Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thankfulness - Thanks-giving ... Whatcha think?
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."
What do you think? How does it relate? What do you think you learned from Josh & from this quote (oh, by the way it's from the Bible --- Philippians Chapter 4, verses 4-10
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
the tough stuff
Hard things are well... hard, yet it's about being willing to TRY even if you're not sure. DO you know what the bible says about you guys and what's expected of you? let me give you a couple examples:
James 1:1-6
2nd Timothy 4:12&15
Trials are hard but through them we can grow.
I'm going to answer some of the discussion questions again because I like doing that and I think you guys like hearing from someone who's been there.
Some expectations for myself are to learn and grow both spiritually and mentally, and give 100% to whatever task Ive been called to do.
What we become is based partly on who we are and who we want to be, but also who you put first... If God is who we want to reflect OR if "It's all about me." is the most important decision you can make in life.
What a mature adult might say depends on who you ask. I would hope they would say someone who seeks God and God's plan, but that may not be the case. I hope they would say the previous.
Fear of failure or discomfort does affect me usually it's a combo of them 1 just out balancing the other. It affects my ability to serve and work at my full potential that God has gifted me with.
this week I challenge you to find two more scriptures that mention both "youth" and "expectations or challenges" write them down and and your thoughts on them give them to your leader.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The elephants trunk A hard nosed look
Tonight we had another MEATing w/ The Ham sqaud who will be with us at fall retreat. we played a game which the 8th graders won by 150 points
One of our songs tonight was "Blessed be Your name"
Have you ever thought about how much you're blessed Or tried counting your blessings. it'd take a long time. If you wonder about how much you're blessed think about the fact you and your friends can come to Crash without having to be secret about it. in some countries this type of event would not be allowed.
Our first song tonight was "There is no one like You" Which is true of both God's character and yours as well
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also pre-destined to be conformed into the likeness of his son. And those he pre-destined he also called, he also justified, and those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30
Wait a minute, Does that really apply to me?
Believe it or not, you are not the first one to ask that question. You have company there,
Moses: “Who am I that I should go?”
Gideon: “How can I save Israel?”
Even the shepherds on that lonely night. You know, being a shepherd is not a pleasant job, or a wanted one, and they were probably thinking….
“WHY ME?”
Moses: “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would pharaoh listen to me?”
Gideon:” My clan is weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
Bob the shepherd: I’m not special, I don’t smell good, I’m not even liked, (except by the sheep that is) I’m just an ordinary person.
God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary. God made you special, there will never be another you, YOU are Gods’ brand new idea; with unique gifts and unique purposes. You can do something no one else can do in a way no one else could do it.
Discover your gifts, your talents, exercise them every chance you get. Because if you don’t, no one will. Only you can be you. We need you.
Moses had a rod,
David had a stone,
Rahab had a piece of cloth,
Samson had a Jawbone,
What do you have?
Who are you going to be?
Who are you going to serve?
In small groups we discussed expectations and instead of asking all the questions I'll answer most and leave 1-2 for you guys and gals, How's that for cool???
What's expected from me at home is for me to be responsible, big word I know, and the requirements for my sibling versus myself are a little different, because of our age and other various differences that exsist, I won't go into details. I will say that my parents (I know this might be tough for you to believe) have ALWAYS been fair and treated us equally.
What I expect from my parents is love and a place to turn for advice and counsel, and i know I can count on them to be honest with me even when I don't like it.
My friends would expect me to act my age (boring I know) but if I don't how can I expect them to take me seriously?
I'm not in School right now (So lucky!!!)
But they would expect me to do my homework and turn it in on time as well as be on time to class.
The media would expect me to trust them and believe them, and act according to what they portray as right
the way these expectations effect me are for me to want to put on different masks depending on the company I'm with.
There are 3 major events that changed my life.
one is The Life conference of 2007.
one is the sudden death of my uncle about 18 months ago.
and the last is Getting involved With you guys and gals which is my top one.
The people who most affect my life Are my family and some very close friends ones who I trust and can be honest with. And that is the most important thing for me finding people I can be honest with. I live my life as honestly as i can admitting when I make mistakes and doing what I can to amend for them. What most affects who I am is the things I spend the majority of my time around.
So what about you what's your story now and what do you WANT it to be when it's all said and done?
"it's not Who you are or Who you've been It's HOW YOU LIVED and who you lived for."
Can you think of ways that you are unique?
What Gifts do you have that You can develop?
God can use you no matter where you are or where you’re going.
“Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name, make known among the nations what He has done.” Psalm 105:1
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A smashing opening night
I know i am.
Well tonight we started thing off with our annual smash event, which was so enjoyable the local law enforcement wanted to help.
Tonight we sang Romans 16:19 says:
isn't it great to know that God wins???
and the 7th graders won the cup staking contest Yahoo!!
we also sang Your Grace is Enough, speaking to what Christ did for us.
And lastly we sang Mighty To Save, which reminds us That there's no hight or depth that God won't go to save us.
So, what are you expecting from Crash this Year?
Fun hanging w/friends?
w/Crash staff?
spiritual growth?
What do you think is expected of you at Crash this year?
To have fun?
play silly games?
Learn and grow?
If You've been to Crash before what are you looking forward to?
Fall retreat?
S.W.E.A.T.
Small group discussion?
Is there stuff that makes you nervous about Crash? What is it?
talking in/with your small group?
singing?
Why does it make you nervous?
What does Crash mean to you?
How would you explain Crash to a friend who hasn't been here before?
Who's 1 person who you'ld like to bring?