An Innocent Bystander - by Susan Jensen

John 13:34-35

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

How are my words representing the love and gratitude I have for Christ? If people see me, or better yet hear me, will they know that I am a disciple of Christ? Have you ever gotten that nagging feeling just after getting something off your chest? Maybe you felt your words were justified because you were with close friends, or maybe you felt it was okay since you at least waited until the person that irritated you couldn’t hear you. However the truth of the matter is, if you felt even a twinge of guilt about something you’ve just said, that guilt is telling you something. Quite honestly, if you’re a Christian, that twinge is the Holy Spirit challenging you to rethink your words.

So how are we doing, will an innocent bystander looking for hope know that we are Christians by our love for one another? Are my words speaking love that will bring others to Christ, or are my words dishonoring the one who gave His life for me? Take a 24 hour challenge, after each conversation, run the conversation through this one question filter. Would God be pleased with what I just said? It’s a simple challenge that can make an eternal difference.

Changes From the Inside Out – by Justin Bowman

As a Youth Worker spending time with students in the 5th - 8th grade age range I get to talk to students of all different sizes.  Some look me in the eyes, and sometimes I get down on one knee to be at eye level with certain students. Though I actively notice the difference in the sizes of the students I work with, for the longest time I didn’t consciously realize the difference…until someone else pointed it out to me. 

A group of us were attending one of the several Youth Workers Conventions we’ve been to when a well-known Junior High Youth Pastor showed us a set of pictures. The first picture was of him with two 8th grade boys (who were taller than him) the second was of him with two other 6th grade boys (very much shorter than him) and the difference astounded everyone in the room.  I noted how I wanted to take such a picture with a few of the students I have spent time with to document this difference for myself. About a year later I actually remembered to do so, but I have some thoughts I would like to share before revealing the photos.

After capturing the photos I sat and thought about the extreme changes that can occur physically between the 5th grade and 8th grade years. After a while I was drawn to think the following: if a person can have such radical change physically in just four years, how radically can they change spiritually during that same time frame?

Now, generally speaking, when students enter the ministry in 5th grade they are normally little rambunctious balls of energy who seem to bounce off the walls and have energy levels that are difficult for most to keep up with. By the time they leave 8th grade they have developed a level of maturity that allows them to have actual, meaningful conversations with us as adults.  Trust me when I say this, these are two very different plots on the maturity scale…but I absolutely love spending time with both. 
A Bible verse I came across expresses what happens during this time frame in such a simple way.

Luke 2:40

The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom…

This particular verse is actually referring to Jesus. As the children around us grow I feel that they undergo basically the same process. Perhaps not to the divine levels of Jesus’ spirituality, but their wisdom increases nonetheless. A very simple statement, but it carries a deep and profound meaning. Sometimes we don’t realize the changes on the outside are signals of the countless changes occurring on the inside.

Fairly often a student will say something profound that catches us leaders by surprise, and causes us to realize that as they grow they figure things out in ways that help us to learn a thing or two. Most of the time these comments come from 8th graders, 5th graders usually say the things we won’t ever be able to figure out. 

Middle school is a time when students project the image of wanting to distance themselves from most everyone. As you can see from the images below, this is a phase when a lot of change happens in a relatively small amount of time, and students need someone to guide them through this time of rapid changes from the inside out.

 

   

 

Treasure - by Diane Lantzy

One of my favorite past times is reading - which isn’t much of a surprise to anyone who knows me.  Recently, I finished a historical fiction book that looked like an easy read but not one that I had high expectations for. It was an older book that I had picked up off the used book cart in Pages & Prayers Bookstore here at Redeemer. (And if you have never checked out the used book cart at Pages & Prayers there are bargains galore– there is a large selection of books, many for just a dollar or two!)

But as I was reading this book, I realized that what I was reading was simply a delight!  This book took place during a critical time in US history, and had well-developed, interwoven characters that grew personally and spiritually – but not unrealistically - throughout the book.  When I finished this book a few days ago, I thought “this was an unexpected treasure!”

Then, during worship this past Sunday, Don Gerrerd, shared with us what International Justice Mission is doing for those who are trafficked.  During his message he referenced Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”  This verse just happened to use the same word ‘treasure’ that I had thought of as I had finished my book.  I had been pleased by the treasure I had found in this book but I was reminded of what the greatest treasure is of all.

God does provide us with many things to delight us, whether it is a good book, a day at the beach, an amazing sunset, time with friends, or many other things.  And I believe that God is pleased when we enjoy all that He has blessed us with.  But most of all, I believe that God is overjoyed when He sees that we truly understand that our greatest treasure is belonging to His Kingdom.

LOVE, PURPOSE AND HOPE - by Sue Campbell

My husband and I are getting ready for a new chapter in our life – grandparenthood!  My role here at DeWitt Redeemer gives me a big advantage to prepare for it in having connections to many wonderful families and grandparent role models.  I also have access to great resources – one of which we’ve been enjoying through our church subscription to Right NowMedia.  Dan and I have been sitting down in the evenings when we can to watch sessions of “Extreme Grandparenting” by Tim and Darcy Kimmel.  We’ve learned that there are 3 needs that God wires into all of us – the need for: 

·         a secure LOVE

        ·         a significant PURPOSE

·         and a sufficient HOPE

The Kimmels talk about the importance of a grandparent’s role in helping to fill these needs in a grandchild and we can’t wait to do our part!

But, in the meantime, it occurs to me that these 3 things are important for all of us who call ourselves Christ-followers to do for all of those in our spheres of influence.  Christ calls us to be a blessing to others by telling them of His unconditional, never-ending love – giving us the security we can’t get anywhere else.  He also wants us to help and support others as they seek and play out their unique purposes.  Finally, no matter how messy or mean-spirited or cynical the world might seem, Christ calls us to be hope to others that’s sufficient to get them through it - to live His better way.

If you haven’t yet checked out the great kids’ videos, parenting helps, Bible studies, etc. available through Right Now Media – I really encourage you to take some time to do so!