XtremeFaith

The Barnabas Group

2006-09-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

Youth was awesome tonight....thanks so much for coming. I hope we can see all of ya on Sunday at the Barnabas group.....here's all the details if you missed them. I

Love you guys!

Bob

The Barnabas Group!

(Hopefully we can come up with a better name!)

M&M’s (or Skittles) at every meeting!

Would God trust a teenager with ministry? It seems wild. But the answer is yes! Your mom and dad might think twice about loaning you the car, but God has always treated youth as significant people, EVEN LEADERS, who can change the world. And he wants to use you.

When: Sunday Nights @ 6:30pm

Where: Doug and Melinda Gilbert’s House

651 Holiday Lane, Lansing, KS

Who is Barnabas?

Well, his actual name is Joseph, but he was nicknamed Barnabas because it means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36-37). He is best known for traveling with Paul on his missionary journeys, but his greatest attribute was

encouraging other believers to grow their faith in Christ.

What is a Barnabas Group?

A Barnabas Group is a small discipleship group focused on growing in relationship with Christ. This group will be focused on building each other up in faith with encouragement as well as getting soaked in Scripture, prayer and practical ways to minister to your friends and family!

Is this just another fancy name for a Bible Study?

Ha! I wish I was that creative! This group is not only designed for you to understand God’s word better, but it is also dedicated to making you a leader among your generation – someone that will make an impact among your peers and parents for Christ! All while munching on some M&M’s!

My hope is that you will prayerfully consider this night of fellowship and make this a weekly commitment to your personal and spiritual growth. Christ has some amazing things planned for you! I can’t wait to see you encourage others to walk with Christ!

In Christ,

Brenton (Bob)

One Way Festival

2006-07-18T05:48:00.000-07:00

ALRIGHTY THEN! THIS THURS IS COMING UP FAST!!! SO, LETS GET PUMPED!!!...

Here's what you need to know...

We will be leaving at 1 pm from the church on Thurs, and getting back at about 1 am Sat. night (or morning)

What you need to bring...

Your own food for 4 meals
I will bring several coolers, so you can store your food in there if you like, or just keep it in a backpack.

You need Dinner on Thurs, Breakfast and lunch for Fri, and lunch for Sat.
You need to bring food $ for Fri night and Sat night (we will drive into town for dinner...feel free to bring some food for those meals if you don't want to miss the bands that are playing at that time.)
(SAT MORNING, RONI WILL BE COOKING PANCAKES FOR EVERYONE)

For meals, you can bring premade sandwhiches, sandwhich makings and store them in the cooler, milk and cereal, canned ravioli/spaghettios, etc...bring whatever you like. Please remember to bring a plate, or bowl, or whatever you think you might need. We will have some chips and snacks, but feel free to bring your own.

I HOPE BY NOW YOUR GETTING THE PICTURE...IF YOU WANT IT, BRING IT.

------------------------

You'll need a sleeping bag, pillow, a towel, swimsuite, clothes for 3 days, deoderant (please!), your Bible, whatever else you may want. Just as a heads up, there are no showers. If you want to wash your hair in the lake, feel free.

----------------------------

Jon and I will go early on Thurs to set up camp and tents and all that, so just be ready to go at 1 at the church :)

Unless I forgot something, I think that should do it.

(Sammy just let me know if you have someone else for that ticket)

---------------------------

Oh, one last thing...the total price on the tickets was $725 for 12 tickets. It's all sitting on my credit card right now, so, it'd be great if you could bring $60 for each ticket. I know I said $55 earlier, but there was a fee for buying them online or something...I dont know, either way, it's cheaper than $75 at the door.

Cya,

Luke

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!

2006-07-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

Hi all, this is Sharon. Luke is leaving for Arizona (yeah for vacation!), so I'm running the BBQ this Friday (along with Kim and Eric...right Kim and Eric?). It will be a lot easier for me to have it here at the house rather than lug all the stuff down to the park, so we will have it here instead. If anyone needs a ride, just post and we'll arrange it. I'll make burgers, chips, chocolate cake, the usual BBQ stuff. You just need to bring yourselves and anyone else you'd like (within reason...). :-)

We'll start at 7:30 and and can do movies afterwards or whatever else you'd like. See you then!!!

Sharon p.s. Movie Trivia Question of the Day...in the first Star Wars movie (episode IV), when Luke is having a meal with his Aunt and Uncle, they are drinking some weird looking liquid. What color is it?

Friday...next week...

2006-06-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Due to a prior engagement, we will postpone this fri till next fri. I apolagize, but I think because of the pool kids working late, there'd only be like 4 of us anyway, so it'll be better to wait till next week. Once again, I apolagize.

As far as the concert goes, I don't have enough to buy them at a group rate yet. If we have to buy them at a single rate, they go up today from $69 to $75. I know that sounds expensive, but we hardly ever do anything as a group that costs money, and this will be completely worth it. If you need any help at all, let me know, and I will be more than glad to help...

You know what, I'll just by the tickets today, and whoever comes can pay me back...I think we'll definetly have enough people when it comes time. If not, I'll deal with that then. I will buy 12 total, so if you are coming, you need to let me know and reserve your ticket for $50 something bucks as opposed to $75...

I've got one for Sammy, Brooke, Ali, and Myself right now (Sharon, I'm not sure if you'll have to have one if your not going to watch the bands...I'll have to find out.) If anyone else wants one, there's only 8 left, maybe 7...let me know.

Thanks,

Luke.

This Friday Night

2006-06-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hey all, we will meet at the park on 2nd & Kiowa (I believe it's Kiowa...you'll find it.) at 7 PM, and we'll leave whenever. We'll bring some hotdogs and burgers for grillin, you guys bring a basketball, volleyball (they have sand courts), or baseballs if you want. Oh...and a friend!

If you need any further info, let me know...Sharon, Eric, and myself will all be there, so you be too!

UPDATE!!!

ONE WAY FESTIVAL
July 20-23
We can buy tickets at a group rate (that'll make it about $54 per person for a four day pass), if we have more than 10 people...but I have to know how many people will be there by this FRI. I have to buy the tickets no later than FRI, so comment here and let me know if you're going. If you need more info, visit www.onewayfestival.org that should give you everything you need.

As far as our group, we'll try and piece together some tents (it is a four day camping event). I will be there for Thurs, Fri, and Sat. I have to work Sun, so we will most likely come back late Sat. night. You will need a sleeping bag, clothes for 3 days, swim trunks (we should be able to swim at smithville lake), and as of now, food for yourself. So pack sandwhiches, or whatever, and we'll have a blast.

Like I said, visit the website, and let me know if you're coming! IT'S GOING TO ROCK!!!

DEEPER LIFE WED!

2006-06-26T06:10:00.000-07:00

Hey, we will do deeper life on Wed. this week, cause I work Thur.

I'd like to start at 8:30 for the pool folks, but I don't know if that's too later for anyone else who wanted to come.

Sean, if that's too later for you, let me know...anyone else as well. Thx,

Luke

FRIDAY NIGHT RE-REVISION

2006-06-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

(HAHA, most of you won't get that...Inside Joke between me, Sharon, and Steve...oh, don't you wish you knew!)

Anyway, enough of that silliness.

FRIDAY will be bowling on post. Meet at the church at 8:30 PM to catch a ride with Steve Roberts on post. Bring $7. Bowling is from 9-11 PM. If you need a ride back to the church afterwards so your parents can pick you up, call Sharon Roberts. If you need her #, call me to get it (913) 680-4389 (I'm not comfortable putting someone elses # on here, but people can call and harrass me all they want...BRING IT..LOL)

THURS NIGHT DEEPER LIFE IS STILL ON...

I'll be at the church Thurs. night, starting at 7 PM, for a time of prayer, worship, and study. I don't care if only one of you guys shows, we'll do it anyway...good times. We'll probably spend a good bit of time in prayer this week. I look forward to seeing you there.

Luke.

This Thurs. & Fri

2006-06-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Lets see, this Thurs, we will have the Bible study at the church again. I want to call it deeper life...so that's what I'll do, cause we study a little bit, but more than anything, it's a time to grow deeper, and to talk about life, and spend some time talking with God, so that's it...it's settled...deeper life Thurs nights...at the church this week.

Fri night, we will go to the bowling lanes on post (Since we already have enough ally's, or however you would spell bowling alley...?) Anyway, Sharon is calling on details of times and money...so check on here later.

Next Fri. we will meet at the park at 2nd st. and Kiowa (I believe it's Kiowa), for sand volleyball, basketball, hotdogs, etc...

Cya, Luke

Mad props to JC

2006-06-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

He was the only one to come to the bible study, but I'm glad, cause we had a rockin time! (idn't that right JC...you better get my back bro...I know where you sleep...)

Anyway, tonight is the ice cream social and a movie...

8 PM be there, or be without ice cream. And if you come try and bring a topping of some sort....chocolate, m&m's, pineapples, whatever.

Cool Yo. Peace,

Luke.

Hey guys...

2006-06-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

The bible study will be at the church tomorrow. Let me know if anyone is interested in coming. We will do some worship, prayer, and a bit of study. It'll be good, so come on down...let me know if you plan on it though.
THURS @ the Church 7 PM
FRI @ the Church for ice cream and a movie 8 PM

C U there.

Luke

Stuff goings on

2006-06-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

Last Night was great at the Roberts. Thanks Steve for teaching. It was really great. And thank you guys who showed up with a desire to learn more about God and were willing to put distractions aside. Those of you guys who weren't there missed out, but there's next week.

FRIDAY

We are meeting at Wolman pool at 4 pm. Be there or be square...or rectangle or triangular, or whatever you like really. It costs $3 to get in, and then there is a snack bar also. You are welcome to leave whenever you like, but we will most likely be there till 8 pm. If you need ride accommodations, give me a call. (913) 680-4389. If I don't answer, it's cause my phones dead and my charger's at work...Leave a message though, and I'll go by to get that charger shortly.

SAT
Ben is in the Cyrano De Bergerac play at the place across the street from the church. I believe it starts at 8. I'm not sure how much it is...I'd imagine from $5-$7 most likely. I'll be there, so join me and support Ben...and Donna.

Later ;0

Luke

Thursdays & Fridays

2006-06-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

OK, thanks to some of the coolest people I know, we've got an idea of how we will do our small groups and summer fun. It'll look like this...

Fri's---
We will go out and do a cool fun activity. Obviously your friends are welcome. College freshman are also welcome...however, you will have to have a talk with me if your going to come. It's going to be a blast. Steve and Sharon Roberts are helping plan and organize, and will be there most of the time and when I cannot be there also.
We will post the activity on here with the times and location and let you know if you need to bring anything (IE $ etc...)

Thur's---
I don't know if we have a name for this or not, but just know it's completely voluntary, and our goal is to get DEEP. We should have some very good discussions and study's as well as intense prayer and worship times. HOWEVER...I do not want you there if you are going to be a distraction or want another social time. I'm serious about that also. If we feel you are being distracting, we won't even hesistate to send you home. But, if you want to come and really press into God's word, learn a lot, get in some good prayer and worship, come along, but know that I expect you to act mature. This will be at the Roberts house at 7 pm. I will leave from the church at 6:30 if you want a ride with me. You do need to arrange for rides one way or another though.

So, this Fri's activity.

We are going to Wolman pool to hang fom 4-8 pm. It costs 3$ to get in, and then either eat before, or bring $ for snacks...or bring your own snacks...I'm not sure if they let bring stuff in though...

Hope to see you Thurs and Fri.

Luke

1 Peter 4

2006-06-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

This is what we will be covering this Sunday morning. Please feel free to read it and come prepared with any questions or comments you may have regarding the passage...or really anything.

Small groups will start this week. Sorry I didn't have them ready for you like I said I would last sunday. Things have been chaotic for me. I truly have no idea where the last 2 weeks went. Anyway, I love you guys tons, and I'll see you tomorrow.

Luke.

Tear Jerker

2006-05-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! If you don't feel anything after reading the lyrics from this song then...you don't have a heart! Just kidding. I just think they're super moving.

Her parents never took the young girl to church
Never spoke of His name
Never read her His word
Two non-believers walking lost in this world
Took their baby with them
What a sad little girl

Her daddy drank all day and mommy did drugs
Never wanted to play
Or give kisses and hugs
She'd watch the TV and sit there on the couch
While her mom fell asleep
And her daddy went out

And the drinking and the fighting
just got worse every night
Behind their couch she'd be hiding
Oh what a sad little life
And like it always does, the bad just got worse
With every slap and every curse
Until her daddy in a drunk rage one night
Used a gun on her mom and then took his life

And some people from the city took the girl far away
To a new mom and a new dad
Kisses and hugs everyday
Her first day of Sunday school the teacher walked in
And a small little girl
Stared a picture of Him

She said I know that man up there on that cross
I don't know His name
But I know He got off
He was there in my old house
and held me close to His side
As I hid there behind our couch
The night that my parents died

John 19 (The Message)

2006-05-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

So Pilate took Jesus and had him whipped. The soldiers, having braided a crown from thorns, set it on his head, threw a purple robe over him, and approached him with, "Hail the King of the Jews!" Then they greeted him with slaps in the face. Pilate went back out again and said to them, "I present him to you, but I want you to know that I do not find him guilty of any crime." Just then Jesus came out wearing the crown and purple robe.
Pilate announced, "Here he is: The Man."
When the high preists and police saw him, they shouted in a frenzy, "Crucify! Crucify!"
Pilate told them, "You take him. You crucify him. I find nothing wrong with him."
The Jews answered, "We have a law, and by that law he must die because he claimed to be the son of God."
...
He sat down at the judgement seat in the area designated Stone Court. It was the preparation day for Passover. The hour was noon. Pilate said to the Jews, "Here is your king."
They shouted back "Kill him! Kill him! Crucify him!"
Pilate said, "I am to crucify your king?"
The high priests answered "We have no king but Caesar."
Pilate caved in to their demand. He turned him over to be crucified.

They took Jesus away. Carrying his cross, Jesus went out to the place called Skull Hill (Golgothat in Hebrew), where they crucified him, and with two others one on each side, Jesus in the middle. Pilate wrote a sign and had it placed on the cross. It read:

JESUS OF NAZARENE
KING OF THE JEWS.

...
A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth. After he took the wine, Jesus said, "It is finished." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.

Barbeque Sunday...

2006-05-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hey all, if you are wondering...

Barbeque starts at 5 PM at the Griffith's. You are free to leave whenever, but we'll kick you all out at some point. Feel free to bring your family or friends. Everyone's welcome. Bring your swimsuit if you want to swim in the pond. That's about it...I may ask some of you to bring a bag of chips, or some drinks or something...just to give you a heads up. I will take care of hamburgers and hotdogs.

cya Sun.

Luke.

Hey Graduates!!!

2006-05-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to say congrat's and I'm proud of all of you guys. You guys all rock, and it's been more than a priveledge getting to know you guys so well. I love you all dearly, and I know that God does even more so. I'm glad some of you will be around, and sad to see some of you leave, but I know that God has good things in store for those who love Him, and I believe that He has wonderful things planned for each one of you. Peace out, and here's to a sweet summer!! CHEERS!

...and sorry to wake you up so early...but you're all so cute when you're sleepy and angry...

Here's a verse out of "The Message" not really relating to anything in particular...
Amos 5:4-6
Seek me and live. Don't fool around at those shrines of Bethel. Don't waste time taking trips to Gilgal, and don't bother going down to Beer-Sheba. Gilgal is here today and gone tomorrow and Bethel is all show, no substance.
So seek God and live! You don't want to end up with nothing to show for your life but a pile of ahses, a house burned to the ground. For God will send just such fire, and the firefighters will show up too late.

Barbeque...or however you spell it

2006-05-19T05:35:00.000-07:00

Next sunday afternoon, we will have a barbeque out at the griffith's place. All youth invited and families too. Let me know how many will be coming with u and we'll be good. Thx...

Luke.

Post A Predicament!

2006-05-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

Leave a one word anonymous comment on an issue you want some scripture back up on.

wisdom is good, right?

2006-05-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

what up y'all? i'm good, here's some insight into life for you guys.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. 9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. 11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul; 12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; 14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"-- 15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; 16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. 17 How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! 18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! 19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

lata

Titles are for wimps!

2006-04-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

So I've been a little lost lately with some stuff, and you guys know what to do when that happens right?! RIGHT! You turn to your trusty ol' Bible and God will always offer something to help. So as far as being discouraged and stuff goes, well, I really like this passage from 2 Corinthians:

"All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chist. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. So when you are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in suffering, you will also share God's comfort." (3-7)

Sometimes it feels like satan is getting the upper hand on you, weighing you down with a bunch of bad stuff, but just remember God will always be there for us and will take care of us, even through really bad times.

"Oh Lord dont' be far away. Storm clouds gathering beside me, Please Lord don't look the other way. I'm a crooked soul trying to stay up straight, Shine on me, Let my shadow prove the sunshine." ~Switchfoot

Aley

Wednesday Nights...???

2006-04-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

What's up guys? How was Wed. night...tonight, for you guys? for me the Financial Peace University thing is gonna be awesome. I really really want to do things right, especially going into college next year and all the debt that entails. Dave Ramsey, the guy who made the FPU is hilarious and really gets his points across. A lot of the details are hard to remember, but those aren't as necessary as the point he's trying to drill into our heads, "SAVE, SAVE, SAVE." That's why i'm SO glad i got my job back, i can start saving for spending money, emergencies, etc. If you weren't there tonight, YOU STINK!!! royally. you guys HAVE to go, it's cool.

As for the second half, it was kinda lame and really unorganized. It was a bummer that Luke wasn't there, but we saw him passing in a firetruck. It was cool. So, in the future, i think i'm gonna pretty much take over Luke's spot as the leadership. I'll plan a small lesson or something, Aley can to if you want. Nothing huge, but we could work through a book of the bible and pray for each other. I guess if i run out of ideas, i could always pull out those prayer sheets. I was just bummed that everything was so disorganized. Everyone was running around yelling and screaming, but expect next week to be cool...if not cool, then more focused. Cuz it'll be really really boring if we do NOTHING every week. Think about it, it's food for thought, i guess.

As for prayer, i could use some for this weekend. On Saturday, i gotta head out to some out of the way town in the middle of Kansas that's a four and a half hour drive from any civilization for the State Band Solo Competition. I am basically gonna drive eight hours to play for 30 seconds. My teacher calls it good resume material, but since i already applied everywhere i need to, i call it a waste of time. Pray that i don't freeze up, that i find some sense of worth (see previous sentence) in what i'm doing and that i do well if it's God's will. If not, i'm sure he has some good reason behind what he does.

That pretty much wraps it up for tonight. Later.

Jon

hello...???

2006-04-22T07:23:00.000-07:00

hey guys, it's Jon with another old-fashioned update on the youth blog!!! Can i get a "WOOWOO"?

anyway, Wednesday was the last "official" youthgroup we'll be having for a while, except for on sundays and all, but that doesn't really count. I overheard that we'll be doing like small groups or something that have nothing to do with the "administration"...Luke...i don't know, like the youth are going to lead them or something. well, i don't know if Luke has anything big planned already (prolly cause i didn't bother to ask) but it would be my guess that you should all start thinking about some kind of focus for a cell group you'd like to get together. i.e. a serious bible study or like the money matters....peace university thing on Weds. i guess it would be kind of stupid to start a "singles" group....for all of you who don't get it: we are ALL single. for a while back in AZ my dad was the singles pastor at a big church, so i don't know if you guys have heard of that kinda stuff or not...any ways, yeah that's my 2 cents....why is it a penny for your thoughts but you put in your 2 cents? where the does the extra cent go? my guess is taxes...

So i'll leave you guys with that....

Oh yeah, yesterday (friday) we had this mock car accident at school for R.A.D.D. which is Rams Against Deadly Decisions. it was originally against drunk driving but then we had kids doing other really dumb stuff so they changed it to a more encompassing name. anyway, yeah so like six people were inside a wrecked SUV and they were screaming and stuff like they just got in a real accident and we had cops and firemen and stuff pretending like it was the real deal, trying to show kids what it's like. a couple of the kids "died" and two were actually lifeflighted by...you guessed it...helicopter and the davis funeral home came and picked up the dead people...well, what i'm trying to get at is that Luke was one of the firefighters that ripped the car open and tryed to save people. It was AWEsome. and then he talked to school about deadly decisions just happening to mention all the ones he did too...**i still have this wierd twinge in my neck** anyway, yeah i thought that was cool.

see y'all later

Jon

I'm a slacker, yes yes, I know...

2006-04-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I haven't done a verse of the day in ages, and since I don't have my bible with me and I have nothing prepared but still feel the need to put something up for today..I will leave you with my FAVORITE verses:

Love is long suffering,

love is kind,

it is not jealous,

love does not boast,

it is not inflated.

It is not discourteous,

it is not selfish,

it is not irritable,

it does not enumerate the evil.

It does not rejoice over the wrong,

but rejoices in the truth
It covers all things,

it has faith for all things,

it hopes in all things,

it endures in all things.

1 Cor. 13:1-7

There ya go all you eager blog readers!

Rejoice in the Lord!!!

2006-04-18T19:20:00.000-07:00

What up y'all, this is Jon with some verses for today...which come out of Jeremiah...33:11

'...there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying,

"Give thanks to the Lord Almighty
for the Lord is good;
his love endures forever."

For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the Lord

i guess, that's all i have for today....like i said, it's the VERSE of the day...
have a great one at that

Jon, in, out, cute little roll across the aisle, out, and back in style again

Ezekiel 37:1-10

2006-04-13T05:43:00.000-07:00

The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me around among the old dry bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground. Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?"
"O Sovereign Lord," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that."
Then he siad to me, "Speak to these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to breathe into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'"
So I spoke these words, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as they had been before. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.
Then he said to me, "Speak to the winds and say: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so that they may live again.'"
So I spoke as he commanded me, and the wind entered the bodies, and they began to breathe. They all came to life and stood up on their feet---a great army of them.

Ezekiel 36:22-27

2006-04-11T09:17:00.000-07:00

Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am bringing you back again but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, which you dishonored while you were scattered among the nations. I will show how holy my great name is---the name you dishonored among the nations. and whn I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord. For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.

2006-04-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

What up y'all? I thought it was about time for a new xf post to get into, and as i was commenting luke, trying to get him to update, i thought to myself...wait a minute. I CAN just do it. So here we go...

Who's excited to get together with the other youth groups once a month?! personally, i can't wait. i loved it. Their youth room was AWESOME!!!! If any of you did not go last wednesday, you NEED TO!! the youth room had it's own stage with guitars and drums and stuff and then it had a spiral staircase leading upstairs. The "balcony" type thing had a pool table, ping pong, fooze ball, and...an XBOX!! How cool is THAT?!? Well, that's all for now, i have class to go to.

Have an awesome week. See y'all at Youth tonight!
Jon

HOW COOL WAS THAT???

2006-03-29T21:18:00.000-08:00

Yeah, totally! I don't know 'bout you all, but I had a blast! Thanks for coming out, for haning, for worshiping, and praying whole heartedly. I seriously had such a great time, and I think for all of us, tonight gave us just a little bit more of a hunger...just a slightly stronger craving for God and what He's doing in us and in our schools. We're going to try and do this once a month on the last Wed. of every month. What a great opportunity it would be to bring your friends also and share the love and hope of Christ with them. If you guys didn't know, two guys got saved tonight. AWESOME!!! YEAH!!! And many more to come...we're taking and building the kingdom by force baby!

You guys rock and I love you all tons.

For those of you who didn't make it...you missed out, but there will be other opportunities.

Later, Luke.

Multi-Church Hangout Night

2006-03-29T12:10:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

We will be meeting at the New Hope Assembly of God Church on Eisenhower (It is between Shrine Park and 10th...just west of Dillons) tonight! We will be there from 6-8:30, so come and if you have to go early, so be it. We will have an open gym from 6-7 and just a fellowship time between the youth groups, and then at 7 a small ice breaker game, then I will be leading worship for us all, then we will spend a bit of time praying for the schools (as I have found out more and more that your guys' schools need it bad), and then Matt is gonna talk to us for just a short bit. It's gonna be a great night and I'm excited for it. We won't have the food there, so make sure you eat before.

Cya tonight, Luke

PS, yes I am sorry for you seniors who won't be able to be there for the 7 project next fall, but maybe you can come and help, and talk with kids one on one since you will be college folk...

Love you guys. (unlike cody, in a very passionate way.)

7 Project Confusion Update...?

2006-03-28T19:42:00.000-08:00

OK, here's what happened. The school board recently held a meeting, and voted to postpone the 7 project. Reason being, they've been on the radar for several things this year, and felt it best to just ride this school year out without the possibility of any other issues arrising. We (being the guys who've been working on this) were a little dissapointed at first, but we understand their reasoning. The school board wasn't against the 7 project itself, and had no problem with our message and everything, they just need to finish the school year quietly. We have no complaints or qualms with the school administrators or board, we understand their decision, and we want that to be clear. There will be NO bad mouthing the school over this. They have been very helpful, supportive, and generous in this matter, and we appreciate it.

Here's what it means for us.

The 7 project will be held early next school year. We are hoping to start the 7 weeks during the 1st week of school, then hold the assemblies and rally on the 7th week of the school year. Although we were slightly dissapointed some good comes from this as well. First off, this simply means that we will be even better planned and prepared for it next fall than we are now. 2nd, this is an incredible opportunity for us to show the love and attitude of Christ through difficulties, and to share Jesus with anyone who might be wondering what went down. I know, if we act Christlike through this, it will be a great witness to the school board and administrators. 3rd, we now have an opportunity to get the other schools involved. Leavenworth High, Lansing High, Lansing Middle School, Pleasant Ridge, Warren Middle School, and West Middle School are all possibilities now. 4th, we can get more people, and more funds, and more give aways, as we will need all of these things if we get more schools involved. I can go on and on, but basically it comes down to this (as Matt, the youth pastor of New Hope, shared tonight at our meeting: We can plan things one way, but God may have a different way to do it. And guess what, His way is best.), God will still come through in these schools in a mighty way. He's given us the vision, the desire, and the capabilities to do this project, and it will happen. It may just be a matter of time.

WELL, WHAT ABOUT TOMORROW???

Tomorrow morning, Matt, Zach, Kevin, and I are going to Leavenworth High to see if we can still use the gym. If we can, all four of our youth groups will meet there at 6 PM. We will leave it open gym for hoops and games from 6-7 PM, and then do a bit of worship, then pray for a little bit, then Matt will share for a bit. It's going to be good, you need to come, and still invite your friends if they want to come. If we can't have it at Leavenworth High, we will have it at the New Hope Assembly of God on Eisenhower at 6, and do the same thing there. We plan on being done by 8:30, but if you have to leave early, we understand.

We are still very excited about the 7 project, and are going to continue to work and press forward with this. Thank you guys for your support and work on this. It will happen, and will be even better, just in God's time and way, and not ours.

Love you guys. If you have any questions, give me a call.

913-680-4389

Luke

7 PROJECT UPDATE!!!

2006-03-28T05:17:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, here's the news on the 7 project!

The rally will be held at Leavenworth High on Wed night.
The free food, games, and giveaways begins at 6
The program begins at 7 and goes to about 8-8:30
Make sure to bring your friends, as their is a good chance, God will change their lives that night!

If your parents are volunteering, here's that info:

We are having a training meeting tonight at the New Hope Assembly of God church (inbetween 10th & 13th on Eisenhower) the training meeting begins at 7:30
If you are volunteering only to cook or get kids registered, or simply keep chaos from breaking loose, you need not come to the training.
However, if you are volunteering to come and speak with a kid after he's made a decision to accept Christ, if you can make it, please come to the training meeting so we are all on the same page. If you can't make it, that's alright, just find me or Pastor Dave at the school, and we will fill you in.

If you are volunteering for cooking etc...if you can make it there by 5:30, that would be awesome.

I think that's it. Thank you all for the tremendous faith and support for this cause. I am totally stoked to see what God is going to do come wed.

Cya, Luke.

SKIT NIGHT VIDEO!!!

2006-03-17T19:24:00.000-08:00

So if you've seen our new video and you weren't at youth group on Wednesday.....you're probably wondering what on EARTH we were up to.

The guys and girls put together a bunch of skits of how they thought Non-Christians viewed Christians today.....pretty interesting and funny if you watch the video!

Obviously.....this is not what ALL Non-Christians think of ALL Christians. Either way, i thought it was a pretty funny insight.....let us know what you think!

For it is not merely knowing the law that brings God's approval. Those who obey the lay will be declared right in God's sight. Even when the Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, intstinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life. This is my message.

Paul, in Romans 2:13-16

this is the quiz luke wanted me to take

2006-03-14T11:24:00.000-08:00

itsdakwiz:

Four Jobs I've had:
Lifeguardin at the Leavenworth Pools
Food Services at Snow Creek (Lamer than Lame...)
N/A
N/A

Four movies i can watch over and over:
Hmmmm...I kinda get burned out if i watch ANY movies over and over...but I think i could make some exceptions
Madagascar, only the funny parts.
Lord of the Rings (does this count as three or one?)
Monty Pyton's holy grail (again, only the funny parts, not the dull walking around and stuff)
Extreme Days was pretty funny, but i think I'll go with Grind, only THE movie that defines funny.

Four TV shows i love to watch
I don't really watch TV but the only ones i really watch are as follows
24 (all 24 episodes in one day with Tivo...it was awesome)
Who's line is it anyway?
UFC, Luke you hooked me even though you weren't with us and i've only seen it once
i can't think of anything else...cartoons

Four places i've been on vacation:
The bahamas
San Francisco
Breckinridge, Colorado...there was this awesome slide down a mountain there...cool
Pennsylvania

Four favorite dishes:
not much to say here...
pizza
icecream
did i say icecream... cereal anytime
and steak and baked potatoes

Four websites i visit almost daily:
all the blogs
myspace
purevolume
gamesites at school

Four places i would rather be:
anywhere rockin out on the drums or guitar (better on stage though)
snorkling in the bahamas
walking around with friends and a camera in Greece
hanging out with the youth group at a mall or just at the church

Four blogs i'd like to see do this quiz:
Cody
Aliey (take your pick)
JC
Tim

It's all about the GC, baby!!

2006-02-28T19:23:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys.....its Bob,

So, lets get the obvious out of the way.....ATF was AWESOME!!! God was movin like a freight train, and there's only a few things that beat bein in a room with 8,000 other believers.

But now that we've been a couple days back at school...maybe things are different. Maybe we've noticed how many of our friends aren't saved, and we're thinkin.....hmmm.....i wish i could share Christ with them.

This Wednesday, we'll be talkin about the Great Commission and what it means to all of us. But we're also gonna spend a lot of time just...chillin. I can tell you guys just want to hang out and get to know each other better....so i aint gonna be the one to stop ya!

One other thing.....we've been thinking about starting youth at 6:30, rather than 7:00.....still goin till 8pm. A penny for your thoughts?

God Bless all of ya!

Bob

Acquire the Fire!!!

2006-02-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

Coming up Fri & Sat

We are leaving the church by 4 PM, so be there by 3:30 if you can make it.
(if that is too difficult, let me know tonight at youth, or call me...913-680-4389)

What you need;
Sleeping Bag
Pillow
Bible
Pen or Pencil
$ for 4 fastfood meals
Hygene supplies (We are sleeping in the OP Vineyard gym, which is carpeted. There is one shower for the guys, and one for the girls. However, there will be 3 churhes staying together, so the odds of getting a shower are slim. Count on that...I'm sure you can go one day without a shower.)

PLAN ON GETTING HOME AROUND 11:30 SAT. NIGHT.

That should be it. If you have any questions, like I said, let me know at youth tonight, or call me.

Love you guys,

Luke.

This Wednesday.....

2006-02-13T13:54:00.000-08:00

From this photo, guess what our message will be on this Wednesday at X-treme Faith

Saturday

2006-02-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

Ok peeps, here's the plan for saturday. We're finally going to have a movie night! YAY! I know, awesome right? So saturday 7:00, be there or be....trapazoidal! Oh yeah, much worse than square fo sho. I have no clue what movie to watch, so comment some suggestions, alrighty? Then...MAYBE, I was thinking we could all go see The Pink Panther sunday evening? Sound good? Ok, well, just comment.

NEXT WED!

2006-02-02T05:21:00.000-08:00

I FORGOT TO ANNOUNCE THIS AS A REMINDER FOR THE CONCERT NEXT WED.

WE'RE GOING TO KICK OFF THE BEGGINING OF THE 7 PROJECT WITH SEVERAL OTHER CHURCHES. IT'S GOING TO BE AWESOME!

BRING A FRIEND!!!

LOVE YOU GUYS, AND THANKS FOR WORSHIPING WITH ME LAST NIGHT. YOU GUYS ROCK!

UPDATE FOR 1-31-06

2006-01-31T21:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, been much needed. Don't blame me for not updating though. We were supposed to have people doing the verse of the day...maybe I'll have to get back into it if yall won't. Whether you read it or not, I enjoyed doing it, and I thought others would as well, but their loss. JK.

Anyway, upcoming events!

Regular Youth Wed. 2-1-06

REMINDER NEXT WED

SILVERLINE IN CONCERT!!!
WE WILL BE KICKING OFF THE 7 PROJECT EVENT THAT NIGHT...YOU'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENT COMING UP.

BRING YOUR FRIENDS TO THE CONCERT! AND TELL THEM SILVERLINE OPENED FOR P.O.D. LAST MONTH!

It'll be a good time, see you then.

OH, ONE MORE THING! We will be watching the Super Bowl on Sun. at the church. It starts 5 pm. You are more than welcome to stay and watch, or just hang in a separate room with your friends. However, if your in the room watching the game, and are a distraction, I'll kick you out into another room...Got it? LOL...Love you guys. Cya tomorrow.

Luke

XF 1-18-06

2006-01-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

We're back into the flow of things. I took some time off work, so I could get back to youth again...I just missed you guys too much, and can't wait for youth tonight.

Same time 7-8! Doors are open at 6:30

Worship team please be early enough to get done what you need to. If you don't know what time that is, call Jon Griffith.

Love You guys, and c u tonight.

Luke

Xtreme Faith 1/11!!!!!!!

2006-01-11T13:11:00.000-08:00

"And it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20-21

Hey guys....Bob here,

Tonight at youth we will be talking and debating about my favorite subject......Jesus! I know this is kinda late notice, but if you have a Bible, bring it tonight......you will need it! We will literally be debating to truths about Christ - He is fully human and he is fully divine! I pray by the end of the night we will know more about the Man that means so much to us......come ready and Bibled up to be in His prescense tonight!

ACQUIRE THE FIRE

2006-01-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

Alright guys, we're going to do acquire the fire again this year as a group, in conjunction with Wallulla. We'll most likely stay in the OP Vineyard Gym again, and then go as a big group over there. This is what you need to know:

WHEN:FEB 24-25
WHERE:KEMPER ARENA (WE WILL LEAVE FROM THE CHURCH @ 5:00 pm, so eat dinner before you come)
COST: TICKETS ARE $42 Then you need to bring $ for 3 meals and whatever snacks you want
WHAT TO BRING: BIBLE
PILLOW
SLEEPING BAG
PERSONAL HYGENE STUFF (deoderant, toothpaste, etc...)
$ FOR FOOD
DEADLINE FOR $ is January 22nd. I have to send off for the tickets, so if you don't let me know by the 22nd that you want to come, your not coming. If money is an issue, come and talk with me. We want everyone to come.

If anything else comes up, I will notify via blog and announcements!

Love You Guys, and see you tonight when USC whips Texas!

12-28-05

2005-12-27T08:52:00.000-08:00

REMINDER FOR TOMORROW
12-28-05
NO YOUTH

Also
1-4-06
We will be meeting over Mike and Jennifer Dombrowski's for youth
This is the adress
3 Hunt Loop, Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027
If you need a ride on post, be at the church at 6:30
Those who wish can watch the USC vs Texas game which starts at 7 and will most likely end a little after 10. If this is a problem, give me a call. 913-680-4389
If otherwise not interested in the game, you are free to hang and socialize, but I will be watching the game.
Feel free to arrive at the Dombrowski's between 6:30 and 7

YOUTH PARTY TONIGHT!

2005-12-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

REMINDER: Bring your white elephant gift thingy WRAPPED!!!

Also, if your parents are coming, and would like to just meet at the Roberts house, the adress is 323 Pope on Ft. Leavenworth. (that's right isn't it ali?) If your parents cannot come, please be at the church at 6 PM, and you may ride with either myself or Dave Griffith over there, and we will be more than happy to bring you back to the church for your parents to pick you up, or if need be, take you home (I'm volunteering myself, not Dave for that).

If you have any questions or needs, please call me before it gets too late. Thx, Luke.

913-680-4389

Christmas Story

2005-12-21T06:17:00.000-08:00

Ok Jon, wow, we have been slacking majorly! I know, I know, finals. So I'm going to make this one so amazing it'll erase all memory of how badly we (at least me) have been slacking!

This is a Christmas Story. In fact, it is THE Christmas Story. And seeing as how I'm probably not going to be able to post much after today (not net and all) I'm going to relate this story today. It's the real "reason for the season" as the song goes, and although everyone has heard it, sang about it, performed it, seen paintings of it...I don't think it hurts to review, just in case some of you aren't quite in the spirit of Christmas yet.

Matthew 1:18-25
Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiance, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quitely, so as not to disgrace her publicly.
As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "don't be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her had been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning God is with us)."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

So there you have it, the Christmas Story! Hopefully everyone already knows the true meaning of Christmas but if not, be willing to share this story with them, not that is is fresh in your minds. See you all tonight. Lasagna...YUM!

The Shortest Verse of the Day EVER!!!

2005-12-16T05:56:00.000-08:00

First go to Tim's blog and read his post from the 15th.........
Man, you guys are SLOW readers! Ok, now proceed!

Luke 6:27-35
But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do for others as you would like them to do to you.
Do you think you deserve credit merely for loving those who love you? Even the sinners do that! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, is that so wonderful? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, what good is that? Even sinners will lend to their own kind for a full return.
Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don't be concerned that they might not repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

I know you've probably heard that verse a million times, but you can never read God's word too much, so it matters not! And there you have it, love everyone! Simple enough right!? I think so...simple to think about, harder to do, but work at it guys and have faith.

New Bloggers

2005-12-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

We have two new bloggers to the crew. Keira and Sean have recently joined the ranks. Check out their blogs on the right under the links. C You guys Wed.

Luke

2005-12-07T19:47:00.003-08:00

2005-12-07T19:47:00.002-08:00

2005-12-07T19:47:00.001-08:00

2005-12-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

That's it, I give in

2005-12-07T17:43:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your time and patience, but I posted those test posts at like 12-4 pm earlier today, and they just now came up...so the real deal will probably come up at like midnight. Oh well, it will be there at some point, but not anytime soon probably. Love ya guys. You ought to spend some time praying together and do communion anyway. God's good, even if technology isn't. Cya Sunday.

Luke.

I might be like 5 minutes late...

2005-12-07T16:43:00.000-08:00

If you don't see it at 7, refresh it in like 5 minutes.

Luke

2005-12-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

2005-12-07T16:15:00.000-08:00

2005-12-07T16:14:00.001-08:00

2005-12-07T16:14:00.000-08:00

2005-12-07T15:16:00.001-08:00

2005-12-07T15:16:00.000-08:00

2005-12-07T15:15:00.000-08:00

ONE MORE THING...actually two

2005-12-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

I was not meaning to sound harsh, or discount Aley's job on the Verse of the Day. She did a great job, and is faithful to update so you guys can have something to read, and some spiritual insight into God's word, and I appreciate her hardwork. I simply did not want anyone trying to use that as justification to slack off. Really, just to push you to work hard, get through it, and rest knowing you did all you could.
Aley and Jon, thank you for your time and work on the youth blog. I appreciate it very much!

(I know the last post is long, but you REALLY NEED TO READ IT ALL!)

IMPORTANT!!!

As it is supposed to snow 3"-6"-12" tonight, we will not be having youth (you could probably get there, but the hardest stuff is supposed to hit between 6-8, making getting home much more difficult). I know this will crush all of you, but we will instead have it on here! Hmmm...Interesting, I wonder what it will be like??? I guess you'll just have to be on here at 7 pm to find out!

Bad News...

2005-12-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

Well sorta, it's actually better news in reality/spirituality!!!

Alright, to somewhat provide gentle correction to the previous post, and more than anything clarify what was most likely being said.

Philippians 3:7-11
I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ Jesus has done...

Alright, specifically, in context, Paul is speaking about his efforts to attain righteousness by living in exactness with the law. As he was a pharisee, he was used to obeying every rule to the T, and in doing so believed to be better people (better than everyone else that is...they really weren't concerned with pleasing God, rather pleasing people.)
Here Paul professes that the law, or actions, by themselves cannot bring union with the Father (vs. 9 "I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me"), but only in true faith in Christ can he ever "experience the resurrection from the dead" (vs.11)(a new life, born again).

So, I think the analogy of school is a bit of a stretch. Not that we ALWAYS have to take everything in the Bible in exact context. On the contrary, God's word is called "alive" because when we read it, it applies directly to our lives in different ways, as the spirit speaks to us through God's word.

This passage for instance, can have a very strong message for everyone of us.
Take Aley for instance. Aley has worked hard in school since the day she was born. I swear she came out of the womb doing calc! Which isn't a bad thing. (Aley, please don't be insulted, that is absolutely a compliment!) But here, coming into her senior year, with the end of highschool coming, she might be questioning whether or not her priorities in life, and her trust in God to guide her in the future, have been always viewed in the right order (and that's not just aley, that's all of us!) So, as Aley reads this passage, as she and all of you have been stressin with school and finals, and everything else (christmas/holiday seasons are stressful period! Your folks get stressed, and that gets to us all. One thing I learned "A happy mom makes a happy family." Keep that in mind.), God may be speaking to her (as I believe her true meaning behind the post is) to slow down. That it is important to work hard in school and do well, but the most valuable thing in life, the one thing that will make the most difference, is her relationship with God. And to rest in that and not to stress over and worry about school (not that it means you don't have to work hard).

Here's some helpful hints to deal with the holiday/anytime/school stress
-TAKE A BREAK---I still do this to this date. When I'm studying for tests coming up at work, or if I'm studying for a youth lesson, or whatever I'm doing, there will come a point when your brain just can't handle it anymore. At that point, you can attempt to keep studying, however, anything you read, go over, whatever, will get lost in the nothingness that is your brain at that moment. So, TAKE A SHORT BREAK>>> Sit down, listen to some music, read your Bible, spend some time praying, spend some time doing nothing. It doesn't matter, just stop for a bit. (Psalm 46:10---Be still, and know that I am God). Your problems for today, your worries of tomorrow, none of it is too big for God. Take a break and take comfort knowing that God wants you to rest (The Sabbath, Hello? Yeah, we don't know what that means in America.)
Then> Get back to work!

-DON'T STRESS OVER THINGS(once again, this doesn't mean you don't have to work hard)---Like Aley said, when it's all said and done, the only thing that truly matters is your relationship with God. Look at it this way. You are working hard for a time, so when it's done, you can finally rest. REMEMBER THE VERSE WE TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK? (it's actually right after this passage...Philippians 3:14 "I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.") Alright, direct relation. Life will be tough, work through it, knowing that in the end, you will finally get the well earned rest you've worked so hard for. EVEN MORE DIRECT APPLICATION---Study hard for your finals, knowing that when they're done, it's over. You won't have to worry about it until the next time around (there will always be a next time around...it doesn't end when highschool is over, ask Dave or myself.) Last verse (Matthew 6:27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.)(Matthew 6:34 So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough)...

...that leads into the next helpful hint
TAKE THINGS ONE AT A TIME---Often we find ourselves so deep in the muck, we don't know where to start. So, in an effort to escape, we put things further and further back, and until we're even farther behind. (I know, I'm speaking from experience) WHAT TO DO? Take it one step at a time. Write out a list of the things you need to get done, in order of pressing importance, and start at #1. Work on that till your done, then move on, making sure to take a break when you reach that "non-functioning" state. Amazingly, the list gets smaller and smaller, and then we're not so far behind. You'd be absolutely amazed at how much you are actually capable of getting done in a day when you prioritize and focus.

ALRIGHT, THOSE SHOULD BE SOME THINGS TO HELP...NOW, ON TO THE OTHER THING!!!

WORKING HARD IN SCHOOL IS IMPORTANT!!!

I know you guys don't want to hear this, but it is important that you work hard in school and do your best. Here's a couple verses to support what I'm saying.

Colossians 3:23
"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
-Yes, school is what all of you do!

1 Timothy 5:17-18
"Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both teaching and preaching...those who work deserve their pay."
God is calling all of us to work hard at everything we do. If he calls the elders of a church to work hard, then it must be important for us as well! And make no mistake, when you work hard, you are definetly rewarded for it!

Ephesians 5:5-8
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. SERVE THEM SINCERELY AS YOU WOULD SERVE CHRIST. WORK HARD, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. WORK WITH ENTHUSIASM, AS THOUGH YOU WERE WORKING FOR THE LORD RATHER THAN PEOPLE. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.""

Titus 2:7-10
"And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Let your teaching be so correct that it can't be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won't have anything bad to say about us. Slaves must obey their masters and DO THEIR BEST TO PLEASE THEM. They must not talk back or steal, but they must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. THEN THEY WILL MAKE THE TEACHING ABOUT GOD OUR SAVIOUR ATTRACTIVE IN EVERY WAY."
-Your life is an example of Christ. People are watching everything you do to find an excuse as to why they shouldn't believe. Do not let your LAZINESS be a bad witness for the gospel. The exact opposite should be true. They should see your hard work and wonder what makes you so motivated and content in tough circumstances.

1Thessalonians 4:11-12
"This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and YOU WILL NOT NEED TO DEPEND ON OTHERS FOR YOUR FINANCIAL NEEDS."
-When he says "working with your hands," what do you picture? A carpenter, a blacksmith, a construction worker...You picture someone who does physical labor. Those people are looked up to because they know the labors and benefits of hard work. No one looks up to a beggar or a sluggard. Laziness is not something we admire in people, and like the above comment is not a good reflection of what God calls us to be. But, hard work and dedication is looked up to, and will give no one any reason to speak badly against you. Also, when you work hard in school, and life beyond school, you will be able to support yourselves, your families, and God's Kingdom. Making it that much easier for God to use you for His glory.

---------Enough of that. I think you guys get the point. School is not just something to keep you out of trouble until your old enough to do it on your own (we all know the truth...nothing, even school can keep yall out of trouble). It is valuable and important in not only educating us and getting us into a future and a career, it is also a place that our faith is tested and walked out. A place where the lost will look to us for a solution to the pains of life without Christ. A place where our character is put to the test, and we find out what we're really made of.

The fact is guys, WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON IS NOT DEFINED IN A SINGUALR MOMENT. WHO YOU ARE IS MADE UP OF THE INDIVIDUAL DECISIONS YOU MAKE THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE. When you are at home, knowing you have homework to do, but you think "I'd much rather sit down and play video games, or read a book, or blog, than do my homework." You set a precedence for your life, and you begin to mold who you are. Will be you focused, determined, hard working? Or will you procrastinate, be lazy, and someone who hides from responsibility and confrentation. The choice is before you. No one else is responsible for you but yourself. You determine who you will be, and thus what God can do with you.

(Yes Jon, I know I am probably the last one who should be talking about this ((For those of you who don't know, my philosophy through highschool was "if they can't teach it to me in the hour they got me, then they're not doing their job.")) Regardless of that, I still managed a weighted 4.1 gpa and top 15% of 2000 students. Still, that's no excuse, that's why I'm speaking from experience. Who knows, if I had actually studied and done homework, maybe I could be in Med School or Law School right now? And so could you. Do the best you can with what God's given you!)

I love you guys.

Good News!

2005-12-06T05:45:00.000-08:00

I know it's getting to be that time where everyone is just about dead. Everyone's stressed and tired (which was completely obvious during worship practice on sunday). Whether its because of grades or homework or just tired of school period, this verse applies to all!

Paul says in Philippians 3:7-11....
I once thought all these things (for our sake, lets think of these things as school related) were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage (rubbish), so that I may have Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, haring in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead!

Whenever you get overwhelmed by all the worldly responsibilities and trying to achieve all your worldly goals, remember....they don't matter! Don't get me wrong, goals are important and if you want to do something with your life, you do need to do decent in school, but in the big picture, getting A's in school, going to college and landing a well-paying job means very little. Think about it, is God going to care if you got a D on an english essay? Is your future job going to have any berring on your enterance into Heaven? NO!!! Everything we are doing now that is not doing God's will, is garbage, or rubbish, as my favorite shirt says.
I know I have always had a problem with trying to overachieve in high school. I HAD to get all A's or I'd just die! I thought that my being in the top 10% of the class and getting into a great college were the most important things. Luckily, I've come to realize that they really don't matter at all. My serving God and worshiping Him is all that really matters. For people that don't have Jesus in their lives, it makes sense that they would be so concerned with worldly achievement, but it makes no sense for us! We have God in our lives! Do we not have more important things to do than read "The Scarlett Letter"?

Colossians 2:8-10...
Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ. For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe.

So, to sum it up: Don't stress out about finals and all those horrid things. Do they matter?...Yes, but not as much as they seem to right now. And if trying to achieve perfection in school takes away from the time you have to spend with God, then stop! (I know, I am the last person to be saying all this, I should be talking into a mirror, but I am taking my own advice, believe me!) So chill out guys, don't work too hard and take a sigh of relief because in the big picture school does not matter at all! (Don't tell your parents I said that)
Peace out yo!

Narnia

2005-12-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

We will be going to the 12:30 PM show at the Barry Road AMC Theaters.
You can buy tickets online at MovieTickets.com
Also, anyone who wants to, we will be meeting at the church and leaving at 11 to go eat lunch in that area. If you can't make it, feel free to meet us there.

Thanks Guys, Cya Wed,

Luke.

Multi-Purpose

2005-12-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is a multi-puprose post as the title suggests.

First off, VERSE OF THE DAY

1 Corinthians 2:1-9
"Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I came to you in weakness---timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom.
Yet when I am among mature Christians, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world, and not the kind that appeals to the rulers of this world, who are being brought to nothing. No, the wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not udnerstood it; if they had, they would never have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the scriptures mean when they say,
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

I'm not going to go too far into this (primarily because you guys get that enough from me on Wed.'s)...however, I did want to share this one thing about that passage.
I found this particularily applicable to my life for one reason. Here paul states that he spoke very plainly to new christians, and then much deeper with more mature christians. I find sometimes I don't know where to start with new christians. I wonder what to begin with, whether it would be better to reveal areas of sin, and gently encourage correction first, or to share some of the more insightful things that God has shown me over the years, or to start in this book, or in this place, or whatever, and then sometimes, I try and figure out exactly what "they" need most in their life when it comes to living for God and all that.
Here, paul says that he preached JESUS, and then let the holy spirit work. He spoke plainly so they might understand the message of the cross, and from there, as they become more mature instructed on the deeper issues of living for the King.

I realize there are some other really good things in this passage, but I'm going to let Jon expound on them.

Hear that Jon (or read that I guess), I've given you the verse, you simply need to expound now.

OTHER PURPOSES FOR THIS POST

Make sure to tell your parents about the youth Christmas party. We would like your parents siblings to come if they would like. I will be calling your parents tonight to let them know they're welcome. I need to know how many people total are coming by Wed.

ALSO,

We have power up in the youth room! YEAH! On January 4th, we will have a work day up in the youth room cleaning, instead of our regular XF programming.

ALSO,
Remember, no XF on Dec. 28th.

Love ya guys,
Luke

Upcoming Events

2005-12-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

Sat Dec. 10th
We will be going to watch The Narnia (lion, witch, wardrobe) movie as a youth group.
I don't have times yet, ticket prices are $6-$7 depending on what time we go (also, bring your student ID, they have discounts)

Fri. Dec. 16th is a worship night at the church.
I would love for you guys to come and worship with us. However, only come if you plan on really worhsiping. This is not a social gathering. If you truly want to enter into God's presence, bring it! We'll have an awesome time.

Wed. Dec. 21st is the youth Christmas Party
We will be meeting at the Roberts house on post at 6 pm.
This is a family friendly event. If your parents or siblings would like to come, simply let me know. If you can, leave a comment on this blog stating how many from your party are coming.
If your parents are not coming, and you need a ride, we will carpool from the church in two vehicles with post stickers on them already (to make getting in easier)
-Remember the white elephant gift exchange! Bring one item under $5 wrapped to the party. DO NOT TELL ANYONE WHAT IT IS! If you don't bring a gift, you will not be able to play the game. It's a lot of fun, I don't want you guys to miss out.

If you need anything else, let me know, or give me a call. 913-680-4389

Luke.

Football today @ 1

2005-12-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

It's going to be cold, so dress warm enough, but not too warm to run. Cya there.

Safe, Safe Tuesday

2005-11-28T18:50:00.000-08:00

Today's passage comes out of Paul's pen toward Philipi, or the Philippines, I guess. No idea if it is present day Philippines...probably not.

Anyway Philippines 1:20-26 tells us

For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die. For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, but it is better for you that I live. I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith. Then when I return to you, you will have even more reason to boast about what Christ Jesus has done for me.

So...

Our gov't class was sort of talking about the decision of life over death around the subject of the death sentences in prison. I was thinking that if I was convicted *hope they don't find me* and sent to prison for life that I would rather die than spend the remainder of my life under constant watch with no freedoms. But then it sent me on this train of thought that I wouldn't be able to impress upon any of the people around me the importance of Jesus. Now, if I was a mass murderer I probably wouldn't care about the people around me let alone Jesus Christ.

Don't just try to get through life as fast as possible (me too). I know that High School has kind of been a huge blur--much like the last week...different concept--for me; i have just tried to get through it as fast as possible, thinking that college is where the real "life", relationships, etc. This is something that I really need to work on, trying to change the lives around me instead of concentrating on passing them by. Jesus is someone that we should be BOASTING about. Easier said than done though right? yeah I know it. I am a very passive christian at school. On my blog my mom was complaining that I am not spiritual enough. Have any of you read my blog? Spiritual doesn't even come close. More like...a big venting rage machine...just kidding...

Paul says in the verse that he can't wait to leave the Earth to go to heaven, but can't until he changes our jouney's end. I can't wait until heaven either but what will be the point if you are not going to bring anyone with you?!

Very profound? maybe not. but sort of cliche and very hard to do. I hope this wieghs on your minds very heavily. Like a sumo wrestler on steriods.

Until next time...same time(I doubt it though)...same channel (but a website)

Movie Night!

2005-11-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

Hey, just so everyone knows, tonight is a family friendly night. That means bring your parents and younger/older/whatever siblings if they would like to come. We'll make some coffee for the parents, popcorn for the kids, throw in a couple movies, and just enjoy the fellowship. Peace out.

Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T20:09:00.000-08:00

Psalm 100:4-5

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
and His truth endures to all generations.

UPDATE

2005-11-24T20:07:00.000-08:00

SAT the movie night will start at 6! We are hoping to watch two movies. If your parents are cool with this, great! If not, no problem. Come for what you can.

another thing for friday!

2005-11-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

Friday the 25th

hangout time at da Griffith's place starting around 5:00.
wear clothes you can run around in; we're gonna play four-wheeler tag.
board games, stuff like that.

UPCOMING EVENTS!!!

2005-11-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY NOV. 25TH

BASKETBALL AT THE COMM. CENTER
MIKE D. WILL BE THERE FOR ANY GUYS WHO WANT TO PLAY FRIDAYS AT 4 PM
BOB AND I WILL ABSOLUTELY MAKE IT TO WHOOP YOU GUYS WHENEVER WE ARE ABLE

SATURDAY NOV. 26TH

MOVIE NIGHT AT THE CHURCH
NOT SURE WHAT WE'LL WATCH...I'LL SCREEN SOMETHING AND SUPRISE YALL THEN
7 PM

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21ST
YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY/DINNER AT THE ROBERTS HOUSE
WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE + STEVE AND SHARON OFFERED TO COOK SOME ROCKING FOOD FOR US
WE'LL GET YOU THE TIME WHEN IT COMES CLOSER.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

You can thank Ali + Aley for the movie night idea

Oh, one more thing. Pray that God will really do some good stuff tonight at youth, and that he'll really guide me. I had something planned, but I feel like God has something else in mind. Love ya guys. Luke.

tuesday's verse o' da day

2005-11-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have been the poster-child for procrastinators but today I mean to change that, or at least that image you guys look at. jk but really I have been slackin off a lot. (Beat that AleyY)

So today, since I have been such an idiot, I will give you guys a real treat! For the next month, we will be working through Romans 1:1-2. We will have a whole month to get every little dot of every little "i" into the right perspective...just kidding...about the month, its actually more like six. jk

Ephesians 2

Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms--all because we are one wih Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.
God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Now have a fun time figuring all that mess out. jk...even though its not really a mess. I'm sure all you lowly kids in the youth group could find some way to get some plausible meaning out of this...just kidding and your not lowly kids. you are maturing adults.(self confidence booster)

So aren't you glad God, THE God (not like there are more) chose...yes he CHOSE you. This all powerful diety who created a masterpiece, you, in a word, the world, in a sentence. That is so mind boggling I can't put it into words how awesome that is.
I know that I am glad that I am not like the rest of the kids at school--even though they are better than me (retain anything from oasis?)-- out drinking and helping each other do their laundry and all that...stuff. I mean, how, I think of this sometimes, are they going to break that to their future husband/wife that they have been with someone else or, more than that, the spouse confesses also!? That's so crazy!
Even though it is sometimes hard to make friends at school, real friends that is, it is so easy to be accepted in a group a christians. Why is that? Duh!

So anyway back to the passage deal. Be amazed and joyfull that you did not have to do anything to get God's salvation or that God is not like us down on earth. We so love to give gifts to those who we like or who did something great FOR US. I am ecstatic that God is nowhere like me or that I am not making the decisision. Obviously, I would be doing things way late, if at all. "Hmmm, lets see create the earth, the water the light, the animals....what did I forget.....OH YEAH...PLANTS, duh." Thats probably why I would be a lonely, stupid God. (I hope you caught that...ok just making sure). So yeah, you get the point.

Now go out and have a day like none other on cloud nine (came up in the thesaurus for ecstatic) or in seventh heaven..hehehe. Anyways have a great wonderfull and altogether....good...day.

yours always...belated,

stevai
jon

Verse of the Day

2005-11-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

John 17:6-18

Jesus just finishes praying for himself in the prior 5 verses, so we pick up with Him speaking to the Father in regards to his disciples

Jesus prays for His disciples

I have told these men about you. They were in the world, but then you gave them to me. Actually, they were always yours, and you gave them to me; and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the words you gave me; and they accepted them and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.
My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. And all of them, since they are mine, belong to you; and you have given them back to me, so they are my glory! Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them and care for them---all those you have given me---so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I have kept them afe. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.
And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours.

What an awesome passage...I could go on and on about this one, but I want to know what you guys think. What's your favorite part? What'd you get from it?

New Post New Post! Yay! Yay! Yay!

2005-11-17T05:37:00.000-08:00

I was thinking back to the last time Ali and I did worship, not last night but 2 weeks previous. We had a song that we had a little difficulty getting the timing down on "Strenght and weakness." But we got it. Speaking of strength and weakness...(awesome segway huh) let's see what the Bible says about strength and weakness.

We're all weak in comparison to God, we know that. Without Him, we can do NOTHING! But why would God want a bunch of weak, helpless human beings? I have no idea, but he does. "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too. "~Matthew 5:11-12
We are supposed to be happy when we are persecuted, when we are at our weakest. Jesus was persecuted. The only difference is Jesus was not weak when he was persecuted, He allowed it to happen. But, still....
Jesus loves us all the time and that does not change when we have no strength. Just as our earthly parents feel compassion and want to take care of us when we are unable to take care of ourselves (and sometimes even when we can), our heavenly Father wants to take care of us too. Makes sense. "Then Jesus said,'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give is light.'"~Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus actually wants us to come to Him when we are weak, and, lets face if guys, its a good thing. We usually go to Jesus when we are weak and when WE feel we need Him. When we are feeling high and mighty, sometimes we push Jesus to the side, because we feel as though we're in control and we don't need Him, at the moment. But when something happens that shakes us up, we go running to Jesus, begging for help. And because he is so amazing, He still takes us in His arms. I remember a devotion we had during dance practice once. Our leader demanded we dress in white shirts and black pants and beautify ourselves before practice. When we arrived we found our leader covered with mud and "filth." She then proceeded to try and hug us. Of course, we relented, we weren't crazy! Her point was, only our Holy Father would take us covered in filth, as we often are. I thought it was a pretty good devo.
There's a Building 429 song that goes:
When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in your arms
Again.

Jesus is always willing to take us and call us His own. Our weakness is what allows us, sometimes, to go to Him, with open arms. This is Paul talking: "Each time he said,'My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your WEAKNESS.' So now I am glad to boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weakness, and with insults, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."~2 Corinthians 12:9-10

So don't ever be afraid to admit you are weak and you need Jesus, because even if you won't admit it, it does not change reality. Even when we are at our strongest, we are still unbelieveably weak, and we need Jesus, all the time. Peace out Yo! Comment, PLEASE, some one other than Ali and Luke, well, in addition to Ali and Luke. C'mon you know you want to, all the cool kids are doing it!

Leap of Faith (literally for Indi)

2005-11-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

Hey guys!

So I was reading in my Bible on...friday, I think, and this passage jumped out at me:
"But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us. Not all of us will die, but we will al be tranformed. It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have dies will be raised with tranformed bodies. And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die. For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die. When this happens-when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies tha twill never die-then at last the Scriptures will come true: 'Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15: 51-54

Then I thought, all we have to do is accept Jesus as our savior...and all that transforming applies to us, we'll get to change into something worthy of going to Heaven to be with Jesus. So why can't some people believe this? Why doesn't everyone believe that, so they can go to heaven? I came to the conclusion it is due to faith. There's a Lifehouse song ( I know I'm obsessed with quoting Lifehouse songs!) that says:" I am falling into grace, to the unknown, to where you are and faith makes everybody scared it's the unknown, the don't-know..." How true?

I was watching Indiana Jones-the Last Crusade on saturday. There's a part when he is in the cave containing the the Holy Grail and he has to beat the three security measures to get to the grail. The last one, the path of God, is a cliff. Indiana knows there's NO WAY he could jump the cliff to the other side. However, as Indi discovers, it only looks like there is no path to the other side. To find this path he must take a HUGE leap of faith and step out into what looks like only air. That's kind of what it's like. We just have to close our eyes and trust that God will take care of us. We're all afraid of things we can't see or hear or experience with any of our senses. I think it's a human thing, not trusting what we don't know is absolute by proven fact. Even though we are afraid of faith sometimes, it is a must in a relationship with God. Hebrews 11:1 :"What is faith? It is the confident assurance tha what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evedence of things we cannot yet see." Then: "So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews chapter 11, as mentioned sunday, is the "faith chapter." If you guys get the chance I urge you to read the whole chapter because it has a lot of great examples of faith. So there's a little bit on faith, hope you can derive some useful knowledge from some of that.

What happened to Fri?

2005-11-12T08:19:00.000-08:00

I guess no one was at school, and in parades, so it didn't get done...what? I was at work, don't look at me like that...Geez, cut a guy some slack...

Ok, so then, I'll post for today and yesterday...and tomorrows sun, so we'll reconvene on Mon. With Jon posting.

1 John 3:11-24

This is the message we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was right. So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sister, if the world hates you. If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don't have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help-How can God's lve be in that person?
Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we satnd before the Lord, even if our hears condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the thigns that please him. and this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God's commandments live in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Holy Spirit lives in us.

I initially opened my Bible, and started reading, and thought after a bit...oh, this is kinda intense...I'm not sure I want to blog this, but I felt strongly that this is what God wanted me to post, so here it is.

Verses 11-13---It's kinda obvious what he's talking about here, but I believe this to be extremely important to us right now. God is doing some AWESOME things in you guys right now. I know you guys are getting excited about serving others, and loving one another, and growing closer to God in all you do, and I'm thrilled! However, as you continue to grow and live for Christ, you are going to face persecution and ridecule especially at your schools for it. This is a little heads up from the apostle John that it's gonna happen, so be prepared for it. How do you prepare you ask? Ephesians 6:10-18 talks about putting on God's Armor. I know you guys are familiar with this, but it sorta gives us a visual/mental reminder that God is watching out for us and protecting us. Also, staying grounded in the Word helps keep us focused on God, and constantly reminds us of God's awesome love for us, and that He'll never leave us. When you know that the creator of the universe loves you with a passion like you've never seen, it makes it a little easier to handle people despising you for your courage and faith.

Verses 14-20---This was a reminder of the story the guy told at Oasis about the tight rope walker (for those of you who weren't there, I've told it like 4 times before, and if you weren't here, ask someone who was...see if they can relay it)...and putting our money where our mouth is. It's easy to say we love eachother, but do our actions prove it?

***Special Note about verse 15*** When Paul says "anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart. And you all know mrderers don't have eternal life within them." He's not talking about someone who has hated, or has murdered, both being PAST TENSE, he's talking about people who continue to do so, and have no problem with it. It's impossible to have God's spirit inside of you, and continue to live the way you always have without conviction of the holy spirit. What I mean is that say Charles Manson accepted Jesus after all the heinous things he did. Well then, he is saved. Regardless of what he's done. However, say he "accepts Jesus", and then continues to go on chopping people up WITHOUT REMORSE, OR EVEN A BATTLE TO STOP CHOPPING...If he WILLINGLY CHOOSES to continually live in sin without an effort to stop, one might question the "authenticity" of his salvation. Mind you, I'm not saying you can lose your salvation, or am saying that any of us have the capability of judging someones salvation, just that they may never have "actually believed." Remember that true belief, or faith, demands action (like our story of the tightrope walker). Make no mistake, there is plenty of scripture that speaks of those who claim to be Christians, and God saying "depart from me, I know you not", and also stating that God will separate the wheat from the chaff, and the bulls from the goats etc...

I guess that was a long special note!

Verses 21-24---Very similar to Mathew 7:7 in talking about receiving whatever we ask for as long as we obey and ask according to his will. Asking for instant wealth would not be truly seeking God's will. How many times does the Bible speak of God blessing the poor, and of how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. It's because those things have takens God's place in their heart, and if you are asking for instant wealth, or whatever, there is possibility of the same being true of you. However, ask for wisdom, and God will grant it, and maybe much like solomon, everything else too. Mathew 6:33 "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." (right aley...lol)

*
I read that part about "God is greater than our hearts," and started hearing "God is bigger than the boogie man," in my head...Thank You Sammy and Brooke for that one...It's now going to be stuck in all of your heads....mwah ha hah*

Well, I guess I won't post twice for today and yesterday. I think that commentary wore me out. I get all excited about reading God's word and relaying it to you guys. It gets me all hyper, and then I have to try and wind down afterwards.

I LOVE YOU GUYS! AND I'M GONNA KEEP SAYING THAT TILL YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE IT, AND THEN I'LL KEEP SAYING IT ANYWAY! YOU GUYS ROCK! I LOVE YOU! AND GOD LOVES YOU EVEN MORE! CYA SUN

La Post of la day

2005-11-10T06:03:00.000-08:00

OK guys, since this is my first time putting up the verse of the day, I'm going to start from the beginning.
In the beginning God created the heavens...
Just kidding. Seriously now, the verse I chose has a lot to do with what we talked about last night at y.g. I don't want anyone to feel like this subject is being over emphasized or like those who weren't involved in whatever happened do not need pay attention. EVERYONE criticizes people at some time or another. We criticize ourselves a lot of times too. So this verse applies to all y'all and me of course.

Luke 6:37-42
"Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving-large or small-it will be used to measure what is given back to you."
"Then Jesus gave the following illustration:'What good is it for one blind person to lead another? The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also. A student is not greater than the teacher. But the student who works hard will become like the teacher.'"[work hard and we can be like Jesus!]
"And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying,'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye."

Now I know what you're thinking. Isn't there productive criticism too? YES! The Bible says this about helpful criticism: "If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding."--Proverbs 15: 31-32

So, I think those verses are pretty straight forward. Don't criticize others just to be mean or funny; if its not going to help them, don't say it. On the flip side, if some one does criticize you, determine whether or not they are really trying to help you and if they are listen to them. I honestly believe the first step to reducing the number of flaws you possess is realizing what those flaws are. EVERYONE has flaws, except Jesus, so there's no shame in knowing what they are. However, if you're a little better at seeing some one's flaws than they are, and you have no intention of helping them overcome that flaw, hold your tongue.

Sorry I'm so late getting this in, busy morning. You guys rock, I love you all. Hope these verses speak to you and you get something out of them.

Peace Yo,
Aley

cliche, not irrelevant

2005-11-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry about yesterday. It was the day after Oasis, duh!, but it seems I was overwhelmed by so many different things or maybe just a couple that took a long time. But my head was in the clouds, or maybe the mud, you can decide.

Galatians (Does anyone know why we have been going thru Galatians so much lately? I can't figure it out!) 5 many parts

So it begins:

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcise, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

and down to verse 16:
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.

Does anyone remember that old wive's tale: Love your neighbors as yourself and all that mythical nonsensical blah blah blah? Because of course it can't be true, right? I mean I know we all hear this so many times it was cliche before sliced bread. Well, it seems that a lot of us haven't really taken it to heart. Taking something to heart... the people who need to read this are probably the only ones who don't...means to really consider something not just shrug it off, you know: in and out the ears deal. So really consider the "Golden Rule" in your own lives. I know it's very hard for me to consider people better than me, like what the oasis guy said, let alone treat them equal, like he also said.
I don't know why I said that, ok so I did but really consider it.

Anyway, back to the regularly scheduled program:

Don't try to please God by following all of the rules. I think he is prabably happy about some of those but they are not as important as loving everyone around you and showing them your faith through that. If you going to follow one law you have to follow them all. The "law" is a unit: you cannot pick and choose. The only thing that counts is faith!
I think I probably confused some of you even more so: You cannot please God and the world. I think this makes more sense. God and money, God and fashion/friends, God and love(as a god) do not mesh very well. There can only be one God in your lives. It's either God or the world. I know which is better, but I can't force you to choose one over the other.

I think you guys would have been better off without this post, but do with it as you please.

jon
stevai

Read the daily entries!!!!

2005-11-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

Hey,

This is Bob....read the entries and leave a comment, or else i will get very.....VERY mad.

heheheheh nah, i can't do that...but i did want to show you a photo of me last weekend of my cornrows....pretty insane huh!

But you guys do need to blog about this weekend!! I want to hear all about it and how God moved in your life.

Jon is leaving some awesome entries with ripper verses too. They're definately helping me a lot...and i think you should try them all on for size.

Love you guys....can't wait to hear about the weekend!

Hiya!!

2005-11-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

They are Kitty Foo Fighting! They are as fast as lightning!

Sorry for those of you who probably tried to check this out before I posted. I did it a little late due to communication (lack of) with myself. But I just want to say, for those of you who pay any attention whatsoever to my dad's messages, that I am so glad that Galations is not like Romans in that there are no secret meanings so that we have to define and find the exact history of every word in every sentence. That said... I love my dad...ok so I am glad he will be shortening his sermons...and I can't wait until we are out of Romans...

Galations 4

What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no diferent from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

I know, being teens and all, that we can get a little moody...If you don't, your wierd... I know I do. But just think: God, THE God who created the whole world in a word not only knows who you are and loves you and all that cliche stuff but not only that, he is giving you everything. Picture Bill Gates... you think you know where I am going with this... he doesn't even know you exist, he is the richest person in the world. How can he know who you are, he is only human! Anyway I don't know where I was going with that but think if he left everything in his will to YOU. That won't even compare (Picture Pluto next to the Sun)to what God has made specifically for YOU.

So anyways don't get down...if you do just think of how not moody you'll be in heaven where things WILL NOT go wrong! Is this making sense. I hope so.
Anyway, I could blah blah blah on about how great heaven is but I'll let you get back to your school work.

LEAVE A COMMENT SLACKERS!!:)

JON
stevai

Things that make conforming hard...

2005-11-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

Remember... never drink and drive... let me rephrase that: never drink fifteen sodas in a row (three of them energy drinks) and drive a warthog with a gunner... very dangerous! You could poke someone's eye out!!

Galations 3 gives most of us a good kick in the bum right from the start:

Oh, foolish Galations (x-treme faith members)!! What magician has cast a spell on you? For you used to se the meaning of Jesus Christ's death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross. Let me ask you this one questino: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy SPirit cam upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are ou now trying to become perfect by your own hman effort? You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away?
I as you again, does God give you the Holty Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law of Moses? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.

Now, I think that is enough to chew on for this weekend and I want to see lots O' Comments this time. You know who you are. jk.
But seriously, Christ was the ultimate non-conformist and he didn't have to change the way he dressed, the way he talked or anything. He was who he was (and still is!) Thank God that we have an awesome example to look up to (I know it's hard to believe that Luke is not actually perfect...but what can ya do...) In Christ we don't have to worry about keeping up with the latest fashion.
Sometimes we all get so caught up in what's cool and what is not ("That's so HOT!!") I know I do. There are a couple of guys at school that are always starting the trends and I always try to catch their attention or a sweet compliment but really, does it matter?
Even if you think like everyone else, will it matter how you dressed ten years from now, or for that matter, eternity?

"i'm falling out of style with the current way things are
the things that make conforming hard" --Relient K

"i'm out here way beyond
a shadow of a doubt
and i know i'm never falling out
of favor with you" -- Also by Relient K

So I hope some of that BLAH BLAH made some sort of click in at least one of your minds... if there is even a plural your. jk LEAVE A COMMENT!!! at least for my sanity
stevai
jon

P.S.... Peace out Napoleon.

Pictures from XF 11-02-05

2005-11-03T18:53:00.000-08:00

Blogger Central at RCVF.....ummm are they supposed to be on the computer?

Two of the fearless leaders - Bob and Jube

The Usual Suspects......love you guys!

Hey guys,

Your blogs are now up on the site! And hey......what about the challenge i threw down to you guys last night? Well, i hope you're reading the posts....because they're really good. Thanks Jon.

I hope you guys have a great time at the conference this weekend...ill be praying for all of you. Let me know how it goes.

God Bless,

Game Master

OASIS!!!

2005-11-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

BE AT THE CHURCH WITH EVERYTHING READY TO GO ABSOLUTELY NO LATER THAN 4 PM!!! IF YOU ANTICIPATE ANY PROBLEMS, CALL ME. 913-680-4389

Guys, I'm totally stoked about this. We will be staying in hotels Fri and Sat. night. What that means is when we get back to the hotels, you MUST be on your best behavior. NO EXCEPTIONS WHATSOEVER!!! We will get back to the rooms kinda late, so we will have to be quiet for everyone around us, as a true reflection of Christ.

Make sure you have all your hygene stuff, money for 5 meals, clothes, your bible, and whatever else you might need. TRY AND PACK LIGHT, OUR SPACE WILL BE LIMITED.

YOU GUYS ALL ROCK, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO HANG WITH YOU IN GOD'S PRESENCE. I LOVE YOU ALL TONS. CYA TOMORROW!

Jon (stevai)'s few Words of Wisdom

2005-11-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

Pictures are awesome. Go to my blog and I have tons of pictures. Ok not tons (thousands of pounds worth but more than some and less than most... maybe)
Verses O' Da Day. Da Day = Thursday

I have a couple of words for ya to chew on today so pay attention. Jk, but seriously take them to heart and don't just shrug them off.

Paul just gets done talking about how he was accepted by all of the original apostles and how he was so happy and all that jazz and then...

Galations 2:11

But when Peter cam to Antioch, I had to oppose him publicly, speaking strongly against what he was doing, for it was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who don't bother with circumcision. But afterward, when some Jewish friends of James cam, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore because he was afraid of what these legalists would say. Then the other Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was influenced to join them in their hypocrisy.
WhenI saw that they were not follwoing the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter in front of all the others, "Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you trying to make these Gentiles obey the Jewish laws you abandoned? You and I are Jews by birth, not 'sinners' like the Gentiles. And yet we Jewish Christinas know that we become right with God, not by doing what the law cdommands, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our fiath in Christ--and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law.

Alright, so don't be a hypocrit ("Hypycritter, Hypocritter, say one thing do the oppositer"... never mind) is what Paul is trying to say. Especially as christians it hurts all christians. Our reputation can be totally mutilated if one "christian" is proclaiming the gospel with his mouth and getting wasted every weekend (that's kind of extreme... but I hope you get the point).
A kid at school wears all the christian t-shirts and bracelets and stuff and is really involved with his youth group but then he laughs at all the crude jokes and even puts in his "2 cents". Everyone thinks very little of him and it hurts mine and all the other christians reps too.

I have one more just to clear some things up... not really related to the other one but some variety is healthy.

Ephesians 6:1

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. "Honor you father and mother." This is the first of the Ten COmmandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, "you will live a long life, full of blessing."
And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord.

I know you have all heard that and have probably used parts of it to your advantage with your parents and been lectured by your parents with it. A word of advice though: don't only follow part of it. It doesn't work that way. If you are going to yell at your dad for "over-working" you then you are going to have to follow the top part too.
Plus look at the bright side: when you grow up you will have an awesome relationship with your parents and a long and fruitfull life... I know "grown up" is a long ways away but it will be worth it.

I think some of those words were of wisdom...I hope. Jk...I don't hope (Ha Ha)
stevai
jon

Wednesday's verse for 11/2

2005-11-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

Since this is my first post on the xfaith blog I decided to show the day that this post was meant for. Before, it was a jumble of numbers and meant nothing to me. (my fault obviously, couldn't keep track of the date)

So, since I am new the ways of bible-blogging I am going to work my way through The Epistles and learn some cool and encouraging stuff along with you. Hopefully Taft and that other person will get to do this too. I don't know when though so bear with my "newness"

Galations 1:6-14

I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.
Let God's curse fall on anyone, including myself, wo preaches any other message than the one we told you about. Even if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed. I will say it again: If anyone preaches any other gospel than the one you welcomed, let God's curse fall upon that person.
Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant.
Dear brothers and sisters. I solemnly assure you that the God News of salvation which I preach is not based on mere human reasoning or logic. For my message came by a direct revelation from Jesus Christ himself. No one else taught me.
You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion--how I violently persecuted the Christians. I did my best to get rid of them. I was one of the most religious Jews of my own age, and I tried tas hard as possible to follow all the old traditions of my religion.

some Background info for ya: the christian churches that were newly established were being flocked by the old pharisees and were intimidated to revert to the old ways. Paul was furious both at the pharisees and the christians for being succumbing to the intimidation.

Don't fall prey the "great" stuff the world has to offer. Satan will twist and pervert originally awesome things and will take advantage of the naivety of new christians. So hold onto God like he's going out of style--but make sure that doesn't happen-- and make the most of the bible and prayer and use them to your advantage. I know I am just starting to really get into the word. A little bit here and there before but that doesn't count. It was mainly an obligation and something I wanted to do as fast as possible. Now, I'm reading stuff two or three times to make sure I got what it was saying.

So...I hope: that was helpfull and a good use of your time...that I interpreted the verses correctly (not very much like Romans though) and keep you in check. READ

stavai
jon

Pinch and a Punch for the First of the Month!!! No Returns!!

2005-11-01T07:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Novemeber everyone!!! And what an incredible day outside!!

Here's our verse for today!

John 21:18
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."

Lets all have a resolution for the month of November. In the spirit of examining and testing ourselves to deepen our faith, lets also be open to letting Christ lead us into things we may not feel so comfortable doing. Read the Bible everyday! Call someone you haven't talked to in a while! Start a daily prayer schedule! Ask questions about your faith that you would be scared to ask in church!

I believe that God is pulling us in a direction everyday, by our belt buckles, trying to get us to explore the depths of his love even more. How willing are we to stretch out our hands and let Him take us where he wants us?

May November come and be a great month for spiritual growth! I hope all you guys have a great day! And i'm intending to come be with y'all on Wednesday!!

God Bless,
Bob

Verse of the Day

2005-10-31T04:42:00.000-08:00

I'm running a little late for work, so this is a quick but good one.

Eph. 5:4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jockes---these are not for you. Instead let there be thankfulness to God.

James 1:26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are just fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

That's pretty straight forward.

Love you guys. Have a great day. And live it to the fullest.

Verse of the Day 10-29

2005-10-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

Hello, and Good Morning to all!

Today is a great day! And what better way to start it with a refreshing dive into the Word. Before i go though...just a quick update on what i've been up to:
We had our first basketball game against the Saint Mary Alumni last night and won by 40 points! It was pretty one sided, but a good game to get our legs running.......I am taking a trip to Homework City this weekend, as i have 2 major assignments due for Monday. I hear the traffic is terrible, but ill take some pictures for ya....ha! I'll probably see some of you there! I'm also on a weekend class this weekend, but don't worry, i'll be there Sunday. Oooh also, you may not recognize me this Sunday.....my hair is a little.......different! That's all I'm going to say.

With that being said, lets take a look at the Verse of the Day

2 Corinthians 13:3-9
I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak in his dealings with you; he is a mighty power among you. Although he died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God. We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God's power--the power we use in dealing with you.
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test. I hope you recognize that we have passed the test and are approved by God.
We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. We pray this, not to show that our ministry to you has been successful, but because we want you to do right even if we ourselves seem to have failed. Our responsibility is never to oppose the truth, but to stand for the truth at all times. We are glad to be weak, if you are really strong. What we pray for is your restoration to maturity.

I chose this verse today, not so i could explain to you what is meant by it, but that you might read deeper into it and around it and find your own meaning. I will say a few obovious things though:Paul is calling out the Corinthians on their actions and convicting them to test their faith to see if it is genuine, but why is he doing this? That is what i hope you will find out. Get out your Bibles today and see why Paul was so adamant about this for the Corinthians! Find out why this was so important not only for them, but also ourselves. How can we test and examine our faith daily to see the mighty power of Christ working within us?

Let me know.....post a comment!
I love you guys, and I hope i continue to see Christ's power work through you

God Bless
Bob

Verse ODeDay 10-28-05

2005-10-28T00:44:00.000-07:00

Good morning guys. I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday. Thanks to you guys who were able to make it out to the servant evangelism project. I know it seems like maybe we didn't accomplish that much (especially since I forgot to ask that last family if there's anything we could pray for...oops), but you never know what God can do with just a little bit. Seriously, he could take one of the notes we left, or our small conversation with that last family, and eventually bring them to an acceptance of Jesus through our small contribution. I think I even read in youth once a story about a young highschooler who had cleaned out his locker and was on his way home to end his life, when he dropped his books and another boy walked by, helped him pick up his books, walked home with him, and eventually the two became best friends. So, it just goes to show that you never know how God can use even the smallest things as long as your willing. So, all that was to say thank you for showing up, and being willing to be used. I appreciate it.
Oh, and sorry if I got a little cranky...I hadn't eaten in a while...I get that way.

So, verse of the day.

Haggai 1
On August 29th of the second year of King Darius's reign, the Lord gave a message through the prophet haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Juda, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. This is what the Lord Almighty says: The people are saying "The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord's house-the Temple."
So the Lord sent thismessage through the prophet Haggai: "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?" This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Consider how things are going for you! You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enought to fill you up. You have winde to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!"
This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Consider how things are going for you! Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. you hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. WHy? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord Almighty, while you are all busy building your own fine houses. that is why the heavens have withheld the dew and the earth has withheld its crops. I have called for a drought on your fields and hills-a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olives and all your other crops, a drought to starve both you and your cattle and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get."
Then Zurubbel, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God's people obeyed the message from the Lord their God. It had been delivered by the prophet Haggai, whom the Lord their God had sent, and the people worshiped the Lord in earnest. Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger, gave the people this message from the Lord : "I am with you, says the Lord!" So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel, the governer of Judah, Jeshua, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God's people. They came and began their work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God. This was on September 21 of the second year of King Darius' reign.

---I know it's a long passage. And to think, I was going to put both ch.'s one and two in here...lol. So, a little preface...The remnant of Judah was given permission to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. They started on it, but were delayed because of enemies that attacked. Then after God gave them victory, they never returned to working on the Temple. Here God asks why they are living luxuriously while His house lies in ruins.
The same challenge applies to us. They had put all their work into their physical lives and needs, and completely neglected their spiritual lives. However, the harder they worked, the less they had because God's blessing wasn't on it. Later in Ch. 2, they rebuild the Temple, and God promises to bless them beyond measure!
When we put God first in our lives, he provides for our deepest needs. Don't be confused and think that means you'll win the lottery. I know that when you put God first, you'll agree with me 100%, and you'll understand what I mean. I know it for a fact. I can honestly tell you guys that I've never been so happy in my life! And I largely have you guys to thank for it. It's because of you guys that I've been forced to rely solely on God, and my relationship with Him has grown 100 times over. It's an issue of priorities. Judah put themselves before God, and the suffered. The same thing happens with us.

Here's the challenge!
Reorder your priorities according to God's will! What has God told you to do? Put everything else aside and obey him.

I love you guys sooooo much! You Rock! I pray that God will bring you to a full understanding of His word and perfect will for your lives.

SERVANT EVANGELISM PROJECT!

2005-10-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hey all! We'll be meeting at the church at 3:30 and leaving at 4:00 to go rake the leaves of some of the people in the community, and pray for them if they'll let us. If you happen to have a big rake with the floppy prongs, bring it along. I will make sure we have enough for most of us at least, but the more the better. We should finish around 5:30-6:00, and I'll get pizza afterwards, and you guys are more than welcome to hang as long as you like.

So, be there!

Church 3:30-4:00
If you want to come late, call my cell phone and see where we are.
913-680-4389

Verse of the Day 10-27

2005-10-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hey guys.....its Bob.

I heard there were only a couple of ya at youth last night, but i heard it was excellent. Thanks so much to Mike and Jennifer for coming to help out. I know Luke really appreciated it, and we'd love to have you guys back anytime!

Anyway, im about to dive into the word.....wanna come?

Matthew 25:37-39
"Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will tell them, 'I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'"

To me, this sounds like a call to social justice! "Oh no!! First Bob is trying to get us to ask all our friends to youth, now he wants us to write a letter to our congressman about better care for homeless people!!!" Well guys, i'm not gonna lie......that would be AWESOME! But social justice can mean so much more. In this passage, Jesus is talking about some of the poorest of the poor, but in saying this he is also talking about our treatment of all people. Just stop and think for a second how many people we look at, pass by or talk to each day and treat like they are the least of our brothers and sisters......................................................................................................ok, thats enough thinking, i've thought of too many already.

I know that we all have people in our life that we treat like our dirty laundry piles. We wear them for a while, but when they get all sweaty and dirty we throw them in a pile in the corner of our room. We neglect them for days on end and watch them as they get smelly and moldy in our sight. We only look to that pile when we've totally run out of clean clothes, but when we stick them back on, we are uncomfortable, because we've let the clothes sit for so long and can't stand the smell. (OK, maybe its only me that wears dirty clothes from time to time...ignore that metaphor!). But ultimately, we can change the way we approach these people in our lives. Christ is calling us to take out our dirty laundry and wash up the way we interact with others; approaching them with love, kindness and compassion. This is a call to social justice!

This doesn't mean you have to treat everyone like your best friend.....but giving everyone a smile wouldn't hurt. Not being afraid to sit with a stranger at lunch would be awesome. You guys should come hang with me at the geek table sometime.....you'll find some real interesting folk. Basically, if we can work on acting Christ-like to those we interact with daily, we are not only living out his mission but are serving a higher call to social justice. And i know all of you guys are already awesome in that aspect, but i know that we all still have a dirty laundry pile that needs cleaning.

Ooooh, that was a refreshing dip! Thanks for jumping in with me guys. I love all of ya, and i hope God is blessing ya with an awesome day!

Galatians 5:25
If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Verse O' DaDay for 10-26-05

2005-10-25T19:55:00.000-07:00

Good morning you guys! Stop right here and spend a second getting the day started right with your Father...spiritual Father that is, but you can say hello to dad and tell him you love him too if he isn't on his way to work.

Verse of the Day
1 Peter 4:12-19
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad---because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.
Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not bne for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his wonderful name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God's own children. And if even we Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed God's Good News? And "if the righteous are barely saved, what chance will the godless and sinners have?" So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.

The option of physical persecution over rejecting Christ isn't a tough one for most of us, but to live for Him and face social rejection from our peers and co-workers is seemingly much tougher. I know this is something I struggle with from time to time myself. Not that we intentionally deny Christ, but we find ourselves doing or saying things we know are not honoring to Christ, and are definatly not an accurate portrayal of what God has called us to be. However, on the opposite side, we don't want to reject them, deny them the love God has called us to share, and come off as just another self-righteous Christian. That's a tough balancing act, one that I can say I haven't mastered myself. But I find it holds true in this area, as all others, that if we do our best to mold ourselves to Christ, that in time we will be a much more accurate portrayal than we had previously been.

Philippians 3:12-14
I don't mean to say that I have already acheived these things ro that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

I love you guys. Have a great day!

XF this week!

2005-10-25T08:18:00.000-07:00

Wed. 7-8
Dating God's Way P.2
Mike and Jennifer Zambrowski will be present to help facilitate group discussions on Dating.
Please come eager to learn and with any questions you might have for them. You'll learn more from them on Wed.

OASIS!
I need the $25 for the conference on either Wed. or Sun. this week. Remember, the conference is next Fri, Sat, Sun. We will be meeting at the church at 3:30 on the 4th of Nov.
If you need a list of what to bring, pick one up at the church.
Some things...
$ for 5 fastfood meals
Clothes...please no streaking
Hygene materials...yes guys that means deodorant
You're Bible
Aley was kind enough to write some of this stuff and other things you might need down on the flyer. So for you guys who have to have it on a list to know to bring it (myself included), get one.

The postponed Christ Car Wash!
Supposed to be this Sat.
Bob is going to have Basketball and can't run it. I have work. I'm going to try and get some time off that morning to run the car wash, then back to work I go.

I LOVE ALL OF YOU GUYS TONS! EVEN IF I'M YELLING AT YOU AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT, DON'T BE FOOLED, I STILL LOVE YOU!

XF 10-19/10-26

2005-10-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

XF 10-19
"Dating God's Way_1"
-We're gonna talk about what exactly this means...

XF 10-26
"Dating God's Way_2"
-Mike and Jennifer Zambrowski have so kindly agreed to come in and facilitate some group discussions on the subject...you'll find out more about them on the 26th.

C U There

OASIS

2005-10-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

I really need to know if you want to go...money needs to be in today.
If you can't get it in, that's fine, just let me know you want to go, and we'll pay for you in advance.

Also, coming up at Xtreme Faith is a two week series on "Dating God's Way". I've really enjoyed studying up on this, so be ready. Cya, Luke

Youth Worship team practice tonight...

2005-10-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

6 PM @ the church...please let me know if you can't be there.

XF Game Night 10-12-05

2005-10-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Come on down tonight and bring a friend, we're taking a break from the normal routine to hang out and have a good time. We are planning on playing a version of capture the flag indoors. So come and hang and be prepared the next two weeks for "Dating God's Way"

REMINDER: All who took part in the worship team meeting last week, please remember to bring me your responses. Thx, LK