Dawn Edwards shares how Jesus captured her heart and rescued her from years of abuse and betrayal into a new life and identity of freedom. Experience more stories and share your own at bluejeanstories.com.

Blue Jean Story | Living In Freedom from Stonecreek Church on Vimeo.

In 2007, live at Stonecreek Church, I had the opportunity to introduce Compassion International program graduate George Jowi to the person who sponsored him through Compassion's child sponsorship program. It remains one of the most significant moments of my life!

At a recent gathering of over 12,000 ministry leaders, Compassion worked with the people at Catalyst to surprise Jimmy Wambua with an introduction to his sponsor of 19 years. Hear Jimmy share what sponsorship meant to him and experience the introduction... begin at minute 3:45.

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Join me in releasing a child from poverty in Jesus' name. Sponsor a child through Compassion International, here.

So long as there is some thought of personal advantage, some idea of acquiring the praise and commendation of men, some aim at self-aggrandisement, it will be simply impossible to find out God's purpose concerning us. - F.B. Meyer, The Secret of Guidance, 1896

Lord, there is so much yet to be yielded to You. My grip is so tight that my knuckles are stiff and my hands are sore. My thoughts of myself and what I imagine of myself are elevated above my thoughts of You. My aim is misguided and my eyes are on the wrong prize. Lord, You are beautiful. Your face is all I seek. I yield. Be glorified in this moment of surrender. May my aim be to carry Your Presence and not my presence to the hearts of people as I follow... You.

This is an actual prayer request that was turned in to us on Sunday at Stonecreek:

My co-worker has a 13 year old daughter who was raped. Now she struggles with self-mutilation, anorexia, and suicidal thoughts. Please pray for healing and restoration of the [name omitted] family. 

You never know the pain or the personal battles that someone is navigating. The outside may appear "fine," but beneath the surface the heart is broken. So speak words that heal, that encourage and bless those you encounter today.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Pictured Here: Steven Gibbs, Stacy Swenton, Bill Swenton, Ken Murphy

Their faces express it best. Restored. Bill and Stacy were 2 of 126 individuals that were baptized on October 4 at Stonecreek Church. They had the joy of experiencing baptism with their children, Sydney and Trey. What an incredible day!

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!" Psalm 40:16 (NIV)

Leading people to pursue life in Jesus as their greatest passion.

Join others navigating career transition for this learning and networking event designed to help you recharge and refocus your efforts. During this event you will hear from seasoned human resource, recruiting and networking professionals as well as get a chance to build your own network during a breakout session.

Learn more and register for this FREE networking event, here.

James Clark talks about the significance he has found through simplicity in "Walking with God." Experience more stories and share yours today at www.bluejeanstories.com.

Blue Jean Story | Walking With God from Stonecreek Church on Vimeo.

"... Pretense... the common human desire to put the best foot forward and hide from the world our real inward poverty... There is hardly a man or woman who dares to be just what he or she is without doctoring up the impression. The fear of being found out gnaws like rodents within their hearts. The man of culture is haunted by the fear that he will someday come upon a man more cultured than himself. The learned man fears to meet a man more learned than he. The rich man sweats under the fear that his clothes or his car or his house will sometime be made to look cheap by comparison with those of another rich man." - A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

When I read this recently, I was reminded once again of the importance of the heart. It is a good practice to ask of yourself and those you love, "How is your heart?" Where have you allowed pretense to gnaw away at your source of life--your heart?

"Above all else," the Proverb says, "guard your heart, for from it flow the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23)