Peer Pressure

Last night we began a new series called "Peer Pressure."  During the time I've been in ministry, I've noticed that peer pressure doesn't always have to be negative.  Positive or negative, students are agents of influence; therefor, students CAN have a positive influence on those around them.  This is what we are encouraging our students to be.

One of the coolest things about this series is that it is a series of messages by students for students.  That's right, students are bringing the Word!  Last night, Tanner Thornton spoke about being light.  He used an illustration by Christine Caine which simply stated that light is only effective in darkness.  We as followers of Christ must seek darkness and shine the light of Christ.

I'm appreciative of Tanner's obedience to God in the proclamation of His Word.  I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks as two more students bring the Word.

It only takes one to change the world...imagine if we decided to be more than one!

Great info

Here's a website I believe would be helpful for anyone in understanding this millennial generation.  They have some GREAT info graphics to help us all understand them a little better.

Follow the link and enjoy the read.

http://www.youthministrymedia.ca/social-media/another-facebook-infographic/

Making New Habits

Jen and I were wondering how to make things a little more hectic for us...so we decided to move.  Well, that was a decision make a long time ago, but we were finally able to make the "permanent" move this weekend.  And yep, it was hectic.  This move was just across town, from a home that Wallace has generously provided for us, to one that we can call ours, but that doesn't make it any less hectic.

One of my least favorite parts about moving is having to make new habits.  Yesterday, as I was reaching for the door to the fridge (big shocker, I know), and the handle isn't where it used to be.  The spoons are in a different drawer.  My unmentionables are somewhere I can't mention, because I don't know where to look.  A new house brings new habits, but we make those new habits in order for life to be a little easier.

On Wednesday nights we've been discussing with the students the importance of developing spiritual habits.  Why?  Spiritual habits can help make life easier.  We've spent a lifetime developing habits that help us serve ourselves, but now we must break those habits in order to form new ones to help advance God's kingdom.

Maybe the best way to make that happen is to MOVE!

JM

HABITS

For the past two weeks we've covered a couple of topics we feel are extremely important for students desiring to grow in their relationship with Christ.  Let me point out that it should be a desire in a believers life to want to grow...to not want to grow would indicate a few things that should concern you (just call me and I'll be happy to walk you through that thought process.

Week 1: Hang Out with God!  It is important for the believer to spend time with God.  If you're in a relationship with a significant other, I'm guessing you want to spend as much time with person as possible.  If you don't, your relationship will diminish.  It's not any different with your relationship with God.  If you want to understand Him and His love for us, then you are going to have to spend time with Him.

•      Make it a Priority
•      Commit to it (.34% of your day)
•      Correspond with Him

Week 2: Accountability 1:12...Find yourself an accountabilibuddy!  It's important for you to know you are not in this alone.  Find yourself someone you trust enough to be completely honest with to help you in this journey.

• Our challenge is for you to find 1 person and spend at least 12 minutes with them a week discussing your relationship with God.  

2 down 4 to go...HABITS

JM

What's on your iPod?

I just want to throw out some alternatives to what you may be listening to that would help you keep a PUREmindset...

Rap
Trip Lee
Lecrae
Tadashii
Flame
Pro
116 Clique

Worship
Hillsong
Hillsong United
Jesus Culture
David Crowder
Aaron Ivey
Gungor

Other
Mat Kearney
Mutemath
Mae
Needtobreathe
The Classic Crime
Leeland
JJ Heller

This should get you started!

JM

Message Series

PUREworship
PURErelationships
PUREmindset
PUREsexually


This week we find ourselves at the end of our PURE series.  We'll be looking at what it means for a believer to be PURE sexually and why we must strive to be so.  This weeks topic does lend it self to be a little more graphic than normal; however, I would rather doubleU students hear it from me rather than their friends and their teachers.  Like normal, parents are welcome to join us and continue the conversation with their student[s].

JM

A 2 month overview +...

The 2 Month Outlook…

January 4-5: Ski Trip

January 11: The UUell at Down UnderUTK We will leave from the church by 6pm (I will need adult help so please let me know if you are available).  I hope we have a lot of visitors for this event.

January 13-15: MERGE

     13 – meet at the church at 6pm for dinner, we will then get Wallace ready for worship.  Worship will not begin until around 9:30 or so 

     14 – Service Project; we will meet at church at 11:30 and head to the warehouse.  We will have dinner and worship at Wallace.

     15 – Making Malorie will be leading worship during "Big Church"

January 18: The UUell resumes: PURE (4 weeks) – a look a life in it's purest form. 

January 22: Midnite and Engage begin.

January 26-28: Conclave in Chattanooga – Student Leadership Training

January 29: LEAD Team lunch

February 1: 1st Wednesday – Parents are invited to worship alongside their students

February 4: CONNECT Leadership Breakfast/Training in the UUell (9AM-12PM) - We will be starting a training session named Square One as we study together how to engage students in todays culture.  We hope to make this a quarterly event and breakfast.

February 5: SuperBowl Parties with CONNECT groups.  I thought this would be a great way for students to invite friends and for you get to know their friends in a non threatening environment. You can have it where ever you would like, just let me know so I can try and drop by as many as possible!  Student are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks.

February 15: The UUell – HABITS (6 weeks) - The formation of spiritual habits in the life of a believer.

February 26: Mission/Ministry Fair in the Atrium.  We will need to have a booth set up.

Sign Ups To Begin Soon:

High School Mission Trip – Montana, June 30-July 6: My goal this year to reach the students of Laurel, MT.  We will work on the 4th of July float as well as get the area ready for The Awakening (a student worship event which will prayerfully awaken students to love God more and reach the lost).

Middle School Mission Trip – Townsend, TN, July 30 – Aug 3 – We will be camping out in Townsend and we will be involved in Camp Ground Ministry which will include Back Yard Bible Clubs and Family Evening Programs.