Answers?           Help?        

When You Need Answers for Your Life:

Questions You May Have	Things to Consider	Links to More Information
Why am I here?	The simplest and most direct answer is that you are here by God's design. He made the world and every living creature.  He made man in his own image (a soul) inhabiting a physical body.  His desire in creating you was that you will recognize Him as the creator, our loving Heavenly Father, and accept His invitation to a daily relationship with Him in this life and eternal life with Him someday.  Because He made you, He has plans for you; plans to bless you and to fill your life with purpose and peace, no matter what you go through; He cares deeply about every part of your life and wants you to let Him be a part.  Check out these references to God's plans for us as He shares them with us in His word; the Bible: Revelation 4:11; Ephesians 10:2; Jeremiah 29: 11; Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 3:16	www.biblegateway.com www.needhim.com
Is there really a God?	The first question you have to ask yourself is "If someone could prove to me that God exists, will I accept His explanations about life, as well as, His claims on my life?"  If the answer to this question is "No", then no amount of evidence will be enough to convince you--it can all be rationilzed and explained away.  If you really want to know the truth about God, the evidence is not so easy to explain away, like, the complextity of our planet points to a deliberate designer who not only created our universe, but sustains it today.  The universe had a start, what caused it? If it was the big bang, who caused it?  The unviverse operates on the platform of natural laws, like gravity; Why?  Why do so many people from so many backgrounds claim that God has directly affected their lives in positive ways through Jesus Christ?  Here are some Scriptures to help you begin your research:  Genesis 1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Psalm 8, 19, 24:1-2; Acts 17:21-32; Jeremiah 29:13	www.everystudent.com www.answersingenesis.org www.bgea.com
Why do bad things happen to good people?	"That isn't an easy question to answer; I have pondered it for many years, and I still don't know the full answer. But I do know this: God is real—but so is Satan, and the evil we see all around us comes from him, not from God. It also comes from the sin and rebellion of our own hearts."(-Billy Graham)  Another way to look at is, "Why do good things happen to fallen, imperfect, sinful people?"  It is one thing to blame God for bad things but quite another to forget to give Him credit for the good things.  Yes, even Christians are subjected to harm and hurt in this world...but they never have to suffer alone or without hope.  Becasue of our faith and obedience to Christ, we have the assurance that our suffering is not meaningless, for God has given us final and complete victory through eternal life, not to mention how He uses the difficulties of this life to lead others to experience His love and grace.  Check out these references: 1 Corinthians 15:9; John 16:33; Romans 8:28	www.bgea.com www.needhim.org
Just what is a Christian anyway?	"A Christian is one in whom Jesus Christ lives by His Spirit, and one who allows the life and character of Jesus Christ to be lived out through his behavior, in order to function as intended to the glory of God."1 Christians are ordinary, imperfect people who are experiencing the love of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  They recognize that God loves them and has a plan for their lives.  Having recognized the fact that sin (wrong beliefs and actions) separates every human from God, they have repented of their sins and committed their lives to following God's plan for them in relationship with Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible.  Perhaps a more appropriate definition of a Christian would be "Christ-follower."  Someone who has experienced new life in Christ by faith and repentance and who seeks to live according to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.  While there are many people calling themselves "Christians" who use the term as a way to feel better than others who are not, or to become part of churches that preach only part of Christ's teachings, there are many who passionately and seriously seek to apply the principles of love, mercy, faith and hope in every relationship and situation in their lives. While they are not perfect and do not demand perfection, they are constantly growing and changing as they learn more and experience more of God's grace, mercy and power. Check out the links for more information: 1 www.christinyou.net/pages/what2bxn.html	www.christinyou.net   www.campuscrusade.com/ fourlawsflash.htm GREAT VIDEO!  Click Here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qikulEn37U

When Life Gets Hard... 

Situations You May Be Experiencing	Organizations in the Kansas City Area That May Be Able To Help:	Address, Link and Contact Information
Crisis Pregnancy	L.I.G.H.T.HOUSE: helps "provide love, support, and guidance to those experiencing unplanned pregnancies by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs before, during, and after their pregnancies". -- Located at the Wornall Road Baptist Church in Brookside	Address: PO Box 10145 Kansas City, MO 64171 Website: www.lighthousekc.org Number: (816) 361-2233
	Crisis Pregnancy Hotline: If you are or think you are pregnant, call the HOPE line. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days 7 days a week.	Number: (816) 916- 4434
Domestic Abuse	Newhouse:  helps "to break the cycle of domestic women by providing the tools which allow women the make positive choices and lead self-sufficient lives.	Address: P.O. Box 240019 Kansas City, MO 64124 Website: www.newhouseshelter.org Number: (816) 471-5800
	Sunflower House: is a Child Abuse Prevention Center. They help "to protect children in the community from pysical and sexual abuse through education, advocacy, forensic and medical services".	Address: 15440 W. 65th St. Shawnee, KS 66217 Website: www.sunflowerhouse.org Number: (913) 631-5800
Food/Shelter Needs	Sheffield Place: "helps mothers address and resolve these underlying issues so they can become self-sufficient and create a home for their families. By helping the others, they can help break the cycle of poverty, abuse and homelessness and give the children a chance.	Address: 6604 E. 12th St. Kansas City, MO 64126 Website: www.sheffieldplace.org Number: (816)483-9927
	reSTART Inc.: is "an interfaith ministry with homeless persons and they are committed to providing shelter and supportive services to homeless men, women, youth and families withthe goal of helping persons move towards independence and self- sufficiency.	Address: 918 E. 9th St. Kansas City, MO 64106 Website: www.restartinc.org Number: (816) 472-6127
	Salvation Army Family Center: their mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination. Salvation Army offers a variety of services from food & shelter- Emergency Services.	KS. Address: 420 E. Santa Fe Olathe, KS 66061 Website: www.salarmy-mokan.org KS. Number: (913) 782-3640
	SNAP: which stands for Supllemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps low income people and families buy the food they need for good health. You apply for benefits by completing a State application form. Benefits are provided on and electronic card that is used like and ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.	Address: P.O Box 419205 Kansas City, MO 64141 Website: www.fns.usda.gov/FSP Number: (816) 889-2000
	Catholic Charities: helps "provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.	Address: 333 E Poplar St #A Olathe, KS 66061 Website:www.catholiccharitiesks.org Number: (913) 782-4077
	W.I.C: is a federally- funded health and nutrition program for women, infants, and children. WIC helps families by providing checks for buying healthy supplemental foods from WIC- authorized vendors, nutrition education, and help finding healthcare and other community services. Participants must meet income guidelines and be preganant women, new mothers, infants, or children under the age of five.	Address: 6000 Lamar Ave Shawnee Mission, KS 66202 Website: www.wicandmore.com Number: (913) 715- 5000