"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives... (Matthew 7:7-8) Friends, My kids are participating in the library’s summer reading challenge. Frankly, with my group of kids it isn’t much of a challenge because they all read daily anyway, but we’re here for it. These are fantastic teaching moments for us because when they complete the task, they still have to go into the library and ask for their prizes. Yes, I do, in fact, make them approach the counter and talk to the librarian themselves. My thinking is simple: if you aren’t willing to take that step, the prize remains out of reach. It reminded me of two different interactions I’ve had over the years. The first was with a man named Jeff. I have a huge amount of respect for him and the ministry he was leading. One day, when I was stopping by to chat with him, a man came by asking for some wood pallets that were not being used. Jeff very calmly told him no because the man had skipped a required meeting. Then Jeff explained his reasoning to me: always require something – handouts take away people’s dignity. The second interaction was with a Harvest Helps applicant who asked for some groceries. The situation shared was a tough one. I sent a form from a local food pantry that would allow me to go pick up food for the family and deliver it since transportation was an issue. That was nearly a month ago. I still haven’t received the completed form or any other communication about another solution. We try to ask good questions before making assumptions, and we try to be creative in our problem solving. Perhaps there is an obstacle we are unaware of. Even as I write this, another idea for getting that form filled out has come to mind. We know that need doesn't always translate into action. Fear, shame, hopelessness, and even simple exhaustion can keep people from taking the next step. That's why we want to remove every barrier we reasonably can. Sometimes there are legitimate obstacles, and when there are, we should do everything we can to help overcome them. But sometimes there isn't a barrier we can remove. Sometimes the next step belongs to the person asking for help. Help is a partnership. We do what we can, but the person asking for help has to participate too. That's when Jeff's words come back to me and I really understand the heart of his message. Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the number of applications we receive and by the responsibility of trying to meet those needs prayerfully and with the gospel front and center. Then there are the people who desperately need help but never send in the application. And sometimes, we are surprised by the people who won't take that one small, required step to receive what they need. Lord, give us wisdom in it all! Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30 Of all the indictments Jesus spoke about human nature, this one strikes me hardest. I know faith comes from God and I know the vehicle that carries it is His Word. I'm steeped in years of Bible study and still a mustard seed of faith is elusive to me when it comes to facing the lean days summer always brings to our ministry. I've prayed. I've worried! I've even picked up the phone many times to call some of our most generous givers, but my lack of humility always prevents me from making the call. You would think that being in ministry for so long would help me get a grip on how God works and yet I still find myself questioning God's blessings on our ministry. I wonder if He truly will continue to provide, and I even question my own faithfulness. "Have I done something to anger You?" I ask repeatedly. But fortunately Jesus always intercedes for me. If not, the Father might grow weary of my lack of faith. And the truth is that His provisions always seem to come at the moment of my weakest faith. Maybe that's how He keeps me from thinking I'm somehow responsible for any of our successes. And maybe He has a similar message for you. To our donors, thank you for your faithfulness and please know that it is most often Jesus working through YOU that the Father uses to teach me. Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

You may have been too young to remember, but at some point in your development you were probably in love with the people who cared for you. For many, that was mom or dad, or both. Some aren't so fortunate, but if you had absolutely anyone caring for you lovingly, you most likely reciprocated with love of your own. And then one day something happened. You realized you could actually get things done for you or given to you if you used the word "love" or maybe flashed your sad eyes. Or possibly you took the other road. You might have been one of those kids who threw fits until people relented! At any rate, if you're a Christian, it's time to stop the manipulation of those you say you love and do some growing up. Speak to each other in truthful ways and if you don't get your way, don't pout. That's life, and sometimes things just don't work out the way you wanted them. Think about the "love" you give and consider its source and its motive. "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

When I was a young Christian I thought I could separate my Christian life from the life I had lived for so many years. Around my Christian friends, I would speak of Jesus, and around my other friends I'd speak of everything but Jesus! My actions simply weren't God-honoring. The truth is that anyone who does this is living two lies--one in each world! As the Spirit inside of me made me more uncomfortable, I began to understand how I was hurting Him. Soon I had only one life, and I wanted to live that life for Jesus alone. Don't get me wrong, I still have lots of non-Christian friends, but now Jesus is most often the conversation with them too! "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

sacred (skrd) adj. 1. Dedicated to or set apart for the worship of a deity. 2. Worthy of religious veneration: the sacred teachings of the Buddha. 3. Made or declared holy: sacred bread and wine. 4. Dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use, purpose, or person: sacred to the memory of her sister; a private office sacred to the President. 5. Worthy of respect; venerable. 6. Of or relating to religious objects, rites, or practices. (From Dictionary.com) You may find this hard to believe, but of all the things we consider sacred in this world, and especially in our Christian faith, sex is one of the most sacred of all. Among other things, it's how God allows mere humans to be involved in the creation process. Honestly now, when you think of sex do you think of an incredibly sacred wedding gift from God Himself, or do you think of something dirty--something that's been used by the enemy to help destroy your life and the lives of others around you? Maybe if we began looking at sex for what it is instead of what it isn't, the words "sacred" and "sex" wouldn't seem so weird together. "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD." Genesis 4:1 (KJV)  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

"As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!' The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, 'Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!' Jesus stopped and called them. 'What do you want me to do for you?' he asked. 'Lord,' they answered, 'we want our sight.' Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him." Matthew 20:29 Just a couple of questions to ponder. What is it that you are asking Jesus for? Are the things you ask/pray for within His will for you? Do the Scriptures support your position? If you got what you wish, would you truly use it to serve the Lord? If so, when Jesus answers your prayers (with either "yes," "no," or "wait") are you prepared to have your response be to continue to follow Him regardless? Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

When I was about 12, a rage overtook the country. Bell bottom pants, silk shirts and platform shoes were the accessories that simply every teen HAD to have. Many teenage rages had come and gone, but this one was mine! Believe it or not, nearly 30 years later I've seen every one of these things come back into style (some bringing back horrible style memories). To my amazement, even fat necktie knots have made a come back lately. What's not come back yet is something I did with many of my waking moments. "Decoupage" (pronounced Dec-koo-pazh) was the bomb! Everyone did it, and everyone loved it. Basically, we tore off (or scissored or burned off) the edges of pictures we liked and then stuck them on wood, cardboard, or some other type of background. The cool part, however, was the decoupage stuff. Once things were on the background, we simply painted this white looking (Elmer's glue-like) substance on the whole project and when it dried and turned clear, a beautiful and simply unique "decoupage" had been created. Now here's the cool part. Knowing what I know about the Bible, everyone should run out and immediately buy either stock in or lots of bottles of decoupage solution. Just like everything else in this world, it's only a matter of time before it comes back. "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Israel was always a little hard headed when it came to consistently obeying God. No doubt God used them as an example to us all in that we are all the same when it comes to sin--we desperately need a Savior. Israel had chance after chance to change her ways and do God's bidding. Inevitably she would fail. While Jesus was walking along one day he told a story about a vineyard and how it would be taken away and given to others who would bear fruit in it. The analogy was immediately understood by the religious leaders and they were furious. He used the story to prophesy that He would give His Spirit to the Gentiles. He also expected them to bear fruit--the fruit that would come from walking in the Spirit. The lesson here is that God expects all Christians to bear fruit, but it is often those who think they are the most "religious" who do not. Sitting around thinking that since you are "saved" God doesn't expect much of you is a serious mistake. Moreover, it's one of the signs that you don't have the Spirit at all. "Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures: '"The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes" 'Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this stone [Jesus] will be broken to pieces [become repentant and change], but he on whom it falls will be crushed." Matthew 21:42-44 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate