Tornado Hits Close To Home

I am sure most have heard about the tornado that hit downtown Atlanta this past weekend. Damage estimates are around 150 MILLION dollars. Obviously this was more than just some strong winds. This was a serious force. Of course for us this hits home since we live in the metro Atlanta area. Fortunately there were no fatalities which is an obvious miracle when you see the pictures of the damage inflicted to the buildings that this tornado hit. One of the most severely damaged buildings was the Georgia World Conress Center. When I heard that this building was one of the ones that had been hit...the story really hit home. If this tornado had come exactly one week early 21 students and leaders from our youth group would have been involved in the whole situation. We were in the Georgia World Congress Center along with 6000 other students and leaders attending the Dare2Share Survive Conference. In that conference we were reminded of the reality of hell for those who have never accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We were also reminded that none of us will live forever and that we need to have some serious urgency about sharing our faith with lost friends. This tornado is a very stark reminder for that our days are few and limited.

I Double Dare You!

This past weekend I had the awesome opportunity to take a few of the students that I work with to the Survive Conference hosted by Dare 2 Share ministry. It was a great experience. We got to worship with over 6000 other students and leaders. The worship was lead by Lincoln Brewster who did an amazing job. Along with the worship there was some amazing teaching times as well. This was This was lead by Greg Stier, Derwin Grey, and Zane Black. They did a great job teaching about how to do evangelism, how to handle money and how to view sexual purity. This conference really challenged students to think about their lost friends and seek opportunities to share with them about Jesus. At one point in the conference the students were challenged to take out there cell phones right then and there, and call a lost friend and share with them about Christ. I am proud to say that many of our students actually did this! The students were also presented with a dare. A "Double Dare"actually. The dare was 2 fold. The first part was that they would share the gospel with EVERY non christian friend that they have in God's timing, in God's power, and with God's love. The second part was that they would share with at least one friend within the first 48 hours of taking the dare. I found out that all 18 of the students we took accepted this dare. I have talked to several of them that I know that they followed through with the second part and shared with someone in the first 48 hours. Pretty AWESOME stuff! If you are interested in taking this dare go to www.doubledare.org to find out more info and to officially accept the dare.

A Letter From Hell

I have been quite neglectful of my blog recently. I APOLOGIZE. I will try to do better!

Today I have been working on a lesson that I am wanting to present to the students in my youth group. The title that I have given this lesson is "Why is Salvation so Important". I am trying to answer this question from 2 opposite perspectives. The first is looking at what does salvation bring to me or provide for me. The obvious answer according to scripture is an eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). The other side of that, which is often overlooked, is that it brings us into a real relationship with Jesus Christ in the immediate present. That is often hard for us to fully appreciate but none the less it is true. We get to know, love and hang out with the creator of the universe.



The second part of the equation has to look at what salvation keeps us from. This too is sometimes an obvious answer for anyone who has spent much time in church. Obviously it is ultimately an eternity in hell, as a result of our sin, that we are saved from (Romans 6:23). As I was preparing for this lesson I knew I wanted to share something about the reality of hell. Our society seems to have a very difficult time coming to grips with this reality. Some try to ignore it and say that it does not even exist. Others try to minimize it and say that it is only a symbol or a metaphor. Still others try to glorify it and say they can't wait to party in hell with all of their friends. The truth and reality of hell will be realized by all of us at some point. None of us can escape death.



I found this video that I thought was awesome in it's description of death and hell. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me as a reminder of the hell that truly awaits those who never experience the salvation found only in the name of Jesus Christ.
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e10543891fd2e7277d15