R.A.K.'d?

Okay, so it has been awhile since the last post. But, better late than never, right?

Maybe you find yourself here because you've been R.A.K.'d. What the heck is that all about? It is a "Random Act of Kindness", and it was probably done by someone who attends FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). That takes care of the "what" and the "who"...

Why?! Basically, it's because we want to show you that someone out there cares about you, no matter what. While it may seem like the person who gave you this card is the one who cares about you (which is true), it is actually Jesus that is the ultimate cause of this weird, odd, strange think of being R.A.K.'d. As it says on the card, Jesus died for us, even though deep down within we are no dang good. We mess up, make mistakes, or even willingly do bad, selfish stuff...especially in comparison to God's standard of perfection. Romans 3:23 even says ALL have sinned and fallen short of God's standard.

The problem with that is: Isaiah 59:2 says that our sin has cut us off from God! And Romans 6:23 says the wages (what we owe) for our sin is DEATH...both physically and spiritually! So, it seems like we're doomed...

But God says WAIT! Instead of you paying this price, I will pay this price for you, just so I can have a relationship with you! So, He came to this world as His Son, Jesus...and died the most brutal death as punishment for our sins. THEN, he rose from that death to prove that He could overcome it, and that we can overcome it by placing our faith in Him. John 3:16 - For God SO loved the world that He gave is only Son, and that whoever believes (really believes!) in Him will not perish, but have eternal life! Woo hoo! And you, too, can experience it. Begin to pray: talk to God, ask for help, ask for guidance, ask for Him to show Himself, have faith, and ask for Him to forgive you and to change your life! Begin your journey!

So, that's where we're at (in a nutshell). Some people have realized how blessed we are to have received this awesome gift, and now we're trying to pay it forward. It's really the least we could do, considering what we've been given!

God bless! We pray that you, too, will be able to experience this AWESOME thing called grace! We hope to see you at FCA, and we hope that you will come to us with any questions you have!

http://www.meant4more.com/knowingGod.htm

A World Without Sports? (Bring Us Your Gear!)

Try to imagine what a world without sports would be like. Nothing to do but go outside and...stand in the dirt. No doubt it would be more boring, but more importantly, you'd lose such a great way learn about life and grow in character. No teammates, no fellowship, no learning how to lose and move on, no learning how to win with dignity and humility...the list goes on.

Children in Africa lose out on these opportunities for fun, and more, because they don't have the resources. Help children in Africa by donating new or used sports equipment. Bring anything you can (bats, balls, sticks, pucks, nets, gloves, etc.) to E129...and encourage others to do so, too! Let's reach out to the world with the love of Christ!

Adopt-a-Team: Wrestling!

Okay, so I stink at being a blogger.  But, that just means there's room for improvement!  Anyway, try again...

Adopt-a-Team:  We're at it again.  Get involved in reaching out to the school by supporting our sports teams with some food for their bodies and food for their souls.  We'll be putting bags together TUESDAY MORNING in Mr. Blake's room @ 7:00 pm.  So, come help out.  Bring snacks for the wrestling team.  Think of encouraging scripture.  Just show up.  And, as always, pray for the group and for the team we're reaching!

Live for Christ.  Live is short.  Pray hard!

Fields of Faith!

Cost:  FREE!  (with an extra 75% off for every friend you bring)

Date:  Wednesday, November 11th

Time:  7:00pm

Where:  Patterson Mill Stadium

What Is It?:  A chance for you to gain strength in your faith and share in glorifying God with students from all over Harford County.  There will be a praise band, food, games, and PEOPLE.  You'll get a chance to hear several students tell how God changed THEIR lives, and talk with many others.  Come see how God is impacting students in more places than just Patterson Mill, and get motivated that you are not alone in this thing called Christian faith!

Got Compassion?

When you hear (or read) the word compassion, what do you think of?  Caring, loving, and people in need?  Well, that's EXACTLY what it's all about.  And, right now Patterson Mill FCA is trying to find a way to have some compassion...caring, loving, and supporting those in need.  In an effort to serve Christ by serving others, we are trying to find creative ways that FCA can help a child or children in other parts of the world overcome poverty.  Through the organization Compassion, for only $32/month we could support one child.  But, we should not be limited by those numbers...we could do so much more.  And, we would like to reach the hearts and lives of others in Patterson Mill by allowing EVERYBODY to be involved in this effort.  So, at our next meeting (Wednesday, 10/8 @ 6:40 am) we want to get ideas from YOU on how Patterson Mill can give back!  How can we raise money (without selling anything)?  Who can we get involved?  And how can we show the school how Jesus loves them by showing some compassion?  BE PART OF THIS BLESSING!  (And, be at FCA to feed your body AND your soul!)

Be Encouraged

Romans 12:2 - "...that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."

We should all be encouraged by the people that joined together this past Wednesday to pray around our flagpole at Patterson Mill.  In hectic times, times that can cause one to question their own faith, and feel alone as a Christ-follower in a world that seems to go against it, we should feel STRENGTHENED in our faith by seeing others who are willing to stand up, literally, for Jesus.  As we looked around that circle, we should not just see people who could be "Christian friends".  It should be more than that.  We should see others that can lift our spirits.  We should see others that can work together to REACH the people around us.  We should take this opportunity God has put in front of us to SERVE Him, not ourselves.  So, be encouraged!  Allow it to light a fire and fan the flames of our Faith.