Subject: Hi Dad (email forward)

After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table..

As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor. 'He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen. I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him. The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes... He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.' The prosecutor rose and said, 'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.'

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of every little sin, some that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.' When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi, Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.' Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wages of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.'

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.' My Lord continued with, 'His name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch him from Me..Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.' As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nothing else that needs to be done..''I've done it all.'

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips..' This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. 'Case dismissed.'

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.' I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?' Christ lovingly smiled and said, 'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, ~Paid In Full~'

HAPPY EASTER

Story from Wednesday night

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE. WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.

'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ,' HE BEGAN. 'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANYATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION. THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE ALSO KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT. THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES. AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND.

BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. 'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND.

'HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.'

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. 'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM, 'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.

'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT,I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE...I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'

Ardent Variety Show

I got a kick out of what our judges had to say about the variety show acts, so I thought I'd share some of them. :o)

Jordan & Heidi's River Dance

• "Jordan needs to work it a bit more".
• "Good form!"
• "Lots of passion"
• "They actually practiced! I liked his feet."

Briana & Bre's Cheertastic Moment

• "Good effort"
• "Good hair!"
• "Speechless"
• "Nice finish. I like how both their names started with B."

Emily's Poetic Prowess

• "Original"
• "Made me cry"
• "Creative...good truth"
• "Very genuine

Briana's Vocal Display - Dreamer

• "How'd she get to be in this twice? Needs some more expression but sounds good"
• "Good form. I like her socks"
• "Sung a song. Red hair"
• "Nice socks. Wore holey jeans"

Groovy Mystery Band

• "Looks like a Jonas bro. Nice groove.
• "Go Annette! Awesome"
• "Family band never played together like this...Sweeeeeet"
• "Very good. I liked it"

Aurum Arydium

• "Took a long time to set up. Does anyone actually sing in this band? Good audience interaction."
• "Good job w/getting audience! You really lassoed them in! =)"
• "My face was rocked off. BOOM!"
• "Good noise."

Ardent Youth Sponsor Practice in Filth and Humility

• "You've inspired me to spend time to be beautiful."
• "Comic relief"
• "Hilarious"
• "Need more chocolate"

Great job everyone! That was so fun - definitely should be an annual event!! :o)

Great Question!

Okay I hope to hear more people weigh in on this...

Here's what I think. I haven't read the series so I can only go off of the reviews that I read and the people that I've talked to who just LOVE the books. There's one perspective that says the books are okay because there is absolutely no sex, swearing (one word in the second book actually), or real violence. Kudos to the author for writing something clean and entertaining!!

The subtle themes of the book are what bother me. You've all heard me talk about the issues of teens in romantic relationships. This book totally capitalizes on how girls just LOVE the romantic stuff. Edward is just perfect - except for the fact he's a vampire! He's self controlled and sweet and caring...but he's also obsessed with Bella. I read a blog that described it well..."a ridiculously handsome guy worships the ground she walks on and devotes his every waking moment to romancing her". What girl wouldn't swoon at that?? We love to read that stuff. Now get ready for it...THIS IS NOT REALITY! I'm pretty sure your parents don't want your wonderful, caring boyfriend sneaking in at night to sleep beside you - clothes on or not. Girls, we have to be very careful about not blurring the lines of reality and romance. True love is a wonderful gift and romance is a part of that...but obsession is dangerous and unhealthy.

The other subtle problem is the issue of vampires. While this is totally fantasy, it concerns me because the world makes darkness look so alluring and exciting. There are people who seek darkness...vampires, witchcraft, ouija boards, etc. That is like opening your front door and inviting the devil to come for supper, and then thinking his presence isn't going to change the atmosphere at all. You don't want him to live there, but just hang out sometimes. At some point, his presence in your life will begin to change you. I'm not saying that reading Twilight will mean you're going to hell. It's a fantasy book that is, by the usual Christian standards, clean. But these subtle themes that are built into the story do concern me. And since God is more important to me than any kind of entertainment, I do stay away from those things. Better safe than sorry, ya know?

What it boils down to is...what can you afford?

Is it wrong

Is it wrong to read the book twilight? i hear it is a good book but it is about vampires and Anette has brought that up during church...i really like the comments about the book it is not like what it is about is going to make me go to the devil... but i don't if i should read the book?????????