the vine

2

Fun Fact: all three Vine editors have cross country and track experience.

And we are all too familiar with the post-practice pains of sore muscles, tight and tense,

full of lactic acid because of all the anaerobic activity going around. Soreness sucks. It makes

doing simple things aggravating and painful, makes walking hurt, running torture. It builds up

and seems to never go away.

Eventually, our muscles become more accustomed to the stress, our lungs more efficient

in taking oxygen. We adjust to the added exercise, and learn new stretches to keep us from get-

ting dangerously sore. And suddenly, running is no longer impossible, but within reason.

I’m not exactly sure what point I want to emphasize, but I feel that this is the time of the

year when we get distracted. When we forget or are just too lazy to warm up and stretch. When

we forget about the lactic acid. And then there’s spiritual lactic acid. I think it starts with small

steps, like neglecting devotionals, ignoring God, sinning without working to avoid it. Simple

carelessness just creeping in.

And before you know it, you’re injured, you’re benched, you’re no longer contributing to

the team. You’re no longer contributing as a part of God’s body.

Spiritual muscles weakened, waning away, as lethargy settles in.

As apathy settles in.

And you feel as though some aspect of your universe has

been dislocated, but have no clue where to start. Because all the

cement you plastered upon the walls you built before God has

already dried and hardened. Maybe like your heart has hardened.

Don’t let that lactic acid build up. Work out your spiritual

muscles. Use the words of God defensively—if you don’t use it,

you lose it. Use them in this world, which cannot be viewed as

home.

Let’s all encourage each other to stay focused, guys.

I know I need it.

From the Editors

- Kelly Yu

From the Editors

- Melody Zhang

The Analysis of Mark 11:

In this specific chapter, Jesus curses a fig tree because he was

hungry but it didn’t have fruit at the time. When I read this, I was like,

“what the…?” —since the fig tree didn’t produce in the specific season,

Jesus had said something like “may no one ever eat from you again.” I

literally laughed when I read that, and even though I’m reluctant to admit

it, I thought that Jesus was being very arrogant or conceited in a manner

just because he didn’t get his figs. After reading on to verse 23 though,

Jesus goes back to the fig tree that has already withered. Using the tree

as an illustration, He shows the power of someone who has unshakeable

faith. So this is the preceding context of the following Bible verse:

“Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not

doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Whatever you

ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

— Mark 11:23

This reminds me of the song “What Faith Can Do,” specifically the line that goes “I’ve seen dreams that

move the mountains…” Believe it or not, I hadn’t read enough of the Bible to realize that the verse to this

song related to a specific Bible verse that actually states that enough faith can do anything. Or actually, I

knew it in my mind but didn’t really understand how literal and real it was.

Truly we all have faith less than a mustard seed; for if we had the equivalent, Jesus says that we

can move the mountains.

How much of this amazing, overwhelming power that Jesus has given to his followers. We must

soar in faith; praise the Lord for miracles and extraordinary things to live up to.

4

From the Editors

After three very interesting years of high school, it’s a miracle that I finally made it to senior year.

(Case in point: God is a miraculous God!) I guess it really did come a lot quicker than I thought it would, and I

can honestly say that for all the crazy changes that have happened in my life, I am ultimately grateful. For one,

I don’t sleep at random hours of the morning anymore like I did freshman year; I’m a good girl that now

sleeps at 10:30 p.m. not a.m. like the people who sleep in class…ahem. I mean of course I’ve lost a great deal

of brain cells over the years, probably due to my perfect driving skills and never near accidents, and that is

why I am not as stressed over school but also just a little less intelligent although none of that really matters.

Did you know my English teacher told my parents at conferences that my essays are well-written? (Nbd.)

Clearly there is something wrong with that statement. Anyway.

You know in all my seventeen years of being

raised and practically growing up in the

church, I’ve never been filled with so much

hope. I ran through my own hell (literally you

can sign up for it every August in Hell, Michi-

gan if you do I’ll stop being lazy and run the

10 mile with you) and somehow, somewhere,

made it back to the light. But never would I

have made it thus far without the infinite grace

of God. I’ve heard it all my life: by the grace of

God this, He has saved us that; but to embrace

it is something altogether different. Faith for

me has ceased to be an inanimate entity but

an expression of joy out of the overflow of

God’s love, believing and trusting that through

all things He is our cornerstone. To look back

upon the last few years of my life, in all its

crippling, selfish blindness, how can I not be grateful for the humbling experiences I have gone through if only

to begin a new race (yay running) of a lifetime? I am pressing onward towards the goal to which Christ has

called us heavenward. Certainly it has been a struggle. It is hard to live a lifestyle that is glorifying to God

every moment of our day; sometimes it’s even hard to trust in Him but His yoke is easy and His burden light.

And the promise of one day staying in His presence, where we belong, is far more than worth it.

I praise God for what He is doing in Oasis. Look around you; this is our time. He is making all things

new. No more hiding, no more fear. I am not ashamed. I cannot express the simplicity of my little epiphany. I

think we all struggle with something that in some way hinders or distracts us from God. I certainly have a

weighty list of things. But you know what? God is stronger than our sins, in whatever form they come in. For

me, just facing my weaknesses instead of running away has been healing. Love has overcome. There is love

binding us together, new classes forming a new generation of people on fire for God. Love, so that all men

would know who we serve. You will find healing here. You will find joy. You will find God; He is waiting with

arms wide open. You just have to run out in one big leap of faith.

His love will catch you and bring you home.

- Sharon Shen

Something Beautiful

- Esther Yan

“If people were to describe you in one word, what would it be?”

Brent asked us at our leadership meeting earlier this month, and it stumped me. I honestly

don’t know? Because I feel like I’m fake. Not always. But more than I’d care to admit, especially at

school.

The weight of this world pushes me down and I’m afraid—

afraid of what people will think of me, afraid that if I don’t set

up this perfect image of myself, then people won’t like me as

much. That people only like me because of one thing, and if I

don’t fit their image of being that one thing, they won’t accept

me (the real me). And I lose myself in all these images. Who

am I? Where do I draw the line, between where I’m real and

where I’m not? Sometimes I can’t distinguish anymore; the

line’s been blurred, crossed out, erased.

But God takes one look at me, at all my flaws and mistakes, and says, it’s okay. Because I’ve

been forgiven, covered by the blood of Christ. Because He loved me enough to send His son, to

give me a choice; sola fide, faith alone, that I’m saved, that I’m loved. Now, it’s not just my love to

keep, because He pours His love in me, overflowing, and I can’t help but

want to love others, to be what Christ was to me. I am a poor physical

substitute for the greatness of God, but at least I can try. To love, as I

have been loved. To reach out, when others don’t, and to not be afraid of

what others think. Because, in the end, it doesn’t really matter what others

think, when all I need is God.

Romans 5:5 says

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured

out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

There’s nothing to lose—not anymore. Because I am loved. Because I

have been given what I do not deserve; and because I don’t have to fear,

because hope will not put me to shame.

And as I look at the words fading from my wrists, I am reminded

that though these words are gone, His love is not.

Not ever.

6

Freshmen Spotlight

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Hobby: Tennis and acting

Right now I’m listening to: Right now on the spot, I'm listening to the

news about a surrogate grandma (no I'm not joking. It's pretty

freaky :D). But I like Katy Perry and Carrie Underwood.

Morning or night person: virtually nocturnal

Biggest Fear: Failing a class (I know, I'm Asian) and blood

If I were a crayon, I would be: blue

Siblings: One seven year old brother

What makes me happy: Preppy music OR getting straight A's (again, I

am Asian)

Coffee or Hot chocolate: BOTH with extra cream and caramel

Do you double knot or single knot your shoelaces: Double...but it's an

odd question. Does the fact that I double my laces make me extra

thorough and prudent or something??? (Yes- Love, the editors)

Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or butterflies out of your mouth: Juice out of

my ears because my ears are pretty much used to liquid in them after swim practice every night for two

months

#1 on my bucket list: Play music at Carnegie Hall OR shake hands with Gary Oldman

Secretly I want to grow up and become: A movie star/actress

This year, I want Oasis to: not only bring me closer to God but to be a great opportunity to meet new

people/friends.

Amelia Tian

Alex Zhang School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: Honey Nut Cheerios

Hobby: playing sports, trombone, watching movies

Right now I'm listening to: nothing

Morning or night person: night

Biggest fear: homework

If I were a crayon, I would be: an electric blue crayon

Siblings: older sister, 25, Yilin Zhang

What makes me happy: sports, reading, video games

Coffee or Hot chocolate: hot chocolate

Do you double knot or single knot your shoelaces: double

Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or butterflies out of your mouth: juice coming out of my ears

#1 on my bucket list: to meet Usain Bolt

Secretly I want to grow up and become: a pro athlete

This year, I want to contribute to Oasis.

Freshmen Spotlight

Andrew Yuan School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: any rip off brand cereal

Hobby: watching movies

Right now I'm listening to: Thunger-Nuttin but Stringz


Biggest fear: homework

If I were a crayon, I would be: a crayon

Siblings: older sister, Wendy, 23 years old

What makes me happy: everything

Coffee or Hot chocolate: hot chocolate


Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or butterflies out of your mouth: juice as long as it isn’t orange juice

#1 on my bucket list: grow a beard

Secretly I want to grow up and become: grow a beard

This year, I want Oasis to be: meaningful

School: IA Central

Favorite cereal: they are all equally gross

Hobby: sports

Right now I’m listening to: Stereo Hearts


Biggest Fear: losing/being out of control

If I were a crayon, I would be: scarlet

Siblings: none

What makes me happy: my friends! And God!

Coffee or Hot chocolate: Neither; coffee is bitter and hot chocolate

is usually a gross powder mixture dissolved in warm water. Ick

Do you double knot or single knot your shoelaces: single

Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or

butterflies out of your mouth: Definitely butterflies out of the mouth.

Because if you had juice coming out of your ears wouldn't that mean your brain was leaking? Butter-

flies out of the mouth would mean you were nervous and now you're getting rid of them.

#1 on my bucket list: to go on a culinary vacation

Secretly I want to grow up and become: a cardio surgeon

This year, I hope Oasis will be supportive and close!

Danielle Metivier

8

Freshmen Spotlight

School: Troy High


Hobby: reading and photography

Right now I’m listening to: Yiruma—If I Could See You

Again

Morning or night person: night!

Biggest Fear: heights.

If I were a crayon, I would be: WHITE ‘cause no one uses

white

Siblings: none

What makes me happy: hanging out with friends, dancing

Coffee or hot chocolate: both!


Would you rather always have juice coming out of your

ears or butterflies out of your mouth: butterflies out of my mouth

#1 on my bucket list: traveling the world

Secretly I want to grow up and become: A movie star!

This year, I want Oasis to be: fun and personal

Danni Yang

Krystal Qin

School: Troy High :)

Favorite cereal: Frosted Flakes?

Hobby: music, dance

Right now I’m listening to: Adam Levine❤

Morning or night person: it depends, but I’m usually a night person

Biggest Fear: losing my friends or my family

If I were a crayon, I would be: I wouldn’t want to be a crayon in the first

place

Siblings: Daniel and Jason ❤

What makes me happy: when others smile and are happy. I like happy

people. Makes me happy(: AND HUGS!

Coffee or hot chocolate: Hot chocolate. Coffee is too bitter!

Do you double knot or single knot your shoelaces: double knot, just to

make sure my shoe doesn't fly off while I'm walking (it’s happened before).

Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or butterflies out of your mouth: Juice

coming out of my ears. Having bugs coming out of my mouth for eternity is not a pleasant

thought, or feeling.

#1 on my bucket list: travel the world

(Not) Secretly I want to grow up and become: someone who is faithful and dedicated to God

This year, I want Oasis to be: meaningful and inspiring.

Freshmen Spotlight

School: Troy High


Hobby: playing tennis

Right now I’m listening to: the wind blowing


Biggest Fear: squishing bugs

If I were a crayon, I would be: a bright colored crayon

Siblings: one sister named Alice

What makes me happy: happy and healthy family and friends

Coffee or hot chocolate: Hot chocolate

Do you double knot or single knot your shoelaces: double knot


butterflies out of your mouth: Juice coming out of my ears.

#1 on my bucket list: make a difference

Secretly I want to grow up and become: an agriculturist

This year, I want Oasis to be: fun :)

Jenny Shang

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: honey smacks

Hobby: singing

Right now I'm listening to: flute playing

Morning or night person: NIGHT

Biggest fear: future

If I were a crayon, I would be: GOLDDD

Sibling: Kevin Lim

What makes me happy: good grades

Coffee or hot chocolate: coffee



butterflies out of your mouth: uh... juice. ew.

#1 on my bucket list: getting through with life with God

Secretly I want to grow up and become: a vet

This year, I want Oasis to be: welcoming.

Min Lim

10

Freshmen Spotlight

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: cookie crisps

Hobby: movie marathons

Right now I'm listening to: Ed Sheeran


Biggest fear: being forever alone.

If I were a crayon, I would be: lilac

Siblings: Justin Fannnn

What makes me happy: food, food, and friends

Coffee or hot chocolate: the latter



butterflies out of your mouth: juice, unless its apple. never be

thirsty again.

#1 on my bucket list: visit the maldives

Secretly I want to grow up and become: young again.

This year, I want Oasis to be: an amazing experience

Ingrid Fan

Jing LI

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: all

Hobby: random stuff on the computer

Right now I’m listening to: nothing

Morning or night person: morning

If I were a crayon, I would be: yellow...

Biggest fear: the dark

Siblings: younger brother

What makes me happy: people

Coffee or hot chocolate: hot chocolate

Do you single knot or double knot your shoelaces: double

Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or butterflies out of your mouth: I would

have juice coming out of my ears

#1 on my bucket list: be a pro athlete

Secretly I want to grow up and become: famous

This year, I want Oasis to: grow.

Freshmen Spotlight

David Wu

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: Cheerios

Hobby: going on the computer and watching movies



Biggest fear: not getting enough sleep

If I were a crayon, I would be: yellow

Siblings: none

What makes me happy: hanging out with friends, sports, video games

Coffee or hot chocolate: the latter


Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or butterflies

out of your mouth: I would rather have juice coming out of my ears

#1 on my bucket list: visit Europe

Secretly I want to grow up and become: the CEO of Apple, Inc.

This year, I wish to learn and contribute to Oasis

School: IA Macomb


Hobby: listening to music and watching dramas

Right now I'm listening to: nothing...


Biggest fear: spiders


Siblings: sister and a brother

What makes me happy: hanging out with my friends



Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or butterflies

out of your mouth: ummm... juice coming out of my ears

#1 on my bucket list: get As and not fail...

Secretly I want to grow up and become: famous

This year, I want Oasis to be: where people can learn new things and have fun

Cathy Yan

12

Freshmen Spotlight

Christopher Chen

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: Frosted Mini Wheats

Hobby: biking, reading, viola

Right now I'm listening to: Schubert


Biggest fear: long and meaningless homework assignments


Siblings: Allen Chen

What makes me happy: my friends




butterflies out of your mouth: none of the above, thank you.

#1 on my bucket list: Travel to the Pacific Ocean

Secretly I want to grow up and become: happy

This year, I want Oasis to be: meaningful and exciting

Joanne Du School: Rochester Adams

Favorite cereal: Frosted Flakes

Hobby: watching Ohio State beat Michigan

Right now I’m listening to: Taylor Swift


Biggest fear: bugs

If I were a crayon, I would be: light green

Siblings: Teddy

What makes me happy: friends


Do you double knot or single knot your shoelaces:

double

Would you rather always have juice coming out of

your ears or butterflies out of your mouth: butterflies

out of my mouth

#1 on my bucket list: cliff diving

Secretly I want to grow up and become: a detective

This year, I want Oasis to be: a great experience(:

Freshmen Spotlight

School: Jeannette Junior High

Favorite cereal: I don’t really like cereal

Hobby: taking pictures on instagram


Morning or night person: both

Biggest fear: heights

If I were a crayon, i would be: purple or lime green

Siblings: younger brother (Justin Kim) and younger sister (Joan

Kim)

What makes me happy: friends, family, general things




butterflies out of your mouth: juice coming out of my ears

#1 on my bucket list: getting all A's

Secretly I want to grow up and become: I don’t know yet

This year, I want Oasis to be: meaningful, outreaching, eye opening, fun, a good experience

Gina Kim

Benjamin Xu

School: Troy High


Hobby: tennis, movies, video games, spending money, friends

Right now I'm listening to: Maroon 5


Biggest Fear: drowning and water

If I were a crayon, I would be: tangerine

Siblings: Rebecca Xu

What makes me happy: friends, food, dance central



Would you rather have juice coming out of your ears or butter-

flies coming out of your mouth: juice coming out of my ears

#1 on my bucket list: learn how to drive

Secretly I want to grow up and become: idk

This year, I want Oasis to be: fun, enlightening

14

Freshmen Spotlight

School: Troy High


Hobby: running


Morning or night person: both

Biggest fear: bees

If I were a crayon, i would be: green

Siblings: brother in 6th grade, James Gu

What makes me happy: running with friends





#1 on my bucket list: travel to the Caribbean

Secretly I want to grow up and: see everything positively

This year, I want to be more involved in Oasis.

Michelle Gu

James Chang

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: don't eat cereal

Hobby: violin, piano, running, listening to music, watching anime

and reading manga

Right now I'm listening to: Bleach saddest songs


Biggest fear: the unknown

If I were a crayon, I would be: red

Siblings: Haoming Chang, 30 years old, Eileen Chang, 27 years old

What makes me happy: sad music




butterflies out of your mouth: butterflies out of my mouth

#1 on my bucket list: become first chair in orchestra

Secretly I want to grow up and become: a musician

This year, I want Oasis to be: interesting

Freshmen Spotlight

School: Seaholm


Hobby: longboarding

Right now I'm listening to: Taylor Swift

Morning or night person: Night

Biggest fear: Heights.

If I were a crayon, I would be: forest green

Siblings: Toby and Rachael Wong

What makes me happy: good movies and comic books




ears or butterflies out of your mouth: butterflies out of my

mouth

#1 on my bucket list: meet Tom Hiddleston (Loki from the

Avengers)

Secretly I want to grow up and become: a psychologist.

This year, I want Oasis to be: PURE AWESOME

Hannah Wong

Winston Zhang

School: Troy High


Hobby: reading, reading, and more reading!

Right now I’m listening to: nothing

Morning or night person: morning

Biggest fear: boredom and heights

If I were a crayon, I would be: orange

Siblings: Justin Zhang, 7th grade

What makes me happy: reading, fun stuff, and family

Coffee or hot chocolate: I like hot chocolate better

Do you single knot or double knot your shoelaces: I always double

knot

Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or butter-

flies out of your mouth: juice coming out of my ears

#1 on my bucket list: do something good

Secretly I want to grow up and become: either a videogame tester or

a professional reader

This year I want Oasis to be: very fun.

16

Freshmen Spotlight

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: I don't really eat cereal

Hobby: going on the computer



Biggest fear: bugs

If I were a crayon, I would be: periwinkle

Siblings: older brother, Ke Li

What makes me happy: friends and family





#1 on my bucket list: get into a good college

Secretly I want to grow up and become: rich (:

This year, I want Oasis to: help me grow closer to God

Lucy Li

School: Rochester Adams


Hobby: singing, dancing, shopping

Right now I’m listening to: The Script


Biggest fear: anything that happens in detective shows..

like being kidnapped or murdered...

If I were a crayon, I would be: white, gray, or black

Siblings: Richie my brother(:

What makes me happy: music and listening to rain hitting

the roof

Coffee or hot chocolate: something cold- like frozen hot

chocolate



ears or butterflies out of your mouth: juice... I don’t like but-

terflies

#1 on my bucket list: exchanging all my clothes for sweats

and t-shirts

Secretly I want to grow up and become: a Pokemon trainer...lol or anything artsy

This year, I want Oasis to be: meaningful

Shanon Shen

Freshmen Spotlight

Peter Ko

School: Troy High

Favorite cereal: Captain Crunch

Hobby: watching Youtube (:

Right now I'm listening to: Super Mario Galaxy Two Soundtracks

Morning or night person: kind of both

Biggest fear: bugs/spiders

If I were a crayon, I would be: black

Siblings: one brother, one sister

What makes me happy: computer



Would you rather always have juice coming out of your ears or but-

terflies out of your mouth: butterflies out of my mouth

#1 on my bucket list: get a microphone for webcam

Secretly I want to grow up and become: engineer

This year, I want Oasis to be: more awesome

Daniel Yan

School: Athens


Hobby: playing games


Morning or night person: afternoon

Biggest fear: falling through a 4th or higher story window

If I were a crayon, I would be: pink

Siblings: Esther

What makes me happy: videogames


Do you double knot or single knot your shoelaces: 1.5


butterflies out of your mouth: juice out of the ears

#1 on my bucket list: I don’t know

Secretly I want to grow up and become: a pro gamer

This year, I want Oasis to be: a family

18

They Say

She says: "Just be Friends."

But I say: You know God won't just be your friend, right? No matter

how much you leave him, he'll always be like that one ex-boyfriend

who'll still be loving you and chasing after you, no matter what

(excuse the comparison). Don't give up on him by untying the red

string on your finger; it connects you two together. You are upset at

him and cannot bear to believe hope. But hunny, it ain't his fault. He'll

always be running "life" with or without favor. He loves you, and you

still love him. Even when God is gone from your sight, he'll still always

be right by your side, every, single, time. He gave you a red balloon to

see you smile. And you know what? You've carried it ever since. You

think you two are just going to "be friends", and nothing more, but

sweetie, it's always going to be something more. Maybe you forgot

how you two ended up loving each other, but the love is still there.

Love is love, and He is God. There will never be anything less.

*"Just be Friends" is a song. My picture was inspired from it.

-Katie Zhong

Breathe

The world is a wall of distractions. Homework takes precedence over sleep, procrastina-

tion never ceases to enter through our cracks of concentration, the internet brings a plethora of

useful and worthless information, and friends either build up or break down. Weekdays are

when we hold our breath, working fast and furious before we lose consciousness in order to

prove our worth to ourselves. Weekends are the release of air, a short moment of break, reliev-

ing the tension in our physical and mental muscles. This cycle continues on until it becomes ha-

bitual, and to many, it seems very ideal. Were not weekdays made to do work in and weekends

made to allow some relaxation in?

Hopefully you realized the missing part

of the circle. During the stringent

weekdays, our focus is on studies, tests,

quizzes, assignments, projects, and

things that have a clear due date. Dur-

ing the weekends, we tend to drift

away and watch videos, play games, do

things that are fun for us. Within this

world we create for ourselves, we for-

get God. It’s not just the reality that

many are not involved with God be-

yond church, but also that we have

even created a tight schedule within

church itself. Worship follows with a

sermon and more worship tying it to-

gether with small groups and ending

with announcements and food. How

can we possibly fit the omnipotent

presence of God within that timeframe?

It takes a lot of time and dedication to learn about God. The Bible is the only source of

truth, and it is also true that you can read it over and over again and always find something

new. It tells us how to live our lives and paints Jesus as our role model. There are a lot of things

we can learn and strive to live for in the Bible, but that is only if we actually choose to search for

those hidden treasures.

Breathe in. Pause. Breathe out. Pause. Breathe in. Pause. Breathe out. Make them short

enough so you don’t die. Between the moments you work and the moments you play, try to

add those special moments with God in.

Oh, and I have this question I have yet to answer for myself: “Why do we only give

‘moments’ to God when Christ already gave ‘eternity’ to us?”

-Peter Sun

20

Sufferings We were called to suffer, because God told us to.

“God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you

could follow in His footsteps.”

—1 Peter 2:21

According to the dictionary definition, suffer means to sustain injury, disadvantage, or loss.

When we suffer, it reflects our pain, whether physical or mental or emotional or spiritual. It hurts, and it

seems to never end. Christ suffered and died for us on a wooden cross for every single one of us. I’ve

seen lots of people and heard stories of others suffering at the hands of someone else, and it’s fright-

ening how they’re hurt.

But I’m more fortunate than others, because I know that even if the world is falling apart, piece

by piece, I can keep going, because God is in complete and total control. He gives us most of our suf-

ferings – not to destroy us, but to help purify us, and build our endurance and character. They will end

when God is done using it to shape our lives.

So we shouldn’t be afraid of suffering, because we know that suffering for doing good is better

than doing wrong (1 Peter 3:17). And we should keep in mind that God has a greater intention for all

of these afflictions as it builds up our perseverance and faith in Him.

So take heart, brothers and sisters, because we know that our sufferings will only make us

stronger.

-Michelle Shen

Heart of Worship Oasis Worship Team,

As a praise team, it is your duty to

serve the church with your talents and gifts

that God, our Lord, has placed unto you. It

means that God placed you with each

other for a reason. That reason may be un-

clear, but all I ask is one thing of you all. Be

alive. Alive in the sense that you are stand-

ing on stage singing to the Lord. Alive in

the sense that you are singing for the Lord.

And, ultimately, alive in the sense

knowing that you are serving the Creator

of this world.

So, when you’re on stage, sing your

hearts out, play until you cannot feel your

fingers, and raise your voice until all of the

Earth can hear it. I know it may be hard for

you to sing or play with passion after a

treacherous week of school, but leave

those toils outside of church. Come in with

a smile and worship the Lord with no re-

grets. Sing like you mean it. Play like you

mean it. Worship like you mean it.

I love you all.

I can't remember when I started car-

ing about worship. I remember thinking

how pointless it was to stand to sing songs

and how those songs were so peculiar—

thank you for your blood? Really?

Looking back, however, I realize now

that I needed to start lazy and selfish and

immature in my faith to be able to grow—

to be able to look back and think "oh, I

can't believe I didn't value worship, and the

heartfelt praise for God, which is now the

best part of my week."

Attending different churches, wor-

ship has been different at each place, but

the goal is the same: to bring glory to God

and to recognize the amazing works He

has done, is doing, and will do for us. Dur-

ing stressful moments in the week, I take

refuge in knowing that I'll be able to wor-

ship with my brothers and sisters on Satur-

day (and/or Sunday), altogether praising

him with one voice: jumping, singing, and

whole-heartedly exalting our God.

-Anonymous

-Anonymous

22

Trust

As we get older, we go through obstacles that start building trust barriers. By

the time we’re in our upper years of high school, most of us have forgotten how to

even confide in the people around us. We only keep a few friends close and shut eve-

ryone else out.

But the thing is, the more we shut people

out, the more it adds to the pile of burdens we

place on our own shoulders. God didn’t make us to

live in a world full of people just so we could keep

to ourselves all the time. He gave us the ability to

talk so that we could open up our hearts to others

and trust them with our troubles. He also gave us

the ability to pray to Him so that we could trust in

Him as well. He’s there for us when help is needed;

especially when we don’t know it’s necessary. So

open up, and go back to the days of innocence

when we could tell friends and God our predica-

ments. If the ones you tell judge you on what you

told them, forget them. Haters are gonna hate. So

live young, wild and free… but without all the weed.

(:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God; trust also in me.”

—John 14:1

-Hannah Lau

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