CREW
New
"Batter my heart, three-personed God; For you As yet but knock, breathe, shine, And seek to mend; That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, And bend Your force, to break, blow, burn And make me new." - John Donne. Passion is God flowing through us. It is the presence of God, the Trinity, the River of Life that seeks to flow out of us, to do God's will. -Pastor Mike
Ask
Jesus said, "Ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and it shall be open to you." - Matthew 7:7. I asked two of my former CREW Youth Group members (now in college) if they would help me with youth group. They both said yes. Don't limit what God can do to further the Kingdom. Ask, seek, and knock! - Pastor Mike
Where?
Sometimes we wonder where God is. We know that God indwells us. Maybe we should ask, Where are we? St. Ausgustine said that God is at home within us and we are everywhere else. We are outside ourselves trying to satisfy ne deep needs of our hearts and making ourselves from the outside, in. Spend silent time in prayer to God today. -Pastor Mike
Gospel
It is difficult for pastors to give a message that isn't too basic or too advanced. That is why relying on the Holy Spirit to lead us is so important. We must trust that the gospel message will be received by non-believers while not being too redundant for long-time believers. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." -Luke 19:10 - Pastor Mike
Ivy
I was able to secure a 2-3 day landscaping maintainance job for one of the young adults that I work with. He has a yard full of ivy to pull out. It will be a huge job and one that could be overwhelming if a person looks at the whole picture. Sometimes it is better to concentrate on just one square foot at a time. Get the job done inch by inch. - Pastor Mike
Coffeehouse
Yesterday CREW and 4:12 Youth Groups had their get-together in a coffeehouse setting. The Youth loung was set up in groupings of couches, tables, and chairs with an art center and creative writing area. Jonathan video-taped each teen talking about their mother. God loves it when we build up each other, using the gifts he has loaned us. - Pastor Mike
Popcorn
Last night at Converge we had a movie night with popcorn. One could pick from cheesecorn, buttered popcorn, plain popcorn, and microwave popcorn. Each of us had a definete favorite. It takes a leap of faith to try something new. Today, try to speak with someone you normally wouldn't hang with. Share your stories. Be Christ to someone new. - Pastor Mike
Mark-downs
I have to admit that I love mark-down bins. I love to get 1/2 price cookies and bread, a picture frame that can easily be restored, and cargo shorts at the end of the season. These are items that many see as having little worth, but are priceless to me. God is like that. He sees our value even though we are dirty and tattered sinners. Praise God! - Pastor Mike
Justified
Justified means to be declared not guilty. When a judge declares a person not guilty, all the charges are removed from his record. Legally, it is like the person had never been accused. When Jesus forgives our sins, our record becomes as clean and white as snow. Jesus gave his life for us to purchase our freedom. - Pastor Mike
Irritation
The Israelites did not drive out the wicked in Cannan (Numbers 33:55) as God told them to. Just like the Israelites, we are often hesitant to drive sin out of our lives. Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us to throw off "the sin that so easily entangles" us. We all have idols that will cause serious problems later if we just don't let them go. - Pastor Mike
