Shine

Over the past few weeks I have been busy doing many things that are preparing me for this fall with the ministry season changing and Word of Life kicking in (for those of you who don't know that is our youth ministry's name) This fall the youth have the theme of GOD which should be interesting and an awesome time of growth for all.

We are also getting ready to kick off our Missions emphasis month. Kink of like GO week back at Huntington University but not as compact. There is a family here at the church who is getting ready to be missionaries with Wycliffe in Indonesia. They will speak first then each Wednesday night for 4 weeks. The big finale is having three of our current missionaries coming and speaking over a weekend

Now these two different events show very different ways for our church to shine.They are two aspects of our church that I would say coming from the outside are the jewels of our ministry here. These songs both act as a prayer asking for God to shine down on our church and be the light to the darkness. That and they are two of of my favorite music videos.

Ephesians 5:13-21 states the following:

13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Each of us it to shine the light where darkness currently exists. The David Crowder video states that we need to shine our light so everyone can see it. Josh Wilson on the other hand asks God to shine his light on us so that others may see.

The passage is states that everything will become exposed by the light. We are a light to the darkness. Scioto County is a very large dark spot in that dark. Just to give you some facts about the county itself.

1. The county is among the top 10 most impoverished counties in the state of Ohio.
2. The county has made it to the FDA's top ten watch list for drug trafficking in the past. 

These are just the ones I know off the top of my head. However there is a little hope in the community. There have been several softball teams that have made it really far in the state tournaments. There are also several people wanting to help. Our church alone gives out food to about 150 to 200 people who need it each month. 

This is how we are showing a light in a dark area. Can we do more? Sure we could. However God has told us this is what we need to do at the current moment. Our light must come from God.

Please be praying for our church that as the new school year comes round that we would remain unified and that we would be a light to the darkest areas of Scioto county.

And i leave you with yet another song this time from Newsboys