BBQ Lunch!

We have been reading together virtually all summer... Now let's get together and hangout! This Saturday, join us for lunch ($5 BBQ) and help serve at the Celebrate Recovery Fundraiser! Great opportunity to catch up AND serve a great ministry.

Life is fair?

God is just, God is love, God has complete power.
Do you think things happen in life that are unfair?  Check out this link:
http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/126-josh-mcdowells-youth-devotions?day=36

http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/126-josh-mcdowells-youth-devotions?day=30

Click here to read today's devotion and commentary.
How are you measuring your life?

Psalm 119:1-40

THE UMBRELLA OF GOD'S PROTECTION. Try this experiment the next time it's raining really hard outside: 1. Select two friends to help with the experiment; it helps if one of your friends is not too bright (the reason for that will become clear in a moment). 2. Send both friends out into the rainstorm. Equip one friend with a large umbrella, and send the other (the not-so-bright one) out into the rain without an umbrella or raincoat. 3. Tell your friends to walk around in the pouring rain; call them back inside after two minutes have elapsed. 4. See who gets wettest! Now, this may not sound like much of an experiment. You can probably figure out how the experiment will turn out all by yourself, right? You don't have to be "Bill Nye the Science Guy" to figure out that the friend with the umbrella will stay pretty dry, while your other friend will get soaked, right? That experiment, however simple (or stupid) it may seem, illustrates the value of umbrellas. When you put up an umbrella, it shields you from the rain. But if you choose to move out from under that umbrella during a storm, you're sure to get wet. God's commandments are like an umbrella. As long as you stay under the umbrella of God's commands, you'll be shielded from many consequences. If you step out from under that protective cover, however, you should not be surprised if you suffer the consequences. For example, if you obey God's commands to not steal, not cheat one another, and not lie (Leviticus 19:11), you'll be under the protective umbrella of his commands. But if you ignore those commands, you expose yourself to all sorts of unpleasant consequences. If you disobey his command not to steal, you might get caught stealing and end up in a chain gang. If you defy his command not to cheat, you might get kicked out of school, ending your hopes of a career in nuclear physics. If you ignore his command not to lie, you might lose the trust of your friends and family. Seriously, disobeying God's commands can result in all sorts of bad things even when you don't get caught (things like guilt, shame, mistrust, broken relationships, unhealthy behaviors, and so on). That's why God gave you those commands in the first place-for your protection. So next time you go out in the rain, don't forget your umbrella. REFLECT: Think of a time when you were protected by obeying God's commands. Name specific ways you can stay under the umbrella of his protection today. PRAY: "God, thank you for your commandments. Help me to understand how they protect me. Show me how to obey you today, especially when..."

Honor?

How can you best honor your mom and dad?  Show them today.

Are You Free?

If you were free to do anything and everything you want, would that really make you free? 

We are told by TV, music, and many people the answer to that question is a resounding, "YES!".  And isn't that the logical answer?  The problem is we as people are unable to make the correct decisions in life because we are corrupt by sin and our choices are going to be selfish and self destructing.  Following our own desires will lead us to addictions that will trap us and rob us of the true freedom God wants for us.

Jesus describes true freedom in John 8:31-32, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

If you saw someone that had been bitten by a deadly snake would you:
a. Not bother them because you are sure someone else will help them?
b. Get them help as quick as possible?

In Matthew 9 Jesus was sharing the Truth with sinners in need of salvation.
Who can you share with that is in need of help?

Today we start "Josh McDowells Youth Devotions" from the YouVersion website.