Daddy - 2 Timothy 1:7

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

What is the thing humans most fear ? Probably death. Ultimately life apart from God forever. God loves us so deeply and it's so hard to understand that this great big God cares so much to take away that fear forever. But he did and he wants us to live in a spirit of life, power, love and self control.

This is our memory verse for the summer and we hope to practice it well!!

Devin phillipians - 4:10-12

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; (Philippians 4:10-13, 15 NIV)

Devin said this tells us it's best to be content with what we have or any circumstance and to praise God through it. We can do all things in Christ who gives us strength.

Kadin - 1 Chronicles 16:30-36

Tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!" Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Let the trees of the forest sing,
let them sing for joy before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever. Cry out, "Save us, God our Savior;
gather us and deliver us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name,
and glory in your praise." Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Then all the people said "Amen" and "Praise the Lord." (1 Chronicles 16:30-36 NIV)

Kadin says this tells us how to respond to God. The ark had just been brought in and at that time it carried the presence of God and they were placing it in the temple. This was so important to the people. This is how we should respond since WE are the temple now and He lives IN US.

Gina- The prodigal son - Luke 15

Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" (Luke 15:11-32 NIV)

So this whole week the family gave me the privilege of sharing an amazing outlook on this story from a book I am reading. I took 4 days and each day we talked about a different person: the lost son, the older brother and the father. I can't possibly write out all that we dug out of this wonderful parable however our hearts are forever changed. I shared with my kids that I've been walking with Jesus for my whole life and I've heard this story lots of times. This time God revealed his love and forgiveness for me fresh and new. I could hardly talk about it for days without crying. The photo attached is Rembrandt's painting of the prodigal son. If you look carefully you will see a lot of detail that speaks to each person in the story. We've hung this portrait in our home to remind us where we should live (at the father's feet). The lost son is broken and vulnerable. The older son is prideful and defensive and the father is loving and forgiving. We want to live where the lost son is and we want to be like the father towards ALL mankind. There is sooo much more - I think going to bring it to my July sermon. Thanks Lord for speaking to me so personally and real once again!!