Reminder!

NO Storm or 628 this week! (Storm canceled Wed Nov 25) (628 canceled Sun Nov 29).

Crazy Love...Chapter 6

The question from last night: "So, how many facebook friends do you have?" Some of you have up towards 400 friends. The next question was, "How many of your facebook friends know you love Jesus?"...even harder: "How many of your facebook friends love Jesus too?"

Now, there is a difference between saying that you love God and actually loving God. Sometimes we just get caught up in the concept of loving God, instead of having an actual love relationship with the Person, God. That's the crux between intimacy vs. reverence. Most of us understand that we are to love God, but it gets lost in that concept. We are called to be in a love relationship with God. That's what makes Christianity distinct from "religion". Christianity is a living, breathing love-relationship with our Creator and Savior and NOT a list of "do's" and "don't's" in order to manipulate or "buy" God's love. That actually insults God.

So, how do we move from the idea of loving God to actually doing it? Francis Chan paints a great picture regarding this application. He says that it is not about trying harder. Instead, he wants us to view it as a cycle. Chan says, "It is a remarkable cycle: Our prayers for more love result in love, which naturally causes us to pray more, which results in more love...you have to stop loving and pursing Christ in order to sin. When you are pursuing love, running toward Christ, you don't have the opportunity to wonder, Am I doing this right? or Did I serve enough this week? When you are running toward Christ, you are freed up to serve, love, and give thanks without guilt, worry, or fear. As long as you are running, you are safe." (p. 104)

So, it's time to move from the concept of reverence toward real intimacy with God. If you are not feeling it, get on your knees and pray. Ask God to give you His love in order to love Him back and others along with Him. Chase after Him. As long as you run toward Him, you won't have time to be distracted by sin. Let Him change you. Ask Him to change you.

Galatians 5:13-14

UPCOMING RETREATS:

The first retreat is for High School Storm. It's the annual E-Free Retreat held in Des Moines. This upcoming one will be held January 1st to the 3rd, 2010. Cost is $119 per student. Bring extra money for activity and eating out.




The second retreat is for both Middle School 628 and High School Storm. It's called "UNITE 2010". It will be held at Grand Harbor Water Park Resort in Dubuque on February 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2010. Cost will be $120 per student.

CANCELLATIONS:

NO 628 this Sunday, November 22 (due to Thanksgiving Meal at Church) and

NO 628 on Sunday, November 29.

NO STORM on Wednesday, November 25 (due to Thanksgiving Holiday).

See you after these dates.

Operation Christmas Child 2009

628 Hockey Night

Free e-Book for Parents Dealing with Difficult Teens

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Study Finds that Parents still infuence Teens

Click Here to read the article...

Natalie's Baptism

Natalie's baptism from this past week (Nov. 8, 2009).
Acts 2:38

November Birthdays

Happy Birthday Shout Outs to these peeps:

Matt H on the 4th (College Student)
Andrew L & Eden L on the 19th
Faith L on the 20th
Paige R on the 24th
Eli S on the 26th

Happy Birthday to All of You! 

Fun At B-Dubs

This is one of the best places to take our youth group!

Teen Saved by Facebook Status

Amazing, but true...
Always Update Your Facebook Status

Crazy Love: Chapters 4 & 5

Probably the toughest two chapters in the book, but they led to some honest discussion.  God demands the very best from us.  Anything less is insulting to Him.  We must turn from our lukewarm ways, repent from our half-heartedness.  We must stop making excuses about being too busy for Him.  Ask God to help you love Him and others.  That is what God measures us by--our love.  We must love God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.  For without love, we are nothing.  Do you get it?
Stop giving God your leftovers.

1 Corinthians 13

Philly Mission Trip