When I say I am a Christian

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

~ by Maya Angelou

When you say you're a Christian...what do you say?

This is your life.

Are you who want to be?

Are you at least heading that way?

At worship at the park starting worship service.

Man Can They Eat!!

What do you want to most improve about your walk with God?

Please give to me or email your response to "horacejohnsonjr@gmail.com" by June 30th

School Supply Drive for the Bole School in Ethiopia

Who Is My Neighbor?


Luke 10:25-37

School Supply Drive for the Bole School in Ethiopia

Crenshaw Church of Christ Youth Ministry asks you to donate school supplies to benefit the Bole Church of Christ School in Ethiopia. We will ship the much needed items weekly. Items most needed include: pencils, pens, markers, paper, & folders.

The items to be donated can either be shipped to Crenshaw Church of Christ or deposited in the specially marked containers in both the front and rear entrances.



For more information, contact Horace Johnson at (310)469-8101

Eating with the Crew at Friday Night Live

“Give ‘em Hell!” Uh…Nope, Give ‘em Hope!!

I think one thing that is missing in our message to the youth is hope. With so much violence and sexual impurity in the schools, youth are freaking out. We need to make sure we are not condemning the people who are being saturated with the world’s devices, and not showing them the way they can cope and find victory. Instead, we have to show them the cross with all of its mercy, grace and hope.

The last thing our youth need is to walk into an environment where someone tells them they that if they don’t change they are going to hell! (MAYBE that’s one of the reasons why youth are people are dropping out of church like crazy!)

I say don’t “give ‘em hell” –but GIVE THEM HOPE! (I heard someone last week say last week that Hope is on the endangered species list…that people NEED hope, but they aren’t turning to the church for it!)

The life of Jesus gives us HOPE that God actually wants us in a relationship with Him.

The cross gives us HOPE that there is no condemnation for those in Christ.

The empty tomb gives us HOPE that He can conquer anything that we face.

Our youth need HOPE!

Don’t misunderstand…I’m not saying, “go easy and don’t call out sin!” The problem is that many youth workers want to call out the sin but not point to the Savior who paid for that sin and in whom is COMPLETE forgiveness and RESTORATION to a God that is desperate to reach people!

The message should be a message of HOPE…and with the world being as dark as it is the church should be shining brighter than EVER before!

We don’t shatter darkness by condemning people…but by pointing them to Christ, the One who shatters condemnation!



Give ‘em hope!

Service is the rent we pay for living.

Our love for God should lead us to help His children when they are in need.

For the young ladies in the group

Ladies Auxiliary for Christian Education

Presents:

MISS L.A.C.E. 2010

April 17, 2010

1:00-3:00pm

Book Club

Crenshaw Church of Christ

2719 W. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90008

Guest Speaker:

Keleigh Crigler Hadley

Christian, Wife, Mother, Writer

Preacher’s KIDS Secrets and Salvation

Daughter of Willard & Ellen Crigler

Refreshments will be served

2010 Additional State Conference letter

For 2010 California State Youth Conference attendees:
I look forward to experiencing the 2010 California Youth Conference with you next weekend. I wanted to just drop you a short note to remind you of a couple of things before we go on our spiritual journey together.

• Arrive at Rorex Hall at 12:00pm on Friday.

• Bring only two pieces of luggage (one carry on and one piece to load under the bus).

• Bring enough clothes for the entire weekend.

• The dress code has been clarified

• Females: No Strapless Blouses OR Dresses, NO Halter Tops, NO Backs out, NO Cleavage showing.
• Males & Females: NO Super low rise PANTS (Revealing your bottom) JEANS CAN BE WORN ON FRIDAY, SUNDAY, AND MONDAY. NO JEANS ARE TO BE WORN ON SATURDAY. SLACKS, KHAKIS, PANTSUITS, DRESSSES, OR SKIRTS should be worn all day.

• Bring some spending money. We are going to lunch before arriving at the Conference site. Also, there is a snack bar & Starbucks at the hotel, and we are attending the Knott’s Berry Farm on Sunday afternoon.

• Bring your bible.

• Bring your GREAT attitude with you when you arrive and keep it all weekend.

• Please, leave you cell phone at home. There are no cell phones allowed at the conference. If you need to call your parents, the youth workers have their phones and there are phones at the hotel.

• The conference should end around 1pm on Monday. We should be back to the church no later than 3pm.

I can’t wait to see on Friday, April 2nd.



If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call.

Horace

Serve in the Food Pantry

The Free Activation Offer on phones has been extended until March 24th

Cell Phone email to send to your family and friends to make money for the National Conference

Here is the email you can send to your friends and family to let them know about our cell phone business. Just make sure you put in your name for the user code and put you name at the bottom of the email:

I just started a new cell phone business online and I'm really excited because I now have access to some awesome cell phone deals that you can't really get at the stores. We've got a deal through AT&T where you get FREE activation (from March 12-24) and we've got a LOT of free Blackberry's, Touch phones, and other cell phones that you can get for AT&T.

The shipping is also free, so all you need to do is place your order online at my store - here's my store link:
http://www.tmiphones.com/
PROMO CODE: 46390
User Code :   

Please let your friends and associates know about my store link in case they are considering upgrading their phone. I also have many free and cheap cell phone deals through T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, and Nextel. Thanks!

Want to earn money to attend The National Youth Conference in Abilene, TX in July 2010 ?

Want to earn money to attend The National Youth Conference in Abilene, TX in July 2010 ?

StartCollecting.

            StartRecycling.

                    StartEarning.

Bring in old cell phones, movies, video games, and other electronic gadgets. Any brands. Any models. We will us this and other methods to earn money for us to attend the conference in July. Any questions about this and other programs, contact Horace @ 310-469-8101 or horacejohnsonjr@yahoo.com.

Cell Phone Recycling business is under way!!

I started the recycling part of our business yesterday. I requested people to visit our website (nvr2young@gazelle.com) to donate gadgets such as cell phones and laptops to us. Steven Brice in Texas has asked his contacts to let everyone know about it. The word is out!!! We are going to the National Youth Conference this year. I can feel it!!

Here is what I put in the email:

I am hosting an online gadget drive through Gazelle to raise money for Crenshaw Youth Group, and would love your support.



A gadget drive is a new way to fundraise that turns your used electronics (laptops, cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras & more) into cash to support a cause. Contributing to my drive is simple. Just visit my drive webpage, find the value of the gadgets you would like to donate, and send them to Gazelle (shipping is free). The value will go to support Crenshaw Youth Group and their planned trip to the National Youth Conference in Abilene, TX in July. We hope to travel with at least 20 youth to an unforgettable spiritual journey.



If you would like to donate, please check out my drive's page to learn more and track my progress. You will receive a confirmation of your donation by email, and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

http://Nvr2Young.gazelle.com/



Thank you for your support,

Horace Johnson

Girls vs Boys Bowling Tournament

Well we went bowling this weekend and the girls won!! They averaged 64 and boys averaged 49. I guess the girls are better athletes than the boys.

We Still Have Today!

Wow…it’s crazy how time flies! It’s already MARCH 2010.

As we embark upon a new month in a new year with new challenges, we have to remember that some things should remain the same. We should continue to put Jesus first in all things (Luke 9:23-26) and follow his teachings (John 8:31). I know it's not a simple task and that sometimes we get down on ourselves because we aren't where we would like to be in our walks' with Christ. We; however, should leave all those concerns in the past! What's important is that we have a desire to strengthen our faith and that we began to take the necessary steps to do it. And what's really encouraging is that we still have today!

Below find 6 Accountability Questions that should encourage us in our walk and help us be an encouragement to others. Each month at least one of the accountability questions will be a topic of discussion on the blog.

6 Accountability Questions

1. Did you accomplish your spiritual goals for this month? Did you pray for others? Did you have a daily quiet time with God?
2. What did you do to enhance your relationship with your parents and/or guardian?
3. In What ways has God blessed you this month? And/ or what disappointment consumed your thoughts this month?
4. Have you shared your faith? In what ways? How can you improve? Have you had an opportunity with a non-Christian?
5. Where are you academically right now? Are things under control? Are things under anxiety?
6. What do you see as the number one need for the month?

Is there a particular accountability question that you need to focus on this month?

What's your story?

Hey guys. I really want you to check out this video. It's people telling their testimony with few choice words. It's actually really powerful and I found myself relating to a number of the people even though they were from a different ethnic background than me.

As you watch, think. Do you have a testimony? A story of where God has brought you from? A time when you saw God's awesome power clearly on display? A changed life? A changed perspective?

After you think about your story, think about how you express to God that you are grateful that He brought you through. Leave a comment and tell me what your cardboard would say.

P.S.-I really liked 3:29, 4:46, 5:57, 6:30, 7:49. How about you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX4VQmcaGiQ

Youth Conference Meeting

We had a great meeting yesterday. The enthusiam and excitement was very high in anticipation of a great upcoming youth conference. We discussed all the rules for a succesful youth conference. We are going to the Marriot in Irvine this year. Even though it is not far away, we are looking for forward to a great retreat from the day to day routine.

I am hopeful of having at least 30 people attend the youth conference from Crenshaw alone.

2010 California State Youth Conference

It's that time again!

The 2010 California State Youth Conference is coming up soon. It is the first weekend in April. The registration packets are available for pick up and completion. The mandatory meeting to discuss the details and arrangements for the conference is January 24th at 1pm in Rorex Hall.

The meeting is mandatory for all youth, parents of youth, and youth workers who are planning on attending the youth conference this year.

The registration packets will passed out at the meeting; but they are also now available for pick-up in the foyer of the church, or by requesting one by sending an email to : "hjohnson@crenshawchurchofchrist.org"