by Frank Wyant

Pictures. We love them, don’t we? Our minds are wired for pictures.  One of the great allures of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and other social media sites is the ability to post photographs. It is fun (and somewhat addicting) to scroll through the current pictures of our grade school friends from yesteryear. Reading text is one thing, but seeing a picture takes it to a new level. The old saying is really true, “A picture as worth a thousand words.” 

So, what do you “picture” when you think of God?

What does the Bible say about God? Is He really mean, cruel, and condemning as the devil would have us believe? Certainly not! God is good, loving, gracious, merciful and compassionate. He is the God who is for us not against us. He is the God who wants to help us, not hurt us or condemn us. He is the Father of the prodigal son, the one who runs to us and showers us with kisses and compassion the moment we turn to Him in repentance and faith.

So, what do we do when we miss the mark, succumb to temptation, and sin against God? We quickly come to Him in godly sorrow and confession. We remind ourselves of the truth that He wants to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16).  

What do do with your distance:

Are you distant from God today? Do you see Him as disgusted and displeased with you? Take down that faulty caricature of God and replace it with the real picture. He is never disgusted with His children. Certainly, He gets displeased with our sinful actions, but not with us. He loves us with an everlasting love. He says to us today, “Come to Me.  I am for you.  I want to help you.  I want to turn your sorrows into joy and get your life back on track with Me.” What an awesome invitation from the King! So, what is your answer to Him?

by Josh Snodgrass

The reality is, it just takes one…but teens need other teens in their lives. It is a very important part of life that a lot of people miss out on. A light bulb, if working properly, can give new light/perspectives on dark/difficult situations. That is what we are facilitating and growing in our youth group! We are all helping one another grow in a deeper understand of God’s love and casting new light into each other’s difficult situations.

If you have a youth or know a teenager, I really want to encourage you to introduce them to the idea that they are not alone or weird. It is important to share that likeness with others! If it’s CTK’s YTHGRP or another church down the road, they need to be around other Christian teens! Get them involved and out of their comfort zone.

by Misti Sanders

Think back to your late teens and early 20’s. Can you remember some of the statements that impacted your life? Can you remember specifically the individuals who influenced your life for good or for bad?  I wonder if there was someone in your life that took the time to mentor you and the influence you? I’m sure you can remember words that destroyed and words that encouraged. Thinking back on my own life, this was a period of amazing growth and devastating failures. It was during this time that my older sister began to lovingly mentor me. The impact that had on my life changed my entire direction in life and shifted my course towards the light of the world. Now, fifteen years later God has placed a calling of mentorship on my heart. 

I love what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 1st Timothy 4:12, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith & purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” The relationship between Paul and Timothy was one in which Paul mentored Timothy. Their relationship developed into one of love in which Paul began to think of Timothy as a son. 

I hope to be able to encourage and speak truth into the lives of the CTK young adults in the same way. I’m also really looking forward to the privilege of learning from our young people who God loves individually and has uniquely gifted. I pray that CTK will continue to be a place where we search for opportunities to encourage and mentor everyone that is a part of the body of Christ and God has given us the privilege to meet.  What a blessing, huh?

The College Ministry is now meeting every Thursday night at 7:30 pm at the Church Office, 212 14th Ave S., Nampa. This group is for singles who are approximately 18-25 years old.

by Melody Paris, quotes from Mark Howell

Why join a small group? Because, God wants us to be in relationship with Him and other believers, which is also a definition of “Church.” One of the most effective tools a church has is small groups. Small groups provide the church stability, growth, and strong relationships. Additionally, groups provide a sense of family, help personal growth, and make church personal. 

Small groups allow for dialogue. We can relax when sitting in someones livingroom or chatting over coffee. In this setting we can discuss, ask questions and really explore a topic. “If every spiritual experience is about listening, if it’s all about one-way communication, then [it’s easy] to miss one of the most important developmental aspects of a growing faith.” Our dialogue with one another is a personal challenge and a social need.

With outreach, it is often easier and gets a better response when we say “Come over to my house” than “come with me to church.” Small groups have become increasingly more important as the friendly and moral culture has given way to the more distrusting and unwelcoming society. Where rows and steeples can have a bad reputation, a warm home and good people are one of the most welcome of sights. Small groups are about changing lives and “life change happens best in circles, not rows.”