Video from Sunday, June 6th

Yo-Yo Master #3

Video from Sunday, May 30th

Yo-Yo Master #2

Video from Sunday, May 23rd

Yo Yo Master At Work

Video from Sunday, May 9th

I'm Sorry Mom

Culture War -- Sunday, April 25th

This mornign we started our study of Daniel by reading from 1:1-21. In it Daniel and his friends must make a decision to stick up for their beliefs or fold to the ways of the culture around them. We used SOAP in order to study it. Try it on your own:

S (cripture) -- Write down what scripture you are reading from
O (bservations) -- This is what happened or what is said in those verses. It can also include background information that you might know or heard about
A (pplication) -- Take what you read and apply it to your life, how are you going to be changed by God's word?
P (rayer) -- Pray and ask God to help you with the application.

Enjoy!

I give this morning: A
Favorite Moment: All the guys and the girl

Hypocrisy -- Sunday, April 18th

This monring we talkeda bout Hypcrisy, which is a word that means two-faced. The idea being that a hypocrite is one that says one thing but does something else. We shouldn't be hypocrites as followers of God. 1st Peter 1:15-16 tells us that we need to be holy as God is. Our actions should match our words 100% and they should be the right actions/words. When we act hypocritically we can cause others to turn from God or even for those younger in the faith to stumble.

How do we deal with hypocrisy when we see it in others? Many times we just avoid them, but let us look a little closer at 7 things we should/shouldn't do in order to deal with hypocrites. #1 -- Realize you are a hypocrite too, you aren't better than the others beacause you yourself are one. #2 -- Work on YOUR areas of hypocrisy. Matthew 7:3-5 tell us that before we can remove the speck from our brother's eye we need to remove the plank from our own. #3 -- Realize there is a difference between willful hypocrisy and ignorant hypocrisy. Some people just don't know any better. #4 -- Love hypocrites, despite their hypocrisy. #5 -- Pray for hypocrites. #6 -- Live truth in front of hypocrites so they see how it is done. #7 -- Don't judge, unless you want judged in that area too, and in the same way (Matthew 7:1-2).

I give this morning: A+
Favorite Moment: (tie) "You're a sinner! But Jesus loves you!" or Jared asking if it okay to bring his bible to church.

The Fight -- Sunday, April 11th

We wrapped up the the Ephesians study this morning by reading chapter 6:10-24. In this final portion Paul challenges us to think a little bit differently than we normally do. He states taht we are in a fight but not he fight that we normally engage in, since it isn't against flesh and blood but instead against spiritual evils, agains the devil's schemes, agains the flaming arrows he shots at us, and against the day of evil. We want to win this fight and Paul gives us thirteen things we can do in order to fight and win.

#1 -- Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. This means finding your strength in God not yourself or others.
#2 -- Put on the full armor of God. We will look at each individual item but it is important to put on the whole thing so you don't have any weak points.
#3 -- Stand firm. Hold your ground and don't surrender to the enemy.
#4 -- Put the belt of truth around your waist. This truth helps to free you to move how God wants you to, instead of tripping you up like lies do.
#5 -- Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness protects our spiritual heart.
#6 -- Have your feet ready with the gospel of peace. Be ready to advance with the gospel.
#7 -- Hold the shield of faith. Faith helps extinguisht he flaming arrows of the enemy, which are shot to bring about panic. It helps us to remain stable admist chaos.
#8 -- Put on the helmet of salvation. Salvation protects our brain. It changes the way we look at the world and avoid the deceptions and traps of the enemy.
#9 -- Have the sword of the Spirit. This is God's word, both used for attack and defense.
#10 -- Pray in the Spirit. This is to be done on all occasions and with all kinds of prayers and requests.
#11 -- Be alert. Be ready at all times, easy or difficult.
#12 -- Always keep praying for all the saints. All christians are saints, so pray for fellow believers.
#13 -- Pray for Paul (or those in ministry). To speak understandably and without fear.

Are you ready for the fight?

I give this morning: A+
Favorite Moment: Johnny's prank

Submission -- Sunday, April 4th

We continued our study of the book of Ephesians today by looking at 5:21-6:9 which focuses on one very disliked word: Sumbission.

The bible tells us that we are all supposed to submit. In fact all relationships depend on this concept. We should be submissive people if there were no submission anarchy would prevail. The Bible gives us many examples of submission: slaves to masters, Israel to God, us to God, children to parents, wives to husbands, young to old, Christ to the cross, Christ to God, Christians to each other, and christians to the government to name a few.

So what exactly does submission mean? It comes from a greek word (hypotasso) which means 4 things.

#1 Arranging in rank under. This is a military term. It means that somoene in charge has given rank to others. The lower rank salutes and follows orders, not because the other person deserves it but because they rank has been set. It doesn't mean one is of higher importance or better, simply that they have been put in order.

#2 Willingly acquiescing to another who has been placed by God above you. Like playing tug of war and you just let go.

#3 To be subject to or submit to. This means you have your say but when it comes down to a disagreement you bend your own will to the other person's.

#4 Cooperation. Which emans you cooperate with their wishes even if it isn't what you want. You aren't competing with them or trying to take control.

We can also look at what submission isn't to give us a better picture of what it is. Submission isn't forced, it has to be the choice of the one submitting. Submission isn't agreement, you can still have your opinion. Submission doesn't mean you have to leave your brain behind. Submission doesn't mean you have lower worth. Submission doesn't include breaking God's law, if the person over you tells you to do something to do and it goes against God's law you should disobey.

We finished this by looking at Children obeying their parents, which is a command that comes with a promise. If you do it you will enjoy long life on earth and it will go well with you. It is also a command that it tells us that it pleases God (Colossians 3:20). So how are you going to start obeying your parents and submit to them?

I give this morning: B+
Favorite Moment: Digging a hole with the advice to marry an ugly wife

Children of Light -- Sunday, March 28th

This morning we continued our study of the book of Ephesians with the study of 4:17-5:20. It tells us that we were once darkness (it defined us, every action, though, and decision) but that we are now light (it defines us). We looked at both sides of the issue, what children of darkness look like and act like and what children of light look like and act like.

Darkness:
Futile thinking Separated from the life of God Hard hearts
Lost all sensitivity Sensual Indulging in every kind of impurity
Lustful Corrupted by deceitful desires False
Continually Angry Steal Speak unwholesomely
Grieve Holy Spirit Bitter Rage filled
Brawl Slander Malicious
Obscene Talk foolishly Joke coarsely
Immoral Impure Greedy
Idolater Unwise Foolish
Get Drunk Involved in debauchery

Light:
Righteous Holy Speak truth
Good Wise Kind
Compassionate Forgiving Loving
Giving Thanks Have a new attitude Godlike/Imitating God
Work Share with those in need Talk that builds up and benefits
Sealed by Holy Spirit Filled with Holy Spirit Please the Lord
Understand God's will Make the most of opportunities Speak in psalms, hymns, songs
Sing and make music No sexual immorality No impurity
No Greed Nothing to do with darkness Expose the darkness

It is important to note that the final part of this tells us to not even have a hint of these things, make it so that no one will even look at your life and think something bad is going on, and beyond that make sure you aren't actually doing any of the wrong things either. We are called to bring light to darkness. In a christian setting we need to expose and actually show the areas of that are tainted. In a cultural setting we can tell the culture that we don't approve of certain things. In a non-christian setting we don't need to scream or wear billboards but instead we can simply be a light that shine's Christ to them, showing them truth and drawing others to it.

I give this morning: A-
Favorite moment: "Sexual Immortality"

No Longer Tossed -- Sunday, March 21st

This morning we continued our study of Ephesians by reading chapter 4 verses 1 through 16. In the frist three verses we talked about being called and need to live a worthy life. That worthy life is to be a humble life, a gentle life, a patient life, a loving life, and a united life. Verses 4-6 tell us that we are part of one body, we have one Spirit, we have one hope, we have one Lord, we have one faith, we have one baptism, and we have one God the Father. Verses 7-10 talks about Jesus ascending into heaven after he had descended to the earth. He also gave us grace proportianally in order to make us all on equal footing spiritually.

Verses 11-16 finish it all off and was the focus of our morning. It starts by telling us that God has appointed some to be apostles (church planters/evangelists/missionaries), some as prophets (those who speak from God), some as pastors (those who take care of a congregation), and some as teachers (those who teach the bible). Why? He did it to prepare God's people. He wanted to prepare his people to do the following: #1. Works of service, #2. Build up the body of Christ, #3. Reach unity in faith and knowledge, #4. Become mature, #5. Attain the whole measure of fullness of Christ, #6. No longer be infants, #7. No longer be tossed back and forth, #8. Speaking the truth in love, #10. Growing up into Christ.

We are like any young kid, we start off by learning the basics, we might not make the connection between the do and do not but we have to learn what the rules are and make it a habit to follow it. It is very basic. As we grow we start to build on those basics and start memorizing things but still the application isn't there, we are still learning. Finally we graduate and become mature, we know the truths, we have habits of following those truths, but we also understand why they are important to do or not do, and finally we start to teach others. We need to grow up and become mature. Learn the truth, apply the truth, live the truth, and share the truth.

I give this morning: A
Favorite moment: Joel trying to move Ben

Special Speaker -- Sunday, March 14th

This morning Lacey Gorrod was our special speaker and covered Ephesians 3:1-21. We hope you enjoyed it.

I give this morning: B
Favorite Moment: "God is like a stalker, but in a good way."

Video from Sunday, March 7th

Way To Much Time On Their Hands

Built -- March 7th, 2010

We spoke from ephesians 2:11-22 this morning and talked about the need to build our youth group, our church, and ourselves in the right way.

Ephesians tells us that we need to have a foundation of the Bible and a cornerstone of Jesus. Many of us fail to be built in this way and it shows. If it is a church then it shows in how it acts toward the world, its members, and the community it is in. If it is you personally it shows in how you act. It iwll show in your priorities, your actions, the things you don't do, what others say about you, and in your attitude. Why do we fail in this area? I think it is for four reasons. #1 We look at Christianity as if it is just one part of our life, rather than everything else part of our christianity. #2 We are corrupted by the world and compromise to its way of doing things. #3 We are apathetic to sin, we just don't think it matters if we do right or wrong since God will forgive us. Ignoring that every sin, no matter how small, will effect you, your relationship with God, and others around you. #4 We are lazy and it is easier when Jesus is just a small part of our life.

Today is the day to start building your life right, with a foundation of the Bible and with Jesus as the cornerstone.

I give this morning: D+
Favorite Moment: DVD Case Christianity

Alive -- February 28th, 2010

We continued our Ephesians series this week. We read from Ephesians 2:1-10. In these verses we are presented with two lifestyles, one that is a living death and one that is being truly alive.

THE LIVING DEATH
We were once dead in our sins and transgressions.
#1 -- because we followed the ways of the world
#2 -- because we followed the ways of the devil
#3 -- because we gratified the cravings of our sinful nature
#4 -- because we followed our sinful nature's desires and thoughts
We were once objects of wrath

TRULY ALIVE
We were made alive in Christ
#1 -- because of God's great love
#2 -- because of God's great mercy
#3 -- because of God's grace
We were seated in the heavenly realms with Christ
We are saved
#1 -- Saved by grace through faith
#2 -- Saved not from our own works
#3 -- Saved as a gift of God
We are God's workmanship (a poem or work of art)

Many times we live as if we are still slaves to sina nd living that old way of life even though we have been made alive in Christ. Stop living i the past, you are brand new because of God!

I give this morning: B
Favorite moment: Elmo

Full -- Sunday, February 21st

We continued our study of the book of Ephesians this morning by reading 1:15-23. In these verses Paul talks about praying for the Ephesians but then also tells them three things that he is praying for them. First he says he wants them to know God better. This is through revelation (the bible) and through wisdom (experiencing him). The second part is that they would know the hope that comes from Christ. The last part is that they would know the power that comes from Christ. This power is shown by the way he rose from the dead, put Jesus in heaven, placed all things under Christ (including the church), and finally by filling everything in every way.

The follower of Christ is filled with Christ in every way and place possible, we are made complete and find fulfillment in Him. Without Jesus in us we are empty, broken, and hopeless. So God's power is evident when he fills us with Christ and totaly changes our lives from one without meaning to one with overflowing meaning.

I give this morning: A-
Favorite Moment: Khaki Green

Spiritual Blessings -- Sunday, February 14th

This morning we started our new series on the book of Ephesians. We read from 1:1-14. Paul, the apostle, wrote this letter to the town of Ephesus and then wanted it passed around to churches in that area. In the first section we see six spiritual blessings that God has given to us. What is a blessing? It is a bestowal of good or gviving of benefit to another.

#1 -- He chose us before the world was made to be holy and blameless
This blessing means that we have been spiritually forgiven for the sins that we have committed. We are now pure because of what God did for us (died).

#2 -- Adopted us
We are now part of his family which comes bieth benefits and responsibilities.

#3 -- Redeemed by his blood for the forgiveness of sins
We were once slaves to sin, but now we are bought by God out of that slavery.

#4 -- Made known to us the mystery of His will
We now know God's will so that helps guides us through this life.

#5 -- Chosen us to bring praise to God

#6 -- Sealed us with the Holy Spirit
He now resides in us, guding, comforting, teaching, and speaking to us.

Since we have these blessings what are we going to do with them? We could hide them, misues them or use them wisely.

I give this morning: C+
Favorite Moment: Haley yelling at Jakob

Modesty -- Sunday, February 7th

This morning we focused on a single word: modesty. Modesty means dressing, speaking, and acting appropriately. We took each of the catagories and discussed how we can determine if we are dressing appropriately, speaking appropriately, and acting appropriately.

In order to deteremine in each catagory what is appropriate it had to pass 3 tests. #1 is it culturally apporpriate. There are many cultures you are part of (school, home, county, country, church, friends, etc...) and each one has a level of apporpriateness for dress, speech, and action.

If it passes the first we move to #2 Biblically appropriate. For clothing this means if what you are wearing or not wearing is worn in order to get people to check you out, then it is biblically inapporpriate. For speech we are supposed to not have perverse, rude, or unwholesome talk come for us. For action, if it strays from the perfection of morality that God has set it is in apporpriate.

If it passes #1 and #2 we move finally to #3 which is, is it weaker brother appropriate. This principle teaches us that if it causes someone weaker in the faith to stumble it isn't appropriate. So for clothing, if it ups the lust factor (draws the eyes away from the eyes) then it is inappropriate. Some things that fall into that catagory (overly tight, cleaveage (front or back), shortness, shows a lot of skin, has writing that draws attention to a certain feature, or if it has bad things on the clothing itself. If we are talking about speech, sometimes the topics or words we use may cause others to stumble in their faith. And with action sometimes it isn't a sin but could cause others to sin by seeing you act in a certain way.

If you follow this advice you will be well on your way to modest living.

I give this morning: A+
Favorite Moment: Haley calling me a big, fat, jerk.... :(

Revenge -- Sunday, January 24th

Today we read from Genesis 45:1-11 and 50:15-21. Both passages have to do with Joseph being reunited with the brothers who sold him into slavery and having to make a choice of whether to handle them with love and forgivness or revenge. In both cases he chose not to revenge because he knew that God was working and used their evil to bring about good, the saving of all from the famine.

Bad things happen to each one of us. Sometimes this is because of our own actions, sometimes by other people's actions, sometimes by God's will. But who caused it isn't as important as how we react to that bad thing. We don't always understand why they happen but they hurt us non the less. Soemtiems we react with anger, fear, depression, or even revenge. But the proper reaction is none of these but instead a trust that God will take care of you no matter what else goes on. That even though it hurts right now, God is right there besied you taking care of you. We need to trust that one day God will use that expereince to help others. Romans 8:28-38 tells us just this, he works together everything for the good of those who follow after him. No matter what he can take the worst circumstances and turn them for God.

I give this morning: B+
Favorite Moment: Rock Scissors Paper Tourneyment

Bad Things Happen -- Sunday, January 17th

We read from Genesis 41 today as we continued the story of Joseph. A quick review: Joseph was born to a large but rich family, he was the favored son, he did the right thing and told on his brothers for being lazy, he did the wrong thing and bragged about his dreams, his brothers hated him and tried to kill him, his brothers instead sold him into slavery, he was sold to an executioner as his slave, he did the right things and the house prospered, his master's wife offered to sleep with him but he continually rejected it, the wife claimed he tried to rape her so he is thrown into jail, he interpreted dreams of those in jail and asked them to remember him, two years pass while in jail, he is released to interpret the Pharaoh's dream, he intrepts it and is appointed as the 2nd in command of all of Egypt...whew...

Why was Joseph hated by his brothers? Partially for being the favored son, but partially for doing the right thing.

Why was Joseph sold into slavery? For doing what his dad asked.

Why was Joseph put in jail? For not committing adultery.

Why was Joseph put as the 2nd in command? Because God had grace on him.

So hold onto these truths. #1 Life is hard. #2 Doing the right thing doesn't guarentee immediate success in life. #3 Doing the wrong thign doesn't guarentee immediate punishment. #4 Doing the right thing will eventually be rewarded (even if not in this life). #5 Doing the wrong thing will eventually be punished (even if not in this life). In the mean time keep doing the right thing, no matter what the consequences are or what is going on in your life.

I give this morning: B-
Favorite Moment: Lima, Peru Challenge

Flee -- Sunday, January 10th

Today we continued our story of Joseph in chapter 39 of Genesis. In the chapter he is sold into slavery to the captain of the guard: Potiphar. Potiphar's wife tries to sleep with him but he ends up running away from her, so quickly he leaves her holding his cloak. She claims he tried to rape her and he is sent to prison...for doing the right thing.

What is temptation? Simply put, it is something that tries to get a person to do wrong. The devil uses many traps and tempatations to get a person to do wrong. But 1st Corinthians 10:13 tells us that when we are tempted God gives us a way out. Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15-16 tells us that Jesus was tempted but never sinned and he is the one who helps out those being tempted and we shoudl approach him in our time of need. 2nd Timothy 2:22 tells us that we are supposed to flee temptation but also pursue: righteousness, faith, love, and peace. So not just run away from temptation but run to something good.

I give this morning: B
Favorite moment: "If you struggle with lust, stay away from strip clubs"