Edge Troy Blog

Well, we are officially 10 days from Christmas morn and we’ve made it through the biggest snow storm of the season so far, which means that many of us experienced the joys of the season such as shoveling snow, getting our cars stuck, and feeling like we were going to slide uncontrollably through every intersection due to the ice. It’s safe to say that these things are not what everyone looks forward to when the season begins, yet they are a harsh reality due to our geographical location.

However, these events do not have to be the bane of our existences during this time of year, we can make the best of them. For example, if you are already shoveling your driveway and notice that the neighbor’s is covered in a foot of snow as well, help them out and take care of it for them. It’s a great thing to do because it’s simple, you’ll get a great workout, and most importantly you can do something kind to make someone’s day.

In Luke 6:31Luke 6:31
English: World English Bible - WEB
31 “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.

WP-Bible plugin it says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” And wouldn’t it be great to arrive home from wherever you are, dreading the shoveling you’re about to have to partake in, and then find that it has all be done by a neighbor? I think so. Which is why I suggest we all take part in that during this wintery season, it’s a simple challenge and a simple task, yet it could mean more than you know to someone else.

So give it a try, let me know how it goes.

- Ryan Scheidemantel

The Christmas season is upon us once again, and the yuletide joy is spreading across our great land. Candy canes, gingerbread men, and sugar plums are all seeing as staple foods during this time of year, yet few know the truth about the sugar plum. What is it? Where is it from? Is it just a plum with sugar drizzled on top? Are plums even in season during the winter? These questions, and many others, are common  when people think of this fabled fruit, or candy, or whatever it is. And that is why I am providing this blog post, to help you understand the sugar plum.

Here is the biggest controversy surrounding the plum: whether or not it is actually a plum like the ones commonly eaten in the summer months. Here’s the deal, it’s not a real plum. Yes I know, that fact has completely blind sided you and could possibly ruin your day, I’m sorry, but I figured you should know. The plum, when put into sugar plum form, must be dried, thus making it into a prune. As you all know, prunes are awful. As a child, I used to have to drink cups of prune juice to keep regular bowel movements. I would rather eat or drink so many other things instead of prune juice, but that’s what the situation called for, so that’s what I did.

Now the sugar plum is not just a prune covered in sugar, that would be gross and wicked disappointing. This is how the sugar plum works, it is made up of a bunch of dried fruits, such as figs, apricots, dates, cherries, and of course plums. These fruits are then chopped up and combined with almonds, honey, and some type of spice. This dried fruit cornucopia is then rolled up into a ball and covered in sugar, so it’s pretty much a baby fruit cake. And from what I can tell, fruit cake is the Detroit Lions of the Christmas food world. What I mean by that is everyone knows it’s going to be awful, but they’re still going to try to enjoy it year after year.

So if any of you are planning on making sugar plums for your Christmas festivities, let one of us at the Troy campus know so we can try one, and get to the bottom of this sugar plum mystery once and for all.

- Ryan Scheidemantel

Hey Everyone.

We are celebrating the last edge with a huge party for Troy students. So put on your ugly sweaters and join us after the edge service on December 12th (this Sunday) in Room 213. We will have a good old fashion cookie and milk eating contest. There will be a $50 prize for the ugliest sweater. Get ready share some holiday cheer as we hang out as Troy people and Santa Claus (get your picture with him). Oh yes, I forgot to mention. There will be pizzas the size of flying saucers and cookies for all.

See you there.

I just wanted to take a second to say THANK YOU to Andrew. He is a sophomore from Troy Athens and plays a vital role at edge. This past week he spoke to students about the Shield of Faith. He shared his story and effectively communicated wisdom derived right from Eph 6. Click here to listen to the service.

Hey all.

As we near closer to Christmas, I know schedules get hectic with family coming into town and all of the holiday bru-ha. I wanted to give everyone an update on some calendar things for the Troy Campus (non-edge), just so you feel settled and in order. I personally long to see this information…so I thought you might too.

No Wednesday Night Service:
December 15th
December 29th

No Sunday Morning Service:
December 26th
January 1st (Saturday Night)

The Man Up epidemic has taken over small groups. Check out this video.

This might make you think. Click here.

These are the top five things you need to know…

5. Troy Party After Party.
We are celebrating the holiday season on December 12th after edge service. Bring your ugliest holiday sweater and your brightest Christmas spirit. We’ll eat cookies, dance around, and compete for the ugliest sweater. Your not going to want to miss this epic party. Troy students only.

4. Last Edge of the Year. First Edge of the Year.
Wanted to let you know the last edge of the year is December 12th and we start up again on January 6th.

3. Realign
Calling all parents, students, volunteers, and staff…we are having a training event on January 8th from 9:00am-12:00pm at Kensington. Vital information and training is going to be available for all. Get it on your calendar. Click here to RSVP.

2. Clips from Ghost Peppers.
We had a Man Up competition on Sunday, check out the video.

1. Twitter
We are using twitter these days in order to communicate more effectively. Follow the instructions to get your own…and then follow us at “edgetroy”. You can access twitter from any mobile device and a computer with internet access.

If you wish to receive a “5 things you need to know” on a weekly basis via e-mail, please let me know. You can e-mail me at erin.andersen@kensingtonchurch.org with your request.

Don’t forget to get your tickets, do so by clicking here.

Hope to see you there, 26 days and counting.

Autumn is in full swing right about now, and the evil winter is soon approaching, but there is a day coming up that truly embodies all that is good about holidays in this world. Thanksgiving. This holiday is the day where we all gorge ourselves with delicious meals of turkey, potatoes, stuffing (the best part), and pumpkin pie (the other best part). Yet sometimes we get so caught up in all of this that we even forget what the holiday really stands for.

It is a time to reminisce on the great things that have happened in the past year, the things that you are thankful for, the things that God has done in your life. Yes, it is a time for food, but much more importantly it is a time for those you eat the food with, your family. Stories are shared, laughs are had, and fellowship is enjoyed by all. I believe that this holiday can be an incredible picture of what God wants our daily lives to look like.

This may be the one day of the year that is set aside for being thankful, but the Bible paints a picture which shows that the other 364 days should be just the same. In 1 Thessalonians 5:181 Thessalonians 5:18
English: World English Bible - WEB
18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

WP-Bible plugin it says, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” All circumstances is a pretty powerful phrase in that I really believe that covers everything, times of joy and times of trouble, times of laughter and times of sadness, times that are easy and times that are tough. In all those times we must give thanks, so why do we just focus on it one day a year when it should be a daily occurrence?

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, but remember to give thanks daily, in every circumstance.

By Ryan