Upcoming Events:
Today, January 15th - Youth Devotional
This evening we will have a combined Youth Devotional/Activity. We will be meeting in the Fellowship room following services for a meal together, and a special devotional with our elders and their wives. Boys will need to bring chips, and girls will need to bring desserts. We should be done around 7:45.
Sunday, January 22nd - Teen Prayer Meeting
This is for all of our youth group (7th-12th grade). We will be meeting in the High School classroom for a time of prayer together. Following the prayer time, we will be going to Whataburger for some fellowship together. You will need money for your meal. We will plan to be back here at the building at 8:00 p.m. for pick up.
Something To Think About…
A man asked his wife, “What would you most like for your birthday?” She said, “I’d love to be ten again.” On the morning of her birthday, he got her up bright and early and off they went to a theme park. Everything there was, she rode. She staggered out of the theme park five hours later, her head reeling and her stomach upside down. Into McDonalds they went, where she was given a double big mac with extra fries and a strawberry shake. Then off to the theater to see Star Wars. At last she staggered home with her husband and collapsed into bed. Her husband leaned over and asked, “Well, dear, what was it like being ten again?” One eye opened and she groaned, “Actually, I meant dress size.”
That story reminds me of what happened to James and John. They came to Jesus with a request. Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:36). “They said to Him, ‘grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in your glory.’” (vs.37). Jesus told them they really didn’t know what they were asking for. He asked them, “are you able to drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” (vs. 38). Their response? “Of course!” However, what they had in mind (prestige, power, and glory) wasn’t the same thing Jesus had in mind (persecution, suffering, and servanthood). Jesus gave them exactly what they asked for.
So often, the same thing happens in my life. God has a way of answering my requests, my prayers, in ways I never dreamed of, not always in a pleasant way, not always in a way I would have chosen, but always in a way that He sees best.
Have a Great Week!!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Weekly Update: 01/04/2012
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, January 15th - Youth Devotional
This month we will have a combined Youth Devotional/Activity. We will be meeting in the Fellowship room following services for a meal together, and a special devotional with our elders and their wives. Boys will need to bring chips, and girls will need to bring desserts. We should be done around 7:45.
Sunday, January 22nd - Teen Prayer Meeting
This is for all of our youth group (7th-12th grade). We will be meeting in the High School classroom for a time of prayer together. Following the prayer time, we will be going to Whataburger for some fellowship together. You will need money for your meal. We will plan to be back here at the building at 8:00 p.m. for pick up.
Have a Great Week!!
At A Glance…
Sunday, January 15th - Youth Activity
Sunday, January 22nd - Teen Prayer Time
Something To Think About…
Pat walked into a store in Dublin, his face beaten to a pulp. “And who did that to you?” asked the storekeeper. “I had a fight with Mike Shannon.” “What?” asked the store keeper, “You let a little guy like that beat you up? You should be ashamed of yourself.” “Hold on there”, said Pat, “don’t be talking disrespectfully of the dead.”
Sometimes its hard to tell at first glance who’s won the fight. I think of Jesus as he hung on the cross. The disciples had to wonder how Jesus could have allowed Satan to beat him up, apparently winning the fight. Though Jesus was battered and bruised, it was truly only his heel that was bruised, and on the third day it was Satan whose head was crushed.
There are times we are tempted to look around us and wonder if we’re on the winning side. Satan seems to be winning victory after victory, the world is filled with immorality and evil, and righteousness doesn’t seem to have a chance. But appearances can be deceiving.
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4).
“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14).
Don’t get discouraged. The ultimate victory belongs to those who are on God’s side.
Sunday, January 15th - Youth Devotional
This month we will have a combined Youth Devotional/Activity. We will be meeting in the Fellowship room following services for a meal together, and a special devotional with our elders and their wives. Boys will need to bring chips, and girls will need to bring desserts. We should be done around 7:45.
Sunday, January 22nd - Teen Prayer Meeting
This is for all of our youth group (7th-12th grade). We will be meeting in the High School classroom for a time of prayer together. Following the prayer time, we will be going to Whataburger for some fellowship together. You will need money for your meal. We will plan to be back here at the building at 8:00 p.m. for pick up.
Have a Great Week!!
At A Glance…
Sunday, January 15th - Youth Activity
Sunday, January 22nd - Teen Prayer Time
Something To Think About…
Pat walked into a store in Dublin, his face beaten to a pulp. “And who did that to you?” asked the storekeeper. “I had a fight with Mike Shannon.” “What?” asked the store keeper, “You let a little guy like that beat you up? You should be ashamed of yourself.” “Hold on there”, said Pat, “don’t be talking disrespectfully of the dead.”
Sometimes its hard to tell at first glance who’s won the fight. I think of Jesus as he hung on the cross. The disciples had to wonder how Jesus could have allowed Satan to beat him up, apparently winning the fight. Though Jesus was battered and bruised, it was truly only his heel that was bruised, and on the third day it was Satan whose head was crushed.
There are times we are tempted to look around us and wonder if we’re on the winning side. Satan seems to be winning victory after victory, the world is filled with immorality and evil, and righteousness doesn’t seem to have a chance. But appearances can be deceiving.
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4).
“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14).
Don’t get discouraged. The ultimate victory belongs to those who are on God’s side.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Weekly Update: 12/21/11
Upcoming Events:
2471 Winter Retreat Information
We will be going on a youth group retreat to Hoblitzelle Retreat Center on Thursday, December 29th, at 5:00 p.m. and return here to the building Saturday, December 31st, around 1:30 p.m. The cost for the retreat is $35. Friday evening we will be going as a group to a local fast food establishment so you will need money for that. This retreat is for 7th - 12th graders.
It is important that you let me know if you are going or not as soon as possible. I have 25 spots reserved at the retreat center. There are four adults going, so that drops the number to 21 teens. I look forward to spending time with all of you!
At A Glance…
Sunday, January 8th - Youth Devotional
Sunday, January 15th - Youth Activity
Sunday, January 22nd - Teen Prayer Time
Something To Think About…
One day at lunch a group of preachers was discussing sermon preparation. One minister explained that he devoted the month of July to writing a year’s worth of sermons. Another preacher said that he outlined his weekly sermon on Monday’s and wrote on the following days. Still another preacher said that he set aside Wednesday mornings for preparation. A fourth preacher confessed to hurrying to meet his deadline late Saturday nights.
A fifth preacher had the final say. “I usually schedule a long hymn before the sermon.”
I think I have heard a few of those sermons! :) In all honesty though, good sermons require time and thought. It’s important to think before we speak. That’s true not only from the pulpit, but also in our daily lives. How many problems that you are facing right now would never have arisen if you had only taken the time to think things through before opening your mouth?
Solomon’s advice is still as valuable as it was when he gave it:
“Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God…..Therefore let your words be few…..A fool’s voice is known by his many words.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2-3)
May your words this day be well thought out!
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