Our friend Zach Hunter just spoke at an event for student leaders from across the nation who are 2nd generation Korean Americans. Nice shirt Zach!

To meet Jesus is to look yourself in the pocketbook, which is the most unmistakable way of looking yourself in the heart.
Robert J. Ross

Isn’t that really just another way of saying what Jesus himself said…

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21

After all, we spend money on things that are important to us, right?

How much of your money is spent serving yourself? How much is spent serving God and others?

Lately I’ve been thinking about how I can change my spending habits… if I really love God and want to make a difference in his Kingdom, then the way I spend my money should reflect that. If I really want to put God and others before myself, then I should do that with my money as well.

I’m looking for ways that I can change my habits—stopping before a purchase for myself to be sure it’s really a good choice… simply being more aware of the needs of others and looking for ways I can help them out… putting aside a certain amount of my money only to give away…

I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but I know it’s important and making these changes will honor God, so let the changing begin!

Vanessa
for the Sonlife team

What are your best memories from Awake? What was most impacting to you?

Have you made any changes in your life since Awake?

Remember, today is the day to live for God, so whether you went to Awake or not, whether you’re struggling to stick to your past commitments or are passionately faithful, make it your goal to follow and honor him today!

~Vanessa

On Saturday night after some great worship music lead by the worship band Elevate, Zach Hunter opened up an evening where we focused on the needs in our world and were challenged to make a difference however we can.

Zach Hunter is a 16-year-old who has started a movement to free slaves around the world. Hearing his story helped us realize that we are not too young to make a difference about the things we care about!

After learning so much about God’s story and how God sees the world, a lot of us really began to realize that God wants us to join him in restoring creation. That night we learned about some of the greatest needs in our world—relief of slavery, aids and homelessness and access to clean water.

It was a difficult time—it’s hard to talk about the pain and suffering in the world, but after all we’d learned, we realized we have a responsibility to join God and help fight these things.

Each of our groups got to talk and pray about what we wanted to do when we got home—we each created a change box to start collecting money in, and once we have enough, we get to use it to help make a difference in the world!

Every group was challenged to meet specific needs in their own unique way, and every person grew in different ways at Awake. We are all encouraged to hear how God spoke to you or your group, so share your stories with us!

We even have some unexpected guests this weekend…cicadas! Welcomed by some, feared by others, these unusual bugs brought a lot of attention to themselves as students explored the campus on Friday!

At our first Gathering Kelly, Drew, and Margaret did a speedy reenactment of God’s story—from the beginning of creation through the early days of the church—all in under 5 minutes! Here’s God (Drew) holding the world in his hands.

Last night we finished off the evening with the first ever Awake Late Night Party! We had tons of snacks—the full size candy bars were the best! Plus there was Dance Dance Revolution, Bags, Pool, Carpet Ball, Ping Pong, a movie, board games, an art station…

Stay tuned for more updates as the weekend progresses!

Vanessa

I hope all of you are as excited as I am for this amazing weekend of fun and learning about God and the way He sees you, how He sees those around you, and how He sees the world we live in!

I am so excited that I get the opportunity to serve at this event and watch God change the lives and hearts of middle school students in just one weekend! I’m excited to see Him transform the hearts of middle school students into hearts that are excited for the purpose God has in their lives, hearts that view the world and people around them as Jesus would view them, and teaching students what it means to be Jesus to a lost and hurting world!

Join me in prayer for this event asking God to begin to move in mighty, mighty ways in the lives of students as they prepare for the journey He will take them on next weekend! I look forward to seeing you all then!

Amanda,
For the Sonlife Team

Remember, at Awake we will be challenged to wake up to a new way of life—a life that realizes how God see us and how he sees others, a life that is filled with God’s love and compassion!

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35

Notice what characteristic in our lilves points to Christ—not our morals, our church attendance, our “clean” language, or the time we spend volunteering… it’s our love.

While all these things are important, they don’t mean anything if we don’t truly love people. Let me say that again, they don’t mean anything.

Remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians…

If I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

I Corinthians 13:2-3

As we prepare for Awake, let’s consider this issue of love…. what does it look like to love like this? How would our lives be different if we were serious about loving others? What opportunities do we have now to share God’s love with others? What is the greatest challenge that keeps us from loving?

Take some time right now to pray that God will help you understand how much he loves you and that he’ll help you love others like he does!

Vanessa
for the Sonlife team

Make sure that you register before the day is over if you plan to attend Awake, to ensure that you get the $199.00 rate! You may still register after June 1st, as space permits. The cost for late registration will be $219.00, so get your registrations in soon! We look forward to seeing you this summer at Awake!

Amanda
For the Sonlife Team

We can share God’s love with the world by meeting their physical needs—this shows them that we care about them. This is what Jesus was doing each time he healed people in the New Testament…

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
Matthew 20:34

Wheels for the World, a ministry of Joni and Friends, shares God’s love across the world by providing wheelchairs to disabled individuals who wouldn’t otherwise be able to have one.

Twenty to 30 million people need wheelchairs around the world, and in some countries the cost of a wheelchair can equal a year’s wages. This means that some who are disabled end up living in isolation—they have no way to travel outside of their home or village. Imagine never going to the mall, never visiting a park, never going to school…

This is where Wheels for the World comes in. They provide wheelchairs and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with disabled individuals around the world. They also encourage disability awareness by educating and training local churches in disability ministry—providing opportunities for more disabled people to hear about the love of God!

In 2006, Wheels for the World distributed over 38,000 wheelchairs to over 86 countries. What a great way to share God’s love with the world!

Visit their website at www.joniandfriends.org to learn more and find ways that you can get involved! And remember, you can always pray for ministries like these and the people they serve!

Vanessa
For the Sonlife Team