Morris Chapel Youth

Define Honor

2012-02-07T13:17:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! This week we'll be taking a look into the 5th commandment, which says to Honor your father and mother. I figured a good place to start was to look at the the commandment in as many possible translations as possible. After looking at every single English translation of Exodus 20:12, i found that they all had at least one word in common- "Honor." The rest of the words shuffle around, but "Honor" is in every single translation. So let's take a look at this word "honor", eh? According to dictionary.com, honor as a verb means...

verb (used with object)
13. to hold in honor or high respect; revere: to honor one's parents.
14. to treat with honor.
15. to confer honor or distinction upon: The university honored him with its leadership award.
16. to worship (the Supreme Being).
17. to show a courteous regard for: to honor an invitation.

So which of these definitions of Honor do you think God has in mind when we talk about "Honoring" our parents? Think it over.

I'm in an old school music mood today - so the song of the day comes from back in the day. If you went to winterjam you'll appreciate.

Youth Rewind - Want Want Want

2012-02-06T09:40:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, hope you enjoyed the superbowl commercials AND the look on Bill Bilichick's face immediately after the game. Last night we dove into the commandments, do not steal and do not covet. Both basically deal with the same issue...deciding that you want more than you have and that what you have is not enough. This was our first attempt at a live recording and the audio is quite weak. Next week we'll run the audio out of the sound board so it's easier to hear. This coming week we'll be talking about Jesus has to say about relationships with your parents. Be blessed,

mochapyouth on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Take Chances, Make Mistakes, Get Messy!

2012-02-02T14:41:00.002-05:00

Good afternoon all. This morning at breakfast we sat by the warmth of the fire and discussed chapter 3 of "Dangerous Wonder." This week's chapter was about the idea of reckless abandon and what it means. Yaconelli defines the idea of reckless abandon as a total and unconditional surrender of self to something bigger than yourself. So what have you ever done recklessly and without holding anything back? We look at the word reckless and it almost has a negative connotation. But in this chapter Yaconelli asks a tough question. Do we ever approach our spiritual life with reckless abandon? Do we love recklessly? Do we serve recklessly? Often, we are so stinking careful about everything that we never put ourselves out there. This week I dare you to put yourself out there. Get Reckless. Make a mistake. Be way wrong and admit it. Fall on your face. It's so much better than sitting on the sidelines. Yaconelli's question as to whether or not we're too afraid to make mistakes took me back to 3rd grade, where Ms. Frizzle ALWAYS told us it's better to make mistakes and get messy. (See video Below- probably waaay before your time) See everyone tomorrow night at Ladies' night!

Your Age is Your Advantage

2012-02-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

This week we'll be taking a look at the 8th and 10th commandments about stealing and coveting, but tonight, with "Ladies Night" coming up on Friday...I thought it would be a perfect time to visit a scripture that always rang true with me and still rings true today. That scripture is 1 Timothy 4:12 which bascially says, "Don't let your age be a negative thing. As the young people of the church, you have a unique opportunity to prove yourselves and be the fuel that makes the church go." Friday night is one of those excellent opportunities in which we get a lot of cross-generational interaction. Use it as an opportunity to show what dedicated followers of Jesus the young people of this church are. Here's the video for tonight's devo....

In ths video, big brother gets shown up by little brother. He assumes that his younger counterpart can't do any real damage and that he'll flail and get very little money. Little bro suprises big bro...I immediately thought of the 1 Timothy scripture when I saw this one. Sometimes the young people can step up and prove themselves!

Youth Rewind

2012-01-30T07:30:00.000-05:00

Good morning all! What a night we had last night here at MoChapYouth! We were lucky enough to have Josh Robertson here to lead worship and the beautiful voices of both Georgia Walker and Adam Heath singing backup. We further explored in small groups the effects that our relationships have on the kingdom of God. Next week we will have a video of worship and message, but for this week, a pic will have to do. Have a great week!

If you missed last night...

2012-01-26T11:02:00.000-05:00

Hey guys, if you couldn't make last night's youth meeting, here's the video from devotion. You'll notice that it coincides with yesterday's blog about monkeys...

So we had a gracious volunteer come on stage (Will Dake), and put his hand in a box. The hole was just large enough for him to get his hand in and grab the ball inside...but not remove his hand while holding the ball. Will served as our monkey for the night. What's the point? Until we decide to let go of what we'e holding, we are prisoners. Until we decide to let go of our anger, our hurt, our attitudes, we walk around with a coconut (or box) on our arm weighing us down.

This week we continue our journey through God's most important commandments, and this Sunday we'll talk about "Do not murder." Of course this is a command that most of us are pretty comfortable with..except that Jesus tells us that when we hang onto anger or seek revenge, it is as equally insulting to him as if we murdered. So we'll look at how this Old Testament command relates to the new testament teaching. For today, munch on this scripture from Leviticus.

Leviticus 19:18
The Message (MSG)
18 "Don't seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people.

"Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

Love you guys, hope your Thursday is one to remember.

are you smarter than a monkey?

2012-01-25T15:16:00.000-05:00

I have a wish. I wish that there was a tangible way that you could tell which Christians are walking around full of bitterness, grudges, and anger. I wish there was a way that you could easily see those things that we carry around. We would look so dumb.

Allow me to explain. In some areas of the world, it's a big industry to sell monkeys as pets. Want to know the easiest way to catch a monkey? Take a coconut and cut a hole just big enough for a monkey to put their hand in, then put a pebble in the coconut. When the monkey shakes the coconut, he will find it irresistible to put their hand in and get whatever is inside. BUT, when he tries to pull the pebble out, he cannot do it because hanging onto the pebble makes his hand a fist, which won't fit through the hole. Monkeys are stubborn, so they'll walk around with a stinkin coconut attached to their arm rather than let go. That makes them quite easy to capture.

And then there's us. We walk around clinging to our grudges, our anger, our bitterness toward one another. We refuse to let it go. Letting it go would force us to admit we're wrong or forgive someone we don't like. Neither is easy for us to do...seeing as we're every bit as stubborn as a monkey. So i wish everyone with a grudge had to walk around with a coconut on their arm. When we hold onto grudges as Christians, we SHOULD feel ridiculous. Jesus tells us that we shouldnt even bother coming to the alter without forgiving others and letting go of our anger. I DARE myself and you to drop your coconut this week. You know what it will take.

Youth Rewind

2012-01-23T11:38:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday all! Well, would be happier if we were on the slopes...but we'll make due. Last night we looked at God's command that we not lie. We asked the question, how might your life look different if you were physically unable to lie? See, to hypothetically take something completely out of our lives and then see how different life would be gives us a pretty good idea of how much it effects us. The average person lies 4 times per day (6 for men, 2 for women) - thats 28 lies per week, 112 lies per month, and 1,334 lies per year. That adds up to 100,800 lies over the course of an average lifespan. This raises some more questions. Why do we lie so much? What damage do we do when we lie? Where do you draw the line between a lie being okay and not okay? An interesting example of God being pleased about a lie is in Exodus. Pharoh has ordered the midwives to kill all Hebrew babies during childbirth. The midwives feared God, and lied to the Pharoh, telling him that the Hebrew women gave birth too fast, and that they were too late. The next verse in scripture says that God was pleased with the midwives. So what do you think? Below are some of last night's small group questions to ponder over a second time, or if you couldn't make it last night, for the first time. Praying for you all and love you all! Be blessed,

p.s. check out the pic of our newest veterinarians Cole, Chastan, and Bryan on the photos page

View the video in yesterday's blog first

1.) If you were physically unable to tella lie, how would your day be different?

a. Yesterday?

b. Today?

2.) In the movie, the reason the maincharacter can’t lie is his son’s birthday wish. He has broken so many promises that he has broken his son’s trust. Has a lie ever hurt you before?

a. Have you ever hurt someone with alie?

3.) Have you ever been caught in a lie?

a. What did it feel like?

b. Ever caught someone else in a lie?

4.) What’s the most damage you’ve everseen a lie do?

5.) Is it ever okay to lie?

a. If so, when?

i. Whyis it okay?

ii. Whyis it not okay?

iii. Wheredo we draw the line?

6.) Why do YOU THINK this commandment is in the Bible?

The pen is Re Re Re Re....RRRRROOOYAL BLUE!

2012-01-22T06:52:00.000-05:00

Ah, Jim Carey. So, in this clip, our character is physically unable to lie. As a background, he has let his son down over and over with broken promises, and for his birthday wish, his son wishes that for one day his dad couldn't tell a lie...which is quite a challenge, seeing as his dad is a lawyer, and a pretty despicable one at that. So it begs the question, how might your days be different if you physically could not lie? How about yesterday? Today? What if it was every day? Is lying ever okay? Drop by the youth cave tonight between 5:00 and 7:00 and talk it over. See you tonight!

Ski Trip Update

2012-01-21T12:52:00.001-05:00

Ski Trip Update: Forecast is 50 degree and rainy on Monday, if forecast does not DRASTICALLY improve, we'll postpne until FEBRUARY 20th. Look for offical annoucement tommorrow afternoon via text, email, on MoChapYouth FB Pgae, Twitter, and Blog.

Can You Find a Feather?

2012-01-18T11:54:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 13:3
The Message (MSG)

3 Careful words make for a careful life;
careless talk may ruin everything.

Once there was a foolish woman in a small village, who spread some gossip about another woman in the village. Before long the foolish woman began to feel remorse about what she had done so she went to the wise man of the village to ask him what she could do to make things right. The wise man listened carefully to her story, thought for a moment, and then told her to go to the market and buy a chicken. On the way home from the market she was to pluck that chicken letting the feathers fall along the path. The next day she was to come back and see the wise man again.

The foolish woman did as the wise man suggested. She bought a chicken and plucked it on the way home. When she came to him the next day she told him that she had done what he asked her to do. The wise man said to her, "Now, I want you to go home today by the same road you took yesterday, and pick up every single feather you dropped along the path." The woman was distraught, and protested that there was absolutely no way she could find and pick up all those feathers. The wind would have surely blown them everywhere!

The wise man quietly responded, "You are correct...and you see, just as you can never retrieve all those feathers, there is no way you can ever restore the reputation of the woman whom you harmed with your words."

Tonight - Commandment 2

2012-01-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Good morning and happy Wednesday everyone! Tonight at youth midweek we have an exciting night! We'll continue looking into the 2nd commandment, "Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God." Dinner is served tonight at 5:30 courtesy of Mrs. Jan Curling! After dinner those interested in being a part of the youth worship service will be meeting to discuss and begin working on the musical component of the worship. Check back later tonight for video of tonight's dinnertime devo. See you all between 2:00 and 6:30!

2nd command

2012-01-09T08:27:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Exodus 20: 7

⁷ “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

This week we'll be taking a look at the 2nd of the Ten Commandments, do not misuse the name of the Lord. There are the obvious instances that we think of, such as the OMG's and countless other pointless phrases that for some reason flippantly throw around God's name. Then there is the idea of misrepresenting God. How often do we claim Christ's name and completely mis-represent him? Today, give this passage a read, try it in different translations, different languages if you want, and come to some conclusions about what you believe about this sentence. All of the commands we're given are big deal type stuff, so what exactly is it that God is warning us against here?

New Crowder Out Tommorrow - give it a listen

Slowing Down - Commandment 1

2012-01-08T05:00:00.000-05:00

Good morning and happy sabbath! A few notes to mention this morning...first, be sure the check out the special events section of the youth website for important sign-up details for the Ski Trip, Winter Jam, and Acquire the Fire. Also, if you're planning on going on a summer mission trip this year, your contracts are due on January 18th. This is the CUT OFF. Anyone who fails to have a contract in by this date will have to wait until 2013. The website is fully up to date - so check those events and get signed up!

As for our daily/weekly readings. Our church is going to be doing something interesting in 2012 in that we will begin a sermon series that will last 33 weeks. The series is called "The Story" and is a chronological study of the Bible, very similar to what we're doing with guided tour. So, in the spirit of simplicity, we're going to take our time on the Ten Commandments and allow the congregation to catch up to our guided tour. The Ten Commandments deserve plenty of our time anyway and this will allow our entire church to be studying the Bible together. So, over the next several weeks, we'll be taking an in-depth look at the Ten Commandments. Tonight at youth, we'll start with the first commandment, that we "Shall not worship any other Gods." So today's reading is Exodus 20: 1-3. See you all in a few hours!

stepping DOWN to a mountaintop

2012-01-04T12:34:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Exodus 19: 17-25

Today's reading is a very simple one in which God calls to people of Israel out of their camp to meet with God. It says that he descended to mount Sanai. How cool is that? God is big and great enough to DESCEND onto a mountain. Something that takes a massive amount of effort for us humans is the low point for God. A lot of this story leading up to now feels a lot like God flexing his muscles. And why not? Why not make sure everyone knows who he is and what he's capable of? After that God warned everyone except Moses and Aaron to stay off the mountain, or they will die. So basically Moses and Aaron say, BRB...wait here. What an interesting scene that must have been.

Song of the Day

Get gussied up...

2012-01-03T12:27:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Exodus 19: 9-16

So in this reading, right after the people of Israel tell God that they will do anything God says, I feel like God is saying, "Okay, we'll see." God gives instructions to wash their clothes and basically ready themselves for God to come down for a little consultation time. On the day he tells them to prepare for him, he announces his arrival with thunder, smoke, and lightning...and they wet themselves. It says that they shook in fear. God is getting ready to bring Moses up on the mountain to give him a list of commands. Let me ask you this, if you knew God was coming to see you personally, how would you prepare yourself? Would you do anything to your physical appearance, your social circles, your spiritual life? In what way would you prepare for God coming to visit?

Gung-ho!

2012-01-02T12:21:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Exodus 19:1-8

In today's reading, the Jews have been led out of Egypt and now God is telling Moses to remind them of all they have seen and been delivered from. He says I could pick out anyone on Earth to favor, and you're my chosen people, so just do what I ask, and everything will be roses. The people answer back, "We'll do anything God asks of us." I think this is an interesting passage because it reminds me of how gung-ho and willing we tend to be right after we see God move in an awesome way. Maybe after a retreat, a mission trip, after some huge spiritual win. We'll see how their attitude might change when things aren't so fresh in their minds.

Song of the Day: "Drive All Night" By Needtobreate

Mercy or destruction?

2011-12-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 19: 23-29

Today's passage is short. Once Lot reaches where he's going, Zoar, the cities of the plain, Sodom & Gomorrah are destroyed. It says that lava from heaven rained down on the two cities, and that they were wiped from the face of the earth. The passage makes a point to say that God was mindful of Abraham and Lot. This story one that seems on the surface to be about wrath, destruction, and anger, but that's not how God speaks to me when I look at this. I look at this story and I see that God visits the earth in disguise, I see that our prayers to God matter and that he is truly listening, I see that God is merciful and does not desire that the righteous should suffer. The more important question is: What do you see?

Don't look back

2011-12-10T10:59:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 19: 12-22

So now God's not happy. He's visited the city, and had the men of the city try to break down Lot's door to "have their way." So now Lot is warned to get his family and anyone he likes out of town, because the place is going up in smoke soon. Lot's family don't believe him, and Lot takes too long to get his family out, so God sweeps him up and takes him out of town, and tells them to head for the mountains. Lot asks if he can settle in a nearby city instead and God agrees. They are told to run from the wickedness and not even look back.

Met God lately?

2011-12-09T05:03:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading: Genesis 19: 1-11

Yep, now it's gotten weird. The two visitors (God) who have come to check out Sodom show up and are no doubt impressed at first. The first guy they meet is Lot, who invites them to come and stay at his house. At first they said no, that they're fine sleeping in the street. Lot insists, and the men come to stay in Lot's house. So far so good. Before long, the men of the city notice that Lot has visitors in his house, and they come and try to knock down the door to "Have their way" with the visitors." Uh-oh. Lot even offers up his daughters to the men instead, which blows my mind. To lot, these visitors are his guest, and nothing could be worse than a guest staying in his house having something this wretched happen to them. The visitors step in and pull Lot back inside, lock the door, and blind the men outside. It seems the rumors about Sodom are true.

So, going back to yesterday's last point...I have to wonder how often God does this sort of thing. How often does God visit a place to get a close look at it? And I wonder if how he is treated has an effect on the fate of that city, school, place, church, whatever it may be? Something to certainly think about. How many times have i perhaps shook the hand of God...or in the same way, how many times have I brushed past God and not said a word? Have a day where you think about people in this way.

Song of the Day: "What if God Was One of Us?" Joan Osborne

Wait, can we negotiate with God?

2011-12-08T09:42:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading: Genesis 18: 23-33

Hey all, great breakfast with the Sr High crew this morning...great to have video chat with Our Favorite Tarheel. Today's reading is a fairly bizarre negotionation between Abraham and God, who has come in the form of these "Visitors" to go and check out Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham little by little gets God to commit to not destroying the city if he find X amount of righteous people. First fifty, then Forty, then thirty, eventually down to ten. So this passage really gets my brain working in a couple of ways. First, our prayers matter. All this conversation is in Abraham speaking directly to God...prayer. He is interceding on behalf of the people in Sodom who don't deserve to be destroyed...and God listens. Maybe more than any other place in scripture...this is a picture of what our prayers mean to God. So, what I pray about and how I pray matters. This is not to say that God grants all of our requests with a yes...but it certainly speaks to the idea that God does listen and how we pray to God matters.

The next thing we'll get into as this story evolves...but think on this for a second: How often does God come to visit a place to check it out? I have to wonder how many times God has been a visitor and been just totally blown off. Is God visiting our churches, our cities, our schools, our cliques, up close and personal? Song of the day is in honor of our Thursday morning tradition - old school Newsboys.

Song of the Day: "Breakfast" by the Newsboys

Standing in God's way?

2011-12-07T11:42:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 18: 16-22

So this reading actually intertwines with last week's. Remember the visitors that came and visited with Abraham last week? The ones that told Abraham that he and Sarah would have a child? Remember that those visitors were angels of God. We find out in this passage that they were on their way to Sodom & Gomorrah to see if the cries of their victims were really as bad as they seemed. These angels were going to find out if the cities needed to be destroyed. In this passage, it says that Abraham stood in the way of God, objecting to the possibility that good people might be destroyed along with the wicked. Have you ever felt like God wasn't being fair? Ever questioned how a loving God can do something or allow something to happen? Abraham, God's chosen servant, sure did.

Song of the Day: "Stand in the Rain" by Superchick

Rough neighborhood...

2011-12-06T11:15:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 13: 10-18

Yesterday Lot and Abraham decided that they would part ways because the land couldn't support both of their possessions. Abraham gave Lot first dibs, and Lot chose the plain of the Jordan, a beautiful, fertile looking land. So Lot put up his tent near Sodom. Bad choice. Today's reading tells us that Sodom was an evil place filled with evil people.

So have you ever made the wrong call, either by accident or on purpose? Chose the wrong crowd? The wrong place to hang out on a weekend, the wrong anything?

Song of the Day: "Superfly" By The OC Supertones

This town's not big enough for the both of us...

2011-12-05T10:59:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 13:1-9

Happy Monday readers! Today we pick back up with Abraham and Lot traveling throughout the land...and they're both filthy rich. So much so that the land actually can't support all of their livestock. Their servants and shepherds actually start fighting with each other. To avoid seeing any more of this, they decide that each of them are too big to be in one place together, so they have a pretty seemingly civil split. So a thought to ponder today...at what times is it a good and appreciate thing to split up? What kind of splits do we see today? We see split families, split churches, split friendships, even split friendships. But all those are typically ugly and messy. This split between Abraham and Lot feels very civil and smart. Are there times that it's good to split up? Instead of a song of the day, check out this video from our weekend festivities. Have a great week!

"Don't Tell Your Mother"

2011-12-04T09:17:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 22:1-19

So yesterday we find out how protective of Isaac Sarah is...so after today's reading, can you imagine how much she would have flipped out if Abraham had gone though with it? I have to wonder if he told her where he was going...I don't think so. So today's question is a simple one...What are you holding back from God? How would your life look different if you were radically sold out to whatever God asked? What's your Isaac?

Song of the Day: "Whatever You're Doing" by Sanctus Real

sibling rivalry

2011-12-03T09:10:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genessis 21:1-21

So in today's reading...Isaac has arrived. Isaac is the long awaited child promised by God. And now, Ishmael, the son that Abraham had with Hagar, is caught making fun of Isaac. Can you imagine how protective of Isaac Sarah is? He's her miracle son...the one she's been waiting for her whole life. So this Ishmael making fun of Isaac business will not stand. Sarah sends Hagar and Ishmael on their way. As you can imagine, this causes great turmoil in the house...seeing as it's Abraham's son. But through it all, God stays with Hagar and Ishamel. So, do any of you have sibling rivalry? Have any step brothers or sisters? These kind of conflicts are as old as time. Maybe you're the neglected step-child. Remember how God takes care of Ishmael. He loves him no less than Isaac...the promised son.

Song of the Day: "God Save the Foolish Kings" by House of Heroes

busted!

2011-12-02T14:47:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 18:1-15

A lot of Abraham's story centers around this single subject...God promises Abraham and Sarah will have a son. In this chapter, three visitors, which were likely some kind of angel or messenger from God, came to by Abraham's place. He insists on letting them stay for a while and making them a meal. Abraham has a servant go and get a calf and prepare a meal. Imagine how long it took to prepare this meal... Anyway, one of the visitors asks where Sarah is while they ate under a tree. He says that they they will come back a year later and Sarah will be with child. Sarah overhears this and laughs...at which point God asks Abraham why she laughed at a promise he had made. God says "I am the Lord, is anything too much for me to handle?" We have a common theme here... nothing is too much, too little, to bothersome, too easy for God to handle. Everything is God's.

"Christmas This Year" by Tobymac

The Man Formerly known as Abram...

2011-12-01T14:32:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 17:1-19

So in today's reading, and aging Abram comes before God once again, and God tells him, "Trust me, I still have big plans for you." This is a fresh start of sorts, so much so that God tells Abram and Sarai that they will not be known as Abraham and Sarah. Abraham still makes a suggestion to God..."Hey since Sarah and I are so old, just let Ishmael inherit everything." We always have our suggestions for God, right? How often do we tell God what the plan is and ask him to bless it rather than asking what the plan is?

Song of the Day: "Carol of the Kings" Tobymac

Baby Mama

2011-11-30T13:12:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 16:1-16

So today's reading is a kind of odd passage. I suppose that when God told Abraham that he would have offspring outnumbering the stars, he figured that maybe God meant with his wife's servant. Or maybe his wife came to that conclusion...or maybe a little of both. Anyway, Sarai tells Abraham to sleep with her servant so that her servant could essentially serve as a Surrogate mother. Not so surprisingly, this leads to some tension between Sarai and her servant Hagar. Hagar runs away...and is met by God. He essentially tells her... "Look, this is not an ideal situation, but I am God, and I can handle it." So a life that begins out of sorrow and anger, God tells Hagar, "I've got a plan for this baby you're going to have." Maybe today is a day to say a prayer for those with an unexpected pregnancy. God has a plan for every baby.

Today's Song is unrelated...but an awesome new Christmas tune

"The First Noel" by Tobymac & Owl City

Don't lose faith

2011-11-29T13:06:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 15:1-6

Today we skip ahead a bit from yesterday, and Abraham has done as God asked. He's left behind what he knows and has gone out in pursuit of a place that God has told him about. Now Abraham is starting to have his doubts. He asks God what will the use of it all be if he has no son to pass everything onto? God tells Abraham, who is getting old, that not only will he have an Heir to his estate, but that if he goes outside and looks up, he will see millions of stars, and that his descendants will outnumber them. So when is a time you've gone along with something you weren't sure about, and sort of God lost along the way? Was there a moment when God pointed you back in the right direction?

Song of the Day: "Fireflies" by Owl City

Up and Move

2011-11-28T13:02:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 12:1-8

This week we'll be taking a look at Abraham and his story. The story begins with a bang in today's reading - God tells Abraham, leave behind everything you know and go to a land I'm telling you about that you can't even see or know exists. Ever been asked to go out on a limb like this? Ever had to move and meet new people?

Song of the Day: "Broken Heat" by Falling Up

The Hangover

2011-11-27T12:53:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 9: 12-29

Well, so much for the righteous ones. Noah is the one man who God thought was righteous enough to not be swept away by the water and God picked him out of everyone to lead human kind into a new world that would not be so wicked. And then Noah builds an altar to God, God established a covenant with the world. Then Noah, the righteous one, builds a vineyard, drinks to much, and passes out drunk and naked in his tent. This story very much parallels last week's look at the fall of man. This is a pretty good picture of how we as the human race tend to always manage to fall short of the glory of God. So have you ever had an awesome mountaintop, close to God type experience, only to follow it up by totally messing everything up?

Mulligan!

2011-11-26T12:47:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 8: 20- 9:11

So the water has receded, the animals are off the boat, and the family is all alive. The first thing Noah does is build an altar to the Lord. God gives his covenant that he will never again destroy creation with water again. God instructs Noah's family to spread out over the earth and inhabit again. What gets me the most about today's reading is that this whole flood broke God's heart. He did not enjoy wiping out the earth, it hurt the very heart of God...so much so that he promised to never do it again.

Stretch the legs!

2011-11-25T12:41:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 8: 6-19

Today's reading is for those who maybe the Thanksgiving holiday is getting a bit tiresome. Everyone loves their families...but what if we had to spend 150 days cooped up on a boat with them??? Noah, the animals, and his family are finally able to disembark the boat and walk on a brand new earth. I wonder what it felt like to have that kind of a fresh start.

Song of the Day: "Starting Over" by Audio Adrenaline

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T12:37:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 7: 17 - 8:5

Happy Thanksgiving all, today's reading is a familiar one...Noah goes for a boat ride. The waters flood the earth for 150 days. Enjoy your families!

Song of the Day: "Flood" by Jars of Clay

So what if it hadn't rained?

2011-11-23T12:29:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 7:1-16

So in today's reading, Noah's boat is done...who knows how many years after he started. Now God tells him to board a ship with all of the animals and his entire family and wait for a week. Interestingly enough, this comes right before Thanksgiving for us...a time in which many of us spend a lot of time with our families. I hope he got along with his inlaws! So, in light of today's reading, have you ever felt like God was telling you to just wait? I have to wonder if Noah was tempted to say..."well, let's wait and see if this rain actually comes before we get on the boat." Today's song of the day goes waaaaay back.

Song of the Day: "Lovely Day" by Out of Eden

A bit of a leap...

2011-11-22T12:22:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 6: 14-22

So yesterday we found out that God was not at all pleased with what was going on in the world. He has decided to destroy all of creation and start over, with Noah and his family. In today's reading, God is giving moses specifics on how big to make this boat...and without modern tools mind you. 450 feet is 150 yards...a football field and a half. So, just your own guesses...how long do you think it took him? Would you actually take on a task like this even though there's no hard evidence that a flood is actually coming?

Song of the Day: Best Kept Secret By Skillet

what's worse?

2011-11-21T19:41:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 6: 1-13

Well we already covered Cain & Abel a couple months back, so we are moving on to Genesis 6...which is actually pretty good transition seeing as we go from humans who had everything they needed and managed to screw it up to a part of history where Genesis tells us that God is so fed up with the human race that he's ready to wipe them out. But then there was Noah...a diamond in the rough. We'll hear more about him tommorrow, but a question just for fun...what earth do you think was more wicked...the one that God wiped out or the one we live in now. You can answer with a comment, or just think about it on your own.

Song of the Day: "For Those Who Wait" - Fireflight

Why do you run? Why do you hide?

2011-11-20T14:21:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 3:22-24

Posting before heading into the last big room session here in ATL...have heard a lot and have plenty to think about. Today's reading is the last of this week's look at The Fall. Today is when God banishes mankind from the garden. So based on what we know...that God provides our every need....that we can hardly ever choose to be content with what God has given us...that we are often deceived into thinking we need more than what God has to offer us...and that even when caught, we tend to blame someone else for our actions. Were the humans in this story even thrown out of the garden, or did they choose to leave? From what I know about God's influence and presence in my own life...I tend to think that in this story the humans' "banishment" from the garden feels a lot more like they left by choice. Just like God never desires hell for anyone, God never desired for the humans in this story to leave him, to leave the garden, and to be separated from him.

What steps do you take every day that take you further and further away from the garden? Give this song a listen...

"Run": By Kutless

Eyes Rolling...from inside a manmade whale

2011-11-19T08:55:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 3: 20-21

Greetings from Atlanta! I'm sitting inside the Marriot Marquis lounge, which resembles the inside of a giant whale. Too bad today's reading isn't about Jonah!

Really enjoying the NYWC thus far...have spent a lot of quality time in the Sacred Space Chapel this morning and getting ready to hear Dr. Epstein speak about his book, Teen 2.0 - really looking forward to that.

Anyway, to today's reading. Incredibly short and simple, especially in comparison with yesterday's huge events. Yesterday, the humans are busted, try to blame someone else for their sin, and as a result have separated themselves from God. Try to keep the symbolism in perspective here because it's so important. Now, after all the hurt and harm...it says something very simple in verse 21...God made clothes for them.

What a beautiful picture of unconditional love! They have TOTALLY screwed everything up, and yet in the aftermath of it all, it says that God gave them clothing. To me, this passage states a lot in a few words. Yes, we as human beings kind of suck. BUT, no matter how much we may suck...God desires our hearts. God pursues us relentlessly. We have it made, mess that up, and yet God still is willing to provide for our silly needs. I feel like somewhere in there God rolled his eyes before he gave them clothes. I would have. So what kind of Clothes has God made for you lately? Have an awesome Saturday! I'll see if I can upload a picture of this whale's belly looking atrium.

These guys brought the music last night, and they were awesome. Give a listen!

City Harmonic - Manifesto

An Ugly Breakup

2011-11-18T10:05:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 3: 14-19

So today's post may make me car sick...posting on the way to Atlanta for youth workers convention. Today's reading is where God starts handing out punishments. First, Satan - you will always be of the lowest, slithering type. You and people will forever do battle. As for Adam and Eve, its easy to focus on the birth pains or the working the soil. And it almost sounds Myth-ish because of the way this part finds a way to explain birth pains and working the soil. But think in these terms...the people go from having it made to be ejected from paradise. They are seperated from God - where there was no pain or hardship, now there is. Rather than focusing on the details of this story's punishment, think of the overall separation from God that we create. So today, think on this question...How do you separate yourself from God? I'll post updates as often as possible from ATL. Reid and Alli, give Pisgah a hug for me. Prayers for those heading to C2SX today!

Passing the Buck

2011-11-17T10:54:00.001-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 3: 8-13

What's a beautiful story of human tendency! Let's see, we have people who have been given everything they could ever need, but then are deceived into thinking that it's not enough. Now they're busted. I always think when I read this: "Did they for real think that God - creator of heaven and Earth wasn't going to notice?" Think on that for just a hot minute...how many things do we say, do, and think about that we assume God doesn't see. Scary thought right?

Anyway, they're caught and of course the first thing they do is hide...like God won't find them. Then, and this is maybe my favorite part - both of them try to blame someone else. The man blames his wife, and his wife blames the snake! So today, think about this...What have you been deceived into believing you need when God has already provided all that you NEED...and also - in what ways do you totally blame something or someone else for your actions, attitudes, or even thoughts? Today's song of the day is in honor of the weather...stomp in a puddle today!

Let it Rain - Michael W Smith

Deceived

2011-11-16T06:30:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading: Genesis 3:1-7

So today we find out how our friends responded to paradise with one rule. Probably what you would have done too. The symbolism here is important again. We as people have a nearly impossible time of being happy with our current situation. We always need to know and see more. What God gives us is rarely enough for us, even though by all logic it should be way more than enough. Adam and Eve were deceived by a snake representing Satan, that convinced them they needed more than they had and that God had not actually provided for their needs. How have you been recently deceived?

Song of the Day: Better is One Day, Kutless

All Alone in Sandals Resort

2011-11-15T06:30:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading: Genesis 2: 15-17

Only three verses this week. Could it get any simpler for Adam and Eve? Enjoy the whole garden...just avoid this one tree. And what was probably the very first thing Adam and Eve went to find? We'll find out tommorrow. But just for today's reading's sake - put yourself in the following situation:

You and your friends have been placed at an all inclusive resort. You have all the food, entertainment, and resources you could ever want. But the only stipulation is this: There is one hut in the middle of the resort that you have to stay out of. I can't tell you why, but if you go in that one hut you'll die. What do you and your friends do?

Song of the Day:

We Need Each Other - Sanctus Real

Paradise

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading: Genesis 2: 8-14

Welcome back to the real world. Ironic though isn't it? The day after we get back from the retreat, our reading is describing the original paradise of Eden. The picture painted in this verse is important because we need to realize the symbolism in play here. God has given Adam and Eve everything they need to be happy. We'll see how they handle it. Today's song of the day is behind pictures from the weekend retreat, appropriately named "Paradise." Don't forgot to be still this week.

Off to be still!

2011-11-11T04:30:00.000-05:00

Today and Yesterday's Readings - Gensis 1:20-31

Has to combine these two posts as it's been a very busy 48 hours! Fall retreat is just about ready to roll. We have just finished the portion where God has formed everything on earth, and the humans are the grand finale. No details in this part, just simply that God created us to be like him. God formed us to commune with him. As we pack up and head out this morning, I pray that students and parents alike will be in prayer about how the youth can discover and examine what God had and has in mind as he continues to form them each and eery day. Check back for updates and perhaps a photo or two from Lake Lure!

Dark into light

2011-11-09T01:36:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 1:14-19

A simple day in creation...it was dark, God made light. So today we'll keep it very simple...where has God shown light into your darkness? What in your life might find itself in the dark and need light? Do we ever try to keep those areas as dark as possible? Retreat in 2 days!

not done yet

2011-11-08T06:41:00.001-05:00

So in the very first post on this blog, we got into creation and I asked the same question I want you to ponder today: What do you take away from this story of creation? Is it a direct vision from God given to Moses? Is it a collection of stories passed down through generations? The gap between the Earth's formation and Moses' time was likely thousands of years...so these specific stories about what was created on what day, what do you make of that? This bothered me for years and years until one day a conversation I had with a respected pastor led me to this conclusion: Who cares what was actually made on what day, how much time it actually took, or even when it took place. The creation story has one main idea...that God created it. All we see, all we don't see. God took Chaos and made order. God took dark and made light. In many ways I believe creation continues still today both in our ever changing earth, and hopefully in our ever changing souls.

Lighthouse, By Audio Adrenaline

Turn on the lights

2011-11-07T06:32:00.000-05:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 1:1-5

We briefly hit the creation story a few weeks back when this blog launched, but we're going to be on it this week in a little more detail. Creation will be the main focus of our fall retreat this weekend and Sunday School this week. Today's reading is a very short one, and a very seemingly simple one. In the message version, it simply says that God hovered over a nothingness, a blackness resembling a bottomless pit, and decided it wasn't enough. In other translations, it says that basically what we now know as earth was nothing but Chaos. The God turns the lights on. :)

This week, as we venture through the creation story together, make sure you're taking opportunities to stop and breathe and observe what's around you. Today's song is one that usually plays in my head as I walk through creation. Thinking about how huge and intricate God' designs are make me tremble.

The Big Ending

2011-11-06T14:03:00.000-05:00

Genesis 45:18 Genesis 50: 15-21

In today's reading,, we get to where Jospeh just can't keep his identity hidden any longer. He identifies himself to his brothers and then go back and tell Jacob that he's alive. Jacob sends back word to Joseph that he should forgive his brothers for all of the trouble they have caused him. How tough would that be? years of slavery and prison...all forgiven. Could you do it? If you're coming to youth tonight, check out this video...it might be of help.

God's timing - "Out of My Hands"

2011-11-03T15:04:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 41:1-16

So last time, we read about how Joseph interpreted a dream for Pharoh's cup bearer and asked him to remember him when he got out of jail. Cup Bearer gets out...and forgets all about Jospeh. So it goes, right Jospeh? So he hangs out in jail for TWO MORE YEARS. Pharoh has a couple of funky dreams, wakes up disturbed, and the cup bearer remembers Jospeh TWO YEARS LATE. Better late than never I guess. They send for Jospeh, clean him up nicely and put him before the Pharoh.

So has there ever been something you thought would happen quick, and God's timetable was waaaay different than yours? Consider this: is God's concept of time at all like ours? Does God even really notice time? Thoughts to munch on. So, if there's anything you're waiting for...remember, it could be worse...you could be in Egyptian prison for a crime you didn't commit, then think you were going to get out on good behavior but they forgot all about your good behavior.

This Song's close to the heart when it comes to God's timing vs. our timing.

Give it a listen.

Are Dreams Not From God? - part 2

2011-11-02T09:36:00.001-04:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 40: 9-15

In today's reading we get cupbearer's dream. It sounds like a lot of weird dreams i've had and never thought anything about. Everything in the dream is somehow symbolic, and Joseph interprets the dream for him and lets him know that it means within three days he will be lifted up and released from prison - and restored to his old position. Joseph's one condition in interpreting this dream is that the cupbearer remember him and put in a good word with the Pharoh, because he's in prison unjustly.

Poor Joseph just wants out of jail. It's pretty easy to think, man, nothing is going right for him. But consider this angle...even in awful circumstances, God has put him in charge of the prison. Every step of the way so far, God has been with him. Sometimes we think about how annoying or bad our situations are...but maybe we can learn from Joseph that there is a best case scenario in every scenario. We can always make the absolute best out of where we end up in life.

Song of the Day: "Restored" by Jeremy Camp

Are dreams not from God?

2011-11-01T16:40:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 40: 1-8

So we left off when Joseph was thrown into jail for hitting on his master's wife...which he didn't do. Now he's in jail, where God is with him, and the jailor has put him in charge of all the prisoners. Pharoh is crossed by two of his closest staff and are thrown into jail, where Jospeh is seeing to their needs because he runs the place. One morning, Jospeh notices they're both looking bothered and asks what's going on. Turns out they both had trippy dreams and don't know what they meant. So Jospeh asks them "Are dreams not from God? Tell me the dreams."

This is something we could think about. A lot of times dreams are affected by our subconscious or what our brain was last focused on...sometimes even what noises are happening around us as we sleep. But if we truely believe that our God knows every hair on our head and that he created us all individually, shouldn't we take something like dreams seriously? What's a dream you've had lately that could have been from God?

Song of the Day: "Breathe You In" By Thousand Foot Krutch

Desperate Housewives...Egyptian Style - Part 2

2011-10-31T08:54:00.004-04:00

Today's Reading Genesis 39: 11-20

Good morning and happy halloween! Today's reading continues yesterdays little scandal with Jospeh and master's wife. Joseph shows up for work one day and there is no one else in the house...there's no gentle way to put it - his master's wife jumps jospeh. He flees because he did not want to dishonor his master and in the process he leaves his cloak in her hand. Probably because she was feeling rejected, embarrassed, and angry, she makes up a story about Jospeh trying to seduce her. Joseph is thrown into jail...but suprise, suprise - God is still with him. He becomes BFF's with the jailor and ends up running the prison.

So have you ever had something bad happen to you that you in no way deserved? Jospeh is on a roll on that front. God gives his visions and he's sold into slavery. He serves his master honorably and ends up in prison. At least he always makes the best of it! See everyone tonight at Trunk/Treat!\

Song of the Day: "Oh Happiness" By David Crowder Band

Desperate Housewives...Egypt Style

2011-10-30T12:01:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 39:1-10

Today's reading is a touch scandelous, huh? Joseph has been sold into slavery and end up with one on Pharoh's officials. He lives in his Master's house and scripture tells us that God was with him and that everything went well. Jospeh's Master's life even improved because he had Joseph in the household. Scripture tells us that Joseph's Master recognized God was with him...and basically took advantage of that. Turns out his master's wife has taken a liking to him as you'll read...but no matter how much she pesters, Joseph sticks to his wits and refuses to sleep with his master's wife. Tommorrow this story gets even more interesting...

No youth tonight guys, enjoy the cool weather and your fall break with your families. For those heading up to Hanging Rock...be careful and see God someplace! If you missed today's 9:00 service...Steve used the video below in his sermon...very cool - check it out!

Sold Out Part 2

2011-10-29T05:00:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 37: 28-36

Good morning! Today's reading is the second half of Jospeph being sold by his brothers. They sell him to a caravan of Egyptians for twenty pieces of silver, who then eventually sell him to one of Pharoh's officials, who runs the pharoh's household. This will be important later. Remember, Reuben was the one that convinced his brothers to leave him in a cistern instead of killing him, and was going to come back later and get him. But when Reueben came back, Jospeh was not there, because he was sold into slavery. The brothers cover it up by putting blood on Jospeh's coat and telling their dad that a wild animal killed him. Jacob is devastated. So have you ever been part of a plot by association...and it went WAAAY furthor than you thought. Welcome to Reuben's world.

Song for the Day: "Souled Out" by Lecrae

sold out...(free stuff!)

2011-10-28T12:08:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 37: 18-27

Good morning faithful readers...today's reading Joseph's brothers' reaction to his dreams of power. They see him coming from a distance and decide to throw him into a hug hole and leave him for dead. Interesting that they think leaving him for dead in a hole is not murder. Anyway, Reuben is the one who talks them out of murder and into the cistern because he has the idea that he'll come back later and get him. Then they see a caravan of Egyptians coming, and they decide not only to gt rid of their brother, but to profit from him.

Have you ever been betrayed by anyone? Maybe even a family member? Imagine the feeling of your older brothers selling you into slavery. Ouch.

Song of the Day: "The Radio Plays" by the OC Supertones

First one to find me on Sunday and recite the words to the chorus of this song gets a free CD.
Also, the first to text or facebook the words in the chorus get a free CD.

leaders - appointed by God or appointed by egos?

2011-10-27T11:30:00.001-04:00

Today's Reading - Genesis37: 6-11

So today we find out about Jospeh's dreams. In both of them, he is the most powerful of the brothers and the other brothers are bowing down to him. Even his mom and dad are bowing. Jacob is not pleased with the idea that Jospeh would share this dream. Something tells me the brothers are not going to be psyched about it either. So here's food for thought...How many people have God called to do something in leadership that were squashed by those around them? Have you ever felt that God was calling you to do something but were afraid to tell anyone? Jacob did not ask to have these dreams...he was given them by God, and yet he is chastised for it. At the same token...are there those who decide themselves that they're called to something that God did not intend? Can people try and decide their own callings? How does that work out?

Here's a song for the day... "The Show" by Sanctus Real...how can we get out of the way and let God steal the show?

the golden child

2011-10-26T15:32:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading - Genesis 37:1-5

alright folks, getting back on track here...because there is no Sunday school or youth this week because of 5th sunday assembly and fall break, we'll be stretching this topic out over a couple of weeks. Today begins the story of joseph. Pretty classic family dynamic, youngest brother is the favorite, joseph that is. Starting out, he seems kind of like a punk because he pretty much tattles on his brothers about something. Then his dad get's him a super expensive coat...girls, think of it as a coach purse...guys, i guess it would be an expensive gun, tent, something manly. Anyway, on top of all that, Joseph has a dream that REALLY makes the older brothers mad. More about that tommorrow.

Today's thought - have you ever felt totally ignored by a parent or other adult. Think they played favorites? See you all at Midweek tonight! The video below is for tonight's devo...if you can't make it...check out the video!

Smite me!

2011-10-23T09:32:00.001-04:00

Today's reading - Job 29-31

In Today's reading, Job talks about what it was like when God was by his side...as if that were a thing of the past. Job has reached a point of anger and sorrow now where he is almost daring God to act. He then goes on to talk about God as if he were a misbehaving child...asking "What can I really expect from God?" It seems that Job has now hit rock bottom...kind of like this...

Video Removed

Are you special?

2011-10-19T10:50:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading: Job 14-16

When we left off, Job had just decided that he was tired of talking to his friends, and that he was taking his case directly to God...he then goes on to a long rant about the shortness of life. Eliphaz has heard enough...and he goes off on Job, asking him in several different ways: "Do you think you're the first person to feel betrayed by God?" So I ask you today...do you have friends who know when to put you in your place? If not friends, are there people in your life who simply won't let you get away with whining and feeling sorry for yourself? Job sure does...although in chapter sixteen he lets us know he's not all that excited about it. So another question...when listening to a friend, where do we draw the line between just listening & being there for them and when it's time to speak up and give them a kick in the butt?

Dateline NBC Special - MY kid would never bully

2011-10-18T22:15:00.001-04:00

In light of anti bullying month, and what you've seen with Rachel's Challenge - check this out

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part6

"But you didn't tell me about this part..."

2011-10-18T09:22:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading - Job 10-13

Good morning all. Anyone having a tough day? Maybe a tough week already? Well Job's rant is for you. In these chapters, Job is lamenting out loud, then is answered back by his friend Zophar, then Job answers back by saying something to the effect of "You're all getting on my nerves, and I'm going directly to God with my case." In the first dialogue in chapter 10 Job goes into pretty elaborate detail about how much of a beautiful work of art God creates when he creates us all individually...comparing it to a potter sculpting out of clay...he says in verses 8-10, (and this is my favorite) "You made me like a handcrafted piece of pottery, and now are you going to smash me to pieces? Don't you remember how beautifully you worked my clay? Will you reduce me now to a mud pie?" PRICELESS! Then right after this dialogue in verse 13 Job says what I think goes through most if not all of our minds :"But you never told me about this part. I should have known there was more to it." Today think about a time, and maybe it's now - that you have felt like God is shattering you and reducing you to a mud pie. How did you react?

After a dialogue with Zephar, at the end of chapter 13, Job takes his case directly to God. He says " Please, God, I have only two requests; grant them so I'll know I can count on you: First, lay off the afflictions; the terror is too much for me. Second, address me directly so I can answer you."

Job has no idea what he's asking for does he? See what happens tomorrow. Have an awesome Tuesday everybody!

Lashing Out

2011-10-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading: Job 6-9

So today the gloves are off. Job is mad at the whole world, his friends, and especially God. He calls his friends out saying that they show up confidently and then can't deal with Job's situation. He also tells God to just squash him like a bug and get it over with. Job goes on to state that he can never bring a case against God, and that God has no favor to the righteous or the wicked... disagreeing with his friend Bildad who is trying to cheer Job up. Towards the end this whole thing feels like Job is pretty much daring God to smite him...very Bruce Almightyish... have a good Monday!

Thank you Lord for all you have taken away...

2011-10-16T09:39:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading: Job 1-5

Here begins one of the more sad stories anywhere in scripture. Job, who is a righteous man, is tested. Look at it as a bet between God and Satan. Satan Says Job only follows God because he has been so blessed. God says Job will be faithful through everything. As you read today...think about your own life. When are you most likely to praise God? Would you be equally as faithful if you lost your friends, family, possessions, EVERYTHING? Give it a wonder. Could you see yourself saying "Thank you God for all the many blessings you ripped away from me?" We meet tonight at 5:00 for Worship Feast. See everyone here!

What's your tower?

2011-10-15T09:34:00.000-04:00

Today's Reading: Genesis 8-11

Today's reading finishes up the story of Noah and the flood. God has made a covenant with Noah to never wipe out mankind using a flood again. We also have a lot of family genealogy afterNoah as the people of the Earth begin to scatter in every direction. Then we have the tower of Babel...a story about how we as humans desire to constantly achieve and "build" on our own. We rarely seek God's council or guidance. We'll cover this subject in depth on Sunday morning and evening...but this is a favorite story because to me it feels a lot like God giving the people of the Earth a theological smack across the face and saying "Shhhhhh!" We all have ur towers...for some it's building resume, for others it's transcript, for others it's a house and a group of possessions. So what's your tower? When did you last seek God's council on an important matter?

Welcome to Guided Tour!

2011-10-12T15:22:00.000-04:00

Hey guys and welcome to guided tour. Here you'll find a link to the day's reading as well as a few of my own thoughts and a chance for you to respond with what you think. The more you talk, the more of a community we can build. This reading track will take you through the Old Testament by the end of next August, in chronological order. That means we won't really be reading in the order that the stories are in the Bible, but in the order that most experts agree the events of the Bible actually took place. I'm looking forward to taking this journey with you!