Fear -- a byproduct of love

Music is a powerful tool for expressing one's emotions. I wish that I could write music, but that is not something God has gifted me with. Instead, I can take other people's words put into song and stake a claim to them.

The song that played at the end of Sold Out last night is a great song by Audio Adrenaline. The lyrics are below. I can relate because there are so many times where I feel that I'm not worthy to be in God's presence. There is a fear that prevents me from being with God sometimes - it's like I can't be with Him because of mistakes I've made. What's crazy to me is that despite all that, He still wants to be with me. He invites me to be with Him.

To me, fearing God means there is a reverence. I feel that we should obey God out of that healthy fear, which is a byproduct of love.

Hope to see you this weekend at the retreat.

Stay Sold Out,
Lee

"Tremble" Audio Adrenaline

Shaking like a leaf
Afraid to life my eyes
Afraid of all your glory
Ashamed of all my pride
Then you call me in
To your holy place
I fall down
Down on my face
And I beckon you for mercy
And I beckon you to forgive everything that I've ever done
And I tremble
And I tremble

I am just a man
Showered in your grace
You're the holy god
Your glory fills this place
And I beckon you for mercy
And I beckon you to forgive everything I've ever done
And I tremble
I tremble

Summer Mission informational meeting

Hey Everybody,

Just wanted to let you know that will be having our first informational meeting on our Summer mission trip this Monday night, January 12th, at 8:30pm in the Activity Center.

The meeting will last one half hour and we will reveal the location of our trip and talk about the information we have to this point.

Hope to see you there, as you prayerfully consider being a part of this amazing adventure.

In Christ,
Ryan

Service Night/Bible Study Cancelled!

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to let you know that due to inclement weather, our pastoral staff has decided to cancel all events for Monday, Dec. 15th. This includes our scheduled service night. We will reschedule for January sometime. Our next bible study will be January 5th. Have a great holiday season!!! Drive safe.

In Christ,
SOLD OUT staff

Monday Night....A Chance To Serve

Hey Sell Outs,

Just wanted to let any of you interested know about our Service Night on Monday night. Instead of the normal Monday night bible study, we're going to put our faith into action and go into our community and make a difference.

Together we are going to serve in various ares in Salem and impact others around this holiday season. Your fellow Sell Outs have chosen three 'service projects' that YOU can be a part of on Monday night. We'll still feed you pizza and maybe some cookies and drinks afterwards. The three service projects will be:

-serving free hot chocolate and cider at the the Salem Bus Transit Mall
-visiting Avamere assisted living home to encourage and sing carols to residents there.
-a prayer walk around Salem Evangelical Church, praying for staff and kids.

Come and bring friends that are interested in serving and together, we'll be the hands and feet of Christ, making a difference through His love and Spirit.

We'll meet at the church at 6:00pm and be done close to 8:00pm. Hope to see you there.

In Christ,
Ryan

Life Before Life: Where is Home?

Yo Sell Outs, Kevin Rodgers here again,

At work, I usually listen to the christian music I have packed on my iPhone, and today was no different. But today I was struck with an idea when I heard some song lyrics. I can't recall the exact lyrics, but, as in a few other songs in my collection, they dealt with "going BACK to Him". It was then I thought of this idea: Did we exist in Heaven before being born on Earth? I'd like to think so. If so, It's no wonder why we're burning with a desire to return to Him. To return to the "pearly gates" if you will. There's no doubt that Heaven is our TRUE home. We're just stopping by on Earth for a quick visit, so it's important to spend this quick little blip of time glorifying God and spreading his word ensure God leaves the key under the mat.

I can't help but think about back when Pastor Randy was leading the Monday night group when he would talk sometimes about just how AWESOME Heaven is going to be. So no matter what happens in this CRAZY economy, remember, our TRUE home awaits us.

Will you jump?

Hey guys! It's Michelle. So I've never done this before, but Ryan's been asking me to write something, so i thought i would give it shot. Plus, i don't want to study for finals anymore:)

As Megan mentioned earlier, some of us ladies are reading a book right now titled "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World". It has been so good to dig deeper into these two ladies and their interaction with Jesus. It has definitely opened up my eyes to some things. This last chapter it talked about taking the leap into God's love. This really sparked a thought for me that I've been pondering every sense. I've always known God as my Savior. It's not hard for me to admit that I need one, that I've sinned and fallen short many times. What I do struggle with is surrendering. I don't like giving up control because it's so unknown. Being someone who frequently struggles with fear and anxiety the unknown is a pretty scary thing; and someone asking me to give up every ounce of control, well that's beyond frightening.

But that's what calling Jesus, "Lord", is all about. He's calling us, more personally me, to completely surrender and let Him be Lord of our lives.

That's what it means to be "Sold Out." it's kinda hard to be sold out when you haven't yet named Him Lord in your life. The author proposes a question from Jesus, "Will you give me your all?"
Total abandonment was what he demanded, and nothing less. I have to admit I'm scared to make that jump. But I know that he's like a Father waiting in the swimming pool for his little child to jump in for the first time. As the little one stands on the edge scared and trembling, His arms are open wide, waiting to catch you so you don't go under, gently saying "Jump, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere" and when we do, He's there, ready to catch us and ready to take control of our lives and send us on an adventure we NEVER could have planned ourselves. The journey He has for us is beyond our comprehension, but we have to surrender to it first.

It's an every day decision I have to make. Will I jump? honestly there's some days I don't, I hold so tightly to my plans because I'm so afraid of the unknown. But there's days that I do, and it's the most amazing feeling, knowing that you don't have to be in control! that the Lord will take care of me and everything that needs to get done, I just have to let Him.

So, what's the point of all this? I don't really know, I just felt like writing something, and this has been something on my heart a lot lately. However, I do challenge you to ask yourself the tough questions... is He your Lord? and as he gently asks you, "Will you give me your all?" will you jump into his arms and surrender?

A great weekend

Hey Sell Outs, Lee here. Just wanted to reflect a bit on this past weekend. I helped out with several other guys from Sold Out at the SEC high school guys purity retreat at Drift Creek Lodge. I believe we had 8 or 9 guys that helped out, cooking and serving food. It was a great weekend.

Several girls from Sold Out helped out at the female version of the retreat in Milwaukee...post some stories here!

I'm obviously speaking from the guys' retreat perspective and I'm sure there are some great stories from the girl's retreat. It was just great to be an example and serve the high schoolers as they encountered a very important retreat, which hit on huge topics. Us Sell Outs had a great time as well, spending time in our own group during small group times and while cooking food and serving the students.

For me, this weekend solidified the notion I have believed about this Sold Out ministry since around April or May -- we are a family. In our small group times this weekend, we emphasized the importance of being transparent (that is, being open and honest about what's going on in our lives so that others can listen, help and encourage). It's huge... if something is going on in your life, it is easy to fall into the trap of isolation and seclusion where no one knows what you are dealing with. However, with encouragement from our brothers and sisters (and ultimately with the help of God and His Spirit), we can overcome the difficulties life dishes out.

And I'll be honest, the retreat -- even though I'm not in high school -- was a good reminder for me. I learned things right alongside the high school students. It was great to serve them and attempt to bridge any gap that may exist between the high schoolers and college-age kids at our church. I played the box along with Kory on the guitar for some small worship sessions and it was truly awesome to hear the praises being raised from the group. I got goosebumps because it was so powerful.

It was fun trying to keep from burning food and somehow screwing up canned soup. I found a flower-covered apron to ensure I looked like a legit cook. We laughed and had a great time. I debated on whether or not I should go all the way up until last Thursday, but I listened to the Holy Spirit, who was nudging me to go. I'm glad I decided to go.

Be reminded, brothers and sisters, that we are a family in God's church, and especially in our small Sold Out ministry. Be there for one another and we can keep growing strong in the Lord TOGETHER. See ya tonight.