1/5/11 - Middle School Chapel

The Middle School was privileged to have Eddie Peterson & John Wisseman (class of 2011) speak to them this morning. Their focus was that many times as students, we don't understand the power of our words. Our words have the power to uplift or to tear down. They can bring hope or defeat. They can offer love & compassion or judgement & disdain.

Sometimes we never see the fruit of our words, but what I am confident of is that they are important. Jesus called us to "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  (NIV, John 13:34-35) Sometimes the best love is an encouraging word or a hug. The fact is people are lonely & hurting in our world. We have the power to change that. We have the power to love, encourage, & genuinely care for people.

Today, I am praying for love to be on the minds of our students. I pray that they will look for ways to be loving, kind & caring to their friends, family, & even strangers. "For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another." (NIV, I John 3:11)