Becoming Devo #1

Read Ephesians 2:1-10

Here’s something interesting to think about:
In God’s great plan for the world, He decided to create you. He didn’t have to, but He did. He created you because of His immeasurable love for you. Yet, even though God loved you, there was a great distance between you and Him.

You see, God is perfect. And you were a sinner in need of saving. Read Ephesians 2:1–5. What does it say you used to be? Dead to your sins. What does it say you used to do? Live among the disobedient and gratify your sinful cravings. This is who you used to be . . .

That’s the cool thing. Verses 4 and 5 say that because God loved you, He made you alive in Christ. Even though you were still a sinner, God provided a way to Him. Because of His grace,
God sent Jesus to conquer sin so you might have a relationship with God. Amazing!

Keep going. Read verses 6–7. You see, it wasn’t enough for God to simply improve your life here on earth. Verse 6 says God has a place for you in heaven with Him! God wants to lavish you with good things. He can do this because He gave you new life through Christ. You are no longer a slave to sin; you are a new creation through Jesus Christ!

What is behind this amazing plan, this incredible gift? Simple. God’s grace. Read verses 8–10. God saved you from the punishment of sin because of His grace. If you have faith that Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross and rose from the dead to save you from your sins, then you receive the salvation God made available to you. This salvation is only through grace. No one can earn God’s love.

Verse 10 makes a pretty strong statement: You see, God made you to be a special tool, an instrument of His will. God planned all along that you would be a messenger of the good news
of Christ and that you would bring life to a dying world. Ask yourself today if you are pleased with your spiritual life. Are you growing like you want to? Are you being used by God? Go to
God in prayer. Thank Him for creating you, for saving you, and for promising to use you. Devote some time to thinking about how you can be of better use to God.

Ichthus 08

This past weekend we went on our annual youth retreat to Ichthus Festival in Wimore, KY. The bands and seminars were great! Speaker Justin Lookadoo had a guy skydive over the crowd during his seminar; Caleb Bislow talked about being an unusual soldier for Christ; David Crowder played one of his songs on a Guitar Hero controller; and the list goes on.

Despite the severe rainstorm that hit us on Friday, the weather was far better than last year. With hotels near by and a laundry mat to dry out our sleeping bags, we had nothing to fear.

Our meals were great! Katherine made a grilled cheese sandwich one afternoon.

Wesley and Peter: Just too cool.

"Let's take pictures of each other."

Watching concerts in the sun.

Chick-fil-A Cows rock out with Family Force Five.

Happy Birthday Benji!

Tha Gang!

fun... smelly, but fun! i especially liked the part where we got rained out and went to a hotel.
-megan

How Not To Be A Fool

Over the last three weeks we learned how not to be a fool. We learned to ask a very important question: "What is the wise thing to do?" In every invitation, opportunity, and relationship, this question will direct you better than the question, "Is it right or wrong to...?"

Why? When we ask ourself if it is right or wrong to do something, we tend to follow our feelings and emotions rather than what is truly wise. So, in light of your PAST experience, your CURRENT circumstances, and your FUTURE hopes and dreams, what is the WISE thing to do?

Last week I skimmed over a few benefits to wisdom. Here are the scriptures that support those benefits. See if you can figure out what the benefits are.

Proverbs 1:1-5 & 8:15
Proverbs 9:11
Proverbs 11:30
Proverbs 14:24
Proverbs 21:20
Proverbs 14:35

- Peter

A Night With Caspian

TVC Youth hit the opening night of Prince Caspian.

The evening began with pizza at Pizza Perfect.

The theater even had a throne waiting for our three Narnian queens.

i'm not only a tree hugger. i AM a tree!
-megan

Youth Worship Sunday

This week TVC Youth did an excellent job of leading worship at all three Sunday services!

I do not have photos of the actual worship service, but Steven Leiweke snapped this photo at our Saturday rehearsal.

Thanks go out to Megan, Amy, William, Emily, Bella, Tori, Trinity, and Wesley for greeting, playing music, reading scripture and leading prayer.

Narnia is Near!

It's only a couple days until the movie premiere of Prince Caspian. Here are a few video clips to get your ready.

The New Trailer
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Interview with Douglas Gresham #4
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Switchfoot Video from Prince Caspian Soundtrack
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All About Jack

Who is Jack and who is this old guy?

Those close to C.S. Lewis called him Jack. If you want to know more about C.S. Lewis (AKA: Jack) and the Chronicles of Narnia, you should hear about them from someone very close to him. The old guy above is Jack's step-son Douglas Gresham. Here are some links to videos where Douglas Gresham answers questions from Prince Caspian Fans.

Video 1
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Video 2
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Video 3
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