WHO IS AT FAULT? WHO IS GOING TO FIX IT?

It seems that there has been several situations that I have been in or asked about or just observed that is asking those very questions. Most people focus on whose fault is it. While there is a place to understand fault (what is causing this situation), the main issue is who is going to fix it? There may be issues on both sides that need to be addressed. Ultimately you can only "fix" yourself. What I mean is if you approach relationships thinking I need to fix or change them you are headed for disappointment. The question is not how do they need to change so we can get along better. The question is am I going to let Jesus in me make a difference. That doesn't mean we are a doormat, God's love speaks truthfully about situations. But God's love in us is able to bless even in the face of unfair treatment. It is able to reach out even when pushed away. It is able to respond in peace even in the face of anger. I guess the whole point is are you going to be a victim or are you going to be the one to make a difference? So the next time you face a conflict(with a parent, friend, girlfriend/ boyfriend, family member, etc.) don't dig in and wait for them to do what you think they should. Determine to do the right thing yourself regardless of what they do. You be the one to make a difference.

Yard Sale 2008- Thanks for the hard work!

CONGRATS!

Hey students, I just wanted to recognize some of your recent athletic accomplishments that I am aware of. Congrats to Logan and Andrew and the RHS tennis team. They went to Atlanta to play in the State tourney. Sorry to say they lost but good job and good year. Also a big way to go to the RHS ladies soccer team who hosted and scored in (for the first time) a State tournament soccer game. Way to go Anna and Meredith!!! I also understand the LFO track team placed 2nd in the region! Way to go to all!

No REGRETS!!!

Hey students let me tell you what is on my mind today. I was listening to a preacher today and he was actually talking about being a wise woman. In one part he read a poem of sorts from a lady who was talking about all the things she would have done differently if given a chance to live life over. As I was listening I was thinking of you students. One of the things that motivates me as a student pastor is the desire to help you students live life now with no regrets. Carpe diem is Latin for seize the day. Now that can be used in a destructive way to just live life on the edge because there might not be a tomorrow. But in a positive way it just means don't wait to live life, live it to its fullest now with no regrets. As I listened to the preacher read all the regrets of the woman, I just wanted more than anything to plead with you students to give yourself fully and completely to the Lord Jesus Christ. Walk with Him with no reservations, nothing held back. Follow Him with all of your heart and allow Him to define your life. A life with no regrets begins by seizing the day and following Christ now. Not when you get older, not when you have a family, not after you have sown your wild oats, but NOW! Why is that so hard? I mean as you look around we see more people living with regrets than people living in the fullness of Christ. One reason for you as a student is that you don't realize how important the decisions you are making (or not making) are. I wish someone would have woke me up as a teenager and helped me to make better decisions. Let me encourage you follow Christ today and live with NO REGRETS!

Having Christ's Mindset Toward Others and Life

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

We could spend a month discussing the truths found in these verses. You very well may have when pastor Erik taught it. This is a beautiful passage of scripture packed full of deep theological truths. Pastor Chris reminded me this week not to miss the point. This passage is pointing to Christ as our example and the very life within us to have a proper mindset of humility as we deal with each other. There are three verbs in this passage. The first is did not regard. Regard is to hold out in the front of your mind, to consider. Equality with God was not something Jesus took by force or robbed, it was what He was. The point is who He is was not what He focused on. Humanity and their need is. The second verb is emptied. He emptied or veiled His glory by taking the very nature of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness and appearance as a man. The third verb is humbled. He humbled Himself in obedience all the way to the point of a cruel and unfair death on a cross. You say that is beautiful, BUT that was Jesus. Well don’t forget how the passage starts “Have this attitude(mindset) in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Verse 13 reminds us that “it is God who is at work in you.” So student, parent, fellow believer take off the “religious” glasses and ask yourself, is my life marked by trying to lift myself up and promote my importance, or is it marked with a humility of mind (correct understanding) of myself and who I am in Christ? Do I see others (no matter who they are) as valuable and important, or am I too focused on myself? Do I live my life looking out for only my own interests or is there room to care for the interests of others? May we be people that allow Christ to produce His very mindset in us. May He help us to see our self, others, and our world the way He sees it.

This is part of a truth the Lord seems to be trying to teach us as a group of students. What does it mean to be a part of a youth group? Well it means a lot more than just having some fun together. It is a peer group that God has placed you in to live out close, deep, beneficial relationships. Relationships that look past those surface things that divide us into “cliques.” Anyway, I hope you as a student are spending time meditating on God’s truth and taking part in the opportunities offered. If there is anything I can do for you or your family let me know.

God Bless,

Eric

Waveland 2007 Slide Show

Slide Show- Camping 2007

Slide Show- Pics from March. Goofing off together.

HOW CAN I KNOW CHRISTIANITY IS DIFFERENT?

I am going to post a question I received and the answer I gave. I will do this anonymously but the question was from one of our middle school students:

Eric,

I have looked at the blog site. I think it is very cooooool!! I was wanting to know if you could add some christian music to the site.I have one question though, how do we post comments? I thought that some of the article related to me in some way. We have some history classes at my school and they are talking about all of these different kinds of gods, how do I know that Jesus is just not a myth like them? I tried talking to my dad about it and did not get what he was saying. I know its in the bible , and I know you have got to have faith, is their a simpler way for me to understand?

Your Friend,

MY REPLY:

Thanks for the questions. I am glad you are thinking. You will be a more confident believer by asking questions and seeking answers. I am glad you like the site. It is designed for you students to have a place to see yourself and the group. I haven't figured out how to put music on the sight yet, but I will. There is a comment button at the bottom of every post. You may have to sign in. That is not a big deal though. Just hit the comment button, write your comment and then hit publish comment. I hope that helps. I left your name off but I did put your question up, because it is a good one.

So let's get to the question. There are alot of reasons to trust the truth of Jesus above other claims. I will try to keep it simple. First true Christianity is different than any other religious claims. Religion is ultimately what I am doing to try to be right with God. Christianity is what God has done for me to be right with Him. The only thing I do is recognize that I need Him. That is a major difference. Secondly, the Bible -the Word of God can be trusted. It is an incredibly unique book in every way. It was written over 1500 years by many human authors yet it has a consistent message.It has been found to be accurate in everything it teaches (historically, archaeologically, scientifically, morally, etc.). All of that to say that the Bible can be trusted, it is not a book of myths or lies, but of accuracy and miraculously fulfilled prophecy. No other book could stand up under the scrutiny and attacks that the Word of God has undergone. Last but certainly not least the Bible from front to back ultimately points to a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is unique in every way. As pastor Chris said He was the only 1 out of the estimated 106,000,000,000 people that have lived to live the perfect life he did. Jesus' teaching is unique also. He was the message. In other words He didn't teach good religious things that you need to know, He taught that you need to know Him. He is the message. He also claimed to be God. Not a God, but the very God that was the power and purpose behind the universe. He did many miracles (called signs) that verified who He was, but the most convincing fact of His authenticity is that He said after being put to death that He would rise again from the dead. What is so incredibly convincing is that He did exactly what He said He was going to do. The resurrection of Jesus is an established fact of history that has been celebrated and changing lives for 2000 years.

These are some of the "evidences" or proofs of why we trust Jesus. Ultimately it is something that is supernatural though. What I mean is that God himself must persuade you of these truths. That is what it means to have faith. God has persuaded you of the truth of who He is and how to know Him. Millions of people throughout history have been eternally changed by the person of the gospel message- the Lord Jesus Christ!

I hope that helps some. Let me know if you still have questions I can help with!

I love you!
God Bless,
Eric

INSECURITIES

Students, are you complete? Do you have a sense of confidence in who you are? I think insecurity is a major component of the human race. We all try to hide it in different ways, but it is there. Those nagging thoughts of: "am I ok, do I fit in, is there a purpose for my life, do I measure up, does anybody like me, does anybody love me?" Some people cover their insecurities by presenting themselves as cocky and confident. Others just hide themselves from the crowd by being quiet and unnoticed. At the root both have the same problem- insecurity. So where is security found? I mean sometimes parents with their best of intentions don't do a good job helping us answer those questions. I know as a parent I don't. Friends let us down and even add to our insecurities sometimes (keep in mind they have got issues of their own). We watch and participate in the whole "dating" scene looking for someone to tell us we are ok. It seems most of those relationships end in heartbreak and only add to our fears that something is wrong with me. I want you to do something that is difficult. Take off your religious glasses for a minute and think about the verses from Colossians at the top of the blog. It tells us that in Christ all the fullness of God dwelt bodily. The fullness (Greek- pleroma) nothing left out, complete. It goes on to say that in Christ you have been made complete or full (Greek- pleroo). So the verse says that all of God is in Christ and that if He is in you then you are complete or full. Now that has some religious implications- I don't have to try to make myself complete for God, I don't have to perform in some way to please Him. All that is taken care of in Christ. But what would it mean for you as an insecure teenager to understand and really believe that you are complete in Christ? You could quit looking to all of the things we look to for answers(friends, dates, family, parents, teachers, coaches, popularity, grades, circumstances) that all in one way or another can disappoint us and realize that in Christ you are whole. I believe that is the only answer to our insecurities. If we don't begin there we are destined to a life of frustration, trying to be filled up some other way. The question is do you know that? Do you live with the knowledge that you are in Christ and that in Him you are whole? Think about that for a little while and be honest with yourself.

Pics From the Past!

Deano!
Say "Cheesy"
Julia and Anna



The GIRLS!

Just Merideth and Devan!




Bowling anyone?
DEANO- Just Chillin!

Serving the body at Poplar Springs

Today Wed. April 16th the students hosted the church for dinner. Of course the master chef was Sunny, but the students did a great job. The money raised went to pay for summer camp and mission trips the students will be attending this summer.

March 2008

Just How MANY People can fit on one chair?












Just having a little fun together!