The first topic given was "The Eternality of God and the Atheist's Sixth Sense" (Ray Comfort). After hearing Ray Comfort speak, it is impossible to ever be "normal again. :) This man has SO much passion for reaching the lost.
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God..." (2 Cor. 2:5) It was greatly stressed in the topic to preach God, or nothing...As Christians we are called to love; both our friends and our enemies. Yet, is it love to keep the truth of heaven from both our friends and our enemies? We may be nice to their face, and treat them "like we want to be treated." Christians are called to love - we shouldn't think of any message more important than sharing our Salvation with those we see everyday. (1 Cor. 13:6) 
The Second topic was "God of the Generations" (Emeal Zwayne - E. Z.) Emeal poured out the story of the shape the country of Europe is in. Europe has completely turned it's back on our Heavenly Father. Sadly, America is not far behind.
E. Z. explained how this turning away began in the homes - the world is influencing teenagers and children, b/c their parents are not taking their duties seriously. (At about this point I made myself a little mental note - take notes for my mom who had stay back with my darling younger siblings. :D) Right as I pulled out my notepad, E.Z. said something that was so true, yet, of course, not what I was expecting. He said, "Every individual in this room, has someone who looks up to them. Someone under them. Their future depends on how you respond to them."
I probably could have fallen out of my chair. :)
I probably could have fallen out of my chair. :) As he continued on, my pen went to very good use. E.Z. explained how just the simple things make such a big difference - sitting down and just talking about God. How awesome and amazing He is. Sharing your own struggles and letting them sharing about their own. Realizing that they are looking at everything you do - are they seeing Jesus?
We are all being molded, but the younger you are, the easier you are influenced. Take the time to influence others. It makes a huge difference in their lives, and it is right here at home. (Needless to say, this was definitely one of the most powerful and convicting for me personally.)
One of the most commonly asked questions when witnessing is, "If there really is a God, why would He allow all this evil in the world?" First of all...this is a very difficult question. Especially if that person has just recently faced death or severe suffering head-on. The topic, "Evil, Suffering & the Goodness of God," (Greg Koukl) provided some wonderful insight for me regarding this hard question.
One question that will certainly challenge this hurting individual is to ask them, "If you 'loose' your religion, what are you left with?" Of course, if you become an atheist the evil doesn't just "disappear." It is all in how you respond. There are 4 main things to consider about evil vs. good;
1. Evil is something. Evil is real.
* the idea of good or bad demands a standard. (i.e. if something is not morally wrong, it is simply a preference.)
* If there is a moral standard - there must be a moral standard giver.
* If there is no Creator, there is no standard...Well, then why is anything morally wrong? Where did this "moral" stuff come from?
* Therefore, the problem of evil is only a problem when God is not in the picture; evil proves God, b/c without Him, there is no moral law, therefore, no evil. (I know...at this point all I could say was, "woah!")
2. Evil itself is not something.
* evil is like a donut hole. It is not something - it is the absence of something. There is a hole in goodness...we call it evil. It is dark were the light does not shine.
* God created goodness. Evil is the opposite of good. Therefore, God is not the Creator of evil....
3. Evil is not an intruder, it was part of the original plan.
* Evil is the result of man's choice of not following the goodness of God.
* People sometimes say, "Why did God let Adam and Eve sin, bringing sin into the world?" The answer to this question is simply another question, "Do you sin?" We all sin. God did not create us to be robots; He made us with free choice. We get to decide on our own. Sadly, we choose evil over good. Very often.
4. If you don't have God when evil faces you head-on, there is nothing you can do. But with God:
* You have the peace of knowing He will work this out for good. (Romans 8:28)
* You have the support of other Christians, and the hope of a day where goodness will fill every crack and begin bursting at the seams - for all of eternity!!
As a young girl, I gave my heart to the Lord, and decided to live for Him. Yet, that doesn't mean I no longer struggle with living righteously. This topic was right on, and has convicted me to seek a set-apart life.
If we are Christians, it should definitely show! As obvious as that sounds - how true is it? So many times, I see people today who are "Christians" yet are doing things that "non-Christians" do...Some are obviously "wrong" while others aren't so much. Okay, let me clarify... 
Mark began his topic by exploring the Holiness of God. He is Holy! There is none as set-apart from the world as He is!
"For I am the Lord your God; ye shall there therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; neither shall you defile yourselves....For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." --Leviticus 11:44 & 45
We are called to holiness.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." -- Psalm 139:23 & 24
We should constantly be asking the Lord to unveil any wicked way in us...that includes any. Mark went on to say that everything we do, should be done for the Lord God Almighty. This is not an option. We should be taking this very seriously!!
"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." -- 1 Peter 15 & 16
"For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasures; but He for our profit that we might be partakers of His holiness.(!!!)" -- Hebrews 12:10
It is our duty to confront unholiness. To take every thought captive. (1 Thess. 4:7.) To seek Him in every area in our life. Yes, there goes our life....it is the Lord's now!! How much more exciting than trying to make it on our own. Then trying to figure out what we're going to do in our future, or how we should respond to our problems each day. When we are totally IN the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be prepared and equipped for everything that comes our way.
We will truly be on fire! We won't be able to walk past someone without wondering where they are spending eternity. We will be doing something about our faith! 
It will anger Satan very much, though and he is going to come back harder than ever. He's gonna get his "hooks" in you, so be prepared. Read your Bible. Pick good friends. Everything you do, should be done for Jesus Christ. Live like you want people to think you live. Live like you want God to know you live. Because, that is indeed how you are living.
Don't seek pleasure in things that Jesus died to save us from.
Don't walk after entertainment. Walk after Almighty God.
"And the four beasts had each of them six wings about Him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night saying, Holy, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.... Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created."
-- Revelations 4: 8 & 11
It is a very high calling. Are you willing to live for Jesus?
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As I typed up these notes from this conference, I was overcome with the grace of God. I have far from completed half of my calling. Yet, God has given me grace to keep trying...
God bless you each as we journey to God Almighty's Throne.
~nikki
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