Daily Encounter: Ring the Bells for Thursday, December 24, 2009

Happy/Merry Christmas Eve

I really liked this devotional and thought I'd share it with you guys. Wishing you a Merry Christmas. May the God of Christmas light your path and fill your day with JOY and WONDER!

Daily Encounter: Ring the Bells for Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas

Sitting in my office having a cup of coffee, thinking about Christmas, wondering why I'm not in the Christmas spirit.

I think I am struggling with trying to overcome the world's idea of what the Christmas spirit is all about. Lauren and I have fought hard not to give in to the consumer mentality this season. This is easier said than done when you are bombarded with the idea that to be in the spirit you have to shop, shop, shop.

So, I'm taking a brief pause to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and regain the proper focus.

Mine and Lauren's prayer for you this Christmas is that you experience the Christ that makes this holiday so special.

Merry Christmas!

Ice Skating and Caroling

We will be going Ice Skating on Tuesday, December 22. Meet at Gum Branch at 10:30 or at Big Lots at 10:45. The Cost is $7 for the skating and you will need money for lunch at the mall. Please see Mrs. Janine for more information and permission slips.

We will also be going caroling on Wednesday the 23rd leaving the Branch at 6:30. Contact Mrs. Janine for more information.

Christmas...

Do you ever feel like saying "Bah Hum Bug" during the Christmas season? This obsession with not saying Merry Christmas and substituting Happy Holidays is driving me nuts. Without Christ there would be no Christmas, His birth is what this holiday is all about.

I find it funny that people oposed to Christmas say Happy Holidays willingly without even realizing the Happy Holidays comes from Happy Holy Days. Hmmm, just want to ask "confused much..."

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! May the God of Creation and Salvation come next to you and reveal His truth this Christmas Season.

Christmas Celebration

What a fun night...Lots of Cuban food, fellowship and fun! The white elephant exchange was a blast, thanks guys for making it so much fun!

Food Drive

Thanks to all our students who organized the food drive for the Manna House and thank you Church family for your generosity.  We were able to help our community have a better Thanksgiving.

Randomness

Wow it has been a crazy couple of weeks. Where to begin...finished "Crazy Love", finished "Chase the Goose", started "Be Intolerant...because some things are just stupid", had a movie night, had a fundraiser, registered for International World Changers...just to name a few things.

The coolest thing about all the busyness is that God was and is doing some pretty cool stuff!

Gum Branch Youth are the best!

Chase the Goose - Assumptions

Awesome Bible Study last night.  Breaking free from the cage of assumptions.  Is your problem too big for God?  Then stop looking at God through your problem and look at your problem through God.  God created the universe and our problems are only a speck to Him, yet He cares enough to be there to help us.

Be encouraged, lift the ceiling off God and allow Him to work

Crazy Week

Wow this has been a crazy week...

Sunday - what can I say...Church, Church and more Church...Really enjoyed Pastor David's sermon Sunday morning. It challenged my heart and walk. Prayer service was awesome, really felt God show up. Then our Childrens' Choir presented "Down By the Creek Bank" great job Mrs. Dixie and kids. That was a great ending to a great weekend.

Monday - Chase the Goose study. We had 23 people here to Chase the Goose and break free from the cage of the routine.

Tuesday - Crazy Love chapter 7. Awesome afternoon with 16 of our students, discussing "your best life...later." "The thing that matter most is how we use what we have been given, not how much we make or do compared to someone else."

---Congrats to Ally Burrill - Battalion Commander of the Bradwell Institute JROTC - Thanks for the invite to the commissioning ceremony.

Wednesday - UPRISING - starting a series on the Book of Daniel

It may be a crazy week, yet I am enjoying every minute of it with some amazing students!

Savannah Trip 9/19/09

What a fun afternoon. We had 35 students join us for our tour through downtown Savannah. Our stops included Chippewa Square, Wayne-Gordon House(Juliette Gordon-Lowe's birthplace), Colonial Park Cemetery, Oglethorpe Square, 17 Hundred 90, Kehoe House, Leopolds Ice Cream, Marshall House, Lucas Theater, The Pink House, and First African Baptist Church.


We shared a lot of history, laughs and fun. I really enjoyed giving this group a haunted/historical tour. I have not laughed that much in a long time...fun times with fun people.

Chase the Goose

Wow what a night....the study "Chase the Goose got off to a great start.  There were 25 people in attendance.  I am really looking forward to what God is going to do as we chase after Him and break free of our cages.

Crazy Love.

Crazy love…Lukewarm…what a powerful study. Thanks for everybody’s thoughts. This study will rock everything you believe. Can’t wait for your thoughts on Serving leftovers to a Holy God.

Jesus Freak

I am a Jesus freak who loves to look on the Brightside.
I wonder why God loves me.
I hear music constantly playing in my head.
I see angels smiling and singing.
I want happiness to never end.
I am a Jess freak who loves to look on the Brightside.
 --MSR

Are you a Jesus freak?

Up Coming Trips

Hey Guys, don't forget about all the upcoming stuff.  As a reminder, here you go.

September 19-Explore Savannah (Haunted History plus lots of food) Leave at 3pm all you need is food money and comfortable shoes.

Stay tuned for more monthly stuff...Now for the major trips...

Ski Trip Beckley, WV - December 27-30, cost $239. Worship with BLDG 429 and Duffy Robbins.  See Mrs. Jackie to sign up.
 -
World Changers International - Braila, Romania - We still have spots available, come talk to me to sign up.

World Changers Chattanooga, TN - July 12-17, 2010.  Sign up now to reserve your spot.

Tuesday Afternoon Book Club and Coffee

The Tuesday afternoon Book Club and Coffee is off to a great start! In case you missed it we are meeting on Tuesdays at Uncommon Grounds.

Currently we are talking about "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan.  Even if you can't make it on Tuesdays this book is definitely worth the read.  If you can't find a copy, let me know and I'll help you out.

Next week we will be discussing chapter 4, “Profile of the Lukewarm”. Don’t forget to read the chapter and review the video before we meet.

We currently have a big group, but there is always room for more. We would love to hear your thoughts. See you there and remember your money…Drew doesn’t give espresso out for free…

Ice Cream Social

The ice cream social this past weekend was a success!  Thanks to all of you for your hard work, it was fun and tasty too!  What a great start to our World Changers fundraising efforts.

BBQ & Ball 8/22

Looking forward to a great afternoon with the Gum Branch Students!  In case you have forgotten BBQ & Ball is at 4pm come hungry and ready to play.