Feed Yourself

Over the last few weeks we've been spending some time talking about some pretty heavy things like truth and honesty, dating violence, and getting real with each other so we can experience real community.

God is very clear in his word that we need to be making daily strides in our personal relationship with Him if we're ever going to be able to face these kinds of things (not to mention the things you face in your own relationships and responsibilities) with the courage and determination that is available to those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers.

This is why studying God's word, the Bible, is so important and critical to our spiritual growth. You go to practice if you're in a band to get better, you get out on the soccer field days at a time to prepare for a game, if you're in drama you run your lines until you're saying them in your sleep so you're ready for the opening night...why do we treat our relationship with Jesus any differently?

The Bible says, in Ephesians 6:13-18,

"Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

According to that verse we need to exercise our spiritual muscles so that we're ready for whatever the evil one throws our way.

A great way to start is by participating in the Wednesday night Bible study for students in the 7th grade on up. We're studying the life of David right now in the book of 2 Samuel in the Old Testament and its a great way to get your feet wet with studying God's Word! Not only does it help establish the basics like finding scripture in the Bible and familiarizing yourself with stories of God's people but it can save you years of stupid tax if you'll learn from the mistakes and struggles of the men and women in the Bible:)

Join us Wednesday from 6-7 pm in the Studio 4:12 conference room!!

Dating Violence

Last night we spent our time beginning a discussion about dating violence and abuse because of the recent new coverage of the prince and princess of Hip Hop and R & B Rihanna and Chris Brown. According to a recent affidavit just before the Grammy Awards the two were having a fight over a text message that Chris Brown received from another woman. The fight escalated and Chris Brown allegedly threw her into the car door, hit her, and choked her while verbally threatening her life.

During our conversation about this very serious issue we learned that a surprising amount of students believe that Chris Brown deserved the benefit of the doubt because of his looks and star status, that Rihanna deserved what she got because if she hadn't provoked him none of this would have happened, and that some of our teens view a woman caught in the cycle of abuse as an "idiot".

The bottom line is this: abuse is NEVER okay. Verbal, emotional, or physical abuse is NEVER okay. Whether you're a guy, girl, junior higher, senior higher or off at college abuse is NEVER okay or deserved! Never, never, never!

God's word is very clear that we are worth more than that and our value and shouldn't come from another human being but it should be found in the loving arms of our Creator - God.

Parents: if you haven't discussed the issue of dating violence with your student, do it now! If you don't begin that conversation they are left to deal with it alone. Just check out the stats below found at www.thesafespace.org ...

• One in three teens experience some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships, including verbal and emotional abuse.
• One in five of teenagers report having been hit, slapped or pushed.
• 40% of teenage girls, ages 14 to 17, know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by their partner.
• Nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abuser.
• 1 in 4 teenage girls who have been in relationships reveal they have been pressured to perform oral sex or engage in intercourse.

And did you know that...

• Dating violence can happen guys? Guys don’t report it as often because they feel like its too embarrassing to admit they’re being emotionally or physically abused by a female.
• A lot of people believe that if you don’t see bruises or blood then its not abuse. This is 100% false. Emotional abuse and light physical abuse is still abuse and does just as much damage to someone’s spirit and self-esteem.
• Abuse happens in cycles. Chances are if someone lashes out in abusive ways they will do it again, and again, and again!

Students: if you're still not sure if you're in an abusive relationship take the healthy relationship quiz here or if you are scared or in danger right now call 911. Don't wait to get help!

Serving Opportunity

Hey-O!

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and do something kind for someone else then join the group going to Wimauma to serve The Good Samanritan Mission there on Saturday, March 21st!

Everyone is invited to participate with us; there is a job for everybody!

If you want to go please email Selena!

Twitter

For those of you who are new to High Tide or just haven't remembered about it, there is an easy way to receive updates about the 7th-12th grade ministry at Cypress sent directly to your cell phone. Its easy, its free (except for YOUR standard text messaging rates), its safe (no unwanted text messages or information sold).

If you'd like weekly text updates, reminders about events, and last minute changes to things related to the student ministry follow the instructions below:

1. Take out your cell phone
2. Go to your text message screen
3. In the number field put: 40404
4. In the message field put: follow hightidestuff
5. Push send
6. You'll get a message saying please reply with your name. This can be a nickname, your first name, or just a series of meaningless letters. Nothing official is needed.
7. You'll get a message saying "You'll receive a message every time hightidestuff updates their twitter account."
8. Congrats! You're following High Tide Student Ministry and will be super informed about everything that's going on with us!

If you ever decide that you don't want to follow us on Twitter you can opt out by sending a mess age to 40404 that says: off hightidestuff

Its as simple as that...still skeptical? Check it out for yourself at http://www.twitter.com/!