ANSWERING HIS CALL - WILL YOU?

"A person who has SURRENDERED EVERYTHING to Jesus is willing to do ANYTHING for Him.  If you won't do anything then He doesn't have everything."  Perry Noble

GOD HAS CALLED US TO FLORIDA - TO PARTNER WITH HIM - TO SHARE JESUS WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW HIM.  WILL YOU ANSWER HIS CALL?

God has given us an unbelievable opportunity this Summer to minister to Haitian people in Florida. 

"Passion" has been the word that is being brought up time and time again in our youth ministry.  Students and adults are seeing the need for "passion" in our people and in what we do.  We are seeing "passion"...God is doing something and His people are starting to get it.

I simply want to challenge all ONE80 and RELENTLESS students to really consider why you would not be a part of the Mission 2011 team.
* Is it to much money?
   - God fed over 5000 people with a little bit of fish and bread...He is our
     provider!
* Is it to much effort?
   - God will give us what we need to endure and persevere...He is our
      Sustainer!
* Does raising money and taking time out of your Summer make you
   un-comfortable?
   - Jesus died for you (and the Haitians in Florida).   Un-comfortable...
* Is Florida just not "exciting" enough?
   - If it's about Jesus and sharing Him with people then ANYPLACE should
      be exciting.

Listen...this is all about being on MISSION for God.  It is all about loving GOD and loving PEOPLE.  This is EXCITING!  This is what having a PASSION for God and people is all about.  This is what has been the driving force the past few weeks at S.W.A.P.!  I have heard it and I have seen it.

"This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine." 

Mathew 5:14-16 says "You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

God has lit a fire in us...let's not let satan blow it out.

There is still time to join the Mission 2011 team!

I love you!

Mark

"Taking a Stand to be Different" - By Jillian Schmid

One of the things that I have struggled with in my life was this desire to fit in.  When I was in 9th and 10th grade, I always wanted to have the best clothes, hang out with the "popular" group of people, and follow every other set of guidelines that enabled me to be with the in-crowd at school.  It wasn't really until my junior year when it seemed my entire grade decided to jump on this bandwagon of thinking that drinking alcohol and partying would classify them as "cool".  It was that year that I had to make some decisions and distinguish who my real friends were.

In Romans 2:12, the Bible says "Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of yoru mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."  As Christians, we are called to be different.  We are living in a world that defines its own standards and values and is constantly pressuring us to conform.  God's standards for us are higher and better though!  God wants us to stand out, and for our differences to be shown through our values, actions, words, and behaviors.

Junior year was a year that brought some struggles for me with trying to figure out who my real friends were and who was going to help lift me up instead of take me down.  But in the end I believe I made the right choices.  I think our culture has such a messed up idea of what "popular" is, because I don't see drinking or partying or any of that stuff as being cool in the slightest way.  In Philippians 2:14-15, it says "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."  I just find it encourageing that the Bible tells us to be set apart from this culture we live in and that when we do, we will shine and God will be glorified!

Hey SLS!

New Blog Post for YOU! Click Here to read it.

Living for God! By Kassie Knutson

Hebrews 9:28 says:

"So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him."

This has been such an ecnouraging and exciting verse to me.  How awesome is it that we will live in eternity with Jesus one day?  I don't know about you but I can't wait!  But this verse also reminds me that our time here on Earth is short, and that each day given to us is a true blessing.  There are a whole lot of people in need of Jesus and it is up to us and the Holy Spirit to help lead people to Him.

One of my favorite bands, by the name of Ivoryline, has a song called "Broken Bodies", which I believe we can all relate with.  The chorus of the song is:

"Come back down, we're all ready now,

We're all drowning in our follies,

Broken hearts and broken bodies."

Yes we can all feel broken, but we shouldn't let that bring us down, because life is too short, and God's love is too big.  He has big plans for our lives and we may feel we are ready for His return but He will return when HE feels we're ready.  God's timing is and always will be perfect in all circumstances of our lives.  When He is with us, nothing can stop us.  So today I encourage you to give any fear, stress, pain, anger, sadness, or whatever may be pulling you away from God, to Him, so that you can live 100% for Him.



Who Are YOU Bringing?? March 9-- MEGA WEDNESDAY at SWAP

Dare to Share--Sign Up Online Today!

It is time to Register for S.W.A.P. Dare2Share the Un. tour!  Cost is $60 and you can register online today--deadline to register is March 2.

Watch the movie below to get a taste of what March 11-12 will be like.

Missions 2011-It's Time to Decide.

 This Wednesday, February 16, is the date for registering for Missions 2011! Make sure you bring your registration and $25 fee to SWAP on Wednesday. The fee does apply to the total cost of the trip. You can turn it in at the SWAP shop.

 Saturday starts the beginning of the Coupon Card Blitz's- If know of anyone who wants to drive let Mark know.

Missions meetings start the beginning of May. Reserve Sunday nights May 1st,15, 22 and June 5.

"On Eagle's Wings" by: Michaela Mittelstaedt

On Eagle’s Wings

I know this song is old and outdated, but I still love it. Plus it is by Josh Groban! Anyway, a few weeks ago I heard a sermon by Dr. David Watson and was extremely moved by it. I did a bit more reading on what he had to say and I was astonished. What astonished me? Eagles. We have all heard Isaiah 40:28-31…in fact we even sang a song about it on Sunday. Get your bible out, and read it! :D

Dr. Watson asked an interesting question, “why eagles?” So I looked into it. They are absolutely astonishing. I’ll share a few with you.

The mother eagle shrieks at her eggs every now and then. Weird? Yes. Important. Yes. The mother’s voice is imprinted on the baby so they can find each other at all times. When the baby eaglet starts to molt, the mother eagle sees the potential in the newly formed wings. She wrecks the nest and brings the eaglet to a cliff. She pushes the eagle off and lets it fall, at the last moment she will prevent the eaglet from crashing by swooping down and bringing it to the top. Eventually the eagle learns to soar. Eagles can also lock their wings to fly into a storm, while other birds seek shelter. Lastly, they have a membrane so they can fly into the sun away from predators.

Major analogies.  God called to us ever since we were in our mother’s womb. He is there for us and we will always be there for us. God also lets us fall, but he will also protect us from crashing. He sees the potential for growth and our ability to soar, even if we don’t and freak out. God has also set us as Christians apart because he gives us the ability to fly head on into a storm. He will send a thermal current to bring us above it. And finally, he gives us the ability to escape the wrath of others by “flying” to him, because he will protect us.

I just thought that was kinda cool and extremely amazing.

'Sup from Wednesday Night SWAP!

Just wanted you to know that this SATURDAY is the training for Target Concessions.  Be there if you want to earn money for missions, events, etc.!!

Whats Next?

Are You Coming?March 11-12$60Pay at the SWAP Shop

What are YOU Learning this Sunday--EQUIP U Starts TOMORROW!

EQUIP U Growth groups start THIS SUNDAY as in TOMORROW!

Have you signed up?

Equip U Classes for SWAP

For eight weeks starting Sunday, February 6 you will get choose what you learn. Read about your options below!

Chazown (A different way to see your life):

Lead by Josh and Ria Thurston

Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision the people perish."

See your life in a different way, with dream-revelation-vision. 

Expiriencing God (Knowing and doing the will of God):

Lead by Bill Roland

Learn to hear when GOd is speaking to you. 

Find out where God is working and join him. 

Expirience God doing through you what only God

can do!

The Truth Project:

Lead by James Blosser

There is a battle taking place that is raging 

for the hearts and minds of people, pitting 

the truth of God against the lies of the world.

You will take a look at God's blue print for life as you 

unwrap "The Truth Project"

Spiritual Warfare:

Lead by Chris Maas and Samantha Herlin

"For our Battle is not against flesh and blood..."

You may not know it but you are in a war. You cannot

see all that is taking place but don't doubt that battles

are taking place. You will gain a better understanding

of spiritual warfare and how to fight back against evil.

SUPERBOWL PARTY!

ALL S.W.A.P. ( ONE80 and RELENTLESS) are invited...even if you don't want to watch football you should show up!

When?   Sunday - February 6, 2011 from 5:00 - 9:00 

Where? The party will be held in the Fellowship Hall and surrounding rooms.

How Much? $5.00 per person gets you - Subway party subs, Little Ceaser's Pizza, all the pop and bottled water you can drink, cookie dessert and fruit snacks...yup...fruit snacks!

 Why Come? Plenty to do: Basketball, volleyball, board games, video games, the game room will be open, a movie room will be setup and oh...there is a FOOTBALL game going on (Packers vs. Steelers).

One More Thing! 
We want to always be thinking about how we can serve others in everything we do...SO...

EVERYONE who comes to the Super Bowl party needs to bring at least TWO canned good items for C.E.A.P. (Community Emergency Assistance Program).  Let's help re-stock their foodshelf!

See You There! 

Where the Spirit of the Lord is... (By Lauren Ringgenberg)

2 Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

God wants to give us freedom from our sins and to turn us into living sacrifices for Him! 

This song was sung during my school's chapel and I just LOVE IT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLJsERBLd0A

His blood is enough to break EVERY chain!

Steven Furtick and Oprah.

My thoughts on Oprah from Elevation Church on Vimeo.