What: Guys Pine Cove Weekend-Unleash The Beast Within! Some of our most anticipated weekends of the year are at Pine Cove Camps! www.pinecove.com When: April 23-25th Time: Leaving Church @ 5pm Fri. & Return 3pm Sun. Where: Tyler Texas To Bring: $10,Bible, Sleeping bag, pillow, blanket, toiletries, towel, flashlight, weather appropriate clothes(also for commando), Fav. games, good shoes and ready to have a Great, Manly time!!!
For any questions, or encouragements call James, 903.455.9199 or e-mail @ jphilbrand@yahoo.com!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
So, How Was Pine Cove 2010???!!!!!
Tell me, was it as Awesome as I remember or was it all a dream?
Well Pine cove was pretty much amazing((((: The lessons that James taught on about decisions is probably the lesson that has stuck with me the most and clicked the most. Yesterday at school, all throughout the day God was on my mind. I was constantly thinking about the decisions i was making, wheter it was what i was doing, what i was laughng at, or what i was saying. It is such a new experience for me, something I've never felt before. I can honestly say that before this weekend Christ wasn't on my mind 100 percent of the time, and sometimes that is really hard to admit. At school i really felt distant from other people, its not something thats easy to explain in words. I feel like I have a new sense of joy and im growing more satisfied in Christ(: Like James was saying today the more i look back i can see how unsatisfied I was, (and a snickers won't do to help fill that) but Christ is what fills that. I think people saw a difference yesterday(: which is terribly exciting! I was reading my devotional book in class yesterday and a girl leaned over and asked me what is that? and i told her its my devotional book, its kind of a guideline to help me grow in God, and she thought it was really cool(((: It seems like everyday something new clicks and i get a better understanding how much of a merciful, commpassionate, loving, graceful, peaceful, passionate God really is!!! This is still all really new to me, and i hope to keep growing in my walk with Christ, and i would like for everyone to pray for me for this, because at school it is really hard to keep close because of the pressures of everyday and all the sin that you can practically see going on.
Also heres some other stuff that has been going on(((:
In my devotional book today it was talking about chosing between life and death and the verse used as Deuteronomy 30:19-20. The thing that caught my attention the most is the word chosing or choice. A choice is a decision which goes along with what James taught on at Pine Cove.
God uses songs alot of the times to tell me something ot to get a point across, (something that i need to learn). well sometimes those songs are not meant to be about Christ. In te song 'Never Gonna Be Alone by Nickelback'
the lyrics are:
Never gonna be alone! From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go, I won't let you fall... Never gonna be alone! I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.
This is part of the chorus of this song. God never leaves us alone and he won't let us fall, even when we can't hold on by ourselves anymore, he helps us get through the pain and he is also there in happy times(:
Also Pine cove was such a blessing(((: It was really encouraging to hear from the staff members that we are always a very awesome group(: we go in with smiles on our faces and keep working even though we're tired(((:
Another song I feel God was trying to speak to me through was "How He Loves Us'. It got me to thinking, God is so gracious and loving, and forgiving that he loves us even though truly we aren't worth it. I can't even imagine what it would be like to love everyone and keep loving them and be able to forgive them the way God does when they sin and fall away. It is truly amazing to think about.
hehehehe... terribly exciting :) I agree!!!!!!!! Pine cove was amazing!!!!!! The lessons really hit home!!!!!!!!! Every choice we make has a consequence, good, or bad, even if we don't see it. It could affect someone and us not even realize it! I am a fairly indecisive person when it comes to little things (where to eat, which sticker to choose for my car etc...) I have never really thought that it would make much difference... When it comes to my faith, I am a bit more opinionated! But every choice means something! Its something that I am going to have to work on... I have a whole bunch of jumbled up thoughts in my head that are just dying to get straightened out... prayer and time, challenges from people etc.. have all helped, and will continue! While I am here, and we are talking about songs, I was listening to masquerade, by seventh day slumber. I have heard this song plenty of times, I knew the lyrics but never really listened to them. But yesterday was different. "I don't know what to think about me anymore, Cause I am still the same as always. Here I am again, that same old broken man. I can't make it on my own. I need You.
Chorus: And I am not afraid of anything anymore. And I am not ashamed, the masquerade has ended. And I will stand for You even if I lose it all. Cause nothing really matters, [ Find more Lyrics on http://mp3lyrics.org/Itje ] You are all that matters, Lord.
As messed up as I am, still You bring me in. You take me in Your arms and hold me. The worthlessness I feel, You make it disappear. You are always there, You're endless.
(Chorus)
I don't know what to think about me anymore. Cause I am still the same as always.
I am not ashamed of anything anymore!!!!! That is what I want! I made a choice to let things go, now, I might fail today, but I made the choice, and hope to keep making it each and everyday! the masquerade has ended, and I am free to be bold inn Christ!!!!!! I don't have to worry about what people think!!!!!!
My thoughts????? It was amazing!! The lessons were great!! No descion is really a descion, which will help me in actually making descions. I really enjoyed working with Kinkin and Shelby... I guess just being apart of there lives. I know when I was younger, I sorta had a rough time cuz I sorta felt a little rejection from the older peers in our old church, but believe me God turned that around in my life and now I know how important it is that us older peers in our group need to invest in the jr high guys and girls. Now this is from my lifes perspective, heartbeat already does this which I think is awesome and happy to be apart of it
I really enjoyed it a lot!! Every time I have gone, I have really enjoyed it (although I get really worn out:)! I had never really thought about decison making, or at least how important it is. Well for example, I always hear "make sure you are where God wants you...", and so I would pray about the decision, but I never really realized how much of a difference it can make on me and my relationship with God and others just depending on what I decided to do.
So I figure there will be a new blog for tonights lesson, but I have this written up, and couldn't wait. So her it goes! So what? What did theses lessons teach me? Or more specifically what did God teach me through the lessons? Answer= I don't deserve the grace pored out on me with every breath I take. I am nothing (and rightly so) without Christ in my life! I have struggled and prayed and fought over not being my own person. "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me." I deserve nothing but still I am blessed!
Some things from past weeks that stood out to me were 1. the definition of evil. This is what I had written down "Evil is leaving God's fountain of living water and trying to find water in a broken cistern. 2. Looking at love and first corinthians 13:3 "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, BUT have not love, I gain nothing." Love is such a vital part of our faith. But if we do not pursue our joy in God then we cant be loving. "Love is the overflow of our JOY in Christ, to meet the needs of others." 3. lesson 7, we talked about the beauty of love. "Love really shines most beautiful when you press on loving others EVEN when its hard and costly to you." The question that comes to mind, "Have I ever suffered for love?" Its the same question that I faced tonight! I have never really suffered. Sure, I have faced trials, and troubles. But, I have never suffered anything worth mentioning for my faith. So, would I remain joyful through suffering? I like to think I would but how do I know?
Over all, it has been AMAZING!!!!!!!
Just to agree with what James says about taking notes! They really are very helpful if you hang on to them, I would not of remembered hardly any of this if I hadn't written it down :)
Feed da fish but remember 2 B "Fishers of Men" they need Christ!
Weekly Prayer Requests
Ben- Praise for SEC acceptance, fiances for college
Kinsleigh - Family in car wreck, son has injured back
Shelby- Girl who attempted suicide, her self and family salvation
Jack- Praise for trip and he's feeling better
Breck- Praise for award in ROTC
Michaela- Danielle mother passed away, to get through this time with God's help
Speight's- Brenda's sister is dying, for healing and the time she has left.
Those- who are sick
Upcoming Events:
Prayer Breakfast:
Every Tuesday morning from 7-7:45 in the chapel, good food picked fresh weekly, time dedicated to talking to our Lord & new study on Prayer!
Team Heartbeat Basketball:
Our 2nd year to team up with Special Olympics playing basketball every Monday from 6:30-8:30 @ the 6th grade center. Let Pastor James know if you want to play! Starts Monday February 8th.
Discipleship Groups:
Meet 1st and 3rd Sundays from 6:30pm-8:30pm, Contact James for details on where each group meets!
Verse to Remember
James 1:13-18
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
Movie Reviews
Up (2009, Pixar)
Up is Disney Pixar's latest masterpiece, succeeding hits like Toy Story (1995), A Bug's Life (1998), and Cars (2006). Although it has more than its fair share of laughs, Up is not your usual lighthearted Pixar comedy. It deals with heavy issues like a misscarriage, dealing with the death of a loved one and the struggles of growing old. The movie follows the journey of Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) and Russell (Jordan Nagai) as they try to move Carl's old house to a spot in South America that was the dream destination for Carl's wife Ellie, before her death. In order to move the house Carl blows up a thousand balloons so that the house (and an unsuspecting Russell) can float away to South America. Pixar outdoes itself with the animation (as usual), and all the ingredients for a great movie combine to form one decadent experience.
February 9, 2010 10:25 AM
ReplyDeleteKierian said...
Well Pine cove was pretty much amazing((((: The lessons that James taught on about decisions is probably the lesson that has stuck with me the most and clicked the most. Yesterday at school, all throughout the day God was on my mind. I was constantly thinking about the decisions i was making, wheter it was what i was doing, what i was laughng at, or what i was saying. It is such a new experience for me, something I've never felt before. I can honestly say that before this weekend Christ wasn't on my mind 100 percent of the time, and sometimes that is really hard to admit. At school i really felt distant from other people, its not something thats easy to explain in words. I feel like I have a new sense of joy and im growing more satisfied in Christ(: Like James was saying today the more i look back i can see how unsatisfied I was, (and a snickers won't do to help fill that) but Christ is what fills that. I think people saw a difference yesterday(: which is terribly exciting! I was reading my devotional book in class yesterday and a girl leaned over and asked me what is that? and i told her its my devotional book, its kind of a guideline to help me grow in God, and she thought it was really cool(((: It seems like everyday something new clicks and i get a better understanding how much of a merciful, commpassionate, loving, graceful, peaceful, passionate God really is!!! This is still all really new to me, and i hope to keep growing in my walk with Christ, and i would like for everyone to pray for me for this, because at school it is really hard to keep close because of the pressures of everyday and all the sin that you can practically see going on.
Also heres some other stuff that has been going on(((:
In my devotional book today it was talking about chosing between life and death and the verse used as Deuteronomy 30:19-20. The thing that caught my attention the most is the word chosing or choice. A choice is a decision which goes along with what James taught on at Pine Cove.
God uses songs alot of the times to tell me something ot to get a point across, (something that i need to learn). well sometimes those songs are not meant to be about Christ. In te song 'Never Gonna Be Alone by Nickelback'
the lyrics are:
Never gonna be alone!
From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall...
Never gonna be alone!
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.
This is part of the chorus of this song. God never leaves us alone and he won't let us fall, even when we can't hold on by ourselves anymore, he helps us get through the pain and he is also there in happy times(:
Also Pine cove was such a blessing(((: It was really encouraging to hear from the staff members that we are always a very awesome group(: we go in with smiles on our faces and keep working even though we're tired(((:
Another song I feel God was trying to speak to me through was "How He Loves Us'. It got me to thinking, God is so gracious and loving, and forgiving that he loves us even though truly we aren't worth it. I can't even imagine what it would be like to love everyone and keep loving them and be able to forgive them the way God does when they sin and fall away. It is truly amazing to think about.
February 16, 2010 12:43 PM
ReplyDeleteLaura said...
hehehehe... terribly exciting :)
I agree!!!!!!!! Pine cove was amazing!!!!!! The lessons really hit home!!!!!!!!! Every choice we make has a consequence, good, or bad, even if we don't see it. It could affect someone and us not even realize it!
I am a fairly indecisive person when it comes to little things (where to eat, which sticker to choose for my car etc...) I have never really thought that it would make much difference... When it comes to my faith, I am a bit more opinionated!
But every choice means something! Its something that I am going to have to work on... I have a whole bunch of jumbled up thoughts in my head that are just dying to get straightened out... prayer and time, challenges from people etc.. have all helped, and will continue!
While I am here, and we are talking about songs, I was listening to masquerade, by seventh day slumber. I have heard this song plenty of times, I knew the lyrics but never really listened to them. But yesterday was different.
"I don't know what to think about me anymore,
Cause I am still the same as always.
Here I am again, that same old broken man.
I can't make it on my own. I need You.
Chorus:
And I am not afraid of anything anymore.
And I am not ashamed, the masquerade has ended.
And I will stand for You even if I lose it all.
Cause nothing really matters,
[ Find more Lyrics on http://mp3lyrics.org/Itje ]
You are all that matters, Lord.
As messed up as I am, still You bring me in.
You take me in Your arms and hold me.
The worthlessness I feel, You make it disappear.
You are always there, You're endless.
(Chorus)
I don't know what to think about me anymore.
Cause I am still the same as always.
I am not ashamed of anything anymore!!!!! That is what I want! I made a choice to let things go, now, I might fail today, but I made the choice, and hope to keep making it each and everyday!
the masquerade has ended, and I am free to be bold inn Christ!!!!!! I don't have to worry about what people think!!!!!!
WHAT, I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteALL I CAN DO IS RAISE MY HANDS UNTO THE HILLS WHERE MY HELP AND GRACE COME FROM!
FROM CHRIST ALONE!
THANKS FOR BEING A PART OF HIS WONDERFUL PLAN KI-KI & LAURA!!!
WHAT DID OTHERS THINK? TELL THEM TO BLOG IT!
JARRED, KEANE, NATHAN, SWISH, RJ, KIN-KIN, ETC.
My thoughts????? It was amazing!! The lessons were great!!
ReplyDeleteNo descion is really a descion, which will help me in actually making
descions. I really enjoyed working with Kinkin and Shelby... I guess just being apart of there lives. I know when I was younger, I sorta had a rough time cuz I sorta felt a little rejection from the older peers in our old church, but believe me God turned that around in my life and now I know how important it is that us older peers in our group need to invest in the jr high guys and girls. Now this is from my lifes perspective, heartbeat already does this which I think is awesome and happy to be apart of it
J-Rod,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, typically we have great things to share but don't have the opportunity to share it!
Thanks for being sensitive to those younger.
Yeah, my mind has been riling with my decision making process the last few days. Thanks to God's grace!
Amazing and Amazingly God!
-P. James
I really enjoyed it a lot!! Every time I have gone, I have really enjoyed it (although I get really worn out:)!
ReplyDeleteI had never really thought about decison making, or at least how important it is. Well for example, I always hear "make sure you are where God wants you...", and so I would pray about the decision, but I never really realized how much of a difference it can make on me and my relationship with God and others just depending on what I decided to do.
R to tha J,
ReplyDeleteTanks for the insight and honesty!
I love it when your drowsy and tired, it's so fun to talk with you, even then your sweet!
Thanks MVP
So I figure there will be a new blog for tonights lesson, but I have this written up, and couldn't wait. So her it goes!
ReplyDeleteSo what? What did theses lessons teach me? Or more specifically what did God teach me through the lessons?
Answer= I don't deserve the grace pored out on me with every breath I take. I am nothing (and rightly so) without Christ in my life!
I have struggled and prayed and fought over not being my own person. "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."
I deserve nothing but still I am blessed!
Some things from past weeks that stood out to me were
1. the definition of evil. This is what I had written down "Evil is leaving God's fountain of living water and trying to find water in a broken cistern.
2. Looking at love and first corinthians 13:3 "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, BUT have not love, I gain nothing."
Love is such a vital part of our faith. But if we do not pursue our joy in God then we cant be loving.
"Love is the overflow of our JOY in Christ, to meet the needs of others."
3. lesson 7, we talked about the beauty of love. "Love really shines most beautiful when you press on loving others EVEN when its hard and costly to you."
The question that comes to mind, "Have I ever suffered for love?"
Its the same question that I faced tonight! I have never really suffered. Sure, I have faced trials, and troubles. But, I have never suffered anything worth mentioning for my faith. So, would I remain joyful through suffering? I like to think I would but how do I know?
Over all, it has been AMAZING!!!!!!!
Just to agree with what James says about taking notes! They really are very helpful if you hang on to them, I would not of remembered hardly any of this if I hadn't written it down :)