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.