THE NEW Second.org

Not only is Second one of the best churches in the world that i'm priviledged to be a part of (pinch myself here), but now the Second Family now has an amazing new website to boot.

What a great way to further expand our mininstry with excellence...this site is amazing.

Visit the NEW www.second.org

Biloxi JHigh Mission '09

This week I've been in Biloxi,MS with 150 of our jhigh students and some good friends serving the people of Biloxi to continue rebuilding their city and their lives after Katrina in '05. Its been great to see our student serve selflessly.

This morning while traveling btwn sites we drove along the beach here in biloxi....reminded me that Beach Retreat '09 is on its way!!! Here is a pic of the beach.

Teens caught 'sexting'

Teens caught 'sexting' facing porn charges. Recently, a growing number of teens are ending up in serious trouble for sending racy photos with their cellphones. That's right, everyone has a cell, but are teens really reasy to handle the technology?

Read more about this in this article

also learn more about teen's digital dating abuse issues check out http://www.thatsnotcool.com/

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Date Night

Even though we have been married for 7 years now, very Thursday night Erin and I try very hard to make it a priority to date each other. Last Thursday Erin and I went to the rodeo here in Houston....tons of fun, very cold that night, but fun! We saw Brad Paisley in concert, but I especially enjoyed the "Mutton Bustin" - I thought, "How can I get Ben into that?" My favorite part was really sitting next to her!

When was the last time you took your wife on a date?

This Thursday we will have to cool off because I will be in Biloxi, MS with our JHigh on a Spring Break Mission Trip.

The Final 7

This weekend in the SHIFT student ministry we are starting up a new series leading up to Easter called "The Final 7." I'm excited about getting back to Christ as we dive into the events in the last 7 days of Jesus' life. Here is where we're headed:

Monday - Jesus' Triumphal Entry
Tuesday - The cleansing of the temple
Thursday - the Last Supper
Friday/Sunday - Jesus' death & Resurrection

What a great way to prepare our hearts for Easter!

A Church that Focuses on Changed Lives

A Church that Focuses on Changed Lives

Recently at Second we focused an entire Weekend (we actually do this once a year) on seeing lives changed by the unchanging message of Jesus. It was a great reminder of what we are (or should always be) about. A great reminder of the end of all that we do - changed lives! This video is a great representation of the heartbeat of our church. Enjoy!
Changed Lives 2009 from Second Films on Vimeo.

Is the focus of your ministry changed lives?

Christians Are to the World As Dwight Is to The Office

One just has to sit back and admire the comic genius that is The Office. Week after week, this program gives us a look into the real world of employment in unbelievably humorous and sadly accurate ways. In every episode, there are money quotes, but I have to say that my favorite character is Dwight. Maybe it's just my sick and mostly misunderstood sense of humor, but I think Dwight brings a level of comedy to The Office that is largely unmatched.


But have you ever heard of how Christians Are to
the World As Dwight Is to The Office?

probably not...just hear me out here:

Christians in the world are a little like Dwight! No, not in the 'looney tune legend in his own mind' sort of way - rather that Dwight takes teasing, insults and general social rejection and sticks with who God made him to be. And so should we, folks. You must remember that to say 'yes' to following Christ is a simultaneous 'no' to being accepted by the world. This is a promise from the very lips of Jesus Christ:

If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you (John 15:18-19).

fyi - I didn't make this up, rather I found an interesting article on it.

Read the entire thing here

Dodgeball is HERE...tonight @ 7pm / SBC REC Fields

GET A REGISTRATION FORM HERE!

$2 / person - teams of 8-10 players

$1,000 in prizes and giveaways!

CASH PRIZES for the winners!

PRIZES FOR BEST TEAM COSTUMES!

Awesome brackets for all levels!

March 7, 2009 @ 7:00pm

Register your team at the gate!!!

Saturday March 7, you need to invite, pick up or kidnap every one of your friends, teammates, band members, drill team and the chess club to join us under the lights for the most exciting Saturday night of the spring! There will be huge cash prizes for the winners, door prizes, and food for everyone! Door prizes will be drawn at 7pm sharp so be sure to be there on time!

Strong fathers in challenging times

Every Friday @ 6am we have a Men's Bible study here on Second's North Campus called Ironmen AM. This morning Jeff Hiett spoke on "Being the COACH God calls you to be" - basically - how to be the dad, husband, or grandfather God calls us to be.

I love this weekly challenge to be a great dad, and husband, and it had me thinking about the role fathers play when their family is going through a tough time.

I always love to pass on great articles I find and this is one entitled "Strong fathers in challenging times."

If you know a dad who needs some encouragment send it along to them.

Brian

Tween Fashionology

I just love our pre-teen / tween / or 5-6 grade ministry here at Second, Next Level. What a great age! Today I was talking to a parent today about their Next Level Bowling Night, and she just couldn't believe that her little girl was already a pre-teen.

As I was searching for some way to show this mom that today's world not only recognizes pre-teens as a group, but they also directly market toward them as a group I found this...

Fashionology - a pre-teen "design you won clothes" website.

Check out more in an article entitled Fashionology Brings Tween Do-It-Yourself Clothing Design Online

Wednesday Night Lights

Tonight was another great night as God did some amazing things at Wednesday Night Lights!

Weather - clear, calm, 70 degrees!
Crowd - excited, energetic, and all many of them!
Response - strong as 7 were baptized and 12 accepted Christ for the first time!


Out team did a great job, the worship team knocked it out of the park, and our students are amazing - it was a blessing to be a part of it all!

GET READY FOR DODGEBALL THIS SAT NIGHT EVERYONE....IT'S GONNA BE CRAZY!

Brian

Dodgeball is coming!!!!

GET A REGISTRATION FORM HERE!
$2 / person - teams of 8-10 players


$1,000 in prizes and giveaways!

CASH PRIZES for the winners!
PRIZES FOR BEST TEAM COSTUMES!


Awesome brackets for all levels!

March 7, 2009 @ 7:00pm
Register your team at the gate!!!



Saturday March 7, you need to invite, pick up or kidnap every one of your friends, teammates, band members, drill team and the chess club to join us under the lights for the most exciting Saturday night of the spring! There will be huge cash prizes for the winners, door prizes, and food for everyone! Door prizes will be drawn at 7pm sharp so be sure to be there on time!

Students give up social networks for lent

I was in Alabama getting things ready for Beach Retreat '09 and noticed the close of the Mardi Gras celebrations and was reminded that the lent season is upon us....I thought this was a revealing article on how to relate lent to today's culture.

For some, it's chocolate. For others, it's coffee or cigarettes. But as this Easter approaches, some young and devout Christians are anxious to return to what they gave up for Lent: Internet sites Facebook and MySpace.

Check out this article on CNN.com - interesting

How will this change the way YOU worship this Easter season?

BEACH RETREAT '09 - Volunteers

Are you an adult at Second Houston that loves students and enjoys the beach? We are looking for people to be Adult Leaders at Beach Retreat this year (High School June 7th-12th and Jhigh June 14-19) and praying that the spots will be filled very soon. If you are willing to consider praying about this opportunity, watch this video so you're fully aware of what you would be committing to. It's going to be a great week. Contact our Student Ministry Offices when you're ready to sign up.

North Campus Student Ministry Contacts: 713.365.6305

Versus - Toro on site!

Today Toro joined all our students in our 9:30 SHIFT Bible Study along with the 3 Mustang Mascots at KHS. No one knew what to think when they walked in and all 4 of them were playing a pickup football game in the gym together - fun times! It was great to hear from Toro (his true identity will remain a mystery to everyone else) as he shared from his heart what it means to LIVE for Christ in the context of the NFL and among the other mascots in the league.

As we talked about what it means to TRUST Christ in every area of our lives he shared that Proverbs 3:5-6 has always been a foundation for him and an encouragement to live for Christ.

What area of your life do you need to relinquish Trust to God? How can you make that SHIFT in your faith?

Brian