I spent what seemed like a few hours standing in line at a government office awhile ago. I actually stood in the same line four separate times! Each time I got up to the counter, the folks came up with a new and exciting reason why I still didn't have the right paperwork. I also thought it was interesting that as each person finally made it to the end of the line, someone would ask, "How may I help you?" The truth is that most of them seemed to be looking for ways NOT to help anyone! While times like this can be trying, they do give us a window into a very common trait in human nature. Each of us can be quick to judge, slow to listen, prideful and obstinate. As Christians, we look to Jesus as our ultimate example of how to treat others and how to serve. Frankly, being hard to please just isn't Christian! "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:38-42) Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I often shove papers in my Bible. I don't know why exactly, but it seems like a good place to put sermon notes and such when I'm walking out of church. I've put so many different things in there over the years that they've piled up at times, actually breaking the binding in a leather-covered Bible. Sometimes I'll be at church and when I'm putting notes in, I'll notice the ones from the week before and wonder why I never really found time to look at them again. I know from experience that if I don't look at something a few times, I never really commit to actually making any life change. Then, the other day I was sitting with an elder from my church who often mentors me. We were chatting and having lunch and he told me about something he saw in his sermon notes as he read through them on Sunday evening. When I asked him about it, he confessed that he reads through them and through the Scriptures involved several times during the following week. In that instant I thought, "No wonder the Lord uses this man to mentor me instead of the other way around. He's purposefully allowing God to conform his life instead of just taking great notes that he never gets back to." From now on I think I'll keep my sermon notes in my free hand! "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I get the feeling of being overwhelmed sometimes. Whether it's family, ministry, work, school, or what have you, life can just come crashing down way to fast now and then. If that's not bad enough, when I start to feel overwhelmed, then I feel bad because there have got to be literally billions of people who have things way worse than I do! Some people don't even have food or shelter--who am I to complain! Once I get to feeling overwhelmed, and then feeling bad about that, then I can make it worse by lashing out at people who don't deserve it. I begin to feel even worse about that and then I know I can't pray without being a hypocrite. That's when I can begin to wonder if God could even like an idiot like me, much less die for my sins. Thanks be to God that His Word, tucked away in my heart by His precious grace, then becomes the solid foundation my feet finally realize is beneath me. This is a sinful and wicked world at times, and the flesh inside of me is no better. Oh, if I didn't have His Word, I just couldn't make it another minute. Put your trust in Him alone! "Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:7-8 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

We live in a unique time in the world for more than a few reasons, but one thing I doubt has changed much over time is the way in which we judge one another. I'm speaking specifically about our materialism. It seems if someone has more money or resources than someone else, the dark part of the human heart suggests they are somehow better or more blessed than the other person. And no better is the person with little who judges anyone who has more than they do as materialistic or spoiled. Money gains us nothing in God's eyes. It just may be the person with more has a higher burden to do right because they have more to do it with. And the person with less may have done nothing wrong and simply find themselves the victim of the difficult realities of life. In the end, both will face God on their own, and without their money or their influence. Whatever our status financially, God expects impartiality and love from each of those who are called by His name. "Is he not the One who says to kings, 'You are worthless,' and to nobles, 'You are wicked,' who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor, for they are all the work of his hands?" Job 34:18-19 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

When the disciples were walking the earth with Jesus, they were learning something entirely different than what they had always heard. They began to see the things of heaven to some extent, but then they'd lose focus. Their worldly focus would often keep them from seeing the things of God clearly. Jesus gave them power and authority over demons and they did amazing works for the kingdom of God, but still struggled when tough times came. Unfortunately, we're often the same. We know Jesus, and He's changing the way we look at things, but unless we really allow Him to change us by prayer, reading His Word, and fellowshipping with other believers, everything just sounds good but looks funny! If our focus is on the world, it always will. "They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly." Mark 8:22-25 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

I learned an interesting thing from my 7 year old's principal. She told me that second grade is a lot different than first grade (I guess she thinks I can't remember that far back!) "For example," she said, "In first grade a student who is asked to write the word 'boat' and who subsequently writes 'bote' would get a score of 75% on that word." She went on to explain that the child would receive credit for each individual letter that was correct, even though the word was actually misspelled. They would receive "credit for the 'b,' for the 'o' and for the 't'. In second grade, however, the word would simply be counted wrong if it wasn't spelled 100% right. No exceptions. I know I like to simplify things as much as possible, but I think many of us approach our faith just like the first grade students do. We think we get credit for every right thing we do, and fail to realize that unless we have Jesus, anything and everything we do is 100% worthless. Without Him, we are simply and completely separated from God--a failing grade in anyone's book, but certainly in the Book of Life! "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." Isaiah 64:6 Pastor Jim Kilby Your donation spreads good news! www.harvestyouth.org/donate

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 Friends, What are your favorite kinds of emails? I’d say phone calls, but I hardly ever answer them anymore, so emails it is! My favorite? The kind that share good news—especially the kind that say, “I know you and everyone you told about me were praying. I just wanted to keep you updated.” In the September newsletter, I asked you to pray for Ms. A and the situation she was facing. While things aren’t fully resolved, progress is being made! Bills have been paid, work has been found, and food is on the table. Knowing that people have been praying is a beautiful testimony, and I’m so grateful the Harvest community is part of it. Thank you. Please continue to pray for Ms. A and the others we’re currently working with. Specifically, pray that their needs are met in ways that help them see God at work! To borrow some words from Paul: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3–6, NIV) Blessings, Elizabeth Kilby

“faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17b (NIV) Dear Friends, One thing I've always appreciated about the book of James is that he doesn't dance around the issues! He reminds us that following Jesus Christ involves much more than what we believe, what we say, or even how often we pray. Genuine faith produces genuine action! In James 2:15–16, we're given a powerful illustration. Suppose someone is without adequate clothing or food, and we offer them kind words and wish them well, but do nothing to meet their needs. James asks a simple question: What good is that? Think about it. We can tell someone God loves them. We can assure them we're praying for them. We can even invite them to church. Those are all wonderful things, but what happens when the person standing in front of us is hungry, hurting, frightened, or wondering how they're going to make it through another day? That's when faith needs to roll up its sleeves! We believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Over the years, we've had the privilege of leading many people to Christ. But we've also learned that sometimes people need to experience God's love before they're ready to hear about it. Through Second Harvest Thrift Store , we provide affordable necessities and opportunities for job training. Through Harvest House , we offer encouragement and practical support to people facing difficult circumstances. And through Harvest Helps , we assist individuals and families struggling with financial and other immediate needs. Sometimes ministry means providing clothing or household necessities. Sometimes it means helping someone financially. Other times, it simply means listening to a hurting person and reminding them that they haven't been forgotten. That's what Harvest Youth Ministries is—a ministry that doesn't just talk about compassion but puts it into practice. A ministry that doesn't simply recognize needs but responds to them. And a ministry that gives God the glory for every life touched. Putting the love of Christ into action, together! Pastor Jim Kilby