Nic Vujicic video clip

Hey, gang. I watched the video below and felt the need to share it with you all. Life is hard sometimes. Things don't always seem fair and sometimes it looks like God has forgotten you, but He hasn't. Take a few minutes and watch the video and be blessed! You never know how God is going to use your circumstances. He wastes NOTHING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MslbhDZoniY

The ELF Olympics Are Coming...

December is coming and we are SO excited about the things we have planned for FCA to help us celebrate Christmas. We have the ELF Olympics that we’ll be kicking off on December 5th. It will involve some creative games where students will be eating a variety of interesting things. If you’d like to participate please download the form, print it, fill it out and bring it with you to FCA on Friday, December 5th. We must have a completed form for all students who wish to participate.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Walking it out for Jesus

We are SO blessed at Lovinggood to have had some wonderful speakers at FCA this year. This past Friday we had two great speakers, Bria Everett and James Morgan. Bria brought a strong message about materialism and letting other things become a God to you and knocking Jesus out of His rightful place in your life. Then James followed up with a message about being an example for Jesus in all things.

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” Bria and James demonstrated this on Friday. Each and every one of you has a sphere of influence. Are you using it for the Kingdom?

T-SHIRT Design Winner: Congratulations to Austin Creech for his design for the “Living It Out at Lovinggood” t-shirt design contest (design #1). We will get the design sent to the graphics artist and hopefully have the t-shirts available to you soon.

Don’t Forget:
1) Pit Crew: Every Thursday, 8 a.m. Mrs. Castleberry’s room
2) FCA next week: Intercessory Prayer Day: come and join us as we pray for our school and community.

That Just Happened...

Andrew Fillingim from Roswell Street Baptist Church was our speaker Friday. He had an awesome message about walking with the Lord. He told us if we will give ourselves totally to Jesus, then we will be able to say “That just happened!” and share stories of the great things of God.

“Living it out at Lovinggood” t-shirt designs were due this past Friday. The student leadership will review the designs and present the top 3 for FCA students to vote on.

“Operation Christmas Child” shoeboxes are due Friday, November 7th or 14th. Please help us provide Christmas for children around the world. Pick up your brochure from Mrs. Barry in the attendance office today.

Next week, our speaker will be Scott Maxwell from First Baptist Powder Springs. Come and learn what the Lord has to say to us through Scott.

Live it Out at Lovinggood

What are you doing in the halls of Lovinggood? That was the question our speaker posed to the students this week at FCA. The challenge was to walk out your faith; don’t just spout out your faith. You never know when and where you are making an impact. Live it out at Lovinggood.

Our PTSA is sponsoring a food drive for Cobb Family Council. Let’s support them with canned goods to help needy families in our community. Times are hard and money is tight and anything we can give will bless others.

Operation Christmas Child will be in full swing this week. Make sure you get your flyer to participate. They should be going home with you no later than Friday. Check with your homeroom teacher if you do not get a flyer. We will be collecting the completed shoe boxes on October 31st, November 7th and November 14th. Make a difference in a child’s life.

T-Shirt Design Contest

Participants have until Friday, October 31st to create a design for consideration for the 2008-2009 FCA T-shirt contest. All designs must contain the phrase “Living it out at Lovinggood” somewhere on the shirt. A scripture of your choice needs to be on the design as well. We ask that all designs be in color. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Norris at snorris91@aol.com.

We Choose to Stand

FCA this morning was amazing. We had 34 people accept Christ! We also challenged all of the students, teachers and parents to take a stand against bullying, gossip, disrespect, and any other behaviors that bring physical or emotional harm to others. Those who accepted the challenge to stand against those things came down front to pray. EVERY SINGLE CHAIR WAS EMPTY! It was powerful. Now, if everyone will walk it out, Lovinggood Middle School will be changed forever!

October 3rd Meeting Update

It was a sad day at Lovinggood Middle School on Friday, when we are learned of the tragic death of Matthew Redd. Matthew was an 8th grader who loved learning. He was an outstanding student and a kind person to all. He leaves behind his parents, Tina and Michael Redd, and his sister, Caroline Redd (a 6th grader at Lovinggood).

It is during times like these that our faith is put to the test. The Lord promises us over and over in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We pray that the Redd family would experience this as they go through this difficult time. We also ask that the peace that surpasses all understanding would engulf the them and all of those who are near and dear to them.

This Friday, we will have a special FCA meeting to honor the memory of Michael Redd. We will have FCA staff and parents there to minister to any and all who need it. We will also take some time to write notes to the Redd family to encourage them and let them know that they are being covered in prayer.

Get Out of the Pit and Come Join the Crew!

Pit Crew comes together every Thursday morning at 8 a.m. in Mrs. Castleberry’s room for a time of teaching and prayer…and sometimes donuts. Bring your Bible and come and see what God is saying to your generation.

Celebrate Good Times

Well, we didn’t have 550, but we did have 458 students, parents, and teachers join us for FCA this morning as God’s Warriors demonstrated mighty strength and shared about their mighty God. We saw weight lifting, student lifting and Davis lifting. We saw men bend rebar in the shape of a pretzel, frying pans in the shape of a fruit roll up and rip a phone book in two and create confetti for our celebration. We joined all of heaven when we celebrated today because 125 students accepted Christ this morning. It was an incredible time at FCA. And it just keeps getting better and better.

Next week, we will have FCA staff member, Maranda Webb in the house. Maranda spent this past year serving as a missionary in China. You donây™t want to miss all God has put on her heart to share with you.

Can You Say "Yuck"!

Today was Fear Factor, Lovinggood style. It was beyond gross. Our students ate prunes, Spam, cocktail onions, jalapenos, sardines and pickled pigs feet. Ivy from 8th grade and Kermit from 7th grade have FULL BRAGGING RIGHTS for a year. They are the only two who held out to the bitter end. Way to go gang!

Chad Cannon brought an amazing message. He talked to you about our mouth and what comes out of it. How do your words impact others? Do they set you apart in a good way? Do others notice? Chad challenged you to focus on Psalm 19:14, which says, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Whatever you feed your heart through your eyes and ears will eventually come out of your mouth. If this is an area that you struggle with, pray and ask God to help you. He desires to have a relationship with you where you come to Him.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR…….Wednesday is See You at the Pole. We will meet at the flag pole at 8 a.m. to pray for our school, community and country. Come make a difference!

God’s Warriors are in the house!!!!!!!!!! You don’t want to miss it. Last year, it was not only the talk of the school, but it was the talk of the community. We had 529 students, parents and teachers attend. We have been challenged to break our own record. So, what do you say Lovinggood? Can you arise to the occasion? Grab a friend, grab a parent, grab the paper boy, and bring them to FCA.

And Then There Were More...

...317 students to be exact. We are continuing to grow. Keep inviting your friends to FCA. God is on the move at Lovinggood and you want to be a part of it. We had two students accept Christ today. The Kingdom of God is growing!!!

Our leaders provided a great introduction to Cory Hallett’s message with their skit. Way to go, ladies!!! Cory reminded everyone of the importance of surrounding yourself with other believers to encourage you to stay strong in your faith and to challenge you to take a stand among your peers for who may be wavering. The Bible actually calls us to sharpen one another in Proverbs 27:17 when it tells us “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Take a good look at those around you. Are the encouraging you to do the right thing or are they challenging you to do things you know you shouldn’t be involved with?

Don’t forget that Pit Crew meets EVERY Thursday morning in Mrs. Castleberry’s room at 8 a.m. This is a great place to meet with like minded people and strengthen your faith walk.

Next Friday, we have a Lovinggood favorite, Chad Cannon from West Cobb Baptist. You never quite know what to expect with Chad, but you can ALWAYS expect fun and laughter. Don’t miss what he has to say to us this time around.


GOD’S WARRIORS ARE COMING!!!!!!!!!! Last year, we rose to the occasion and had 529 students attend FCA for God’s Warriors. They have asked if Lovinggood has what it takes to break our own record. Well? Have you got the gusto to make it happen? Could we see 550? Start getting the word out. Friday, September 26th there will be warriors in the house….God’s Warriors.

See You at the Pole

See You at the Pole: Wednesday, September 24th @ 8:00am

While the prophet Samuel was young, he lived in the Temple under the spiritual guidance of Eli. One night God called Samuel’s name, but he thought it was Eli. After this happened several times, Eli realized the truth and told Samuel to go back to bed and if he heard the voice again to respond by saying . . .

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening!” 1 Samuel 3:9b God did call and Samuel listened. This began a relationship with God that went on throughout Samuel’s life. In fact, in verse 19, it says, “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his [God’s] words fall to the ground.”

At another point as Samuel was an old man, he addressed Israel: “I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand.” The people agreed that Samuel had led them with integrity and honor all his years, but it began when he was young.

It all started for Samuel when he made a connection with God at an early age. And he chose to continue to connect with Him daily throughout his life. It’s tough being a Christian student today, isn’t it? You have to make a lot of choices about who you are—and who you’re not. You have to try and follow God in a world that misunderstands Christianity and tolerates its principles less and less all the time.

What if, like Samuel you:
—made a connection with God as a young person?
—declared, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”?
—never let any of God’s words “fall to the ground” in your own life?

See You at the Pole is a great place to connect with God, connect with other believers, and connect with your campus in the name of Christ. SYATP connects believers together at the beginning of the school year, so you can stand strong together throughout the year. See You at the Pole is all about prayer. It's about you coming toget her and laying aside all the labels and groups for one day, to simply connect with God in prayer and connect with fellow Christians in unity around the flag pole—whether jocks, preps, geeks, Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, sophomores, or seniors. So are you ready to connect? Are you ready to say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening?

JOIN your generation Wednesday, September 24, at 8:00am. GATHER at your school flagpole. PRAY for your school, friends, families, and world. CONNECT. Listen as He speaks to you.

SEE YOU AT THE POLE!

Wow! Week One = 300 Students

Can anyone say “WOW!” We had 300 students at FCA this morning. How awesome is that?!?! Just think… if we start with 300 where we might end with this year. Dream BIG, because we serve a BIG God. Last year we started off FCA with 200 students. Let’s keep the momentum going. We don’t want anyone left behind.

Remember, NIV 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." Just like Michael Phelps, we’re going for the gold because we’re going for God! You have to be intentional if you are ever going to achieve your goal in any arena of life. In your walk with Jesus, you have got to spend time with Him; talking with Him through prayer and listening to Him through reading His Word. If you don’t have a Bible, let us know and we’ll get you one. It’s hard to play by the rules if you don’t know the plays and it’s hard to know the plays if you don’t have a playbook (aka. The Bible).

Come to Pit Crew on Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. (in Mrs. Castleberry’s FACS room) and learn how to pray and join others as we pray for our school, our teachers and staff, and our students. Watch how your prayers tenders the heart of God and bring about action.

Invite your friends and neighbors for next week to hear what God has to say to you through Cory Hallett. Cory is the Director of Student Ministries at Riverstone Church in Kennesaw. The meeting will be Friday, September 12th at 8:00am. Don’t miss it!

Welcome to Lovinggood FCA 2008

Welcome to our new blog site. We have an exciting year planned for FCA at Lovinggood Middle School. Our first meeting is this Friday, September 5th at 8:00am. Bring a friend if you can and don't be late.

To help drop off run smoothly, parents should follow the directions of the staff. Stay in line until you've exited the parking lot. Tell students to be prepared to exit the cars as fast as possible. If parents need to speak to students or give them items, they should park and not hold up traffic. Parents should drive down as far as possible to allow students to unload. Students should unload between the two pedestrian walks which are located between the Media Center patio and the front doors. Do not drop students off at the street or on the curved portion of the drive. Do not pull around cars unless directed to do so. Please be patient. Many students attend FCA and everyone wants to get to their next destination.

Looking forward to a great year!!

FCA - Vision, Mission & Values

The FCA Vision
To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches.

The FCA Mission
To present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.

The FCA Values
Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.

• Integrity
  We will demonstrate Christ-like wholeness, privately and publicly.
• Serving
  We will model Jesus’ example of serving.
• Teamwork
  We will express our unity in Christ in all our relationships.
• Excellence
  We will honor and glorify God in all we do.

FCA at Lovinggood

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is touching millions of lives…one heart at a time. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America. FCA focuses on serving local communities by equipping, empowering and encouraging people to make a difference for Christ.

FCA at Lovinggood sponsors many activities throughout the year. FCA is school based yet student and community focused. In the past, Lovinggood FCA has helped locally by holding food drives and gift card drives to help those families in need at Lovinggood as well as the local food banks. We've also reached out internationally through participating in Operation Christmas Child. In 2006 / 2007, we were also able to use funds raised at Lovinggood on the Lawn to purchase 6 new benches for our school, provide a financial contribution to Hillgrove’s FCA program, and purchase supplies for the start up of FCA this year. Additionally, we stocked the guidance counselors’ offices with school supplies for needy students at Lovinggood. Last year, Lovinggood FCA donated funds for beautification of the school to go towards having the school logo painted and a mural in the media center. We believe that we are the hands and feet of Jesus and we attempt to walk that out through our ministry at Lovinggood.