The 180 Blog

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthdays
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Mid Week
There will be no Fuel or Danger Zone this week with the New Year's holiday. See you again in '09!

Snow Fun
Snow Fun (Tubing/Skiing/Snowboarding) is happening on MLK Jr. day, January 19. Watch this week for the online flier. Be reminded by signing up for our text message alerts (Mid School, High School), or join the 180 Facebook group.

Read Through the Bible
Join in with 180 and read through the Bible this year. We've found a great program that gets you reading different sections each day, 2 from the Old Testament and 1 from the New.

Maybe you've tried this before and got stuck about halfway through Exodus. Don't worry, this is easier because you read from different sections every day. It also doesn't take very long each day. You'll read anywhere between 3-6 chapters. (4-6 if they are smaller chapters).

If you decide that you want to do this but decide after we start, or you miss a few days (or weeks!) don't worry, just jump right in where we are at!

Let's make this about seeking God. Jesus didn't think too highly of the Pharisees who read all the scriptures but didn't see that it all pointed to a relationship with a person...Jesus!

We will begin January 1. Join in and see what God does as you seek Him!

Day	Genesis	Psalms	Matthew
Thursday, Jan. 1	1-2	1-2	1-2
Friday, Jan. 2	3-4	3-5	3-4
Saturday, Jan. 3	5-6	6-8	5
Sunday, Jan. 4	7-8	9-10	6
Monday, Jan. 5	9-10	11-13	7

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE FUTURE

Let's start with a handful of Bible verses about the future:

• When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
  
• Therefore, you cannot discover anything about your future. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)
  
• Since no one knows the future, who can say what is to come? (Ecclesiastes 8:7)
  
• "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
  
• Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:27)
  
• For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Wow! We can learn some fantastic things in those verses right there, stuff about how we should approach thinking about the future. These Scriptures are pretty much saying, "Don't worry about the future: God has great plans for you, and God will be with you. The future can't separate you from God!"

**
Taken from "My Future" by Scott Rubin & Mark Oestreicher, copyright 2008 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=422

3. BIRTHDAYS

We've got 3 great birthdays this week. Breena Patzke, Brian Eberly & Tyler Brown. For your birthday, 180 is going to give you a new year. Enjoy!

4. SURF REPORT

~ New Year's Eve Around the World
Ever wondered how people around the world ring in the new year?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/105907/new_years_eve_customs_around_the_world.html?cat=49

~ Name That Candybar
Here's a game that will test your knowledge of candy bars.
http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/tf/c/crosssection/namethatbar.html

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

Wood frogs freeze solid in winter and thaw back to life in spring.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."
~ T.S. Eliot

"Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours."
~ Lord Fisher

===========our|sponsor===========

DISCOVER WHAT COMES NEXT AND HOW TO SURVIVE IT ALL
Do you wonder (or worry) about high school, college, and life beyond? "My Future" is a survival guide to your future, filled with insider tips to help you make smart decisions and face whatever comes next.
Learn more about or purchase the book "My Future" here:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=422
=================================

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Why is it that if you mix flour and water together you get glue, but if you add eggs and sugar you get a cake?

Hey 180!

If you ever dreamed of a white Christmas, we think it's a safe bet that all your dreams have come true! We hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas celebration this year.

2008 has been a wonderful year of ministry, and we could not feel more honored to be your pastors.

Enjoy our special year end greeting!

You Are Love,

Pastors Brian & Aaron



For those with faster connections here is a higher quality version.

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Birthdays
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Text Message Alerts

With all the wintry weather we have been experiencing, it is very possible that some of our planned events may be canceled. If you are not already subscribed to our Text Message Alerts, and would like to receive immediate notifications of cancellations, you can sign up right here! Just click on the appropriate link below to be added to our list.

Text messages will be one way messages and will sent from One80@txtsig.us.

Sign up now to always be in the know!


Sign up for our High School TXT message alerts!

Sign up for our Middle School TXT message alerts!




Christmas Parties


Start looking now for that perfect White Elephant gift for our Christmas party! If you are in High School your party will be this Wednesday night, December 17 and Middle Schoolers your party will be this Thursday, December 18. Please watch the church web site or your text messages for possible cancellations.


See pictures of our Middle School party here.
See pictures of High School party here.

HS Winter Getaway



It's Christmas break, and what could better than spending it secluded away with friends, hanging out and spending time in God's Word?!

This December 28-29, we're going to pull away to Silver Falls State Park for 27 hours! Silver Falls is has a nice lodge for us to relax, play games, sit by the fire, worship and learn together.

This trip is designed for you to grow in your relationship with God and each other.




We've got movies, games, a Wii on the big screen, great food provided at the dining hall, and couches & lounge chairs galore.

Go here to get your flier with all the details (including the registration date).

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Psalm 139:13-16

Mary was an ordinary teenager, yet God chose her to accomplish great things. Today, God still looks for ordinary people who are willing to trust him with their lives to accomplish great things. Psalm 139:13-16 reminds us that God created, designed, and crafted each of us especially for what he wants us to do. In fact, you were wired to know God and make him known. Nothing else will really satisfy you.

Reread today's passage and meditate on what it's saying to you. The real Christmas question is, "What will you do with this Jesus?"
How does it make you feel to know that God created you to know him and make him known?

Choose a personal way to express praise to God. Take some time to praise him.

**

Taken from "Christ" by Student Life Bible Study, copyright 2008 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.


3. SURF REPORT

~ White House Christmas Trees
Pictures and stories of White House Christmas trees

~ Christmas Recipes
Fruitcake, fudge and Christmas cookies


4. BIRTHDAYS

We've got one birthday this week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Eli Shipley! Hope you have a great one!


5. FORGETTABLE FACT

The speed of a typical raindrop is 17 miles per hour.


6. POTENT QUOTABLES

"He has opened heaven's door, and man is blessed evermore."
~ From "Good Christian Men, Rejoice"

"Fear always springs from ignorance."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

===========our|sponsor===========

THE LIFE OF CHRIST, THE BASIS OF FAITH

Chances are, you know who Jesus is. But do you really know about Jesus? He is probably the best-known person in history, and yet there's a lot that people don't know about who he was, what he did, or why he did it. In this 48-week devotional, you'll spend time reading Old Testament predictions of Jesus, stories about Jesus, what he taught, and the miracles that he performed.

Learn more about or purchase the book "Christ" here.

=================================

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What do you call people who are afraid of Santa?

A: Claustrophobic.

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Birthdays
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Winter Calender






It's out! Be sure to either download one now, or pick one up at the Info. Counter in the youth center this week.

Winter '08-'09 is going to be a great. Don't miss out!









Christmas Parties


Start looking now for that perfect White Elephant gift for our Christmas party! If you are in High School your party will be Wednesday night, December 17 and Middle Schoolers your party will be Thursday, December 18.


See pictures of our Middle School party here.
See pictures of High School party here.


2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Luke 1:39-45

What goes through your mind when you think about Christmas? Luke 1:39-45 records the very first response (other than Mary's) to Christmas. A baby who was still inside his mother's womb leaped for joy. Then his mother, Elizabeth, encouraged Mary that she was indeed carrying the Messiah. Shouldn't we all respond this way--leaping for joy at the birth of Jesus, the Savior, who allows us to have a personal relationship with God?

So far in your life, what's been the hardest thing that God has asked you to do?

Or what's the hardest truth in the Bible for you to obey? What did you learn from that experience?

What would help you trust God more in the tough areas of life?

Spend a few moments with God and tell him how you feel about your relationship with him. Then ask God to develop in you a joy about who he is that will last even when tough times come. (And they will come; that's how we grow.)

**

Taken from "Christ" by Student Life Bible Study, copyright 2008 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.


3. SURF REPORT

~ The Fellowship of Christian Athletes
FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America.

~ PopCap Games
Fun free online games

4. BIRTHDAYS



We've got one this week. We're wishing a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tashayla Ranney this week! Hope you have a great one!!







5. FORGETTABLE FACT

A shrimp's heart is in its head.


6. POTENT QUOTABLES

"The coming of Christ by way of a Bethlehem manger seems strange and stunning. But when we take him out of the manger and invite him into our hearts, then the meaning unfolds and the strangeness vanishes."
~ C. Neil Strait

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."
~ Roy L. Smith


===========our|sponsor===========

THE LIFE OF CHRIST, THE BASIS OF FAITH

Chances are, you know who Jesus is. But do you really know about Jesus? He is probably the best-known person in history, and yet there's a lot that people don't know about who he was, what he did, or why he did it. In this 48-week devotional, you'll spend time reading Old Testament predictions of Jesus, stories about Jesus, what he taught, and the miracles that he performed.

Learn more about or purchase the book "Christ" here.

=================================


7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Why are there flotation devices under airplane seats instead of parachutes?

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Birthdays
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotales
7. Uh, that's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

New Music!
Hey Music fans we just received the following shipment of CDs for our CD library.

Building 429
Disciple - "Southern Hospitality"
Downhere - "Ending is Beginning"
Family Force Five - "Dance or Die"
Ruth - "Anorak"
Chris Tomlin - "Hello Love"
Triplee - "20/20"
Kaboose - "Excuse Me"
The Wrecking - "A New Abolition"

Please remember CDs may be checked out for a period of one week and we ask that they not be burned.

Rock on!

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

LUKE 1:26-38

This could be one of the most awesome sections in the entire Bible.

Read it again and write down anything that amazes you.

HOW ABOUT THESE?
An angel came down to Mary and said something like, “Hey, you are highly favored, and God is with you!” (v. 28)

Since God favored Mary, he chose her to give birth to the Messiah—as a virgin. She obviously had some questions as to how exactly this would happen! (vv. 30-34)

The angel told her not to be afraid—the Holy Spirit would conceive a child inside of her. He also reminded her that nothing is impossible with God (vv. 35-37). That statement alone is worth remembering and repeating.

Mary, who probably was a teenager, knew the heartache she’d face one day, and she responded with trust. She said she was the Lord’s servant and he was free to do with her life whatever he desired.

Learning from a fellow teenager, what’s your response as God calls you to trust and obey him in all areas of your life? Ask God to do whatever he needs to do to build your faith.

**

Taken from “Christ” by Student Life Bible Study, copyright 2008 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.


3. SURF REPORT

~ World AIDS Day
December 1—what will you do?

~ The Hope Line
A site for you to find help with big issues


4. BIRTHDAYS



This week we have got 4 birthdays! BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES go out to Kaley Vincent, Trevor McCracken, Chris Pierce, and Necole Moore! We wish you all the BEST!!







5. FORGETTABLE FACT

An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

“He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find him the rest of the day.”
John Bunyan

“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life or death to you.”
C.S. Lewis


===========our|sponsor===========

THE LIFE OF CHRIST, THE BASIS OF FAITH

Chances are, you know who Jesus is. But do you really know about Jesus? He is probably the best-known person in history, and yet there's a lot that people don't know about who he was, what he did, or why he did it. In this 48-week devotional, you'll spend time reading Old Testament predictions of Jesus, stories about Jesus, what he taught, and the miracles that he performed.

Learn more about or purchase the book "Christ" here.

=================================


7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not too sure.