Unfortunately, our community has just gotten another hero.
Luke Emch, 21 years old, died in Iraq from a bombing just one day before he was supposed to jump on a plane and come home. Luke was a Tallmadge High School 04 graduate. He had a dad, mom, and sister. His mom is a teacher at Tallmadge Middle School, and may i say that she is the BEST teacher at Tallmadge Middle School.
It is events like these that make me want to fast-forward 20 years till when (Lord-willing) I am on the mission field.
Whether you support the war or not, there are hundreds of soldiers out there overseas fighting for us. There are millions of people who sacrifice their lives everyday, and we don't even think about it. I don't even think about it. I enjoy my days, and I joke with my friends, and I play piano and I do my homework and I watch American Idol and I watch House and I shower, do my devotions and sleep (and I also write run-on sentences). The people over in Iraq get up and train and fight. They don't know if they will get food. They don't know if they will even see tomorrow; they don't even know if they will experience the next five minutes. They don't know if they will get to go back to bed at night!
They leave behind their whole lives. They take a step back for a year or two, and they fight for us over in the U.S. If it were not for them, what would we have as a country?
I can't say that I know what it's like to lose someone over in Iraq, but I do know what its like to know someone over there. Someone I love as much as Luke was loved by his family, probably not. but someone I love. I can't even imagine what life is like for the Emch family. I know that I love Stephen and Jimmy, mom and dad, and Beckie, more than ANYTHING. God has blessed me immensely with the opportunity to even KNOW them. I am thankful that they are in my life.
Mrs. Emch: if you ever read this, I want you to know that I love you and your family, and I have been praying for you everyday since i heard the news. Hold on.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Love
Since it is Valentines day and I haven't posted in a while, I thought it would be a good idea to post.
Every year on February 14, our eyes feast on pink and red hearts, our noses on the sweet smelling aroma, and our stomach on the box of chocolates that our parents just gave to us. But what is our mind feasting on?
Are we dwelling on an earthly pleasures? Are we focusing on the love (or like) that we get from our significant other? Are we celebrating St. Valentine? Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with those things...in fact I love receiving a small gift from mom and dad in the morning, I do think about someone special on valentines day, and I'm sure St. Valentine was a great man, but have we forgotten who is love? When you celebrate today, remember your TRUE LOVE.
God created love.
God is love.
God taught you how to love.
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
Every year on February 14, our eyes feast on pink and red hearts, our noses on the sweet smelling aroma, and our stomach on the box of chocolates that our parents just gave to us. But what is our mind feasting on?
Are we dwelling on an earthly pleasures? Are we focusing on the love (or like) that we get from our significant other? Are we celebrating St. Valentine? Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with those things...in fact I love receiving a small gift from mom and dad in the morning, I do think about someone special on valentines day, and I'm sure St. Valentine was a great man, but have we forgotten who is love? When you celebrate today, remember your TRUE LOVE.
God created love.
God is love.
God taught you how to love.
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13Saturday, January 13, 2007
The Final Exam
So the two days that I have been dreading since the last day of 7th grade have come: Final exams.
But as I experienced my first semester of High School, I have learned one important thing: there is more to graduating High School than passing Final Exams.
"I know change can be scary and public school can be a rough place spiritually...but Emily....all of those kids in your class and school need Jesus so desperately. Has God sent you on a mission for Him?"
I can remember Susan Johnson telling me that in an e-mail over the summer. I remember reading it and thinking "of course it(the school) is!" But you know what, I didn't really look at it that way. It was just another Christian cliche, some idea that gets repeated over and over again to many people. But as I learn more and more about Christ everyday, I learn that there is no such thing as a "Christian cliche." I finally untied my blindfold and looked around. You know what I found? A friend who has been trapped into worshiping the devil. A friend who drinks. A friend who is hurt. A friend who is stressed out. A friend who is blind to the truth. A friend who doesn't feel adequate. A friend who is struggling with her family. A friend who nobody likes. A friend who has the greatest hope in the world, a friend who is a blood relative of Jesus Christ, a friend who won't open her mouth to speak of Him in her public school.
I pray that God will use me this semester in a million ways. But even more so, I pray that I would actually let Him use me. My school is a big building fool of smart people, talented people, talkative people, funny people, amazing people, and above all lost souls. Hopefully, when final exams come around again at the end of the second semester, I will get a better "grade" on the most important final exam of all.
I will leave you with the thoughts of Wayne Watson:
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this
But as I experienced my first semester of High School, I have learned one important thing: there is more to graduating High School than passing Final Exams.
"I know change can be scary and public school can be a rough place spiritually...but Emily....all of those kids in your class and school need Jesus so desperately. Has God sent you on a mission for Him?"
I can remember Susan Johnson telling me that in an e-mail over the summer. I remember reading it and thinking "of course it(the school) is!" But you know what, I didn't really look at it that way. It was just another Christian cliche, some idea that gets repeated over and over again to many people. But as I learn more and more about Christ everyday, I learn that there is no such thing as a "Christian cliche." I finally untied my blindfold and looked around. You know what I found? A friend who has been trapped into worshiping the devil. A friend who drinks. A friend who is hurt. A friend who is stressed out. A friend who is blind to the truth. A friend who doesn't feel adequate. A friend who is struggling with her family. A friend who nobody likes. A friend who has the greatest hope in the world, a friend who is a blood relative of Jesus Christ, a friend who won't open her mouth to speak of Him in her public school.
I pray that God will use me this semester in a million ways. But even more so, I pray that I would actually let Him use me. My school is a big building fool of smart people, talented people, talkative people, funny people, amazing people, and above all lost souls. Hopefully, when final exams come around again at the end of the second semester, I will get a better "grade" on the most important final exam of all.
I will leave you with the thoughts of Wayne Watson:
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Off with the old....
On this last day of 2006, God truly blessed me.
After the service today, we had a fellowship dinner. Of course the food was amazing (it was Baptist women in a kitchen, I mean come on!) but besides the food the people were amazing, and it made me realize what I really want to do with my life.
As Clint came over to encourage me, little Jacob came over and stood by my side. I kept talking and listening, and Jacob just stayed there. At one point i picked him up, and he rested his head on my shoulder. I was truly blessed at that moment, and later I realized that I wanted to be with people. I don't want to be a writer, I don't want to become some business executive, and I don't want to be the first lady, or a famous rock star. I just want to love people.
If ever I have made anyone angry, it wasn't on purpose (except maybe Beckie, but hey, we're sisters!). I know that I have stepped on toes with the gospel, and I don't apologize for stepping on them, but I do apologize for applying pressure.
Well, enjoy the last hours of 2006!
I'll leave you with thoughts from the O-C -Supertones :Refuge (In Conclusion)
Share this brief quiet moment with me.
Let the lights and smoke all fade away.
And there's nothing left but Jesus,
and no one left but you.
Where will you go from here?
Welcome to the end of time well spent.
I hope the words I'm singin'
find you well.
But, don't miss the message.
There's no greater truth.
Take refuge in His heart.
After the service today, we had a fellowship dinner. Of course the food was amazing (it was Baptist women in a kitchen, I mean come on!) but besides the food the people were amazing, and it made me realize what I really want to do with my life.
As Clint came over to encourage me, little Jacob came over and stood by my side. I kept talking and listening, and Jacob just stayed there. At one point i picked him up, and he rested his head on my shoulder. I was truly blessed at that moment, and later I realized that I wanted to be with people. I don't want to be a writer, I don't want to become some business executive, and I don't want to be the first lady, or a famous rock star. I just want to love people.
If ever I have made anyone angry, it wasn't on purpose (except maybe Beckie, but hey, we're sisters!). I know that I have stepped on toes with the gospel, and I don't apologize for stepping on them, but I do apologize for applying pressure.
Well, enjoy the last hours of 2006!
I'll leave you with thoughts from the O-C -Supertones :Refuge (In Conclusion)
Share this brief quiet moment with me.
Let the lights and smoke all fade away.
And there's nothing left but Jesus,
and no one left but you.
Where will you go from here?
Welcome to the end of time well spent.
I hope the words I'm singin'
find you well.
But, don't miss the message.
There's no greater truth.
Take refuge in His heart.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
The Best Gift of All
So, I haven't updated in a while (thanks for the reminders :] )
Last year, I posted the same old boring Christmas message -its about Christ's birthday, not the gifts. Though I think part of my excitement still came from the gifts..And who can say that no excitement comes from the gifts! But I do think that I've found more excitement in other places, which mean a lot more to me than something special in a cardboard box wrapped and placed under a tree.
The Christmas program today, had a great message, that the best gift of all is Jesus. The theme song (The Best Gift of All) was my favorite. I listened to it the last Friday of school. Among all other things that I let pass by, I let an article on religion not even phase me. Those kids are in such sad situations, believing false teachings, and here I am, someone who has been born again, received salvation through Jesus Christ, has found someone she can always depend on and trust, and I don't even think twice about the spiritual danger these kids are in. Fellow classmates that I pass virtually everyday in the hallway. The people that I do "teams" with in Mr. Morrissey's class, the "pods" in Mrs. Stallman's class. SO MANY PEOPLE! And so many dead people. I don't know who, but someone made this metaphor: walking around with dead people. I spend everyday with classrooms FULL of dead people, and I can help bring them to life, but there I sit, quietly, at my desk. Too afraid to mutter even a word about Jesus Christ, the very man who saved my life. I am ashamed of myself. The best gift of all truly is Jesus, but the best gift you can give to Him is you. Not just your heart, and not just your life. But everything. Give Him you. The whole "shabang." He needs soldiers for His army more than we need life itself. And what have we to be afraid of? Failure? Rejection? Who cares? We're leaning on the Lord's side (remember VBS????)
This Christmas, give yourself to God. Do His work. Does that mean become a pastor? NO! Become a missionary to Antarctica? NO! But be His soldier, right here (or wherever you may be). We will make mistakes, and we will be afraid, and even embarassed sometimes. But our God reigns.
Tell me who's side are you leaning on?
Leaning on the Lord's side
Merry Christmas all! REMEMBER- Jesus is the reason for the season!
Last year, I posted the same old boring Christmas message -its about Christ's birthday, not the gifts. Though I think part of my excitement still came from the gifts..And who can say that no excitement comes from the gifts! But I do think that I've found more excitement in other places, which mean a lot more to me than something special in a cardboard box wrapped and placed under a tree.
The Christmas program today, had a great message, that the best gift of all is Jesus. The theme song (The Best Gift of All) was my favorite. I listened to it the last Friday of school. Among all other things that I let pass by, I let an article on religion not even phase me. Those kids are in such sad situations, believing false teachings, and here I am, someone who has been born again, received salvation through Jesus Christ, has found someone she can always depend on and trust, and I don't even think twice about the spiritual danger these kids are in. Fellow classmates that I pass virtually everyday in the hallway. The people that I do "teams" with in Mr. Morrissey's class, the "pods" in Mrs. Stallman's class. SO MANY PEOPLE! And so many dead people. I don't know who, but someone made this metaphor: walking around with dead people. I spend everyday with classrooms FULL of dead people, and I can help bring them to life, but there I sit, quietly, at my desk. Too afraid to mutter even a word about Jesus Christ, the very man who saved my life. I am ashamed of myself. The best gift of all truly is Jesus, but the best gift you can give to Him is you. Not just your heart, and not just your life. But everything. Give Him you. The whole "shabang." He needs soldiers for His army more than we need life itself. And what have we to be afraid of? Failure? Rejection? Who cares? We're leaning on the Lord's side (remember VBS????)
This Christmas, give yourself to God. Do His work. Does that mean become a pastor? NO! Become a missionary to Antarctica? NO! But be His soldier, right here (or wherever you may be). We will make mistakes, and we will be afraid, and even embarassed sometimes. But our God reigns.
Tell me who's side are you leaning on?
Leaning on the Lord's side
Merry Christmas all! REMEMBER- Jesus is the reason for the season!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
The Amazing Missons Race (part zero)
I don't think that I'll finsih the Amazing Missions Race saga, partly because I can't remember, and partly because you don't really want to read it. So I'll go back to regular posting.
The concert we went to for Audio A and MercyMe was awesome. Of course Audio A didn't play the Houseplant Song and MercyMe didn't play "So Long Self" til the very end, but hey, they played it, didn't they? The opening guy should get some credit too, his name was Phil Whicam (sp?).
Well, i am going to go for now, short and sweet, you know how I like to do things.
Here's a riddle for you:
(if you know the answer don't comment it)
If you call the tail of a dog a leg, how many legs does the dog have?
The concert we went to for Audio A and MercyMe was awesome. Of course Audio A didn't play the Houseplant Song and MercyMe didn't play "So Long Self" til the very end, but hey, they played it, didn't they? The opening guy should get some credit too, his name was Phil Whicam (sp?).
Well, i am going to go for now, short and sweet, you know how I like to do things.
Here's a riddle for you:
(if you know the answer don't comment it)
If you call the tail of a dog a leg, how many legs does the dog have?
Monday, September 04, 2006
The Amazing Missons Race (part One)
Well, I told you that I would do both, So I am combining them. Part 1:
Missions Week:
Monday: The Evening News. The schedule got a little messesd up because of the rain, so we went door to dooring. I was with Clint, Bobby, and Cuyler. We went to visit Albert and Kellen (sp?). Albert was home (I love that kid) and he is planning on coming back, which is awesome. Kellen wasn't home, so we left him a note. Then we talked to this lady with some kids over. We got a chance to talk to them about church and how we know for sure that we're going to Heaven. She kept yelling for/at her kids though, so I don't know how much of it they actually got. Then we went on to talk to lots more people, we even got to minister to a pitt bull, which was VERY cute. Cuyler kept playing with his bugs in the car, it was so cute.
Tuesday: MOW EM' DOWN! My group was Carl, Any, me, and Beckie. I think thats it. We went around offering to mow people's lawns. And you know what everyone said? NO! They resisted the chance for a free lawn mowing! Some other groups had better luck, but I guess things won't alweays work the way we want them to. Then we came back to the church and I finally got to clip some hedges (Haha Beckie). Then the hedges had a hedge part (haha Brittany).
Wednesday: Thirsty? Wednesday we went to different parks and gave people water and a chance at eternal water. It was awesome. I was with Kristen K., Vicki , Becky G. , and Timmy. Me, timmy and Vicki were a group. And we got to talk to a lot fo people. Giving water with the application of spiritual water was a lot of fun. WE met a guy who had a very strange conversion. Protestant/ Baptist to Catholicism (sp?). I was a little suprised, its usually the other way around. We had fun though. WE ran outr of water early, but in all the whole youth group talked to about 100-200 people! AMAZING!
Thursday: The Secret of the Apple. Thursday we all went to the Haven of Rest. 1/2 of us helped with the little kids, and 1/2 of the youth group served dinner. I helped witht he kids. Andy and I are some sweet pupeteers. We did the puppet show, and my arm was in a lot of pain while doing that! Afterwards, we had BIG SUPRISE, apples. And we got to hang out with the kids, which was nice. I wanted a little kid who would like me and I could show love to, and I got one! She wouldn't let go when it was time to leave! I want to go back. I want to do something regular. It would be fun.
Friday: Missionary Dinner. The missionary dinner was AMAZING! We were separated into groups. China (me, Ty and Bobby), U.S.A, UPG, Europe, and South America. They were all served dinner differently according to the way and amount of gospel they got. China: we got little amounts of food, and our waiter wasn't very talkative. Spirtual Application (SA) : China is in a communistic communioty, so they are only allowed to have a little bit of the gospel, and it is not allowed so it is underground. U.S.A.- LOTS AND LOTS of food, good food. Good service. SA: The U. S has so much of the gospel, but we aren't taking all of it. There's still some left over, we can share! (and some of us still need it!) UPG- Unreached people group. No food, no service. SA- No gospel. No missionaries. No eternal life. Europe- gross/cold food. Okay service. SA- They have it and its thr real gospel, but its so traditionalistic (not all bad) that no one really wants to go to the churches. South America- tons of food, great service, not nutritional. SA- Lots and lots of Christianity/missionaries, but not so much GOOD spiritual food or truth. Not much TRUE gospel. It was amazing. I learned a lot, just from Friday.
Saturday: Down Time. BOWLING! Man that was awesome! Fun fun fun!
Missions week was amazing. It taught me a lot. I can't wait til Missions Week 07'. I would really love to be a missionary, but we'll leave that to God. In the meantime, keep your eyes fixed for Part 2!
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