Mismatch and Ice Cream

Our Trek group on Wednesday nights has been doing a great job of saying verses and bringing friends to club. In fact after only 4 weeks they have reached their first reward - ICE CREAM!! So this Wednesday, October 13th we will have ice cream sundaes at Trek!

This Wednesday is also Mismatch Night. If you come wearing mismatched clothing you will get points for your team. I'm looking forward to seeing how creative you all are!

Hope to see you Wednesday!

Taming the Tongue from Profanity

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:9-10 (NIV)


Cursing, profanity and filthy language have long been a problem for humanity. I have shared with our youth at CBC that when I was in high school I used a lot of profanity - something that saddens me now as I look back on my life. I knew it was wrong because it was dishonoring to God, but I did it anyway because it seemed to be viewed as "cool" if you cussed. Rather than having a desire to honor God with my tongue I chose to compromise so others would accept me more.

God's word makes it clear that profane and filthy language is not honoring to Him. But more and more it is becoming acceptable by believers. There are certainly those who use it and know it is wrong. However, my concern is those believers who think there is no problem with it. When the world considers something profane and Christians have no problem with it, we have a real problem on our hands.


Profanity is more common today in music, TV and movies than ever before. Use of profanity that used to get a PG-13 rating in movies now seems to get a PG rating instead. Our culture seems to be more accepting of it. And so have we as Christians. I don't know how many times I have heard and even used myself the line that bad language in a song or movie or TV show doesn't affect me. You may not hear profanity and then start spouting it, but what we put in our minds no doubt affects us. This is why I believe God directs us not to "conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" - Romans 12:2a.


I recently read an article by Plugged In on this subject. It was entitled "Why Profanity Matters". In it the author does a good job of dealing with this issue. I would encourage you to read it.

I believe the Bible makes it quite clear that as with all of our life our language is to honor the Lord. As we yield to the Holy Spirit who indwells us as believers, the fruit that is produced includes self-control. Sure the filthy language during the time the Bible was written didn't refer specifically to the English profanity used today - it didn't have to. This command crosses all cultures and languages. And it reaches beyond just a profane word and applies to jokes and conversations that are filthy yet profanity free. The language we use is just one aspect of our Christian life but is still important. Let's use the tongue the Lord has given us to honor Him!

Sr. High Sledding

Our senior high recently went sledding at Oakhurst Hill. We all had an enjoyable time. Here are some pictures:

MS Missions Trip - Day 2

Saturday was a full day!

After Ryan A. and I were greeted by the red wasps, we started our schedule for the day at 9 a.m. with "orientation" of the ministry of FOA and a tour of the ministry. For more information on FOA, you can check out their blog.

We then headed into town for lunch at the Froghead Grill. In case you were worrying, there were no frogs served as part of the menu but they did have catfish and of course, some fried pickles. However, most of our group stuck with burgers and wraps - playing it safe!

After lunch what better place to go than the Mecca of the south - Bass Pro Shop. And boy was this store a doozy! We went to the shooting range inside (don't worry moms, they were laser guns) and looked around at all the hunting and fishing stuff. It took a while because so much was camouflaged. He he, I crack myself up. Okay maybe not so funny...moving on.

From there we saw a few other sights in Jackson including the Ross Barnett Reservoir and then drove on a portion of The Natchez Trace back to FOA.

After about an hour of free time, we loaded back up and went to The Club to enjoy a cookout and time of swimming with some of the youth from Riverwood Bible Church. We will be teaming up with this group this week to lead these 5 Day Clubs. Many thanks to Mr. Miner who allowed us to use his club for this purpose and provided the food for us.

After we were finished there, we went back to FOA to get some rest. We have to be well rested - we've got a full week ahead!

Here are some pics to enjoy from Day 2:

Touring the ministry of FOA in the heat

Our tour - donated items at a garage sale

Our tour - the girls couldn't resist this pic opportunity of course

And everyone thought this would be funny too for some reason

Caleb was just hanging around waiting for lunch

This was a sign at the Froghead Grill to know if you are a Froghead or not

Chowing down!

Scott made a new friend at the restaurant

Bass Pro Shop - from the inside

Our group in front of the big aquarium

David at the shooting range

Ryan and Hannah taking aim

NO RUTH!! Don't do it

Kay and Priscila being silly with camo coushins

Our group swimming at The Club

Having fun; staying cool

A little pool football of course

All that swimming works up an appetite

MS Missions Trip - Day 1

Our summer youth missions trip to Mississippi to

be involved with 5 Day Clubs and to help at the ministry of FOA began this past Friday morning at 4:00 a.m.

Thankfully, our trip in 3 vans was uneventful and some kids even got some sleep. Everything went smoothly and by the time we stopped in Arkansas for lunch, we began to really feel the heat. After about 14 hours and a few stops we arrived in Jackson, MS at FOA around 6:00 p.m.

Unfortunately the electricity at the ministry had gone off due to a limb falling on the power lines. So we were without electricity and therefore air conditioning until about 8:30 p.m. But we survived the evening heat by walking around some parts of the ministry and spending some time in the pool. By the time we were ready for bed the air was back on...and from all reports I received everyone slept well after a long day!

Here are som pics from Day 1:

Stretching out at the rest stop with some football

Lunch at the Arkansas Welcome Center - HELLO HEAT!

Welcome to Mississippi!

Eating dinner on the porch at the girls' house

On our mini tour we met the horses.