Impact HW Questions

At Impact last Wednesday, I spoke from 1 Tim. 4 on the parallels between physical training and  godliness.  Here's what the Apostle Paul told Timothy.

"...Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Growing in godliness is like physical training in two respects.  

1) You have to establish a clear training goal.  It's easy to toss up an occasional, generic prayer and then wonder why we're still struggling in a particular area of sin.  We shouldn't be surprised.  Athletes grow in skill by working on one element of their game at a time.  Godliness is no different.  We must set a specific goal.  

2) You have to get help from a coach.  No world-class athlete ever found success coaching themselves.  Athletes who improve are athletes who listen to their coaches.  Godliness is no different.  If you're a student, your parents are your coaches.  Listen to them, you'll grow in godliness.  Ignore their counsel, you won't.  It's that simple.  

I ended the meeting with two home work questions for all the students.

1) What's your goal in the pursuit of godliness?  What are you working on right now?

2) What advice is your coach (mom or dad) giving you to help you get there?

Impact guys & gals...be ready for a random HW check coming your way soon!  

Tonight's Impact meeting launched a new message series called "In God I Trust".  We're going to take the next couple months to learn how to trust God with the unique challenges of the middle school years.  

I opened the series with a message on trusting God with our physical bodies.  It's a topic I've been wanting to cover for several reasons.  First, most teens hit puberty during middle school and need to know how to think biblically about the changes they're experiencing.  Two, we live in a world actively trying to convince us that appearances matter most.  Three, we naturally relate to one another based on what we see on the outside.  

So why can we trust God with our bodies?  Because we know from the Bible (Ps. 139 & 1 Sam. 16) that God made all of us and our inside is what matters most.  

It's hard enough to trust God with a physically healthy body.  It's a whole different story when you're battling some kind of disability.  I recently read through a book by Krista Horning, Just the Way I Am: God's Good Design in Disability.  Joni Eareckson Tada write the forward, explaining how it's especially important for children with disabilities to know that "God genuinely cares...that he's in control...and he had something very special in mind when he created them."  If you struggle with a physical disability or know someone who does, check out Krista's book.  She writes with a compassion born of her own disabilities and experience of God, helping all of us trust a Heavenly Father who is sovereign, loving and wise.  It's an emotionally moving read and a helpful tool for teaching children without disabilities how to show the love of Christ to those who do.  

Blind Spots in Home Schooling

I recently read excerpts from this article by Reb Bradley at joshharris.com.  Whether or not you home school your children, Reb’s biblical insight into the temptations we all face as parents is provoking.  It’s a bit lengthy, but well worth your time.  

Frontline 2012 Super Bowl Party!

The Rogness family is hosting a party for the big game this Sunday night at 6pm.  If you're a high school student or a parent of one, this event is for you!  And for anyone who would rather not watch overgrown men collide repeatedly at high speeds, Rich & Anna have foosball, ping-pong, xbox and board games.  Dinner is provided, so come hungry.  Must I bring anything, you ask?  YES, price of admission is a contribution to the food stash.  Acceptable entries include chips, pretzels, veggies, smoked sausages, brownies, ice cream, root beer, cookies or mozzarella sticks.  This is a great opportunity to invite friends from school who might otherwise not come to a church event.  Questions?  Call 804-744-0365.  


Rich & Anna Rogness

2510 Chimney House Place
Midlothian VA 23112

LaserQuest!

Calling all Impact Families - save the date on December 28th -- as we'll gather at LaserQuest for a time of fun and (controlled) mayhem!  LaserQuest is located at 889 Research Road N Chesterfield, VA 23236  Phone: 378-0400.  More details to come.  (Contact Beth Webb at: wearewebb@verizon.net or 897-1256 for more information.)

Impact Service Project

Impact has a wonderful opportunity this Christmas season to help the students at Elijah House Academy have a Christmas party!  If you have a child in Impact, you should have received an email containing a link for an online sign-up form, which will help us coordinate the food requests.  (If you did not receive the email, please contact Beth Webb at:  wearewebb@verizon.net or 897-1256) or click here.)  Thank you for blessing others during this season - especially our brothers and sisters in Christ at Elijah House.  All donations need to be brought to Impact on Dec 14th.

Impact Cancelled Thanksgiving Week

Quick update...the Impact meeting for next Wednesday is cancelled since it's the day before Thanksgiving and I imagine many of you are either traveling or have family coming in town that night.  Enjoy the time off school!  I'll miss being with y'all.