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Have you ever heard the expression: "Christians are in the world, but not of it"? Do you know what it means? We live in the world, but we are not to lower our standards of godliness. Does it seem ironic that on one hand God instructs us to not conform to the world (Romans 12:2), yet He purposely sends us into the world (John 17:18)? I know that it is hard to be a christian in today's world. I know that it must be frustrating to be a Christian in today's high school and middle school. Being a Christian in the world may seem like the task of running to your car in the middle of a rain storm without getting wet - not easy! Yet, we are to be a light - to show the way to having a personal relationship with Christ as we live among those that do not know Jesus. We are to be different, to stand out. Think of it this way: if a stranger were to stumble into a crowd with you and your friends, would there be anything different about you? About the way that you talk, your body language, your dress, your activities? We don't want to conform, and yet we do not want to isolate ourselves either. I remember the days of middle school dances. You know the image...girls on one side of the room and boys on the other. Each terrified to make the move to the other side. Sometimes, there is an invisible line with Christians on one side, and non-Christians on the other. "God's mission is not to create a team of moral and decent people, but rather create a movement of holy loving missionaries who are comfortable and truthful around lost sinners" (a quote from "The Radical Reformission: Mark Driscoll). What can you do different in your "world" where you can be a light to show the way to Christ. Remember that there is no one like you. God has give you special gifts, qualities and talents, to bring glory to himself and to bless you. Use these things to love and serve the people around you without compromising your dignity and integrity as a child of Christ. PETE

Join us for four fun days filled days of fun in the sun, Six Flags Magic Mountian, and camping under the summer stars! This will be the last summer trip you go on before school starts. We will be going to the beach and hanging out at Six Flags! You won't want to miss out! Sign up this sunday at The Rock or download and print out this form [Last Chance Sign Up Form.pdf], have your parents sign it, and turn it in at the church. email pete with any questions.

The Norway Youth EE Pictures are now online for your viewing pleasure. The Rock went to Norway June 23rd through July 4th to teach a clinic on sharing your faith. The trip was "off the hook" with Rock students involved in dramas, teaching, and leading witnessing teams. Sweet. For more information on the trip and what happend check out the blog archive at irockyouth.com/blogger. Leave a comment on this blog and tell us what you think!

We made it! After traveling for 24 hours we finally made it home. The trip was a success with the Gospel being spread all over Norway. One Girl was from the North of Norway. She seemed excited to be able to take the tool of Youth EE all the way across the country. Doug, the pastor, already has plans to go out and share his faith in old town Sandnes. And there are 3 others who will be taking the Gospel to their home towns. Thank you for your continued prayers and support through this whole trip. With out the support of prayer from our own home church it would have been difficult trip. But keep praying for Doug and for the rest of the clinicians that they may continue to spread the Gospel through out the country of Norway and the rest of the world.

The only stressful moment yesterday was when Peter L. took to long to play his hand in our card game. Spending most of the afternoon in the hull of the 3 hour cruise boat the card games were intense. We did spend most of our time at the front of the ship enjoying Gods amazing creation. As the boat slowed down underneath Pulpit Rock an operatic song (Hayley did know the author and song title) started to blare from its speakers. For a moment it felt like we were in a movie. Starring up at the huge cliffs while the boat pulled within 10 feet of the side of the Fjord, we were all mesmerized. The sweet operatic music came to an unfortunate and arupt end. We laughed at the fact that we were captured by the beauty of the Fjord and the abrupt stop of the music felt like we walked into a wall.

At the end of the day we retired to Pete's (one of the people who picked us up from the airport) house for some fresh grilled salmon thatseemed to melt in our mouth. Thankfully the 3 large Salmon fullfilled our desire to eat fresh fish. The card games continue and the competitiveness grew as we sat and watched one of the longest sunsets in recorded history. The view from Pete's house over looked the entire city of Sandnes. We continued to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, talking about tomorrow and when we will climb the Pulpit Rock we saw on the edge of the Fjord. Pray for us, the hike is 3 hours each way!