Got an email from Nick asking if I could pick up Erin O'Donnell at the airport on Saturday. Sure, why not? Anyway, I didn't think that I would like her music, you know, it's just run of the mill Christian music. So, I pick her and Steve, her guitar player, up from the airport @ 245pm and had a nice ride back to the church, talked and whatever. During the concert, she made reference to how much she loves her daughter and that she would give up almost anything for her, except for her daughter! Then she went on to say that God loves us so much that he gave us His son, let him die on a cross for the sins of billions of people that who would reject him anyway! Altogether it was some powerful testimony and really moved me for some reason! It made me think, God did all this for me! He did it for all of us because He loves us beyond what we can imagine. Even tho He knew that we would hate him and reject his free offer of salvation, He still loved us and sent his son to die a horrible death on a cross. How can any of us hold back any of our time, our talents, or our influence from serving God and giving freely to further the cause of Christ?! If God sees a willingness in a heart somewhere, He will take that little bit of faith and willingness and make it into big things for His kingdom! There is no doubt that God will use ANYONE that has a willing heart. God doesn't only call the educated, the rich, the respected etc. but he also calls the rejected, the outcast, the crippled etc. He wants anyone who will believe in His son and have a genuine heart attitude change to work for the cause of Christ. Now, there are many different things that a person could do that are working in His vineyard or using that willingness to serve. And I believe the most blessed people are the ones who help anonymously or the most un-thanked people. The ones who work hard and long and go un-noticed by everyone, and on top of that are content just knowing that they are in His service, not men's! Working for the Lord doesnt always mean that you stand up and preach in church, or work for the church itself. There are many ways, "When you do it unto the least of these, my brothers, you do it unto Me". That is our assurance verse that says that we can help a hungry person, or visit someone in prison, or take someone into our house off the street for a hot meal, or anything and we are doing it unto our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I talked to Erin afterward and told her what an encouragement she was to me and how she encouraged me to continue all the more diligently in my walk of faith and with the youth ministry that God has placed me in. She encouraged me that all the things that we do for God are not to earn our salvation but to show our love to God for what He has done for us and to reach other people for Christ. Then she gave me a hug and said, "You'll make a good husband to someone someday". Hmmm, but I don't think i'm gettin married.. j/k. anyway, It turned out to be a very encourageing and uplifting day after all. Glad I volunteered my time to be their runner for the day.

Check this out! The country of Morrocco is a nation of the Islam religion and is 99% Muslims! That is 99% Muslim!! Pastor Harry is from Come Alive New Testament Church which is better known for Creation Fest. Pastor Harry founded the Creation Festivals 26 years ago. OK, anyway, Pastor Harry just got back from a missions trip in Morrocco (99% Muslim). He said that they treated him like a king, secret service around them at all times etc. Pastor Harry said that the Ambassador to Morrocco (A muslim) watched the Creation Video in its entirety and Loved IT !! To make a long story short, the President of Morrocco and the Ambassador to Morrocco asked Pastor Harry to produce a Christian Festival in Morrocco in the year 2005! Think about it, both of these men are devout muslims, but they want a Christian music festival to come to there country!! They said that you can sing about Jesus all you want, but no preaching, and no baptisms! The muslims will pay for every penny it costs including airfare for everyone from Creation Concerts who will go over, all expenses paid! pastor Harry said that Toby Mac and Newsboys want to go, but hasn't made anything definite yet! It will be the first ever Christian festival in a Muslim country. Pastor Harry said that he is taking quite a risk taking the gospel to a muslim nation like that. I encouraged him that with an offer to spread the gospel and minister to people, esp Muslims, how can you pass it up?! It is worth the risk to tell them the good news of Jesus Christ and not Allah!!! Wow, that sounds very exciting, and what I wouldnt give to go with them and minister to the muslim people!! Wow! They expect over 70,000 people to attend the festival over there in April of 2005. given that there are only 5000 christians and 5000 jews, there will be alot of Muslims hearing the message of salvation through faith in Christ. What a ministry oppurtunity!

He is the vine and we are the branches, any branch that does not produce good fruit, will wither up and be cut off an thrown in the fire!!

Ok, I am a branch, that means I am a branch of God. If i do not produce fruit I will be cut off and thrown into the fire. Hmm the fruit I produce is the things that I do because I love the Lord (not to earn salvation) If I love the Lord I will do what he commands me (throughout the Bible). If I don't do what He says, I will be cut off and thrown into the fire (Hell)!
Notice that word says 'cut off', not pruned back!! God prunes us when we are producing fruit to make us more fruitful. When a branch withers from lack of producing fruit, you'd have to be a moron to prune it and hope it bears fruit. And we know that God is not a moron!!!! So he prunes a fruitful branch, not a dead branch!! Get it straight!!

mmmm french vanilla cappuccino.. mmm mmm good, (how to make me happy) haha

whew! I'm tired! long day of sitting and eating!! haha