Belong

All of us want to belong somewhere. It's a natural human desire and need. I think it's a healthy thing too... if we do it right.

Too often we're willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to belong to a certain group of people- the popular kids, the cool crowd, whoever it is. But in doing that, we lose our identity, the person God created you to be. What things have you given up to fit in? Playing that game has consequences.

But here's the good news- there's a place we can belong to, a place we can fit in without sacrificing who we are and who God made us to be. That place is the church, God's family. So I encourage you to really consider what lengths you are going to to try to fit in and consider turning to the place that will accept you just as you are.

Do you feel like you belong to God's family?

iGeneration

We're starting a new series next month. It's based on the idea that our generation (I include myself in this, and would say that it's even seeping into prior generations as well) is becoming more and more focused on the individual. We are moving away from life in community to life alone.

We're going to be addressing some of the lies that our culture tries to get us to believe. Here's a little preview:

I am an army of one.

I don't need anyone else.

It's all about me.

I don't need your rules.

I hope you join us on Wednesday nights for this series, I hope it speaks some truth to all of us.


What do you think, is there any danger in the progression from life in community to life alone? I've been playing this progression out in my head quite a bit lately, and I don't like where it ends up. Where do you see this going?

Jr. High Winter Camp

We just got back from jr high winter camp yesterday. It was so fun!

The speaker up there talked about labels- things that people label us as (nerd, jock, loner, loser, popular, stuff like that). We talked about the fact that God doesn't label us like that but sees each one of us as valuable enough and lovable enough to die for.

He challenged us to not label each other but instead to see them the way God does.

So here's what you can do- every morning when you wake up, pray to God that He would help you to see people the way that He sees them. Do you think you can do that? Try it and let me know what happens!

Truth and Culture

We live in a time known as the "postmodern" era. One of the trademarks of this time is the decline of absolute truth. It is becoming harder and harder to say that we know anything for certain or know that anything has always been and always will be true.

Jesus says that he is the way, the truth, and the life. I believe that Jesus was and is the only way to a full life and to eternal salvation. I believe that that is a truth that will never change.

So my question is this: how do we proclaim Christ in this age of diminishing truth? To what extent do we need to change culture? But at the same time, how do we proclaim Christ within our culture?

Advent Conspiracy

What do you think of that video?

I think it's pretty powerful to see just how much money we spend on Christmas presents... and how little money compared to that it would take to provide clean water for everyone. So what are you going to do? How are you going to worship Christ this Christmas? I mean, he is the reason for the season after all...

Here's my challenge: give up one present this year. Just one. And then ask your parents, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, or whoever to donate that money to a charity of your choice. See how much happier that makes you and how much longer it lasts than the present you'll forget about by New Year's.

Fair Trade

We talked yesterday (Sunday) about Fair Trade.

Basically, it assures fair wages and benefits to the farmers responsible for growing the things we consume so much of (cofee, tea, cotton, rice, etc.). We talked about how we need to be activists of choice and that the decisions we make affect people all over the world.

Do you think fair trade is important enough to spend a little extra money on it or avoid stuff that isn't? Or is fair trade more hype than truth? What do you think, can we make a difference through the stuff we buy? What else can we do?

Activist

We're getting ready to start a new series this Sunday called Activist.

Before we do that, I want to know what you think about that word. Does it have positive or negative connotations for you? Do you think Christians should be activists for anything? Why or why not?

Come check it out on Sunday, it's going to be good!