This is the real deal

The thing that is unique about ywam is the people aren't perfect but they sure are the real deal. Today past students told their stories how God changed their lives after coming here. Just one year ago a guy who was 17 came here not knowing what he was coming to. His alcoholic dad dropped him off in town and the kid partied and was hungover for the first weekend on campus. But he heard the speakers and staff talk about their faith in ways he had never heard before and he prayed to God if all this stuff was real he wanted a part of it. His life changed completely. Now he is on staff. We heard story after story of the same thing. One kid got out of jail and came here. The only thing he had to read in his jail cell was a bible. In jail he was allowed one phone call and called a pastor, which led to him coming here. God changes lives not ywam. God didn't create planet earth so he could have a fish bowl to watch us humans for fun. He created us to have a relationship with him. That was his heart's desire when he made Adam and Eve but the serpent tricked them into doing the one thing God asked them not to do. So from that point on sin entered the world. We are all born with a sinful nature. If you think you don't have one ask yourself if you have ever gossiped, cheated or lied. I know I have. But God didn't give up on humans. He loves us so much but there is one thing he can't make us do and that's love him in return. He created humans with free will. He didn't want a planet of robots. I can't imagine the heartbreak I would feel if after adopting Maelyn she chose to not love me in return. But that's how God's heart breaks when he seeks to adopt us and we reject his love. There is the same evil force in the world today that tempted Eve in that garden. It is jealous of God and wants nothing better than to deceive people into believing we don't need God or we can be our own God. But God left heaven and became human skin, named himself Jesus, so we would once again have the relationship we were mean't to have in that garden. I don't know who reads this blog but if you are broken, lost, hopeless, weary, or at the end of your rope. Cry out to the one who wants to adopt you and love you like you have never been loved before. There is nothing you need to do to earn this love. It's unconditional love. It won't be forced on you, it's your choice. But it's only offered during this lifetime. Don't spend eternity regretting you turned your back on it. That's what hell is. Sin can't enter heaven. God is holy and pure. It's fair. I know people have questioned how a loving God allows good people to go to hell. He doesn't, you do. That's not his heart. If you are reading this and reject his love, you send yourself there. Like I said earlier I couldn't force Maelyn to love me it was her choice. I never intended this to be preachy but today I stand amazed at his love for me and you. And I don't want to spend eternity without you there because you never heard that God wants to love you for eternity!