Winter Camp 2008 pix from Dakota

The crew

Cesar crowd surfing

Kendra here is wondering why Ebiuwa is wearing shorts in the freezing mountains.

guys don't look, we are not supposed to see the girls dorm!

Kendra about to get wailed in dodgeball!

Check out Erik!

Thanks Dokata!

Equip Youth Christmas Party BBQ

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Equip Youth BBQ Christmas Party!

We are going to be having a youth group BBQ lunch / white elephant gift exchange Christmas party. This is serious business. Listen up...

When? Sunday, December 21

What Time? 2:00p - 5:00p

Where? Josh Schultz house.

3030 Bronco Lane

Norco, CA

What's the deal? I'm glad you asked. Josh' dad, Ray, is a firefighter. If there is one thing that firefighters can do, its cook BBQ. Ray will be hooking us up with burgers, dogs, cokes, and all the rest. You do not have to bring food. You can bring a dessert though. If you want to bake some cookies, get a pie, or whatever it is you like, then please bring it.

What's this white elephant thing all about? OK, this is good. We want you to bring a gift, under $5, all wrapped up looking sweet to the party. The thing is, this is no regular gift. This is a gag gift. If you want to print out a big picture of you and autograph it like you are a Hollywood celebrity, then go for it! If you want to wrap up one of your parents Barry Manilow records, then by all means. If you want to wrap up a dead fish, then... well, don't go that far. But make it funny. Make it thoughtful. Make it memorable. Don't spend much money, if any. Just put your brain to work.

Also, there will be a ping pong tournament going. Team up with someone, and we will see who gets to the top of the mountain. As it stands now, Erik and Vicente are kings of the court. They showed everyone at Winter Camp their insane pong skills.

What do I wear? Christmas stuff preferably. You know, ridiculous sweaters with reindeer, high stockings, bells on your shoes, beanies...

See you there!

Questions? call me at the church (951) 272-9673, cell (951) 710-0354, e-mail jeremy@ccnorco.org

Equipping the saints

Jeremy

Ephesians 4:11-13

Winter Camp Reflections

As I stare at my white wristband, I can't help chanting to myself, "Victory, sweet victory". Of the 5 years that I have been to Winter Camp, my team has never won first place. I thought all was hopeless, unfulfilled dreams that were never going to be realized. But you know what, life is all about the comeback. This year as part of the yellow team, I have tasted victory. In the words of MLK, "I have reached the mountain and seen what is on the other side!" Thanks yellow team for making my dreams come true. So go on, wear your wristband with pride. Red, Blue, Green, Purple teams - you did okay. Rep your squad. Be a true fan. Me? I am enjoying the white wristband of victory.

Did you guys all have a good time? The food was better this year, the bands were amazing, the weather was good, and there was no crazy teenager drama! It seemed to me that everybody seemed to get along with everybody and life was good. Did you guys know that Cesar had 25 clothes pins from the game by the end of the weekend? He was unstoppable. Aaron Shepard turned 14 years old on Saturday. The kids who came for the first time were awesome. Erik and Vicente took home the gold medal in the ping pong tourney. My son Luke and I went on an extreme 2 hour hike during free-time. It was really an awesome weekend. Be sure to thank those counsellors who came up with us this year. They were really cool for doing that.

Remember, the victory was not only the yellow team's this year. (though the yellow team utterly dominated the competition, unparalleled in winter camp history) The victory also belongs to all of you who took the next step in your walks with Jesus. He loves us so much. He bought us with a price, His own blood. We are His now, we answer to Him, we honor the King, we bow down to the Lord, we are His Own special people. I am proud of you guys who have purposed in your hearts to follow God and not the world. You guys are awesome.

Romans 8:18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
Whatever we go through down here, doesn't compare to what we are going to receive up there. Keep going strong people!

Drop a reply and share with us what you learned at Winter Camp.

Enjoying victory,

Jeremy

Ephesians 4:11-13

Winter Camp 2008 pix from Mandy

Suzanne & Ashleigh hanging out late. Hey Suzanne, is that a cell phone on your bed?

Ebiuwa looking refreshed

the bridge to Tarabinthia... That's a movie right?

Kendra always smiling

Is there anybody happier than Maddie Renfree? The girl is always smiling!

Becky Bower repping the Anahiem Ducks

Suzanne, Mandy, and Sarah enjoying the good life

Kendra striking a pose, Gabby looking joyful

Happy Birthday Aaron!

life is good at the top

Will she make it?

pretty sweet, huh?

Mandy getting sandwiched by Suzanne and Kristin

Jonathon Lumley, you're awesome!

Riley... Earth to Riley... come in Riley

Riley got the message

The guys

Lasagna wasn't such a good idea, if you know what I mean. Guys dorm smelt a little... funkadocious.

Kinda gross, very funny

Look at that beautiful family.

Sarah and Mandy showing the pearly whites.

Hey Everyone, send me your best Winter Camp pix and I'll throw them up on the blog. My camera is lost, I didn't snap one photo this weekend so I am counting on you. Email me at... Jeremy@ccnorco.org

Adios

Ephesians 4:11-13

-Jeremy

Gay marriage - some thoughts

Gay marriage - a phrase we constantly hear. I wanted to equip you with a great article that I read from a man who has put a lot of thought into this issue. Please click the link and prepare to be enlightened. I know a lot of you have been engaged in conversations in class about gay marriage. Hopefully this article opens up some good dialogue for you with others.

Remember, always speak out of love, respect, and integrity.

http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6553

equipping the saints,
Jeremy

E-quip post - Water to wine

Yesterday in youth group we looked at the story of Jesus at that wedding in Cana. The main event wasn't when the vows were exchanged, but when Jesus turned the water into wine. Can you picture the scene? How would you like to have Jesus at your wedding? One of the main points that I was trying to bring out in church yesterday was this: Jesus can take your watered down life and transform it into a joyous one. In the Bible, wine was synonymous with joy. Water is sort of blah, you know, boring. But wine meant joy, a good time. Jesus can take that normal boring life of yours and turn it into a fascinating pursuit of Him. The Newsboys sing, "to have found You and still be searching for you, is the soul's paradise of love." What a joy filled life you can have when you find Jesus Christ and still search for His will for your life everyday.

For those who say that being a Christian is boring, I say "what you talking about Willis?" People think that because they are told not to "drink, chew, or go out with girls who do", that they are going to be missing out on the fun things in life. That's dumb. Following the Lord is the greatest life that we can have. Christians have abundant life. The world does not have this. We have a Savior that is closer to us than a brother. The world does not have this. Christians have hope. The world does not have this.

You know, the Bible says that Jesus was anointed with gladness above all his fellows. That is another way to say that Jesus was a generally happy, joyful guy. We have been given so much, we should be overjoyed in life, no matter what happens to us.

Now go out there and be happy about it!
Jeremy -Ephesians 4:11-13

E-quip post - Freedom from guilt

No one likes to feel guilty. Like an unwelcomed guest, guilt shows up at the worst possible time and does not go away no matter how much you wish it would.

But the truth is, we need guilt. It is the only proper response to an offense. You know that horrible feeling when you know that you did something wrong? Yeah, you need that or else you would continue to do things without regard of others or the common good. Guilt is good for you. it exposes the truth that we try to avoid.

See, guilt leads us to God. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Guilt leads us to confession, and if we confess our sins and junk to God, then He is there to cleanse and forgive. How great is that?

It is sorta like when you get called to the Principal's office when you are in Jr. high. I remember the principal calling my teacher while I was in class and asking that I go to the office. As I made my way, very slowly I might add, I was thinking of everything that I did wrong that week that could make the principal call me up. I thought of a whole list and I was terrified of what might happen! Guilt from all those things that I had done was flooding over me. I was sweating, okay almost crying. By the time I made my way to the office, my heart was almost pounding out of my chest, my mom would kill me if I got in trouble! I had confessed everything to the Lord by this point, even though I didn't really know a whole lot about God, but hey, I was desperate. The principal called me in and he asked me to confirm a report about one of my friends. He wanted me to rat out my friend. Did I do it? Of course, I sang like a bird! From that point on I was going to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God. Guilt is a horrible feeling and I wanted to get rid of it fast.

So, there's my story. I want to here some stories of guilt from you guys. Post a comment and let me know about your crisis in guilt.

you've been equipped.
Eph. 4:11-13
Jeremy

Announcement: Friday, Oct. 24

Yo Party people! This is your announcement for this coming Friday night. As I told you on Sunday, we are getting together this Friday night in the sanctuary from 6:00p - 8:00p to go over and plan for Halloween night. Please make it if you can. If you would like to be involved with music ministry during Halloween night, then you should really try to make it and practice with everyone. For all of you who do not have musical skills, then we can be planning games, etc.

You have been informed, don't miss it.

If you need a ride, give me a call @ 951.710.0354

See you Friday. Jeremy

Equip announcement: WiNtEr CaMp '08

It is a big endorsement when Dave and Roy give the two thumbs up!

WINTER CAMP 2008

For the past couple of years, youth groups throughout So. Cal have been joining together for a weekend in the mountains full of fun and fellowship. Well, it's that time of year again, and we are ready to go! As your fearless youth group leader, I would like to formally invite you to this year's youth group retreat up at Calvary Chapel Green Valley Christian Camp from December 5th-7th.

This year's theme is "HIS OWN" which is taken from Titus 2:11-15. My heart and prayer for this year's retreat is that those who attend would be encouraged in their relationship with the Lord because of the amazing grace that He has toward us. I also pray that those who attend will be equipped to "deny ungodliness...live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:12). Finally, I have been praying about those kids that would be evangelized over the weekend, so that "He might redeem...for Himself HIS OWN". (Titus 2:14)

This year's worship leaders will include Joseph Tata and others. The Saturday night concert will be performed by Shachah.

If you have never been to winter camp, then please try to make every effort you can to make it to this one this year. It is so awesome. Games, rec room, lotsa food, snow (pray baby pray), camp cabins, wrestlemania, make-overs (my wife told me to put that), and of course of it is surrounded by Christ. Seriously, you don't know what you are missing. For those of you players who have been up before, I would love to see you come back again. There is something special about getting away from the everyday grind of school, sports, work... and getting back on track with our Lord.

The music, games, food, and fellowship are just a part of the camp experience. The "main events" are the 5 main Bible study sessions going on throughout the weekend. All the focus will be on the theme "HIS OWN". To ensure that everyone age group and individual gets spoken to personally, we break up a couple of the main sessions into Jr. high class and high school class, and a girls class and a guys class.

Cost: $100 per person. This includes camp shirt, food, lodging, games, prizes, a concert, and all the extras that go along with putting a camp together.

Some Important Dates:

Sunday, November 2nd: Sign-up, confirm shirt size, and first $30 deposit due.

Sunday, November 23rd: Final $70 due along with permission slips.

Friday, December 5th: Leave for winter camp

Sunday, December 7th: Arrive back home.

More info to come. I'll keep you posted.

Post #4 - to the girls

Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised"

I now have definitive proof that people are psychotic about their looks. Check out this craziness!

I just read a story wear women at this upscale beauty salon in New York are applying nightingale poo for a facial cream mix. Nightingale Poo! You know, bird dung! This other guy puts his face in an aquarium full of tiny fish which suck on his face for a bizarre skin treatment. There is a day spa in northern Virginia that gives fish pedicures. These tiny fish (Garra Rufa) are being employed to eat and consume dead skin cells from brave customers.

What on Earth?! Are you kidding me? Demi Moore was quoted as saying that she uses leeches to suck on her face to achieve better circulation. Leeches...on your face? SICK!

As evidenced above, people are psycho about their looks. We are always looking for a new lotion or potion to make us more marketable on the singles market. The rush to keep up can be overwhelming.

But hold on. Let not your heart be troubled. The Word of God has keen insight into this touchy subject. If the idea of keeping up and beautifying our outer person is to be praised, then consider this. "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." God knows how important your looks are to you, but He at the same time wants to stress the inner person of the heart. To your Heavenly Father, you are beautiful all the time. It's true. You are His masterpiece. But above all this is the working of God's Spirit inside you making you beautiful on the inside.

Your looks will generally decline from the day you are born to the die you die. You are all cute when you come out, but when you are old, well let's just say that's another story. On the other hand, your inner person gets continually renewed and beautified. Hey, if you don't believe me you can go home and apply some bird dung to your face or soak your feet into your aquarium! Your call.

Blessings.

E-quip post #3 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Proverbs 28:14 "Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity."

I have a lot of respect for military personnel. What a picture of service and honor! A major difference that I see between military guys and the average Joe is the respect that the military guys show. Yes, sir. No, sir. Yes, mam. No, mam. Please. Thank You. These guys are under an authority that they submit to. Here is what authority is..."Legitimate power in which people believe that the differences in power are just and proper-that is, people view a leader as being entitled to give orders." The military is based on an order structure that is recognized and adhered to by all its members. That is how things work and are held together.

Similarly, God has put an order structure in our lives as students and young adults that keeps us in line. I remember my mom telling me that she felt like a drill sergeant half the time as she was raising three kids. (Of whom I was by far the most testing). You know, our whole life we will be under some sort of authority here on earth. When you're a kid, obviously your parents, teachers, coaches, etc. have authority over you. When you are an adult, you have to answer to the man (your boss) and your wife! (Hey-don't kid yourself) And when you are really old, you are under the authority of the crazy ladies at the convalescent home that you are going to be living at! It seems that we can never get away from the authority of people who change our diapers. Mom when we are young, crazy convalescent ladies when we are old. Sorry, that's the circle of life, just the way things go.

Here is what I noticed about teenagers and the issue of respect. Most teenagers want to be respected by their parents, friends, teachers, coaches, etc. without necessarily showing a lot of respect themselves. Have you ever noticed that? Some teens want complete autonomy over their personal lives, they want their parents out of their lives and all that but they miss this important truth... You have to give respect to get respect. Proverbs 28:14 says that you will be happy in life if you give respect. It doesn't say that you will be happy in life if you get respect. Showing respect is part of a happy life. The verse goes on to say that if we "harden your hearts" then we will fall into trouble.

Respect, like money, is hard to get but easy to lose. God asks us to be respectful. Even when things get hard, character matters. Jesus, our example in all things, showed respect for even societies outcasts. If Jesus did it, so should we.

Now go get on with those chores that you are supposed to be doing! Being humble and respectful is such a powerful combination for good. Try it.

You've been equipped. Eph. 4:11-13
-Jeremy

E-quip post #2 - heart stimulation

2 Peter 3:1-2 "Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles."

These verses are perfect for this blog. Never again will I be able to say that this is the "second letter" that I have written to you. Let's listen to Peter's heart here as he reminds us to be stimulated to wholesome thinking.

Put your mind around this...The basic mechanics of the human brain cells reflect a process of pattern matching or rather recognition. In a "moment of reflection", new situations and new experiences are judged against recalled ones and judgements are made. In order to make these judgements, the intellect maintains present experience and sorts relevant past experience. It does this while keeping present and past experience distinct and separate. The intellect can mix, match, merge, sift, and sort concepts, perceptions, and experience. This process is called reasoning. Logic is the science of reasoning. The awareness of this process of reasoning is access consciousness

HUh?

Ya, I don't get it either. (That was just to make me look smart). What big Pete wants us to do is to be stirred up to wholesome thinking again through being reminded of what was written by past prophets and apostles. Oh, how I need to be reminded of the things of the Lord. Why do we forget so easily? We forget the wholesome, good, and righteous things that the Lord has taught us and we slip into our old carnal state of mind. God knows that many of the battles that we face spiritually in life are fought in the brain. We can talk ourselves into something (whether its bad or good for us) so easily. We can rationalize things in our minds that sound crazy in reality. Maybe you're good at that too.

Being reminded of things is part of life, especially growing up. If I never remind my son Luke to brush his teeth, the kid would have a rotten mouth! He'll thank me later, but now, he is sort of tired of hearing it. But hey, that's part of being a parent. (And plus, I have always wanted to boss around little people! HEheHEheHEheHE)

A few ways to remind ourselves of the things of the Lord is through regular Scripture reading at home, listening to Christian music, and of course going to church to get good Bible teaching. Now... I know what you're thinking, "Hey Britton, I already know all of this!" That's the point! I am reminding you, man. Repetition is the best teacher. Repetition is the best teacher. Repetition is the best teacher...

The more we marinate our hearts and brains with the things of the Lord, the more wholesome we will become.

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - THINK on these things."

So now you have been reminded, and e-quipped.

Equip youth :: Eph. 4:11-13

E-quip post #1 - youth group name change

Youth group name change... BIG NEWS!

Well my people, it has been a long time coming. I have finally gotten up enough courage to confront our sometimes hostile youth group of its name change. The name P.T.B.A. is so cheesy, and has been a part of my life for so long now, that I was actually starting to feel physically ill from all the years of mental anguish that I have experienced over this name. Clearly, something had to change. Either the name had to go, or you know who had to go. So here's the deal, for all of you "P.T.B.A." apologists, listen, the name is just too ridiculous to carry on. The Lord gave us imaginations and wisdom so we can avoid pitfalls in life, like the one that we see ourselves in now, loathing over how cheesy our name is. I have applied some of God's wisdom and creativity to help us get on with our lives. I hope you understand. I learned from an old sage long ago that ministry is not carried out by a democracy, but rather a benevolent dictatorship. As your loving dictator, I am forcing this on you to help you. Believe me.

Equip youth ministry. Now, how do you like the sound of that? Doesn't it just roll of the tongue so smoothly? The word comes from biblical times, meaning to "furnish or prepare with intellectual, emotional, or spiritual resources for use in life's undertaking". So we have the old world feel, but equip can also be written in today's tech age as "e-quip" (see title to this blog). How catchy is that? I know, brilliant! "P.T.B.A." just doesn't hold a light to "equip youth ministry". Now give it a few seconds, let it settle in. Everything is going to be okay. I can not believe how much some of you love the name "P.T.B.A.". Just consider this name change a blessing. I mean God takes us from faith to faith, from victory to victory in life. Why hold back the beautiful new thing that God would have for us?

I am anxious to hear your thoughts.

Be blessed. Check back soon for more E-quipping.