Rescue Me

This Sunday wasa success... you teens did an amazing job! Here are the notes and just remember that since they ar emy notes they might not make total sense.

Read Matthew 9.27-30

[NIV] ²⁷As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"

²⁸When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

"Yes, Lord," they replied.

²⁹Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; ³⁰and their sight was restored.

[MSG] As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, "Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!" When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, "Do you really believe I can do this?" They said, "Why, yes, Master!"

He touched their eyes and said, "Become what you believe." It happened. They saw.

empathy: Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives. See Synonyms at pity.

They called out and He ignores them!

What do you do when it seems like Jesus / God has just ignored you?

What do you do when he seems to continue to ignore you?

These two needed sight... what do you need? When we come up to the altar and get prayed for, honestly, sometimes we had back home and the problem is still there...

Laundry bags:

1. cancer report: my wife just got the call from her doctor... it’s cancer... i can’t loose her God!

2. piggy bank: we got our statement in—and for the third month we have over drafted... we can’t pay the light bill and buy groceries

3. ept stick & condoms: i found this... it’s pink... she’s pregnant, again

4. wedding picture: he just filed for divorce...

5. mirror: i hate myself... God can you teach me how to love myself, how to live with myself

Why doesn’t He do something... we get to a point of desperation... we are crying out rescue me and nothing seems to happen

I’ve prayed

fasted

sought council

lived right

What is the hold up? Rescue me, God!

My story

I went through what I needed to go through

I learned what I needed to learn

In your time of waiting...when it seems like he is ignoring... you are suppose to be learning.

Learning what? I don’t know. Only God knows.

My teenage girl who is praying for healing...

No one liked to talk about this... it’s not fun

But when our emotions, our flesh are at the brink of quitting, that’s when our mind—true faith needs to kick in

Isaiah 55.8

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the LORD.

Whatever He is doing, although it seems like he is ignoring you—in the end he knows best

Hebrews 11:30 says this: All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.He

so abraham and sarah

mary and martha

the three hebrew boys

david being persecuted

jesus on the cross

What can I say today... i want to encourage you... He does hear you when you cry out “Rescue Me!” He does see each tear, he actually bottles them up. He sees each hurt and pain, wound. But he knows what is best.

The blind men? Their faith was made stronger by following Him inside. Me? I need to repent and experience God’s love and mercy and wisdom.

What are you learning?

Represent! Represent Well!

So I think you've heard the term "represent." I think you've heard it yelled out. I think you know what it means. I think you know what is being charged when it is said. So, should we apply this word to ourselves when talking about God? Is He up in heaven calling out "Represent!" Is he giving us a shout out every day that we make sure we walk, talk, act like we are His. Like we are His sons and his daughters? Yea, i think He is. In fact, in His word it says that we are representatives of God, of Christ. We represent Him to the world. How will the world know that He is good? merciful? loving? caring? powerful? By looking at us, our lives...our representation of Him. So "Represent!" and better yet "Represent well!"

This Sunday

So what's gonna happen on our very first ever-- Sunday Morning Youth Service? Hmmm, maybe for openers, some laughs. Of course, some dancing. Praise and Worship? Check.
Rapping? Why not. Testimonies? From teens? Yea. We got that. The Word... made simple? Absolutely. So what's missing? You. So you get up, get out and come in to the Faith Room Sunday, July 30th starting promptly at 10:30 AM. Any questions? You know what to do: comment away.

Hey.. It's your birthday...

August Newsletter

It has started: Big Brother 7 All Stars

Read at your own risk... So it started probably 3 weeks ago, what me and my wife very "nerdly" await for every summer: Big Brother. I know, I know, it's relality TV. It entails lying, back stabbing, competitions, voting, and all that other stuff. Keep in mind we are not reality TV junkies. Never seen more than two episodes of Survivor. Although we think the Amazing Race is awesome, we just never invest the time to see it through. And we do catch things like Hell's Kitchen or a few Apprentice shows, but that's because we don't have cable so when you have four channels to choose from, your pickings are slim.

But we do make time for Big Brother. Our three simple rules for BB? #1) Don't call during Big Brother. #2) Don't plan something during Big Brother. #3) And be excited about Big Brother.

None of my teens watch BB. And only one other family member is into it as we are (I would divulge his/her name but why drag them into this?) So what's the draw? For some reason, since the first time Julie Chen came on screen and explained the whole Big Brother system, it entrigued us. We sometimes think, if we were in that house what would we do. Thing is, we see all (or at least what the producers wants us to see). And in any case, we certainly see more than the other house guests. When each one goes into the "diary room" to talk openly about others, about schemes, about plans... then we are privy to that information. Makes us think, what if we lived in a world where we could see everything? You act one way in public but when the door is closed, what are you really thinking? What are you really planning? what is your honest opnion?

Ahhh, curiosity.

So last night a girl named "Nikomus" got kicked out. The Season 6 people are still strong. Chill Town are still scheming. And if you don't know what's going on, it's okay. I know I'm weird. Just hang with me till the season finale. Oh, who do I want to win? Glad you asked. It's up in the air between Kaysar and Danielle. Nobody else really. Why? Kaysar gives a sense of integrity in a game known for anythign but. And Danielle? She made it all the way two the top two in a previous season with a dude named Jason. He was christian. And for some reason, I am rooting for her.

Forgive us this one thing.

At The Beach (Floaties and all)

20/20 Vision [Pt. 2]

here are the notes from last night... they may not make sense, that's why you shoulda been there!

What creates bad vision?

If you want bad vision then eat a lot of junk food, and avoid healthy, whole foods. Do tons of reading and computer work without ever looking away. Really focus hard on what you are doing. Don't take breaks or breathe very much. Wear really strong glasses that make things sharper and clearer than you had ever imagined possible. See narrowly, unaware of what is around you. Live a stressful, fast-paced life, and never stop to smell the roses and relax. Focus on what is wrong with the world and your life. Think negative.

3 Steps for better vision... Physically and Spiritually

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff...

Take breaks. Breath. Exercise your eye muscles. Did you know that those who have more schooling are usually nearsighted because they spend more time focusing on the small stuff (accountants, educators, etc.)? Farmers and hunters have in general better eye sight because they continually focus near and far. Lesson: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Although what is at hand is of some importance, always keep your priorities straight. A wise person prepares for the future and learns from the past as well as live sin the present.

2. Get rid of your crutches...

People who were stronger eyeglass prescriptions experience weaker vision. The remedy? Wear slightly weaker eyeglasses which allows for the eye to fluctuate. We can not rely on someone else’s vision for our lives. Your mom’s, friend’s, youth pastor’s relationship with God will not take you far.

3. Be still...

Give your sight a break. Walk around. Enjoy nature. Be still and know that He is God. When we ask God for a vision for our life, linger a bit to see what He says. Don’t just walk away quickly. Make it a dialogue and then quiet down. Meditate.

Pass It On

You know whenever I run across a song, album, artist, something that impresses me I have to pass it on. Here is an inovative, energetic, awesome "new" artist: Tye Tribbett. Check him out. I paid $9.72 for his CD at Walmart! Love #13 (1-2 Check), #10 has great harmony and message and #8 is a slow, worship ballad with a raspy, crisp female vocalist. It's just good stuff guys. And plus, he looks crazy. Check it out.

The Count Down Begins...

How about doing something different with your teen? Really different...

LOYC's theme this year is "Running To God" and we want parents and teens to start training now for the Savannah Bridge Run on Saturday, December 2nd. I have done this race two years now and it is awesome. You can walk it, run it, or crawl it... Let's do this together. Interested in getting a training group together? So am I. See me ASAP.
If you would like to register now for the race through Active.com click here.

To Lydia...

Slap Your Mama (Not Literally)

Ms. Kim Blackmon gave me some good spicy stuff. Here is the blog spot's first advertisment for "Slap Your Mama" Cajun spice. It's awesome. I sprinkled it on my chicken, my green beans, fish crackers, croutons and sunflowers seeds all in two hours time. So go ahead, click on the image, spend $5.00 or ask Ms. Kim where she gets her stash.

Parent Encounter 2006-2007

Last year we had our very first Parent Encounter and it was a success. This year instead of informing parents abut half of the LOYC year to come, we will give you an overview of the whole year (Aug 2006 till May 2007). Trips, Fund Raisers, Big Events, and Wednesday Night Topics. You give us an hour and we will give you a cup of coffee and a year's worth of information. Parents, make plans to attend Sunday, August 20th at 6 PM in The Spot.

Hmmmm...

Ain't nobody gonna shine your shoes, so step off the booth.

A Good Thing

In the beginning of Jesus' ministry, he went to John The Baptist to get... Baptized. When John said, "It's I who should be baptized by you," Jesus basically replied, "It's a good thing for me to be baptized by you."

When we got to Panama City, we parked at the Marina and enjoyes a coupl eminutes at the docks. We saw boats, stuck our feet in the water and just relaxed form a 6 hour plus drive. I joked around saying that I was gonna push someone in a baptism them, and then Ms. Jessica Thorton said she had never been baptized. I asked her if she wanted to be and she said yes. So the following day, around 11 AM at the Panama City Beach while some were sun bathing, others fgrolicking in the sand and a few were skim boarding, I took Jessica into the water and baptized her in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

It was an awesome, beautiful moment. Something so short can be so meaningful. We show the world that before Christ we lived for this world and all it's evil influences. But now we have died to this world and now live for God.

Some Summer Fest Pics

A Spark

Usually a picture, a word, a phrase sends my mind reeling. I see an example, an illustration, an advertisement, something that catches my eye and I start scribbling down notes. Tonight's phrase that caught my attention? BONE DEEP. The speaker said it was time to be real, time to be "bone deep with God." I like that. It's raw. Words I jotted down included: vulnerable, real. The question I had: why is it hard to be bone deep? Becuase then you are vulnerable to rejection, consequences and rejection. The rewards to be bone deep? You answer that one.

Summer Fest

Sure it's small... we knew it was gonna be. But the praise and worship was good. The Friday night speaker was good. And the pool time was fun. Nine teens, one van, one honda element, two Atwoods, one Ms. Kim and lots of jokes... so far so good.

Oh, and I should mention the red bath shower... for reals... here it is... (And you may not be able to see it, but the little black box in the right hand corner is a TV. Yes! A TV in the bathroom. Finally! Genius! No more magazines... Ms. Michal: You know what to do with the little Sanyo now.)

20/20 Vision [Pt One]

Not only is it frustrating to you when you can't see something, it is frustrating to others. My wife gets irritated when I'm driving and I can't read street signs or highway billboards because it's "blurry." You must get a vision for your life! A teen without a vision is running aimlessly through life. No purpose. But when you get a vision for your life... you have direction. Purpose. And you are not easily deterred.

In Proverbs it states that without vision, you die. If you can't see where you are going, you're in danger of losing yoru life. That serious? Yea.

So how do you get a vision for your life? Here is a simple, quick overview... I like being practical, but let's begin in a general sense... Read about the blind man in Mark Chapter 8 and follow along.

#1 Seek God For Your Vision: When you want direction for your life don't look to the world. Don't try to emulate the celebrities. Don't seek the magazines and the TV shows for direction. Seek God. (The blind man came to Jesus and asked him for vision.)
#2 Seperate From The World: Jesus led the blin dman out of the village. Get away from influences. When trying to get a vision form God, cut off the bad relaitonships. Steal away time alone. Even Jesus would go tot he mountainside alone a ttime sot pray. If He has to get away from the influences to pray, how much more do we?
#3 Give It Time: Since we like things fast, now, hurry... When it comes to God we get frustrated. But He likes goign through a process. And we have to give it time. Jesus placed His hands on the blnd man's eyes twice. The first time he saw blurry and the second time he could see clearly. He could have healed the man the first time, but for some reason he decided to go through a process. The wait is worth it.

Share

Send 'em in

In Revelations it states that "they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony." The him in question is the devil, the world, the enemy. And the they could be applied to us. And in paraphrasing this verse, we could say that we will win our battle over wrongful influences because of Jesus Christ and because we share our stories.

How about that? We don't share our stories enough. Some of us have never shared what has happened in our lives. If we only put down our shame or pride or shyness for a few minutes and shared what we have been through. Shared how god has changed us. Shared what we have stuggled with and how we are getting over it. If we only opened up our mouths and shared! We would encourage others, be examples, be REAL.

So how about it? i want to start posting your stories of how God has changed your life. It could be simple and sweet or long and... sour? No, no... Anyways. Send your stories directly to me: jatwood@liveoakchurch.org and I will post them here. Don't be ashamed of what God has done in your life. SHARE.

Student Reviews..there's an idea

Here's a link to Student Reviewed stuff... everythign from movies to music. If you are interested in starting up our own LOYC Student reviews, let me know.

July Youth Newsletter

Happy 4th From Cora

Don't forget what we are celebrating... Freedom! Thanks to all those that put their life on the line so we can worship, speak and live in liberty... and take the occasional plunge in the pool.

For Parents' Eyes Only