Photo shoot with the Milligan College Buffalo. #ccc

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We are row 4. #ccc

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Pancake Time. #ccc

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Get you skate on! #ccc

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Blazers Fun Zone with the Middle School! #ccc

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Details for the Tacky Sweater Christmas Party Tomorrow Night!

Can't wait to have fun with everyone tomorrow night at FUEL!  If you need some tacky sweater inspiration, check out http://www.myuglychristmassweater.com/

Taking Root,
Blake

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words: What's Yours Saying?

SnapChat is the newest, and scariest, photo sharing option

In an age where smart phones or wi-fi devices are practically an extension of our dominant hand, there's something that's starting to scare me.

Pictures.

Trust me, I'm as knee-deep in this stuff as you are.  What's not to love about online albums and instant sharing with family and friends.  Somewhere in this, we've forgotten an age old proverb that I fear is ringing true louder than ever.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.

Our pictures speak about who we are and what we value.  Sure, I can appreciate the artistic value and the need for someone to express themselves, but remember, your art is a reflection on the artist.

The Evolution of the Dangerous Photo

It didn't take people long to figure out that an online photo of someone at a drunken party or even with someone who had been to a party or making out, etc. was not a positive thing.  Despite the awkwardness of facing friends and family, several reminded us that employers were checking these things.

So it evolved.

Different programs (Facebook-->Twitter-->Instagram-->More!).  Hidden accounts.

Same pictures.  Same online permanence.

Teens quickly figured out sexting and an added layer of privacy was added to it.  Little do most sexters know that they are committing a punishable offense.  Telling that to a few slowed that down.

So it evolved.

Enter SnapChat.  This new app allows photos to be shared and in a matter of moments the image is deleted instantly.  Want to save a copy?  With minimal effort your photo can be snatched and then shared in whatever manner you'd like.  Their considerate though.  It notifies you if someone saved your picture.

I understand that much of it is innocent; however, I can't help but recognize the insanely high amount of temptation and power we are placing in young people's hands.

So What Do We Do?

With the rate at which technology is progressing and adapting, parents must give up trying to outlaw anything potentially dangerous.  If you build a wall, teens WILL figure out how to climb it.  But what we can do is have honest, hard, heart-shaping conversations.

Teens must understand what their self-taken photos or photos they end up in say about them.  They have to understand that technology can take away their right to define themselves.  They must be valued by you as parents so much that they aren't looking for value in the wrong places from the wrong people.

I guess a picture might say it best...

This Week's Wins

Man, I love December.  I enjoy the change of pace and variety that it brings to life.  7 is a Biblical number, so I'm bringing you 7 wins from the week that was.

1. Shopping with Santa
   From the excitement of Santa to the generous hearts of kids shopping for friends and family to the teens and adults who sacrificed their Saturday morning to make this happen... AWESOMENESS. Check out the cooks in the kitchen before everyone showed up!
   
2. Christmas Tree
   A Christmas tree with family ornaments?!?!? Really neat tradition here at CCC.  I was glad to share with my small group family since my family had another engagement!
   
3. Tiny Tunes
   Tiny Tunes are always cute, but you had to LOVE those little choir robes!  Great Job to Kari Jo and their small group leaders, Debbie and Jennifer!
   
4. The Action Bible
   Seth, our JH Guys small group leader on Sunday nights, was super generous and got each of his guys the Bible you see below.  (Click Here for Amazon Link!) The stories from this week of guys being inspired and diving into God's Word have been nothing short of miraculous!  If you have a young or pre-teen guy, I just made an awesome Christmas gift recommendation!
   
5. The Colts
   I can't hold back.. I'm beaming.  My Colts have surprised everyone, including me, and it's been a highlight of my week to see how Andrew Luck is going to pull his team to a victory.  It's inspiring.  For those who are interested in hearing this boy wonder do an interview, here he is on ESPN Radio this morning.
   
6. Worm!
   We got a TON of rain yesterday!  It brought the crazy creation you see pictured below into my garage this morning.  God makes some cool stuff!
   
7. FUEL Meme
   I had some fun last week with a fun meme site and thought I'd share what went out to the students on instagram last week.  I'm thinking Duck Dynasty this week..

Pancake Chefs!

Family Christmas Tree

Nothin' Cuter than a Tiny Tune!

A MUST-HAVE for your JH Guys!

GIANT Worm! Kate's finger shows you how big...

Taking Root,

Blake

These feet got famous @ FUEL! Congrats 2 Ann 4 getting 7 people 2 sign ur stinky feet! #ccc

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Fall Retreat Photo Gallery

Represent #ccc! #superstart

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Front row for the final session! Here we go! #superstart #ccc

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Dancin for tickets @ Chuck E Cheese! #superstart #ccc

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Here we go! #superstart #ccc

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Starting #superstart #ccc

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Fazoli's for dinner! #ccc #Superstart

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Stop by #ccc after the game this Friday! Eagles AND Cardinals are invited!

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This Week's Wins

What a great week to bring summer to a close and get ready for school!  ESPECIALLY during weeks like this that I'm reminded I LOVE MY CHURCH!  Here's 7 things that are super cool...

• Website - As part of our Rooted in God's Love initiative, we've launched an all new website!  Check it out at www.campbellsvillechristianchurch.com or use the links at the top of the blog.
  
• Tree - If you missed yesterday or didn't open your eyes when you walked through the foyer, there's a pretty large cherry tree in it.  AWESOME.  What's even cooler is that as a climax to the Rooted preaching series, we're going to plant that tree in Miller Park as a visual reminder of our desire to be Rooted in God's Love.  AWESOMER.  Baseball in the Spring + Blooming Cherry Tree = AWESOMEST.  I think I just made up words...
  
• Initiative - Have I mentioned Rooted in God's Love?  Yeah, GREAT stuff!  Get here the next few weeks and find out what it's all about.
  
• Seth Johnson - This guy continues to amaze me.  Cello, piano, video work, you name it and he has risen above the challenge!  With him I feel like you can always say, the best is yet to come.  Click on his name and friend him on facebook.
  
• Expedition Celebration - Always blessed to celebrate what God has done and is doing with his people!  Congrats to Kassie Miller and Brittany Speer, the champions of this year's Expedition!  In the near future I hope to get video footage from the summer available on the blog.  Here's a few pics from the night:

  

  Survivors 2012!
  A great group of seniors!

  

  Several members of this years Top 10!

  
  

  

  Jack & Kassie sabotaged each other.
  The Saboteur Award winners had to hug to signify a truce.

• Ms. Clora - Ms. Clora is a member of our congregation that is unable to attend church any longer.  I was so encouraged when I was handed this note from her this morning written to a group of students who went and visited her:
  
  Thank you for coming to see me and please come back! - Ms. Campbell
  
  I still don't know who it was, but I'm proud of you!  AWESOME WIN!
  
• KidServe Celebration - Our children keep amazing me!  When given the choice at celebration night this past week to buy toys with their tickets or donate them to Blood:Water Mission, they gave!  To the tune of $180!  It was awesome to see their generosity kick in!  We are still tallying final numbers to see how many African people will receive water because of our children's efforts!  As a result of these efforts, I'M GOING BALD!  On August 15 at the end of ROOT 252 (Our new Wednesday night Children's Program) I will be shaving my head!  Kids, don't miss it!

Expedition: Final Results!

Me laughing at you because you thought I was going to tell you!

Made ya look!

These won't be revealed until Sunday night!

Taking Root,
Blake

This Week's Wins

What a week!  The summer is coming to a close and we had lots of great stuff going on!!

• KidServe had their last regular meeting and I snuck in to get this shot of one of the coolest craft ideas ever! Loved these Compassion Containers and the way they push our kids to love on others.  Parents are invited this coming Wednesday at 6:00 as we celebrate, finish up raising fund for Blood:Water Mission, and talk about our new programs for the fall!

• I am really sad that I don't have pictures from the wormfest at the last night of Expedition!  It was a really fun night and we ended our theme of Man vs. World with the devotional theme of Fakers Make Fake Followers.  We'll celebrate this, too, next Sunday night at 6:30 pm in the FLC.  Families are invited, nursery provided.
  
• Still being somewhat new, yesterday was my first chance to meet John Matthews.  I was blessed to hear about his ministry and his heart for reaching people for Jesus!  If you would like more information on how you can support his ministry, please contact the church office.
  
• I am looking forward to several WINS in the future that result from our Rooted in God's Love initiative!  Book out your Sundays in August because you do NOT want to miss what this has to offer to you and your family.

Taking Root,

Blake