Upcoming Movie

Hey check out this website and let me know what you think about this upcoming movie.


http://www.expelledthemovie.com/video.php

Lame Duck Leadership

Hey Juniors and Seniors want to avoid being a Lame Duck Leader? Here on some practical ways to INVEST or POUR into someone else's life. Feel free to add to the list with your own comments.

1. Give them a ride (offer before they ask)
2. Call them on their Birthday
3. Take them to McDonald's for a Happy Meal, who doesn't like that?
4. Invite them to eat dinner with you and your family one night.
5. Tutor them (a.k.a. help them with their homework)
6. Bring them a can of soup when they are sick
7. Send them and email with a "God Centered" challenge
8. Say, "Hi" to them at school
9. Pray for them
10. Memorize a Bible Verse with them
11. Ask them about their Non-Christian friends, who they are and what they are doing about that.
12.
13.

RETREAT!

Retreat!? That doesn't sound like a real good rallying point for anyone in the battle. "you want us to retreat? You want us to go backward, to give up territory?" It is difficult for soldiers in the midst of battle to understand the strategic advantages of retreating. However, some of the most famous battles in history have been won because the commanders had portions of their forces retreat. Why would a youth pastor challenge his group to "RETREAT". It is true that we are in a battle but not against flesh & blood, it's a spiritual battle. We prioritize a couple times a year for our group to gain a strategic advantage during the battle by retreating.
Retreat = repair, renew, re-energize, restore, recover & regroup. Don't miss this opportunity to retreat with us for just a few days in February. You won't regret it.

Christmas 2007 "Its not about me"

Why don't you share your story with us on how you are making this Christmas NOT ABOUT YOU.

Thankful

I justed wanted to say how thankful I am to everyone who overwhelmed me with so many fantastic gifts. In over 12 years of youth ministry I've never recieved gifts like those. I felt really akward considering I just got done saying Christmas is not about me in my message. Rarely in my life am I speechless but Sunday night I was. Friendship you are the best youth group in the world!

My Heroes

I am so proud of so many of you over the past month. I've checked out your websites, listened in on your conversations and watched your behavior. So many of you are actually making the changes you said you wanted to after the Fall Retreat. I've seen some of you in your "about me" sections on your websites have put "its not about me"! Way to go. I've observed many of you bringing friends to the River and to other youth group events. Some of you are going out of your way to serve others. Many of you have forgiven people and have reconciled old relationships.

I wanted to point out one guy in particular this past week. It is difficult to single out just one person in a group of students that I think are so incredible. However, I feel like what he did was so outstanding I want us all to celebrate. Many of you brought friends to the Turkey Bowl this year. I hope they had fun. Craig Larson went out and rallied his friends (7 of them) and got them to come to the Turkey Bowl this year! There were many stories on that day that I am celebrating who you invited but I thought we should all pat Craig on the back and say, "way to go". He took a risk and we should all encourage him for doing it.

What about you? Who are the HEROES you've seen over the past month that you want to celebrate how they are proving "its not about me"?

Baptism

Why get baptised? Duh because Jesus commands people to "believe and be baptised". Notice the order. Baptism is something Christians do AFTER they believe. It is an opportunity to share publicly your commitment to Jesus Christ. Baptism is a symbol of "I no longer live (under water) but now its Christ living within me (raised from the water)" It is a symbol of the new life we have in Jesus Christ. You also get to ask everyone in the audience to hold you accountable to being a Christ follower.

Why wouldn't a believer get baptised!

Anyone want to share their story of baptism?