Bible Session Notes - Monday, January 5th

A Discussion Time with the Youth

·       What was your favorite part of the MAD Skates & Rec Center Christmas party?

·       What are some of your ideas for the 2015 Christmas party?

·       What was your personal favorite gift that you received from anyone this Christmas?

·       What is your personal favorite family tradition and did you get to do it this year?

·       What is your best memory from Christmas 2014?

·       Did anyone celebrate the birth of Christ in a unique way?

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and merriment of the season and forget what this holiday is really all about for those of us who believe in Christ.  At the heart of everything we do during the holidays, Christ should be the focus and the reason for what we do.  He was the greatest gift ever given.

As we start 2015, what are your personal goals for the year? 

Is Christ not just a part of but the LEADER of your goal setting and plans for this year?

I leave you with this verse:

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

A review of the past few weeks and a look into the future.

November 10 - We did not have Skate & Rec Night for two main reasons: I was supposed to be out of town for my 40th birthday & Veteran's Day was the next day.  We thought some families might take the long weekend and do a short trip.  I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy each others company.

November 17 - We had a guest speaker, Scott Yamamura.  I was extremely ill and was unable to attend and my brother, Robb - a key volunteer, was also out on vacation.  Nikki Lind, Jeremy Drew, Melody Drew, Jeff Porter, and my husband stepped up to fill in all the gaps.  I was sad to have missed Scott Yamamura, but I heard he did a great job and the students really had a good time.

November 24 - We celebrated Thanksgiving with turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cooked carrots followed up by some pumpkin pie with whipped cream. 

December 1 - Last night our guest speaker was Dr. Matt Angove.  He talked about the difference between the Olympic champion Usain Bolt and the 6th place runner being separated by only 1%.  He really challenged the students with "What's your PMA?" PMA - positive mental attitude.  What are you feeling?  He wanted the students to see that surrounding yourself with positive people is extremely helpful in having a positive outlook.  He also challenged them to truly have a PMA versus just showing it on the outside.  He discussed how many people who come to see him appear to have a PMA but when they are alone they do not.  So, how do you have a PMA?  He gave them a few ideas on how to have a  PMA including changing their perspective on getting ahead in the world and being competitive.  In competition are you working hard to succeed or focusing your emotions on wanting those ahead of you to fail?  He used an example from his own collegiate basketball days to show the students how wishing and hoping for others to mess up so you can get a spot on the team doesn't work very well.  He told them to be the one who makes the difference by cheering for the team to do well, encouraging the other players, and praying for your everyone to play their best. 

Pray for those ahead of you, change your heart attitude, and see what happens! Life is so much more enjoyable! Work toward your whole team winning and those you compete against doing well.

Additionally last night was Kids Are Cooking, and Melody & Kristi nailed it again making cookie kits for the kids to take home.  Even some of our skaters got in on the action.


COMING UP!

Dec 8 - We will be discussing community service, local outreach, and missions while making our choices on where to send our tithe this Christmas.  Please have your students bring their 12th Man Challenge pages, so I can mark down where everyone is at right now and see what we can do to get these completed.

Dec 15 - MAD Skates & Rec Center Christmas Party. This party is for the students and their families!  This is NOT just for the students.  Please RSVP ASAP.  We run the Christmas Party during regular Skate & Rec Night hours.  There will be food for everyone, games for adults and students, gifts for the students, and even a skate competition.  We sincerely hope to see you there.

-Brett Elizabeth Spore
President

Bible Session Notes from November 3rd - Guest Speaker - Karina Woodruff

These are my notes from the guest speaker we had on November 3rd.  It is always a pleasure to have Karina Woodruff visit us and speak to all of us. 

Acts 4:8-13

Characters in this story:
Peter
John
Talk about Jesus

In Chapter 3, they see a paralyzed man who begs at the gate every day.  They say silver and gold we do not have, but what we have, we give to you, be healed.  And the man was healed.

Now Peter & John are in trouble.  How did they heal this man?

How is Peter:
-One of Jesus' friends/Disciple
-Wrote 1 & 2 Peter
-Very gun ho!  Faith is there in full force, and then faith is completely lacking.
-His real name is Simon which means pebble.  In Mathew 16:18 Jesus renames him Peter which means ROCK and tells him he will lead the church. 
-Jesus saw in Peter something Peter did not see in himself.

Keys:
-Jesus sees something different in Peter
-Peter & John saw this paralyzed  man through a different lens.  Who is in your lens?
-Peter wasn't alone when he went to pray for this man.
-Out of Peter's faith/unfaith - Jesus used Peter's weaknesses to serve Christ.

No Skate & Rec Night - Monday, November 10th

A quick reminder that there will be no Skate & Rec Night this coming Monday, November 10th.  Please enjoy the time off from school and other obligations, and remember to thank a soldier on Tuesday.  Many blessings.

October 6 - Skate & Rec Night

Jeremy Drew brought the Word.  Melody Drew and Kristi Baines taught Kids are Cooking. 

My brief notes on Jeremy's lesson:
Bible Session Topic - Unity as defined by the Bible
Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they agree to do so?
-They both have to agree to walk together

Matthew 18:19-20 If two people agree on the same thing and ask for it, it will be done.

Ephesians 4:3 Keep the spirit of unity through the bond of peace.

Unity defined by a student - work together as a team like in basketball

What keeps us from being united or being a team?
-Differences of opinion
-Going separate ways
-Being offended - holding grudges
-Pride
-Hatred

As a Christian, who do we need to be united with 1st?
-God/Jesus

How are we untied with God?
-Read the Bible, go to church often, pray, ACCEPT JESUS.

What keeps us from being united with Jesus?
-Pride
-SIN

In order to be united with Jesus he has to forgive us our sins.

What is the 1st thing we have to do to be united with other?
-I Corinthians 13 - LOVE ONE ANOTHER

The Seahawks game was on the not-so-big screen.

 Kids Are Cooking - Mini Pumpkin Pies

Turn those pages and find those Scriptures!

September 29 - Skate & Rec Night

Tonight's lesson was by Brett Spore aka me.  I titled it "Drill Bits" as I took our Bible Drill concept and just talked about the verses after they were looked up.  It was actually a pretty fun way to look at the Bible in little bits.

I Kings 3:12

I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

• God tells Solomon to ask for whatever he wants.
• Solomon could have asked for anything he wanted - riches, land, horses, cattle, houses - anything at all.
• BUT! Solomon asks for a discerning heart & the ability to tell right from wrong.
• Discerning = to judge well
• We often say Solomon asked for wisdom.
• God gives Solomon what he asked for and by being wise and following God, Solomon built a great kingdom.
• Sometimes it's hard to clearly see what is right and what is wrong.  When your friends are all doing it or saying they are... when your teacher says "x" but your parents say "y"... when nothing is really making sense in life... Solomon's request is a great example for us.
• PRAY FOR WISDOM

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

• We live in a society that makes fun of others on a routine basis - a society that laughs at the gross, the embarrassing, and the wrong.  It's all over YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
• It's easy to fall into the pattern of behavior because it's all around us all of the time.
• BUT! This is not how God expects us to act.
• God tells us to speak kindly, build others up, and talk about good things.

Psalm 19:14

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

• Just like in Ephesians, what we say needs to be pleasing to God.
• Just like we read in Philippians a couple of weeks back, what we think about or "meditate" on needs to be pleasing to God.
• When we consistently think on good things; good words come out of our mouths.

Summary

• Ask for wisdom to know right & wrong and have the ability to judge well.
• Speak kindly, build others up, and talk about godly things.
• Think about godly things and speak likewise.

Photos from tonight:

The gym.

 Those theater kids.

Yes. Dodge ball again. 

And again.

Skate & Rec Night September 22nd

Sorry for the delay in posting these pictures and this information.  I was without a computer for almost a month.  Back in action, so expect a few updates to get us all caught up.  Thank you for your patience.

September 22 proved to be an interesting night with our guest speaker, Ben Lunsford, some wicked dodgeball action, and a quiet room of arts & crafts.

Ben spoke about the missions trip he and his wife took to Germany this summer where they worked at and English camp.  They are hoping to return to Germany as full time missionaries.

Here are some of the notes I took from his lesson:

• Kids there are the same as kids here. Same problems.  Same electronics. So "What's the difference?" About 5100 miles.
• The people there also have to drive 45 miles to get to church because there aren't very many churches there teaching the gospel.
• Why do we want to go to Germany as missionaries? We want to tell people who Jesus is.  The great commission in Matthew 28.  Go and make disciples.
• Galatians 5 - The fruit of the spirit comes from the Holy Spirit/God. 
• God can help you to be more loving and have more peace.
• Just like your parents expect you to grow up, God expects you to grow as well.
• Who do you need to talk to about Jesus?  Missions starts right here at home.

Here are a few photos from the night.  Sorry they are not more clear.

The craft and music room.

 Dodgeball junkies.  We pretty much play every night after Bible Session now.

 A well executed dodge by Sarah while Reagan heads over to grab the loose ball.

 Ben Lunsford speaking.  The kids lined up in airplane formation.

What's the difference? About 5100 miles, but missions start here at home.

First Night Back!

September 15th was our first night back. We had 18 young people join us, a faulty net, delicious pasta, cookies, fruit, and rolls, a review of our rules, the 12th Man Challenge was put out there, and a
brief Bible Session was presented.

BIBLE SESSION:

School Year Call To Arms

A call to arms:
a summons to engage in active hostilities
a summons, invitation, or appeal to undertake a particular course of action

2 Corinthians 10:4
We are in a battle.

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight.

Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous.

Philippians 4:8
Keep your mind clean.

Philippians 4:6
Pray

So Excited!

M.A.D. Skates & Rec Center's "Skate & Rec Night" is restarting on Monday, September 15th.  We are extremely excited about some of the upcoming plans. 

Dinner and dessert have already been signed up for on September 15th!  We are looking to get a few more of you involved in the dinners by providing the main course, side dish, or dessert for 20-25 hungry people on one Monday night this fall.  Please contact me: 206-423-0813 or brett@madskates.com to sign up. 

Below is a list of the current guest speakers for Monday nights. If you are interested in speaking or know of someone who might be interested, please contact me: 206-423-0813 or brett@madskates.com.

Guest Speakers:
Ben Lunsford
Missionary to Germany
Corporate Sponsor - Ben Lunsford Real Estate http://www.rentingisnotforme.com/

Moriah Beaulieu
Missionary to Africa - http://faith-produces-endurance.blogspot.com/

Micki Shulkind
MAD Skates board member
Missionary to Africa
Suicide/Crisis Hotline Volunteer http://www.christiansuicideprevention.com/
Fire Department Chaplin

Scott Yamamura
Boarders for Christ
Videographer/Graphic Designer -  Recent work: 93" Bear Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFvleXmpc4I

Matt Angove, N.D.
Doctor of Natural Medicine https://www.facebook.com/drwholeness

Karina Woodruff
Friends of Youth - https://www.facebook.com/friendsofyouth

RV Palmer
Local dad
Corporate Sponsor - Grizzly Sports http://www.grizzly-sports.com/

Jeremy Drew
MAD Skates volunteer

Important Dates:
September 15 - First day back! 6pm
November 10 - Closed!
November 24 - Thanksgiving Dinner Party - Youth only.
December 15 - Christmas Party - All family members invited.  This is the last event of 2014.

12th Man Challenge:
We're excited about this season for the Seattle Seahawks, and the Seattle Seahawks are offering us an opportunity to visit the training center again.  More details will be presented on September 15th!   

New Treasurer - Donation Receipt Policy Update

Please welcome our new treasurer, Jamie Miller! 

We are making a few changes with our new board member, and I am looking forward to having a little more time to focus on other areas of the ministry.

For those who are used to receiving a donation receipt for each donation to our organization, please note this has changed effective immediately.  Year end receipts will be provided to all donors for all donations each year. 

Thank you for your continued support.  We are looking forward to growing in Christ!