Westheights Student Ministries

WANTED:: Volleyball Tournament Pictures!

If anyone has any good pictures from the volleyball tournament, we'd like to get some!  Let us know via facebook or in an email ([email protected]).  Thanks!!

CHALLENGE 26:: Be a Care Bear

Often people can go through life going weeks without hearing that someone cares about them.  They can think they're worthless, unneeded or just plain stupid.  If you've ever felt that way, you know how powerful it can be for someone to genuinely tell you how awesome they think you are.

CHALLENGE 25:: Dream A Little Dream of Me

To dream about the future seems dorky.  But our dreams can motivate us, challenge us and keep us from accepting things for just being the way they are.  Your challange for today is to write down 5 things that would describe your life in the future.  Try and think not only of what you want, but who you think God wants you to be.  Try and be as specific as possible.

Once your done, take your list and put it somewhere you'll see it regularly.  That way, you'll keep in front of you the things you are dreaming of.

CHALLENGE 24:: Learn From Someone with Life Experience

It's important to have the humility to recognize that we have a lot to learn.  The more time I spend with people who are older than me, the more I realize how much there is left for me to see and do in my life.  It's inspiring!

CHALLENGE 23:: Are You Ready to Rock?

One of the best ways to experience God is through music.  Today's challenge is a simple one:  pick your favorite song (as long as its not this) and rock out in private.  That way you won't have to worry about anyone looking.  Think about what it's like to enjoy just letting loose and remember that God wants you to enjoy life to the fullest.  My favorite song right now is Magnificent off of U2's latest CD, No Line On the Horizon.   It's the best non-worship worship song I've heard in years.

CHALLENGE 20:: Shhhh...

Silence is golden.  For centuries, Christians of all backgrounds and creeds have known that God isn't often in the crazy noise or loud moments, but in the whisper of a quiet moment. 

CHALLENGE 19:: Brothers of Mine

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"
Matthew 25:40

CHALLENGE 18:: I Heart Me

As it says in Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

You are amazing and wonderful and fantastic and beautiful!  You are made in the image of a wonderful God!  Everyone has areas where we can grow, everyone has faults... but God has great love for you because you are lovable.  Make a list of ten things you like about yourself.

CHALLENGE 17:: Forgiveness

Is there someone you have had a falling out with?  Someone you used to be friends with, but something got in the way?

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18: 21-35

Jesus calls us to forgive people even if we think they don't deserve it.  See if you can reconcile a lost friendship!

CHALLENGE 16:: Prayer For the Hurting

There are a lot of people out there who are in a lot of pain.  Take some time today to pray for those who are hurting.  Pray that they would not feel abandoned by God in their time of need, but that they would instead feel comforted by his love.

CHALLENGE 15:: HELP!

This one pretty simple to understand but hard to do.  Find someone (anyone) who could use a hand and ask them if you can help them.  Help an old-lady/gent cross the road.  Ask someone randomly at the grocery store to carry their food to the car.  Stop one in the hallway and ask to carry their backpack to class.

CHALLENGE 14:: You Are What You Buy?

What would Jesus buy?  Would he buy an American Eagle hoodie that was made in a sweatshop? Would he buy a squash from Honduras with a massive carbon footprint?  What about Tim Hortons coffee? Would he say it's okay to spend money on a Playstation or an iPod when there are so many of our neighbours across the world and in our own backyards with so little?

These are very complicated questions without easy answers.  Without beating yourself up for every purchase you have ever made (it becomes a slippery slope of self-loathing... something which God doesn't want!) promise yourself to REALLY THINK about everything you buy from now on.  

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I need this?

Why is this important to me?  Does it in any way help to build the Kingdom of God?  Does it help build relationships?

What impact does this have on the environment?

Is what I'm buying supporting a system that oppresses people?  Is what I'm buying helping to liberate people from negative systems?

CHALLENGE 13:: Art Attack

You guys are probably way too young to remember the show that inspired the subject line of this challenge, but that doesn't mean you can't learn from it.  People of my generation (i.e. only several years older than you) were often inspired by Neil, the host of Art Attack, as we'd watch him make a kid-size briefcase out of a kleenex box or a puppet out of a "loo roll" (he's British...).

While Nel's show might just as well have been called Craft Attack (at what point does a loo roll puppet become art?  That's another discussion for another day) and whether he knew it or not, he was plugging kids all over the globe into the creative urges that come from being made in the image of a creative God.

Your challenge for today is to have your own art attack!  Create something... anything!  Embrace your inner kid and put together a craft to do with your little sister, or get out the paints and create a scene where you have seen God at work to remind and inspire you.  Not big into crafts?  Be creative in the kitchen and use your culinary skills to wow your parents! 

Need more inspiration?  CLICK HERE to help you get those creative juices flowing (and relive my childhood along with me).

CHALLENGE 12:: HAPPY EASTER!

We've been talking a lot on Wednesdays about "living the resurrection life". Today is a great day to make a plan:  how will you be a part of God's Creation being redeemed?  Make a list.  Think about the three categories we discussed from N. T. Wright's book:  beauty, justice and truth (evangelism).

Be excited!  Our Redeemer lives!

CHALLENGE 11:: Just Dance

Maybe you say you like to dance, maybe you don't.  If you say you don't.... I don't believe you.  What you mean is you don't like to dance when people are watching.

Take some time and read 2 Samuel 6 which includes David dancing before the Lord.  Then crank up some music (if you prefer, when you are alone) and dance before the Lord yourself!

One of my favourite ways to dance is to dance along with Paul Eugene and his Gospel Praise Aerobics! Shake it along with Paul and bask in the cheesy glory of it all... 

As DJ Kubiks would say, "Let's get sweaty for Jesus!"

CHALLENGES 5-8:: Because we're slow, okay?!

We've obviously gotten behind in posting challenges.  So - because the idea of being behind practically gives me hives - why don't we catch up right now?!

What goes on on Wednesday nights?

CHALLENGE 4:: It's a Beautiful Day (a little U2 reference for Tom)

When you think of God's grandeur expressed in Creation, chances are images like the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls pop into your head first... but what about the little things?  

Matthew 10:29 says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father."  This passage is intended to show that since God cares about little things like sparrows, he obviously cares for us - people made in God's own image.  What we also can't ignore is the message that God cares about little things like sparrows!

Take a look out your window (or better yet, go for a walk!) and make a list of ten things that reveal God's beauty to you.  Even if you are not a nature freak like me, you can't deny the awesomeness of a tree, for example.  You show me any tree... and I'll show you something beautiful!  Where else do you see beauty, right outside your own home?

CHALLENGE 3:: Bubble Burst

So often we get caught up in what we know.  It can be hard to remove our blinders and look outside of what we are comfortable with - new foods, new experiences and even new people.

Jesus, on the other hand, was quick to reach out to those who would have been outside of the comfort zone of others.  In Mark 1:40-42, for example, Jesus touches a man with leprosy and heals him.  Doing so would have been a big risk!  Jesus' compassion for the leper was larger than his fear of being judged.

CHALLENGE 2:: Love Letter

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

Open a new document on your computer, track down your favourite journal or just find a scrap of paper. Write a letter to God to let him know just how awesome you think he is.

CHALLENGE 1:: Post-It

Take a Post-It (or a scrap of paper with a shred of tape) and write something on it that reminds you of God's neverending  love for you.  This can be:

"God loves you."
"Jesus thinks you're sweet."
"Who Has Two Thumbs and Loves You? Jesus does."

sr. high service project:: sat. feb. 21st, 2009

We're meeting at Country Hills, don't come to Westheights (well, come other times, just not this Saturday morning).