Revolution Youth Nite

Well, we had our first Revolution Youth Nite last night and it was great! We had over 117 students packed into our building. To be honest with you, I was a little nervous Friday. I was nervous because we didn't have a Youth service Wednesday night (we were all in service with the adults) and I didn't know if some people would forget. Plus there were football games going on, homecoming's and tons of other stuff going on as well. But you guys showed up and brought friends too! That was cool. We had about 15 1st time visitors... good job guys!

Darian Perkins and Vick Cooley were our guest comedians and had everyone laughing (good thing because that's their job, right? lol!) and our students had some funny stuff as well. It was cool seeing everyone involved. We ended the night with a game show that pitted the guys against the girls and of course "the guys won!" That's right we are superior! Just kidding the guys did win though. It came down to the last task which was to see which team could put the 120 marshmallows in their mouth first and the guys reigned supreme. It was very close though. And it was pretty sad when the guys not only knew the names of all three Jonas Brothers but were able to lip sync to that song (you had to be there). But equally as sad was when the girls were unable to eat the 3 Musketeers Bars in 30 seconds... ooh sooo close, sorry. It was a fun night though. I posted a lot more pics on my facebook account. If you're not already one of my facebook friends, send me a friend request and I'll approve your request so that you can view the album.

We've got small groups in the morning so be sure to come to either the 9:30 or the 11:30 service. See you there!

Love Ya,

Jim and Mary Jane

You Got Ticket to Da Gun?

As most of you know, Mary Jane and I adopted 5 children from Brazil a little over a year and a half ago. When we first got the kids they couldn't speak a word of English. They only spoke Portuguese. They acted different then us, they thought different then us... they were just different. But over the last year and a half they have been around us and now they act just like us! It's funny... they joke around like us, they are sarcastic like us, they tease like us, they dress like us they are speaking pretty darn good English ... heck, they ARE us! All it took was them being around us for just a short amount of time. In fact today Diogo, our 7 year old, walked up to me in the kitchen and said (with a thick accent), "Daddy, you got ticket to da gun?" I said, "what?" he said, "you got ticket to da gun?" And then I looked and Robert (our 3 year old) was standing behind him flexing his muscles! It was hilarious. Here they were trying to ask me if i had tickets to "the gun show." This is clearly an American saying. They are from Brazil and have just learned to speak English and yet they are joking around and using terms we use.

The point is this: It's the same with you. You will become like who you hang around. You'll act like, joke around like, speak like, and think just like those you associate with. I Corinthians 15:33 (Amp) says, "Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionship and associations corrupt good manners, morals and character." No matter how strong of a person you are, you will become like the people you surround yourself with. So take a look at those closest to you. Are they living for Christ? Are they striving to be closer to God? Are they living a Godly lifestyle? If not, you need to make a change. I'm not saying to isolate yourself from unbelievers. Because that's why we're still on this planet... to minister to the lost. But what I am saying is this, "surround yourself with people who will help you be a better you." People who challenge you to be more like Jesus! It's that simple. Because if not... you'll start to be just like them. And believe me... "that's a gun show you don't want tickets for!"