The Christmas Bird

Funny and Cheesy.

Christmelicious

I am pretty sure this song is a remix coming from a popular song that is itself a remix from a song in the 80's. Don't let the name throw you off. Check it out. Very creative. It is cool to see other students out there that love Jesus.

The Innkeeper by John Piper

This may take a minute to load. This is a poem by John Piper. This poem is from the imagination of Piper as he thinks about what really happened during the birth of Chirst. Sometimes we forget about the grimness surrounding the birth of our Savior. Please click on the comment button and let me know what you think about this poem.

The Gospel - not just for salvation, but for life and freedom.

I am currently doing a bible study over Galatians. I have already been through this study before when I lived in Thailand, when I had to depend on God because everything was hard, when it was clear that I could not do it on my own, when I saw that if anything great was going to happen among the Thai people it would happen by grace and not my performance.

Once again I am brought to that place of submission, the place of casting my cares on the One who is able, the One who is good and true, the One who is full of grace and mercy. How silly it is of me to ever attempt to rely on my own goods, my own understanding, my own wisdom and experience. Who am I trying to kid by acting like I have it all together, that I can lead my family, that I can lead others, that I can lead a movement of youth. I can not.

Grace busts in without permission, just when we are so filled up with ourselves here it comes, a truly beautiful collision, as Crowder says, "when depravity meets grace". Jesus wants me to see that He is able to lead me, my family, my friends, and a youth movement. He is not only able, which is a great big thing, He is willing. Wow, the creator of the universe is concerned with me, even with all my sin stained self. God overflows in love to me so that He can overflow in love through me.

This love is unearned. This is grace. What freedom! Grace lifts up the name of Jesus. Grace draws me out of myself to the greatness of God where He shows off in me. I do not, nor should I , need to aim at getting God to delight in my performance. Pride seeks approval by performance. Grace is free. Love is free. Unearned love is pure and electric. "Grace makes the law of God a thing of beauty instead of a burden."

Jesus wants to move in big ways and among us. Grace empowers us to run the race. Grace will always exalt God. Why would I ever seek to lift myself up and miss out on Him.

Contemplate Grace today.

Slamball accident

What not to do. Please, use your heads out there.

What not to do. Please, use your heads out there.

We will not have ROCK this Wednesday, December 20, 2006.

We will not have ROCK next Wednesday, December 27, 2006.

We will all meet in the Fellowship Hall for a "GATHERING" January 3, 2007 @ 6:30. Don't miss it. We will begin having GATHERINGS again every first Wednesday of the month.

December 13, 20o6

ROCK Christmas Party @ Starlite Skating Rink

Girls bring homemade goodies.

Guys bring Dr. Thunder and and drinks.

6:00pm - 8:00pm

$5 for Lottie Moon

See you there.

Middle School Retreat Pictures are online now.

Joel Osteen on the gospel cannot make up his mind

Be very careful in who you look to for guidance. Although God's Word makes it clear that Jesus is the only way to God, Joel thinks differently. I only post this to let you see what we must watch out for.

The Ski Trip is FULL.

You may turn you forms(without deposit) to be put on the waiting list.

Don't forget to bring your Ski Trip Forms to HS and MS Rock this Wednesday.

Link to Ski Form

The Nativity Story (PG)

(story review)

Over all- I really liked it.

I know that in writing a review I put myself out on the line for others to review my views. But I will continue on anyhow.

After having diner with some of my close friends and wife we met up with some more friends at the theatre to watch The Nativity Story. We were thinking that the place would be filled up with people the way the Passion was so we ordered our tickets early that day to secure a seat. Our group was half of the viewing population that night in our showing room. The one beside us was just as empty. I have comments on this but I will save them for whoever asks me. Just as it always happens, the ads looped over and over as we felt smart answering all the questions like we had just seen them for the first time, and then the lights began to fade and I began to get excited. "What will I experience tonight, will it change my life?"

As I watched the story of the birth of Christ unfold (according to this movie), I was greatly pleased with the fine details of the culture and behaviors. I must say that it helped me to re-examine some of my preconceived American interpretations of how things happened. I feel that the movie stayed true to the story* and where scripture is silent I think they inserted much liberty based off of the times, norms, and culture.

*Many scholars and nonscholars (me) believe that the Magi came later on after the night of Jesus' birth. The movie portrays the popular view of the Magi showing up that night. Also we know there were three gifts, but we are not certain it was three wise men.

I put the picture of Joseph on this review because this movie reminded me of how much of a biblical model of manhood Joseph was. His place in scriptures is small in words but huge in character, faith, and boldness.

Well, I hope that my life has been changed by seeing this movie and thinking on scripture about Mary and Joseph and yes, JESUS. I hope that I will take this deeper understanding of God's great plan to save the world by using a "nobody" family to play a part in bringing His Son into the world. I hope that I will be a better husband because of this. I hope that I will see the magisty in my humble KING. I hope that I will be filled with boldness to always step out in faith because of promises like Mary and Joseph did.

Go see it.

There are a few scenes in which small children may not need to view. I would also, with the rating people, rate it PG and not G, pg-13 or R.

Will will not have Core Groups during the month of December due to the busy schedule.

We will start back up in January 2007.

We will have ROCK this Wednesday. HS in the Rock house, MS in the Fellowship Hall