Out of the Ordinary

I just love the first really cold day of Fall.  This time of year is awesome, but then again I normally feel that way about every season as it comes!
Enough of that- Wednesday night was great!  Thank you all who came.  I taught and we spoke about breaking out of the ordinary.  We spoke of how the Power of the Cross conquered not only the world in us, but what the world says of us.  We discussed how our thoughts aren't like God's thoughts and we need the Holy Spirit to transform our thought pattern.  It was an eye opener for me also.  Each day when I encounter situations, I am trying to take time and ask the Holy Spirit what he says about it.  Whether it is a decision to be made, or a feeling rises in me, I ask why.  It has been revealing.  I encourage you to try to make God not only part of everyday, but part of every moment.  He wants that relationship with you.  He wants you totally dependant on him.  What better to be dependant on?
Also, we challenged you guys to step out of the role of the "typical teenager".  We challenged you to Rise Up and do something amazing for Christ.  You are empowered by the Holy Spirit- the outcome is endless if you agree with him and give it your all.  Shane has set forth a challenge for me and him as a couple to live differently after watching the Todd White video Wednesday.  We are choosing to try to "Love the Hell" out of those around us.  Less about our rights and all about showing God's love to the people around us.  Remember---we don't wrestle w/flesh and blood, but with spiritual forces of darkness(shortened a little--check it out Ephesians 6:12).  In the end whether you had the right to do a certain thing will matter little to them coming to know your Creator God. 
I hope you all have a great day and look forward to seeing you at the Harvest Festival.  I need some moles--so all that can show up, come!!  If not, then see you Sunday. You guys are awesome and it is a privilege for us to work with you!
God bless,
Melissa
P.s.  I would like to share the link to the video we showed, but cant figure out how--sooo if you want to see it go to Youtube and search Todd White Rise Up .

Smiling

Hey guys!
I am still smiling thinking about all the fun we had Wednesday night! You guys are awesome! Who knew that bubble gum could be so pretty?  I hope everyone is having a great weekend.  I know some of you have the day off today.  How exciting!  I hope you have a fun packed weekend.
 Don't forget to join us at church on Sunday.  We are working on a slide show from Wednesday for the service Sunday morning.  If you know how technically challenged I am, you know it it truly WORK to get it done! :)  I will also post pics on the Edge Facebook page--so be looking.
 We are doing something new with the blog.  We will be posting a word of the week on Tuesday and will will hand out prizes for those who know the word.  This will be fun!!
See you all Sunday!
Melissa

Thoughts....

Have you ever thought to yourself, I wonder if I matter to anyone? I wonder if I have made a difference in someone's life? I'm sure all of us have asked this at one time or another. This question stems from a desire that is deep inside of us to make a difference in our "world" today. This desire was placed inside each of us by God so that He can through us change peoples lives forever! Because of what Jesus did on the cross, (and when we make the most important decision ever, to make him Lord not us) we can be fully confident that the power of the cross resides in us! The same power that Jesus had to conquer death, the same spirit that dwelled in Jesus, lives in me. You know what that means? WE are Jesus today! WE are exactly what our friends and family need. We are the answer! The Bible tells us that God was pleased to have us as His inheritance! God is pleased with us! So much so, that He sent His son to provide a way for his spirit to live in us! What an amazing God! This also means that if God is living inside of us, we are PERFECT! No mistakes here, the more and more we DEPEND on Holy Spirit, the more and more we mirror Jesus. God perfectly executed his plan.... and his plan was relationship... relationship with his sons and daughters! You and me! Be blessed today, and know that you are perfect for the world around you.... YOU are the answer!!!
Nicole

Bubbling Streams

We have been busy over the last week at the Edge.  We had a great night Wednesday night- the group was so full of life!  We heard the Bible story about King Saul and how God told him to wipe out the Amalekites.  Saul disobeyed God and did not destroy everything. It was very interesting! Ya want to hear more? Read 1 Samuel 15 for the whole story.  It is so important that we obey God in every instance.  Pastor Alan spoke yesterday about how we must depend on God for every decision.  In the Garden of Eden the tree was the tree of Good and Evil.  Sometimes even the good we do is sin because we did it independently from God.  He wants us to depend on him for EVERYTHING. That's awesome-still learning it myself.
This coming week is the Chili Lunch sponsored by the youth- yep that's you guys!  I am looking forward to it.  I like to see all the church fellowship after church over a meal--it's a bonus that the money gets to go towards such an awesome youth group! 
Don't forget to invite your friends to the Lot Party on October 20th!  We want to bring in a lot of new faces and show them how fun you guys are!
Remember to be bubbling streams for the kingdom this week!
Love you all!
Melissa

God Has Created You With a Purpose

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather we are having, I know I am!  We had a treasure hunt last week at the Edge and it was great!  We had youth who had never been on a treasure hunt and it was cool to see them experience it for the first time.  We plan on doing another one soon on the weekend in hopes of catching more people out.  We all need to remember that each day we can live a life that touches people for God in all we do.  Sometimes just a smile is what God will use to touch some one's heart.  Just taking time out of your busy day to notice those around you that you may not normally notice!   I encourage everyone of you to go out intent on sharing the love of God with those around you.  You were created with a purpose and that purpose is to draw people into the kingdom of God.  All you have to do is stand back and let them see how awesome God is and they will be drawn in.  This generation is called to be different and I believe you guys can touch the world in a way that none other has.  The foundation has been laid, now what are you going to do? Go out and live a life of passion for God!!  This Wednesday night we will continue the teaching of the power of the cross- come ready to be changed! 
God Bless You and ENJOY THE DAY!!
Melissa