How do YOU share Jesus with others?

That was sort of the topic tonight at Ground Zero. Spurned on by an article I read on one of my favorite Youth Leader web sites. (http://www.thesource4ym.com/archives/arc20090414.asp#TITLE1) Evangelism. Hmmmm.....what really works? How did you hear about and become aware of Jesus and what He did for you?

We discussed the pros and cons of street evangelism verses relationship evangelism and learned that when Jesus said "This is how they will know that you are my disciple, that you love one another" (John 13:35) that maybe He was telling us that THAT is the way to explain Him to others...by loving them.
This type of evangelism requires an investment from us in others (to have friends), but if we have Jesus in us, if we are Jesus walking and talking, this type of evangelism is not an effort or a plan, but a way of life. Others can see Jesus in us...whether we know it or not.....whether we try to or not....whether we like it or not.

Agree? Disagree? Post a comment and let us know!

We also want to thank Mr. Bob (Bob Cary) for joining us today! We are not sure if we helped him in his not-so-perfect day, but he is a great example of the topic of conversation in the way he revealed Jesus to us (without ever knowing it).

We had a great group tonight and hope that everyone can come back next week. If you find yourself "evangelising" this week and can invite someone to come with you, that would be awesome....dare I say....that would be God.

HAPPY SPRING BREAK!

Hello There! I hope everyone is having a great spring break! It has become apparent that many of you have been traveling to great sunny (and hopefully wamer) locations. Because of that, Ground Zero will be postoned until next week......it is just hard to compete with the beach, etc.

Does it look like this picture where you are? If it does, great for you! And give a big shout out to God for creating something so beautiful! But. . . don't forget, as fantastic as this creation is, YOU are his best work!

See you next week on April 14th!

Things Don't Always End up the Way They Start!

Have you ever played the "Telephone" game? It is the one where you whisper something to the first one in a circle and they whisper it to the next and so on and so on until it gets back to the original person. The chances of the "secret" being the same at the end of the game as it was in the beginning is very doubtful!

We played the paper telephone game tonight complete with descriptions and drawings and sure enough NONE ended up the way they started. Go figure. It was an illustration of how our concept of God starts out one way, and the world around us begins to twist it and redirect it until it becomes something totally different.

The bottom line is, God IS good. And God is love. When the world around us tells us something different, we must remember the truth. Not the deception.

Next week is Spring Break! Have a great one if you are traveling.....keep in touch to reschedule the volleyball games!


Thanks to Lacy and Samantha for their wisdom, guidance and their willingness to enter in these kids lives! And thanks to Karly and Timmy (pictured above) for being such good sports for all the Match Making going on.......right Beccca?!?!?!?

THIS TUESDAY AT HOBGOOD!

Remember those volleyball games on the beach at camp? Well......dejavu all over again! Weather permitting we will go to Hobgood Park for Ground Zero this Tuesday at 7:00p.m. for some volleyball practice, some food and some fun! Bring a friend with you.....and a volleyball if you have one.

If it is going to rain, we will have Ground Zero at the Sims house as we normally do.

COME AND JOIN US!

WHAT DOES YOUR GOD LOOK LIKE????

That was the topic of discussion tonight at Ground Zero! We are trying to get through our surface opinions on what we and the world think of when we think of God, and get a little deeper at what we truly think about this God of ours? Is He good? Is He forgiving or always ready to serve justice? Is He kind or is He handing out consequences for all our bad decisions? Where do we get these opinions and ideas? Which ones are really true?????

This was just night one of our view of God. It was a great start and an important one. It seems that the way we see God has a direct correlation to the way we see ourselves. And others.

When you think of God...what image to you see?????

We love you Ariel and Aaron!

We are all so sad to hear that Ariel's mom died this past week. She was a fantastic lady who loved her family so much! Our hearts grieve with Ariel and Aaron as they deal with this great loss! Please keep them in your prayers and give them a big hug when you see them!

Sorry that we couldn't have Ground Zero this week! I had to attend one of my favorite Aunt's funeral up in Michigan. We will be on as usual next week, but Ground Zero will be delayed after that until March 10th. More on that later!

Don't forget to bring in your camp deposit if you haven't! I am looking forward to seeing you all next Tuesday.

February 3, 2009 Go hunting for Bears and Ourselves!

Tonight was a great night at Ground Zero! We started out by reviewing how God was so very awesome in answering our prayers to find Ian's keys. He was AMAZING! in the way He revealed His power and glory with just a small set of keys! I am afraid, however, that we put God on the spot again by asking Him to show Matt where his $300.00 is. Now we realize that maybe God does not want Matt to know, and yet we are confident that He will bring some form of closure to the issue!

Acutally, that is not exactly true....we actually started out the night with 3 teens going on a "Bear Hunt" in which they were charged with hunting for 6 gummy bears in a bowl of whipped cream with only their teeth. It was fun, and when asked if there was some purpose...did it have any meaning to anything...the answer was no. But maybe it was an example of clean fun. Fun that does not need alcolhol, drugs, or sex. Just fun....and it was. (see video above)

We also talked about how well the Chili Cook-off went. As many great pots of chili that there were, one of our own...Matthew Preblick....won the contest and brought home the prize!!!! His chili was awesome! Ground Zero is proud of Matthew!!!! And....over $800.00 was raised for Big Stuf Camp this summer!!!! Our next fund raisers will be collecting spare change in our pigs (see picture above) and a yard sale at the Turner's house in March.

"It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life." Ephesians 1:13-14.

These verses are a gentle reminder that it is our life entwined inside the life of Christ that sets us free and gives us a life that is greater and bigger than the life on this earth that we are surrounded and tormented by! And THANK GOD for that!!! This world is not our home! Inside the life of Christ is!!! And that my friends, is SO MUCH BETTER than even finding our keys or our $300.00!!!

We will be back next Tuesday for more of God sightings and great news of our new freedoms with Jesus! Hope to see you there!