Go M.A.D.

The Real Reason for Christmas – Jesus

gomadyouth — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:42:38 +0000

Merry Christmas – yes I said Merry Christmas. I find it very disturbing that we can no longer say merry christmas without worrying about who we offend. Stores are afraid of offending Christmas shoppers, businesses are afraid of losing customers and even some christmas cards have stop printing the phrase on their cards.

I understand tolerance but I believe that we often use that as an escape for not taking a stand on issues that we should stand up for. Myself, a Christian, treasure this season and want to make sure the world knows the reason for Christmas is not Santa and Frosty (although there is nothing wrong with them) but it is the fact that Jesus Christ gave up immortality and came in the form of a human to die for us and our transgressions. How much does he love us that he gave up everything to come and stand in our place. That is the real reason for Christmas and when establishements forgo that and remove nativity scenes from their stores and place “Happy Holidays” up on the wall they are in essence forgeting the real reason.

I have never been more troubled about this than this year when it has become more apparent that we are becoming too tolerant of such issues. I have a two year old little girl at home who I am trying to raise in the way of the Lord but even she is being overwhelmed by the commericalization of Christmas that she told me the other night “Happy Holidays” and has a long list for Santa.

Again I have nothing against these Christmas traditions becuase I love Christmas as much as Santa himself. However, I want to challenge us not to forget the real reason for the season and to not loose sight of what Jesus did for us. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Just Like Christ

gomadyouth — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:35:48 +0000

How do you live your life like Christ? It is about adjusting three areas of your life to imitate that of Christ. The first area is your heart. If you are going to live like Christ you need a heart transplant. You need to allow Jesus to take over your live and let him control it. The second area is your tongue. If you are going to live like Christ you need to have pierced tongues. Not what you think, but a tongue pierced with the words of Christ. We need to control our speech to imitate that of Christ. The third area is to have feet like Christ. Put your faith into action by being doers of the word and not hearers only.

Join us for the upcoming Just Like Christ revival on November 5, 6, & 7th from 7pm-9pm at McCarthy Baptist Church if you would like to learn more about what it means to live like Christ.

A Heart of Service

gomadyouth — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:41:50 +0000

I would like to take this time to let you know about two upcoming opportunities to serve this month. First is the big city event known as St. Joe Serve. We have some opportunities to help with this event at Hosea Elementary. Come out and help with the carnival from 10am-2pm.

Second is our big outreach event – The Pumpkin Patch Party. We need workers to run the carnival games and help with registration. Please be a part of this event on Halloween Night (October 31) from 6pm-8pm.

See You @ The Pole

gomadyouth — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:37:20 +0000

Now that school is well under way and you are in somewhat of “normal” mode (whatever that is) I want to encourage you to be preparing for See You @ The Pole. This years event is September 23rd @ 7am at your school flagpole.

I want to challenge you to engage your school for Christ. A long time ago there was a young king by the name of Josiah who was challenged to do what God said instead of what his people said. He stood his ground and chose to follow God. The cool and amazing thing was that he was only 8 years old.

Don’t be afraid to make a difference in your schools. Start now by inviting all your friends to join you at the flagpole at 7am to pray for your school, your country, your president, your teachers, and your friends and family.

A true revival starts with you – ENGAGE YOUR WORLD FOR CHRIST!

Let your faith shine through

gomadyouth — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:10:19 +0000

I am sure many of you were like me this morning – really just wanting to sleep in and listen to the rain. Also, to make matters worse. It was a Monday. To even complicate matters further it was the first day for teachers and parents to start getting their kids up early for school. Ok – so it doesn’t start until Wednesday but none the less it was a morning to just say —- blah!!

However, my challenge to you this morning is to let your faith shine through the rainy clouds that can get you down. We have all been encouraged to share our faith with our friends, co-workers, and family members over the last few weeks so my challenge is simple – let your faith shine through.

A song by one of my favorite bands, Third Day, says that a city on a hill cannot be hidden and that light will shine for all to see. Let your light shine. Go to work with a happy smile and watch the reaction you get from your co-workers. Show up to school on Wednesday smiling, and watch your friends give you a strange look. Then you have an opening to let your faith shine by telling them why they are so happy. By telling them the great news of Jesus.

Be encouraged this week to let your faith shine through and see how God blesses that faithfulness.

Back to School Again

gomadyouth — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:11:58 +0000

I know that you may not want to hear this but school is just around the corner. I know – the bearer of bad news. I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you to take a stand this school year. As you head back to school this year, be thinking about how this year will be different.

How are you going to change your school for Christ? Maybe you need to start a prayer at the flagpole that is more than once per year. Maybe you need to start a bible study before or after school. (You can do that) Maybe you need to lead a devotion at your lunch table. (You can do that too) Whatever you decide this year, plan on doing on thing – make a difference. Before we are talking about summer vacation again, make a difference in your school this year.

Here is an encouraging word – Christmas Break is only 4 months away!

Once upon a messy night!

gomadyouth — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:58:25 +0000

Tonight was Messy Game Night. Here is a short video and a few pictures. There will be a video coming soon. All I can say is that it was a night filled with water balloons, spaghetteios, flour, ice cream sundaes, and fish. Yes fish. Enjoy

Religion vs. Relationship?

gomadyouth — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:05:50 +0000

Why do you believe what you believe?

This past week we had that discussion in youth group based on the Gospel Journey Maui Series and I had a few more thoughts on the issue.

What do you believe and why is it so important? I think sometimes we loose sight of who we are in Christ because we are so distracted and overwhelmed with the rules and regulations of religion. I believe that it truly binds us and keeps us from having a true relationship with Christ.

It is not about a religion – it is about a relationship.

Who are you in Christ? What is your relationship with Christ? Don’t let the binds of religion keep you from having a heartfelt, open, and honest relationship with Christ. He is your father and He desires to have a relationship with you.

As yourself…How is your relationship with God? When is the last time you spoke to Him? When is the last time you paused to say Hello?

My challenge is for you to establish a strong relationship with Christ. How do you do that?

1. Know who Jesus is. He is the son of God who came to earth for one reason – to die for you.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes will have eternal life.

2. Understand what Jesus did. He suffered a horrific death on the cross to die for your sins, he was buried in a real tomb, and he defeated death and rose again!

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death – but the FREE gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus

3. Live for Jesus. Accpet what he did, believe that he did it, and chose to follow Christ.

Romans 10:9-10- If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth you will be saved.

Choose RELATIONSHIP – not religion

Because He Lives!

gomadyouth — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:56:40 +0000

As we all prepare to celebrate Easter services tomorrow, I can’t help but think about what seperates our beliefs from that of others. It is the simple fact that we serve a Lord and Savior who defeated death and conquered the grave. If you look at other religions their lord is dead and in the grave but ours is alive and well.

When we celebrate tomorrow celebrate with the passion of knowing that we serve a risen Lord and Savior and that should be enoungh to give Him our all in worship.

Finding your purpose

gomadyouth — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:29:52 +0000

As we wrapped up week 2 of Gospel Journey Maui we talked about purpose and finding your purpose in life. So let me ask the blog world – What is the purpose of life and how does your purpose fit into the ultimate purpose?

Finding your purpose and knowing how to live based on that purpose is what its all about. I believe that the ultimate purpose for every human being is to give maximum glorification to Christ. How does one do that? By making and effort to give time and passion to God.

My challenge is to amp up your passion to God this week – if you spend 5 minutes a day spend 15 if you spend 15 spend 30 if you don’t have a daily relationship start with 5 minutes.

Celebrate this time of year by giving God your full passion – it will help shape your purpose of life

Happy Easter!