Our World is Not the World

Just let that phrase sink in a little.  I remember when I heard Rob Bell (pastor in Michigan) say this as he reflected on how different America is in comparison to the rest of the world.  We are all guilty of feeling like we don’t have enough and that we could have it better.  I thought I would share some world stats that I have recently learned.  Be careful these statements might cause you to become more content or willing to take action.

There are 180,000,000 million underweight kids in the world.

There are 273,750,000 hungry people in the world right now.    

More than 20,000 people will die from hunger today.

America has spent 17,914,000,000 dollars on dieting so far this year.

There are 1,388,000,000 people without access to safe drinking water. (that’s 1/3 of the population)

Our world is definitely not THE world.  

         –Mark South

Transitions

Transitions can be hard and are seldom smooth. But in life transitions make us who we are. They add character to who we are and give us confidence to persevere. There is so much unknown when we face transitions. Who is in control? What is it going to look like? When will it be easy? Why am I going through this?  Ultimately we just want control and we struggle because the fear of the unknown.

Not so very long ago your child was entering middle school and was tied up in knots worrying about how he would find his way in the huge new youth group, if he would have any friends, and if Jesus was really real in his life. Now he’s facing high school, and guess what he’s worried about? The same things. Plus he knows that now it really counts. He needs to decide if he’s aiming for college or the workforce. And then there’s dating, getting a driver license, and his first job…

OK. Slow down, just a bit. Junior high and high school is a time of great change and numerous “firsts” and transitions. Luckily, you and your student don’t have to cope with all of them at once or alone. Student ministries are here to assist in those transitions. Let’s face it nobody wants to go it alone and getting connected in the Herd or the Edge provides an opportunity for the student to encounter deeper relationships and making their faith real and practical. In the limited time your student is in student ministries, we want them to walk away from their school years knowing and following Jesus,  knowing how to study the Bible on their own, experience true accountability, authentic community, intimate relationships, and learn the importance of a strong prayer life.

The best way for students to get connected is to literally show up. There are many ways to get connected into the Herd or the Edge. Inconsistent attendance will prevent a student from feeling really connected with the group. Once a student is regularly involved, they will feel more at home, feel comfortable committing to a small group, and begin deeper discipleship with our adult staff.

-Thomas Castro

Pastor of High School Ministries

Verse of the month

Do you know what your teen thinks about helping the poor and needy?

You might be very surprised to hear their answers on how important this social issue is to them.

1.  What is the first thing you think of when you think of a poor person?  Why do you think that?

2.  Have you ever helped a homeless person before?  If yes, what did you do?  What was their response?  If no, what is holding you back?

3.  What responsibility do you think you have in helping the poor in the United States and around the world?  Why do you think that?

4.  What does God say about helping the poor?  How do you think God wants us to give to the poor?

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen.  Leave them for the poor and the alien.  I am the LORD your God."  Leviticus 19:9-10

Leviticus was written to the Jews to set God's people apart from the world.  He spoke about many personal, social, and relational issues, and, of course, He focused on taking care of the poor.  We are a blessed nation and people which God continues to allow to reap a harvest of this land.  We should remind our teens and our family of this every day.  But as we harvest, God gives specific instructions that we are not to keep all of His blessings for ourselves.  The Jews were to leave the very edges of their field and to not pick up the grapes that fell.  Why?  So that the poor could come and pick the grain and gather the grapes themselves.  As parents, pray that God will help your teen truly understand that it is much better to give than it is to receive.

Here are some websites to help teens get involved with the fight against poverty:

Background:  Underoath formed in 1998 and was signed to Takehold Records in 1999.  The lineup of the band changed frequently and bears little resemblance to the current band.  The bands music was also much heavier in its beginning.  Member changes continued till the group solidified in 2004 and released “They’re Only Chasing Safety” which sold about 350,000 copies.  In 2006 their most recent album was released to Gold Album status selling 500,000 units and debuting on Billboard 200 at #2 (the highest debut for a Christian album since 1997).  Touring continued and they released 777 DVD in December of 2007 chronicling their videos and tour footage.  Underoath confirmed their being on the Warped Tour 2007 this July.

Albums:  “They’re Only Chasing Safety” – 2004

    “Define the Great Line” - 2006

What Parents Should Know:  “Though their musical style has changed substantially since its inception, the bands latest work has been primarily in the vein of Metalcore, Post-hardcore, and considered to be Screamo.”  (Wikipedia.org)

What the Group has to say:  Spencer Chamberlain says, “I feel like I want people to know we’re a Christian band, (but) I don’t want just to be marketed as such because I think we go beyond that.  Tags can be limiting.”

Background:  This quartet is from the quiet, peaceful town of Orem, Utah.  Despite their very rough past including homelessness, poverty, and drug addiction, the guys continued to form The Used.  After playing only twenty shows, the group was signed to Reprise Records and released their debut album in 2002.  "The Used thrives on friction."  This can be seen in their personalities, their music, and how the members interact with each other.  The group has been a part of such shows as Ozzfest, Warped Tour, and Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution tour.  The Used's genre is, for the most part, Emo (emotional hardcore punk/rock.)  (sonicnet.com and theused.net)

Albums:  “Lies of the Liars” – 5/2007

    “Berth” – 2/2007

    “In Love and Death” – 9/2004

What Parents Should Know:  The Used's most recent album, like some from its past, contains a parental advisory.  It contains numerous foul language.  The album has a very negative and dark feel which matches their image.

What the group has to say:  Guitarist Quinn Allman says he puts his faith in music and says, "God is just a concept, but music is tangible."  Q:What does the Bible say about faith and how does it differ from Allman's quote?

Will your teens be seeing these movies this summer? Know what's playing.

Comedy

15
JRH - 9:30am
HS - 9:30am

Junior High Summer Camp

16

Junior High Summer Camp

17
HS- Home Groups @ 7pm

Junior High Summer Camp

18

Junior High Summer

Camp

19

Junior High Summer Camp

20
HS- Edge Friday Nights @ 3:30pm

Junior High Summer Camp

21

Junior High Summer Camp

5
JRH - 9:30am
HS - 9:30am

High School Summer Camp

6
 

High School Summer Camp

8

High School Summer

Camp

9

High School Summer Camp

10

High School Summer Camp

12
JRH - 9:30am
HS - 9:30am

13

14
JRH- City Serve @ 5:30pm

HS- Movie Night

15

Junior High Guys/Girls

Trip

16

Junior High Guys/Girls Trip

17
HS- Edge Friday Nights

Junior High Guys/Girls Trip

18

Junior High Guys/Girls

Trip

31

HS- Edge Friday Nights