The Lid

Stop Hating

     Lately I've been soaking myself in the Gospel of Luke, and stumbled across these verses in chapter 9, "John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you." This got me thinking, and convicted me. In my experience it seems that unless it is our idea, or our program, our ministry, or our efforts, we begin to criticize, judge, and even condemn. We become like John, right? Trying to stop the efforts of someone else who may be passionately chasing Jesus and desiring to advance His kingdom. What a powerful passage! If they are not against you, they are for YOU! 

    The inability so many have to understand this verse is a large reason we still see so much disunity amongst the Body. I recently read a tweet that said, "If God answered all your prayers, but through another ministry or person would you praise Him or become bitter?" Makes us examine our motives, our own desire to be known or recognized. Why else would we feel threatened? God is so much bigger than our ideas, aspirations, and desires. The reality I've come to is that He doesn't need me, or you! Oh, that I would be forever grateful shall He choose to use me.

    And for those of you that are living it out for Christ way to go! Way to be on the same team as the Apostle John. Way to encourage others who have similar dreams. Way to get yourself out of the way and make Jesus clearly seen.

Flipped

Never Give Up, Just Never Give Up

I feel we give up too easy. When things get difficult or something doesn't go our way we throw in the towel. We don't study, because it seems no matter how much we do it won't sink in. We don't try athletics because we fear we won't be as good as everyone else. We don't chase our dreams because we aren't sure we will achieve them. I saw this story this morning and was instantly convicted. This lady failed 949 times. Wait, did you hear me? 949 times, and in the process spent lots of money. Oh Lord, may I never give up on myself, others, and the dreams you have planted in my heart. Thank you for encouraging me through a Korean woman today! If you knew you could achieve your goals, but it would take 950 times would you still go after them? If no, maybe you should set more desirable goals.

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WrItInG OuT oUr ThOuGhTs

"Me and my friend, i'd say he's as close to an accountability partner that i have, just had quite the conversation. Were both living life the way were suppose to, doing the youth group and small group stuff, not going to parties, stayin away from alchohol and girls, and both love on people and seem to be very happy but were starting to question our faith. We know Jesus died for us, so we should live for him. We feel were doing that but nothing happens, and are questoining if its worth it. we also notice how people with the most drastic faith accept Jesus when there in college or later, we accepted him before we could see pg13 movies. my buddy is debating throwin it all away and starting to go down another path thinking when he comes back his faith will be stronger. im not wanting to do something that drastic but both of our faiths are lacking and being questioned. thought I could use some advice."

-Is it Worth it? Male, Age 17

K2 (Not the Camp)

 This last week I caught wind from some of my students about this new drug that is legal called K2. Supposedly it gives off very similar effects as marijuana, however, right now it is completely legal. Not sure how, but it is. For more on this you can read the following article: Legal Marijuana?

    The question I have been asked by students this week is that if it's not illegal is it okay? The assumption we shouldn't make here is that just because our government legalizes something doesn't make it okay from a Biblical standard. Teens can chew tobacco and smoke cigarettes legally, but it doesn't mean it's okay. We should strive to hold ourselves to a higher standard, not to be confused with legalism.

    So for those of you who may be wrestling with whether or not K2 is okay to use I would encourage you to meditate on these words ,"Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." 1 Peter 4:7

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,"  Titus 2:12

Please feel free to leave your comments below.

The Monday Mindset

"We all love to search. As a matter of fact we seem to forever be searching whether we realize it or not. We search for meaning, purpose, and understanding sometimes without even realizing it. Why else would we create more religions, more Worldviews, and more theories? It helps us reach some sort of understanding. The search doesn't end with faith and what our faith is in however. We also find ourselves searching for success, marriage, money, and fulfillment. We search for peace, comfort, and resolve. We search even when we don't realize we're searching. Somrtimes we find what we're searching for only to realize it's not what we expected so we begin to search for something new. We are searchers. We search for truth. What is truth? We ask this continually in a post-modern world. We search for things that are impossible to find and find things we didn't even know we were searcher for. I search for things. Some beneficial others not so much. The one thing I've come to realize is until I find complete security, comfort, and identity in Christ I will continue to search for something else to make me happy, fulfilled, and complete. Oh Lord may I stop searchinig for the things that are meaningless and fix my gait on You who gives true meaning. You are worth the search, the only thing worth searching for!

-The Monday Mindset

Live Show Tonight

 

Come Join us tonight as we talk about some heavy issues. What is life without hope?

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Living Out The Video Game

Flip Frame Friday

Philippians through a different eye......

This video is typography set to To Live Is Christ by Trip Lee from the 13 Letters album. In the song Trip Lee dissects the book of Philippians and Jacob Shoettle did a great job bringing those words to life. Please check out the incredible ministry these guys are doing throughout the country Reach Records.

Read the words and apply them to your life today....let it encourage you to dig deep into God's word!