NH visit, Day 1: 5.15.09

Jeremy Jr. and I arrived in Manchester last Thursday night for a visit to Gramma and Grandpa's. We had to wait on the tarmac for an hour in Philly before even taking off. Finally in the air Jeremy Jr. was aloud to turn on his Nintendo DS. The flight was so short that he played for a second, we had a soda, then he had to turn off the DS for landing. We waiting in Philly longer then we flew in the air! Finally there the car ride was a little long and Jeremy Jr. fell asleep on the way to the house, so right to bed we went.

Friday was a beautiful day. Grandpa woke us up with pancakes! We then headed to the beach. Jeremy Jr. had a ton of fun playing in the water, he was soaked up to his waist.

We then headed for some lunch. On the way we stopped at a comic store and Jeremy got his first comic book and some Marvel Hero trading cards (he fought me for a toy instead but mom won and they are his favorite thing now, Mom's always right!) We continued on to lunch, Jeremy Jr. still wet up to his waist, he was a REAL trooper!

We had lunch at Mike's Clam Shack! YUM!

Jeremy Jr. had his first taste of clam chowder and it was so good he ordered his own! That's my boy!

After lunch we headed home for a rest and some dry cloths for Jeremy. We hung at the house for a while then headed to the park, like I said it was a beautiful day and if you know Grandpa Todd he is all about getting outside and taking pictures, especially since we don't get to visit often.



We had dinner at home and stayed in visiting for the night. It was a wonderful day! Jeremy Jr. and I didn't head to bed until about 1:30. What a GREAT day!

I will update you on day 2 of our visit tomorrow (that is if I can get my computer working like I did today!)

I can't win

Well I am updating quickly while I have Kevin's computer. I wanted to post all the fun I had in NH and post pictures but I am having computer problems. So until I get the computer working I will be posting sporadically. I will post whenever I can so stay with me! love ya's!

Seperating Blogs

Well all I am back from NH and have some great pictures. I will get to posting some highlights tomorrow. I do want to update you however. I have been posting the C4 youth devotionals on my blog. I have know created a blog just for that. This way I can keep this blog more family oriented for those who are following to stay updated on what's going on with the Schoenrocks. Please feel free to continue reading the devotionals even if you are one of my C4 youth. Daily devotionals are good for all! Check out the new blog at http://c4youth09.blogspot.com/

Thanks for following!

week 3: The Church Founders: The Choosing of Matthias

Day 5

Acts 4:32-35 (New International Version)


The Believers Share Their Possessions 32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.


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This passage gives a small glimpse of what the early Church looked like. It's small glimpse because while the early Church faced lots of hard times, the period in this passage depicts a body of believers running on all cylinders, full steam ahead. Can you imagine what your church would look like if, as described in this passage, everyone was of one heart and one mind? If your leaders boldly and powerfully proclaimed Jesus' resurrection at all times? If everyone freely shared everything they owned (even their land, and homes, and money) as if they had no claim on any of it? And no one was ever in need because those with much always gave to those with little or nothing?

This can be your church! Why? Because today's Christians are powered by the same Holy Spirit who gave strength to the believers of the early Church.

What can you do to get the ball rolling? Then how can you help others get on board to make your church look a little bit more like the one described in Acts 4?

Ask God right now for the vision and passion to make your church--or for starters, your youth group!--the kind of "body" the turns heads and gets people excited about God.

Week 3: The Church Founders: The Choosing of Matthias

Day 4 (Yesterday's, sorry I was traveling)

Revelation 1:9-11 (New International Version)

One like a Son of Man

⁹I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. ¹⁰On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, ¹¹which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."

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John is the brother of James and one of the inner three disciples (along with Peter and James) with whom Jesus shared the most. According to tradition he's the only apostle who did not die a martyr's death. The passage you read today was likely written around AD 95. By this time John was about 90 years old and had been serving Christ for more than 60 years. He'd watched almost all of his friends die, and at this point he's exiled alone on an island for his faith. But look at what John is doing: He's having his own worship service. His devotion is such that nothing--not death, not torture, not long periods of suffering--could shake his faith. Why? Because he know Jesus.


How does your relationship with Jesus help you deal with hard times?

Ask Jesus to help you stand firm when things seem too much to bear.

Week 3: The Church Founders: The Choosing of Matthias

Day 3

Ephesians 2:19-22 (New International Version)

¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

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You may not think about it or even realize it, but you're a part of a long heritage of faith. the church you're now a part of didn't start with your parents, or even their parents, or those gray-haired folks in your church. No, you and I are part of a spiritual lineage that goes back about 2,000 years to Peter, John, and all the other disciples. It's a rich history, one that finds its roots in Jesus Christ. There aren't any apostles alive today, nor will there be in the future. but Paul says their teaching is the foundation of our faith, a foundation that Jesus crafted. think about all the famous believers throughout history: the apostles, St. Augustine, Martin Luther, billy Graham. Do you realize you're part of the same family tree they are?

How does it feel to be in the same spiritual lineage as well-known Christians throughout history?

How is Jesus changing your life as he changed theirs?

Eus!

I just had to post this right away. Aaron has started to babble and is getting very good at it. He says "dada" and will accidentally say "mma" but not really referring to me. Well today I was getting ready to lay him down for a nap, and as usual he was babbling. I decided to teach him how to say Jesus. Well I may be biased but my boy is a genius. Each time I said "Jesus" he repeated with his own version of "Eus"! How cool is that! 9 months! I know you all want proof and once he wakes up from nap I will video it cause it is the most precious thing. Until then though there are witnesses. Of course I called Daddy first to let him hear and then Grammy and Grandma and Grandpa! They all heard. What mother would be this happy that their child said "Jesus" before saying "mama" besides a Christ fearing mother! I don't know if you can tell but I am super ecstatic about it!

Some Easter Pics (Yeah I know I'm late)

The Schoenrock Family
Easter 2009

Uncle Scott and Nathan

My Mommy and Me

Meredith, Christina, Aaron, Jeremy
JoJo, Allie, Nathan, & Jeremy Jr.

Jeremy was so lovey on Easter
he wouldn't stop kissing Allie

Week 3: The Church Founders: The Choosing of Matthias

Day 2

2 Peter 1:16-19 (New International Version)

¹⁶We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."^a]">[a] ¹⁸We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

¹⁹And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

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Recently I met the general and the photographer who fought in the Battle of la Drang at the beginning of the Vietnam War. this battle was depicted in the movie We Were Soldiers. But as I talked with these veterans, the movie wasn't just a movie to me anymore; it was real life. Everything I heard was more dramatic because I knew these guys were actually there.

In this passage Peter reminds his readers that he was there. Everything they believed could be trusted because Peter is an eyewitness. What we believe isn't just a philosophy concocted by religious leader; it's the truth. Peter wanted the believers to know they could trust the Scripture. And Peter believed because he's seen things with his own eyes.


What are some of your experiences with Christ that remind you he's real?

Do you ever doubt the Scripture or choose not to believe?

How does this passage help you deal with those doubts?

Week 3: The Church Founders: The Choosing of Matthias

Day 1

Acts 1:15-26 (New International Version)

¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the believers^a]">[a] (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) ¹⁶and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus— ¹⁷he was one of our number and shared in this ministry."

¹⁸(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰"For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms,
" 'May his place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in it,'^b]">[b] and,
" 'May another take his place of leadership.'^c]">[c] ²¹Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

²³So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." ²⁶Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

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Scripture doesn't record anything about Matthias outside of today's passage. But even in these few verses we find out a lot. We know Matthias had been traveling with Jesus from the beginning. He was an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection.

Would you have stuck with Jesus even if you hadn't been on of the chosen few? Matthias wasn't part of the 12 that Jesus originally picked, but he followed Jesus anyway. That says a lot. Remember, this was before Pentecost: the Holy Spirit hadn't arrived yet. Matthias was signing on to an almost certain death. These are the kind of people God built the Church upon.


If Jesus gave you a chance to serve today, would you do it?

Will you follow Jesus no matter where he calls you?

Week 3: The Church Founders: The Choosing of Matthias

Memory Verse

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." (Ephesians 4:11-12)


Introduction

Every story has a beginning, and yours goes all the way back to the disciples. One disciple in particular, Peter, is a big figure in the Church. He's depicted in paintings, he wrote a couple of books in the New Testament, and it's said he has this sweet gig a the pearly gates. But back in the book of Acts, none of this was on his radar. In fact, all the disciples were a little confused. Jesus had always made the decisions, but suddenly the disciples--a group of ordinary Joes--were alone. They must have thought, We're here, but what are we supposed to do?

They went to work anyway, starting with the decision to replace Judas. Jesus had selected 12 disciples; therefore, it seemed important to continue to have 12. The disciples prayed that God would show them the right person, and God did. Matthias was chosen to replace Judas.

From there it's all history. Everything was happening according to God's plan. Little did the disciples know they were the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ. The church you attend today can be traced back to these original followers of Christ.

This week we're looking at the apostles, the people Paul referred to as the foundation of the church. As we study them, try to put yourself in their shoes. Think about what it would've been like to see the early Church get started. imagine how people might have treated them. Try to picture the kind of faith the apostles must have had.

Week 2: The Power of the Spirit: Jesus' Ascension and The Holy Spirit

Day 5

Acts 1:8 (New International Version)

⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

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Have you ever been given a job that seemed too much for you? That's probably how the disciples felt after hearing Jesus say this. They'd just been given the job of telling the whole world about Jesus. (Hey, no pressure, right?) But Jesus, through the Spirit, was going to help them go tell others about him. Do you realize this verse is directed toward you as well? God has given you the Spirit, and now he wants you to do what the disciples did: Tell others about your faith. Have you ever done that? Are you scared to do it? The disciples were scared, too, but they still did it. And the Spirit really helped them.

pray that you'll have the opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus today. You might be surprised by what happens.

Week 2: The Power of the Spirit: Jesus' Ascension and The Holy Spirit

Day 4

John 14:25-27 (New International Version)

²⁵"All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

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So how do you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit? What exactly does the Spirit sound like? It will take some time to recognize it, but the clearest way to know if you're hearing from God is to listen for him in Scripture. Here Jesus told us the Holy Spirit would remind us of all the things Jesus said. We find those things revealed in God's Word. So when you're in a situation and suddenly Scripture comes to mind, you're most likely hearing the Holy Spirit. But in order for the Spirit to remind us of Scripture, we have to know Scripture.

Reading our Bibles every day puts us in a great place to make sure we'll hear from the Holy Spirit. Do you read your Bible every day?

Has God ever spoken to you reminding you of Scripture?

Ask God to remind you of things he wants you to know today.

Aaron Laughing

Week 2: The Power of the Spirit: Jesus' Ascension and The Holy Spirit

Day 3

John 16:12-15 (New International Version)

¹²"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. ¹³But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. ¹⁵All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

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The disciples had gotten used to the luxury of having Jesus around. When they had a question, they could simply ask him. But what would happen after his ascension? Jesus told them the Spirit would continue to speak to them and help them understand everything they needed to know. Far from being silent, the Holy Spirit would be their constant guide to point them to truth. Now we can have the same privilege the disciples had and talk to God whenever we want. The spirit isn't just for full-time church staff; he dwells in every believer. So if you've become a Christian, then this privilege is for you. The question for us is this: Are we listening?

Have you ever listened for the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life? How did you know it was the Spirit?

Ask the Father to make the voice of the Holy Spirit very clear in you life.

Week 2: The Power of the Spirit: Jesus' Ascension and The Holy Spirit

Day 2

John 16:5-11 (New International Version)

The Work of the Holy Spirit

5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

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Jesus knew how the disciples would feel without him around. So he explained to them how the Spirit would work in their lives. Even though Jesus wouldn't be around physically, the Spirit would continue to do all the things Jesus had done. And because the Spirit would be inside all believers, that ministry took on a much larger scale. Jesus would still be doing his Father's work; he'd just do it through the Holy Spirit. Even now Jesus is doing the Father's work through the Holy Spirit inside you. So in effect, Jesus didn't leave. Jesus placed his Spirit in us, not just the first-century disciples, so we can all join him in his work.


Do you believe God can use you to accomplish his will? Do you believe he will?

Ask God to use you to advance the kingdom today.

Week 2: The Power of the Spirit: Jesus' Ascension and The Holy Spirit

Day 1

Acts 1:4-14 (New International Version)

⁴On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵For John baptized with^a]">[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

⁶So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

⁷He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

⁹After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

¹⁰They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk^b]">[b] from the city. ¹³When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

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I don't like to wait, and I'm sure the disciples didn't either. Can you imagine waiting for this promise to be fulfilled? I wonder what they expected. Whatever they thought was coming, one thing they knew for sure: It would be powerful.

When the Holy Spirit came upon them, the disciples had power to accomplish whatever God asked of them. This is important for us to remember, too. God isn't asking us to just give him our best shot at ministering to others. God sends his Spirit to help us accomplish every task God assigns. Our job is to rely on God for all of our needs and stop trying to accomplish life on our own. It's hard to give up control, but the results will prove that it's well worth it.


Do you truly believe God will empower you through the Spirit to accomplish anything?

How are you relying on God's Spirit to live the Christian life today?

Week 2: The Power of the Spirit: Jesus' Ascension and The Holy Spirit

Memory Verse

" ' But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' " (Acts 1:8)


Introduction

Graduation Day! Can you imagine how great it's going to feel to be done will school, be more in charge of your own schedule, and be allowed to enjoy your freedom? But then again, it's kind of comfortable where you are. You have a schedule, life is predictable, you know everyone, and you know where everything is. Do you really have to leave all that behind?

In Acts 1:4-14 the disciples were struggling to make that same kind of transition. They'd gotten used to having Jesus around, and they were probably thrilled about this promised Holy Spirit. But I'll bet they secretly wished things could just stay the same. Couldn't Jesus hang around a little longer? But in order to achieve his plan for the spread of the gospel. Jesus had to leave his friends. He wanted them to experience the fullness of a relationship with him and to have the power to spread the Word throughout the region and the world. for that they'd need the Holy Spirit.

This week we're going to look at what Jesus had to say about the Holy Spirit and how he works in our lives. He's our intimate link to the Father, and everything we need is found in him. The Holy Spirit that was promised to the disciples is the same Holy Spirit that lives in each of us, so it's important that we know how to live in him.

Get read, because the Spirit may be more than you bargained for.

"The Cause" Convention

So it has been a while since I have blogged about our life events so the next couple blogs in between the devo's will be updates on the last couple weeks.

April was youth convention, we rocked out! Check it:
My C4 peeps!

Video of convention will be coming soon!

God's Army: What is the Church?

Day 5

Ephesians 5:25-32 (New International Version)

²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, ²⁷and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. ²⁸In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰for we are members of his body. ³¹"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." ³²This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

You may be married or may not be married, but follow me on this one. Paul is trying to show us what being the Church is like, and he uses marriage as the example. Jesus is the groom and the Church is the bride. Notice that you alone aren't the bride, but all Christians together. God is preparing all of us that we might be God's spotless bride. Reread the passage and look at how Jesus cares for his Church. God cares tremendously about the health of your church.

Your church may be experiencing some problems, but God is in the process of making all of us pure, holy, and unified. How is Jesus doing this in the life of your church?

How should we as the Church respond to Christ as the groom?

If this is how God cares for his Church, then how should we treat the other members of our local church?