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Activity #21 "Horseshoes and Hand Grenades"

9/8/2015

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If you know how to play Horseshoes, and you know how water balloons work, then this will be a very simple game for you.  Divide up into two teams.  Players will take turns being the "stake" in the ground that the other team will throw their horseshoes at...only for this game we are going to use water balloons ("hand grenades") instead of horseshoes.  Choose which team will start by tossing and which will be tossed at.  When players were having the "grenades" tossed at them, we had them turn around so they wouldn't be able to see it coming and move out of the way.  Here is how players scored points:

-If player tossing the "grenade" hits the opposing player with the balloon and it bursts open on them, the team that tossed the "grenade" gets 3 points.
-If player tossing the "grenade" hits the opposing player but the balloon doesn't burst open, the team that tossed the "grenade" gets 2 points.
-If player tossing the "grenade" misses opposing player but the balloon splatters and gets the opposing player wet, the team that tossed the "grenade" gets 1 point.
-Nothing else scores.

Keep the distance far enough so as to make it a challenge, but close enough that people are actually getting wet...after all, isn't that really the point of water balloon games?

As always, add your own rules as you wish.  Let us know how it goes for your group, or send us questions or suggestions in the comments below. 
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5 Common Types of Facebook Posts and How To Respond

9/4/2015

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The "Junk Mail" Post.
Weren't you glad when they came up with the "Spam Folder" for your e-mail account?  Most the time I don't even check to see if something important accidentally went into the spam folder.  I care so little about what is in that folder that I don't even take the time to check it out...not even for a minute!  I'm not judging you if you actually like spam, but...if you do you have some major issues!  You are probably the type that opens every piece of mail in your mailbox and watches all the commercials with the same amount of interest you have for the show you are watching...but I'm not judging you.

This is the type of Facebook post that probably takes up the majority of your Facebook feed.  Some of the memes might make you chuckle, some of the recipes might make you drool a little, but for the most part it is perfectly fine to scroll right on past the "junk mail" posts.  There are no red flags here that should make you think these people need special attention.  If you want to make their day, just like their posts (I mean, who doesn't like it when other people "like" their posts?!)

The "I'm-Mad-And-I-Want-To-Take-It-Out-On-Someone-Else" Post.
There are some things that are perfectly legitimate for people to get mad about.  Maybe they don't need to share their anger with the world, but at least their anger is warranted.  "I just got robbed!"  "I just got fired from my job!"... "I can't believe what the Supreme Court has just ruled!"... Let it out, my brother (or sister)! We feel your pain and are here for you.

What I am concerned about are the people who share every fight they just had with their boyfriend, every thought they just had about the idiot that cut them off on the highway...  These are the people who go on a tangents posting quotes about how people should be treating them better, and how much they have done for the world, and why on Earth don't more people like them!?...There is your red flag!  Let me just make a couple points about these types of posts:

1.  These people are selfish.  Hear me out, I'm not trying to say we should dislike them or neglect an opportunity to minister to them, I'm just stating a fact--they are selfish!  They love themselves...and  by the way, so do you and I.  The difference might very well be that they have never known the type of love that only God can put in a heart; the type of love that overflows and drips on to others who may or may not be deserving of such love.

2.  As much as they need to be shown what true love looks like, they don't need to be coddled!  Don't feed these types of feelings.  Don't "like" these posts, don't "comment" on these posts.  If anything is to be said it should probably be done privately by someone they know and trust. 

3.  Maybe you can combat this type of post with a few positive and encouraging posts, but whatever you do, don't let the negativity get to you.  Unfortunately it can be catching!

The "Here's-Selfie-#5,629" Post.
There are at least two possibilities here, but in my opinion they can both be summed up with one word: P-R-I-D-E!  Sometimes people just flat out love the way they look and want everyone to see them (I've got to be honest here, many of the ones who post the most selfies need to learn how to use Photoshop.  What is that phrase the Bible uses about Leah...oh yeah, "tender eyed!"  An equivalent to this would be someone posting videos of themselves singing (yes, it is possible they just want to be a blessing, but more plausible that they want to share their "God-given" talent in hopes of lots of praise about how they are going to be the next American Idol...is that show even on anymore?)

The other possibility I see is that they have a very low self-esteem and are reaching out for a few compliments.  I'm not saying that there is never a time to pay someone a compliment, but be careful about giving them so freely when people ask for them.  This could be a problem.  Remember, pride can also be demonstrated by someone who acts humble.  In the end, they are still looking for praise that isn't necessarily deserved.  God deserves all the praise for anything good in this life, and if anything we should be lifting up others instead of ourselves (But only when it is honest and well-deserved.  Again, just my opinion.

The "I-Don't-Mean-To-Offend-Anyone-But-I'm-Going-To" Post.
I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I never struggled with this one!  The fact is, it is very satisfying sometimes to get certain things off of your chest.  It is satisfying to put people in their place occasionally.  I don't believe this is necessarily a prideful thing as much as it is a lustful, self-gratifying thing.  We like how it makes us feel.  It gives us power!  However, the Bible says a thing or two about "meekness."  Meekness is sort of like controlled power.  It is when you have the power to do something or to say something to someone but you decide not to instead.  This is a characteristic that is very pleasing to the Lord.  This is one we should make an effort to practice.

Now, we all know that the truth will offend.  Jesus said it is necessary that offenses come, but we understand that we should do everything in our power to "live peaceably with all men."  That being said, maybe we shouldn't take part in feeding this one either.  There are some people who, if they could, would sign to receive notifications of all debates and controversial posts their friends are involved in.  Either they'd desire to join in the sarcasm and name calling game...or maybe they'd just eat popcorn and watch the show, but they just love drama!  If you find yourself involved at all in these types of conversations, remember "meekness is not weakness."  A good thing to remember is that a "kind word turns away wrath."

The "I-Know-I'm-A-Nerd-And-I-Don't-Care" Post.
This is probably what Facebook should really be about.  Everyone has hobbies (and anyone who spends an unordinary amount of time on their hobby becomes a nerd).  This is where you really learn about people.  If you want to minister to someone learn about their hobbies.  Find out who they are.  Show them an interest in the thing they like to do.  One of my favorite quotes is "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  That is some real words of wisdom there.  Build a relationship with people and then you can better minister to them. 

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    Bro. Rocky

    Currently serving as the pastor at Iola Baptist Temple in Iola, KS. 

    Husband, father, life-long Bible student, artist, ultra runner wannabe, and outdoor enthusiast.

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