Hannah Maria Joy

I've bween reading The Insanity of God  by Nik Ripken (if you haven't read it you NEED to!). The book is about Nik's journey of ministry throughout the world; while he is in China interviewing believers there he hears a message from God saying this: "If ten million believers in your movement cannot take care of four hundrd families, do you have the right to call yourselves the Body of Christ, the Church, or even followers of Jesus?" It really struck me. It does not just apply to the Chinese believers, but it applies here, in the United states or wherever you may be, as well. I have always thought that the Church should play a big role in taking care of families, specifically women and children. James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." However, it never hit me that by not taking care of the widows and orphans that we are not truly being God's church until

With Thanksgiving just having passed, I have been thinking about and have been very aware of the many blessings God has given me. 1. I have been blessed with a wonderful Christian family. Not just my immediate family, but my exstended family as well. I do not know of one family member that is not a follower of Christ and I never realized, until recently, how incredibly rare and awesome that is! 2. The relationship I have with my family. I love them so much and it fills my heart with joy everytime we are ALL able to be together. 3. New friendships. The friends I have made at Rochester College have been and I know will continue to be encouraging, God serving, stretching, and fun. I know that they will be there for me no matter what. 4. Old friendships. Though I have grown apart from many of my friends that I had in high school, anytime I am able to catch up with them and be with them is a special moment. 5. My lovely ladies of Οmicron Ωmega Ζeta. I really do not know what I wou