What is God like?

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Introducing: Let the Dead--Not your average church choir

Let the Dead is a newly-formed, soon-to-be-touring, Christian Metal/Hardcore band whose music reaches the very soul, and whose lyrics call for revolution.

The name of the band stems from another iconoclast who said: "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (Matthew 8:22) Taking these words as a motto and veritable standard, they have set out to make a solid impact on the world through words, music, and living example. All band members come from musical backgrounds and have actively pursued their passion for music in several bands over the course of the last 7+ years. They have fused together their own blend of talents and experiences into one solid metal package which is both driving and catchy.

Unlike many other bands in the metal scene, Let the Dead’s primary focus or objective isn’t to get famous or make their millions; Instead they hope their music will be a tool to reach, convict and inspire its listeners. By following Paul’s example and “becoming all things to all men”(1Cor 9:22), Let the Dead is attempting to reach an as-of-yet virtually untouched genre.

Have you ever wondered why there are difficulties in your life? Take a minute to listen to this encouraging podcast.

---From Jesus, with love

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Every year since 1972 thousands of people from all walks of life gather on National Forest land from July 1-7, to pray for world peace. This event strongly advocates love, peace, non-violence & environmentalism, though it too has a reputation of tolerance towards drugs and as such attracts many from the hippie and counter-culture movements.

Our volunteers saw this event as another opportunity to “preach the gospel” and to get out the message of the Lord’s love. Timothy Raveney, one of AYM’s volunteers, said of the event: “This was my second year going to the Rainbow Gathering, but this year was completely unique for me…It was an amazing opportunity to talk with, sing to, and inspire people, and I know that lives were touched and changed by our example and our witness.”

After a week of camping out in the mountains of New Mexico, and witnessing almost 24/7, our volunteers returned with exciting stories of lives changed and the power of the Lord at work in the lives those they met.

If God is your Father, please call home!

God's idea of prayer is not a ritual, but loving and lively communication between a father and his beloved children.

But sad to say, most people don't think they can talk to God like that. Some think they're not religious enough, not righteous enough, or not spiritual enough. Some think He's too big, too far above them. Some think He's too busy to be concerned about them and their problems, which they think must seem awfully petty to Him. Some feel unworthy, not good enough. Some feel guilty or ashamed about things they've done. Some are even afraid of Him. If only they understood how differently God sees it!

God wants to have a personal relationship with each of us, and He wants it to be the deepest, most meaningful, most fulfilling and rewarding, most natural part of our lives. Now that's not to say He wants to take away from the other relationships and activities that we enjoy and consider important. To the contrary, He wants to be a part of all that. He wants to make our day-to-day living easier, He wants to give the things we experience greater meaning, and He wants to enjoy them with us. In a word, He wants to make our lives better. He wants to add a wonderful new dimension to all that we do—the dimension of His loving presence. --By Julie Vasquez

Happy Fathers Day to all you dads out there….and don’t forget to spend some quality time with your Heavenly Father too.

Excerpts taken from June issue of the Activated magazine
Read the latest issue here or subscribe here

Members of AYM participated in this year’s
local National Day of Prayer

Pictured here are Jon (far left) and Gabe (second from right), with Coordinator of the local National Day of Prayer, Mayor Susan Narvaiz, and co-coordinator, longtime San Marcos educator Sarah Lesak.

Look on the bright side -- A spiritual exercise

Life is seldom problem free, and it seems that many of our problems involve the people closest to us—family members, co-workers, neighbors, and others with whom we interact on a regular basis. Even if those people aren’t the cause of our problems, they are affected by our reactions to them. If we are in the habit of reacting negatively, that can sour life and relationships faster than almost anything else.

One of the secrets to both happiness and success with people is to not allow the relatively small problems and irritations of daily life to cast large shadows. Helen Keller hit on that truth when she said, “Keep your eyes to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.” The apostle Paul was more specific when he said, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (1 Philippians 4:8)

For the next couple of weeks, why not take a few minutes each night to reflect on your day?

• What were the high points and low points?
• Did you thank God for the highs?
• How could you have reacted better to the lows by looking on the bright side?

There’s something to be gained from even the worst situations if you look for it. By recasting the events of your day in a more positive light, you condition yourself to react more positively in the future.