"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering." Psalm 26:1 Those words from Psalm 26 were written by King David. Anyone who knows anything about David knows that he certainly did not lead a blameless life. He's the guy who had a woman's husband killed to cover up the fact that he slept with her and got her pregnant. The reason David can say he is "blameless" is because being without blame is not something we achieve on our own. It is something we achieve through God. We are all "to blame" for our sins, but by trusting in Jesus alone, we too become blameless. "But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord." Psalm 26:11-12 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Churches, youth groups, ministries and the like can be some of the roughest and most unforgiving places on the planet! Not all of them are as well supervised as they should be. As a result, much pride and arrogance can build up among those who've been there for a while. If these people were truly operating by the Holy Spirit, then all the fruits of the Spirit would be theirs (peace, patience, kindness, etc). Instead, the fruit of the sinful nature is often allowed to run amuck. The result is that those truly desiring to come to Christ; those hurting and needing help, are pushed out of the way by those who demand things be their way, or by those who suck the Body of it's strength with their drama! I've seen far too many good people leave churches and ministries because of such sinful activity. Know this for sure... None of that stuff has anything to do with Jesus. Keep looking for a Bible believing church where sin is called what it is and where grace abounds. God has your back on this one and He needs you in a place where you can grow strong and useful for His kingdom! "Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another." Ezekiel 34:21-22 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I've had a lot of young friends through the years start their Christian walks in a powerful way. Unfortunately, some of the ones that seemed to have the most promise of doing great things for the kingdom no longer seem to have much of a walk at all. Some decided that drinking alcohol and partying were more "fun" and they faded away. Some decided that their boyfriends/girlfriends sexual advances were a more interesting pastime and they faded away. Some work too much to attend church anymore, and some now tell me that they never really believed in the first place. I know that the Word will continue to work on their hearts, but the fact remains that some of the hearts of those who once said they believe are simply too hard to see their faith grow. What seems worse is that some simply are willing to sell the faith they once found important in favor of all types of ridiculous pursuits. I pray that Jesus becomes absolutely the most important part of everything you do, and every day you live. Selling Him out is what one of the disciples did... here's a few words about him. "Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests and asked, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?' So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over." Matthew 26:14-16 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Most of our words are spoken either in worship of ourselves or other "gods" in our lives. For a Christian this should not be the case. Jesus is our Lord, and He deserves our worship. Our words and our actions should bring him glory--not that He needs it, but because He is our God. Honestly, who do your words worship? "On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts." 1 Thessalonians 2:4  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite." Numbers 12:1 Many are shocked to discover Moses was married to an African woman. She was a Cushite (translated Ethiopian today). When they learned of the marriage, Moses' brother and sister (Aaron and Miriam) began to speak ill of him, even mocking his relationship with the Lord. It is possible they disliked her because she was not an Israelite, but much more likely because of the color of her skin. At any rate, their hearts were prideful and hardened by their racist attitudes. Is it any wonder sinful, hard-hearted people still find much pleasure in perpetuating racism. As Christians, racism is something we can simply have no part of! "Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." Colossians 3:11 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many point out that "my" interpretation of the Gospel is rather narrow. They don't like it when I say that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven. Some have even asked why God would give these people life if He knew they would spend eternity in hell. Well, this is a serious issue.... let me clear it up as plainly as I can. There IS only ONE way to heaven! You MUST accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. There is absolutely NOTHING you can do to earn it, and there is absolutely NO OTHER WAY IN. God does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9), but because He gives us free choice, many will! Any other version of the truth is what theologians call "pluralism," and is a lie directly from Satan himself! I didn't design the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I only preach what He has taught me directly from His infallible Word. I am not ashamed of it, and I won't stop. My friends, God is the Author, and everyone else is a liar. You can take that to the bank. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew 7:13 "Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" John 14:5-6 "then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:10-12 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends. 21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:20-21, NIV) Friends, “I’m not sure how they let themselves get in that position in the first place.” If we haven’t all said it out loud, we’ve probably all thought it at some point about someone. I know I have. The Lord has been graciously working on my heart to respond with mercy instead of judgment, but it’s been a long process. Part of that change has come from seeing just how many people truly need help — and how deeply grateful they are when someone simply listens, sees them, and cares. These verses struck me today because sometimes what hurts even more than hardship is loneliness. Worse than feeling like the world is stacked against you is feeling invisible. For many of the people we serve, poverty isn’t just about money. It’s a cycle that is incredibly hard to break. The mom who doesn’t have transportation can’t hope to get a job without a bus pass. The dad trying to provide can’t work without childcare in place. The payday loan that fills empty bellies tonight comes back next month with crushing interest, digging the hole deeper. Our goal is simple: to see people as people. To serve them as dearly loved children of God. To make sure they know they are seen and valued. Breaking cycles of poverty also breaks cycles of loneliness and shame. A moment of kindness restores dignity. It builds trust. And sometimes, it opens the door to an entirely new future. Thank you for being the kind of community that moves toward people instead of away from them.  CELEBRATIONS!!! Ms C – Food help for two sisters and their combined 8 kiddos. Ms J – Help with an AES bill so there aren’t disconnect threats. Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV) Dear Friends, My wife and I recently had the opportunity to take a cruise on a Windstar ship. One phrase stayed with me throughout the trip — their motto: “180° from normal.” It’s meant to describe a travel experience that intentionally moves away from the typical and embraces something different. As I reflected on that phrase, I couldn’t help but think about how perfectly it describes the life Jesus calls us to live. Following Christ has never been about blending into the patterns of the world around us. In fact, Scripture consistently reminds us that believers are called to live differently — to think differently, to love differently, and to respond differently. Where the world encourages self-promotion, Christ teaches humility. Where culture often celebrates division, Jesus calls us to reconciliation. Where fear and scarcity dominate the headlines, we are invited to live with faith, generosity, and hope. In many ways, authentic Christian living is meant to be 180° from normal. At Harvest Youth Ministries, we witness this transformation regularly. We see young people discovering their identity in Christ instead of in labels placed on them by others. We see volunteers showing up faithfully, choosing service over convenience. We see supporters like you investing in lives not for recognition, but because you believe in God’s work of restoration and healing. These moments may not look “normal” by the world’s standards — but they reflect the upside-down, Kingdom-centered life Jesus modeled. Thank you for being part of this mission. Your prayers, generosity, and encouragement help create spaces where young people encounter a different way of living — one marked by grace, purpose, and transformation. Together, we are helping raise up a generation that is unafraid to live 180° from normal. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby