We hear lots of Big Words in church... and especially if you grew up in church, you'll hear them over and over again.  Words that, we're told, have such a massive amount of importance that we really should be pretty highly educated on these Big Words.  The problem, though, can be that it's so easy to become 'numb' to many of those words because we've heard them so often.

So we're going to take a real good look at some really Big Words and see what they're all about.  This will be a discussion-type of series, where YOU get to be involved in everything!  God will not only speak TO you, but if you listen, He'll speak THROUGH you!

It begins May 2nd... which is my 43rd Birthday!  (I know... that's a BIG Number!)  =D

We all go through hard times & seasons, and unfortunately are often persuaded to think we're all alone and nobody could ever or would ever want to associate themselves with us and our "issues."  It all leads to believing two things: (1) there's no hope for me, and (2) I might as well remove myself from any type of co-habitation and just go isolate myself from all society.

Would it make a difference if I told you... not only are you 'not alone' in having to deal with life's challenges, but you can come hang out with a group of young people who are going through a lot of the same stuff... just like you.  But the special quality about us might be, we realize something so important and want to invite you to receiving the same realization:  WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!  We're a group of young people who recognize our need to connect with each other, help each other and also, pursue God together.  At InsideOut Youth, we recognize our need for God... because He's the One who makes the real difference. 

Come join us every Wednesday night, starting at 7pm.  We play and have fun together, often eat together, and definitely worship & pursue God together. 

Hope to see you there this week!

2011 is going to be a great year!  And I can't wait to get it started!  Are YOU ready?

We'll see YOU Wednesday night at 7!

Pastor John

Your list of 'necessities to start the day' might be different than mine.  As a matter of fact, your 'survival kit' might not look like my list at all! (Although, I've read that a wholesome 80% of people in the U.S. drink coffee... so statistically, there's a good chance we share the same desire for coffee each morning... just thought I'd throw that in there.)   =D

Your 'morning survival kit' might include something like a heavy dose of chocolate and some loud Toby Mac in your ears.  Or maybe an online combination of Facebook, Twitter and some Word.  Or maybe your morning dose of daytime involves a big, happy bowl of Lucky Charms or some other sugarfied mixture of goodness.

Whatever your daily start consists of, it sure puts a smile on your face.  And it's hard to think of your day without it.  For me, coffee puts a smile on my face.  Seeing Sandy's sunshine-glow warms my heart.  Spending time with God gives me oxygen to breathe.  Without these things, be concerned for me.

But it makes me think of things that we allow into our lives that we mark down as 'must haves'.  What is your 'morning survival kit'?  What's your 'daily dose' that puts a smile on your face?

And what happens to you if you don't get it or hear it or see it or feel it or taste it or smell it or whatever? 

Let's open this up a little wider... what are the things in your life that have become so important, so essential, that without those things, you feel uncomfortable?  Maybe insecure?  It can be a BFF or a really soft blanket or a style of music you really connect with or a million other things.

In life, we often seek a connection with something that's gonna cover us like a blanket and make us feel complete... that bring us to a place where there's a real sense of warm security and comfort.  And really there's nothing wrong with having some of those things in your life... unless... we get to a point where a whole lot is wrapped up in possessing that whatever-it-is that without it, we feel like absolutely nothing.

And to take it further, some of these things become much more than a feel-good-moment for the day... they become our identity... our 'who we are.'  We really don't want people to really even look as us, unless they see that security blanket that we securely wrap around ourselves, hiding our true identity (who God made us).  We get to the point where we allow things into our lives that aren't real healthy, nor do they bring us closer to God or even closer to people in a healthy manner.

We started a new series this week in InsideOut and Ignite called "ENGAGE" and bringing into light a somewhat sensitive subject.  We're looking at the things of this world and bringing to light the fact that there's a tension in our lives... it's a struggle in our desires for the things of 'this world' verses the things of God's World.

When we talk about the things of 'this world,' we're basing our teaching and understanding on 1 John 2:15-17.   An easy definition of this phrase 'the world' basically being, "the things in this earth that were not created by God." 

There are 'worldly' things we allow into our lives that separate us from God... and worse, take the place of God in our lives.  We allow those things access into our lives and they steal our affections, our focus, our attention, our energy, our breath, our identity, our healthy friendships, our everything (if we allow it). 

There's two sides here:  there's the side of 'the world'... then there's the side of God.  And we must choose.

That's the question we're asking to start off this series... "what side are you on?" 

It's an important question.  Why?  Because the side you choose will influence who you are as a person and ultimately, possibly, dictate where you spend eternity.  Does that sound like something important?

Come Wednesday night... and we'll go further into the subject.

Many people are dealing with the end-of-summer blues with a number of different ways:

Spending every weekend in a tent out in the woods.

Laying out by the pool and taking in the sun's rays, whether the sun's out or not!

Seeing every movie the theaters have to offer... including "Inception" for the 8th time!

Working out every day until you meet your goal of losing those last 6 lbs.

Starting a "Garage Band" with your little brother and his pet turtle named "Frank".

Sleeping in every day, up until your 2 o'clock lunch appointment with Judge Alex on Channel 4.

"Looking" again for your summer job that you promised your parents you'd get.

Or... simply... you're just chillin'... refusing to accept that school is right around the corner.

BUT, we have one way to help you deal with the end-of-summer blues!

Come to our Back-2-School Bash, Wednesday night at 7:00pm.

We're gonna have a ton of fun, lots of food and games throughout the night.  Bring some friends and let's take in as much "summer" as we can before it's gone!

Here are the details...

The camp will run from Tuesday, June 15th to Friday, the 18th.  It'll be a Day Camp, which means each day will start at 9am and finish at 9pm.  You'll be able to enjoy the comforts of your own bed (and shower!!) each night.

We'll meet each morning and jam-pack the day with everything a Youth Camp is supposed to be!  Each day will include Praise and Worship, a Bible Study, lots of fun and some great activities and events that'll help you develop Face-to-Face relationships with God and others.  You'll get so much out of this week that you'll be telling your Great Grandkids about all that you experienced at GO DEEP 2010!!

We'll all meet at the church each morning at 9:00am and will be dismissed at 9:00pm.  Everyone will go home and meet again the next morning at the church.

Here's the best part of this whole deal:  The total cost for the whole camp is $100 per person.  That will include your meals (lunch, dinner and snacks), all your activities, transportation, books, materials and supplies.  You'll even get a GO DEEP 2010 Lanyard with your name on it!!!  (very cool! lol)

Registration begins Wednesday Night, May 5th.

The Registration Deadline will be Wednesday Night, June 2nd.

There will be a table in the foyer, across from the elevator.  We're keeping the costs down as much as possible so that everyone can sign up and be involved in what'll be an amazing 4 days!

Any questions?  You can call me on my cell phone: 817-701-8532.  We'll be talking about it each Wednesday night and will supply all the info you could ever ask for.  Also, we'll keep you updated on this website so that you know exactly what to expect.

I can't wait for it!  It's gonna be GREAT!!!

Pastor John

I've already blogged about the new series for this month ("Never Give Up") and it's gonna be GREAT!

So maybe you already knew that... or maybe you didn't...

...but do you know what happening Saturday, April 24th??

Click right here and find out!!!!!!!

See you around!

Then there are times when suddenly all kinds of things pop up and get in the way.  They seem to knock you off track and do nothing but frustrate you.  You feel like the only person who is dealing with these things and to make it all worse... you feel like God might not understand and it leads you to question your relationship with Him.

Well, I've got some good news for you... you're not alone!  We're gonna talk about this in our next series, called "NEVER GIVE UP!"

We're gonna discover ways to stand strong in this world... and that no matter what happens, there are benefits of persevering and making the right choices!  It all begins next Wednesday night, April 7th @ 7:00.

See you there!

Something else that's about to change for the good that I'm excited about is the series that we've been focusing on for the past two months.  We've been talking deep about being HAPPY, basing our lives on the Beatitudes and learning what it really means to be a follower of Jesus.  Matthew 5:3-12 give us a great illustration of what a Jesus-Follower looks like... which truly leads to Happiness (MC, cue the iPod)... and it's been great!  Just to quickly summarize what we've talked about...

Week 1:  We said, "Happiness is a choice."  We have to choose between following God’s way for our lives or choose the world’s way.  Real happiness is found in choosing God's way.
Week 2:  Happiness is found in learning what it means to be meek and humble.  When we learn that we really need God and position our lives to depend on God, we find Happiness!
Week 3:  Happiness is found when we Love God and Love Others.  The scripture we used that week states, “Happy are those who hunger and thirst for right standing with God”… to be in a right relationship with Him and with others.
Week 4:  Peacemakers are Happy.  Being able to forgive and release people of what they’ve done to offend you.  Not holding people to that offense anymore and forgiving them.  There’s real happiness in doing that.
And last week,
Week 5:  Happiness is found in having a pure heart.  We looked at a part of King David’s life and learned how to have a pure heart and also how NOT to have a pure heart.

And this week (Week 6), we'll wrap up the entire series.  When we begin to apply all of these scriptures to our lives and truly live a life as a follower of Jesus, we'll stand out and go 'against the flow.'  And often, this leads to feeling some peer pressure from the people around us and possibly or probably most definitely leads to some persecution.  But Jesus said "You'll find Happiness in this, even when being insulted or lied about, because your reward is in Heaven, in My Father's Presence!"

That does make me happy! 

So come this week... we'll talk about all of this and bring this series to a close.

See you Wednesday night!

After you get your fill upstairs in the Youth Cafe, we'll start things off at 7:00 with some Olympics games of our own!

GO USA!   :)

You can click right here on this link and you'll be taken to a place where you can put in your contact information.  Each week you'll receive a text message with updates on events and stuff to keep you connected!

It's really cool and a way you can always know what's going on.

So just click right here!

You'll be glad you did!

Also, this week up in the Youth Cafe, we've got some great deals for you!  So bring a few bucks and get some food and candy... open before and after the InsideOut Youth service.

See you up there!

Come hungry and we'll have lots of food and drinks and probably something jacked up with sugar!  Nothing on the calendar for more than $2.

It's a great place to hang out before and after service... see you there!

We've had some great answers from people (everything between queso dipping sauce, some flip flops and gaming on a XBox 360).

Ande when you think of how you might answer this question... you gotta also ask, "What do you base your happiness on?"

There are a million answers to these questions, but really it comes down to two options:

(1)  We have happiness based on 'what happens' or based on feelings & events.

or

(2)  Our happiness is based on God's plan.

And the 'heavy revy' is this:  anytime you step into God's plan, you step into God's power!  That's the humdinger!  So when we decide to base our happiness on God's plan, and base our lives on Who He Is... we are given access to God's Power!

Come to InsideOut on Wednesday nights and we'll dive deep into this topic a whole lot more!

The Happy series will be running through the month of February and March.  So bring someone with you and be ready to experience all that God has for us!

Pastor John

About once or twice a week you'll receive a text message from us with information about what's going on that week at InsideOut, events, FNL and so on.

Just click here and get connected!

Be sure to give us all your information, including full name, cell number and your cell carrier.

It's the 311!

Christmas is always great!  Sandy and I love all the Christmas Festivities... the parties and spending time with friends, great foods and home-made candies (LOTS of home-made candies), the giving and receiving of gifts (Droid!), watching all those Christmas movies on TV and strategically placing funny quotes from "Buddy the Elf" within a conversation with a friend ("I just like to smile! Smiling's my favorite!"), decorating the Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, decorating the kitchen with lights and fudge, decorating the walls with lights and Christmas cards, and decorating Josiah with Elf outfits and Christmas Onesies ... we've had a lot of fun!  One of the highlights for us was the IO Elf Party... we (Sandy, Kris, JD, Amanda, Colby, Angela and others) put a ton of work into making all those paper chains and stars and hanging them up.  We hope you came and had fun with us!

It was a fun-filled month... but now we're about to wrap up the year and move forward towards the new and exciting!  I don't know about you, but I love the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.  I love the whole mood and feel of packing up the old and opening up the new.  We're about to take down our Christmas Tree and all the decorations and 'be done' with Christmas.  Yesterday, I got a whiff of a Christmas candle that I've been burning over the past month in my office, and all it took was for me to pick up on the scent of that Christmas candle, and a second later it was in the garbage!  I don't even want to smell "Christma"s anymore!  I love Christmas... don't get me wrong... but I'm ready to move forward.  I do appreciate where we've been and what we've done, but now's the time to take on the New Year with an attitude of anticipation and excitement!

The year 2010 will be jam-packed... the calendar is filling up fast!  This year, I want to encourage you to get involved and stay connected with what goes on each week at InsideOut.  We'll have lots of opportunities for fun and fellowship (FNL, Go Deep Camp, the Youth Cafe, events at Six Flags, Main Event and lots more).  We're also gonna see the IO Core Groups start up and make an impact throughout the year at InsideOut, in our church and in our communities.  Stay tuned-in and connected by visiting this site frequently.

This week we have some fun planned, so bring a friend and some energy.

Next week, the 6th of January, 2010, we're gonna start a new series called "Break Free."  I'm really excited about starting the year with this series... we're gonna put an emphasis on "Spiritual Growth" - something that'll really make a difference in our lives.

I love forward to seeing you this Wednesday night at InsideOut!

Pastor John

also, we had a ton of fun at the IO Elf party last Friday night.  if you missed it... well... yup, you missed it.  we had 15 pizzas, lots of snacks, an open Coke Machine, and more paper chains and paper stars than Buddy the Elf could ever dream of.  but we've got lots on the calendar for you to get happy about... so check back here often!

we'll be back in the IO Youth Room on December 30 for some Year-End FUN...  so, see you then!

On the 16th of December, there is the Children's Christmas Musical... every year I look forward to this event.  It's always fun and entertaining!  Lots of laughs!

And on the 23rd, we will also be in the main sanctuary for our Candlelight Communion Service.  Again, it's an opportunity to be with the Capstone family as we celebrate Christmas together.

But keep in mind... we won't be wrapping up 2009 without having one more IO service together in the Youth Room.  Wednesday, December 30th, we've got some fun things planned that you want to be a part of!

One more thing... don't forget our InsideOut Christmas Party on the 18th.  Mark it on your calendars and come to have fun!  We'll see whether or not Santa will be coming...

Stayed tuned for the update!

Also... we're officially calling each and every 4th Friday Night of the month "Friday Night Live".  It's when we come together and have some fun... Starting with this week @ 6:30pm.

We'll see you soon!

We'll all gonna take part of this new building process, starting this week!  I hope you're there!

Let's come ready to be a part of something incredible!

Pastor John

We've already heard some great ideas but we want you to submit them here... click the "LOGIN TO POST COMMENTS" link on the bottom of this blog.  After you create a Username and Password, you can submit your name idea and we'll compile all of the entries together and choose the best name.

We'll announce the winner next Wedesnday night (the 23rd)... which means you don't have much time to get your idea in!

Come back here frequently for updates and blogs so that you know what's going on at InsideOut!

We’re clearly in a war… a spiritual war.  Satan is after you, to kill you.  He doesn’t want to just slow you down, he wants to destroy you.  He wants to shatter all of the dreams and desires you have within you… the things that God has placed inside of you.  He’s not interested in just confusing your mind so that you might struggle with explaining your understanding of the things of God… but he wants to completely shut you down, to devastate you and leave you slaughtered.  He wants you out of the picture completely.  

The enemy’s scheme is to paint a picture in your mind that conveys an image of incredible power… to create fear in you.  If he can get you to believe that you’re powerless against his mighty dominion, then he’s won and you’ve lost.

But Jesus said in Luke 10:18-19:  “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!  Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them!  Nothing will injure you.”

When Jesus saw him get booted from heaven, He witnessed more than just a change of address for Satan, but the devil was removed from his place, his authority and his power.  He was stripped of all favor and right standing with God and now we’ve been given the authority.  We have right standing with God.  We have the power to "stand firm against all strategies of the devil!"

The reason for the cross was so that we can walk in the given-authority here on earth.  Jesus made it possible.  This is our place.  It’s our understanding.

wanna check out the photos?  just click right here and bookmark the page!

The deposit for Revolve Tour was due last week, August 26th, so if you are planning on going to RT please secure your place and submit your deposit.  Also, remember to get all your paperwork together and be ready to hand it in.

NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT is the last night to register.

There are a few tickets still available, but don't wait til the last minute!

You can call me if you have any questions (817.701.8532), or see Krisha at church.

PJ

Have you noticed anything different?  Anything at all?  Have you felt the changes outside?  It only takes me leaving my office at 5:00 in the afternoon and getting into my car to know that we're heading into a new season. 

Just a week or two ago, when I'd first start up my car, the temperature would read about 103 degrees outside.  And probably closer to 110 in my car!  (And it's been that way for about 3 or 4 months!)  But suddenly (and literally overnight), the temperature has pretty frequently stayed down below 90... and I'm loving it! 

I love the change.  As a matter of fact, I'm the kind of guy to invite and appreciate change.  I like when some of the old, every day ins-and-outs are booted out the door so that we can make room for what's new and exciting! 

I believe as you search out God's heart consistently, you'll find that He likes "new and exciting" also.  As a matter of fact, God's pretty radical when it comes to change.  He's the original revolutionist!  And when He makes changes, it's earth-shattering and ground-shaking!  The old is gone and the new has arrived!

Are you ready for change?

Are you ready for your world to be shaken?

Get in close with God... allow Him to bring that change into your life.  It happens by His Son, Jesus.  Paul wrote about this in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

There are a few words in this scripture I highlighted.  Let's look at them...

The words "new creation" represent "a new creature altogether"... meaning, every aspect of that person.  When God changes someone, they are altogether changed!  The word "old" literally represents "the previous moral condition and spiritual condition" and the world "new" represents the fresh things of God.  They are changed, forgiven, made new and fresh!

That's God impact.  He doesn't play around, hoping to make a little change here or there, but when He's been given His rightful place as Lord of our lives, He lovingly comes in and makes everything new and right.

So, as the temperatures begin to drop and we begin to see the leaves fall to the ground, let it remind you of more than just that it's time to pull out your sweaters and jackets... but remember that God desires to pour into your life all that is new, all that is fresh and exciting, all that is of Him.

Pastor John

we want this to be the place you go to get a 'taste' of INsideOUT... to see what we've been up to and also so you can stay updated on the things to come.  we'll also post lots of pictures!

so stay tuned...

PJ

so...

INsideOUT Home Groups will start April 19th... and will forever be on the 3rd Sunday of each month, unless it lands on a Holiday or something like that (i.e. Father's Day in June).

In April, we're going to go to Main Event in Fort Worth... we'll do the 'youth group' thing and bowl a few games, probably get a video game fix, and probably definitely play some laser tag!

It's going to be a lot of fun.

We'll be meeting at the church on April 19th at 5:30pm and take the vans over to Main Event... and get back to the church around 9:00.

We'll give you more details as they come!

PJ

Battle Cry is sold out... completely sold out.

I know it's not-so-good news for those who wanted to go but weren't able to this year.

We'll be attending more events and doing other things in the future that'll be alot of fun, so stay informed by stopping by insideout311.com frequently.

In case you might have missed out on some of the details...

We're leaving Friday, March 6th, and returning back to the church Saturday night.

The cost is $60 (due before we go) and you'll also want to bring some extra cash for lunch on Saturday.  All the other meals will be covered, but you can bring more ka-ching for snacks, maybe there'll be a Coke machine, you might want to purchase some of the music we'll be experiencing, maybe you'll want to get me a Battle Cry t-shirt (kidding), or maybe you'll just want to have some extra pocket money.

I'll post more details when we figure out more details.

Something important to remember, we do have limited availability so don't wait till the last minute to get in on this!

Go here if you want to check out more stuff, watch the promo vids or whatever.

=D

take care!

PJ

We've got the website up and running and we're gonna keep it up-to-date with blogs, info for events and important dates, video and photos.

It's gonna be fun!  So come back often and watch for more details of things to come!

Pastor John

More details coming!