Worry is probably one of the biggest things satan uses against us Christians. And why wouldn’t he? His ultimate goal is to make our lives as miserable as possible and lose trust in God. Worry can consume us and pull us away from God. We all know that worrying is very easy, but we become strong when we give our worries to God. The key is not to bring home all of the worry we’ve collected throughout the day. Of course, that is easier said than done, but God will provide for us if we trust him.

So I tell you, don’t worry about the food or drink you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. You can not add any time to your life by worrying about it.
~Matthew 6:25-27

Worry is also pointless, we don’t get anything good from worrying; worrying just wastes time and energy. What do your worry about? School? Family? Something else? Next time you catch yourself worrying, ask God for help, because He wants us to live our lives to the fullest, worry-free.

Just click play:
Let It Roll - by Superchick

We let it roll, we let it ride
We don’t take it home
So we can sleep at night
We let it go, we let it slide
We don’t take it home
So we can live our lives

We let it roll, we let it ride
We don’t take it home
So we can sleep at night
We let it go, we let it slide
We don’t take it home
So we can live our lives

Oh Mr. Worry, I hate how you lie to me
Always showing me the fears that might come to be
I can lose today in tomorrow’s anxiety
Selling me the lie
It was safe where we used to be
Honestly, I look back and see the truth
My whole life in the hands of God my proof
I hold to this truth I know
So the fear, I can let it go

So shh shh
Mr. Worry quiet down
‘Cause shh shh
You can never bring us down

We let it roll, we let it ride
We don’t take it home
So we can sleep at night
We let it go, we let it slide
We don’t take it home
So we can live our lives
(repeat)

Quick Mr. Anger, you know how to get to me
Always cut me off in the lane
That’s in front of me
Now you’re in my head all day
And you’re running me
Now I’m at home yelling at my whole family
But when tomorrow comes I will see the truth What I hold inside hurts only me, not you
So for the ones I love and know

Mr. Anger, I let you go
So shh shh
Mr. Anger quiet down
‘Cause shh shh
You can never bring us down

We let it roll, we let it ride
We don’t take it home
So we can sleep at night
We let it go, we let it slide
We don’t take it home
So we can live our lives
(repeat)

Worry never never
Added a day to my life ever
It just robs me of today and brings me down
So come what may whatever
The truth has set me free forever
And the burdens of my life, I lay them down

We let it roll, we let it ride
We don’t take it home
So we can sleep at night
We let it go, we let it slide
We don’t take it home
So we can live our lives

Girls unite!  It’s gonna be great – pizza, snacks, 80′s fashion show, what more could you want?  So come hang out with us, make new friends, and totally embrace your girl-ness.

We’ll get together this Saturday at 5:30pm,eat some pizza and have our fantastic ladies evening, and then we’ll cart you off to church in the morning! Bust out your best 80′s outfit (ask Mom to get out some yearbook pics) and show up ready for a fantastic evening of girls who just wanna have fun!

The Details

What: 80′s themed girl’s night hosted by Beth and Hillary
Who: LADIES (Jr. & Sr. High)
When: Saturday June 19 to Sunday June 20, show up @ 5:30pm, meet your folks @ church in the morning.
Where: Jaques’ House in St. Michael
Bring: Snack to share, PJ’s, sleeping bag, pillow.

It’s one of those phrases that gets used a lot, but is rarely explained. What does it mean to be born-again? This song by the Newsboys does and good job of trying to explore that phrase. The idea of being born again centers around new life! The idea that you get a do-over, a restart. That’s the amazing power of a relationship with Jesus, the slate gets wiped clean. But that also means that we are supposed to transform, change, and be different in our new life than we were in our old life. It means giving everything to God, not just a part of us, and obeying what he says while we try and understand better what he means. As the song says, we’re supposed to let go of our old life and never look back. God calls us to be completely transformed and new people who passionately follow Jesus. That’s what it means to be born again.

Just press play:
Born Again by Newsboys

Found myself looking into the mirror
Knew I wasn’t who I wanted to be
I was living like the way that I wanted
But my eyes reminded me I’m not free
Believe that I saw, everything that I know
Says I gotta go, tired of going solo
But I’m never gonna go there again

Chorus:
This is what it is
This is who I am
This is where I’m gonna take my stand
I didn’t want to fall, but now I gotta crawl
I’m not the one with two scared hands
Givin’ him the best of, everything that’s left of
The life inside this man
I’ve been Born Again

I see you’re walking like you’re living in fear
Having trouble even looking at me
Wishing that they give you more than words
Sick of people telling how it should be (how it should be)
What’s your download, where’d you get your info
Saw that I’m show, now you’re in the in-load
I’m gonna tell you what I believe, OH

(Chorus)

We are the ones, he called by name
Never gonna look back
Let go, let go the guilt the shame
I said I’m never gonna look back
This is who I am

(Chorus 2x)

I am born again

It’s one of those phrases that gets used a lot, but is rarely explained. What does it mean to be born-again? This song by the Newsboys does and good job of trying to explore that phrase. The idea of being born again centers around new life! The idea that you get a do-over, a restart. That’s the amazing power of a relationship with Jesus, the slate gets wiped clean. But that also means that we are supposed to transform, change, and be different in our new life than we were in our old life. It means giving everything to God, not just a part of us, and obeying what he says while we try and understand better what he means. As the song says, we’re supposed to let go of our old life and never look back. God calls us to be completely transformed and new people who passionately follow Jesus. That’s what it means to be born again.

Just press play:
Born Again by Newsboys

Found myself looking into the mirror
Knew I wasn’t who I wanted to be
I was living like the way that I wanted
But my eyes reminded me I’m not free
Believe that I saw, everything that I know
Says I gotta go, tired of going solo
But I’m never gonna go there again

Chorus:

I see you’re walking like you’re living in fear
Having trouble even looking at me
Wishing that they give you more than words
Sick of people telling how it should be (how it should be)
What’s your download, where’d you get your info
Saw that I’m show, now you’re in the in-load
I’m gonna tell you what I believe, OH

(Chorus)

We are the ones, he called by name
Never gonna look back
Let go, let go the guilt the shame
I said I’m never gonna look back
This is who I am

(Chorus 2x)

I am born again

In our lives we all face problems and in this song Sanctus Real is confessing that they have problems. That is one of the biggest issues Christians struggle with today because they don’t think it’s ok to have problems. Last week Luke talked about laying down your problems in front of God but first I think we all need to realize that we have problems and confess that we’re ‘not alright.’ We all need Gods help and sometimes he doesn’t help us unless we ask for it or at least realize that we need it.

When your friends ask, “How are you?” what do you say? Is your answer the truth every time? I think we are afraid to tell the truth sometimes and we just pretend that we’re alright when we really aren’t. How about with your parents, who you can tell anything to, do you tell them when you’re not alright? I don’t think we all do. Then there’s God, who knows were all never alright all the time but usually we try to hide it from him when we can’t. So don’t try to hide your problems, confess them, admit you’re not alright, then bring them to God.

Just click play:
I'm Not Alright - by Sanctus Real

If weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of
The “cool” is just how far we have to fall
And I’m not immune, I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall

Can I lose my need to impress?
If you want the truth I need to confess

I’m not alright, I’m broken inside, broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to You, it leads me to you

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I’m open wide with nothing left to cling to
Only You are there to lead me on.

‘Cause honestly, I’m not that strong.

I’m not alright, I’m broken inside
Broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to You
It leads me to You
Closer to You

And I’ll move,
and I’ll move,
and I’ll move,
Closer to You (x3)

I’m not alright I’m broken inside
Broken inside
I’m broken inside, Broken inside
And all I go through leads me to You
Leads me to You

I’m not alright, I’m not alright
I’m not alright

… that’s why I need You.

Faith is being certain of what you hope for. That’s what the Bible says. That means that sometimes, like when we hope for peace and comfort, we have to have faith and trust that God will bring those things. The bridge of this song points that out, and also points out that it might not happen the way we think it should.

Just click play:
On and On - by Chasen

VERSE 1
Awake tonight
I’m breathing the air of the night sky
Listening and wanting
An answer to questions You’re wondering
I never thought it ever would be possible
To cross the lines we drew
That govern what we say and do
But no height and no depth could separate us

CHORUS

VERSE 2
I tried my way
It always ends up being a mistake
But You’re right when You say
That You set the time for the plans You make
I never thought that I could ever learn to let it go
Somehow its better when I follow in the paths You show
So I’m here I’m waiting
Cause I believe

CHORUS

BRIDGE
There is no fear of belief
There’s just this cold reality
That wants to take me away from You
There is no doubt in my mind
That in Your perfect time
Your plans and Your ways will unfold.

CHORUS

Your love is, Your love is

We like to MOVE it!

Church should be the place where we can do that. Sometimes church can become just another place where everyone hides their struggles and pretends it’s all okay. That’s tragic. When people come to church, they should comforted by the reminder that we all have failures and weaknesses. We get lost and lonely, we find evil in our lives, we can feel burdened and broken down. And instead of leaving our troubles behind, we’re invited to bring them with and lay ‘em down in front of God. That’s pretty sweet. That’s pretty amazing.

Just click to play:
Needtobreathe - Lay 'Em Down

Come down to the river
Come and let yourself in
Make good on a promise
To never hurt again
If you’re lost and lonely
You’re Broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay ‘em down

All you sinners

We’re all tied to the same old failing
Finding shelter in things we know
We’re all dirty like corrupted small towns
We’ll bring our troubles
We’ll bring our troubles
Lay ‘em down

All you rich men
And the high above
All of those with and without love
All you burdened broken down
Bring all of your troubles
Come lay ‘em down

Come lay ‘em down [x4]

Come all you broken [Come lay 'em down]
Come all you helpless [Come lay 'em down]
Bring all your burden [Come lay 'em down]
And just lay ‘em down [Come lay 'em down]

Come all you broken [Come lay 'em down]
Come all you helpless [Come lay 'em down]
Bring all your troubles [Come lay 'em down]
Just lay ‘em down

Come lay ‘em down [x3]

We’ve had an amazing year at The Table and The Gathering, and as we come to our final Wednesday night of the school year we want to celebrate the sweet journey we’ve been on together. And that means only one thing… PARTY!

Next Wednesday, May 26, we are going to wrap up the year with a big ol’ get together. We’ll be grillin’ like a villain and revisiting our favorite memories like a greatest hits collection. And we’ll have a few other things planned, ’cause that’s how we roll. (Note: The NSL team understands it does not have the street-cred to use any of the previous slang.)

Here’s what you need to know:

6:30pm is when we start. We need that extra half-hour to fit in all the awesome. Also we’ll start early because…

We’re having a BBQ Potluck. We’ll supply some hot dogs to grill, but you can bring your own meat if you like. Also, please bring something to share like chips, potato salad, pop, filet mignon, whatever.

You might get wet. It’s supposed to be almost 90º on Wednesday, so we might plan some things to help us cool off. Where clothes that won’t get ruined if they get wet.

Help us say thanks! The Koppendrayer’s and Case’s have been incredibly generous to open their homes every week for NSL, and the youth leaders have to work hard to make sure they’re always there for you. Bring a card or a note saying thanks to them for all they’ve done this past year!

That’s all there is to it. So to recap, on May 26 put on clothes that can get wet and bring some food and a thank-you card to youth group at 6:30pm. It’s that simple!

Questions go to Luke, otherwise we’ll see you all on Wednesday night!

Northwood Student Life is heading to the Gateway City for a mission trip in August. This will be the first out-of-state trip for NSL, and we’re excited to serve the people of St. Louis, Missouri.

August 14-20 we will be heading down along the Mississippi river for a week of service. Join us for a road-trip and some real-life ministry. We’ll stay at a church and serve local organizations. One day we might be painting, the next working at a food shelf, or maybe helping plant a community garden. Most importantly though, we’ll have the chance to do some true “place-sharing” and put our faith into action.

We’ll be driving down to ol’ St. Louis, making this the longest road-trip in NSL history (pretty cool, huh?) aside from the great opportunity to serve, it’ll be a chance to enjoy all the random goofy things that happen when you’re stuck in a van for hours and hours. (Luke remains undefeated at the Alphabet Game¹.)

The cost of the trip is $500 (covers transportation, lodging, meals while we’re there, and materials). We will work together as a team to raise support. (Last year, the majority of the team members were fully supported, meaning they paid only part of the cost). And as we always say, money shouldn’t be the only reason someone doesn’t participate in an event. Or, another way to put it is, “If it’s God’s will, then it’s God’s bill.” Trust that he’ll take care of it.

We’re excited to start wrapping up summer with a great opportunity to help others and put action to our understanding of who God is and what he asks of us!

Details
When: August 14-20 (Saturday-Friday, first and last day spent traveling)
Where: St. Louis, Missouri (the place with the giant Arch)
Who: All current 9-12 grade students
Cost: $500²

^{Sign Up @ northwoodstudentlife.com/events}