The World of TCS

::Story: One Student’s Journey with God::

trinitychapelstudents — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:19:43 +0000

In 5^th Grade my life started spiraling down hill. I developed anxiety of throwing up and I also developed separation anxiety. So I would have to stay at home I was out of school for 2-3 months and while I was out I was going to all different counselors and doctors for anxiety medication. Well it just so happened that the doctor we choose to help figure out what I would need to do to be able to control my anxiety, was in a partnership with a man who owned a facility that you would go to during the day and learn how to deal with all different things. I was placed in a class were it was kids younger than me so they moved me up to a middle school class. By this time it had been about a month and I weighed 70 pounds. Well they tried scaring me back into eating telling me all this stuff about what was going to happen to me if I did not start eating again. My parents took me out of there and I started eating again very slowly and schoolwork was being done at home. By the end of going through all that my faith with God was down to 0. I would question him and ask him why he made me go through all the pain of going to that place, or why did he even have to give me anxiety? Well the summer before 7^th grade my eyes were opened back up to him. I went to Pine Cove Christian Camp and my counselor, Elizabeth, was the most amazing person I had ever met. We just talked and I felt so open to talking to her I think I could sense God trying to come back to me through her.

Elizabeth

But I still felt that I needed to go back there was some thing more just waiting for me. Well I was right I went down to the lake one day and one of the counselors, Michelle, was just sitting there. So I set there and she asked me what I talked to Elizabeth about in our talk? I told her about my anxiety and she kept tearing up then asking me stuff that was right on with what I was about to tell her. When I was done she was in awe she told me she had gone through the exact same thing at the same age and even went a place just like I did. She is on the same medication as me to. I was so amazed that God would put some one in my life that went through the same thing.

Michelle

But I still did not forgive God for what he had done to me. Then I went back to church and had amazing youth leaders!!!! I could see how Keri lives every minute for God and she trusted him with her heart like nothing else mattered to her. I love talking to Andrea she always has really good advice and always tells me that God has a plan for me. I look up to Christen for her perseverance and her passion for Christ which she does through singing. Brent…I love asking questions to him about what I’m going through and he always has an answer and a reference to the bible. Mr.S is my Bible teacher and it was Easter week and I kept asking him how I could reconcile my anger with God and how I know it is the right time to do it. He said that you have no doubt about it and you know it is right in your heart. Well it was the Friday before Easter 2010 and we were in Chapel singing, With Everything, and I just felt in my heart it was the right time and I started crying and just sang out. Then I prayed for him to forgive me for being mad at him and not wanting to have anything to do with him. And I felt so good to have that part of me back but I know that I need to make my faith stronger and I will have to do a lot to get it there.

::Slacker Blog::

trinitychapelstudents — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:49:05 +0000

There is no excuse…this blog has been pretty lame this semester. Last semester, it was the place to be..seriously, it was the best website on the internet…sorta. But it has gotten pushed to the background this semester and been covered with dust, and spiderwebs.

The hope is that we will be able to bring it back to life over the next few weeks.

If you are interested in writing or adding to the blog, let me know because we love to get fresh voices on the blog.

::Superbowl Party::

trinitychapelstudents — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:31:24 +0000

Do you like FUN?

Criminals do…

Do you enjoy MAYHEM?

WCW Does…

Do you love an EXTRAVAGANZA?

Chuck Norris does…

Then you need to run…run faster…RUN FASTER

…to the TCS Superbowl Party!

See Brent Dore or Jim Douglas for more details. This is going to be an incredible night…DON’T MISS IT!

::Leader Spotlight::

trinitychapelstudents — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:36:14 +0000

::Leader Spotlight::

…the whose who of TCS…

Keri Halvorson

Job/School: Senior – Early Childhood Education major at TCU!

Role @ TCS: Junior High Girls Leader

What did you want to be when you grew up?: Well, I wanted to be a paleontologist in 2nd grade because it sounded cool and I could spell it… then from 4th grade through freshman year of college I wanted to be a writer. Then I wanted to be a teacher freshman through junior year of college, and now I want to go to seminary and do something pastoral, providing people with spiritual direction, whether that’s in a church or a corporate environment. :]

She has skillz…

Favorite Books: The Irresistible Revolution, Crazy Love, any Christian fictional series…

Favorite Sports Team: TCU Horned Frogs, duh!

Favorite Movie/TV-Show: Movie… hmm… I LOVE Narnia… I cry every time I watch it. I also love Serendipity, You’ve Got Mail… lots of chick flicks. :] TV Shows: So You Think You Can Dance, even though I’ve missed the past 2 seasons… ha. I don’t watch TV.

Past-Times: Dancing & choreographing!, writing, reading, drinking coffee

Keri on one of her many trips to Belize on the TCBC mission trip

Why do you serve in TCS?: I am so passionate about raising up strong leaders in the next generation, which is YOU, TCS!! Let’s build up Christ’s army! I love pouring into y’all and seeing you grow in your walk with Christ.

Favorite thing about TCS: Life*Groups… talking about life and the Lord and what He is teaching us. :]

Soap-Box {any random thoughts you want to share}: I’ve never been to high school prom… I can do the worm… I’ve danced/performed at DisneyWorld.. met Tom Hanks… almost auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance… and was almost in a musical this Christmas season. HA! :] Oh, and I got a rock stuck in my ear when I was 3. Ask me about it sometime…it’s a good story!

::Christmas Lock-In…BE THERE::

trinitychapelstudents — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:09:49 +0000

Do you like fun?

Do you like mayhem?

Do you like craziness?

Then the TCS CHRISTMAS LOCK-IN is where YOU need to be!

…trust me, you do not want to miss it!

::Need to Know::

Dec. 4th – 5th :: Meet at TCBC @ 7pm on Friday night and we will be done at 8am on Saturday morning

Cost: $25

This event is for our Jr. High and High School students.

What to bring:

You MUST have a TCBC Medical Release form AND a Broomball release form {These forms are available by church or Brent can e-mail them}
Close toed shoes and long pants for broomball….we are running around on ice
A change of cloths for after broomball…you will get wet/cold at broomball
Snacks to share

::What to Expect::

Broomball

Go Crazy at Broomball…the greatest game in the world.

Sponsoring Angel Tree Students

Shopping for Christmas gifts for the Angel Tree students we have sponsored

White Elephant Gift Exchange

We will be enjoying a White Elephant gift exchange ($5 limit) so bring your best random, weird or crazy gift

Guest Speaker Jacob Seay

Jacob (the bald guy from last year’s retreat) will be back with us and teaching on the Christmas story and the Gospel of Christ

AND MUCH MORE!

You don’t want to miss any of it.

Talk to Brent Dore or Jim Douglas for more information

::Happy Thanksgiving::

trinitychapelstudents — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:43:58 +0000

It’s Thanksgiving…so, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

…eat more beef?

What are you thankful for?

It’s a question that we don’t ask ourselves and we take it for granted most of the time..

Here is my attempt to answer it..

…I’m thankful for Jesus. This might sound like the “church” answer but its true. I am incredibly thankful for Christ coming to earth, living a sinless life, dieing on the cross, conquering the power of sin, defeating the devil, AND RISING AGAIN! This makes salvation possible…and I am incredibly thankful for that amazing gift!

…I’m thankful to be alive. It is a privilege to wake up everyday.

…I’m thankful to have an amazing family…Julie is the greatest wife in the world and I am very thankful for her. My mom, dad, brother, sister, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles are all crazy awesome as well.

…I’m thankful for TCBC. It is an honor to be a part of a great church that has meant so much to my spiritual development.

…I’m thankful for TCS. Wow…all I can say is wow. The last year and a half has been an incredible journey full of crazy adventures, laughter, joy and so much more. This group is amazing and I consider it a privilege to be able to lead, encourage, and go crazy with such an amazing group of students, leaders, and parents. WOW.

That’s what I’m thankful for….what are you thankful for? Leave some comments and let us know.

Brent

thanksgiving, duh! :]

trinitychapelstudents — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:49:19 +0000

So, Thanksgiving is upon us. Tomorrow!! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by. I’m home in Omaha right now enjoying good time with family and friends from high school. I’ve had a hard time staying in the Word while I’ve been home… something about being here makes me spiritually lazy and I’m not a big fan of that. But anyway… I’ve been reading John Piper’s Desiring God, which has been GREAT and very thought-provoking.

I’ve been reading about worship and what worship is and how we so often worship in vain when our hearts are not engaged. As you reflect on what you are thankful for tomorrow, I am praying that the Spirit will stir your heart and your affections as you worship the Lord for His provision and blessings in your life!

Here are a few thoughts from Piper on worship:

“Worship must have heart and head. Worship must engage emotions and thought.”

“Worship is a way of gladly reflecting back to God the radiance of His worth.”

“The engagement of the heart in worship is the coming alive of the feelings and emotions and affections of the heart. Where feelings for God are dead, worship is dead.”

“In the end the heart longs not for any of God’s good gifts, but for God Himself. To see Him and know Him and be in His presence is the soul’s final feast. Beyond this there is no quest. Words fail.”

I love this… “Saving faith also receives Christ as our Treasure. A non-treasured Christ is a non-saving Christ. Faith has in it this element of valuing, embracing, prizing, relishing Christ. It is like a man who finds a treasure hidden in a field and ‘from joy’ sells all his treasures to have that field (Matthew 13:44).”

Just some thoughts to digest regarding worship as you give thanks and digest your delicious Thanksgiving dinners… :]

I am so thankful for each of you and the place you hold in my heart, TCS. You are a blessing in my life! Keep seeking hard after Him!

For His glory,

Keri

::Sportsday @ TCU – Nov. 23rd::

trinitychapelstudents — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:59:00 +0000

Hey everyone

Here are directions and details for the Sportsday @ TCU and the Guys/Girls Dinner…see you there. This is going to be an incredible day for our Junior High and High Schoolers.

Sportsday @ TCU :: 4:30-8pm :: November 23rd (TODAY)

We will be playing at the TCU Alumni Field from 4:30-6pm. Make sure that you wear cloths that can get muddy and wear tenis shoes.

Directions to the Field

From I-30: Exit University and head South. Continue to Berry Street. Turn Right on Berry St. Turn Right on Stadium Drive. Turn left at Frog Alley (2nd Stop Sign). The Field will be on your right hand side.

From Hulen: Turn west on Bellaire towards TCU. Continue until Stadium drive. Turn left on Stadium Dr. Turn left at Frog Alley (2nd Stop Sign). The Field will be on your right hand side.

Guys/Girls Dinner – After Sportsday Tonight

After we play some amazing games at TCU, the girls will be headed to dinner at Dutch’s Hamburgers and the guys will be headed to dinner at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. If you can’t make it to the Sportsday; then come and hang out with us for dinner.

We will eat dinner from 6:30-8pm; so pick up your students at the respective restaurants. The addresses are below.

Bring $10 for dinner

Fuzzy’s Tacos Address: 2917 W. Berry St. Ft. Worth, TX

Dutch’s Burgers Address: 3009 S University Dr Ft. Worth, TX

Talk to Brent or Jim if you have any questions. See you then.

::Giving Thanks::

trinitychapelstudents — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:09:07 +0000

Thanksgiving is here…literally, it’s right around the corner

We will gather with family, eat insane amounts of food, enjoy the Macy’s parade and watch football

…and that is all nice

But what is the point of thanksgiving?

…turkey…not exactly

…pumpkin pie…ummm, no

…Dallas Cowboys football…this might be a shock; but no

It’s giving thanks

What are you thankful for?

Have you taken time to thank God for what He has done for you?

Have you considered the greatness of God’s grace?

Have you rejoiced because God sent His son to die on the cross to conquer Satan, destroy sin, and make salvation possible?

…I miss this on a routine basis

…let’s change the way we do Thanksgiving

…Let’s rejoice and give thanks for what God has done

…THAT IS AN AMAZING THING TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

one day at a time.

trinitychapelstudents — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:17:54 +0000

“One Day At A Time” – taken from Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts (aka the best devotional ever) :]

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” -Matthew 6:34

O My child, have you not known the way of the Lord, and can you not trust Him now? Nothing shall befall you but that which comes from His hand. No one shall set upon you to hurt you, for your God has built around you a wall of fire.

Be content with what each day brings, rejoicing in your God, for surely He shall deliver you. He is the One who has brought you here.

His way is discernable to the eye of faith. His heart is surely your strong tower. In His affection you have security. In His love are your hope and your peace.

Do not question and do not doubt. Each day holds some small joy that shall escape you if you are preoccupied with tomorrow.

Nothing daunts your Father. Nothing can restore the past and nothing can bind the future, but today you may live in the full blessing of the Father’s smile. Hold to His words, for they are like a nail driven into solid wood. All else may seem shifting and transitory, but His Word is firm. It is a rock that shall not be moved. It is a firm place to stand.

Do not walk in the path of human reason, and resist the pressures that would project you into conjectures about the future. Live one day at a time! Simply striving to bring joy to your Father’s heart is enough to keep you occupied. For you know that He loves you, and you will find your peace as you rest in Him.

Praying for you, TCS!

For His glory alone,

Keri