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?