The ‘rock fist’ and the ‘fist bump’ have been staples around here in terms of social gestures we make when we see each other (as an alternative to the predictable hand-shake), when we’re pumped about something God is doing or just having a blast at TRGYC.

Our new logo takes it a step further. What does the ‘number one’ mean? You’re the 438th person to ask – and just like almost everyone else, possible meanings probably hit you while you were asking or thinking the question.

In our opinion, there is ONE primary reason why youth ministry exists. That is, to prepare young people and students for and help them on the journey to Heaven.

We believe that there is only ONE true God, who’s name is JESUS, and that there is only ONE true, biblical formula for eternal salvation. Repentance, followed by water baptism (which washes away our sinful past) in the name of JESUS, precede the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (a language that brings us together into ONE spirit). These are just the first steps to experiencing eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Our logo also points UP. To make it to Heaven we have to quit focusing on ourselves, down on society and the world that surrounds us. Instead, we must shift our attention upwards, and place our hearts, faith and hope in God. Everything else TRGYC is and does besides this is secondary.

Jesus came to seek and to save those who were lost. If that was good enough reason for Him to step down from Heaven and rock the human robe, we figure it’s a good enough focus point and start for us at TRGYC too.

Our logo might also remind you of a foam finger (that bigger than life sized ‘number one’ sign that crazy fans always carry while rooting for their favorite team). Well, our purpose IS ‘bigger than life’, and we’d also like to think of our team as being number ONE when it comes to youth ministry, building community and having good times too - but you’ll have to drop by and decide for yourself.

Someone said, ‘keep the main thing, the main thing.’ So, with every fist bump, rock fist, and wherever we see our logo (#1) be it on the website, on a t-shirt, ball cap or bumper sticker, we’re reminded to do just that.

A week and a half has already passed in 2010 - our new year and new decade.

For some, the past ten days have already provided ample time for you to break the resolve that just a week ago seemed so promising. Whatever your resolutions might have been, if you even made any, do not allow recent disappointments to deter you from your ultimate goals.

Recent binges, mistakes, accidents, compromises are an opportunity for us to get back up and start all over again. Failure tests our passion, resilience, our commitment and our determination - but that's okay. After all, without each of these elements, our pledge to do something more, something less or something different is just a good intention. Someone said the road of live is paved with these (good intentions). This is true, and I know this because I've scraped my knees and bruised my shins on them before.

Sometimes it's the first fall that messes us up (just ask Adam and Eve) - but should one mistake bump you off track like that? No, but it can, if you let it. What matters is that we get back up and after it, whatever itmight happen to be, with a renewed passion, fervor and zeal.

Do not quit, do not give in, do not throw in the towel just because the 'newness' may have been tarnished by one recent lapse of good judgment or return trip to the buffet. If it's a matter of sin, make the adjustments - but in the meantime, remember that HIS mercies are NEW every morning.

So, whether it's dropping a few pounds, picking up a few Bible studies, quitting smoking or starting college -make it a happy NEW year and NEW decade all over again and GET AFTER IT!

I still think it's cool to that right now some headbanger could be doing some sort of rock-n-roll google search, and come across The Rock Group Youth Community's new website and blog. After just searching for an oldie, lyric or favorite song, a cheap cd on sale - he or she, just like you, could end up connected to a youth community and ministry that forever changes his or her life. Now that rocks.

Guess what, people all over the world really are searching - and we never know who's watching, reading, listening, studying, and or who we might be effecting. This is why the Bible parallels our lives to an epistle, or letter, that people read daily, like a newspaper.

Once they, like us, get past the headline news, they open up the folds and get down inside where everything is black and white: from the classifieds where everything is listed that we are trying to get rid of, or where we might all at some time or another find ourselves searching (again)for things that we want, or are missing.

Some days there are comical sections that we glance at and don't get-other times, we relate and laugh out loud, hysterically. Throw in some day-to-day business stats, miscellaneous reports, recreation, entertainment, some useless advertisements, the infamous Dear Abby piece, opinionated letters to the editor, and you've pretty much captured the bee that's buzzing around in your daily world.

So, what do you look like, sound like, read like, act like to others who just so happen to be watching you in their search for real life change?

Now, it's January 8th, so there's been ample time to break this years resolutions already. That's ok, because more important than losing weight (or whatever), and more important than 'doing' something more, less, or different is 'being.' It is easy to be preoccupied with 'doing' and miss out on the real 'becoming' that Christ - and the world - is waiting to see in us.

God, this year, this decade for that matter, help every single one of us at TRGYC to make sure that everything we 'do' is a sincere result of who we 'are' in You.

-JDE

Thanks to all of our family, friends, staff and young people who came over to Casa de Escudero and made our annual Christmas Open House Party a blast - and those couldn't make it, we missed you. We clearly need a bigger house - and 6pm until 2am was not nearly enough time for all the fun we were having, so we're looking forward to a happy and prosperous new year with each of you. ALL TOGETHER NOW!

What an amazing Family Christmas Service we all enjoyed and had the privilege of participating in this past Sunday. The more than 170 children and young people who call The Rock Church home and family because of transportation made possible by our bus ministry were adopted several weeks ago - and got the chance to personally meet and spend time with their 'adopted' family. Each family gave each child a gift - and the look on the faces of many of our friends who probably wouldn't otherwise be receiving anything for Christmas this year was priceless. TRGYC also gave every family a cd of Rock Church music to listen to 'in between Sundays', and made sure that everyone had a pair of quality gloves to keep their hands warm on subsequent Sunday morning bus rides. The most important gift exchanged was the true, Christ-like Spirit of adoption. In between hugs and high fives, we were able to capture a few of the moments. Enjoy!