Last night for SWITCH we talked about the Bible, and how the Bible is God’s note to us. To start this conversation with our students we had each of them write a note to anyone they wanted. Below are some of the best! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Max, I love you. You’re the best dog in the whole world. I tell you everything because you’re the only guy I actually trust. You’ll never hurt me, leave me and you’ll always love me, kinda like God.–Lindsey

Dear Tyree, You look so weird and ugly! Just kidding! You are a beast!! Like, OMG, I’m serious. You are freakin’ awesome! So, what up, my bro?–from Conner PS: I’m glad to be an American.

Dear Sarah, I feel so blessed that you would come to church with me instead of watching TV. I pray that your eyes open and see how awesome God can be.–Your BFF Emily

Dear Justice, I miss you! It sucks that you’re grounded for like 20 thousand months! -Mariah

I love you God. You’re so freakin’ amazing and I always know you’re there for me.–Love Shawn

Dear SWITCH student, If I could write you anything it would be to tell you how much God loves you and desires to have a personal, real, dynamic relationship. God wants you right now! Don’t wait!–SWITCH Leader

Mrs. Gault, you’re the meanest math teacher ever! You always blame me for everything. You give us too much homework, but it’s ok.–Jess

Dear God, I really need your help. I’m having trouble with fake friends. I feel soo, soo alone and I feel like I can’t trust anybody.–Your friend, Shemetria

Tony, Hey! I like tots. The tater kind.–Chase

Dear Grandma, Life is so weird without you. I miss you a lot. If you get a chance will you ask God to tell my dad to answer the phone the next time I call?–SWITCH student

Dear Students, I am so excited you are here today! I feel totally blessed to be able to share the love of Jesus with you tonight. I am trying to earn your trust by being here every week and by being available outside of SWITCH. Please understand that I love you for who you are, not what you have done.–SWITCH Leader.

I feel incredibly blessed to work with these students and leaders. If you don’t mind, take a moment and offer a prayer for our SWITCH students. Thanks!

Today is the day to say thank you. Thank you to the thousands of individuals who sacrificed their lives for the sake of your freedom and mine. If you know of someone who served or currently serves in the arm forces, please leave their names, their branch and rank in the comments to honor them.

If you see a veteran today, say thank you. It might feel odd, a little uncomfortable or awkward, but say thank you. They can never be thanked enough. Our veterans appreciate it more than we realize.

Let’s never forget the ones who fight so we can keep enjoying the freedom America has…

Here’s an equation: Lie + Lie = >truth Translation: Lie plus lie equals less than truth.

If you believe a lie long enough, hard enough eventually people will begin to believe it as truth, even though it may not be true. I can’t get out of my head how vital this equation is when it comes to insecurity.

Let me give you an example: Whatever you believe about yourself, be it low thoughts of yourself, high thoughts, no thoughts, eventually that’s what people will believe about you too. Understanding this concept is so vitally important.

• If you don’t believe that what you have to say matters… others won’t believe it matters either.
• If you don’t think you can do something… others won’t think you can do it either.
• If you think you’re insecure, you will act insecure… causing others to believe you’re insecure. (A lie)
• Add some of your own…

Whatever you believe about yourself is how your actions and behaviors will follow your line of thinking. What we believe about ourselves determines our behaviors, and in turn effects what others believe about us as well.

We can teach others what to think about us by the way we think of ourselves.

But if this equation about believing lies is real, than the same must be true for believing truth.

Equation: Lie + Lie = {TRUTH} Translation: Lie plus Lie equals TRUTH without limits.

If you believe a truth often enough, hard enough, eventually you and the people around you will believe it as truth as well.

If what we believe really does effect how we act and who we are, shouldn’t we start believing the truth?

• Truth: You are God’s workmanship. Created in Christ Jesus to do good works!
• Truth: You are God’s masterpiece. Perfectly woven together and known from birth!
• Truth: You are God’s chosen one. Set apart as His child before you ever took a breath!

That is truth, no matter how you feel, what you think, or what others say…

Truth is truth no matter who believes it. Might as well believe it.

Do you have a hard time believing the truth about yourself?

How do you think this hinders us in our lives?

What will you do TODAY to start living in God’s TRUTH?

What is that thing that everyone wants? The thing that makes life bearable. That thing that, once you have it, you know probably won’t stay around for long. It’s elusive. Some people think money can bring it, others swear they’ll never experience it. Many people devote their life to the pursuit of it. Do you have it?

I’m talking about happiness. Happiness defined is: delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing or situation. But what happens if that particular thing or situation is not a happy one? What if it is a hard situation? What if it seems like an impossible situation? Then happiness is gone. Replaced with any number of these atonyms: Sadness, misery, depression, anger, hoplessness, gloomyness and dejection. Have you ever felt any of these emotions?

What if I told you, you didn’t have to feel these things any longer? Even in the midst of impossible circumstances, what if you could overcome those words that describe the frame of mind of so many people today?

You see, happiness is caused by happenings. If a particular happening is happy, then you will be happy. However, likewise, if a particular happening is not happy, what are you left feeling?

Instead, I believe we should focus our energies not on happiness, but on JOY.

Joy has nothing to do with our happenings or circumstances. Joy trancends those things. Joy outlasts. Joy rises above.

So, how do we get joy? Easy. We already have it.

Here’s why that is true. God has given each and every one of us the free gift of grace. We no longer have to answer for our sins. We are saved and covered by the blood of Jesus. For free! If that doesn’t make you want to jump up in down with joy, I don’t know what will!

There is joy in grace. If grace is a free gift, then joy is freely available to anyone.

If we truly believe that, then no matter what circumstance comes our way, we can rise above it. No, our circumstances may not change. They may even get worse before they get better. But even in the midst of what is out of our control, we can control one thing: Our attitude. We can decide to be joyful no matter what life throws our way.

Joy is a choice. Choose joy. It’s free!