Alright, so we're not DIGM anymore (what up oneway youth group!?!), but we haven't found a place to move the blog to yet, so for now we'll keep our thoughts in a familiar place until we can find a more suitable place to post.
If you haven't been to youth group lately, there is something in the air. A phrase keeps getting tossed around: "use words of life". Though I did not go to saturate, I have a feeling it came out of something that happened there. It seems as though we are being more intentional as a youth group about using positive words, encouraging words, sharing what God is doing and trying to make Him known for His goodness.
So here are some testimonies of what God is doing or has done in us recently.
Testimonies -
Eli: God reminds us through familiar things of what is He wants for our lives. Words of life are really important.
Zach C: God spoke a word to me that patience is a virtue and gave me an opportunity to practice.
Josh: "God keeps us on our toes."
Cody: God has blessed me with a loving family.
Sam: Grateful for everything. Because "none of us deserve the lives we have."
CJ: God moved things around so I could come to youth group when it didn't seem possible.
So, what is God doing in your life? Leave a comment. Tell someone about the goodness of God. Tell someone about what He is doing in your life. Stand up and stand out. Stand with boldness and courage. Let God be glorified by your actions and words.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Change.
Vacation is over. It’s time to get back to work. Wake up early...go to class...take notes...fall asleep...wake up...take more notes...come home...do homework...fall asleep....and start it all over the next day. Fun. But at least we know what we’re doing. It’s not like anything is different. We’re in the same place we left off in June. No where new...no where adventurous. No risk. No change. And the game isn’t changing anytime soon. The easy life. Don’t move, don’t grow. Just live. Use a little oxygen, give a little CO2...and keep on keepin’ on.
But what about the time between June and September? When we did something new?
Where were we then?
What were we there?
Where did the game change?
We did more than live. We went on an adventure. We breathed more than oxygen. We used that CO2 to cry out to the deep. We moved, we grew. We were changed. Did the game change for August? Or did it change for good?
Where are you now?
What are you now?
Time for a game-change.
But what about the time between June and September? When we did something new?
Where were we then?
What were we there?
Where did the game change?
We did more than live. We went on an adventure. We breathed more than oxygen. We used that CO2 to cry out to the deep. We moved, we grew. We were changed. Did the game change for August? Or did it change for good?
Where are you now?
What are you now?
Time for a game-change.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Successfully Single
The Set:
Counting On God
Never Let Go
Better Is One Day
Enemy Has Been Defeated
Announcements: No youth group next week because of Jr. Camp Judah! So please take time o pray for that next week.
What does it mean to be single?
•Being separate
•Being unique
•Being whole
Does God call on your life depend on your relationship status?
"Your status may change, but your character won't. Develop character worthy of your calling." God is calling you to something for Him. If it so happens that someone else comes along to support you, that's great. But the other person shouldn't be the one affecting your calling.
What does our culture say about being single? The "You complete me" mentality. Singleness=incompleteness. This is false. Just false. God completes you. No human can possibly complete you.
What does God say about being single? Don't spend so much time looking for who you want that you have no time to be who you are. "You should be running so hard after God that eventually you'll look up and realize someone else running along side you."
What does it take to be in a successful relationship? Ephesians 5:25-"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." Being in a relationship relies on the strongest love imaginable. Agape.
Bottom-line-Psalm 37:4-"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."
Notes From the Peanut Gallery:
So, this is a very interesting topic...My thoughts on the subject are extremely complex and attempting to unravel my theories could get messy. My opinions aren't typical of a teenager, and I'm sure if I shared them here I would offend some people. But I digress. The important thing is that regardless of what your opinions are or what your facebook relationship status says, your heart is God's. Always. There's no possibility of differing opinion on that. However, I am interested in what you think a teenage relationship should look like. So please comment below with your opinion. Even though I'm sure you don't want to, that means you should all the more.
Counting On God
Never Let Go
Better Is One Day
Enemy Has Been Defeated
Announcements: No youth group next week because of Jr. Camp Judah! So please take time o pray for that next week.
What does it mean to be single?
•Being separate
•Being unique
•Being whole
Does God call on your life depend on your relationship status?
"Your status may change, but your character won't. Develop character worthy of your calling." God is calling you to something for Him. If it so happens that someone else comes along to support you, that's great. But the other person shouldn't be the one affecting your calling.
What does our culture say about being single? The "You complete me" mentality. Singleness=incompleteness. This is false. Just false. God completes you. No human can possibly complete you.
What does God say about being single? Don't spend so much time looking for who you want that you have no time to be who you are. "You should be running so hard after God that eventually you'll look up and realize someone else running along side you."
What does it take to be in a successful relationship? Ephesians 5:25-"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." Being in a relationship relies on the strongest love imaginable. Agape.
Bottom-line-Psalm 37:4-"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart."
Notes From the Peanut Gallery:
So, this is a very interesting topic...My thoughts on the subject are extremely complex and attempting to unravel my theories could get messy. My opinions aren't typical of a teenager, and I'm sure if I shared them here I would offend some people. But I digress. The important thing is that regardless of what your opinions are or what your facebook relationship status says, your heart is God's. Always. There's no possibility of differing opinion on that. However, I am interested in what you think a teenage relationship should look like. So please comment below with your opinion. Even though I'm sure you don't want to, that means you should all the more.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Shh! Secret Post!
So since I have administrative privileges on the DIBlog, I decided to make a (not-so-)secret post to prep you for my sermon tomorrow. That's right,...Jeff is going to be speaking wednesday (why in the world is that the proper spelling?) If you (secretly) come up to me at some point before I start preaching and properly spell wednesday for me, I'll give you a dollar. Well, truthfully, I won't have any cash on me, but I'll owe you a dollar and take you to Tim Horton's or something and buy you a prize (which admittedly will probably cost me more than a dollar).
Sermon title: Successfully Single
Let's be honest, there are few people more qualified to give this sermon...
So here are some questions to think about:
- What does it mean to be single? (don't overthink this one!)
- Does God's call on your life depend on your relationship status?
- What does our culture say about being single - is it good or bad? neither? both?
- What does God say about being single - is it good or bad? neither? both?
- What does it take to be in a successful relationship?
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Loneliness
The Set:
Enough
'Til I See You
Mark Your Calendars:
July 16th: OneWay Splash
August 14th-19th:Senior Camp Judah
There is a different between being lonely and being alone. In the words of the great Relient K "Loneliness and solitude are two things not to get confused because I spend my solitude with You"(Therapy-Forget and Not Slow Down)
If you are feeling loneliness you can turn that into aloneness. Lonely has no purpose, alone can help you find your purpose.
How do you turn loneliness into aloneness?
Step 1: Recognize feelings of loneliness as God's cry for time with you. He misses you. When you feel lonely, God's wanting to talk to you.
Step 2: Talk back to your emotions. If you start thinking that no one cares about you or that you lonely, talk back. You're being lied to. You are always cared about.
Step 3: Learn to choose. You can always choose the way you go. You may not be able to choose the circumstances but you can choose your reaction to them.
Step 4 Reach out your others. Give out what you want to receive. If you give friendship you will get friendship. Look for others who are feeling lonely too.
Noted from the Peanut Gallery:
Technically this question was asked tonight but realistically no one who goes to Youth group read the blog so this is for all the rest of you. What are some good ways to reach out to someone when you are feeling lonely?
Enough
'Til I See You
Mark Your Calendars:
July 16th: OneWay Splash
August 14th-19th:Senior Camp Judah
There is a different between being lonely and being alone. In the words of the great Relient K "Loneliness and solitude are two things not to get confused because I spend my solitude with You"(Therapy-Forget and Not Slow Down)
If you are feeling loneliness you can turn that into aloneness. Lonely has no purpose, alone can help you find your purpose.
How do you turn loneliness into aloneness?
Step 1: Recognize feelings of loneliness as God's cry for time with you. He misses you. When you feel lonely, God's wanting to talk to you.
Step 2: Talk back to your emotions. If you start thinking that no one cares about you or that you lonely, talk back. You're being lied to. You are always cared about.
Step 3: Learn to choose. You can always choose the way you go. You may not be able to choose the circumstances but you can choose your reaction to them.
Step 4 Reach out your others. Give out what you want to receive. If you give friendship you will get friendship. Look for others who are feeling lonely too.
Noted from the Peanut Gallery:
Technically this question was asked tonight but realistically no one who goes to Youth group read the blog so this is for all the rest of you. What are some good ways to reach out to someone when you are feeling lonely?
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Hello, Old Friend.
So hey. We're back. It's been too long. How have you been? If you were wondering, I have been busy. School work has been very over bearing the last month or so, and I just recently faced some more technical difficulties. So thats why we haven't talked in so long. However, with special thanks to Josiah (middle name) Wilson, we are up and running.
So now for the Wednesday Wrap...
Now technically there wasn't a message tonight. There was a great time of worship, then some kickball outside. It was a very relaxing yet spiritual Wednesday.
Notes from the Peanut Gallery:
Well since theres not a message to ask you about, I thought it would be interesting to ask a random question. If you could be absolutely anywhere right now where would you be and why? That's it. A simple question for you to answer. You should have no problem with commenting on it. And as always feel free to comment on absolutely anything else you would like. Even if you're yelling at me for not blogging more...
So now for the Wednesday Wrap...
Now technically there wasn't a message tonight. There was a great time of worship, then some kickball outside. It was a very relaxing yet spiritual Wednesday.
Notes from the Peanut Gallery:
Well since theres not a message to ask you about, I thought it would be interesting to ask a random question. If you could be absolutely anywhere right now where would you be and why? That's it. A simple question for you to answer. You should have no problem with commenting on it. And as always feel free to comment on absolutely anything else you would like. Even if you're yelling at me for not blogging more...
Location:New York 19,Warsaw,United States
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
5 "Good" Reasons You Can't Always Hear God
The Set:
Yahweh
'Til I See You
My Soul Is Well
Announcements:
Bowling this Friday with the good people at Rooted. Be =at church at 6:45 and bring $5.
One Way-June 11th Costs $2
5 "Good" Reasons You Can't Always Hear God
1. To help us fall in love with Him, not with feeling of Him- You can't just be in love with how He feels, you have to fall in love with Him. Like at the beginning of a relationship you may enjoy being around the person, but you still don't know really know the person. There's a point in any mature relationship that you don't just love the way that the other person makes you feel, but you fall in love with the person themselves. (That's a sermon for another time.)
2. To develop our spiritual roots- A tree in a swamp has smaller roots because they're constantly around water. When wind comes they get knocked over easier. In drier areas, roots go down deep to find the water. God won't always be obviously there. Sometimes you have to dig and find him.
3. To cultivate a dependence on God's word- If you can't find God at the surface, a good place to dig is in the Bible. No where in the Bible is spiritual feelings equated with spiritual realities. Truth isn't always felt. Times will come when you have to search for the truth. Is what your feeling true? or is what God saying true. He spent time on each and everyone of our personalities for a reason. Even if you don't feel like reading
4. God knows we need dark times of rest to stay healthy- Rest is an important part of life. It's common for time of quietness to follow time of God speaking. You have to trust the God knows what's best for you.
5. The enemy realizes your potential and wants to discourage you- The greatest potential is met by the greatest challenges. The more God wants to use you for the more the enemy is going to try and distract you.
Notes from the Peanut Gallery:
So tonight, the question is this. Have you ever had a "dry time" where you didn't hear God. How did you respond to this? Feel free to comment. I know you're reading this. The last Wednesday Wrap was viewed 42 times with 1 comment. Feel free to comment about anything you want even if you don't feel like answering the question above.
The Game: Congratulations on reading this post. You have done well. To reward you I have something for you...come to me on Wednesday with a piece of paper that says "I <3 the DIBLOG" and I'll give you your prize. If you try and write it on wednesday....you will be punished. Severely.
Yahweh
'Til I See You
My Soul Is Well
Announcements:
Bowling this Friday with the good people at Rooted. Be =at church at 6:45 and bring $5.
One Way-June 11th Costs $2
5 "Good" Reasons You Can't Always Hear God
1. To help us fall in love with Him, not with feeling of Him- You can't just be in love with how He feels, you have to fall in love with Him. Like at the beginning of a relationship you may enjoy being around the person, but you still don't know really know the person. There's a point in any mature relationship that you don't just love the way that the other person makes you feel, but you fall in love with the person themselves. (That's a sermon for another time.)
2. To develop our spiritual roots- A tree in a swamp has smaller roots because they're constantly around water. When wind comes they get knocked over easier. In drier areas, roots go down deep to find the water. God won't always be obviously there. Sometimes you have to dig and find him.
3. To cultivate a dependence on God's word- If you can't find God at the surface, a good place to dig is in the Bible. No where in the Bible is spiritual feelings equated with spiritual realities. Truth isn't always felt. Times will come when you have to search for the truth. Is what your feeling true? or is what God saying true. He spent time on each and everyone of our personalities for a reason. Even if you don't feel like reading
4. God knows we need dark times of rest to stay healthy- Rest is an important part of life. It's common for time of quietness to follow time of God speaking. You have to trust the God knows what's best for you.
5. The enemy realizes your potential and wants to discourage you- The greatest potential is met by the greatest challenges. The more God wants to use you for the more the enemy is going to try and distract you.
Notes from the Peanut Gallery:
So tonight, the question is this. Have you ever had a "dry time" where you didn't hear God. How did you respond to this? Feel free to comment. I know you're reading this. The last Wednesday Wrap was viewed 42 times with 1 comment. Feel free to comment about anything you want even if you don't feel like answering the question above.
The Game: Congratulations on reading this post. You have done well. To reward you I have something for you...come to me on Wednesday with a piece of paper that says "I <3 the DIBLOG" and I'll give you your prize. If you try and write it on wednesday....you will be punished. Severely.
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