McNuggets

Sorry this is a bit late. Last week we had a great time at FlipSide. I spoke about the importance of being real and staying true to what God created us for. I was able to illustrate the message using 2 pieces of chicken – one was processed and frozen, and the other was fresh and organic. After reading them the 38 ingredients that go into a McDonalds chicken McNugget and giving them a moment to get past the queasy feeling in their stomach, I got to the point. We were created with one purpose – to follow Christ. As we allow other ingredients from the world to make up who we are, we begin to compromise. I told the teens about a company in New Jersey called IFF, the International Fragrances and Flavor Company. They specialize in creating many of the flavors we enjoy at fast food restaurants. The process of preserving and adding to foods has a way of stripping the natural flavor from the foods thus creating a market for the IFF. I concluded my message by asking our young people what flavor they were – the flavor of God or the flavor of the world? The point was well received and 5 teens raised their hands to rededicate their lives. Yay God!!

We will soon be incorporating a new system for welcoming our first time visitors. We’ll be assembling an FS gift box that we will hand deliver to the home of each visitor who comes to FlipSide. I would like to have these boxes delivered during FlipSide so the visitor will find it on their doorstep when they get home that evening. To do this I will need your help. I’m looking for a handful of parents who would be willing to alternate months where they would be in charge of delivering these boxes. If you are interested please send me an email. Thanks in advance.

This coming Sunday, June 3rd is the final cutoff date to register your teen for The Call Nashville. Registration is $50. The second payment of $50 is also due this Sunday at the information desk.

ps. McNuggets have Butane in them.

Love you all,
Matthew

Night Crumbs

Ever have one of those nights where everything is going smooth until the last minute when things start to crumble? Yeah, me neither. Just kidding, I kinda had one last night. The crumbling often happens due to circumstances that are unavoidable, but that doesn’t lessen my tendency to freak out a little bit. I have the best staff and band members ever, yet as bionic as they are, life still happens. People get sick, stuck at work, stuck at home, etc… you get the point. I told some of the staff and band last night, as we prayed, that these are most often the nights when God shows up the strongest. The key is that we come to the table with a plan and God can take it from there.

The night went great! 38 teens showed up, the present staff filled in the gaps, Haley did acoustic worship with Velie on the drums and yours truly on a hand drum, and God made Himself at home. I grow less and less surprised at the little God needs to work with but willing hearts. I am learning early in the game to not fight the circumstances, but to find God in them. I am convinced we serve a faithful God who wants to show His presence more than we want Him to.



Don’t forget to register your teen for TheCall Nashville as soon as possible. The deposit is $50 due by Sunday, May 20th. In fact you can register HERE

Love you all,
Matthew

Ps. Feel free to email me (matthew@rockwilmington.com) and let me know if these blogs are helping :)

FS Parent Blog
5.3.07


Making History

Throughout the month of May I’m talking about giving God 100% and holding nothing back. Last night was a night to remember in FlipSide. I spoke about the Israelites defeat of Jericho and how difficult it must have been for a soldier to get up early each morning for a week and march around a city without seeing any daily results. I used Michael Jordan as an example of perseverance to illustrate what we can become if we pour 100% of ourselves into serving Christ. Their attention was more fixed last night than I had ever seen it and the majority stood at the end to make a decision to hold nothing back. The band came up to end the night with the song “BattleCry” and ended up playing 3 more songs at the teens request. It’s going to be an incredible month!!

FLIPSIDE IS GOING TO The Call Nashville!!! And we want everyone to go! We’re leaving July 6th and returning July 8th. The cost is only $150 (all inclusive). Check out this video.






Don’t forget this Saturday is Spring Cleaning at The ROCK. Please come and bring your teens to help clean up our FlipSide room from 9-12p. Thanks Ya’ll.