TbT Spark e-letter

"A man who was merely a man and said the things Jesus said wouldn't be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he's a poached egg, or else he would be the devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this was and is the Son of God or else a mad man or something worse. you can shut Him up for a demon or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God but don't let us come up with any patronizing nonsense about Him being a great moral teacher - He hasn't left that alternative open." C.S. Lewis

Special TbT Spark e-letter only Sneak preview: www.homestead.com/tbt/home.html Please take a look at all the new content and features. The web-site is 59.7% done. The official public launch is scheduled for Jan. 1st, 2002. (That is when the www.tbt-az.org domain will take you to the new site.)

James 1:27 niv "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

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The new TBT site is coming along. Please continue to pray for it's development and progress. As promised you will get to see it before it goes public. We are shooting for a public release by mid-December. Visit the old site here.

"I would like to request a special prayer for my brother's friend, Andy Green. He is 12 years old and just had brain surgery. When he came out of it, he recognized his mother which is very good, because they didn't know what the surgery would do to his memory. I just want to keep their family in thought and pray for them all. He has a long recovery time in the hospital. Also lets not forget the Hanncock family. Mr. Hanncock just passed away. Thx for listening. God Bless all. ~Shalane Brucker"

"The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell." General Booth (Founder, Salvation Army)

Here is a link to a Christian site that sheds a positive light on Harry Potter....Everyone knows my view of the Potter series. If not, briefly, "No matter what the essence of Harry's magic, the effect of it is undoubtedly to raise curiosity about magic and wizardry". It may not make people join the occult but, it could open a door...that we should not allow or play with even for the sake of entertainment...it should be skipped. I am not going to throw a book burning party or boycott or look down on you if you like the series...I just won't let my daughter be exposed to such and will not be afraid to let my voice be heard. I after all, have to stand before God and give an account for myself (2 Corinthians 5:10)...

This Sunday December 2nd, Dennis Crouthers will be in town. The College will be meeting in the High School Class at 10am for a combined service. After the 11 am service we will be going out for pizza and fellowship.

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Don't forget the Turkey Bowl. Everyone is invited. There will be for the first time a Field Goal Contest to go along with the High School vs. College Flag football game. Meet at 9am, Rincon High School 11.23.2001. High School wear Red and College wear Blue.

Last Spark we collected $26.27 for Ruma!!! January 8th is Ruma's 12th Birthday. I will be passing around a birthday card for you to sign. As always if you would like to send Ruma a special greeting, write it, and we'll send it for you or you can send it yourself. Her address is on the site.

As I'm sure you've heard by now...the Christians held prisoner in Afghanistan were released!!!! Praise God. Be thankful...Continue to pray for the many around the world that are still in prison and face persecution.

Work on the new official Tucson Baptist Temple website is progressing. We are hoping for a launch of the new site in early December. The current site has been modified sparingly. Due to this new website the Spark FLC page has been deleted. The new FLC page on the Church website will be much better. The Spark Baptism page may also go as to not compete with the official church website page. The Spark Salvation page will remain. (Speaking of which...check out the new flash tract we linked to...spread the link in every form of communication possible). Pray for this new site and addition to our church ministry. As Spark e-letter list members you will get to see the new site a few days before it goes public...Stay tuned.

A Jesus complex may be a common pitfall for many rock stars, but for P.O.D., Christianity itself demands the humility that saves it from such overpowering ego trips. - NEW YORK TIMES, 11/2001

There will be powerful messages brought by 3 Youth Speakers. The Cost: $37.95 by November 23rd or $43.00 by December 7th. This will not be a Spark Sponsored event or a High School Activity but, please go if you can as to not miss out on a super blessing. http://www.teenmania.com/atf/index.cfm?fuseaction=schedule&eid=43

Galen (c. 130-200 A.D.) was an ancient Greek physician who cast a long shadow over the late Roman Empire and the Middle Ages. For well over a thousand years, Galen's descriptions of the inner workings of the human body were upheld as

There was a problem, however: Galen had never once dissected a human body! Because dissection of humans was forbidden in his day, Galen's descriptions of the internal workings of human beings were based almost exclusively on his dissections of pigs. It wasn't until the sixteenth century that the work of Vesalius exposed Galen's unwarranted anatomical leap from pigs to humans and gave birth to the modern science of human anatomy.

Before we come down too hard on Galen, though, we should look at ourselves for a moment. If we do, we'll see that we also can make unwarranted leaps based on insufficient or false information. Just think back, for example, to a time when you heard some information about a certain person second- or third-hand, passed it on to others, and then later found out that the information was dead wrong.

Gossip's main purpose is to spread misery. It's certainly not to build people up or minister to them in the name of Jesus. A gossip's wake is littered by damaged families and broken relationships: "A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends" (Prov. 16:28).

As Christians, we're called to put the brakes on the spread of gossip. And not only gossip about people we know, but also gossip about those we don't know. Like others, I've been guilty of spinning pretty little stories about certain political figures, even though I had no proof that what I was saying even resembled the truth. I foolishly thought that spreading gossip would make me more popular.

How about you? Are you modeling God's standard of truthfulness and honesty? Are you known as someone who confronts gossip? Or do you pass it on with a few added details of your own?

If you have a weakness in this area, bring it before the Lord and ask trustworthy members of your church to help hold you accountable. As you move beyond gossiping about others, you'll find more time to show them the unconditional love of Jesus. And you might just make a few new friends in the process.

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All who support Ruma through our Sparkly offering (as opposed to daily; get it?) will receive on Sunday a Thanksgiving Card. This card will have Ruma's picture and a short prayer for her on it. Please make Ruma a part of your Thanksgiving Celebration. Also stop by the site to read a letter sent to us by World Vision's President...

Ephesians 5:3-4 niv 3 "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."

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The website team is always looking for some help. All you need is access to a computer that meets certain requirements and a willingness to devote an hour a week to updating and adding to your Spark website. No technical knowledge is necessary. It's very easy to learn and we'll teach you everything you need to know. God willing, Just One creations will soon be taking over another site. Matthew 9:37-38 kjv 37 "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

The Five Iron Frenzy, John Rueben, Relient K, Ace Troubleshooter, and Vocab Malone Concert was super fun!!! 9 of us went along with another 700 people and 150 people outside that didn't have tickets. Sock Puppets rule!!! Pictures up here...

Our local Christian Radio Station is listener supported and praise God that through the last pledge drive Tucson is fully funded!!! If you receive a blessing through this station be a blessing to it by praying for it and consider pledging your support as well.

"If P.O.D.'s religious devotion inspired them to turn out the most soulful hard rock record so far this year, then maybe more new-metalheads need to get with God." - Rolling Stone's four (out of 5) star review of their new album Satellite

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October 28th we celebrate Friend Day at TbT so Pastor Johnson has asked us to be a part of Main Service at 11pm for this special Sunday. Don't forget to invite 17.2 friends. This special day pushes the next TbT Spark back to November 11th 2001. We will have the worst skit you have ever seen plus, a lot of ketchup, and a hard hitting discussion of Purity.

Many people have come up to me after the deadline for tickets for various concerts and say, "Is it too late?" Yes and no. After the deadline you can get tickets the same way I do. Sometimes tickets are available at the door. All that information is posted. The dc Talk Concert has been rescheduled Feb.15th, 2002 Phoenix North Baptist Church. More Concerts have been added like Steven Curtis Chapman, LaRue, Philmore, Chris Rice etc...Currently 22 Christian Concerts are listed...I have heard a rumor of Plus One coming to Phoenix in April..Stay Tuned...

Halloween is a Holiday in which we must stand apart and align our actions with what God would have us do. Educate yourself below. Theses links have lots of other links to almost everything you could or would want to know about the subject. They offer articles both for and against Christians celebrating Halloween:

November 4th, 2001 "Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." Hebrews 13:3 kjv www.persecutedchurch.org

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Galatians 2:20 niv "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

The new Visitor Page is now up. Check out the 18 pictures from those that dared to visit the High School Class and those crazy freaks that joined in for the picture.

All coming to a Christian Music shelf near you soon:---Jennifer Knapp, Mary Mary, Out of Eden, Plus One, WoW 2002, Zoe Girl, Audio Adrenaline, Five Iron Frenzy, third day...etc.

The movie was soooo great!!! Extreme Days (an independent Film) hit 350 theaters across the country (a "limited" release by Hollywood standards) and yet it managed to slam into the movie charts at #18 at the box office. Check it out ASAP with a bunch of friends. Stop by the TbT Spark Poll and let us know what you think.

The John Rueben, FIF, Relient K, Ace Troubleshooter Concert is Saturday, October 27th, 2001 Mesa, AZ. Tickets are $15.00. www.ticketforce.com Money is due by the 10th of October. Hopefully they will not sell out before then..."BRING A SOCK PUPPET TO THE SHOW...TO BE DONATED TO THE HOMELESS...THE SOCK PUPPET AND YOU WILL BE PART OF THE SHOW...A SOCK PUPPET PAGEANT...PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED"

Due to certain circumstances (dc Talk Press Release), the dc Talk Concert in Phoenix, along with the whole tour, has been Canceled and moved to early next year Jan-Feb 2002. Money will be refunded to those who bought tickets as soon as I can go to Phoenix and get the refund from America West Arena. It goes without saying we are all very disappointed.

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The new movie Extreme Days (rated PG) will be in theaters nationwide and here in Tucson this Friday, September 28th, 2001. The movie is about 4 guys and a girl, lifelong friends, participating in dangerous extreme sports while taking a road trip on the West Coast. "Five friends forever changed by a journey to the threshold of life and sport..." Good clean Christian Entertainment. Enjoy it; support it! Rikki and I will be there opening day with our extreme day temporary tattoos!!!

These Warriors in Christ are every where. P.O.D. will be on THE TONIGHT SHOW w/Jay Leno FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5th, 2001. Also, THIS THURSDAY (09/27) Sonny & Wuv will be on MTVs TRL. Sonny and Wuv will fly to MTV to be special guests at TRLs new studios. Don't miss it!! TRL Monday-Friday @ 3:30 p.m. (ET/PT), 2:30 p.m. (CT). Lastly, P.O.D. will be in concert Thu/Oct-18, 2001 in Phoenix, AZ at the Web Theater. Warning: P.O.D. is a Christ honoring band however, the venue and bands they are touring with may not be. See the TbT Spark Concert page for details.

Your Youth Pastor's Birthday is October 2nd, 2001. Don't let it go by without saying happy B-day! Also Kelly (Youth Pastor), Cheryl, Jerry (College Director), and Debbie are on Vacation this week. Pray that they are safe and come back blessed and refreshed!!!

It goes without saying that the festival con Dios was an unbelievable experience! But, I said it anyway. If you missed it, you missed it. Let's pray it comes back next year!!! We have some pictures of the event posted on-line here.

The dc Talk tickets have been bought. Section 101, row 13, seats 1-8. Kelly will be announcing a contest soon for 2 of those tickets for you high schoolers. You can still buy tickets, you will just have to buy them yourself and hope you can sit near us. Check the Concert Page for details on that. I also am checking on a promotion I just heard about: You can bring an "unchurched" friend for free when you buy a ticket. Call 1-877-408-8224 for details.

The John Rueben, FIF, Relient K, Ace Troubleshooter Concert is set to go on Saturday, October 27th, 2001 Mesa, AZ. Tickets are $15.00 + $1.50 convenience charge or $21 at door. I can pick them up when I'm in Phx. on October 11th and we can forego the buck 50. Money would have to be due then by the 10th of October. That's short notice. Or we can wait till later and pay the buck 50 if people are short on cash. As always there is the question of transportation. We will have to figure that out among those of us that decide on going. I will have a sign up sheet Sunday the 30th of September. Don't ask me to explain the following quote: "BRING A SOCK PUPPET TO THE SHOW...TO BE DONATED TO THE HOMELESS...THE SOCK PUPPET AND YOU WILL BE PART OF THE SHOW...A SOCK PUPPET PAGEANT...PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED"

10.14.2001---We will do an all Praise & Worship Hour. Your Youth Pastor has requested this and the Spark has listened. We are also looking for people to perform special songs (solo or group). If you would like to perform let Kelly know.

Halloween night might just be the greatest opportunity Christians have all year to share the Gospel with children. With this in mind, the American Tract Society has created an all-new website, October31st.org, designed to share a Halloween-themed evangelistic message with visitors. In conjunction with a new series of Halloween tracts, October31st.org can help you to share the Good News with others this Halloween!

Proverbs 3:11-12 niv 11 "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

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Everyone is asking themselves how they can help during this time of national crisis. World Vision, a Christian Relief & Development Organization (who many of us support, trust, and believe in) is deeply involved in contributing to the relief efforts of this tragedy. All of us have felt moved to donate something. I can think of no better organization to donate to. After prayerful consideration, I pray you choose to donate here: American Families Assistance Fund

Ephesians 3:19-20 niv 19 "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,"