Spring 2007 Facing Bench

Congratulations to EFC-ER winners in national EFI-NA"Publishers of Truth" Essay Contest.

Junior Division
First Place: Rachel Privatte, Ypsilanti Friends, Ypsilanti, MI
Second Place: Tyler Jefferies, Immanuel Friends, Eden, NC

Senior Division
First Place: Tim Engle, Newberg Friends, Newberg, OR
Second Place: Kristy Watson-Ables, Shiloh Chapel Friends, Marysville, OH

Living With Joy, My Steps Toward Jesus
J-O-Y Jesus Others You

The acronym pops into my head whenever I hear the word joy. I learned it in a song, "Jesus and others and you, what a wonderful way to spell joy... put yourself last and spell joy."

Jesus should be first in our lives. We should love Him more than anything else in this world. When we spend time with Him, he'll become our closest friend. He can do everything, for example: raising the dead, giving sight to the blind, forgiving our sins, and more. God loves us so much that he sent his son to die for our sins. I find joy when Jesus forgives me and gives me a clear conscience. When I was six years old I did something wrong. When my parents asked me about it, I lied. For the next six months I kept it a secret and felt miserable. Finally I couldn't keep the secret any longer, I broke down and told my parents. Confessing my sin took the guilt away because I know Jesus forgave me. There's great joy in being forgiven.

Others should be next. We, as Christians, should show God's love to others. We should help them by lifting them up. This includes everyone, being kind to your siblings, honoring your parents, and defending those who are being picked on. In February 2007, our home school group went to a nursing home for Valentines Day. I wanted to play with my friends instead of going, but as we gave Valentines to the residents, my attitude changed and I was glad to be there seeing joy on their faces.

The last part is you, putting your selfish feelings and thoughts last. Gossiping is considering yourself before considering others. People gossip for many reasons: to put others down, to make themselves feel and look good, and some do it unknowingly because it has become a habit. Proverbs 15:4 says, "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." I know that I have a problem with the things I say about this girl who annoys me. I've realized that I've been gossiping and have asked the Lord to forgive me and help me hold my tongue when I'm about to say mean things.

Keeping Jesus first in my life, others second, and myself last is a recipe for joy.

Written by Rachel Privatte (grade 6) of Ypsilanti Friends Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

---

Living With Joy

Jesus helps me live with great joy everyday of my life, but I really learned to walk with Jesus when I attended Student Life camp at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

The theme of camp was Phroneo Christou, which means: the attitude of Christ. Everyday we learned of a way to become more like Jesus. This was a complete life changing experience for me, and I felt a refined strength in Jesus. Throughout camp, I felt Jesus walking with me, wherever I was.

While I was at camp, I became ill and was bedridden for the first two days. I prayed a lot, hoping that I would become healthy again, or, as a last resort, leave camp and return home. My cousin was there for me the entire time and made sure that I was okay. Although I really wanted to leave camp, I knew that there was a reason I was there.

As the week went on, I prayed even more and found I was getting better everyday. My home church, my family, and my cousin's church prayed for my wellness. I felt that Jesus was with me throughout the entire experience.

Once I was healthy again, I talked even more with Jesus; at night, before meals, whenever I got a chance. Being sick at camp helped me become closer to Jesus, and I changed my whole attitude towards everyone. I was much more pleasant to be around, and I became very easy going.

When I returned home from camp, I felt much better knowing that my relationship with Jesus was much stronger than it was before I went to camp. I soon realized why I was meant to attend camp. It was because I had an attitude problem, but that had all been changed. After camp, I felt like a completely new person. I was living with great joy in my new life!

Written by Tyler Jefferies (grade 8) of Immanuel Friends in Eden, North Carolina.

---

Living With Joy, My Steps Toward Jesus

Occasionally I encounter an almost indescribable feeling. Earth quiets and gives way to a truer reality. I feel no longer bound by time, obligations or personal desires. The blurry details in life become suddenly clear and although I do not completely understand, I accept them. These moments include some of the richest joy and peace I have ever experienced. Yet I can not call these moments to myself. They creep up on me, unawares, and as I scramble to retain them, they melt away.

Joy confuses me. Sometimes I am so happy when I experience joy that I expect it. Other times its beautiful essence

settles over me when I am not anticipating it. I have found that when I seek joy - when I serve, give and love to find the satisfaction of joy, I am disappointed. Disappointed because I have lost the real reason for joy. Joy is not a goal to be pursued, it is the result of God's touch in my life.

When I long for God and truly seek Him, He will be found. It's in God's presence that I find joy. It's not always a dramatic mountain top experience because I do not always meet God on the heights. He is willing to meet me where I am, in my laughter, on my knees, or in my tears. Even though God is the reason behind my joy I do not always experience joy, even when I am abiding in His love. God never left me during the loss of my grandmother, but I could not be joyful. However, my relationship with God and capacity for joy grew because of the hours I spent with Him during that difficult time.

I know my path through life will be sprinkled with sadness and warmed with love. As I dream and plan for the future I realize that no matter what I go through, if I cling to my Father the end result will be joy.

Written by Kristy Watson-Ables (grade 12) of Shiloh Chapel Friends in Marysville, Ohio.