What's on your mind?

We are talking again this week about your worship experience. We all have a different idea about what worship is and how to accomplish it. Let's talk this week about what you think worship is. How do you prepare for worship? What music do you like to listen to that helps you prepare your mind for worship? Share one of your worship experiences, what made it so different? I want to hear from you.

Let's talk..........

Fresh Word - Bishop Timothy Clarke

This week, we present another message preview that we heard from Bishop Timothy Clarke the pastor of First church in Columbus Ohio. listen to the message and find encouragement about the change God can make in your life.

What's on your mind?

This week starts a new section on the blog, entitled, "What's on your mind?" This is a time for dialogue. Often I hear from young people that no one wants to listen, well, I'm listening but we cannot make changes or help unless we know what it is that you are passionate about.

I featured the song, Love him like I do, because that is how I feel about God. I am passionate about worshipping the Lord. I love to go to church, to sing and to hear the message, but is that your experience?

Our dialogue for today is this: What is your idea of worship? What do you feel about going to church? If you could set up what you thought a church services should be, what would it look like? And finally how can you add to the worship experience (your own and to others)? Let's talk!

Truth for Youth

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:22-24

This has been a hectic week, but I made a commitment to present a word each week to encourage each of you on your walk. I found this short clip but thought it had much to say. The speakers name is Pastor Shawn McBride. While he does not mention a particular scripture in this piece, I thought of the scripture above as I listened to his clip.

The truth is no matter how much we try to do things on our own, we are going to get it wrong. We fall short often in our lives and are unable to get it right. You do your best in school, try to make friends, do well in classes and sometimes even with all your efforts, it just does not go right.

But there is a way for something to go right in your life, and that is your walk with God. If you will put your trust in Jesus, you can (and he will help you do it) live for him sucessfully. You don't have to be a knockoff or a generic, but you can be a unique brand, who he made you to be.

I pray that this week each of you grasp this truth, God made you to be a unique addition to this world. God placed in you something he did not place in anyone else. Use those gifts, talents and abilities to give him honor.

If you have a prayer request please leave it in the comment section and we will pray for your needs. We also ask that you would begin to share this weekly blogs with your roommates and friends. Are there some topics or scripture you would like explained, then please let us know. This is for you and about you and your needs. God bless you and next week we will again be presenting another message of encouragement from one of the many ministers that committed to helping you in your walk.

C.O.M.E...let us reason together.

Man's Heart, God's Forgiveness

Minister Mario Jenkins message comes from this scripture (mainly verse 10). I have placed the entire psalm so that you can read what David was asking of God for based on his sinful condition.

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.


Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ; you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.

Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar. - Psalm 51

Other scriptures that Minister Mario mention are:

II Samuel 12

Genesis 6:5 - The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Revelation 3:20 - Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

If you have any questions please send your comments and if there is anything you would like Minister Mario to explain, send us your questions.

Do you have a prayer request, let us know so we can pray with you.

Note: Minister Mario states David sent Bathsheba's "son" to battle, he meant Bathsheba's husband.