Hello, Hillcrest Family!

35 years ago, a little girl knelt beside her bed and prayed for Jesus to come into her heart and be her Lord and Savior and pledged to live for Him. I was three years old. I've heard people argue that a child that young can't possibly understand the decision she was making. And yet, I totally did. You see, my mom and my Sunday School teachers taught me and showed me the love of God in Jesus Christ. I felt and knew His love in a way that impacted my life and won my heart for life...not just a few menial childhood years. I knew that I knew that I knew that God loved me, and I loved him. And furthermore, I felt the conviction of the Spirit and knew that I was a sinner in need of a Savior.

I John 3:16 says, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." The Word teaches us that we love because He first loved us. You and I are capable of love, loving God and loving others, because He first loved us. And when we realize fully His love for us, how can we do anything but love others and lay down our lives for them? John admonishes us to love in deeds and in truth not just with words. Love is what motivated us to go out Thanksgiving morning and make and deliver 150 plates of food to the less fortunate instead of staying home and cuddling w/our families and enjoying ourselves. Love for God and this city is what motivated us to vote for and support the move downtown. Love is what moves us everytime we forgive someone who hurt us even though it stings. Love is what moves us to humble ourselves and prefer others above ourselves.

Reading in Daniel today I was blown away by how detailed God is and how amazing His love is that He would chose a mere man to relay such a strong, powerful and detailed message. How amazing that such a huge and powerful God loves, really and personally loves, each one of us enough to lay down His life. To save us...and not just let it end there...but to actually talk to us and move us and be concerned with every detail of our lives. Who are we that God would love us so much? Oh, that the world would know His perfect love...really, really know His perfect love.

Some people claim to make decisions for Christ at a young age, then walk away doing their own thing, their own way for many years before recommiting their lives to Him. But for me the love of my heavenly Father was so real despite the alcoholic father that I had that I couldn't help but lay down my life for Him and live for Him forever and ever. The love of Jesus made a difference in me AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS CITY!

God bless you, Hillcrest. Thanks for allowing me the privilege of serving you and your children. See you Sunday.

Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Hillcrest Children's Minister