God Broke My Heart

Some might say that I serve in Summit Kidz because I am just a big kid at heart. Or some might say that it is an outlet for creativity. Or it might be said that I serve so that I can teach.

Maybe that is how it all began, but one moment in time changed all that. One moment on a Sunday morning when a little girl let me tie a salvation bracelet on her wrist as she sang "Arise My Love." In that one moment God broke my heart for children.

My heart is broken...

-For the child who has never heard who Jesus is and how much He loves them.

-For the child who has never been to church or even know what that is.

-For the child who will go thru so many struggles alone wondering who even
cares.

-For the child who is bombarded by images on tv (and some even in their own
lives) of hatred and violence and think that it is normal.

-For the child that will go to bed tonight hungry.

-For the child who longs for an unconditional love from anyone.

They are screaming "SEE ME! HEAR ME! LOVE ME!"

Who will tell them that God does? Who will show them His love is real?

We should be doing everything possible to reach out to children today for Christ. Tell them about the Son of God who loved them so much that He died for them! Tell them that forgiveness is possible thru Jesus and He will always be there for them! Tell them that they have a place in His house!

It is time to boldly proclaim God's love to our children today!

I will stand for these children and tell them every week how much Jesus loves them. I will kneel for these children and pray that they open their hearts and accept Jesus as their Savior. For the children that are there, for the ones to come, and the ones that may never come.

They are why I do what I do. My heart is broken and I will never see a child the same again. Thank God.

Jesus is My BEST Friend

This week in Summit Kidz we will be starting a new series called "Do You Know Who You Are?" The first week is all about being friends with Jesus.

What makes someone a good friend?

A friend is someone who accepts you just the way you are, believes in you and encourages you. A friend is trustworthy and forgives your mistakes. A friend enjoys spending time with you and loves you.

Jesus wants to be this way with us. Jesus is the BEST of everything that we look for in a friend.

Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15

Come ROCK with Summit Kidz this Sunday at 10am!

http://www.thesummitlive.tv/thesummit/the-experience/summit-kidz/

Press On

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[a] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:13-14

Summit Kidz Christmas ShoutOut

Hey there Summit Kidz!

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! You are so AWESOME and I am so blessed to spend each week with you ROCKIN Summit Kidz for JESUS! I love you all bunches and Jesus loves you even more!

Hugs and more Hugs!
Wendy



Summit Kidz Team and Volunteers...

Merry Christmas to you all! I am so excited to serve with you all each week! I wanted to put into words the impact you are making, but felt that this quote summed it up best.

"One child comes to Christ, one child takes the next step in what it means to grow spiritually, and it's for one small voice that we give our lives. It's for one small voice that we create the energy, the excitement, the enthusiasm, because we've made the difference in the life of a child. That is huge. We don't know what Kingdom difference this one voice will play in history." -Craig Jutila

So thank you for all you do each week to make the difference for Summit Kidz!
You totally ROCK!
Love you all!
Wendy

One Mother to Another

"Do you ever wonder how we will know when He is more than a child? Will it be something He says? A look in His eye?" -Mary ("The Nativity Story")

As Christmas approaches, I have been thinking alot about Mary.

As expectant mothers, we all had our own share of anxieties, concerns, and doubts. Now add the fact that Mary was the mother of the Savior of the world. How is that for some added pressure?

Was she nervous about the delivery? Did she realize that Joseph would be the one to deliver Him? How overwhelming was it when the shepherds and wise men came unexpectedly? That was just the beginning.

Once everyone else went to sleep that night, did she stay up wondering how in world was she going to raise the Messiah? Did she think about years down the road?

The mother in me has always been drawn to her and what life must have been like for her. How wonderful and yet difficult at the same time.

During this time of year, I am joyously celebrating the birth of Jesus and also the life of His mother. What an incredible story of faith and love for God!

Had to share this one

From Joel Osteen...

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit"
(Matthew 1:20, NLT)



TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Have you ever felt overwhelmed or even afraid of what God has called you to do? Maybe you were pursuing a dream or goal and things didn't turn out the way you planned. Joseph had planned to take Mary as his wife, but when he found out she was pregnant, he didn't know what to think. He was afraid that he might be making a mistake because things didn't turn out the way he planned, but God sent an angel in a dream to reassure Joseph that he was on the right path.

Today let me reassure you that God knows right where you are, and He knows how to get you where you need to be. Even when things don't go the way you planned, His hand is on you. Do not be afraid, trust that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf and that He will lead you into the life of blessing that He has prepared for you.



A PRAYER FOR TODAY
"Father in heaven, I choose to trust in You. Even when things don't go the way I planned, I know You are at work in my life. Thank You for Your perfect love which casts out all fear. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

REALITY CHECK

Reality check.

What really matters?

It matters that I have an amazing marriage to my best friend. He knows me better than anyone and loves me better than anyone. God blessed me with an incredible man to spend my life with.

It matters that my sons are growing up in a home filled with God, love, and laughter. AJ, Conner, and Zachary are my favorite people to hang out with. I am so privileged to be their mother. They are truly a gift from God.

It matters that I have a wonderful relationship with my mother. She is by far one of the strongest and most loving women I know. I can only hope to be half the mother to my boys that she has been to me.

It matters that I have a group of women in my life that have shown me so much love. God definitely heard my prayers for friendship when he brought my SISTERS into my life.

It matters that we have been blessed with a church family at the Summit. Donnie, AJ, Conner, and I have all been baptized this past year. How incredible is that? We belong to a church that is more than walls and all about people. I am serving God by teaching His children.

So what else matters?

Mary...Mother to who?

I am thinking about Mary tonight reading in Luke about Gabriel's visit to her.

His appearance alone troubled her. Then he actually speaks to her calling her blessed above all other women which confused her. Then he goes on to explain that she will become pregnant with a Son and even tells her his name...Jesus. Mary of course asks "How?" and then Gabriel tells her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her.

Some say that Mary was 14 when this visit took place. 14 and mother to who? Now I am sure she knew what could happen since she was unmarried, yet she obeyed. Maybe she didn't understand the how of it, but she believed. And I doubt she had any idea what the future would hold for her Son, but she trusted.

Mary's response to all of this was... "I am God's servant and His will be done."

What an example to follow! Has God ever asked you to do something unexpected?

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
Mark 10:27

Overtaken

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds! I will rejoice in You and be in high spirits; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!
Psalm 9:1-2

PSALM 139

PSALM 139

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me,[b] O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!

19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!
20 They blaspheme you;
your enemies misuse your name.
21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?
22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
1 Peter 1:8

And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; & therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you & show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect & look & long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!
Isaiah 30:18

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16