cslewis

"All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy."
C.S. Lewis

Monday, March 28, 2011

Scripture for Life - Balance III

More on the topic of Balance, the scripture verse for today is:

Proverbs 4:25-27
"Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all side-show distractions.  Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you."

My prayer for all of us this week is that we will each be able to control our schedules and manage time to pause and reflect on God.  I believe God intended man to live a slower, more peaceful lifestyle that what is required by modern society.  Do you ever think that life would be better if we were just able to slow down?

-Wes


  

Friday, March 25, 2011

Balance - II

The topic this week is on how it's important to have BALANCE in your life.

Here's a video on the subject, this guy definitely has the balance thing figured out!

Happy Friday!

-Wes
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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Scripture Memory Verse; Week 1; Proverbs 3:6

At our meeting last night we agreed to commit to memorizing one Scripture verse each week.  We'll have a quiz on the verse each week and if you have it memorized, we agreed that you'll receive 3 extra points for the week!

The Scripture Memory Verse this week is:
Proverbs 3:6
"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

-Wes

New Weekly Topic - Balance

The topic for this coming week is balance, as in maintaining balance in your life.

From our lesson book:
When life is busy, you have a couple of options. You can over-commit to the point of burnout.  You can get so overwhelmed that you give up and drop out.  Or you can ask God to help you find balance.  A balanced life is a healthy, God-honoring life.  It's the kind of life Jesus lived.  He spent His days teaching, healing, and helping those around Him.  But, Jesus also took time out.  He dined with friends, went to a wedding, and climbed a mountain just to spend time along with His Father.  Want to follow Jesus?  Follow His example by putting firt things first and keeping your priorities clear.

For point, please post a discussion comment on whether you've every felt over-committed and like you were running just to keep up.  Maybe you fell that way now?  What have you done to cope with it before, what are some things you might do now if you're feeling that way?

-Wes

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Scripture for Life - Authority V

This is the final scripture verse in this series on Authority.  Today's verse is:

Matthew 28:18
"Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. "


What do you think life would be like if Jesus were here and exercised authority over everything - as the Bible tells us it will be after his return?



Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Scripture for Life - Authority

Today's post is the final in our series on Authority.

The verse today is:
Titus 3:1-3
"Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,2to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.3For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another."


For points, please make a post that you have read this entry and considered it's implications for your life.

-Wes

Monday, March 21, 2011

More on Authority...

Today's posting is a video about submitting to Authority - first to God, then to those God has placed in a position of authority in our lives.



The message in this video is very simple and common, have you ever responded like this? 


Sunday, March 20, 2011

Scripture for Life - The Authority of God

Pastor Faron's sermon today was about Abram (Abraham) and how he became a blessing to humanity because he obeyed God.

In a similar way, we are all called to submit to the authority of God.

Today's Scripture verse is:

Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."


For points, please post a comment, can you think of any time in your life when you responded to what you believed was the will of God for you?

-Wes

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Scripture for Life - Authority

We're back on the topic of the week - Authority.

The Scripture Verse for today is:
1 Timothy 2:1-2
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."

This message is similar to the previous one about chaos.  You can see how it's important to use to pray for those in power - in the government, etc., that they will lead godly lives and make wise decisions that affect us all.

Have you ever prayed for anyone in the government?  It might seem odd, but it's important.

-Wes 

Friday, March 18, 2011

Proclaim the Name of Jesus!

Since it's Friday I thought I'd post a video for you to enjoy today, with the message that we are called to proclaim the name of Jesus to all the world!

The Scripture Verse for today is Romans 10:9
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Here's a video of Comedian Steve Harvey doing just that...

The title of the video is "Introducing Jesus"



For Points today - please post a comment about a time when you proclaimed the name of Jesus to someone else.  If you haven't done that yet, can you think of a time when you would have the opportunity to?

Happy Friday,
-Wes

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Scripture for Life - Authority

The lesson topic this week is 'Authority'

The Scripture verse for today is:
1 Peter 5:5-6
"Be submissive to those who are older.  All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."  Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up."

This is not a scripture verse that is directed only at youth, this is for all of us.  We are instructed here to respect our elders, and especially God; to submit to His authority.

It could be said that God places some in a position of authority over you in order to bring order out of chaos. 

For points, please make a post and explain what this statement means to you - "Without anyone in authority, everything would be chaos."

-Wes

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

This is the Truth...Video

For points - watch this video and post any comments it brings to mind..
-Wes

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Just for Fun - Parking Fail...

Those of you who are soon going to be learning how to drive - take notes....

Scripture for Life - Integrity

The Scripture verse for today is:

Proverbs 10:9
"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out."


For points, please post a comment.
What does this scripture mean to you?  Can you think of a time when you told the truth, or did the right thing, even though it was more difficult, and might have caused you some trouble?

-Wes

Monday, March 14, 2011

Scripture for Life - Praying for Others

The topic of discussion this week is Appearance, meaning that we should look on the inside of people instead of what judging them by what we see on the outside.

A related calling that we have with that is to keep others in our prayers, we are to always place others above ourselves - imagine what the world would be like if everyone actually did that!!!

The scripture verse for today is:
Job 42:10
"And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before."

For points, please post a comment and share with us about a time when you prayed for another person.

Here's a video on the subject you might find interesting and moving...
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Sunday, March 13, 2011

Winter Jam Video - Newsboys

I for one had a great time at the show and the lock-in, I hope you all did as well.

The Scripture Verse for today is:


Psalm 149:1
"Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!


I think it's safe to say that Winter Jam fulfills the calling of this scripture!

Here's a News Boys video. This video is of them in Charlotte, but it looks like the show was the same."

I had a great time with all of you.

For points, post any comments you have about the show or the lock-in.

-Wes
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Saturday, March 12, 2011

WINTER JAM!

Today is the day!  I can't wait for the show tonight, then we have the lock-in at the church.

The post for today is this Winter Jam video.

For points, just post a comment that you watched the video today, I'll see you all this afternoon!

In Christ,
-Wes
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Friday, March 11, 2011

Scripture for Life - Love

I'm changing the topic around some today, I'd like to focus on how we are called to support and love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Scripture verse for this today is:

1 John 4:7 
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God"


Does it make sense to you that if God is Love, and we are called to demonstrate the love of God to those around us, then we are called to love those around us?

What does this look like for you?  For points, please post a comment on how we can show love to one another in our everyday lives...

Here's a video on the subject of showing love to each other...
-Wes

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Scripture for Life - Acceptance (Revisited)

With Ash Wednesday yesterday, we are now into the season of Lent.  The posts I made leading up to yesterday's service were to help you learn more about what we are celebrating during this season of the church.

I will switch back and forth betwen topics this week, leading up to our next Group meeting next Wednesday.  As you know, we've got Winter Jam this weekend, and the lock-in at the church that night!

I'm shifting back to the topic of study for next week, of Acceptance.

The scriptue verse for today is:
Proverbs 31:30
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." (NASB)

Another way of saying this would be; "Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.  The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear of God."  (The Message Translation)

What does it mean to you when it says Charm is deceitful, or that it can mislead?  What's another name for charm?

-Wes

Weekly Points Winner!

The winner of the Weekly points challenge - to post the most times during the week - was Christa!  

She made a total of 7 blog posts from Wednesday of last week to yesterday, Wednesday of this week.

She earns an additional 5 points towards her total for winning the challenge this week!  
The runner-up this week was Taylor with 5 posts!  Well done!

The points totals have been updated, Christa is in the lead and is getting really close to earning her first gift card of her choice!  Also as a reminder, the first one to earn a gift card will actually get two as a bonus!