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Saturday, July 4, 2009
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We're glad you chose to visit with us today! Sonkist Ministries is simply an outreach to people who are trying to live healthy, satisfied lives and strive toward their fullest potential!
The foundation for a balanced, fulfilled life begins with understanding that you really are a special creation - not some blob of material that just "happened" into existence. Being unique, however, means that you will have different strengths, weaknesses, preferences, dislikes, goals, dreams - and even quirks - than anyone else on the planet!
Yet as unique as you are, you will definitely share some commonalities with your neighbors, friends and family members. In fact, as we've worked with children, teenagers, and adults over the past twenty years, we have discovered an interesting phenomenon. No matter what their age, social status, educational background or cultural experiences, all individuals are curious about two basic questions:
*Who am I?
*What am I supposed to be doing with my life?
We believe that the answers to these - and all of life's most challenging questions - can really be found. No matter what your past has been like, you can have a fabulous future! If you're depressed because people have let you down, or you have personal or professional issues that cause you to struggle on a regular basis, you can make positive changes to improve these dilemmas. Perhaps you are anxious due to all the pressures of living in today's world. Maybe you're dealing with family problems, and it seems that there's no one to guide you through these trying times.
Here at Sonkist Ministries we believe there is help - and hope - for a better tomorrow . . . and that this future begins with the choices that you make today! We'd like to assist you as you start living that better, brighter future. Won't you take a little more time to investigate how you can get in touch with the real you and see what amazing possibilities are awaiting you?
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“Summer Under the Son”
“So what exactly is Sonkist Ministries?” the woman asked, somewhat hesitantly, over the phone. I smiled to myself and whispered a silent prayer before I answered.
You see, the lady that had called me for help on an issue had seen my business card the night before at a birthday party for a mutual friend. Neither of us had met until that evening, but, after talking for awhile, she had discovered that I might be able to assist her with a job search – so she called the next morning. We had a chance to chat over her current circumstances, and as the conversation was winding down, she decided to slip that question in.
“Well,” I replied, “Sonkist Ministries is a way my husband and I can share faith-based materials with people who might not have the opportunity to receive them elsewhere.”
I continued on, carefully trying to explain the basics about my beliefs without being overbearing or offensive in any way – sometimes a difficult road to travel down in our “politically correct” world.
“Okay,” she replied, “but why Sonkist?”
‘Ahh,’ I thought, ‘here’s the crux of the matter. Please help me say the right thing, Lord.’
I explained to her that, as a Christian, I believe in Jesus – He is God’s Son. Faith in Him is what gives me hope for eternal life with God in the future. I told her how we decided to take the “Sunkist” label that we were so familiar with growing up here in sunny Southern California and turn it into the real reason for our joy in living.
“Oh, I see . . . .” she responded.
I haven’t had the chance to talk to that lady again since this spur-of-the-moment chat, but I’m thankful for the reminder that she gave me about the reason that I can live a joy-filled life! If it weren’t for the hope that Jesus offers, I’m not sure how I’d be able to live in a world that seems so lost at times. Without God’s love, I know I’d feel empty and incomplete somehow. And if I didn’t have a clear understanding that this life is just the beginning of that which is eternal, I’m confident that I’d live in fear of the future each and every day of my existence.
As I reflected on these things, I re-read the verses that have been the foundation for Sonkist Ministries:
“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. So whoever has God’s Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life.”
I John 5:11-12
To those of us who have placed our faith in God’s Son, this statement seems so simple. Yet there are many people who walk in and out of our lives each day who don’t understand about who Jesus is and why His death, burial and resurrection are anything more than a story out of history. And many of these men and women are simply looking at you and me, watching what we do and listening to what we say, trying to figure this faith thing out. We don’t have to have a specific ministry or title or business card to share with them about what God’s Son has already done on their behalf. In fact, St. Francis of Assisi is famous for having said, “Preach the Gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words.” Let’s also look at what the Bible says:
“. . . you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way.”
I Peter 3:15-16
Our prayer for you during this season of surf and sand, rest and relaxation, is that you will indeed have a joy-filled summer under the real Son! May you be greatly blessed by the Lord, and may you have many opportunities to share about the hope that is yours thanks to Jesus, God’s Son!
*If you’d like to share something faith-based with a family member or friend this month, check out Summer Under the Son: Daily Devotions to Bring Light into Your Life (see our “Products” section – or you can also order it at Amazon.com)
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“We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the power and control of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we are in God because we are in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.”
I John 5:19-20
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