Check out the website for more info on the vision and look of NewSpring Student Minsitry!

Here is another pic of the side of the house. Deanna loves the window to the side - which is a part of the kitchen! Also the deck on the side it awesome!

Yesterday, we saw a house that we were really excited about! We oput an offer down and we found out this morning, after a couple of counter offers, that it got accepted! We are so excited! God has been watching over us so faithfully! Thank you to all of you who faithfully prayed for us in our transition to Anderson! Here is a pic of the front view:

We will post more pics later, as we get them! Right now, the closing is set for the end of October! In the meantime, we will go through inspections, appraisal, etc! So, if something changes, we will post it! PRAISE THE LORD!!

We have some EXCELLENT news! NO, Deanna is NOT pregnant! On Wednesday Deanna had a second interview with a local insurance agent. The interview went really well! Actually, it went so well, that the agent offered Deanna a job with the agency. Deanna accepted the position Thursday morning! The agency, Renea S. Rowland Agency, is in Belton, SC. Renea is a Nationwide Agent, which is the parent company that Deanna worked with in Florence at the Michael Newton Agency. Deanna will begin her new job on October 3! PRAISE THE LORD! Thank you to all of you who read my blog and have been praying for Deanna to find the right job! She is so excited about working again, especially in something that she knows and loves doing!

Today we also went to look at a house for sale! Well, we liked it! We actually put an offer on the house! It is great and if everything goes well, I will post some pics of the house very soon! Thanks for your prayers!

Tonight I was reading in the book of Acts, Chapter 17. I was struck by something that has challenged me in my walk with Christ and in my desire to share the gospel. Paul is speaking to the Aeropagus, meaning Council, about the one true God. First of all, Paul was a student. Paul spent much of his time reading, thinking, meditating, and reasoning through the scriptures. He learned from others, such as Gamaliel. Needless to say, Paul knew his stuff. He was well grounded in his faith! Paul not only knew the scriptures, but he knew the culture around him that he was called to minister to!

In verse 28, Paul says, “For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Paul quoted the poets of that time and of that culture. In reading that it spoke to me that Paul spent time learning and knowing the culture of that time, so that he could ENGAGE the people. For me, that has challenged me to learn, to investigate, and to be acquainted with the culture of today’s student, so that I can ENGAGE them! Our student ministry at NewSpring is and will continue to ENGAGE today’s students to reach them for the kingdom of Christ.

I challenge you to always be aware of the people that you have been given the task to minister to. God has called me and placed me to Student Ministry. A ministry to students grades 6-12. I need to spend time learning and knowing their culture, so that I can ENGAGE them! Take time to learn the culture, spend time with them, and build relationships with the people, so that you can ENGAGE them with the gospel. Example: We do not sent missionaries to Americanize other countries and then tell them about Jesus? NO!!!!! We learn the culture, the people, and then we ENGAGE them where they are! ENGAGE those around you with the gospel! The gospel is the best news this world can hear, so the time spent studying is well worth it!!

Yesterday at NEWSPRING, Clayton King spoke on “Suffering.” He made a statement that really stuck with me,

Here are his points of the sermon:
1. Participation - We suffer with Christ. 1 Peter 4:12-13
“He who fears to suffer, cannot be His who suffered.” Tertullian, 2nd Century
2. Purification - We are tried, tested, and cleansed. 1 Peter 1:6-7
The stronger the flame, the deeper the cleansing!
3. Dependence - We learn humilty and trust. 1 Peter 4:19
4. Growth - We become more like Jesus. Romans 8:17

Be sure to go to NEWSPRING (click on current series on the main page) and download the message for 9.18.05! It will bless you!!

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21

Theses verses speak loud and clear!

If you know the answer to this, please let me know!!