July 4th - No Skate Night

We will NOT be meeting on July 4th!  Enjoy this holiday with your family and friends.  Be safe.  Have fun.  God bless.

Bible Session Notes - June 27th

A Journey of Hope

World Concern Video

Video Review
The title of this video is A Journey of Hope. My desire for all of you is to be on a journey of hope. So, what is hope?

Hope defined: (noun) the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best

1 – In the video, what did giving someone hope look like? What were some of the things that World Concern was doing to give people in Kenya, Haiti, Vietnam and other countries hope?

• Giving them clean water to drink
• Giving them a chance at an education
• Friendship – not being alone
• Helping care for AIDS orphans
• Feeding the poor
• Medical aid
• Financial security
• Job training
• Micro loans
• Christ

2 – In Kenya, they set up clinics to give medical aid to the people there.
      a. Does anyone remember how many people were seen in one day?
          200
      b. Was everyone waiting seen?
          No
      c. How long were some people waiting?
          2 hours

3 – What is the longest you ever had to wait for medical care?
       Kids answered.
  
4 – One World Concern worker said we are “called by Christ” to care about others and help meet their basic needs. What are your thoughts on that?
      Kids answered

5 – One thing that stood out to me is that World Concern works with the people to give them ownership in what they are doing. They don’t just go in and feed the people and call it good. They get in with the people and ask what they see as their greatest need and then help the people meet that need. They don’t do all the work for them. I think if you really want to help someone long term you need to teach them how to continue to live after you leave.

      There’s an old saying. “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”—Author unknown

Bible Drill
1Pe 1:3-9 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Col 1:5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel

Pro 13:12 Hope deferred (delayed) makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Something to think about:
Many of the people that have not yet been reached by Christians are living a life of hope deferred. They are sick from waiting for something good to happen in their lives. Many have given up on any hope at all, because they have been waiting so long. How can you give someone hope today? Maybe a smile is all they need. Maybe you need to sign up to go on a mission trip with a local church or agency. Maybe you need to tell your lonely friend, “I love you, and Jesus loves you even more.” How can you give someone hope today?

Bible Session Notes - June 20th

Here are my brief notes on what Jeremy shared with everyone last Monday night.

PAUL'S VERY BAD DAY
Acts 9:1-9
Paul meets God on the road to Damascus and God tells him that instead of persecuting Christians, Paul will tell others about Christ.

Acts 27
Paul has been arrested because unorganized religion (Christianity) was considered rebellion.  He was on a boat headed to his judgement.  Paul tells the Centurion that it isn't safe to travel, but the Centurion decides to sail anyway. 

They are caught in a storm, and everyone is scared.  They have no more lifeboat, and appear to be stuck on the ship amidst this horrific storm.

Paul was able to be calm and lead the others to safety, because he heard from God. He talked with God and knew what he needed to do in this circumstance.


Amidst certain tragedy, Paul leads the group by praying for the food, encouraging everyone to eat something, and calms everyone down. 

How many of you have thanked God despite being in the middle of a very bad day?

*The key:  Paul knew that God would protect him, and even amongst a trial he gave thanks to God.

Skate night

Skate night tonight.  Free Pizza!  No skate night next Monday. Enjoy Independence Day with your family!

Bible Session Notes - June 13th

Last week (June 13th) we watched a World Concern video regarding Human Trafficking. 

Bible Drill Verses:
James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

1Peter 4:10  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Here are the questions and some of the answers we discussed following the video:
1 – At the start of the video they showed a road. The road went between which 2 countries?
Cambodia and Thailand

2 – What is the main reason children fall into the trap of human trafficking?
Poverty

3 – At what age does human trafficking start?
As young as 2 years old

4 – What are World Concern and other humanitarian and Christian agencies doing to help?
Schools, jobs, training.
Giving children hope and education.
Teaching about human traffickers and how to spot and avoid them.
Teaching young people a trade, so they will not be in a place of hopelessness and total poverty.

5 – Thoughts? Other things to discuss?

I then had the kids all close their eyes as I read this...
"I want you to listen and think about these questions… Don’t reply. I want everyone silent.
If you could change one child’s life, would you?
What if those were your younger brothers walking alone in the street all day?
What if it was you?
What if you were sent with a man to work in a factory to make money to send home to your mom and dad, but when you got there you were forced into slavery, no money to send home, beaten every day, food whenever your captors felt like giving you food. Would you want someone to help you?"

Then I had them open their eyes.

The bottom line is that there is a lot of human trafficking going on in our world. There is a lot of pain and suffering in this world, and we can get overwhelmed by it and end up doing nothing. We can just do what most of the world is doing and look the other way.

Instead think about this…

You can’t help everyone, but you can help 1.

TAKE ACTION

World Concern and World Vision are two groups I have worked with in the past. World Concern put on the Free Them 5K that we did a month or so back. MAD Skates have sent money to World Vision to help with the tsunami and earthquakes in Japan. My family sponsors a child through World Vision for $35 a month. $35 a month to change a life! Most of you probably spend that much each month on tacos at Jake in the Box, soda and snacks.

You may only be 8 or 12 or 15 years old, but you can make a difference. You can change a child’s life. Talk to your family about sponsoring a child, helping out a foster child locally, or even just giving a group like World Concern a one time donation.

I’m going to keep presenting you with opportunities to learn about the world around you, to see how blessed you truly are, and giving you a chance to Make A Difference.  We will continue to post way to get involved both online and on the board at skate night.  Feel free to take a flier or poster for anything you are interested in.  Get involved.  Make A Difference.

The New Ramps Have Arrived!

Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible.  The new ramps from Freshpark just arrived and I loaded them into the van for Monday night!  I'm looking forward to seeing all of our skaters helping set these up for the first time and trying them out this coming Monday. Until then,  have a fun and safe weekend.

Bible Session Notes - June 6th

You and Kung Fu Panda 2

Finding Inner Peace

In Kung Fu Panda 2, Shifu says the key to Po becoming a great fighter and being able to be his best is "Inner Peace."  Through the movie, Po is searching for and striving for "Inner Peace."

The world and eastern religion will tell you that finding INNER PEACE is a matter of finding balance within oneself through self realization, meditation, and enlightenment.

Wikipedia defines INNER PEACE as “a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress.”

I agree with part of Wikipedia’s definition: being mentally and spiritually at peace and able to stay strong in the face of stress.

However, I believe that INNER PEACE comes from being firmly grounded in your relationship with God, so that you know you can take on anything that comes your way in life.

It isn’t so much about what you know or who you are or what you can do, but it is ALL about who God is and what HE can do!

According to Blue Letter Bible.Com, which I highly recommend using, the word “PEACE” occurs 251 times in 230 verses in the NIV, which is the version we use here at Skate Night.

Let’s look at a few of those verses now.  (Parents and supporters reading this blog, please take a moment to read some of these scriptures and see if any of them strike a chord within you.  Are you at peace?)

Bible Drill & Discussion of Each Verse
Psa 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psa 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace

Psa 34:14
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psa 119:165
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

Isa 48:22
"There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."

Isa 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isa 57:21
"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

Jhn 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Jhn 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Act 10:36
You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Col 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

1Th 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. (Sanctify – be freed from sin.) May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pro 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Isa 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Gal 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Phl 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Rom 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bottom Line:
Rom 8:6
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace

INNER PEACE is found not in self realization but by giving your entire life – body, mind, and spirit – to the Lord to be led by the Holy Spirit on a moment by moment, day by day basis.

I leave you with this blessing:
2Th 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

COMING UP... You and Kung Fu Panda 2 - Finding Inner Peace

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.  I'm looking forward to sharing the message God put on my heart for Monday night entitled You and Kung Fu Panda 2 - Finding Inner Peace.  If you haven't seen the film yet, grab a friend, catch a matinee, dig into some popcorn and enjoy.  Then get outside and drink in some of this awesome Seattle sunshine.

God bless.  See you all Monday night! 

*Dinner will be provided by Megan and Raven.  Look forward to something yummy!