Kyle shared about enduring hardships last night. Here's a list of some of the questions that he asked, feel free to comment and respond - let us know what you think!

- Is God at fault for hard times? Or does God allow them to just happen?

- Do we want a God that will take away all hardship?

- Hardship makes us mature. Would we rather be immature then face hardship?

- Do you think God wants to punish you/ have a curse on you/ be absent from you?

- Hardship screams out “how much faith do you really have? How can James say consider it joy when you face trials?

- Do you feel like you’re out of God’s will when bad things happen? What about Job in the bible?

- Does abundant life with God mean little hardships?

- Share a story in your life when life sucked, How did you cope?

Another year of Teen Camp has come and gone. It was truly an awesome time at Chubb Lake. Everyone seemed really ready to jump right in, worship God, and spend time with Him! Eventhough it was tiring, I really felt encouraged by seeing how God was at work in teen's lives, and I loved that I was playing a part in that! Feel free to comment on what you thought of Teen Camp ... what did God do in your life? .... what is your favorite memory?

Pictures soon to come!

Here's a story that Marissa Stace shared with us Sunday morning, it was awesome so I asked her if I cost post it. So, here it is ...

"God I want you to take control of my life, but I don't know if you want to." I said one day to God,
God turned his nailed scared hands to me and said, "My child why would I have died for you if I didnt want you?"
"But," I told God, "I'm not good enough, I'm broken, beaten down and traud upon."
God took my hands in his and whispered, "my girl, I love you, O knew when I died that you would be around, hurts and all, but girl remember, I came for the broken, the beat up and the traud apon, I didnt come for the perfect person, I came for you."
"But why would you want me, honestly I'm nothing." I cried out in anguish
"Exactly my child, you may feel like nothing right now but I have so much planned for you, you will love what i have in mind for you."
"What is it?" I asked brightening up
Jesus just laughed, and a kind smile formed on his face, He turned me around so I faced the mountians, and he said "You have so much potential, your life will be filled if you follow me, but I can't tell you right now what the plans are."
My face fell, he smiled kiindly again and said "Daughter, pick your path, go on an adventure, take me with you and you will find out in time what the plans are, if I simply told you now, the experiances wouldn't be so life changing for you."
"God," I started again, "do you really love me even though I'm broken and all and I have done things I know I shouldnt have?"
He looked me straight in my eye, his eyes seemed to see right into my very being.
He stared at me for so long, as if searching my heart. A single tear slipped out of his eye as he pulled me into his arms and said,"Daughter, I love you more than you will ever know, girl I forgive your sins, and I want to share your hurts, trust me, I love you, why else would I make a home where we will live together forever?"
I felt a peace slip around me. Jesus held me as i cried, but the tears of anguish were gone. Beacuase now I knew his love, He whispered into my hair "I love you, I love you, I love you."

So we recorded some tunes last night, and it went great! Thankfully we decided to go through the set twice, since our first go through the songs was pretty rough! However, bigger then that - there was a really strong sense of God and our passion for Him in the place as we simply poured out our hearts to Him in worship. I think that's what matters most - but if we got some good takes on songs ... always a nice bonus! Thank you to everyone who came out and sung their hearts out :)

"here it is, my heart wide open!"