(Proverbs 12:25)  "Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression but a Good Word makes it glad."

Most days we come in contact with at least one person.  Whether it is your spouse, a co-worker, someone in a store or a friend, chances are you'll be coming in contact with someone.  You don't know if they are feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, or scared.  It could be that their face and smile says, "All is Well." when the truth is another matter.

Proverbs 12:25 encourages us in that a good word can lift an anxious heart.  We should make a choice to give a good word to someone . . . we never know when we're coming across someone who really needs it!

When it comes to encouragement, we should be proactive about it.  Let's not wait until someone looks down to lift them up.  I'm talking to myself when I say, "Be the initiator!"  Just this morning I received so much unexpected encouragement from a friend.  Isn't it awesome to receive encouragement from someone who didn't even realize you needed it?

God doesn't want us to waste our words with small talk.  He wants us to give good words to others, encouraging them to keep on keeping on.  Let's start out our new year with a Good Word.

From My Heart To Yours,
God & God Alone
Ken Jordan
Executive Director

Weak faith in Jesus still beats a strong faith in any other god.  If you have doubts or questions about it, let this verse clear them up:  John says in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me."

There you have it . . . weak faith in Jesus beats a strong faith in other gods or things any day of the week.  He is the way . . . there is no other God but Him.  Sure, it's a bold statement, but don't you think He holds a little bit of credibility?  Don't you think we can justify a statement made by someone who not only healed the blind, multiplied a single meal and turned water into wine, but who also was born of a virgin and then later rose from the dead?

There isn't much more Jesus could have done to show us that He is who He says He is.  If that isn't convincing enough, what is?

Jesus came to earth to have a personal relationship with you.  He was born in a stable to have a personal relationship with you.  He was crucified on a cross to have a personal relationship with you.  Jesus rose from the grave three days later to have a personal relationship with you.

Jesus made it very clear that there is no other God but Him.  Why then should we put our hope in any other false gods?

Money cannot do for you what Jesus did.  Your spouse cannot do for you what Jesus did.  Your kids cann0t do for you what Jesus did.  The "Y'all come and get comfortable" church cannot do for you what Jesus did.  New age thinkers cannot do for you what Jesus did.  Jesus made it personal when He gave His all for you.

During this Christmas season, I pray we will remember that He is the One who has a personal stake in your life and that He is the real reason for the season.

From all of us between the hills at Gil's Hills,
Have a Very Meaningful Christmas in Christ,
and
Don't forget God loves you & we do too!

Ken Jordan
Executive Director
Gil's Hills Ministries

​2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”
 
God knows what we need and when we need it, right?  Have you ever  noticed that there are times when that just doesn’t make sense?  Then God shows up in some way to let us know that He's still there. In the middle of a difficult or discouraging moment, God shows up every single time, right on cue. Sometimes it's through a random phone call from a friend. Other times it's a phrase in a book, a line in a song or a message through some media source that speaks directly to you.

 Regardless of how He shows up, His message is often the same...it's to offer encouragement through the situation you are in.  God is not surprised by how ugly this world can be. It's a broken place full of broken people. However, He refuses to let you walk through it alone. God will show up at the exact moment you need it when you least expect it. I was just reminded yesterday that God has always had a place of ministry for me and to always be ready for change.
That was very encouraging because at my ripe young age of 65, I sort of stopped looking for and accepting change.  Another encouraging aspect of that is with the change, He, God, will prepare me.  It has been said, "don't look at the size of your circumstances, but the size of your God." God will use any means possible to reach out to you and offer His encouragement. Don't be discouraged by what you see on the surface. God doesn't operate at surface level. His voice is heard on a much deeper level. As you move through life, remember He's seeking you more than you can imagine. 
Always remember that God loves you and we do too!
From My Heart To Yours,  
Ken

Christians must constantly seek the goal of maturity in Christ.  Even the apostle Paul knew that he had not attained the goal so, "he pressed on" to grow in Christ.

A key to that growth is: "forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead".  Past sins have been covered and should not hinder us  once they are forgiven, and past worldly accomplishments really mean nothing.  We are "heavenly citizens in training".  So forget about the past and those things that brought you down.  The thing that really matters is walking with Christ through life, allowing Him to prepare you for that which is to come.

From My Heart To Yours,
Ken

I was talking with someone the other day and he asked me a very good question.  He asked, "How do you keep up with the times at Gil's Hills?"  It's a very good question coming from him because he was around 23 years old when I first started.  That was when everything was about camping and doing things in "the great outdoors".  I've been at Gil's Hills almost 28 years and, if I had my way things would be the same as they were 28 years ago.  BUT, I have to be realistic and we need to adjust with the times, a task that is not easy for me. 

On our missions trips to Jamaica the motto for the team is "BE FLEXIBLE".  At Gil's Hills the same applies.  I have to admit it's tough learning new techniques as well as keeping up with technology.  I have been reminded several times that the message of the gospel will never change, but the methods used in presenting the gospel do.

Do we still enjoy the great outdoors?  Absolutely!  We also enjoy the internet, cell phones, IPads, and of course, FB, texting and messenger!  God has provided everything needed to keep up with the times!  Now, if He will give me the strength to continue to BE FLEXIBLE we will do just fine.  And with Brody on board (a millennial) how can I lose?  LOL!

Thank you so much for your love, prayers and support.  Gil's HIlls needs you, and don't forget, God loves you and we do too!

Ken

Merry Christmas from all of us between the snow covered hills at Gil's Hills!  Winter has finally set in, and we are gearing up for our winter club and retreat season.  We thank God for what He has done between the hills in 2016.  It has been a great year of growth and learning.  We have so much to be thankful for and are excited for the year ahead.  God has worked in some awesome ways.  Our clubs continue to grow and we can see spiritual growth in many of the lives of the kids that we reach from week to week.

As we head into the Christmas season we are reminded of the importance of the simple and humble gospel of Jesus Christ.  How  a baby born into poverty two thousand years ago brought salvation to a wandering world.  The Christmas message is an important reminder to us as we communicate the gospel in simple language to our Gil's Hills kids.  Jesus came as a helpless baby, not a warrior king.  Jesus endured struggle as a child and an adult.  Jesus saw people where they were at, and encouraged them to see God in a deeper way, regardless of their social or financial standing.  Jesus came into the world humbly, lived his life with humility, and endured a humiliating death all with the same purpose: to Seek, and Save the Lost.  I cannot praise Him enough.

Christmas always reminds me of the Humility of our Savior.  The life He lived here on earth, is the life he is calling us to live.  As the busyness of the holidays sets in, let us remember our humble Savior and be drawn to worship, be drawn to humility, and be drawn into His presence.

Greetings from all of us between the hills at Gil's Hills!

One of the most often asked questions that I get is, "How can I help?"  Gil's Hills Mimistries could not survive if it were not for people like you.  Gil's Hills depends on the support from loving churches and generous caring people like you.

Contributions come in the form of finances, food, crafts items and so many other things, and of course, our volunteers.  We would be lost without the physical help of countless caring friends.

We rejoice over the fact that we don't have to depend on the government or other agencies to meet our needs.  When the bible says, "My God shall supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus", we believe it.

How can you help?  The most important thing you can do is pray for Gil's Hills.  God will inspire you and show you exactly what He would have you do.

Thank you for praying and may you have a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Blessings,
Ken