CANADA BBQ!

Hey everyone,

This thursday (Canada day) City youth is having a get together/bbq at trina's house. Its from 630-10pm. Evan will be at the church with the church van if anyone needs a ride. He will be leaving at 6pm so please be there a little earlier if you need a ride. Make sure to bring a toonie or in some form 2 dollars and maybe a lawn chair. The house address is 8513 bournce terrace.

Basically you drive down blanshard and get on the high way (your going to head towards the ferry terminal...) you take a left at Mt Newton Crossing. There is a white spot on your left and the McDonalds to your right. You take your first right on Central Saanich Rd. Drive all the way down the street and there will be houses at the end. Trina's house is on the right.

Have FUN!!!

Let's not start over..

Can you believe it? A full year has gone by and its the last night for city youth before the summer schedule kicks in. One year has past and so much has happened. All nighters, mini stick champions (which is still myself and Evan) milkshakes, History Maker, people being baptized, it has been a long ride. The best part about all of this, is its just the begining. It's just the begining for alot of things. It's a start for a new relationship with God for someone. A new friendship with someone from youth or a leader. It's really only the begining for city youth.

Now I hate! double hate! loath entirely!!! when you start something and have to start all over. Like say your on the big FB and your messaging someone or reply to whomever and you write this massive essay/novel of a response leave it for a bit and outta no where you don't know what you've done but within 8 seconds you've somehow managed to highlight the entire thing and delete it while trying to finish the last bite of your tasty PB and jelly sandwich. At first you don't even believe it you basically continue it and then it clicks that its all gone! Now this is kind of a lame example but the main point is, I hate having to start something over you've worked so hard at. Don't start over this summer.

Tonight Evan is speaking on courage. Why we need to be bold and full of courage. Have the courage to stick your faith out this summer. Me and Evan were talking recently about how long periods of time away from things can sometimes almost make you fall backwards. Don't fall backwards be strong and bold in your faith so that when september hits and City Youth is back and rolling, your not in the same place, you don't need a big conviction sermon and worship set to get you back in jesus shape, but come back at a new place. At a higher place, a place you are ready to grow even more. Come back to better than you were before.

Im not saying this just to the youth, or mids. This goes for everyone! Myself, the Leaders even Evan agrees, we all need to push this summer. So as a youth group, LETS NOT START OVER! Don't fear guys go out strong.... "The Lord is my light and salvation - whom shall I fear? The lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

Laura will post all the summer events that are happening in the next couple months. There are so many cool things going on PLEASE don't miss out guys. 

Loves
-Lukas

conGRADulations EVAN!

Evan, your youth pastor has graduated from UVIC this year. Make sure to give him a high five or boo yah when you see him!

A cool shot of Shawna and Mikhail as Shawna prepares to speak..

Prepare yourselves... its go time.

2nd POST! woot woot, just a quick heads up to the CITY YOUTH MIDS, next week is your last wednesday night. If your not there... your in trouble. Be there and enjoy it, its going to be special.

Tonight shaw-na na is preaching and talking about preparing yourselves for to grow spirtually during the summer. Last week we kinda touched on how the summer is full of distractions but in saying that, its totally a time to buckle down and grow.
Alot times we here from the pastor about "growing spirtually??" and I think its all different for everyone but for me its 3 simple things...

a)gaining more from the word. (Reading the good book)there is always more..
b)gaining faith - just being able to trust god more (A BIG PART OF THIS IS PRAYING! not just praying its nice out so you can hit up the beach and show your new swimsuit but diving into prayer!)
c)acting and making J-wow decisions

If I am learning and striving to do these things better.. Im going to grow spirtually. The cool part is, we all grow on different levels. Sometimes I feel like I'm not consuming much from the Bible. Even recently a friend gave me a verse to read that he was so jacked up on, like as excited as oprah gets when Tom Cruise is on her show."ITS OFFICAL THE GREATEST VERSE OF ALL TIME!" Then I'll read it and be like... umm yeah are you kidding? Were all going to grow in different ways, different speeds, different everything. It's supposed to be a personal relationship between you and the Big Guy, the key is were all striving to grow.

I really wish I had a sweet story or something uber funny to say guys. But this whole idea is soooo simple. Take advantage of the church and all your youth leaders, keep yourself consumed with the right people. Force yourself to read your bible even if its not your fav thing to do. Do what Jesus would do, learn to put things in Gods hands and guys, this summer you will be more amazed the I was when the chicago blackhawks won the stanley cup. Miricales do happen!! (sorry Garrett...)

There is so much to grab guys, check this verse out, I love it, It always helps me out, kicks me back into gear.. if it seems different its from "The Message" which is a paraphrase version of the bible that is less Shakespeare and more today.

Jeremiah 12" When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. 13-14" When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

Get serious, want it more than anything else guys.

Be Blessed
-Luke

Summer Time..

Welcome City Youthers! Anyone and everyone who is apart of city youth, attends, volunteers this is the new and official city youth blog. I'm so happy about doing this especially because it gives me a chance to continue communicating with all you guys even from my new home. This blog will be a little longer because its the first one and its got an introductory but i will post a blog up hear every week, ill try to keep it updated with topics close to the sermons Evan's preaching on but who knows! Please begin to follow this blog and talk to me if you like something, got something to say, anything. love you all,

god bless. Luke.

I love the summer. It brings nothing but joy to my heart. Maybe I just don't like snow very much cause I don't snowboard or anything but once June hits I'm ready for 30 degree weather everyday. The problem with summer is it can be too good. During the other 3 seasons usually your in school. You have commitments, homework, exams, sports, a big schedule that seems to always grow. But with summer a lot of it goes away and other than a summer job your basically just living the dream. No school stress, most sports teams are done, most of your commitments are just being at work from 9-5 and I find its harder to occupy time. For me growing up, summer time was great for doing things i know i wasn't supposed to do. Summer camping trips (not the kind with your mom and dad present) beach parties, whatever it was it was easy to get involved with. Summer time always presents itself with its difficult temptations. So many times we find ourselves in a situation where its like "how did i get here?" maybe... "that escalated quickly" OR "how long has that been there?" (that last one was just a quote from emperors new groove... fine motion picture..) and its times like these where its so easy to do something that's just not something J-wow would do. (J-WOW is Jesus, I will be using cool nicknames and such in all the blogs) check out 1 Corinthians 10: 13

"13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

That gets me pumped up. right off the bat its like, don't worry your not going to be faced with megatron chasing after you tonight. The temptation is common to all of us. i can breathe a little easier. PLUS! G-wow is faithful, he's always there and always supporting us WITH A WAY OUT! that last part is soo important. their is always a way out its our job to choose it. We know that Jesus is the most important thing worth living for and If he's blessing us with a way out. we gotsta take it.

The next time your in a sticky situation don't freak. KNOW that God is faithful, this is probably not the worst thing that has ever happened and KNOW that there is a way out.

god bless to all you guys.
-Luke