The 180 Blog

Pool Parties
This week on Wednesday and Thursday night we are heading for the pool! If you are in high school join us on Wednesday night from 6:00 to 8:30 and if in middle school join us on Thursday night from 6:00-8:30.

We will be traveling the the McReynold's home in Sherwood for a fun time in the water along with hot dogs! Best part.....IT'S FREE!

Neighborhood BBQ
Our outreach to our neighbors yesterday was a great time. Many thanks to all of you that helped make it so! How exciting to be used of God to bless others! May we never stop!

CD Library
Our CD Library has been updated! Check out new releases from:

Barlow Girls - "How Can We Be Silent"
Casting Crowns - "The Altar And The Door"
Cross Movement - "History: Our Place in His Story"
Hip Hope - "Hits 2008"
Need To Breathe - "The Heat"
Pocket Full of Rocks - "Manifesto"
Project 86 - "Rival Factions"
Aaron Shust - "Whispered And Shouted"
Wavory - "Conquering The Fear of Flight"

Please remember CD may be checked out for a period of ONE WEEK. There are many CDs that have been out for a very long time (up to a year). If you have any checked out CDs laying around please return them so others may enjoy them as well.

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

"At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him." (Acts 7:57-58a).

GodThink
Groupthink or Godthink? Which do you choose? It all comes down to where your heart lies and what's inside your head. If you choose to follow the group, the dangers that you're entertaining include trampling on your own convictions, ignoring God's wisdom, and flat-out getting hurt.

A recent study at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health unveiled the not-so-surprising finding that the more teenagers a teen driver has in the car, the more likely he or she will be killed in an accident. A 16-year-old driving with three or more passengers is nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than a teen driving solo.

Why does this happen? Two things come to mind: First, groupthink leads people to do things they normally would not (driving fast and recklessly, for example). And second, when you're in a group it's easy to get distracted. Distraction can lead to death. When groupthink dominates your life, it can also lead to spiritual death.

One person who didn't follow the mob was Stephen. Read Acts 7:54-60.

What an incredible, courageous dude! He didn't flinch when an angry mob flexed. He didn't shrink when those who hated him stirred up others to join in a cruel crime against him.

It's not easy to stand out from the crowd. Sometimes it will hurt--I hope not as severely as the stoning of Stephen, but the words and actions of others can still be painful.

So why leave the acceptance of the group? Why turn your back on people you value as friends? Here's why: The more you let others shape your values and the more you leave moral decisions to others, the less you walk with God.

Stephen had it right. When he was about to die from the wounds inflicted by the mob, he said, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60).

He loved God enough to die for Him. He loved the crowd enough to stand up and tell them they were wrong.

Do you?
(Tom Felten)

Here are some questions to ask yourself:
~ In what ways do I let others set my values and agenda?
~ What will help me reject the pressure of the crowd and do what God wants?

From Soul Journey, copyright 2003 RBC Ministries Grand Rapids, Michigan. Used with permission.

3. SURF REPORT

Pipecleaner Dance

Cool Optical Illusions

4. FORGETTABLE FACT

It takes around 200,000 frowns to create a permanent brow line.

5. POTENT QUOTABLES

God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right, even though I think it is hopeless.
- Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

The opposite of bravery is not cowardice, but conformity.
- Robert Anthony

To get nowhere, follow the crowd.
- Frank Baer

6. PARTING SHOT

A procrastinator's work is never done.

# posted by Brian Eberly : 2:29 PM