Believe

We claim to believe in Christ
but it must just be a lie
if we do not live a Christian life
as so few among us try
We argue against ourselves
as we hear His holy perfect Word
but what's the point of arguing
when we fail to practice what we've heard?
So focused on the wrong of others
we always fail to see
if we are living according to our Christian faith
or if we just claim that we believe

- Mandi Lynn © 2013

Lucky Few

It was in a dream of a dream
that I found myself sitting by a stream
and in the water I saw a reflection
which to my eyes was perfection
for what I saw in the water
was an angel, Heaven's daughter
I moved my gaze up a bit
and threw my mouth open in a fit
for I saw feet perfect and bare
on top of the water, just standing there
my gaze again I did little move
to find white garment, silky smooth
and then my gaze to her chest
where praying her arms would cross her breast
and from her back her wings did spread
and then my gaze to the halo on her head
most Heavenly of all was her face
that spoke of His glory and His grace
she smiled at me and peace I did feel
for all of my uncertainies she did steal
against the night my angel did glow
and why she came to me I was soon to know
her voice I heard in my mind
a voice so soft I knew it not mine
"Beware," my angel softly said
her voice so beautiful in my head
"The time is coming and you are not ready
your faith thus far has been unsteady
He will come as a stranger by night
and take from this world what is His by right
and He will only take a lucky few
and as it stands now He will not take you
for although your heart is in the right place
you bring unto Him daily disgrace
for day by day you knowingly sin
to engage in the pleasures the world has within
your worldly desires are what you hold most dear
and so have pushed Him away when He drew near
only He can give you true happiness within
and you must repent if you are to spend eternity with Him
for it is not enough to simply believe
you must do as He commands if you wish to receive
all the blessings He would bestow unto you
and if you want to be one of His lucky few."
I stood there dumbfounded as I knew not what to say
and in an instance my angel faded away
and then I awoke, her words with me still
for although I was sleeping our encounter was real
her words in my heart will always stay
and I will do my best not to go astray
and I am sharing this with you, my friend,
for the day will come when this world will end
and He will come for His lucky few
and on His list I hope to be me and you


- Mandi Lynn © 2006

What Do You Belive In Me

Been living my life in the backseat
I've long let go of the reigns
I'm tired of this life I've been wasting
Don't wanna live another day
I'm lost in the wrong direction
Darkness everywhere I see
If home is where the heart is
There's no home for me

I'm ready for a new beginning
You tell me You will take me in
You can be my true North
Help me start again

Tell me do You believe in me
Tell me what You see in me
Is there a tomorrow I can hope for
With unshattered dreams
Tell me who I am
Tell me what's Your plan
What do You believe
What do You believe in me

Been wandering around in circles
Time erases all my tracks
I can't find my way without you
There's no heading  back
I'm ready for a lifeline
It's time to sink or swim
I could use Your light to guide me

The stars are growing dim

My past is unforgiving
But Your strength can pull me through
Yesterday is history
My future starts with You

Tell me do You believe in me
Tell me waht You see in me
Is there a tomorrow I can hope for
With unshattered dreams
Tell me who I am
Tell me what's Your plan
What do You believe
What do You believe
What do You believe in me


- Mandi Lynn © 2012

Lifted Sins

My soul cries out but still I don't hear
as I walk through my life living in fear
knowing I'm not who I should be
hating I always feel guilty
wondering who I could be or who I would be
if I could stand up with my head held high
if I could spread my wings and take a leap and fly
if I only I could bring myself to try
but I just stand in the shadows and cry
with my head held down looking to the ground
hoping to be unseen so I don't make a sound
with my lips held tight and my heart sank low
praying that no one will ever know
I've messed up this life that I've been handed
now I live on the sidelines where I've been stranded
not knowing that I've been branded
emotional scars are here to remind me
that I can run but my sins will still find me
my guilt and my fears will always bind me
so with tear filled eyes I fall to my knees
I cry out, I beg, I plead
then I hear a voice from a place within me
and I know what to do for Him to forgive me
to have my sins washed away like the life I was living
forever to be thankful for the new life I've been given
the weight of my sins has been lifted and though I'm not gifted
I will do the best I can to spread His name
'Cause once you turn to Jesus, your life will never be the same!


- Mandi Lynn © 2006

Crystal Tears

Crystal tears are falling 

down, down, down

all my fears came true

 lost within this simple sin

 I can't break free to You

See them falling

 down, down, down

all my years came undone

 haunted by the memories

 of a life I can't outrun

Crystal tears are falling

 down, down, down

what am I to do?

 how do I escape this simple guilt

 that keeps me far from You?

See them falling

 down, down, down

as I fall on my knees

 can't lift my head, can't raise my voice

 but still You hear my pleas

Crystal tears are falling

 down, down, down

as I feel within

 how Your love fills the whole

 caused by my simple sin

See them falling

 down, down, down

now I rejoice in You

 You forgave these sins I made

 so I could live anew

Crystal tears are falling

 down, down, down

see them fall no more

 with Your blood You wash away

 these tears that I abhore

- Mandi Lynn © 2013

Spiritual Gift Analysis

Answer each of the questions on the inventory in the boxes below. (It will be best for you to copy and paste this into a word document that you can type with or to print the analysis out.) Answer them according to the answer numbers key. Put the numbers in the boxes that most apply to you. Record your responses from the inventory key below.

Answer Numbers Key

3=True most of the time

2=True some of the time

1=True rarely of the time

0=Never true any of the time

                                                                                                            Total:

1. [     ]  10. [     ]  19. [     ]  28. [     ]  37. [     ]  46. [     ]  55. [     ]  64. [     ]            [     ]

2. [     ]  11. [     ]  20. [     ]  29. [     ]  38. [     ]  47. [     ]  56. [     ]  65. [     ]            [     ]

3. [     ]  12. [     ]  21. [     ]  30. [     ]  39. [     ]  48. [     ]  57. [     ]  66. [     ]            [     ]

4. [     ]  13. [     ]  22. [     ]  31. [     ]  40. [     ]  49. [     ]  58. [     ]  67. [     ]            [     ]

5. [     ]  14. [     ]  23. [     ]  32. [     ]  41. [     ]  50. [     ]  59. [     ]  68. [     ]            [     ]

6. [     ]  15. [     ]  24. [     ]  33. [     ]  42. [     ]  51. [     ]  60. [     ]  69. [     ]            [     ]

7. [     ]  16. [     ]  25. [     ]  34. [     ]  43. [     ]  52. [     ]  61. [     ]  70. [     ]            [     ]

8. [     ]  17. [     ]  26. [     ]  35. [     ]  44. [     ]  53. [     ]  62. [     ]  71. [     ]            [     ]

9. [     ]  18. [     ]  27. [     ]  36. [     ]  45. [     ]  54. [     ]  63. [     ]  72. [     ]            [     ]  

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

1.      I am a person who likes to get God's work done by organizing the efforts of other Christians.

2.      I enjoy giving my testimony to non-Christians and leading them to put their faith in Jesus.

3.      I enjoy helping people grow in their ability to handle life's problems successfully.

4.      I accept God's promises at face value and look for ways to apply them.

5.      I manage my finances well so that I can give sacrificially to the Lord's work.

6.      I look for opportunities to do the 'little things' that free up church leaders to do their work more

         effectively.

7.      I look for ways to minister God's love to the 'difficult' or 'disadvantaged' people in my

         community.

8.      I have a strong desire to see Christian's grow spiritually.

9.      I am able to communicate biblical truth to others clearly and effectively.

10.    It is very important to me that the Lord's work be done in an orderly and efficient manner.

11.    I go to places where non-Christians gather in the hope of sharing the gospel with someone.

12.    I listen carefully to what people tell me before I give them any counsel.

13.    My prayer life is filled with the possibilities of what God can and will do when Christians believe

         His Word. 

14.    I am confident that God will meet my material needs as I give generously to His work.

15.    I prefer working 'behind the scenes', unnoticed by others, on tasks at church.

16.    I find satisfaction in visiting people in hospitals, jails or retirement homes.

17.    I am patient with the slow spiritual growth of Christians to whom I minister.

18.    I am motivated to teach God's Word to children and/or adults.

19.    I find it easy to motivate others to follow through on a ministry project.

20.    I look for opportunities to share Christ with unbelievers and invite them to put their faith in Him. 

21.    When presented with a personal problem or spiritual issue, I urge people to seek God's truth and     

         direction with the matter.

22.    People are encouraged by my optimism and ability to believe God's promises for both material   

         and spiritual blessings. 

23.    I enjoy making money so I can give more to the Lord's work. 

24.    I 'pitch in' at a moment's notice to help other believers do their work.

25.    When I minister to needy people, I do not expect them to express appreciation or to return the

        favor.

26.    I enjoy it when others share their problems with me and express a desire to solve them

         scriptually.

27.    Other Christians learn and apply God's truth through my teaching of the Scriptures.

28.    I have an ability to break large goals down into workable segments and organize the work to get

        it done effectively. 

29.    When I share the gospel with unbelievers, they frequently trust in Christ as their Savior.

30.    I am successful in encouraging people who are distressed, disheartened or spiritually apathetic.

31.    People ask me to pray for them regarding specific needs in their life.

32.    I am moved to help meet the financial or other material needs of people.

33.    I am aware that people need help with a task before being told.

34.    I am emotionally drawn to the plight of prisoners, the poor, the aged, the handicapped and other

         distressed person.

35.    I like to be involved on a long term basis caring for the spiritual needs of a group of believers.

36.    I enjoy preparing and presenting a lesson on a passage of God's Word.

37.    I enjoy recruiting Christians to use their gifts and talents in serving the Body of Christ.

38.    I have a strong desire to share my faith in Christ with non-Christians.

39.    I reach out to help people who are deeply troubled or in a crisis.

40.    I experience joy by praying persistently for specific needs that come to my attention. I like to lead

         people in developing ministry goals and making plans to meet those goals. 

41.    When presented with someones material needs, I respond with my own money or possessions.

42.    I would rather be a supportive background person than a 'performer' in public.

43.    I like to do acts of love and kindness for those who cannot or will not return them.

44.    I would enjoy caring for the spiritual welfare of a group of new Christians.

45.    I have a strong conviction that biblical truth should be understood accurately and applied

        effectively to daily living.

46.    I have the ability to see the 'overall picture' in a proposed project.

47.    I like to share what Christ has done for me with non-Christians.

48.    I am sensitive and sympathetic to persons who are emotionally troubled or mentally ill.

49.    I am comfortable around people who pray a lot for others.

50.    I maintain a lower standard of living so that I am able to give more to the Lord's work.

51.    I am satisfied to use my skills to assist others who are in charge of a project.

52.    I enjoy caring for the emotional and physical needs of hurting people on a one-to-one basis.

53.    I like to 'disciple' a few individuals and equip them to serve God and one another.

54.    I have the ability to instruct listeners in the precise meaning of words and sentences in the Bible.

55.    I like to lead people in developing ministry goals and making plans to meet those goals.

56.    Unbelievers seem to understand clearly when I explain what it means to be a Christian.

57.    I am able to counsel effectively those who are broken-hearted, guilt ridden or addicted to a bad

        habit.

58.    I believe God will keep His promises in spite of discouraging circumstances so I tend not to

        worry about things.

59.    I manage money well in order to give liberally to the Lord's work.

60.    I am content to perform menial jobs or tasks considered unimportant by other people out of a

        sense of serving God.

61.    I enjoy working with people who are ignored by the majority.

62.    I am concerned to guard Christians from those who call themselves enemies of Christ and

        Christianity.

63.    When I teach the Bible to others, I see changes in their knowledge, attitudes or conduct over a

         period of time.

64.    I assume responsibility in a group of people when no official leader is designated.

65.    I am able to remain spiritually strong in the company of unbelievers and use the opportunity to

        win some of them to Christ.

66.    I feel comfortable challenging those who are spiritually complacent and restoring those who are

         wayward in face-to-face encounters. 

67.    I trust in promises and power of God for things that appear to be impossible to others.

68.    I consider all my possessions to be resources that are available to be used for the Lord's work.

69.    Cleaning or doing other supporting tasks in the work of the local church suits me well.

70.    I am able to talk easily and cheerfully with lonely shut-ins.

71.    I am able to confront and restore persons who have wandered away from the fellowship of the

        church.

72.    I can make difficult biblical truths understandable to small children.

Add your answers horizontally on each line and record the total. The maximum score per line is 24. Transfer the score totals from each line to this inventory key.

[    Row     ]  [          Spiritual Gift          ]   [ Total Score ]

[       1       ]   [          Administration         ]   [                    ]

[       2       ]   [            Evangelism            ]   [                    ]

[       3       ]   [            Exhortation            ]   [                    ]

[       4       ]   [                 Faith                ]   [                    ]

[       5       ]   [                Giving               ]   [                    ]

[       6       ]   [                 Helps                ]   [                    ] 

[       7       ]   [                Mercy               ]   [                    ] 

[       8       ]   [         Pastor-teacher           ]   [                    ]

[       9       ]   [              Teacher               ]   [                    ]

A short list of spiritual gifts:

1. Administration (1. Cor. 12:28): The ability to recognize the gifts of others and recruit them to a

    minitstry. The ability to organize and manage people, resources, and time for effective ministry.

2. Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)  The ability to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ to

    unbelievers in a positive, non-threatening way. The ability to sense opportunities to share Christ and

    lead people to respond with faith.

3. Exhortion (Romans 12:8) The ability to motivate God's people to apply and act on biblical 

    principles, especially wen they are wavering in their faith. The ability to bring out the best in others

    and challenge them to develop their potential.

4. Faith (1 Cor. 12:9) The ability to trust God for what cannot be seen and to act on God's promise,

    regardless of what circumstances indicate. The willingness to risk failure in pursuit of a God-given

    vision, expecting God to handle the obstacles.

5. Giving (Romans 12:8) The ability to generously contribute material resources and/or money beyond

    regular giving so that the body may grow and be strengthened. The ability to manage money so it 

    may be given to support the ministry of others.

6. Helps (1. Cor 12:28) The ability to recognize unmet needs in the church family, and take the

    initiative to provide practival assistance quickly, cheerfully, and without need for recognition.

7. Mercy (Romans 12:8) The ability to manifest practical, compassionate, cheerful love toward

   suffering members of the body of Christ.

8. Pastor-teacher (Ephesians 4:11) The ability to care for the spiritual needs of group of believers and 

   equip them for ministry. The ability to nurture a small group in spiritual growth and assume

   responsibility for their welfare.

9. Teacher (Romans 12:7) The ability to educate God's people by clearly explaining and applying the Bible

   in a way that causes them to learn. The ability to equip and train other believers for ministry.

Spiritual Gifts

On our Wednesday night Bible Studies at church, we have been learning about the Spiritual gifts we are given by the Holy Spirit when we become baptized into Christ. This is such an important lesson for each of us and yet so many are unaware of how essential it is to know what spiritual gifts are and how we are to use them to serve God. Though there are some spiritual gifts that we do not have today, such as raising the dead, healing the sick, and speaking in tongues; there are those that we have been given when we came into Christ that are important for doing the Lord's work.

1 Corinthians 12:1 - "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."

Spiritual gifts are given to us directly from the Holy Spirit and are used to demonstrate a Spirit-led life in order to strengthen others. These talents and abilities are not required to be usable for God. It is the choice one makes in accepting Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9), making life changes (Acts 3:19), and being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3). When one is baptized into the Christ life, the Holy Spirit is given (Acts 2:38) as a gift to engage, equip, and empower each one with spiritual gifts that will enable one to do effective ministry that will point people to God (Matthew 5:16).

1 Corinthians 12:7 - "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."

The Greek word for manifestation (phanerosis) means to "make visible" or "to display." In other words, spiritual gifts are put on display through the believer in order that God will be seen and glorified. They are given to perform visible acts of service so that others will see the limitless grace, love, mercy and power of God. It is important to know what spiritual gifts you have been given and for you to use them at every opportunity.

Romans 1:11 - "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established."

You can use the spiritual gifts you possess to strengthen others. Your spiritual gifts can be used to minister, encourage, support, teach, and help others to grow and therefore strengthen in Christ. When we made the choice to accept Christ, we were given these spiritual abilities to become effective in living the Christian life so that others will be strengthened in faith and God would be glorified. These gifts are to be used as an everyday resource for the strengthening of the kingdom. Tthe effective use of each of our gifts is imperative to keep the Church growing and running smoothly.

Romans 12:3-8 - "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

You must be honest with yourself on what spiritual gifts you possess, and which ones you do not. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you to know how you can be best used in service to the Lord. These gifts are Spirit-given abilities designed to equip and empower a believer as he or she engages in Christ's work. We do not all have the same talents given to us, yet all of our talents are important in working together to do God's work. If you would like help in discovering what your Spiritual gifts may be, my next post will be a Spiritual Gift Analysis which will be very useful to you. If you take the time to fill it out, you may discover you possess talents you did not even know you had.

For The Women - Daughters Of Eve by Lottie Beth Hobbs

While my husband and I were at the house of the man who comes to do Bible studies with us, his wife kindly gave me a book entitled Daughters of Eve by Lottie Beth Hobbs. On the cover it aptly says, "Strength for today from women of yesterday." It is an older book but it was on a topic that I had been wanting to do a study of for some time - all the women in the Bible. As a woman, it is important for me to discover my true role as a Christian woman, a Christian wife, and a Christian mother. So much of the Bible seems to be primarily focused on men that we can overlook the very important lessons that we can learn from the women of the Bible as well. This is why I have fallen in love with this book. Yes, it is an older book, I don't know when the first editions came out but I know that I found a copy of one online dating back to 1963, but that doesn't mean that it's not still applicable to the Christian women of today's world. 

From the Preface - It is hard to over-estimate the power and influence of women, either for good or evil.

As women, it is so important for us to realize the power that we have to influence those around us, whether it be our spouses, our children, our family, or our friends. We often don't think about the ripple effect that our actions and behavior can cause. Even casual words spoken without thought can cause a great wave if we are not careful. Right in the preface of this book we delve into the huge responibility we have as women to lead in the ways of righteousness. We need to think about the kind of influence we want to have on people. 

I am not a perfect person and I have made a mountain of mistakes in my life. I think back on some of my actions and I cannot believe that I was ever capable of them. I had become such a negative type of individual living as a bad example and negative influence to others. It's not that I wanted to be such a bad influence, it's just that I didn't think about those who might look up to me before I acted out. Having a little sister who had made me to be her role-model, it is devastating to me that I didn't live my life in a manner that set a good example for her. Since renewing my faith, I can already see and feel a great change in myself as I become the positive influence that I want to be, the one that God requires me to be. I am glad to have another chance on being a good example for those around me, especially to my two small children who look up to me and depend on me to show them the way in righteousness.

Here is another excerpt: In the downfall of nations, moral decay has always preceded political decay; and political decay has always preceded national destruction. A nation can maintain a moral strength no greater than the homes which constitute it, and the home usually rises no higher than the ideals of the woman in it. This being true, a heavy responsibility rests upon older women to lead in ways of righteousness and also upon younger women who will help to mold moral and spiritual stature of the next generation. 

The Bible is the only tool we need as Christians to know the life that we are supposed to lead. It is complete and sufficient to be our moral compass and spiritual guide. 

2 Tim 3:16-17 - "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."

The Bible is all that we need, period. It shows us every example we need to live our lives in the ways of righteousness. And just as it portrays every kind of man, the Bible also portrays every kind of woman who exists today. We can look to them to find the answers as we face our own decisions. We can learn from their successes and failures and we need not repeat their mistakes.

However, our most urgent and vital task is to prepare our immortal souls for that inevitable day when each shall stand before the throne of judgment: "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12)

Here is the list of women whose lives we can take lessons from in the Bible. This list is straight from the Daughters of Eve contents page:

EVE - Our Wayward Mother

SARAH- Wife of the World's Most Honored Man

LOT'S WIFE - A Warning Against Disobedience

REBEKAH - Who Lost What She Loved Most

RACHEL AND LEAH - Entangled in Unhappy Circumstances

MIRIAM - A Woman to Remember

DEBORAH - A Wise and Courageous Mother

DELIAH - Who Had to Have Her Way

RUTH - Who Was Loved Because She Was Loveable

NAOMI - The Pleasant Mother-In-Law

HANNAH - Whose Prayer Will Live Forever

ABIGAIL - Queen of the Art of Persuasion

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA - Wisdom-Seeker Commended by Christ

JEROBOAM'S WIFE - Who Wanted Blessings the Easy Way

JEZEBEL - Who Had Heart Trouble

VASHTI- Whose Conviction Cost a Crown

ESTHER - Who Helped God Save A Nation

MRS. JOB - Who Became Satan's Helper

MARY - Who Taught Obedience to Christ

MARY AND MARTHA - Who Learned About the Good Part

THE POOR WIDOW - Who Was Rich

THE STORY OF THE BAD SAMARITAN

DORCAS - Who Interrupted Her Own Funeral

PRISCILLA  - A Teacher of God's Word

EUODIAS AND SYNTYCHE - Mentioned Together But Far Apart

I have only read halfway through this insightful book which pin-points the practical lessons that we can learn from the women of God's Word and how to apply them to our own lives, yet I already highly recommend it to all Christian women. You do not need this book to study the women of the Bible, but, as a baby Christian, I find it to be a very useful tool when doing so. Whether you do it on your own or with the help of a book like this one, I hope that you will take the time to study the "women of the yesterday" to find the strength to become a better woman of today.

Answering the Call

I have had a Google+ account for some time now and even my own blog on blogger, but since I've come to Google+ and found this new and exciting way to connect with so many countless people from all over the world I have struggled to find out what I wanted to do with this new voice that I have found. I had thought about it for a long time as I shared my songs, poetry, and photography with these wonderful new friends I had made, but it wasn't until a close, personal tragedy came so unexpectedly into my life that I found what I had lost and this rediscovery is where my true passion lies.

On April 17th of 2013 a very dear friend of my family's was swept away by a raging creek crossing over the front of his property. To lose someone close to you is a painful thing, but it is especially painful losing them in such an unexpected and unimaginable way. I will never forget that crushing phone call that we had gotten. I will never forget the emotions of disbelief and anger to finally grief and acceptance. Although I do not believe that God causes bad things to happen in our lives, as I know that we are in control of our own choices, I do believe that He can cause good things to happen out of those bad situations. This story is not about losing a young friend that we had come to love so much, but of how through that terrible loss my family found our way back to the Lord.

I have always believed in God, accepted Jesus as the Savior of man, and believed the Bible to be the Holy Word of the living God. I was raised in a family that believed those things. But believing something and actually living according to those beliefs is something very different. I may go into my whole religious back story later, but for now the point is to say that it wasn't until I had come into my early twenties that I first really came to the Lord. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of months before I slipped away again - and never truly came back until after the tragedy.

If not for losing our beloved friend, we would not be where we are today in having been restored to the Church and having a thirst for the Lord and His truth like we have never before experienced. It was after the tragedy that I had gone to his family's house and as I was sitting on their couch his brother, who I hadn't really gotten to know until the day of the funeral, invited me to a nearby  gospel meeting with the family. I accepted and I went with them that night. After the service, the father was giving me scripture from the Bible on the Church of Christ. I told him how we had used to be members but had fallen away from the Church. It only took that one service and that short Bible study with him and I knew my family and I needed to come back.

At the funeral my husband stood up to speak about the friend he had come to love as a brother and he read out the poem that I had written about losing our beloved friend. It is because of this he was later approached by a man who ended up getting my husband in touch with a gospel preacher from the International Bible Teaching Ministries who now comes to our house on Tuesday evenings to do Bible studies with us. As we became more involved in these studies, we desired to be restored to the Church. As my cousin is living with us, she took part in the studies and was recently baptised.

After my husband and I started attending Church with the family of our late friend, my sister also got the desire to start going back to this church which she had attended for quite some time with them. She was acutally friends with them first and it was hard for her to be back to the place she had spent so much time with him and was even baptised there, but she decided to attend regularly again and so did her fiance who was also recently baptised into the Church.

After the service on the evening my cousin was baptised and my husband restored, which was shortly after I had been restored, I stood outside with my friend's mother as we watched her husband playing with my two small children in the field beside the church. She said to me, "Well young lady, I have to say that I never thought that my boy would be the cause of all of this." Our tragedy was so great, yet the good that has come from it has been great at the same time and there is some comfort and peace in knowing that. Although I wish everday that terrible day hadn't happened and that our friend was still here, I can't help but be awed by everything that has transpired after.

There had been many times during his time with us that we could have taken the initiative to go back to the Lord as our friend was a true Christian who knew his Bible, attended regualar Church services, and even went toBible camps. You could not know him and not be influenced by him or even changed for the better for he truly was just such a great role-model that you were immediately inspired by him. But it wasn't until losing him that we got the sort of slap in the face that we needed, that we met his wonderful family and went to church with them, and that we were finally restored to Christ. We finally realized all too well why they say that tomorrow is not gauranteed to any one of us and that we could each be taken from this life at any time in any way. We need to be ready now for the time for each of us to be judged for how we spent our time here. Living every day like it's your last doesn't mean living with reckless abandon, it means to be conscious of your choices and prepare yourself for the day when you will stand before the judgment seat of the Lord.

It was a long time ago that I was called to the Lord, and I am ashamed to admit that I had turned my back on Him. But I have finally made the wise choice to answer that call and to live my life for Him. I take comfort in knowing that I will get to be with my friend again one day and I have true joy from knowing that I will now have a place in Heaven with my Lord and Savior for turning my life over to Him. I hope that it does not take a terrible tragedy like ours to get you to answer the Lord's call, but I do hope that you will answer His call whatever it takes.

(If you want to know more about our beloved friend, you can go to his father's website and read about the remarkable man that he was: http://www.bobbyworthington.com/ )