Young Chunks

What's Yours is...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:22:00 +0000

As I was "organizing" my office I came across an outline for an old thought or teaching. I first saw it when I.D.E.S. presented in some of their literature and thought it rang true as much for today as it did back in the day. The text was Luke 10:30-37 and in it we find 3 levels of spiritual understanding and they are revealed with how people regard money, possessions and people.

Level 1 is characterized by LUST: "What you have is mine and I'll take it." (Luke 10:30)

Level 2 is characterized by LAW: "What I have is mine, and I'll keep it." (Luke 10:31-32)

Level 3 is characterized by LOVE: "What I have is yours and I'll share it." (Luke 10:33-35)

The ability to give to those in need reveals what it means live life in Love. In fact it may even suggest a 4th level that is characterized as STEWARDSHIP: "What I have is God's and I will use it for His purposes." (Psalm 24:1; 1 Chronicles 29:14; Psalm 50:10).

My hope is that I along with you can start living out Love and Stewardship so more may know of the Love God has for them.

Later Eh!

Steve

ICE SKATING PARTY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:19:00 +0000

WHERE: Decatur Civic Center

WHEN: Sunday, March 9 1-3pm

(meet in the civic center lobby at 12:40pm)

WHO: Anybody & Everybody! Bring a friend, child, grandchild,co-worker or anybody who just loves to skate.

COST:

$6 admission, unless you qualify for offer to the left

$2 for Skate Rental, unless you bring your own

Spening $$$’s just in case the canteen is open and you want a snack

Free admission for any student who recieved at least one "A" on their last report !! Click Here to fill out the form you need to bring with you to the civic center to get your free entry.

65 Apologetics Questions Every Christian Parent Needs to Learn to Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 16:01:00 +0000

December 11, 2013 By Natasha Crain at http://christianmomthoughts.com/

In prior posts, I’ve talked about why parents have to care about apologetics (the reasoned defense of Christianity) and I’ve shared resources for getting started with apologetics. I realize, however, that it can seem pretty ambiguous to have a goal of “learning apologetics.” We need to know the specific questions we most need to study and discuss with our kids; the ones that non-believers most frequently challenge Christians on and the ones that most frequently turn young adults away from faith after spending 18 years in church.

That’s the purpose of this post. I want to give you a very specific list of 65 apologetics questions every Christian parent needs to learn to answer and discuss with their kids (in age appropriate ways). Of course, any such list is subjective. I created this list based on my own study and experience with engaging in these topics, with a special emphasis on the issues challenging young adults today.

You may not think I’ve narrowed it down much by giving you 65, but there are hundreds of questions that could have been listed! In case this looks overwhelming, I’ve highlighted in red my “top 20.” Start with those if you’re new to these topics.

I encourage you to take some time and challenge yourself here. Read each question and give yourself a “point” for each one you feel you could thoroughly answer. What would your score be if you had to answer these questions today?

Questions About the Existence and Nature of God

1. What key arguments are there for (and against) God’s existence?

2. What are the practical implications of an atheistic worldview?

3. Why would a good God allow evil to exist?

4. Why would a good God allow suffering to exist?

5. Why would God command the death of so many people in the Bible (e.g., the Canaanites)?

6. How can a loving God send people to hell?

7. Why does God remain so “hidden?”

8. Why does the “Old Testament God” seem different than the “New Testament God?”

9. Why would God need people to worship Him (isn’t that egotistical and arrogant)?

Questions About Truth and Worldviews

10. What is the difference between objective and subjective truth?

11. How can it be reasonable for Christians to claim knowledge of an objective truth?

12. What is the role and danger of using “common sense” in evaluating truth claims?

13. Isn’t hell an unreasonable punishment for not believing in a specific set of truth claims?

14. How can Christians think their personal religious experiences with God are any more “true” than those of adherents to other belief systems?

15. Do all religions ultimately point to the same God? Why or why not?

16. What are key similarities and differences between the world’s major religions (e.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism)?

17. Is Christianity a less intelligent worldview than atheism? Why or why not?

Questions About Jesus

18. What extra-biblical evidence is there that Jesus existed (as a historical person)?

19. What major Old Testament prophecies did Jesus fulfill?

20. Was Jesus wrong about the timing of his second coming? Why or why not?

21. What are the key passages in the Bible that show Jesus claimed to be God?

22. What does the Bible say about the exclusivity of Jesus with regard to salvation?

23. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross for our sins to be forgiven (couldn’t God have just pardoned sins without a gruesome death involved)?

24. What are the four minimal facts of the resurrection that are “so strongly attested historically that they are granted by nearly every scholar who studies the subject, even the rather skeptical ones?”

25. What are the main theories non-believers have about the resurrection (e.g., unknown tomb, wrong tomb, disciples stole the body, authorities hid the body, etc.)?

26. Why do Christians believe a supernatural (bodily) resurrection explains the minimal facts better than all the other theories?

27. Why does it matter whether or not Jesus was resurrected (and that the resurrection wasn’t simply a metaphor)?

Questions About the Bible

28. Who selected what books are in the Bible?

29. How were the books of the Bible selected?

30. Why were some “books” we know about today (e.g., the Gospel of Thomas) left out of the Bible?

31. How can we know that the Bible we have today is a reliable record of the original writings?

32. What major “contradictions” exist in the Bible (and what are the explanations)?

33. Does the Bible support slavery? Why or why not? (Don’t laugh at this and the next two questions…these come up constantly in discussion with atheists.)

34. Does the Bible support rape? Why or why not?

35. Does the Bible support human sacrifice? Why or why not?

36. What does the Bible say about homosexuality?

37. How do Christians determine what parts of the Bible are prescriptive and which are descriptive?

Science and Christianity

Young Earth Creationism

38. What is Young Earth Creationism (YEC)?

39. What are key pieces of scriptural support for the YEC interpretation of creation in six 24-hour days?

40. How do YECs determine that the earth is 6,000-10,000 years old?

Evidence for an Old Earth (i.e., billions of years old)

41. What areas of science have implications for the age of the earth?

42. What are major methods scientists use to estimate the age of the earth, and what is their consensus on the estimate?

43. What is the relationship between belief in a global flood and the age of the earth?

Old Earth Creationism

44. What is “Old Earth Creationism (OEC)?”

45. What are the major reasons OECs reject the YEC interpretation of creation?

46. What are the key pieces of scriptural support for the OEC interpretation?

Intelligent Design

47. What is Intelligent Design?

48. Why do Intelligent Design proponents consider it a scientific theory and not a religious one?

49. What are the major reasons Intelligent Design proponents reject evolution as a sufficient explanation for the existence of life?

50. What does it mean that the universe appears to be “finely tuned?”

Evolution

51. What is evolution (from a purely scientific perspective)?

52. What are the key pieces of evidence for evolution?

53. What are the key questions evolution has not answered?

54. What do people mean when they talk about “macroevolution” versus “microevolution”?

55. Why do evolutionists reject the theory of intelligent design?

56. What are the theological implications for an acceptance of evolution?

57. What are the theological implications specifically for Adam and Eve not being literal, historical people?

Other Science and Christianity Questions

58. Why would Jesus-loving, Bible-believing Christians differ on their view of origins?

59. How can Christians believe miracles are possible, given what we know about science (e.g., the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection)?

Other Important (and Common) Questions

60. What does it mean (biblically) to have faith, and how is that different than the popular definition of faith?

61. If Christianity is true, why are there so many Christians whose lives look no different than those of non-believers (aren’t many Christians hypocrites)?

62. Why are there so many denominations (and does the fact of many denominations invalidate the truth of Christianity)?

63. Is Christianity “responsible” for millions of deaths throughout history? Why or why not, and what implications does the answer have for the evaluation of Christian truth claims?

64. What happens to people who have never heard the Gospel?

65. Why don’t miracles happen as frequently today as they did in the Bible?

You needed something to work on in 2014, right? I know I have my work cut out for me! I’ll be blogging about these topics over time, with my usual emphasis on delivering the message to our kids. Want to be sure to see each post? Sign up for my email list below!

The Number One Sign Your Kids Are Just Borrowing Your Faith (and Not Developing Their Own)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:56:00 +0000

By Natasha Crain at http://christianmomthoughts.com/
The other day something reminded me of the popular 1993 book, “The Celestine Prophecy” (anyone remember that?). “The Celestine Prophecy” is a fiction book that discusses ideas rooted in New Age spirituality. The book sold 20 million copies and practically spawned its own cult-like religion, with groups popping up all over the country to study the insights and apply them to life.

I discovered this book when I was fresh out of high school and was enamored by it. The insights were exciting (“there’s a reason for every apparent coincidence!”) and it proposed interesting ideas about spiritually that seemed totally plausible to my young mind. I couldn’t stop talking about it. I told all my friends about it. I started paying attention to how the nine insights in the book applied to my life. I suddenly felt life was more meaningful.

The problem? I was a “Christian” but it never even occurred to me that these New Age ideas should have been immediately rendered false by the beliefs I claimed to have. My faith was so shallow that the first exciting philosophy I encountered after high school swept me off my feet – without so much as an inkling that it was in conflict with everything I had been taught.

When I randomly remembered this book last week, I marveled at how I had developed such a shallow faith, despite the fact I had gone to church for 18 years and grew up surrounded by family members who deeply loved the Lord.

A Borrowed Faith

In my family, faith looked like spiritual “parallel play.” Parallel play is the stage young toddlers go through where they enjoy being near other kids, but don’t actually interact with each other yet. They’ll play blocks side by side, but they won’t find ways to play blocks together.

My family members would individually read their Bibles, go to church every week, participate in prayer chains, and humbly remind each other that plans would only happen “Lord willing.” Those were the spiritual blocks they played with next to me.

Meanwhile, I went to church, was at least mildly interested in what I heard, felt confident that if I died I would be saved, prayed occasionally on my own, went to church camps, attended youth nights, and freely told anyone who asked that I was a Christian. Those were the spiritual blocks I played with next to them.

But we never spiritually played together. Without that deeper engagement, my faith simply remained shallow and was based on living out a copy of what those around me were doing.

I left home with a completely borrowed faith.

I had never made it my own, but not because I rejected it in any way.

Many parents are brokenhearted when their kids reject Christianity in the teen years. I would suggest that many other parents are lulled into a false sense of security when their kids appear to toe the line of faith until they leave home. That faith often amounts to little more than borrowed beliefs which will soon be shattered.

Make no mistake: a borrowed faith leaving home can be just as dangerous as a broken faith. The result is often the same, just delayed.

When I originally started this post, I planned to call it, “10 Signs Your Kids are Just Borrowing Your Faith.” As I thought through the signs I can see in retrospect from my own experience, however, I found they all really pointed back to just one sign. So here it is:

The number one sign your kids are just borrowing your faith is that they rarely, if ever, ask questions.

Why Aren’t They Asking Questions?

They may be just uninterested enough to not ask questions, but not so uninterested as to reject Christianity altogether. They’ll just borrow your faith for a while because that’s what’s in front of them on the buffet.

They may not yet see the importance of Christian belief in their lives. It’s perceived as just another subject they’re learning about, like math. They’ll just borrow your faith for a while because they don’t think it’s important enough to think more deeply about.

They may not have been exposed to enough non-Christian ideas yet. Their faith isn’t being challenged in preparation for the adult world. Challenge them. If you don’t, non-believers soon will. They’ll just borrow your faith for a while because they see no need not to.

They may be scared or uncertain of your reaction. They’ll just borrow your faith for a while because that’s what they think is expected of them.

They may be getting answers elsewhere – usually not the answers you’d like them to have. They’ll just borrow your faith for a while because they don’t want to rock the boat at home.

If your kids aren’t asking questions, start asking THEM questions. Open the door for the conversation yourself and get them thinking in ways that will ultimately allow them to own their faith.

Need some ideas for meaty topics? Use my post, 65 Questions Every Christian Parent Needs to Learn to Answer, as a thought starter.

Did YOU leave home with a borrowed faith? Why or why not? I’d love to hear your experiences.

SUPERSTART CONFERENCE FOR GRADES 4-6

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 18:54:00 +0000

SuperStart! is a high-energy weekend event in which preteens can learn and grow in their relationships with friends, leaders and, most importantly, God.

Throughout the event preteens will encounter Christ through worship, interactive teaching and small groups – all of which are designed with their unique needs and maturity in mind. Preteens who attend SuperStart! will leave the weekend with not only a great experience, but also the teachings and foundation to further amplify Christ’s call on their lives to become Kingdom Workers.

Still not sure what SuperStart is? Click here to watch a promo video CIY sends out to encourage youth sponsors to have their students attend the event.

The conference will take place March 7-8 in Bloomington, IL at Eastview Christian Church and will cost approximately $75 but will go up the later you register with Steve Young. Church will cover gas and part of the hotel room fees and you will have to bring a sack lunch for the ride to Peoria on Friday. A final price for the trip, including all meals, hotel, activities etc. will be available the middle of January. Keep watching the blog for more info.

REGISTRATION RATES

Super Early 2/5/14 $45

Early 2/21/14 $50

Regular 3/8/14 $55

CIY BELIEVE CONFERENCE FOR GRADES 6-8

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 18:34:00 +0000

Believe is a high-energy weekend event for junior high students only. It is structured specifically for junior high students and is packed with powerful worship, intense drama and teaching from God's Word.

While at Believe, students not only worship together, but also engage in life-challenging discussions with their peers and adult leaders. As they go through the weekend, they discover ways in which God is calling them to be Kingdom Workers in their schools, communities and the world.

Still not sure what believe is? Click here to watch a promo video CIY sends out to encourage youth sponsors to have their students attend the event.

Beleive will take place in Peoria, IL on March 29-29. Cost will be approximately $100 but will go up the later you register with Steve Young. Church will cover gas and part of the hotel room fees and you will have to bring a sack lunch for the ride to Peoria on Friday. A final price for the trip, including all meals, hotel, activities etc. will be available in early February.

REGISTRATION RATES

Super Early 2/26/14 $55

Early 3/14/14 $65

Regular 3/28/14 $75

UPCOMING EVENTS

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 16:54:00 +0000

Hi Everyone, I hope you have all had an wonderful Christmas season. As we roll into 2014, I'd like to begin using this blog to include event updates as well as other opportunities or infromation for South Shores Chrsitian Church. God Bless and have a great new year!

Every Sunday Night at 6pm K-10th grade students at the church for age appropriate lessons, snacks and games. We have 3 different age groups for our breakout lessons: k-2nd grade, grades 3-5th and 6th-9th grade. We can't wait to see you!

Beginning this month we have started a van ministry whereby we will provide transportation for your child to and from youth group if needed. Please call 217-428-5683 to RSVP by 4pm on Sundays if your child needs a ride.

On Sunday, February 2 we will be hosting a FAMILY SUPERBOWL PARTY! Doors open at 4:45 and will remain open until the end of the game. Free for all as long as you bring your favorite snack to share with everyone while Pizza will be provided by SSCC. ALL children must be accompanied by an adult. We hope to provide some child care and'or activities, but we're still working on all those details. We will pass them along as we recieve them!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 15:21:00 +0000

IT'S ALMOST HERE! Another year of youth group is just around the corner. Our regular youth group meetings will start on Sunday, Sept. 15 @ 6pm—Youth Groups for k-9th grade— Youth groups will meet each Sunday at 6-8pm unless it is an EVENT WEEKEND, and other details will be provided in advance of these dates.

For those of you in Grades 6-9, on Sunday September 15th @ 6pm we will be having our fall Kickoff Event known as "GROSS GAMES!" So wear your old clothes, bring a towel and a friend and be prepared to have a Great, but Gross time! Students can be picked up at 7:30pm.

Later Eh!,
Steve

A NEW ADVENTURE!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 21:42:00 +0000

Hi all,

I know it's been a while since you've heard from me. I apologize! Life has taken our family along some turns we weren't expecting and I thought it best that I lay aside my blog for a while. But with every new season comes new opportunities and as the Young's journey off in to Illinois, I find myself with the opportunity to "Kickstart" the old blog again. So beginning on Monday, August 19th, I'll begin connecting through "Young Chunks" again. Hope to have you join in and enjoy the links, tips, thoughts and prayers we'll be sharing.

God Bless,
Steve

TUESDAY TIDBITS...Friday Style!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:03:00 +0000

Hi all,
It has been a busy week so I thought I'd get my weekly tidbits to you when I had the chance. Enjoy the Morsels!
Steve

CULTURE TODAY ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - The New Good Night Kiss
OK, This article (more like a website about a book but with video) makes me seek. For all you parents and families please take a moment and learn about the new phenomenon amongst middle class white teenage girls in America. I think this will shock some of you! TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN....FOR THEIR SAKE...TALK TO THEM!

LINK OF THE WEEK - http://www.lgdtxtr.com/
for all of you out there who don't have a clue how to text or what is being communicated in a text message, here is a link to a site that does text translating into proper English. Do they have a site for Canadian to American...could sure use the help on occasion?!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK - Winston Churchill
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK - Matthew 18:10 (The Message)
"Watch that you don't treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly. You realize, don't you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with my Father in heaven?"
OK...I've been asked an awful lot about guardian angels and such...does this verse indicate that there are such beings? and it isn't just a "Message" translation several refer to angels as well. That said, do we all have angels? are they just for while we are children or while we are adults also? Lots of thoughts, would love to hear some feedback.

NEICSC CAMP FORMS - If you still need camp forms they are available at the church office or website as well as the camp website . Need to have them in by June 1st in order to qualify for the Early Bird rate as well as scholarship from the church.

MEMORIAL DAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 May 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Memorial Day or weekend is upon us and I have come to realize in my time here in the states, that this celebration is to be so much more than a simple three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country. If you're looking for further information about Memorial Day check out http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html or even http://www.usmemorialday.org/

May we never forget the sacrifice the men and woman across the branches of the US Armed Forces gave in order to ensure our freedom. Thank you all those who have served or are currently serving.

Being Canadian, I can't help but remember all those who served as part of Canada's military in order to ensure those same freedoms enjoyed in the US. A very special "Thank You" to my Uncle George who has served in the Canadian Army for as long as I can remember. Thank you for your many years of sacrifice and service.

God Bless,

Steve

INTERESTING ARTICLES

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Hi all,
I came across the following articles and thought they may be of interest to some of you. I got them from cpyu.org, a Christian culture site.
Enjoy!
Steve

Article 1 - Faith Leaders Struggle to Define Spiritual Maturity

Article 2 - Teenage Girls Sinking Under the Pressure to be Perfect

Article 3 - Cyberbulling Effects Half of US Teens

TUESDAY TIDBITS!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:53:00 +0000

Hi all,

I hope you all have had the opportunity to enjoy your Mother's Day this past weekend. I trust you spoiled those moms nearest and dearest to you...at least called anyway!

Just to catch you up, it has been a busy past couple of weeks with the ending of our Prime Time Student Ministry for the summer, our thank you dinner for all our Prime Time Volunteers and know we hit Graduation season here in Iowa. The parties started this past weekend and continue through Sunday, with the culmination being the WCHS Graduation Ceremony on Sunday afternoon beginning at 2pm in Jeff gym. Also, this Wednesday WCHS is hosting their annual awards ceremony, dinner and Baccalaureate service. we are excited about his for a few reasons. First, one of our seniors at WCCOC is Lydia Sinnett and she will be 1 of 2 students speaking at the Baccalaureate service followed by myself. I consider it a real privilege to speak and am looking forward to it. And that's not all our church praise team has been asked to lead the worship time at the service. we are all excited about being involved in this years celebration.

TIDBITS ANYONE?!

VERSE OF THE WEEK - James 1:27 (The Message)
Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK - "THE MALE SOPRANO"
Click on the title above or click here to see Britain's Got Talent performer Greg Pritchard perform. You'll amazed at what you hear from this "ROCKER?!"

LINK OF THE WEEK - Webster City Church of Christ
Finally! Our church website is up and running! You can click on the link above or here to be taken to our site. Vic has done a wonderful job getting all the information from our staff and volunteers onto the site. Thanks Vic!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK -
"Faith is a living and unshakable confidence. a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake." -- Martin Luther

Later EH!
Steve

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:59:00 +0000

To all the Mom's out there...THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! Below is a short clip that may put a smile on your face today or maybe even give you that AAAAAWWWW! moment of the day.

I know it is a little early, but on behalf of sons everywhere,

Thank You & God Bless!

Steve

DOES YOUR CHURCH HAVE A BOARD - THEN YOU SHOULD READ THIS!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Afternoon Everybody,

I just came across a couple of articles talking about church boards and some of the issues churches face in the midst of having them. The first is"Turn Your Church Board Into a Strategic Asset." The second is "How to Manage a Micro-Managing Board." Both were found on www.churchsolutionsmag.com and I highly recommend their website as an asset for plenty of ministry questions.

let me know what you think.

Later EH!
Steve

MONDAY MORNING TIDBITS

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Hi All,

Sorry I didn't make it into "Blogworld" for my weekly Monday Morning Tidbits. It was simply that kind of a week, but today we are back and better then ever. EVEN A LITTLE LONGER THEN NORMAL...sorry about that!

Last week I had the privilege to take 5 of my current youth sponsors to Chicago and Willow Creek Church in order to attend their annual SHIFT student leader conference. Be watching for main session as well breakout session notes in the future. We had a phenomenal time learning, talking, daydreaming and even behaving like the students we lead on a weekly basis...enough said! All I have to say is I found out grass can't grow on a playground...take it for what it is worth! LOL!

This past Sunday was great. We got to celebrate our HS graduates of whom we had 6 this year. The list included Ashley Brakin, Shane Klaver, Josh Laird, Alison Miller, Lydia Mae Sinnett & Nate Treibel. Along with our HS Grads we also have 2 graduating from college. Lindsey Doolittle from Ozark Christian College and Donna Anderson from Iowa State University. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

This past Wednesday was our last night of our Wednesday night student program known as Prime Time. We had a lot of great fun giving away our incentive program prizes, our class end of year parties and not to mention showing out students a PowerPoint presentation about our summer camp program. Speaking of camp he camp registration forms you need to sign your students up for camp will be available on our website this week. Both the Camper Registration form as well as the Camper Health form must be completed and signed by a staff member at WCCOC by June 1 2009 in order to receive the %50 discount we offer our students who go to camp. Be watching our website for the link or email me at wccocassociate@wmtel.net and I will send them to you.

TIDBITS ANYONE?!

VERSE OF THE WEEK - You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation."
(Matthew 12:34-37)

VIDEO OF THE WEEK - I'm a sucker for a good prank...this one fits the bill. Enjoy "The Kissing Prank."
VIDEO OF THE WEEK EXTRA!!!: Showed the video located at the bottom of this post in church on Sunday for our graduates.

LINK OF THE WEEK - A way to memorize scripture while at you computer desk is "Verse Minder." Check it out here.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK - "I want to know God's thoughts... the rest are details."
Albert Einstein

Later EH!
Steve

MONDAY MORNING TIDBITS...PM EDITION

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:24:00 +0000

Hi all,

We hope you have all had a marvelous weekend. Amy and I had an Amazing time over in Cedar Rapids, IA at the "Marriage Experiment" conference hosted by Northbrook Baptist Church along with speakers Gary and Barbra Rosberg who, by the way will be hosting a "Date with a Purpose" evening on June 18th in Des Moines. It was a marvelous experience for us and we totally recommend everyone attend a marriage conference every couple of years in order to encourage both of you in your marriage. They are a great way to open up lines of communication and conversation between husband and wife. A great day for us, for sure!

TIDBITS ANYONE?!

1) VERSE(s) OF THE WEEK - Matthew 14:22 - 23
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone...

2) VIDEO OF THE WEEK - 2 for the price of 1 this week compliments of Britain Got Talent.
Video 1 is for all you closet Micheal Jackson fans. Video 2 is simply awesome.

Later EH!
Steve

HAPPY TAX DAY!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Wishing you all a Happy Tax Day! I know it isn't an official holiday and those of you who are in Canada have already filed, but I can still wish you a great day. That said, I realize that this day will not be so happy for some as it is for others, but I will remind you that "this is a day that the Lord has made and we shall rejoice in it." From BIG REFUND to LARGE PAY-INS and all that is in between, may you be blessed you have called upon the Lord this day and those to come.

Later EH!

Steve

MONDAY MORNING TIDBITS

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:36:00 +0000

HAPPY EASTER - Hope you all got to have a great Easter with your loved ones. To all our family we didn't get to see yesterday, "We miss you and look forward to seeing you all again soon." We had an awesome worship service yesterday! Mark and the praise team did a phenomenal job leading us and Ray spoke the word with clarity and relavence while examinining the details of Jesus' Resurrection. GREAT JOB BY ALL!

Here are you TIDBITS
1) Showed these 2 videos in our service yesterday and thought some of you may like to see them. Just click on their title, download if you like but most of all they are great reminders of not only Easter but forever and always what Christ has done for us and what we are now called to be and do! First up was "EASTER DRAWING" and our second video was entitled, "IT IS FINISHED."

2) VIDEO OF THE WEEK - RAPPING FLIGHT ATTENDANT

3) VERSE OF THE WEEK - Matthew 10:5-8 (The Message)
Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:
"Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously."

Later EH!
Steve

OH WHAT A NIGHT!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:24:00 +0000

WOW! We had our largest attendance ever yesterday at our weekly youth group night known as Prime Time! It runs ages 3 through grade 12 and we had 142 students on campus for our Easter event last night. AWESOME! Amazing what God is doing through our volunteer staff as well as all the students that continue to invite their friends. Thank you to everyone who makes this night possible. Your sacrifice of time and energy for the sake of these students is making a difference! Thanks for all you do.

Later Eh!

Steve

CONVERT & SAVE YOU TUBE VIDEOS

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:42:00 +0000

In case any of you are interested in downloading or saving YouTube videos onto your ipod or pcu, here is a link to TUBESOCK that works great at it for a minimal price tag. ENJOY!

LATER EH!!
Steve

GREAT QUOTE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:30:00 +0000

"If your church is serious about reaching the unchurched, you must be willing to put up with people who have a lot of problems…Fishing is often messy and smelly. Many churches want the fish they catch to be already scaled, gutted, cleaned, and cooked. That is why they never reach anyone." - Rick Warren

Later EH!

Steve

MARRIAGE CONFERENCE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Hi all,

One of the things our pastor told us when we got married (actually we were in premarital counseling) was to invest in each other by occasionally attending a marriage conference. We asked, WHY?! Ray's response, "Marriage conferences are not simply a marriage saving place, they are a place where you can go, learn, share, communicate and enjoy each other away from the stresses of life." I'll always remember those words.

That said, I thought I would throw out there a couple of links to some better known marriage conferences and give you all an opportunity to participate if you wish. All of these events have different dates and locations. Be watching for an event in your area or spoil your spouse and take them on an extended weekend.

FAMILY LIFE'S "WEEKEND TO REMEMBER" CONFERENCE
(Friday Evening thru Sunday noon event)

THE GREAT MARRIAGE EXPERIENCE with Gary and Barb Rosberg
(1 day Seminar)

CELEBRATE YOUR MARRIAGE
(Various Events and Speakers)

"A GROWING MARRIAGE" CONFERENCE by Dr. Gary Chapman
(1 Day Seminar)

REMEMBER...YOU NEED TO INVEST IN ONE ANOTHER!

God Bless,
Steve

VACATION 2009 - FLORIDA (part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:23:00 +0000

Next up was Thursday and that meant a trip over to Tampa where we stayed at The Embassy Suites (pictured above) after earlier in the evening watching the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightening play in the first NHL game either of us had seen in person. It was amazing...Loved every minute of it. Even ran across lots of folks from the maritimes as well as a friend from the PEI.

Speaking of the Maritimes, Friday saw us travel South to Pompano Beach where my grandparents Nan and Pop, a.k.a. Jack and Frances Williams (pictured above) spend a few months every winter. We loved being able to visit with them. They are great folks and we loved every minute we had with them.

Saturday meant home to Iowa. As you can see, we had a great time while we were on VA-K as Amy likes to say, holiday for all the Canadians out there.

Later Eh!

Steve

VACATION 2009 - FLORIDA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:29:00 +0000

Just got back from our vacation to Florida so I thought I would post a few pics and links of the trip. Our first 5 nights were spent at The Fountains, a BlueGreen Resort in Orlando (pictured to the left). It was amazing and we loved every minute of it.

While in Orlando we went to Universal Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and of course we got lots of shopping done, just to fill in the downtime!

No pics of the trip as of yet since we still don't have a digital camera...waiting for the film to get developed!

Shopping stops included Prime Outlets International and Orlando Premium Outlets. Mom, you would love these places! We also stopped at golf stores, clothing stores and even a flea market as we came across them and they tweaked our interest.

More to come!

Later Eh!

Steve