Summer Kick-Off BBQ -- Friday, June 12th

Today was our Summer Kick-Off BBQ. We had 29 youth show up, and it was a blast. We played 3 group games and hung out. We also did a short message. If you want to see more pictures just go to our picture website at: http://thetabyouth.spaces.live.com

For the sermon we finished the book of Jonah. Kirstin and Dillion acted out chapter 3 and and then we read from Jonah 4:1-11. We talked about how Jonah hated Nineveh, and we knew this by his words and actions. He loved and had more concern for a plant than he did for the people of Nineveh. Yet, despite his hate, God loved both Jonah and the Ninevites.

We show our hatred of others by our actions, words, and attitudes toward others. Many times we are more conerned with objects and money than we are with popele. But God expects us to love everyone, just as he does. I then challenged you all to make it a goal this summer to pick one person that you don't currently show love to and show love to that person during the summer.

Lost #2 -- Found -- June 10th

Tonight we finished our two week series about Jonah. We acted out 2:1-3:3a. In it we find what happened to Jonah after he is thrown into the sea. He is saved when he prays, how you ask? By sending a big fish to swallow him alive. After sitting for three days, God causes the fish to vomit him up on the shore. He prays and thanks God, who again sends him to Nineveh, this time Jonah does what he is told.

We can all be lost. Sometimes we get lost physically, sometimes emotionally, sometimes spiritually, ans sometimes we get lost from the calling that God has given to us. But this story should give us hope. It teaches us that no matter how lost we get, God is still able to find us. It teaches us that when we turn back to God, we become found. How do we turn back? We must first realize that we have drifted away, then ask God to forgive us, and finally put our whole self into it (passion, time, engergy) putting it above all things. And when we return to God he accepts us, loves us, transforms us, and then places us back on our path. Are you ready to return to God?

I give tonight: B-
Favorite Moment: Being able to smell the story (dead fish heads)

Lost #1 -- Lost -- June 3rd

Tonight we started talking about a man named Jonah. We acted out the first chapter of Jonah, the 32nd book in the bible. In it, Jonah ends up hearing from God that he is to go to his enemies and get them to ask God for forgiveness. Rather than following God's plan he runs off on a boat headed in the opposite direction. A storm ends with Jonah being thrown overboard. While in the water he is swallowed by a gigantic fish, where he remained for three days.

We then discussed some ways that we run from God. I made four points of application for us.
1. When we run from God it is a lock we will end up lost.
2. We can be lost spiritually, physically, and destinically
3. No matter how far we run, God is still there
4. No matter how deep we go, we still have hope

No matter where you are right now, God is there waiting for you to turn back to him, to stop running and no longer be lost.

I give tonight: A+
Favorite moment: Alex and Cody's acting skills