The 180 Blog

November 23, 2009

2009-11-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

180 NEWS

Thanksgiving Holiday
We hope you have a great Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. Because of the holiday, we're taking a break this week. Eat some food, give some thanks...and don't forget to thank God for all He's done for you!

Small Groups
We're back this week for another night of learning from each other. Join us @ 7 in our small group rooms after the Focus Point dinner.

Birthday Party for Jesus
Would you like an opportunity to serve God, love kids and party on your Christmas break? Join us on December 6 from 12:30-3:30 for lunch and training to put on a birthday party for Jesus! We'll invite children to church on December 21 from 1-3 and you'll throw a party for them! Contact Mary Hunter if you're interested in serving.

TNT Pics
I think I won't eat for a week after that meal. My stomach is still full with Gloria's Gobblin' Great Grub! Even if you're in High School, you can join us in, in having an attitude of thanks. Check out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Here are a few of the pictures from the night. Keep on checking back as we add more! Also, the formal pictures are in. Ask Pastor Aaron for the website & password!

B-Town Kids Toy Drive
Join us this year in helping make it a great Christmas for children in Portland. Wrap and label a gift with the gender & age (2-12 years old) it is for. Then bring them to the Youth Center by Thursday, December 17 for Bridgetown Kids to give.

Read Through the Bible

Day	Nehemiah	Amos	2 Thessalonians
Tuesday, November 24	9-10	3-4	1-2
Wednesday, November 25	11-12	5	3
Thursday, November 26	13	6	1 Timothy 1-3
Friday, November 27	Esther 1-2	7	4-6
Saturday, November 28	3-4	8	2 Timothy 1-2
Sunday, November 29	5-6	9	3-4
Monday, November 30	7-8	Obadiah 1	Philemon 1

Birthdays
We want to with a very happy birthday this week to Jacob Eitzen & Andy Wiseman!

SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
When Plans Change: Start Where You Are

"But Jesus said, 'You feed them.' 'With what?' they asked. 'We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!' 'How much bread do you have?' he asked. 'Go and find out.' They came back and reported, 'We have five loaves of bread and two fish.' " (Mark 6:37-38)

Problem: Lots of people; no food. Solution: Send the people off to buy food before it gets too late. At least, that was the perfectly reasonable plan the disciples came up with. Then in today's verses, Jesus said, "No, I want you to serve them by doing the impossible."

The disciples were tired, hungry, and under-funded. They got stuck on the impossible part: "We don't have the resources." Jesus rejected that answer just as quickly as He rejected their plan: "Count what you do have."

Maybe you've had a similar experience. God has nixed your Plan A (and your Plan B) -- either through your circumstances or your parents or the weather -- but He still expects you to follow His plan. And it feels impossible. And you clearly don't have the resources.

You have a choice: Give up or expect God to use what you've got to do the impossible.

Think: How often do you feel like it would be impossible to do what God wants you to do? Do you tend to give up or jump in even though you don't have a good plan to make it work? How does that usually turn out?

Pray: Ask God to help you to trust Him to provide everything you need to do what He wants you to do -- even when you can't see, yet, how it will all work out.

Do: Ask your parents or youth leader or some other, older Christian if they've ever seen God provide a solution in an impossible situation.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

SURF REPORT
-The Twilight Saga: New Moon Review

-Planet 51 Review

FORGETTABLE FACT
There are 10 human body parts that are only three letters long. (leg arm hip eye ear toe jaw rib gum lip)

POTENT QUOTABLES
Praise God even when you don't understand what He is doing. - Henry Jacobson

If you want to change your life, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily. - Gerald Good

UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
Q: What is a vampire's favorite fruit?
A: Neck-tarines

November 16, 2009

2009-11-16T16:46:00.000-08:00

180 NEWS
TNT! (Turkey 'N Thanks)
Middle school, prepare for Thanksgiving with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. This night is not one to miss (it's free too ;] )! Dress your best on this Thursday, November 19 from 7-9pm...and don't eat before you come!

Small Groups
This being the 4th Sunday of the month, we won't have small groups. Enjoy the night with your family!

Read Through The Bible

Day	Ezra	Hosea	Acts
Tuesday, November 17	5-6	6-7	25-26
Wednesday, November 18	7-8	8-9	27-28
Thursday, November 19	9-10	10-11	Colossians 1-2
Friday, November 20	Nehemiah 1-2	12-13	3-4
Saturday, November 21	3-4	14	1 Thessalonians 1-2
Sunday, November 22	5-6	Joel 1-3	3-4
Monday, November 23	7-8	Amos 1-2	5

SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Praise Week: He Loves Us?

"Praise be to God, who has not rejected a my prayer or withheld his love from me!" (Psalm 66:20)

What exactly does God owe us? Maybe it's too easy to say He doesn't owe us anything. He did create us, after all. And He is just to His creatures, giving good gifts to all.

But He does not owe us love. We do not have the right by default to have the God of the universe love us and hear out prayers.

David ends his praise psalm -- and our praise week -- amazed that God, the God of all, has not rejected his request. In fact, God has proven His love for one among the billions in time and space again and again.

Does God love you? Does He hear your prayers and answer them? Then let's praise Him today.

Think: Why do you think it's so easy for us to get bored with the idea that God loves us and listens to us? How much does that matter to you?

Pray: Praise God for loving you and responding to your prayers because you come to Him in the name of Jesus.

Do: Look forward to your next opportunity to praise God.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

BIRTHDAYS
Hey Christine Laughlin and Kevin O! Happy birthday from all of us at 180!

SURF REPORT
-Hello Hurricane Switchfoot Review

-Sleep May Limit Teens' Depression

FORGETTABLE FACT
In the average lifetime, a person will walk the equivalent of 5 times around the equator.

POTENT QUOTABLES
Let Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. - Theodore Roosevelt

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. - W.J. Cameron

UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
Q: What kind of key do you need to get into the jungle?
A: A Mon-key

November 9, 2009

2009-11-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

180 NEWS

Guy's Night Out
High School guys...we've got plans for you! Join us on Friday, November 13 from 5pm-Midnight for dude games, man dinner, and junk food like mad. Bring $5.

T'NT
Middle school, prepare for Thanksgiving with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. This night is not one to miss (it's free too ;] )! Dress your best on Thursday, November 19 from 7-8:30...and don't eat before you come!

Small Groups
Mid & High schoolers, we'll see you at 7 this Sunday night for an evening of small groups. Don't forget about Focus Point and the meal too! It all begins at 5pm.

Quest Pictures
We had a great time at Quest! Check out the pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/180studentministries/Quest09

Read Through the Bible

Day	Ezra	Hosea	Acts
Tuesday, November 17	5-6	6-7	25-26
Wednesday, November 18	7-8	8-9	27-28
Thursday, November 19	9-10	10-11	Colossians 1-2
Friday, November 20	Nehemiah 1-2	12-13	3-4
Saturday, November 21	3-4	14	1 Thessalonians 1-2
Sunday, November 22	5-6	Joel 1-3	3-4
Monday, November 23	7-8	Amos 1-2	5

SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Live Different: Use God's Power

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10-11)

It's easy for us to walk around with the wrong idea of what Christianity is all about. We can get sidetracked into thinking Christianity is intended to make us better versions of ourselves -- as if Jesus came and lived and died and lived again just to make me a little nicer and better at helping people.

That idea is wrong in two huge ways.

First, Christianity isn't about us, at all. It's about God. It's about Him being praised through Jesus Christ and getting all the "glory and power for ever and ever."

Second, Christianity isn't about making us better. We're not close enough to being good that getting better would help all that much. Nope, God wants us to do His work with His power, with His words, in His strength. God wants to be God through us -- not for us to be good enough on our own to accomplish His mission.

Think: What are some ways God has asked you to serve Him with His gifts and His power? Would you say you're using His power to serve other people? What does that look like?

Pray: Ask God to help you to use the gifts He has given you to serve others with His words and His strength.

Do: Talk to your parents or youth leader or mentor about what your spiritual gifts might be and how you could use them best to serve God by serving others.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

BIRTHDAY
Happy birthday to Evan Mangelsdorf!

SURF REPORT
-Favorites at Play Joy Electric Review

-Everything is Different Shane and Shane Review

FORGETTABLE FACT
In Tibet it is considered good manners to stick out your tongue at someone.

POTENT QUOTABLES
Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. - Will Rogers

Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently. - William A. Ward

UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
Q: What do you get when you cross a cocker spaniel, a poodle and a ghost?
A: Cockapoodleboo!

November 3, 2009

2009-11-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

180 NEWS

Small Groups
Mid & High schoolers, we'll see you at 7 this Sunday night for an evening of small groups. Don't forget about Focus Point and the meal too! It all begins at 5pm.

Revolve Tour
Ladies, this Thursday is the deadline for signing up for the '09 Revolve Tour (November 13-14). Turn in your $72 to Pastor Aaron. Check out the Revolve Tour at www.revolvetour.com

T'NT
Middle school, prepare for Thanksgiving with a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. This night is not one to miss (it's free too ;] )! Dress your best on Thursday, November 19 from 7-8:30...and don't eat before you come!

HS Guys Night Out
High School guys...while the gals head out for their Revolve Tour, we've got plans for you! Join us on Friday, November 13 from 5pm-Midnight for dude games, man dinner, and junk food like mad. Bring $5

Read Through the Bible

Day	2 Chronicles	Daniel	Acts
Tuesday, November 10	32	11	13
Wednesday, November 11	33	12	14-15
Thursday, November 12	34	Hosea 1	16-17
Friday, November 13	35	2	18-19
Saturday, November 14	36	3	20
Sunday, November 15	Ezra 1-2	4	21-22
Monday, November 16	3-4	5	23-24

SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Don't Be A Demas

"What are you going to be?" That's the costume-day inspired question we've been asking this week as a launching pad to asking, "What are you going to be?" for the rest of your life. What real-life role will you take on as a Christ-follower?

The next role-model we meet from Paul's entourage turns out to be a negative one. Here he's included in the posse as one of the guys supporting Paul in prison and sending greetings to the Colossians. But listen to this later letter Paul sent to Timothy:

"Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me." (2 Timothy 4:9-10)

Demas started out on the path of Christ then got distracted by the world and fell in love with it. What is the world? According to John, it includes living for pleasure, possessions, and status. (See 1 John 2:16.)

God gladly gives us some of those things to enjoy, but He demands that we save our love for Him. You cannot love the world and live for Christ at the same time.

Think: Could you ever see yourself falling in love with what the world offers -- pleasure, possessions, and status? What can you do to protect your heart from becoming unfaithful to God?

Pray: Ask God to help you to love Him with your whole life and not to be distracted from serving Him by loving the world.

Do: Read (and think about memorizing) 1 John 1:15-17, which describes our choice between loving God and loving the world.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

BIRTHDAYS
180 wants to wish a very happy birthday this week to Alex Schoppe and Forrest Anderson!

SURF REPORT
- This Is It Movie Review

FORGETTABLE FACT
A 100-pound person on Earth would weigh 38 pounds on Mars.

POTENT QUOTABLES
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Adventure is worthwhile. - Amelia Earhart

UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
Q: What did the the tie say to the hat?
A: You go on a head, I'll just hang around.

October 28, 2009

2009-10-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

180 NEWS

The Burn
Join us at The Burn tonight! Meet @ Safari Sam's at 7pm for a night of worship, encouragement, games, friends and snacks :)

Small Groups
High Schoolers, your small groups meet this week! Join us in the Youth Center at 7pm after the Focus Point meal! Mid school, take the week off...enjoy the retreat!

HS Retreat Pics
We had a great time at our retreat! Check out this slide show...and watch this space for video coming soon!

Read Through the Bible

Day	2 Chronicles	Daniel	Acts
Tuesday, October 27	24	5	3-4
Wednesday, October 28	25	6	5-6
Thursday, October 29	26-27	7	4
Friday, October 30	28	8	8
Saturday, October 31	29	9	9
Sunday, November 1	30	10	10
Monday, November 2	31	11	11-12

SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Self-Control Week: Letting It Go

"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." (Proverbs 17:9)

How powerful is the period on the end of this sentence? "I forgive you." Your answer to that question will have buckets-full to do with the quality of your relationships for the rest of your life.

Someone did wrong to you and it lead to a fight. You both agree they were wrong. They say "sorry." You say, "It's okay; I forgive you." And it's done forever, right? Well, not always. It takes a lot of self-control to let it stay finished, especially when the next fight comes around.

Today's passage says love grows out of our ability to "cover over" an offense by letting it stay finished, by practicing powerful forgiveness, by keeping the vault closed.

Friendships can break when the period at the end of "I forgive you." doesn't do its job.

Think: Why do you think even good friends sometimes have trouble not bringing up past hurts and sins again and again? Have you ever lost a friend because one or the other of you couldn't let something go?

Pray: Ask God to help you to promote love in your friendships by covering over offenses with forgiveness and mercy when it is wise to do so.

Do: Pay attention this week for anyone who brings up offenses in a way that damages relationships.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

SURF REPORT

- It Is Well Kutless Music Review

- Astro Boy Movie Review

FORGETTABLE FACT

85% of us will eat Spam this year.

POTENT QUOTABLES
Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom. - Thomas Jefferson

I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday. -
Abraham Lincoln

UH, THAT'S FUNNY?
Q: What kind of flower do you have between your nose and your chin?
A: Tulips.

October 20, 2009

2009-10-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

180 NEWS

Small Groups
We kicked off this season of small groups with a party last Sunday. Make sure you check out the pictures!

Remember that we take the 4th Sunday off each month, so join all the church after Focus Point this week for a celebration dinner for the Wiggs!

Facebook
Join us on Facebook (if you're 13 or older & you have your parent's permission!). We've got photos, updates, discussion pages and more!

180 Student Ministries

Texting
Got a cell phone? Got text messages? Sign up for texts from 180. We'll send you encouragements, updates, changes and reminders.

High School TXT message alerts

Mid School TXT message alerts

Read Through the Bible
Join in reading this week as we begin reading through the book of Acts, the story of the early church.

Day	2 Chronicles	Ezekiel	John
Tuesday, October 20	12-13	46	13-14
Wednesday, October 21	14-15	47	15-16
Thursday, October 22	16-17	48	17-18
Friday, October 23	18-19	Daniel 1	19
Saturday, October 24	20	2	20-21
Sunday, October 25	21-22	3	Acts 1
Monday, October 26	23	4	2

SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Eyewitness: Telling for Joy

"We write this to make our joy complete." (1 John 1:4)

I like really short, simple verses like this one. Sometimes they tell us way more than we expect.

After three densely packed verses about John's unique perspective as an eyewitness of eternal life -- and what that means for those of us who believe -- he adds this little sentence about joy.

He tells his story to make our joy complete. We can take "our" to mean, I think, everyone in fellowship together with the Father, the Son, and each other. To tell others about the salvation available through faith in Christ -- and then to see them accept the gift and join the family -- completes the joy of everyone involved.

We can also find joy in telling the story of Jesus, telling our story of how He saved us, how we found eternal life in Him. We all say that we want to be happy; this is one of the ways God provides for us to experience that.

Think: Have you ever experienced the joy of seeing someone respond to the message of Jesus by trusting in Him for salvation? Why do you think that can be such a joyful experience?

Pray: Ask God to help you to find joy in telling others about the path to eternal life through faith in Jesus.

Do: Read more about John's joyful response to those who hear and act on his message in 3 John 1-4.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

BIRTHDAYS

This week, 180 wishes Josh George and Jeffrey Kennedy a very happy birthday!

SURF REPORT

- Where The Wild Things Are Movie Review

FORGETTABLE FACT

Seaweed can grow up to 12 inches per day!

POTENT QUOTABLES
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. - Mother Teresa

It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown. – Anonymous

UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What kind of lighting did Noah use for the ark?
A: Floodlights

October 12, 2009

2009-10-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

Contents

180 News
Something for Your Heart
Birthdays
Surf Report
Forgettable Fact
Potent Quotables
Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Small Group Kick-off Party
We had a great time launching our new Focus Point service last night. Join us next Sunday night following Focus Point for dinner and the kick-off party for our youth small groups. There will be door prizes and other good times. Join us from 6:30 - 8:00 in the youth center.

MS Quest Retreat
Hey Mid School! We're heading to Camp Cascades for a weekend of REMIX. Get ready to engage the Word of God, spend some time with friends, and have lots of crazy fun at the Quest retreat!

Click on the image to download the brochure or grab a hard copy in the youth center. The blank retreat price page (on the download) should be filled in with these prices:
Late Registration - $140

If you have questions about money, please contact Pastor Aaron.

Read Through the Bible

Day	2 Chronicles	Ezekiel	John
Tuesday, October 13	1-2	39	5
Wednesday, October 14	3-4	40	6
Thursday, October 15	5-6	41	7
Friday, October 16	7	42	8
Saturday, October 17	8	43	9-10
Sunday, October 18	9	44	11
Monday, October 19	10-11	45	12

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

When the Dead Man Walked

"When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, 'Take off the grave clothes and let him go.' " (John 11:43-44)

Can you imagine being there in this moment? Even if you had followed Jesus for years and believed Him to be the Messiah and really really missed your friend or brother Lazarus -- this would be terrifying. Wouldn't it?

One of the primal fears of humanity is that the dead will come back to life. That's one reason zombie movies can be so scary. The dead are supposed to stay dead, even the ones we miss most. If you have even an ounce of imagination, you've felt a little chill in a graveyard. You have to remind yourself that death is final. Nobody comes back.

Until now.

But after that moment of horror passes -- once you realize Lazarus is no slobbering monster, just himself alive again -- the truth begins to come up over the horizon of your heart: Death is beatable. It doesn't have to win. It is not the last word. If Lazarus can come back after four days gone, all the rules are changed. We can live forever. But how?

Jesus. We need Jesus.

Think: If someone asked you to explain how a person can beat death and be resurrected, what would you tell him or her? How would you explain the good news about Jesus and living forever?

Pray: Thank God that Jesus proved He is more powerful than even death.

Do: Read about your own resurrection from the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:12-28.
**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAYS

Hey Will Wiseman...Hey Seth Himebaugh...Hope you both have great birthdays this week!

4. SURF REPORT

- David Crowder Church Music Review

- Relient K Forget and Not Slow Down Review

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

25% of your bones are located in your feet.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

If we only have the will to walk, then God is pleased with our stumbles. –
C S Lewis

Love is unselfishly choosing for another's highest good. – C S Lewis

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
A: At the Bottom!

October 5, 2009

2009-10-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthdays
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Serve Day Pics
"The best laid plans of mice and men..." You know how it goes. But we had a great time clearing brush at Grace Point and got some work done while we were at it! Check out the pics right here!

HS Discipleship Camp
Click on the image to download the flier with all the info for this high adventure weekend at the Young Life Washington Family Ranch (formerly known as Wild Horse Canyon). Not only will there be exciting times, but times that you'll be challenged in your relationship with God.

Registration is due Sunday

If you have questions about money, please contact Pastor Aaron.

MS Quest Retreat
Hey Mid School! We're heading to Camp Cascades for a weekend of REMIX. Get ready to engage the Word of God, spend some time with friends, and have lots of crazy fun at the Quest retreat!

Click on the image to download the brochure or grab a hard copy in the youth center. The blank retreat price page (on the download) should be filled in with these prices:
Regular Date - $120
Late Registration - $140

If you have questions about money, please contact Pastor Aaron.

Read Through the Bible

Day	1 Chronicles	Ezekiel	Ephesians
Tuesday, October 6	22	32	3-4
Wednesday, October 7	23	33	5-6
Thursday, October 8	24-25	34	Philippians 1-2
Friday, October 9	26	35	3-4
Saturday, October 10	27	36	John 1
Sunday, October 11	28	37	2-3
Monday, October 12	29	38	4

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Why Pray Out Loud?
"So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.' " (John 11:41-42)

Why do we pray out loud? After all, it makes some of us really uncomfortable to pray in front of each other. And it makes others of us really bored to listen to each other pray. Why do it? Isn't God famous for knowing our thoughts, and aren't we famous for believing that He hears our thoughts?

I think Jesus reveals one of the benefits of praying out loud in front of each other in today's verses. He says clearly that His vocalized prayer of thanks was for the benefit of those listening. He wanted to leave no room for doubt that the giant miracle they were about to witness came from the God of the universe -- that He was God's Son.

In a similar way, when I ask God for help with something right out loud in front of you, you're much more likely to give God the credit when that good thing happens. Vocalizing our prayers and thanksgiving in front of each other is another way to remind each other how huge and powerful our God really is.

Think: Are you hesitant to pray in front of other people? Do you know why? What can you do to start to overcome that timidity?

Pray: Thank God that He doesn't need you to pray out loud in order to hear your prayers, and ask Him to help you to become comfortable talking to Him in front of others sometimes for their benefit and His glory.

Do: Make a point to pray out loud with at least one other person this week. (It can even be your mom!)

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to Jamie George, Jared Bass & Alec Cartwright. We hope you all have a wonderful day!

4. SURF REPORT

- Surrogates Movie Review

- Fame Movie Review

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

It's against the law to burp or sneeze in a church in Omaha, Nebraska.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. - Auguste Rodin

Courage is fear that has said its prayers. - Dorothy Bernard

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?
A: A Stick.

September 28, 2009

2009-09-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

180 NEWS

Manna Truck Serve Day
Join us this Saturday, October 3 from 9:30-3:30 for a serve day with Bridgetown Ministries as we tangibly display God's love for the people of North Portland. Check out the video below to see what Manna Truck is all about!

HS Discipleship Camp
Click on the image to download the flier with all the info for this high adventure weekend at the Young Life Washington Family Ranch (formerly known as Wild Horse Canyon). Not only will there be exciting times, but times that you'll be challenged in your relationship with God.

If you have questions about money, please contact Pastor Aaron.

Day	1 Chronicles	Ezekiel	Luke
Tuesday, September 29	12	25	22
Wednesday, September 30	13-14	26	23
Thursday, October 1	15	27	24
Friday, October 2	16	28	Galatians 1-2
Saturday, October 3	17	29	3-4
Sunday, October 4	18-19	30	5-6
Monday, October 5	20-21	31	Ephesians 1-2

BIRTHDAYS
We all here at 180 want to wish Jana Ranney, Nathan Potter and Luke Vincent a very happy birthday!

September 21, 2009

2009-09-21T14:39:00.001-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthdays
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

See You at the Pole
This Wednesday, set your alarm clocks early because See You at the Pole is here! Gather around your school's flagpole on Wednesday, September 23 either at 7am or 1 hour before school begins, for a time of prayer for your school, friends, teachers, classmates, and our nation. SYATP is a student-led event, so join in and pray for your school!

HS Discipleship Camp
Click on the image to download the flier with all the info for this high adventure weekend at the Young Life Washington Family Ranch (formerly known as Wild Horse Canyon). Not only will there be exciting times, but times that you'll be challenged in your relationship with God.

If you have questions about money, please contact Pastor Aaron.

MS Quest Retreat
Hey Mid School! We're heading to Camp Cascades for a weekend of REMIX. Get ready to engage the Word of God, spend some time with friends, and have lots of crazy fun at the Quest retreat!

Click on the image to download the brochure or grab a hard copy in the youth center. The blank retreat price page (on the download) should be filled in with these prices:
Early Bird - $100
Regular Date - $120
Late Registration - $140

If you have questions about money, please contact Pastor Aaron.

Read Through the Bible

Day	1 Chronicles	Ezekiel	Luke
Tuesday, September 22	5	18	15
Wednesday, September 23	6	19	16
Thursday, September 24	7	20	17
Friday, September 25	8	21	18
Saturday, September 26	9	22	19
Sunday, September 27	10	23	20
Monday, September 28	11	24	21

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Do You Believe This?

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' 'Yes, Lord,' she told him, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.' " (John 11:25-27)

Jesus tried to tell Martha what was about to happen, but she thought He was just consoling her. He said, "Your brother will rise again." She said, "Yes, I know, at the end when the big resurrection happens."

Jesus didn't correct her right away. He made sure she was (and we are) making the connection between faith in Jesus and eternal life. He is "the life." If we want to live -- even after we die -- He is "the resurrection." He's the only door to the life on the other side of life. Martha understood He was the Christ, the Messiah, and soon she would know He had power over any grave.

Jesus asked Martha the question everyone must answer: "Do you believe this?" Belief in Jesus is the key to the door or eternity.

Think: When did you answer the question of belief in Jesus once and for all? Have you ever asked anyone if they believe in Jesus?

Pray: If you're a Christian, thank God for the faith to believe in Jesus and the gift of eternal life.

Do: Think of someone you know you could ask these questions to this week: "Do you know if you have eternal life?" "What do you believe about Jesus?"

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAYS
Give it up for Anthony Ramirez, Cierra Moore, Ashley Dawes, and Sydney Freyer! Hope you all have a great birthday!

4. SURF REPORT

- Grace Point's Sermon Podcast - Miss a week? Listen to it here!

- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Movie Review

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

The highest point in Pennsylvania is lower than the lowest point in Colorado!

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
—Japanese Proverb

Search not for a friend in time of need, for a true friend shall find thee.
—Anonymous

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What clothes does a house wear?
A: Address.

September 15, 2009

2009-09-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthdays
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

HS Discipleship Camp
Click on the image to download the flier with all the info for this high adventure weekend at the Young Life Washington Family Ranch (formerly known as Wild Horse Canyon). Not only will there be exciting times, but times that you'll be challenged in your relationship with God.

If you have questions about money, please contact Pastor Aaron.

MS Quest Retreat
Hey Mid School! We're heading to Camp Cascades for a weekend of REMIX. Get ready to engage the Word of God, spend some time with friends, and have lots of crazy fun at the Quest retreat!

Click on the image to download the brochure or grab a hard copy in the youth center. The blank retreat price page (on the download) should be filled in with these prices:
Early Bird - $100
Regular Date - $120
Late Registration - $140

If you have questions about money, please contact Pastor Aaron.

Fall Calendar
The Fall Calendar is now available in the Youth Center, or download one by clicking on the image, so you can check in with events, special nights, birthdays, retreats and holidays this Fall.

See You at the Pole
Next Wednesday, set your alarm clocks early because See You at the Pole is here! Gather around your school's flagpole on Wednesday, September 23 either at 7am or 1 hour before school begins, for a time of prayer for your school, friends, teachers, classmates, and our nation. SYATP is a student-led event, so join in and pray for your school!

Read Through the Bible

Day	2 Kings	Ezekiel	Luke
Tuesday, September 15	21	11	7
Wednesday, September 16	22-23	12	8
Thursday, September 17	24-25	13	9
Friday, September 18	1 Chronicles 1	14	10
Saturday, September 19	2	15	11
Sunday, September 20	3	16	12
Monday, September 21	4	17	13-14

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Your Friend is Sick

"Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick.' " (John 11:1-3)

Spoiler alert! To really get all the heavy stuff in the story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead, you've got to know the ending before you start. But it's right there in the name of the story, so it's not a huge surprise. And you've probably heard it once or twice anyway.

Still, we're going to spend a week or two getting to know it better. And the first thing we should get is this: Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. Okay, yes, Jesus loves everyone. But He was friends with this family. He often stayed at their place when He was in town. He seems to have liked them a lot.

And they liked Jesus, too. They knew about His miracles. They believed He was who He said He was. They knew He could heal sick people at will. They probably expected Him to come and save their brother -- before he died.

Think: If you are a Christian, you have a close relationship with God because you are "in Christ." Do you ever expect Him to answer your prayers in specific ways? Is it wrong to expect God to respond according to our desires? Why or why not?

Pray: Thank God for Jesus' relationship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Ask Him to help you to understand Him better through studying this story during the next week or so.

Do: John mentions Mary as one who washed Jesus feet with expensive perfume and her hair. Read that story in John 12:1-11.

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAYS
We have some great birthdays for some great people this week. We hope that Bethany George, Britney Allen and Cristian Cosgrove all have a great day celebrating this new year of life!

4. SURF REPORT

Movie Review of 9

Movie Review of All About Steve

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

A cubic mile of ordinary fog contains less than a gallon of water.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

Achievement is largely the product of steadily raising one's levels of aspiration and expectation. -- Jack Nicklaus

Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art. -- Frederic Chopin

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: How do you make a hot dog stand?
A: Steal its chair.

September 14, 2009

2009-09-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

September 8, 2009

2009-09-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthdays
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

180 Text Messages
Now that school is back in session, we want to help you out with some encouragement throughout your week. Sign up for the free 180 text message updates for reminders on sign ups, changes in the happenings around 180, and Biblical encouragement for your week.

Sign up for our Mid School TXT message alerts!

Sign up for our High School TXT message alerts!

Mid School Retreat: Quest
Though it's not until the end of October (10/30-11/1), you want to put it on the calendar now and begin talking to your family about going to Quest. We handed out brochures in Mid-school and if you didn't get one, grab one at youth group this week! Remember that the price goes up the longer you wait to sign up. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Aaron.

High School Retreat
Hey there High School. You don't want to miss out on an awesome retreat at the Washington Family Ranch in Eastern Oregon this October 23-25. Watch for detail coming soon. Begin saving up and mark your calendar!

See You At the Pole
What an awesome thing to participate each year with over a million students across America in praying for our schools. This year, we join around your school's flagpole on Wednesday, September 23 at 7am or 1 hour before school begins. Begin talking about it on campus and inviting other Christians you know to join in for a morning of prayer.

If you want a flier or poster to take to your school, just ask at youth group.

Read Through the Bible

Day	2 Kings	Ezekiel	2 Corinthians
Tuesday, September 8	14	4	12-13
Wednesday, September 9	15	5	Luke 1
Thursday, September 10	16	6	2
Friday, September 11	17	7	3
Saturday, September 12	18	8	4
Sunday, September 13	19	9	5
Monday, September 14	20	10	6

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Forgive as Forgiven

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

Do you think of yourself as a forgiven person? I'm not asking if you believe God has forgiven all of your sins. I know you believe that if you're a Christian. I mean, do you tend to think of yourself as someone who has been forgiven for great and terrible sin?

I'm asking because those of us who became Christians as kids -- and never got around to rebelling in any obvious, public way by trying out some of the "big sins" -- we can have a hard time really thinking of ourselves as sinners. What have we done that's so wrong, after all?

That thinking is a problem. Every sin is an offense against the character of our Father, reason enough for us to go to hell, and for Jesus to die on the cross. Our pride is no better than sexual immorality, fits of rage, or public drunkenness.

Here's the other problem: If you don't think of yourself as a forgiven person, it's much harder to forgive others. And when you do, you think of it as a big favor instead of seeing it as the least and most obvious thing you could do as someone who has been forgiven for a stinking, seething mountain of ugly sin.

Think: On a scale from 1 to 10, how often are you aware that God has forgiven you for great sins you were helpless to pay for yourself? How hard is it for you to forgive others? Do you see a connection between those two things?

Pray: Ask God to help you to bear with others and forgive everyone just as God has forgiven you.

Do: Read Matthew 18:21-35 to hear a story Jesus told about a guy who refused to forgive a small debt after he'd been forgiven for a big one.

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAYS

We want to wish Emily Eitzen and Samy Hurt a very happy birthday 180 style. Join in! "This is your birthday song, it isn't very long. Hey!"

4. SURF REPORT

- "Day-N-Nite" by Kid Cudi Song Review

- All About Steve Movie Review

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

Why do puppies lick your face? They're instinctively looking for scraps of food.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

Big shots are only little shots who keep shooting.
-- Christopher Morley

Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow.
-- Dan Rather

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What do you call a song sung in an automobile?
A: A cartoon.

August 31, 2009

2009-08-31T13:37:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthday
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

CD Library
We've updated our CD Library. Visit the back room of the Youth Center to check out great Christian music CDs. This week we have new music from:

All Star United, Braille & Symbolyc One, David Crowder Band, Decyfer Down, Eleventyseven, Everyday Sunday, Mark J, Britt Nicole, and Phil Stacey.

Read Through the Bible

Day	2 Kings	Lamentations	1 Corinthians
Tuesday, September 1	6	2	15
Wednesday, September 2	7	3	16
Thursday, September 3	8	4	2 Corinthians 1-2
Friday, September 4	9	5	3-4
Saturday, September 5	10	Ezekiel 1	5-7
Sunday, September 6	11-12	2	8-9
Monday, September 7	13	3	10-11

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

The Big Ones

"You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:13-16)

Can you believe that's four whole verses up there? Commandments numbers six through nine are so simple and straightforward. And they're probably the easiest to keep, right? I mean, you don't usually just have a bad day and kill someone. Or sleep with someone's spouse. Or steal a car. Or lie in court about your neighbor.

Nope. Those are the biggies, the ones that most good Israelites could put on their list of "bad things I've never done."

Then Jesus showed up and took an eraser to their lists. He said those biggies start as real sin in the secret places of the heart. To tune your mind to lust, He said, is heart adultery. To hate a person, John wrote, is to be a murderer. We've all learned how to steal a digital thing or two from the anonymous privacy of our computers. And lying in court is only a public version of lying to our parents.

None of us is really innocent, even of all the biggies. Part of the point of the Law was to convince us all that we can't keep that Law, that we are not good enough on our own for God. We needed Jesus to keep them all for us. And we thank God He did, then died to pay for all the ones we broke.

Think: Do you have a list of sins you are proud not to have committed? Is there any real honor in having broken some of God's Law and not other parts of it?

Pray: Ask God to help you not to kill, hate, lust, commit adultery, steal (anything ever), or lie (for any reason). Thank Him that Jesus died for all your sins and that you've been forgiven for them through faith and by His grace.

Do: Read Galatians 3 to hear what Paul has to say about the difference between living by faith in Christ and living under the Law of Moses.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAY
Happy birthday this week to our good friend Kip Koenig. We hope you have a great one!

4. SURF REPORT

- Ponyo Movie Review

- 50 Days of Summer Movie Review

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

Babies are born without knee caps.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

Search not for a friend in time of need, for a true friend shall find thee.
-- Anonymous

Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable
-- Tom Landry

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: How does a pig go to hospital?
A: In a hambulance.

August 16, 2009

2009-08-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthday
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Newsletter, Fuel & Danger Zone Vacation
That's right, 180 is taking a week off as we close out our Summer and get ramped up for the Fall. This week is normal, but there will be no 180 Newsletter next Monday, and no Fuel or Danger Zone on August 26 & 27.

MS Fusion - Now including High School!
We get to make one more change this Summer, and this one is awesome! We have just opened up the Fusion event at Safari Sam's to the High School group and your friends! Make sure you grab the flier here. Don't forget to download a release form here if you haven't turned one in yet for 2009. See you this Friday @ 9:15.

Fall Retreats - Save the Date!
That's right, we've got a couple of retreats coming up. More info will be made available soon, but put these date on your calendar:

High School: October 23 - 25
Mid School: October 30 - November 1

Pool Party Pics
We had an awesome time swimming, eating and hanging out with one another at the pool. Check out the action here!

Mid School

High School

Read Through the Bible

Day	1 Kings	Jeremiah	Mark
Tuesday, August 18	13	39	13
Wednesday, August 19	14	40	14
Thursday, August 20	15	41	15
Friday, August 21	16	42	16
Saturday, August 22	17	43	1 Corinthians 1-2
Sunday, August 23	18	44	3
Monday, August 24	19	45-46	4-5
Tuesday, August 25	20	47	6
Wednesday, August 26	21	48	7
Thursday, August 27	22	49	8-9
Friday, August 28	2 Kings 1-2	50	10
Saturday, August 29	3	51	11
Sunday, August 30	4	52	12-13
Monday, August 31	5	Lamentations 1	14

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Why We Sin: Suffering v. Glory: No Contest

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 1:18)

Everybody suffers. Or hurts. Or struggles. You can use whatever word you want, but the experience of pain -- physical and emotional -- is universal.

Jesus suffered for our sins on the cross, but He also suffered through all the painful parts of living a regular human life -- just as we do.

Does the fact that everybody suffers in life make it okay? Does the fact that death and mourning and sorrow and pain are normal make that okay? We're going to see this week that it does not.

Here's the deal, though: As great as the pain of this life is, it won't even be worth talking about once you step over the threshold of heaven and take your place there as a child of the King. The glory of that eternal moment, we're promised, will make the enormous pain of this short life meaningless by comparison.

Think: Do you tend to think of hard times in this life as normal? What do you imagine the glory of living for eternity as a child of God will be like?

Pray: Thank God that your current sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory to be revealed in you as God's child.

Do: Read Colossians 3:1-4 and try to practice it today.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAY

Hey Nate Moore! Happy birthday dude!

4. SURF REPORT

- Bandslam Review

- G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra Review

5. FORGETTABLE FACT
The WD in WD-40 stands for Water Displacer.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never Â were; and I say "Why not?"
—George Bernard Shaw

Zeal without knowledge is fire without light.
— Thomas Fuller, M.D.

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What do you get if you cross an elephant and a kangaroo?
A: Big holes all over Australia!

August 10, 2009

2009-08-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthday
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

HS Rafting / No Fuel
If you are rafting with us, check out the flier one last time and be here ready to leave by 7am this Wednesday.

Because of the rafting trip, there will be no Fuel that night.

Grub Camp Media
What a weekend! 14 of us guys went into the woods and came back men! And while we can't share all the details of Grub Camp life (after all...what happens at Grub Camp, stays at Grub Camp), we can show you a glimpse of our time at Indian Henry.

What goes up must come down

Read Through the Bible

Day	1 Kings	Jeremiah	Mark
Tuesday, August 11	5-6	32	6
Wednesday, August 12	7	33	7
Thursday, August 13	8	34	8
Friday, August 14	9	35	9
Saturday, August 15	10	36	10
Sunday, August 16	11	37	11
Monday, August 17	12	38	12

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Why We Sin: We Skip the Chicken Exit

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Have you seen this? One of the amusement parks I used to go to had this enormous roller coaster. It was so popular, you could stand in line for an hour or more just waiting to get on the thing. And if you were nervous about the ride and the screaming and the upside-downness and the throwing up, you spent that whole time in line just getting more and more scared.

At the very end of the line, though, just before you got on the ride, they had a little gate called a "chicken exit." It was the way to get out if you just couldn't do. You had to swallow your pride -- and I never did it -- but it was there.

Today's verse is a powerful promise that God always provides a "chicken exit" when we're tempted to sin. Except it would be better to call it a "courage exit." It's a way out of the line leading toward the sin you've been contemplating before you actually get on the ride. It's a gate, an escape, provided by the Creator of all things as a one-last chance gift to avoid the painful consequences of sin.

Next time, man up and take the chicken exit. The ride isn't worth what it costs.

Think: Have you ever experienced an unexpected "way out" of a sin that you were prepared to go through with? What does it mean to you that God promises not to allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear?

Pray: Thank God that you will never face a temptation that is stronger than you are in His power. Ask Him for the courage and faith to take His "way out" of temptation when you see it.

Do: This verse can be fascinating to talk about with a group of close Christian friends. Next time you're hanging out, bring up this promise from God that He provides a way out of temptation and ask if anyone has ever seen this happen. You might be surprised.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAY

Happy birthday to Jonathan Irving! We hope you have a great day celebrating this new year of life.

4. SURF REPORT

- G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra Review

- Julie & Julia Review

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

You share your birthday with at least 9 million other people in the world.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

We can do anything we want as long as we stick to it long enough.
—Helen Keller

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: How do you make an egg laugh?
A: Tell it a yolk.

August 3, 2009

2009-08-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthdays
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Pool Parties
Cool down with a night at the pool, BBQ dinner, games & friend, all for free! Be with us this Wednesday (High School) & Thursday (Mid School) from 6-8:30pm.

Grub Camp
Hey there Mid School guys! If you are going to grub camp, make sure you check out this flier one more time and be here at 2:00 this Friday!

Summer Worship & Games Pictures
We had a great time last Wednesday: Some indoor fun, time spent worshiping God, and then some outdoor cooling down with water games. See the pictures below.

Read Through the Bible

Day	2 Samuel	Jeremiah	Romans
Tuesday, August 4	22	25	13-14
Wednesday, August 5	23	26	15-16
Thursday, August 6	24	27	Mark 1
Friday, August 7	1 Kings 1	28	2
Saturday, August 8	2	29	3
Sunday, August 9	3	30	4
Monday, August 10	4	31	5

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Listen You Rebels!

"So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, 'Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?' " (Numbers 20:9-10)

Moses sounds mad, angry, ticked off. He had been shepherding the Israelites around the wilderness for 40 years, and they never really seemed to stop questioning everything he did. God had made him their leader, but they almost always found a reason to doubt him -- and to doubt God. It probably didn't help that Moses' sister Miriam had just recently died.

So with the power of God in his hands in the form of that holy staff, Moses tells them off for a change, calling them rebels. His anger would be understandable, but he made a critical error. He allowed his feelings to derail his trust in God.

His first mistake seems to be that he's about to take credit for giving the people water, even though that's obviously something only God could do. Having taken their abuse and blame for the lack of water -- something beyond his control, as well -- he apparently wanted to take credit for giving them water (while pointing out that, as "rebels," they didn't deserve it).

Think: Has your justifiable anger over someone else's wrong actions or attitude ever caused you to sin, as well? Why does anger make us vulnerable to making foolish choices? What do you do to try to control your anger and keep from sinning?

Pray: Ask God to help you not to allow your anger to lead you into foolish and sinful choices.

Do: Read what Paul wrote about anger and sin in Ephesians 4:26-27.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to some wonderful people this week! Join us in wishing a happy birthday to Chelsea Etherington and Kevin Schoppe.

4. SURF REPORT

- Beenie Weenies - The Skit Guys

- Power Proverbs 11:12

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

The most common time for a bank robbery is Friday, between 9 and 11 a.m. The least likely time is Wednesday, between 3 and 6 p.m.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

Knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste.
—Lucille Ball

Act quickly, think slowly.
— Greek Proverb

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q. What kind of eggs does a wicked chicken lay?
A. A. Deviled Eggs

July 27, 2009

2009-07-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthdays
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Worship & Games
This Wednesday night, we invite you to the air conditioned building and the hot outdoors for a night of worship and games! Mid & High school join together Wednesday from 6-8pm and prepare to get wet! Frozen treats will be provided, so bring a friend!

Because of the worship & game night, there will be no Danger Zone on Thursday.

Pool Parties
Ready for a cool dip in a cool pool? Me too! Join us August 5 (High School) and August 6 (Mid School) from 6-8:30pm for a night at the pool. A BBQ dinner is included all for the price of free!

Grab the flier. Download a release form (if it's not already turned in, or one for your friend). Grab a friend and see you there!

Wild Waves
What an awesome time we had at Wild Waves! Check out the pictures here, and see the trip video below.

Read Through the Bible
Join in this week as we read a great portion of Romans!

Day	1 Samuel	Jeremiah	Romans
Tuesday, July 28	14	18	1-2
Wednesday, July 29	15	19	3-4
Thursday, July 30	16	20	5-6
Friday, July 31	17	21	7-8
Saturday, August 1	18	22	9
Sunday, August 2	19	23	10-11
Monday, August 3	20-21	24	12

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Which List Will You Make?

"Why did you bring the LORD's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!" (Numbers 20:4-5)

With no water to drink, people get scared. Unless something changes, they're about to die -- or, at the least, to suffer a huge economic loss when all the livestock die. It's hard to blame them for being frightened.

It's easy, though, to blame them for doing what we all so often do -- making the wrong list. When faced with a disaster -- or even just a lousy day -- we always have a choice about what list to make. On the one hand, we can make the "last straw" list in which we itemize how this new bad thing fits along with all the other bad things in our lives.

For example: "I've got no car. My mom is mad at me. I just flunked that English test. And now I get dumped! Great! That's the last straw, God. I give up!"

Or we can make the other list, the one where we remember how God has provided for us so often before. That's the list the Israelites chose to ignore at this point: "God has always provided water and food when we needed it. Our shoes have never worn out. As kids, we saw Him part the Red Sea to save us from the Egyptians! Our God is good. Let's ask Him for water again."

Think: When faced with something bad, which list do you usually start to make? How hard is it to stop thinking about one list and start thinking about the other?

Pray: Ask God to help you to remember how He has provided for you and proved His love for you, especially when the next thing goes wrong in your life.

Do: Make your own quick list of five examples of God's love and goodness in your life.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday to Jordan Lambert, Mitch Branen and Heather Grundy! This is your birthday song, it isn't very long. Hey!

4. SURF REPORT

- G-Force Review

- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

The average person will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the he/she graduates from high school.

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

Some are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same; and most mothers kiss and scold together.
—Pearl S. Buck

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.
— George Burns

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What country makes you shiver?
A: Chile.

July 20, 2009

2009-07-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Forgettable Fact
5. Potent Quotables
6. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Wild Waves & Danger Zone
Hey Mid school! Remember that there is no Danger Zone this Thursday because we are heading up to Wild Waves! Be at the church ready to leave at 8am. Check out the flier one last time to make sure you bring everything you need!

Grub Camp
Hey Mid school guys, the Grub Camp deadline is this Sunday (July 26). So check out the flier here and sign up!

Park It! Pictures
We had a great time last week at Summerlake Park. Check out these pics and click on them to download any that you want!

High School

Middle School

Read Through the Bible

Day	1 Samuel	Jeremiah	Matthew
Tuesday, July 21	6	11	22
Wednesday, July 22	7	12	23
Thursday, July 23	8-9	13	24
Friday, July 24	10	14	25
Saturday, July 25	11	15	26
Sunday, July 26	12	16	27
Monday, July 27	13	17	28

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Instant Message

"In [Christ Jesus our Lord] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." (Ephesians 3:12)

You can't just walk right up to the king. In many nations throughout history, to approach the king without being invited resulted in a quick and painful death. Only a few select people could come to the King without first being asked, maybe some family members and few trusted servants. Everyone else had to make an official request through someone else.

That's how it used to be with God, too. When He set up His official relationship with Israel, only representatives were allowed to come into His presence at a very specific time and place ”and very carefully” to ask His forgiveness for Israel's sins.

Jesus changed all that. He paid for the sin that stood between us and the Father. Those who trust in Christ have our sins forgiven completely. The result? No need for a middleman and the exact right words in the right order on the right day. Jesus gave us a pass to walk right into God's throne room to talk to Him at any time and for any reason. That's real freedom. Are you using yours?

Think: How would your relationship with God be different if you could not talk to Him directly? Would it be less personal? Less meaningful?

Pray: Thank God for the freedom and confidence to talk directly to Him at any time without fear.

Do: Use your freedom to approach God with confidence today.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. SURF REPORT

- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review

4. FORGETTABLE FACT

The flea can jump 350 times its body length, that is like a human jumping the length of a football field.

5. POTENT QUOTABLES

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
—Author Unknown

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

6. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

Q: What do you call a calf after it's six months old?
A: Seven months old.

July 13, 2009

2009-07-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

Contents

1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Birthdays
4. Surf Report
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Uh, That's Funny?

1. 180 NEWS

Fliers & Deadlines
Click on these links to download our fliers for the Summer:

Park It! - HS & MS Park nights @ Summerlake Park - July 15 & 16

MS Wild Waves - July 23 - Money due This Sunday

MS Guys Grub Camp - August 7-9

HS Rafting - August 12 - Money due This Sunday

Harlow Pictures & Video
Check out the pictures from Camp Harlow and don't forget to scroll down below for 6 videos from last week!

Video of the Week
Now that we're back from Harlow, Aaron feels like he's missing something. What could it be?

Read Through the Bible

Day	1 Samuel	Jeremiah	Matthew
Tuesday, July 14	28	4	15
Wednesday, July 15	29-30	5	16
Thursday, July 16	31	6	17
Friday, July 17	2 Samuel 1	7	18
Saturday, July 18	2	8	19
Sunday, July 19	3	9	20
Monday, July 20	4-5	10	21

2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Do As You'd Like Done

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

What a simple idea! I'm sure the religious leaders resisted this statement. Their power and authority came from being masters of the specifics: "How much am I required to give? How often am I required to forgive? How exactly must I wash my hands?"

Jesus moved past all the specifics to get to the point of the law. In another passage, He said the greatest commands were to love God (with everything) and love all of our neighbors as ourselves. Here it's even easier: Do what you'd like done to you.

How would you like someone to respond when you're being a jerk? What would you like someone to say when you've make a mistake? How when you like someone to notice when you've made an effort to look good? How would you want your friend to treat you when she's had a terrible day?

Jesus' golden rule is genius. Don't focus on the rules. Focus on being the person you'd like to have for a friend.

Think: Think back over the last week: Were there a couple of times when you did not "do to others what you would have had them do to you"? How could you handle that differently next time?

Pray: Ask God to help you to do to others what you would have them do to you.

Do: Ask a good friend or sibling how he or she would have liked to have been treated during your last fight.

**

A Daily Devotional from PlanetWisdom.com, copyright 2009 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission.

3. BIRTHDAYS

Happy birthday this week to Amy Van Slyke and Lucas Munger! We hope you have a great day!

4. SURF REPORT

- I Love You, Beth Cooper Review

- Booger Monster by The Skit Guys

5. FORGETTABLE FACT

The word "nerd" was first coined by Dr. Seuss in "If I Ran the Zoo."

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
—George Washington

Determine never to be idle...It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.
— Thomas Jefferson

7. UH, THAT'S FUNNY?

What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

Camp Harlow Update - Day 5

2009-07-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

And since it's the last day, we've got a special video for you from the Camp Harlow mini-club!

Camp Harlow Update - Day 4

2009-07-09T15:05:00.000-07:00

Check out our camp experience on Day 4 @ Camp. And I miss quoted the blog email address in the videos, so please write us at newsletter@180students.com

Thanks!

Camp Harlow Update - Day 3

2009-07-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

Camp Harlow Update - Day 2

2009-07-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Check out our latest Harlow update to see a bit of what we're doing and a chance to win some free music!

July 6, 2009

2009-07-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

Special Update from Camp Harlow!

Check out this video for all you need to know this week and hear from the Harlow team.

Check back later this week for other video updates from camp too!

High school: Fuel this week will meet directly at Summer Lake Park from 7-8:30. See you there!