Register online HERE!

On July 17th, a bunch of High School students from four different churches will descend on the Firs Conference Center for some crazy camp games, extreme free time activities, (including wakeboarding, wake surfing, tubing, paintball, High Ropes… and more) uplifting worship, chill time with friends, and a place to get away from all the pressures at home and meet with God. We are looking for some kids that are ready for the time of your life. Are you up for it? Don’t forget to register early and bring a friend for a discount!

Our Speaker:Chris Gee was born in Oakland, California and raised in the nearby city of Castro Valley. In 2004, he made the trek down to Southern California to attend UCLA. There, he studied mass communication and English. Chris is currently a 3rd year student at The Master’s Seminary and serves as the Shepherd of the UCLA Bible study at Grace Community Church.

Activities

—>Wake Boarding

—>Tubing

—>Volleyball

—>Paintball($25)

—>Basketball

—>Frisbee Golf

—>Foosball

—>Ping-Pong

—>Pool Tables

—>High Ropes($15)

—>Swimming

—>Ultimate Frisbee

—>Crazy Camp Games

—>And much, much more……

Cost:

Cost is $265 for IBC students by June 29th and $290 for registrations after June 29th.

Cost is $230 for first time visitors and the IBC student who brings them! A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due with registration. Camp DVD, paintball, and high ropes are additional costs.

*Partial scholarshipmay be available. Call Student Ministry office at 452-3351 for an application, or to inquire about fundraising opportunities.

Dates:

We will leave IBC July 17th at11a.m.(Reg. starts at 10 a.m.) and return July 30 at approx. 3p.m.

Where:

The Firs Conference Center, 4605 Cable Street, Bellingham WA 98229 Phone: 800-765-3477

www.thefirs.org

Double Spirit Day:

Pirates AHOY! is our double spirit day theme this year! So get crazy with your “Pirate Garb” for dinner on Wednesday. Double Spirit day can change everything!!!

Talent Show:

The tradition lives on with the Annual Summer Camp Talent Show. This is always a fun evening so come prepared and let us see how talented you really are!

Bring:

Bible, pen or pencil, warm clothes for evenings, sleeping bag and pillow, flashlight, towel, toiletries, a modest swimsuit (this means one piece), spending money for luncheson the way to and returning from camp(orsack lunch) and for snacksandpaintball ($20-30 recommended).Note: each student is allowed ONE bag, ONE carry on bag, and their sleeping bag and pillow.

Do not bring:

Drugs, alcohol, fireworks, tobacco, ANY ELECTRONICS (they WILL be confiscated), any inappropriate reading material, inappropriate dress (including 2 piece swimsuits, “tankinis,” sagging pants/shorts, or anything with inappropriate holes or cut outs) or a poor attitude.

All High School Camp Participants must agree to the following code of conduct:

1. Participation in all regularly scheduled activities is required.

2. Respect will be shown toward the community and other campers.

3. Everyone is to be in their room at the stated times.

4. Consumption of alcohol, smoking, and use of illegal drugs is prohibited.

5. In cases of participants not abiding by this code of conduct parents may be called. Discipline matters will be handled by adult staff. Students will be sent home if necessary at participant’s expense.

6. Allcampers will respect the camp dress code.

Ready to register? Click HERE!

Please RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195393237169068

Meet at the IBC Worship Center at 8:00 a.m.  Bring any snacks you want. lunch will be provided.  Also bring work gloves, water bottle and any yard tools such as rakes or hand shovels/spades

RSVP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101155559970102

.

Come be a part of our video scavenger hunt on March 12th. This event is always filled with lots of laughs and memories (some we wish other would forget). So join us and bring a friend. Cost is $5 for Pizza, but is free to any friends you might bring or visitors to IBC. Check out the action last year at http://vimeo.com/album/199173 to see what you are in for!

High School Winter Camp is Feb. 25-27 at Mt Baker Bible Camp.  Download a registration for full details or register online at www.indbible.org

Please dress for the occasion and invite your friends to be a part of this evening.

Detail on video submissions:

Videos must be no more than 10 min in length and will be reviewed to assure acceptable content.  All videos must be submitted to Pastor Phil by 9 p.m. Wed., January 12th.

Bella Rosa Coffee (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bella-Rosa-Coffee-House/271119215766) – 3 $5 Gift Cards

Athletes Choice (http://maps.google.com/places/us/wa/port-angeles/w-1st-st/215/-athletes-choice?hl=en&gl=us): Quicksilver Hat

Olympic Distributing- 2 Snapple Poster Board, 2 Red Bull Poster Boards, Seahawks Football, Red bull nick knack signs, Bunch of stickers, Cascade Ice- 2 packs, 2 Wired T-shirts, Snapple t-shirt

Bike Shop (http://www.soundbikeskayaks.com/)- 1 pair of woman’s bike shoes, 1 pair of men’s bike shoes, 1 Kayak paddle

Cottage Queen (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Angeles-WA/Cottage-Queen/129098313768272): Camo bag, Pink with green dots bag, zebra bag

North by northwest (http://www.nxnwsurf.com/): t shirt

Albertsons (www.albertsons.com): Ironman 2 DVD

Movie house (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Angeles-WA/The-Movie-House/135685933114749): movies-“Invictus, “Diary of a wimpy kid” and “Dear John

Aglazing Art Studio (http://www.aglazingart.com/): 2 $10.00 gift certificates

Star Video (http://local.yahoo.com/info-22205597-star-video-port-angeles): 5 free movie passes

Papa Murphy’s (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Angeles-WA/Papa-Murphys-in-Port-Angeles/342169010173): 5 coupon cards

Wendy’s (www.wendys.com): Packet of lots of free frostys

Swains (http://www.swainsinc.com/): $25.00 gift card

Tiger lily (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Angeles-WA/Tiger-Lily-Clothing/132132974665): 4 bracelets and 6 headbands

Browns outdoor (www.brownsoutdoor.com): 2 Thermal Comfort T-shirts and 1 $10.00 and 1 $15.00 gift card

Beauty and the Beach: 5 free tans

Pa Power Equipment (www.papowerequipment.com): 2 posters and some stickers

Cracked bean (http://www.facebook.com/TheCrackedBean): travel mug, $10.00 gift card and coffee beans

Dominos (www.dominos.com): 7 Gift cert. for 1 large 1 top pizza

High Voltage (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Angeles-WA/High-Voltage-Espresso/380270806638): 5 $3.25 gift cert.

Hair school (http://maps.google.com/places/us/wa/port-angeles/e-hwy-101/2941/-hair-school?gl=us): Mani, Pedi, hair cut, iron curl, condition, scalp treatments in gift cert. form

8th st. Grill (http://maps.google.com/places/us/wa/port-angeles/w-8th-st/511/-8th-street-bridge’s-grill?gl=us): 2 $10.00 gift cert.

Blackbird Coffee (http://www.theblackbirdcoffeehouse.com/): 1 $20.00 gift cert.

Westside Pizza (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Angeles-WA/Westside-Pizza-Port-Angeles/127406260613356)- 1 $ gift cert.

Envy (http://www.envyhair516.com/): 5 free haircuts, Various hair product

Necessity and Temptation (http://www.necessities-temptations.com/): 2 Mugs, 2 t-shirts

Gordy’s Pizza (http://www.gordyspizza.com/): (5) 1 Med Pizzas

Odyssey Book Shop (http://www.odysseybookshop.com/): 10 Gift Cert

Wilder Auto (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Port-Angeles-WA/Wilder-Auto-in-Port-Angeles/134375389933260)
25 Candy Jars, 30 Pencils, 2 Wilder Chap sticks, 2 Wilder Scion Tee’s, 2 Scion (beanies) hats, 2 Scion Water Bottles, 6 Antenna toppers, 2 PA Baseball caps, 4 Scion tumblers, 2 Stuffed scion cars, 2 flashlights, 2 Scion “light-up” necklaces)

Barn Bash will be at 955 Olson Rd. at the Cummins Barn

You RSVP for this even at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=145722828796228

You can register online at http://public.serviceu.com/RegistrationForm/4768689-169969615/?OrgKey=50749386-5a71-49d6-bea9-4951ddcdd646

The weather is finally warming up and it’s time to hit the lake for some fun in the water! Meet up at the FLC at 10:30 to carpool out to Lake Sutherlin. We will return at 5. Bring your own lunch. Cost $3.

Please RSVP on Facebook or email phil@indbible.org so we know what transportation we will need

The weather is finally warming up and it’s time to hit the lake for some fun in the water! Meet up at the FLC at 10:30 to carpool out to Lake Sutherlin. We will return at 5. Bring your own lunch. Cost $3.

Please RSVP on Facebook or email phil@indbible.org so we know what transportation we will need

RSVP on Facebook

IBC Mexico Misison Trip 2010 from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

You can also watch our presentation to the IBC body from Sunday

Mexico Presentation 2010 H264 1280×720 from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

In life, problems tend to magnify themselves so they become all you see.  And, if they linger in your life long enough or become numerous enough, the world seems to be reduced to nothing but problems.  Problems are not all of life, of course, but they seem that way in the moment.  And, when problems consume our view, they inevitably cause us to drift into hopelessness and despair.

So, today I would like to offer a few biblical directives for dealing with life’s problems.  They have helped me in recent times of trouble, and so I hope they can be of some help to you as well.

1. God will never allow a problem into your life that you cannot endure – 1 Corinthians 10:13.  This verse basically says that God “sizes us up” and knows what we can handle.  Psalm 103:14 reminds us that God “knows our frame” and is acquainted with our fragility.  Because He is faithful and loving, God will never allow something into our lives that we cannot handle.  So, if there is a problem in your life right now, take courage from this passage – you can handle it!
2. We are instructed to cast our problems on God – 1 Peter 5:7.  And, this is not like a cast when you go fishing.  You do not cast your problems to God and then reel them back to yourself.  You are to cast them and leave them.  Only God can allow a problem into your life, and only God can remove the problem from your life.  So, he invites you to give the problem to Him…to let Him “worry” about it, and to let Him solve it.  In the mean time, you can be free of the worry and the stress and the fretting.
3. Problems reveal your spiritual condition – Deut 8:2-5.  When pressed with a problem, the real you comes out.  So, problems give us a chance to examine our hearts.  The nation of Israel failed their test, but Job was a success (see Job 1:21-22; 2:9-10).  What have your problems revealed about you?  Anger?  Impatience?  Lack of trust?  Bitterness?  Your problems should not be an occasion for you to fail, but an opportunity to shine for the glory of Christ and the good of others.
4. Problems have a purpose – James 1:2-4.  Most things in the world become weaker by testing.  When continual pressure is put to them they eventually bend or break.  Case in point, I had a snow shovel break on me last week.  The shovel had not become stronger from all the years of practice, rather it became weaker.  Not so with humans.  James tells us that our testing is designed to make us stronger…to produce new ability within us.  We may not like our tests, but without them we would remain weak.  God tests us, not so that we would fail; but so that we, through the strength of Christ, would emerge the victor.

It is true, problems are a part of life.  But, they are not all of life.  What problems are you encountering right now?  May these words challenge you to guard yourself so that you do not let the temporary destroy the eternal, nor the immediate destroy the ultimate.  Rather, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths,” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV).

Alive2Christ,

Kendall C.

Sourced from: Devotions to Help you Marvel at our God!

You can also check out all the videos from this years Oscars online at http://vimeo.com/album/168086

If you would like a DVD of the Oscars please contact Russel Elledge.

Thank you so much for coming. I would love the opportunity to get to know each of you better and serve you and your families in whatever ways possible.

IBC Student Ministry is built upon . . .
Purpose: Our ministry exists to glorify God by assisting parents in evangelizing and equipping students through the Word of God to present each one complete in Christ.

As a Ministry we are committed to…
• Teaching and applying the Word of God to students in both public (preaching) and private (small groups) ministry.
• To a Christ centered Gospel that emphasizes repentance and shows the character of God’s love as both mercy and Justice.
• To continually emphasizing the Glory, Sovereignty, and Holiness of God to all in our ministry.
• To providing adult leaders who can model mature Christian Character and show the love of Christ to students through an incarnational ministry.
• To providing age appropriate ministries and activities to Middle School, High School, and College age students.
• To a Biblical model of parenting and to do all we can to foster the critical relationship between parents and students.
• To helping students discover their spiritual gifts, training them to utilize them, and giving them opportunities to minister with them.
• To allow every student to be “known” through a small group ministry.
• To providing training that helps equip students in theology, apologetics, Bible knowledge, and personal ministry.
• To exposing students to local, global, and personal missions ministry.
• To Communicate the heart of Jesus for the lost, by equipping and challenging students to become missionaries to their own culture as Salt and Light.
• To teach our young men and women what the Bible teaches concerning the Biblical roles of Men and Women
• To help students apply the knowledge they have received through works of service.

Web Page: Our Website can be found at http://ibcstudentministries.org This website includes upcoming calendar information for both H.S. and M.S., A description of our programs, Forms to download (including recent flyers and Medical Release forms), SMS subscription, and a host of web links for parents to check out. You can also access all of our sermons on this site. Be sure to check out the “Parents” page for a parent friendly run down of the site.

Parent Blog: The Parent blog has now been integrated with the new website and you can find the articles at http://ibcstudentministries.org/parents/

(Please check and update your info before you leave)
NETMA: Nobody Ever Tells Me Anything! NETMA will make sure that you are up to date on all of the latest information in the student ministry as well as help you to get to know Pastor Phil a little better. Sign up today, email Pastor Phil at phil@indbible.org, or subscribe to the News and Alerts on the website.

Text Message List: There are two ways to receive txt message alerts from Student Ministry. Give your cell# and name to Pastor Phil @ phil@indbible.org or You can set SMS alerts for our Facebook fan pages or twitter pages. (Must activate Facebook Mobile http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=821 and then subscribe to SMS updates on the facebook fanpage)

Resources:
Internet Filtering
1. www.familyconnect.com
2. www.covenanteyes.com
Ipod Touch protection
1. Go into parent controls and set up a code
2. Turn off Safari browser and youtube
3. Download http://www.mobicip.com/ or Covenant Eyes (http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/2009/12/28/covenant-eyes-iphone-app-is-here/) as the browser
4. Full Detials can be found at http://content.mobicip.com/content/how-setup-parental-controls-iphone-ipod-touch-os-3x-edition
Movie and Music Content
1. http://www.screenit.com
2. http://www.pluggedinonline.com/
3. http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/

Book that I highly recommend on a Biblical model of parenting.
Age of Opportunity, Paul Tripp
Teach Them Diligently, Lou Priolo
Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Tedd Tripp
Successful Christian Parenting, John MacArthur
Growing Up Christian , Karl Graustein
“Disciplines of a Godly Family” by Kent and Barbra Hughes
“Big truths for Young Hearts” by Bruce A. Ware

Current Teaching:
Sunday Encounter M.S./H.S.: 1 Thessalonians and then 2 Thessalonians
Wednesday Night FUEL (MS): Gospel of Luke
Wednesday Night RENU (H.S.) Proverbs

Teaching Team:
High School
• Pastor Phil, Brad Teel, Kevin Denton, Rob Mason

Middle School
• Thad Smith, Joe Gladfelter, Brad Teel, Phil Kooistra

Facebook: if you are unaware of our facebook groups you can find them at…
Student ministries Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/IBCSM
High School Ministry: http://www.facebook.com/ibccrossroads
Middle School Ministry: http://www.facebook.com/IBCMiddleSchool
Independent Bible Church Group: http://www.facebook.com/indbible

Videos: You can find our videos (including sermons from Crossroads) at the following places.
All videos can be found at: http://vimeo.com/ibccrossroads
Crossroads Group page is at : http://vimeo.com/groups/ibccrossroads
Sunday sermons at: http://vimeo.com/ibcsmsermons

Feeds: For those of you who use RSS Feeds below are the following feeds for Student Ministry.
Podcast for latest sermons is podcast link (Recently updated and can be found on the website)
Rss Feed for sermons is http://feeds.feedburner.com/SermonsFromCrossroadsMinistryInPortAnglesWa
Events and Updates High School: http://ibcstudentministries.org/?cat=65,68&feed=rss2
Middle School: http://ibcstudentministries.org/?cat=66,67&feed=rss2
Devotional Blog: http://marvelatgod.wordpress.com/feed/
Parent Blog: http://ibcstudentministries.org/?cat=8&feed=rss2

Opportunities
1. High School Oscars: We need some parents to help with Food for our “Oscars” after party. Oscars is Jan. 16th and we have an after party where food is served. The food we are looking for is “Appetizer” items like “chips, veggies, fruit, and a few hot dishes like meatballs, little smokies, etc. If you are able to help with this please sign up today and talk Becky Gladfelter or email her at bglad90@yahoo.com or call her at 797-4358
2. Camera Capers: We will need Digital Cameras and transportation for our middle school event on Feb. 20th If you are able to help please let Thad Smith know.

3. Video Scavenger Hunt: We will need help with vehicles and Video cameras for this event.

Calendar
Pick up the next 3 month calendars

Upcoming Events…

Jan. 16th H.S. Oscars
Jan. 17th Mexico Meeting
Jan. 24th Mexico Lunch Fundraiser
Jan. 28-30 M.S. Winter Camp
Feb. 14th Mexico Meeting
Feb. 21 Mexico Lunch Fundraiser
Feb. 20 M.S. Camera Capers
Feb. 26-28 H.S. Winter Camp
March 7 Mexico Meeting
March 13 H.S. Video Scavenger hunt
March 14 Mexico Meeting
March 20 M.S. Bowling
March 21 Mexico Lunch Fundraiser
April 3-10 Spring Break Mexico Mission Trip
April 17 Amazing Race
May 2 Parent Meeting
May 8 STRIVE

Big Summer Dates:
H.S. Summer Camp July 25-30 @ the Firs Conference Center in Bellingham
M.S. Summer Camp August 15-19 @ Camp David Jr.

Brad Teel: “Response to Sheperds” from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Tuesday 11.17.09

Every child probably experiences a similar memory – falling asleep in the car during the drive home.  This situation always affords dad the opportunity to become a hero by opening the back door, unfastening the seat belt, and scooping the sleeping child into his arms.  Then, after bumping the car door closed, he somehow manages to open the house door with his forearm.  On the way down the hallway he fumbles to remove shoes, socks, and a jacket.  Dad places the sleeping child into bed and pulls the covers up snug.  It is the perfect picture of a father carrying his helpless child.

In Deuteronomy 1:31, Moses reminds the Israelites that the Lord has been faithful to care for them.  To illustrate his point, he uses the analogy of a father carrying a child.  The verse says it this way: “You have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.”  What a beautiful picture.  God carrying His people.  Weak, inexperienced, and unable to walk on their own strength – God scooped them up and carried them in His unfailing love and unwavering strength.

Christian, you are a child of God.  And, as His child, He watches over you and protects you.  He keeps you.  And, especially during those moments when you cannot walk on your own – He carries you.  Is your spirit tired today?  Are you anxious in your heart?  Are you weary and feeling like you can’t take another step forward?  Then, hope in God.  Let the truth of God’s deep love and care for you settle profoundly into your mind.  Rest in the arms of the Almighty and let your heavenly Father carry you!  He is able, He is strong, and He is willing.

Alive2Christ,

Kendall C.

Sourced from: Devotions to Help you Marvel at our God!

Phil Kooistra: “God’s Prayer for You” from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

This is a critical meeting for ANYONE even thinking of attending the mission trip!  See you at 11 in the H.S. Room.

Watch last years video to inspire you!

Mexico 2008 from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Brad Teel: 1st Thessalonians 3:1-10 from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Kevin Denton 1st Thessalonian 2:17-20 from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

God Desires for Us to Grow 2 Peter 1:5-7

You can also find this sermon the IBC website at http://indbible.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=39041&PID=453936

Thad Smith: 1st Thessalonians 2: 13-16 from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Tuesday 10.20.09 From Kendall Coffman

The annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain is one of the world’s most recognizable events.  The goal of the event is simple – to run in front of 12 bulls and beat them to a given destination.  But, not everyone has been successful in their attempts.  Over the last 100 years, there have been 15 confirmed deaths, and each year hundreds more are injured during the run.

The fascination of this event is obvious – breakable, human bodies are pitted against the unmatched strength of a seemingly unbreakable animal.  For the person participating, it’s really more about cheating death rather than a display of courage.  But, one thing is clear in the minds of all those watching, the horns of a bull are an unmistakable picture of strength.

In Numbers 23:21-22, a unique description of God is used that likens His strength to that of a bull’s horns.  We are told that, “The LORD their God is with them…God brings them out of Egypt and is for them like the horns of the wild ox.”  The ox spoken of here is the now extinct aurochs (search online to learn more about it).  In ancient times this ox was the traditional picture of supreme power and dominance, for who was able to take on the strength of the ox and win?  The obvious answer was no one. He stood alone in strength.

The wonderful promise of this verse is that God is for His people like the horns of a mighty ox.  He is for us in power and protection.  He is for us in love and forgiveness. He is for us in help and success.  As Robert Murray McCheyne has beautifully written, “Under a sense of your sin, flee to the Savior of sinners.  As the timid dove flies to hide itself in the crevices of the rock, so flee to hide yourself in the wounds of your Savior.  And when you have found Him, like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, when you sit under His shadow with great delight, you will find that He has slain all the hostility, that He has accomplished all your warfare.  God is now for you” (The Best of Robert Murray McCheyne, Edited and Compiled by Stephen W. Sorenson, p. 54).

No longer running helplessly to avoid the bullseye of His wrath, we now have become beneficiaries of His great strength.  Because of Christ, God is now for us!  His strength runs before us and clears the way. How much better to be behind the horns of a bull than in front of them!

This is the strong God in whom we trust.  Evil scurries and scatters before Him.  His light breaks through and divides the darkness.  His horns have demolished the demonic powers and authorities.  He has triumphed over sin, and death, and hell.  Be at peace today, Christian – for, when God is for us, nothing can be against us (Rom 8:31)!

Alive2Christ,

Kendall C.

Sourced from: Devotions to Help you Marvel at our God!

There is a step by step description of how to protect your children with this product found at http://content.mobicip.com/content/how-setup-parental-controls-iphone-ipod-touch-os-3x-edition
Please take time to consider this if there is an ipod touch/iphone in your family.

I would also recommend the Covenant Eyes browser http://www.covenanteyes.com/services/mobile-solutions/, but you must have a covenant eyes account for it to work properly.

If you have any questions I would be happy to answer those.

Phil

Update:  Android 2.0 is the next generation of mobile operating systems and will very likely in a lot of devices very soon.  Please help to urge the software companies to make internet accountability software for Android.  You can contact Covenant Eyes and Mobicip directly as well as make your voice known on Getsatisfaction.com  I have started a request for this software at http://getsatisfaction.com/covenanteyes/topics/covenant_eyes_for_android and you can contact Mobicip at http://www.mobicip.com/contact as well.

Thanks

Rob Mason: 1st Thessalonians 2:7-12 from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Come hang out after the football game at 5th Quarter…9:30ish – 11:00 P.M. at the IBC Family Life Center high school room and Cove. What is it? Friends…snacks and hangin out! 5th Quarter dates are: Sept. 18, Oct. 9 and 23

Tuesday 10.13.09

“Why do men kill?” That is the question my young son put to me one afternoon.  To be honest, my first thought was a hope that I could somehow shelter him from the graphic sins of the world.  Murder, abuse, rape, and the like are words I wish he’d never know.  Frankly, I wish they were words none of us would ever know.  But, we live in a sinful world, and so we seek somehow to make sense of it all.

I paused for a moment and then put a question back to him, “Well, have you ever been angry?”  “Yes,” he replied.  “Did your anger lead to hate,” I asked?  Again, “yes” was his admission.  “Then you were already on your way to killing,” I advised.

I went on to share with him that most likely, no one ever grows up with a life goal to kill.  It always happens slowly, and it happens because sin is deceitful.  Sin lies to you.  It tells you that you can control the inner sin (thoughts of it) and it will never go all the way to the action.  Sin promises that you can knock down only 1 domino, and leave the rest standing.  It might happen that way hundreds of times.  But then in a moment’s notice, the whole line of dominoes tumbles out of control.  And then you realize you were grossly misled.  Sin was, in fact, deceiving you.

So, that afternoon, I took the time with my son to obey the words of Hebrews 3:13, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”  Then, I shared this little formula:

• Anger leads to hate,
• Hate leads to harm,
• Harm leads to murder.

If anger is stewing in your life today, get rid of it.  It will not remain satisfied.  It will crave harm.  It will crave revenge.  It will crave hurt and  misfortune for the one with whom you are angry.  May you never be forced to speak the words of thousands before you who have said, “I never intended to kill.”

The only way to avoid the last step is to avoid the first.  And, the only way to avoid the first is to have your eyes fixed firmly on Jesus.  He alone will keep your heart soft towards what is good and right.  May your love and desire for Christ triumph over your love for anger and hate and revenge and murder.  In the strength of Christ, confess your anger and let love and patience rule your relationships.  I am exhorting you today, do not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin…instead be softened by the truth that Christ loved you and gave Himself for you (Gal 2:20).

I leave you with a thought from the great John Owen, “Sin is modest in its first motions and proposals, but having once got footing in the heart, it constantly makes good its ground, and presses on to some farther degrees in the same kind.  This new acting and pressing forward makes the soul take little notice of what an entrance to a falling off from God is already made” (Overcoming Sin and Temptation, p. 53).

Alive2Christ,

Kendall C.

Sourced from: Devotions to Help you Marvel at our God!

All the Videos can be found at http://vimeo.com/album/103525

Middle School Camp: Monday Games from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Middle School Camp: Tuesday Games from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Middle School Camp: Wednesday Games from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Middle School Camp: Thursday Games from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Middle School Summer Camp Skits from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Guest Speaker: Jonathan McKinley from Crossroads Ministry on Vimeo.

Audio: Special update from Jonathan McKinley

Hey! Join this group I created using tXtBlaster: Crossroads High School Ministry
By subscribing to this group I can send updates and alerts directly to your phone. It works using regular tXt …messages, so only standard carrier rates apply.

You can sign up now by sending “ibccrossroads” to BLAST (25278). Or you can subscribe online here:
http://txtblaster.com/ibccrossroads

Or for Middle School…

You can sign up now by sending “ibc180″ to BLAST (25278). Or you can subscribe online here:
http://txtblaster.com/ibc180

Another way you can receive txt updates on your phone is to subscribe to SMS updates for our facebook fan pages.  Jusk set up your facebook Mobile settings (http://www.facebook.com/mobile/?settings=1) and click on “subscribe to sms” on the left hand side of the Fan page.

A third way to get txt updates is to receive sms updates for our twitter updates.  Make sure you are a member of twitter (http://twitter.com) go to any of our twitter pages (http://twitter.com/ibcstudentmin http://twitter.com/ibccrossroads http://twitter.com/ibc180) become a follower of our updates and subscribe to sms updates.

If you have any questions on any of this you can email phil at phil@indbible.org

PluggedInOnline – a Focus on the Family publication designed to help equip parents, youth leaders, ministers and teens with the essential tools that will enable them to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live

Christian Spotlight on Entertainment – maintained by Films for Christ/Eden Communications

ChristianityTodayMovies – the movie blog of Christianity Today magazine, devoted to film reviews, interviews and commentary, all written from a biblical perspective

CrossWalk Movies – a movie review service of CrossWalk.com

MovieGuide – website of Dr. Ted Baehr, Chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission