Thursday, August 20, 2009

Tuesday's Notes

Hey guys! I had an awesome time with you all the other night! The LORD really showed up, and I was glad that you were engaged, enthusiastic and open to the moving of His Holy Spirit. I really feel that we crossed the "line" and are not going back! I wanted to pass on my notes from Tuesday to reinforce what the LORD is doing in our group in the hopes that you may continue to study these scriptures and shift your focus to this new track GOD has us on.

If you missed Soul Pardon this past Tuesday, I want to really encourage you to come next week. You do not want to miss out on what GOD has for us! I am so excited to see where He's leading us!

Notes from August 18, 2009:

Begin by reading excerpts from John 1-3. (1:1-5, 9-14, 16-18, 35-51, 3:1-35)

Decathlon :: long jump, high jump, discus, shot put, javelin, 100 meter, 400 meter, 1500 meter, 110 hurdles, pole vault

Describe what someone would need to have to race in a decathlon.(Endurance, training in many events, strength, perseverance, motivation, healthy habits: food/exercise/lifestyle, encouragement, proper equipment (discus, javelin, etc.), proper attire, etc.)

Would you be able to compete in a decathlon today? Why/why not?

Is competing in a decathlon rewarding and even fun for the competitors?

Is it hard work and even sometimes painful? Is the hard work and pain worth it in the end? Why/why not?

Have you ever trained for something? How did you do? Does the amount of time/effort/energy you spend on something reflect in your performance and overall satisfaction in the experience?

How about when you just did it because someone made you?

How is a decathlon like our walk with God?

What does a Christian need to run the race with Christ? How can we energize and strengthen our spirits to run and even fly with Christ?

Transition to worship/contending prayer. (Read Heb. 12:1-3, 1 Cor. 9:24-27, Is. 40:28-31)

Where are you on that race? Are you leading the pack? Watching from the bleachers? Are you in the place that God has called you to for this season in your life? Do you know what God has in store for you in the coming year? Let's find out:

On your own, ask the Lord:
1) What is ONE THING that You are doing in my school/work/home this year?
2) Who do You want me to lift up in prayer right now? What do You want to show them/impart to them?
3) God, what is on Your heart right now? What do You want me to be praying for right now?
4) What is Your heart for my generation?
5) God, what do You dream about? What dreams do You want to show me? What is Your dream for my life?

Share His responses.

We have a responsibility as followers of Christ to lift up our world to God. Let's take time to pray right now in groups of 3 for:
-Our schools/jobs (by name)
-Our families (by name)
-Our generation
-Our nation
-Our president

Homework:
1) Who are your elected officials? What are the current issues being presented in Congress that concern our nation?
2) Continue to ask God the questions from earlier. Begin praying throughout your day for those around You. Imagine if your whole school was saved! What would that look like? You have the influence to help that dream take shape!

Can't wait to hear how your week is going!
Kate

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

July News

First Friday @ the Podjan's & Fireworks in Niles!
Meet at Matt & Kate's @ 4:30 for food and fun and then we'll carpool to Niles to watch the fireworks and hang out with our church family!

Jesus Culture
There are still a few spots left in Kate's van for the Jesus Culture conference in August. Get your registration completed and sign up for a ride ASAP! The next 3 people who sign up will receive a FREE Jesus Culture CD!

SP Band News—IMPORTANT!!!
If you are currently in the bad or would like to join, there will be a MANDATORY meeting for all band members and their parents on Thursday, July 23 from 8-9 p.m. at the Podjan's house. If you (and a parent) do not come to this meeting, you will be ineligible to be in the band.
Also, the next band practice is scheduled for July 18 from 9:30-noon at the Worship & Ministry Center.

Tuesday Night Bible Study

Fools 4 Christ (6th-8th Grade)
Leaders: Matthew Podjan & Jamie Solloway

July 7 Daniel 5-6
July 14 Daniel 7-8
July 21 Daniel 9-10
July 28 Daniel 11-12

The Revolution (9th-12th Grade)
Leaders: Kate Podjan & Ray Thompson

We'll be studying the book of James for the month of July. Please read the entire book each week!

The Negative Splits (college-age & up)
Leaders: Nic Chaput & Becky Thompson

July 7 Genesis 3-44
July 14 Genesis 5-6
July 21 Genesis 7-8
July 28 Genesis 9-10

Soul Pardon Calendar
July
3: First Friday @ the Podjan’s (4:30pm)
Fireworks in Niles (7:00pm)
5: SP Band leads worship
11: Do Hard Things Tour in Chicago
18: SP Band practice (9:30am)
23: SP Band/Parent Meeting (8:00pm)

August
7: First Friday @ the Podjan's (6:00pm)
9: ODCF Picnic & Pool Party @ the Arndt's
12-14: JESUS CULTURE!!!
15: Campus Awakening
19: SP Leader Meeting (8:00pm)
22: SP Band practice (9:30am)
23: SP Band leads worship

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Photos from our lock-in...

CLICK HERE for a slideshow of the photos from last weekend. Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Rebelution is coming!!!



The Rebelution is coming to Chicago on July 11. Register today and receive the early bird discount!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

kate needs your help!!!

kate is preparing to design the next soul pardon t-shirt, and she needs some inspiration!

kate wants to know what your favorite passage in the bible is and what it means to you. once your submissions are in, she will choose one as the inspiration of the official 2009 soul pardon t-shirt. if kate chooses your verse, then you will receive your shirt for FREE!!! you can submit as many passages as you want.

she will make her decision on may 12.

the t-shirts will cost between $15-18 and we'll order them in june.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Let's lose the grave clothes!

I read a great article today on the Jesus Culture site. I am being totally inspired to grow in my understanding of truly receiving ETERNAL life...right now! Getting out of the grave clothes is a great first step. If you want some inspiration (especially if you attended Freshwind) read this article, and bring your comments/questions/insights to Soul Pardon on Tuesdays. Check the article out HERE!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Freshwind 2009 :: BOLD AS LIONS!!!

Sunday morning we returned from our 5th trip to the Freshwind conference at TACF in Toronto, Canada. Needless to say, we had an AWESOME time! And now I get to share some of the highlights of the trip on the blog...if any of you have testimonies or stories to share, please get them to me via email or Facebook so I can add them to the post.

Here we are at 3 a.m. Thursday morning, just before driving to Toronto... Just some of the miracles we witnessed :: The passport appearing at the border! Pain being relieved! Megan's anxiety gone! Room upgrades because of the reservation mix-up!So, here are some highlights from the sessions I went to...

Thursday, April 9 :: God is waiting for you in the secret place. He is jealous of that space. What are you filling your secret place with? We need to make sure that our secret place is clean and clutter-free to reserve that space for just God and ourselves.Friday, April 10 :: God calls us in our weakness so that He can be our strength. GOD HAS DESIRES. He has longings, He has dreams. He has emotions...He cares about things. Maybe we should be interested in what those things are. Our character matters way more than our personality. Let's look at our character--what do we do when...things go bad? ...people say hard things? ...people mess up? ...we mess up? Are we being "fruity"?Saturday, April 11 :: On relationships--If you're not looking to be married, don't be looking! The enemy's territory is anything kept in the dark. God is releasing dreamers and encouragers & God doesn't live in the world's idea of reality...He's not confined by odds & statistics, so DREAM HIS DREAMS and encourage the dreamers!!! The difference between people who do something and those who don't is that the people who do something actually DO SOMETHING!(Look closely, and you can see a huddle of Soul Pardoners just to the left of the staircase in the reflection of the skylight.)Sunday, April 12 :: EASTER SUNDAY & BAPTISM DAY!!!

We're so proud of Megan & Bri for getting baptized on Sunday! Yeah for new life!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Virus April Bible Study

April 7: 2 Peter 1
April 14: 2 Peter 2
April 21: 2 Peter3
April 28: TBA

N.I.C. April Bible Study

April 7: Exodus 25-28
April 14: Exodus 29-32
April 21: Exodus 33-36
April 28: Exodus 37-40

April Band Practice

We'll have band practice on April 25 from 9:30-noon at the Worship & Ministry Center.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

February News & Notes

Honor Banquet February 17
We will be having a banquet on the 17th to encourage, uplift and honor one another. We’ll enjoy a carry-in dinner, and you can sign up to bring some food or drinks at the bulletin board.

Freshwind Payment #5 Due
Payments for Freshwind are due on February 17th. Checks can be made payable to ODCF. FINAL payments for Freshwind are due March 17. Make sure you have your passport!

Soul Pardon Band Practices
The Soul Pardon band will be leading worship on Sunday, March 8. For those in the band, we will be having two practices. The first one will be on Saturday, February 14 from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. The second practice will be on Saturday, March 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Both practices will be held at the Worship & Ministry Center. If you cannot make it, please let Kate know ASAP.

Bible Studies for February
N.I.C. (9th Grade & up)
February 3 1 John 3-4
February 10 1 John 5-2 John
February 17 3 John-Jude
February 24 Exodus 1-4

Virus (6th-8th Grade)
February 3 Titus
February 10 Matthew 5
February 17 Matthew 6
February 24 Matthew 7

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Bummer.

We're gonna have to cancel Soul Pardon tonight due to the bad weather. We are gonna miss you guys tonight!

Bummer.

We're gonna have to cancel Soul Pardon tonight due to the bad weather. We are gonna miss you guys tonight!

Monday, January 5, 2009

TruRaw '09

Tuesday, January 27 @ 7 p.m.
Open Door Christian Fellowship
51586 CR 5 N, Elkhart


Presented by Soul Pardon