May 2007 Archives
This one's for all the "Little People"
So listen… nothing could be further from the truth!
In fact, a small jet-tour through the Bible reveals that the “small” and “under-qualified” are just the kind of people God tends to use most often.
Consider Joseph: He had 11 very strong, very bright brothers. He came from a powerful family with a very healthy history. He was just 17 years old when God revealed to him in some dreams that he would be a great leader (Gen. 37). But before any of that would become reality, Joseph would be abandoned by his flesh and blood, sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned and (almost) forgotten. Yet, 13 years later, he becomes one of the most powerful rulers in the world. Washed up slave? Worthless prisoner? Some thought so. But, not God.
Consider Moses: A Prince turned shepherd whose story goes from riches to rags, from the mountain top to the valley. When God hand picked Moses and revealed Himself to him in the burning bush (Ex. 3-4), Moses did everything he could to get out of the assignment. He even expressed his inability to speak well in front of other people. So, of all the people to lead the greatest escape from captivity in all of history, God chose this guy? Were there no others? Couldn’t God use instead a capable, well spoken, top-drawer leader? Maybe. But, the fact remains, He chose Moses and the rest is history.
Consider David: A simple shepherd. So overshadowed by his brothers, his dad didn’t even bother to show him to Samuel when that prophet was looking for the new King of Israel (1 Sam. 16). “Why would anyone want to follow David?”, Jesse must have thought. Think of the huge giant, Goliath. Consider the small stones David planned to use to fight the Philistines most prized warrior. Pointless? A lost cause? A lot of people were thinking that very thing. But when God is involved, size is irrelevant.
Consider Mary: A young, innocent nobody from nowhere. A small speck of flesh and blood walking on the earth with nothing but a now familiar name. Who were her parents? Were they important? Rich? Famous? Nope. No crown on her head. No degree hung on her wall. Just an amazingly pure heart – and that was good enough to give birth to the King of all Creation (Matthew 1).
Consider any of Jesus’ 12 disciples: Fishermen. Tax collectors. Unknowns. Not much to offer the King of the Universe when you look at their credentials. They were seen by their peers and fellow countrymen as uneducated and insignificant. Given some of their occupations, they probably brought a nice little stench along with them wherever they went. They didn’t exactly hit the mark for who you would expect The Savior of the World to disciple, but God sees things in people the rest of us just miss.
Consider Paul: Could there be a worse pick? Could a guy have a more shady past? Sure he was intelligent. Yes, he was a fighter. But, he was all about the wrong things and totally against Jesus. Why would God want to use a person like that with so many others to choose from? It seems upside-down, but that’s the way God works. The great accuser of the church became its foremost advocate. The one who gladly watched believers die for their faith gave His life as they did and left us an example we’re still pursuing today (1 Cor. 11:1).
Consider the tax collectors: They always had an audience with Jesus.
Consider the prostitutes: When everyone thumbed their noses, Jesus welcomed them to dine with Him and His followers.
Consider the thief on the cross: While being taken out of this world for his crimes, Jesus forgave Him and welcomed him into His eternal paradise.
Consider a woman who gave 2 cents to God: He used her as a symbol of generosity.
Consider 5 loaves and 2 fish: Jesus fed over 10,000 people and had leftovers to spare.
Consider a mustard seed: Jesus used the smallest seed around to tell a grand story about His Kingdom.
You see, little things and little people are big when God is in control. Everyone who desires to make an impact for God can. Nobody is useless. The only person who can’t be used by God is the one who turns away from His call to come, abide and be used.
No dream is too small. No plan is too lame. If God is in it – it’s on! When I consider the amazing opportunities in which God has allowed me to take part, I can’t believe He would want to choose me, a nobody from nowhere, and set me out to do His work. What a privilege.
Have you ever felt you’re just not good enough? Not strong enough? Not liked enough? Have you thrown in the towel on serving God because you feel too insignificant? Hear me clearly: You’ve got to get over it and get on it! God wants to use you! He wants to take what looks like weakness to the world and turn it into full-on service for His sake. Sure, there is risk involved. What if you fail the first time? What if things don’t go as planned? Those things don’t matter when Jesus is Lord. He doesn’t define “failure” as we often do. The outcome is His to determine — our part is the means to the end; Our part is the road that leads to the outcome, no matter what it may be.
So, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your life. Maybe you need to really pray about how God can be using you. If you’re willing, He is able. It takes a deep breath and a commitment to doing things His way! No matter where you’re coming from. No matter what you think might keep you out of the race, God is ready to forgive your past and position you to do things you never thought would be possible. Don’t waste one more second thinking you’re too insignificant for God to use. The littlest of things become great when God is in it. One small person at a time, He’s changing the world. Are you ready to get in on it?
In the Spotlight with Taylor Hill
Taylor was invited to Neighborhood Church for the first time in 8th grade. Though she recalls being adamantly opposed to the things of God when she first visited our 20/20 ministry, Taylor remembers slowly warming up to the Gospel, eventually inviting Christ into her heart during that school year. For the four years to follow, Taylor consistently grew in her relationship with Christ, spurred on by the later realization that she wasn’t “doing anything for her faith.”
Now, as a High School senior, Taylor views her fellow Omega students as her “family”. She loves serving in our ministry, driven by a desire to help out wherever she is needed. Taylor works on our Student Leadership Team, taking up the task of helping people feel welcome at our meetings. On any given Wednesday night, you may find Taylor greeting people at the door to the Youth Building, talking to visitors, or reaching out to students who are sitting alone.
Taylor’s commitment to Christ is unique, and many of the people around her have neglected to follow the narrow path she has chosen for herself. When asked what she thinks of the fact that her classmates have denied Christianity despite her ministry to them, Taylor remains positive.
“They’ll understand someday,” Taylor explains. “I never thought I’d be a Christian. It takes some people longer than others.” Taylor’s confidence, paired with her positive attitude, is enough to convince anyone that she’s probably correct.
In fact, Taylor is not merely optimistic, but she is a very wise 18-year-old. When I asked her what she does to stay close to God, Taylor quickly responded, “I don’t have to do anything, God has a death grip on me. He won’t let me go anywhere.” She continued to say that when God seems distant, it’s only because she is trying to live independently of Him and is too scared to surrender to His will.
As she begins her final year of High School, Taylor’s advice to her classmates is to not take themselves too seriously. Her philosophy is simple: “You’re going to change. Feel free to look back and laugh at yourself.” Taylor explains that how a person changes is the most important issue, and believes that change is mostly dependant on the friends a person chooses. Her advice, then, is to be around people who encourage you to grow, saying, “If I can do it, so can you!”
Taylor is a great example to all of us, because she has truly embraced the true purpose of Omega. Taylor’s ministry philosophy is to branch out and grow by meeting new people, constantly adopting new members into her growing church family. This mature perspective on life and ministry is what has helped Taylor Hill find herself in the Grounded spotlight this summer. We, in Omega, praise God for Taylor and her desire to see the body of Christ grow and expand on every horizon.
Thanks, Taylor, for your ministry!
A Fresh Start
The last moment of any semester is exhilarating because it marks the beginning of something new. Soon there will be new classes, new challenges, and a level playing field. Any mistakes you made will be erased. Your grades will be reset to 100% once again. Soon you will have new teachers, new classmates, and a new opportunity to excel. Changes are in the works.
Fresh starts have always been exciting for me because I adore change. When an opportunity for transition arises, I tend to jump on the boat more quickly than most. I think of a time a few years back when I was told I would be relocating from my 4-walled office to a new 6-foot by 6-foot cubicle. I was immediately excited about the pending change, but I was told that cubicles weren’t on site yet. I would have to wait.
But I did not wait patiently in my office for moving day. Instead I framed my new, non-existent work area on the floor with masking tape (Don’t worry, I left an empty spot for the door). I pushed my office furniture into my new workspace, and lined it all up along the tape wall. Finally, I used some wire to hang my pictures from the ceiling, suspended along the invisible barriers. My relocation to the new cubicle was complete—All I lacked were walls. I spent the next few weeks contentedly plugging away in my new “office,” working inside my invisible fishbowl. I even made people come in through the door.
Now, I realize most people don’t get as excited about transition as I do. I think of the story of the rebuilding of the temple of God in the book of Ezra, where many of the citizens of Jerusalem cried as the new house of worship was being built. You see, they remembered how great the old temple was and felt the new one just couldn’t match up. The Bible tells us these people, “wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy” (Ezra 3:12).
As you move forward into these summer months and anticipate the school year to come, let me encourage you to be a joy-shouter, not a weeper. Whether you’re moving up a grade, into a new school, or even finishing school forever, look forward to this new opportunity with excitement. No matter how great this past year was for you, be excited about what God has in store for you in the year to come.
I especially want to encourage those of you who are moving up to a new ministry this summer, whether into Junior High, High School, College, or beyond. Let this be a time of starting fresh for you. Dive into this new opportunity with both feet! Show up to our midweek programs. Sign up for summer camp. Come on our events. Get to know our counselors. Summer is a perfect time to get more involved with Youth Ministry.
As this school year comes to an exciting close, think about what God has in store for you in the year to come. Spend time in His Word, get away and pray, and talk to your friends, your family, and your Youth Pastor about how God might use you in the 2007-8 school year. Transition well—Make a fresh start today!
Ask Brent: Family Trees, Christian Colleges, and Video Games
Great observation! Here’s the answer. The reason why it seems the Bible gives two different genealogies (a.k.a. “family trees”) is because — it does give two different genealogies! Here is why:
The gospel of Matthew was written to a Jewish audience. Matthew knew that his audience would want to see that The Messiah (Jesus) came from the line of David and had a legal right to the throne of David (legally given to him through his adopted father, Joseph). Matthew shows Jesus’ legal line to the throne, while Luke shows Jesus’ actual bloodline to David (and then all the way back to Adam). Luke’s gospel was written to a Greek audience, who would’ve been very interested to see that Jesus was human like them, thus the Savior of all men. Both lines cross at King David — Joseph’s through David’s son Solomon (Matt. 1:6-7) and Mary’s through David’s son Nathan (Luke 3:31).
So, when you see the different names, it’s because they are different lines. Matthew looks at Joseph’s line, while Luke looks at Mary’s line.
As an interesting side-note, Luke does not say that he is giving Jesus’ genealogy through Joseph. Rather, he notes that Jesus was “as was supposed” (Luke 3:23) the son of Joseph, while He was actually the son of Mary. The fact that Luke would record Mary’s genealogy fits with his interest as a doctor dealing with “mothers” and “births” and things of that nature. Also, Luke puts a lot of emphasis on women in his Gospel and is sometimes referred to as “the Gospel for Women” in some academic circles. Hope that helps!
Should Christians only go to “Christian Colleges”?Thanks for asking — sounds like you’re on the brink of making a BIG decision! The fast answer is, no. The Bible is filled with passages that speak to the importance of Christians saturating the world – that is, we should be easy to find everywhere you go…including college. Jesus Himself said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
The fact is, God wants you to do everything everywhere for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). Like any other decision in life, choosing where to attend college should be something you pray about and seek good counsel from people you trust. Christian Colleges offer a tremendous mixture of education and life development under the umbrella of a Christian Worldview. Personally, I attended a Christian College and have always been grateful for the education and the various other elements that went into my Christian development. I don’t, however, believe a Christian College is the only place for that to happen.
For example, there is an amazing group of Christians that attend Neighborhood Church who are students at Cal Berkeley. God is using those students, and so many others like them, to impact people for Him through their academics, athletics and friendships. All of them are pursuing God and serving Him in the environment He has allowed them to be in. Each of us is responsible to do the same things, wherever we are.
The big picture of life is that the Lord wants to use us everywhere in every way to win people to Him. We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20)! If you are sensing that God is leading you to attend a Christian College — go for it! However, don’t believe for a minute that God would consider you a “second-class citizen” in anyway for choosing to attend a secular college or any other educational entity. He is most concerned with your desire to be His LIGHT wherever you are and wherever you go.
Are video games bad?Wow…this sounds like a loaded question! Well, let me just say…not necessarily. Most video games I’ve seen are fun to play and are best enjoyed with a few pals. On the other hand, I think there are some video games that would probably be better suited in a trash can than in your PS3 or Xbox, or whatever you’ve got at your place.
I think a great verse to look at when you are thinking through a question like the one you’ve asked is “does this thing hit stride with Philippians 4:8”: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
It’s entirely possible to enjoy things like video games or movies or good books and other things like that, while being aligned with the verse above. When you come across a movie, book, video game or anything else that might cause you to go in the opposite direction of the verse above, it’s definitely worth it to take a second and think through whether or not your relationship with God is going to run into a roadblock. So, I’d just say like everything else in life, you just need to be careful.
Now — let me also say, (since we’re talking like friends!), that everyone (and by that I mean EVERYONE) would do well to turn off their televisions, DVD players, game consoles and computers from time to time, and get out for some “real life” exercise. Have fun with modern technology, but don’t forget to mix some fresh air into your schedule!
Hey! Is that Ryan Suzuki…our new Jr. High Pastor?
Even though that paragraph makes it sound like Joe is leaving us — nothing could be further from the facts! Joe is staying put in our Student Ministries department, but he is shifting his focus to our College Ministry. Though we will miss his leadership in our Jr. High Department, we are thoroughly excited that he’ll be running quick and hard with our college students (once again, many of whom knew Joe as their Jr. High Pastor!).
As we considered this transition, Joe became pivotal in bringing qualified candidates to the table for us to consider as his successor. After much dialog, prayer and consideration, we decided to go with one of our very own — Ryan Suzuki.
So sit back and enjoy this brief overview of our newest teammate here in the Student Ministries Department!
Ryan grew up at Neighborhood Church, where he attended both our Jr. and Sr. High ministries. He was active in student leadership, and was always game for enhancing an event through his expertise in creating cool videos. He graduated from Castro Valley High School in 2003 and started banging away at his general education courses at Chabot College.
During his Senior year of High School and his first year in college (at Chabot), Ryan spent A LOT of time up here on the hill with us, serving as an intern in our Jr. High Ministry under The Joe. Those two years galvanized the bond between Joe and Ryan, and ultimately, showed us we’ve got a great guy out there “just in case the time ever came” – and low and behold – it did!
Back to our story… Ryan was accepted at Biola University in Southern California, where he has just completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. During his time at Biola, Ryan spent his spare time with our old High School Pastor, Chris Lankford, as Chris’ pastoral intern. Knowing Chris, Ryan picked up many great ministry tools to put into the shed for just the right moment. We are totally confident that Ryan will bring “the right stuff” to our Jr. High Ministry and we are all excited to have him join our crew.
Here is some random knowledge on Ryan
His full name: Ryan Kenji Crist Suzuki
His all time favorite movie: Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
His favorite color: Red
The meal he’d eat the night before his execution: Chili and rice (weird I know)
His favorite subject in Jr. High: History
Favorite class in college: New Testament Use of the Old Testament
His favorite sport to play: Ultimate Frisbee
His favorite sport to watch: Basketball
His toothpaste of choice: Crest with Scope
Talent he wishes he had: Artistic ability
Sleeper talent not many people know about (until now): I think I’m a halfway decent cook
Hollywood star he most closely resembles: Kevin from the “Wonder Years”
His favorite band: The Bad Plus
Language he wishes he could speak: Japanese
Number of UFO sightings: 1 or 2
Second favorite person in the Bible (we’ll assume Jesus gets #1): James (brother of Jesus)
Superpower he’d like to have: Flight or teleportation (I can’t choose)
And now for a little “Ryan Roast”Joe Koski’s favorite memory of Ryan: “I suppose I ought to say something about when Ryan was my intern and we really reached out and touched some kids’ hearts…but, I’ll take this one all the way back to when I was an Intern and I first met Ryan and his friends on a Jr. High ski trip to Tahoe. You see the first thing I recall about Ryan and his friends was they were all really, really, small, and yet, all of them had really, really, big heads - like Peanuts’ Gang characters. The other thing is Ryan would get really tired at night and start crying. So, one night while all his friends were playing Wall-ball, Ryan got tired and started to cry while laying on a spare carpet in the gym in which we were staying. So, naturally, his friends rolled him up in the carpet. And Ryan continued crying. ‘Stop crying Suzuki!’ they yelled at him. But he didn’t. ‘Hey! It’s a ‘Zuki burrito!’ they all cried, and continued playing Wall-ball while a pool of tears collected under Ryan’s big head. (And of course I suppose that I, as the Intern, could have stopped it, but it was too funny).”
Danny Strange’s favorite memory of Ryan: My favorite “Ryan memory” is when he was so excited to get his first paycheck (as an intern back in the day), he went to the Business Office to get his check and the payroll lady, (Beverly Blumert), said to him: “Son, I have no idea who you are.”
Paul Keim’s favorite memory of Ryan: I just love Ryan’s witty humor that comes out pretty much all the time. One of my favorite memories of Ryan is when we were walking around a water park on the College Palm Springs trip, and a little girl ran by and bumped into Ryan as she passed. She yelled out, “Sorry”, as she was running, and Ryan said, “That’s alright,” and then turned to me and in an old man’s voice said, “Lovable little scamp, scurrying about.” For some reason I still remember it like it was yesterday. I jump at the chance to hang out with Ryan, because he’ll make you laugh in one breath, and in the next talk about deep issues that challenge your walk.
When I look at the Stars
Every single night, the sky comes alive. Each and every corner is dusted with diamonds…the Milky Way showing off its splendor. There are few sights I enjoy more than a sky full of stars. Coming from the city, where they’re often overshadowed by the glow of streetlights, there’s something magical about stepping onto a pitch-black mountain top beneath a canopy of twinkling lights. And for me, being at summer camp makes it all a little sweeter.
I can remember one night in particular. It was a night that forever changed the way I look at the stars. I was a freshman in college, and it was the second night of camp. I was pumped up from that evening’s session, feeling very close to God. The moment the sun disappeared all I could think about were those stars. So, I made a decision to forgo the rounds of “hotseat” and impromptu worship sessions beside the bonfire. I skipped the Hume ‘N’ Beans latte, and snuck away for some stargazing.
I was very excited at the prospect. Armed with a sweatshirt and beach towel, I headed for a lonely spot on the grass by the lake, where I could lie on my back in the quiet, drink in the beauty of the night, and pray. It was very cool.
Lying there looking up at the stars somehow made God feel closer. Everything was so bright and beautiful, it felt like the sky was almost within reach. Suddenly I got an idea. If I was feeling this close to God, in this moment, then surely He was smiling down on me just waiting for a prayer to answer. I could think of only one thing that would make my moment with Him perfect. I wouldn’t ask for anything too hard, like healing, or salvation, or world peace. No. It was something so small, so natural that He couldn’t say no. How easy would it be for Him to gently flick a star across the sky for me to watch? Just one shooting star, right in that moment, lying on my back in the grass at Hume Lake. Just one. He knew how much it would mean to me. He knew that star would make everything perfect.
So, I prayed. And I waited.
And I waited.
And I waited.
Hmm. Shooting stars aren’t an uncommon sight at camp. Maybe I was looking for it in the wrong spot.
I shifted. I prayed. I waited.
And I waited.
And I waited.
Nothing.
Wait a minute, God. If faith can move mountains, surely it can cause a little star to fall from the sky, right? Maybe He’s testing my faith, I decided. So, I prayed again. And I waited. This time with every bit of faith I could muster. But all remained still. The only things darting back and forth were the annoying gnats around my head.
Here I thought I’d be experiencing a warmth and closeness with God. But all I could feel was the hard ground, and the damp grass seeping through my towel. I was cold. I was disappointed. My back was wet. Somehow the night had become a little less magical than before.
As I sat up, I felt a struggle warring within my soul. I sincerely believed God would hear my prayer and answer it right then and there. I felt like there was no reason He couldn’t or wouldn’t answer me right in that moment. Yet, as sure as I had been 20 minutes earlier, He had chosen to remain silent. And that silence scared me.
Sure, it was just a silly star I was praying for. But what if it had been more? What if it had been a desperate prayer for healing or salvation? What happens when prayers like that are met with His sovereign silence? How hard is it then, to cling to the frays of injured faith…hurting, yet still trying so hard to believe that God is faithful to His promises? Even when it seems the exact opposite, we have to keep telling ourselves that God’s ways are greater than our own. Who can fathom His mind? So, right there I told Him how I felt…disappointed, yet determined not to allow my faith to be swayed. And I knew He heard me, even though I couldn’t see it. I guess that’s what real faith is about.
Several weeks later, it was a particularly clear summer night in the city. While not nearly as dense and bright, a few more stars than normal bravely tried to outshine the street lamps. My friend and I were lying side by side on the hood of his car and I was remembering the last time I found myself looking at the stars. Not much had changed since that moment at Hume, and that was a good thing. I still loved my God, and I knew He loved me. I still had nights of stargazing. And most of all, I still had my faith. Realizing that as I lay there felt good. Really good. Even in the absence of a miracle, I still felt the warmth and closeness I’d sought from Him weeks ago.
And then it happened. It began off in a corner…just a flicker that, to my astonishment, burst into light soaring into the night. One, then another, then another! Not one, but three unlikely stars danced across the smoggy sky. Just for me. In an unexpected moment, I received an unexpected gift. He taught me a priceless lesson, that His timing is different than mine. But it is always perfect.
It reminds me of the story of Lazarus. Jesus was close to Mary and Martha, and they came to Him with faith asking Him to heal their brother who was dying. But Jesus refrained. He was silent in their time of need. He allowed the unthinkable to happen! Lazarus died. Imagine how the women must have felt! Their Jesus…who had healed so many publicly…let their precious brother die. And yet the compassion of Jesus struck me. He wept with them. Just as He weeps with us when we are hurting and don’t understand His ways. But even more than that, Jesus said to them, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
He still hears our prayers, and answers them. Always. But when you look past everything to the very core of His ways, everything is done in His timing and to glorify His name. In essence, this takes precedence over all of our prayers, desires, hopes and dreams. And that is where faith comes in.
Prayers, large or small are all about faith. Faith is something I’ve had to cling to many times since then. And faith is what I remember when I look at the stars.
On the Record with Patrice Burger
For starters, Patrice is easily one of the nicest and thoughtful people I have ever met. As both a volunteer in our children’s ministry to 4th grade students, and as part of the worship team in Crossroads, Patrice is the kind of person you can’t help notice because she is just so kind! Always wiling to help with anything needed, big on giving surprise gifts, or just quick to share one of her patented and always much-appreciated, Patrice-style smiles, I was really excited to have the opportunity to interview Patrice and to let others in on how great she is.
Okay, let’s have fun with some of your “Favorites”:What is your favorite song? Jamie Cullum’s version of “What A Difference A Day Made”
Favorite cereal? I love Special K!
Favorite holiday? Christmas! I love the atmosphere, and people are just nicer.
Favorite pastor? (Laughs) The Joe!
Good answer! Okay, let’s talk about your future…what college are you currently attending, and what is your major?
I am going to Cal State East Bay studying Business Administration. My brother told me, “You’re creative, do marketing!” So marketing is my option. I want to work in the music industry and be a band promoter. I love Ska music; I would like to bring Ska back!
Let’s talk about ministry stuff…what ministry are you currently involved in?I am involved in the Children’s ministry, “The Adventure”. I work with the 4th graders. They are an interesting group of kids and they keep me entertained. I love learning with the kids, all the Bible stories, and sometimes when they ask questions, it can be embarrassing because they know more than me!
Where do you use your singing talents?Crossroads! As far as I can remember I’ve sung. I’ve been in three different choirs. People tell me I’m good, so I guess I’m all right!
When did you start coming to Neighborhood Church?I started coming in June of 2005. Two friends brought me to Crossroads College Ministry and the morning service, and I just kept coming back.
What is your history with church before that?I accepted Christ when I was nine years old, and I re-dedicated my life at 21. After I became a Christian, I didn’t think I was really living for God. When I came to Neighborhood, I decided to re-dedicate and stick with it. The people that God put in my life showed me what it really meant to be a Christian. Seeing that made me want to be like them!
What’s the biggest thing God’s done in your life?To teach me to trust people again, and to trust Him. I had friendships before I came back to church that were not so great, people abandoning me, I wondered, “Is this my fault?” But that has changed in the past year. The friends He’s put in my life really remind me that people can be trusted. That there are good people.
If you could pass on the wisdom of Patrice, what would it be?Life overall is tough, but if you are trusting in God, there is no situation that you can’t get through!
Do you have a favorite Bible verse?I do! It is Ephesians 1:7,8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” I thought about that verse a lot before I rededicated my life to Christ. Knowing that I am not perfect, that I’m a sinner, but that even still Jesus loves me enough to die for me, to wipe my slate clean, is just incredible!
Grounded Magazine
Check out our Grounded Articles, written by members of our Youth Staff and found in issues of Grounded Magazine!