Teens today spend huge amounts of time learning concepts that I probably didn't even learn in college. What's more, many solid Christian teens spend a few more hours a week learning theology and biblical concepts that some preachers probably don't understand. But in the end is any of it worth anything? On it's surface, knowledge is really great if you want to build rockets, or teach school, or fly planes, but does any of it teach us to do the two things God commanded above all else: Love God & Love others? Sure, learn all you can while you're in school, and put it to work for the good of mankind, but don't let it get you to thinking you're something special. If you forget to draw near to God, even a theology degree is worthless! "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves god is known by God." 1 Corinthians 8:1b-2  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

There's an old psychology concept called "I'm OK, You're OK" that basically teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated. Of course, it was Jesus who first coined/invented the concept, but without getting stuck on that, I wonder how many would be Christians never really embrace the Lord because they think too highly of themselves. The "I'm OK" seems to move toward, "I'm awesome!" and the "You're OK" seems to move toward, "You're not as good as me." Well, the Bible has plenty to say on the subject, but the bottom line is this. Apart from God, we are far less than "Okay!" "What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.'" Romans 3:9-13  Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

“When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ 21then you shall say to your son, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. 23And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. (Deuteronomy 6:20-23, ESV) Friends, Not long ago, one of my sons wrote a story where he woke up with super-speed powers, entered a race, and—of course—won a million dollars. But what came next in his story stopped me in my tracks: he wrote that he gave the money to “the Harvest charity” to help people. It meant so much to see his young heart reflecting what he's seen and heard. He’s heard Aaron and me talk about the ways we get to serve our community through Harvest, and he's even tagged along to help with projects himself. That simple story reminded me just how much our kids—and the world—are always watching. Deuteronomy 6:20 says, “When your son asks…” Not if. When. If we live lives that truly reflect God's goodness, people will ask why. Why do we live the way we do? Why do we serve and love others? I especially love verse 23: “He brought us out from there, that he might bring us in…” What a powerful reminder that we aren’t just saved from something—we’re saved for something. We’ve been brought out of sin and into abundant life. That’s what Harvest is all about. It’s our way of walking alongside people in our community, serving them with love, and sharing the story of a God who still brings people out—and brings them in. Thank you for being a part of it! Some More Sticky Notes: Ms S - Received groceries, clothing, and household supplies for herself and her three children Mr W - Received household items and furniture  Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1, NIV) Dear Friends, Earlier this week, I stood near the edge of the Adriatic Sea in Croatia—where Roman ruins meet mountain cliffs and the world feels impossibly wide. My sons and I had just come from canyoning in Slovenia, climbing waterfalls and diving into clear, cold pools, when one of them looked over and said, “Dan would love this!” Dan, one of my other sons, is currently in basic training with the U.S. Air Force. As I write this, he’s learning the meaning of duty, service, and sacrifice. And as we mark Juneteenth this week, I find myself reflecting on freedom—the kind hard-won in both the body and the soul. Juneteenth reminds us that even long after a declaration of freedom is made, it can take time for truth to arrive at every doorstep. The Emancipation Proclamation had been issued two and a half years before the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas, heard they were free. Delay didn’t make the freedom less real—it made it more urgent. That gap—between what’s promised and what’s lived—is something we all know. In Christ, we are declared free. Free from sin, free from shame, free from earning love we’ve already been given. But how long does it take for that truth to reach every corner of our hearts? It’s easy to get tangled up in shame over our past, fear over our future, or pressure to perform for God’s approval. But like those waters in the mountains, God’s grace keeps rushing toward us—even when we don’t feel ready. Juneteenth reminds us not only of what has been broken in our world, but what has been healed. What was once stolen, God is restoring. What was once silenced, God is amplifying. His gospel is still announcing freedom to captives—then, now, and always. So wherever you find yourself this week—whether in celebration or struggle—remember: you are already free in Christ. Let that freedom reach deeper. Let it ripple out to others. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim Kilby

Over and over again I find brothers and sisters in the Lord trying to overcome evil by using evil. On its surface it seems logical, for example, if someone slaps you, you might get all your friends together and slap them back! But this is the world's logic, not God's. If we take matters like this into our own hands, we take God's position as the avenger. What's more, evil cannot be defeated by evil, but only by good. In using evil we actually become an instrument of Satan's, not of God's. In the end, those using evil are overcome by evil. We are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and such, we do as He commands. "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Many times I receive mail from young people who've strayed far from the Lord, but who are now convicted of their sins and wanting to return. Although not all the mail I get is pleasant to answer, this type fills my heart with joy. If you find yourself in that situation, or if you know someone who is, know that the Lord wants you to acknowledge your sin as soon as you notice it, and He is always gracious in accepting the truly repentant heart back into His wonderful fellowship. No matter how far you've wondered, and no matter what you've done, He cries for you to come home. My advice is to get a pen and a tablet of paper and write a letter to Jesus. Tell Him everything, but leave out all the "reasons why." Just accept what you've done and confess it plainly. Ask for His forgiveness and for His help in keeping you on the right path. Deliver the letter to Him like a written out prayer, and then if necessary, destroy it or give it to an accountability partner or pastor who can hold you accountable. And... don't forget to give glory to God for His Grace. "This is what the lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it--the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:2-3 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Again and again I'm confronted with people who tell me they blame God for all the evil in the world. In my mind it's kind of similar to blaming me for something one of my grown children does. It just wouldn't be fair. I did my best to raise them right, and still sometimes they choose to do wrong. Sure, God's arms are not so short that He couldn't put a stop to evil, but in order to do so, He would be sentencing all those who will one day come to know Him to an eternity without Him. The prescribed time for the end has not come yet. Those who know Him must suffer and wait along with the Lord. Evil prevails in the world because WE, you and I, allow it! Not only have we allowed it, but we often help it through our sins. Evil people are evil because they give into the flesh instead of giving in to the Lord. Until Jesus returns, nothing will change--except that evil will become even more prevalent. And none of it is God's "fault!" "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it." 2 Timothy 3:12-14 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

Often we find things written in the Bible that demand a response. The Scriptures will tell us to start doing something, or stop doing something, as the case may be. Typically, a similar conviction will come from the Holy Spirit and will urge us to do what God asks. At that moment of conviction, have you ever said in your heart, "I just won't do it?" If so, like so many others before you, you have denied Jesus His rightful place in your life! Before you think too harshly of yourself, please know that we all struggle with the flesh--wanting to do the right thing while a war rages inside us urging us to do it our own way. Jesus is not just our Savior, but also our Lord. That means that He should be calling the shots in our lives, and He does that through His Word and through His Spirit, always working in concert together. When we obey, then He can use us further and teach us even more. When we disobey, we are left wondering why we feel so far from our Lord and often blaming Him when it was our fault right from the start. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord." 1 Peter 3:15a Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate