Leap Service Retreat

Leap did an amazing job at this event serving the community.  So proud of them!!!
Check out the pictures at http://www.umchildrenshome.org/newsandevents_updates.php?p=2041

Fasting as Discipline

Fasting is a spiritual discipline and honestly it is hard.  I would much rather read my Bible where the only discomfort is if I get a paper cut.  But the beauty of Fasting is its ability to be a gateway to other disciplines.  If you are willing to commit to fasting how hard is it to pray, meditate, read, or experience silence? Maybe your wondering what to do when God calls you to himself in fasting how do you react what do you do in those times of hunger?  How should you get the most out of your fasting experience? The following are introductions to two different ways of including other spiritual disciplines in your fasting regimen.  If you can include these you will be on the road to a more fruitful experience.

Bible Reading

Read a section of scripture 3-7 verses not to big not to small

Pray that God would show you the words he wants to tell you.  (highlight them or write them down)

Read the same section for a second time

Pray about the meaning of those words

What is God telling you through them?

Read the same section a third time

Pray about how you are supposed to apply them to your life

What is God calling you do to do in response to His Word?

For more information on this type of reading look up Lectio Divina

Silence

Sit in silence (maybe you have to buy headphones to make this possible)

Get comfortable, put your hands open on your lap and both feet flat on the ground

Close your eyes, breathe in deeply, exhale, breathe in, exhale

Silence your mind and wait on God.  Just wait on God, don’t think!

Journal any ideas, thoughts, people that are brought to mind

Use the experience of Fasting as an opening to a deeper walk with  God.

If you are interested in learning more of spiritual disciplines

The Sacred Way, Tony Jones

Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster

The Life You always wanted, John Ortberg

http://marshill.org/teaching-resources/spiritual-practices/

Fasting as Worship

What do you get when you put 170 students in a room designed for 100 with a kickin’ band, fog machine, crazy lights, and amazing energy.  You might think chaos, odd smells, and stress.  I think of Worship.  Every Wednesday night at the Outback the room is alive with the anticipation of God’s glory to be shown and for the Holy spirit to make Himself known in the room.  I am awed by the corporate worship of our students, the fervor, the unashamed way they go about it.  I am humbled by the respect they show each other and the dignity they conduct themselves with.  It blows my mind and I can’t help but be swept away in the passion of a room of students chasing after God’s heart.

Combing that passion with a call to fast is a privilege and challenge.  One that will set our student ministry on a new and amazing course.  As we deepen our passionate worship to include fasting.  Fasting is an intimate and private of way to worship, it effects our corporate worship as well.  Where we raise our voices in praise on Wednesday’s or Sunday’s, fasting is done in the stillness and the quietness of our souls.  It brings our hearts and minds to the sacred.  Fasting is Worship just as singing is.  Where singing is an active proclamation with our mouths of the adoration of God.  Fasting involves our minds and wills to say God is great and in control.  Fasting is a lifestyle worship not an event driven worship.  Combine the two together where our minds, our bodies, our will, our tongues, our community are all focused in worship of God.  Lets just say I can’t wait until next week…

Actions Step Read Isaiah 58: 1-14

How does fasting and worship work in you life?

Are we guilty of any of the dangers Isaiah warns us about?

Do we bring worship and glory to God in our fasting?

Take a look at you fasting history are there changes that need to be made?

Journal your thoughts!!!

Fasting as Excitement

Today I’m excited!  Excited about this new season for our church.  So many people are fasting and praying together.  It is like God is opening our heart and shining his glory into each one of our lives.  As a staff we have experienced new levels of togetherness and new insights together.  We have already seen miracles happen and this has only been going on for three days!  God is moving in ways we have been praying about for months.  So I’m excited.  I’m looking for all the new ways God is moving in our people, among our staff, in our community.  I am prepared to be amazed, baffled, perplexed by the glory of God.

Today let the distraction melt away and concentrate on what God is going to do in our body (the church).  The passion He has given our students, the talent He has given our worship Team, the purpose He has given our staff, I can’t be anything but expectant of miracles.  Honestly, I am excited to be apart of this move of God.  It brings joy to my heart, purpose to my steps, and direction to my day. 

So what has fasting got to do with the excitement?  For me it removed the day to day grind.   The distractions of the mundane, of the to do list, of the normal.  Fasting has brought the move of God back to the forefront of my mind.  Maybe today you need to see God at the front of your life not the side or the back but in Hid rightful place as the divine driver.  Often I forget that God is driving this thing, not me, not you, or someone else.  That this is God’s body not mine.  Its simple really but oh so exciting!

Action Steps:

How is God opening your mind to new things in this season?

What are you most excited about in the future for BridgePointe?

Where have you seen God moving in this season?

Journal it!!!

Fasting as Clarity

      I never have really thought about how much clutter food is in my life.  I mean I just enjoy eating.  I enjoy the smell, taste, texture,  of good food.  But to achieve that culinary bliss there is a lot of work that goes  it to it. I think about what I’m going to eat, where to get it, do I have a coupon, do
I make it or pay someone else to make it, and how many calories does it have in it. I’ve noticed this is not so much work but clutter.  As we fast there are moments, these wonderful moments, of clarity, inspiration, and insights that I never have while not fasting.  Maybe it is the decluttering, maybe it is the removing of something that takes so much of my time, energy, thought. that opens the door for God to be more present in my life. Because now that I am on this fasting journey I in moments of concentrated prayer or meditation a thought will bloom I my mind, heart and soul. A totally transformational thought that has reverberation throughout my whole life.  The kind of clear directional thoughts that you know can only come from Holy Spirit.  Maybe one of the things that God is teaching us throughout this experience is that when we remove the clutter He is there.  When we remove the daily grind of food  preparation we get to see God more clearly.  So that brings to mind a bunch of other questions for me.  What do I clutter my life with on a daily basis?  If the removal of something as simple as food from my life can offer such insights and deeper revelations of God in my life how much more if I turn off the TV, Facebook, Cell Phone, Twitter, Blog Feeds (Not this one), Fantasy Football,  and Email. 

Action Step:

What clutters your life?

Can you remove anything in your daily regimen to bring simplicity to your life?

Have you experienced clarity I thought in your fasting?  If not don’t give up give yourself to prayer.  Don’t give up!

Journal it all!     

Fasting as Rest

Think about all the appliances you use during the day.  The coffee maker, toaster, microwave, stove top, coffee maker again, dishwasher.  Those I use just to get the kids ready for the day.  With the thought always in the back of your mind what’s next for lunch or dinner, do I need to go to the store. 

Now multiply that feeling a thousand times.  That’s what it must feel like to keep kosher.  Kosher is the adherents to all the Old Testament food laws.  There are regulation on what you can eat, how you can cook it, what pots and pans it can touch.  My anxiety goes up just thinking about trying to feed a family that way.  If you want to explore Kosher more check this out http://www.jewfaq.org/kashrut.htm

This made me think about the rest that would take place during a fast for ancient followers of God.  During the fast they wouldn’t have to deal with the weight of the food laws on there minds.  In this sense Fasting is a release of mind to focus on God.  We can open our minds to all that God has for us because we don’t have to worry about where our next meal is coming from.  We know it is a spiritual meal from God.

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

“Come to me all you who are wear and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle an humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

As we draw closer to God in this time of fasting and praying please don’t make the mistake of looking at is as something else you have to do.  During this time ask God to give rest to your soul.  That He would nurture your spirit with supernatural food in ways that food can never do.  Bask in  the rest that fasting gives you.  Savor the flavor of God in your life.  Delight in the presence of God in your daily life.  Relish the lingering taste of communion with God.

Actions Steps today

Journal your thoughts today. Where are the areas you are hungry in?  Where do you need God’s rest to flood over you? 

If you have time take a walk with God today and listen for his voice don’t talk just listen.

Are you hungry?

The journey of fasting is a beautiful one.  Fasting takes a body that is full and makes it hungry and spirit that is hungry and fills it.  Fasting is a concentrated effort to deny oneself to grow closer to the heartbeat of God.  As we start this journey of fasting.  Prepare your motives for Fasting.  Ask yourself a few questions. 

            Why are you fasting?

Have a specific goal and purpose behind it.  Tailor your prayers and Bible reading for the subject you reaching for.

Who knows you are fasting?

The scripture is very clear that Fasting is a private act and not something that is used to draw attention to yourself .

Matthew 6:16-18 (New International Version)

 16"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Tell your spouse or whoever makes your meals your intention but after that no one needs to know. 

Fasting is not something to make you a super Christian or a badge of honor.  It about you bringing your heart closer to God’s heart.

Fasting is not a hunger strike to try and manipulate God.  It is a way in which you can become laser focused on what God is saying to you and has for you in this season.

How long are you going to fast?

Have a clear time limit.  Set realistic goals this is incredibly important if you are new to fasting.   Headaches are normal your body is accustomed to all kinds of chemicals and caffeine.  Drink plenty of water and that should limit the discomfort and help you get rid of the toxins in your system.  If fasting for more than a day have a plan of what to eat when you come of off the fast.  Hint:  No greasy foods and stay away from high acidic foods.

Action Step

Write down your motives for fasting in a journal and keep the thoughts that God gives you written down so that you can refer back to then and see how God has changed you through your experience.

Radiant!

Attention Fusion ladies!

Do you have a facebook? If so, take a minute to join "Radiant", a group just for you. It is the perfect way to stay connected with your friends, and updated on girls' events that are happening. Check it out, invite more people to join, and stay tuned for more information!

If you don't have a facebook but you still want to be updated, shoot me an email: Emily.Hunt@bridgepointechurch.org

Blessings!

-Emily

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=145070998870299&ref=ts

Elements

I am really excited about Elements starting this Sunday night.  Elements is our Student Life small group opportunity.  In Elements Middle School students will learn the basics of faith.  Who God is,  what it means to follow God, how to share your faith, etc.  High School will be learning about how to the put there faith in practice in the personal time with God.  They will cover Bible Study, Fasting, Prayer, Journling, and Worship.  These lessons have been written by our leaders for our students.  I am incredibly proud of our team and the effort that has gone into this material.  These meeting take place the next 6 weeks and go from 6:30-8 on Sunday nights

6th grade

The Weiss's
906 Laurel Crest Dr
Woodstock Ga 30189

7th
The Waters
407 Raven Mocker Lane
Woodstock Ga 30189

8th
The Jamieson's
810 Brookside Court
Woodstock Ga 30189

9th
The Boerner's
1618 Clark Lake Drive NW
Acworth, GA 30102

10/11th
The Troche's
702 Standing Turkey Court
Woodstock, GA 30189

12th
The Walker's
304 Parke Court
Woodstock, Ga  30189

Meet Emily

    Hello! My name is Emily Hunt, and I am the new Girls Ministry Director “Dudette.” I’ve been helping lead worship for a little over a year now at Fusion. (Yes, I am the blonde with the pink capo and pink guitar strap and pink sticker...that’s me.) I am excited to finally have such an opportunity to connect with and serve the students I’ve gotten to know over this past year. The driving force behind me is God’s heart for these girls, His passion and purpose for their lives. And lucky me! I get an excuse to hang out with awesome young women who love their Jesus.
    A couple facts about me: I am twenty years old. My birthday is January 17th, and I am a fan of the color pink. I work a part time job as a Barista at Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee in Roswell. (Yes, I am a total coffee nerd.) I met many of the LEAP students at Bridgepointe last summer when I was an intern at the Journey Church in New York City and went on the Indiana Mission Trip this past summer. After spending a week with that team, I knew where I would be the first Sunday I was back home in Georgia.
    I am really looking forward to this new season, and all I ask is for prayers that God will use me to make a lasting impact on the hearts and lives of those God puts in my path. Thank you and have a great day! 
 

How's your fruit, How's your health

Does anyone else get a guilty feeling every time a speaker talks about doing something.  Like you all need to bear fruit or wind souls or quit gossiping or whatever topic they are talking about.  I do I could have not gossiped in a year and I still feel guilty about that I have no idea why but I do.  The scriptures do this to me sometimes.  As I think about it... that's okay.  I am not perfect, I can always use a reminder of stepping up in whatever area of my life.  The scripture that is constantly spinning around in my head is Matthew 7.  When Jesus talks about Fruit what does he mean? Am I bearing fruit?  I know I don't want to be cut down?  Does this mean I need to work harder, read more, talk more, prepare more?????  Maybe those are the wrong questions.

Matthew 7:16-20 (New International Version)
16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

I honestly don't know what this means for my life yet, I don't know what it means for yours either.  As I think about fruit though and trees producing it.  Things need to be right internally.  The roots and leaves have to be healthy to bear fruit.  So I have to ask how are my roots?  Is my faith deep in good soil?  How are my leaves?  Does my outward actions match my inward faith?  If those are healthy the fruit will be come in season.  I think sometimes I get thinking about why fruit isn't being produced in my life and honestly it just isn't the right season. 

Let your self off the guilt trip, concentrate on being healthy.  Truly healthy, Take a walk. Pray alongside a river or lake. Read the Bible in a different version than you are used to.  Get healthy and in your season you will yield a huge harvest.

Pandora or I Tunes

How much time do you spend with your ipod?  Do you spend hours creating the perfect set list?  Or do you put it on shuffle and let it ride?  Recently I discovered Pandora and enjoyed listening to it.  Its a great free way to make your own radio station.  But there is something missing.   I don't have ownership in the music.  I have no buy in to the experience with the music.  Because it is all random and thrown at me even though I choose the artists and genres. 

I think our relationship with God is the same way.  We choose the time to pray or read.  We even choose the book of the Bible to read (often by the point and shoot method).  But we don't have buy in we don't develop a relationship with the scriptures.  So therefore we get frustrated and lose interest in reading.  We say the Bible is boring or I don't understand it.  I can say the same thing about music that I don't understand or don't feel.   When we develop a plan or a goal in reading the scripture we are going on a journey with it.  This is when it become alive to us and we can experience what God is teaching us through His word.  You can check out all kinds of reading plans on Bible Gateway.  You can look at reading the Bible in Time order, or a little Old Testament little New Testament. You can read through your favorite characters or discover new ones.  You can take a Proverb a day.  Mix and match, make it your Playlist, your plan.  Take ownership in your encounters with the scripture.  It will change your life.
http://www.pandora.com/
http://www.biblegateway.com/

Don't worry your not cheating

Recently I have been talking to a bunch of different students about their reading in the Bible.  Several of them have told me how they are reading from a different translation then they usually do.  Then they look at me like is that okay?  Is he going to be mad?  Is the Bible Im reading a real Bible?  Am I cheating on God?
The answer of course is its okay your not cheating on God.  God doesn't care if you are listening to His word, reading in the old KJV, even older Greek, older Hebrew, newer NIV, or even newer NLT.  God wants you to read His love letter to you! 

I am so excited that our students are excited about the Bible and what God has to say the them through it.  What an amazing thing to be apart of.  Of course when you read the scripture you will have questions.  So ask them.  No question especially when asked about the Bible is a dumb question! 

Compartments

I have been talking in conversations with people and thinking about being holistic about our lives. The Leap program this year is a complete leadership paradigm.  The new small group ministry Elements is set up to help you experience God in a complete way.  Fusion is transforming not to just be about the people who come but what to do with our faith once we have it.  As I explore this idea of being holistic in minstry I can't help but think about our faith journey.  To often we talk about our spiritual lives, work life, home life, or social life.  But we aren't living several lives at once we are one person, living one life, with one opportunity to live once on this planet.  Our tendency to compartmentalize our lives hurts us in the faith area the most.  When we put our life in catagorize we can rationalize sin.  Because this sport, activity, relationship isn't about God.  But that is fundamentaly flawed.  It is all about God.  He doesn't want a few hours of our time or 15 minutes a night before you go to sleep.  He wants your life, all of it. 

If you are in love with someone you don't just want to be around them ever once in a while.  You want to know them deeply, fully, passionately.  The same goes for God.  God wants to know you completely and work through your life completely.  When we start living like God is active with us all the time not just when we worship or pray or read the Bible but with ever breath that we take and every step that we take our lives will be changed.  Evidence of our faith will pour out.  The world will know that we are madly in love with Jesus by our words, our actions, the way we drive, speak, dress by everything that we do and are.  Because when we get serious about faith it takes over all of us.  When the compartments come down, we tear down the walls down that keep us from bearing fruit and being know for faith.  Because that is who we are a person of faith in Jesus Christ.

Indiana Mission Trip

What an amazing time we had in Indiana working for God.  This trip was the end of the year trip for our Leap Program.   We worked at YCL youth camp and the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission.   Thank you Cody for putting it all together.

The Power of Team

In the last few weeks something has been changing in the midst of our student ministry.  It is a subtle change but an important one.  We have released leaders to do what they do best and it is having a huge impact.  From our students stepping up into new roles of leadership and responsibility to some volunteers giving days of there week to the ministry.  This started with Miranda Strong stepping up and owning the pre worship music and taking over some of Britt's role, it moved forward in Cody Rodgers making videos for us, Steven Black coming straight from school in Cobb county to set up, progressed in Daniel Boerner owning the production aspect of the night, Alyse Tucker, Shane Buquet and James Cagle faithfully cleaning up and pouring into the students.  (There are at least 10 other people I could mention in this list but I'll brag on you latter.)  Instead of the student pastor being responsible for everything it has become a team atmosphere.  In this team everyone plays different positions but they are all vital to the success of our ministry.  Since developing this team we have seen more students come to know Jesus than in the last six months.  The Team is effective, the Team is enlarging the Kingdom of God, The Team is getting souls a place in heaven.  I am reminded of how the early church go out in teams to do ministry or when the Apostles develop Deacons to help them.  I feel like we are catching a wave that God has brought our way.  It is going to be one crazy ride!!!  This Wednesday after Fusion we are having an adult volunteer meeting.  If you are interested in riding this wave with us make sure to be there.

Check out Acts 6 or Luke 9 for your Jesus Time on the idea of Team

Changes are coming!

In the coming weeks all kinds of new things will be happening.  Some of the new things will be: new band members at Fusion, Bible classes, different teachers, new lighting, a different stage, and new volunteers, not to mention a whole new Leap program.  Plus all kinds of stuff that is too top secret to share.  I am really excited about all the changes about to happen.  Fusion is rocking with more than doubling our attendance in the past three weeks.  There is an incredible energy in the room and because of that, Wednesday's are my favorite day of the week.  I hope that this momentum that God has given us will carry on and we can continue to change people's lives through our incredible experiences.  Last week my facebook inbox was filled with people telling me how there lives were changed.  That makes my day, month, year when that happens.  Get ready for the changes, get ready for the crazy roller coaster that awaits us.  I can't wait to see you all at Fusion!

God Talks Back

In your prayer life do you ever feel like you are talking to a wall?  I know I do and I'm a Pastor (as if that makes me special).  Seriously though prayer can be very frustrating.  You pour out your heart, your problems, desires and more often than not you get back....nothing.  Its kind a like when you are on a cell phone call and the other person drops but you don't know and you continue to talk for five minutes to yourself.  Sometimes if Im honest I feel like that is my prayer life. 

Until something happens like this morning.  I was praying during my morning routine, really not expecting a life changing encounter just kinda going through the motions, and BAM! POW! WACK! God showed up.  After about 10 seconds of prayer God answered my questions and put words on my lips.  I get so used to offereing prayer after prayer and feeling like it is my duty that I get jaded to the fact that God is alive and active and wants to talk to us.  I was caught so off guard by the experience that I am embarrassed to admit it.  But its the truth!  I had to stop myself and actually think in my hazy morning stupor, that's God answering my prayer huh,  wait WOW!  That's God answering my prayer!!!!

I write this not to brag about my God encounter but to encourage you!  God will talk back.  Are you ready to hear from Him?  Are you so used to going through the motions that you don't recognize His voice anymore?

Holy Wait

This summer we had some amazing experiences at Fusion.  Things happened that I had very rarely experienced before.  Maybe you had never seen those things happen.  The Holy Spirit moved in our midst changing lives and healing bodies.  The whole time all this was happening I new this wasn't the end it was only the begining.

Our students are not just on a spiritual high from Motion or the Baptisim Bash.  I believe they are making choices that will define this year and their life.  I am thrilled at the excitement level at Fusion each week.  The anticipation before the night begins amps me like no other.  In the spirit of that anticipation.  I want to encourage us to do something I call "Holy Wait".  I personally am so tempted to force Holy Spirit moments.  I want to jump ahead of what God is doing in our midst.  But what I need to do is wait on God.  I need to make sure that the moment is of God not of Jarad.  I want to encourage each of us to prepare our hearts for God's move not our emotions.  When we bring our friends and want them to experience God not a emotional high.  So before Fusion ask God to prepare your heart and your friends heart's.  Ask God to show Himself to you.  Come with anticipation and a prepared heart.of God moments but not a desperation of an emotional high. 

Desperation leads to spiritual attacks.  Preparation leads to God moments .

Slow you heart to seek after God.  Embrace the "Holy Wait"

Parent Opportunities

We have a couple of terrific opportunities for parents.

The first is this Sunday Night there will be a parenting growth group at he Outback from 6:30-8:00pm led by Mike Downey.  Last week was a great time of sharing and learning about how we can all be more effective parents.  I recommend that all our parents come to this community building time. 

The Boerner's let us know about another opportunity coming soon.

Saturday, August 28th 9:00 - 2:30

Cherokee Christian Schools

Cost: $30 for Individuals

$50 for Married Couples

Speakers: Joel Teague from Faith Community Church in Woodstock, GA

Tim Keeter from Grace Community Church in Huntsville, AL

Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 22nd

You may register online at www.faithcommunitycounseling.org

Please Pray For Jarad

Alright gang!  I have a serious problem.  I had four wisdom teeth pulled and now I have dry sockets.  Which is basically the kiss of death.  I need prayer.  Pray that my mouth will heal,  Pray that I can think straight enough to let God use me at Fusion. Pray that I can be nice to my family.  I know there are a bunch of prayer warriors out there and I need it.

This week's set list!!!

Are you ready to Bring it!!!!

One Way        
Rise And Sing         
Beautiful Jesus
I Lift My Hands 
Healer
You Alone Can Rescue           
With Everything

You may want to bring a water cause we will be worshiping hard core!  Last week was amazing!  Remember to invite all your friends!! 

Welcome to Student Life

As school starts back up.  We are rethinking the way in which we communicate with everyone about the happenings of the Student life ministry at BP.  Do we need to txt, email, blog, send letters home?  What are the effective ways in which to communicate with parents and students.  To start off we decided to integrate this blog into our communication flow.  Hopefully by subscribing to this blog you will be subscribing to a even flow of information that will equip you to be fully involved in Student Life.  I look forward to developing this into an avenue for all sorts of helpful information.