New Links

So this school year, whenever I run across tools that can help you succeed in academics, I'll post them here and provide a perma-link. For starters, let's be general and cover the "three R's"... Reading, Writing & Arithmetcs.
1. Math Help: Here is a good link for help in algebra and pre-algebra. Click on the sub-category and the "tutor" will go step by step with you afte ryou enter your problem.
2. English Help: The Grammar Slammer is a pretty comprehensive but easy to use site. Read up on sentence fragments, rules on capitalizing, and common grammar mistakes and so on.
3. Reading Help: Reading Rockets is a great site for parents who want to help their struggling kid. Articles, links, resources, practical helps galore.

Pic of the Day (Not everyday, but just today... )

Believe it or not, it took some cajoling to get them to turn their frowns upside down.

Cool Movies To Come

1. The Nativity Story The teaser trailer is dramatic. It's by New Line. Hoping it's good and accurate. Visit the website. Pretty, pretty good.
2. TMNT From the holy to the mutant... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is coming in 2007 and the trailer shows cool animation and camera work. They jump around like frogs.
3. Transformers From the mutants to the robotic. Hey the trailer gets you at first. You think, another space movie? And then, blam! The answer is no.
4. Spider-Man 3 From robots to insects. Am not a big fan of the spidey movies but this one looks good. Has Venom. And as far as trailers are concerned, it definately keeps your attention.

Our Blog Page Turns "1"

Our very own loyc blog page turns one tomorrow. The first post was on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at 10:05 AM. It's come a long way. Still more to come. So eat a cupcake for our blog page. Or a sandwhich. Or just read it. Or leave a comment. Do something. Breathe. Note: Click on the image above and here a special rendition of "Happy Birthday To You."

LIFE

Last year we talked about "onelife" meaning that God has given us one life to live and the importance of what we do with that life. This month we wil be talking about LIFE again. In the Game of LIFE you roll a dice and try to "win." What constitutes a successful LIFE? Do you want a successful LIFE? Do you want to win?

Succes starts out as a decision. Plan and simple. And keep in mind that when I say success I don't use that word with the same connotation as the world. Success is not money, fame, fortune, all that stuff that is thrown at us as the definition of success by the world. I mean Brittany Spears has money and seems like her marriage relationship is rocky. Michael Jackson is so famous he has stepped into infamy and is now living somewhere in the Dubia region of the world. Even someone like Mel Gibson who has the money and the fame has recently, publicly announced that he has an alcohol problem and is asking for help. So no. When I say success I mean something totally different.

To me... success is threefold:
1. Positive mentality: Of course our brain will struggle with doubt, lust, hate and all the other temptations that arise, but what seperates a successful person from a "loser" is that we strive to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Even though wrong thoughts may enter, we don't entertain them.
2. Healthy realtionships: A successful person chooses their relationships wisely. Sure, someone will pass through our detectors, but we concsiously evaluate & re-evaluate every relationship. Do they take out of us more than we are willing to give? Do they pull me away from my relationship with God? Do they encourage me? Do they influence me to do wrong or right?
3. Consistently meets personal needs: A succesful person is not in want obviously. This doesn't mean that if you don't have the fifteen bedroom home with three Bently's in the garage you are not a success. It means that you have the means to meet your needs. Our needs? Shelter, food, clothing. Keep in mind, sometimes the Jones' with their mansion can't pay the bills becuase they are living above their means. That is not success: Portraying the image of success while suffering in the reality of poverty.

Put those three things as our new definition of success. Now we can move to try and "win" this game of LIFE the way God wants us to win. And the first step is "success starts out as a decision." You have to make your mind up that you want to be successful. It's amazing but there are people who have a deaftest mentality. They think the wrong things. And #1 of success is to have a positive mentality. So here are three things you must keep out of your brain...
a. "What if I fail?" Do not spend your time thinnking about failure. In fact, the obsession with specualtion is futile. When most of your thoughts are peppered with "if's" then you need to take captive your thoughts.
b. "What do others think about me?" Everyone has opinions. Some good, some bad. Are they leading your LIFE or are you livign your LIFE? If you practice hard, keep your character strong, and always give your best efforts, the results will speak for themselves. You know what I always say "Bump people"
c. "What about my past?" Dwelling on what was will keep you from what can be. Keep the past in its perspective. Learn from it. But then move on. There is a present you are neglecting when you dwell on the past. Then you run into the risk of repeating the past.

Fill In The Blank T-Shirt

What would you like to see on the next LOYC t-shirt? Our logo? An event? SOmething you come up with yourself? Help us fill in the blank t-shirt. We will be taking suggestion now through the month of September. Give us your opinions, ideas, drawings, suggestions... whatever.

A Little Too Nerdy... But Still

Found this site, Google Trends (Yea, Google) wher eyou can type in words and find out by region, language, country, the trend of "googling" or searching that word on the web. What did I put down? I typed in "Jesus" and "Sex" and not surprisingly, sex was searched much, much, much more frequently than Jesus. "God" and "Sex" didn't fair well either. It was difficult to see that "Wicca" far out searched "Christianity" except in the English language and in New Zealand. What does that mean? Since The Google Trend site is in its testing stage, and since searching for certain words does not necessarily mean you are pro that certain thing you are looking for, then data interpretation is loose. But still, it is intriguing nonetheless. I know, I know, a little too nerdy, but still.

Corn-o-copia Of Fotos

So what do you do when you develop film and it's from a long time ago? From sifferent events? Just stick 'em all together and hope yo find something worth while... Here ya go: An odd collection of LOYC pictures:

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

Name... What's In A Name

The LOYC Praise and Worship Team has a new name... engage... check out the definition of "engage" by clickign on the image above. We meet every Wednesday Night at 5:30 PM for practice. Looking for musicians. Come on!

Camp-Pa-Looza

Just finished one week of camp. 'Bout 500 teens plus 120 staffers converged on the Tifton, GA Camp Grounds. Cafeteria food (remeber the square pizzas! Yes!) early mornings, late nights, sports, ministries, singing, praying, crying, sweating... good times. How about the girls dumping boys at the drop of a hat? The cmap flings? How about my kids making me proud by the way they acted? How about G8 gettign cleaniest cabin twice! How about I don't think Breunna Crawford wouldn't last one day in those cabins. How about I missed seeing Jamie Sharp doing rec. How about someone said i looked like Kenny Chesney... who is that? How about I had a blast on the 25 foot tall water slide and when it ripped and started to deflate I was on the top. How about you still reading this and I don't even have pictures to show.. If you took pictures send them to me: jatwood@liveoakchurch.org. Bye Bye. Oh, one more: How about I am going agin next week for Junior Camp.

Is Christian Hip Hop An Oxymoron?

Recently I have had some articles, websites and parents bring to my attention the culture of Hip Hop. I have been chewing it over to get a better handle on it. I don't have an opnion on the matter yet. I will. Soon hopefully. In the mean time, here are some articles (to be balanced, some are pro, some are against) I have found. Folks, read 'em. Get intelligent. Think for yourselves. If you have any comments leave 'em.

• "Holy" Hip Hop and Hip Hop As Culture
• Holy Hip Hop genre brings gospel to urban America
• Hip Hop Ministry Attracts Youth
• News Article
• Check The Origin
• Another Article

No Reason...

Thinking of a good reason why to post another pic of my daughter on the youth church page. Couldn't come up with one. No reason 'cept she is cute.

My Space [pt 2]: Who's Your Head?

So we agree that we long to belong to something-- either a group, club, organization, clique...something. Depending on what we are a part of, thier is also authorities, rules, people we come under. Who've heard the sayin g"Who's your daddy?" Well, you've got answer this one... "Who's your head?" Who is the head of your group? Of your life?

In 1 Corinthians 12.20, it states that although we are many members, we are a part of one body. And the head of that body is Jesus Christ. If we choose to become part of the BODY, we chose to be lead by Jesus, the Holy Spirit, God.

Some of us decide that we want to become part of the world. In Ephesians 6.12 it says we are not to be a part of this world but fight the influences of this world and it's dark rulers. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." If we are a part of the world, then the question still remains, "Who is your head?"

I encourage you, choose to be a part of the body of God. Even if you don't know what your PART is in this BODY, choose to make Jesus the head of your life. You choose Him and you choose blessing (good stuff) in your life. You choose the world and you choose curses (bad stuff) inyour life.

The first step? If you have never accpeted Jesus Christ, you can do so right now. Romans 10.9-10 says you must do two things. [1] Confess with you mouth that Jesus is Lord (head) of your life and [2] believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Take this time to ask God for forgiveness of your sins and accept him in your heart and as head of your life right now.

Coming Up

Two Big Events In July You Won't Want To Miss.

Pixar... Lesson Learned

We took Cora to see the movie "CARS" Saturday evening. It was good family entertainment. Pixar some how can take an inanimate object and make you care for them. Care for a car? Yeah. How about when the rusty old, hilbilly tow truck tells Lighting McQueen, the rookie shiny red sports car, "I knew I was right about you." And McQueen asks about what. Matar's response: "That you would be my best friend." When that happens you realize, hey, this story like all the other Pixar movies has a heart.

Pixar's mantra? Don't rush art. They give every movie a heart. Didn't we feel sorry for Dory, the blue forgetful fish in FINDING NEMO, when she told Nemo's dad that with him she felt like she was home. Or when Mr. Incredible looks at his wife Elastigirl and screams "I can't loose you!" How about when Mike and Sulley in Monster's Inc. have to say goodbye to Boo? Didn't you feel sorry for Woody when Buzz LightYear was taking his place? All these tug at our heart. A cartoon. Animation. Computer graphics on a film strip moving us...somewhere.

So what do i take from this? The medium is not as important as the message. the vessel is not as important as the cargo. The packaging is not as important as the item itself. Every Wednesday night, and any other opportunity for that matter, that I have to teach, guide, encourage, push my teens to a better, deeper relationship with God-- I have to focus on the what is important. The heart of the matter. Sure I'll spend time on the presentation. Making it eye catching. Enjoyable. Interesting. But the main thing will remain the main thing. The message... the good news... the heart of it all.

Who knows, maybe one night I'll figure out a way to put a monster, a bug, a car, a fish and a superhero into my illustration. Till then, it's Jenga, costumes, and power point presentations... right? right? anyone?

Toy Story A Bug's Life Toy Story 2 Monster's Inc. Finding Nemo The Incredibles Cars

Last Chance For Youth Camp

Couple of you all have been asking about youth camp applications and worker applications... you gotta add $10 for the late fee but it's still a good deal.

Youth Camp Application or Youth Camp Worker Application.

Don't Forget

There will be no Wednesday youth or children's programs during the month of June as we give our volunteers a well deserved break. We will be kicking back on Wednesday, July 5th with a Concert. Details coming soon.

My Space [pt 1]

I apologize for posting late. I tried this afternoon and the blogger site was under renovation and maintenence. If you need to get a hold of me, you have my numbers and you can also email me at jatwood@liveoakchurch.org.

We all want to belong to something. Maybe some more than others, but it's in our nature to herd. To be a part of a club, organization, group, whatever. Even when we don't consciously choose to be a part of something bigger, greater... we somehow get placed into cliques. The internet now has one of the most popular groups around... MYSPACE.COM. There tag line? A place for friends. So even through the cyberspace, you can become part of a group.

If you've watched any teen booper movie, you know they are big on the idea of groups. Watching "Mean Girls" or "High School Musical" you know that there are the Jocks, the Drama Group, The Cheerleaders, the Academics, the Skaters, the Smokers... And although these types of movies simplify teen life, we know the different divisions exist.

So, we all need to belong and there are groups out there to belong to... which one will you CHOOSE to belong to? In the New Testament, Paul writes about a great group-- a group that believe in Christ-- a group he calls THE BODY. In this body, everyone has a part. Not everyone can be an eye. Not everyone can be a toe. Some are little hairs on the back of the neck, others are viens running down the legs. In this body the head is Jesus. And in this body you can find your place.

You must CHOOSE daily to be a part of the body of Christ. No other group or organization in the world has benefits like the BODY. No other club or clique has the power like the BODY. Don't you want to be a part of the BODY?

This month we will delve into how, what and why we should be a part of the Body of Christ. We all have a palce in the kingdom. I will leave you with this thought I heard tonight in Camp Meeting: "If you were a banana, stay in the bunch. Becuase if yo leave the bunch, you are liable to get peeled and eaten." Discuss amogst yourselves.