Encouragement

High school life is really in a bubble. It is in it’s own world tucked away from the real world. It is an entire existence, an entire culture, that has little to do with real life. Yes, it is all about preparing adolescents for adulthood but the culture, or subculture, has overtaken most families.

True, teens do experience real life. Pregnancies, addictions and empty spiritual homes are experiences all too real to teens. So real that it affects them for the rest of their lives. The affects are so large because that bubble burst. Bubbles are good for baths, protection, and may even provide a safe, or sterile environment to learn that formula to ease teens into adulthood and responsibility. But life, adolescent life, spiritual life shouldn’t always be in a bubble. Read the rest of this entry »

Just as in sports, in our Christian life we are either a player or a fan. Each of us should really give ourselves a check up, from the neck up to re-evaluate our priorities to see which camp we reside in;

A fan is someone who decides to participate only if interested.

A player responds to the invitation with joy and gladness.

A fan is not a part of the team.

A player seeks out mentors to help him or her become a better player.

A fan is usually satisfied with minimal help from others. Read the rest of this entry »

ONE

I am a child living less than a mile from here. I am growing up pretty much on my own. Mom treats me like I?m a nuisance, and most people don?t even act like I exist. I need someone to look at me, to spend time with me. I need someone to love me for me. Will you play with me, hold me, tell me I matter? Will you serve me in love?

TWO

I am old now, or at least that is what you would say. I don?t feel old, but I guess I am. I used to have friends and my family used to come around, but now they are all gone. I am lonely. I feel like nothing I do matters. I have lived, I have learned. Will you listen to me, sit with me, learn from me, give me purpose? Will you serve me in love? Read the rest of this entry »

Is not this why you are wrong? You know neither the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Jesus to the Sadducees

#1 Explore:

The goal: to begin to interact with the passage

• get the discussion going
• discover initial thoughts, feelings, ideas
• find out what?s going on in the passage Read the rest of this entry »