UTurn

"I Am"

We're starting a new series this coming Sunday, Feb 8th, on Sunday Nights. (5-7pm in the youth center) The "I Am" video series is a combination of Biblical studies and discussions around a series of talks by David Nasser. There are also segments of video by the David Crowder Band and Chris Tomlin which are used to enhance the teaching elements. This series will help us to understand what it mean to get to know God and to answer the question: Who is God? Who is "I Am?"

The Topics for the 4-week series are:
Feb 8 - Looking for God
Feb 15 - Break for Coffeehouse Concert with Gatlin Elms
Feb 22 - When Bad Things Happen
March 1 - Identity
March 8 - Question of Faith

Don't Waste Your Life

We just started a new series on Sunday nights last night called "Don't Waste Your Life." It was the number one choice on our last survey for things to study. Anyway, it's based on a book by John Piper called surprisingly, "Don't Waste Your Life." If you're interested you can download the book for free here: Don't Waste Your Life. You can also check out their website @ www.dontwasteyourlife.com or even order a t-shirt here: T-Shirts 

Anyway, it's gonna be a great series. We'll talk about what it means to "waste" your life, but also how we can live the "unwasted" life.

Last night we discussed an old saying found on a plaque:

"Only one life,
'Twill soon be past.
Only what's done
for Christ will last."

Do something for Christ today. Do it right now. Each moment of each day. This is the "unwasted" life.

Image of God

Here's my first attempt at making a video like the Nooma videos that Rob Bell does. The idea and concepts are things I learned from Paul Shockley at the College for Biblical Studies. While in his class, I wrote a journal article saying that I'd be making this video. The article has a bit more explanation about the content, if you're interested.

Looking Foolish

OK guys here's some extra info/links for you regarding tonight's lesson. Take time to write a comment on this blog about whether you're enjoying this whole new "chat" format or not. Does it help you stay connected to the material or is it just distracting? Would your mind wander more without it or does it make your mind wander? How 'bout the Chase the Lion stuff - you liking it? This is the last week. What do you want to do next? By the way - follow the link and buy yourself a "chase the lion" t-shirt if you want. (PS - that's why the guy wears the same shirt in all the videos.)

Scripture:

Beniah

Zacchaeus

Extra stuff:

New Chat Room Link

Chase the Lion videos and sermons downloads

In a Pit with a Lion book on Amazon

Mark Batterson's Blog

Chase the Lion T-Shirts

Quotes:

"When the storm began to sound, I lost no time in pushing out into the woods to enjoy it. For on such occasions nature always has something rare to show us and the danger to life and limb is hardly greater than one would experience crouching deprocatingly beneath a roof."  - John Muir

  "It is a standing rebuke against becoming a mere spectator to life preferring creature comfort to creator confrontation." - Eugene Peterson talking about John Muir hanging on to the top of that tree.

Not only was Zacchaeus willing to look foolish, but so was Jesus. He ate with a tax collector.

I think God is looking for "tree-climbers." People who are willing to do whatever it takes to experience God. Climb trees, crash parties, people who yell out for him like the blind beggar, people who cut holes in ceilings, who jump out of boats, and people who will follow stars.

Faith is a willingness to look foolish.

If you're not willing to look foolish, you ARE foolish.

I wonder if one act of foolishness might be the only thing separating us from our dreams?

The worst thing happened that could ever happen to a fighter - You got civilized! (from "Rocky")

"To live outside of God's will puts us in danger, to live in it makes us dangerous." Erwin McManus

You Tube Videos:

Looking Foolish

Weird Al - Dare to Be Stupid

Chat Room Suggestions:

Pretend you're in school and type the "notes" you'd take if it were a class.

Answer the question, "When is a time that you looked foolish? Tell everyone about it.

Type any personal responses you'd have to God about these teachings.

Type your prayers for other people in the group or for Steve while he is speaking.

Listen closely and type any good quotes you hear Steve say in his talk.

Listen for God's voice and type any thoughts He shows you in these teachings.

Polls:

Looking Foolish #1

Would you climb a tree in the middle of a forest during a storm just to experience nature?

Yeah, that sounds fun!
No way - I'd be too scared.
No - I wouldn't want to get wet or cold.
I might if I was in the mood.

View Results

Looking Foolish #2

How often do you try things that would make you look foolish if you failed?

Every day.
Maybe once a week.
Like once a month.
Never.
Never. I always know what I'm doing and could never look foolish.

View Results

Looking Foolish #3

As an adult, which are you most likely to do?

Climb a tree
Crash a party
Yell for someone to help you
Cut a hole in a roof to see someone in a house
Jump out of a boat
Follow a star
Chase a lion

View Results

Looking Foolish #4

When was the last time you looked foolish?

Earlier today
Yesterday
Last week
Last month
Sometime this past year
I don't know

View Results

Looking Foolish #5

Will you differently because of these teachings?

Absolutely, I will live boldly for God!
Probably.
Maybe.
No probably not.
No way. I don't believe any of this junk.
I want to, but don't know if I can believe it enough to live differently.

View Results

Looking Foolish #6

Is this whole laptop thing helpful?

Yeah - I learn better this way cause it's interactive.
Yeah - It's pretty cool.
No - it just distracts me from listening.
I think it might work better if we keep trying.

View Results

Taking Risks

OK guys here's some extra info/links for you regarding tonights lesson.

Extra stuff:

New Chat Room Link

Risk Quiz (Find out how much of a risk taker you really are.)

Chase the Lion videos and sermons downloads

Steve's blog about risk

In a Pit with a Lion book on Amazon

Mark Batterson's Blog

Quotes:

"Small acts of courage change history. Small risks make a difference."

"Do you have a savings mindset or an investment mindset?"

"No guts, No glory!!!"

"The more you're willing to risk, the more God can use you, and if you're willing to risk everything, there is nothing God cannot do in and through you."

You Tube Videos

interview video

did god create us as risk takers? video

stupid risk video

Chat Room Suggestions:

Pretend you're in school and type the "notes" you'd take if it were a class.

Answer the question, "What's the biggest risk you've ever taken for God?" Tell everyone about it.

Take the Risk-Taker quiz and tell everyone the results.

Type any personal responses you'd have to God about these teachings. What talents are you burying? How could you use them for God's glory?

Type your prayers for other people in the group or for Steve while he is speaking.

Listen closely and type any good quotes you hear Steve say in his talk.

Listen for God's voice and type any thoughts He shows you in these teachings.