What a week!!!

  We had the most fantastic time at the Lake House retreat with the guys from Next Door Bible Study!  We (the guys-I cooked/cleaned/taught...)swam, fished, played tennis, ping pong, etc.  We painted the lake house deck and even had devotionals with the Skit Guys every day. Charlotte, Dusty and Dakota joined us on Saturday. I hope they lived up to the theme of the weekend "Wise Guys".  I know they learned some things they'd never heard.  They even surprised Mrs. Faye by planting flowers underneath her mailbox and they are making her a sign that says "Faye's Refuge" to hang at the entrance to the driveway. 

  We studied Spiritual warfare, cleaning up our mouths and making our walk match our talk.  We ended up the weekend with learning to run the race.  It was pretty cool!  We had a scavenger hunt each day relating to the lesson where the discovered a treasure for each young man to keep and the last scavenger hunt was a race with the winner recieving a CD from Need To Breathe.  Tee Shirts with our logo was another gift.  Wonderful weekend!

    This week the Next Door Bible Study met again.  Renee had the awesome pleasure of leading someone to the Lord over Facebook!  She called me at midnight to tell me.  She was so excited.  That is what this ministry is all about, discipleship, teaching these kids the truth of Christ and how to pass it on.  We are planning the girl's trip to the lake and then we will back in Genesis next week.

    The UP Bible study met this week.  We are talking about storms in our lives.  We have studied, "Why Me?"  Why would God choose me to do something.  This week and next week we are studying "Why Now?"  The story of Esther who was chosen for "...such a time as this."  We are also chosen for such a time as this.  God has specific calls on all our lives and He has equipt us with the tools we need to get the job done.  Then He stategically places us in the arena where that gift is to be used, though sometimes we may not be the most willing participants.  Fear of the unknown and discomfort and unwillingness to change are enemies of God's plan .  We must array ourselves in the armor of the Spirit in order to see success.  We are listening to the song "We Live" by Superchik.  The kids asked us to play it a second time and they sang with it.  It was great!!! 

    I would ask you to pray for these children.  All of them are going through hard time right now.  Pray specifically that God would open up their ears and their minds to the things of God and that they might be saved. 

    No King's Kidz this weekend.  We are lakebound to list the service projects for the girls.  We will resume next weekend.  Pray for us as we seek the Lord in prayer and ask for specific guidance.  We hope to have some breakthroughs!  God bless you all this week.
To God be the glory!
Jamie