Announcement! Announcement!

This Friday, we will be having a prayer meeting at Scott Russell's house. It will start at 8:00 and end at 11:30 pm. Don't sweat it if you don't have a ride, we'll provide one for you! We do ask that if you decide to come, you fast from something until Saturday. This could be food, t.v., media, caffeine, cokes, or anything else that might be a distraction. We will be praying for anything and everything, and there's no pressure involved. If you need a ride or directions, call me or someone else who may know, and we'll see you there!

[["And they'll know we are Christians by our love"]]

By: April

                                               ...But will they? Think about the way we treat each other. Any given time you are around your friends, you'll probably hear these phrases quite a few times

"Shut up!"

                                       "You're stupid!"

           "Haha, you're gay!"   "Ugh, I can't believe she/he said that"

                        "What are you thinking?!?"
                                                                                                 "Why are you upset? It was just a joke!"

            "Suuurreeeee"                                          "You will not talk to me like that"

                                             ......And the list goes on.

How can we love each other better? It's pretty difficult, considering the church (meaning all those who love Jesus) is pretty unlovable. At our best, we are a group of disgusting sinners who live by the thread of grace given to us by God. But God calls us to love the unlovable, and you don't have to go to a leper colony to find out who that is-look in the mirror. You and I are the unlovable. Try this-it's a little cheesy, but it works for me: Whenever I look at someone with disgust, sometimes a voice says to me: "Jesus died for him/her, too, you know." And it's true. So, since it's the new year, and resolutions are pretty popular, maybe we could, as the body of Christ, resolve to love each other better.

What does this look like in action? Well, for me it's this:

1. I will not tell anyone to shut up.
2. I will not interrupt.
3. I will listen when someone is talking, instead of planning what to say next.
4. I will stand up for someone when they are being mistreated.
5. I will resolve conflicts in an even temper, with the other person's best interest at heart.
6. I will develop an attitude of service to those I know.
7. I will not be sarcastic in a rude way to my friends, thus belittling their feelings.
8. I will not make someone feel small.
9. I will recognize when someone is feeling hurt or rejected, and comfort them.
10. I will not call anyone names, including sexual or racial slurs.

There are probably hundreds of things you could do, but 10 is a good, round number, so I'll stop there. If you want to take this pledge with me, and keep me accountable to it, leave a comment. I think it's time to stop being selfish.

Hey Ya'lllllllll!

Class is over for the old fogies in college, and the semester is almost over for the high school/middle school crowd-Hooray!

This weekend is Winter WonderSLAM! Unfortunately, the event is sold out, and so if you don't have a ticket, you will have to find something cool to do in Murfreesboro on Saturday.

I hope everyone reading this is involved in a small group that meets during the week. If not, a group will be more than happy to add you on!

If you are reading this and you haven't read your bible yet today, GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND READ NOW!

....speaking of which, time to go read for myself!

If I missed any announcements, leave them in the comment box!

[[Until you have given up your self to Him you will not have a real self...]]

-- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Bring your t-shirt money to church tomorrow! If you already have a ROCC Youth t-shirt, then wear it tomorrow as we drop off the bags for the food drive!

Tomorrow is Sarah's birthday party! After we get done with dropping off the bags, everyone will head to Nashville to play laserquest. I believe the cost is $7.50 for a game, but I'm not sure, so you can ask her.

Check this site daily for updates! It's always being updated as I receive information. If you have an announcement, prayer request, or anything else, leave a comment here or on my personal site. Don't forget, there's also a myspace!

Meditate on this today: