Sam Sutter and Ashley Sutter» sam reflects

Reminders are needed… Gospel Cliff’s Notes

Sam — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:17:07 +0000

I’ve had a lot of conversations in the last couple weeks about how Christians can live with a sharp disconnect between what they believe and how they act. Inconsistency, hypocrisy, lack of character – we have lots of different labels for something that we both hate in others and, when we’re brutally honest, see in ourselves.

We’ve attacked the problems in two different ways. This week we’re looking at a third – simply reviewing the basics of the Gospel. We tend to quickly forget these things.

The awfulness and shear scope of our own sin. The most easily-proven doctrine is the most taken for granted. There is no one righteous – no not even one! (Romans 3:10) The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. (Gen. 6:5)

“The struggle to accept our exceeding sinfulness is everywhere in the church of Christ… when we are approached about our own sin, we wrap our robes of self-righteousness around us and rise to our own defense.

But only when you accept the bad news of the gospel does the good news make any sense. The grace, restoration, reconciliation, forgiveness, mercy, patience, power, healing and hope of the gospel are for sinners. They are only meaningful to you if you admit that you have the disease and realize that it’s terminal.”*

The importance of the heart. We talk a lot about behavior. People are doing this or that. We setup goals and measurable observations. – But God looks at the HEART. “The heart is the steering wheel of every human being. Everything we do is shaped and controlled by what our hearts want… Lasting changes always comes through the heart.” We need to guard it and try and learn what this means: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

The benefits of Christ for RIGHT NOW: Jesus RULES the all things (Ephesians 2:22-23) Right now Jesus is putting all his enemies under his feet. (1 Cor 15:25-28) We can live courageously without fear.

Jesus calls us to Grow and Change: We can’t just coast. We need to be free from sin, from our selfishness, from our pride and take on Jesus’ character. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:4)

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)

* Quotes and some of the content from How People Change.

A night of prayer…

Sam — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:14:42 +0000

You do not have… because you do not ask. James 4:2b– Implies something very powerful. It points to an incredible connection between our action of simple prayer and God’s bold deeds. A simple sentence that reminds me to pray.

One of my favorite nights of youth group events is our Prayer Night. About twice a year we take the bulk of a night and go in groups through prayer stations. By far, my favorite part is having an open mic after it’s all done and listening to what we experienced. I love hearing students testify about experience God’s personal presence.

“I’m just overwhelmed by God’s grace.”

“I can’t believe how much God loves me even though I fail”

“Our world really needs God”

This last Friday we had five stations:

1) PRAY FOR THE COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD

What’s going on? Cry out to God about politics, war, drugs etc.
On the tables are newspapers from this week. Start looking over the headlines and articles. When you find one that catches your attention take a Highlighter or marker and highlight that article and then pray for that situation/problem or praise God for how he is working in the situation. You can write your questions and your prayers right on the article as well.

27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD,  and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,  28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:27,28

2) PRAYING THE PSALMS On the table is a list of all the Psalms and their topics. Read through the list and choose a psalm off the list that you are drawn to, take time to meditate on it. Read through the psalm a few times. Notice a specific verse that stands out to you. Write the verse and the reference on an index card. Keep the index card in place where will see it everyday.

3) PRAYING FOR YOUR SCHOOL

4) PRAISING GOD FOR GROWTH Trace your hand on the tree. Inside write a thanks to God for how he has helped you to grow in a specific way. Next trace your other hand. Write a request to God for a way that you would like to grow in the future. (see graphic at top)

5) CONFESSION: Students spent time confessing sin by writing it on a piece of paper, then burning it in a camp fire as a symbol of how our sin are gone when forgiven.

It was an incretible night, and maybe an important reminder that God is always accessable to us. I want to thank EmLam for all of her help putting

One month with Logos Bible Software

Sam — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:14:49 +0000

I have long been one of those book snobs who looks down his glasses-indented nose at people whose primary book source is computer software. I think it was because I knew people who used Bible software as a substitute for studying, and I think there’s something spiritual that happens when someone studies the Bible well. Plus I never could see myself reading a significant book on a computer screen.

I recently changed my mind… here’s why I’m jumping into Bible Software… Last year I got a kindle, and learned that it actually is really easy to read on an electronic device. I also got a smart phone and started reading on it constantly – seldom large books, but it is often my first go to device for answers… about anything. I then simultaneously noticed how much I was learning from blogs and computer resources… but was also getting frustrated at how temporary and cheap they are. (google– “reasons why John Mayer quit twitter”).– It occurred to me that while blogs, tweets, etc are interesting, they’re seldom crafted as well as good books, books that I could be reading on a computer. Lastly, social media – Facebook, G+, twitter, Linked in – I sometimes want to share/post what I’ve read.. and it’s harder with real books.

The good folks hooked me up with a copy of Logos Bible Software almost a month ago. I just jumped in – I still haven’t bothered to watch any of the user videos, or read the manual… I just started using it.

What is Logos Bible Software?

I think my most pleasant surprise is just trying to figure out what Logos is. I’m used to a pretty straight formula for Bible Software – you get a CD, and install software that looks like it was written for Windows 95, hope it doesn’t crash, while you look at a cluttered screen trying to show off how much information of marginal use is at your finger tips. Logos is very different.

Logos is an entire information eco system. I was really pleasantly impressed. Logos’ servers and services allows users to access books and other resources from any of several device. There’s the Windows and Mac software clients (which are actually pretty and run quickly), internet sites, and phone apps. Gone are the days of CDs and slow Windows installs. Say you’re a Logos user and you want to use the ESV Study Bible. You can purchase it online very easily. Next time you run the computer program it seamlessly downloads the new book without you having to do anything, and it’s there – working as though it was always available. You log on to www.Biblia.com and the book is also there, and you open your smartphone app, and the new book is there too, synchronized to where you left off reading on your computer. I have not completely figured out some parts of this but most of it works seamlessly. I love this part – say you’re reading a book on your phone at an airport somewhere, next time you log on to your windows machine, the software has it synchronized to where you last left off. Lots of books are available, and when purchased through Logos, they’re available anywhere you are, right where you left off. – Honestly, this is the part of Logos that completely blew me away.

Logos is also a research toolbox. The computer and web software has lots of ways of getting Bible answers and giving insight to Bible studies and topics. I could get use to this. For me the Bible is unique among books I read because when I study the Bible I need a half dozen books open. Translations, study guides, original languages, dictionaries, etc – and I have an annoying patterns of laying books out on my (physical) desktop and going between them. Annoying because of the space it takes up and because all the synchronized page turning. I know it seems odd to some of you, but it’s really amazing how much it opens up if you can see a lot of information coming together. Logos does this on your computer desktop. You can figure out what books you would like opened, and set a “layout” so it opens them for you just the way you like it. You can “link” windows – so as you scrolled through say a Bible passage, the notes or other Bible helps scroll with you. There’s also some really good resources that I’d never think of until it pops up on a search. You can search for topics or passages and the software finds relevant information.

Crazy story – my senior pastor was away at Disney World a couple weeks ago and one of our church members passed away. Bad times for Sam. I am not really great at funerals. I was meeting with the family, and I was on my phone and looked up “funeral” in Logos, and it (no joke) came up with a Practical Pastor book chapter on how to talk to a family before a funeral. – It seems stiff, but it gave some practical help that I really was able to use.

Still Diving In

I’m still learning – It’s one of those programs that has a lot more to it than meets the eye. As I learn, I’m planning on sharing more about the different clients. But I know a lot of you are serious about studying the Bible. – This is a great tool for you to start using. The packages start pretty reasonably – I think you can even get a bunch of books for free.

Check out http://biblia.com for a great web Bible interface.

www.Logos.com for basic packages – Get a free John Piper Book in December! (also all base packages are 15% off right now.)

or http://vyrso.com/ for Christian Books (Get Free John Piper Book)

Youth Group December Update

Sam — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:27:07 +0000

Quick random thanks to God – Ilyia Wilson (14 year old youth group member with Lymphoma) got it PET scan last night and he is now… wait for it… CANCER FREE – God is really Good.

Last month was amazing! I started listing some of the events we’ve had but it seemed like it was easier just to post some of the pictures and let you in a way see for yourself. This month like most months I am very thankful for our hard-working youth leaders. In November they’ve really gone above and beyond to serve our students and help them grow. I’ve also been very proud of our students—some of whom have taken courageous steps—starting clubs at school, organizing coat drives, collections for orphans, getting others to help at rescue missions—the list goes on.

I’m also really excited about iFace (Influence, Friendship, Accountability, Confidentiality, Encouragement)) our way of encouraging students to get involve with prayer accountability and mentoring. It still needs some work but I’m really excited about its potential to help kids grow.

December tends to be a hectic month. Dec 2nd is our Wallyball night—please see Sam for details, Dec 9th is “split night” Dec 16th is our annual (awesome) Christmas Party. We do not have Friday youth group Dec 23rd, or Dec 30th. We may add some day events over break, but overall we’re going to encourage students to keep each other accountable and pray that family time goes well. We do post a lot of other announcements on facebook—I’ve been impressed at how many things there are for our students to get involved in. —visit our group at www.facebook.com/groups/DixHillsYouth/

(pictured, IFACE game time – Carol and Laura put together a night of team-building activities to encourage friendships: A stack of home made sympathy cards from our Sr High Girls small group: Picture from Guys Small Group winter weekend at “The Captian’s” cabin. And Star Goalie)

Peacemaking is my preaching jam

Sam — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:09:02 +0000

I preach at my church sometimes – this last Sunday, given the upcoming holidays and possible holiday “drama”, I was really burdened to talk about Peacemaking. If you missed it give it a listen. (it’s the recording from the early service, I think I was more confident the second time around)

Listen To Sunday’s Sermon:

Jesus says that people who make peace are happy and fortunate because they look like God. (my paraphrase of Matt 5.9) – It’s a promise that raise as many questions as answers. What is the right way to make peace? We’re going to take some time this morning and look at the biblical model of Peacemaker Ministries. and look at how in all of life’s complexities and conflicts we can be people who make peace by acting like our Savior.

My one defense – I’m righteous! Lord, I Need You

Sam — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:58:27 +0000

My favorite new song off the newest Passion CD, is a hymn rewrite by Daniel Carson, Kristian Stanfill, Christy Nockels, Matt Maher, & Jesse Reeves called “Lord I Need You”. It is a powerful statement of trust in God mostly as a singable rewrite of “I Need Thee Every Hour”. It’s not the most catchy or rocky song in the collection, but its’ words are probably the most powerful and striking.

Lord I Need You: playing music while “baby sitting” (not very well with either though)

I think the new words are:

(bridge) Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay

(chorus)Lord, I need You, Oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

I found myself singing it several times and mistakenly (subconsciously?) singing “my one defense, thy righteousness.” It seemed like a huge mistake –I really need God, my only defense is that I’m righteous, but that’s what the song says.

Then the beautiful of the song hit me –I’ve been (supposed to be) sinning about a wonderful doctrine called “imputed righteousness”. This is (I think) the technical term for the kind of justice and security that God gives to Christians. I’m not gonna lie, I had to look up the formal definition in Logos Bible Software, but after reading Calvin, Hodge, and several other definitions- I came across this one:

The crediting by God to believers with righteousness on account of Jesus Christ. Paul argues that Abraham did nothing which earned him the status of being righteous in the sight of God. Rather, Abraham believed the promise of God, and for that reason was granted the status of being righteous before God. Likewise, all who trust in Jesus Christ have righteousness imputed to them–that is, reckoned as if it was theirs. Imputation should not be confused with impartation. Believers are not made right ethically (impartation), but put right relationally (imputation). What God changes is not the character of believers but their legal standing before him. From this new position, believers are called to co-operate with the Holy Spirit in sanctification so that their character increasingly reflects their new standing.*

Our best defense against guilt, against temptation, against accusation, against doubt – is OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. That when we trust in Christ, God looks at us – and rather than seeing us in our guilt, sin and failure God sees the work of Christ. Those who are in Christ are seen by God as being just as righteous as Christ himself.

That is worth singing about. (Chord Chart)

*Manser, M. H. (1999). Zondervan Dictionary of Bible Themes. The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. Grand Rapids, MI: ZondervanPublishingHouse.

Event Recap-Columbus Day is for Scavenger Hunting

Sam — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:28:38 +0000

Our youth group kids are hilarious – a couple weeks ago we had (for Columbus day) a Video Scavenger Hunt around Huntington Village. It seemed like an appropriate way of honoring a famous explorer. I’m really thankful to the leaders, especially EmLam who made it all happen – but enjoy these – our kids are hilarious.

Team One: “Psych”: Charissa, Danielle, Sam Sutter, Joey, Kyle, Heather, and Sofie team up for crazyness.

Scenes from Team Two Scavenger hunt… hilarious times! Nora, Jennie, Frankie, Timmy, Aren, Petrina

Some Columbus Day Craziness: Amy, Jennie B, Lauren, Spencer, David, Austin & Luke.

Pray for Students (see you at the pole edition)

Sam — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:04:32 +0000

Tomorrow is See You At the Pole on Long Island and I want to ask as many people as possible to pray along with students. I asked some of our high school youth group students to write down how their schools need prayer. Here’s what they wrote. Please pray for them.

I ask that you help me be your voice in Northport. There are many issues. Drugs, sex and alcohol abuse. Help me to be your voice. I ask that others will listen to me and start to get to know you. You are the way, the truth and the life. Help the kids in Northport see that. Help them find a youth group to go to Friday Nights so they don’t party. Help them see you. – Sarah

Lord, I pray for all my fellow students in NHS. I don’t know what each person’s weakness is, but I know a lot of problems like drugs, sex and alcohol take up most of their spare time. Even some of the teachers do not seem to have their lives going in the right direction. Help me be a light in my school, that I am not afraid to tell people that I am a Christian. Lord, I pray that someone or myself will not be afraid to start up a Bible Club. Amen. Abby.

Dear God, please help everyone to know your name and that more people show up at churches. Please help people know your word and your presence on earth. – Michael

Dear God please show yourself at my school by surrounding us with the safety and kindness. Bring the courage to people to learn about you. Thank you.

“please pray for the kids in the advantage program that their needs get met and that God intervenes in all situations” Jennie

I pray that you can help me to be strong in my faith and use my young years to teach or tell my friends about God. I pray that you can help me be a leader in my school and set a good example and tell people how awesome and holy you are. James.

Dear God, No more drugs. Bible club. Can talk about Jesus without being cast out by others. – Nora

Start God Club. To love like Jesus. You know what he sees and hears everyone in the school – Help others to stop cursing, making out in the hallways and to do school work.. – Jenny

Help with the major problems on the buses. cursing, bullying, etc – Nicole

Dear God, please help our school. There’s bullying under pressures and joking and it’s difficult for Christians. Please help with the language and the kids that don’t have God. They need you. Marianna

Dear God please help with the school’s safety and please help more Christians be lights and spread the word around our school.

Dear God. Please help change the people of HHS to be like you and to help with inconstancies – like dealing drugs, malicious behavior, alcoholism and tons of other problems. Keith

Dear God. This year I would like to see more people being leaders for Christ and I would like to gain the courage and strength to speak about God to my friends – Rachid

Dear God. I would love to see you more in school. I guess part of the problem is me not talking to people about you. So I guess if anything, help people talk about you more. It might be interesting to see who are Christians. – Charissa.

Dear God. I pray for the students and people at Whitman that they would be confident and passionate about their faith. I also pray for the teachers and faculty and violence would be minimized. I pray that you would help me be an example and for the drug situation because in the most common thing in a locker is drugs/illegal substance . In your name I pray. – Aren.

Dear God. I just pray that there will be no fights, constantly going on in school . That our school stays a positive school. I also pray that you keep our school safe from any dangers that may come upon us. Thank you Lord! Kellyjane.

Dear God. Please give me the wisdom to talk to people about you. Please help me to change their lives. Thank you for giving me freedom for all my days. – Amy

Dear God. I pray that you help more people in my school to learn about you and follow more in your name. I pray that you help me become more of an example to other students. – Kyle

Dear God. I pray that this year you help me to be a light to me peers and that you use me and give me the strength and wisdom to help others and talk about you. Also that the many kids who are in need of you in their live are guided and let you into their lives and see how great you are. Lauran

Dear God I pray that you help me make myself an example of you at school. I haven’t been doing a great job. But I pray you would change me into a man of your word and that I would be an amazing example of you during this year’s football season and school year. – Luke

I pray that we will be able to say what we believe. No more cursing, drugs, sex. Lord please be beside through everything. Please help other people believe. Help us to make better choices. – Danielle

I pray that 8^th graders don’t act mean and that they stop cursing on the bus and in the school building. I also pray that kids would joke about appropriate things. – Sofie

I pray that everyone in school can succeed this year. – Kayla

I pray that more people will join our Christian club and grow closer to Christ as well as people coming back to Jesus – Andrew

I would like to lift up before you the students and staff of Hills West. I pray that the Christians in our school including myself would be bold. I also pray that the issues in the school like drugs, alcohol and sex would be lessoned. Please make yourself known through our activities in not only Hills west but in all the schools like it. – Mariah.

Lord, I ask you to watch over my school and help others with all sins they make. Help me and others to grow closer to you. –

I pray that you make your presence felt in our school among students and teachers. That there are many non-Christians so I pray that you keep the faith of the Christians strong. – Chris

I pray that the problems in the school such as drugs, sex alcohol and greed – the love of money are lessened. The love of money may be the worst and can only lead to evil. Joe.

Dear God. Please give the security guards and the teachers/staff wisdom. I pray that there won’t be any more violence. Give all of the students confidence and reveal yourself.

Dear God. Please bring wisdom and boldness to the Christian Students and teachers on this campus. I would love to see the Christian Bible club grow so much that it needs the whole senior lunch room for gathers. Keep your children from sin and temptation! Help them to shine on this dark campus! All for your glory and our joy! – Laura

High School (Jesus) Freaks.

Sam — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:51:08 +0000

This (above) is a video from our VBS picnic – mostly our youth band covering DC Talks Jesus Freak . In retrospect we should have practiced, or maybe even figured out the chords out ahead of time… But (it’s kinda funny) – And it does a good job at reminding me of how hard growing up as a Christian in public school can be.

I’m really grateful to everyone that prays for teenagers. Last Sunday our church made up handouts of schools represented by students in our church and lots of people took the half sheet handouts with a school listed on it and several of you have told me how you’re praying for the youth group kids at that school when you sit behind school buses and as part of your normal prayer time. I was a encouraged and overwhelmed to put together a list of students involved in our programs in the last year and to count around 100 students. Encouraged, because it says that our students are good at bringing more people into good things. Overwhelmed, because that list represents a lot of needs and hearts that God needs to change. Keep praying—we really need God to move in the hearts and lives of young people. We’ve seen some great things so far—a vibrant prayer night, movie night, small group kick offs, mini golf outing, and plans for a more purposeful students accountability program.

This week we’re encouraging kids to be a part of next week’s see you at the pole—a national gathering of students across the nation to pray at their school’s flag pole. For most of the nation it is an encouraging event where students discover that they are not alone – that there are more Christians at their school than they realize. For most of our students it’s a day where many of them will be standing alone praying for their schools. Please join them in your prayers

Long Island Water (beaches/baths & Baby)

Sam — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:16:56 +0000

The upside of living on and Island is that it’s surrounded by water. (there’s a quotable) We’ve had a lot of fun taking Colette to the Fire Island Light House – (several times actually). Last week we wanted to take her again but Field 5 of Robert Moses was closed from the hurricane damage – so we parked at field 3 and walked to field 5… you Long Islanders will appreciate why we didn’t want to walk to the light house after that. Colette loves being at the beach… now that I think about it we’ve been there every week for going on 5 weeks now – one night we switched her white noise app (yeah, we’re geeks) to a beach noise… and instead of falling to sleep, she stared giggling and moving her arms and legs fast.

Sam’s Beach Tweet: Dear little boy babies… Colette loves really long walks on the beach. This will be good to know in about 25 years when she can date.

We also finally took a day trip to went to Montauk where we walked around the shops and spent time at the Point Lighthouse. Colette has been really fun to take around – she loves the beach and enjoys looking around constantly.

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Sam Sutter and Ashley Sutter» sam reflects

Reminders are needed… Gospel Cliff’s Notes

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A night of prayer…

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