Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The new Adami Tulu Classrooms are being built!
To see how you can help go to http://www.aaronklein.com/
Sunday, April 24, 2011
1,978 years ago...
Jesus took your place on the cross.
But He did not stay for long. My Savior lives!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Warning: Long and random!
I love music. I love making music, listening to music, playing music, and worshiping God with my music. As I have shared before, I am learning how to play the guitar so that I can lead worship at church in Guatemala. I want to be able to share Christ with others through music.
Any instrument with strings has always fascinated me. Whether its a guitar, bass, mandolin, violin, and especially the ukulele. I always thought ukuleles were neat. They remind my of places like Hawaii. Not to mention the fact that they are ideal for traveling because they are small.
My guitar teaches is super talented. He can play tons of instruments, so I asked him one day if he would be able to teach me how to play the ukulele. He said, "Only if its baritone."
That weekend, my family was preparing for our move by having a garage sale, and a sweet couple from my church came to help us.(We'll call them Mr. and Mrs. B). I had to leave, because I had soccer, but while I was gone my mom mentioned to them that I was saving my money to buy a ukulele. Mr. B picked up his phone, and called his friend, who happened to have a ukulele.
When I got home from soccer my mom told me about this, and I was ecstatic! The only problem was, there are lots of different kinds of ukuleles, and my guitar teacher said to get a baritone.
The next day at church, Mr. and Mrs. B showed up with not one, but two baritone ukuleles. Mr. B told me that these ukuleles had been to the Ukraine twice, and to Africa once. I smiled at him and said, "Well, now they are going to Guatemala." I was so excited, and I could not wait to show my guitar teacher the next day. As soon I got home, I wrote Mr. and Mrs. B a thank you note, and then ran off to play my new ukulele.
At guitar lessons the next day, my guitar teacher was very surprised to see us with ukuleles already, but he taught us to play a hymn called Happy Day.
The next time I saw Mr. B I played him the song I had learned, and he told me that that was the song that had played when he was baptized. I thought to myself, "How cool is that the first song I learn is the song that played at the person who gave me the ukuleles baptism."
The Mr. B said,"And I just want to thank you, because your family is only the second family to write me a thank you note." That broke my heart. I know that Mr. B does nice things for people all the time. He makes the best homemade jelly, and he gives it away to people at church. He is always the first to volunteer when something needs done. I couldn't believe no one had ever thanked him.
I love mowing the lawn. We live on three acres, so I always get on the riding lawn mower, and turn my music up really loud, and that is when I can think and pray the best, where I'm not distracted. One day as I was mowing and praying I was telling God about how it made me sad that no one thanked Mr. and Mrs. B. About how that wasn't fair, because they do all kind of nice stuff, and yet no one thanked them, they were just taken for granted. And He reminded me of how He also get taken for granted, of how He performs miracles everyday, and yet many people live as if He doesn't exist. And then he told me, now go do something about it.
So,I wanted to say thank you to all of you. Thank you for being the person you are. Thank you for everything you do for others.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to not take anyone for granted. Help me to realize when something does something, whether its holding the door open, or giving a gift. Lord I thank you for everything you have done in my life. Thank for allowing me to wake up today. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
I love music. I love making music, listening to music, playing music, and worshiping God with my music. As I have shared before, I am learning how to play the guitar so that I can lead worship at church in Guatemala. I want to be able to share Christ with others through music.
Any instrument with strings has always fascinated me. Whether its a guitar, bass, mandolin, violin, and especially the ukulele. I always thought ukuleles were neat. They remind my of places like Hawaii. Not to mention the fact that they are ideal for traveling because they are small.
My guitar teaches is super talented. He can play tons of instruments, so I asked him one day if he would be able to teach me how to play the ukulele. He said, "Only if its baritone."
That weekend, my family was preparing for our move by having a garage sale, and a sweet couple from my church came to help us.(We'll call them Mr. and Mrs. B). I had to leave, because I had soccer, but while I was gone my mom mentioned to them that I was saving my money to buy a ukulele. Mr. B picked up his phone, and called his friend, who happened to have a ukulele.
When I got home from soccer my mom told me about this, and I was ecstatic! The only problem was, there are lots of different kinds of ukuleles, and my guitar teacher said to get a baritone.
The next day at church, Mr. and Mrs. B showed up with not one, but two baritone ukuleles. Mr. B told me that these ukuleles had been to the Ukraine twice, and to Africa once. I smiled at him and said, "Well, now they are going to Guatemala." I was so excited, and I could not wait to show my guitar teacher the next day. As soon I got home, I wrote Mr. and Mrs. B a thank you note, and then ran off to play my new ukulele.
At guitar lessons the next day, my guitar teacher was very surprised to see us with ukuleles already, but he taught us to play a hymn called Happy Day.
The next time I saw Mr. B I played him the song I had learned, and he told me that that was the song that had played when he was baptized. I thought to myself, "How cool is that the first song I learn is the song that played at the person who gave me the ukuleles baptism."
The Mr. B said,"And I just want to thank you, because your family is only the second family to write me a thank you note." That broke my heart. I know that Mr. B does nice things for people all the time. He makes the best homemade jelly, and he gives it away to people at church. He is always the first to volunteer when something needs done. I couldn't believe no one had ever thanked him.
I love mowing the lawn. We live on three acres, so I always get on the riding lawn mower, and turn my music up really loud, and that is when I can think and pray the best, where I'm not distracted. One day as I was mowing and praying I was telling God about how it made me sad that no one thanked Mr. and Mrs. B. About how that wasn't fair, because they do all kind of nice stuff, and yet no one thanked them, they were just taken for granted. And He reminded me of how He also get taken for granted, of how He performs miracles everyday, and yet many people live as if He doesn't exist. And then he told me, now go do something about it.
So,I wanted to say thank you to all of you. Thank you for being the person you are. Thank you for everything you do for others.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to not take anyone for granted. Help me to realize when something does something, whether its holding the door open, or giving a gift. Lord I thank you for everything you have done in my life. Thank for allowing me to wake up today. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
American Dream
I LOVE this song by Casting Crowns. "I love the line "I'll take a shack on the rock over a castle in the sand." Psalm 18:2 says, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." I would way rather have my faith in Christ that things that are of this world, because they are not going to last forever, but we will have God for eternity.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Today is the day!
It's not too late to take off your shoes and make a difference!
What are Toms?Toms are a brand of shoes. For every pair you buy, Toms shoe company will give one pair of shoes to a child in need.
Why Shoes?
In many countries kids walk miles without shoes. Making them vulnerable to infections and diseases. Many kids cannot attend school without shoes.
In many countries kids walk miles without shoes. Making them vulnerable to infections and diseases. Many kids cannot attend school without shoes.
What does this have to do with you?
Not wearing shoes leads others to ask questions. Which gives you the chance to tell them about how they can make a difference!
Not wearing shoes leads others to ask questions. Which gives you the chance to tell them about how they can make a difference!
For more in formation go to: http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/ or http://www.toms.com
Friday, April 1, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
As most of you know, the kids at the Adami Tulu preschool are very dear to my heart. I wanted to do something for them, but at first I didn't know what to. I'm not rich. I'm just a 15 year old with a heart for the least of these.
The other day as I was reading in my bible I came across the story of how Jesus fed the 5,000. I had heard this story many times before, and I didn't think I would get much out of it, but the Lord had something he wanted to show me.
The other day as I was reading in my bible I came across the story of how Jesus fed the 5,000. I had heard this story many times before, and I didn't think I would get much out of it, but the Lord had something he wanted to show me.
"There's a young boy over here with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish, but what good is that with this huge crowd?"
You see, Jesus didn't ask for anyone who was qualified or who had lots of food to share, instead he asked a child who was willing to give the little he had to share with others, because it is when we are willing to give up ourselves, that God can use us to work miracles.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I've been reading the book Radical by David Platt (if you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it!) and I read a part that was really good. It said, "Caring for the poor is one natural overflow and a necessary evidence of the presence of Christ in our lives. If there is no sign of caring for the poor in our lives, then there is reason to at least question whether Christ is in our hearts."
Then it went on to say that if we were to see a man who was sexually immoral, and was always participating in sexual activity we multiple people, wouldn't we question whether or not he had Christ in his heart?
A couple paragraphs later is said, "So what is the difference between someone who willfully indulges in sexual pleasures while ignoring the Bible on moral purity, and someone who willfully indulges in the selfish pursuit of more and more material possessions while ignoring the bible on caring for the poor? The difference is that one involves a social taboo in the church and the other involves the social norm in the church."
How sad is it that this kind of sinning is acceptable in the church? And not only is it acceptable, it is normal for us to not take care of the poor!
Then it went on to say that if we were to see a man who was sexually immoral, and was always participating in sexual activity we multiple people, wouldn't we question whether or not he had Christ in his heart?
A couple paragraphs later is said, "So what is the difference between someone who willfully indulges in sexual pleasures while ignoring the Bible on moral purity, and someone who willfully indulges in the selfish pursuit of more and more material possessions while ignoring the bible on caring for the poor? The difference is that one involves a social taboo in the church and the other involves the social norm in the church."
How sad is it that this kind of sinning is acceptable in the church? And not only is it acceptable, it is normal for us to not take care of the poor!
But what if you were to change that? What if you stepped out in faith and took care of the poor? What if you did something that wasn't normal?
Because this life is worth it.
Because this life is worth it.Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
One Day-One Lunch
Just wanted to share with ya'll that $3,620.13 has been raised so far for the Adami Tulu Preschool! Woo Hoo God!
Thank you so much to everyone who particpated in the One Day-One Lunch project! Because of YOU, and your willingness to make a difference, the kids in Ziway, Africa now have hope.
THANK YOU!
Monday, February 14, 2011
What is Love?
Love- [luhv], (noun) a passionate affection for another person
John 3:16 say that God loves YOU so much that He was willing to send his son to die for your sins. He sent His one and only son to die so that one day you could live with Him. That, my friends, is true love.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Have you accepted you Valentines Day Present yet?
1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
John 3:16 say that God loves YOU so much that He was willing to send his son to die for your sins. He sent His one and only son to die so that one day you could live with Him. That, my friends, is true love.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Have you accepted you Valentines Day Present yet?
1 Corinthians 13:4–8a Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Friday, January 28, 2011
One Day-One Lunch
Ever since I went to the Adami Tulu Preschool, I haven't bee able to get the kids out of my head. At first, I didn't know what I could do to help, so I asked my mom if I could send my lunch money there. She said yes, and so every day this school year, I have eaten a small bowl of the African soup, that I tried at the feeding program in Ethiopia. God even sent me a friend to help me, and double the gift. Which got me to thinking, what if more people would be willing to do that same?
Don’t worry, I am not going to ask you to do something you can’t- I am asking you to do something you can. The Average American spends between $2.00 and $8.00 a day on lunch. If everyone who reads this blog post would simple choose- on February 3rd to give up their ‘lunch money’ and then donate what they would have spent on lunch that day to Lifesong For Orphans for the Adami Tulu preschool in Ziway, Ethiopia. Can you image what Jesus could do? A mere $3.00 feeds a child for ONE MONTH. Can you imagine the impact we could make- simply by giving being willing to make a small sacrifice for someone else?
So mark your calendar for Feb. 3rd and spread the word about the One Day- One Lunch Project. Put it on FB, add it to your blog- ask your friends, coworkers and church family to join in. Let’s make a small sacrifice- to make one big difference.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Life in a big family
It means less room in the house, but more love. I means more work, but more people to help you with it. It means there's always someone to play with. It means there's always someone to blame :). It means there is always someone to pick you up when you are down. It means more laughter. It means putting others before yourself. I means more people to love God. It means more people to share the gospel. It means more people to live for Him.Being in a big family has changed me in more ways than I will ever fully know, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Friday, January 7, 2011
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.
It's really hard not to be changed but something that we are constantly surrounded by. Everywhere you look there are things influencing you. Most of them are not good. They are worldly things, that are far from God's pleasing and perfect will.
Often times, I wonder why such things go on, when God could stop them.Then, as I was reading in my bible, I came across this: The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. John 12:31. God gave Satan power over this world. Because He wants us to choose Him instead of choosing the things of this world. By choosing the things of this world, we are choosing Satan instead of God.
Lord, Help me not to be tempted by the things of this world. Let me choose You over Satan. Help me to follow your good, pleasing and perfect will. Amen.
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.
It's really hard not to be changed but something that we are constantly surrounded by. Everywhere you look there are things influencing you. Most of them are not good. They are worldly things, that are far from God's pleasing and perfect will.
Often times, I wonder why such things go on, when God could stop them.Then, as I was reading in my bible, I came across this: The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. John 12:31. God gave Satan power over this world. Because He wants us to choose Him instead of choosing the things of this world. By choosing the things of this world, we are choosing Satan instead of God.
Lord, Help me not to be tempted by the things of this world. Let me choose You over Satan. Help me to follow your good, pleasing and perfect will. Amen.
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