HP Youth Blog

Some scriptures to follow up last night's lesson

2006-09-07T12:12:00.000-04:00

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?

2006-08-15T17:33:00.000-04:00

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

2006-07-07T12:36:00.000-04:00

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

2006-06-26T12:48:00.000-04:00

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?

2006-06-22T17:44:00.000-04:00

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

2006-06-20T13:27:00.000-04:00

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?

2006-06-16T14:50:00.000-04:00

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

2006-05-08T13:03:00.000-04:00

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

2006-04-19T12:07:00.000-04:00

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!

2006-04-13T10:20:00.000-04:00

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!

By His bruises we are healed

2006-04-11T13:39:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, the church celebrated. We celebrated five years of worship. We celebrated Palm Sunday, the day Christ entered Jerusalem as the crowds waved palm branches, cheered and waved him in as their future king.

On this day, They expected Jesus to lead a revolution that will overthrow the Roman government and reestablish the kingdom of Israel. But only one week later, Christ would be nailed to a cross, executed for his claims to be the son of God. How could a man go from exalted to reviled in such a short time?

For one, the religious leaders of the time were jealous of the attention Jesus received. They plotted to have him tried as a traitor and heretic. But, even though the religious leaders thought they were getting rid of a "problem," Christ's death was part of God's great plan to save all of mankind.

The Bible tells us the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). To atone for sin, the ancient Israelites would sacrifice (give up) the things most valuable to them: their prized animals and grains from the field. As you've probably noticed, we don't sacrifice animals at church anymore! Christ's death served as the final sacrifice for all of our sins for all time.

There are some special days associated with Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. Thursday is Maundy Thursday, where Christ has his final dinner with his best friends. Here he introduced the first communion, a ritual where we drink wine (ok ... grape juice) and eat bread to remember the sacrifice of Christ's body and blood. Friday is Good Friday. The day Christ was crucified. If you've seen The Passion of the Christ, you have an idea of the humiliation and pain he went through. This was no humane, quick execution. This was the Romans way of torturing and humiliating a prisoner.

Thankfully, the death of Christ is not the end of the story. The best part comes on Sunday ...

Happy Friday!

2006-03-31T13:58:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a good week at school. I know you're ready for Spring Break (just wish I got one!). Whatever your plans, be safe and have fun.

Don't forget, though, The Point is meeting as usual on Wednesday.

For those of you looking to stick around for a few days, here's what Christianity Today (http://www.christianitytoday.com) has to say about Ice Age: The Meltdown, opening today:

Ice Age The Meltdown (PG): Ice Age: The Meltdown offers up more of what made the first film a hit: the woolly mammoth Manfred is still coping with the loss of his family, and possibly his entire species; he and his friends, Sid the sloth and Diego the sabretooth tiger, escape several perilous situations as they embark on a migration together; and the story is punctuated every now and then by hilarious scenes featuring Scrat, the mute squirrel-rat who steals the show with his oft-thwarted struggles to find, keep, and hide his nuts. Some things are different, though. In the second film, a giant, mountain-sized block of ice is melting, and when the wall of ice bursts—for some reason it has stayed frozen, and acts like a dam, even though everything behind it has turned to water—the valley in which the animals live will be flooded. And so the animals who live in that valley embark on an emergency migration to a "boat" that might save them. (It sounds, and looks a bit, like Noah's Ark, but it's actually a tree trunk.) In some ways, the film is reminiscent of Robots, the last Blue Sky production; both that film and Ice Age: The Meltdown revel in clever, complex set-pieces and lowbrow, big-rear-end humor, but fall somewhat short when it comes to character development and interpersonal warmth. Still, if the new film doesn't quite resonate on the same emotional or even spiritual levels that the first film did, it does have a zany energy that sometimes transcends the humor of the first film. Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of four)

The comments should be on now, so be sure to let us know if you've seen any good movies lately (and what made it good!).

What do we do when no one's looking?

2006-03-29T13:27:00.000-05:00

It’s so easy to do the right thing when someone’s hanging over your shoulder, checking out everything you do. I find I get in much more trouble when I’m on my own. Even as an adult, the temptation is there to do something you wouldn’t normally do, just because no one’s watching. I mean, I know when my boss is out of the office, it’s tempting to spend the whole time talking on IM to Renee or surfing the Web (and sometimes I do give in). But a mark of maturity is being able to push past the desires I want, and instead strive for what’s right.

IF you happen to catch this before tonight, think about what makes a mature person. Also think about some famous liars, cheaters and low-down-dirty scoundrels. That useless trivia might be useful for once.

I’ll be trying to post several times a week, and I’m also going to try and get the comments turned on. I’d like this blog to be a conversation place. Somewhere you can give feedback on the topics at The Point, discuss issues that arise, read music and movie recommendations, etc. We’ll probably start a Point myspace page as well, so I can cross post messages here and at myspace.

Peace.

David Jones

Atlanta Union Mission
Saving Lives with your Help
www.aumcares.org
404-367-2244
706-543-8338

______________________________________________________________________
Note:
This message is for the named person's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost by any mistransmission.

This message has been scanned by MessageLabs (www.messagelabs.com). If there is a problem with this message, please notify the Mail.Administrator@myaum.org. re112003z
_______________________________________________________________________

3 March 2006

2006-03-03T04:48:00.000-05:00

3 March 2006 Greetings! It is 4:30 in the morning and here I am at the computer. I woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep. Do you ever have a time when your day/night doesn’t go as planned? Maybe it is God tapping us on the shoulder saying to us…’Hey, talk to me’. If you are like me, we don’t always recognize those times. Last Wednesday night we talked about remembering. God has a lot that he wants us to remember, after all there is this really long book that He gave to us that is just full of history. Our family has a lot of snapshots taken that we have stored in various places so that we can remember that good ole days. I have a bank of pictures in my heart. When I go to that bank to dig up pictures and choose my spiritual album, some of the first pictures I see are snapshots from Mel Gibson’s passion of Christ. I see Jesus getting whipped, I see Nails being drove into His hands. Wednesday night we showed a video clip. Do you remember the big, long rusty nail? That picture is stored. 1 Corinthians 11:23 gives us the order of the Lords Supper. In verse 25 we are told of the new covenant that is sealed by the shedding of His blood. What is this new covenant? It is an agreement between God and us that we can now personally approach God and communicate with Him. By participating in communion, we are remembering what he has done for us and renewing our commitment to serve him. When God taps you, take the time to reach into your heart and pull out a picture. Remember and communicate. God Loves you and so do I, Marc

The Point

2006-02-06T12:41:00.000-05:00

Hello all!!

I am excited that THE POINT @ Harvest Point now has a blog for the youth site. Check here to see what is going on in the world of student ministry as it is my goal to update at least once a week.

For this post, I would like to tell you that I am excited to be leading this ministry. Four weeks into it, I find student and adult leaders who are dedicated to serving our Lord and our students. I have found support in many different forms at Harvest Point including strong support from our Pastor Steven Usry. Steven has been leading our team of adult and student leaders in 5 strategic team building sessions in which we are laying the groundwork for the future of THE POINT. This is just the beginning…..so hold on tight!!! I invite ALL students to come and be a part of this great thing we are doing…….at THE POINT. See you Wednesday at 6:30pm

Marc