Weekend Link-tastic!

Here's a list of several links, post, articles I came across this past week that I hope my inspire, motivate, or encourage you on your spiritual journey--enjoy!

How Do You Know If You're Ready To Start Dating?

How do you know when you are "ready" to start dating? from David C Cook on Vimeo.

New Blog To Check Out - Kreated To Kreate

Advent Devotional Series: Belief - @PurposeCity is posting some really good daily reflections on Advent, the preparing our hearts for Christmas.

Tweet of the Link - from @PurposeCity

"The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent" - Exodus 14:14 pic.twitter.com/wJFj1rwe3Z
— PurposeCity (@PurposeCity) November 13, 2014

Shoal Creek ParenTeen - 3 Ways To Make Your Time Matter More

So time is moving. And it’s moving faster than you think.

What does that mean for you as a parent? How can you make the most of the limited amount of time that you have with your kids? How can you make sure that time isn’t getting away from you?

I certainly don’t know the answer to all those questions. But here are three pretty practical ideas that might be helpful.

Head over to The Parent CUE to read what Kristen Ivy says about how to:

• Count It Down
• Mark It Up
• Measure It Out

In Our Own Words - Modern Day Reflections on the Bible

 What joy for those whose strength comes from the lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.

Psalm 84:5-6

What draws me to this passage is the bold promise it makes to turn our harsh environments into a source of replenishing joy, if we would seek to find our strength in him. For this promise to come true, however, I have to develop a working understanding of what it means to draw my strength from God, vs. myself or my circumstances.

This becomes easiest for me when I define strength as "the will to keep moving forward against resistance". By choosing to focus on God (setting my mind on a "pilgrimage to Jerusalem", i.e. "God"), his already completed works, and the works he promises to one day complete, I find that I have the creator of the universe on my side. Meditating on his power and favor gives me hope that things won't always feel as bad as they do. My mind and heart can conceive that the resistances I'm pushing against won't overwhelm or swallow me up.

Up shoots a sprout of joy from an internal, eternal hope that God is funneling his strength into my being. I find myself able to believe that God can, and will, really take care of me, even if my environment seems to be incredibly hostile to my well being. The growing sense of hope that God is looking out for me refreshes my soul and gives me more strength to keep walking. Environments that have traditionally produced tears have now been changed into places where the presence of God is palpable, and where his goodness washes over me and my circumstances.

Student Family Connection - 12/2 Edition

Whether you’re new to Shoal Creek, or have been in the loop for a while, here are several upcoming ways for your family to get or stay connected:

• Crash Christmas Party – Details here.
• Buya Girls Christmas Hangout – Details here.
• Buya Guys Christmas Hangout – Details here.

Here’s what’s available to students and how we communicate to student families weekly.

1. “Buya” program every Sunday, 9:30am and 11am in the Underground for all 6th-8th grade students.
2. “Crash” program every Sunday, 11am only, in the Attic for 9th-12th grade students.
3. Crash Small Groups meet on Wednesdays starting at 6:30pm and ending at 8:15pm in the Underground (come in through white door on back parking lot side).
4. Join the “Buya Parents” or the “Crash Parents” City groups if you want weekly info on upcoming events.

Wanting more information about what Shoal Creek offers for students that you don’t see here? Contact Justin Talley, or start following our Shoal Creek Students Twitter account—@SC3Students—to be connected with the latest happenings.

Student Families - Getting Connected at Shoal Creek

Whether you’re new to Shoal Creek, or have been in the loop for a while, here are several upcoming ways for your family to get or stay connected:

• All students, 6th-12th grade, are invited to go as a group on the opening weekend to see MOCKINGJAY Part 1. Justin has pre-bought a limited number of tickets. Please RSVP and read the directions for securing your ticket here.
• Crash Small Groups meet on Wednesdays starting at 6:30pm and ending at 8:15pm. Meet in the Underground (white door in back of church parking lot).

Here’s a rundown of what’s available to students at Shoal Creek, and how we communicate to student families throughout the week.

1. Every Sunday we offer a “BUYA” service in an area we call The Underground for the 6th-8th grade students. We cover the same topics as the adult services, but apply the concepts at a student-relevant level. Our Buya services are the same times as the adult services:  9:30am and 11:00am. Hope your student can come join us!
2. Every Sunday we offer a “CRASH” service in the Attic for the 9th-12th grade students that attend Shoal Creek. We will cover the same topics as the adult services, but apply the concepts at a high school-relevant level. Our Crash service is offered only at  the 11am service. Hope your high school student can join us!
3. On the City there are two parent groups that you can ask to join depending on what age group of student you have. If you have a “Buya” student (6th-8th grade), then search for the “Buya Parents” City group. If you have a “Crash” student (9th-12th), then search for the “Crash Parents” City group and ask to join. Justin Talley posts content about upcoming events, info, and relevant articles weekly.
4. Wanting any more information about what Shoal Creek offers for students? Contact Justin Talley, or start following our Shoal Creek Students Twitter account—@SC3Students—to be connected with the latest happenings. 
5. Email Justin.Talley@shoalcreek.org if you’d like to get his weekly Friday email that updates families on upcoming info/events.

Student Families and Getting Connected at Shoal Creek 11/4

Whether you’re new to Shoal Creek, or have been in the loop for a while, here are several upcoming ways for your family to get or stay connected:

• All students, 6th-12th grade, are invited to go as a group on the opening weekend to see MOCKINGJAY Part 1. Justin has pre-bought a limited number of tickets. Please RSVP and read the directions for securing your ticket here.
• Latest ParenTeen Post “Parent Interview with Kristen Ivy” can be read here.
• End Human Trafficking Event – Documentary showing of “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls” – Details Here
• Crash Small Groups meet on Wednesdays starting at 6:30pm and ending at 8:15pm. Meet in the Underground (white door in back of church parking lot).

Here’s a rundown of what’s available to students at Shoal Creek, and how we communicate to student families throughout the week.

1. Every Sunday we offer a “BUYA” service in an area we call The Underground for the 6th-8th grade students. We cover the same topics as the adult services, but apply the concepts at a student-relevant level. Our Buya services are the same times as the adult services:  9:30am and 11:00am. Hope your student can come join us!
2. Every Sunday we offer a “CRASH” service for the 9th-12th grade students that attend Shoal Creek. We will cover the same topics as the adult services, but apply the concepts at a high school-relevant level. Our Crash service is offered only at  the 11am service. Hope your high school student can join us!
3. On the City there are two parent groups that you can ask to join depending on what age group of student you have. If you have a “Buya” student (6th-8th grade), then search for the “Buya Parents” City group. If you have a “Crash” student (9th-12th), then search for the “Crash Parents” City group and ask to join. Justin Talley posts content about upcoming events, info, and relevant articles weekly.
4. Wanting any more information about what Shoal Creek offers for students? Contact Justin Talley, or start following our Shoal Creek Students Twitter account—@SC3Students—to be connected with the latest happenings. 
5. Email Justin.Talley@shoalcreek.org if you’d like to get his weekly Friday email that updates families on upcoming info/events.

Shoal Creek ParenTeen - Parent Interviews - Kristen Ivy

One of the best ways to learn is to reflect on someone else's experiences. Kristen Ivy is an executive director for "Orange", an organization committed to helping churches and families partner together in the spiritual development of children and students. She regularly blogs at "The Parent CUE" and has some great insight into living out real faith in real life.

Kristen shares from her own personal experiences and answers a few questions that we could all benefit from. Follow this link to find out what she has to say about...

1 - How do you make sure you’re the parent you want to be in the midst of your demanding job? 

2 - As part of the Orange team, I know you’re committed to families and churches partnering together in the spiritual formation of kids.  As a parent, how have you tried to support your own church’s children’s ministry?

3 - What has parenting taught you about yourself that you wouldn’t have learned otherwise?