He is with us through everything

~New Years~

This has been an interesting year. Some things that have happened in my life are:

1. I graduated from high school

2. I got my driver's license

3. I survived my first semester in college

4. I have taken my first solo transatlantic flight

5. I've gone on a mission trip 

6. I have made friends

7. I have lost friends

8. I have been vulnerable

9. I have been a closed book

And a lot more.

This has been a really interesting year. I know I just said that. But it really has been. I'm so happy that God is with us through everything! And that He will see us through next year, no matter what it brings.

Befriend and be friends

~Friday for Friends~

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

Let us be this kind of friend to others! In this coming year, let us make it a priority to befriend and continue to be friends with those around us. And let us tell them of the good news!

Switching to Mailchimp and how you can help

~Random Tuesday~

Hey, y'all! Thank you so much for visiting and following Teens Live for Jesus. :) I've been procrastinating on this for quite some time, but I'm finally going to switch to Mailchimp for sending all of the fabulous emails (instead of Feedburner). I'll be making the switch at the beginning of the year, but I need a little bit of help from you... 

This little cry for help only applies to the people who are subscribed by email only and NOT the people who are following with Google. I'm sure there's an easier way to do this transition, but I haven't found it in my couple-hours search of the vast Internet. So I really hope you don't mind helping me out with  2 steps.

#1 - In the next few days, you'll be getting the normal emails after my blog posts come out. Sometime soon please UNSUBSCRIBE from those. And then...

#2 - If you still wish to get email updates from this blog, please comment on this post with your email address. I review all comments before they are posted, and these will NOT be posted. I will add your email address to a subscribers list on Mailchimp, and you'll start receiving emails from blog posts in January. :)

Thank y'all for reading my posts. It means a lot to me to be able to share insights, book reviews, and more with you.

God bless you guys and have a great Christmas season!

Still with us

~Monday Movies & Music~

David Dunn has a fun song, "I Wanna Go Back." 

"13 For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you

    when I was made in the secret place,

    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;

    all the days ordained for me were written in your book

    before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!

    How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,

    they would outnumber the grains of sand—

    when I awake, I am still with you." Psalm 139:13-18 (NIV)

Isn't it amazing that God sees us through every single time of our lives?! He formed us, and even now He is still with us. Whether we feel like it or not. 

His glory

~Christmas is here~

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[a] from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (ESV)

Merry Christmas! May we all remember our Savior on this day and on every day!

Unwritten Melody by Tessa Emily Hall

~Saturday Stories~

Typical Cassie: "My bed squeaks as I climb on top of it. Sitting against the wooden headboard, I place the typewriter in my lap and inhale its dusty scent - which is oddly comforting, like the pages within an old book. Words beg to burst forth through my fingertips as I adjust the paper. This is my therapy."

Typical James: "To put it simply, I have to pursue music. Not just for myself or for this passion, but for the people who may some day be touched through my songs. Those who might be affected by my music in a positive way."

All her life, Cassie has been sheltered. Her grandma sets a 7 p.m. curfew, doesn't let her go to birthday parties, doesn't let her drive, etc., etc., etc. And all her life Cassie has been obedient. But now she wants to do something out of the ordinary, to experience the life that she never got to have, to be a normal teenager. Will her new classmate James be the answer to any of that? Does she have the courage to step out of her small world of grandparents, a couple friends, and her song lyrics?

James was just on American Spotlight, living his dream. But now he can't seem to find the inspiration and words to even start a demo album. Coming to a town in the middle of nowhere with his mother, James wants to sort out his life and figure out what he wants to do after high school. But his past, the past he has tried so hard to forget, might haunt him even here. 

Unwritten Melody is a beautiful story, based somewhat on the sheltered life of the poet Emily Dickinson. The struggles of both Cassie and James are relatable and intricately woven into the story. Cassie learns how to be vulnerable and how to believe that her life holds meaning and purpose. James learns to learn from past mistakes, but not to let them hold him back. 

At some times during the story, I felt that it dragged. However, other times were extremely gripping. The story is not as faith-focused as it could be, but it does include a few mentions of God. More about the Bible is woven into the discussion questions after the story. 

For more on Tessa Emily Hall, visit her website, Facebook page, and blog. She has also written the book, Purple Moon. 

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Love each other

~Friday for Friends~

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:12-13 (NIV)

How can you show love for others today? 

Blessed is the man...

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Book One
The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked
1 Blessed is the man[a]
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish." Psalm 1(ESV)

Sometimes I do a very bad job of this... God, please help us all do better! 

Does anybody hear her?

~Monday Movies & Music~

"Does Anybody Hear Her" is a great song by Casting Crowns. Here are the lyrics.

 "All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 (ESV)

Let us remember this truth and tell of it to others! 

Worth

~Saturday Stories~

(This is not about my actual yesterday)

It was really loud.

And I had fun. 

I really did. 

Yesterday. 

But I'm pretty sure

I annoyed 

All my friends. 

Just by being me.

And, no, they 

Would never tell me

And it might not even be true

But I feel like I'm the most 

Annoying person ever. 

And today has been 

Marked, for me, 

By the giant belief

That I am worse 

Than what everyone 

Wishes I would be. 

But see, it's probably all me. 

Or most of it. 

And, yes, I know 

I am loved by 

God, family, friends.

But sometimes it feels

Like there's a great chasm 

Between my worth 

And theirs. 

God, let me let go 

Of this fear. 

Saying no?

~Friday for Friends~

"When I first became a Christian, I was saying no to everything: No to drugs, parties, my old friends, everything. Pretty soon, I was a total loner. I felt like the weirdest creature on the face of the earth ... Then I figured it out. Hey, I have to start saying yes to something. I mean, no is a good place to start but being empty doesn't satisfy. So, I started saying yes to Jesus." -Todd, A Whisper and a Wish

It is a good idea to say no to things and people that constantly bring us down, inciting us to sin. (Although we are the ones technically responsible for each sin).

"If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell." Matthew 5:29-30 (ESV)

Yet Jesus Himself spent time with sinners, telling them of the amazing Good News. 

It's a delicate balance for us. Are our friends influencing us to sin or are we influencing them to learn more about God? Each relationship requires deep prayer and trust on God's guidance. But, whatever happens with our friendships, whether we say "yes" or "no" to each of them, we always need to say "yes" to God.

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35 (NIV)

How about you? Do you have friendships you are unsure if you should continue or not? Do you spend time with Christ, asking about those friendships or just talking and listening to our Savior?

It'd be crazy to...

~Tuesday Thougths~

"God's creation is so vast it'd be crazy to think we could ever understand it all." -Jake, Angel Eyes

This is so true. We serve a God whose creation is wonderful. And He Himself is the most glorious, magnificent, powerful, omniscient, merciful, loving, righteous and generous One in the world. 

Party like a princess

~Monday Movies & Music~

Jamie Grace has a new song, "Party Like a Princess."

"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." John 1:9-13 (NIV)

We are children of God. Whether or not we are loved by others, we will always be loved by our King and Father. And that is such an amazing truth!

"He gives me an opportunity, and then I decide whether to take it or not "

~Saturday Stories~

"When Jesus 'shows' me something, it isn't like boom - there it is! It's more like he gives me an opportunity, and then I decide whether to take it or not." - Sophie, Sophie's World

"It was like God was reassuring me that it was okay. That I could really change." -Beka, The Masquerade

"I even prayed last night, sort of. Right now it's mostly yelling and being mad. God probably wishes I'd just shut up again."
"No way. ... As long as we're being honest with Him I think He's happy, since He already knows everything anyway." -Damien and Jacie, Stuck in the Sky

How does God show you things? Do you believe you can change? Do you talk with God? 

Save a life

~Monday Movies & Music~

Manic Drive has a thought-provoking song, "Save a Life." Here are the lyrics.

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[a]" Romans 10:14-15(NIV)

Can you tell someone today about the precious news of our loving Savior? Can you bring truth into a world full of lies? 

The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill

~Saturday Stories~

I have had the great privilege of having this book review posted on Rayleigh Gray's Literature Approved blog.

Please head over to her amazing website to read my review of Stephanie Morrill's The Unlikely Debut of Ellie Sweet.

Everyone is busy

~Friday for Friends~

We're having finals next week. It's really easy to start comparing my workload with someone else's and start complaining. However, one of my friends told our community group this week, "Everyone is busy. It might not look it, but everyone is busy this week. We should remember that." And we should strive to remember that, as we struggle, others are probably also struggling. 

That is not to say that we cannot unload ourselves on our friends and let them help us in our struggles. However, we should also be ready to do that for others. 

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

Ohio State

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Among all the crazy things happening in the world, I want to bring to your attention something that happened at Ohio State University this week. Please pray for everyone involved, especially the ones injured.  

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV) 

Someone to lean on

~Monday Movies & Music~

Shawn McDonald's song "Gravity" (lyrics) is a beautiful reminder that we always need someone to lean on - God. And He will always love us. 

  "I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;

    he heard my cry for mercy.

  Because he turned his ear to me,

    I will call on him as long as I live." Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

How about you? Have you turned your problems to God? 

I hope you don't mind

~Saturday Stories~

I battle the urge to tell you 

Because I've been vulnerable not long ago 

And it would only be annoying if I asked 

For support again

But I can't seem to help it 

I'm really sorry if I'm bothering you

Just tell me and I'll stop

But I've thought this through 

And thought that telling you and easing my own pain

Would be worth the slight aggravation it would cause you

Especially since I would do the same for you

So that is why I'm opening up

I hope you don't mind

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV)

Pray for us

~Friday for Friends~

"Brothers and sisters, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:25 (NIV)

One of the last verses of the letter, hanging around with the verses about praying continuously, rejecting evil, acknowledging hard work, and greeting others with a kiss, 1 Thessalonians 5:25 gives a personal request. It asks to pray. 

How often do we ask others to pray for us? Why do we feel shame in asking for prayers? It is not admitting failure but it sure can seem like it sometimes. We want to portray that we have it all together and do not need help. We want to be as close to self-reliant as possible, even if that means a little less support and a lot more times crying alone. But why not share our needs and have others bathe us in love and in prayer? And why not pray for others, especially when we know how hard it is to open up? 

Never-ending forgiveness

~Thanksgiving Thoughts~

Something I am immensely grateful for is God's never-ending forgiveness. I've been pretty bad at reading Scripture lately, postponing it again and again and again.

God, thank you so much for loving me through my mistakes! Help me try to be more and more like You and more and more in love with You! 

  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]

    his mercies never come to an end;

   they are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness.

   “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

    “therefore I will hope in him.”" Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)

Praising Him and serving Him - always

~Monday Movies & Music~

NF has a cool song, "Oh, Lord." Check out the lyrics. 

It's so easy to ask God this: 

  "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

    Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

    and by night, but I find no rest." Psalm 22:1-2 (ESV)

And, yes, He hears us. 

But do we serve Him when everything is going well? Do we acknowledge Him in days when everything is "perfect?" Do we bless His Name when He blesses us? Do we talk to God all the time or only in times of struggle?

His love never fails

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Do you ever find yourself so amazingly alone? Like, where is this joy people talk about? Where's this freedom? Where is God, for crying out loud?

It is encouraging to know that, no matter what happens, we do have one constant in our lives. It's true whether we feel like it or not. Whether it has been a good day or a bad day. Whether we have been trampled on or complimented. Wherever we go, whatever happens, nothing can separate us from God's love. That includes our feelings.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

The Newsboys sing a great song about this, "Your Love Never Fails." 

More Beautiful You

~Monday Movies & Music~

Jonny Diaz has a great song, "More Beautiful You." Here are the lyrics. 

  "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well." Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

  "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." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

How about you? Do you find it easy to compare yourself to the "perfect version" people say you need to be? Do you ask too much of yourself? Can you remember that God made you wonderful?

"I can't be who God wants me to be"

~Saturday Stories~

"Well, you know a tree is an apple tree when there are apples on the tree, right? It's the same idea. ... When somebody really loves God and wants to follow Him, there's evidence. Things you see in their life that show you that's what's in their hearts. None of us will be perfect, but you will see true Christians trying to follow God." -Beka's dad, The Masquerade

"I can't do it. I can't be who God wants me to be."

"Sometimes it seems all wrong at the time. And sometimes it is wrong. I personally am so grateful that God takes us from where we are. As long as we put our hand in His and let Him lead us, He will." -Jacie and her mother, Stuck in the Sky

"...I'm the only one who can fix my life now - and keep it fixed. Well, with the help of God, that is. I'm fully aware that I can't do this alone. Thank God I don't have to!" - Emily, Faded Denim

How about you? Is there evidence that you follow God? Do you let Him lead you? Are you grateful that we can't and are not expected to be perfect? 

God bless y'all! 

Love is better than hatred

~Friday for Friends~

  "Hatred stirs up conflict,

    but love covers over all wrongs." Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)

Let us love each other! 

About this election

I want to gather up a bunch of stuff I've shared on Facebook about the U. S. election this year. I did vote; I do not think it necessary for me to mention who I voted for. Let us remember who the King is!

PLEASE, let us not hate each other here in the States. And let us trust our Savior with our future!

These were shared with my personal Facebook page. Here is my blogger Facebook page .

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel by Lois Gladys Leppard

~Saturday Stories~

"“Don’t get so close, Amanda. You might fall in.” Her mother grasped the back of her long, dark skirt. Mandie tried to pull free. Her tear-filled blue eyes sought a glimpse of her father through the homemade coffin resting by the open grave. “I want to go with you, Daddy!” she was mumbling to herself. “Take me with you, Daddy!” she tugged at her long, blonde braid in her grief."

When her father dies, Mandie is left with her unfeeling mother and cruel sister. Things don’t get better when she is sent to a neighbor’s farm two miles away to live. Mandie’s two friends are Joe, an old schoolmate and a great comfort, and Uncle Ned, her father’s faithful Cherokee friend. Will she be able to run to safety with Uncle Ned? Will she finally get to know the truth about her family? Where does the secret tunnel lead to? Most importantly, does God still love her?

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, the first of the forty-book Mandie series, teaches important life lessons. Why does God take our loved ones? Is it because we did something wrong? Will God love us after this? Can we trust God fully? The whole focus of the book isn’t so much on God, but He is certainly very important. This story will entertain the younger teenager as well as show that God really cares.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23: 1

Learn more about Lois Gladys Leppard.

Rest

~Friday for Friends~

I heard a passionate speech on these three verses this week. Let us come to Him when we are tired and let us tell others about this caring God who wants us all to know Him!  

"“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”" Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Priceless

~Wednesday Movie~

I am sorry that I did not post on Monday; life got busy. 

Here is my review of the just-released movie Priceless.  

Life hasn't worked. It just hasn't. His wife has died, and his daughter is taken out of his custody. Finally finding a job, James is fine with the requirements: haul a truck, ask no questions, get good cash. But when he figures out exactly what - or who - he is hauling, James has to face his conscience head-on and face the consequences of either choice. 

Priceless explores a topic we so often avoid: sex trafficking. It emotionally ties you to what is a reality for so many around the world. While James fights to save the two girls form sex trafficking, it is hard not to think of the countless others who are basically powerless over their lives and over their bodies. The movie reminds us that God can be with us no matter the difficulties or our past mistakes. And He can use us to make change.

No nude scenes, but rape is implied. There is some violence. This movie is not appropriate for children.

Watch the captivating trailer. Read the book Priceless, listen to the song, and check out the band behind this movie.  

Do you have a story about sex-trafficking? What can you do about this?

Gentleness: let it be evident

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:5 (NIV)

How about you? Do you make your gentleness evident? 

"God will use you"

~Saturday Stories~ 

"God looks at our hearts, Jacie. At our intentions. God will use you if you want. Just not always in the way you expect." - Jacie's mother, Stuck in the Sky

"Just because you take the opportunity Jesus gives you doesn't mean everybody does. You can't decide for another person. You can only give them the chance." - Dr. Peter, Sophie's World

"God chooses to use us, Jake, but really, He can do it all on His own." -Angel Eyes

How about you? Has God used you in ways you never expected? Have you told others about Jesus? Have you marveled about God's amazing blessing to us to be part of His plan? 

Say "yes" to Jesus

~Friday for Friends~

"... Hey, start saying yes to Jesus. He's the best friend you'll ever have." -Todd, A Whisper and a Wish

How about you? Do you spend time with Jesus? 

Do not be anxious

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

What have you been anxious about that you can give to God?

All eyes on You

~Monday Movies & Music~

OBB's song "All Eyes on You" (lyrics) reminds us that everything we do, we should do for God. We should point people to God. We are not great people by ourselves. No, but we serve a great God. 

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

Let us point to Him and not us in our successes and run to Him and not ourselves in our failures!

The hurt feelings that I muffle

~Saturday Stories~

The blue I see in the sky, Lord,
They say I have that in my eyes
But when I look into them, Lord,
I just see the pain and the hurt

The hurt feelings that I muffle
The broken stories I shuffle
Around so nobody will hear them
So nobody will see me torn

The "A"s in my GPA, Lord,
They say reflect my hard work
But when I look at my resume, Lord,
I just see useless unappreciated work

The hurt feelings that I muffle
The broken stories that I shuffle
Around so nobody will hear them
So nobody will see me torn

The time on that clock, Lord,
Says I run fast and can do much
But when I see that time, Lord,
I see the time that I waste beating myself up

The hurt feelings that I muffle
The broken stories that I shuffle
Around so nobody will hear them
So nobody will see me torn

Let me open up, Lord,
You know how hard it is
Where I am, Lord,
And everyone seems to have
Bigger problems than me, Lord,
So I shut my mouth up
And don't speak out loud, Lord

Let me open up, Lord,
You didn't make this path for me
To travel all alone, Lord,
You said You'd never leave me,
So just let me open up and be healed, Lord
There are people who would listen
But I bottle myself up, Lord
I say my problems don't matter
While I fail at solving them all, Lord

Lord, just let me open up
Heal me by Your grace
Let me taste Your love
Let me feel Your peace
I can't solve my problems,
I'm the epitome of weak
But You have my hand
And You can heal

You can heal

Life in community and life alone

~Friday for Friends~

A community group I go to is reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together. The second and third chapters discuss life in community and life alone in the Christian life. It's interesting how Bonhoeffer stresses that both have value and that one without the other is just wrong.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe[a] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

 "Blessed is the man[a]

    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

  but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,

    and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2 (ESV)

Do you spend time with fellow believers? Do you spend time alone with God?

Belief is a choice

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"Belief is always a choice. And it's a choice no one else can make for you." -Jake in Shannon Dittemore's Angel Eyes

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”" Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

Have you chosen to follow God? 

Heart of Stone

~Monday Movies & Music~

Britt Nicole has a great song, "Heart of Stone." Here are the lyrics. 

"do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Are you completely honest with God? He loves you and wants you to give all your worries to Him. 

The Vanishings by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye

~Saturday Stories~

"Judd was afraid, but he wasn’t puzzled. As the pilot came over the intercom, pleading for people to remain calm, the full realization of what had happened hit Judd. He didn’t know how many other people on the plane had any idea, but he sure did. Christ had come as he promised and raptured his church. Judd lowered his face into his hands and shuddered. It was the worst nightmare imaginable, and he was wide awake. He, and most of the passengers on that plane, had been left behind."

God has come back for His church. Teenagers Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan are now all alone, except for each other. Their future is uncertain, and their lives seem pointless. As they are told the truth they have two choices: to believe or to not believe.

This book discusses life after Rapture for those who are left behind. Very God-focused, The Vanishings helps us stop and consider our faith in a new perspective. We do not want to be left behind when Christ comes for His children. This is part of the Left Behind: The Kids series.

Mathew 24: 40-41: “Two men will be working in a field. One will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain. One will be taken and the other will be left.”

Find out more about Jerry B. Jenkins (website, Facebook) and Tim LaHaye.

Loves at all times

~Friday for Friends~

"A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)

Who can you help and love today? 

Altar call?

~Tuesday Thoughts~

The altar call was an important part of revivalism. Historian Ian Murray argues that this device reflects the theology where man does something and comes to the Lord, as opposed to the Lord having grace and saving a sinner. Murray believes this to be wrong.
 

Conversion is a collaborative event that involves the actions of both God and the person. God is the One who calls a sinner to Himself, and without His call no one can be saved, altar call or not (John 6:44). However, the person also has responsibility: he needs to admit that he is a sinner, ask forgiveness (1 John 1:9), and turn away from his sins (Ezekiel 18:30-32). The person’s actions are more visible in an altar call, but for the conversion to be real God has to act in the person’s soul.

Thus, an altar call can be a legitimate part of revivalism. Although the action itself does not save, God’s call and the sinner’s reaction are visually portrayed in it, and those do save.

How about you? What is your opinion on the altar call?