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Heaven and Hell - The Truth

Mark Driscoll has very strong words on Heaven and Hell, but his words very clear and rightly said!  It may not be "sexy" theology, but it is what God's Word says...right from Jesus' mouth.  "Sexy" theology may pack the church on earth, but it will, one day, pack the place called Hell.  It is time we speak the TRUTH in love and not let LOVE be the only truth about God that we speak!

In the words of the Christian Rapper Lecrae (Real Talk): "I got the truth! Not what I deem to be the truth, but the truth...so be it!"

 

12 going on 30

This is a story that will change your life...or at least your perspective on life!

At 12 years old, Alyssia Crook made a tough decision about her future; but not before she lived out her dream of playing basketball.  Thanks to her middle school coach; Alyssia, who had been the team's scorekeeper all year, finally had a chance to play for a team.  After playing and eventually scoring a goal; Alyssia, confident of a vision and left with little choice, decided her to have left leg amputated.

But for a young, middle school girl; she has the right perspective on life:

"Tell kids no matter if you are different, whatever person you are, God made you and you're beautiful in every way," Crook told MLive.com.

Check out her story in an article from Rivals: Prep Rally here.

 

One7 Project

"To have nothing but live as though you have everything!" - That quote descibes the kids at One7 Ministries

One7 is an urban ministry in Charlotte using biblical teaching and sports/arts as a way to love on kids.  It is located in The Park Apartments on Eastway Blvd.  To say the least, Eastway Blvd is not the safest part of town.  Some of these kids live without heat and rarely have a warm meal.  But to meet the students of One7...you'd never know it!

Our small group has "adopted" One7 as one of our outreach projects for infinity and beyond...to quote Erin's favorite movie.  We go at least once a month to spent time at the Thursday night One7 Live worship time and provide a warm meal for 130+ kids (2 or 3 times for a few of them until the food runs out, but the sweetest thing is when a kid asks for a plate to take home to their momma).

This past Thursday, One7 baptized two guys who have "grown up" in the One7 group.  These two guys have overcome significant holdbacks/odds to make their way into college (the first in their families).  Such an epic story/testimony of how God has a plan for each persons life!

To learn more about One7: click here

Here are a few pics from this past Thursday:

 
 
 
 

 

 

50 Sayings to Make Your Kid Feel Great

Janel Breitenstein
 

1. I’m proud of you. And even if you weren’t so fantastic, I’d still be proud.
2. I believe you.
3. The way you _____ is such a perfect addition for our family. God knew just what we needed when He gave us you.
4. I know you and I haven’t been seeing eye-to-eye lately. But I want to let you know that I accept you whether I agree with you or not, and I’m committed to working on our relationship so we both feel understood and secure.
5. I can’t believe how _____ you are. I can’t imagine the plans God has for you!
6. You know, you may not feel very _____, but God knew exactly what He was doing when He made you the way He did, and it was just how He wanted to express Himself. I love you just the way He made you. And I wouldn’t have wanted Him to do it any differently.
7. No matter how royally you mess up, I’ll always be glad you’re mine, I’ll forgive you, and I’ll love your socks off.
8. I saw how you _____. I’m so proud of you.
9. I forgive you. And I won’t bring this up again, okay?
10. I want to hang out with just you tonight. What do you want to do?
11. I remember when I _____. I felt so _____. I don’t know if that’s like what you’re going through, but it was a tough time for me.
12. I’m sorry. Will you please forgive me for _____?
13. I got you this, just because.
14. Lately I’ve really seen you grow in the area of _____, like when you _____.
15. Yes, there is food in the house.
16. I admire the way you _______. In fact, I could learn a lot from you in that area.
17. That was a really wise choice.
18. No chores today.
19. I trust you.
20. You’re really growing into a young man/woman of character. I can’t tell you how exciting that is!
21. Go ahead and sleep in tomorrow.
22. I had no idea you could do that! You impress me.
23. What do you think?
24. I canceled your appointment with the dentist.
25. I love your dad/mom so much! He/she is so _____.
26. I love being around you.
27. I’m so glad you’re home.
28. Thank you!
29. I love doing _____ with you.
30. You are one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. I am so humbled God gave me you.
31. I feel so proud when I’m with you.
32. You handled that so well.
33. I made your favorite _____.
34. I’m trusting that God will take perfect care of us. He’s always done it before! Can we pray together about this?
35. With God’s help, your dad/mom and I will never, ever get a divorce.
36. That looks great on you.
37. If I were in your shoes, I would feel so _____. Is that how you feel?
38. Would you turn your music up?
39. You are so well-disciplined in _____.
40. I sent you a big ol’ care package in the mail.
41. That was so courageous.
42. Do you feel like I’m understanding you?
43. If there were one thing you could change about me as your mom/dad, what would it be?
44. You have some real gifts in the area of _____.
45. Let’s go to Grandma’s!
46. It is so cool to watch you grow up.
47. Just wanted to let you know I’m praying for you.
48. I miss you, but I’m glad you’re having a good time!
49. You make me so happy just by being you.
50. I love you so much.

This article originally appeared on MomLife Today, FamilyLife's blog for moms at all stages of life and motherhood.  Click here to check out MomLife Today, and click here to read more posts by Janel.

The Real Prosperity Gospel

Maybe the prosperity gospel is right!?

I mean...doesn't God say in His word that He will prosper the work of our hands?

God promises to make us prosperous!  But...not in the sense of just the "health and wealth" He could give you! Though, He does "own the cattle on a thousand hills"...which is Old Testament talk for "A WHOLE STINKING LOT!" - Psalm 50:10  

Prospering has more to do with what we are able to accomplish for God than what God gives us!  God calls us to live as children and allow Him to be the parent (our Father).  The opposite of living  as children is living as disowned (can't write the real word...lol) children who are a "menace to society"!  But as the parent God promises that we will prosper and never fail when we follow Him! And as children we are called to respect and honor Him with our wholehearted love for Him! We never have to question His love for us, but we must daily question our love for Him.

What would you do (for God) if you knew you would prosper and never fail?

God has promised you will never fail (and will prosper) when you follow Him...so what's keeping you from attempting it?

Love Week Update

The goal of 25,000 hours served for Love Week seemed like a great, stretching goal.  But as of late Sunday night, over 33,000 hours were served for Love Week!  That is incredible!!!  Love seeing the church be the church of the Bible!  Now we go from "showing the love" for one week...to it becoming a weekly, daily, hourly, minute by minute lifestyle!

Love Week 2011

Love Week 2011 kicked off last Friday with 25 churches in Charlotte coming together to serve our city!  We are pushing for a goal of 25,000 hours served during the week, in all, to demostrate God's love to the city of Charlotte.  As of Wednesday night, we have served over 18,000 hours.

Erin and I served a few hours this week at Hope Haven with our few members of our small group.  We painted, cleaned, and put together Ikea furniture for their new "family room." (Don't ask me the english translation of the Swedish word Ikea!!! Someone in our group even said, "Ikea furniture makes you lose your religion!")  It was cool when the people of Hope Haven (clients and staff) came out to cheer and show their appreciation of us coming.  But honestly, even if they didn't thank us; it would have been just as fulfilling showing some "LOVE" to Hope Haven!

Here is a pic of our group showing the LOVE: