My thoughts and ears have been drawn to the stories of 2 people this week. As a leader these strories have really pressed upon me BIG TIME........

Amy Winehouse. Here is a woman who cuts on herself sort of regularly, does an assortment of drugs, and then writes a song about how she doesn't need/want to go to rehab. I heard on the radio yesterday that her step dad has actually come out to the public and stated "DO NOT buy Amy's album-do nothing in any way that is supportive to her and her career b.c all you are doing is fueling her habits and giving her money to buy more drugs with." Now Here is someone in her life who obviously cares about what she is doing to herself and has made an attempt to help the situation--probably all he CAN do. I know what it's like. I have had someone close to me in this situation & it gets to a point where you can't do anything for them...only pray. I have read up on Amy a little bit and seen what she does and deals with and it breaks my heart to see someone in the position she is in to let so much of what has been given to her go to a sad waste.
I then read about funny and whitty Owen Wilson (yes I think he is funny and whitty....). He actually tried attempting suicide at the beginning of this week by slitting his wrists! From what I read, the rumors are that he also drug overdosed and had to have his stomache pumped, but that is supposedly not true. He was, however, been on antidepressants for some time. i mean Owen Wilson!!! Funny & whitty OWEN wilson!! Sometimes...hearing this of certain people just shocks you...but it shows how much it could be happening to ANYbody...

You guys, my heart mourns not just for these 2 people but for the thousands (if not millions) that are in the same boat. That get to that point where either nothing matters and life is just a party or where you feel you don't matter & life isn't worth living...And the first thing that comes to my mind with this is, "why?" What could be that bad to revert to things like wasting your life on drugs (and the effects from it) or even to decide you don't want to exist anymore....but I know why. IT's OBVIOUS. Because so many don't know the amazing HOPE that is found through being saved from this world BY & IN JESUS CHRIST. SO many need to know that Hope to find a reason to survive in the things that attack us from day to day. HE is the answer. He is the way the truth and the life! The man who died and paid for all the junk that we would do in our lives--The SON of GOD-- who paid that immeasurable price so that we could have prosperity and richness through HIM in our lifetimes! It is Heartbeaking that anyone gets to these points...... The truth is that we don't have to live that way!!!!!!! We have a message that is TRUE and if WE who have heard it, truly believe it, we have GOT to get up and share it with the nations. WE have been given the chance for freedom and joy! We who believe have had someone or even something to lead us to the cross. WE need to be that for the WORLD. Sure these 2 people are "celebrities", but that doesn't mean they are untouchable. They need Christ just as much as the rest of us. WE need to reach out in a way that touches many and allows them to see that Life IS worth living, and not just to exist, but to have life ABUNDANTLY & FRUITFULLY! The freaking tomb is empty!!! I do NOT talk about how awesome & impacting that is enough.

(sigh)........................................I know we all have heard it, but when you know something that is sooo important and can be sooo life changing for someone...like a cure for cancer or even just a way to protect a friend from someone who might hurt them....we would share that wouldn't we. We wouldn't try to hide it or pretend that things will get better on there own!!! I have just felt so pressed with these 2 peoples stories and reminded by God how much we need to reach out...no matter who it is or how hard it might be. WE are here for the purpose to Glorify God and shine his light and Show LOVE as he meant for it to be shown..to everyone-- not just in our paths....but even where we would never walk or want to be seen...

Proverbs 10:12 reached into my heart yesterday
it says,"Hatred stirs up quarrels but love makes up for all offenses."

I mean...wow. Love. ALL we need to do is choose to love rather than ignore. To love rather than to cause dissension. To LOVE rather than judge or hate. To love rather than...do nothing. We need to show LOVE as love was meant to be to these people! We as followers and believers in Jesus and the God of the Universe are not loud enough in this world to show people the truth! To let them see the Hope WE have been given!

I want to reach out. I want to make a difference. And honestly, a difference starts with just one. You think helping ONe person doesn't make a difference??ONE is one more WON to God's kingdom & should be more than worth it.

Praise GOD for his Grace and Giving us Love. He has shown us how to change the world....we now just need to trust in his righteous aide and do it.