ALL GOD'S KIDS ARE GETTING IT

The road you walk today through life is different than the dark road your pagan neighbors travel. They have no concept of what's going on in their lives, what it means, or where it's going. If you can go through difficult days not get bitter but instead get better and you love the Lord more—all of that is proof positive that you're a card-carrying member of the family of God.

How good of news is that? I'm part of God's family. I'm one of His sons; you're one of His daughters. We're His children.

If you are saying, You know James, you're talking a lot about trials these days but I can't say that I know what you're talking about. Everything is rocking at my house and it has been now for a decade now. No problems of any kind: money in the bank; no health crisis; kids are perfect; marriage is rocking!  Well, that's not good news, because Hebrews 12:5-7 says that all God's kids are getting it! So if you're not going through any trials, you better return to "Go" and find out if you're really in the family.

But if you are in the family, you're getting a lot of amazing things coming your way. First John 3:1 says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God."

As a child of God:

• You get hell canceled. (That would be amazing even if that was it!)
• You get heaven guaranteed.
• You get the Spirit of God as the deposit that the rest is coming.
• You get the Word of God.
• You get the glory of Christian fellowship.
• You get the assurance of the forgiveness of sin.

I could go on for the rest of my life with this. It would be enough just to read, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives" (Hebrews 12:6). If you're in a trial, see it as proof of God's love for you.

Let me be loud and clear and speak that truth into your heart: God loves you.

His eyes are upon you every moment. You are never out of His thoughts. God has chosen to set His love on you, not because of who you are but because of who He is. He is your Father and you are His child.

Thank You, Lord that You have loved me with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3). Thank you that nothing will be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39). Thank You that I didn't do anything to deserve Your love and I don't have to do anything to maintain it. Thank You for this grace, Lord.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ²Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ³And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

~ Dr. James MacDonald

For more from James MacDonald on "igniting passion in the people of God through the proclamation of the truth," visit Walkintheword.com.

On Saturday, July 18th eight climbers set out from the base of Mt. Baker with a goal of ascending almost 8,000 vertical feet and over 7 miles to reach the summit of Mt. Baker. Mt. Baker is an active Cascade Volcano that stands almost 11,000 feet above sea level.

The climbers left the parking lot at 10 AM with heavy backpacks each weighing approximately forty pounds and great anticipation. After over four miles of hiking and 3,000 vertical feet, the team established a "base camp" alongside the Easton glacier. The team quickly got to work setting up tents and having some gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

After a quick crash course on glacier travel, which requires the use of crampons and ice axes, the team had some dinner and attempted to bed down early in their tents in anticipation of a 2:30 AM wake up call.

At 2:30 AM, everybody was up and attempted to cook some breakfast in the frigid, dark morning. By 3:45 AM, seven of the eight climbers were ready to go. Because of a pre-existing knee injury, one of the participants was forced to remain in camp. The seven climbers and two guides (Martin Volken, the owner of Pro Guiding Service and Pablo, a native of Ecuador) set off into the star-filled night.

Not long after setting out, it was required that the climbers rope up due to crevasse hazards on the glacier. This added a bit of fun to the trip, (and I am sure your favorite climber would be happy to tell you about what it's like to peer into a crevasse that's over 100 ft. deep!). After about 3,500 vertical feet and over two miles, we arrived at the steaming crater and took a quick break before the final push to the summit.

The last push was the crux of the climb which required ascending 1,300 vertical feet at a sustained slope of 40 plus degrees. This was where everyone's endurance and training was tested. Finally, at about 9 AM after over five hours of climbing, the MSC summit team was standing on the top of Mt. Baker. After some quick photos, food, and great thanks to God, the team began the long journey down to camp. Seven hours later the team was packing up their cars and heading for double cheeseburgers. Success!!

I want to thank everyone who partnered with each one of the climbers and with MSC to make this summit climb a huge success! Each climber shared some great stories and will have memories of this trip for a long time. I hope that this MSC Summit Climb will be the first of many. We raised over $11,000 that will go directly to our current projects. Anyone who is interested in joining us in the future, please don't hesitate to contact myself or Bob.

God Bless!

Jeff Harbeck

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Mitch's grandfather Ralph Swaback, whom Mitch called "PaPa Ralph," went home to be with the Lord early Tuesday morning 7/21/2009. PaPa Ralph leaves behind a legacy that has made a major impact on his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all those who Ralph came into contact with. Mitch learned much from his PaPa Ralph including his love, generosity, humility and love for others. PaPa Ralph will be missed, but he's where he belongs in Heaven with our Lord and Savior. I'm sure Mitch has already given his PaPa one of his patent bear hugs.

This will be the last page of Mitch's journal that we post. Three days short of Mitch's last birthday, it was clear that Mitch was going through some difficult times but he remained steadfast in the Lord!

Tuesday 3/23/2004

So God is really testing me! I understand why! He doesn't give us more than we can handle. With all the bad stuff that's been going on the last week and a half, most people would get really angry with God - I am not! I'm going to keep trusting in Him. He is making sure that after all that's been going on, He will make all things work out, if I trust in Him.

Mitch spent the last few months of his life not only living his life for the Lord but putting his thoughts in his journal everyday. How do we want to live our lives? Why don't we all try something radical today for the Lord!

> Visit Mitch's Story on our website

We will be changing our name from "The Mitchell Swaback Foundation" to Mitchell Swaback Charities." This change is necessary as we switch from a private foundation to a public charity. When this is complete, we'll have many more options on how we can run this organization. This change will allow us to continue to grow in a way that will increase the amount of lives we can impact.

In addition to the name change, we will be creating a new website and logo (pictured on the left).

Please feel free to call Bob Swaback if you have any questions at 602.763.0590 or email rswaback@msfcares.org