HOUSE PARTY: July 2010

Start NOW: Drive Thru Difference

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Drive-Thru Difference

"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." John 12:26

Here's an opportunity for you to make a difference this weekend...it's the Drive-Thru Difference! Click on the appropriate link below for your listening area, print off the letter & be ready to make a difference as you go through the Drive-Thru this weekend! Simply pay for the person behind you, hand the clerk the letter & know that you've made a difference! I can't wait to hear the stories of how you've made someone's day!

For N. OK on 89.7 click Here

For OKC on 88.5 click Here

For Downtown OKC on 103.1 click Here

For Norman on 98.5 click Here

For Seminole on 89.1 click Here

For Bartlesville on 105.7 click Here

For Edmond on 100.1 click Here

For Stillwater on 105.9 click Here

If you listen online click Here

Start NOW: Talk to someone you haven't in over 7 days

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Talk to someone you haven't in over 7 days

"You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

Friends. I'll admit, I'm running a little low in that department, but maybe that's why we have this challenge. With our crazy lives, it's easy to go a few days (if not a month) without talking with our friends. That's how friendships fall apart. So, set aside some time today - just a couple minutes - to have coffee with a buddy or call a friend who moved away. It can be anybody. Your brother, co-worker, even your Mom! If you haven't talked with them in the last week - make it happen!

Start NOW: Tell 1 Person About The House FM

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Tell 1 Person About The House FM

"Then he said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all.'" Mark 16:15

This was God's command to us! Personally, it seems impossible for me to drop everything to go to the jungle in nothing but my fruit-of-the-looms. The ministry of the House FM is reaching all over the world though! You can be a part of spreading the life-saving message with others & fulfill this command! Tell one person about The House FM today & trust that God will use it to change their life!

Start NOW: Make today a No-Complain Day

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Make today a No-Complain Day

"Do everything without complaining or arguing." Philippians 2:14

Do you know someone who complains about everything? I do. Every time your around them, they have a comment about anything that doesn't go their way, or goes wrong, or ... whatever. When I'm around people like that it makes me want to be the complete opposite - no ounce of complaint in me! So I dub today as "No-Complain Day"! See if you can go 24 hours without complaining. I dare you! You in? Or did you want to complain about No-Complain Day...?

Start NOW: Random Act of Kindness

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Random Act of Kindness

"Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3

Have you ever had someone do something nice for you, for no reason? How did you feel? Personally, I love it when I don't know who did it. Maybe it's the mystery ... or the creepiness?!! I don't know, there's just something that lights up inside me when someone takes the time to think of something special to do just for me. So, let's make that happen for someone else! Get your thinking hat on & come up with 1 act of kindness you can do today. Then call us tomorrow (Tuesday) between 5 & 6 and tell us what you did! So ... Start NOW!

Start NOW: Write a Letter

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Write a letter ... and mail it

"So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him." 1 Kings 21:8

Remember the 'old days' ... you know where they used pencils and paper? No, it's not the same thing as the chisel (though if you have one laying around, I'd gladly take it off your hands.) Actual paper! Pencils with lead or graphite!! Take time this weekend to write an actual letter, not an email, text or something equivalent. Dust off your pencils, think of someone you want to write to and then write! It can be short or long. Funny or serious. To your Mom or an old friend who moved away. Whatever, just write ... and here's the kicker - mail it! That's where I always get tripped up ... getting an actual stamp and getting it out the door! This is something that all of us are probably out of practice on, so let's break that cycle this weekend. Write a real letter ... and mail it.

Interview with Decyfer Down!

Andy and Jenn talked to Josh from Decyfer Down, who will be performing with Satellites and Sirens and Shatter Me August 16th at : Praise Assembly of God, Shawnee, OK

If you can't see the player above, Click Here (right click and select "save as" to download it to your computer)

Start NOW: Pray for 1 Lost Person You Know

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Pray for 1 lost person you know

"Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you." Colossians 1:9

There are power in your words. Yes, yours! The bible says that the power of life & death is in the tongue! Use that power to pray for 1 lost person you know. This is a personal way to do what we should be doing everyday - praying for the lost. Maybe you already have someone in mind. It's not coinky-dink that you have a burden for them. They don't know the life-saving, reigning Lord that you do! Pray today that God would reveal Himself to them & would draw them to Himself. Maybe you could be that person that God has placed in their life to share the amazing news with! Whatever you do, make sure to pray for them at least once ... or maybe pray for them as many times as you can in the next 24 hours! Ready? Set ... Pray!

Interview with Bebo Norman!

Andy and Janelle talk with Bebo Norman about trading spaces, his new CD, and the microscope that Christian Artists are under.

If you can't see the player above, Click Here (right click and select "save as" to download it to your computer)

Start NOW: Pick up trash or messes anywhere you go

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Pick up trash or messes anywhere you go

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Mom always used to say, "Pick up this room! It looks like a pig's sty!" Sound familiar? This isn't to bring back haunting memories of the days when your bedroom floor was non-existent and would eat your shoes ... it's to spur you to action! Anywhere you go, pick up trash. If something is out of place, put it where it goes! Try to make a room better before you leave it. It takes minimal effort & makes a positive impact. Ask yourself, "What one thing can I make better before I leave this room?"

Also, your Mom told me to tell you to clean your room.

Start NOW: Smile at everyone you see

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Smile at everyone you see

"When I smiled at them they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them." Job 29:24

Can you think of the last time a stranger smiled at you? I can. It made my day. Made me smile too. It's like a chain reaction. Maybe even a change reaction. Try smiling at everyone you see today - even strangers. People might think you're crazy ... but most likely, they'll smile too.

Start NOW: Memorize 1 verse

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Memorize 1 verse

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12

You might know or have heard of someone that has memorized a bunch of the bible. It might take a little while to memorize a book, but what about one verse? Just like a lot of things, what we do in life is mostly reactive instinct. If you have God's word ingrained in your mind, when you react you will do it in a way that reflects Christ! Try memorizing a verse tonight!

A car of your choice!

I had a dream a few nights ago ... could've been the pain meds from getting my wisdom teeth removed ... could've been God. I'm betting on at least a bit of both.

A friend and I were at a Dodge/Chrysler lot, just looking around. The manager came over to us and said "See that pile of keys over there? Go pick one, hit the panic button & the car that sounds is yours!" We were shocked. Of course, we ran right over - grabbed a set of keys and went outside to find our new cars. For some reason ours were right next to each other. Mine was a dodge car, not too fancy. Weird creamy color with bad red trim. His had a great red finish but was a funky shape (Don't ask...). My first thought was to look around, see if I could run back inside and pick a different key without the manager noticing. My friend & I decided to take a stroll around the lot to see if there were any others & just plan to talk to the manager if that were the case. We didn't see any we liked better but by the time we got back around to where we started, the ones we had the first pick to were gone! We were in such disbelief. People were taking off everywhere in new, free cars like they couldn't get out of the parking lot fast enough & here we were critiquing the 2 we were given.

Our hearts sank at what we lost & we left empty handed.

I've been thinking about this dream for a few days, really uneasy about it. Am I that ungrateful? Am I that close to situations that I can't step back and see, first of all, I'm being given a blessing? A free car is being given to me & I can't look around quick enough to find one in a better color? It makes me wonder what I've missed. How many things have I passed by, relationships overlooked, or blessings have I given back?

Why should I get the luxury of picking the color of my blessing?

I can't think of a particular thing that I have handled in this way, but maybe that's just it. I can't help but feel a sense of loss ... embarrassment even to think that I would act that way. Maybe that's why a few of my prayers seem to go unanswered? Maybe I just didn't like what God was offering. It makes me sick to think that I've gone around "the lot", even if just once, to see if there was anything better, only to leave empty handed.

Start NOW: Give Something Away

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Give something away!

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Luke 12:48

We all have a lot of "stuff" - I have so much of it, I pay a storage unit place to store my extra "stuff"... just in case, right? Well you probably know someone who could use something you own. It might be something as simple as a book or a DVD or a Christian CD, or it might be bigger like a TV, microwave, or even a car! God has probably already started on you with this, tugging on your heart with something you need to give away. Listen to that voice inside you and let your "stuff" have a new life with someone who really needs it. Start NOW!

Start NOW: Do something nice for someone you don’t like!

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Do something nice for someone you don’t like!

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Romans 12:20

It's one thing to deal with someone that you don't like by saying things behind their back and plotting evil against them, it's another thing to go out of your way to be extra nice to them. One way is the norm, the way anyone else would do it. The other, is a method so unusual, so unnatural for us, that people will wonder why... And what a great way to start a conversation about being Christlike. Start NOW!

Start NOW: Pray With Your Family

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Pray with your Family

"Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"
2 Samuel 7:18

It is something so simple, so basic, you may wonder what the point may be sometimes. But the truth is God wanted to be able to have a relationship with us, and he made it pretty easy. Take a few minutes out of your family's busy schedule to pray together tonight. Start NOW!

Start Now: CALL a friend or family member!

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: CALL a friend or family member!

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another"
Hebrews 10:25

Take time this weekend to Call a friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while. You probably have one in mind as you read this... that's the one you should call. Or go crazy and call more than one! But the catch is, you HAVE to call. no e-mail or text or carrier pigeon. Start NOW!

Start Now: Say Thanks!

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Say Thank You!

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Colossians 4:2

Starting now, try to say thank you every chance you can for 24 hours. Be thankful as well in every situation! Start NOW!

Start Now: Tell the truth!

For the month of July, the House Party is going to challenge you to change your life - spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Check this blog every weekday for a simple task to do that will change your life!

Today's Challenge: Tell The Truth!

"The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable."
James A. Garfield

Starting now, try to tell the truth to everyone you talk to for 24 hours. Not even a white lie! Instead, speak the truth in love. Start NOW!

Listen to the new Newsboys CD before it hits store and win it this week on the house party!

Here is the link to listen to the CD right now: http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/albumpreview.php

And listen for your chance to win it all week long on the House Party at 5pm!

Start Now

Andy and I have started another 30-day challenge! It's called "Start Now" and that's all you need to do - start now! Maybe you've always wanted to do something, or you've tried but gave up or even failed. Maybe it's that New Year's Resolution that you never did. Whatever it is - start now. Take today as a new day and conquer it. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! Nothing is too big or impossible for God. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Take the power of Him in you and make a change. Start now to do what God has called you to do.

Careful, you may never be the same.

Let us know what you are going to 'start now'. We'd love to hear your story and pray with you.

~Jenn