February
2004- Volume 8, Number 1
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| Youth Dept. @ Western Territory USA |
February
2004- Volume 8, Number 1
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If missions is God's call for your life, Urbana is the place to be. What an experience to worship and pray with over 20,000 believers from North America and around the world! Not to mention the inspirational speakers, informative seminars and life-changing testimonies. It is an experience that can only be felt up close and personal so if you missed Urbana 2003 it's time to start planning for the next Urbana-2006! So be still and listen for the Lord, as you prepare your hearts and your wallets ('cause it sure ain't free).
Be prepared for what God has planned for you. Who knows, it may be to go to a Muslim country and open up an Internet café where university students can practice their English and hear the gospel; it may be to show the love of Christ by helping to sort through trash to find "treasures" that only people who live in cities made of garbage can appreciate. If God's plan for your life is to bring the gospel to people around the world, Urbana will lead you into the exciting realm of missions.
By: Lisa Jami Camp Redwood Glen's Student Mentor Housing Program (SMHP) provides an opportunity for college-aged students to work at camp while attending a local college or university. It is a tremendous way to develop new skills, experience community, and grow in your relationship with Christ while pursuing an education. Each participant builds significant relationships with their mentor and peers, participates in weekly Bible studies, and serves 25 hours a week in the ministry of the camp.
The SMHP was a life-changing experience for me. The year I spent there was nothing like I had expected. I learned things that are essential for anyone who desires to live a life of service for Jesus-things like community living, an attitude of humility and finding joy in serving others were daily lessons throughout the year. The staff members, especially those in leadership, made a huge impact on my life. Love is abundant, help is ever present, and if you enter into the SMHP with an open heart you will be blessed beyond belief. I recommend this program to any young person who is willing to have their heart and life transformed through service and support.
If you would like more information on this unique opportunity, please contact Josephine Morton at (831) 461-2023.
BY: SHANON HAWKESWORTH What started as a fourth grade report on Africa, turned into a passion. I dreamed of one day going there, and being surrounded by the poverty-stricken people I had learned so much about. I wanted to help; I wanted to love them.
In the last five years I have had many opportunities to serve overseas. Two of these years I served in Malawi, Africa. I was given the chance to get to know people and love them for who they were. My dream had come true!
Going to Malawi, I was so eager to get right in with the people and the children. I fell in love instantly as they eagerly welcomed me and opened themselves through sharing everything they had. The children, shy at first, slowly opened up and wanted to learn all that we had to offer. I had gone thinking I was going to show these people how much God loved them, by loving them myself. Instead they truly blessed me far more than I could have ever imagined. They may be materially poor but spiritually, they are abundantly rich. They are eager to worship God, and give thanks to Him for all that He has provided.
Someone once told me that "God is going to use you if you just allow Him, so let Him!" This is my charge to you. Isaiah 61 says that God has called us to preach good news to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted and to proclaim freedom for the captives. You don't have to leave your home to allow God to use you as the mission field is located right outside your door. So ask yourself this-is God calling you?
Kauluwela Mission Corps, Janniese Marie Mulch - Captain Kelley Lutcher has made a significant difference in my life. She is always there for me, giving me advice. She advises me to put all my faith in God and that it is okay to share what I believe with others at school.
I know that Captain Kelley is behind me all the way which encourages me to get closer to God, strengthening my relationship with him. Talking to people at school is easier now that I've found the courage to talk about God and being a pastor's kid. I have found new friends, some of whom are pastor's kids as well.
Captain Kelley (a.k.a. Auntie Kelley) shows God in everything she does, and that makes me want to strive to be the same. She is trustworthy and constantly smiling. You can definitely see God through that smile!
Cascade DHQ, Anonymous - I had just moved up from Phoenix, a little nervous about why I was giving up a great job to work at a summer camp. I had been acquainted with Captain Troy Trimmer for the past few years, but I never really knew him. As I got to know him better I gained more respect for him. He was always available to talk about anything.
At the beginning of last year I found myself upset about a decision I had to make. I had told Captain Trimmer that I would be a leader for a divisional service corps, but I also wanted to do territorial service corps. He gave me some advice that I will never forget. "God will provide," he said. "If you are supposed to participate in the territorial service corps, then God will provide us with a leader for our divisional service corps. But what I would like for you to do is make sure that you pray about this decision and that God will control every step of the way." Great advice from a great man.
Captain Trimmer is a very modest, polite and Christ-following Christian. When he moved to Denver Citadel I knew that the people there would be blessed. I thank God for Captain Trimmer and the way that God has blessed him and his ministry.
Leeward Corps, Jennie Onitsuka - To me a mentor is someone to whom I can go with questions and concerns, whether the needs are personal, spiritual or emotional. A mentor is also someone I can trust to guide me in the right direction.
God blessed me with the mentor, Cathy Hayes. Her mentoring began when she was the corps cadet counselor at our corps. When I was unable to attend the corps cadet classes, she took time out of her busy schedule to help me one-on-one with my lessons. That's when I discovered what a wonderful, caring, and wise woman she is. From then on she was there to see me through stressful times, confusing times, and basically my teenage years.
Now I am the singing company leader and an active member of my corps (Junior Soldier assistant leader, Sunday school teacher, Girl Guard assistant leader and signing class teacher). I always ask myself, "What would Cathy do?" Even though she had to move and is now thousands of miles away, on the other side of the country, we still manage to keep in touch.
Kauluwela Mission Corps, Bereta Moses - Joy Groenleer, youth director at the Kauluwela Corps, is my mentor. She has continued to help me get closer to God ever since I came to The Salvation Army in 1998. When I was much younger, my family didn't really go to church very much. We knew the Lord and what he did for us, but we never really went to him nor did we thank and serve him.
Now Joy and I are close friends. I thank God for bringing her into my life because she brought my whole family back to God and since then my family has been blessed. Joy is the type of person you can talk, laugh and even cry with. She has a smile most of the time, many words of encouragement, but most of all she has the heart to serve the Lord.
Do you have a mentor in your life? We had several responses from young adults, but a few children responded as well. Below, hear from four children in California who have expressed the importance of having mentors at a young age.
Isabel, 10 yrs. old: My mom is my mentor. She strengthens me in whatever I do.
Duluce, 9 yrs. old: I look up to my dad, because he teaches me and gives me things I need.
Jose, 9 yrs. old: Caesar is my mentor because he tutors me and taught me how to do some things in a. different way.
Blanca 10 yrs. old: I look up to my dad because he teaches me stuff and he's fun. He's made a difference in me because he loves me.
Isn't it incredible how our lives can impact even the youngest person? Maybe you are a mentor and don't even know it. This is more reason to live each day for Christ. You never know who is watching you!
These days everyone seems to have the same problem-why does it seem like I never have enough money? Even harder is when we're trying to scrounge up some money to go out on a date. Food prices have increased as well as the used-to-be inexpensive thrill of going to the movies, which now averages $9 per ticket. However, we have come across some wonderful ideas to spark your imagination for stretching the almighty dollar, without emptying your piggy bank, to have a good time with that special someone.
Grocery Store Dinner - Together, pitch in some money and use that as your budget for a grocery store expenditure. Come up with a menu and do the shopping together, as well as the cooking. You could even rent a movie from your local mom and pop video store to watch afterwards.
Game Night - Order some takeout food and spend the night in playing board games. Add excitement by coming up with a prize for the ultimate champion of each game. Be creative. The prize could be to have the loser do a load of your laundry or cook a meal (only if they can).
Beach Marathon - Love to go outdoors for some fresh air and exercise? Make a day out of it at the beach. You can go for a swim and then jog or walk along the water. Play soccer and volleyball in the sand. Why not toss around a Frisbee too. For food you could chomp on a hot dog or slice of pizza from a nearby vendor or, you could bring along a picnic lunch and have a beach blanket meal. (Ok, so this might not work in Idaho.)
Books & Coffee - These days most bookstores have a coffee counter inside. Each of you could purchase a hot beverage on a cold evening, and then spend a few hours perusing the aisles of books. Go to different sections and find books that pertain to your interests. For example, you could go to the photography section and find a book that displays work you admire most. If you like cars, go to the automotive section and find a book on the types you like. And just don't show them the book-get excited. Talk about the things you admire and be passionate. This is a great way for your date to see a different side of you, as well as a great way to learn more about each other.
Approximately 1 billion Valentine's cards are sent each year; 2.6 billion are sent at Christmas.
75% of all Americans exchange Valentine's Day cards.
Valentine's Day is the second most popular day for men to buy cards (Mother's Day is number one).
15% of all U.S. women send themselves flowers.
Hallmark has over 1,300 different cards specifically for Valentine's Day.
Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentine's Day candy box in the late 1800s.
The Chocolate Manufacturers Association of America says that 36 million boxes of chocolates are sold for Valentine's Day. Source: www.holiday-central.net
To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved
by someone deeply gives you courage."
It is better to have loved and lost than never to
have loved at all."
To love someone means to see him as God intended
him."
The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love."
A heart that loves is always young."
It is not our policy to review "R" rated movies; however, many of our young adult readers, college students and youth leaders will be confronted by the movie-The Passion of The Christ. Rated "R" for violent content, it nevertheless depicts the torture, pain and suffering of our Lord and Savior.
By: Matt Gillies As one of the most remarkable films I have ever witnessed, The Passion of The Christ brings to life one of the most horrifying and monumental moments in history. You are not in the theater as you watch, but alive on the streets of Jerusalem, the dust clinging to your own sweat and the pungent aroma of Christ's blood wafting up from the courtyard. You are no longer an observer, you are a part of the crowd, perhaps cringing with John and Mary, perhaps caught up like Simon or Veronica.
The religious symbolism is set early in the film: Satan batters Jesus' strength of will as he prays in the garden. Judas receives his dues for betraying his Master. Each scene is played out with deliberate cruelty as the dark morning approaches when the Sanhedrin becomes a mock court and rejects its own members who cannot stomach the absurdity of the accusations. Pilate, stuck in a no-win position, tries desperately to extricate himself from a proceeding that he recognizes as hopeless for the poor carpenter whose own people have abandoned all reason in their pursuit of his death.
We then are brought to a moment of true insanity when the soldiers cut loose on Jesus with a viciousness that makes you numb. The scourge is rained down upon Jesus' back with more brutality than you ever imagined: his blood flows over the flagstones, his skin is bruised, broken, torn, and ripped away. When you can't take any more they change weapons. And it goes on and on, and you beg in your hearts for it to stop. Then when it does, and the soldier releases Jesus' arm, they flip him over and start on his chest-it is not over yet.
Finally we are all released from that courtyard. They drag Jesus' broken body back to Pilate while Mary begins to mop up the blood of her son spilled over the stones. We are left to drag ourselves back to the crowd to hear them chanting for the release of Barabas! This is insanity! The soldier's crown of thorns is not "placed" upon the brow of the man of Galilee, rather it is forced down onto his head, pushed down with sticks so the soldiers won't cut their own hands on the thorns. The giant wooden cross is placed over the broken carpenters back and he is expected to carry it to the place of his own execution.
You know the story. You've heard it many times. Maybe you have even imagined it, wondering how it would feel, thinking that perhaps you might know. Until you watch it played out before you in the fullness of Technicolor I would say that you have never imagined it like this.
The Passion of The Christ is a movie you need to see. You need to see Satan walking through the crowds. You need to see the blood streaming down the body of your Savior. You need to see the nails pounded through the hands of Jesus and through the wood of the cross. You need to see the unwavering love of our Lord, and the ageless pain on his resurrected face. Then you need to turn to the friend who went with you who doesn't understand and tell him why.
With the start of a New Year we often take a moment to examine if we are being true in our lives. To do this, ask yourself the following: Does your life contain sincerity in action and character? Do you seek to live your life in accordance with fact (Bible)? Does your life contain a spiritual reality? If you are unable to answer these questions clearly, then perhaps you should attend your division's Youth Councils to help clarify the spiritual reality in your life that will lead you to the Truth.
By: Jim Sparks Girls have "chick flicks" and guys have movies like Rudy. I must admit I make fun of my wife about her love for movies like Sleepless in Seattle, but is it any different than my passion for sports triumph movies?
I can recall a time when I sat on my couch curled up in a manly blanket, drinking manly cocoa and watching the movie Rudy. Rudy was a small kid with a huge heart and big dreams. He would let nothing stand in his way of running onto the playing field dressed in a Notre Dame uniform. He was told numerous times to give up, but he didn't because his heart was filled with passion and hope. Sure enough Rudy made his way onto the team and was able to suit up for one game. Near the end though, he still had not been put in the game until the players and the crowd-and I-started to chant "Rudy, Rudy, Rudy!" The coach couldn't take the pressure anymore and yelled "Rudigar, get in there!" When he ran onto that field, I found myself near tears and full of joy. Luckily no one else was around to witness my happy dance when Rudy made the final tackle.
The character Rudy is an inspiration for me to keep moving forward in my faith, and to resist temptations that attack daily. The problems we face today are so petty in comparison to the sufferings of Jesus. Yet he tells us to cast all our cares and anxieties unto him because he cares for us. (1Peter 5:14) WOW! I don't know about you, but that gets me fired up. To think someone loves us that much despite our faults and the sin in our lives is amazing!
What Are You Doing with Your Life?
By: Kyle Smith, Captain There was a time in my life when I asked myself this very question. I knew what God wanted me to do and I knew what I should do, but I didn't want to do it. I had believed that I knew more than God did when it came to my life and so I thought my way was the best way. To be honest, I was scared that following God would lead to a life of sacrifice, and sacrifice meant a life without adventure and having to do things I just didn't want to do.
How wrong I was. When I finally decided to trust God with my life it became far better than I ever imagined. When I thought I knew best I ended up in an Egyptian jail, but when I trusted God I ended up in Hawaii. I guess trusting God wasn't so bad after all.
There is an old chorus that goes, "There's joy in following Jesus all the way." Whatever you sacrifice, it is nothing compared to the joy you get in following Jesus. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Now let me clarify that there have been times, while following God's will for my life, when I have questioned why I have had to go through so many tough times. So far the answer has always been, "You will see in time." And I have.
If you are struggling with trusting God with your life, trust me when I say it's better to give in, than to end up in jail. |
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