MERRY CHRISTMAS

Here is pretty Christmas picture.

Now say "Ewwwwwwwwwwww

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh."

There is no Youth Group this wed. Dec. 27. Spend time with your family!
RK

POST OF THE DAY

ACCOUNTABILITY

Got any? If not go get an accountability partner. NOW.


"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help pick him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12]

Here are 4 absolutes regarding accountability:

[1] HAVE IT - this is the first and most obvious one cos so many people don't - we run this race by ourselves and when we get tired or weak or fall over, there is no-one nearby to help us to keep going - a lot of big name people in ministry have fallen on their faces this way (linked big time to pride which says 'i can do this by myself' and which, if we remember correctly, "comes before a fall" because they become 'the man' (yes, it does usually seem to be men, sigh) and become untouchable and run this amazing ministry (while everything is going well) but the moment there is temptation and they give in to it, there is no-one close enough to help them and so the fall is usually very huge and very messy... so firstly make sure you have it - if you can't name right now the one or two people who hold you accountable, then you don't have them. It is an intentional thing so you have to go to people and ask them to hold you accountable.

[2] CHOOSE IT CAREFULLY - i love Proverbs 27:6 which says, 'Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses' as that for me IS accountability - when you have somebody you know without a shadow of a doubt love you absolutely (i am so fortunate to be able to have a fair number of those) then you will trust them to hold you accountable and even if they hurt you (cos being told you're in the wrong is not ever something you dig to hear) you know it's done in love and probly for your good... the problem with surrounding yourself with yes people (the verse calls them 'enemies' here) is that all they care about is you digging them and not so much your wellbeing and so they are more likely to pat you on the back and allow/help you walk down the broad path to destruction (while multiplying kisses) just as long as you are friendly and happy towards them.

[3] BE INTENTIONAL - as a Christian i believe that makes me accountable to everybody in the world actually - cos unbelievers are always watching me and have the right to point fingers and say 'hey you're not living what you believe' and all Christians have been given that right too actually... but i have learnt that unless the accountability is intentional and offered, it doesn't mean that much. if i go to someone and say, 'i don't think you should be doing that as a Christian' then they can ignore me or tell me to get lost or call me judgemental or whatever... BUT if that person has asked me to hold them accountable then they have given me permission to step into their life with caution and love and warning and that is the difference - so the accountability exists but unless it is intentional and formally offered to someone, it is of little value.

[4] CHOOSE THE WOUNDER - linking back to point 2, the majority of people in the world seem to hate or shy away from or fear confrontation (yes, my hand is up!) but there are some people who, despite not digging it so much, will value the friendship more than their discomfort and actually show the love of wounding (in the way mentioned in Proverbs) and these are the people you want (need!) holding you accountability - people who will say to me, 'Are you crazy? What do you think you're doing?' and people who will be bold enough to not say, 'um i think it's not so great that you're going out with that girl who is a non-Christian' but rather 'dude, it is wrong for you to be dating that girl - you need to stop!' This is imperative - we need people who will speak hard Truth into our lives with love and who love us so much as to not let us carry on with sin or flirting with temptation or loving the things that God hates. Friends who will ask the hard questions. Friends we can share our biggest struggles with and who can can ride shotgun for us at those times when we know we are most likely to be tempted.


So there ya go.

Go get accountable!

God Bless you!
RK

No Youth Group This Week

This wednesday December 20, 2006 we will not be having Youth Group upstairs. But we do have a Church Christmas dinner scheduled for 6:00 pm and I hope to see you there.

RK

Youth Lock-In

January 12, 2006

CBC Youth Group will be heading down to the Country Club Plaza to see the lights and sights. Then back to the church we go for a gift exchange, dinner, and LOCK-IN. Meet at the church at 6:00 pm. Lock-In ends at 6:00 am. We will have a short bible devotion at some point in the evening.

Note: The gift exchange is a 'gag-gift.' You are not to spend more than $5.00. For example: A frozen turkey makes a great gag gift. As does a tooth brush, an old pair of sneakers, or even your grandmother's cat. What? Uhh, maybe not a cat, but you get the drift. I hope!

Food and Drinks: Guys are to bring your favorite drink. Girls are to bring your favorite junk food. Just a suggestion. Red Bull, Jolt, and Mountain Dew are all excellent drink choices. And I really like homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Games: X-Box and PS2 will already be on hand. Make sure you bring board games that you would like to play. Risk and Monopoly anyone?

If you would like to see certain games or activities played at the Lock-In please submit your request before the CBC Youth Blog Committee ASAP, upon submission, it will then be reviewed by a steering comittee, voted on, and if approved, drafted into 'Lock-In Legislation' by-law # 120943.22.101, subcategory Games. Upon being added to the Itinerary, we will then send said itinerary before Chandler Baptist Leadership Committee where it will be prayerfully considered. After they approve it, then and only then, will we add it to our list of Games to play at some point during the evening. Really not that complicated, is it?

Purpose: To bring your friends, learn something, and have fun in a safe environment.

See you then.

RK

Christmas Caroling Tonight

Meet at the church tonight at 5:30 PM. We shall go Christmas caroling throughout the church community. We will be taking the church van and other vehicles if necessary. Bring your singing voices for we shall be singing "Joy to the World" "Silent Night" and "Away in the Manger" just to list a few. After caroling ends we will then head up the Youth Room for some fun and games.

Hope to see everyone there!

RK