NEW BLOG

Since the Student Ministry has a new name "The Rd" we thought it appropriate to keep in step so we'll be deleting this blog in the very near future. Don't worry, we created a new blog so make note, fix your bookmarks and tell your friends! Here's the new address.

Click here to go to

The RD Doral

Crisis Center Visit

Thank you so much to everyone that participated. What a blessing each one of the children and the workers were to us. Even in such a short time, you grow attached to these precious children.

A special thanks to Mirna and Peter Melo for inviting us to participate in this. We look forward to returning to minister on a regular basis.

Remember this Christmas to be thankful for your family and your home. God has given us so much. So as it's easy to get caught in presents and parties this time of year, remember why we celebrate this holiday.

Check our pictures in the Flickr.

Children's Home Visit...don't forget

I wanted to remind you all that we will be meeting at the Crisis Center this Saturday, 12/15, from 10:30am - 12:30pm. If you are interested in going, I ask that you please let me know so that I can better coordinate with the center. We are also happy to announce that we were able to get the director of the center to make it out to the Christmas Express event last Saturday. She was able to bring back a bike for every one of the children!! Needless to say she was at a loss for words and can't wait to see the kid's faces on Christmas morning.

So for this visit, instead of having everyone bring a wrapped Christmas gift, we're asking everyone to bring some type of game (board game, sports game, etc.) for boys and girls.

The address of the center is as follows:

Hurwit Crisis Center
3375 NW 194th Street
Miami, FL

Please call us if you plan to attend or if you will need transportation.

Trivia

Since today starts the Chanukah holiday I thought I'd give you a quick history lesson and then a trivia question.

Chanukah or Hanukkah is the annual Jewish festival celebrated on eight successive days beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, the third month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding, approximately, to December in our calendar. It is also known as the Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, and Feast of the Maccabees, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC after the Temple had been profaned by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, king of Syria and overlord of Palestine.

As mentioned above the festival lasts 8 days. Can you tell me why the holiday is 8 days long?

Your reward? Gelt! What's gelt you ask - find out!!! (It will be the yummy version.)

See you this Sunday - remember, bring a friend it could save their lives!

PS. We still haven't heard anything regarding South Africa! Will keep you posted.

Christmas Party and Announcements

Other Dec. events: Please let us know if you can come to either or both of these events

CHRISTMAS EXPRESS – Student Ministry is heading up the GIFT WRAP area. You can earn community service hours
Saturday, Dec 8 from 7am-1pm
You will need to check-in from 6am-7:30am in the main lobby( Troy is asking everyone that comes to help out to check-in)
Report to Room 126, we will have gift wrap stations there
Have your volunteers wear Red shirts; FRC staff will wear green shirts
This event will not feed volunteers a full breakfast, so please come having eaten breakfast; we will have snacks and drinks
THERE IS A VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION FOR CHRISTMAS EXPRESS on Saturday, Dec 1 at 8am, please come and check out what will happen here on Dec 8!

CRISIS CENTER CHILDREN'S HOME CHRISTMAS VISIT-
Saturday, December 15th from 10:30am - 12:30pm. As part of the Christmas season, we are asking everyone to bring a wrapped gift with them. Because the children staying at the center vary from day to day, we will confirm the age/gender of the children a week before the visit and we will notify everyone via email

Have a Blessed Day

I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge”- 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from all of us!
Don't eat too much!!! :)

A Time to Give Back

We are so proud of our students, leaders, and parents who contributed and helped out yesterday with the Thanksgiving baskets. Not only were we able to bless 3 families, but we were touched by their attitude of "thanksgiving".



***On a funny side note...we really weren't expecting the true "mission trip" experience until our trip home through the country of Hialeah.. thank you to Danny for authenticating the entire experience :) LOL.

Bible Trivia - Alternate

I thought instead of a trivia question we'd have a memory verse. Those of you who can recite it will get a nice yummy prize - maybe a big chocolate bar or reese's cup - the king size - or, well you give me ideas. Can't cost too much cause hey, we ain't made of $$ !! :)

Okay here's the verse (oh, if someone from the group doesn't get to see the site, let them know so they don't miss out!)Hopefully we'll see you Saturday to bless someone with a Thanksgiving meal! (See post below)..

1 Peter 3:18

You'll have to look it up yourself! :P

A Chance to Give

Remember that next Sunday's event is cancelled, but join us this Saturday at 11:00 AM at Ronald Reagan High. If you can contribute $10, that will help offset the cost. We will be delivering Thanksgiving baskets/groceries to families in our church that need a little extra help this season.

This is our chance to give back and minister to those in need. Don't miss this opportunity. Parents we will need your assistance with transportation.

Please call us 305-527-3256 for more info.

Bible Trivia

Hello everyone. Sorry to be so late on the question. Please pray for us, the Logans are battling one cold and infection after another. The CVS pharmacists are recongnizing us! :P

Okay, here's the question - hopefully Sarah won't be our only contestant!!!

Where can this verse be found:

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (NIV)

Our Hero

Two weeks ago I had the distinct honor and privilege to meet one of our nation's finest, Jeremiah Barham of the US Army. He is currently serving to protect our nation on the front lines in Northern Afghanistan. Tomorrow his two week leave is over and he will return there to continue his mission until August of 2008.

This morning at student ministry he played and sang a special song that he had written with his former band. The song talked about God's forgiveness and endless mercy. While watching him sing, a combination of emotions welled up within me and some others. Seeing him sing to our students, I feel the special calling on Jeremiah's life... I feel in my heart that Lord will do great things through this 24 year old soldier.

He has already seen and been in some very dangerous situations and has lost some of his commanders and friends. What a blessing to see a young man of God with so much courage and strength even in the midst of danger.

Please continue to keep him and those serving beside him in your prayers. Also, pray for the Barhams and the Ramos' (Jo, Carl, Joshua, Sara, Jonathan, Peter, and Megan).

Week 3... the Seed...burned up

Week 3 of The Seed carried a powerful message. If you missed it, here's a brief summary. Basically, we have to choose whether we are going to live a grounded life in the Word of God and have a open heart to receive it or choose to serve human, earthly desires. There's no in between and there's no room for being a "sluggard" or filled with apathy (the attitude of not caring).

If you feel like you are planted in shallow ground, you have to do the following:
1. Remove the rocks in your life and choose now who you will serve. Your rocks may be things such as selfishness, apathy, comfort or fear. 2. Then you must cry to God.

Joshua 24:14
As for me and my family we will serve the Lord.

It's straight up, black and white.... You make a choice everyday in your life who will be the Lord of your life.

Next event...make plans now

What: Games, Movies, and of course Food
When: Sun. 11/18
Time: after the lunch at Church (4:00)
Where: 15453 SW 86 Terr, Dave and Vicky's house

Directions: Turnpike to S.W. 88 St (Kendall Drive) West. Turn right off the exit ramp. Turn left at SW 154 Ave. Turn right into second complex Olympian Gardens. Our place is in Building “B” . You can park along the bushes or in any parking spot that starts with a “5”.

Call us when you get here because it’s confusing to find our house.

305-385-2361 -house
305-527-3256- Cell

Parents are welcome to come hang out too.

Bible Trivia

In honor of our current series The Seed, here's question #2:

In Mark 4:11-12 He [Jesus] told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,“ ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” NIV

Where can these same words (in bold red) be found in the Old Testament?

Awesome Sunday

Thank you to all who came out this morning, and thank you to Holly and Kevin for sharing a great message. Please get into the Word daily and continue to plant seeds in the lives of your unsaved friends and family. Remember you may be the only "Jesus" they ever meet.
Check out the Seed Devotional daily and don't forget to bring your Bible next week.
See you on Wednesday for Trunk or Treat at 5:00 to help set up. Look for David and his "Cowboy" truck. He will organize you for refilling vehicles with candy. Call us if you have any questions 305.527.3258.

T.G.I.F.

Hey Guy's , how is everyone? I can't wait for this weekend. We will be having a special guest speaker. I'm so stoke to see what God is going to do with our group. Ok guys, stay strong and keep God first. Enjoy the weekend. We will see you on Sunday. God bless

Bible Trivia

Okay, Sarah got #2, check out the comments to see what the correct answer was. Since our new series, THE SEED, is about getting into the word of God, I thought I'd throw in a few Bible trivia questions to get you looking. So here's the first one.

Who is Tirzah and what book, chapter and verse is the name found?

Trivia #2

Okay, these questions will be tricky. You'll need to think outside the box. The answer to the first Trivia was PAINT. While glass is how you build a greenhouse (1 word), Paint is how you build a green house (2 words). So with that in mind, here's another. Remember it won't be as obvious as you think.

Where does the general keep his armies?
1. In the barracks
2. In the bin
3. Up his sleevies
4. Madagascar

Remember to think outside the box, and leave your name with the answer.

Here is a teaser for our next series

Taken from Chad Swanzy's blog (FRC Cooper City):

On November 24th we are beginning a series called "MIRACLES." This series will run until December 20th. We will talk about the feeding of the 5,000, turning the water into wine, the birth of Christ, and the ressurection. The tagline, "WHAT IF WHAT THEY SAY IS TRUE?" Gives me a chance to help students think about the implications for themselves. Our online collobaration starts next week among teachers, campus pastors, and support staff.

During this series I am thinking that we can make available in the back some sheets about little easy to make miracles that students can do around the holidays. Here are a few ideas.

• Knock on someone's door who's yard needs mowed and ask if they can mow it.


• Cook a full course meal, place in nicely sealed in a gift sack and deliver to a homeless person with parent consent.


• Pay for a person's meal who is eating by themselves.


• Write an encouraging note to a staff member or volunteer.


• Serve in Children's or Preschool Ministry at a Christmas Eve service.


• Offer free babysitting to a family.

Can anyone think of other things that can be a miracle for someone at the right moment?

Stupid Trivia

Here's the question, make sure you provide the answer and your name. Oh, you have to tell me why the answer is correct and it's not as obvious as it seems...

Which of the following do you need to build a green house?
A. Glass
B. Brick
C. Paint
D. Cement

Good luck. No prizes (or maybe there will be) but at least it gives you something to do...

Next series has a blog where you can get short devotionals so check it out.
www.seedforme.blogspot.com

Don't Miss the next Series

The next series starting next weekend is about a pretty scary story Jesus told. You’re probably saying “What? Jesus told a scary story?” Yes and probably the scariest story you could ever hear.

Eagles vs. Cowboys

This week's game is between the Pastor Dave & Shane. Cowboys vs. Eagles. I think that the Cowboys will win this one. The Cowboys have a much better team!!! Hahahaha!!!!!!

Are you out there?

Hey. Anyone there? Leave a comment and win a prize. What's the prize? Don't know. But it is something and something is better than nothing! Make sure you include your name so we know who you are.

Who Me?

This week is all about insecurities. Something everyone deals with especially during the teen years. There is so much pressure to be a certain way, look a certain way, that we sometimes sacrifice our own integrity to find security and acceptance with things like promiscuity, drugs, crime, and other foolishness.. Remember its okay to have weaknesses, that's when we need to rely and rest on God the most.

Don't allow your insecuities to rule your world. Don't compromise your priniciples to cover up your weakness. Acknowledge them, lay them at God's feet and find strength in Him to press on dispite your fears. Be brave, remember your bravery may be the thing that allows your peers to take a stand as well. No one wants to stand alone, but often the person willing to stand up first will quickly find themselves surround by others.

Insecurity is sometimes just fear. Its the fear of being alone, of not being accepted - but why would you want to be like everyone else? You were uniquely and purposely created by God. He knows you, He knows everything you do, think, and say. He is always with you.

Also remember when those around you persecute you they are often covering up for their own insecurites. Ever heard the saying "Misery loves company?" If you're unhappy, the last thing you want is to be around other people who are happy. So I'm miserable, I'm going to make sure you're miserably too. Look at them through the eyes of Christ. It will be easier to see their own insecurities, perhaps problems at home and it will be easier to pray for them and ignore their insults.

The winners are...

Well actually the losers... our Gutter King & Queen. We missed those of you who weren't there. Hopefully we'll see you at the next event coming November. Click the flickr to see photos from our bowling excursion.

Who will be crowned?

Hey, don't forget bowling tomorrow! We'll start right at 1:15 so don't be late! We're going to make this a little competition. So come ready to bowl. What's the prize? A stupid tshirt. Do your best and we'll crown the winner right then and there! See you there!

Madden Bowl Game 1!

Peter and Jonathan got the Madden Bowl Tournament started, and it was awesome.

The Colts beat on the Falcons.
Final Score: Colts (Jonathan) 34 vs Falcons (Peter) 19

The rest of the team is ready to get it on. Next up, the Saints vs. Eagles

I'm too tired!

This week is about being tired. Leaving yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually depleted can give the enemy a way in. We all need rest, that's why God created a whole day dedicated to it! So take some time out and rest. Get to bed just 10 minutes early or give yourself 10 minutes of quiet time when you first get home - that means no phone, tv, music, computer. Just quietness. If your house isn't a quiet place - step outside. Did you know that just 15 minutes in the sun can give your body the Vitamin D it needs for the day!

Remember to also try to make an effort to spend more time in the Word. Schedule it if you must. While we all lead very hectic, busy lives things will go much smoother if you start your day out right - begin with the Word, a little nourishment for the soul. If you're not a morning person (I'm not) then take a few minutes before bed. Thank the Lord for the day, pray for tomorrow - and just read one chapter. Read psalms or proverbs. Read Acts or Romans - pick a book and try to read a chapter a day.

Have a great week and see you Saturday for bowling!
Holly

Bird Bowl

Don't forget Bird Bowl next Sat. Oct 6th at 1:00. You can email me or Vicky & David if you have any questions. You'll need a Permission Form filled out so come this Sun. to pick one up - or we can email you a PDF file to print.

Hope everyone has a great week and see you soon.
Holly