REVOLUTION

Every Young Man's Battle

2012-02-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

Striking testimonies and biblical principles are brought together into a captivating, informative docudrama that will challenge young men to choose a life of sexual purity. Run Time: 1 hour.

Growth Cards

2012-01-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

We want students to be actively growing and stretching their faith. So we've introduced "Growth Cards" which is a tangible way for them to move that direction. Students can pick up 1-6 cards as that they want to focus on that week. They need to fill out the back of the card for accountability, but the main thing we want them to do is- to do their best and let God do the rest! As they focus on these or other Spiritual Disciplines that may come to mind, they will begin to see their faith grow.

Front of Card

Back of Card

Jan. 4, 2012

2012-01-03T16:43:00.000-08:00

What: 2012 Kickoff!! Start the year off right!
Where: Portland Christian Center
Date: 1/4/12
Cost: FREE

Upcoming Schedule

2011-12-22T13:06:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER

Dec. 24- 5:00pm Christmas Eve Service

Dec. 25- 10:00am Christmas Morning Service (No Sunday School)

Dec. 28- Building Closed *no middle school service scheduled

JANUARY

Jan. 1- 10:00am Service (No Sunday School)

Jan. 6- 8th Grade Girl’s Party (off Campus) 6p-9p

Jan. 14- Sunday School @ 9:00am

Jan. 13-15 Winter Camp $160 (All inclusive)

Skate World 2011

2011-12-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

My Kids Have Looked at Porn! What do I do now?

2011-12-19T09:51:00.000-08:00

WWW.CPYU.ORG

Parents are protective by nature. Healthy parents will guard and protect their children from just about any danger and harm. Kids are strapped into seat belts and constantly told not to run into the street. When they are older, they’ll listen to countless mini lec- tures on how to drive safely, how to stay away from drugs and to be home by 10:00PM.

But some dangers keep lurking along the edges of life. You can’t protect your children from every potential danger that’s out there. Even for the best of parents, “protective fatigue” sets in, resulting in reduced vigilance in areas that aren’t as visible as other dangers. When parents let down their guard—and we all do somewhere—it allows our children to walk through some doors that can do great harm and damage.

Pornography is one of those doors.

Gym Night

2011-12-13T17:04:00.000-08:00

DATE: 12/14/11
INCLUDES: GAMES, PRIZES, SPECIAL MESSAGE, SMALL GROUPS
TIME: 7:00P-8:30P
LOCATION: PORTLAND CHRISTIAN CENTER

Bible Trivia Gameshow!

2011-12-07T17:01:00.000-08:00

What: A competition where everybody's going to have a shot to collect points and win the Grand Prize!!! Next week: Gym Night!!
Tonight: 7:00p-8:30p
Location: PCC (Fireside room)

NEW Sunday school Series- GROW UP

2011-11-30T17:16:00.000-08:00

Lessons God uses to grow our faith

Series Overview:

Do your students ever wish they could just grow up? Maybe they long for the day they'll get their driver’s licenses. Or graduate from high school. Or go away to college. They don’t really want to be kids anymore. They want to be seen as adults. They want to feel like they’ve moved on, grown up. We all know how that happens physically, but what about spiritually? How do we know we’re growing in your faith? How do we know that you’re moving forward in that area of our lives? The good news is that God is just as passionate about growing our faith as we are. And there are five ways He will use to do that—some involving things that we probably already know, and other ways that we may have never thought about before.

Session One: Big Faith (12/4/11)

Your faith in God matters to God. In fact, God is most honored through your living, active, death-defying, out-of-the-box faith. That being the case, He’s committed to growing it. Big. Imagine how differently you would respond to difficulties, temptations, and even good things if you knew with certainty that God was in all of it and was planning to leverage it for good. But in order for all of that to happen, there’s one thing it all hinges on—your trust.

Talking with your student: What area of your life are you most reluctant to trust God? Why?

Session Two: Big Life (12/11/11)

You can know a lot. Maybe you know the stats of every football player in the NFL. Maybe you know the cheat codes to hundreds of games. Maybe you know every Scripture in the New Testament. But unless you do something with what you know, then what you know isn’t enough. Especially when it comes to our faith. God’s truth was meant to be put into action. It was meant to affect our lives, our relationships. And when we begin to live out the truths we know, something happens to us our faith. It begins to grow.

Talking with your student: What is one truth that you know from the Bible that you can commit to live out this week? Follow up with each other to see how that’s going.

Session Three: Big Team (12/18/11)

Who has had the most influence in your life? Your mom? Your dad? A coach? A camp counselor? There are all kinds of people that play a part in our lives, in our stories. And some of these people have played a part in how you see God. In fact, God has used some of those relationships to grow your faith. We call these relationships providential because they are about having the right people in your life at just the right time.

Talking with your student: Who are the people in your life who have had a direct impact on your relationship with God? In what way did these people influence, guide or encourage you?

Session Four: Big Give (1/8/12)

God grows your faith through spiritual disciplines. That’s probably not news for you. Praying and being generous are just things that Christian do. But there’s more than just doing an action because it’s the right thing to do. In fact, in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He tells us that not only is our heart tied to how we pray and our generosity, but also the growth of our faith.

Talking with your student: How can you leverage your time this week so that you spend more time with God? What is one way you can be generous this week?

Session Five: Big Serve (1/22/12)

Did you know that your spiritual growth is linked to your service? That’s right. You get something out of filling that volunteer position in the nursery or children’s ministry. You’re not just doing a job, filling a slot—you’re growing. God uses that service to teach you something about Him and others. And even if you don’t feel like you’re the best person for the job, or if you wonder, “Why am I doing this?” God says that if you want to grow, you have to serve.

Talking with your student: Have you ever had a great experience while serving another person? What was so great about it? What are some characteristics you see in each other that would be assets in serving?

Session Six: Big Moments (1/29/12)

Have you ever met someone who went through something really difficult, yet if they had a chance to rewind and change what happened, they would be reluctant to do it? And the reason is because there was something they learned from that experience. It’s what we call a pivotal circumstance, a defining moment in their lives. Each of us has had one. Some may seem bigger than others. But to each one of us, they are huge. And you know what? Even thought it’s not something we would necessarily choose or want to happen, God takes those moments and uses them to grow our faith.

Talking with your student: Share about a time in your life that was really hard, but something good came out of it. Maybe you learned something new about God or yourself. Maybe you built some great relationships with people who supported you. How did what you learned or experienced somehow make the situation more bearable?

Upcoming Middle School Schedule:

2011-11-28T14:25:00.000-08:00

NOVEMBER

Nov. 30- All Choir Rehearsal 6PM-9PM *no middle school service scheduled

DECEMBER

Dec. 1- All Choir Dress Rehearsal @ 7pm-9:30pm (in Outfits)

Dec. 2-Christmas Performance @ 7:30pm

Dec. 3-Christmas Performances @ 4:30pm & 7:30pm

Dec. 4- Sunday School @ 9:00am & Christmas Performances @ 4:30pm & 7:30pm

Dec. 7- Revolution @ 7:00pm

Dec. 9- Christmas Concert Performance @ 7:30pm

Dec. 10- Christmas Concert Performances @ 4:30pm & 7:30pm

Dec. 11- Sunday School @ 9:00am & Christmas Performances @4:30pm & 7:30pm

Dec. 14- Revolution @ 7:00pm

Dec. 18- Sunday School @ 9:00am

Dec. 21- Middle School Christmas Party @ Skateworld (off Campus) 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Dec. 24- 5:00pm Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 25- 10:00am Christmas Morning Service (No Sunday School)

Dec. 28- Building Closed *no middle school service scheduled

JANUARY

Jan. 1- 10:00am Service (No Sunday School)
Jan. 6- 8th Grade Girl’s Party (off Campus) 6p-9p
Jan. 14- Sunday School @ 9:00am

Jan. 13-15 Winter Camp $160 (All inclusive)

A Neighbor's Reaction to our "Rake & Run" Event

2011-11-23T14:34:00.000-08:00

Nov. 19th

Portland Christian Center | A Neighbor's Reaction to our Middle Schoolers "Rake & Run" Event

Saturday

2011-11-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

Had personal devotions today on the beach. Walked around, laid in a hammock, and read a book all before breakfast.

We're in Puerto Lopez (on the coast) and spent the day sight seeing at Isle De Le Plata.
It's about 23 miles off shore and we did a hike looking at rare blue footed birds, then ate lunch and did some snorkeling. Two of us got "stung" about 20 times by some kind of small fish. It felt like a mosquito bite. Just enough to make you brush off your arm (if that's wear you got stung) as you swam.

We had dinner at a restaurant that was out of potatoes, bread, fruit, and most of what we tried to order. The cook made the waiter get on his bike and go get the ingredients for us. We sat around and talked and laughed for a while. They brought us double portions because of the hassle. As I sit here, I'm drinking a mango smoothy and listening to local techno directly outside the window.

Tomorrow we leave here at 8:00a local time and drive back about 3 hrs to Guayaquil just in time for the third church service.

Friday

2011-11-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

Today's Devotion: Neh. 5

Today we didn't work on the project, instead we visited two children's homes in a poor neighborhood, then went to the school for a tour. The school is double booked, so that more children & teens can go to school. There's white shirt kids in the morning and blue shirt kids in the afternoon. Pastor Jerry showed us around the facility and took a few pictures with us as students were lining up. Once they were lined up, we were motioned down and stood in front of the crowd while the principal prayed over everyone. It was a great moment that I wasn't expecting. It was neat to see Pastor Jerry's vision from 1986 a reality!

This afternoon we had some killer tuna sandwiches and drove in a tour bus up to a small fishing town along the beach. Most of the group watched "The Next 3 Days" on the way up (the rest of us slept). The town is beautiful. We're going out on the water tomorrow!

Wednesday

2011-11-09T17:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was flat out tired and short on time for any posts.
Today's Devos: Neh. 3

Randomness:
I ate well for breakfast again.
Got lots of cement mixed and poured and moved.
I'm enjoying card playing with the group
Learning more and more spanish everyday.
"Mex-la" is the most important word. It means somebody needs mix (mortar).
I got to dig a ditch for the first time. That was incredibly tiring, but the guy digging it looked like he needed a break pretty bad, so I asked him if I could do it for a while.
We have tons of iguanas all around the school building site.
One of the workers found a very small poisonous snake (the size of a worm)
I learned the word Pika (BITE) when the worker pinched my arm :)
My roomate Vic Bailey has arrived. A very cool dude.
That's all the randomness you get for today, Adios!

Monday

2011-11-07T16:06:00.000-08:00

Group Devotion was in Nehemiah 1.

First day on the job was cool, cloudy perfect for hard labor. I choose to move lots of blocks (bloques) along with several from the group. I feel like I tapped my inner Bob the Builder and had a blast! We have very skilled people (not me) on this trip and are adding lots of value to the project. The building has 5 floors and is an enormous undertaking. Even with the scope of everything, I really feel like we made a big difference and this is only day 1.

Random Facts:
Today we ate carne asada, beans, and rice for lunch (almorzar) and finished the day off with Taco soup.
The sour cream is "milk-like" in consistency with a few lumps. Pretty tasty though.
The Heffe (boss) on the job was pleased with our contribution.
We're working alongside a professional construction crew so we make it a point to connect with them throughout the day.
The construction site does not have a bathroom, I repeat it does not have a bathroom, BUT there is one about 1000 yards away at the church. However, I never saw a paid worker going to use it... ..... .....
The workers are paid $65 a week (about $1 per hour). 11 hr. work days + Saturdays.
Some of them cut bamboo and use it for cups.
There is a poor neighborhood up on a hill close by with an incredible view! I heard that the higher the ground, the poorer the people are, because the rich people don't want to walk up the hill.

Sunday

2011-11-06T14:25:00.000-08:00

Most of the team got to the hotel at 1:00a last night and were down for breakfast by 8:30a. This morning I ate green stew on rice, papaya, bread, and flan. The stew tasted good, but the meat was super chewy so I politely put it in my napkin and took the next bite of “meat” It was even chewier… Again, into the napkin it went. I started pushing the “meat” around with my fork only to discover that it had stomach spuds on it… It was tripe (animal stomach)! Well surprise, surprise; I don’t even want to know what the green stuff was, but still finished everything but the stomach.

The team met in the lobby at 10:30a to head out to church and returned at 4:30p. Service was done by 1:45p but, we ate lunch at the church, then the Pastor and his wife took us out to the building site.

The church (Centro Cristiano de Guayaquil) was started in a house in 1985 and has since grown to about 9,000 members with a giant building complex. Pastor Jerry and Janice have been there for 26 years and have seen people receive Christ every single week without fail. 95% of their growth is from new converts. They have three services which utilize a lot of media (4 screens).

Kirk gave us a tour of their 400 max children’s wing (Top of the line). They have to turn extra kids away. There’s a Saturday night high school & young adult service and three Junior high services on Sunday morning. They also meet on Sunday night and baptize people there once a month. Last week they baptized 90 people. THEY HAVE TWO BAPTISMAL TANKS! I guess it would get a little bottlenecked with just one.

Random facts:

-There are rental soccer fields all over the city (of 3 million people). They rent for about $10 an hour.

-Only 5% of the population in Ecuador makes over $500 a month.

-People clap on the “off beat” for worship songs at church.

-All but one team member is here.

Ate a Giant sandwich for dinner tonight, had a taste of pizza that reminded me of fruit paste on bread, then went to Heladaria (Ice Cream Shop) and ate some coconut ice cream that tasted like the middle of an almond joy. Yum.

Saturday

2011-11-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

Kirk Smith

I think I slept about 7 1/2 hours on the way over on three airplanes yesterday (I sleep really well on planes!) and read two small books and listened to several audio book chapters.

I got into the country last night about 11:30p and Kirk Smith (Group Coordinator in Ecuador) picked me up at the airport. He lives in the states but is down here helping with the project.

Random Facts:
-Nobody here speaks english unless their a businessman.
-Last night, I found out the hotel had no hot water bbrrrr. (supposed to fix that today)
-The food tastes very indigenous everything tastes different than in USA.
-I ate, sea bass, plantains, and watermelon juice, lemon juice, and Kirk took me out to sweet coffee this afternoon. All were two thumbs up!
-The town of 3 million is almost deserted because of "the day of the dead" holiday. Everybody's at the beach (1 hr. away).
-There's a 5 day holiday for Dia Del Muerto this week so most businesses are closed up.
- The average monthly income is somewhere around $400 a month.
-We need to tip everybody who helps us like .25 - .50 cents because there's only so many places we can (safely) go as Americans, and so the service people know who we are, so everything is a reflection on the local ministry and how they treat people.

Lost Passport??

2011-11-04T05:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks to John Anderson for giving me a ride to the airport @ 3am today. Dude, you rock!

I got through security on schedule (using my passport) then stopped off to put my shoes on and make sure that I had everything, well I couldn't find my passport... I searched through everything about four times and was thinking I'd have to swallow my pride and ask the TSA people if THEY had it, but decided to dissect my two carry ons layer by layer and low and behold, I found it!

I walked away telling myself I needed a standard system and promised myself that the passport would go in the same pocket every time.

I've heard lots of things about habits being bad things, but Good habits can be a pastor's best friend.

As you can tell, I'm easily amused. Passport, you will not escape me again. Ecuador Here I come!

New Sunday School Series- TEN

2011-10-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

Overview

Thirty-five hundred years ago Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with a short list of rules that has shaped the values of people and nations for centuries. We know them as the Ten Commandments, but do we really know them? Many people believe that the rules are a condition for a relationship with God, things we must do to get in His good graces. But just the opposite is true. The relationship came before the rules. And the commandments were meant to not only reveal God’s heart, but to keep His people free.

Session One: The Rules (10-30-11)

Bottom Line: Relationship always precedes rules with God.

To many, Christianity is about following a set of rules. And if you asked them “Why?” they would point to a single source—the Bible. Specifically, they would probably mention the Ten Commandments. But what most people miss is the whole context for that list. God established a relationship with the Israelites long before He even gave them the rules. He wanted them to know they were His people. The reality is that following the rules will never make God love us more. In fact, when you try to live them out, you begin to see just how much you need Him. With God, the relationship always precedes the rules. Always.

Talking with your student: The relationship and rules connection is something that you live with in your role as parent/child. Talk about how relationship always precedes rules in your home.

Session Two: One & Only (11-6-11)

Bottom Line: The most important decision you make is what you place in the center of your life.

The first two commandments—“You shall have no other gods before me” and “You shall not make for yourself an idol”— are two of the most often forgotten. They have nothing to do with ego—in fact, they have more to do with us. If our lives revolved around God, then all of the other commandments, such as stealing, lying, adultery, etc., wouldn’t be an issue. So what would your life look like if you had no other gods but God?

Talking with your student: What are some things that are other “gods” in your life? How can we help each other not make those “gods” the center of our lives?

Session Three: That’s Not My Name (11-13-11)

Bottom Line: When you use the name of God to dodge the will of God, you will ultimately miss out on God entirely.

Have you ever said God’s name when you were angry or rattled off “OMG”? If so, you may have heard someone talk about you breaking one of the Ten—the one about misusing God’s name. But there’s much more to this command. Just think about it, do you think that’s all God was concerned about? Do you think that was the only reason He put it on such an important list? The reality is that we abuse God’s name when we choose to use it for our own selfish purposes—and that’s a dangerous game that involves more than just a careless slip of the tongue. If we dodge the will of God in the name of God, then we run the risk of missing God entirely.

Talking with your student: Beyond swearing, what are some examples in history or in our world today of people abusing God’s name. What are some situations when you are tempted to abuse God’s name?

Session Four: Do Nothing (11-20-11)

Bottom Line: When we stop and acknowledge how God has cared for us and our world, we realize who is really in control.

How crazy is your life? Doesn’t it seem like the weeks go by so fast? Okay, maybe not the school day or your shift at work—but the rest of your time, like your free time—how much of it seems to just disappear before you know it? What if you were more intentional with your time? More specifically, what if you spent time each week pausing, reflecting and acknowledging what God has done for you and everyone else the rest of the week? What if you took time to stop, rest and realize that no matter how much you thought you were in control of every minute, He was really in control all along?

Talking with your student: What has God done for you this week? How can you be more in tune with noticing what He does around you?

Session Five: Unto Others (11-27-11)

Bottom Line: God places value on each person, and desires for everyone to be free.

The final six commandments illustrate a key truth about God—He cares a great deal about how we treat each other. In fact, these commandments were so revolutionary at the time because they showed that everyone had worth and value. God gave us these laws, not as some type of admissions test into heaven, but as instructions on how to live and be free in Him. He knows that not only is our relationship with Him important, but so are the relationships He has placed in our lives.

Talking with your student: Go through the final six commandments (Exodus 20:12-17) and discuss how these commands are about valuing other people. Talk about ways we “steal,” “murder” etc one another, ways that may go beyond our traditional definition of these words.

October 30th Pumpkin Patch Event!

2011-10-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

This day includes haybale Bible study, free hayrides, free pumpkin for each student courtesy of theEgger family, corn maize & more!

Date: October 30th
Time: 12:30pm-4pm
(meet in the Fireside Room)

Cost: Bring spending $ for the corn maize ($5 for 12 & under & $7 for 13+), cow train($2), or if you want to purchase snacks.

What To Bring: permission slip, sack lunch, warm clothes, shoes that can get dirty

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!!!

Parent-Teen Conversations About Internet

2011-10-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

The Comcast Corporation recently announced the findings of of its Internet safety and security survey and found that only 65 percent of parents have actually had a conversation about online safety issues with their kids.

Parents should initiate these conversations with their children as they progress through different developmental stages - teens, tweens, school-age children and preschoolers. Click below to access new discussion guides for parents. The discussion guides are FREE.
CLICK HERE

Oct. 5, 2011

2011-10-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

Topic: Jesus at the Temple

Text: Matt. 1:12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’[e] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’[f]”

- John 2:13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”[c]

Look There’s certain things that make you mad. Your brother reading your diary.

Your sister eating your Halloween candy. Maybe it’s them wearing your clothes or making faces at you.

Walking into the temple on this day Jesus got mad. Why? He was passionate about his father’s house. Who was his Father? God! This was a misuse of it.

What he knew is that this space was dedicated to honoring God, and now it was all about making money. Lots and lots of money.

You may not understand his emotions, but listen to this story; On the day that a man’s daughter was to be married, she walked into the dressing room and someone had smeared wet dog feces into every pour of the garment. What was once meant to show the purity of her love was now corrupted and the awful stench filled the room. Imagine what her father would do if he walked into the room and caught the person distainfully mashing the poop into it. How would he react?

To watch someone destroying something so pure and taking it from the person you love would cause a reaction.

When Jesus walked into the Temple, not only were people being cheated, but the pureness of God’s house was being violated.

We're God’s Temple Now

1 Cor 3:16 “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?”

1 Cor 6:16 for we are the temple of the living God;

1 Cor. 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price”

We're also God’s Sons & Daughers

Gal. 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus

So we should have similar convictions to Christ.

If there’s one place that Satan wants to violate it’s God’s temple. He’s intensely interested in destroying God’s architecture. Why? Hatred.

Think about your own temple experience. Has your relationship with God become cold, routine, a collection of facts and rituals like the Pharisees? Are you experiencing the power of the crucified Christ or is he just a plaster figure hanging on the wall?

Don’t allow the enemy to plug into you and violate you through his subtile seductions. You must discern his influence. He loves prisons he loves chains.

Do not give the devil a foothold” Eph 4:27

Whatever you’ve drawn close to yourself is growing in your life.

It’s a natural law that anything not fed will die.

Caution: Be sure that you are nurturing what you want to grow and starving what you want to die.

Are you going to play church or Be the church?

It’s not enough to know Bible stories. The first time Moses comes down from Mt. Sinai with the 10 commandments it’s awesome, the second time you say oh yah I forgot that one part. The third, fourth fifth time it gets boring. Some of you are bored out of your mind at church. when are you going to hear stories like God speaking to Moses and say God speak to ME like that?

When is David fighting Goliath going to inspire YOU to do something GREAT FOR GOD?

When is this (BIBLE) Going to make the jump from your head to your heart?

This won’t keep your interest if it continues to be a story book.

We live in an age of disengagement. Wall-e (Start @ :59)

Some of you have lost the purpose of being here.

Isn’t that cute, P.A.’s talking about supporting missionaries..

Our group’s gonna collect cell phones…

What you need to understand about this story is that just like Jesus went in and cleared the temple, one day he’s coming back and he’s going to separate the sheep from the goats.

There’s a battle going on for your souls- Remember the Enemy wants to destroy God’s work in your life

Our Battle is not against flesh and blood

Intro: I want to show you a movie clip with a battle scene

Battle of Falkirk-

We look at how the church works today and there’s those who think they’re too good to fight the good fight (Like the King of England)- for them, life in this temple is about politicking, getting the latest gossip, never happy with where they are, their too good to get involved in the fight, and they make sure everyone knows it. They truly believe that we should be honored that they grace us with their presence on the sidelines chiding every attempt to win the battle.

-Faith without works is dead.

But, Their faulty thinking influences…

It influences those (like the King of Scott) who are so concerned about preserving their image and ranking. When word of a battle goes around they look to their god of self-preservation and make no mistake, they will go against whatever threatens their security including Jesus himself- King of Scotland They may be interested in what’s going on, but Chameleon is their middle name. Blend in at all costs. Don’t stick your neck out for anything. After all nothing is worse than having someone think you’re actually choosing a side. That would make someone upset.

The Bible Says-Try to save your life you will loose it.

Then there are those who look around, smile, and simply walk away when people’s eternities are at stake.-Morney & Lachlan.

For them: Effort is a foreign language, because battles are passed up because they simply don’t care about anyone but themselves. Sacrifice is not really worth it. Raising money for missions, doing something about that would require effort. We all know that they god you serve is yourself, because it’s certainly not Jesus. Who’s got time to walk around their neighborhood and collect old phones so some kid on the other side of the world can hear about Jesus? I need to play video games for 4 hours instead of 3.

Yet, Jesus said, Whatever you do to the least of these..

You are the main character writing the script of your life. How do you want it to turn out?

Prayer: God help us to have no other motivations but to Glorify you

Help us to be about your business when you come back.

New Friend Request

2011-10-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Here's an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you talk with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

NEW FRIEND REQUEST:

Series Overview

We all want friends—even if we don’t want to admit it. We all want someone to hang out with, someone to talk to, someone who knows us. But friendship requires something from us. It’s not just what we get or what makes us feel comfortable or happy. There’s a smart way to do friendship, a way with intention, a way that will draw us closer to God’s heart—if we surround ourselves with the right people. That doesn’t mean our friends have to be clones of us—but it does mean that they at least help us move in the right direction.

Session One: Accept? (Oct. 9)

Having friends is great. Whether you want one, or you already have one, there’s just something about having other people in your life who you can count on. For many, friendships just happen. A new friend is in the right place at the right time. And while friendships may start out randomly, there is an intentionality about who we allow close to us—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Because the people who are closest to you have influence on your life. They help shape who you are. So who are the friends closest to you ... and how are they influencing you?

Session One Parent Cue: Who are some of your closest friends? Why are these people so important to you?

Session Two: Respond? (Oct. 16)

Someone to listen to my problems. Someone to do stuff with. Someone to talk to constantly. Someone to hang out with. When you make a list of what qualities you want in a friend, how many of the things on your list involve what that person can do for you? Most of us would have to admit that it’s a lot. But the best friendships are ones that are not just about what the other person can do for you—the best friendships also involve how you can be there for someone else. How you can listen, instead of always talking. How you can give someone space when he or she needs it, or just hang out when your friend needs that too. In other words, the best friendships are not centered solely on you—and that’s a good thing.

Session Two Parent Cue: What are some ways you’ve been able to help out your friends?

Session Three: Ignore? (Oct. 23)

Relationships=conflict. It’s natural. It’s part of two people relating to one another because at some point, you’re not going to agree. One person will do something the other person doesn’t like. One person will let the other person down. One person will say or do something stupid. It happens. And at some point, it happens to us—either we’re the person making the mess, or the one who is feeling the effects of the mess. So how do you navigate your way through the drama? Do you just ignore it and hope it goes away? Do you just drop that friend? Or do you find a way to work it out? The choice is yours.

Session Three Parent Cue: What is the biggest fight you’ve ever had with a friend? What was the outcome?

Sept. 28, 2011

2011-09-29T09:46:00.000-07:00

Text: Matthew 21:1-11

Topic: Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

Intro: Someone give me an example of something you’ve been Excited about then hated later.

My Example: Talked my parents into getting a Dog, then later hated picking up poop in the yard.

Why is it that that happens?

Maybe things don’t turn out the way you thought they would.

Maybe it’s not the popular thing anymore

Tonight we’re going to look at Matt. 21:1 and see Jesus riding into Jerusalem very popular on a Sunday and have something very different happen to him by Friday that week.

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

Jesus knew what was going to happen many times:

-Judas would betray

-He would go to the cross

-He would be resurrected

I found kind of a fun clip of someone who’s been trapped in the same day for years and knows everything that was going to happen…

VIDEO: What is Mexico?

Jesus wasn't stuck in one day, he was the Son of God. There were prophesies being fulfilled all around him.

4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

5 “Say to Daughter Zion,   ‘See, your king comes to you,  gentle and riding on a donkey,   and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”[a]

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Picture this!

Jesus rides in on a foal and people start throwing their clothes on the ground. That doesn’t really make sense in our culture, but back then it was a sign of absolute surrender to a King.

9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

Hosanna Translated- Save Now! Save Now!

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

That was on Sunday-Triumphal Entry

-By Friday- He was crucified

What was it that changed?

They had a shallow belief in him. They got caught up in the emotion of the crowd. The Chief Priests stirred up the crowd so that the joy that they felt for him as the messiah turned into hatred.

Do you ever see students who were once interested and devoted to Christ and they eventually lost their joy or even turned away from him?

If you’re a Christian, remember back to your salvation experience. Pure, simple joy. Was there something that stepped in between you and him?

-James & Katie Kim Story (Helicopter Rescue)

What are some things that can keep us from the joy of the Lord?

Sin- separates us from God's joy

Copying HW

Talking back

Tempting someone to do wrong

Putting someone down

Unforgiveness- Can keep us from experiencing joy

Do I have resentment towards anyone?

Do I think about ways to get someone back who’s hurt me?

Have I stopped going to church or am unable to pray for certain people or do I feel separated from God?

Jesus said, “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Low Self Esteem- can steal your joy.

Always comparing yourself to your friends at school

Put people down

Have trouble making friends

Feel like most people are smarter than you

There is an attack on the self esteem of our young ladies. Girls I apologize to you for the expectations our culture puts on you to try to be perfect.

Video: Dove Experiment

Col 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

Ps. 139:13-14

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

God has made you for a purpose.

That is something you can take joy in.

What is the Joy of the Lord?

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

A joyless Christian will be ineffective.

Don’t let the enemy steal God’s plan for your life.

God’s stamp is on you. You didn’t choose it, but you can trust that God knows what he’s doing. He sent his only Son to die on the cross for your sins because you are his creation and you are worth dying for.

Video: Mike’s Chair Someone worth dying for

Sept. 21,2011

2011-09-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

Intro:

People are awesome Video + Alive in You Song (same time)

We’re going to talk about some awesome people today.

Turn to Matthew 20:17-34

The other times this story is recorded in the gospels it only talks about Blind Bartimaues.

Jesus was coming by and Bartimaues knew that he was the answer and he was desperate.

Have student come up and read…. Put yourself in their situation.

You can’t read the teacher’s notes on board in class.

You can’t watch your favorite TV show.

You can’t see the sun rise… some of you are right there with me… You've NEVER seen the sunrise!

Blindfold student:… now say.

Jesus, son of david, have mercy on me!

The crowd rebuked them…
The crowd will pull toward average. The crowd will tell you to be quiet. There's something envious about the crowd that doesn't want you to excel.

Crab Fishing Example: Crabs keep each other in the pot. Unable to escape because of themselves.

If you step out, the crowd will rebuke you.

… but they shouted all the louder. I want you to get this…

When you’re desperate for something, I mean really desperate, you’ll pay the price.

Marketers know this- When you really want something you push for it…

Middle Schoolers have incredible influence, that’s why the media markets to you so heavily…

They spend millions of dollars to get you to want something not because you have any money, but because if they can make you want something bad enough, you’ll push for it.

If you feel like your life’s not complete without it, you’ll push till you get it.

Q: Why don’t so many middle schoolers push people toward Jesus?

So many Christian young people's lives are so filled with the things of this world that they are satisfied to let their friends go to hell.

They're satisfied just to have their acceptance, not desperate enough to get them to heaven.

Anybody can tell by your lives. What You’re saying is-
As long as you like me, I’m perfectly content. In fact I care so much (if you like me) that if you don’t like me, I’ll lose sleep over it… But, I'm sleeping great, because the things that I'm desperate for is your friendship not your salvation.

You say, that’s not me… I care.

Q: When’s the last time, you were desperate enough to get on your knees and cry out to God for the souls of your friends and loved ones?

If you were desperate wouldn’t you pray for them till they found Christ…?

When you hung out together, you’d be on the lookout for opportunities to tell them that there’s more to life than what they’ve experienced.

Have you ever looked for someone who’s lost? The parent who’s child’s been kidnapped is always looking… Always seeing what they think might be them.

I see Christian young people who are so satisfied with their social life at church that they refuse to include anyone else that walks through these doors.

They don’t care about the lost, even if they walk right in front of them…

Who’s tired of Satan having the biggest youth group in town?

Who thinks that as long as there’s one more student at your school who doesn’t know Christ that there’s not enough people in here?

Are you willing to do something about it?

You may be homeschooled and coming to church is your only opportunity to see other people. Did you know that you could personally reach out to 3-5 visitors a week, right here? Not to mention people with no friends… This is your campus. As long as there’s one person in here who’s not connecting, as long as there’s someone who needs some help, you’re job is not done.

The crowd will rebuke you. Average people & lukewarm Christians will not understand why you’re trying so hard to make a difference.

Don’t ever be satisfied with the status quo.

This ministry needs to be a place where Anyone can make friends and

a place that makes a difference in this community.

What is our story going to be?

Some of you are very creative. You see things outside of the box. You see things we can do better, you have ideas that you & your friends would Love… Things that will bring them to Christ, We need you need you on our team.

What does it take to live actively in the moment? Look at these blind men.

They knew what they wanted and they were desperate enough to go out of their comfort zone and get it.

What are you desperate for?

The bible says, that as these men were screaming and the crowd was rebuking them, vs. 32 Jesus stopped

What do you want me to do for you?

-They said, yah, we’d like a Big mac meal with some fries and a drink.

-They said, we’d like you to teach us how to line dance.

-They said, which way is the bathroom, hurry!

No they said, what- We want our sight.

What do you want Jesus to do for you tonight?

-Some of you need set free from things you've been doing online.

-Some of you are loosing your faith and you don't know how to stop the slide.

-Some of you did things this summer, and you need God’s forgiveness.

-Maybe you want your friends to come to know Christ.

-Maybe you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit for power to witness.

-Maybe you need to come to him for the first time.

I want you to notice how Jesus reacted when they said this… It says, v.34 He had compassion on them and touched their eyes.

Can I tell you as someone who’s had to have several breakthroughs in their life, when you bring problems to him, Jesus will touch the very deepest part of your need.

The Bible says, Immediately, they received their sight and followed him.

What are you believing God for right now? When that happens, are you ready for what’s next?

Prepare for Altar time:

If you’ve got some things that you need to lay down at the altar…

If there’s friends who need a breakthrough that you want to pray for…

This moment can be a tipping point for you, because if you get it, and you get it, we’re not going to be able to keep people away.

Do you know what the right place and the right time are? Right here and right now.

What is our story going to be? What are you going to answer to God for? When is this going to become real to you?

Don’t put off any longer. No one is guaranteed another day…

Jesus is walking by right now… (where ever two or three) What do you want him to do? What are you believing him for? Are you desperate enough to ask?

ALTAR

Oregon Youth Convention

2011-09-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

Students there's still time to sign up!!! Register online or talk to Pastor Aaron on Wednesday!! The Pre-registration deadline has been extended again.

Details:http://www.pcctoday.com/event/2011-10-06-2011-youth-convention/

September 7: Forest Fling!

2011-09-06T16:28:00.000-07:00

Get ready for a night of Frisbee Golf!!

Time: 6:45pm-8:45pm(Parent drop-off/pick-up at the park)

Shuttle Riders: shuttle leaves at 6:15pm and will be back after 9pm.
**RSVP REQUIRED FOR ALL SHUTTLE RIDERS**

Location:

Lunch Time Disc Golf Course, 2374 SW Vermont Street, Portland

What to Bring: Your own Frisbee, signed permission slip, & a FRIEND!!

Aug. 31: Swim Night @ Wilson Pool

2011-08-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

Wilson Pool

Pool includes: two outdoor pools: 6-lane lap (heated) pool with diving board and family leisure pool with current channel, vortex, tot slide (yeah!), water slide, and zero depth water play structure. BRING A FREIND!

Location: Wilson Swimming Pool: 1151 Southwest Vermont Street

Portland, OR 97219

Time: 6p-8:45p (Parent Drop off/Pick up @ the pool)

Cost:$4

Bring: swimming suit, towel, permission slip

Picture Perfect

2011-08-30T12:44:00.001-07:00

Series Overview

You’ve seen their shiny, happy faces staring at you from picture frames, magazine ads and commercials. They are the perfect family. Every tooth sparkles. Every face beams with joy. And they seem to have everything you don’t. But the reality is, well they aren’t real. In fact it’s an illusion. There’s no such thing as a picture perfect family. Families are made up of imper- fect people—people like you and me. So how do we live and interact with the family God has placed us in? How do we find a way to be a part of it, instead of just surviving and living for the day when we move on?

Week One: Snapshot

Does it ever feel like there are families who are more “perfect” than yours? They dress better. Have a nicer house. Never seem to have a disagreement of any kind. But when we see these families, we’re not seeing the full picture; we’re simply seeing a snapshot. If we actually lived in that family and dealt with each person on a daily basis, we would probably realize that the perfect family is, well, a myth. The truth is that no family is perfect. We are all just human, and when we realize that we can live in the messiness of our families and learn to find the good, we begin to understand the purpose God has in placing us in our particular family.

Summer River Party

2011-08-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

This Wednesday (August 17th) is Revolution’s Summer River Party!

Location: 6820 Childs Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Time: 6:30pm – 8:45pm (parent drop-off/pick-up at River)
Cost: FREE!
What to Bring: Signed permission slip (attached), swimming suit, towel, sunscreen, life jacket(if you have one) & a friend!

It’s going to include:
-Heavy Snack food but eat dinner beforehand
-Smores
-Trampoline, rope swing, game room, zip line, powerboat, Jacuzzi, Boat house, and Special Summer Camp Highlights Video!

Make sure to invite someone else for this awesome night! Let us know if you have any questions. 503.245.7735

Less than Perfect

2011-08-16T11:44:00.001-07:00

LESS THAN PERFECT

By Sarah Anderson

I am not a perfectionist. One look in my closet, will tell you this is true. My husband isn’t either—except when it comes to cooking. He is a perfectionist with his food. I lucked out on this one. But for me, I am not sure there is something that I do that would categorize me as a perfectionist. At least this is what I thought until I had my son. Once he catapulted into my world, my perfectionist tendencies rose to the surface. It turns out I have some of it in me. And it shows itself in the way I parent.

I want to be perfect. Can you relate? I want to be the best mom—not just the best mom for Asher, but the best mom ever. I want to parent in a way that everyone around watches in wonder. I want the impossible dream—for Asher and for myself. And I want it because somewhere along the way I started to believe that perfection was what Asher needed from me. I started to think that if I only gave it all I had, if I only went above and beyond, if I only exceeded every expectation ever placed on me and every hope, voiced or not, then, I would be a success.

Maybe this story is something like your own. Maybe the day your little bundle of joy was placed in your arms you suddenly had the impression that you had to muster up every ounce of effort you could to be all this baby hoped you could be. And maybe you have spent every day since trying to live up to the expectations which you, and you think your child, have put on yourself. And I have to wonder, since I am still so early on in the journey myself, and you are a bit further along, how is it working for you? Because, in all honesty, it isn’t working out that well for me.

Perfection is hard. Perfection is exhausting. Perfection is a siren song that lures the most reasonable of people into the belief that it is attainable. But, I don’t think I am stepping out on a limb here when I confess, it hasn’t exactly gone as I planned. I am not a perfect parent. In fact, I am far from it—embarrassingly far from it. And I am afraid any near confession of this is an admittance of failure—failure in a role that is “supposed” to come so easily, so naturally, so effortlessly—a role that more times than I like to admit, is simply none of those things—not easy, not natural, and not effortless.

And on the nights when I am hardest on myself, I lay my head on my pillow and think Asher just may be ruined forever. Until I remember . . . five months after my son was born, my mom came to visit. And while visiting, in a conversation I don’t remember starting, and I can’t recall ending, my mom said this to me: “If I had the chance to do it all over again, if I had the chance to parent all over again, I would, and I would do it differently this time.” It was a confession—transparent and raw in its honesty. And in that one line, I can remember feeling a release from the pressure and the burden perfection can put on us as parents.

See, I knew (as our children know of us) that my parents were not perfect. And I also knew that to demand perfection from them, even if it was something I subconsciously did, was not what I really needed or craved from them. Perfection is neither what I required or desired as a kid. What I wanted, what I yearned for, I got in the confession from my mom, after I myself had passed through the one-way only doors of parenthood. What I longed for I got in a succinct and truthful line that told me that my mom knew she hadn’t done it perfectly. But she did what she could. And this rare glimpse into her heart told me all I needed to know. My mom and I, my mom and her daughter, are not all that different. We are human. We are broken. We are fumbling through life the best we know how, and it is in our sameness that we find what we need. Honesty. Transparency. Vulnerability. And as a result the bond between us is stronger than ever before.

And so the moral of the story is maybe not exactly what we thought. The moral is our kids may need less perfection from us and more honesty. They need less of a guise appearing to have it all together and more candor, more sincerity—anything that communicates to them we may have more things in common with one another than not. And this is a beautiful thing to have between parent and child—a shared experience, a shared openness, a shared understanding that we don’t have it all together, as much as we would like to think we do.

I understood, in hearing my mom’s confession, that what kids may need from their parents is not very complicated. It will cost us something—our pride, our image of faultlessness. But here is the thing—I think it is a worthy penance for what we get in return. I am willing to give up the quest for perfection, because the journey towards humility and transparency offers more to my son than excellence ever could. SO from now on, instead of being “a wonder parent,” I think I will work more on being an available parent. A sincere parent. A candid parent. It means I will say I am sorry. It means I will admit my faults. It means I will confess when I get it wrong and request grace when I need it.

Some day, decades from now, when Asher himself becomes a parent, I know there will be moments I will look back on and wish I had done differently. I know there will be regrets. And that’s okay. The point is to confess the regrets when they come up. Admit them. Own them. Allow my imperfection to be seen through them. And hope that my honesty in those moments will build and strengthen the bond between my son and me.

Get connected to a wider community of parents at www.orangeparents.com.

BRAND NEW* Church in the Park

2011-08-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hamilton City Park

Date: Aug. 3, 2011

ADDRESS: 4300 SW 47th Drive, Portland, OR

Time: 6:45p-8:45p

Parent Drop Off/ Pick Up @ Park

*Rides will leave PCC @ 6:15 and return after 9:00

Includes: Food, Games, Scavenger Hunt, Small Groups, Hang time, & More!!

Lesson Topic: Having a positive Attitude

-We all carry around our own personal "survival kit" full of things we think we need to survive. Things like money, popularity, sports, good grades, etc...

-We want to help students realize the importance of having the right stuff in their personal survival kits.

-Nobody wants another lecture about their attitudes, but the reality is that our attitudes can either make us or break us! Our chances of survival as a Christian are greatly increased when we understand the types of attitudes that God wants us to display.

-Hope to See you there!

Guardrails Week 3 (Establishing Sexual Guardrails)

2011-07-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

-This Sunday (July 24) @ 9am we’ll be discussing the topic of sexual purity. As you know it’s a challenging issue because everywhere we go in today’s society we see images, hear songs, read advertisements and receive the world’s message about sex.
-We want to help students understand that the Bible also has a message, that it is a gift from God, given with a purpose. It was created for intimacy with one person and when we establish guardrails early, we set ourselves up for the greatest potential to experience this intimacy in marriage.

-Without guardrails we set ourselves up to experience some deep pain, both physically and emotionally. But establishing guardrails is a crucial way for us to have the healthiest relationships we possibly can.

I want to encourage you to approach the subject with them as a bit of an ongoing conversation. "The Talk" needs to be ongoing and regular in family communication.

-Some Sample Conversation Items:
Are sexual guardrails important for both young people and adults?
What are some difficulties you may come across when you draw sexual boundaries that culture or your friends may not feel the same conviction about?
How can you keep those guardrails firm, even if you are the only one you know who has them?
Talk about some sexual guardrails you either have already established or that you are going to establish.

Super Sized Wednesday!!

2011-07-18T11:42:00.001-07:00

This coming Wednesday, July 20th, we will be heading out for a moderate hike at Eagle Creek for our Super Sized Wednesday! This hike will also include a visit to the Cascade Salmon Hatchery!

Time: 12pm-8:30pm (drop-off/pick-up at PCC in the Fireside Room)
Cost: $8 (includes dinner)

What to Bring: signed permission slip, sack lunch, water bottle, sunscreen, athletic/hiking shoes, snack

BRING A FRIEND!!! It's going to be a fun day!

Super Size Wednesday!

2011-07-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

This coming Wednesday, July 13th, is Middle School's Super Sized Wednesday @ Safari Sam's & Sherwood!

Safari Sams/ Sherwood Adventure includes mini golf, world's largest jungle gym and more! We'll end the night back at the church for Revolution service!

Time: 12:30pm - 8:30pm (drop-off & pick-up at the church)
Cost: $15 (includes Safari Sam's admission and dinner)
*Please have your student(s) eat lunch beforehand

What to Bring: signed permission slip, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, athletic shoes, snack, change of clothes.

It's going to be a great day! We're still open for alternate carpooling parents (if needed) but it looks like we'll be ok. Please check in at Registration if you're available just in case.

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Aaron 503.245.7735 amckee@pcctoday.com

Guardrails

2011-06-29T09:44:00.001-07:00

Series Overview
Guardrails are “a system designed to keep something from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas.” Just like the guardrails we see on the roads we drive everyday, the guardrails we place in our lives are designed with a simple purpose; to create a small accident to protect us from a larger one. We don’t often spend a lot of time thinking about or paying attention to them, but when we need them, we are very glad that guardrails are there. In the same way that guardrails protect us on the road, when we establish them in our lives, they can help to both protect us and direct us. Most likely our biggest mistakes in life could have been avoided if we had guardrails steering us in the right direction. The goal should never be to see how close we can get to a guardrail without crashing but rather to keep us from ever going “too far,” in the wrong direction.

July 10 Shift- Having guardrails in our actual, everyday lives helps us establish personal guardrails so that we can back up and stay on the safe side of a potentially dangerous situation.
Bottom Line: God wants you to set up some protective barriers to keep you out of the danger zone.

July 17 Swerve- Our friends have the power to influence our decisions, our actions and even the quality of our lives. With that much potential to determine the direction of our lives, putting up a few guardrails when it comes to our friendships may be one of the wisest things we can do.
Bottom Line: Your friends will influence and possibly determine the direction and quality of your life.

July 24 Brake- Sex was created by God for intimacy with one person and when we establish guardrails early, we set ourselves up for the greatest potential to experience this intimacy in marriage. Without guardrails we set ourselves up to experience some deep pain, both physically and emotionally. But establishing guardrails is a crucial way for us to have the healthiest relationships we possibly can.
Bottom Line: When you have guardrails, you allow for some room before things get really dangerous.

July 31 Steer- Sometimes it can feel like rules and regulations are only there to block us and interrupt our lives. Why would we want to set up rules that keep us from doing what we want? But, the truth is, if we aren’t diligent about creating and keeping guardrails, we set ourselves up for way more pain than any amount of fun is worth.
Bottom Line: God will use your guardrails not just to protect you but to direct you.

Tour Reflections 2011

2011-06-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Our students worked incredibly hard in their 6 month preparation for our choir tour to Redding,CA. We ministered in churches, retirement centers, and the Good News Rescue mission for a total of 9 concerts this year!

Some of my favorite memories include;

1. Seeing one of our parents sacrificing to drive 4 hours down to Medford with his son (as a late arrival) then driving back to Portland that same night while we headed down to Redding.

2. Ministering to Crossroads Bible Fellowship on Father’s day. We did the concert, and then I preached while the students shared their testimonies to the children’s ministry. Oh yah, and the church fed us a yummy lunch too!

3. We visited beautiful Lake Redding Park and got a chance to just chill and hang out together in between concerts.

4 . Eating Dinner at the Good News Rescue Mission! It was such an enriching experience to eat “Homeless people food” as my sister says. And afterward we got to serve the people right at their tables. Truly a good opportunity to serve like Christ and our students responded strongly.

5 . Ministering at the Rescue mission was truly impactful for every member of the team as we got a chance to share the hope and deliverance that Christ offers. Hurts in life can be difficult if not impossible to get over on our own, but Jesus provides something supernatural and that’s what we were believing for.

6. We had really great nighttime devotions/small groups in our rooms each night.

7. I enjoyed the talk we had on “Sensitivity” as us guys got to wrestle with the fruits of the Spirit “Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness” in light of a hard world and the example of Christ with both sensitivity and strength. Great lesson!!

8. I loved watching the eyes of the guys pop open as they discovered that you can embroider words and designs on hats at the “Lids” store in Valley River Center! Then at the end, the last two guys and I booked it to the bus and made it with 15 seconds to spare. (Did I mention that there were no late fees all trip?)

9. Morning Devotions @ Timber-Linn Memorial Park on “Peace.” It was a time of deep thought and reflection as we experienced God’s peace together with 20 minutes of calmness in the open air.

10.Our return concert @ PCC went really well! It was a great opportunity to honor Joy for 10 years of directing Witness.

There’s lots more great memories like the giant toilette bowl water slide at the theme park, the Pilgrim’s Progress movie we watched on the way down, and how surprisingly delightful the chicken and cheese enchiladas are at Carl’s Jr.

All that to say, we had a great trip and we hope to see you next year!

-Pastor Aaron

A Note From Jim Burns -HOMEWORD

2011-06-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

Mr. Weiner (no pun intended) sent photos of himself to younger women whom he did not know personally. I feel deeply sorry for him and his pathology. I truly hope he gets the help he needs, for the sake of his new wife and their unborn baby. The reason I am glad this story made the news is because it will hopefully wake up parents to the fact that at least 1 out of 5 young people have been “sexted.” For most of them, it just arrived in their text messages without any warning. Frankly, I call that sexual abuse.
Did you know that on the average, the first time an American young person views pornography is at age 11? We were NEVER their age. I just spoke to a group of parents in Ohio and said, “Pornography may be the one issue that takes down the moral character of this generation more than anything else.” I believe that statement could be true. SO WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS MAJOR PROBLEM ATTACKING OUR KIDS? 1. Commit to a lifestyle of sexual integrity yourself and be the dominant educator of your children in sex education. 2. Make sure you understand the stages of pornography addiction: Kids view pornography (their mind takes a picture) Kids quickly become addicted (their mind craves more) Kids then escalate the amount of times they view pornography (they increase the amount of porn they view) Kids become desensitized (what was gross three months (or weeks) ago they now want to view regularly) Kids act out sexually (first in their minds and then eventually with others)
3. Help kids commit to the Purity Code “In honor of God, my family, and my future spouse, I commit to sexual purity.” This involves: Honoring God with your body Renewing your mind for good Turning your eyes from worthless things Guarding your heart above all else
My goal is to help one million young people make this worthy decision. It can only happen when parents take the lead in teaching their children healthy sexuality. I hope you will join this campaign!

Eating Disorder Prevention

2011-06-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

The diet industry spends more than $30 billion each year in advertising, which contributes to a variety of destructive behaviors and thinking patterns about exercise, food, love and acceptance.

There are several things you can do to help prevent an eating disorder in your child.

Teens & Money

2011-05-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

"86% of teens say they would like the chance to learn about budgets, taxes, credit cards and savings strategies in class — before making money management mistakes in the real world."

Article Link:
http://moneywatch.bnet.com/retirement-planning/blog/bank-dad/kids-and-money-how-teen-attitudes-are-shifting/1147/

Wed. Small Group

2011-05-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

Small Group Discussion May 25,2011

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Phillipians 2:1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

From this verse, who does it say is supposed to act like Christ? His followers. Is this only for fully devoted followers? (No, if any. If he’s done anything for you)

3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

How would life around us look different if we focused on considering “others better than ourselves?” Who’s a good example for us?(Jesus)

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6Who, being in very nature a God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing,taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

How seriously did Jesus take his work on the cross? Why? What was the big deal?

9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Have you ever thought about that before?

If you’ve never heard it, how does it strike you?

Why would Jesus sacrifice that much for us?

How should we respond to people in our lives? Is there anything you would do differently here at church?

All students invited to Sunday school

Red Carpet Sunday

2011-05-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

I thoroughly enjoyed our 9:00am class on Sunday with 5th grade visitors as our special guests! Promotion Sunday is on June 12.

Topic: Debt- Challenging students to establish a goal of being debt free.
Text: 1 Cor. 7:23; Ps. 37:21; Prov. 22:7; 26-27

Money Saving Ideas:
Think yearly- $3 everyday for lunch adds up to $1050 a year. Brown-bag it if possible.
Clothing- avoid fad clothing that's going to be a joke in like 4 months.
Recreation- enjoy inexpensive hobbies

Our small groups lasted 15 minutes and included lots of discussion on what the Bible has to say about debt.

30 Ways to Keep Communication Open with Your Student

2011-05-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

1. Ask your child what his or her favorite song is, listen to it, go over the words, discuss what they mean, and ask what makes the song a favorite.

2. Break through superficial conversation by asking some probing questions: "What's going well in your life? What's not going well? What changes would you like to make? What is the biggest challenge you're currently facing?"

3. Ask your child to pick a new sport, hobby, art project, or interest for the two of you to develop together.

4. Take your child out to breakfast with no agenda-and just listen.

5. Keep a journal of family highlights and special accomplishments throughout the year. Review it together on December 31.

6. Help your child develop a set of lifetime goals, such as acquiring specific skills, graduating from college, saving $10,000, or marrying a Christian.

7. Tell your child one of your fears, and do something together that challenges your fear. If you fear flying, fly. If you fear water, swim.

8. Share some of the struggles you had when you were your child's age (that may require some digging in your memory!). Then ask your child what his or her struggles are.

9. Ask your child to pick three places he or she wants to visit within driving distance, and make a plan to see them during the next year.

10. When your child returns home after a concert or other event, ask lots of questions (without coming across as nosy or invasive): "What is it that you particularly like about the musician? Is there a theme or message that comes through in the music? Did the musician have anything interesting to say between songs?"

11. Select a classic from literature, and have a family reading time at least once a week.

12. Take your child to work or the place you volunteer for a day.

13. Adopt a grandparent in a nursing home.

14. Ask your child about his or her heroes. Write a letter to the person, and see if you get a response.

15. Ask your child to join you in a study of a foreign country, the eventual goal being to visit that country within five years.

16. Tell your child your family history while you record it on video.

17. Celebrate days other than birthdays, such as 10,000 days on earth, 100th month, and so on.

18. Share New Year's resolutions and review them on June 30.

19. Research the meaning of your child's name, and point out the character traits that parallel the name.

20. Write your child a letter, saying what in your life you enjoy, what you don't, how you have succeeded, where you made mistakes, and what you hope he or she can learn from your life.

21. Sponsor a needy child who lives in a foreign country through Compassion International or World Vision.

22. Help your child develop a mission statement for life that reflects his or her values and what he or she hopes to accomplish.

23. Rent a video on human sexuality, and talk about it after you view it together.

24. Visit a jail with a Christian ministry group, and discuss how you could help meet the needs of some of those who are there.

25. Have your child count the number of commercials he or she sees in a week and put them in categories of what's being promoted, such as drinking, sexual permissiveness, or materialism.

26. Develop a relationship between your family and a missionary family your church supports. Pray for them and write to them together.

27. Serve at a soup kitchen together.

28. Record your family tree going back as far as possible. Try to list one or two prominent character traits associated with each family member. See if you can identify patterns that run through your family.

29. Play board games or cards with your child. Use this time to find out what's going on in his or her life.

30.Visit a rest home together, and discuss feelings about death, dying, and aging.
Top-10-Dangers-Teens-Face

Middle School Momentum Overnighter

2011-05-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

BRING YOUR Friends to the next Invite Night!!

2011-03-31T16:30:00.000-07:00

Mar. 30, 2011

2011-03-31T09:54:00.000-07:00

Title: Demand for a Sign

Text: Matthew 16:1-4

-A Test- Pharisees & Saducees- Normally didn't get along, but teamed up for important occasions

-Temptation to prove them wrong- He had the ability!

-This was the opposite response of the Magi. Astrology is forbidden in the scriptures (Deut 18:10), yet these teachers of the law were asking for something in the sky to interpret.

What if Jesus HAD shown a sign? Would they believe? No, they'd just excuse it away like they had with other miracles.

They weren’t looking at what was being fulfilled

-Circumstantial Evidence- connected facts and circumstances that an ordinary, intelligent person can see are considered proof by circumstantial evidence.

Why would they skip over all that they knew and ask Jesus for a sign?

Jesus answers that. Vs. 4

Asking for a sign after God has already revealed himself is testing him.

Wicked- sinful: having committed unrighteous acts; "a sinful person"

Adulterous- Refers to a husband or wife who’s going outside of the bonds of marriage. Giving their love to another.

The kind of adultery Jesus had in mind here was very like "spiritual" adultery. The image of adultery was often used in the scriptures for describing apostasy or infidelity towards God

Why is it that we ask God for a sign?

a. It could be with pure motives- Judges 6:17, 36-39 (Gideon)

b. It could be that it’s a reason to disbelief Exodus 17:1-3 (Water from the Rock)

You may not want to live for God anymore so you demand a sign to stay faithful… But will that be enough?

The people of Israel into the desert had to be fed, and feeding 3-1/2 million people required a lot of food. According to the U. S. Army’s Quartermaster General, Moses needed 1500 tons of food a day, filling two freight trains, each a mile long. Besides, you must remember, they were cooking the food (not to mention for keeping warm, and if anyone tells you it doesn’t get cold in the desert don’t believe them!). Just for cooking this took 4000 tons of firewood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long and this is only for one day!!! They were for forty YEARS in transit!!!

Let’s not forget about water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes (no bathing?!), it took 11,000,000 gallons EACH DAY—enough to fill a train of tanker cars 1800 miles long.

And another thing! They had to get across the red sea in one night. Now if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and require 35 days and nights to complete the crossing. So to get it over in one night there had to be a space in the Red Sea 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5,000 abreast. Think about this; every time they camped at the end of the day, a camp ground the size of Rhode Island was required, or 750 square miles.

The Israelites are proof (Ex. 17) that signs alone are not enough, at some point we have choose to step out in faith.

It’s not easy, there’s a battle going on for our souls. We’re fighting The Devil, Our Flesh, negative influences from our friends… So how do we know what direction to go, what are the right choices to make?

James 3:13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

There’s definitely a pull from the world, it may seem easier to just go with the flow and not make the hard choices in life. In fact, you may be giving your best to someone else or something else other than God. You may have left your first love. You may want God to impress you or you’re not going to stay with him.

I want you to understand-

The only kind of person who’s going to offer you candy all the time and promise you whatever you want is a kidnapper.

Someone who loves you is going to make you eat your vegetables and proteins; they are going to discipline you because they love you. They want you to grow up strong and healthy and that means they have to help you learn how to make the tough decisions.

It seems, the more unimpressed we are with God, the further we are away from him. That’s going to happen more and more as Jesus’ return gets closer.

“Because of the increase of wickedness the love of most will grow cold…” Matthew 24

If you spend the time that you need to talking with God and put him in first place, you won't have any reason to doubt his existence because He'll reveal himself to you all along the way.

(I shared a personal illustration)

Jesus has risen. He has given us the sign of Jonah to prove that he is truly God's Son. God help us to see the signs and believe. God when we come to a crossroads and need a sign or reassurance help us to know the right way to go.

Small Group Questions:

Have you ever felt like you needed God’s reassurance on something? Did you get it?

Have you ever found yourself unimpressed with God and realized that it was because you were distant?

How do we get back to a right place & right perspective with Him?

What do you think it means to put your faith in God?

How would you encourage someone in this group who’s struggling right now?

Unlikely

2011-03-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

Series Overview

If you haven’t noticed by now, we’re going to clue you in on something big about God—He doesn’t exactly operate like most of us. What we mean is, He chooses the most unlikely people to work through. He shows up in the most unlikely places. And then He asks us to respond in ways that are unlikely and go against our normal response. And what it all boils down to is this—you and I are unlikely people God uses in unlikely places to respond in unlikely ways.

Session One: An Unlikely Person (April 3)

Sometimes we think that everyone else is more qualified or likely than we are to be a part of God’s story. But even though we may feel insignificant, unimportant or unworthy, God says we are not only valuable—we are wanted! Even though we, or even others, would declare us unlikely, God says we’re not. He declares the unlikely, “likely.” Because what God wants is people who are available—He always picks availability over ability.

Talking with Your Student: Describe a time when you felt unlikely.

Spring Break BBQ- THIS WEDNESDAY!!

2011-03-21T15:48:00.001-07:00

March 23, 2011

6pm-8pm

Don't forget this Wednesday we are heading over to Pastor Aaron & Noelle's house for a BBQ!!

Hope you can make it!!

6:00- Drop Off
8:00- Pick Up

Address:
12467 SW Anton Dr
Tigard, OR 97223

To Bring:

Last Names A-L: Chips or Cookies
Last Names M-Z: A 2-Liter drink to share
*Signed Liability Release Form

NEW SERIES- Dear Galatians

2011-03-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

Get Real SUNDAY SCHOOL-

When & Where: On Sundays @ 9am in the fireside room (downstairs by the youth center).

What it looks like: Class time includes small group discussion, meeting new friends, enjoying donuts & hot cocoa, and of course fun!

Series Overview

We all like to receive letters. These days they come primarily in an e-mail but in Biblical times, letters were handwritten. The apostle Paul wrote a lot of letters, many of which are included in the Bible. His letters were intended to help the early church sort out what it meant to really follow Jesus. But the Galatians may not have been too excited to get Paul’s letter to them because Paul was mad. The Galatian church was a mess. People were saying that what Jesus did on the cross wasn’t enough. They were looking around them and determining who was in with God, and who was out. So Paul set out to bring some clarity to the situation in the passionate, sound way that only He could. And while this may seem like a great look back in history, we probably have more in common with the Galatians than we would care to admit.

Session One: Jesus + (March 13)

If Paul was around today, he would be emailing and tweeting all the time—and for good reason, people needed his help. God had placed Paul in a strategic point during the early church to help bring some clarity to the chaos. And there was chaos . . . a lot of chaos. People were trying to add to the gospel, saying Jesus’ death and resurrection weren’t enough. That it needed a few extra things to help someone “be a Christian” and be “in” with God. That got Paul fired up, and he set out to clear things up. And thousands of years later, Paul’s words are a great reminder for us because it’s easy to think and act as if what Jesus did wasn’t enough.

Talking with your students: What are some ways that you add to the gospel—things you feel like you have to do to make God love you more or accept you?

COLLIDE

2011-02-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Series Overview:

Ask anyone who’s ever run into a sliding glass door that was closed, or went for the same baseball as a teammate, or experienced a fender bender at a stoplight—a collision changes things. Whether it’s a bump on the head or a cracked ipod, something is not the same as it was before. The same thing happens when we collide with God or His truth or even other people. We’re changed. But unless we put ourselves in a position to collide, everything will stay the same. So are you ready to change, are you ready to collide?

Session One: Impact (Feb.13, 2011)

Not many people would place themselves in the path of a moving object. Well, not most sane people. But if you understand the principle of collision, then you put yourself out there. You think about what you need to do, who you need to intersect with to make change happen. With whom or with what do you need to collide? Because if you never collide, you’ll never change.

Stuff for Students to Think About:

-Change only happens when we put ourselves in a position to be changed.

-Put yourself in circumstances where you have the opportunity to be changed.

-Be intentional about colliding.

-We need a collision to get where we want to go.

-We weren’t meant to be the same forever.

What’s holding you back?

Does what you want to change outweigh your fear?

Talking with your student:

What is one thing you would like to change in your life?

What would it take to make that change happen?

Feb. 2, 2010

2011-02-03T17:11:00.000-08:00

Topic: Jesus Feeds the 5,000
Text: Matt. 14:13-21

Reviewed last week's sermon.

Intro:

Jesus withdrew by boat to a lonely place after JtB died. v.13

Imagine Jesus hearing that his 1/2 cousin had died, saying Guys I’ve got to go spend some time alone connecting with my Father, and getting into the boat rowing across the lake (Excerise is a great way to work off some steam) maybe stopping at some points and listening to the wind blow and hear the sound of the waves lapping up against the boat.

Thinking as soon as I get there, I just need to rest, then getting to the other side and seeing a crowd of sick people begging for you to heal them.

The crowds followed him v. 14

Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion v.14

How do we see people who need something from us?

They need your acceptance.

They need your time, energy, or talents

They need you to open some doors for them in the youth group, and help them find a place.

The needs of the people will become apparent. The disciples thought that the people should take care of their own needs and Jesus said “You give them something to eat.”

v.17 we only have five loaves of bread and two fish

Don’t underestimate what God can do with what you have…

Middle School Survival…

Many people describe the middleschool years as tough with many students in survival mode. What happens when someone is struggling to survive? It get’s brutal doesn’t it… They gossip because they think that helps them survive, they tease because it’s better to be the teaser than to be the teased. The world says you are selfish because in order to survive middle school, and you can’t afford to look out for anybody but themselves, but just like in this story Jesus tells his disciples, don't just keep what you have and survive, YOU Give them something to eat…

I know you’re going through changes physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually ,but that’s no excuse there’s something more important you’re your changes. It’s the kingdom of God.

What if you walked on your campus tomorrow with a sense of empowerment. You had new found direction and goals for your lifeand you realize that you have the keys to the kingdom of God and the gates of hell will not prevail against you. What if you got out of survival mode and got into salvation mode?

You decided you want to live with honesty and integrity because somebody’s dying out there for what You have to offer.

Don’t allow yourself to become a victim of your culture. This is your life. Your future, your decisions, your consequences, you are responsible for what you do with your life.

What if you developed some biblical “survival skills?”

-Decide who you’re going to obey. (Your own desires or the voice of God)

-Bring them to Jesus (Prayer, Church, Other Christian Friends/have a matthew party)

-Trust God to meet your needs- 12 basketfuls They gave what they had, and their cup overflowed… Can you imagine how they felt? How does it feel to give the little bit that you have and watch God make up the difference? It feels great.

Don’t try to help someone on your own without bringing them to Jesus (in prayer).

You won’t have enough resources.

Their need will overwhelm you

You’ll burn out.

When you bring them to him, He will direct them.

You don’t have to know everything

You don’t have to be God.

Give control of what you have to him- v.19

Do what God calls you to do, no matter how bad the situation looks- v.19

Your friends need a hero

“A real friend is someone who walks in when everyone else walks out.”

Don’t limit God.

Don’t Tell God what to do

You’ll miss a miracle

God can do anything.

What if God has placed you in that situation so that you could do something about it?

What if you did what you could, with what you have, where you are right now?

Think about what the disciples were seeing… the need that was so great they didn’t even think about trying to do something about it themselves. V.15

Think about situations you see on a daily basis.

Who is not going to make it without your help?

It’s going to cost you something just like it cost the disciples.

It’s going to mean that you get out of survival mode and you get into Salvation mode.

Everyone else your age is self consumed, everyone else is gasping for “air”-trying to be validated by someone else.

Don’t you know that you stand on the sure foundation? You stand on the rock of Christ Jesus.

God can do anything.

Hand out Pretzels- (Pretzels represent what we have to offer)

What do you have to offer? Everyone of you has something to offer (ex: the pretzel)

What are you going to do with what you have?

Opportunity:

You could become a Campus Missionary- A student who follows Jesus at school.

Students reaching students is what the core of youth ministry is all about. Empowering students to become campus missionaries helps you to accept personal responsibility to reach the lost in your generation. You can live out their faith today and develop a deeper ownership of your beliefs that will last later in life.

A Campus Missionary commits to:

PRAY daily for friends, teachers, school administrators, and others who need Jesus' hope.

LIVE a real, consistent Christian faith by reading, studying, and memorizing God's Word and spending time in personal worship.

TELL her/his friends about Jesus.

SERVE in or begin an active campus club.

GIVE time and finances to promote Jesus' hope globally.

Each student was given a sign up card to take home and register online, but only if they really wanted to commit to it.

Cosmic Bowling!!

2011-02-02T15:52:00.000-08:00

Click Here to download print Release Form!

The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict

2011-01-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Road Signs

2011-01-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

NEW Sunday School Series

Series Overview

You can’t get to the south beach by driving north, and you can’t get to the top of the mountain if you are walking down it. In the Road Signs series, we will examine the book of Proverbs for wisdom to help each of us navigate the choices life brings because our choices determine the direction of our lives. And it’s our direction, not our intention, that ultimately determines our destination. Where are you heading?

During the next four weeks we will post Sunday school reviews with questions that are intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use these questions as opportunities to find out what God is teaching your student, and allow your them to see what God is teaching you as well.

The Thin Green Line- Weeks 1-3 Talking Points

2011-01-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

Session One (Dec. 12)

We all want to make a difference in this life. We want to be a part of something beyond ourselves. This week we talked about how giving connects us to something bigger.

Talking with your student: What are some opportunities or places that you given to financially? Why did you choose to give to those particular things?

Session Two (Dec.19)

Have you ever walked into Target to buy toothpaste? You walk in the door focused on the one thing you need, and walk out with $40 of stuff you realized you “had to have” once you entered the magical land of marketing. This week we talked about how what we see affects our desire and ultimately our pocketbook.

Talking with your student: What do you typically spend your money on during a normal week?

Session Three (Jan.9)

Chances are you have a list of “someday” items. Things you are going to buy, repairs you are going to make, vacations you will go on someday. The trouble is saving money for these things takes time and self-control. But when saving becomes a part of a monthly, weekly or daily routine, then we will be able to ultimately do more with our money than we can do today.

Talking with your student: What are some things you save for?

Be a Good Digital Citizen: Tips for Teens and Parents

2010-12-21T08:19:00.000-08:00

Great Training and Down the Road Insights for students who are open to learning from someone else's mistakes and hearing their advise rather than having to learn their own online lessons the hard way!
-Includes a Video
-Tips & Articles

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/be-good-digital-citizen-tips-teens-and-parents#

The Thin Green Line- Week 1

2010-12-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

The Thin Green Line

Series Overview

We live in a culture that moves fast. We can get a burger and fries in less than three minutes, and we can download new music in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, this fast pace usually means we don’t stop to think about the money that constantly comes and goes, passing through our hands feeding our desire for more. But did you know throughout Jesus ministry one of His most prevalent topics was money? That’s right. The way we use our resources is important to God.

The next three weeks we are going to take a look at the way we give, spend and save our money, and how these habits reveal the thin green line between our hearts and our money.

Time: 9:00am-10:00am
Location: The Fireside Room

The Battle Within- Week 3

2010-11-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

Session Three: Fixing the Fight (11-28-10)

Bottom Line: We are tempted to believe we know how God works and how we think we can work (manipulate) Him.

In the boxing world, sometimes things aren’t always what they seem. Sometimes the winner is known before anyone walks into the ring. Sometimes the outcome is pre-determined by a person who has manipulated things behind the scene. Sometimes a fighter takes a dive. Sometimes a boxer throws the fight. And if each one of us were completely honest, sometimes we try to "work" things as well in our fight with temptation. And who or what we are manipulating isn’t the temptation, it’s God.

Talking with Your Student: Each of you write down a temptation. Then write down what makes it tempting as well as some of the options you have in the situation when presented with the temptation. Next, write down some ways you might fight the temptation or how you may justify it.

The Battle Within- Week 2

2010-11-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

Session Two: In This Corner (Nov. 21, 2010)

Bottom Line: Every time you’re tempted, your confidence in God is at stake, not just your self-control.

When facing temptation, it seems like it’s always about the choice, the decision, the temptation. But it’s always about more than that. It’s not just your reputation or your innocence that’s at stake—it’s your confidence in God. The lure of temptation makes us question whether we can really trust God to come through for us, to be there for us, to provide for us. We begin to think He’s not in our corner, that He’s not looking out for us. But what if we began to see Him there? What if we realized that whatever is luring us away really has nothing to do with what we think it’s about, and there’s a deeper issue, a trust issue, at work? It might completely weaken the pull of that temptation, and it might help us get to the heart of what is really going on.

Talking with Your Student: How can you see the relationship between your confidence in God and the pull of temptation in your life?

Hyper-Texters

2010-11-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

A new study of teens, texting and risky behavior has uncovered a provocative statistical correlation: Teens who send 120 text messages or more a day are more likely to have sex, smoke, drink alcohol, fight and use drugs than teens whose text habit is under that threshold. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that these so-called hypertexters were nearly 350% more likely to have had sex, 90% more likely to have had four or more sexual partners, 200% more likely to have tried alcohol, 40% more likely to have tried cigarettes, 41% more likely to have used illicit drugs, 43% more likely to be binge drinkers and 55% more likely to have been in a physical fight. Researchers aren't saying that there's a cause and effect relationship between texting and these behaviors. Rather they suspect that hypertexting may be a symptom of permissive or absent parents, and that it may also expose kids to another avenue of peer pressure. The study's lead author, Dr. Scott Frank, said, "The startling results of this study suggest that when left unchecked, texting and other widely popular methods of staying connected can have dangerous health effects on teenagers. This should be a wake-up call for parents to not only help their children stay safe by not texting and driving, but by discouraging excessive use of the cell phone or social websites in general."

Broadly similar correlations were found for hypernetworkers as well, defined as students who spent more than three hours a day on social networking sites such as Facebook. The study was based upon surveys of more than 4,200 students at 20 high schools in Cleveland last year.

[cnn.com, 11/10/10; usatoday.com, 11/10/10; time.com, 11/9/10 stats, c&e]

The Battle Within- Week 1

2010-11-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

Session One: The Main Event 11-14-10

Bottom Line: In every single temptation you face, there is always more at risk than you think.

In the sport of boxing, the main event is the big fight, the moment where everything is on the line. But for most of us, we are oblivious to the truth that in every temptation we face, there’s a lot at stake as well. When face to face with temptation, the choice feels insignificant sometimes. There are times when it feels like no one will notice, or it’s not really a big deal. But in looking at the temptations Jesus faced, we realize just how much is at stake—not only in His life, with the temptations that were before Him—but in our lives as well, with the ones we face every day.

Talking with your Students: When you are tempted to do something, what feels like it’s at stake? What is actually at stake?