Validation

Validation

Christian vs. Christ-Follower Mac vs. PC

Christian vs. Christ-Follower Mac vs. PC

Youth Leaders' Christmas Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Youth Leaders' Christmas Dance

Book Review: 10 Minute Moments for Jr. High Students

10 Minute Moments is a new devotional book by Kurt Johnson designed especially for Jr. High students. I decided to put the book to the test by giving it to Olivia, a 7th grade students who has been following Jesus for about a year. After a few weeks I asked her for her honest feedback. Here it is ... raw, unedited, and straight from the mouth of the target audience:

"It's really good. Not boring. I actually get to write my own thoughts. I like the journal part. I am learning different Scriptures. It is helping me learn more about the Bible. It doesn't take long. It really does only take about 10 minutes."

To receive 10% OFF this and other great resources, use the link to Simply Youth Ministry at the top of my blog or click here: http://us-dc2-order.store.yahoo.net/ymix/MetaController.html?ysco_key_event_id=&ysco_key_store_id=yhst-95977426524948&sectionId=ysco.cart

Book Review: 10 Minute Moments for Jr. High Students

Flooding our Daily Engine

Today, as I was driving into work, one of the most terrifying things that can occur when you're driving actually happened. I was on a busy main road, waiting to make a left turn while cars were flying down every lane in the morning rush-hour madness, when my engine suddenly just stopped. There was a car or two ahead of me, also waiting for the traffic to clear so they can turn, so I know I had some time, but panic started to set in. I was right there in between traffic going both directions and I couldn't get out of the way--I wonder why I was starting to get nervous?? So, I turned my key hoping my car would start again. One car in front of me turns, and there was another car before I had to turn. I felt the engine kick in only to die again. Ok, ok, just remember to breathe now Josh. Now all the things I knew I had to get done today came to my mind. All the people that were relying on me to finish things, the people I had to pick up later in the day so we could make it to the dress rehersal for our church's Christmas performance--alot of people would be affected by this incident and ultimately I know that their own plans could backfire. So, I did all I could do in that moment, I prayed to Jesus to give me grace and to just make my car fire back up so I could go on and get through the responsibilities of my day. Thanks to God, on the second try, my car started and I didn't have any more problems the rest of the day.

It got me thinking though. Just as I need my car to work properly each day, how much more does my own heart, spirit and soul need to be functioning right so I can effectively reach others on a daily basis. Take a moment, just as I have to do, and look at your own life. Ask yourself, 'How much am I relying of Christ to fill me with His strength and grace each day or am I relying on myself and my own ways to get me through?' It really is all about maintaining a relationship with God for everything in life. All it takes at first is spending a few minutes talking with your Creator and getting to know what He is saying to us through His Word in the Bible.

-Josh

Flooding our Daily Engine

36 Planet Impacters Bless Elderly, Serve Jesus Together!

Today 36 of us had a blast serving Jesus together at our church's annual Senior Saints Christmas Luncheon. What a joy it was to work together to bless others in the name of Jesus! We are so proud of all of you who helped out, and we invite everyone to join us the next time we have an opportunity to serve!

36 Planet Impacters Bless Elderly, Serve Jesus Together!

Live2Give!

This week we started a 2-part message entitled Live2Give. All students have been challenged to find ways to give of their time, their talents, and their treasure.

2 Ways YOU Can Give This Week:

1. Help us serve the elderly at our annual Senior Saints Christmas Banquet this Saturday from 10-3pm. Just wear black pants and a white shirt and come ready to serve.

2. Purchase a Shoebox full of items for a child in Mexico and give them a gift for Christmas that they otherwise might not have. Help us Fill The Tub! Here's the info:

DUE BY DECEMBER 19th!

HOW TO PACK A SHOE BOX

1. SHOE BOX: Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2. BOY OR GIRL? Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3. FILL WITH GIFTS: Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.

4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION: Please donate $5 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can write a check to “SGT” and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box.

GIFT IDEAS

TOYS: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc. SCHOOL SUPPLIES: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc. OTHER: Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE: In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

Live2Give!