Jesus is God spelling Himself out in language that men can understand. –S.D. Gordon

by Lydia Rule

Happily summer begins
Quickly summer ends
Choices are made
Foundations laid

We sing, dance, and play
But at the end of the day
What did we do or say
To honor our Lord, in every way?

Waves come ashore
Then flee with a roar
Our life oft the same
Leaving as quickly as it came.

What time we possess
Give not to selfish caress
Lift your eyes to see more,
Find a Purpose to live for!

When you sit in the sun
And bask in the fun
Take time to praise
The Giver of Life’s short days.

by Debra Weiss

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:13-16, KJV

One day as I mulled over God’s many names, I wondered why he had so many. I only have one name. Wouldn’t just ‘God’ perfectly describe him?

As I thought about it, I wondered if perhaps God wanted to be my everything. Maybe that was the purpose in all the names, because He is supposed to be our everything.

Some of my favorite names for God include:

Everlasting Father. “And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

Redeemer. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;” – Job 19:25

Anchor. “…we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…” – Hebrews 6:19

Teacher. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” – John 3:2

Mediator. “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus…” – 1 Timothy 2:5

The people in our lives, they’ll always let us down but God won’t. God is always there. And he is enough to fill each ache, to renew our spirits, to lift us up.

Discussion: What are some of your favorite names for God? Is He your everything?

Debra Weiss is a freelance writer living on the East Coast. When she’s not writing or editing, she can usually be found at her website (http://www.debraweiss.net).

by Judi Weiss

I turned seventeen
At the end of May
But still read the Bible
So I can grow everyday

I am free because of Jesus
Who died for you and me
And even though I’ve done wrong
I asked him for this new identity

I want to be
More like Him everyday
I’ll just wait and see
Because He can help me change my ways

I’m freed by salvation
I’m a child of God
I’m bad at conversation
And only slightly odd

This is who I am
This is my identity
This is what I say
This is who I can be

I’m growing up
And moving on
I won’t let the pain of yesterday
Come along

We’ve all heard that corny commercial where the salesperson asks the audience, “How in the world are ya?” As if listeners in their cars everywhere are going to sit up and answer, “I’m doing great. How are you?”

Seriously. Who wants to talk back to the stereo? Only people who are OK with talking to themselves. And being OK with talking to yourself weirds out other passengers in the car (not that I know this from experience… do I?).

Speaking of weird looks, my latch broke on my car door this week. I’ve had to belly-crawl over the console exactly 32 times to get out the other door. Talk about strangers calling 9-1-1 and reporting a loony…

Back to the topic – which is not weird looks, although that’s what you’re about to give me. Because I’m about to ask you something similar to that corny commercial question. Are you ready? Here it is:

Who in the World are Ya?

If you could tell me who you were, what would you say? (By the way – feel free to do so in the comments section. I’d love to get to know you!)

Maybe you’d tell me your name – or your age – or your school – or your hobbies. Maybe you’d tell me about your crazy family that plans every vacation around the Waning Gibbous phase of the lunar cycle for good luck.

But does this really tell me much about you? Or did I just learn statistics and facts? If I wanted to know the real you – how would I find it?

Figuring out Who You Are

Most people are stumped when I ask them the “Who In The World Are Ya?” question. They bumble – and stutter – and generally sprint in the other direction.

And I don’t blame them. It’s a big question. I’m asking you to reveal something that you may not be sure of yourself.

So… Who Are You, Anyway?

Someone once said that the real you is who you are when no one else is looking. So picture yourself at home. And remember: home is where you can scratch what itches. In other words, let down all your guards. Don’t worry about it. No one’s looking.

Now, see yourself there – playing Wii, reading, watching TV, or knitting that sweater for your dog? Yeah. That person. Right there.

What’s he or she thinking about? What are his or her dreams? What are his or her hopes? What are his or her goals?

Now take those. Write them down. Some of them may change. (Boy, am I glad one of mine did. I think my insurance company would frown on the whole “ride a crocodile down the Nile” thing anyway.)

But even though some things will change over time, your core – your passion – will remain the same. Your driving force – your heart – is what will enable you, through God, to change the world.

And that is, after all, why He put you here.

So who in the world are ya?

B.J. Hamrick is a talker, a dreamer, and writer who blogs here  5 days a week.

by Catey Yuen

Drip. Drip.
I do not understand the water
That falls like a birdsong on my face
You say it cleanses
Then why is the dirt pouring on
Me?

You chose me. You chose this
Dark creaking beast to be my Shelter
In a long storm. I didn’t
Choose it for myself.
Why me? I am not
Good or Beautiful and I did not
Know you then. I hardly know you now.

Unworthy is a good word.
It’s who I am right now in the face of
This Great Flood that threatens me
But somehow, you protect.
How is it you could love a fool like me?

Is this who I am? More than just the
Earth on my face or the water in my hands,
I am made in your image
These eyes are to see destruction and live
These hands to cradle in love like you do
This heart to beat like yours
Is this who I am?

Unworthy is a good word.
But that is not who I am.

 Jamin Goecker has shared devos and interviews (see his interview w/Joshua Guthrie about Dollar for a Drink). He graduated from high school recently and is preparing for college. He plans to be a missionary someday and he enjoys fishing, writing, running, skydiving, and weight lifting.

What does it take to change the world? I’m not big enough. You aren’t big enough.

But love is big enough.

Mother Theresa said, “We can do not great things, only small things with great love.”

This past Sunday our youth pastor challenged the teens to serve others, to change their thoughts from selfish to selfless. That’s not something we can do completely on our own. The trap is that our actions can become the focus. The world is looking for someone to applaud.

But when the motivation is love, it completely changes why you’re doing what you’re doing.

You’d do it even if no one noticed.

You’d do it even if your effort wasn’t appreciated.

So where do you start? Do you pick up a shovel or a hammer or create a website or send a donation?

It begins with the heart. Ask God to help you love others. To show you one thing – one small thing covered with great love – that you can do.