Not of the World

A Blue Fish TV video that we have been showing called "Bubble Creek Canyon" depicts this subdivision for only Christians that isolates them from the world. This video is a parody where they mock things like the alcohol free liquor store "Holy Spirits" or editing movies to remove the bad content from them making them really short in length. They also talk about isolating the kids from all things of the world as well, but the real question is "How does God want us to interact with non-believers?"

You can probably guess that isolating yourself from the world isn't what God intended. However, he wants us to live in the world, not outside of the world. In Romans 12:1-2 Paul writes: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Paul is saying that as believers we must LIVE each day as a living sacrifice. We must be pure in our thoughts and actions everyday. We shouldn't go the ways of the world but instead be so much different than the world that they should want to have a piece of what we have in our life.

Matthew 28:19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit." This is the commandment that Jesus gave to his church. To go and make disciples of all people. Can we do that isolated within our comfort zone or our youth group? In short, No. We must be willing to step up and invite people to go to Youth and attend our events. Invite them to play during Night Light, even though that means that you will get less playing time. It is time for us, as Christians, to stop living for ourselves and living for the others.

You may be asking yourself, well how can I live for Christ but still hang out with my friends where they might temp me into doing things that might lead me to a life of sin. My suggestion is to ask your friend to stop, and if the don't stay friends with you that is fine. Why? Because even Jesus realize that his followers where going to be hated and despised just as you might be by some of your friends. John 15:18 says, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." Just keep showering them with the truth, you know, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will be saved and have eternal life. That's the best news you can share with anyone.

Well good luck sharing Jesus with your friends and don't be listenin' to that "music of the devil" :)

In Christ, Tony

Youth News 8-16-14 to 8-31-14

Youth News: August 16th to 31st

It's hard to believe that on Aug 23rd, I will be starting my fourth year as the Youth Leader at RBC. Wow! How things have changed since I started. Going from 1 or 2 every Wednesday Night to now having around 10 on a weekly basis. With that said, you will notice a difference this year, my wife Alicia will be with us all year long and has some events planned for later as we go along that we are sure the youth will really enjoy. Be looking for announcements in the coming "Youth News" so that you can mark it down on your calendar and also so your children can tell their friends, because wouldn't it be awesome to have 20 kids on a weekly night! I will remind you that if your children have any ideas of places we can go to do activities we are always open to suggestions.

The biggest events that we have going on in the latter part of the month is the Church Work Day, which happens to be tomorrow and Night Light. The work day is an opportunity for the church to come together and spruce up the church, but in this case we are going to be painting our Youth room. We are trying to redo the Youth room so that it is inviting and has some really neat things on the walls to get the kids thinking about the Lord in a positive way. Also this will allow our current students to take ownership of the room and what is in it.

The second big event is Night Light. Night Light is a all-night kickball event that is held at the High Point ballfield (right next to High Point R-III Schools). This event was started in 2000, to find a way to use sports to reach kids for Christ. This is the 15th year of the event and the students that can participate must be a 6th - 12th Grade as of this school year. (August 2014) After back to school blast I handed out release waiver forms to the students and they need to fill these out and bring them back to me, along with $10 for the T-shirt, so they can play. If you need a form please let me know, ASAP. (WE NEED GIRLS, AT LEAST 5 TO PLAY)

Lastly, we are trying to reach parents and students via Facebook and email, but in order to do so we need you to give us your email address to add to the list and you can go to Facebook and look for Russellville Baptist Youth Group and ask if you can become a member, it's that easy. Then you will know what we have coming up and it will remind you so you don't forget. Also I inserted my lovely wife's August calendar that she made up with pictures and descriptions of the remaining events coming up in August.

Thanks, Tony Amos

Church Work Day: August 16th @ 9:00 am
We will be having a work day at the church on Saturday August 16th, in order to paint the Youth Room, stain the children' s playground and paint the basketball goal. We are encouraging all students to come and help paint the Youth room so that we can make it our own. Wear old clothes. We should be done by 12:00 pm.

Night Light: August 31st & September 1st:
We will be participating in the years Night Light on Sunday August 31st at 2:00 pm. This event will be a kickball tournament and I need the kids to pay $10 to cover the cost of the T-Shirt. This years tournament will be over around 2:00 am and we should have the kids home soon there after. You will need a waiver form to play so we need that signed. If you need extra waiver forms please let me know.
(WE NEED GIRLS TO PLAY, SO BE ASKING YOUR FRIENDS IF THEY CAN PLAY)

Upcoming Dates:

8-16-14: Church Work Day (9:00 am)
8-20-14: Youth (6:30 pm)
8-21-14: First Day of School
8-27-14: Youth (6:30 pm)
8-31-14: Night Light Kickball Tournament - Leave for High Point from RBC around 2:00 pm
9-3-14: Youth (6:30 pm)
9-10-14: Youth (6:30 pm)
9-17-14: Youth (6:30 pm)
9-24-14: Youth (6:30 pm)

A Polarizing Issue

Currently we have an issue in Ferguson, MO. A young black man was shot by an officer and people are mad. You can hear both sides of the story and come away with a different stories every time. Whether this young man attacked the officer or the officer shot the young man in cold blood, one thing remains the same we need to love one another as Jesus preached.

The greatest commandment is Matthew 22:37-40 and it states "And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Let's take a look at what that really says. Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. This is first. You must love God first, then you will love your neighbor as yourself. If you don't love God then you aren't going to love your neighbor. This is the real problem in America. We don't love God. We have taken God out of our lives, because we are afraid of offending people or we are told to keep quiet.

The time has come for Christians to stand up, and bow down, and pray. We need to pray first and then act. We can't share God's love if our hearts aren't pure and ready to tell others about Jesus and the redemption he brings for us. Let us turn our hearts toward home and start to think about things that will advance the kingdom. (Acts 1:8)

During the month leading up to our evangelism event, Real Encounter, I am going to encourage the Youth to pray for the event. I have a 10 day plan that we will focus on praying for those 30 days leading up to October 29th. Be on the lookout for this to be coming soon.
In Christ, Tony