New Year, New Life

There is something refreshing and exciting about a new year. A new year provides all kinds of hopes, possibilities, and challenges. In fact, I've already made some new resolutions that I'm really looking forward to breaking. On a serious note though...there really is something about a new year. A designated day to start clean. It reminds me of our relationship with Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." What do you want to do with this new year? Do you want to dedicate it more and more to living for Christ. If you want to make a new commitment...this is the perfect time to do it.

Here's one possible way to deepen your relationship with Him. On February 20-21 is the Student Life Tour. It is a weekend retreat with awesome music, fun drama, and powerful speakers. We will be staying at a hotel in north Houston. The cost of the retreat is $44 if submitted before Feb. 6. If you are interested in more information you can go to http://www.studentlife.com/events/home-spring.php I think it would be really great if we could get a big group together. If you are interested, please sign off on the poll, so I can get an approximate head count. Also tell your friends!

See you next year!

No Youth Group December 28, 2008!

Merry Christmas

Enjoy these pictures from our Christmas Party.

Peace On Earth!

We had a great time at youth group Sunday night. We started the evening with a delicious meal, a little Soccer-Square, and then a lesson on Christmas. We read the familiar story from Luke 2:1-20, Mary and Joseph return to the town of David. There were shepherds in fields and angels proclaiming peace. But what does "peace on earth" mean to you? It has been more than 2000 years and is there peace in the world? Maybe the angel's proclamation has more to do with our relationship with God than it does in the context of violence around the world. As followers of Christ, let's be people who bring peace.
REMEMBER!
December 21, 2008:
Xtreme Disciples Christmas Party
Bring a gift for exchange under $10
Bring your favorite type of holiday cookie for the group.

Jingle Bell Express

I want to thank all of those who helped out with Jingle Bell Express. Everyone did a great job and I thought it was a lot of fun. I just wish that I had my camera with me. Well, at least here is a walrus playing the saxophone.

Nothing is Impossible with God

On Sunday night we discussed Christmas traditions. We all have those routines that we do each year that make the season so much fun. It may be opening one present on Christmas Eve, having a party with the same special friends, or taking your artificial Christmas tree out of the shower, each of us like traditions. It is kind of strange how nontraditional the first Christmas was. This week we read Luke 1:26-38. We have heard the story many times before, but imagine how bizarre these events must have been for Mary. A visit from an angel, a promise that your child will reign forever,...and a serious unexpected pregnancy...This all probably brought a lot of fear and confusion. But in the middle of all of that chaos was a hope that God will provide. We look at things from our small perspective and put limits on what can be done, however the angel reminded Mary(and all of us) that "nothing is impossible with God." What amazing things does God want to do through you.

Remember:

Join us this Wednesday for Jingle Bell Express. We will meet at the church at 6:00PM and drive over together. What a fantastic way to help the community. I hope to see you all there.

Paul

Filled to the Measure

On Sunday night we completed our discussion of Ephesians 3:16-19 with an exercise. We played a game and saw just how full we could fill a glass of water without it flowing down over the sides. It was fun putting those last drops of H2o into the cup, before it inevitably spilled over and on to the table. I think it also helped us visualize Paul's prayer for the Ephesians. He wanted them to be "filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." What would a life look like that was filled to the measure with God? In the book of Colossians we learn that "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." I think that it was Paul's prayer for the people of Ephesus to look more and more like Christ daily. One drop at a time.

How Wide, Long, High, and Deep!

This was the third week that the Xtreme Disciples have been studying Ephesians 3:16-19. This week we tried to wrap our minds around the love of Christ Jesus. We attempted to compare it to a parent, but in all of our comparisons we found that they didn't quite measure up. Maybe this is why Paul says that it surpasses understanding. Even though we may not be able to picture the dimensions of God's love, we still can try to react to it appropriately. We can strive to love Him more and more every day. Also we can love those around us. I think that this fits into the vision that our church has been working on. Perhaps, when His love overpours in our hearts we are able to bring others into a vital relationship with Jesus Christ.
Remember, there will be no youth group on November 23. On December 10, 2008, we will be volunteering at Jingle Bell Express. We will meet up at the church at 6:00PM. Please mark this on your calendars and bring your friends! What a great way to show God's love to others.
Here's some Soccer-Square!

Soccer-Square No!!!!!!

If you missed the last two weeks at Xtreme Disciples, we have been reading and discussing Ephesians 3:16-19. This week we discussed, "What does it mean to be rooted and established in love?" With so many things going on in our life, school, tons of homework, and friends, what do we truely root ourselves in? What gives us nourishment? Jesus said, "No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." This week... let's be people who live our lives in Christ, so that others can see Him in us!

Mark These Dates On Your Calendars!

November 23....No Youth Group

December 10.....Jingle Bell Express (Meet at FCC at 6:00 PM)

December 21.....Youth Christmas Party and Gift Exchange (Normal Youth Time)

What is the Xtreme Disciples new favorite game? How about Soccer-Square! It is the perfect cross between Four Square and Soccer. If you have never played you have to come and check it out! See you soon.

Crop Walk Sunday

It was a day today. One of those, "If anything can go wrong...it will go wrong" days. What are the odds that when you lend out your jumper cables, the next time that you try to start the car, you need them. The Xtreme Disciples were on our way to the Crop Walk, when we turned the key and heard nothing. So when the heroic Jeremy Wood stepped forward with his cables it seemed like a life saver. Red...Black...Positive...Negative. Negative...Schmegative! And the next thing we see is smoke. I had placed the cables on the wrong charge. The black rubber cables literally melted in front of us. A successful jump and then another jump at Burger King and we were on our way to the Crop Walk. It was a beautiful day...and I can't tell you how proud I am of the four youth that walked the 5k. We raised $200 dollars to fight against hunger. That is enough to provide two families with 100 chickens for eggs, protein, and sales. And in the end, God provided for us at every turn. Tonight at youth we looked at the first part of Ephesians 3:16-19. If there is any day that I felt that God used his abundance of power to strengthen my inner being...it was today. He truely is an awesome God.

Crop Walk

Hey gang! Don't forget that Crop Walk is this Sunday. Wear your Xtreme Disciples T-Shirt and something comfortable to walk in. We will leave shortly after church. Don't forget that we will have Youth Group that night as well. Invite your friends to walk with you. Hope to see you all on Sunday!

October 26

Boy howdy, did we have fun at the Xtreme Disciples Costume Party. We had some unexpected guests drop in. Who would have thought that former president Richard M. Nixon would have come to a youth costume party? Pretty amazing! We also had J.D. from Scrubs, one of the Three Musketeers, and an extra from the Lord of the Rings. Congratulations to Chris Morris for winning the costume contest. Also congratulations to everyone who stuck their head in a bucket for the apple bobbing contest. It was a lot of fun!

October 19

Howdy Friends! Youth was really cool this Sunday. After chowing down on some pizza, we played an intense game of Jungle Pong. (Is that right Travis?) A game that moves quicker than light itself. Hey, and speaking of light we looked at Matthew Chapter 6 verses 22-23. The eye is the lamp of the body. We discussed what Jesus was talking about when he said this and what it means to us. What do we spend our time looking at? Are we looking at things that are beneficial to us and draw us closer to Christ, or do we fill ourselves with darkness. It was a great discussion.

Next Sunday is our Costume Party. This is a great opportunity to bring a friend to youth group. There will be apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, and crazy fun games. Hope to see all of you there!

Don't forget to raise money for Crop Walk!

In Christ,

Paul

October 12

Thanks for checking the blog! Well, this Sunday was a lot of fun. We made beards with shaving cream and saw how many Cheerios we could stick to them. Andy Bell was our big winner with 65. It was pretty fantastic.
It was great to have a praise and worship time led by Travis. It really set the tone for the night. Our lesson was on Peter and concluded our series "The Big Struggle." This lesson was on the struggle to forgive. We examined the gospel of John Chapter 21. Peter has returned to fishing after all of his experiences with Christ. Is this the Rock that Jesus said that he was going to build His church on? Jesus reinstates Peter, but Peter still has to forgive himself and become the man that Jesus has called him to be...when he said, "Follow me!" A great lesson for all of us.

October 26
Youth Party and Costume Contest

November 2
Crop Walk
For More Info: http://www.cwscrop.org/texas/crop/

Have a great week! See you on Sunday.

Sunday Night

If you missed youth group tonight, you missed some real action. Caleb is the all-time four square champion of the world. As king, he reigned for fifteen serves! Tonight we talked about what it means to follow Christ, and not just hidden in the darkness, but during the day as well. We are to live a life so that others can see the work of God inside of us. I can't wait until next week!

Welcome!

What up, youth!



Xtreme Disciples now has their own blog! This will be the place where you can go to get all of the up-to-date information on youth activities. It is also a place that you can share your comments and we can remain connected during the week. We can post our pictures from youth group meetings and discuss topics from the previous Sunday. Are you as excited as I am? This is your place to hang out!



I wanted remind you guys of some activities coming up for the youth group.



November 2



Crop Walk: This is a great opportunity to help those who are less fortunate that us....Don't forget to start asking your Pep's for donations. We will be walking right after church on November 2. Remember that our goal is to reach $1000 smackeroos! So let's do what we can to raise as many smackeroos as possible.





Also....



We need a date for the Yard Sale. We have all of the stuff, we just need a date and time that everyone can be there. So sound off in the comment section. Remember...we get to keep all of the proceeds. We can do whatever we want with the money for the youth room... or a party...or whatever you want.





Tonight we finished Lesson 5 in THE BIG STRUGGLE. We discussed how Nicodemus went to Jesus during the night? Nicodemus struggled to understand these new concepts about who God is and what he was doing through Jesus. This week ask God to help you open your mind up to whatever He wants to teach you.


I thank God for each one of you. Thank you for your commitment to this group and to following Christ.

Let me know how we can improve this blog. Send me a comment!


In Christ,


Paul