Newsletter Issue #25

Dear Friends in Christ,
Hi everyone! How are you all? I'm doing fine. I have been pretty busy lately! I leave for the Philippines in 8 days! So this is probably the last newsletter I'll be doing for awhile. Sorry about the delay! I get back home on March 24th. Currently it's snowing here... hmm. I thought spring had started to come. Oh well! We did have some nice sunny days that felt like spring though! Yesterday I went cross-country skiing with my dad, sister, and some friends, and it was tons of fun! =)
Okay, thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this newsletter! Feel free to send things in for the next one!! It'll be in March or April, I guess, so you have lots of time! Don't procrastinate too much though. =) (Do as I say not as I do!! Haha)
I hope you all have a wonderful day in Christ. :) Blessings!!

Love,
your friend in Christ,
Heather

~*Glimpse From The Lighthouse*~
February 9 ,20098 Number 25

~Theme Verse~

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, godly,
in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who gave Himself for us, that He might
purify us and redeem unto Himself
a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14

Study:

"Above All Else"

I have a little frame on my desk that says "Above all else, guard your heart" (Proverbs 4:23). In the King James Version this verse says "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." This really is of utmost importance! We must guard our hearts at all costs, above all else. I've been realizing more and more how important our thoughts and motives are, NOT just our actions. I used to think that being a true Christian meant getting all the actions just right. But now I see that true Christianity isn't about actions at all! It's about a relationship with Jesus and allowing Him to change our heart so we truly want to do what is right. Then we will love and serve Him with our hearts, and right actions will follow.

I have also very recently realized that it does matter to God what we think about and cherish in our hearts. I thought sin was actions like lying, physical violence, adultery, etc... I guess I thought I could think about whatever I wanted, as long as it was hidden in my heart. But lately I've been thinking more about it and I see that that is NOT the case. Hidden thought-sins could actually be even more dangerous than outward sins! We must be aware of what is going on in our heart and mind, where no one else can see, and make sure it is pleasing to God. Even if no one else can, He sees our deepest thoughts and desires, even better than we can. Psalm 44:21 says God "knoweth the secrets of the heart." Revelation 2:23 says "... I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one according to your works." [If anyone knows what 'reins' means, feel free to enlighten me. =)]

If our heart is cherishing evil or worldly thoughts, then they will eventually contaminate our whole character. Proverbs 23:7 says "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Our thoughts are the basis of everything else and if our heart is not right, we cannot go to heaven. Ps. 24:3-5 says "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart... He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

We must guard our hearts very carefully, and try to keep out every evil influence. We need to pray, like David, "Create in me a clean heart, O God..." ~Ps. 51:10

And here's a quote by E. G. White that I really really like! "Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul." Christ's Object Lessons, page 159 :)

Prayer Requests:
1. Please pray for the YD Mission trip to the Philippines! =) 2. Please pray for everyone else that we each will be able to stand firm for Jesus no matter what....

OK! Now time for the hymns.

Ashley:

"My favorite hymn is "Sound the Battle Cry" I like that song because it calls all to the work for the cause of God, and that we _will_ be victorious through the strength of Jesus Christ! I like the whole song, but if I pick a favorite quotation from it it would be:
Sound the battle cry!
See! the foe is nigh!
Raise the standard high
For the Lord:
Gird your armor on,
Stand firm ev'ry one;
Rest your cause upon his holy Word.

Katie:
"My favorite hymn is #573, 'I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" by Mary Brown. I like it because it talks about mission work, and I would like to be a missionary someday. I'm not sure what my favorite verse is, but I really like verse 2, because it shows how I can be a kind of missionary at home. It says,

Perhaps today there are loving words,

Which Jesus would have me speak.

There may be now, in the paths of sin,

Some wand'rer whom I should seek.

O Savior, if thou wilt be my Guide,

Tho' dark and rugged the way,

My voice shall echo the message sweet,

I'll say what you wamt me to say.

I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

O'er mountain, or plain, or sea;

I'll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,

I'll be what You want me to be."

Angela:

"My favorite song is probably "Thank You for Giving to the Lord". The reason for this is that it talks about when we get to heaven how people will come and thank us for what we did to reach them for Jesus. Like one part says that you were that person's Sabbath school teacher and how because of that he/she was in heaven. I can't put it into words. You just need to hear the song for yourself. It is really blessing to me since it shows me that all the time and effort I put into evangelism is really worth it!! One favorite hymn I enjoy would have to be "Rescue the Perishing". It is special because it talks about reaching people for the Lord. "

Jessica:

My favorite hymns are "A Mighty Fortress is our God", "Live out Thy Life Within Me", and "I Shall See the King".

Brenna:
"I was in the beautiful University Church here in Walla Walla this past Sabbath, playing in the orchestra. One of the hymns we played and sang was "Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent". I like that first line a lot. My mom told me that when she was a little girl in her home church, they would always sing this one before prayer. She said that then the whole sanctuary was quiet, and you could almost imagine the angels folding their wings in reverence. So, this hymn has a lot of meaning to me, as it really brings it all into perspective as to what worship is all about. It isn't the feeling you get or the energy you get out of singing or playing, rather it is honoring and praising our Lord, our God, the Creator of this Universe for what he did to save us from our state of sinfulness. This hymn is a solemn, reverent, and humbling reminder to me that though we were not worthy, He went through terrible suffering just to ransom this little dirtball of a planet. It boggles my mind. I mean, think about it!!! There are billions, trillions, maybe quadzillions of other planets out there!!! We measure space by light years!! It just amazes me beyond measure every time I hear this hymn. I love it, and if you aren't familiar with it, I hope you all grow to love it as much as I."

Me:

I think my favorite hymn is "So Send I You". I really like it because it talks about reaching the lost, and the missions God has for us here on earth, and His presence being with us, etc... I just love the whole song and it says a lot! My favorite verses are

"So send I you, My strength to know in weakness,

My joy in grief, My perfect peace in pain.

To prove My power, My grace, My promised Presence. So send I you, eternal fruit to gain.

So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred, to eyes made blind, because they will not see...

So send I you, to bear My cross with patience, and then some day with joy to lay it down!

To hear My voice, Well done, My faithful servant! Come share My throne, My Kingdom, and My crown."

Okay, I think that is all! God bless you all and have a wonderful week!!!