Hurt

So I was doing some research today and found some really cool resources for several types of struggles that we are all subject to. I know not all of us struggle with these things but I wanted to offer you some resources on these issues, because I know that it may be hard to admit openly to anyone about these struggles, and you might have a friend who is struggling and maybe these sites can provide you some help for them. So here are some resources and I want you to know that if you ever need to talk, my door is open and you can email me: aaron_dpcoc@sbcglobal.net or call me at anytime (209) 380-3806.



Sexual Addiction/Pornography:
www.internetsafety.com/index.php

www.pureonline.com

www.settingcaptivesfree.com

Drugs/Alcohol/Substance Abuse

Setting Captives Free- has courses and resources on many different issues including this one

Whether it is something such as smoking: http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/courses/breath-of-life/

Or any other type of substance abuse (ie. drinking, or drugs): http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/courses/new-wine/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

1-800-CDC-INFO

www.cdc.gov/injury

www.abovetheinfluence.com

Suicide/Depression

National Institute of Mental Health

www.nimh.nih.gov

Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program

www.yellowribbon.org

Jacqui Coulter – Church member and Licensed Marriage Family Therapist

209-204-8643

jacquicoulter@sbcglobal.net

Body Image/Eating

http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/courses/lords-table/ (over-eating)

http://old.settingcaptivesfree.com/In_His_Image/ (eating issues, such as: bullemia, anorexia, undereating, body image)


I pray that this will be useful for you and your friends as you walk through life, seeking to reflect Christ!

In Christ Alone,
Aaron

SALT Retreat

So the SALT team is heading off for a planning retreat. Please pray for us as we seek God's guidance for the youth ministry, and see where He is leading us. We will be back Saturday night, so we will see the rest of you Sunday morning.

Seniors I need pics from you! We will be doing a slideshow on June 7, so I need your pics (no more than 15) by May 31!

Service Week is coming up, so make sure you sign up with me if you are going to be involved. We have some really awesome things planned and are looking to see where we can gLo in our community!

In Christ Alone,
Aaron

Very interesting in relation to the church... "Momentum requires friction within the body. Anything that reduces friction has the potential to kill momentum." - Catalyst One Day

This just made me think about how the church functions, and I thought I'd share it with you. I wonder, and ask that you respond, by commenting, on what you think about this statement.

I find that it is imperative to have friction, because at least then, you know that you are doing something! I wonder though, if we fear friction, because we are afraid that friction means we are doing something wrong. I am reminded though of what James says, that we are to produce perseverance through trials of many kinds (my paraphrase for this purpose). Too often, we, at least I, think that things are going well when no one is griping, but James seems to tell otherwise. It makes me question the way I do ministry and the way I interact with people. It also makes me question how I am in the world, how the world looks at me...do I live the as though I don't need the church, as though there is no friction in my life? Do I live so that friction is present in my own life, or do I try to live so that there is less friction? I am afraid that I too often try to do things so similarly to the world, that I won't look different, whether that is my hobbies or how I speak, or what I listen to or watch on TV, what I am obsessed with, etc...! So I would love to have your thoughts and inputs. (This is not by the way, a way for me to ask for compliments...but rather a way to get you to consider and think about how we do church)

All Because of Him,
Aaron

Thought for the day

Can I challenge you to spend five minutes praying?

The prayers I am about to post are from website: www.sacredspace.ie it is a website that has a series of prayers everday. It guides you through the prayer process and encourages you to be in the WORD. So if you will allow me to give you these prayers today. Take just 5 minutes and read them, meditate on them for a bit and you're done! After each prayer is a small space so that you know that is the end of that short prayer. Take a moment and reflect on each prayer and then continue.

I remind myself that I am in your presence O Lord.
I will take refuge in your loving heart.
You are my strength in times of weakness.
You are my comforter in times of sorrow.

Many countries are at this moment suffering the agonies of war.
I bow my head in thanksgiving for any freedom I enjoy.
I pray for all prisoners and captives.

How am I really feeling? Lighthearted? Heavy-hearted? I may be very much at peace, happy to be here. Equally, I may be frustrated, worried or angry. I acknowledge how I really am.
It is the real me that the Lord loves.

John 15:1-8

Jesus said, 'I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.'

Help me, Lord, to notice how you are speaking to me.

What is stirring in me as I pray? Am I consoled, troubled, left cold? I imagine Jesus himself standing or sitting at my side, and share my feelings with him.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.

I have made this my homepage at times and it reminded me to start whatever I do giving some time to God...try it out, check out the site, don't just take my word for it.

Pepperdine Lectures

So I'm down here at the Pepperdine Lectures, having a great time! We have learned a lot! One of the things that we have been reminded of is the fact that everything doesn't matter unless its about Jesus! Its not Jesus AND or Jesus plus anything...IT MUST BE Jesus alone!

I am excited that God is working and beating me over the head! I just pray that each of you can have such an experience, and soon. I miss you guys and will see you Sunday.

TNT

TNT- was a blast tonight. It was so awesome to see several generations interacting intentionally with each other! You are so blessed to have a church family that loves and cares about you and wants to be involved in your lives! I hope you see the value in what we did tonight! God is truly amazing and is working so vividly. I pray that you were blessed by playing the games tonight and enjoyed the fellowship with the "adopted" grandmas and grandpas!