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Tonight's theme was "ONE" (or "echad" from the Hebrew).
Echad refers to the unity or oneness that comes from two or more individual parts together.
We traced the idea backwards:
3. As believers, we are now ONE in Jesus--all the walls that divided us from one another and God have now been broken down. ("no more Jew or Greek, male or female, slave or free-we are one in Christ"). This is a spiritual oneness.
2. Adam and Eve were ONE flesh. This is the most complete oneness humans can share. It is spiritual and physical. It refers to sex, but more than sex. A husband and wife are to become one physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and more. This oneness grows in the context of a relationship of total commitment. This is why God gave sex to be enjoyed within marriage only. Until you are ready to totally commit yourself to a person for life, you are not ready to become one flesh.
1. God is ONE. " Hear O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is ONE."
God is a perfect unity: Father, Son, Spirit. God invites us to share in His oneness, his unity, his love. Marital oneness reflects the oneness of God. Christian oneness also reflects this. Our unity points others to God, the ultimate reality.
We ended the night with the drama team doing a powerful sketch which included washing one another's feet, and then extending that act to all who wanted it. We showed love to one another by humbling ourselves and washing each other's feet.
It was a good gathering.
Here are the videos we used:
Switchfoot--"We are One Tonight"
U2--"One"
Have a great week.
Keep reading Genesis 8-9 this week.
Bro. Paul
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
FUSION wrap-up for May 5, 2009
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Thursday, April 2, 2009
FUSION Wrap-Up
Hope everyone is having a great Thursday. It is starting to get cold again. (I wish we could get some more snow!)
I enjoyed seeing each of you at last night's youth service.
First off, here's an update on our 4o Days of Water challenge offering:
Last night: $223.24 Total so far: $783.97
We need just a little over $200 to reach our $1,000 goal, with one week to go.
Ya'll have been doing a great job, so keep it going for one more week.
Isn't it awesome to think that we will be helping 1,000 African people have fresh water for one year! I am really proud of our youth group.
Last night we continued looking at the beginning of The Story, in Genesis 1-2.
We discussed the two key universal questions:
1) Who am I?
2) Why am I here?
I suggested that the answer lies in our status as "eikons" of God = those created in God's image and after God's likeness. (eikon = image)
As eikons, we bear God's image to the world as we relate in love to God, other people and creation as a whole.
I closed with two challenge questions:
1) What difference would it make in how we view ourselves if we truly believed we were eikons of God?
2) What difference would it make in how we treat others if we truly believed that they were eikons of God?
I hope you continue to ponder those two questions.
Here are the videos we used in the gathering:
Switchfoot: Meant to Live
(you have to click on the link;sorry, but Sony won't let the video be embedded on a blog--go figure)
Unfailing Love (a different video but same song by Chris Tomlin)
Have a great week, and don't forget to read Genesis 1-3 by next Wednesday.
Love ya',
Bro. Paul
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Monday, March 23, 2009
Back To School!!
Hey! I hope you all had a great spring break.
I enjoyed my vacation and am excited about what God is going to do in these last 9 weeks of school.
I hope to see you Wednesday night at Fusion.
Two reminders:
1. 40 Days of Water--don't forget to choose water over pop and bring the money you saved for the offering on Wed. nights (only 17 more days!)
2. Weekly Bible reading--we started Genesis this week. Read chapter one every day this week and expect God to use it in your life for his Kingdom.
Genesis 1 (TNIV)
Genesis 1 (NLT)
Genesis 1 (HCSB)
Genesis 1 (Message)
LoveWins,
Bro. Paul
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009
FUSION Wrap-Up
Good to see each of you tonight. I hope God spoke to you through His word and worship.
Don't forget the 40 Days of Water challenge. 4 days down, 36 to go!
Here are the clips we used tonight.
Blood:Water Mission Celebrating Stories
Blood: Water Mission 40 Days
Here's a link to view the opening video by Brandon Heath:
"Give Me Your Eyes"
Have a great week.
Bro. Paul
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
FUSION wrap-up
I hope those of you who attended tonight where challenged like I was.
We hit on several different images which I hope came together for you at the end.
Here is my summary: "Live Ready To Let Go"
We mentioned Lent a lot tonight and talked about the need to let go of the stuff we are clinging to so we can hold on to Jesus.
I hope you took the "40 Days of Water" Challenge. Remember, it starts this Sunday, March 1, and lasts until Thursday, April 9. We have extra reminder cards if you need one. Here is the web site if you want more information:
40 Days of Water
I thought the missional teams and the drama team both did a great job getting the message across.
Now for the videos we used tonight. Enjoy.
Glenn's 40 days of Water slideshow:
(the song is "Light Gives Heat" by Jars of Clay)
"No Bravery"
"All I Can Say" by David Crowder
Have a great week!
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Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Bible Reading this Week
Happy Tuesday everyone!
I hope your week is going well.
Just a reminder to be reading Matthew chapter 25 this week.
Remember, read the same chapter each day, listening for God to speak to you through His Word. I suggest you keep a journal and jot down thoughts, ideas, questions, prayers etc. I have been doing this for several years and found it a great and encouraging practice.
If you want to read online, here are some place you can do so (and in different translations) Sometimes reading a different translation each day helps you see things in a fresh way. For example, Monday--NIV or TNIV, Tues--New Living Translation, Wed--NET, Thursday--the Message, etc.
Matthew 25 TNIV
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Saturday, February 21, 2009
New Pics!
I have loaded pics from Middle School Believe and High School Crash.
Check them out here:
Crash
Believe
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