What about the rules?

I wonder if any students went home from the youth meeting last Sunday night, saying rules are not the way. That is true. Keeping a good list of rules is not the same as following Jesus. Somtimes our rules can make us proud of how good we are. We can compare ourselves to others who are not as good as us. Rules shape the outside.

But God helps me change on the inside.

God forgave our sins and canceled the written code with its regulations that was against us. Col 2:13-14.

"In Christ" is the answer. this concept is in the new testament about 170 times. We do not keep rules to be closer to God. As we get closer to God healthy rules will fall into place. In Christ can refer to a time when I decided to put my trust in God and his ways. In Christ also means that I turn from living selfishly. I choose to welcome God's leading in all I do.

This coming Sunday night the students will look at what it looks like on the outside with the inside in set on Christ.

This would be a good time for parents to ask questions about rules. Why do we have rules? What rules does your teen own? What rules would they keep if it was up to them? Why does God give us rules?


Coming soon;
Tubing at KP Hole. this is open to anyone. I know some who are bringing the whole family.

• Saturday, July 31
• Meet there @ 8:00 AM
• Park fee: $3 plus Tube/Shuttle $9
or Shuttle only $7
• For Information & Directions visit:
http://www.kphole.com/


Concert on Sunday night August 8. the band 3fold chord will lead us through a night of music, worship and times of prayer.

small groups for teens

Here are ten specific rewards that teenagers receive from the ministry of small group leaders:
1. Another significant adult is caring for them and cheering them on.
2. They are encouraged to grow spiritually on their own by someone other than mom/dad.
3. They find support during turbulent times in their life.
4. Presence at their sporting events or key activities.
5. Someone who is excited to see them at church.
6. Someone actually notices and misses them when they're not at church or small group.
7. A caring friend leaves them voice messages "just because I was thinking of you."
8. They have a neutral adult who doesn't freak-out over bad grades.
9. They develop a "safe" person to talk to.
10. The small group leader becomes a tender, yet truthful voice when they need a little correcting.

I stole this from Doug Fields. I put a link to his web site if you want to check it out.

I noticed a new comercial this week about a customer who is not happy that new customers get treated better than loyal customers. I guess I agree. I want the same deal on my cell phone that a new person could walk in and get. I think they should give it to me without me even having to ask.

What about the church? Do we eagerly greet or give something to new people and overlook the loyal attenders?

As I thought this through I thought of a few differences. I have no obligation to help build the phone company. I do not love them. If there service is bad I will take my money to another company. As soon as my contract for my cheap phone expires. For me, that is 1 year and 11 months.

Following Jesus Christ is not like that. All followers of Jesus are taught to love others. We have the job of helping other people know God's love and see His offer of a relationship and eternal life. We have the job of building the list of "customers". Ok not really customers. Nothing is for sale. God needs nothing from us. We need so much from Him.

Those who have grown in how they know God, will help others to grow in how they could know God. As they know truth, they help others know truth. As they meet needs they will take others to meet needs.

In Luke 7 a sinful woman comes to Jesus right in front of some loyal religious people. She annointed Jesus feet with oil and washed his feet with her tears. The good religious people did not understand how God welcomes sinners who come in repentance. They misunderstood their good works and how they look in the eyes of God. Often Jesus tells the religious that they have no place with God.

I am a religious person who leads a religious organization. I hope more like Jesus. I hope I am not like the loyal religious customers that Jesus was talking to.

still thinking on Challenge. i talked again to Sam Salgado today. He decided at Challenge to be a Christ follower. that rocks. our church will celebrate with a rose this Sunday am. i think all of our students made some kind of life adjustments.

it was fun to hear our students share last Sunday night at our youth meeting. many are doing the 50 day devotional. some plan to share Christ with friends.

i am proud of the 14 students we took to Challenge. They did a great job picking up trash in a poorer neighborhood outside of Columbus. They engaged in every session with interest and enthusiasm. the sessions were about hours each.

they helped with making 5,000 backpacks to go to Haiti, India or Africa.

Our adults were great as well. Doug and Cam are sold out to Christ and will do all they can to help our students follow Christ. Linda was awesome with our 6 girls on the trip.

May the fruits of the Beattitudes continue to change us.

For this Sunday night we will start a series in Colossians. the first chapter is on the Gospel. can students explain the gospel? God gives alot to those who choose to follow Christ. Jesus is God and created all things. Be in Christ. i no longer live but Christ lives in me. The new testament uses the phrase "in Christ", 170 times. that could be important.

No activity tonight, Thursday, July 8.

We moved the day long activities to Saturday so that more adults can join in with our students. Meet at Busch Gardens at 9am, July 10th. i will look for students just inside of the main gate. this will be a great day for students who have passes to share a day together.

some bullet points from Challenge; Blessed is more like complete. not just happy.

1. Poor in spirit- Beggar, spiritually bankrupt, let go of my stuff and loose the full of myself attitude.
2. Merciful- not getting or giving what is deserved. must experience this before we can give it our culture is so self centered. Mercy is counter culture. aware of people in need. feel compassion and emotions of others. take action/ move. status is traded to love enemies/ sinners. experience; have i cried for mercy
3. Mourn- not sadness, but opposit of complacent. Mourn for people like Jesus did. Look at sin the way God does. complete and total surrender. How bad do i want the saviour to be seen. Art on the stage showed mud on the picture of Christ.
4. Pure in heart- free from dirt, blemish, spots in our will and emotions. See Jesus leads us to be pure.
5. Meek not weak, but strength and power under control. adjust your rights to serve another back to life. illus was a mountain climber who could reach the summit, or save the life of another who would have died. not who you are but whose you are. live or die for God. accepts personal hurt without resentment. patient with others. Never gives up.
6. Peace maker- not peace keepers. be reconciled and reconcile others to God. sinners that come to church should find Jesus, not rules. a stubborn church, a segregated church or a solid church. the gospel transends. Discipleship is life on life with one you led to Christ.
7. Hungry for Righteousness- Moral and spiritual perfection. justification- declared righteous. follow trail of your time, resources and efforts to know what you hunger/ worship. we cannot reach righteousness, but we can reach Jesus.
8. Persecuted- (i missed the notes on this one)

Students have a 50 day devotional that they started on Saturday. how are they doing?

to undo is to loose the selfishness to take on the mission and role that Jesus has for us.

Shane said everyday; The main thing is to make disciples that make disciples that make disciples . . . . . Our youth ministry needs disciplemakers. we have some great ones. our students need about 4 more adults.

All for Jesus, Mike