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.