One Word 2011

One Word 2011

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I don't know about you but New Year's resolutions have never worked for me so I don't even bother with them anymore. I recently learned of a new concept along those lines but where you take one word and focus on that for the coming year. (You can read more about it here: one word 2011 : Grit and Glory) And I thought it would be a good thing to try. The hard part was choosing what I wanted to focus on in 2011. Many different things came to mind and areas in my life where I know I could use improvement. After thinking about it for a few days I finally concluded that prayer was the most important thing for me to work on this year. I know I don't spend enough time in prayer and I also know how valuable it is in the Christian life. So, my one word for 2011 is "Pray." The Bible tells us to be fervent in prayer, to pray continuously, to ask, seek and knock and never give up asking. That kind of prayer does not characterize my life but I want it to. I would encourage you to join us in this idea and see what area the Lord might have you grow in especially this coming year. I can't wait to see what the Lord will do when we really seek to become more and more like Him!

Let the countdown begin!

Let the countdown begin!

Posted by Ashley Hoover

In just five days I'll be headed to Honduras for the first time! Now that Christmas is over I can start focusing more on the trip. The next few days will find me packing, studying for my lessons and demo's and of course waiting (probably a little impatiently :)) for the new year. I'm pretty excited but I'm not sure it will really sink in until I land in Honduras. My sister gets to go with me which will also be fun. Thank you for your prayers for this opportunity to minister to children in Honduras. I really couldn't do this without you!

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about the really amazing fact that God came and dwelt among man. Mostly I’ve only ever thought about that during Christmas time and how neat it was that day that God would take the form of man and literally be “with us.” This year however I’ve realized in a new way that it doesn’t end there. God is still “with us.” As incredible as it was that day when Jesus was born and was with us in human form, even more awesome is the fact that He is with us every day in the form of the Holy Spirit for the believer. Even more than “with us” He is in us, guiding us, teaching us and helping us as we strive to become more like Christ. I had never heard this verse of O Come, O Come Emmanuel but it really expresses what this season is all about.

“Oh come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, oh Israel”

As believers we have a lot to rejoice about because of what God did when He chose to be with us, give His life for us and save us. The gift of salvation is better than anything this world can offer. His promise to always be with us also is a huge comfort in a world of so much uncertainty. Find comfort this year in the truth that God is still with us and will be forever.

“…they will call him Immanuel—which means, “God with us.” …And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 1:23b, 28:20b)

Have a very blessed Christmas!

Honduras Trip Update

Honduras Trip Update

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Well, I made it back home without any trouble and am thoroughly enjoying time with family and friends! Thank you for your prayers! I've missed all the hugs & kisses from little brothers for the last almost 7 months so there's lots of catching up to do. :)

The promised update:
The first week of January we'll be helping with Camp Good News. I've never been around a Camp Good News so I'm eager to see what that aspect of the ministry looks like and how it functions.

The second week I will be doing some teaching during CYIA or JCV as they call it in Spanish which I'm pretty excited about. It does also make me a little nervous since it's been a while since I've taught anything all in Spanish. A great challenge though and I'm looking forward to it. I'll be telling the missionary story demonstrations which this year is Ti-Fam. I'll also be teaching a class on how to teach songs during a 5-Day
Club. I would appreciate your prayers as I study and prepare for my time there. I can't wait to see how God will work not only in the campers and students but in my life as well.



My notes for the missionary story. Not bad right?

The title page looked easier...only ten pages of this though. :)

Travel

Travel

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Hi Everyone!
Just a quick note. I will be traveling home Sunday and would appreciate prayer for safe travel. I will have an update on Honduras trip plans early next week too. Thanks so much!

Latinoamerica

Latinoamerica

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I heard this song the other day and have had it in my head ever since. It will give you a chance to practice your Spanish but I also put the translation below. :) It just made me think of the great priviledge I have to share the Answer to the problems in Latin America. A place I love and I can't wait until the day when all the things in this song truely come to be! Please continue to pray for eyes and hearts to be opened to the Truth that Jesus alone saves and in Him is true peace.

"Latinoamerica" by Tercer Cielo

I had a dream last night

of Latin America

It was so beautiful

As if I was awake

I could see Mexico

There were no more deaths

I visited Colombia

There were no more kidnappings

I smiled when I saw Cuba

Breathing liberty

Bolivia and Nicaragua

Enjoyed prosperity

And in Puerto Rico

There was no more violence

Everyone celebrated

There was a big party

Latin America God loves you so much

And He has not forgotten your cry

Latin America God loves you so much

The time you’re waiting for has come

And in Venezuela

There was no more poverty

Peru and Guatemala

No more single mothers

And like in Ecuador

There were no orphans

In Paraguay and Panama

It felt so peaceful

In Argentina and Chile

The same in El Salvador

Abortion disappeared

Because life there triumphed

In the Dominican Republic

Drugs are not needed

In Uruguay, Costa Rica and Honduras

There isn’t need for anything

Latin America God loves you so much

And He has not forgotten your cry

Latin America God loves you so much

The moment you’re waiting for has come

Raise your hand and say NO to racism

Raise your hand and say NO to sexism

Raise your hand and say NO to extremism

Raise your hand and say NO to conformity

Let there be no more stray bullets

Let there be no people with low self-esteem

Let there be no fear to cross the street

Let there be no people who will take your life

Let there be no need to seek a visa

Let the borders be erased, forgive injuries

Let there be no race or color, no one is created superior

No matter where you were born, you and I are brothers

Latin America God loves you so much

And He has not forgotten your cry

Latin America God loves you so much

The moment you’re waiting for has come

State Staff Retreat

State Staff Retreat

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I know it's been a little quiet here lately, sorry about that. This past Sunday-Tuesday I was at a State Staff Retreat for all the CEF workers here. It was a good time to get away and enjoy fellowship with each other. It was neat to see several people I had met at my various trips to CEF Headquarters for CMI. I have a little over a week left before I go back home for Christmas and then my trip to Honduras.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and spend some time counting all your blessings. These are some of the things I'm thankful for. (in no particular order)

1. Salvation. I don't deserve it but am so thankful for God's grace & mercy!
2. My family. I love you all very much and can't wait to see you all again soon. It's kinda boring without people to play with.
3. All my friends. I miss you guys but I look forward to seeing some of you in December!
4. My great new church family here. I feel really blessed to have gotten to meet them and be a part of what they are doing here. They are some of the most genuine people I've ever met.
5. I'm thankful for how God is working in my life and teaching me so much. Either through church, home group, Bible study, personal devotions or just life itself, I'm constantly challenged spiritually.
6. Being in full time ministry. There's nothing like doing what you love to do.
7. For YOU and all your encouragement & support. I seriously couldn't do this alone and thank God all the time for the amazing ministry team He has put together to reach the children of Honduras with the Gospel. Thank you!
8. Safety during all my travels this past year and thousands of miles.

When it comes down to it, I always have what I need plus often a bunch of other surprises along the way. There's so much to be thankful for. Let's live a life of thanks and not just a day.

Answer to Prayer in Ghana

Answer to Prayer in Ghana

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I wanted to pass along this answer to prayer especially for those of you who joined us November 3 for the CEF World Day of Prayer.

For over a year CEF Ghana waited for their Wonder Devotional Books to be released by the dock authorities. It didn't seem like it was ever going to happen. Then on the evening of November 3 two large trucks suddenly arrived at the national office. It took four hours with 12 laborers working nonstop to unload the boxes. November 3, as you recall, was World Day of Prayer. The plight of these books was on everyone's prayer list and people from all over the world were praying. As Tom Levanos said, "They were released in answer to our prayers."

Book Resource

Book Resource

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I recently learned about a great resource and thought I'd share it with you. Author John Piper has written a number of books that I've just recently started reading and am enjoying them so far. Instead of having to get them from the library or buy them you can download them for free in PDF form right from the Desiring God website. So, for those of you who like Piper or want to read some of his books, visit http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/online-books/by-title

Honduras trip

Honduras trip

Posted by Ashley Hoover

The Honduran flag flies at CEF International Headquarters in Warrenton, MO

Some of you have probably seen the little countdown widget on the side saying I'm going off to Honduras but I haven't really said anything about it here. Well...the reason for that is I was waiting for more details and things to be finalized. Now that I have some definite dates I can share with you as much as I know about the trip. I'm super excited!!


I have the opportunity to go to Honduras and help with the ministry January 1-16. The week of January 3rd is Camp Good News which I'm looking forward to experiencing. I've never seen a Camp Good News in action so I will learn a lot I'm sure! They are also holding their Jóvenes Con Visión (Youth with Vision, similar to Christian Youth in Action®) training for young people who want to do ministry with Child Evangelism Fellowship by teaching 5-Day Clubs the week of January 10th. Having missed helping with CYIA this year I can't wait to see what it's like in another country/culture/language. I can hardly wait to be there and learn more about the ministry and people who work with CEF Honduras.

I would appreciate your prayers that this trip would be a beneficial time of learning about the ministry and country. Also that preparations leading up to Camp Good News and JCV would go well. Children would be reached with the gospel and the youth that come to JCV would be better equipped to reach children with the Gospel.

I will keep you updated on how things are progressing as time gets closer to leave.

Good News Club visits

Good News Club visits

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Here are some photos from a couple of the Good News Clubs I've visited this past week.

 Bible lesson

 Singing, the normal song leader was sick so we got to help out. :)

 Small group/Wonder Time. It was great to hear what the kids learned during the week in their time with God.

 Song time at this club

 Learning the motions for the memory verse

I sat in on the 5th graders small group time

Playing "Zonk" to review what they learned

Winter Newsletter

Winter Newsletter

Posted by Ashley Hoover

CEF World Day of Prayer

CEF World Day of Prayer

Posted by Ashley Hoover

November 3rd is CEF's World Day of Prayer. Please remember the ministry on this day especially as we seek God together for each other, the ministry and the children. To view or download prayer requests visit: http://www.cefonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=713

I will be remembering all of you my faithful supporters and friends as well because without you this would not be possible. I can't thank you enough for all the encouragement you are to me and I thank God for you! If you want to leave a prayer request in the comments I will be praying for that or you can email me.

Orphan Sunday

Orphan Sunday

Posted by Ashley Hoover

True Religion from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.


November 7th is Orphan Sunday and you can make a difference. Visit Faith Home, Show Hope or any other ministry that helps orphans to get involved and change a life forever!

Saturday Ministry

Saturday Ministry

Posted by Ashley Hoover

This past Saturday I was able to help at another Chinese church to watch the kids while the adults had a study of some sort. We had 11 children there and for the most part they behaved pretty well. A couple of the boys had some excess energy but that's normal. :) We played some active games and then watched a video introduction/overview of the life of Moses which they will be learning more about in the coming weeks. The idea is to turn this twice a month ministry into a Good News Club of sorts. Please pray that the children would take seriously the truths we are trying to teach them.

Fall Newsletter

Fall Newsletter

Posted by Ashley Hoover

 I thought that I would try posting my most recent newsletter for those who may not have gotten it. If you don't get it and would like to, leave a comment and let me know!

GNC Training update

GNC Training update

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Thanks to everyone who prayed for the GNC training this morning. It was a really good time. We had 12 people come and they are excited to start clubs.
This coming week I will be visiting clubs that have already started which I'm really excited about. I'll try to get some pictures for you all.

Good News Club Training

Good News Club Training

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I will be helping with a Good News Club training on October 2. It is for new GNC teachers and anyone that wants to brush up on training they've taken in the past. Please pray it would be a beneficial time for the teachers that come.

Weekend Ministry

Weekend Ministry

Posted by Ashley Hoover

This weekend was really busy with ministry. Friday night I helped with an event at the same church we did the Mission Possible program at. Between all the groups I think there were around 100 kids. A few of them were challenging and we had a few behavior problems but on the whole they were good.
Saturday morning I helped with the kids for another Chinese church while the adults were attending a conference. There were nine of them and they were a lot of fun to be around. We played outside and had a lesson, songs, a memory verse and other things. We talked about how they are special to God and nothing can seperate them from His love.
We had a few hours break time which I spent with the couple who I was working with. We went to an antique tractor show and we went geocashing at a couple nearby spots. I'd never done that before and it was a lot of fun.
Then Saturday evening we spent with the kids again. We finished the story and memory verse and had more fun with them.
Sunday I had them by myself and I was a little worried how it would go but they did really well. I think they were tired from the campfire they had after we left the night before. :) I told them the story of the Prodigal son. I enjoyed continuing to build relationships with them. They were a smart group. It was really interesting, many of the verses we would talk about in the lessons we'd start to say them and they would all start singing a song they had learned that was the verse put to music. I was amazed at how many they knew and loved to hear them sing the verses. One of the boys voluteered to pray before the lesson and he lead the children in a prayer in Chinese. It was so sweet to hear them praying in Chinese.

Thank you for your continued prayers. During busy times like this and we are tired and challenged it is encouraging to know people are praying for us and the children.

Saturday at the Ballpark

Saturday at the Ballpark

Posted by Ashley Hoover

This past Saturday I had some fun with friends from the office here. We were given some tickets to a Texas Rangers baseball game. I love baseball and it was fun to relax and hang out together at the ballpark. Before the game there was a concert by MercyMe and it was pretty cool to be able to sing to God there in public and be a witness that way. And I will say it takes 47,000+ people a while to get the wave organized but once it gets going, it's a lot of fun :)

The ballpark. I didn't get a photo of it so here's one.

Pre-game concert

View from our seats.

The Rangers played the Oakland A's. The A's won but it was fun just to be there.

My Utmost For His Highest

My Utmost For His Highest

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Am I convinced by Christ?

August 30th

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not . . ., but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:19, 20.

Jesus Christ says, in effect, Don’t rejoice in successful service, but rejoice
because you are rightly related to Me. The snare in Christian work is to rejoice
in successful service, to rejoice in the fact that God has used you. You never
can measure what God will do through you if you are rightly related to Jesus
Christ. Keep your relationship right with Him, then whatever circumstances you
are in, and whoever you meet day by day, He is pouring rivers of living water
through you, and it is of His mercy that He does not let you know it. When once
you are rightly related to God by salvation and sanctification, remember that
wherever you are, you are put there by God; and by the reaction of your life on
the circumstances around you, you will fulfil God’s purpose, as long as you keep
in the light as God is in the light.
The tendency to-day is to put the
emphasis on service. Beware of the people who make usefulness their ground of
appeal. If you make usefulness the test, then Jesus Christ was the greatest
failure that ever lived. The lodestar of the saint is God Himself, not estimated
usefulness. It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do
for Him. All that Our Lord heeds in a man’s life is the relationship of worth to
His Father. Jesus is bringing many sons to glory.

Chambers, O. (1993, c1935). My utmost for his highest : Selections for the year (August 30). Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers.

Back to School Bash

Back to School Bash

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Hi Everyone!
We will be having a Back to School Bash tonight to help kick off the Good News Club season. It's just an informational kind of meeting where we'll share about the curiculum for this year, the songs, some game ideas and things like that. Our first one last week went well even though not many club leaders were present. We have another one on the 25th. I get to go over the songs and review games. :) Thanks for your prayers!

One Way

One Way

Posted by Ashley Hoover

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

This summer the 5-Day Club lessons have had the theme of “One Way.” There is only one way to get to Heaven and that is by believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior.
The world tries to tell us that it really doesn’t matter what you believe because all roads lead to Heaven. Just believe something and you’re okay. On top of that you can’t say anyone else is wrong in what they believe because well, that’s just not nice.
What the world says is a lie and it has been so encouraging this summer to see youth and adults reaching out to the children in their communities boldly sharing the Gospel with them. Now is the time to share the truth with children and lead them down the right road, the one way there is to have eternal life.

Which way are you pointing the children in your community, neighborhood, church or family?

5-Day Club

5-Day Club

Posted by Ashley Hoover

I realized I didn't get a post up beforehand...well, I actually kind of forgot this was coming up until the day it started but we had a club this week. It was only three days because of schedule conflicts but it was a lot of fun. Monday night we had I think three kids after a half hour had gone by which made it a short club. Tuesday we brought a bounce house with use which attrached attention and more children trickled in as time went on. Last night at one point there were 15 kids but most of the night we had 13. They were asking a lot of questions like, what is the difference between Christians and Catholics, what does it mean to sell your soul to the Devil and things like that. They were really thinking about the Gospel we shared and I wish we could have gone the whole week. I think all of them signed up for the Mailbox Club so that will be a great way for them to continue learning about God. Two boys trusted in Christ as their Savior and I know in many others God is working in their hearts and minds. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. They are making a difference in children's lives for eternity!

High Seas Expedition Day 4

High Seas Expedition Day 4

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Thursday night our story was when Peter & John met the lame man and he was healed. Acts 3:1-4:12. This man had been crippled since he was born and couldn’t walk. When he saw Peter & John he asked them for money, a very logical request since he couldn’t work to earn any to live on. Money he thought would make his life better. Peter & John had a different thought. They didn’t give the man money, instead they asked God to heal him and He did. The man instantly could walk and he went around praising God at how He had changed his life. Everyone who saw him knew was an amazing change had taken place. The main point of this lesson was that God’s word is life-changing. It made me think, how many people are in the world searching for something to make their life better. There are countless self help books, people look to work, money, fame, etc. to have a good life. Unfortunately many of them don’t know that those things will not make your life better in the grand scheme of things. Sure maybe they will for a while but eventually they will not be enough and you’ll look for more. Those of us who know Christ know the only thing that can truly change their life is a relationship with God. Meeting people’s physical needs is not a bad thing but it needs to be balanced with meeting their more important spiritual need. None of us will have anything at the end anyway except our relationship (or lack thereof) with Christ. Don’t keep it to yourself, share Him with others so they can clearly see the change in your life.


Salty was our buddy. To steer a ship you use the steering wheel he’s holding and you can change directions. God’s Word is like that in our lives, it changes us and takes us in the right direction, away from sin and toward Christ-likeness. God’s Word is life-changing.

High Seas Expedition Day 3

High Seas Expedition Day 3

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Wednesday night we continued learning about Paul after the shipwreck and discovered he was bit by snake in Acts 28. Paul was gathering wood for the fire when the viper sensing the heat bit him. Presumably this snake was poisonous because the islanders thought he was going to drop dead like they’d seen it happen before. They theme for this lesson was that God’s Word is surprising. Paul was probably surprised by the snake and wasn’t expecting it. The islanders certainly weren’t expecting that Paul would live and yet God kept him safe and he didn’t even get a little sick. God often does things in our lives that are surprising. The way He answers our prayers or blesses us when we don’t expect it are at times very surprising. I know in my life I’ve seen God work in ways I never would have imagined or had the courage to ask for but He often does “more than we can ask or imagine.” (Eph 3:20) I never imagined I’d be working with CEF full time when I first got involved six years ago. I didn’t know how God would provide the finances I would need to do ministry full time. I had no idea I’d end up going to Honduras out of all the places in the world and yet God has continued to guide in my life in ways that never cease to amaze me. I often thank Him for the privilege I have every day to live out my little part in His grand story. Take some time today to think about your life and the times God has done something surprising. Did you thank Him for the way He worked or is working to perfect you? How He is guiding your life? If not, stop and do it, He deserves it. Just be amazed at what He does all the time, we often miss it.

Wink was our buddy. He’s holding the periscope to remind us that as we look at our life or the Bible sometimes we are surprised by what God does. Look closely and you might be too.

Make your Daddy look good

Make your Daddy look good

Posted by Ashley Hoover

"Your daddy is standing in a swimming pool out a little bit from the edge. You are, let’s say, three years old and standing on the edge of the pool. Daddy holds out his arms to you and says, “Jump, I’ll catch you. I promise.” Now, how do you make your daddy look good at that moment? Answer: trust him and jump. Have faith in him and jump. That makes him look strong and wise and loving. But if you won’t jump, if you shake your head and run away from the edge, you make your daddy look bad. It looks like you are saying, “he can’t catch me” or “he won’t catch me” or “it’s not a good idea to do what he tells me to do.” And all three of those make your dad look bad. But you don’t want to make God look bad. So you trust him. Then you make him look good–which he really is. And that is what we mean when we say, “Faith glorifies God” or “Faith gives God glory.” It makes him look as good as he really is. So trusting God is really important. And the harder it seems for him to fulfill his promise, the better he looks when you trust him. Suppose that you are at the deep end of a pool by the diving board. You are four years old and can’t swim, and your daddy is at the other end of the pool. Suddenly a big, mean dog crawls under the fence and shows his teeth and growls at you and starts coming toward you to bite you. You crawl up on the diving board and walk toward the end to get away from him. The dog puts his front paws up on the diving board. Just then, your daddy sees what’s happening and calls out, “Johnny, jump in the water. I’ll get you.” Now, you have never jumped from one meter high and you can’t swim and your daddy is not underneath you and this water is way over your head. How do you make your daddy look good in that moment? You jump. And almost as soon as you hit the water, you feel his hands under your arms and he treads water holding you safely while someone chases the dog away. Then he takes you to the side of the pool. We give glory to God when we trust him to do what he has promised to do–especially when all human possibilities are exhausted. Faith glorifies God. That is why God planned for faith to be the way we are justified." — John Piper

High Seas Expedition Day 2

High Seas Expedition Day 2

Posted by Ashley Hoover

The second night we talked about Paul being shipwrecked from the account in Acts chapter 27. The main teaching point for this story was that God’s Word is comforting. Even in the midst of tough times and storms in our life God’s Word is an anchor that we can hold to and count on. Through it we can find comfort in all our troubles. Even in the middle of a huge storm Paul was able to not be afraid because of God’s Word. Sometimes we look to other things in hard times to find comfort like friends, hobbies, other books, maybe even church. Where we should really turn is to God’s Word because it is full of promises for us and we can find great comfort in it. Next time you face a tough situation in your life turn to the Bible, it has all the comfort and answers you need and is your anchor in the storm.

Our buddy was Marina. The anchor helps us remember that the Bible is our anchor during stormy times and we can always turn to it for comfort. (A good reason to memorize Scripture as well so it's always with you when you need it!)

A Walk in the Park

A Walk in the Park

Posted by Ashley Hoover

Since I had a little free time this weekend I decided to go out to a park I run in sometimes and take some photos for fun. Enjoy!

High Seas Expedition Day 1

High Seas Expedition Day 1

Posted by Ashley Hoover

So this week I thought we'd take a look at the topics we covered during the VBS last week and some things I took away from the theme and stories each night.

On the first night we looked at the story of Peter in prison and learned that God’s Word is true.
Acts 12:1-19 is where this account is found in the Bible.

Peter had been put in jail for telling others about Christ. After King Herod realized that killing James made the Jews happy he evidently thought he was on to something to boost his popularity and had Peter arrested as well. It says in verse five that “the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” There were many people gathered together to pray for Peter’s release and while they had good intentions I believe, I find it interesting that they did not seem to believe that what were asking for (Peter’s release) would happen. In answer to their prayers God sent an angel that lead Peter out of prison unnoticed by the soldiers guarding him and Peter went to the house where they were all gathered after realizing what had happened. When he knocked a servant girl named Rhoda came to see who it was. Finding out it was Peter she was so excited she forgot to open the door and went to tell everyone else. This is interesting to me because I don’t know how old Rhoda was but it would seem she was young, maybe younger than anyone else there praying and she knew God had answered their prayer to rescue Peter from prison. The adults who prayed so hard and long told her she was out of her mind to think Peter was actually there at the door. They didn't believe God had answered. I’m not sure how after seeing Christ do miracles they would have had that reaction but they did.

The children learned through this story that God’s Word is true and we can trust in His promises. I also considered the fact that when we pray, we should pray believing that what we ask for God can bring about. To have that childlike faith is something I think God desires in all those who believe in Him. As we get older I think we can complicate matters a lot. Listening to children pray in their sincere, simple way always is challenging to me. James 1:6-8 says, “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” I want to believe when I pray and not have my mind made up about what the outcome will be because God just might have something miraculous in store if we have faith.

Scully was our buddy this night. Each child got one of these little guys and collected them as the week went on to help them remember what we talked about. He’s holding a compass to help remind the children that God’s Word is true and will always point them in the right direction. The Bible is the only map that is always true and has the right directions for life.