Jonah Prays

August 27th, 2010

Only then did I cry out to God. And he answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried and He heard me.

“You cast me into the dark of the sea and flood waters pressed in all around me. Your billows and waves passed over me. I have been cast out of your sight, but I will keep my eyes on your temple. The waters surrounded even my soul, and the deep closed around me. Weeds tangled around me and I went into the moorings of the mountains. The bars of the earth shut behind me forever…
But you have brought me out of that pit, LORD. When my soul was faint, I remembered You and my prayer went into Your temple. Those who regard useless idols give up their own mercy. But I will sacrifice to You with thanksgiving and pay what I vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.”

And when He spoke to the fish, it spat me onto dry land.

This week, we are looking at Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2.1-10. We hope you join us and read this section of Scripture before you come.

*This is a creative rendering of the book of Jonah by Ashley Berry. Download the full version here: wordpdf.

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Community Language

August 25th, 2010

We talk about Community alot in Atmosphere and one of the things I hear a lot is “I have some Christian friends, but all we do is hang out. How do we build real community?”  Well I am glad you asked! Below is a list of some questions and ideas to think through when you are trying to build real, authentic gospel centered community. Think through these especially as you get ready to head back to school.

Thought Patterns: Questions to ask yourself

- How does what we are doing point us towards the gospel?

- How does the Gospel impact what we are doing?

Words | Actions: Things to say and do

- Hug when greeting one another, and when parting.

- Ask “How’s your soul?” instead of “How are you doing?”

- Ask “How is the truth of the Gospel impacting your life?”

- Ask “How can I be praying for you?” and actually pray for that person then

Group Activities: What you can do while thinking through these things

- Sit together at lunch time

- Go to sporting events together

- You get the drift: do what you would normally do alone, together with other believers.

The tough part:

It’s easy to be secluded to your group of Christian friends, but we are to be in the world and reaching out to unbelievers. So in all these suggestions, don’t forget those who don’t believe in Christ. You sit with your Christian friends at school, don’t forget your atheist class mate who is sitting by himself. Be actually caring for the people around you, and pay attention to their needs.

(photo from: http://abyss.hubbe.net/jeremiah/gallery/jim.pike?key=ep&page=28)

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Being faithful where you are

August 11th, 2010

As you prepare to go off to college, join the military, or get a job, you will need to be thinking through more than just your financial needs. The body of Christ and your service to Him should be your primary concern. How will you serve where you have been called? Maybe you aren’t planning on staying here too long but your plans elsewhere haven’t been finalized. What do you do then? Should you get involved? Should you become a member of a Church? What should your course be?

John Piper shares on commitment to the Church below:

Maybe you’re stuck

The colleges you applied to didn’t accept you. You haven’t gotten the job you wanted. You can’t join the military for one reason or another. What now? Stay faithful. Trust that God is going to send you where He wants you. So become a member at your Church, serve there in whatever way He leads, be willing to do what He commands.

God may have plans for you elsewhere, but He might keep you right where you are. You need to be ready for either one.

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Valley of Vision 8.9.10

August 9th, 2010

“Eternal Father, it is amazing love, that thou hast sent thy Son to suffer in my stead, that thou hast added the Spirit to teach, comfort, guide, that thou hast allowed the ministry of angels to wall me round” pg 131

Valley of Vision is a series of blog post that will contain quotes from the book Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

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Jonah in the Fish

August 6th, 2010

Upon boarding I made my way down into the hold of the ship to sleep away the voyage. Though no matter how badly I wished it, the Lord would not allow my disobedience.

As I slept, a storm began, tossing the ship about as driftwood upon the sea and the growing tempest had the hull of the ship screaming in protest. On deck, the mariners were in a panic. Scrambling and crying out to their gods, they even began heaving cargo overboard to lighten the load. Soon the captain raced down to wake me, “What are you doing?!” He yelled, “Get up and call to your God. Perhaps HE will help us!”

Barely awake, I could hear the crew saying, “Let us cast lots so we know whose fault it is that this is happening!” So they cast lots, and to no great surprise, it fell on me. They clamored around me, frantic. “Tell us why this is happening! Where did you come from? What is your country? Of what people are you?”

“I am Hebrew,” I admitted. “And I fear the LORD, the God of Heaven, who made the sea and the land.” They all recoiled in fear. “Why have you done this?” They knew I was running from God. I had already told them. “What can we do to calm the sea?” they shouted. The waters became more wrathful by the minute, roaring and showing the Lord’s power in devastating force. It was the most frightening display I had ever seen! I swallowed hard and knew what had to be done. Was this my release?

“Throw me into the sea,” I told them. “Then the sea will calm. I know this storm is because of me.” They were reluctant at first, not wishing my death and working hard to return to land, but the sea just grew more tempestuous. There was no escape with me aboard. They all cried, “Please, LORD, do not let us perish for this man’s sake. Do not charge us with innocent blood, for you have done as it pleases you!” With all options exhausted, they grabbed me and cast me into the sea, and it calmed for them. Seeing the Lord’s display, the sailors all offered a sacrifice to God and took vows.

As for me, I sank into the depths. But God’s plan was not about to end with my drowning. A giant fish suddenly appeared from the deep and swallowed me at once For three days and nights I sat in it’s dark, disgusting, and putrid belly…*

Join us tomorrow as we talk about Jonah’s heart in this time. And prepare your soul by reading the account in Scripture (Jonah 1.4-17).

*This is a creative rendering of the book of Jonah by Ashley Berry. Download the full version here: wordpdf.

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Thanks Guys!

August 4th, 2010

This past weekend we had Teen Weekend at the 3 weekend services at East Auburn Baptist Church. One of our worship bands, A2, lead the music and I preached. The teens did everything like greeting, offering, communion, sound, projector, welcome booth. They served the body well, as good as any other weekend!

Here is what some people said after this weekend,

“The service was great. I should have left a tip ;0) I just may have to attend the Atmosphere services the rest of this month or listen on line to hear the rest of it. Gulp….what a message…one that everyone needs to hear.”

“[Josh] you and the others did a wonderful job today! thank you for the uplifting music! it’s always nice to hear.”

Keep up the good work!!!!! Good job with the youth today.”

Absolutely awesome day at church Josh. The Spirit was leading and it was so powerful. You guys really need to lead church more often. The music was so powerful. You are doing a really good job with Atmosphere.”

Those are just a couple of the comments that I received. The service was GREAT, and we could not have done it without all the help from the following students. Thank you for loving Jesus and serving Him with your time!

  • Justin Hausman
  • Becka Martin
  • Ryan Libby
  • Kim Lessard
  • Cody DeGraff
  • Sarah Marchand
  • Hannah Rodrigue
  • Nate Gould
  • Cameron Klingman
  • Gabe Klingman
  • Josh Frechette
  • Rachel Libby
  • Ryan Hausman
  • Zach Provencher

Thanks guys, you make my job fun! I can’t wait to see what Jesus does through you guys!

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Connecting for Jesus

August 4th, 2010

Here is a quote from Sinclair Furguson, from his book Man Overboard!: The Story of Jonah that speaks to being in community and growing deeper in the knowledge of Jesus now, as teens, so that we may reap the benefits down the road.

“Early years of spiritual fellowship invested in study, prayer, discussion, evangelism, and the sheer exhilaration of seeking to discover the will of God for our own lives, and the purpose of God for our fellowship, repay vast dividends in the future….. We ought to thank God with all our hearts if we have had the privilege of being bound together with fellow Christians like this, to live and to die for Christ and His cause.” (pg 7)

What a great blessing we have been given here at Atmosphere. May we not merely attend and consume, but may we gather and worship Jesus for His glory and fame!

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Valley of Vision 8.3.10

August 3rd, 2010

“Glorious Jehovah, My covenant God, Ally thy promises in Christ Jesus are yea and amen, and all shall be fulfilled. Thou hast spoken them and they shall be done, commanded and they shall come to pass.” pg 130

Valley of Vision is a series of blog post that will contain quotes from the book Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

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Jonah Flees

July 30th, 2010

When the Lord spoke to me, He left no room for debate. He said, “Go to the great city Nineveh and confront it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.”

I failed to heed this command as it seemed to be beyond reason. After all, He is merciful; I knew if I went that He would save them and that they were far from deserving. So I put it out of my mind and, instead, headed for Tarshish- away from the Lord and far from His will. I found a ship in Joppa willing to take me for a simple fee.*

This weekend, we will see how Jonah ran from God’s Word. Read the account in Scripture (Jonah 1.1-3) and join us at Atmosphere as Josh preaches through this section.

*This is a creative rendering of the book of Jonah by Ashley Berry. Download the full version here: word | pdf.

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Atmosphere DNA

July 28th, 2010

We recently finished a series on what makes up Atmosphere. Below are the links to the audio. For more content, visit http://atmospherechurch.com/media.

05.01.10 | What is the Gospel?

05.15.10 | What is Community?

05.22.10 | What is Mission?

06.12.10 | How Does Community Work?

06.19.10 | How does Mission Work (part. 1; part. 2)

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