Some scriptures to follow up last night's lesson

If you want to explore more the ideas of spiritual clothing, check out these Scriptures to consider each day:

 

Thursday: Matthew 6:28-33. Do not worry about what you will wear today.

Friday: Proverbs 31:25-26. How can you wear strength and dignity?

Saturday: Isaiah 61:10. Allow God to clothe you in righteousness and salvation.

Sunday: Ephesians 6:10-17. When do you feel like you need the "whole armor of God?"

Monday: Colossians 3:12-17. Throughout the day, focus on putting on the clothes of Christ.

Tuesday: 1 Chronicles 15:25-28. How should you dress when you worship God?

 

See ya!

What are your favorite games?

So, as school is starting, you know we have a lock-in gearing up. Of course we'll have volleyball and basketball, but what are some of your other favorite games? It doesn't have to be a sport ... just something fun to play. Cards? Hide and Seek?

 

Let us know here!

The Kingdom of Rock is at Hand

I read an excellent article recently about Christian music. It covers a new book by Spin wirter Andrew Beaujon, Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock.

 

In it, Beaujon outlines the struggles of Christian rock. Should it be intergrated into mainstream? What makes music Christian? What about folks like U2, Johnny Cash and others who claim faith but don't always sing about God?

 

Of course the answers aren't easy, but the article is interesting. I'll leave you with the closing paragraph, which strikes a chord with me:

 

But the question [of what makes music "Christian"] persists, because in evangelical circles there's a lot of chatter and concern over whether particular music is "Christian" or "secular." Well—here's a fool's axiom: Both inside the parallel universe of Christian music and in every other universe, the only one who can make music Christian is Christ. No matter what we make of Bazan or Crowder, Rebecca St. James or Michael W. Smith, Mute Math or Newsboys—or, for that matter, U2, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Sufjan Stevens, and a million other acts—when we're talking about music, we'd do well to remember our categories are too simple, too inflexible, and too earthy to contain the truth.

Diet Coke and Mentos ... perfect fun for a summer Monday

Looking for something to pass the time this week? Grab a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke and some Mentoes and try this out (just make sure to do it outside!).

 

Unscrew the lid of a 2-liter Diet Coke

Put one index card across the top

Roll up an index card and put it on top of the other card (above the opening to the bottle)

Put 4 mentoes in the roll.

Slide the bottom card out so all the mentoes fall in at once ... and RUN!!!!!

 

If it's not raining on Wednesday, we may do this at The Point!

 

Check out this video to see some guys who had waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on their hands.

Why do we only seek God when things are tough?

Two things with a similar message have struck home with me the past couple days.

 

First, Matt's testimony at The Point last night. If you were there, you heard the powerful story of a young man (cousin of several of our own) who got caught up in drugs in middle school. In a few short years, his life fell apart. He was expelled, arrested and lost any shred of relationship with his family. But when things seemed their worst, God pulled him up. They moved to Florida and his family refused to let him fall apart. He turned his life around. He quit the drugs and found God's plan for him. It was an awesome message.

 

Second, I read this powerful essay (rated PG for language) from one of my favorite writers, Andy Whitman, a writer for Paste Magazine. The passage that hit me hardest:

"I often experience the reality of God's presence in my life in the midst of turmoil and trauma. I rarely experience the reality of God's presence in my life in the midst of plenty, peace, and prosperity. When really, really good things are happening in my life, I tend to take God for granted. When all hell breaks loose, I sense my need for God, and I eagerly seek His peace and comfort. And God delivers. It's happened to me many times. My external world may be falling apart, but I have known a peace that passes understanding. Don't try to make sense of that from a logical standpoint. It doesn't make sense. But I know what I know. But when I am living my comfortable, complacent, middle-class American suburban life, God can seem superfluous. Thanks for being there, God. I'll check back with you when the [crap] hits the fan."

So why do we wait until things are tough to seek God? I know I do it. Right now, money's tight in our house. Renee and I are praying everyday that God will help us make ends meet. But when we actually have some cash, we tend to forget to thank God for his blessings. We just move into auto-pilot.

 

But no matter how often we turn from God, the best part is He's there waiting with open arms for us when we come home. In fact, He's not just waiting, he's running to us. On Wednesday, I'll be talking about the parable of the prodigal son, especially the father's reaction when the son came home. Want to read it? Check out Luke 15:11-32.

 

Have you ever turned to God when things fell apart? How do you treat him when life is good? Let us know at the Point message board.

 

David Jones

Photos from Digital Scavenger Hunt

I've started a new Flickr page for The Point for us to post images from our events.

 

Check out a sample of photos from the Digital Scavenger Hunt:

 

We'll be adding more as the summer goes on.

 

Don't forget, you can also participate at The Point's online message board.

What are you looking for?

What are you looking for? Is it meaning in life? Is it friendship? To just make it through the day without getting in trouble?

 

We're all searching for something. A couple of weeks ago, we sent 30 of you looking for stuff, well, photos. The Digital Camera Scavenger Hunt showed us your true creativity. Look for some of the photos online in the next week.

 

Last week, you went to the Atlanta Union Mission to serve the homeless. There, you found men looking for relief. Relief from the streets, relief from hunger, and relief from addiction. Your service provided a small part of their answer.

 

Yesterday, several of you went looking for fun! We spent the day at Six Flags, riding the rides and jamming to Kutless and Relient K . Hopefully you found the joy that comes with spending time with friends.

 

So all summer, we're looking to help you find what you're looking for. Be sure to join us every Wednesday and Thursday! You never know what you will find.

Universal Truth in a Diverse Culture

Do you have any friends who believe something different from you? I'm not talking about the ones who don't seem to believe anything, but the ones who are very faithful to something besides Christianity. Who do you find it harder to talk about faith with? The friend with no beliefs or the friend who is devoutly something else?

 

C.S. Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia) declared that if Christian claims about Jesus are true, "they are of supreme importance to everyone." And, in fact, the risen Jesus commissioned his followers to spread the good news about him to everyone. But it seems talking about faith with other religions only leads to conflict.

 

On Wednesday with the high schoolers, we'll take the opportunity to discuss how to proclaim the central truth of Christianity,while attempting to relate to our neighbors of other faiths in a way that both promotes peace and witnesses to Jesus.

 

Have you ever tried to share your faith with someone from another religion? Share your experiences at the new Point Message Board: http://harvestpointonline.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3#3 . You'll have to register for a user name, but once you're registered, you'll have a place to discuss what's going on at The Point, share music, movie and book recommendations, talk about life as a Christian, etc.

 

God Bless.

 

David Jones

AtlantaFest

As you may know, The Point is going to AtlantaFest as part of its Adventure Thursdays summer outings.

Here's the main point: You must let us know if you are attending by April 30. If you commit, we are buying you a ticket, and YOU will have to purchase that ticket. If you commit, then decide you can't go, it's up to you to decide what to do with your ticket. We need a minimum of 15 people to make sure we can get the group discount.

Enough with the boring stuff, here's the details (more at www.atlantafest.com):

Featuring some of the top names in contemporary Christian music, more than 40 artists will perform on AtlantaFest’s three music stages over the course of the three day event. The Point will be attending on Thursday, June 15.

Atlanta Fest is more than roller coasters and Christian rock music.  It is the perfect opportunity for our youth group to experience God in a real-world setting.  Mixed in with the 11 roller coasters (including the new “Goliath” - the largest and tallest roller coaster in the Southeast), three water rides and non-stop music stages, are seminars for Christian living, Bible studies, a multimedia “Prayer Labyrinth”, a talent search and even Christian karaoke!”

Highlights:

Concerts include Relient K, Kutless, Hawk Nelson, and Falling Up Ride all of the Six Flags coasters and rides! Prayer Labyrinth Karaoke Christian Living Seminars

More info as we get closer to the day.

The main thing to remember: We need your commitment by April 30.

Ninjas are people too!

This was too funny not to post:

http://www.randb.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/04/12/443c71ed40b94

Quoted from the story:

"ATF agents are always on alert for anything suspicious — including ninjas.

Jeremiah Ransom, a sophomore from Macon, was leaving a Wesley Foundation pirate vs. ninja event when he was detained.

After being held in investigative detention, he was found to have violated no criminal laws and was not arrested.

“It was surreal,” Ransom said. “I was jogging from Wesley to Snelling when I heard someone yell ‘freeze.’”

Ransom said he thought a friend was playing a joke before he realized officers had guns drawn and pointed at him.

ATF agents had noticed Ransom’s suspicious behavior and clothing and gave chase, apprehending him, Williamson said.

“Agents noticed someone wearing a bandanna across the face and acting in a somewhat suspicious manner, peeping around the corner,” said ATF special agent in charge Vanessa McLemore."

So for all you budding ninjas out there, be sure to watch out for the ATF!