I know its long but. . .

I was looking through my e-mails and found this. We wrote it what seemed like so long ago and reading it again just made me feel so happy and great. So here it is.

From Kailey, Weaver, Lampard, Justin, Andrew, Hepting, Parker

Dear Kaleo 2005/06

We consistently pray for you and thank God that we were able to get to know you. Remember that God has chosen you; we know this not only through his word but also through the Holy Spirit’s work. We lived among each other and our leaders; we became each others role models. Through each others examples we are becoming imitators of God. As we learn and continue to grow we will become models to all the surrounding area, and if we follow God with our whole hearts people will start to see something different about us. We will become known as something special and different. People will sit up and want to listen to what we have to say, and we will become history makers in this world.

We know that we all have our struggles, and we have all suffered, but with the help of God we encouraged one another. We did not help each other because of slip-ups or impure intention but out of love. You all know that we did it to help each other and to be friends. We loved each other so we were happy to share our stories of hardship, joy, happiness, and sorrow. We worked hard at our duties in our churches and have nothing to be ashamed of. We focused on worshiping and praising our God. By focusing on our God we have become role models to all around us.

Ever since we have parted, we have desperately wanted to see you for you are our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. However, since we have been unable to see you in person, we thought it best to communicate through the blog, in order to further encourage and strengthen you in your faith.

We were afraid that you may have been fallen to the temptations of the world, but you responded with good news about your faith and love. You long to see us just as we long to see you. We thank God for the joy that we have in you, and we earnestly pray for you. May your love overflow for one another, just as ours does for you. May God strengthen your hearts so that you may be blameless when the Lord Jesus returns.

On to other stuff, we’ve all been examples for each other on how to live to please God, and we’re all doing that well. Just keep doing it and never stop striving to live a Godly life. You have all the knowledge and teaching that you need for this.

God wants us to be set apart and live a sexually pure life. We have to learn to control our tongue and our actions so that we can honor God and the people around us. Don’t live lustfully like the examples that the secular world throws at us all the time. Part of this is respecting our Christian brothers and sisters, never playing them or leading them on, remember Marv’s words about not pushing each others boundaries. There will be consequences for not listening to these commands especially since you’ve all heard them before. God doesn’t want us to be polluted, but he wants us to live a holy life. For that reason anyone who lives an impure life doesn’t reject a human being but God, the very God who gives us His Holy Spirit.

Man do we ever love each other, God has blessed us with this. We even loved all the people we met on our out trips. So we insist that you keep loving those we see, be it a street person, elderly lady, or someone we meet on a trip, never stop loving. Aspire to live a humble, quiet life; you should mind your own business, and do your best at whatever you work at. By doing this, we hope that outsiders will respect us and that we will not be dependant on anybody.

Now friends, don’t be sad when you think about those believers who have died or are sick and diseased. Don’t worry about their death. When they die they go to a better place to be with Jesus. Don’t feel bad at their loss because you will see them again someday. Jesus has told us that someday he will come to collect all believers, and at that time those who have died and have been living in paradise with God will greet us into his holy presence. Don’t be afraid of your own death no matter the circumstances. You will come out of this dream we call life, you will see Jesus standing at the end of the path he will be standing there with open arms and running towards you grasping you into his warm embrace. Remember this when you think of the loved ones that you will leave behind; they will be united with you someday, and you may be there with Jesus to welcome them home.

Just remember that Jesus is coming again, that it’ll surprise the unbelievers, but it shouldn’t really surprise us because we’re in the light and we should be living as though that day is tomorrow. Not that we should give everything up and not plan for the future at all, but we shouldn’t have anything in our lives that we don’t want there when that day comes. He died so that we can live together with Him, whether we’re dead or alive when He comes again.
So we should show self-control and set an example for everyone because everyone can see what we do, and if we don’t do what we say no one will listen. “We should wear faith and love to protect us and the hope of salvation should be our helmet”. God chose us to have salvation through Jesus Christ, not to suffer His anger.
So encourage each other and give each other strength, just like you’ve already been doing.

Now Listen up Kaleo, don’t look down on those who work hard but rather learn from and value them; do the same for those that God has put in charge of you, who teach and correct you. Admire them for their work. Strive to live at peace with one another; don’t ever stop caring for each other. Seriously guys, don’t let any one live lazily among you, always look to encourage the one who seems nervous, come along side those who can not do it on their own, and remember to be patient, even as some frustrate and annoy you. Don’t allow anyone to get back at another person for the things he has done, instead go all-out in your attempt to live well with everyone.

As hard as it sometimes seems strive to be continually joyful, think of Tara; never stop praying; all throughout the day find things to be thankful about, all these things God desires in order for you to become who he has planned for you to be.

Don’t get in the way of the Spirit’s leading in your life; do not look down on those who give advice. Test all things to see if God is in them. Hold on for dear life to those things in life that are good and noble. Avoid the abundance of evil in this world.

It is our prayer that the God who gives us true peace will purify you through and through. Keep your entire being guiltless and blameless for when we face the Lord. Christ, the one who has called you to Kaleo, is completely faithful and will make all these things possible for you.

Now we ask that you pray for us. Greet each other with a big hug… hug more. You must read and share this with each member of the group.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Amen