It ends May 30th!

Please Play Again = Win!

Shine the Light - Friday May 4th!

Shine the Light - Friday May 4th!

March Break March 14th:  No Harvest Students 

Friday March 2nd

March Break March 14th:  No Harvest Students (sad face)

Shine the Light - Friday May 4th!

Keep Reading those Bibles...

1. You are confessing your lack of desire as sin, and pleading as a helpless child for the desire you long to have. Legalists don’t cry like that. They strut.

2. You are reading out of desperation for the effects of this heavenly medicine. Bible-reading is not a cure for a bad conscience; it’s chemo for your cancer. Legalists feel better because the box is checked. Saints feel better when their blindness lifts, and they see Jesus in the word. Let’s get real. We are desperately sick with worldliness, and only the Holy Spirit, by the word of God, can cure this terminal disease.

3. It is not legalism because only justified people can see the preciousness and power of the Word of God. Legalists trudge with their Bibles on the path toward justification. Saints sit down in the shade of the cross and plead for the blood-bought pleasures.

"Do not think you are getting no good from the Bible, merely because you do not see that good day by day. The greatest effects are by no means those which make the most noise, and are most easily observed. The greatest effects are often silent, quiet, and hard to detect at the time they are being produced.

Think of the influence of the moon upon the earth, and of the air upon the human lungs. Remember how silently the dew falls, and how imperceptibly the grass grows. There may be far more doing than you think in your soul by your Bible-reading. (J. C. Ryle, Practical Religion)"

Shine the Light - Enter the Jon Fail

FRIDAY

9:00 pm   Arrival

9:30 pm   Session #1 (Hangar)

11:00 pm Snack

11:30 pm To Rooms

12:00 pm Lights Out

SATURDAY

8:30 am  Breakfast

9:15 am  Devos and Clean-up

10:00 am Session #2

11:30 amSmall Group

12:30 pm Lunch

1:45 pm    Wide Game:

3:00 pm    Broomball, Floor

               Hockey, Snowshoeing,

               Tubing, XC Skiing, Wall Climbing, 

                Chill in Underground

5:00 pm  Get Ready for Dinner (Get Warm Clothes On)

5:30 pm  Dinner

6:15 pm  Free Time

7:00 pm  Session #3 

8:30 pm  SG Breakout

9:30 pm  Snack in Underground

11:00 pmTo Rooms

11:30 pm Lights Out (your tired and going to get sick, GO TO BED)

SUNDAY

8:30 am  Breakfast

9:15 am  Devos and Clean-up

9:45 am  Session #2

10:50 am Small group Breakout

11:15 am Pack / clean-up

11:45 AM   Lunch

1:00 pm Go Home

FRIDAY

9:00 pm   Arrival

9:30 pm   Session #1 (Hangar)

11:00 pm Snack

11:30 pm To Rooms

12:00 pm Lights Out

SATURDAY

8:30 am  Breakfast

9:15 am  Devos and Clean-up

10:00 am Session #2

11:30 amSmall Group

12:30 pm Lunch

1:45 pm    Wide Game:

3:00 pm    Broomball, Floor

               Hockey, Snowshoeing,

               Tubing, XC Skiing, Wall Climbing, 

                Chill in Underground

5:00 pm  Get Ready for Dinner (Get Warm Clothes On)

5:30 pm  Dinner

6:15 pm  Free Time

7:00 pm  Session #3 

8:30 pm  SG Breakout

9:30 pm  Snack in Underground

11:00 pmTo Rooms

11:30 pm Lights Out (your tired and going to get sick, GO TO BED)

SUNDAY

8:30 am  Breakfast

9:15 am  Devos and Clean-up

9:45 am  Session #2

10:50 am Small group Breakout

11:15 am Pack / clean-up

11:45 AM   Lunch

1:00 pm Go Home

The Event We Killed Award Goes to... the November 25th Events

Winter Retreats:  Dates have changed!

Corn Maize Night - October 7th (tentative date - still waiting on confirmation!)

All Junior High and Senior High students are invited to the Belmont Corn Maze on Friday October 7th for our first youth hang out night of the year.

Meet us at Compass at 6:30pm sharp, we will head out at 6:45pm over to Belmont.  Bring $6 with you, and make sure that you have your permission form into your leaders or you won't be able to come with us!  Bring a few extra dollars for snacks.  Get your permission form here.

If you have a parent that can drive a van or a car load of students over, please ask them to contact Jon!

We will be back at Compass by around 10:30pm.  RSVP right away to your leaders, or youth@harvestlondon.ca

Q: How should I dress for a corn maze adventure?

We recommend layers to be prepared for all weathers! There is usually a nice breeze out here in the country, which means it can be cooler than in town. However a long walk in the corn can get your heart rate up, so it's nice to be able to take off your sweater part of the way through.

Q: Should I wear my best shoes to the maze?

You will enjoy your walk in the country if you are comfortable! There's no need for a fashion statement - just wear your old running shoes. That way you won't mind if they get a little dirt on them. If it has rained during the week we recommend wearing rubber boots.

Q: Help! Your website says it's muddy, but I don't have rubber boots. Will my Ugg boots be ok?

Here on the farm when we say mud, we mean it! So if we have posted a notice about mud we suggest old shoes, or preferably boots. Don't have any? You can rent some of ours! And please, save those Ugg boots for the sidewalks.

Q: I've never visited a corn maze before. Am I going to get lost?

We hope you will get lost! But only for a few minutes. There's always a way out, and we have friendly Corn Cops on staff to help direct you if you've lost your way. Plus the pathways are marked with trivia questions to help guide your way. Don't worry - nobody has ever stayed overnight!

Parent Night - October 19th

Winter Retreats:  Dates have changed!

Well guys and girls…this is it, the last newsletter for this youth year.  Sniffle, sniffle. 
 
It’s been a blast and a tremendous blessing to see many of you growing in the Lord over the last 8 months.  Be sure to make it out this Wednesday at 6pm for one last time of worship and games.  Remember, be at the church at 6pm this week and bring your appetite because we’re having a bbq!
 
If you’re graduating this year, definitely be sure that you are with us this week as we have a small going away present to bless you with.  Did I mention that we are starting at 6pm this week?  Because we are!
 

 
We also have a special guest with this on the night, Pastor Timothy Dahal from Harvest Bible Chapel Nepal (our sister church) will be there to celebrate the night with us.  So make sure you come up and say hi and welcome him to Canada eh?
 

 
See you Wednesday at 6pm!
 
HLYL

Salutations youthlings.
 
Last week Jon spoke on heaven.  Heaven, being far more than our relatively tiny human brains could ever comprehend, will be what I like to refer to as: awesome.
 
1 Corinthians 2: 9 - "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him."
 
When I read this verse, I think of the monkey that does the 'hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil' except it's about heaven - a totally logical connection.
 
Another verse to check out is Philippians 3:14 - "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
 
Are you certain you are going to heaven?  Are you undeniably, without doubt, assured of your 'final destination'?  The last few weeks before last week’s teaching were on assurance of salvation and where you stand with God.  A faithful relationship with God and believing with your heart that Christ died for our sins is the ticket to heaven - punched, stamped, marked, whatever can be done to your ticket (except returned, revoked or denied) to heaven.
 
Our prayer as your youth leaders is that each one of you would come to or be in a relationship of faith with God through our saviour, Jesus Christ.
 
If you have any questions about God, Jesus, Heaven, ask your youth leaders.  We'll do our best and would love to answer your question and if we can't (see the first sentence about tiny human brains) we will direct you to a place or person that can give you a better answer.
 
In Christ,
 
HLYL
 
 
Jr High Memory Verse:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”  (1 John 2:15)
 
 
Upcoming Events:
 
We have a special event planned for the second to last week of the year! Put your small group against other small groups to see who are the Kings and Queens of trash.
 

 
We will be out and about in the neighbourhood for this event, so please make sure you fill out a permission form (if you haven't filled one out this year), download it here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8596412/HS%20Year%20Long%20Permission%20Form.pdf

 
Oh yeah - and senior highs, once our event is done you guys get the gym for the rest of the night for a big volleyball game, and junior highs - you get the upstairs senior high room for a few gross out games and some hang out time.

Also, we're having a special event for our graduating students on the final youth night this year…you won't want to miss it!
 

 
 

Hey Harvest Students,
 
We hope that you are having a great week so far.
 
Last week, a powerful and eye opening message was taught by Jon.  Have you ever really thought about when Christ would return?  Why the world is going the way it is?  What happens if we don’t choose Christ as our Saviour?  Well, Jesus prophesied about the last days here on earth and it seems to be matching up with what He was talking about pretty precisely.  The time is drawing near and we should all be prepared for what is to come because ALL will stand before Christ to be judged.  Will you be guilty or innocent?
 
This whole series we’ve been studying has laid out the foundation of the “Good News”.  The Bible, God, The Trinity, Angels, Satan, Demons, Creation, Man, Sin, Christ’s Death and Resurrection, The Church, Judgement and now the Return of the King.  After all of these teachings, are you compelled by the truth and the saving grace of Christ our Lord?  The leaders here at Harvest would love to talk to anyone who has more questions or just needs someone to pray with.  Remember, there are no dumb questions and we care about each and every one of you.
 
We look forward to another great Wednesday night at youth so don’t forget to bring your Bibles and study binders to learn more about our powerful and loving God.
 
HLYL
 
 
Jr High Memory Verse:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’”  (John 14:6)
 
 
Upcoming Events:
 
We have a special event planned for the second to last week of the year! Put your small group against other small groups to see who are the Kings and Queens of trash.
 

 
We will be out and about in the neighbourhood for this event, so please make sure you fill out a permission form (if you haven't filled one out this year), download it here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8596412/HS%20Year%20Long%20Permission%20Form.pdf

 
Oh yeah - and senior highs, once our event is done you guys get the gym for the rest of the night for a big volleyball game, and junior highs - you get the upstairs senior high room for a few gross out games and some hang out time.

Also, we're having a special event for our graduating students on the final youth night this year…you won't want to miss it!
 

The bad news – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  It’s plain and it’s simple.  You are not good enough.  We are not good enough.  We are your youth leaders and we love you so we need you to know that if you are hoping for the good stuff that you do, or your elaborately crafted argument which you plan to give to God on the day of judgement, to “buy” your seat in heaven…forget about it.  Jesus said that “only One is good.”  That is God himself!
 
The great news – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5: 8-10)  Let that truth wash over you and bring you relief in this moment.  All who have bowed before Christ will receive life everlasting.  Have you received Jesus in your life?  Do you have sin that you haven’t repented of?  Today is the day of salvation!  Take care of it now.
 
We are excited for another great youth night this Wednesday.  7-9pm, as usual.  Remember your Bibles!  We love you..but, Jesus loves you more!
 
HLYL
 
 
Jr High Memory Verse:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6: 23)

Wasn’t the teaching last Wednesday night amazing?  God was really using Cory, breaking down misconceptions about creation.  I bet you never realized just how important Genesis and creation are to all the other doctrines we have been studying and believe as Christians.  I couldn’t help feeling way more prepared to handle opposition when I tell people I believe in a literal 7 day creation and, why I believe it.
 
So, did you have all your questions answered last week?  If not, you are in luck, because this week we are having a panel of our very own youth leaders that will be up front answering some pretty big questions about God and the world around us.  Some of the questions are student submissions, and others are questions that were selected because they are ones you will be forced to answer in your lives very soon, if you haven’t been asked about them already.
 
This whole series really has me thinking a lot about a particular verse, 1 Peter 3:15; “but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...”
 
I trust that as you continue to learn some of these foundational truths about your faith in Christ, that you will live lives that show the world that Jesus is LORD, and that as you are confronted with some tough questions, you would be able to answer with gentleness and respect.  And may all the glory go to God.
 
So come out this week, to have more tough questions answered.  You won’t want to miss this!

See you Wednesday.
 
NOTE:  There will be no youth on March 16^th due to March Break!!!  Bummer, I know.
 
HLYL
 
 
Jr High Memory Verse

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”  (Philippians 2: 12-13)
 
Jr & Sr High Girls Hangout Event

What:  Roller Skating

When:  Saturday, March 26^th (7-9pm)

Where:  North London Optimist Community Centre – 1345 Cheapside Street

Cost:  $10/person

Details:  Everyone MUST bring a helmet, dress in 80’s theme clothing, food & drinks will be provided
 
Jr & Sr High Guys Hangout Event
You are playing laser tag this coming Friday.  Check your flyers for the details!!!

Hey guys and girls.
 
We bet you thought that winter was past…welcome back!  Hopefully you at least got some tobogganing in today.
 
So how did you guys do with Jon’s teaching last week??  The topic of angels, demons and Satan is usually pretty popular.  It’s something that fascinates people…just look at many of the movies and video games which are being made today.  We live in a world which is craving spiritual truth but people are constantly being led astray by false religion and skewed theology.  People need to know that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Light” and that he said “nobody comes to the Father but through me!”
 
So remember, though Satan and his fallen angels are roaming the earth now, the Bible tells us that Jesus is coming back and He’s going to snuff out Satan and all who stand with him, like a tiny little candle:
 
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse!  The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19: 11-16)
 
We’ll see you this Wednesday.  Remember your binders and Bibles!
 
HLYL
 
 
Jr. High Memory Verse:

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Hey snowguys and snowgals,
 
We were super disappointed to have to cancel Youth last week, but we’re back this Wednesday!  Prepare to dive back into God’s Word and be praying that the Lord will show you something new this week.  Remeber to bring your binder, Bible and a friend.
 
Also, dress warm as we may be doing a game outside.  We’re talking about snow pants, gloves, toques, scarves; dress to be outside!
 
 
HLYL
 
 
Jr. High Memory Verse:

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
 
 
Upcoming Events
Baptism is happening on Saturday, February 12^th.  Talk to your parents and youth leaders about it.  Email Ashley Dew at to confirm your spot.

Good morning HARVEST YOOOOOOUTH!
 
We hope that your week has been warm and toasty and pleasing to the Lord; but now, are you ready for the snow?  The news tells us that it is coming and that it is imminent, so get those boots on!
 
Seeing as how God is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-11), if we had a radar system which showed God hovering over the entire earth like cloud cover, would the world believe that He is there?  Develop your answer this week as to ‘why’, or ‘why not’ – using scripture to back it up – and tell your youth leader what you’ve come up with, on Wednesday.
 
Now that you know that God is everywhere at all times – He’s watching you very intently even while you read this email – how should this change your daily walk with Jesus?  Now that you know that there is no such thing as ‘secret sin’ because God sees it all every time, what are you going to change about what you do behind closed doors?  Be quick to repent because “a broken and contrite heart, God will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
 
We’ll see you Wednesday, and we know that the Lord will be there with us!
 
HLYL
 
 
Jr. High Memory Verse:

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
 
 
Upcoming Events
Baptism is happening on Saturday, February 12^th.  Talk to your parents and youth leaders and if the Lord is encouraging you to take this step of making your faith public, do not hold back!  Email Ashley Dew at ashley@harvestlondon.ca to confirm your spot.

HOWDY Y'ALL!
 
Well it is upon us already, another Wednesday.  The weeks seem to go by faster and faster, but who's complaining 'cause that means IT'S WEDNESDAY!!!!
 
We know you’re all on the EDGE of your seats just itching to come and join your friends in learning more about God's truths and lifting His name high in worship.  How awesome is it that we can gather each week and openly praise our Lord and Saviour?!?! PRETTY SWEET we'd have to say!
 
Looking back to last week, Jon touched on a few important things we should be acting on as Christians, in his teaching from Hebrews 10:23-25. Do remember what those were?
 
1) Hold fast to the confessions of your faith - your confession of faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2) Stop thinking of only yourself - stir up one another to love and do good works, encourage and motivate your brothers and sisters in Christ!
3) Stick together - assemble for the teaching of God's word (Church and Youth), but also for small groups promoting growth in Christ, prayer, and accountability.
 
Jon asked us to start thinking about how we could be encouraging others in their walks, and through their trials. Have you done anything this week to stir up your fellow Christians?  Remember even at school or work you can take simple steps to do this: speak up about your faith, expose error (reprove), encourage other Christians to keep doing what they are doing (exhort) and the one we should focus on daily is pray, bringing others needs before the Lord. Be an example and be supportive to your family in Christ, because the Christian life isn't an easy ride.  There will be difficulties and sins but our faith is in HIM and in HIS hope, so cling to HIS promises and come alongside one another in love.
 
This week we will be getting into some EXCELLENT teaching on God's Word, actually you won’t want to miss the next few months as we are starting a new series! Your youth leaders have some fun times lined up as well - but most importantly there are really great outlines for teaching topics. Make sure to come and check it out each week, and bring a friend - OR TWO!
 
With love in Him, 
Your Harvest Youth Leaders
"My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the Net" Psalm 25:15

 
 
 
Junior High Memory Verse:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Sprit, teching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
 
 
Some upcoming dates of interest:

 
TONIGHT, TUESDAY JANUARY 18th - Encounter 4 - Witnessing for Christ - SIGN UP NOW !!! 
www.harvestlondon.ca/efour
 

Hey Harvest Youth!
 
Is this snow awesome or what?! We hope that you're getting your toboggan on and making giant snowman!
 
On a more serious note, how many of you were able to look at your life on Wednesday night and see a "GIANT" that has prevented you from building your relationship with God?  It could be something that happened a year ago, a couple of weeks ago, something now or maybe it’s something you see on the horizon.  It could even be something that we don't always think about, like our attitude.  And if it hasn't come yet, rest assured that you're now well equipped with this teaching.  Mike brought up five great points from 1 Samuel 17 and here they are again:

1) You will face opposition

2) You must learn from experience

3) You must prepare for other giants

4) Your victories will strengthen those around you

5) Those giants fall when we are as passionate about God's glory as He is
 
David's faith is a great example when we face opposition:  "...the Lord will deliver me," "...the battle is the Lord's."  Are we able to put that much trust and faith in God when "giants" come into our lives?  We pray that you do.
 
This Wednesday is going to be "STASHTASTIC" so don’t forget to wear your plaid.  Also, we need you to get your $20 and signed winter retreat forms submitted.  See you at 6:30pm!!!
 
HLYL
 
 
This week’s Junior High Memory Verse:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
 
 
Upcoming events:
 
Harvest Students Winter Retreat (WinterFUSE) – January 7-9th 2011 at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort 

Hey Harvest Students,
 
We hope that you’re having a super fun and snowtastic week!!!
 
Last week, a powerful and convicting message was delivered by God, through our fearless leader Jon.  It was not aimed at making you doubt your faith in the Lord, but he did bring up a great point:  you should be 100% sure that your faith is real!  That is the most important thing which you can do in your life.  It's also very hard to teach on as our sinful nature will be resistant when the Holy Spirit reveals the sin in our lives.  Sometimes it can be hard to hear from us but reminding you to check the sin in your life truly is the most loving thing that we as leaders can do.
 
Perhaps you’ve heard this before, but when learning how to become a Christian read the book of John, and to make sure that you are a Christian read the book of 1 John.
 
Take some time to read 1 John 1:5-10.  Read it a few times and talk to your youth leaders if you have any questions about it.  John is very black and white in his writing.  You'll never find him in the "grey" zone.  He always says "do this" and "don't do this".  Example: "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
 
Remeber that winter retreat forms and $20 deposit need to be this week.  We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday for another great youth night and try to stay warm in the mean time!!!

 
HLYL
 
 
This week's Junior High Memory Verse:
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."  (2 Peter 3:9)
 
 

Hey all,
 
Are you stoked for Winter Fuse yet?!   Your youth leaders are that’s for sure!
 
Remember that you need both completed permission forms and a $20 deposit into your youth leaders by December 8^th to reserve your spot.  Also, we want to bless those who deserve to come on the retreat but legitimately cannot afford it so remember to write a letter for someone else and tell your youth leaders why that person should get a free ride to the retreat.  We want to give you the chance to initiate and be apart of the blessing of sending someone to the retreat!  Those letters also need to be submitted to your youth leaders no later than December 8^th.  We will read them all, choose the most sincere candidates and even read some of them aloud to the group.
 
 
 

 
 
If you’ve never been to the retreat and don’t know if $160 is worth the weekend away, talk to absolutely anyone else who has been before and prepare to be regaled with tales of blessing, fun and fellowship that happens on this retreat.  It is so awesome to remove yourself from the distractions of everyday life and once again hear the voice of the Lord as you draw near to Him!
 
HLYL

Hey Harvest Students!
 
What a fantastic night we had together last Wednesday! From the gargling of well known songs for our ice breaker, to Mike’s biblical teaching, to intense small group talks and some sweet games of Skypeball (sorry Senior Highs.. you missed out), it was definitely another all-around solid night for the Harvest Youth Group!

 
Do you remember what Mike talked about during the teaching time? He focused on the extraordinary faith of a young woman named Mary, who God used to deliver His own son into the world. Though Mary was probably a very ordinary woman in terms of her social status, talents, appearance etc., God gave her a faith and a trust in Him that was absolutely extraordinary. When an angel told her what God was commanding of her, she humbly stated that she was ‘a servant of the Lord’ and to ‘let it be in me according to your word’ (Luke 1:38). I’m sure Mary was well aware that she could have been stoned to death by the townspeople who assumed she’d been unfaithful to her betrothed (that was the custom in her day), but instead of running from God’s commands, she chose to lay her fears aside and submit to His will - regardless of the outcome. The most beautiful part of the whole story is the way that God honoured Mary for her unwavering obedience to Him. How, you ask? By giving her the great privilege of bearing the savior of the whole world!! Talk about a royal bloodline! This story serves as a strong reminder and encouragement of God’s faithfulness in those tough situations in our lives. When we choose to entrust our hearts to Him alone, He will bless us exceedingly, and most important of all, He will be glorified!!

 
We hope you left youth last Wednesday feeling encouraged and challenged by Mary’s story, and we really hope to see each and every one of you back this Wednesday for another night packed full with teaching, growing and of course lots of fun!

 
Also, the winter retreat is coming up (January 7-9th, 2011) at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort.  $160 gets you all your transportation, food, and sleeping accommodations for the weekend so start offering to do extra chores around the house, looking for spare change in your parents cars, and asking for retreat donations for Christmas!!! You won’t want to miss out on this!!

 
Last thing, get working on memorizing those verses - you’ll be so glad you did!!
 
HLYL
 
 
This Week's Junior High Memory Verse:
"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

"We received an answer!

Wednesday Night; 2 Words: GET EXCITED!!!

The last few weeks have been fantastic and we don’t know about you but we’ve enjoyed them a lot.  Especially those new dodge balls!

How was this week? Do anything exciting? We know that nothing is as exciting as Wednesday nights, but seriously, did you do anything different this week?

More importantly, did you get a chance to put into practice what Cory taught us last Wednesday? It was a lot to take in, for only 20 minutes of teaching, but your choices today make a big impact in your every day life and your future.  Sometimes your choices appear to be harmless but you really need to examine your decisions to determine if they are actually good.  Cory gave us an example of Eric and his choice to copy CD’s for a mission’s trip while in Haiti.  Burning those CD’s would be wrong, but he’d get to be a blessing to the people in Haiti…wouldn’t he? We hope you would agree that it would be the wrong choice.  So what would you do in his position?

The most important questions to ask ourselves when we make choices are: “Does this choice glorify God?” and “Does it please Him?"

Can you find 2 verses in the Bible that teaches about wisdom?

Youth is definitely on this week from 6:30-9pm.  Bring your Bibles and bring your friends. Also don’t forget the permission forms you took home last week for shine the light! We need those filled out and handed into us ASAP with the $10.

See you Wednesday!!!

HLYL


This week’s Junior High memory verse:

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies.” (Psalm 103: 1-4)


Upcoming events:

Shine the Light Event - October 29th, 3:30pm-12:30am @ Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville
$10 gets you on the bus
Be at Compass Community Church parking lot by 3:30pm sharp
Bring $5-$10 to buy supper

Check out the STL flyer:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8596412/STL2.jpg

Also, get your parents to sign the STL permission form and hand it in with your money:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8596412/HYM%20Shine%20the%20Light%20%202%20Waiver%20form.pdf

Services Night - November 3rd, 2010 @ Compass Community Church

Harvest Students Winter Retreat – January 7-9th 2011 at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort
$160 gets you on the bus, food and shelter
More details coming!

Hey Youthsters,

Wow! What a spectacular Youth kick-off last Wednesday! It was great seeing so many new faces, and to be able to catch up with all the regulars from last year.

After only one evening we feel like we know some of you that much better, maybe it had something to do with those crazy games?!  Who knew that Levi could contort his face that way, just to eat an Oreo off his forehead. Or who would have thought that “little, quiet, reserved” Cy would contain such head-banging intensity in the Bobble Head game during A Minute To Win It?!  Very impressive!

The worship time was amazing! We love being in a room full of young people singing praises to our awesome Lord and Savior. It was such a great way to prepare our hearts for the ensuing message.

Dan talked about what the Bible says we do and do not deserve.  Matthew 5:45 says “So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

It’s easy for us to think we know who deserves blessing and who doesn’t, but the fact is, we don’t deserve anything - except the wrath of God. And yet, if we’re sold out to Jesus, not only does He show us mercy by not giving us the punishment we deserve, but He extends us grace by giving us the eternal life we don’t deserve.  So let’s rejoice when a fellow youth-mate is blessed, and pray for the one who seems to be struggling, as we aim to be the tightest Youth Group ever!

See ya at 6:30pm this Wednesday, and have your parents pick you up at 9:00.  Don’t forget your Bible, pen, and game face!

HLYL

And hey, we have an upcoming event so let your parents know and book the evening off of work now: 

Shine the Light Event - October 29th, 3:30pm-12:30am @ Harvest Bible Chapel Oakville

$10 gets you on the bus 

Be at Compass Community Church parking lot by 3:30pm sharp

Bring $5-$10 to buy supper

The Thing Our World Can Never Give

 

You may have heard the saying- “There are only two things you can count in this life, death and Taxes.”  I would add to that a serious case of indigestion after eating too many “double Decker Tacos” from Taco Bell, but you know- that’s just me.  But think about how sad life must be for so many people in the world when all they have to look forward to is death and taxes.  Talk about hopelessness.  Can you imagine how depressing life would be if those two things were all you were going to be assured of?

This Wednesday, B.K. talked about “hope.”  Not the unsure optimistic, wishful thinking type.  You know the “I hope the teacher doesn’t remember that today is the due date for the project that I haven’t even started yet,” type hope.  Or the “Maybe my parents didn’t hear me come in a half hour past curfew last night.”  Or even the “Well, I’m hoping that God will let me into heaven because I’m a good person,” type of hope.  Talk about wishful thinking.

There is a colossal difference between what the world calls hope and what the Bible defines hope as.  The most straight forward definition of biblical hope that I have heard is simply this- a confident expectation.  It’s assurance that something you anticipate to happen, will or has.  It almost always deals one of two things- the future and/or things unseen.

Confused?  Don’t be.  As followers of Jesus we have been given salvation.  Jesus righteousness has been placed over us like a coat so the Father sees his righteousness instead of our sin.  We’ve been given the Holy Spirit.  We are united with Christ, and the justifying work of God has happened in our lives.  Now, check this out.  We can’t see any of these things happen.  We believe them to be a reality.  It’s a matter of our hope.  We believe in the testimony of God in His Word and Hope for the results in our lives.

Here’s the neat thing about hope.  It’s active in our lives.  It’s never passive.  When you look at the various times it’s used in the Bible, you see that it’s always producing a result in the believer.  One author said that if our hope is biblical and based on God’s promises it will put us in gear.  And hear are some of the results.

(1) It changes how we see ourselves. It changes us into pilgrim persons, people who see this life as temporary sojourn.

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

(2) It changes what we value. Hope, if biblical, makes us heavenly minded rather than earthly minded. Our Lord’s words here blast our deception away.

Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

(3) It affects what we do with our lives—our talents, time, treasures.

1 John 3:1-3 See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Hope also brings rewards or blessings for the believer

(1) It gives us joy and peace.

Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

(2) It gives us protection.

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness,

(3) It gives us strength, courage, boldness.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.

(4) It gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope.

(5) It gives us confidence in ministry.

1 Timothy 4:10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

So there you have it.  I could right a lot more about the origins of hope and how to keep our hope but the bottom line is that we are called to be a people of hope.  So let me ask you.  How does having confidence in God and his word- that what he said has happened actually did and that the things are going to happen will- change your world.  Are you experiencing the joy and peace filled life God promises those who live as children of hope?  Are you being transformed to the image of Christ more and more every day as person possessed by the Holy Spirit according to God’s word.  I certainly HOPE so.  That is I have a confident expectation that you are becoming more like Christ as a child of Hope.


See you Sunday

Mike Nason

It’s a kid’s life... Or is it?

Indulge me for a minute while I brag on my kids.

Our youngest daughter, Abigail Joy, just turned 6 months old this past Wednesday.  She’s pretty amazing, if I do say so myself.  She hit all her 6 month milestones weeks ago, and she is so alert for her age.  It’s incredible getting to watch her develop.  She really is a “joy” to our family.

Emma, our 7 year old is equally amazing to me.  She has an incredibly compassionate heart and wants to serve others self sacrificially.  She loves the Lord and tells others about him frequently.  Lately she’s been witnessing to 2 of her Muslim friends.  She is beautiful on the inside and out, and as exhausting as she can be at times, I am so proud to be her dad.  She just has an infectious love of life

I have been asked by friends, what stage  I like the most as far as our kid’s development is concerned?  The truth is that I love all the stages they go through.  I love where Abby is at (except of course when it’s time to change a stinky diaper).  I love where Emma is at.  She’s got such a caring and innocent heart.

But you know, I really can’t wait for them to move into new stages as they continue to grow up.  And yes, believe it or not, I am looking forward to my kids becoming preteens, and teens and young adults too.

Can you imagine what it would be like if you found a stage of development that you liked and just stayed there.  I think preschool would be where it’s at.  Think about it.  No responsibility, naps every afternoon, no school, you can eat whatever you want and don’t have to worry about getting fat, and somebody always cleans up your spills for you.  That’s what I’m talkin’ about.

But then again, you’d never get to experience a lot of firsts either.  First job, first love, first all nighter, first big person meal at McDonald’s, first car, house... you get the picture.

In fact life is all about the journey from one stage of development to another.  It’s true of us physically, emotionally, mentally and of course spiritually.  Which brings me to 1 John 2.  It’s here in verses 12-14 that John addresses believers at 3 different stages of development in their faith:  Children- those who are new in their faith, and have a saving knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ.   Fathers- believers that have been saved a long time and have stood the test of time.  They have come to know God’s unchanging faithfulness in a deeper way through all of life’s trials and circumstances.  And young men- those who have experienced the forgiveness of God at salvation and continue to have victory over sin in their lives as they grow up in Christ.

Just like in our physical development, you wouldn’t want to stop growing and stay in a holding pattern in one stage, because of all the great stuff happening in the later stages that you would miss, in our spiritual development we shouldn’t be satisfied with where we are at because there is so much more to be experienced with Jesus that we would be missing out on.

The Apostle Paul addressed this in 1 Corinthians 3 when he says his readers are worldly not spiritual.  He calls them mere infants in Christ, because they haven’t learnt how to overcome quarrelling spirits and jealous attitudes among them.

This was certainly true of me when I first became a follower of Christ.  I knew I loved Jesus, and that I had been forgiven but I had no foundation to stand up under trials, or to be able to refute an argument against Christianity and my knowledge of the Word was brutal.

As I grew in knowledge, I began seeing God work in my life and I experienced victory over sin.  God became my trusted saviour time and time again and his faithfulness in all circumstances became the foundation of my faith.  I’m still being sanctified, still overcoming sin, still needing forgiveness when I fail.  But I’ve seen enough of God’s faithfulness to me to no that my faith will never be shaken, whatever happens in my life.  I’m still growing.  It’s amazing to be on the move towards Jesus like this.  I wouldn’t want to be back where I was when I first started out with Jesus.

See, here’s the thing.  So many times it’s so easy to just settle into a groove (or a rut) and be content with where we are at.  We forget that we have been called to greater sanctification and godliness than where we are at today.  Settling for just being forgiven is like settling for the McDonald’s kid’s meal, don’t you think?  I mean, you can stay there, but when you consider the rest of the menu, you realize it’s not nearly as satisfying as you originally thought it would be.  It’s also not what God designed for our lives to look like.

John was encouraging his readers (wherever they were at in their Christian walk), but he wasn’t doing this so they could stay at that level in the depth of their relationship with Jesus.  It was an exhortation to spur them on to a deeper relationship with God.  That’s why he moves on in the next few verses to warn them to not love the world or the things of the world (v 15-17).

So let me join John with my own encouragement.  Wherever you are at in your walk with Jesus, praise Him for bringing you so far.  But be diligent to keep moving, keep growing, keep on experiencing victory in living a life totally sold out for Jesus.  Don’t settle for being a babe in Christ.  A maturing, deepening relationship with God will always be more satisfying than where you are now.

Trust me.  The kid’s life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

See you Sunday,

Mike Nason

Living in the Light

When I was younger, I remember my mom asking me to get this or that for her from another room and bring it to her wherever she was at.  Annoyed, that she would assume that whatever she needed was more important than the t.v. show I was watching at the time, I would half heartedly go to look for it- not turning on the light of course- and then yell from the other end of the house that I couldn’t find whatever it was that she needed.

“It’s not here.” I would say.

“Open your eyes and look again.”  She would respond.

I would go back and take an even quicker glance around than I did the first time and shout back, “I can’t find it.”

And so the game would continue until mom would finally come to where I was at and say “did you turn the light on?”  as she went in and looked for herself.

She would flick the light switch and there sitting exactly in the place she said it would be was the very object she had asked me to bring her.

It might seem too obvious to mention, but that’s how it is with the light.  It exposes things that are hidden by the darkness and reveals them as they truly are.

Have you considered that the same is true in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.  Before we know Christ it’s like we are living in the darkness, doing as whatever seems right at the moment, not even realizing that our lives are riddled with sin.

The apostle John does this thing in the first chapter of 1^st John, where he contrasts being in spiritual darkness and being in the light. Listen to what he says

IN DARKNESS

·         Life is separated from God. (v 5)

·         We are liars and don’t practice the truth/ the truth is not in us

·         We don’t experience the forgiveness of sins

·         No fellowship with other believers

·         God’s word is not in us

IN THE LIGHT

·         We walk with Jesus

·         We have fellowship with other followers of Christ

·         We have forgiveness from our sins

·         We walk in the truth

Wow.  If I have a choice, I know where I want to be standing.  You see the thing is, is that we do have a choice. We have a choice because when Jesus turns that light on in our lives and reveals our sin for what it is, we can choose to confess it, turn from it and enjoy the relationship with God and other Christians, that we were always intended to be in.  Or, we can act like there’s nothing there, or that our sin is no big deal, or compare our sin to the next guy’s, and justify it, and in the end do nothing about it at all.  But beware, because John warns us of the consequences of choosing to continue to live in the darkness and not deal with the junk in our lives.

Turning the light on and revealing the sin in our hearts isn’t always easy.  It means admitting that we need to deal with some ugly stuff in our lives.  It means allowing the light of God’s word to really show us those dark corners in our hearts that we might not want to expose to anyone.  Or It might mean turning a sin over to God that we initially didn’t think was very serious, but examined in the light, compared to the truth of the Word, we know needs to be dealt with.

Maybe as you read this, the Spirit of God is revealing something to you that needs to be dealt with in one of the dark corners of your life.  Take the time today to reread 1 John 1:5-10 and pray that God would reveal anything in your life that needs to be forgiven.  Step into the light and experience the freedom of having your sins forgiven, the contentment of walking with your saviour and creator, and the joy of having fellowship with others living in the light.

See you Wednesday,

Mike Nason

Seeing is believing

Not long after I became a Christian, I began to struggle with doubt.  I had a lot of questions.  You know- was I really saved?  How can I know for sure that the Bible is true and really is God’s word?  It didn’t help matters any, that some of my non-believing friends “seemed to know” the Bible better than I did, and knew just how to misquote it and take it out of context.  To say that I was disheartened, would be an understatement.

Knowing exactly where I was at and what I needed to hear at the time, the Lord dropped in my lap, a verse of scripture (actually a number of verses) that, to this day has been an anchor for my faith.

Here are some of those verses:

1 John 1:3 where the apostle John says, “what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:16-18  ¹⁶For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"--  ¹⁸and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

Acts 4:19-20 ¹⁹But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; ²⁰for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Are you seeing the theme here?  These are words spoken by the apostles John, Peter and Paul, telling their readers that they were eye witnesses to the things Jesus taught and did.  Let me tell you, when you are struggling in your faith and you are being bombarded with scepticism, there’s a calming, peaceful, assurance in the words “I saw it with my own eyes,” and the boldness that those men had in preaching the gospel and living for Christ that went alongside their words.  Their first person testimony helped me through times of doubt in my own faith walk.

But you know there’s another way that we can take courage from these verses.  Not from these men seeing God in person, but in the reminder these verses provide, that God is at work in our own lives and we can experience his presence on a daily basis.

Think of that feeling of sins weight being lifted off of you as you confess to God and ask for forgiveness.  Or, the sense of victory, when you have trusted God and fled a temptation, or sense of excitement when you’ve shared the Gospel with a friend and afterward you knew it was the Spirit speaking through you, to give you the words to say, at just the right time.  These moments and hundreds like them are given by God so we can see him working in our lives and be encouraged by them.

When you have doubts, or the answers to your friend’s questions don’t come to you in an instant and you get discouraged, remember we have the testimony of people who walked side by side with Jesus.  They saw first hand and gave us there testimony of the things they had seen.  Also, remember that God has been at work in your own life.  You can see how he is moulding you into his image.  Take time to reflect on how God is making himself known to you.  And as you reflect on how you’ve seen God and how the apostles had seen God, allow those thought to build your faith.  Because after all, seeing is believing.

See You Sunday

Mike Nason

RETREAT!  RETREAT!   RETREAT!

It's time!  Are you excited?  Are you ready to go?

Good.  It's going to be a blast!


Here are 5 VERY important things for you to remember for this weekend.

Please...

1. be at the church on Friday @ 3:30 sharp.
2. ensure that I have a singed Muskoka Woods Waiver Form (with your OHIP number on it)
     * You cannot board the bus without it as the camp is very strict about this
     * You can find the form here  http://www.harvestlondon.ca/Content/10194/183173.pdf
3. bring any outstanding $$ that you owe for the retreat.
4. bring a bagged lunch with you and some snackes to share on the ride up (we will not be stopping)
5. pack well.  Storage space is limited.  Be compact!  Bring only the essentials!


The "What do I need to bring?" list.  These are the essentials:

- warm clothes
- coat, snow pants, hats, mitts, gloves, scarves, boots
- Bible
- Bedding
- toiletries
- anticipation
- excitement
- enthusiasm
- skates and hockey sticks are optional but a helmet is also necessary if you bring them


The "What do I need to leave behind?" list.  Please do not bring the following:

- parents
- explosives
- golf clubs
- alcohol
- tobacco products
- laptops
- video games
- MP3 players/ipods
- cell phones (the leaders have cell phones for emergency situations)
- crossbows
- bad attitudes
- school
- bicycles
- kitchen sink


OK?  If you have any questions please email or call your small group leader!


We'll be back at the church office at about 5:30pm on Sunday. 


*  We will be abiding by the rules established by Muskoka Woods Camp for the safety and security of everyone involed.  Any violation of the rules could result in the student being sent home at the expense of the parent.

So what’s your Story?

One of my favourite movie scenes is from Terminator 2 when John Conner and the newly programmed “good guy” Terminator bust John’s mom, Sarah out of the Psychiatric hospital.  There’s lots of explosions and chases, you know, typical guy movie stuff.  Anyway, as the scene draws to a close the Terminator, Sarah and John are driving away into the night and Sarah turns to the Terminator and roughly says “so what’s your story?”  And we find out that this particular CYBORG was transformed, sort of speak, when he was captured and “reprogrammed” to fight for and save John and Sarah.

That scene got me thinking about how all of us, as followers of Christ have transformation stories.  For some that story is drastic and far-reaching.  For others that story is...well, kinda’ boring.  Or at least that’s what you might be telling yourself.  Wednesday night Corey talked about how all of our stories have a before Christ section, a when we met Christ section and a now that I am following Christ section.  This is true, however I was more than a little surprised when my guys in small group were talking about how they felt like they didn’t have a story because they couldn’t remember a specific time that they put their faith and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.  One of them even was thinking that he would avoid baptism because he wouldn’t have a testimony to share.  Maybe you’re reading this and you are feeling the same way.

I guess the point I want to make is simply this.  No matter what you think of your story (whether elaborate or mundane), you have one that needs to be told.

If you have been raised in a Christian home your whole life and you can’t remember ever not believing in Jesus, you have a story.  A story as rich and significant as it would be if you had been saved from a lifestyle of complete immorality.  Your story is the story of God’s grace and faithfulness that he blessed you with a home where you saw Christ lived out in your parents and/or siblings, where you learned lessons about God’s goodness and mercy as you watched life unfold, and now you are able to rely on those times as events unfold in your own life, events like what recently happened with Gracie.

My wife is a perfect example of this.  She would tell you that she grew up in a home where her parents loved God and made sure that her and her siblings knew about Jesus and the Word of God, serving and worshipping and all that.  And she would also tell you that she doesn’t have a rebirth-day, that she doesn’t remember a time when Jesus wasn’t in her heart.  Yet she is probably one of the most Godly women I know.  Or take Emma, our 6 year old daughter.  She sees us trying to live out our faith in everyday real world life circumstances.  She’s living it out with us, seeing God answer prayer after prayer.  She has tried to evangelize every kid in our court, telling them they need to believe in Jesus and they need to go to church to learn about God, but she’s never said a prayer to make Jesus the Lord of her life.  You could never tell me she doesn’t have a story.  To be honest, it’s hard for me not to be jealous of the rich Christian heritage they share.

For those of us who did have a time and space conversion experience, you have a story to tell also.  But the point of our stories isn’t the extreme distance we came from, to meet Jesus at the Cross.  That part of the story is nice because there will always be people that will be able to relate to it.  But the real meat of the story is the same for us as it is for those who can’t remember the start of their story.  That is, the reality of Jesus in our lives NOW.

I have a friend at work.  His name is Rob.  I’ve been WITNESSING to him for a few months now, and I shared my personal testimony with him.   Do you know what HE keeps bringing up when we talk?  What my life looks like now.  He asks me things like what benefit is there to him NOW, giving his life to Jesus?  We talk about being forgiven, which, from the other side of the cross isn’t always easy to understand.  I tell him about how my life following Jesus has purpose that I could never have known living for myself.  I tell him the peace I have and joy too, in even the darkest and most uncertain times in life; times like loosing a job or having a miscarriage or for many of us, things like Gracie getting hit by a truck.   He gets that because his life is falling apart and he has no peace or purpose or joy and no Jesus who is the source and foundation of all those things.

Your story is about the reality of Jesus in your life now.  There is someone out there that needs to hear it, that when you tell it, something is going to connect with them.  As insignificant as you think it might be, it’s important to God, and it’s important to those waiting to hear it.  Don’t sell it short.

The real question about your story and mine is, are we seeing Jesus working in new ways in our lives TODAY?  Do we see new miracles that we can be adding to our story?  Are we seeing God move as we hold on to his promises?  Conversion date or no conversion date, people need to hear about Jesus and the difference he makes.  Not just the difference he made 2, 5, 10, or 20 years ago.  But the difference he is making in your life TODAY.  That’s a story worth telling, and hearing.

See you Sunday,
Mike Nason

This is a devotional I received from a youth ministry website a couple of months ago.  It seemed really fitting with some of what we’ve been talking about at youth group so I thought I’d share it with you.  I hope you enjoy it.

See you Sunday,
Mike Nason


Forever Fame

Fame
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna learn how to fly
High

I feel it coming together Fame
People will see me and cry

I'm gonna make it to heaven
Light up the sky like a flame
Fame

I'm gonna live forever
Baby remember my name

I was a teenager when I first heard this song from the movie Fame and I still remember how it connected with what seemed like every student's dream at the time - to do something, be something, or leave something behind that would be remembered forever.

Fast forward 30 years, and we have the remixed, rebooted movie that looked promising in the previews, but still is not a flick that I think will live forever.

Except maybe in the bargain bin of misfit movies at Blockbuster.

That being said, there's something in the song and movie that I believe still connects with the soul of a teenager. In fact, not only the soul of a teen, but of all human beings. We want people to remember our names, don't we? I know I've never met anyone who said, "Gee...I hope my life turns out to be a meaningless, purposeless collage of failed attempts to be remembered for something."

But how does one go about lighting up the sky like a flame? Do we have to have mad music and dancing skills? Do we have to attend a special school and look like Abercrombie and Fitch models?

Well, that would definitely rule me out...but no big deal, because I'm looking for a very different kind of fame - the kind that actually will live forever because it's attached to something that lasts forever.

You get this, right? You understand that even the highest level of recognition and celebrity status will eventually fade away, so that all the attempts to live forever will eventually be thrown into the bargain bin of eternity.

It's too bad that so many people believe the lie that fame equals happiness and take their God-given desire to leave a mark on the world and use it for themselves.

You want fame? Take this advice:

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever (1 John 2:16-17, NLT).

Did you catch the formula for "fame" here? No special talents, looks, or connections...simply an unquenchable desire and unflinching direction to do "what pleases God."

In other words, when you take fame off your agenda and instead live to make Jesus Christ famous, you attach yourself to something that will never fade away. And if you do have special abilities, you can use the applause of the crowd as a platform to bring praise to God.

Of course, the best way to make Jesus Christ famous is to spread the word about who He is and what He has done for all of humanity. My song and dance in life is telling everyone I know about the High King of heaven who humbled Himself and died a horrible death in our place in payment of our sin, then came back from the dead to show His power and plan to raise us from the grave as well.

And my fame? No, it won't be in this life and frankly, I couldn't care less about that because my sights are set on a day that is painted beautifully in this song:

I dreamed I went to heaven
And you were there with me;
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.

We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
We turned and saw a young man running
And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now."
And then he said, "But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.

And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer,
I asked Jesus in my heart."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.

You didn't have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.

Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.

As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child, look around you.
Great is your reward."