THIS WEEK - READ ALL OF PSALM 20

THE DECISION
The afternoon in the park seemed like it happened years ago instead of just weeks. Lyda did not see the boy again after that day, but the conversation weighed heavily on her mind. She had a hard time accepting that she was not good enough for Heaven.
“Who does He think He is?” she found herself asking over and over. “I know I’m not perfect! Who is? I’m certainly not THAT BAD! Sure, I have made mistakes. Not all my decisions have been great…so?”

And the days went on. Lyda felt as though a fog had come over her. Her life had been so effortless; until this boy showed up and made her question everything. Even visiting her favorite spot at the creek could not bring clarity.
She began asking her friends questions that she hoped would not reveal too much about her seeking soul.

Some answered by saying, “There is no God - or Heaven. This life is it, baby! Live it up while you can!”
Others told her the universe provides all answers and that if she was lacking anything she just had to imagine herself receiving it and it would happen.

Some told her about a “one true God” and his son Jesus. Apparently, Jesus was God and man all at the same time and suffered a brutal death to save all that would receive him. Then they invited her to youth group.

On and on the answers came. It seemed nobody really knew what they believed and most had a hard time talking about it. Especially the group that called themselves Christians and believed in Jesus.

So it was that night - walking home in the dark from the creek that Lyda decided…nothing.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

“This is the BEST graduation party ever!!!!” she yelled.
“Thanks, ” replied Lyda.
Lyda was glad her friends were having fun, but the tension caused by having her mom and dad in the same room was about to make her scream! She decided to walk out to the back patio to get some fresh air, when she saw Him. There He was, leaning against the tree in the backyard, wearing that same confident grin He always seemed to have.
Lyda wasn’t sure what to do, but deep down she was so happy to see Him. She slowly walked toward Him.
He gave her an envelope and said, “Congratulations on your graduation. I’ll be here anytime you need me.”

Lyda took the envelope and by the time she looked up to say something, He was gone. Inside the envelope was a letter that said this:
The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. Say the welcoming words to God - “Jesus is my Master” -that’s it. You’re not doing anything, you’re simply calling out to God, trusting Him to do it for you. That’s salvation - No one who trusts God like this - heart and soul - will ever regret it! Everyone who calls, “Help God!” gets help.
But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anybody going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?
- Romans 10

THE REASON
Lyda’s quick walking slowed to a more relaxed pace. She knew she needed to hurry home, but she was conflicted. It made her mind swim and her feet feel heavy. That car ride…she should have never let Him ride home with her that day. He knew too much. His reason was clear. His argument convincing. She just wasn’t sure. Her heavy feet continued to lead her home, but her mind was a world away.

“I’m dying?” She almost started laughing in His face. “Well that is news to me,” Lyda shot back.
He was quiet for a moment; Lyda began to regret her outburst.
“It’s OK,” He replied. “Most people react that way. They just can’t believe that anything could possibly be wrong. Life is easy, for the most part, so what is there to think about? What is there to question?”

They drove by a park and He gently asked Lyda to pull over. The warm, fresh air was soothing. He led her to a park bench and they sat down.

He continued, “Lyda, you ARE dying. Look around you, everyone is slowly dying. Old age happens, disease comes to some and sickness to others. You need me to save you.”

“What are you saying?” Lyda asked. “That you hold some magic key for eternal life, some fountain of youth?” Lyda noticed that people around her were looking at her strangely. And then she remembered.

“You know, nobody…”
“…can see me but you,” she finished for Him. “Yah, yah…let them think I am a crazy girl talking to herself.” She smiled at Him.

“I guess I just don’t completely understand why you are here,” she said. “I don’t deny what you are saying. I get it, everybody is going to die…eventually. But don’t you believe in Heaven? I mean, I am a good person, I try really hard, I help others. I’m certainly not as bad as most kids at my school! I’ll go to Heaven when I die.”

His eyes were distant as He began to speak again. “Lyda, you are not perfect. You’ve lied to your mom about where you are when you go out, you let your best friend cheat off your test. I know about the nights spent at your boyfriend’s house and I know about the cutting on your arm since your dad left. You are trying to control your pain with your own strength. I know you doubt God. You look for Him and can’t seem to find Him. You blame Him when things go wrong and pat yourself on the back when things go well.”

“Lyda, you are looking for a God that doesn’t exsist. You have made Him small, given Him characteristics that are not of His nature. He is nothing like your dad, boyfriend or youth pastor - He is unlike anyone. You don’t truly seek Him. You seek for what you want to find and in not finding it you question everything.”

“I can show you what God is like”. He stood up. “God is not a man, that He should lie. He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He is also a jealous God and without faith it is impossible to please Him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne and He is patient, wanting no one to perish”. He sat back down.
“You are dying, Lyda. Not today, but eventually, and as good as you think you are, you’re not good enough to go to heaven. Do you accept this Lyda?”

The Boy
Lyda never saw the boy again that day. Busy with school and her social life, she had forgotten all about Him. It wasn’t until the next day, she was walking to her car after Drill Team practice, that she saw Him. The sun was setting, another day almost over, and He was leaning casually against her car looking right at her…waiting for her.
She cautiously walked up to the car and with the same confident grin He wore the day before He said, “You know, nobody can see me but you!”

“ARGH!!! Seriously?” she said, frustrated. “We’ve already been through this. That is ridiculous.”

Almost as if on cue, a group of friends from Drill Team walked by. “See ya tomorrow, Lyda,” they chimed. They didn’t even look at the boy. It was as if He wasn’t even there.

“They didn’t see you,” she whispered, eyes wide, heart pounding. “Who are you?”
“I have come to change your life,” He said. “Would you mind if I ride home with you?”
He walked around the car, let Himself in the passenger seat and shut the door. Lyda stood in the parking lot watching Him get in her car. Stunned, she realized she was holding the keys and the car was still locked.

It was starting to get cold out, and dark. She didn’t want to worry her mom, so with a heavy sigh, she pushed herself up away from the tree and began to walk home. Yes - a decision was going to be made tonight. This just couldn’t drag on any longer.

Lyda unlocked her car, threw her bags in the backseat and slowly got in. It was bizarre to be driving with this boy; she didn’t even know Him, yet she felt safe and strangely at peace. His presence was calming and He made her feel very comfortable.

“Your knuckles are turning white, you can relax a little, ” He said. She laughed, “Yah - I guess I’m just nervous. I’m not quite sure why you have chosen to talk to me. I still think I might be crazy.” She looked at Him out of the corner of her eye and gave Him a weak smile. He was just grinning at her. His eyes, however, grew still and serious as He began to speak again.

“Lyda, you are a good student. You have many friends and the respect of your teachers. You’ve had hard times, but you have stayed strong for your mom.”
Lyda’s head whipped toward Him, tears in her eyes, “How did you know…”
“I know your dad left last year, Lyda. It devestated your mom and crushed your heart. But despite adversity, you have remained strong. You have done this all with your own strength, on your own timing, fulfilling an agenda you have created for yourself.

He continued, “Whether you realize it or not, you do need me. I have come to change your life. Your strength, your timing and your agenda is no longer enough. You are dying, Lyda, and I have come to save you.”

THE GIRL
She found herself walking by the creek, once again. Alone. Whenever she needed to think or sort things out, she came here. Her life had become somewhat of a mess and now - a decision must be made.
“How loud could I scream before anyone would hear me?” she wondered. Her soul was consumed with confusion and fire. She was so angry! This situation had gone too far. She should have ended it while she had the chance.
Tired of walking she found a spot by a tree and sat down. With a sigh she laid her head back, closed her eyes and began to go over the events of the last two weeks.

Lyda was what some would call a perfect student. She ran track, sang in choir, and got decent grades. She danced on the Drill Team and seemed to be friends with just about everybody. Standing out as extremely excellent in any one area just wasn’t her. No one would call her a “star”, like they would some of the other athletes, musicians or brainiacs. Lyda was steady. And even though she wasn’t a “stand-out” student, teachers and peers knew Lyda. And everyone liked her.

Maybe it is when someone’s life is clicking away at “normal” that one should be prepared for a shake-up. Or maybe a wake-up is a better phrase. Lyda was about to get both and it started the day He walked into City High. He walked in and His presence began to sear at her soul.

“You know, nobody can see me but you!”
“Excuse me?” Lyda replied.
“Nobody can see me but you. I have come to change your life.”
“My life is just fine, thank you very much. And honestly…I’m not really into all this sci-fi, fantasy stuff. I know other people can see you, besides me, so knock it off. Anyway, I’m not looking for a boyfriend, so if that is your pick-up line…it kinda sucks.” Lyda rolled her eyes and kept reading.

She probably wouldn’t have given the conversation a second thought except for the way He grinned at her after she spoke to Him. It was a smile of complete confidence; a smile that almost dared her to keep talking. But she wasn’t about to do that! She had a project to finish and a busy after school schedule to think about.

As she sat at the foot of the tree by the creek, she couldn’t help but smile as she recalled their first encounter. He always seemed to show up when she least expected it -yet strangely- when she most needed it.

Have you ever heard this story before? I can truly say that one of my least favorite weeks of the month is the week I am having my period. Can you imagine bleeding for twelve years? Friends of mine have struggled with their menstruation cycle and they have assured me that long term bleeding is miserable!

This woman was in desperate need of help and healing.

Take a look at the first bold word in our scripture passage. Herself. She said to herself…”If only I touch his garment, I will be made well.” Do you see how huge this is? She was not being loud and obnoxious about her condition. She was not out telling everyone how bad she had it. She was not demanding to have an audience with Jesus. In fact, the text leads us to believe that she was trying not to get noticed. How do we act when we are suffering?

Look at the second word in bold. Your faith. In this time period, if a woman was menstruating she was considered ceremonially unclean and would have been refused entrance to the synagogue. (Lev. 15:25-27) For twelve years this woman was not allowed in church! She was not allowed to sacrifice or worship with her friends and family. What is completely amazing to me, is that her faith was strong enough to remind her that although she may not have been welcome in church…she was welcome to approach Jesus. Jesus had, and still has, a wonderful way of letting people know that he accepts them just as they are. Is there something in your life that is keeping you from church or youth group? Is there something in your life keeping you from Jesus?

God is pleased when we humbly come to Him; when we trust Him enough to receive His help, instead of our friends. We are free to approach His feet and seek His face. I can’t think of anything that you could do that would keep Him from wanting to spend time with you!
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank John and Emily for reminding me of this amazing story. I have not been able to get it off my mind! Love you both…

I was deep into reading when a commotion erupted - about 20 girls were coming out of the nearby school with running clothes on, ready for track practice. I like to run, so I decided to watch them warm up, thinking perhaps I could learn something about running.

During the warm-up and stretching there was constant chatter between the girls. It was so great to watch. They were actively practicing what I believe is one of the strengths of women, and that is
MULTI-TASKING! After having limited time to talk during a school day because of classes, I understood the need to take advantage of this opportunity to catch up!

As the warm up ended and the running began, there was no change to the chatter. These girls were doing what I am unable to do and that is talk and run at the same time! I sat there amazed and couldn’t contain my smile. They ran several laps talking up a storm. Towards the end of the run, the coach began to yell “Faster! Harder! Concentrate!” Time and pace became the focus and the chatter ceased.

I love it that as girls, we know how to make so many things in our life fun and exciting. We also know when to stop multi-tasking and focus on the one goal before us. I marvel over how God created us and how He is constantly giving us exactly what we need, when we need it! Girls just wanna have fun…would you want it any other way?

This week: Find a way to serve a friend. (Ex: run an errand for them, give them a ride somewhere, write an encouraging note…)

Light has a tendency to reveal things to us. Until the lightening flashed in our story above, the girl thought she was alone. In total darkness we have one story. With a quick flash of light…everything changes.

The Bible tells us that “God is light”. (1 John 1:5) What does that mean to you? Take a moment to think about this and write your thoughts in your journal.

When God calls Himself light He is telling us that He has the power to reveal things to us that we cannot see without Him. Through the mystery of His Spirit and through the words of the Bible, we are given clarity to muddy situations.

A HUGE revelation came to me this summer through my Bible study. The revelation was that my life is to bring glory to God. I was striving to bring glory to Staci. I want people to like me and respect me. I want to be successful and thought of highly. Through my Bible study God reminded me that if I was not so consumed with self-glorification then people’s opinions of me would not matter. It was also affirmed how often the conflicts in my life revolved around my pride. The desire of my heart should be that others would think highly of the God I serve, and that His name and ways be renown - not mine. A light went on for me.

Ask God to show you areas in your life that need some devine illumination! It feels good - much like cleaning out a cluttered closet! Let God “give light to your eyes” (Psalm 13:3).

THIS WEEK - READ PSALM 27

Many of you are back to school in a new building, with new teachers, new faces in your classes….some of you may not even be in the same school district this year. A number of you even left town to go to college.

Often, back to school is a major adjustment and a time of anxiety. Even the few familiar things you are returning to may not be a welcome sight. Do you find yourself in a class with a teacher who was hard to deal with last school year? Do you have a class or a lunch period with someone you had conflict with in the past? In these instances, change is refreshing.

I want to give you encouragement as you go back to school. You may not be returning to something familiar, or even comfortable, but everytime you find yourself in a place of change remember the One who does not!

The Bible tells us that God does not change. (Malachi 3:6)

He is consistantly compassionate, just, forgiving, and full of grace. He made you just the way you are, in this time, in this place, in this generation to do incredible things! Don’t EVER forget this! He loves you with a vengence and wants your life to bring Him glory!

“I am God - yes I AM. I haven’t changed.” - Malachi 3:6 The Message

On this particular day I was praying and petitioning God for some type of encouragement. I just needed Him to tell me all would be well. I read Psalm 10:17, which says, “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted, you encourage them, you listen to their cry.”

I just love this…God doesn’t just hear my needs or my complaints - HE HEARS MY DESIRES! Read the verse again in the paragraph above and put emphasis on the word “desire”.

I’m going to ask you to be a writer…get your journal or a piece of paper and write your desires. Now before you go bounding off to grab your paper and pencil and start writing everything you can think of at the mall - STOP! I want you to write your desires; this is a deeper list than what you need to look cute at school.

Willa Cather wrote, “It’s easy to be a writer. You just open a vein and bleed over every page.” I want you to really dig deep and think about what moves your heart and soul. This will hopefully be a list that contains very few material items.

In keeping with Cather’s quote, I am going to share with you what I wrote in my journal when I studied Psalm 10:17. On this particular day, I did indeed open a vein and bleed on the pages of my journal. When you are done reading my entry…make one of your own. Put a date on it and read it often! (I am re-typing it exactly the way I wrote it in my journal and it will not be grammatically correct)

“My desires - To be a full time wife and mom, supporting Bryon and my kids. To be able to throw myself wholeheartedly into training, meeting their needs & encouraging them. To sign them up for lessons, sports, dance and school activities and to sponsor other kids who do not have the resources to join.
To write books, devotions and more Bible Studies for teen girls. To be an encouragement and a cheerleader for them as they pursue truth and seek after God’s heart. To do Pursuit Conferences all over the nation and maybe in different countries.
To give jeans to thousands of teen girls that need them. That The Jeans Project would bless the lives of the girls that receive the jeans. That their lives would never be the same! That the jeans might lead to greater spiritual growth and would open the door of their heart to make a way in for Jesus to save them!
That we would have a lovely home to raise our children in and make memories. I don’t care how big or small - but that it would simply be a home. A place of retreat and growth for our family.
And I desire that Bryon will be the man God wants him to be. A leader in our home. A leader in our church. A leader in our community. That his business will bless other families. That working for Builders Group would lead to opened hearts for Jesus, that the men and their entire households would be saved. And that Bryon would feel purpose for his life. That he would be assured that he is right where God wants him to be. That there would be no regrets about anything he has ever pursued.”

Your turn…get writing!