All Grown Up

aww! Isn't it cute? It's Kara's 16th Birthday today! She's growing up so fast . . . *tear* . . Happy *sniffle* Birthda, Kara!! We love you!! ps: Remember how I gave you your present early? Well, consider it incentive to get your license! eh? eh?? ahaha love ya! Happy Birthday!

How high can you go....????

How high can you stack your feet??? And for all you out there I'm not touching Bradie's bum I'm merely covering it so that she wouln't break the camera.... Yes, well good times after a long week of VBS!

i just had too

to those of you who just got more pictures then you can handle through email, i am truly sorry. i found this one and thought you all would get a good laugh from it. this picture is from our june fishing trip. enjoy.

gum drops and lolly pops

So, here is the story of my life in a nutshell:
Today at school in Math C30 we were taught the lesson for the day and then we only had two questions to do and still a half and hour left for class. I was surprised because my math teacher as like a calculator in his brain and is reallyu smart and usually we have home work. So I said "wow, it is almost like it's my birthday today." Isn't that amazing? Yeah, I thought so too. Anyway, story of my life, basically.

Later, Allesha

I also love this picture!!!! Oh how we're all so different yet all so simillar! I think that was fall last year, but I think this is the last picture I'll post in a while because I have to give others a chance if you know what I mean......Or not! Well yup, we're the Reimer sistas!

This is an awesome tree it won an award called Aimee's Awesome Tree Award, AATA for short, yes my sisters and I classified it under the "Spider Tree" category of cool trees!!!

This is basically the best tree in the in the world of best trees, I think it might have won an award at some point in time.......... Ya so that tree is pretty kweet if I do say so myself!

Ya, so this is what happens when you eat smurfs, you know those little blue guys, our tongues were blue for a month!!!!!

Home-ies

this is my sister...you can tell we're OBviously related...she got the best hair though...

Home-ies

for all of you who don't know...this is steven, who is apparently my brother... yes THE steven, who receives all of my notes through a microchip in his brain. he is wearing a bsketball shirt, but that doesn't mean he's good at it...but he's better than me...which is easy to beat, so it doesn't matter.

Hey guys, could you pray for my friend Rena from camp? Her aunt just died last night (her aunt wasn't a christian). I just think that this death is going to be really hard on her family knowing that her aunt isn't in Heaven. Yeah, just pray for strength for her family and her and that something good would come out of this.

thanx. kara faith.

VBS PIES!!!!!!

Hey, here are some pictures of the good times during the summer. Enjoy!!

praypraypraypraypraypraypraypraypraypraypraypray

A message to everyone: I think we really need to be praying for Rachael and her Family. Things have been really tough for them lately with her mom being in the hospital for three weeks now. So just be praying that the doctors can find out what is wrong with her mom and take some stress off the family.

pumpkin head

k guys, it's long, but soooo worth it. this is a made-up conversation with God that i pulled from the Brio magazine website. enjoy!

God said: Abbie’s really confused.
I said: It’s no big deal.
Yes, it is a big deal. She’s searching . . . and she’s looking in the wrong direction.
So she’s looking at different religions. She has doubts.
And it’s what she’s doing with those doubts that concerns Me.
I don’t get it.
Christianity can take doubt, My child. Christianity can take every doubt the world cares to toss My way, or it wouldn’t have lasted more than 2,000 years. But it’s when people refuse to give Me their doubts that it becomes wrong.
You mean, You want us to tell You what we doubt about Christianity?
That’s right. How else can I replace those doubts with solid faith? It’s when you harbor the doubt — stuff it inside and refuse to allow Me to walk you through it — that it becomes detrimental.
Okay, then. Here goes. I can identify with Abbie.
Go on.
Well . . . I’m having doubts. Abbie’s talking about other religions and reincarnation and stuff. I don’t know; it sounds interesting.
My child, reincarnation is simply wishful thinking for those whose lives aren’t right with Me. If you want the truth, check out Hebrews 9:27.
Yeah, I guess I could do that. Here it is: “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. . . .”
How much room does that Scripture leave for the possibility of reincarnation?
None.
That’s right. Reincarnation is a lie from Satan.
But . . . as long as it’s okay to give You my doubts . . . can we keep talking for a while?
Sure. I love talking with you, My child.
Even when I’m not full of praise and all that kind of stuff?
An honest heart is what I’m after. Give Me your honesty.
Okay, here goes. I’m not sure about Christianity, God. I mean . . . how could only one religion be right? Shouldn’t everyone just believe what’s right for himself?
To a serial killer, it’s right for him to kill. Does that mean it’s right in My eyes?
Well, no. But now You’re talking about killing. I’m just talking about religious beliefs.
What you’re really talking about is truth.
Yeah! What’s right and wrong is going to differ from person to person. I should get to decide what’s right for me!
But simply because you decide something, doesn’t make it so.
It should! If I decide it’s right for me to drive when I’m 14 instead of 16, it should be okay.
No. Your thoughts and decisions can’t change reality.
Huh?
The laws of your land are a reality that state you can’t drive until you’re 16.
But if I decide —
Okay, let’s say you decide you’re the wealthiest person in the world. Guess what — you’re really not. You can decide that all you want, but reality says that’s not the truth.
Oooh. You got me there.
You see, My child, there has to be an absolute truth — a standard of right and wrong — by which everyone can measure his life.
But what if I believe that —
Stop. Listen to yourself. There must be something deeper than your beliefs. There has to be something that goes way beyond your futile thinking, something much higher on which you can base your standards and your lifestyle.
Why can’t I decide that for myself?
Because if everyone decided that for himself, life would be utter chaos. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris decided it was “right” for them to murder innocent students at Columbine High School. But simply because that’s what they decided didn’t make it right. You can’t determine the standard for right. It’s above and beyond you.
Okay, but let’s get back to religion. There must be lots of different truths out there because there are so many religions.
No, My child. There’s one Truth.
Then why all the different religions?
Because people want to distort reality.
I don’t get it.
They want to rationalize the wrong they’re doing and feel good about it. If you search hard enough, you can find a religion to support just about anything.
So I could find a religion that would tell me it’s okay to smoke pot?
You could. And you could find a religion that condones sex outside of marriage — as long as you love the person you’re involved with.
Wow! So what’s the problem?
The problem is reality. Riiber, you can believe what you want, but that doesn’t make it true. You can believe that someday man will evolve into rattlesnakes, and you can start a church that supports that belief, but that doesn’t make it reality. Man will never become a rattlesnake! But you can believe it.
Why would I want to believe something that’s not true?
Hmmm. Good question. So why are you looking at other religions?
Well, how do I know they’re not true? I mean, of course Christianity is true for You, because You’re God. But what if it’s not true for me?
Relativism.
What-if-ism?
Relativism. It’s the view that there’s not one absolute truth. Everything is relative. Just because something’s wrong for Abbie, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong for you.
Yeah! That’s what I believe! Relativism. I like that!
Doesn’t hold water.
What?!?
You can’t create truth simply by believing it.
Oh, man! Why do we keep coming back to this?
Because your search for absolute truth is what’s lying beneath all this stuff.
But I gotta know. I really wanna know about other religions. How can I know for sure that Christianity is the right one — that Christianity is the real truth?
There is absolutely nothing we can’t talk about. So let’s do it.
Okay. What about Hinduism? That sounds pretty good.
If you believe Jesus Christ was simply a good person teaching spiritual things, you’ll be attracted to Hinduism. Believers can choose which gods they want to worship, but no one has a personal relationship with any god.
Hmmm. I’d miss the personal relationship part. Is reincarnation part of this religion?
Yes, and the way Hindu believers escape the cycle of reincarnation is by following the right religious disciplines.
So if I mess up and don’t follow the right disciplines, I’m history?
That’s right.
Hmmm. Okay, Hinduism isn’t for me. I believe that Your Son was much more than just a good teacher. What about Buddhism?
Buddhists don’t believe in Me. They’ll tell you there is no God. They’ll also tell you that you can become godlike through spiritual enlightenment.
Enlightenment?
They’ll tell you that to achieve true happiness, you must separate yourself from material things.
Whoa! I’m not ready to give up my Game Boy or our family’s big-screen TV, or my Rollerblades or —
They don’t believe My Son Jesus was the Messiah, and a good Buddhist is someone who helps others and loves everyone.
But for what? What’s the point?
Exactly.
Abbie says Islam is looking good.
Abbie’s confused, remember? Islam doesn’t believe Jesus was God. They think My Son was simply a prophet.
So who is God?
Islam believers say that Allah is God, and they’ll tell you that you can only be saved through Allah by praying five times a day, making a trip to Mecca, making financial contributions, fasting and confessing your faith.
That’s ridiculous! That’s saying we can earn our salvation. What if I don’t wanna go to Mecca?
Then you’d never make it in Islam.
I guess they’re confused, huh?
Yes. So is Abbie. And so are you.
I don’t want to be confused, Father. I really wanna get it right.
Okay. Then let’s keep talking. You can choose to believe a man-made religion, and you can deceive yourself into thinking you can create your own truth — which, remember, means you also have to create your own reality — or you can simply choose to accept Christianity and know that I really am absolute Truth.
Well, I do believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, Father. And I do believe that You and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all a part of each other. I don’t understand it all, but I believe it.
So what’s the problem?
Well, I don’t know. I guess I just get all confused when my friends at school start talking about truth and what’s right. I mean, when Katie says, “Just because it’s true for you doesn’t mean it’s true for me.” And when Abbie starts talking about reincarnation and coming back as the queen of some far-off country and that she has the right to believe whatever she wants . . . I don’t know; I just get all confused and don’t know what to say.
My child, you don’t have to know what to say. Your lifestyle will always speak louder than your words.
But . . . still . . . I—
Katie and Abbie are going to search for a while. But as they’re searching, be an example for them in your life and your actions.
Hey! That sounds familiar!
You memorized it back when you were in middle school.
Oh, yeah! It’s 1 Timothy 4:12.
Want to say it again?
Sure! I love that verse: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Let them see the difference between Christianity and all other religions through how you live your life!
But what do I say when they ask me questions?
Remember, you don’t have to know all the answers. But you should know what you believe and why you believe it. Let’s go through the basics, okay?
Okay. Christianity states that everyone is born with sin.
Right. But you have a choice.
Yeah. I can choose to keep living in sin, or I can ask You to forgive me and start living in obedience to You.
And how do you earn this forgiveness?
I can’t earn it.
Right!
But I can get it by trusting You to save me and forgive me and believing that You died for me.
And was death the final act?
No way. You conquered death and sent Your Holy Spirit to live inside me to guide me and to empower me to live a godly life.
Yes!
It’s so cool that Christianity offers eternal life for free!
It’s because I love you.
Thank You so much, Father.
So are we clear on absolute truth?
Hmmm. Let’s see. I think You’ve written something about that, haven’t You?
(Smile.)
Ahhh. Here it is: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). That was Jesus talking. It was You speaking through Him, wasn’t it?
Yes, My child.
Father, I love it that we can talk about anything.
Anything and everything.

Romans 15:4

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

Our spiritual gifts...

We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come.

Psalm 27:14 (New International Version)

¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

wholesome!!!!

hey kids. i haven't posted in a billion years. and this isn't really an important post.

but ladies. our problems are solved! modest swimwear!
(for real, this site is BRILLIANT)

http://www.wholesomewear.com/

oh and guys, you should visit too.

i found it because there's some lady in the states who just had her 16th child, and there was a link on their family website.

Happy 17th Birthday Josh and Joan!!!!!!!

Aroma

Do you smell like God? Not physically smell like God, but does your life smell with the aroma of Christ? Can others see a difference in our lives?

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

¹⁴But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. ¹⁵For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Let your life smell with the aroma of God!

Shaprness

Lord,
My world is filled with ethical shortcuts, Lord. The world's way of getting things done has no sharp edges, only rounded moral corners. I want the sharpness, the exactness of your way, Father, that cuts through self-deceit and wrongness of the world's way.
Amen.
(from God's Man - Don M. Aycock)

Spurgeon's Morning Devotional

“Faultless before the presence of his glory.”

Jude 24

Revolve in your mind that wondrous word, “faultless!” We are far off from it now; but as our Lord never stops short of perfection in his work of love, we shall reach it one day. The Saviour who will keep his people to the end, will also present them at last to himself, as “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but holy and without blemish.” All the jewels in the Saviour’s crown are of the first water and without a single flaw. All the maids of honour who attend the Lamb's wife are pure virgins without spot or stain. But how will Jesus make us faultless? He will wash us from our sins in his own blood until we are white and fair as God's purest angel; and we shall be clothed in his righteousness, that righteousness which makes the saint who wears it positively faultless; yea, perfect in the sight of God. We shall be unblameable and unreproveable even in his eyes. His law will not only have no charge against us, but it will be magnified in us. Moreover, the work of the Holy Spirit within us will be altogether complete. He will make us so perfectly holy, that we shall have no lingering tendency to sin. Judgment, memory, will—every power and passion shall be emancipated from the thraldom of evil. We shall be holy even as God is holy, and in his presence we shall dwell for ever. Saints will not be out of place in heaven, their beauty will be as great as that of the place prepared for them. Oh the rapture of that hour when the everlasting doors shall be lifted up, and we, being made meet for the inheritance, shall dwell with the saints in light. Sin gone, Satan shut out, temptation past for ever, and ourselves “faultless” before God, this will be heaven indeed! Let us be joyful now as we rehearse the song of eternal praise so soon to roll forth in full chorus from all the blood-washed host; let us copy David's exultings before the ark as a prelude to our ecstasies before the throne.

The Parable of the Fishless Fisherman's Fellowship

There was a group called The Fisherman's Fellowship. They were surrounded by streams and lakes full of hungry fish. They met regularly to discuss the call to fish, the abundance of fish, and the thrill of catching fish. They got excited about fishing!

Someone suggested that they needed a philosophy of fishing, so they carefully defined and redefined fishing, and the purpose of fishing. They developed fishing strategies and tactics. Then they realized that they had been going at it backwards. They had approached fishing from the point of view of the fisherman, and not from the point of view of the fish. How do fish view the world? How does the fisherman appear to the fish? What do fish eat, and when? These are all good things to know. So they began research studies, and attended conferences on fishing. Some traveled to far away places to study different kinds of fish, with different habits. Some got PhD's in fishology. But no one had yet gone fishing.

So a committee was formed to send out fisherman. As prospective fishing places outnumbered fisherman, the committee needed to determine priorities. A priority list of fishing places was posted on bulletin boards in all of the fellowship halls. But still, no one was fishing. A survey was launched, to find out why. Most did not answer the survey, but from those that did, it was discovered that some felt called to study fish, a few, to furnish fishing equipment, and several to go around encouraging the fishermen. What with meetings, conferences, and seminars, they just simply didn't have time to fish.

Now, Jake was a newcomer to the Fisherman's Fellowship. After one stirring meeting of the Fellowship, he went fishing and caught a large fish. At the next meeting, he told his story, and he was honored for his catch. He was told that he had a special "gift of fishing." He was then scheduled to speak at all the Fellowship chapters and tell how he did it.

With all the speaking invitations and his election to the board of directors of the Fisherman's Fellowship, Jake no longer has time to go fishing. But soon he began to feel restless and empty. He longed to feel the tug on the line once again. So he cut the speaking, he resigned from the board, and he said to a friend, "Let's go fishing." They did, just the two of them, and they caught fish. The members of the Fisherman's Fellowship were many, the fish were plentiful, but the fishers were few!

Anonymous

Hey guys, I just got back from Millar for Thanksgiving. It's a very incredible place. How have your years been going so far and youth group? Jonathon, are you back for Thanksgiving? For all the graduates and everyone else, do you guys want to get together this weekend and do something cool? That would be great. Talk to you guys later.

Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)

Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:4

hey everyone, i just thought i would let you know that there is this show on channel seven, (yes alayna, channel seven!) that is on fridays and sundays called Cross Rock, which is a show with christian music videos. it is on once a week, but three different times in case you miss it on a certain day. just thought i would share that. i usually tape it while we are at church.

See you all tonight.

High Sr.Hi it's Chantelle back in the day and here i am speaking too well to get technichal i'm typing but whatever see ya later (doesn't this picture not look like me at all?)
I used to be so cute NOT!!!!!!!!!!! Well kind of......ya, that's it! later!
- Chantelle

Ya for Wednesdays and.....wait for it...wait for it.....RANDOMNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARILYN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR BEING SO AWESOME AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!

So basically...that was awsome.

Who agrees that that was a gooder of a retreat? good times. Girls,...and Tyler, I got some sweet video of us rolling down that hill! (thanx andrea!) HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY SHARIYLN!!!! yay!

kara faith.