Stolen

Stolen From Cassidy's Blog:

Last night I started getting ready for bed, and all of a sudden I saw a piece of paper lying on my floor, and knew I had to draw a self portrait, something that I've never been able to do before. I think God was nudging me, wishing to teach me something. I felt like Jesus was holding my hand and guiding it across the paper. I drew myself in the corner, and things just came to me. Then when I got to the mouth I just couldnt get it right. I got stubborn, and had to make it perfect. Then I realized the problem was that I wasnt letting him guide my hand anymore, so I let him. I ended up with tape over my mouth in the picture. It turned my ideas on their head. I wanted to draw a small smile. Then I realized in this self portrait God wasn't going to let me lie. This was more a picture of my world than of my appearence. There's a spiderweb that spells out "GOD" in the corner, that stretches to reach the whole page. Like he's spinning his web around me, I can't avoid him anymore, I'll never go back to how I was before.

Stolen From Kaelynn's Blog:

After a long but exhilarating night of sea dooing with my friend, God and I had a moment. Let me set the scene.
We were driving back from Cultas Lake in a red Nissan Ultima and decided on the back roads. On the left and right and behind us it was the most beautiful blue sky you could imagine. Directly ahead, the sun was setting. There were different layers of color. First purple, blue, orange, red, pink and the sun was a bright bright red. There were green, lush trees on either side of us. Finally I heard a voice, a familiar, calming voice. I knew instantly who it was.

God: Hey Kaelynn.
Me: Hello.
God: I just wanted to let you know that I made this all for you. I made the sun, and the trees. I painted this sunset across the sky for you with my hands.
Me: Thanks. I appreciate it.
God: Anytime. Oh and one more thing.
Me: Yeah?
God: I cried these tears for you.

And then it started to rain.

Where's Waldo?

What would you do if you found him?

Our team and our students have gotten into the habit of looking for Jesus in our daily lives. We have become Watchmen and Watchwomen (see Isaiah 62). We are always watching for him, asking him, "Where are you?" Sometimes we see him, sometimes we hear his voice, sometimes we get a picture in our minds eye. Often the sighting/answer is unexpected...

One young lady was having a particularly difficult week. As she was walking along, listening to her ipod (loud enough so that she couldn't hear her on thoughts) she began to sob. At a certain point she heard someone say, "look up!" When she looked up she saw Jesus, in the flesh, standing at the bus stop. In shock, she looked around and when she turned back to the bus stop he was gone.

At a our last event before school ended, two young ladies saw Jesus sitting on the stairs in the room and a young man saw angels in the room. That night was the highlights of the year as many young people asked for prayer and prayed for each other.

While at the Coldplay concert a few weeks ago I was enjoying my favorite song and singing at the top of my lungs. I asked Jesus where he was at that moment and I instantly heard, "In the front row" and was filled with a great sense of joy and awe.

One young man, saw Jesus in a nightmare he was having. When Jesus rescued him and took his place in the nightmare, he brook down and gave his life to him.

One young lady, who's been struggling with the break up of her family and mad at God for it, was walking in the park. She looked up and saw Jesus in the trees. He hugged her with the willow branches.

Just a reminder that Jesus can't be found in the tomb--he's alive not dead! Don't be surprised when stops by for a visit!

What's Your Status?

If you want to know what's really going on in a teenagers life, I suggest you check facebook. I have come to realize that young people are more honest with their facebook status than in real life. Often I learn of a break-up or new relationship first on facebook. Often the first hint of depression, stress or suicide shows up in their facebook status.

So I thought it would be encouraging for you to read some real life unedited facebook statuses from the last few months. Each of the 4 young people who posted these has met Jesus within the last 6 months.

...God.. I'm tired

...I meet someone today, who's just loves me no matter what

...just saw jesus fly by in the form of a butterfly in the midst of all the chaos

...Jesus, right now it's really hard, and it's driving me INSANE that I have no idea what you're doing. I'm scared, and I'm hurt, and I'm feeling kind of down right now, but Jesus, I trust you.

...got to watch Jesus work a miracle in her life and in a good friend's tonight

...And carmen chilled with jesus today.

..."Looking back, I realize that God was desperately searching for me. I used to wonder why my soul ached and God wouldn't do anything about it. Now I know that it was that very pain that drove me to God. Life without God is starvation of the soul. I thought for a while that God could meet my needs and stop my soul cravings. Now I know that isn't the case. My soul doesn't crave something from God; my soul craves God."

...--She praises the Lord-- ♥ -- Jesus, i love you man. Thanks for sticking by me through all my screw ups, and no matter what, I know we'll get through it.

...had the most perfect moment in his life at derbey reach it was like it was built for him and thanks GOD for the perfect moment :)

...thanks again :) and thank u god also cause u are so great

...And if you come from under that water, then there's fresh air. Just breathe baby, God's got a blessing to spare. Yes i know the process is so much stress, but its the progress that feels the best.

...baptized!