Unified in Christ

On Sunday, the youth group had a "come to Jesus" about including each other. And not only that, but leaning on one another. We have to remember we are a family. We are in place to encourage, keep one another accountable, and lift the name of Jesus up in all that we do. We cannot fail one another by being passive or exclusive. Being the body of Christ is much more than what school we go to, which side we sit on during worship, or who our earthly family is - it is the unity we find in being Forgiven and Called to a life of love. Lord, please bless us as we move forward! Thank you for the opportunity we had to discuss these things and make us stronger. We give you the glory.

P.s. Cars 2 on Sunday night was a great time! So glad so many of you decided to join. :)

Impact 2011: Hooked

The theme of Impact this year took the story of Peter Pan and called us to grow up and let go of things that are holding us back from God. It was an incredible week and a half of encountering God. Along with beautiful reunions with friends, we bonded together through sharing our struggles. I want to give a special shoutout to University Church of Christ out of Tuscaloosa, who meant so much to our group. As well as Ocean Springs Church of Christ out of Mississippi. It was a time of friendship, hilarity, and above all else God. We learned to fight against the strongholds Satan so often gets on us and get HOOKED on our Savior.

Junior Week: We had Sarah Emrey, Elizabeth Willmore, Jacob Gambrell, Hank Warren, Seth Caudle, and Alex Butcher. These brothers and sisters amazed me! Their realness during the short time they were here was incredible. We learned so much about the hooks that Satan sticks into us. We have to search ourselves and remove what Satan is trying so much to accomplish in our lives. I would not trade the last night for anything, getting to hear them open up - face fears - empathize with one another - and dedicate their lives. They truly care about one another. Praying over them was so humbling. I learned so much from them! The leadership in this group is so exciting to me! We also had plenty of fun and created some quality friendships. My other group was from Northeast Church of Christ. These girls had such a unique bond. They are growing so much and I pray that they keep growing in the Lord the way that they are!

You are stronger, You are stronger. Sin is broken, You have saved me. It is written, Christ is risen. Jesus, You are Lord of all

Senior Week: Consisted of Esther Davenport, Alexandra Whittington, Jace Phillips, Andy Floyd, Cameron Pope, Ben Lynn, Tyler Rhodes, and a little bit of Matt Hogan. Again, we had our devos with University and Ocean Springs. And yet again, we bonded so closely with them. We played games together, opened up to one another, and sang songs together. Honey if you love me - Give me a smile, may have been the crowd favorite. We definitely saw some people's true colors, haha. We talked repeatedly about experiencing Heaven on earth. "Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven". Heaven is not something we are just waiting for, it is something that we should bring into our daily lives. We need to GROW UP and begin to live the life that God desires. To my girls from Newnan - Hailey, Alyssa, and Lorine - I love yall. I am so blessed that I got yall for a group. I enjoyed quiet time so much and hope that each of you will continue to make that time a priority.

You alone can rescue, You alone can save. You alone can lift us from the grave. You came down to Find us. Led us out of death. To You alone belongs the highest place

Thank you so much to everyone who shared! Your courage was truly a blessing. Know that Josh, Andrew, and I are always here for you and love you!

"At the cross I bow my knee, where Your blood was shed for me. There's no greater love than this. You have overcome the grave, Your glory fills the highest place. What can separate me now?"

Long Live the INTERLUDE!

Riverbend: Faith and Family Night

Casting Crowns rocked the riverfront tonight. Great turnout from our group. Fellowship and good music all at the same time! Thank you Kylie for your wonderful company while we waited for the festivities to begin!

Sorry that they didn't sing "What if His people prayed", Mason... :/

Confident

On Sunday morning, we talked about confidence in the middle school girls class. We discussed what we choose to get confidence from opposed to the true source of all the confidence we could ever need. The truth is we lean on what others say about us (and if those are compliments, than those do help build us up). The question is: Are we using eternal characteristics to give us confidence? Not how good you look today, the grades you made last 9 weeks, the boyfriend that is blowing up your phone with sweet text messages. Instead, we draw confidence from what God says about us. He says we are beautiful, we are worth it, we are forgiven, we have been called, and that he was better plans for us than we have for ourselves. Every morning we put on this confidence and use God's power to do all that we can do in every day. We keep our head held high because God gives us life.

Πνευμα

More commonly known as "nooma" or "spirit", our Wednesday night class is the word translated into Greek. Last night we kicked off this series with the video, "Breathe". The video talks about every breath coming from God. God is breath. We talked about how we are, in every moment, walking on holy ground. Every person we pass so quickly are souls. Are we aware of this? We need to be aware of opportunities and breathe in God. Along with this, we should breathe out all of those things that Satan tries his best to use to block our sight of God (stress, worry, loneliness, and lack of confidence). Thank God for life.

Our Day of Scavenging

4 Teams of extraordinary EBY folk set out on a Video Scavenger Hunt at approx. 2:30 today. The tasks were anything from *Finding someone to stroke their beard -to- *Knocking on a stranger's door and asking to use their bathroom. At one point, all of the teams were in the Hamilton Place Food Court. There were times of true awkwardness, times that made people watching laugh, and times of frantic madness.
All In All, success!

It's What I Love About Sundays

Today was a splendid Sunday. Meeting to pray before morning worship with the staff is a very cool experience. Along with our lesson on Joy, this morning really displayed the uniqueness and warmth that is East Brainerd. "We should be the happiest people on earth." "Laugh more, Risk more, Love more." The night also ended with a bang as the youth group went to see KUNG FU PANDA 2. So much fun!

Love Your Neighbor Hood

We just finished Chattanooga Work Camp 2011! Woot Woot! It was a week of laughter, priceless nights of worship and lessons, and Good Hard Work! I am so impressed by these teens. Today hearing how bummed they were that Work Camp was over was such a testimony to their hearts of service. With little sleep and days of nonstop standing-scraping-painting-pressure washing-chainsawing we showed the love of Jesus to Chattanooga. We got to experience nights of Doctor Dodgeball, Sardines, Tarzan, Pride and Prejudice (You are the man Ross), Video Gaming (boys), and hanging out together. We experienced cramped yet hilarious van rides. And full days getting to be the hands and feet of our Lord. I was so encouraged by kids coming up asking what they could do next, people taking initiative and hopping up on a ladder without being asked, and the smiles and looks of excitement when we saw transformations."You are never more Christlike than when you Serve". We were able to hear motivating words at night along with tasty, refreshing food. Overall, I enjoyed so much the fellowship and service of this week. I am thankful for reunions and massages with my fellow crew leaders who are also dear friends. I feel blessed to have been able to work alongside these incredible people that I am able to call my brothers and sisters.

Girls Night- CoolSwirl, Avril, Dancing in the parking lot, Cupid Shuffle, GLOW STICKS, Pride and Prejudice.

Crew 8: Duct taping paintbrushes to poles, Tristen and Lucas hanging out on the roof, Learning the game Banana, Tommy being the greatest- gas station stops and quotes like "You handle the Ladders, I will go take care of the bladders", Always using the word "sketchy", The hype of Chinese Fire Drills, and Devin racing the van to the parking lot.

1st- I drove a 15 passenger van.

Moment to Remember: Josh telling Mac that he should donate his brain to science!

It Is Finally Here

Yesterday Josh, Andrew, and I ate at the wonderful Plaza Del Sol then Andrew and I went to Ringgold. This was the first I have seen of the damage. It is indescribable! Thank you for protecting my dad and please come near to those who have lost!

As for today, the day we have been waiting for.. Day One at EBY. God thank you for this opportunity. I already feel so blessed! Today we are getting ready for Chattanooga Work Camp. This entailed an epic trip to Sams. Andrew and I have done our best to liven up our office. Andrew is my fellow intern. He is super friendly. We are excited to work together this summer. I could not be more excited for the Kickoff tonight. The teens are supposed to be here in about 30 minutes.. :)

God, please bless this summer. Be with Josh, Andrew, and I as we organize and work and more importantly as we minister and spend time with these teens. This week, help us to give you all we have. Through sleep deprivation, help us to keep the unexplainable joy that comes from You. May we be a blessing to all we meet! Thank you for your love! Your daughter, Jordan