Reality Check

Discipling, Fellowshipping, Ministering, Evangelizing – All to Honor God!

Archive for March, 2009

Super Summer 2009

Mar 31

Posted by Justin in Announcements | 2 Comments

grunge background

It is time to start thinking about camp.  I have listed the dates that still have space available.  Please let me know if any of the dates will NOT work for you.  ALSO, there is a link on the right (under “pages”)  that has more information:

Week 2: July 6-10

Camp Pastor: Casey Cease   Musicians: Stephen Miller and his Band

Week 4: July 20-24

Camp Pastor: Ryan Fontenot   Musicians: Stephen Miller and his Band

Week 5: July 27-31

Camp Pastor: Chad Poe   Musicians: Stephen Miller and his Band

Week 6: August 3-7

Camp Pastor: Chad Poe   Musicians: Stephen Miller and his Band

Tags: , , ,

Live Love LiveLove LiveLove LiveLove

Mar 27

Posted by Justin in Announcements | 29 Comments

- Sorry for the cancel & we will NOT be doing a lock-in tonight! -

I am very disappointed that we are not going to LiveLove.  I am now working on what other events would be good for our group.  I am going to list some that I have been told about. 

Some have asked about the money situation.  I have not been able to give that much thought.  I will talk to the LiveLove event soon.  We already have our shirts and food for the event.  I will be posting that information soon.

FIRST OPTION:

ConcertHow is this for an alternate.  Maybe we could go to the concert and sleep in a church over night and make a larger event out of it?  Leave a comment!!!

http://www.therockandworshiproadshow.com/

Kansas Coliseum - Valley Center, KS
                           April 10, 2009 07:30 PM
No tickets required – $10 AT THE DOOR!

SECOND OPTION:

Shine FestFeaturing Switchfoot, Skillet, Decyfer Down, Disciple with Guest Speaker Tom Richter at Heart of America Theater on Saturday, April 25, 2009!

Tickets = $35          http://www.worldsoffun.com/public/news/special_events.cfm

THIRD OPTION:

Acquire The Fire

Acquire The Fire

Acquire The Fire will host an event in Denver on May 1 & 2.  I have not checked to see if any tickets are available.  We would know what to expect.

www.acquirethefire.com

Tags: , ,

Why Am I Sometimes Mean?

Mar 21

Posted by Justin in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

I have been preparing a lesson on what God’s grace looks like.  It has been one of those studies that makes me wish I was a little more self controlled and  more loving.  Am I the only one or do you struggle with thinking of yourself as better than others or thinking of others as less than you?  When I see what Jesus did I am reminded that it does not matter who we are or what we do.  God has offered me a gift of abundant and eternal life.  He has offered this to everyone – not just me. 

I want to treat everyone like they are loved by God and me.  I don’t want to think less of anyone for any reason.  What about you?  How do you keep an appropriate view of others and yourself?  Do you struggle with grace? 

Tags: ,

Way To Go M.L. Basketball!

Mar 13

Posted by Justin in Uncategorized | Comments off

ml-basketball-state1

The guys’ final varsity basketball game did not finish with a win, but it was an exciting game.  I would like to quote a blog from KSN, 

“There is a large following here in Hutchinson from the
Lodge. The student section is the biggest yet, all decked
out in purple gear and orange hard hats. I like that.”

If you attended the game, you know this quote is true.  The ML fans were numerous and, indeed, purple.  It was fun just to see how excited people were for our teens and our community.  The game was close the entire way as we tried to close the five to ten point gap.  I will try not to be biased, but I was excited to see Zack go for a quick and slick lay-up that ended up in an attempted three point play that showed Collegiate that we had come to play and that they could not expect an easy win.

The thrill of the game is something that seems innate here in Medicine Lodge.  People change work schedules and make special plans so that they don’t miss the game.  I enjoy seeing people paint their faces, getting hyped to see their friends play the best they can.  I am not the kind of person to shout and jump, myself, but I do love to see others get excited and encourage those who are playing their best.

Seeing all of this reminds me of what it is like to go to be a part of a church family – united in the strong desire to shout and cheer about what God has done.    I love to see teens who understand the love and grace that God has shown to each of us and that change their schedules and make special plans so that they can go and celebrate with others who also love God.  This is a celebration out of Love, not a weekly meeting that we have to go to.  I want to leave you with a quote and with an encouragement.  Keep seeking God and maybe one day you will find yourself at a church singing, learning and growing as you celebrate what God has done for you.

Psalm 150:1-6

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.

Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Tags: , , , ,

Give life a Reality Check

Mar 6

Posted by Justin in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

To be a follower of Jesus Christ is a life that is full.  Full of Joy.  Full of meaning.  Full in all areas.  The reason this life is full is because to know God is to know who created us, why we were created and what the point of creating is.  This allows us to live a life full of joy as we give all that life has to offer a “Reality Check”.  When we give our life a reality check we stop and ask if we are doing what is best.  This is not a chore, but it is a joy.  A joy to  agree with God and His purpose and plan.  I want all of us to experience this joy in making our life in line with our purpose.

I am reading “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell.  In his book he says. . .

“Being a Christian is about engaging the mind and heart more and more, not shutting them off or letting someone else think for you.  The writer Peter urges Christians to be alert.  Paul tells his listeners in Thessalonica to test everything and hold on to the good.”

“The danger of labeling things ‘Christian’ is that it can lead to our blindly consuming things we have been told are safe and acceptable.”

I don’t want us just to accept things that are called Christian and to reject things that are called non-Christian.  I want us to seek God and follow Him.  When we give our life this type of “Reality Check” we will find ourselves being deep thinkers and enjoying all that life has to offer.  Don’t spend your life making an “us” and “them” list.  Instead follow the plan God has for life and you will be filled with joy! 

Is there anything in your life that you have tried to get in line with God and now you are experiencing that joy?  What are you doing to find that joy that comes from following God?

Tags: ,

View in: Mobile | Standard