Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Regrouping

Hey Gang!

What's Up? You have all been heavy on my heart recently and I just wanted to check in and see how you all were doing! I can't stop thinking of your precious faces... the tears, the smiles. You all touched a place in my heart and I love you.

I want to encourage you. I know school is back in session now... your back to homework and getting along with classmates. I'm sure some of you have been put in uncomfortable situations... maybe you have even taken a few steps backwards. Let me say to you that the process of growth often involves a growth spurt, and then a step or two backwards. Remember with each step we take in our Jesus Journey we grow closer to Him and more mature in our responses. When you fall backward keep in mind that you have already been able to press ahead. See temporary set backs as an opportunity! An opportunity to apply the truth - the truth according to James 3 is that we all "stumble in many ways". We grow, we stumble, we get back up, we grow, we stumble, we get back up. Friends it is a process! We never arrive. This process will continue until we leave this earth. So don't give up - keep pressing toward the goal. In fact, just keep pressing into Jesus.

Be a light to your friends, demonstrate to others the process of growing up in Christ. BUT DON'T QUIT. You are being refined by the process...

Jesus loves you - He's with you!

I love you too - praying for my friends in Gallup, New Mexico

CJ