Cool Shades Dude!

Here in the lovely midwestern towns of Bloomington, Normal and nearby parts we are experiencing some beautiful weather. The sun is out again for a few more months and time to dig out those groovy shades. Sunglasses don't block your eyes from seeing - they merely shade your eyes from direct sunlight. The shading protects you from those nasty UV rays from the sun and helps you to see in the bright light by darkening or dimming what you see.

In life we are bombarded by all kinds of harmful things around us. Violence, sex, hatred, anger, greed, jealousy and all kinds of twisted and negative things. Proverbs says, "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you." If you aren't looking you can easily find yourself in trouble. If you don't look ahead and see something that might be bad for you, you'll find yourself in the midst of trouble. 1 John says, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."

We can't help being exposed to the world around us. We CAN however protect ourselves by our belief in Christ and in His death and resurrection. Huh? Believe in God and He will protect and shield you from all danger and harm. He'll also show you right from wrong, what to look at and and what to shield your eyes and ears from.

Groovy shades man!

May I Help You? U Look A Little Frazzled!!!!

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." -Mark 6:30/31

MAY is busy. MAY is crazy. MAY is hectic. MAY I help you? You look a little frazzled! You're coming and going with school, sports, work or any of another 100 things on the ticket. You're not alone, even the apostles were being driven to work harder and harder. They were tired (sound familiar?). They were hungry (sound familiar?). Jesus simply tells them an obvious truth (again). Let's go and grab something to eat take a break. Duh! But they could be healing the sick, preaching about God, serving others somehow!!! We can imagine them screaming, "How can we possibly take a break?!!" Jesus would have merely told them to follow Him, trust Him, and they would.

Jesus is right (duh!). If you are feeling tired and hungry you need to rest and eat! Sounds simple but doing is not always an easy thing. Are you doing too much? Probably... if you are like most American teens or adults. Of course if you are reading this then you are most likely already following Jesus' command for rest. So your task is even more important... pass the advice on. Invite a friend to your house for a break. Go out for ice cream. Take a walk. We all have to rest and get nourishment. Spiritually, emotionally and physically. Go ahead, take a break.

Thrive Cancelled for Tonight -May 2

Yup - a night off!

At the Emerson/Towanda intersection there is a major water main break. The funny thing is that it is only affecting Ewing Castle, the house next door and St. John's church. Anyway, everything for Wednesday night has been cancelled (Choirs, CHAOS, Thrive, etc.).

Thrive returns next week with our last meeting before summer break. It's a Fellowship Event for everyone!!!

Have a nice night off.