the Holy Spirit who is moving in more ways than I can possibly understand.

We are the church. I see the church moving, growing, changing and coming alive in Christ! THANK YOU!

What are you thankful for? If you named people have you told them you are thankful? Have you thanked God for everything He has given you and done for you?

DON’T FORGET FAMILY TREE EVENT THIS SUNDAY 4-5:30pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in RC!

Upcoming Event

2011-11-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

November 11th = Junior High Event at Lytton Lutheran Church from 6-8pm (dinner included) A great time of games, a fun video, and bonding as a group! Let me know if anyone needs a ride!

November 27th = Family Tree Event at RC Lutheran Church from 4:00 - 5:30pm (snacks included) bring the family!

December 4th = Soup Supper Fundraiser for youth trip at Lytton Lutheran Church from 11-2pm. Spread the word!

NO EPIC = Nov 23rd!
No EPIC = Dec 28th

December 21st = Christmas Party all grades combined from 6:30 - 8:15pm (place soon to be announced!)

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO SUPPORT EPIC AND ALL ITS INCLUDED EVENTS! WE APPRECIATE YOU AND SO DOES GOD!

Media Fast

2011-11-07T07:46:00.001-08:00

What could you give up for two day!?

This past month at EPIC as had a Media Fast for two days. Those who chose to do it signed a Media Fast Covenant to give up TV, videogames, music, computer with internet, movies and their cellphones. There were the exceptions of using the computer for homework and using their cellphones in emergencies or if their parents needed to them to communicate with them.

And it was really interesting to hear their feedback. Each student said what the hardest thing to give up was and for majority it was their cellphone, TV or music. As for the easiest, well that was interesting too, because some of the answers for the easiest were also the answers for the hardest thing to give up.

Each person had a different experience but I think one thing we had in common was for two days we realized how much we use media and how we use it without thinking. All of a sudden we had time where we would have used the computer, our cellphones, or turned on the TV and we couldn’t. The coolest part was as I talked with the students and leaders who gave up media they found themselves actually reading the Bible or praying to God. Without those things in their life, miraculously they had time for God. 

My biggest struggle was not having music in the car but that just lead to a lot of prayer time. I also seemed to be doing the things on my list I’ve wanted to do but never seemed to have the time to do. Isn’t it funny that when I took away the distractions in my life, I had the time to do those things?

I had a small group leader tell me this, “At first I was really frustrated and thrown off my game and didn’t know what to do with myself but after time it showed me I spend a lot of time doing things I don’t need to spend time doing and it showed me I need to spend that time doing things I need do.”

I had students told me that they went to bed early because didn’t know what else to do. Reading the Bible or praying didn’t come to mind because wasn’t in their routine...yet! But I also had a parent tell me she saw her son reading the Bible and she couldn’t believe it. I thought to myself, “Go God.”

God is seeping into the hearts of these students and adult volunteers! It is incredible to watch and be a part of! I had a great conversation with a mom who said that after an EPIC night, she and her two children sat down and actually discussed what they learned. She was so excited about that, which led me to get all excited too!

Please continue to keep EPIC in your prayers because prayers are powerful and can move mountains!

But I would also ask and invite you to look at your life and ask yourself, “What is keeping me from time with God? What is keeping me from reading the Bible and spending time in prayer?” Why do I say to myself ‘I just don’t have the time.’?” Maybe you will go on a media fast, even just for a day, and see for yourself just how much time you do have! It has encouraged me to consider doing this once a week just to realign my perspective on my priorities with my time. For we only have limited time here on earth and I want to make the most of it! Do you?

FAMILY TREE EVENTS

2011-10-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

You and your amazing family are invited to....

FAMILY TREE

A place for the family

to establish deep roots in Jesus and His teaching,

to grow in His love and in faith practices,

and together produce fruit of the Spirit that will last forever.

John 15:1-17 is where Jesus illustrates how we grow in him by using the concept of vine and branches. This scripture will be our foundation to build off of for our Family Events. I truly believe that a strong family equals a strong church! I also believe that God is leading us to do these family events to help strength, bond, and grow the families in our communities. I am so excited for this and cannot wait to see how the Holy Spirit moves and how God uses these events to change families and in turn change our congregations which will change our communities!

I would like to share some of the verses in that passage to give you a taste of what Jesus was saying to us but I would also encourage you to look up the entire passage and study it to see what Jesus may be saying to you through it.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

This is my command: Love each other.

These family events are

for all and any FAMILIES are invited to come and have fun as you learn about how to build vibrant faith in your homes and in your family members’ lives!
a place to come learn and strengthen your family through activities, games, caring conversations, prayer and God’s Word.
a place to receive take home tools to assist you in creating faith in your homes, in your cars, and wherever you may be!

OUR FIRST FAMILY TREE EVENT WILL BE

October 23rd
3pm
Emanuel St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton In the Basement
Snacks/Refreshments provided

Family Tree Events will occur once a month and will rotate locations between Rockwell City and Lytton Communities

PLEASE RSVP with the number of your family members attending to everypersoninchrist@gmail.com (If you forget to RSVP you CAN still come!)

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

MEALS FROM THE HEARTLAND UPDATE

2011-10-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH MEALS FROM THE HEARTLAND!

We collected $6,020! Thank you to all who donated that day so we could package.....drum roll please.......

30,000 meals!!!!!!

That is incredible! Thank you to all who also came to our Spaghetti supper fundraiser for our 2012 trip! The community support is great! Keep it Up! We truly appreciate it!

Current Fundraiser: iPad2 raffle! Buy a ticket for $5 or buy 5 tickets for $20! Contact either me or Kari Jones for tickets or ask any EPIC students to find out who is selling them! THANK YOU!

Meals From The Heartland

2011-10-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

We have another great opportunity to help feed those in need. It is our second year of packaging meals for Meal From The Heartland. Check out their website. They are doing great things! http://www.mealsfromtheheartland.org/

And we get to be a part of this amazing organization. We have been collecting money since our Vacation Bible Schools this summer. A meal only cost $.20! So for just one dollar you can feed 5 PEOPLE!! Isn't that crazy to even think about?

How you can help! We are going to be packaging meals THIS SATURDAY at the United Methodist Church in Rockwell City at 9am. You can come and go as you like but you are invited to stay the whole time too! Also if you haven't given to this event yet YOU still CAN! Just bring your money on Saturday because they send extra food in case we raise more money. Our goal is to collect around $5,000 (that is how much we had last year) and we aren't quite there yet! So join us as we collect, package, and help feed the world. Spread the word. ANYONE can come and help!

We will also be setting up on Friday at 3:30pm at the Methodist church if you want to help do that too!

Day 6!

2011-10-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

I know this happens with every trip out there...okay well maybe not every trip...but the fun ones. You get to the last day and you say to yourself, "I cannot believe that tomorrow is our last day." What a great week filled with God loving people. Honestly, I feel that I didn't learn enough! I still have questions, I still want to cover some areas, and I still want to get some things figured out!

But at the exact same time, I have learned a lot and am excited to come back and put them into practice! Learning about God is great but it is only part of the puzzle. Without putting what you learn into practice, I become very ineffective. It doesn't matter what I've learned if I don't pass it on. I want to make a difference for and with Christ and that starts with stepping out and sharing!

But I came in hopefully to learn and I know I am leaving tomorrow hopefully to put what I learned into practice! I know that God has this beautiful and amazing plan for our communities. He is the business of reconciling us to Him! How he does it and and what that looks like is different for everyone but I know that is what He is doing! I cannot wait (and can wait too so to be in the present) to look back in 2 to 5 years and say, "OH...that is how God planned to change our communities. And also, WOW I cannot believe I got to be a part of that transformation!"

Today we did a lot of taking what we learned and seeing how to put that into practice in the ministries, reviewed helpful resources to use, meet another cool professor, and my favorite again the high ropes course! If you ever get an opportunity to go on a high ropes course TAKE IT! We did this jump call the Leap of Faith and that is what it was. You climbed up a pole, stood on top of it, and jumped forward trying to hit the cowbell! It was so exhilarating! Pictures? :-)

Okay who is signing up!? Road trip right?

Well there are a couple ways to look at this.

1. How many times do you face something that looks scary but you also know that if you would just take that leap of faith you could experience something amazing?

Do you take that leap of faith?

When was a time you took the leap? What did you get to experience? When was a time you didn't take the leap of faith? What did you maybe miss out on?

Now you may be thinking well there was no guarantees that if I jump there is someone to catch me. I did have with two people connected to ropes that were connected to me. But my question to you is that if this leap is initiated by Jesus, if it is a step He wants you to take then why wouldn't He catch you? God is love and can only act in that way. He will catch you, but do you trust Him too?

Another way to look at this is

2. People were not scared to jump because they knew they had safety lines, people were scared to make that in between step of standing on the pole. It seemed simple, just stand up, but that motion of standing was frightening because you had nothing really helping you to stand. You had to take that step "alone." It was putting confidence in yourself that you could do this! But again God was there and with Him you just had to trust that you could stand.

When did you lack faith in yourself to "stand up?" Did you rely on your own strength to stand or did you rely on God's? Our strength can fail us but God's strength will not. One way or another God gets us through! But in having faith in God, I believe we also need to have faith in ourselves that we can do it with Him! He is inviting us too! How great is that?

God created you and in that moment of creation a deep bond was created. God is seeking out us to be in this intimate and real relationship with Him. In that relationship we will be pushed to take leaps of faith and to have faith in ourselves. After all we created by the God who can do all things!

So my key question to you where in your life is God asking you to take of leap of faith? And do you have faith in your God given abilities and trust in God to actually take it?

Weekend Update! Day 4 and 5

2011-10-02T20:24:00.000-07:00

WOWzers....where to even begin!

Well to start off with we went to the top of the tower at the seminary and got to see a gorgeous view of Dubuque! The clouds were AHmazing! :-) How creative and beautiful is our God? Well let me show you!

And

Fantastic right?! Well to go with the outdoor theme we went on a high ropes course. Which is pretty much like being monkeys and balance walkers extraordinaire! We of course were harnessed and had an excellent team keeping us safe if we were to fall! And did I fall. Once when my pully didn't keep up as I was running across a course but I kept on going. I have a pretty sweet bruise on my knee to remind me. But it was so much fun and it was great building team and trust activity with the other students. Want to see some pictures?! okay! :-)

This is the one where I missed the last one and hit my knee!

But it was soo much fun. We ended Saturday night with a great night of worshiping God through music. It was so amazing and so glad a girl brought her guitar and some music. We also had a piano going with some Congo drums even maracas were shakin'.

We ended the night by praying for each others' prayer requests. It was powerful because people were being open and vulnerable about their needs and concerns. Then together as the body of Christ we gathered in a circle to pray to the amazing and mighty God who always hears our prayers. Not only does He hear our prayers but has a deep concern for them and way more than we do. His love for his creation is so evident just read John 3:16!

Then to my mind blowing experience. This past day and half we got an overview of the Bible with a super seminary teacher. But think about it, we seriously got a complete overview of the historical world geography lesson plus a look of the Bible from Genesis to the Gospels! Let's just say I thought my mind was going to explode with all this new information.

But it reminded me of something! My learning tip of the day!

1. We can never stop learning....ever! We will never know everything about God here on earth so that means there is always something more we can learn and experience about God.

2. We need to always be aware of the historical context, culture, and Hebrews words used when the Bible was first created. We miss SO much living in the 21st century United States of America. But learning things about the time in which it was written helps the word come alive in a new and exciting ways. Suddenly I find myself understand things I've never understood of or even have thought of before.

It is going to take time to digest everything that I'm learning BUT How about you? What are you doing to learn about God? Are you going outside the Bible to learn about the Hebrew history and culture context? Are you looking up Hebrew words to find their meaning? Are you asking God to reveal truth to you? Always remember God is good and Jesus is the truth so look to them and they won't steer you wrong!

day 4 apologies

2011-10-01T21:49:00.000-07:00

heyo

so it is super late but i have had a fantastic nights ah but i also know i need some sleep so tomorrow morning i will update u about today so mor coming soon

Day 3 (It's Friday!)

2011-09-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

How is God showing up in your life this week? It is great to hear how people are spreading the word of Christ. It is great to see that no matter what your congregation denomination is, what position you are, or your theory of youth ministry in the heart of everyone is the same truth and fire of the gospel of Christ.

You can see the joy shine out of people's eyes when they talk about the Gospel. You can see there is something new and different about them. They know they are sinners and in that realization see how much they need Christ. They understand that they are covered by the grace of God and are unconditionally loved by Him. Isn't that Gospel that best story ever? A true romance! A true good over evil! A true hero conquerors all! A true love story! A true injustice fulfilling justice!

Learning tip of the Day: Trust is a necessity to develop deep and relevant relationships. So do you trust God?

We did a lot of trusting activities today. We had to trust those to catch us if we fell, trust that they would move their hands while we were running through the line, and always we had to trust each other as worked as a team. It made me realize how necessary this is to do with our families, friends, congregations, and youth ministries. If there is no trust then we will not "fall" into our group aka we will not open up with our struggles, issues, or let anyone in. And in turn, it will limit our growth (obviously to an extent our God can do anything!)

So I cannot wait to come back and really dig into trust. To do activities to build trust. To open up conversations that not only build trust but segue into conversations that show we have "fallen" into that trust! Then watch out and see how God works! :-)

How about you? Do you trust God? Enough to completely fall into Him? If so what is He doing in your life with that complete trust? If not what is stopping you from falling? Because He is there to catch you and with falling comes freedom. (a quote from a great fellow student named Geri)

Day 2 of Learning

2011-09-29T21:48:00.000-07:00

Wowzers! Can I just say how great and amazing is our God?! Seriously He is absolutely fantastic! AAHH. The conversations I've had today about Him and the joy that overflows into my heart is just beyond words.

It is hard to put into words but it was like I found my center in Christ again and that deep passion to make His name known to everyone everywhere. Not that I wasn't still in awe a week ago but I totally understand why Jesus went and got away and then came back with people. I knew in my heart God was telling me to do that but in my head all I could see was everything I just needed to do!

But AH God's plan is sooo completely perfect and utterly amazing. He knew as humans we needed to be refreshed. He knew as humans we would need to be reminded of His goodness and His gift to us. And so being that great God that He is, he does exactly that!

My learning tip of the day is: (I feel like there should be a drum roll here!) Go places, do things, get away to let God remind you of His goodness and His free gift to you.

Isn't it funny that as Christians we always know of God's gift through Jesus Christ but we tend to actually forget about it. The aweness of the sacrifice doesn't stay with us and we get swept up in different things But when we remember of what God did for us and His love for us then we get this energy in us. We get this amazing joy in us and we just want to tell everyone! Or when we talk about Jesus, we just light up inside!

Today we talked about making a covenant and then doing exercises with D.R.A.G B.i.G which takes that activity we did and allowed us to think, analyze, generalize, Biblicalize, and generalize again about it. (if this doesn't make sense it is okay but it is something to show rather then explain via blog and I'd love to explain it to you). It was great to learn that you can take a basic exercise and turn it into a deep conversation!

Tonight some of us met up with some of the Seminary professors and students at a local pub. (As students we didn't drink though... I had a Pepsi for those of you who were wondering :-) ) I sat next to a professor who had been teaching I believe for over 47 years and the questions He asked in response to students' questions made me think I have such a child's understanding of the Bible. BUT when I talked to Him about explaining sin and Christ's gift to students He came alive! His eyes shone, and He and I were then at the same level! The gift and what it does for us is the some for everyone! Everyone craves unconditional love and acceptance and no one has shown that better to us then the gift God gave to us through Jesus! I think this professor rocked and told Him I wanted to come back and hear more! We could totally be best friends! :-)

How about you? Have you gotten away and let God remind you of His goodness and gift? Have you sat in awe lately of who God is and what he has done?! If no, what is holding you back? I encourage you to do so and then tell me about if you can! Let the love of Christ and His joy flow through you and others will notice. May we together shine the light with and for Him!

1st night at Youth and Family Ministry Certification School

2011-09-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hello!

So for those of you who don't know I am currently in Dubuque, IA for Youth and Family Ministry Certification School. I am here for a week long of intensive training (well technically a day short of a week, I get back next Tuesday).   Then I will have things to complete from here till March and then I come back to graduate as a certified leader!

So I got to Dubuque today around 5:05pm (nice details right!) and the leader didn't have a set of keys for me. There are two Kelly's here (liked her immediately) and they had our room assignments a little confused. But God is great and they did have a room for me so we got it all figured out. The staff is here is so nice and gracious. I can tell they will be great leaders for us here this week.

We had dinner together. The dinner was delicious and the portion size...well let's just say I'm glad there is a workout room here. :-)

We then met to learn each others' names. There is about 20 of here and the diversity level is exciting. There are people around my age and there are people at least twice my age. (nothing wrong with that!) There are people who are newly married, new parents, and people who have been married and parents for a while. There are single people here too. (yes for any of you wondering I am proudly one of them!)

Tomorrow is a full day starting at 8amm. We will have team building, chapel, team covenant creating time, adventure sequencing, and lots of time to bond and learn. We have two books we are studying from as well as forms we have filled out about ourselves and our ministry.

My learning tip of the day: God has a reason for everything He does and His timing is perfect.

Pastor Jim and Pastor Wayne both wanted me to take this course and they offered it in January of this year and in September. I didn't want to take it in January because it was my first year as a youth leader and I didn't think being away for week was the best timing for me. So we chose September which worked even better because of the location. (January was in Texas)

But my reason for the learning tip is because our main focus here is how to build vibrant faith in the homes and families of our congregation. That church is not just a building but church is our every day life as we live it our for Christ. The home is a such am important part of the church and families are central to the home.    As my position became full time in August we added the responsibility of doing family events. (Our first one is in October! :-) ) The events, activities, and programs are to help strength, encourage, and enable the families to live out their faith together in their homes and daily life. I believe strong families = a strong church. Because as I mentioned earlier, church is not found in a building but everywhere you go.

We do so much in our homes so what a great place to install great faith values and practices.   Parents you have the greatest influence over your child(ren)'s spirituality even if you don't know you do!

So what perfect timing to learn how to do this well, effective, and according to how the Bible instructs then to come and get certified in the exactly what we are about to do! See God is perfectly amazing.

What about you?
When in your life did things seem to happen "coincidentally" because God played a part in making things work out the right way? When did something not work out because it was your timing and later on when things did you realized how God's timing was better? What do you think God's plan for you is right now? If you don't know, why not ask Him? After all he knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

So stay tuned and I'll write more tomorrow!

Where you do you find your life?

2011-09-16T15:36:00.001-07:00

There is a Christian Rapper name Lacrae who speaks truth into his lyrics and has become of the students’ favorite artist. In his song Identity, Lecrae makes a powerful statement

He's Christian, he gave his life
But he still ain't satisfied in the savior Christ
Still finds his identity in looks and cars
If he only knew that he ain't have to look so hard
If he looked in God
It may seem odd
But he be so satisfied, he can leave it all

His chorus goes on to say that I’m not what I wear and I’m not my job because my identity is found in Christ. Who or what defines who you are? It is big question I don’t think we ask ourselves often. Maybe because we don’t think to or maybe we don’t want to because then we’d have to face the reality that we put things above God every day of our life. Maybe we place our job, our things, our family, out times, our wants, and our desires first in our life. But what we are finding out in EPIC is by placing those things first in our life we actually find ourselves missing out on true life.

Jesus said in John 10:10 that he came so that we may have life and have it to the fullest or some versions say abundantly or have everything we need.

But when you read that verse do you automatically think to the things you want to make your life full? Or were you like me and just sat and ponder what Jesus meant when he said we could “have life to the fullest.” I ask you to take some time right now and ask yourself what you think Jesus meant when he said that he came so we would have a life to the fullest.

If you are like me your answer may be, “I have no idea.” And I think that is okay because at least you and I are in the realization that we don’t know and that we are missing out. But I followed that statement with, “I want to know.” Do you?

I’ve lived enough to know that no matter how much stuff I have it is never satisfying because I always want more. There is always something newer or cooler that I don’t have but I want it. I live in a never ending state of wanting things. I covet what others have, see commercials or ads of things I want, justify in my head good reasons to buy them, and try to get rid of the fact that I keep buying things for myself even though there is world and a God who could have better use of my resources.

What is that one thing that you really want? What would you do to get it? And let’s pretend for a second that you have it. That one thing you really really want is in your procession. Now let’s say that Jesus comes to you and says, “Leave it and follow me.” Would you do it? Would you ask him if you could bring it along?

Jesus said that same thing to his disciples. He says in Matthew 4:19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” And in verse 20 we see that at once they left their nets and followed him. They gave up their job, their family, their securities, their things, and their homes to follow him. And soon they would each give up their life for His name sake.

WOW. Could you do the same? BUT THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE MISSED IF THEY SAID NO. They wouldn’t have seen Jesus heal the sick and the lame. They would have missed the feeding of the 4,000 and the 5,000. They would have missed seeing the dead come back to life. They would have missed seeing people’s lives being changed right before their eyes. They would have missed walking side by side with the Son of the Living God who would soon become their Savior. WOW is right. They would have missed out on life.

And the best part is that these stories that we read that happened over 2,000 years ago aren’t just stories. They are examples of what life can be like NOW for us if we would just leave everything to follow him. Now that might not mean physically leaving everything but I firmly believe Jesus calls us to surrender everything to him. So if he did ask us we could leave everything. Why? Because we would have found our satisfaction, worth, and identity in a God who has given us everything.

John writes again in 1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

WE KNOW THEY DON’T LAST yet we want them anyway. We talked about materialism in our high school this past week and I came out with three bags of clothes, a DVD player, and a TV that I am giving up. That is just a starting point for me. Because I don’t know about you, but I am done with the life that doesn’t satisfy.

So ask yourself this week “What does Christ mean when he says I could have life to the fullest?” and look around at what you have filled your life with and ask yourself, “Is this where I find my satisfaction, my worth, and my identity?”

Because God offers us life, real life, so why are you…why am I looking anywhere else?

A New Year!

2011-09-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

AHHH EPIC HAS STARTED! Is that the same excitement you feel too!?!? Okay good I'm not the only one. Not only has EPIC started but we have been in it for three weeks already!

A couple changes have come to EPIC in its second year! (Can you believe we've had EPIC for over a year?)

1. We have split up junior high and high school for multiple different reasons. Some of those reasons are
           a. Our numbers were increasing but our room sizes and available rooms were decreasing
           b. The middle school would be completely joined at Rockwell City so we can easily transport students after their after school activities
           c. We have come to realize that junior high and high school students are at different maturity and understanding levels and we wanted to better ministry to both!

So our junior high students meet at the Rockwell City Lutheran Church from 5:15 to 5:45 for a meal and the program from 5:45 to 7. (We had to push the times back due to when they got out of sports practice.)

Our high school students meet at the Lutheran Church in Lytton from 6:30 to 7:00 for a meal and the program from 7:00 to 8:30.

2. I have become fulltime as the Methodist Church in Rockwell City has come on board as one f our sponsor churches. I will not start doing family and community events. Can I say how excited I am for those!

3. Our division of times and programs has lead to a greater demand of adult leaders but that is great. that means more are invovled in EPIC and in the process of telling this generation about Jesus. (Can I get a whoot whoot!)

In EPIC this year we laid out 5 foundational verses that will lead us into this year and that we can continually go back to.

John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.

John 15:19

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world…

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Philippians 4:13 (The Message)

Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

And our KEY VERSE THIS YEAR IS

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.

So stay tuned to more about EPIC and if you noticed in the side bar you can get an email every time I blog! How great is that!

Also this blog will turn into my personal updates on EPIC because EPIC is in the process of having its very on website! Please be in prayer for that. The website hopes to have a student, parent, and community page.

Thank you for all your support and encouragement. I hope EPIC can also be that to you! But please keep the prayers up becasue we need them as spread the word of the best story EVER!