so this is something i ran across a while ago when i was checking out some missions agencys. i think i found it on the teenmania web site...a while ago. hope you all like it...i thought it was pretty epic and way too cool to keep all to myself. :) - lindy
Today, I will live honorably through my thoughts, actions and speech. I choose to be full of faith; I will not only be a hearer, but a doer of the Word of God. I will serve before I demand, I will love and not hate, and I will give before I take. Today, I choose to make a difference in this world and to be a part of something bigger than myself. I choose to dedicate my life to prayer and ask God for his miraculous power and the courage to do the impossible. I will make Godly relatioships a priority in my life as I esteem others higher than myself. Today, I will live my life in such a way that I will Change the World.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
What's Your Favorite Worship Song?
What's your favorite worship song or songs and why? Post a comment below and let us know!
on being Jesus' chaucer.
hey there my fellow sell outs! it's lindy.
so the other day after our student leadership meeting (and that was really exciting and good!) i was home and just hanging out...didn't really have a lot to do... so i ended up popping in a kinghts tale. (i promise, this really is going somewhere! :D) so for those of you who don't know what this movie is about...really all you need to know is that every time a knight competes in his sport, an announcer comes out to introduce their knight to the crowd and gets them all excited and everything. that's all their job is...making sure that the crowd knows who their master is. but the main knight of this movie...well his anouncer, chuacer, takes this to a whole new level. he doesn't just do a simple one or two line intro. like "my lords and lady's it is my pleasure to give you sir..." and then they're done. psh...no. that's not good enough for chaucer's master, sir orich. he gives him a grand intro. something like "ladies and gentlemen...and everyone else NOT sitting on cushen. [reffering to the peasants] today, today, you find yourself equals. for you are all equally blessed to be in the presence of my lord. for it is my pleasure, my honor, nay my privolige to introduce you..." and he continues to go on for like PARAGRAPHS just like bragging about him. but he doesn't say one word about himself. it's all about the master.
so as i was waching this movie, somehow, this aspect of the movie reminded me of a chapter i read in a max lucado devotional called "it's not about me". the words in the first chapter rang in my mind...."when God looks at the center of the universe, he doesn't look at you...lesser orbs that's us. appriciated. valued. loved dearly. but cenrtal? essential? critical? nope. sorry. the world does not revolve around us. our comfort is not God's priority...we exist to make a big deal out of him." WOW. just like the anouncer's job in the movie...our one and only job is to make the name and work of Christ famous. we are loved. but we are NOT the centepiece. we are to tell everyone else about the centerpiece. but i want to be like chaucer and have the wisdom to see that no short, blah intro isn't enough for my LORD. what if we looked at that speech in terms of our faith and translated it to Christ? like "ladies and gentlemen. we are all equals here today. for the blood of Christ has covered all our sins equally. i give you the King of Kings, Lord and Creator of it all. The one All Poweful and Knowing One. the Redeemer, Lover, Friend and Resucer of all man kind....my Jesus..." i mean of course, needless to say, we're probably not going to walk down the streets or into work or whatever and make that grand announcment. but we can live our lives in such a way to let all our actions and love do all the talking for us. we can be living so that every action might as well be shouting that speech at the top of our lungs. and of course, we can look for and take chances to give verbal testimony to God and His work.
through God's power and in His name, i want to change the world. not just my city, state country, or continent...i mean WORLD. (see my note on facebook if you need any more explaination.) and i've been praying about what i can do to get this thing going. and all of a sudden it all came together. (crazy how God can even use a movie of all things...) i had an "ah-ha moment". i realized that when i find my place, and get my perspective on God and eternity - where it belongs - and LIVE that...THAT will change the world. when i humble myself and love, then choice by choice, minute by minute make concious efforts to put others before myself...that will get this revolution going. change begins when we remember that it's not about our dreams, feelings, lives or desires. it's about GOD. when we keep our job as God's announcers at the front of our hearts and minds and live that, that will bring about the change and hope of Christ that we so desprately need. this will look different for eveyone else. it may be something small like obeying a prompt from the Spirit to smile at a stranger. or it could be something as big as allowing God to raise you up into the next billy grahm. and then of course there's everything else in between that can have an impact on others. either way, the gates of hell are stormed and the Kingdom of God is advanced. the point is when we obey God, the possibilities are endless.
i'm so glad that i have you all as a family to share my passion and live life with. i'm blessed by you as a group and i thank God when i think of you....and i loose sleep like ryan after student leadership meetings. ;) ok...i'm out. hope you all have a good week and i look forward to monday.
-lindy
so the other day after our student leadership meeting (and that was really exciting and good!) i was home and just hanging out...didn't really have a lot to do... so i ended up popping in a kinghts tale. (i promise, this really is going somewhere! :D) so for those of you who don't know what this movie is about...really all you need to know is that every time a knight competes in his sport, an announcer comes out to introduce their knight to the crowd and gets them all excited and everything. that's all their job is...making sure that the crowd knows who their master is. but the main knight of this movie...well his anouncer, chuacer, takes this to a whole new level. he doesn't just do a simple one or two line intro. like "my lords and lady's it is my pleasure to give you sir..." and then they're done. psh...no. that's not good enough for chaucer's master, sir orich. he gives him a grand intro. something like "ladies and gentlemen...and everyone else NOT sitting on cushen. [reffering to the peasants] today, today, you find yourself equals. for you are all equally blessed to be in the presence of my lord. for it is my pleasure, my honor, nay my privolige to introduce you..." and he continues to go on for like PARAGRAPHS just like bragging about him. but he doesn't say one word about himself. it's all about the master.
so as i was waching this movie, somehow, this aspect of the movie reminded me of a chapter i read in a max lucado devotional called "it's not about me". the words in the first chapter rang in my mind...."when God looks at the center of the universe, he doesn't look at you...lesser orbs that's us. appriciated. valued. loved dearly. but cenrtal? essential? critical? nope. sorry. the world does not revolve around us. our comfort is not God's priority...we exist to make a big deal out of him." WOW. just like the anouncer's job in the movie...our one and only job is to make the name and work of Christ famous. we are loved. but we are NOT the centepiece. we are to tell everyone else about the centerpiece. but i want to be like chaucer and have the wisdom to see that no short, blah intro isn't enough for my LORD. what if we looked at that speech in terms of our faith and translated it to Christ? like "ladies and gentlemen. we are all equals here today. for the blood of Christ has covered all our sins equally. i give you the King of Kings, Lord and Creator of it all. The one All Poweful and Knowing One. the Redeemer, Lover, Friend and Resucer of all man kind....my Jesus..." i mean of course, needless to say, we're probably not going to walk down the streets or into work or whatever and make that grand announcment. but we can live our lives in such a way to let all our actions and love do all the talking for us. we can be living so that every action might as well be shouting that speech at the top of our lungs. and of course, we can look for and take chances to give verbal testimony to God and His work.
through God's power and in His name, i want to change the world. not just my city, state country, or continent...i mean WORLD. (see my note on facebook if you need any more explaination.) and i've been praying about what i can do to get this thing going. and all of a sudden it all came together. (crazy how God can even use a movie of all things...) i had an "ah-ha moment". i realized that when i find my place, and get my perspective on God and eternity - where it belongs - and LIVE that...THAT will change the world. when i humble myself and love, then choice by choice, minute by minute make concious efforts to put others before myself...that will get this revolution going. change begins when we remember that it's not about our dreams, feelings, lives or desires. it's about GOD. when we keep our job as God's announcers at the front of our hearts and minds and live that, that will bring about the change and hope of Christ that we so desprately need. this will look different for eveyone else. it may be something small like obeying a prompt from the Spirit to smile at a stranger. or it could be something as big as allowing God to raise you up into the next billy grahm. and then of course there's everything else in between that can have an impact on others. either way, the gates of hell are stormed and the Kingdom of God is advanced. the point is when we obey God, the possibilities are endless.
i'm so glad that i have you all as a family to share my passion and live life with. i'm blessed by you as a group and i thank God when i think of you....and i loose sleep like ryan after student leadership meetings. ;) ok...i'm out. hope you all have a good week and i look forward to monday.
-lindy
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sold Out Theme Song??
What's up Sell Outs?
I got to thinking today about the last song we sang last night at Sold Out, called "The Stand" by Hillsong United. We played that song for the first time yesterday, and to be honest, I was just intent on learning the song so we could play it. When I listened to it at work yesterday and when we practiced before group last night, I wasn't really focusing on the lyrics. All I had in mind was what I would be doing/playing at different points in the song. It was a powerful song, but I hadn't completely grasped the power of the words we sang until today.
Something Ryan said last night as we practiced stuck with me. He said that he loved this line of the song: "So I'll stand / With arms high and heart abandoned." That hit me today as I listened to the song again. And I began to focus on the lyrics. Right now, I honestly cannot think of a song which more prefectly describes our ministry in Sold Out (and Christianity, period, for that matter) than "The Stand."
I would encourage you to really pay attention to the words of the song (I included them below). I cannot wait to play this again because now I "get" the meaning of this song.
It can be our rallying cry, our defense for why we are doing what we are doing in this ministry. "All I am is Yours."
-Lee Clarkson
---------------
THE STAND - Hillsong United
You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand
You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours
I got to thinking today about the last song we sang last night at Sold Out, called "The Stand" by Hillsong United. We played that song for the first time yesterday, and to be honest, I was just intent on learning the song so we could play it. When I listened to it at work yesterday and when we practiced before group last night, I wasn't really focusing on the lyrics. All I had in mind was what I would be doing/playing at different points in the song. It was a powerful song, but I hadn't completely grasped the power of the words we sang until today.
Something Ryan said last night as we practiced stuck with me. He said that he loved this line of the song: "So I'll stand / With arms high and heart abandoned." That hit me today as I listened to the song again. And I began to focus on the lyrics. Right now, I honestly cannot think of a song which more prefectly describes our ministry in Sold Out (and Christianity, period, for that matter) than "The Stand."
I would encourage you to really pay attention to the words of the song (I included them below). I cannot wait to play this again because now I "get" the meaning of this song.
It can be our rallying cry, our defense for why we are doing what we are doing in this ministry. "All I am is Yours."
-Lee Clarkson
---------------
THE STAND - Hillsong United
You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand
You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand
So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You
So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Just a Suggestion for the future
Hey Yall,
I loved all the ideas that were brought up at the leadership meeting today. I think Sold Out is heading in an amazing direction, growing and changing every week, with God leading us every step of the way.
We mentioned a few things at the leadership meeting about serving. As Matt Keller and I have mentioned a few times (and I'm sure Ryan is REALLY sick of hearing about) I think it would be AWESOME getting Sold Out involved with helping out serving at an amazing place called 5 Rock Ranch. For those of you who don't know about it, It's a 107 acre ranch in Yamhill (so it's not too far away for a quick trip every now and then) that used to be a bustling dude ranch called the Flying M Ranch, which opened in 1971. It used to be a place where people got drunk all the time and I'm sure at least a few children were conceived (if you know what I mean). In other words, it was a place of sin. But, a couple of years after the ranch closed down, a REALLY nice couple named Scott and Christy Bradley bought the ranch and are in the process of converting it into a safe haven for fatherless children and single moms. Scott and Christy have always had a place in their hearts for fatherless children, having taken in and mentored dozens of them over the years. Over the past couple of years, I, along with the former Salem Alliance college group Ethos, have helped out several times at the ranch doing stuff like hauling fire wood and painting, and stuff like that, nothing really major. Mostly, it all about the fellowship. I can't describe how amazing it is chilling out at that beautiful place and getting to know all of the amazing, godly people who live and work there. Everybody at 5 Rock Ranch is like one big family. I would love to see Sold Out become part of that extended family sometime in the near future.
--Kevin Rodgers
I loved all the ideas that were brought up at the leadership meeting today. I think Sold Out is heading in an amazing direction, growing and changing every week, with God leading us every step of the way.
We mentioned a few things at the leadership meeting about serving. As Matt Keller and I have mentioned a few times (and I'm sure Ryan is REALLY sick of hearing about) I think it would be AWESOME getting Sold Out involved with helping out serving at an amazing place called 5 Rock Ranch. For those of you who don't know about it, It's a 107 acre ranch in Yamhill (so it's not too far away for a quick trip every now and then) that used to be a bustling dude ranch called the Flying M Ranch, which opened in 1971. It used to be a place where people got drunk all the time and I'm sure at least a few children were conceived (if you know what I mean). In other words, it was a place of sin. But, a couple of years after the ranch closed down, a REALLY nice couple named Scott and Christy Bradley bought the ranch and are in the process of converting it into a safe haven for fatherless children and single moms. Scott and Christy have always had a place in their hearts for fatherless children, having taken in and mentored dozens of them over the years. Over the past couple of years, I, along with the former Salem Alliance college group Ethos, have helped out several times at the ranch doing stuff like hauling fire wood and painting, and stuff like that, nothing really major. Mostly, it all about the fellowship. I can't describe how amazing it is chilling out at that beautiful place and getting to know all of the amazing, godly people who live and work there. Everybody at 5 Rock Ranch is like one big family. I would love to see Sold Out become part of that extended family sometime in the near future.
--Kevin Rodgers
maintaining that relationship
Hey everyone! It's Megan =) I thought I would take this chance to share with all of you what God has been laying on my heart lately. At the end of each day the past week or so I have been reflecting on how I spend my time. How much time did I spend in the word? How much time did I spend in prayer? How much time did I spend in fellowship that honored God? How much time did I spend listening to music that honored God? etc, etc, etc.
Lately I have become quite aware of how the things I see, hear, and talk about during the day affect my relationship and my closeness with my Savior. A few weeks ago Ryan talked about walking in the light. There is no light in the darkness, and if God is light I sure want to be in that light! Over the past week I have tried very hard to monitor what I'm watching on tv or what I'm listening to on the radio. I've tried not to listen to any secular music and it's incredible what a difference that has made for me. Why should that have been such a tough concept for me to grasp? Surround yourself with the things of God and you grow closer to Him. Incredible.
I think back to my time spent in Oaxaca over the summer. I longed to have the hunger to know Christ like they did. To worship like they did. To live like they did. As a group, we discussed that for the people of Oaxaca it comes more easily because they do not have much and rely on God for everything. Along with that, because they do not have much, they have less distractions and less to pull them away from God. I pray that God would help me to be satisfied with less. I pray that He would teach me to desire time in His word more than time in front of the tv. I pray that He would help me to give myself over to Him fully so that I may finally experience all that He has planned for me. I truly believe that all these distractions on earth are keeping me from experiencing the blessed life God wants me to have while I'm here. I want to give Him the chance to use me and move in me, but more than anything I want to know my God more.
I challenge you all to reflect on your relationship with God. We all get busy. We all get tired. But are you surrounding yourself with the things of God so that you may receive the blessings He has for you? I thank the Lord for Monday nights, so that I can come and meet with young adults much like myself who desire a closer relationship with Him. Thank you for your examples and thank you for your faith. Stay in the light this week!
- Megan
Lately I have become quite aware of how the things I see, hear, and talk about during the day affect my relationship and my closeness with my Savior. A few weeks ago Ryan talked about walking in the light. There is no light in the darkness, and if God is light I sure want to be in that light! Over the past week I have tried very hard to monitor what I'm watching on tv or what I'm listening to on the radio. I've tried not to listen to any secular music and it's incredible what a difference that has made for me. Why should that have been such a tough concept for me to grasp? Surround yourself with the things of God and you grow closer to Him. Incredible.
I think back to my time spent in Oaxaca over the summer. I longed to have the hunger to know Christ like they did. To worship like they did. To live like they did. As a group, we discussed that for the people of Oaxaca it comes more easily because they do not have much and rely on God for everything. Along with that, because they do not have much, they have less distractions and less to pull them away from God. I pray that God would help me to be satisfied with less. I pray that He would teach me to desire time in His word more than time in front of the tv. I pray that He would help me to give myself over to Him fully so that I may finally experience all that He has planned for me. I truly believe that all these distractions on earth are keeping me from experiencing the blessed life God wants me to have while I'm here. I want to give Him the chance to use me and move in me, but more than anything I want to know my God more.
I challenge you all to reflect on your relationship with God. We all get busy. We all get tired. But are you surrounding yourself with the things of God so that you may receive the blessings He has for you? I thank the Lord for Monday nights, so that I can come and meet with young adults much like myself who desire a closer relationship with Him. Thank you for your examples and thank you for your faith. Stay in the light this week!
- Megan
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Study verse of the day from 1 John
"If anyone claims, 'I am living in the light,' but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble."
1 John 2:9-10
In what way can you show love to a brother in sister in Christ today? An encouraging email, a phone call, helping them out with a project or something else?
Hatred or anger towards a brother or sister in Christ cannot exist in someone who is walking in the light. Allow God's love to live through you in your interaction with others, so that the world might know that Christ is in you.
1 John 2:9-10
In what way can you show love to a brother in sister in Christ today? An encouraging email, a phone call, helping them out with a project or something else?
Hatred or anger towards a brother or sister in Christ cannot exist in someone who is walking in the light. Allow God's love to live through you in your interaction with others, so that the world might know that Christ is in you.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Study verse of the day from 1 John
"Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment--to love one another--is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus LIVED the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining."
1 John 2:7-8
Are you walking as Jesus did and LIVING out this command, to love one another?
Are you actively listening and caring about the needs and thoughts of others?
Are you treating and seeing them with the eyes of Jesus?
Examine yourself and your relationships today and ask God's Spirit to shine light through your interactions with friends, family and co-workers today.
Check back tomorrow for the next two verses in preparation for our Monday night study.
1 John 2:7-8
Are you walking as Jesus did and LIVING out this command, to love one another?
Are you actively listening and caring about the needs and thoughts of others?
Are you treating and seeing them with the eyes of Jesus?
Examine yourself and your relationships today and ask God's Spirit to shine light through your interactions with friends, family and co-workers today.
Check back tomorrow for the next two verses in preparation for our Monday night study.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Lift-off to the blogosphere... Sold Out style
Hey everybody... Lee here.
I'm glad we have a blog set up because (1) it means we're super cool and with the times and (2) this will hopefully keep people in the loop about what's going on at Sold Out on Mondays and throughout the week. I'm looking forward to reading other's thoughts when they post, and I think it will be fun to post my thoughts on here as well.
Basically I just want to say that I love being there on Monday nights, seeing people, talking with them and just hanging out. Applebee's is always fun as well.
For me, one unique aspect of being at Sold Out is that I'm able to serve the Lord on stage in the worship band. This doesn't make me any more special at all... I feel honored and blessed to be up there. When I'm not worrying about messing up, I'm able to see out into the crowd (when I can actually see them in the dark, haha) and watch you guys worship. There are times when I am able to hear everyone singing OVER the drums and the music in my monitor. And, I have earplugs in! So it's gotta be pretty loud! I think it's awesome to hear and watch others really getting into worshiping the Lord.
One more thought about why Sold Out is really special to me. I helped out Paul Lopez on Sunday night by drumming for the high schoolers. As I was sitting and listening to Garrett speak before we played, there was a bit of talking and some were messing around. In fact, leaders are sitting amongst the students to prevent this and several times had to ask students to listen. I jokingly made the comment last night at Sold Out that I had forgotten how different high school group is from college group. This person said something that really stuck with me: the people here (at Sold Out) want to be here.
It's true. Most of us drive ourselves to the church Monday nights. If not, we ask for a ride. We want to be there. I think that's so awesome. Numbers will never matter because we are a close family that comes with the desire to learn from God's Word and sharpen each other just by hanging out and praying for one another. People from all over the area make the choice to come, even if it's a long drive away. To me, that is very cool and I’m excited to be a part of it.
I hope you share my excitement about the group. It is so cool to see how we are growing and becoming a closer family.
Plus, I can’t wait to wear my "I'm a sell out" shirt.
See you all later!
Lee Clarkson
I'm glad we have a blog set up because (1) it means we're super cool and with the times and (2) this will hopefully keep people in the loop about what's going on at Sold Out on Mondays and throughout the week. I'm looking forward to reading other's thoughts when they post, and I think it will be fun to post my thoughts on here as well.
Basically I just want to say that I love being there on Monday nights, seeing people, talking with them and just hanging out. Applebee's is always fun as well.
For me, one unique aspect of being at Sold Out is that I'm able to serve the Lord on stage in the worship band. This doesn't make me any more special at all... I feel honored and blessed to be up there. When I'm not worrying about messing up, I'm able to see out into the crowd (when I can actually see them in the dark, haha) and watch you guys worship. There are times when I am able to hear everyone singing OVER the drums and the music in my monitor. And, I have earplugs in! So it's gotta be pretty loud! I think it's awesome to hear and watch others really getting into worshiping the Lord.
One more thought about why Sold Out is really special to me. I helped out Paul Lopez on Sunday night by drumming for the high schoolers. As I was sitting and listening to Garrett speak before we played, there was a bit of talking and some were messing around. In fact, leaders are sitting amongst the students to prevent this and several times had to ask students to listen. I jokingly made the comment last night at Sold Out that I had forgotten how different high school group is from college group. This person said something that really stuck with me: the people here (at Sold Out) want to be here.
It's true. Most of us drive ourselves to the church Monday nights. If not, we ask for a ride. We want to be there. I think that's so awesome. Numbers will never matter because we are a close family that comes with the desire to learn from God's Word and sharpen each other just by hanging out and praying for one another. People from all over the area make the choice to come, even if it's a long drive away. To me, that is very cool and I’m excited to be a part of it.
I hope you share my excitement about the group. It is so cool to see how we are growing and becoming a closer family.
Plus, I can’t wait to wear my "I'm a sell out" shirt.
See you all later!
Lee Clarkson
What's In A Name?
Hey Everybody!
Welcome to the 'SOLD OUT' blog page. This is a page founded by the 'SOLD OUT' Ministry at salem evangelical church. A college/career ministry, 'SOLD OUT' is committed to living with 'no reserve, no retreat and no regret' in our relationships with Christ and with each other! We are committed to seeking to know the Truth and to walk in the Light.
This blog will give people in our ministry a chance to write and to share about their journey with Christ and to let you know what has been going on in our ministry. You can check this blogsite often, as we'll be posting hopefully daily and keeping you in the loop as to what is going on.
I love the Fall! Football, turning of the leaves, Tailgate parties, preparing for the holidays, school and just an exciting time to continue to grown and build relationships together.
It is going to be a great year and this blog will be a great chance to interact with each other (as well as through the facebook group: SOLD OUT and our website at www.salemec.com) and learn more about what it means to live a life that is SOLD OUT.
You can post comments, questions or ideas at the bottom of any post in the comment section and together we can start an amazing adventure.
So here we go...
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