what we are supposed to do!

Amos 5:21-24 (The Message)

"I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want.

I just recently came back from playing at a conference called "street invaders". Street invaders is straight up a big huge bible boot camp where you non-stop are being fed the word, spending time in prayer, or at a service. Unless your eating or sleeping you are diving into God. After a week of that you do a little missions trip. You team up with a city and their church and you go out into the city everyday, serving the people, ministering to them whatever you feel God want's you to do. A huge focus of it, is bringing life, hope and justice to those people who don't understand the true meaning of what those words are and have done.

Above is a scripture from Amos. Amos was a prophet in the old testament and what he says or what god prophecis through him is some pretty powerful stuff. "I'm sick of your fundraising scehmes.. public relations...image making.. noisy music." Wow. Think about it how many times we will go to church learn about Jesus everything he did and stood for and then just go on with our day. When Jesus was alive, he went out to the people, and not just any people, the homeless, the sick, prostitutes, people full of demons. Now trust me when I say we probably shouldn't be going around hanging with some of those people, but when you get a chance to give somebody hope, perform a just act, or speak into somebody's life to give them life. YOU TAKE IT!!!! That's honoring Jesus! We can listen to someone speak and clap our hands at church but God wants justice. He want's fairness in all the world guys! we are a downtown church, we have the ability and resources to meet with homeless outside our door. We literally have people who sleep at our doorstep every single night.

"Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want."

While we were on this trip we were walking down to the big RED ROBIN (woot woot) and at a cross walk who I highly doubt could touch her toes (although i don't know if I can..) dropped all her change right on the road and without instant, 3 guys of the band James, Benson, and Lane all rushed right to her. Like they could instantly tell she was in a panic and that to pick all the change up might take her till next christmas but something that simple that small they knew they could help. Help add some hope some joy and love in that womans heart. That's the love of Jesus guys. At that moment I could feel God just saying thats good, thats more like it. W

Were supposed to help people! As you go on your next week, see what kind of things you can do for other people. Email me the things that happen guys! I want to hear about the justice that your blessing the world with.

-Lukas
lbonnett_12@hotmail.com

FREEZIE TIME!

HEY YOU!

Its getting quite warm outside which means you need something to cool off with. We ALL need something to cool us off. Be at glad tidings church at 3PM. So you can be a blessing and hand out Freezies to people. It will be a fun time and im sure you can get a Freezie if you show up! SO, stop what your doing grab your friends, and get to GT for 3-6pm. Have a fun time everyone!

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