April 2023 Newsletter
Something to Think About
by Mike Dunlap
When I was a young Christian, “living by faith” was a very difficult concept for me. The truth is, I did (and still do) like being in control. What made sense to me when I was younger was to make a plan, gather the resources to do what needed to be done, and then work like crazy to make it happen. It is amazing how much you can get done by just following that simple plan. But there is a problem with that plan: it is our plan. It was years into my walk with the Lord until I realized that I was still living on my own agenda. Christ did not leave heaven, shed His blood on the cross, and resurrect from the dead, for me to continue living life on my own agenda.
The reality is that living on our own agenda was the very temptation and sin of Adam and Eve that led to this world being the mess it is today. Satan did not tempt them to kill anyone, to steal from anyone, or commit adultery with anyone. His lie was to convince them they could live life on their own agenda, not on the Lord’s agenda. He actually said to them, “If you eat of that fruit, you will surely not die, instead you will become like God, knowing good from evil.” The Lord had created all of life, and He reigned as Lord of all He had made. Satan wanted to destroy that reign, so he challenged Adam and Eve to usurp it, to try and take the reign—the right to rule— for themselves. It led to disastrous consequences then, and it still leads to disastrous consequences both individually and for all the earth today.
The Lord’s antidote to Satan’s lie, and to Adam and Eve’s sin, is to call us to live by faith. To live by faith means we purposely reverse the sin of Genesis 3 by recognizing the Lord’s rightful place in our lives. That place is for Him to be Lord and to reign over every single detail of our lives. To live by faith means we trust Him to do that. It also means in a practical way that we go about life radically differently than we would if we were in charge. Our plans are no longer our own. Every decision in life becomes a great adventure of trust by simply uttering these words: not my will, but yours be done. We trust that the Lord is reigning, and that He has a perfect plan for us and for the world. By saying, “your will, not mine be done”, we say no to Satan and our own flesh which tries to convince us to do our own thing. Living by faith is submitting ourselves to His will and seeking it in every situation in life.
For 27 years we have been seeking to do that with the Outreach. He has truly led us through some great adventures: FCA, Day Camp, mission trips to New York, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Cleveland. He has had us share the gospel with hundreds of teens and their families. He has brought us amazing men and women to serve with us, and He has provided every single thing we have needed. Every staff person, building, vehicle, and event has happened because He wanted it to. As we look forward to the future of the Outreach we do it with great anticipation and excitement. We continue to seek to live by faith, and we can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do in and through us in the years to come. Thank you for your prayers and support so we can continue that journey. What an amazing Lord we have—let’s follow Him together!
What's Happenin'
by Alyssa Foldesy
While the chilly weather still seems to be holding on, there are signs of spring everywhere! The budding of trees and blossoming of flowers bring hope for the new life that is springing forth. With a new season impending, it is easy to look back to the past and celebrate all that God has done.
The end of a sports season often leaves me remembering all the fun times that were had during the season, and that sure was the case as basketball and rifle seasons came to a close. Many hours were spent in the gym at practices, on the sidelines and as a fan at games, or on buses or at team dinners. We celebrated our self-appointed holiday ‘Fan Section Friday’ where students in the fan section won prizes throughout the game and competed to predict North Star’s final score. Students, players, and fans celebrated a big win over Windber with donuts and juice boxes after the game.
Food seemed to be a theme as there were a number of get togethers centered on yummy treats. In January we enjoyed a ‘Board Party’ where each guest brought a charcuterie board with a different theme! There were a variety of boards represented including a pink themed board, a cupcake board, s’mores board, hot chocolate board, and a breakfast board. In February, we celebrated Galentine’s Day, a couple of times actually, with things like photoshoots, chocolate fondue, flower bouquet arranging, heart shaped pizza, lots and lots of pink everything!
A special highlight from January was the small graduation celebration that was held for a student who graduated early to join the Marine Corps. It was held in the school library and attended by family, friends, teachers, coaches, teammates and students. Her faith was really important to this graduate so I had the sweet honor of praying for her, the time she’d spent at the high school, and what her future holds. It was a really neat moment to share with the student, those in attendance, and with the Lord. We continue to pray for her each week at FCA and love to see the way she obeyed God’s call on her life as she continues to take steps faith.
I pray the same for each of us, that we would obey God’s call on our lives by taking steps of faith in response to his hand in our lives. I’m looking forward to the newness he brings to each of us as we step into spring.