In Jesus, and by faith, we find life and are able to overcome.

 I know there is no other hope for my people than the one who wrapped himself in human flesh and lived a perfect life.

I knew God would take care of the details.

And, boy, did he ever!

In March of this year, Bill Paris packed up his life and moved across the country from Dayton, Ohio, to Lawrence, Kansas, to become a full time volunteer with the Haskell LIGHT Campus Ministry. Little did he know, this adventure would take him even farther from home.

The Haskell Military Color Guard have been having an Auction on the 2nd Wednesday in May for several years.  This year, they wanted to hold it close to the Haskell Indian Nations University campus.   Some of these Veterans asked Bob Prue (Rosebud Sioux, Haskell LIGHT Ministry Leader) if they could use the Haskell LIGHT building.  Always looking for ways to connect with the Haskell and Lawrence community, Bob enthusiastically granted their request.  

As the ministry leader for the Haskell LIGHT Campus Ministry, Bob's job is to reach out to the students - the "harassed and helpless," the "sheep without a shepherd."

Sometimes the evil one seems to be exploiting every human weakness.  Evil seems to be manifest everywhere in our world.  But there is Good News!

The power of the world controlled by Satan was defeated when Jesus accepted His Father’s will to go to the cross.  He defeated sin and death, but He had to pay a horrible price.  It was not an easy walk Jesus took from the gates of Jerusalem to the cross.

I had a cellmate who saw me. His name was Aaron, and, for several months, I despised him. He was always speaking to me about this white man named Jesus. Just the name made me angry. He would tell me Jesus loved me and wanted to give me this free gift of Salvation. I told him over and over again that this heavenly father of his would never give me any free gift.

Within a few months, much to my relief, Aaron was transferred out of my cell. My mind could finally rest. But, it didn’t. I kept returning to his words. Soon, Aaron was transferred back into my room. In our time apart, my heart was softened toward him, and I welcomed his words, words I had hungered for.

I am a chief sinner who does not deserve anything but wrath and death.  But in His mercy, God gave me life through Jesus and life through this gift of a child.  I am grateful! 

As we look to the birth of a baby, a baby named Immanuel, let’s give Him thanks and praise. 

As we learn to trust God and His Word in the midst of our trials, we will grow in our faith. May God give us a teachable heart so that we, too, may praise Him.