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Feb 27, 2007
Hey you people of faith,did you come to the retreat with us? did you have a good time? did God stir in your heart? did you hear his still, small voice? yes, God speaks in a whisper. many think that he moves with loud, angry words, and mighty judgement! yeah, but he most often speaks to you like this...The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then
a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the
rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind
there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:11-13 God's Spirit speaks to us quietly, urging us to follow and believe. Listening is important, but it should be followed by action.Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 Quiet is a neccessary part of the equation. Listen for God's word in your life... and then do what it says.tomr
Posted at 06:20 am by jtownyouth
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Feb 6, 2007
umm... i guess i will write about dreams and the supernatural. i like that word. super natural. like something normal but it has amazing strength. like the paper towels i use. they can wipe up libby's throw-up, clean the make-up off my cheeks, and still absorb 2 bricks and a donut. wow! that's some towel.
what else is super natural? mmm... hows about regular natural. like walking. it's super, but not given the credit it deserves. walking upright is a pretty good trick i learned when i was like 1.0562 years old. i think (my memory is a little shaky that far back)(like 14 yrs ago)(or so). we get pretty used to walking and even though every one you knew back then was clapping and jumping up and down to see you walk, it has since grown commonplace. big whoop! anyone can do that.
guess what? it is a big whoop. you could just tip over ya know. you gots yer balance thingy in your ear, your five little toesers keeping you from wobblin', gravity suckin you to the floor (no suck comments pls), yer chewin' gum (applies to the most coordinated among you), one foot is floppin' down in front of the other (with hardly ever a drag/trip, the kind of step where you don't lift your foot high enough and you almost trip yourself), and your just acting like it takes no effort at all. don't you remember how we clapped and celebrated your first steps? it's amazing. you've stepped many amazing steps so far.
why should super and natural go together? cause natural is not super? uh uh. natural is super, but we get over it. remember that girl you liked who made you swoon cause all the blood rushed outa your head and you tipped over. she is so last year. but not really. you just got used to her being so amazing, beautiful, smart, _____, etc. you should swoon and fall on your nose right now. clunk!
we get used to every super natural thing that happens to us, cause we are human (equals easily distracted, entertained, confused and forgetful). natural things that happened to you and me... poof! we're born (you squishy, wrinkly little skin sack of cuteness), you grow to amazing big person size (just like stretching in your skin sack, but no tearing and your face turned out really nice you cute big ole skin sack), you learned amazing calculations(abc, 123, hot/cold, talk/walk, learned myspace layout codes, the list goes on), but that is all so last years blog. i'm bored... blah blah blah.
get over bored (that made me think of MAN OVERBOARD!!!). get back to laughing and clapping and cheering cause your friend just took her first steps (today). WooHoo! that was awesome!!! cause we like her and want to encourage her to remember her super natural self. truly a miracle of God's creativity.But how can a mortal be righteous before God? Though one wished to dispute with him, he could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble. He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars.
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'
If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.
Job 9:3-12, 33-35
tomr
Posted at 09:18 am by jtownyouth
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Jan 25, 2007
YELLOW BLUE ORANGE
BLACK RED GREEN
PURPLE YELLOW RED
ORANGE GREEN BLACK
BLUE RED PURPLE
GREEN BLUE ORANGE Look at the chart above and say the COLOR of the word, not the word itself. Why is it so difficult?
Because the right half of your brain is trying to say the color, while the left side of your brain is trying to say the word.
Left Brain
Logical
Sequential
Rational
Analytical
Objective
Looks at parts | Right Brain
Random
Intuitive
Holistic
Synthesizing
Subjective
Looks at wholes | I am asking the right (just, holy) side of your brain to not get left (lost, missed) out of our youth retreat this Feb. 23-25.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:6-8 Sign up for the Charge! Retreat!
tomr
Posted at 10:29 am by jtownyouth
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Jan 24, 2007
Many of our friends were sad and questioning and filled with grief this weekend. We lost two teens to a car crash. I didn't know Charles Bates and Katie Eckert, but understand their friend's and family's feeling of loss. This type of loss, the death of a friend, happens to just about everybody.
I have three friends who died very young. Brandon was 16, Shelly was 19, Jimmy was 26. All died tragically, unexpectantly, when they had so much to live for. God's timing in not within our grasp. He gave us life, love, friendships, but they pass away.
After losing his entire family to a freak wind storm Job reacted like this:
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:20-22 It is easy to question God. We want to understand his reasons. Sometimes we want to tell him he was wrong. Job new better. He knew that God blesses us and takes away from us without our permission. His wisdom is greater than our own.
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8 God does have a secret wisdom. His is beyond what we can comprehend. Scientists spend a lifetime studying the things God has created. There is no end in sight of things to discover.
Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Isaiah 40:13 Nobody can instruct God. We can only trust him.
For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:19-21 God will give all things to those who patiently wait and trust. He gives and takes away. Blessed be his name.
tomr
Posted at 05:22 am by jtownyouth
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Jan 18, 2007
the begin red pink yellow green blue violet brown aqua gray foresty icey navy purple orange light green dark red kinda bluegray the end
Why post all these different colors? 'cause God made 'em to use. He likes variety.Genesis 1:11
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. He likes various yous and mes to the point of love.
John 15:12-14
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
That's the far end of the like spectrum. Rainbow me!||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||Genesis 9:13-15
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
tomr
Posted at 07:25 am by jtownyouth
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Jan 16, 2007
holy cannoli! It's hard to keep up wit all da stuff I should. I would like to post interesting comments to draw you near to God. It's all I can do to keep myself walking in the right direction. Please keep going.
We had a coffeehouse with Alysia Sufrin and Tony Reichert Sunday, we have a retreat coming up, and a few of us went to White Castle for slyders and fries during the break. What?!? yeah, I know... what was I thinking?
We all enjoy the life God has given us. Let's do it together. But remember that we can't fall in love with this life...John 12:24-26
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Proverbs 21:21
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Ecclesiastes 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Sad, happy, loved, lonely, we all need to watch out for each other, work together, and take a break to smell the slyders once in a while. See ya soon! God bless!
tomr
Posted at 06:50 am by jtownyouth
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Jan 2, 2007
Hey, were you there for our new year party at laserdome? It was pretty fun with a lot of games, a few prizes, some laughter and tears, a midnight countdown, sparkling cider, and a couple vans full of teens. I hope that all will enjoy a spiritually fruitful new year. It is sure to be loaded with excitement and challenges.
I challenge you to stay connected and involved in our youth group. See... the 1st challenge of the new year. It's only day 2. Huh!
Psalm 90:
10 The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of your anger?
For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
12 Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
I am well on my way to that 80 year goal, but you are just beginning. Make it a good beginning and keep it going to the end. Let's go.
tomr
Posted at 11:49 am by jtownyouth
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Dec 29, 2006
three strands don't break easy
Hey, I am here trying to write another entry to our grand blog-o-riffic blogdrive! I feel sorta lonely. I am not getting many views or comments. There was a man all alone... from Ecclesiastes 4....
8 There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
"For whom am I toiling," he asked,
"and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?"
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Advancement Is Meaningless
13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor. 16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
I see that many things are meaningless, but it is always good to go through things with friends. A friend can pick you up.
We will be picking up friends for our new year run to laserdome this sunday night. We will be picking up more friends to do service projects including Ronald McDonald House in Hershey. End of January is the projected project date. Come to one and all things we do! later
tomr
Posted at 08:52 am by jtownyouth
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Dec 9, 2006
The battle between good and evil... (ominous music please--da da da). Who would win in that fight. The meaner, ruthless, most frightening opponent? Nah. Love wins. Good wins. Just like you hoped and dreamed. Can you believe it?
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Fear is part of the hate side. The tough guys belong to the love side. No fear. Struggling on to the end. That is love. It doesn't falter. It never fails. Evil only fails. It can't win. Think about it. Pray about it. Believe it... it's true.
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Posted at 05:30 pm by jtownyouth
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Dec 7, 2006
Hey, we went to the Lebanon food bank last night to help. We did this... look at can or box label, find the expiration date for the food... right down the number of the year it expires... (ie. 2007-we wrote a # 7, 2008- we wrote a # 8). Then we put the numbered cans on tables to sort by year and then by type of food. There was noodles and soup and tuna and peas and koolaid and count chocula and rice and stuffing and more stuff. We sorted a lot. Then we boxed it all to take to the store shelves. Then they will give it to people who have an emergency need for food.
The Rich Young Man
Mark 10:17-31
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"
"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
So, we are supposed to take care of the poor... but first take care to follow the Lord. Most important grasshopper!
Posted at 05:50 pm by jtownyouth
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