30 Hour Famine

30 Hour Famine is this weekend don't forget to bring everything that is on your packing list. If you have any questions about the event call (740)655-2600 or email at regeneration@churcht.org

Sleeping at Last (Keep no Score)

Sleeping at Last is another one of those under appreciated bands that gets absolutely no credit. But today that all changes, yes Sleeping at Last, you will be raised to the top of the charts as all the millions of my blog readers do exactly as I say and go buy your album.

Back to reality now.

Keep no Score is only the bands second record to hit shelves since 2003. Let me just say, these guys are amazing. Many times people think that they have something fresh and new but it's really old and stale (sorry Nickleback) but Sleeping at Last really can make that claim and hold to it.

They truly are incomparable to any band that I have heard, similarities yes, comparability no!

Need I say more? Go buy they album and then you can tell everyone five years from now that you had been listening to them way before anyone else really was!

God Is Dead!

God is dead! Don't believe me? Come this Wednesday and see the evidence!

Wheat Thins=Perspective

Hey all! This is Meg. Nathaniel let me take over the blog this week, so I hope you enjoy.

I have been volunteering at a homeless shelter for the past couple of weeks for a college class and I wanted to share an experience that I had today while I was there. To preface the story, I need to admit a few things: A) Although I have a heart for working with the homeless, I was really dreading my time there because I am so "busy" wrapping up this semester at school. B) I was mad that the few days that I had to sleep in this semester were taken up by my time there and C) I thought about all of the things I could be doing instead of being there. Okay, so now that you all think that I am a selfish loser, let me continue. As soon as I arrived at the shelter on the first day, 5 homeless men immediatley welcomed me and made me feel at home as they explained what I could help with. As the day continued, I found that all of them had been abused, abandoned, addicted, and rejected in some way throughout their lives. Most of them had not seen their children in years, and all of them had steady paying jobs that were eliminated as a result of the horrible economy. As I began to develop freindhsips with these men, God started to remind me why I love going on the mission trip to Toronto every summer. I get so wrapped up in all of my "problems" that I lose the ability to focus on others and realize that I have the best life in the world. We become so comfortable with going to church and calling that our "christian walk" while there are people who need our help much more then the pew needs warming.

I want to challenge you to purposefully place yourself in the position to appreciate all of the things you take for granted and to help someone who has "real" problems. There are bigger things then not having as big of a texting plan as you want. There are even bigger things than not wearing the coolest brands or driving a nice car. As you lay in your bed this evening, remember that James, Richard, Lee, Dean, and Gary are crawling into their bunks at the homeless shelter hoping that life will turn around for them tomorrow. Don't feel bad for what you have, but keep in perspecive what you do not.

As I left the homeless shelter today, they insisted that I take a box of Wheat Thins with me from their pantry. Everything clicked for me at that moment. I realized the selfishness that I had when I dreaded helping them, and I also realized that I was more blessed by them than they were by me. God used them to put my life back into perspective for me. Take some time out to help people who have REAL problems. You have to make the time, and do things for others on purpose. Trust me, God will remind you what life is REALLY about and you will be so thankful. If anyone wants to volunteer at the homeless shelter with me sometime, let me know!

What you see is.....not what you get?

Lately I have had many conversations with people about entertainment; from music to movies to video games. And I believe that I have reached a partial conclusion to many questions that Christians have in regards to the entertainment that they choose to watch and listen to.

This will be scatterbrained but stay tuned..... "Again" I recently discovered that a "secular" artist signed to a "secular" label is a born-again Christian. I actually reviewed her album when it came out this last fall and gave it two thumbs up before knowing that she was a Christian. Why did I give it two thumbs up before knowing she was a Christian? Because the music was positive, possibly more positive than many Christian artist's music currently.

I have said this time and time again, but let me say it once more, just because something is labeled as being Christian doesn't mean that it is good, and just because something is labeled as secular doesn't mean it is bad. If we fall into this pattern of thinking we put people on a pedestal who don't deserve to be on one, and we take away the pedestal from someone who would use it for the better.

I recently had a conversation with someone who has a connection with the movie industry in Hollywood. During our conversation he said that Denzel Washington was one of the most vocal Christians in Hollywood. I'm sure your scratching your head too. How is that possible? The man has played in some really compromising films to date, how can he be a Christian?

We all have our weaknesses and maybe he is still trying to figure that out. I know that some of you are saying that if he is really a Christian he should quit what he is doing and only do family oriented films!?

Think about it like this; Megan and I play a game called for a MILLION dollars would you...... and most of the time they are things that we would in no way do normally, but since their is (imaginary) money involved we say "yes; duh". So realize that asking someone to leave everything they are use to may be a little bit hared than what it seems to be.

If something is good, and worthy of our attention and is beautiful let's keep it, the Bible says to. The Bible never commands us to only entertain Christian things but things that fit the criteria above. So lets not be to hasty to discredit something that shouldn't be. And lets not entertain what we shouldn't just because its cool.

Matthew Paul Turner

Matthew Paul Turner, author and speaker will be at Centerpoint on April 19th at 6pm.

Sign up for the even by email regeneration@churcht.org or sign up this Wednesday.

Matthew will be signing books after he is done speaking.

Space is limited so sign up today!

Remedy Drive (Daylight is Coming)

Remedy Drive has recently released its second full-length album that was "somewhat" anticipated by the bands rather small fan-base.

The group has not quite hit its stride as far as popularity goes, but they have found something worthwhile in their music.

Their single "Daylight is Coming" has been a rather big success for the band. Ever since they released their freshman album in 2006 the band has been somewhat of a let down for the vast majority of new music lovers (myself included). However, this new album is sure to impress even the most skeptical of listeners.

The band is not really anything incredibly unique or surprising, they do posses that good sound that you'll want to keep playing all night long though.

Check them out on itunes before you buy. Remember to make sure that you listen critically to every kind of music you listen no matter what the genre may be.