Keep up with the Youth at Lakeview and keep helpful tips on Christian Living!
This blog is updated by Aaron, one of our Youth Group Volunteers. You can email him here or call him at 864.361.0893
Here's just a slice of what our Youth are up too:
Every Other Sunday Night - YIELD Meeting
Every Wednesday Night - ROCK Bible Fellowship
Every Sunday Morning - Bible Study
Every Month - One Big Youth Fellowship
Archives
07
Evolution or Creation?
September 7, 2010
Phil and I are going to take you through a journey through the book of Genesis! Last week we talked about Creation and this coming week we will discuss the creation of man.
One thing that was brought up this past week in Sunday School was the issue of evolution and the reason WHY it is forced on us a society, but especially on young people in school.
The main reason why evolution is crammed into the ears of young people by teachers and researchers is this: if man can discredit the creation account, then he feels he can dismiss the notion that he NEEDS Jesus Christ.
It always comes back to Jesus Christ. Men do not want Him, so they look to void Him. One way is to attempt to use "science" to prove man's origin was not from God but from goop!
Steven Hawking, a well known professor at Cambridge University, said this past week that, "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing." He went on to say, "It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going."
In essence, Hawking is saying that since there is gravity, matter can exist and be formed without any assistance. The big problem with that is this: Who created the law of gravity? Other laws of physics demand an initiation for movement to begin, thus to believe that gravity always existed would take a great amount of faith to believe!
I will never be as smart as Steven Hawking (he is a smart guy...) but at the same time it is apparent he has faith, though misplaced... in science and theory. It takes faith to believe and say what he declared about the inexistence of God. Therefore, we see the evidence in his folly. Steven Hawking doesn't want to accept that he is a sinner and he must depend on Jesus for salvation.
There is the reason why we have evolution - not because of science but because of sin.
This coming Sunday (12th) we will have Homecoming (AM Service) and then after the evening service we will wrap up our Soul Survivor competition! Who will be victorious?
I hope to see you there! If you have any questions, let me know!
1 John 2: 16-17"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."
I want you to examine yourself right now. We as sinners battle daily with this flesh, and it can destroy us if we're not careful. We might enjoy the splendors that this world has to offer, but the Bible says that it passeth away and only last for a season. Some of you may be dealing with having nothing to do with God, but only satisfying your needs. I pray that you will come to God because He tells us in verse 17 that whosoever doeth the will of God abideth forever.
If you go back to 1 John 1:9, God tell us in His word that, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". Dont be afraid to come to God. The Bible says He is faithful and just to forgive us. What a gracious and merciful God we have. So let us die daily, let us ask God to destroy this wicked flesh daily that we might glorify His HOLY NAME!
- Craig Dodgens
Editor's Note: Craig is a freshman at Tri-County Technical College where he is studying to obtain a nursing degree. Craig is an active member at Lakeview, participating with our youth and music programs. To contact Craig, you can email him here.
How much of my heart is God allowed? How much of my life is His for the taking? How much of my day should be spent thinking on him?
You might not like this answer - but it isn't me saying it. It's Jesus Christ.
Jesus says in Mark 12:30, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
So, how much of our heart, life and daily tasks should be given to God? One word:
ALL
Want to learn how to do that? We'll see you at church!
We will eat our appetizer at Aaron & Sarah’s, the main course at Shirley’s and the dessert at Preacher Mike’s! Parents can drop off their kids at Aaron & Sarah’s and pick them up at Lakeview around 8 PM.
There’s gonna be GOOD food, GOOD times, GOOD fellowship & a GREAT lesson!
What has Jesus done for you? Come with an appetite and be prepared to hear some INSPIRING stories about our Savior, Jesus Chrsit!
He saved me from Eternal Death!
He has given me a life worth living!
He has something incredible in store for me!
Directions to Aaron & Sarah’s!
138 School Road
Easley, SC 29640
Phone: 864.361.0893
From Lakeview Baptist Church:
Come down Highway 8 & turn LEFT onto Fleetwood Drive (Baptist Hospital).
Go straight for about five miles.
Fleetwood Drive will become Olive Street which will become Saluda Dam Road.
On Saluda Dam Road you will see a Fire Station at the corner of Kay Drive.
Take the NEXT RIGHT onto School Road.
We live right across the street from Crosswell Elementary School!
The Importance of Sunday School in the 21st Century Church
Where were you?
Why is it so difficult to convince people, young and old alike, to come be a part of Sunday School? Why do Christian folk seem to get offended over being questioned about attending Sunday School? I don’t like it when people beat around the bush with me, so let’s just cut to the chase…
There is a 50% chance that you (Yeah, YOU) probably did not attend Sunday School this morning… Why did you skip out on studying and learning about God’s Word this morning? I’m sure you can come up with a great excuse – I’ve heard some good ones! They sound kind of like this:
“I need my rest; Sunday is the only day I have to sleep in!”
“10 AM is WAY to early to start my church day!”
“The teacher is boring.”
“Last time I checked, ‘Sunday School’ is not in the Bible!”
Allow me to reiterate that Sunday School is an avenue by which the church promotes biblical literacy. This isn’t hard to grasp – Sunday School is a GREAT place to learn about God’s Word. Let’s take a quiz:
What are the first 5 books of the Bible?
What are the 10 Commandments?
Name the 12 Disciples.
Did Jesus really have to die and be resurrected for our salvation? Why?
Sunday School is an environment where you can ask any question about the Bible without fear of judgment. It’s a place where you can learn more about the depths of the truth of God while being provided with the opportunity to grow in grace! Why would any believer want to pass up a chance to learn more about God?!? Here’s your chance to gain more knowledge about Jesus Christ, your Savior!!!
So let’s get to the heart of the matter – Why do people, Christians, skip Sunday School? I’ve come up with a few reasons. (If you disagree or have more, please let me know!)
Either they think it’s not important, not relevant to the Christian of today, or they think that they have the Christian life figured out. If we were honest, I believe people simply care more about themselves, their desires and needs, more than they do about learning more about God. Don’t be fooled, Christian – you and I don’t have God figured out. Therefore, you need Sunday School… but the American Christian (the believer of today) doesn’t think so.
Psalm 73:7 may best explain the “American Christian” today. It says, “Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.” Whatever they want, whether it be cars, fashion or fun, they get. They spend their lives on what they think is important – themselves. God’s name is used to mask their selfish purchases and pursuits. When another vacation is taken or another vehicle or game is purchased, they proclaim, “Look how God has blessed me!” The “American Christian” does what is in his or her own best interest… which includes skipping out on Sunday School each and every weekend.
We can arrive at a conclusion. Why do people, Christians in America, skip and neglect Sunday School? Because their hearts are set on this world and her corruptible treasures. Because they’ve become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.
I don’t like to be confrontational, but I believe the actions of the absent should be addressed. Before you get upset with me for publishing such a scathing review of our current Christian culture, please ponder this question:
Do you think God cares about Sunday School?
May we all examine our hearts, weighing our desires, so that we may be found blameless before the King!
Who do you think is a "radical Christian"? By "radical" I mean passionate, sold-out and just plain different. So think about it... How many radical Christians have you encountered in Pickens County?
The America Christian is a pitiful sight. No, let's take it a step further and hit a little closer to home - the Pickens county Christian is dispicable! Why do I say that? Well...
In Pickens county we think the Christian norm, the average Christian, is the guy or girl who shows up to at least one church service a week, attends an occasional extra-church activity or puts a five dollar bill in the plate as it is passed. Vacations are off limits - God allows the Pickens county Christian a pass on church attendance when on vacation... No matter HOW many vacations they take each year! Service in the church is not really needed because we are sure there are at least 3 people who can handle 90% of the work. And if we don't like our church, or we get tired of it, we leave - there are DOZENS more churches just like ours... Sickening...
We think the radical, Pickens county Christian is the guy or gal who shows up to every service. They give their offerings. They wear Christian t-shirts. They serve where needed. They talk about God - OUTSIDE of church (now that's crazy)! They just seem to really be sold on this "church thing".
I believe it would be safe to say that in Pickens county we will be hard pressed to find a radical Christian. Now, if you look at the previous paragraph I started it off by saying "we think". But what does God think? What does God consider radical?
God's Word doesn't leave any doubts - Jesus said in Luke 14:26 & 27, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."
Jesus doesn't leave room for the weak - If you want to follow Jesus, you're going to have to choose Him over EVERYTHING else. If you come to Jesus, and pledge allegiance, your love for Him should shine so brightly that your family appears neglected. Family doesn't come first; Jesus comes first - ALWAYS. Jesus then states, "Hey, your life? FORGET IT!" If your not bearing a cross - you're not a disciple.
The radical Christian is more concerned with the true will of God. The radical Christian is zealous of good works for His glory. The radical Christian loves God and others notice. The radical Christian...
