R.I.P. Jacob

This past week we had a kid in our youth group passed away. Jacob Blair was on the roof of an abonded building with some friends Thursday night making a video for a class project. Jake went to go set up the camera, and the roof gave in. He fell around 25 feet hitting his head. He was pronounced dead upon arriving at the hospital.

This really hit our youth group hard. We have once again lost another member, but we are not totally morning. Jacob was a Christian, he had accepted Christ. We all take comfort in the fact that he is now in Heaven, rejoicing with God. This has also served as a reminder about just how short life it. We don't know when our life, or anyone else's for that matter, will end. For me, it has really reminded me on just how important it is to witness to others and be an example of Christ's love. After all, we never know when our time will be up.

Rest in Peace Jake. You had a BIG influence on a TON of people. I know you're in Heaven right now rejoicing with God, but we still miss you. I can't wait for the day when I will get to see you, once again, face to face.

God's Plan

Dear Diary,
I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. It's been a hard few months, especially emotionally. The last time I wrote to you was when the angel Gabriel visited me and told me I was pregnant with God's son. I know this is a great blessing and honor, but lately it seems to be more of a curse.

A few weeks after Gabriel came to me I told my parents about the whole thing, but they didn't believe me. That was three months ago. My stomach is starting to show more and more each day. Everywhere I go I'm no longer met with a smiling face. Those have now be replaced with a judgemental glance. The ones who used to call me friend won't even look at me. My reputation has been ruined. I used to be remembered as the one with a loving heart, a sweet smile, and someone with a servant's attitude, but not anymore. I'm not thought of as the family embarrassment.

Right now I'm at a loss. I don't even know if Joseph will still marry me. The last time I saw him I could barley look into his eyes. When I finally managed to, all I saw was anger, shame and disappointment. I pray Yahweh he does not divorce me. I don't know if I can bare all of that. If he divorces me I'll be stoned, or worse, I'll go on living a life of isolation because my family will disown me.

I had always hoped God would use me to do something great, but being deemed as an adulator is not what I had in mind. I'm sure this will be worth is the moment I hold this baby growing inside of me in my arms. Until then though, I pray I can simply make it through another day.
Sincerely Yours,
Mary.

The next few weeks

Over the next few weeks I'm going to be doing a "Dear Diary" series over some famous biblical characters. So often we think of biblical people as some type of supermen. It's almost as if they couldn't possibly be real. A little Shepard boy wins a war with a stone? or A peasant girl becomes queen and saves thousands of Jews? So often it's look over with a huge "Wow" factor, then quickly forgotten or rationalized out of the notation it would ever happen again. We think "God doesn't do stuff like that anymore", or "I'm just little old me, I don't even know anyone to make a difference on". We rule out God using us to lead a revolution in the 21st century. The truth is though, if we allow God to take control of our lives He can use us for great things. Join me as we step back into time and take a look at real people who allowed themselves to be used by God.