Stick with the Stuff You Know... MSM week 2

Don't Rock the Boat!... IT is hard to try new things. Whether it is new food... a new activity... a new relationship... new things can be very scary. We just do not know what will happen. At the same time, we become known by the things that we do. We are a jock... we are a cheerleader... we are an artist... we are a Christian... we are a nerd. These labels make as sad somethings, but they become a place we feel safe. Leaving the label to try something new... can cause so much insecurity... both for us... but also for everyone who has locked us into a particular group in the minds. So there is a voice both inside our heads, but also in the crowd saying, "HEY... stick to the stuff you know... don't rock the boat!" But... I want to be a different voice... "there is nothing quite as fun and exciting as an white water rafting... a little shake in the boat is a good things."

Eleven disciples stayed in the boat. (Matthew 14:33...)
They stuck to the stuff they knew... a nice safe boat...

but one got out...

If peter lacked faith... what did that mean for them?

The Start of Something New. MSM Week 2

The start of something new... So often in life we are not satisfied with were we are, but are too afraid to step out and try something new. Its like, even if I am unhappy at least I am secure in my unhappiness... I curl up in my unhappiness and make it my home... The problem with this is that it robs us of so many amazing opportunities because we are slaves to safety and security. Often the most exciting things in life happen as a direct result of trying something new... but many people never know what they missed out on, because they stick to what they know... Its your life... don't be afraid of a new tune... sing along!


Matt 14:26 When the disciples saw [Jesus] walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"


Pic from: http://www.sxc.hu/

The Middle School Musical Series

Ok... so nearly everyone has seen the High School Musical... it is a cute.. if quite cheesy Disney movie that took on rock star status early last year when it become the most watched Disney show ever and took the top spots for online downloads and DVD sales for a few weeks as well.


Well... being a middle school pastor... I felt like it would be a good jumping point for a series... so coming up next now that we are done with the LIfe...

Get ready to:
"Start something new" (april 17th)
"Stick to the stuff you know" (April 25th)
"Break free" (May 2nd)
"Were all in this all together" (May 9th)

Not sure you like High SChool Musical? that's ok... the only thing better than enjoying a cheesy pop produced piece of disney fare... is making fun of it. SO whether you loved HSM.... or loved to hate it... We are going to have a good time with the MSM.

See you tomorrow!

If you missed our worship night, you really missed something great! In addition to Brandon Grissom's awesome music, we also recieved a letter from God, and an offical "The Life" arm band! We still have a few left!

Click here to check out Brandon Grissom's music!

or download his cd from iTunes for $9.90
Click here

A letter from God (Given out at GS Worship)

To My Child, April 3rd, 2007

You may not know this, but
I know everything about you
I even know the number of hairs on your head.
You were made to resemble me
You were not a mistake.
Every day of your life is written in my book
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live

I know what it is like to be young
I know what it is like to be misunderstood and made fun of
I have even experienced the struggles of being a teenager
You are not alone, I know your pain.

Some people have gotten the wrong idea about me
I am not judgmental and angry, but am full of love and compassion
I love you so much
Not because of anything you do
But simply because you are my child and I am your father
I desire to show my love for you each day

Whenever you face problems, I am there to comfort you
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth

I am not counting up your sins, waiting to judge you
Nothing can separate you from my love
I am your Father, and I love you, like I love my son, Jesus
I showed how much I love you through Jesus
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you
No one will ever love you as deeply as I do.

Love,
Your Dad, Almighty God

Betrayed... Judas and Jesus (Luke 22:1-6; 47-53

Jesus understands betrayal... he knows what it is like to be betrayed by a close friend... by someone who he trusted... I am not sure I can even get my mind around this...

... Someone who was in Jesus inner circle... who saw the miracles... who saw the life... and was there when he taught the masses... and fed the five thousand... Someone there for all this stuff sold Jesus out for Money...

...I am going to try to remember this the next time I feel let down by a friend.

...Jesus knows how I feel... he knows my pain... and he cares...

Brandon Grissom

Tomorrow is going to be so great. Brandon Grissom is going to be at GS and lead us in worship. It is going to be a very awesome night and contains multiple surprises I cannot tell you about until after tomorrow.... but they are so cool...

Click here to check out Brandon Grissom's music!

Plus you can download one of his songs for free!!!

Don't worry about

"But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict."
~Jesus, (Luke 21:14-15)

I think that many people think they need to defend God. They hear others mocking him in the public arena or asking legitimate questions and feel like they need to convince them of their error or defend God's existance.

While obviously we need to be ready to tell people about what Jesus has done and is doing for us... I do not think he needs us to defend him.

We do not need to defend him against anyone... not against unbelievers... not against atheists... not against evolutionists... not against aboritionists... not against homosexuals... not against porn stars or pop stars... not against philosophers... not against anyone really...

It is not that we should not be aware of what we believe and why... we should... and we should seek to grow in knowledge and ability to communicate it....

BUT... God does not need defending... he is the God of the universe and commands uncountable angels and forces that we know nothing about.... It is not like he is threatened by someones unbelief... or someones scientific view of creation.

He is in no danger and their opinion about him does not change the truth about his existance or who he is.... In fact at the crucifixion he did not even defend himself...

On the other hand... "defending him" puts us in an adversarial role with all these people that God loves...

Rather than defending God... be confident the he needs no defense... he may use us to testify to him... but our strongest "defense" of our faith will be truly living like we believe it ourselves... like we really believe that the God of the universe died for us and that this simple truth changes everything.

So when we stop trying to defend him... we can free up all that energy to just love people the way that he did...