The Update

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 44
NT - James 3

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 43
NT - James 2

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 42
NT - James 1

This morning we talked about some of the different tools you can use to study the Bible online. Here's a recap and the links for those who wanted it.

eBible.com

This is the best for looking up Bible verses. It will highlight the passage amid the entire chapter and offers a clear and simple way to link to verses online. Best for "Hey, read this and tell me what you think." situations.

This is the best for studying the Bible. It will offer commentary on whatever passage you are reading, as well as letting you search by keywords or topics in the Bible. It's the best for both "I wonder what the Bible says about ______." and "I want to know more about this verse" situations.

YouVersion.com

This is the best for collecting your thoughts and helping you connect parts of your story with the Bible. It will let you add links, pictures, videos, or thoughts to any part of the Bible that you are reading. You can even sign up to follow your friends and see when they add their own connections. This is great for going back and seeing what the Bible made you think of.

These are all great tools and I hope you'll make use of them. Using tools to understand the Bible better can lead to some really great realizations about God and how he relates to us.

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 41
NT - 1 Thessalonians 5

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 40
NT - 1 Thessalonians 4

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 39
NT - Ephesians 6

Hey folks!

Through a marvel of technological genius, and a healthy dose of cool internet action, pictures of the 30 Hour Famine this weekend will be available as they happen!

Some pictures, as they are taken, will be automatically uploaded to our Photo Pool on flickr. That means if you aren't able to join us, or if your son or daughter is at the event, you will still be able to check in and see what we're up to.

Simply head over to our photos section by clicking here, and look for the most recent photos. Just another way to invite the Northwood community to share this experience with us. Enjoy!

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 37
NT - Ephesians 5

NSLtv has a new channel! U Speak, the "you channel", is a place for you to upload videos with your own thoughts, activities, or adventures. Maybe you took video at a youth event, we'd love to put it online. Maybe you were hanging out with your NSL buddies and you did something fun, we'd love to see what you're up to. Maybe you want to share your thought about an event in your life, or something we did as a group. It's like YouTube for Northwood Student Life, so it's whatever you want to see on there.

U Speak is just another way that we are building the NSL community. Just because we don't have youth group on a Thursday doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to share your life with the rest of us!

Click here to head to NSLtv, and then click the U Speak tab for a welcome for yours truly. I look forward to hearing what YOU have to say!

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 8
NT - Ephesians 4

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 7
NT - Ephesians 3

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 6
NT - Ephesians 2

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 3
NT - Ephesians 1
Bonus: Proverbs 13

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Genesis 1
NT - Galatians 6
Bonus: Psalm 84

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Exodus 12
NT - Galatians 5
Bonus: Proverbs 3

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - 1 Samuel 17
NT - 1 Corinthians 13
Bonus: Proverbs 27

*Go NSL!*

A lot of the time we hear that all religions are the same, or every religion leads to the same God. A couple of guys named Kurt and Marko do a good job of explaining why this doesn't fit with what the Bible says. Here's there response:

Almost nothing in this world is "all the same." When you go to Baskin-Robbins to get ice cream, the flavors aren't all the same. You have 31 different types of ice cream to choose from! Starbucks sells all kinds of coffee. You can get a one-dollar cup of plain ol' stuff or pay five dollars for one with mocha, caramel, and whipped cream. Try going to a bike shop and saying, "I'd like to buy a bike, please. Any bike will do since they're all the same." The mullet-headed, nose-pierced, bike-shop-owner dude would look at you as if you looked weird or something.

Religions aren't all the same, either. They may have some things in common, but they aren't all the same. Some of the ways religions are different from each other include what they teach about God, what they teach about Jesus, what they teach about getting to heaven, and what they teach about the Bible. There are other differences, but those are the biggies.

Another question we hear a lot is, "Are all religions true?" Again, another good question that deserves an answer: NO! The reason all religions can't be true isn't just because they're different. Different types of coffee are still true coffees, and different ice cream flavors are still true ice creams. The reason all religions can't all be true is because they all hold different beliefs that they claim as truth...beliefs that are totally opposite from each other. If beliefs about the same thing are opposite from each other, they can't both be true.

A simple example is how somebody gets to heaven. Christianity says that heaven is a free gift. Many other religions believe a ticket to heaven must be earned. Christianity believes that the gift of heaven is given to us through Jesus, God's Son. Many other religions believe that Jesus was a good guy but wasn't God's Son and has nothing to do with heaven. How can both be true?

Another difference between Christianity and other religions? Christianity isn't just a religion. Most religions make a big deal out of making sure you say the right stuff, do the right stuff, and stay away from the wrong stuff. Most religions focus on looking good on the outside. And while Christianity holds outward behavior as important, it's not the most important thing--it's about friendship with Jesus. And a true friendship with Jesus doesn't have a whole lot in common with religion.

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - 1 Samuel 16
NT - 1 Corinthians 12
Bonus: Psalm 33

*Go NSL!*

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - 1 Samuel 3
NT - Acts 27
Bonus: Proverbs 28

*Go NSL!*

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Judges 16
NT - Acts 10
Bonus: Psalm 121

*Go NSL!*

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Judges 15
NT - Acts 9
Bonus: Proverbs 14

*Go NSL!*

There's a new album available at the NSL Jukebox. The self-titled debut from High Flight Society is now available. If you're a fan of The Wedding, Jonezetta, or The Almost you'll probably enjoy it, so head on over and check it out!

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Judges 14
NT - Acts 2
Bonus: Psalm 91

*Go NSL!*

Here are the 40DC Chapters for today:

OT - Judges 13
NT - Acts 1
Bonus: Psalm 19

*Go NSL!*

Here are the 40DC readings for today:

OT - Judges 7
NT - 2 Timothy 4
Bonus: Proverbs 27

Be sure to share your thoughts at the NSL Forums.

Here are the 40DC chapters for today:

OT- Judges 7
NT - 2 Timothy 3

*Go NSL!*

Here are the suggested 40DC chapters for today:

OT- Judges 4
NT - 2 Timothy 2

Keep it up!

The 40DC Chapter for today are:

OT - Judges 3
NT - 1 Timothy 6
Bonus: Psalm 117

1 Week Down!

Today's 40DC Chapters are:

OT- Joshua 6
NT - 1 Timothy 5
Bonus - Proverbs 14

Keep it up!

Today's 40DC Chapters are:

OT- Joshua 5
NT - 1 Timothy 4
Bonus - Psalm 16

Good job everyone!

Today's 40DC Chapters are:

OT- Joshua 4
NT - 1 Timothy 3
Bonus- Proverbs 2

Happy reading!

This is a public service announcement for everyone who was at Spring Blitz. The Josiah Smith Band, our wonderful worship hosts at Blitz this year, are playing in a band tournament at Club 3 Degrees on April 12th at 7:30pm.
The cost is $8, and it's a great chance to check out an awesome Christian club located in the Warehouse District.
The Band: http://www.josiahsmithband.com/
The Gig: http://www.club3degrees.com/events.asp?ID=695
The Club: http://www.club3degrees.com/directions.asp

*This is NOT a youth event, just a head's up to those who may want to go.

Today's Bible Chapters are:

OT - Joshua 3
NT - 1 Timothy 2
Bonus: Psalm 97

*Keep it up NSL!*

The suggested Bible chapters for today are:

OT- Joshua 2
NT - 1 Timothy 1
Bonus: Proverbs 15

Remember to share your thoughts over at the NSL Forums [click here]. (Andy has started a poll you should check out over there too!)