WOW.
Can you believe it’s December?
Yesterday, Ricky preached what i would call a GLOBAL POSITIONING sermon. He challenged us to look at three major ROADS in the Bible.
From those three roads, JERICHO, CALVARY and DAMASCUS, he discussed major Bible events and happenings on these notable roads.
From each of these roads, we can see gifts from God…
JERICHO road was paved with mercy. (here we find the story of the good samaritan)
CALVARY road was paved with love. (here Jesus tasted death for everyone, paid the price for my sin & because he loved me so)
DAMASCUS road was paved with awakening. (every once in a while God shows up in our lives. He awakens our recognition to His presence. His light reveals our true condition and provides a plan for returning to salvation. don’t believe it? ask paul.)
We made TWO MAJOR ANNOUCEMENTS.
Ray Jimenez, the husband of Brianna Jimenez, is on the MILITARY road to IRAQ. We are giving out “DEFENDING FREEDOM” bracelets to help us remember our deployed troops in prayer, especially our brother in Christ, Ray. We ran out of all 100 bracelets before the day was over. Putting in another order monday morning! We’re wearing our bracelets in support and prayerful expectation of Ray’s safe return from his CALL of DUTY. God bless Ray, Brianna, Cash, their “precious one on the way”.
SACK THE PULPIT was announced as well. Grocery SACKS with attached grocery lists were handed out to members to fill, and return to the area around the pulpit. Once the pulpit is completely “SACKED”, the youth group will deliver the bags to families in the congregation and the community that may need a little extra help during the Christmas season. This is a great way to help reach new souls, plant the seed, and let our light shine as a caring, giving church. Bags will be available December 6th; take as many as you want and plan to return them full on Sunday, December 20th.
Our middle school Bible class was about “Being Rich”. You’d be surprised on the insights some 6-8th graders have about money, riches and wealth.
We discussed ECCLESIASTES 5 and the fleeting nature of financial gain. We’re all working harder this week to accept and appreciate the things God has blessed us with. We’re working hard to say with 100% truth…
“I WILL NOT TRUST IN RICHES, BUT IN THE ONE WHO RICHLY PROVIDES.”
After Bible class, 18 teenagers packed the van to head to the West 7th Church of Christ Youth Rally, in Columbia, TN. (Mason Capps, Tyler Davis, Shayne Riddle, Hailey Cash, Sarah Fulcher, Christy Lee, Melissa Johnson, Kyeongmee Kim, Kallan Parker, Katy-Chandler Parker, McCay Warren, Morgan Cash, Harrison Capps, John Colt Fulcher, Andrew Johnson, Jackson Kelly, Zac Branson and Hunter Roberts)
The theme this year was “Tear Down These Walls.” After a time of singing, we heard a challenge from JOE WELLS of FOCUS PRESS… enlightening the tragic state of YOUTH CULTURE today. Homosexuality. Abortion and Premarital sex. We broke off to seperate sessions about dealing with different walls we build to seperate us from God.
We studied the story of Daniel and the way he kept himself pure against the culture around him.
CHUCK MORRIS had a GUY’S (MAN’S) SESSION with the boys. He encouraged the boys to STARVE the SUMO of the SEXUAL PROMO in our society. From advertisements, to football sidelines, to trendy girls fashion, to the accessibility of the internet… BOYS are BEING BOMBARDED! It is our responsibility to “KEEP OUR EYES SET STRAIGHT AHEAD” (Solomon’s advice) and to “GUARD OUR HEARTS” (Solomon’s advice) and to “ENJOY LIFE AND COMMITMENT TO ONE WOMAN” (Solomon’s advice)
Can you guess Solomon’s main source of temptation and problems in life?
Guys everywhere need to remember when they begin dating… EACH GIRL is one man’s DAUGHTER, and one man’s WIFE or FUTURE WIFE. Boys… Man up! Be MEN. Make a commitment to your WIFE, right now! MARRIED or SINGLE!
The last session was a LIVE-SKYPE interview with 3 sets of Christian missionaries in India, Peru and Mexico. Hats off to the West 7th congregation on a great youth rally.
We headed back early to beat icy weather, but it was a great day in the LORD.
How was your first Sunday in December?