12.19.2007

Middle School Musical: ONLINE and ready to watch!

Check out the Middle School Musical on Youtube or on this blog... There are 8 parts!

Don't remember what it is? Then watch this trailer!

Middle School Musical: "Breaking Free Music Video" (Part 8/8)

Middle School Musical: "Friday" (Part 7/8)

Friday:

Middle School Musical: "Thursday" (Part 5-6/8)

Thursday Part 1:


Thursday Part 2:

Middle School Musical: "Wednesday" (Part 3-4/8)

Wednesday Part 1:


Wednesday Part 2:

Middle School Musical: "Tuesday" (Part 2/8)

Middle School Musical: "MONDAY" (Part 1/8)



(PS... this video is the old one and I will replace it.... just ignore when it says 1 of 6...)

12.15.2007

Nexus Roots Series: Worship...

Life is not all about us. God has existed forever and we were created for his pleasure and glory. Because he loves us he has rescued us from our rebellion time and time again... but when we really understand who he is, it leads us to return to worshipping him again. Worship is many things... it is a celebration of who God is... it is a giving back to God of what he gave to us... it is a surrendering of self to God... Mostly it is the rhythm that we engage in that reminds us who God is, and who we are. This regular reminder helps us to continue to live in right relationship with God.
How is your rhythm of worship?

4 things about worship that are significant.
1. Worship is a reorientation:
When I truly focus on God and singing or living for him in a sacrificial way, it reorients my life to what is truly important... If I skip worshiping for long enough, I will drift from really believing and following God.

2. Worship is a response to what God has been doing in our lives
If I am paying attention, God is at work all around me, in me, and through me. When I see what he has done for me, is doing in me and through me, my natural response will be to respond by worshiping him!

3. Worship is because of the worthiness of God...
I used to struggle because when I tried to worship God I just didnt feel good enough... I was too sinful. Here is the simple truth... I do not worship because I am worthy... but because God is worthy...

4. That which costs me nothing is worth only what it cost.
When you think about giving a good gift... it has to cost something. For example, if I give my wife Emily a pen that I got for free at a conference, it is a pretty worthless gift... she probably won't even want it. But, if I spend months thinking and dreaming of the perfect date... and then take her on it.. even if it is a free walk on the beach, she will love it because I clearly put thought and effort into it. God appreciates our genuine love motivated efforts for him as well...

What do you think about Worship?

12.12.2007

five3challenge: John 21

"Jesus liked a good fish fry."

During the trial of Jesus, Peter denied knowing him three times. After Jesus was crucified, Peter, and all of the disciples were at a loss. They had traded the lives for a life of following Jesus... and now that he was dead, they didn't know what to do.

Obviously, when Jesus was resurrected, they were all so happy... but for Peter, it wasn't all happiness. Now he would have to face the one that he denied even knowing... the one that he failed so miserably...

John 21 gives us a little window into how Peter dealt with this...

If you remember Jesus had come to Peter and the rest of the disciples and told them to "Follow me" These words were most likely and invitation to become disciples of Jesus, who was a Rabbi. In today's language a disciple would be sort of like and apprentice or intern... except a lot more dedicated in that they would come and live with the person who was teaching them...

Their Rabbi, or teacher, was their new life...

For Peter to say, "I'm going out to fish," most likely meant that he was going back to his career as a fisherman that he had before he left it to follow Jesus.

It is interested that Jesus does not leave him there... he finds Peter and renews his calling on his life.


Jesus chose Peter, even though he failed... He loves and works with imperfect people...

Imperfect people like us...

Mosaic News Update: 12.11.2007 (Christmas Edition!)

Thanks to Kings Kids (with a little musical help from Sufjan Stevens) for putting together and outstanding Video that explores the real story of what happened on the first Christmas!




Also don't forget about SnoRodeo:
Check it OUT!

12.10.2007

five3challenge: John 20


After Jesus was tried, he was crucified. On the Cross he took upon himself all of the guilt of humanity. Jesus became our sin so that we might be restored to a right relationship with God.

But then, Jesus rose from the dead three days later.

The first time he appeared to his disciples, Thomas was not present. He told the others that he would never believe unless he touched Jesus himself... and low and behold... a little while later Jesus showed up again, and thomas got his desire.

In John 20:29 we see Jesus response to this.

Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."


I think Jesus was talking about us. If it was hard for Thomas to believe, how much harder for those of us who live so long after Jesus... and yet... hard as it may be... i think that God pours out special blessings on us so that we can find him and find belief!

Having doubts? Ask God to help you to find him!

12.09.2007

five3challenge: John 19

"The Trial of the century!"

After Jesus was arrested, he was tried first by the Jewish authorities, but since they were under Roman rule, they had no real authority.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all talk about the encounter between Jesus and the Roman Governor named Pilate.

In John 18, this account begins when Pilate called for Jesus to be brought to him.

"Are you the king of the Jews?" he asked him.

Jesus replied, "Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?"

"Am I a Jew?" Pilate retorted. "Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?"

Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world."


After this happened, Pilate actually attempted to let Jesus go... This is really strange because if Jesus truly were a king, he would have been viewed as an insurgent and should have been killed to keep him from stirring up a rebellion. Why did the Roman government not care that Jesus claimed to be a king?

The answer is the statement that Jesus made. His kingdom was not of this world. Jesus did not come to gain political or military power, if he had, then he easily could have raised an army and defeated even rome... After all what good are chariots against the one who created the universe?

But that was not Jesus intent. Rather than political power or might, he was going to save the universe simply by an act of utter humility.

It is interesting to think about what this means to us living today about power.

Jesus in weakness, was stronger than Pilate's political strength.

When we are weak, but depend on Jesus, then we are actually strong...

12.08.2007

Cool video on the changing world we live in!


What do you think about it?

five3challenge: John 18

"Jesus was sold out for some silver"

Judas, one of the disciples who betrayed Jesus for a little money, led the soldiers to arrest Jesus. He knew exactly where Jesus was, because normally he would have been with him...

Judas had witnessed all the same miracles, healings, teachings, and awesome acts of compassion as the rest of the disciples, but his heart had not warmed toward Jesus... all he saw was the money...

Before we are too hard on him, I think we need to ask ourselves a hard questions. Judas betrayed Jesus for silver... what is my price?

What are the things that I am so swayed by, that I would "sell out" and deny Jesus, betray Jesus or Abandon Jesus for.

~For some it is popularity and acceptance... they will do anything to fit in, including abandoning the person they know Jesus wants them to be, or even pretending like they are not followers of him so people will not make fun of them.

~For others it is success and money... they will do anything to get ahead in school or life... even ignoring God to get better grades or work longer hours...

~For others it is pleasure... they will do anything for the next rush... be it sexual, drug related, alcohol and partying... it doesnt matter as long as it brings a moment of fun...

~For some it is relationships... they will do anything to have a boyfriend or girlfriend... even if it means being with someone who pushes their morals or doesn't care about God...

~Still others have other reasons...


How about you... where are you the most tempted to sell out and walk away from loving Jesus, even though you have already learned so much about him?

12.07.2007

five3challenge John 17

"Jesus need to spend time with his father"

So today we are going to take a look at John 17, but really only to set it up so it makes sense. The entire chapter is a prayer that Jesus prayed to his father right before he was betrayed, arrested, and ultimately crucified.

If we take a peek in the other three Gospels, the story becomes a little more complete.

Matthew 26 JESUS PRAYS IN GETHSEMANE
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray."37 He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed.38 He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"
42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, "My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away* unless I drink it, your will be done."43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn't keep their eyes open.
44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.45 Then he came to the disciples and said, "Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Up, let's be going. Look, my betrayer is here!"


So it seems like John placed the prayer in John 17 around this time in the Garden. I think it makes sense that Jesus spent the night praying with his disciple and alone considering that he knew what was coming next.

Special Friday Edition: Clump Cookies.

24ounces almond bark
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
4 cups Cheerios
2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 cups dry roasted peanuts


melt the almond bark ...
microwave or on the stove top
add the rest of the ingredients
stir
drop on a cookie sheet
let harden



Special thanks to Vicky, Gracie and Kara for toughing it out in the kitchen in order create a cookie in honor of the Mosaic CLUMP initiative. Well done and delicious.

PS... these are so good!

Can't remember what CLUMPS are? Click here

12.06.2007

Awesome Quote from Katie


On Tuesday Katie, as former Mosaic student who is now in High School, shared a little presentation on service at Nexus. On of the best parts of it was this quote from Martin Luther.

Mosaic Stuff... Here are some reminders for you... plus this weeks bookmark.

five3challenge: John 16

"Jesus was pretty demanding"

At the end of Chapter 15 Jesus is finishing up with a teaching about why the world hates him and his father. He points out that if his followers truly live and love like Jesus that they too will be hated. The reason is simple, people do not want to accept God's role as the ruler of the universe. They want to live their own way... and if God is God and Jesus is God... then as God they are the true rulers of the universe and the rest of us should submit. So with this in mind, Jesus warns his disciples:

15:26 "But I will send you the Advocate*—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry. 16:1 "I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4 Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.


Jesus first promises his followers that they will never be alone... that the Advocate... who is the Holy Spirit will always be with them. Then he tells them that they must testify to who Jesus is... and help others to understand.

That is when it gets tricky... He tells them that, "I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith." Why would they you ask?

Well... remember that in only a few hours Jesus is taken from them and crucified... Plus... Jesus warns them that if they truly follow him that they too will be hated by the world... and people will try to kill them.

Isn't amazing that these first followers of Jesus kept right on telling others about God becoming Man in Jesus and saving the whole world from their sin...

Often their testimony cost them their life...

What has your faith cost you?

12.05.2007

Nexus:Message recap 12_4_2007

Life is not all about us.

We were designed for more than simply happiness. We need purpose.
In Eden many cooperated with God to care for the plants and animals. Man's role was intended to be a co-laborer with God... but the fall changed so many things. The land and animals grew harder to manage, and our relationship with each other and God was deeply distorted.
When we are reconnected with Jesus through his grace, our purpose as a co-laborer is restored.

Once again we can work alongside him to make the world a better place... one that more closely resembles the way God wants it to be. Nothing in all of life is more satisfying that working together with God and the rest of his faithful workers! Each person was uniquely created by God to do their part alongside him, and we are not truly happy until we are reconnected with God... and restored to our proper role...

So what should I do to start serving?

1. Look around... where are the dirty jobs that need to be done?

2. Ask people you trust to help you find a spot to make a difference

3. Sign up for the new Mosaic Student Ministry Team... Coming in Jan. (Interested? Apply Here:)


Here are some good questions that can help you to think through the idea of service in you life:

1. How can Jesus be humble if he was God? How does he show his humility? What if he had lived for himself, how would the world be different?

2. How are you serving God? What do you think you could do with him to make his love more evident?

3. How are you doing at actively sharing the love of Jesus through your life? When is this hard... when is it easy?

4. How would it impact our schools and community if every middle school student who was part of our ministry really started living and loving like Jesus all the time. What would change in our lives? What would be different about he community?

5. How do you think you could begin to grow a rhythm of service in your life?

12.03.2007

five3challenge: John 15

"Jesus was one connected guy"

If you think of an internet connection, you will get a good picture of what it means to be connected to God. You computer can do a lot on its own, but if it is disconnected from the internet none of the things it does can really be shared with others... You cannot IM, facebook, myspace, youtube, email, surf, download iTunes, movies, or get you fix of news updates unless you are connected...

in the same way, it is impossible to really achieve the spiritually vibrant life God wants us to have without a connection to him that is "plugged in."

A few years ago I had a dial up connection to the internet that was really slow and only worked when I dialed a number and logged in. Then I got a cable connection that is always on and now I would never go back... it is fast and always available.

How about your connection to God? is it "dial-up" or "Broadband?"

five3challenge John 14... a few more thoughts...


Hey... there were a few verses in John 14 that I did not touch on, but still wanted to.

In 14:12 Jesus says

"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.


This is pretty cool to me... it means that the greatest works of God on earth are still to come. Obviously Jesus death on the cross in unrepeatable, but when we are faithful and follow him, there are still great works left to be accomplished by faith... Great works like the ones God can do through you when you are seeking to be faithful to him....


In 14:15 Jesus says
"If you love me, obey my commandments."
This seems easy enough to understand. God is loving and forgiving... but if I really love him then I will want to show him by living the life he demonstrated for us... the best kind of life that seeks to obey him in all things... If I have no desire to obey... it could be that my love has grown cold.

Finally in 14:16 Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit saying,
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,* who will never leave you.17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth."
This is so cool because it means we are never alone... God's spirit is always with us... PLUS... it is his spirit that leads us into the great truths about God... Try this... the next time a verse is confusing to you, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to understanding.!

12.02.2007

five3challenge John 14...

Jesus is the truth...

Jesus is the way...

Jesus is the life...

First off, you need to take note of John 13:37-38.
37 "But why can't I come now, Lord?" he asked. "I'm ready to die for you."
38 Jesus answered, "Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.

Did you catch that? John is making it clear that Chapter 13 is the beginning of the night that Jesus is arrested and ultimately crucified. Even though chapter 14-17 don't say much about this, this whole section is his final discourse to his most trusted disciples. 13 -18 all take place in the period of 24 hours or less.

That said, lets look at chapter 14. Verse 14:6 is one of the most famous in the Bible:

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.


This passage makes it clear how important Jesus is. he is the Way... to reconnection with God. He is the truth... that sets you free. He is the Life... that comes from God and never stops... eternal life.

What happens next explains how Jesus can be all these things...

John 14:7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.* From now on, you do know him and have seen him!" 8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?


Jesus is so much more than simply a child descendent from God... He is GOD.

God is three persons in one being. God the Father... God the son... and God the Holy Spirit...

Jesus is the way to God... because he is God...

12.01.2007

five3challenge: John 13

"Jesus does a mean pedicure!"

Often at meals when someone entertaining guests, their servants would wash the feet of those in attendance. As you can imagine, it was not a highly sought after responsibility. Most likely the servant who was the lowest in rank would have to perform the task.

Now Jesus flips the whole thing on its head. Rather than it being a servant who did it... the Master did it, and set an important example while he did.

What is most interesting about this is the words that set the situation up.

1 ... Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper ... Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.


Jesus realizes that all authority has been given to him... SO he gets up and washes the disciples feet.

I know that in my life, I always wanted to be in charge because I thought that was the way to get what I wanted. When Jesus realized that he was fully in charge, he took it on himself to do the lowest available task... to serve in the most dirty and unappreciated way...

Then he said we should do the same...

How are you doing at being a servant? Have you been able to use your position in life and status to serve others.... If you are an 8th grader, or the oldest sibling, or even just a little above someone else you have an opportunity to live and love like Jesus by voluntarily choosing to serve... even when no one is going to make you.