The Threads Blog

Check out the promo video for Abide: Practicing Kingdom Rhythms in a Consumer Culture, our newest short-term study.

On the last day of BeachReach 2010, we leave you with Brennon’s thoughts. Thank you for all the prayers over these weeks. God moved in bigger ways than we ever imagined.

In continuing with out “Church Gone Wrong” study, this week we focus on having a focused fellowship. God has provided a purpose for the church and unity is supposed to be a defining characteristic. Unfortunately, “unified” isn’t on the top list of words used to describe the church. Seriously, ask anyone you know, or even a few people on the street, “What five words would you use to describe the church?” I’m pretty certain, unified won’t make the list. Watch this video from Craig Groeschel and share your thoughts afterward. This video is humorous but it also way too true.

Students from Tennessee Tech get baptized in the ocean at Panama City Beach during week one of Beach Reach. This is what it’s all about.

It’s that time of year when millions of Americans faithfully tune in each week to watch and vote for their favorite contestants on “American Idol.” Our culture has become obsessed with reality talent competitions like “Idol,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “America’s Got Talent.” The television ratings alone prove that there is “something” that draws viewers into the stories and characteristics of the contestants. Usually, we end up rooting for that one unique individual whose life story is both compelling and genuine. Even more, audiences are captivated by talent that stands out from the crowd.

Hip hop artist Sho Baraka shared his testimony with us as part of our Red Revolution study. Watch Baraka’s testimony to hear the roles music and his family played in his coming to Christ.

The Rising is an urban retreat for the emerging generation that combines the best parts of a teaching conference with unique “hands-on” opportunities to experience and serve the city of Memphis.

There are two god-given institutions in our lives: the family and the church. That’s it. These two institutions are essential elements in the lives of Christ-followers, and I would argue they are under stronger attack now than ever before. Most sitcoms—at least the funny ones—have turned the family into a joke and we all laugh along.

Collegiate Staffer Heather Manning road tripped down to Panama City Beach last March to experience the round-the-clock fun that is BeachReach. She captured the people, places, and pancakes in hopes of inspiring you, our faithful readers, to follow in her footsteps and get down there for Spring Break 2010.

I recently checked my Facebook account to see what was going on in the lives of my friends. There was the usual song lyric post, quote from a thoughtful person, Farmville update, Olympic update and what book a person is currently reading, and then there was something new. A friend was updating me on the newest diet fad that actually worked. It had to do with the Acai berry and it looked like my friend was legitimately telling me about it.