Seussical the Musical

I caught Sunday's performance of Seussical, and I thought the performance was great (I'm not a fan of musicals, and I enjoyed it)! It was fun to see so many of you exhibiting the acting/singing talent you've been given. I also thought it was cool to see so many friends that have either come to youth group events in the past, or who I've seen you hanging out with other places. I think it's great that the youth that go to our church are able to be ambassadors of Christ in the CHS' theater department, and I'm sure it showed not only to your fellow students, but also to your director.

It's cool to see how God's blessed our youth group with so much talent in different areas--cooking, sports, music, writing, drawing, acting. Know that he's given you those abilities, and he knows exactly how you can use them to help other people know him better.

Keep Devin updated on other events you all have going on. I know there's a couple of band concerts in December, and that basketball season has started.

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." - 1 Cor. 12:4-6

Response to Paid in Full

First, let me say that it has been a while since I have had any time to post. Sorry, I know that you feel like you have been missing out.
So, I will take a moment to repsond to the previous post.
We had a Sunday night at the McCoy's that marked another spot on our Journey through the Gospel.
The Letter of the night was P. Paying the price for our sins, Jesus died and rose again.
The exercise that we went through that night was strictly for those who are believers. This is a break down of what happened in my group. I asked the everyone to write down the sin in their life that they believed was hindering their relationship to God. I wrote down my sin as well. I asked that they close their eyes and pray that God would forgive them of the sin that had been keeping them at arms length from God. I then asked that they would wait until they felt as if they had heard from God that they were forgiven, when they were ready I ask them to fold their paper up and place it in a small trash can that I had with me. As they placed their paper in the can I looked them in the eyes and said "Paid in Full" This exercise was to allow them to remember that their sin was completely and fully paid for on the cross. That as a "believer" (someone who has not only confessed their sin to the Lord, but has acknowledged that Christ paid for that sin on the cross and rose again. Who also has given themselves to the Lord as a servant and holds Jesus Christ as their savior and ruler of their life) they are no longer held in judgement because of their sin. God's wrath has been removed and they are set free from the penalty because of Christ. This exercise was not for the unbeliever. I was certain that within my group there was nobody that had not made that commitment. If there were people there who might have been unbelievers, I would have handled it much differently. As we take part in the Gospel Journey the focus for the first 8 weeks is centered around those who have already made a commitment to Christ. The exercises and the discussion will be different starting in January as we will be bringing friends to group that might not have a relationship with God, or even know much about Christ.
We are all sinners in need of a Savior. There is truly no one who seeks God. We are all dead in our sins and in need of the life giving power of Christ. He is the one in whom we place our trust and in whom we find true life and meaning. Without our lives being transformed in Him, we remain lost and headed for a life seperated from God for eternity. This eternity is not one of comfort, but one of despair and a literal Hell.
God seeks to redeem and transform His fallen creation, but we can only come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the one who died on the cross paying in full the due penalty for the sins of His children. He is the one who has risen to life and reigns with His Father in Heaven.
I hope this clears up any misunderstanding on the "Paid in Full Exercise" if not please do not hesitate to ask me questions or call me I will be happy to discuss this matter with you.