Thankful, #4

     Hello, again! Sorry I didn't write over the weekend... went to a conference with my youth group. We had an awesome time :D.
   
     So, today, I am thankful for those who have gone on before: soldiers and martyrs. It is because of the soldier's sacrifices that we have freedoms today. Some have given their time and their safety to defend us... some have given so much more.
     Martyrs... while they have not purchased our freedom. But they remind us that our lives are not our own. They remind us to look to Christ, to trust in Him alone. They point us to Him.
     Sacrifice is important. Soldiers demonstrate this. Martyrs demonstrate this. Christ demonstrated the ultimate sacrifice for us on the cross. We should never take this for granted.


     "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
     ~ John 15:13

     "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
     ~ Hebrews 11:33-40

     "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"
     ~ Hebrews 12:1


In Christ alone,

I Found It All

     Well, you know the song that I said the Clark girls sang at the Teen/Parent Conference? Well, Here's the lyrics to it:

I thought it might be in my name a shining legacy
I thought it might be in a goal for success to follow me

I thought it might be in a plan to sail across the seas

But I didn't find what I really need

I found it all when I lost everything

And gave my life to serve a risen king

I found the truth that I'd been searching for

I found it all when I found the Lord

I'm letting go of all my ways I think are best for me

I'm laying down all my ideas of what I think my life should be

I'm leaving everything I am right at Jesus' feet

For it's here I find everything I need

I found it all when I lost everything

And gave my life to serve a risen king

I found the truth that I'd been searching for

I found it all when I found the Lord

In Christ Alone,

2012 Teen/Parent Conference

     Remember my post from a while ago about the conference? Well, it's happened! And it was completely Amazing!

     Of course, there were activities. A climbing wall, obstacle course, high jump, shooting range, paintball, a few blow-ups, shot put (I really have no idea if that's really how it's spelled :D), volleyball, basketball, football, carpet ball, etc. I did not do them all :). I did end up doing the climbing wall, obstacle course, and shooting range. My little sister, though, won both the girl's fastest time on the obstacle course and the girl's best jump for the high jump.

     Okay, now we get to the really good part - the preaching and singing. The Clark family sang quite a bit, the BBC York ensemble and their pastor's trio sang, and so did Kenny Baldwin. All awesome. And for the preaching, Charlie Clark, Mike Clark, Tim Ruhl, and Kenny Baldwin preached. Again, really awesome. All awesome preachers, awesome and practical messages. The theme this year was "Protect His house... I WILL!" I really learned a lot.

     The most amazing session of it all was the last session. First, Bro. Mike Clark preached on being a Phinehas. Phinehas, in Numbers 25, was bold for God, and did not tolerate sin. Bro. Clark also mentioned that his children would be blessed because of his boldness. Then, the Clark girls sang. They didn't remember all the lyrics to their song, and had to look it up on their phones. But they sang a song. I don't know what it was called, but it had a line in it that goes something like "I found it all when I lost everything." After they sang, Bro. Baldwin preached. He preached on total surrender. It was so amazing how everything from the previous message and the girls' singing just tied into each other!

     I can honestly say, God really worked. Right now, I will do my best - with God's help - to apply what I learned this year. And I can't wait to learn more next year!


In Christ Alone,










P.S. - This is my 100th post!!!

Teen/Parent Conference

Last year, my older sister, parents, and I went to an amazing teen/parent conference in York, Pennsylvania. This year, they're doing another one, and I can't wait! If you're from the area and can, you should definately consider it!

It's in May - May 3-5. Kenny Baldwin, Tim Ruhl, and Charlie and Mike Clark will be preaching. There is free childcare, as well. Head on over to Bible Baptist Church's website to learn more.

http://bbcyork.com


In Christ Alone,