Summer TUNE-UP

Summer. Such a great time to roll down the windows & pump up the jams. I've put together a little Summer playlist that NEEDS to go on your iPod. Check all these guys out & give them a listen on the playlist on your right.

1. Stellar Kart - Something Holy
2. Rapture Ruckus - Hold On
3. MIKESCHAIR - Keep Changing the World (Feat. Lecrae)
4. Satellites & Sirens - Anchor
5. Owl City - Tidal Wave
6. David Crowder Band - Oh, Happiness

Warning: This music will make you cooler. 

JV

"WHY Come to Camp" Video 1

BEING Light

We're always told to never worry about what others think of us. That we shouldn't care.

But should we really NOT care? I think we should. I think we should care about how people view us. How they think we live. What they think about the example & life we lead. I think other's perception of our ourselves only keeps us accountable to the life we should be living. 

John 12:9-11 tells us a little more about Lazarus. After Jesus had resurrected Lazarus from the dead, Lazarus was living the life. The life of becoming more like Christ. And because of the miracle & change in Lazarus' life, John tells us that many others were putting their faith in Jesus on account of Lazarus. People were coming to see Jesus & were believing in Him. But they were also believing in Jesus because of Lazarus & the life he was living. So much so that the chief priests were planning to kill him. 

That's an amazing challenge for us. Do others come to Christ on account of YOU? Do others believe in Christ because of the life we live? Can others see the life you live & the example you set & see Jesus?

1 John 1:7 tells us to walk in the light as Jesus is in the light. Do others see us in the Light? See us living like Christ? Or see us in the darkness? Living like the world? 

What do others think about you? It matters. Live in the Light of Jesus.

JV

UPdate

Hey everyone! So it's been quite a week. Took a quick 24-hour road trip to Texas to visit a dear family after the loss of a great friend on Tuesday, then ended up having an unplanned adventure on Thursday. So here's the skinny:

Thursday, the youth & I took on Pinnacle Mountain. And it was awesome! Had a great hike up, enjoyed the views & loved the fellowship. The only complaint was the heat. The heat index was near 108, so it was pretty hot. As we were sitting there at the top hanging out, I smelled smoke. Then another group at the top yelled for some water. Apparently a third party had shot off some fireworks & left a fire behind. In a mad dash, Scott Mead & I jumped down some rocks to a ledge below & stomped out a bush fire. Smokey the Bear would have been so proud.

Yet in the midst of the chaos, I missed a student who had decided to lay down in the shade of a tree to rest at the top. I called for everyone to hike on down to go to lunch & the resting student fell asleep. So at the bottom, I of course noticed I was missing one & just took action. Sent a pair of students up the normal trail & I decided to take the long trail just in case he got lost or off track. And man was that trail LONG.

The 2-man rescue crew found the missing student pretty quick. But I told the students I would meet them at the top, so I continued. I never made it to the top. In fact, I was slowing down pretty quick. I didn't take any water with me the second time around, & I was paying for it. After about 2 hours, I finally made it back to the bottom. But I was in terrible condition. My legs were completely cramped, I was nauseated, & was freezing in 108 heat. I was extremely dehydrated & suffering from heat exhaustion.

Turned out to be a long day. I threw up well over 20 times & couldn't even hold down water. I eventually made it to the hospital where I received 2 liters of IV & nursed back to health.

All in all, lessons were learned. Drink LOTS of water. Always have a BUDDY system. And just like the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus will always go out & look for us. He will always love us. He will always do whatever it takes to keep us in His flock. He loves & cares for us that much.

Thank you all for your prayers & thoughts. A special thanks to the Forsyth family, the Porterfield family, & the Williams' family. Thanks for taking care of me & making sure I was okay!

JV

Skillet Concert Saturday

Looks like we will be able to provide transportation for a few of you on Saturday to Magic Springs! We only have the 15 passenger van right now, so that's only a few of you that can go on the van.

BASICALLY, if your parents of friends can take you - GO. If you absolutely need a ride, just meet at NLBC at 2:00 PM on Saturday afternoon & we'll get you there! RIOT!

*First 15 to text me get a free ride. 479.381.7502. GO!

Summer Camp 2010

This summer we're heading down south to Texas for church camp! Hot Sauce! Here are the details:

• July 24 - July 30 --> we're heading down a day early to take in some Six Flags over Texas!
• $100 --> this is our target price for each student after fundraisers & prorated rates. 
• Speaker --> Scott Venable. Sound familiar? Yeah. He's my beast brother. 
• Band --> The KalebMoore Band. Up & coming group that leads unbelievable worship. 

Basically, clear your calendars. Cancel trips. Skip activities. Don't let anything stop you from coming to Camp at the Mount 2010! No excuses! 

Nothing will be as fun, more meaningful, more valuable or more eternal than spending that week with Jesus & your brothers & sisters in Christ. 

It's going to be an unbelievable camp & an unforgettable experience. Don't miss it for ANYTHING!

http://www.mtlebanoncamp.com/student_camp.html

JV

UPdate

Wowzers! It's been WAY too long!

May has truly been a crazy month. Tara wrapped up her first year of med school. We moved homes. We took a little trip with her family to Branson. And we're just now finally getting settled into our new home while preparing for summer at New Life.

But it's good to finally get back on here & update what's been going on! And I got a couple of updates to go along with the freshest post as well:

1. VBS --> starts Sunday night @ 6:00 PM & will occur every night through Wednesday night. Got some awesome stuff planned so be sure to come & kick it with us each night!
2. Summer Days --> will kick off the following week June 17th & will occur every Thursday throughout the summer. Got some sick activities together so be sure you're coming out every Thursday!

More info to come so STAY TUNED!

JV