Day 22

Day Twenty-Two

October 4, 2010

I am so worried. Not for tests or homework or anything about me. I'm worried about my friends at TJ. I really don't think that they understand the difference between believing in God versus living for God and completely giving your life to Him. One of my friends could be leaving very soon and won't be back for a few months! The last thing that I want is for her to fall back into the world and completely put aside what she knows is right. Who knew that I would care so much for people that scared me the first time I saw them? God knew.

These friends of mine might not fully understand what living a Christian life looks like, and how to go around applying what's in the Bible to how they live, but they do see me every day. I'm done slacking off. I'm done with just smiles and compliments. I need to show them more. They know that I'm different and I hope that they realize my life is better because of that difference. But I want them to see what this difference can mean for them. Christ is the difference. When we finally allow Him to take over our entire lives- from how we act around others to how we begin to think about them in our private thoughts to everything else about us- our entire lives begin to change. There's no possible way for me to explain this to them. It's something you can only learn through experience.

The expression "monkey see, monkey do" comes to mind. Maybe through my example, and the example of the other believers around them, they can see how they need to improve. I'm not perfect, though. Maybe through my flaws they can see that perfection isn't realistic either. PLEASE! If you are reading this, pray for my friends and all of the other lost people. People that still need to decide between the wide way and the narrow way of life. There are so many of God's people that still have to hear the full extent of the good news that is the gospel. So many people that we interact with on a daily basis, but might not look at twice. You know, I still haven't talked to that one girl that I share two classes with?

Pray, stay focused, live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ, constantly be on the lookout for those in need, and never take your eyes off of God and the ultimate goal in this life- to give all glory, honor, and praise to our Creator.

James 2:19;

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder."

Matthew 6:24;

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other."

Romans 12:2;

"Do not conform any longer 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."

Ephesians 2:10;

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Matthew 5:16;

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 7:13-14;

"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.

1 Thessalonians 5:14, 16-18

"And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Meet Mason

Mason F. Bio:

"I grew up in a Christian family and we were always very close. We shared everything together and we loved hanging out. My parents divorced when I was about thirteen years old, this turned me into a very secluded and sad person. My freshman year in high school I started getting into a ton of things that made me feel better about myself, I did some very bad things that I regret doing and all this continued up to my junior year. My sister Emma invited me to youth group that year and I hated it! I felt so out of place and like everybody there was perfect. Luckily the only person I did trust at this point of my life was Emma and the only one Emma trusted was God. She pressured me to come back and I eventually met some friends and the youth pastor. To my surprise they all accepted me and genuinely cared about me. I started coming every week and I learned about the things Jesus Christ had done for me. I realized that I am an imperfect person and I needed someone to forgive me. I realized the God who created you and I, the heavens and the earth, loves me and died for me so that I could be forgiven! I accepted God into my heart as Lord and Savior. Since then, our relationship has been growing like crazy and could not be better."

When asked what the Fishing Project is and how it's going, Mason responded:
"The Fishing Project is about sharing the Gospel and the word of God with people who need to hear it. The Fishing Project is going very well!"

2 of Mason's favorite Bible verses are these:
1 Timothy 4:12
"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."
"This gives me motivation to talk to anyone young or old." Mason says.

Romans 10:9
"That if you confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (emphasis added)
"This is how I know I am going to heaven!" Exclaims Mason.

Mason is apart of The Fishing Project, he has personally decided that he wants to be bold in sharing his faith with others, proclaiming the name of Jesus even though he may be rejected. Are you willing to share your faith against all odds?
Have any questions about The Fishing Project? What it means? How to join? Ask Mason!


""Come, follow me", Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him." Matthew 4:19&20

Day 21

Day Twenty-One

October 1, 2010

Oh my goodness I love Fridays! Today we had another assembly so my classes were less than 40 minutes long. YAY! Less thinking required!

In band we mostly listened to the director talk. I think we played music, but it was so boring and uneventful that I forgot what we did for sure...

In English I heard my friend talk about how she shared the gospel even MORE! Her friend that I also sit next to is starting to do the same challenges. They get to work together. Hopefully that encourages them to stick with the challenges, instead of encouraging them to slack off together. I got to invite my friend to Bible Study again. She even looked a little bit half way interested!

In Math I made friends with the people around me and we make jokes during class to make it more entertaining. Most of them are about our teacher because he is a little bit too in love with math. Smiling... in Math class?... I guess that with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:21)

History was very entertaining. And one of the cool things about my History class is that the gospel bracelet is spreading around. I have the two guys that also go to AWANA, there's a girl who says she's a Christian (and hopefully she can become less ashamed and more eager to share the news), and we have three girls from my youth group in that class. And it's all about History, so I can relate events recorded in the Bible to events recorded in the history book and report my connections out loud to the class!

In French and in Chemistry there is a student that sits behind me, a different student in each class, that is really quiet and nice. They aren't necessarily the first to be noticed by others, and usually fade into the background, but I always make it a point to say hi to them and try at a conversation, even if it's a short one. Those two probably have the best smiles I have ever seen.

OH! And in French we had an... interesting substitute. She started the class really happy and talkative, but when some students talked out of turn she became very irritated. We had to stay absolutely silent for fear that she might blow steam out of her ears! But God helped me to stay calm and not laugh, and I was rewarded by being able to help her understand our assignment. She smiled at me! In case you haven't noticed throughout my entries- smiles mean a lot- more than words.

James 1:19;

"My dear brothers, take note of this; Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

Day 20

Day Twenty

September 30, 2010

I woke up in the morning to a text from my English friend that made my day! She told me about how she resisted temptation and got to share the gospel with one of her friends earlier that morning. I have no idea how much of that I can completely trust her on, but I know that my friend is trying really hard to do what she knows is right and to complete the challenge I gave her. You can definitely see a change in her just twenty days into the school year.

We got talking in the end of class about a rainbow. I asked them if they knew what a rainbow meant. Today the world has changed it into a symbol for gay rights, but the original purpose of a rainbow wasn't for gay rights, it wasn't a scientific thing that I can't explain, it was a promise from God to us. My personal opinion is that God made it scientifically possible because God always works with science, never against. God created science. The rainbow is an example of how you can't use science to lead away from the existence of God, it only pulls you closer to His truth. I didn't have time to explain the rainbow in class, but I'm putting the passage with the flood on my Facebook page.

In Chemistry I always start class the same way. While the first few people straggle into their seats I look around and say very excitedly, "GUESS WHAT?" They all look at me and then I say, "It's the last class of the day!" or "It's half way through the week!" or "I didn't spill yogurt on myself today!" or something all positive that gives them a reason to smile. I don't know about everyone else, but if I smile at the beginning of class then I can usually smile through the rest of it... besides math because I hate strongly dislike math. I'm getting better, though.

We had our first official Fishing Project meeting after school for everyone who signed up. It was so encouraging to see other students want to live for Christ in school!

After the meeting I went right back to school with my mommy for open house. I was one of the very very few students who actually showed up, but my mom got to walk through the maze that is my class schedule. I bet we burned 5 million calories together! (maybe not that much- but it seemed like it) The best part about it was that my teachers all smiled when they saw me walk in, so either they think I'm a good kid or they were told they had to smile. I'm pretty sure that some of my teachers are on my side. One of my teachers even smiles every time I talk about Jesus to my friends.

1 Corinthians 10:24;

"Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others."

1 Corinthians 10:13;

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. "

Day 19

Day Nineteen

September 29, 2010

I have to start today by talking about yesterday. At youth group two of my friends came from school! They finally came! And the lesson was about choosing our friends. God knows what we need and when we need it. Also when I was at youth group we got to hear from my friend Alyssa who goes to Highline for running start. A lot of the older kids in our youth group go to Highline and a few go to Green River. She was talking about how The Fishing Project is being brought to their schools, too! Today they had their first prayer meeting after multiple religion-based conversations. One of my other friends told me about how her brother came up to her during lunch saying he was bored. She simply said, "Then go fishing!" So he did! None of this is about me or what I'm doing- it's about the body of Christ working towards one common mission.

So back to today. In band I got to talk to one of the seniors in my class. She is really cool. I'm bringing her chocolate chip cookies as soon as I can work it into my schedule to bake some. And through twisting my words and looking adorable (like always) I got the drum major to agree to buy me a Twinkie! At least I got to show people that even when I'm freezing and marching when I don't want to, I still have a reason to keep a smile on my face- and hopefully give others a reason to smile, too.

I didn't have English today, but I still saw my English friends. The one that I gave the challenge to is sticking with her challenge for the week. I gave her a gospel bracelet with the gospel by colors on it. Her challenge is to wear that every day and go through the meanings of the colors with everyone who asks her about it. Today was the first official day. She has already gone through the bracelet four times! My other English friend decided to start doing the challenge, too! They also have to memorize a verse to go along with each challenge. This week the verse is one of my favorites- 1 Peter 3:15.

In math we had a fire drill and we all had to go outside. I hate strongly dislike math, so I wasn't wearing my prettiest face when we went out. Some of the kids from my Chemistry class were standing next to me while we waited and they asked what was wrong with me? I guess I'm always happy and bubbly when I'm in Chemistry. By the time I made it to my last class- Chemistry- I was happy and bubbly and excited to share God's love again. But why couldn't I be like that in math? Just because I hate strongly dislike a subject doesn't mean I have to be all down and grumpy to everyone else. I'm going to work on that.

Some of my friends and I are talking about starting a prayer group or Christian club on campus. I'm actually not the one that started that idea, either. Just more proof that God doesn't need me! It's strange to say, but I cannot put into words how excited and happy that makes me feel that if I walk off the face of this earth, it won't make a difference. God will still be preached and His love will still be made known.

Now I have a challenge for you: As you read these entries think about your own life. Are you not only taking the opportunities Christ gives you, but are you also going out of your way to CREATE opportunities to share Christ's love? To tell people about the hope you have in Him? Are you willing to do new things that might be out of your comfort zone because you know it's what God wants you to do? This is definitely no small or easy task. But it's worth it.

1 Peter 3:15;

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

Isaiah 35:3-4;

"Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you."

Psalm 98:2;

"The LORD has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations."

Day 18

Day Eighteen

September 28, 2010

I learned my lesson. Last night I ended my day with my Bible and talking to God through prayer. This morning I started my day with my Bible and talking to God through prayer. I asked for His help, because I already learned that I can't do this by my own power.

My friend in English has only skipped one class this whole year! I started a new thing with her this year- new challenges every month. These are hard challenges, like respecting the parental units, no cussing/ inappropriate language, and treating everyone with kindness and compassion- even if you don't like them. She even agrees to follow through with these insane requests! God is working in the hearts of His people.

In History I was one of five people to have completed the homework. I'm not a goody-goody, but it's a great testimony to show people that you can do what's right, even if everybody else doesn't. In our History books we are learning about Ancient Rome and the start of Christianity. I have to be discerning when I read about Jesus Christ in the history book because it isn't always accurate. Hopefully this will open doors to straighten out any misconceptions about who God is and what He wants from our lives.

Youth group is tonight! I made sure to invite everyone again, but it's up to them to come or not. I'm not being too forceful, but I'm not a jellyfish either :).

2 Corinthians 10:5;

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Colossians 1:28-29;

"We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me."

Day 17

Day Seventeen

September 27, 2010

Today was so long! I finished some of my homework while in English. After playing "1,2,3- UGLY!" on Friday, I decided to be a better example today. I did my work and stayed focused.

Okay guys, I have to be honest. The Fishing Project is so hard. Today I pretty much zoned out and didn't try. I didn't really start any conversations with others because all that I could think about was falling asleep. I didn't start my day by reading my Bible. I was so selfish today and didn't stop once to think if I was doing what God wants me to be doing. We aren't even done with September and I have already started to put my tiredness, my boredom, my "needs" (wants) before God's needs. I am a horrible, horrible person! I am no one to look up to, no one special, nothing of importance. Today I learned that God doesn't need me and He's not going to be the one keeping me focused- He can always find somebody else to do my job. It's up to me to keep God and His priorities as my priorities. Only through Him am I worth anything.

I guess the moral of the story is that nothing worth anything is easy. You really have to work at it every day. One wrong move, like forgetting to read my Bible/ pray first thing in the morning, can ruin everything thereafter. If you choose to serve God and follow Him with all of your heart, you had better be ready for every possible obstacle to interfere. The Christian life isn't the easiest life, but it's the best life! One thing's for sure- tomorrow is going to be different.

John 16:33;

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Philippians 3:12-14;

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.