5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

1 Thessalonians 5:16

Be joyful always... . (NIV)

Joy is not the same thing as happiness. The word "happy" comes from the word "happenstance," which means "a chance happening." Happiness depends on happenings. Joy is a state of being. It flows from the inside out. Let God be the well from which your joy springs - no matter what the circumstances. Have you ever felt joy even when you weren't happy?

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Today's snowstorm couldn't keep over 35 students from coming out to our basketball program! Congrats to Justin and Andrew. They played some great basketball and were our MVP's for the night for showing our Character Matters trait of the month (fairness) on and off the court.

WALK THRU THE OLD TESTAMENT

Exciting Bible Seminar!
Come out to this exciting Bible-learning event!Bring your whole small group along!

Date: Saturday, March 28

Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Place: Markham Baptist Church (110 Church St.)

Pricing:Before March 1: $30/adult; $15/child; $75/family of 4

Before March 16: $35/adult; $20/child; $95/family of 4

After March 16: $40/adult; $25/child; $115/family of 4

Children’s seminar includes more breaks and less overall teaching time For more information or to register, contact Debbie at debbieko2@hotmail.com

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

2 Corinthians 3:3
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (NIV)

Your life is a letter. What kind of letter are you? How do the people in your life read God when they read you? How are you letting Christ write your life?

THE BIBLE IN ONE MINUTE!!!

Check out this entertaining summary of the entire Bible. It's exactly one minute long!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar_k8JjVWQA&feature=related

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

DIE.

Today we looked at dying. We talked about what is really important in our lives - not just video games, but life and death. We also talked about spiritual death and what's at stake with our souls. Finally we were dared to write out prayers to God asking him to reveal what things in our lives might have to die for him.

Our memory verse was John 12:24 - I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

1 Corinthians 9:25

All athletes are discipline in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize (NLT).

Whatever work or games you are involved in today, make sure you do your best for God. What are you striving for? Is God a part of it?

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Yesterday we had a great time at Putting Edge in Richmond Hill. Then we went over for some pizza and left just as the power went out in the entire area! An unnamed person tried to set a record by eating a third of the pizza we ordered! Oh dear! Good times. We also had a batch of cookies! Our next Friday night meeting will be at TMC on February 13.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope profess, for he who promised is faithful - Hebrews 10:23

Hope is only as good as what the hope is in. Place your hope in the One who can and will come through for you. Think about a time when you felt God let you down. What have you learned about God since then?

BE A WORLD CHANGER!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

A little late since Christmas has already passed, but it's never too late to make a difference. Watch this 2 minute video that talks about what could be done if we thought about Christmas in a different way. It doesn't take that much to change the world.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

1 Peter 1:7

These (trials) have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed (NIV).

Testing helps you know who you really are - your strengths and weaknesses. And it proves to you and God that your faith is real. How has your faith been tested? How did you come out in the test?

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Give Big

Today, our verse is Luke 6:38, "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

We are trying to understand that God promises to bless us when we give generously, as well as process different ways to be generous and finally choose a gutsy act of generosity to carry out this week.

Remember this Friday we are going mini golfing at Putting Edge!

CALLING ALL COMMUNITY PERFORMERS!!!

Many Faces of Markham Auditions

Sign up now to audition for the 11th annual Many Faces of Markham show. Performers are needed for the event at Markham Theatre on Saturday, April 18th, 2009. The theme of the show is "Beauty of Diversity"

Contact Winnie Wales at 1866 876 5423, ext 7511 or 416 722 2860
email: 5214@yrp.ca
Sign up deadline: January 25, 2009

MARKHAM SUMMER CAMP JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The following positions are available from at the Town of Markham:
Summer Camp Director
Camp Supervisor
Integration Supervisor and Integration Specialist
Camp Specialist
Camp Counselor
Counselor in Training
Apply online now at www.markham.ca

SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Tonight we looked at Abraham's Journey of faith - from his big move to his big promise, the fulfillment of that promise and willingness to sacrifice that promise. We had a chance to put faith to the test and did a backwards leap of faith and we were challenged this week to take a faith detector test. Our next meeting is February 6th. We'll be looking at Jacob and playing Rock Band 2.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

1 Peter 4:10
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (NLT)

You have something to offer others that no one else has - the gift of yourself. God gave you the gift of yourself so that you could share it with others. What parts of yourself are you giving to the people in your life?

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

We had another great night at Greensborough with many boys braving the cold to come out and play. We are now starting a leadership training program with 7 high school student volunteers as well. Our Character Matters trait of the month is fairness. Congratulations to Ghajaanon and Vinorth who showed character on and off the court.

SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

This Friday, we meet at the Main Connection for part one of our, "Creative Bible Lessons from the Old Testament." This week, we'll be looking at Abraham - Believe it or Not - Faith is not for Wimps.

What does it take to live a life of faith? It takes patience when the wait seems endless, hope when things seem impossible, and trust when the circumstances appear insurmountable. Christians are called to a life of ups and downs, of victories and struggles, and ultimately of being part of something much bigger than our own individual lives. That also describes Abraham's journey - and through his story we can learn what faith is all about.

We meet from 7:30-9:30

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today we look at "Knowing You're His." Our memory verse is John 10:27-28

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

We will also look at thinking about what it means to have security in Christ and our dare was to write a prayer to God that expresses thanks for the security we have in him.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Tonight was our first night back for the new year. Our topic was, "I wonder..." We talked about doubts we have with regards to God. On Sunday we will be talking about knowing we're His. Some passages we looked at were Psalm 10:1, John 20:29, Hebrews 11:6 and Luke 7:18-23. In the end, we were saying that doubt is normal for all of us and that God won't reject us - not even for doubting. Faith is believing - even when you doubt.

TODAY'S TEEN CONFERENCE

Hey guys, check out this amazing
Teen's conference. Last year, it sold out with more than 400 people attending. This year, over 800 spaces are opened. Over 12 workshops for students, over 20 for youth volunteers, 2 general sessions for youth and volunteers, interactive sessions, musical performances and worship, 100's of resources including giveaways and exhibits. Let me know if you can come ASAP so I can register us and organize rides. The cost is $15 (a subsidized price). For more info, check out their website www.todaysteens.ca

GOD TUBE - BABY GOT BOOK!

check out this funny video!!!

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=43a7cea8e1e0ca8daaca

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Romans 12:6a
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (NLT)

God has given YOU different gifts for doing certain things well. How will you put these "things" into practice today?

DEEP THOUGHTS

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow – Ralph Waldo Emerson

CORNERSTONE'S MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

5 MNUTE DEVOTIONS

Galatians 6:9

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. (NLT)

The promise of reward gets many to start a course. The actual reward is only given to those who finish it. Keep doing what is right. You'll get there. What in your life needs finishing?

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Live In the Light

Today we look at understanding the abstract biblical concept of light equalling truth. We also look at speculating what it looks like for a young teen to live in the light. Finally, we choose an area in our own lives where we've been living in darkness and make a commitment to move into the light. Our memory verse is John 3:20-21 "Everyone show does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

DEEP THOUGHTS

It is painful to realize that I am in the 'as-is' department as well. Throughout history human beings have resisted owning up to that little tag. We try to separate the world into normal, healthy people (like us), and difficult people... We all want to look normal, to think of ourselves as normal, but the writers of Scripture insist that no one is 'totally normal' - at least not as God defines normal... "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - John Ortberg