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The Summer calendar has been updated on the blog so Check it out to see what all will be going on this summer!

I am glad to be back from my crazy wedding weekend with family and friends. It was great and I returned tired and ready for my bed. This week has a twist on Saturday so please let me know if you will be going.

We will have Tuesday Bible Study tomorrow morning in Gravely hall. Then Saturday we will be joining up with Home Works to do some painting and other work. I need to know who all is going. I have heard from only a few of you. Parents are welcome to come. Follow this link to fill out forms and learn about Homeworks.

Also, Sunday we will meet at Gravely Hall for dinner and then back to the youth house. I will be cleaning up the youth house for us to use again. We NEED COOKS for the next three weekends so let me know if you are able and willing. We will be looking at John 21:15-19  and talking about be restored to a right relationship with God.

“An appreciable number of people throughout the world are still brought up in Christian homes in which the truth of Christ and of Christianity is assumed. But when their critical faculties develop and they begin to think for themselves, they find it easier to discard the religion of their childhood than make the effort to investigate its credentials.

Very many others do not grow up in a Christian environment. Instead they absorb the teaching of Hinduism, Buddhism or Islam, or the ethos of secular humanism, communism or existentialism.

Yet both groups, if and when they read about Jesus, find that he holds for them a fascination they cannot easily escape.”

As I have been preparing for this Sunday’s teaching at youth group I was reminded of this thought of Stott’s. In John 20:24-29 John is talking about Thomas one of the Twelve disciples. Some of us know him for doubting the resurrection of Jesus. He wanted to see the scars and feel the wounds in his side. I find myself in his shoes often. I want to touch and have something tangible to believe in as God.

That is what makes Christianity so amazing and different from other religions. God doesn’t just sit on a throne on high and judge and rule from up there but the came humbly in the form of man to live, suffer, and die for us. He is tangible he took on flesh. Thomas could see him, talk to him, and touch him. He was even able to do this after Jesus  had died and risen from the dead.

I feel that this is one of the reasons that other religions and people in general find the person of Jesus so fascinating. He actually was a person yet he was God. I am thankful that God uses Thomas to answer the questions so many people have, ” Did he really live, die, and RAISE from the dead, yet was human?” This part of the Gospel of John helps me to remember that there really were people there who saw Jesus live, die, and raise for the dead.

John 20:29 end with, ” Have you (Thomas) believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We aren’t able to physically see Jesus but God has given us his word, the Bible,that we may know him and we can share in the doubts of others and also in the celebration the answer to those doubts.

He has Risen Indeed!! Alleluia!!

Billions of dollars will be spent this Christmas season on gifts for children. A new national study by The Barna Group among Christian parents shows that even though most Christian parents are not always comfortable with the content of the media-related products, they purchase some of those items as presents for their children. The born again Christian population of the U.S. is likely to spend more than $1 billion on media products such as CDs, DVDs, video games and magazines for children under the age of 18 despite parental misgivings about the moral content or developmental affects of those resources.

Past Purchases and Feelings

The Barna survey discovered that the most widely purchased media by Christian parents in the past year were DVDs of movies and TV programs. More than three out of four Christian parents (78%) had purchased such disks for their teenagers and almost nine out of ten Christian parents (87%) had purchased DVDs for their children under 13. However, one-quarter of those adults (26%) did not feel comfortable with the DVD products they purchased.

The next most popular type of media content purchased for children by Christian parents were music CDs. About six out of ten parents bought these discs for their kids, yet one out of every three of those parents (33%) had concerns about the content. This was more evident among the parents of teenagers than among those who were buying music for pre-teens.

Slightly more than half of all Christian parents had purchased video games for their children in the past year, in both the pre-teen and teen categories. About four out of ten pre-teen parents (39%) were concerned about the content of those games, compared to nearly half of the parents of teen recipients (46%) who admitted to such concerns.

Similarly, about half of all Christian parents (51%) had purchased magazines for their children. Roughly three out of ten Christian parents (31%) were not very comfortable with the content of the magazines acquired for their children.

Computer software was bought by 36% of the Christian parents of pre-teens and 39% of the Christian parents of teenagers. Overall, one out of every four Christian parents who acquired software for their children (24%) was not comfortable with the software.

The least common media form acquired by Christian parents for their children were downloads for mobile phones. Just 3% of the parents of pre-teens and 19% of teen parents bought one or more downloads for their children. Overall, a large majority (70%) possessed concerns about the content of those downloads.

Patterns of Discomfort

In examining the discomfort of Christian parents related to the media content purchased for their children, the survey data indicated that the parents least likely to buy such media resources for their children were fathers and Hispanics.

The Christian parents who were generally the least comfortable with the content of the products purchased were non-whites and parents involved in a house church. On the other hand, among the Christian parents most comfortable with the media products purchased were single parents, mothers and those who were least active in practicing their faith.

The research examined the media use of the parents interviewed. There was a significant link between parental media use and the level of comfort with the media resources purchased for their children. The more media consumed by the parent, the more comfortable they were with all forms of media they had purchased for their children.

The study also pointed out that parental concern about media content is significantly higher when the products purchased are for teenagers. Parents struggle to walk the fine line between buying things that are morally appropriate while being relevant to the age group.

Observations about the Findings

The outcomes struck the study’s lead researcher, George Barna, as reflective of the challenge Christians face in today’s culture.

“Millions of Christian parents want to appear to be relevant in their children’s eyes, and to provide gifts that fit within the mainstream of postmodern society,” Barna noted. “The problem is that many of the entertainment products that meet those criteria conflict with the moral precepts of the Christian faith. Parents have to make a choice as to what is more important: pleasing their kids’ taste and sensibilities, or satisfying God’s standards as defined in the Bible. When the decision made is to keep their children happy, the Christian parent is often left with a pit in their stomach.

“The process of selecting appropriate Christmas presents for children is a microcosm of the spiritual tension millions of Christian adults wrestle with,” the California-based researcher explained. “Many Christian parents are striving to serve two conflicting masters: society and God. They refuse to believe that they cannot satisfy both. Sadly, this Christmas season will produce enormous stress for numerous Christian parents who don’t want to disappoint either God or their children, but whose ultimate choices will disappoint both God and themselves, while providing gifts that are not be in the best interests of their children. For Christians, the Christmas season should be a time of celebration and appreciation of the life of Jesus Christ. Instead, that joy is being minimized by the pressure and confusion introduced by our focus on material consumption and fulfillment.”

Philippians 1:1-11
Pray: “Open my eyes that I might behold wondrous things out of your law!” Psalm 119:18

Day 1

In these verses, Paul gushes with joy over his relationship with the church in Philippi. In fact, joy is the dominant theme of this letter. Paul will use the word ‘joy’ in one form or another 15 times in the 104 verses of this book. This view of the Christian life is very different than what many people grew up with. A lot of people grow up with a version of Christianity that’s all about doing your duty and has nothing to do with joy. In his famous sermon, “The Weight of Glory,” C.S. Lewis says this, “we are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately find if we do so contains an appeal to desire. If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith.” Joy lies at the heart of Christianity. God made us to rejoice in Him. When we turn our relationship with God into a joyless discipline, we tell God that He is not worth rejoicing in.

1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. Do you normally think of Christianity as a way to find joy? How about going to church? Reading the Bible? Sharing your faith?
4. What do these verses have to say about joy?

Heavenly Father, although you have formed us to have joy in you, daily we turn our faces from you. Give us grace to see what it is we seek our joy in besides you, repent, and turn to you, so that we might know the fullness of joy that you have promised us in your gospel, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 2
“I am your servant, give me understanding that I may know your testimonies!” Psalm 119:125
Not only does Paul have a deep and profound joy in the church in Philippi, but he does so for some very specific reasons. First, Paul says he rejoices “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”(1:5) It is the centering of their lives and their community on a mission that solidifies their joy together. Have you ever noticed there is a certain camaraderie that arises when people are engaged together when they feel that they are working together on something they feel is significant? Nothing has power to produce this kind of communal joy like laboring side by side for the Gospel. This is so because the Gospel is the greatest cause we have this side of heaven.

1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. Have you ever experienced this kind of fellowship? What would our church look like if we were all working together for the Gospel?
4. What other specific things is Paul thankful for in these verses?

Prayer
Gracious God, we thank you for your church where you have brought together peoples from every tribe, language, and nation and made them one blood in Jesus, your Son. We pray that you would so work in our church that we would know the joy of living and working together for your Gospel, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 3
Prayer “Give me understanding that I may keep your commandments and observe them with my whole heart!” Psalm 119:34
Philippians 1:12-14
Paul is writing to the Philippians from jail (probably on house arrest in Rome). Although he has much that he could be discouraged or bitter about, Paul is able not to lose heart. Despite all that has happened to him, Paul seems to be well pleased with his situation. This is not just a case of positive thinking or optimism. Paul is able to have joy in difficult circumstances because he has a different set of priorities. Since he’s more concerned about the preaching of the Gospel than his own comfort, prison is an opportunity and not an obstacle. Many people in America are chronically displeased with their lives because they are chasing a dream that either can’t be reached or cannot last. The mission of the Gospel gives a purpose to life that cannot be overcome.

1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. If someone were to look at your life, what do you think they would say your top priorities are? What do you wish your top priorities were?
4. How would your life look different if you were mostly concerned with the Gospel of Jesus? How would you handle difficulties differently?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, you alone know the affections of our hearts. Help us to see the greatness of your beauty, so that we can know those things which we have put in your place and repent, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Philippians 1:15-18
Prayer
“I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.” Psalm 119:63
In this section, Paul talks about a group of Christians who were at personal odds with him. These people used their ministries to prove how they were better than Paul. It is possible that they boasted, saying “Look at all the people who come to our church, and Paul is in prison!” We do not know exactly why they did not get along with Paul. One thing that we learn here is that sinful people can be used by God. If that weren’t true the church wouldn’t have a chance! Although Paul is being treated contemptuously by these Christians, he does not berate or demean them. Again, because the ministry of the Gospel is so central to Paul, he simply measures them against the litmus of Gospel ministry and rejoices at what God is doing through them.

1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. Have you ever been surprised by politics in the Church? Why do you think that happens?
4. What is the specific reason that Paul decides not to oppose these Christians who are demeaning him? (vs. 18)
4. Are there any groups of Christians that you tend to look down on? Are they faithfully preaching the Gospel? Why do you think you look down on them?

Almighty God, we thank you that in your church you have bound together men and women from every tribe, language, and nation. Help us to see where we work not to reconcile one to another, but to create divisions. Forgive us for thinking of ourselves as better than other Christians. Give us grace so to love your gospel that we will rejoice whenever it is proclaimed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Family Devotional Making Brownies: Philippians 1:1-11
Welcome to our first Family Devotional. We are starting off at the beginning of Philippians following what Rob taught on this past Sunday. First, mix up your favorite brownie mix and start the cooking. Don’t forget to set the timer! Next, pray together that God would bless your time together and your time in his word.
Read Philippians 1:1-11 and talk about these questions:
1. Who wrote this letter?
2. To whom is it written?
3. What do we partake with Paul and Timothy? V. 7
4. What are they praying for? V.9
5. Where does the fruit come from? V. 11
6. Why do we produce fruit? V. 11
Read Philippians 1:6 and talk about your brownies:
When you first mixed up the brownies they were unfit to eat because they contained raw eggs and they weren’t cooked yet. Paul talks about “a good work” that was begun in you. That raw brownie mix is like a good work that has begun. As the brownies are cooking you can smell their goodness but they still aren’t done. You can’t eat them because the outside may look done but in the middle they are still raw. How frustrating? Not until the timer has gone off and the toothpick comes out clean are the brownies done. This verse talks about our walks with Christ like this brownie mix. The good work is begun and on the day of Jesus’ return, the good work in us becomes complete, like the timer that goes off and lets us know that the brownies are done.
1. Has a good work begun in you?
2. Do you get frustrated sometimes that you are still struggling and the work is not complete? How?
3. Do you see ways in which the good work is continually being done in you?
4. Do you look forward to the work being finished?
Going Deeper (For older students and Adults to Discuss):
1. Is there a good work begun in you?
2. Talk about the promise in Verse 6 that God has made.
3. How does our Love abound more and more?
4. Is your life producing fruit? If so what? How would you like for it to?
5. How can we give God all the praise and glory in our lives?
Closing prayer:
Ask that God would continue to do his work in your life and that he may be glorified.

Next week we will be looking at Philippians 1:12-18 and “Why do bad things happen?” I will weekly place this up on the blog to let everyone know what is going on. Have a great week.

2. Makeup Middle School Night out this Monday Night. We will meet at the youth house at 6 and we will cook out and play games. Pick up is at 8 bring five dollars for food or your favorite two liter drink.

3. Wednesday Work day will start at Akels and we will go off to the community Kitchen and work. Then it is back to the youth house and Beach. Bring a bag lunch and sunscreen. The times are from 9 to 5. I will be leaving right after the working on Wednesday around 2 to get to Charleston. If you are interested in helping on this day that would be great we need some help watching the students as well as possible drivers.

4. Girls baking Bible Study will directly follow hanging out on the beach and will last till 6:30. So parents of girls wait and pick up your daughters at 6:30. Read Titus.

5. Even though I will be gone youth things will continue. Thursday night there will be a High School Hangout at the youth house. Come and we will cook out and then hangout. This will be from 6 till 8. Caleb and Caitlin will be there with the youth in my absence.

First, we will have Monday Man Lunch so bring your own Meat to grill.

Second, Middle School Student are hanging out at the youth house for games and food on Monday night.

Third, Wednesday Workday will start at 9 from Akels and move on to the High School where we will be working. Then it is off to the beach to hang out! Bring your bag lunch and be prepared to get picked up around 5:00.

Lastly, the Girls are Baking and Studying the Bible at the youth house on Wednesday from 5 to 6:30.

Everyone read Titus it is awesome! I will see everyone this week.