The Threads Blog

If you’re like me, you don’t pay too much attention to everything you say. I tend to speak first and think second which gets me into trouble from time to time. It’s amazing how words can be used for good or destruction. Words can lift us up or shut us down. James 3 has alot to say about the words we choose and how we choose to use them.

Well, we asked and you answered. Many of you submitted great blogs in response to our Thanksgiving writing contest question: What are you most thankful for about your church and/or its ministry leaders? In fact, we received so many great responses that we couldn’t pick just one winner—we picked five! We’ll post a winning entry to the Threads blog each day next week, so check in Monday morning for the first winner.

In this issue you’ll discover how Jesus can answer your questions, meet your needs, and help you in your day-to-day life. You’ll read about discovering where true joy lies and how we were created and called to impact those around us. Plus you’ll learn a lot of practical stuff—like great Christmas gift ideas under $15, how to get on your professor’s good side, tips on surviving a J-Term, ways you can help defeat global hunger, and much more. And don’t miss information about signing up for BeachReach 2010 in Panama City. I can’t think of a better way to spend Spring Break than serving pancakes and giving van rides at 2 a.m. to share the love of Christ.

There are only two more Sundays until December begins, and with it comes the latest issue of LifeMatters. This issue will cover three months of weekly studies. We’ve designed a postcard that you can download and use to send out to young adults in your church or community inviting them to join your weekly discussions.

In the Threads short-term Bible study, Interrupted, author Jen Hatmaker describes how she was comfortable in her very “churched” life until God interrupted it and led her on a journey of finding adventure, love, meaning … and Jesus. God reminded Jen that He cares deeply about issues of justice and mercy, and that she is called to as well.

This video is from Scott, a guy who experienced God’s interruptive nature while He was on a 9-month prayer journey regarding his job. Listen to Scott as he describes what that interruption looked like in his life.

Do you suffer from blog envy? Are you tired of being mocked by thousands of witty, popular blog posts when all you have to show are a few mildly entertaining Facebook status updates that no one even looks at? Well, Threads would like to give you the opportunity to be seen—er, read.

Where did we ever get the idea that following God would be easy? It NEVER was in the Bible. So is being a Christ-follower worth it? Absolutely. It’s worth anything you’d have to pay, but casual or easy? Definitely not.

Michael Kelley sits down with Margaret Feinberg to discuss her new Bible study, Scouting the Divine.

Sacred Roads: Exploring the Historic Paths of Discipleship, by Heather Zempel, is a new short-term Bible study from Threads. Click HERE for more information about the study. The leader kit includes a member book, a DVD with video clips to jump-start discussion in your small group, and a CD-Rom with leader helps, music, audio files, and more!

We have gotten a few requests for a promotional poster for this Fall’s Collegiate Bible Studies and thought everyone might like a copy. This poster is 11 x 17 and ready to print on any standard printer. Happy Bible study promotion to all.