005

Narnia : Prince Caspian

A couple of us went and saw this movie over the holiday weekend. I thought it was well made. Finding the Kingdom aspects from this movie was a little harder to catch than The Lion, Witch and Wardrobe; that movie was a very clear view of the Gospel. In this second movie, there were some great scenes of having faith even when you can't see with your own eyes. Also, during the majority of the movie, Peter tries to battle on his own strength. It isn't until the end that he relies on the strength of Aslan. A great reminder of how we need to rely on the strength of Jesus, not our own...."I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:13)

004

This past Sunday we read about the encounter Jesus had with the two thieves on the cross. One man ridiculed Jesus, the other asked to be remembered by Jesus. The response Jesus gave to the second mas was, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:35-43)

The truth is that even though this thief had only moments of his life left when he turned to Jesus, he had just as much grace extended to him as we do. This is the beauty of grace. We don’t earn God’s love or our salvation. Someone who has served Jesus as a missionary in Africa for 50 years is given the same grace and salvation as the thief on the cross who knew Jesus for a few moments. Clearly life spent following Jesus is better than a life spent running from him. Yet, we don’t get any more or less of His love based on what we do. God already loves us to the fullest.

How does that reality make you feel?

003

Surrender

During youth group meeting tonight, we talked about how Jesus surrendered ALL for us and He calls us to live a life of surrender to Him. So we took some time to write down things that we are struggling to surrender to God's control and prayed for help to let them go so that we could accept what God wants to offer to us. It was a powerful time.

How have you been doing with your specific surrendering items?

002

Clinton Junior High Overnight Rally
May 2-3

Emily Perce and I (Kristel) joined a group from Milford for this event. We had a great time. The topic of the weekend was about praying without ceasing. We were challenged to have a correct view of God when we pray to Him, to be honest and vulernable during our prayer time and to pray at all times.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As I read these verses, I realize that Paul is writing about a lifestyle of joy, of prayer and of giving thanks. These things don't just happen during Sunday or before we eat; these things happen because it becomes a lifestyle for us. A lifestyle that is lived through Jesus.

Don't let the Gnome get away!

001

There is so much pressure about what to write down for the first post....I can't hardly stand it!

Question of the Week:
Would you rather watch your favorite movie of all time seven times in a row or a really horrible movie only once? (what would the favorite movie be?)