VACATION HERE WE COME!

WHOO-HOO! It's time for our annual trip to Sun Cove Resort on Lake Wannacut! Every year we travel Northeast to the top of Washington, just a few miles from the Canadian border to relax and spend time with my extended family. We sleep, eat, fish, eat, hang out, eat, read, eat, play golf, eat, fish, and sleep....for 7 straight days! Adios!

S.T.I.R. day twenty-three: Quit Looking So Good

All Summer long our youth ministry, Switch, is going "GOSPELICIOUS". We reading through all the gospels in 90 days and each day we S.T.I.R. it up based on the one verse that really hit us hard that day. 2 Peter 3:1-2 says "Beloved, I now write to you...in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior..." so that's where we got the STIR idea from - that reading Scripture should "stir" us up. Enjoy!

S.cripture: Matthew 23:4 "They crush you with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to help ease the burden (5) Everything they do is for show...(6)they love to sit at the head of the table...(7)they enjoy the attention they get...(25)full of greed and self-indulgence...(28) You try and look like upright people outwardly, but inside your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.

T.eaching: It doesn't matter how good you look or sound, doing "godly" things.

I.mpact: Yikes. I do enjoy the outward things - I must become focused on what matters.

R.esults: Lord may I not be likened to these that you mention - change my heart and give me a new spirit of meekness and humility. I love You Jesus. Love Brian

Summer S.T.I.R. day twenty-two: Well dressed

All Summer long our youth ministry, Switch, is going "GOSPELICIOUS". We reading through all the gospels in 90 days and each day we S.T.I.R. it up based on the one verse that really hit us hard that day. 2 Peter 3:1-2 says "Beloved, I now write to you...in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior..." so that's where we got the STIR idea from - that reading Scripture should "stir" us up. Enjoy!

S.cripture: Matthew 22:10-11 "So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests, he noticed a man who wasn't wearing the proper clothes for a wedding..."

T.eaching: You can't just follow a crowd - you must have ownership of your faith

I.mpact: I must not rely on other pastors or Christians.

R.esponse: Father, I want to be dressed correctly for You. I want to be prepared for the second coming. Continue to shape me and prepare me I pray. Love Brian.

Summer S.T.I.R. day twenty-one: Look who's first

All Summer long our youth ministry, Switch, is going "GOSPELICIOUS". We reading through all the gospels in 90 days and each day we S.T.I.R. it up based on the one verse that really hit us hard that day. 2 Peter 3:1-2 says "Beloved, I now write to you...in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior..." so that's where we got the STIR idea from - that reading Scripture should "stir" us up. Enjoy!

S.cripture: Matthew 21:36 "I assure you, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do."

T.eaching: It doesn't matter what you've done - what matters is that you believe now.

I.mpact: I can be forgiven of all.

R.esponse: Thank you Jesus - that sinners of all kinds such as mysel can enter the Kingdom of heaven because You died for us! I love You. Love Brian

Summer S.T.I.R. day twenty: Serve

All Summer long our youth ministry, Switch, is going "GOSPELICIOUS". We reading through all the gospels in 90 days and each day we S.T.I.R. it up based on the one verse that really hit us hard that day. 2 Peter 3:1-2 says "Beloved, I now write to you...in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior..." so that's where we got the STIR idea from - that reading Scripture should "stir" us up. Enjoy!

S.cripture: Matthew 20:26-27 "But among yyou it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among yo must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must become your slave."

T.eaching: God looks at hearts not titles

I.mpact: Another reminder that God looks behind the scenes.

R.esponse: Father, on a day like today where I have liberty to do whatever I want, I pray that I would honor You. I love You. Love Brian

Summer S.T.I.R. day nineteen: How Important Do You Really Want To Be?

All Summer long our youth ministry, Switch, is going "GOSPELICIOUS". We reading through all the gospels in 90 days and each day we S.T.I.R. it up based on the one verse that really hit us hard that day. 2 Peter 3:1-2 says "Beloved, I now write to you...in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior..." so that's where we got the STIR idea from - that reading Scripture should "stir" us up. Enjoy!

S.cripture: Matthew 19:30 "But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then."

T.eaching: Another reminder that God looks at the secret places, searching for the meek.

I.mpact: What really matters is who I am when no one else is around.

R.esopnse: Father, in just 24 hours I've been stirred to respond to You with greater hunger and appetite. I don't want to look important in front of others yet be considered insignificant in your eyes due to selfishness or pride. I love You God. Love Brian

S.T.I.R. day eighteen: Identify The Mole

All Summer long our youth ministry, Switch, is going "GOSPELICIOUS". We reading through all the gospels in 90 days and each day we S.T.I.R. it up based on the one verse that really hit us hard that day.

2 Peter 3:1-2 says "Beloved, I now write to you...in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior..." so that's where we got the STIR idea from - that reading Scripture should "stir" us up. Enjoy!

S.cripture: Matthew 18:7-8a "How terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin. Temptation to do wrong is inevitable but how terrible it will be for the person who does the tempting. So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away."

T.eaching: Identify what is tempting you, and cut it off. Someone or something is trying to betray you to sin, and you must rid yourself of that.

I.mpact: I must realize the seriousness of temptation. I must figure out how to cut off things like sleep, laziness, and lack of discipline.

R.esponse: Lord, teach me your ways and put a new hunger for You in my heart. I love You Lord! Love Brian