Total Commitment

I am not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself and expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less that total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it! Philippians 3:12-16

Although it doesn't really feel like it outside, Fall is here! School is back in session, afterschool activities are in full swing, and sports have begun. In the last couple of weeks, I have been to two volley ball games, a time to meet all the players of the high school, and a pep rally; if you ask my husband, he can tell you to the hour how much longer he has to wait until the Bulldogs take the field - there is some serious commitment to these things!
Yesterday at the Starkville Academy Pep Rally I could literally feel the excitement and anticipation for last night's game. No doubt the team was ready not only physically but emotionally also. I woke up this morning to read that the team lost...but barely. What amazed me was that the loss, or even the other team, was not what the paper focused on. The article focused on the improvements and passion seen in the Starkville Academy Football team! That's commitment!

Paul reminds us that we must give our total commitment to Christ. We can't look back, we can't rely on our own ways of thinking, and we certainly can not depend on the ways of the world. To love Him and to grow in Him is to trust him with every single step we take. What if we showed the passion for our walk with Christ the way we show our passion for our favorite school or sport's team? What if people could walk in the doors of our church and literally feel the excitement for Him as I did when I walked into the pep rally yesterday?

This afternoon I will attend the Starkville High pep rally then prepare for the game tonight that will no doubt bring the intensity of yesterday's festivities. 14 days and some odd hours from now I will almost ceremoniously dress my family in our Maroon and White, and we will proudly (but responsibly :}) ring our cowbells with everyone else! We do not have to give these things up, but we must be willing to. Christianity is not losing our passion in life for the things we love; it is living in and loving Christ passionately above and beyond everything else!

Back in the swing of things!

What a great night we had Sunday night! It was such a blessing to have everyone back together!! I met with our new group of college counselors last night for dinner; they are really excited to begin to work this great group of youth. Remember tomorrow we begin our Fall Wednesday schedule with Prayer Breakfast at 6:30 a.m. at City Bagel, Youth Choir at 3:45, dinner at 5:00, small groups at 5:30, and Manna at 6:15. What a great day in God's presence!! Hope to see all of youth tomorrow!
-Rebecca

Movie Stars!

Thanks to all the youth who helped to make our video announcement for our new Spark and Flame Sunday Night worship!!

Hello Youth and Parents! The Fall semester is here! Can you believe it? I am looking forward to being apart of the ways God has planned to work within us this year. We are making a few changes with this new school year that I pray will only make us more on fire for Christ. Fire! That will be our new theme for our youth group. We want others to feel our intensity for God and see our love from afar just as you would if you were near a blazing fire!
One change we will make is with our Junior High and Senior High on Sunday nights. This will now be known as our Spark and Flame Worship night. Our Junior High Spark Worship will take place at 5:00, everyone (both JH and SH) will come together at 6:00 for diner, at 6:30 our Senior High Flame service will take place and our Junior High will need to be picked up. Both groups will focus on the same scripture each week, but the focus will deal with the needs and concerns of that particular age group.

We will continue to grow spiritually on Wednesday nights through our small groups. These times will be changing just a bit to help meet the needs of other ministries and allow us all to take part in all the church has to offer. Small groups will meet from 5:30-6:15 and our Manna prayer service will be form 6:15-6:30. At 6:30 our youth involved in ensemble will be dismissed and we will continue to worship Christ until 6:45.

Don't forget to wake up bright and early for prayer breakfast next Wednesday morning, Aug. 18th. It's a great way to start the day off right!

Be a burning fire for Christ this week!!

Grace and Peace,
Rebecca