Myself

Go find a mirror. If it takes you a few minutes, that's okay. There has to be a mirror somewhere!

Now- take a good long look in the mirror. Find one thing that you've never noticed about yourself before. Write it down or write a comment on the blog about it...

While you're looking in the mirror (don't stop!), answer these questions.

Who is this prson that I'm looking at?

What am I like?

Who are my parents and what are they like?

Why am I alive?

One more question... keep looking in that mirror... who do I belong to?

That's one of the most defining questions you'll ever be asked. Ask any professional sports player, and they'll answer you with the name of their team. Why? Because they belong to their team, and that defines everything about their life. So who might you belong to at this point in your life? Here are some options. See if any apply- even in a small way.

Your parents or family. Maybe you're under the ultimate care and control of your parents. That's not necessarily a bad thing, either.

A significant other (boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse). You might like it- at first- especially if they are really cute.

Something like a sport, hobby, or job. Example: "I work a lot because I really enjoy it." Or "I'm not just playing soccer. Really, the soccer schedule is controlling my life."

Yourself. Maybe you belong to no one but yourself.

There could be other categories for you. Take a few minutes and reflect back on what you've just read. What does that say about who you really are- right now?

The answer to the question of who you belong to sort of sets the "edges" around your life. It defines the boundaries that you won't go past. And when you do go past them, it guides you back to where you should be.

Maybe it's not about who you think you belong to, but rather who knows you belong to them. If you are a Christian, you are a child of God. Read John 1:12-13.

Now consider these questions:

Based on what I just read, am I a child of God? why or why not?

Try to describe what it was like when you were "reborn" of God.

Do you feel like being a child of God is a burden or a privilege?

How would my life look different if I lived like a full-time child of God?

More time? Read Ephesians 2:4-10. What does that passage say about who you are?

Senior High Missions Trip Brunch!

Save the date!

The brunch to share our stories, pictures, videos is Sunday August 22nd after the 9:30 am worship service!!

This is our time to share with the church and our sponsors about our trip to Red Lake and to thank them for their support and prayers!

Please plan on being there! I will post as the time gets closer about what each of you can bring to help! Invite your sponsors, family, friends, and neighbors now so they can save the date too!

Devotion 1: You're Home!

Being away from home is usually tons of fun. New places, new people, new experiences. And add to that the whole mission trip thing- and you probably had a week away that you'll remember for a lifetime. Speaking of week away... take a couple minutes right now and write or blog at least 7 things that you loved about being away from home on your Group mission trip.

But now, you're back at home. People have a variety of feelings about returning home after a trip or event that's memorable and full of emotion. So no matter what you feel or felt- it's okay! The great thing about being home is that it's usually the place where you feel most like yourself. So whether it's with your parents, some other extended family, or friends, or even a place by yourself... welcome home! Just like you did a few minutes ago, write down or blog about 7 reasons why you were happy to be home after your mission trip.

Well, you've been gone. And now you're back. So now what?

Your mission trip was FULL of life-changing events. New friends. Fun. "Undeserved." People who needed your help. Regular, daily time with God and the Bible. Serving others. A week without your job, chores, or typical routine. Taking one step further in your relationship with Jesus.

That's big stuff- and it's just the tip of the iceberg! But after all that, and probably more, Jesus is not asking you to file away your trip in some photo album. If that were so, the Prodigal Son story would have ended with the fatehr giving the lost son a pat on the back and then saying, "Good to have you home. Now get back to work."

So what in the world does Jesus want from you now? The answer can be found in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Grab a Bible and read that passage right now.

Consider these questions...

What was the main thing that Martha was concerned about?

What was the main thing that Mary was concerned about?

Why do you think Jesus praised Mary's approach?

What does that mean for you in your life right now?

More time? Read Luke 10:35-37. That's the story of the good Samaritan. What does that tell you about what God wants us to "be" rather than "do"?