No, its not Steve and

Vicki.

Its not Star 94.

But it is "Street

Talk"!

Middle school and high

school students who live in our community were asked,

"What does God really mean to you?"

Unprompted and unedited,

here's what they said. The responders didn't know that

they would be in the newspaper, but I couldn't keep these

for only a few eyes to see and hearts to ponder. I had to

share them. Its probably another case of needing to ask

for forgiveness because I didn't ask for permission. I've

needed to do that before, and undoubtedly I'll need to do

it again.

I'll tell you ahead of time

how astounding, how marvelously insightful these young

people in our community actually are. See if you don't

agree.

"God means everything

to me and more. He has changed my life beyond

imagination. I would be so lost without Him. He has made

my life awesome. I am so glad that I am a

Christian." - Katie O'Neill

God means to me more than

anything and if we try to do things without Him it's

hard. He has made my life wonderful and fun." -

Michelle White

"I can't even explain

what God means to me! He is awesome! He helps me

everyday! And I thank Him everyday for giving me my

family and friends and most of all my life." -

Lindsay Hallberg

"God is the most

essential part of my life. Without Him - I would go

crazy. He helps, supports, and comforts me. He laughs and

He cries with me." - Jennifer Moon

"God means love to me

and forgiveness." - Brandy Wilkinson

"God means almighty

one. The one who should be number one. He's the

Trinity." - Monica Sedberry

"God means peace even

in hard times." - Jessica Kollmeyer

"God means that I can

be happy and safe and I don't need to be afraid."

- Taylor Barnes

"To me, God means

forgiveness and everlasting love. Without God, I don't

know what I would be. Certainly I wouldn't be happy, and

there would be so many questions that I would have to try

to answer." - Tavia Sullens

"God means that I will

always have a friend and never be alone no matter how bad

it gets." - Adam DiGiovanni

"God means

unconditional love and forgiveness." - Hillary

Stewart

See what I mean!? Here are

people who are grounded and centered in a life that

understands what's most important, even if many other

unanswered questions still remain. And I'm convinced that

these fine young people represent thousands of other

wonderful young people right in our own community.

What about your life? What

about your spiritual insight? What about your analysis

and response to the question, "What does God really

mean to you?" With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming

up, its a great time of the year for you to ponder this

and to put your answer together.

After all, you never know

when YOU might be on "Street Talk."

Kollmeyer is senior

pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in

Fayetteville.