Hey guys! As most of you already know, we’re trying to raise money to help my cousin and her husband adopt a baby from Russia. Apart from the Adoption Yard Sale we’re having this Saturday, someone has come up with an idea to raise the stakes.

Starting today and lasting until Sunday, if we raise $500, Kyle Shell and Tracy has offered to SHAVE THEIR HEADS! It’s all for a great cause and I think it’ll be worth it just to see it done.

So this Wednesday when you come to CRAVE, bring along some spare change and see if we can reach our $500 goal to get Kyle and Tracy’s head shaved. It’s going to be interesting. 

All the proceeds will go directly to Shanon and Benji to help bring our baby home!

Erin

If we would just listen… and live this song, God would show through to everyone around us and be glorified in us.

“We must feel toward our people as a father toward his children; yea, the most tender love of a mother must not surpass ours. We must even travail in birth, till Christ be formed in them. They should see that we care for no outward thing, neither liberty, nor honor, nor life, in comparison to their salvation… When the people see that you truly love them, they will hear anything from you…Oh therefore, see that you feel a tender love for your people in your hearts, and let them perceive it in your speech and conduct. Let them see that you spend and are spent for their sakes.” - Richard Baxter

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. - Matthew 9:36

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
—Luke 6:27-35

Thanks to all the youth that went to Winter Jam tonight! I hope you had as much fun as I did getting to hear and see great things!

If I don’t talk to you guys before Sunday, I hope you all have a rockin’ weekend!

-Kyle

Don’t forget we are meeting at Fleming at 5pm. Bring $3 if you are gonna grub with us at the church. Bring $10 cash for the concert (pay at the door) and whatever extra money for in the arena. We will return to the church around 10:30 (guestimated time, you can call your ride when we leave). See ya there, Peace!

The Communist soldiers had discovered their illegal Bible study.

As the pastor was reading from the Bible, men with guns suddenly broke into the home, terrorizing the believers who had gathered there to worship. The Communists shouted insults and threatened to kill the Christians. The leading officer pointed his gun at the pastor’s head.”Handed him me the Bible,” he demanded.

Reluctantly, the pastor handed over his Bible, his prized possession. With a sneer on his face, the guard threw the Word of God on the floor at his feet.

He glared at the small congregation. “We will let you go,” he growled, “but first you must spit on this book of lies. Anyone who refuses will be shot.” The believers had no choice but to obey the officer’s order.

A soldier pointed his gun at one of the men, “You first.”

The man slowly got up and knelt down by the Bible. Reluctantly, he spit on it, praying, “Father, please forgive me.” He stood up and walked to the door. The soldiers stood back and allowed him to leave.

“Okay, you!” the soldier said, nudging a woman forward. In tears, she could barely do what the soldier demanded . She spat only a little, but it was enough. She too was allowed to leave.

Quietly, a young girl came forward. Overcome with love for her Lord, she knelt down and picked up the Bible. She wiped off the spit with her dress. “What have they done to Your Word? Please forgive them,” she prayed.

The Communist soldier put his pistol to her head. Then he pulled the trigger.

Most of those facing persecution today could have escaped if they had denied their faith. The question is not whether we are persecuted, but whether we are willing to lay down our life for our faith in Jesus Christ.

This could possibly be the best rap song I have ever heard! So true in the life of a Christian!

Below is an interview testimony from Lecrae…