This isn't a newsflash, but tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
However, this post is not really about Thanksgiving.
It is about giving, though!
Eric Foley of the Mission Increase Foundation shares some insights about Biblical giving that are, frankly, quite challenging. Check 'em out:
More Than a Feeling, Part I
More Than a Feeling, Part II
With that said, we are so very thankful for those of you who generously give to Aim Right your gifts of time, prayer, and resources. Thank you!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
A Testimony
In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: "...you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." Paul recognized that while God had used him to carry the Good News to those human hearts, the transformation of those hearts was ultimately only His doing: "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. "
Yesterday, I heard a young man share his testimony. It is posted below with his permission. God has graciously allowed us at Aim Right to be a participant in His work in this young man's life. The imprint of the Spirit of God is on the tablet of his heart.
In his words:
In my past, as I started to grow and live life, I didn't know my purpose in life. I grew up with my mom and my brother since my dad passed away when I was 4. As tough as it could be, I had to keep moving on with life. I didn't know anything about God at that point which means I didn't also know about His amazing love. Just as I kept growing, I started realizing how tough life was without a father, so I would cry my eyes out at night, yelling and screaming why I had to lose my father at such a very young age.
Then in 5th grade, my whole life changed, as it was my first time to come to Rec Center here at Aim Right. I didn't know it was a Christian church until I was invited to Kids Klub, where I would start to learn more about God. I learned that God sent His one and only Son to come and die for our sins by being crucified, that He carried the cross for our sins. All our sins were laid on Him. Not only that, but so many good verses and stories were said to help all the kids and me understand more of what the whole lesson was about.
As years passed, it was time for me to move on and start going to Teen Night, a Friday where Darrell would always speak about God and let us see who God was. Just as I entered my teen years, I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart at age 13. I didn't know how life as a Christian was actually supposed to be lived. I knew who God was, but I thought that being a Christian, you had to follow certain rules. I didn't think I could do it so I kept doubting myself and asking myself if I was a Christian. My mind knew how amazing God was, but my heart didn't know if I was good enough.
Now as I stand here in the present at age 16, a Christian and without a father, I see that this is not my life. I see that this is the life God has given me to live. I have now seen that being a Christian doesn't mean that you have to follow rules, that you have to be perfect and try to impress other people, because my identity is found in Christ. I know I will never be perfect and never in eternity be good enough. What I do know is that Christ died for me, that He forgives me, and most of all that nothing in all creation will ever separate me from His love.
I know I'm a sinful man and that I'm not worthy of God, but because He loves me, He sent His Son to die for us all. So, I ask myself, "Why would He wanna send His Son to die for us? Why does He love me when I'm as tiny as an ant? Am I really that much worth it?" And the one word that comes to my mind is love. His love for us all who believe in Him and have accepted Him into our lives. All I can say is that God has, will, and will always be there for me!
His love for me will never end. My life will end soon as years go by, but my love for God will never end, because as precious as life is, God is worth more than life itself. I'm proud to be coming here to Aim Right. I love my friends here, all the fun I have with them, and the amazing memories. Most of all, I am so proud to have God in my life, leading me in His path to where soon I would enter enter His kingdom in heaven and bow down before Him!
Even in the future, I will worship and adore God forevermore. I will never want Him to let me go, and I know He never will. As small as I could be, His love for me will never end. I didn't really know who God was back then, and even now I don't know who He is because I will never know who He is. I will just keep living life for Him and keep praying to just build that connection with God. Although I will stumble and fall, my Father will pick me up and forgive. Why? Because he loves me!
I know I'm not perfect, and I never will be. My life is all in God's hands. Now I just see that the main difference between my past and my future is that Jesus is now in my life!
Yesterday, I heard a young man share his testimony. It is posted below with his permission. God has graciously allowed us at Aim Right to be a participant in His work in this young man's life. The imprint of the Spirit of God is on the tablet of his heart.
In his words:
In my past, as I started to grow and live life, I didn't know my purpose in life. I grew up with my mom and my brother since my dad passed away when I was 4. As tough as it could be, I had to keep moving on with life. I didn't know anything about God at that point which means I didn't also know about His amazing love. Just as I kept growing, I started realizing how tough life was without a father, so I would cry my eyes out at night, yelling and screaming why I had to lose my father at such a very young age.
Then in 5th grade, my whole life changed, as it was my first time to come to Rec Center here at Aim Right. I didn't know it was a Christian church until I was invited to Kids Klub, where I would start to learn more about God. I learned that God sent His one and only Son to come and die for our sins by being crucified, that He carried the cross for our sins. All our sins were laid on Him. Not only that, but so many good verses and stories were said to help all the kids and me understand more of what the whole lesson was about.
As years passed, it was time for me to move on and start going to Teen Night, a Friday where Darrell would always speak about God and let us see who God was. Just as I entered my teen years, I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart at age 13. I didn't know how life as a Christian was actually supposed to be lived. I knew who God was, but I thought that being a Christian, you had to follow certain rules. I didn't think I could do it so I kept doubting myself and asking myself if I was a Christian. My mind knew how amazing God was, but my heart didn't know if I was good enough.
Now as I stand here in the present at age 16, a Christian and without a father, I see that this is not my life. I see that this is the life God has given me to live. I have now seen that being a Christian doesn't mean that you have to follow rules, that you have to be perfect and try to impress other people, because my identity is found in Christ. I know I will never be perfect and never in eternity be good enough. What I do know is that Christ died for me, that He forgives me, and most of all that nothing in all creation will ever separate me from His love.
I know I'm a sinful man and that I'm not worthy of God, but because He loves me, He sent His Son to die for us all. So, I ask myself, "Why would He wanna send His Son to die for us? Why does He love me when I'm as tiny as an ant? Am I really that much worth it?" And the one word that comes to my mind is love. His love for us all who believe in Him and have accepted Him into our lives. All I can say is that God has, will, and will always be there for me!
His love for me will never end. My life will end soon as years go by, but my love for God will never end, because as precious as life is, God is worth more than life itself. I'm proud to be coming here to Aim Right. I love my friends here, all the fun I have with them, and the amazing memories. Most of all, I am so proud to have God in my life, leading me in His path to where soon I would enter enter His kingdom in heaven and bow down before Him!
Even in the future, I will worship and adore God forevermore. I will never want Him to let me go, and I know He never will. As small as I could be, His love for me will never end. I didn't really know who God was back then, and even now I don't know who He is because I will never know who He is. I will just keep living life for Him and keep praying to just build that connection with God. Although I will stumble and fall, my Father will pick me up and forgive. Why? Because he loves me!
I know I'm not perfect, and I never will be. My life is all in God's hands. Now I just see that the main difference between my past and my future is that Jesus is now in my life!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Some Barna Research
From The Barna Group:
What is the connection between childhood faith and adult religious commitment? Parents and religious leaders are naturally interested in knowing if spiritual investment in young lives pays off in the long run.
A recent study conducted by the Barna Group provides new insights into this age-old question. The survey asked adults to think back on their upbringing and to describe the frequency of their involvement in Sunday school or religious training. The Barna researchers then compared those reported early-life behaviors with the respondents’ current levels of faith activity and faith durability.
You can read the findings by clicking on the link below:
New Research Explores the Long-Term Effect of Spiritual Activity among Children and Teens
What is the connection between childhood faith and adult religious commitment? Parents and religious leaders are naturally interested in knowing if spiritual investment in young lives pays off in the long run.
A recent study conducted by the Barna Group provides new insights into this age-old question. The survey asked adults to think back on their upbringing and to describe the frequency of their involvement in Sunday school or religious training. The Barna researchers then compared those reported early-life behaviors with the respondents’ current levels of faith activity and faith durability.
You can read the findings by clicking on the link below:
New Research Explores the Long-Term Effect of Spiritual Activity among Children and Teens
A Few Friday Photos
It's a beautiful Friday afternoon!
It's a noisy Friday afternoon.
There's the clattering of pool sticks and balls,
the chattering of children,
Or making sure you don't let a boy beat you at air hockey?
It's a beautiful Friday afternoon!
It's a noisy Friday afternoon.
There's the clattering of pool sticks and balls,
the chattering of children,
and enough other clanging and banging that it's most assuredly
a noisy Friday afternoon!
Can you think of a better way to kick off the weekend than heading over to the Rec Center for a riveting game of Candyland with your best buds?
Can you think of a better way to kick off the weekend than heading over to the Rec Center for a riveting game of Candyland with your best buds?
Or hanging out with your friend on the basketball court?
Or making sure you don't let a boy beat you at air hockey?
It's a beautiful Friday afternoon!Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Cardinals Game!
Sometimes it seems like life is full of difficult decisions.
You wake up and have to decide between Captain Crunch or Raisin Bran, decaf or double shot, apple juice or orange juice
Heavy stuff.
Or maybe someone offers you tickets to a football game. You can take some friends along with you....19 friends, to be exact. Oh, and this football game happens to be an NFL one....the Arizona Cardinals versus the Seattle Seahawks, to be exact. And those tickets? They're in the 17th row of the endzone, to be exact.
But there's one more catch. You need to wait around awhile after the game, because the quarterback would like to meet you and your 19 friends in a reserved room. He wants to pray with you, sign autographs for you, and take photos with you.
As I said, sometimes life is just filled with difficult decisions.
Aim Right's Team FUN group, a character-building program sponsored by Kurt Warner's First Things First Foundation, had a great time at the Cardinals game over the weekend. Special thanks to Emily for the pictures you see below!
You wake up and have to decide between Captain Crunch or Raisin Bran, decaf or double shot, apple juice or orange juice
Heavy stuff.
Or maybe someone offers you tickets to a football game. You can take some friends along with you....19 friends, to be exact. Oh, and this football game happens to be an NFL one....the Arizona Cardinals versus the Seattle Seahawks, to be exact. And those tickets? They're in the 17th row of the endzone, to be exact.
But there's one more catch. You need to wait around awhile after the game, because the quarterback would like to meet you and your 19 friends in a reserved room. He wants to pray with you, sign autographs for you, and take photos with you.
As I said, sometimes life is just filled with difficult decisions.
Aim Right's Team FUN group, a character-building program sponsored by Kurt Warner's First Things First Foundation, had a great time at the Cardinals game over the weekend. Special thanks to Emily for the pictures you see below!
The whole group with Kurt & Brenda Warner and the Cardinals mascot:
Note: If you receive a Sunday newspaper, it might interest you that this coming weekend's issue of USA Weekend (a newspaper insert) will feature Kurt Warner on its cover. He has been selected as the most caring athlete of 2009. For the past four years, many Aim Right youth have certainly been blessed by the Warners' caring and generous spirit.
Now that decision is a good one!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Reaching Children for God
The great evangelist D. L. Moody once said, "If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!"
Seriously, Mr. Moody?
Your entire ministry -- devoted to children?
That seems to be a rather strong statement.
Yet, I think I understand.
Children are like little sponges. Adults have a filter system.
Children are okay with being dependent on someone or something. Adults are independent, and they like it that way.
Children are able to believe, even if all their questions aren't answered. Adults want their questions answered before they'll believe.
It's interesting to note that the verse that precedes the famous 2 Timothy 3:16 ("All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...") is this one: "and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which in Christ Jesus." Certainly, the Word is for all times, ages, and circumstances, but how much better it is to implant it in a heart when that heart is young and tender and receptive!
Seriously, Mr. Moody?
Your entire ministry -- devoted to children?
That seems to be a rather strong statement.
Yet, I think I understand.
Children are like little sponges. Adults have a filter system.
Children are okay with being dependent on someone or something. Adults are independent, and they like it that way.
Children are able to believe, even if all their questions aren't answered. Adults want their questions answered before they'll believe.
It's interesting to note that the verse that precedes the famous 2 Timothy 3:16 ("All Scripture is given by inspiration of God...") is this one: "and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which in Christ Jesus." Certainly, the Word is for all times, ages, and circumstances, but how much better it is to implant it in a heart when that heart is young and tender and receptive!
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Monday, November 9, 2009
A Few Hoedown Memories
Saturday's hoedown featured great food, fellowship, and fun.
The organizer of the evening (David Varela) takes a break with his mother.
Collecting donations was this pistol-packing farmer.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
It's Almost Hoedown Time!
Aim Right is bringing a little country to the city this Saturday night.
That means it's time to dust off your boots, shine your Texas-sized belt buckle, and get your Stetson out of the closet. The best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl will win a prize, and rumor has it that it's a gift card for some newfangled, city slicker coffee joint that starts with Star and ends with Bucks.
Speaking of cowboys, did you hear about the cowboy that visited a church where only he and the preacher were the ones present that Sunday? The preacher asked the cowboy if he wanted him to go ahead and preach.
The cowboy responded, "I'm not too smart, but if I went to feed my cattle and only one showed up, I'd feed him." So the minister began his sermon. One hour passed, then two hours, then two-and-a-half hours. The preacher finally finished and came down to ask the cowboy how he'd liked the sermon.
The cowboy answered slowly, "Well, I'm not very smart, but if I went to feed my cattle and only one showed up, I sure wouldn't feed him all the hay!"
And speaking of feeding...rumor has it that there will be cornbread at this Hoedown, and I'm pretty sure that where's there cornbread, there's bound to be chili to go along with it. You can come and get all the good eats from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the low, low cost of $4 for adults or $2 for children. For additional info., click here.
And finally, if you've never seen a tractor square dance before, you simply must check this out.
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