Saluki downtime September 22, 2025

God loves you. God cares for you. God wants you to spend time with him. 

God is your hope. 

pick one

all your bills paid and get to do whatever you want with a job you absolutely hate. 

or 40k not struggling in a job you absolutley love. 

Best smells 

Charcoal grill 

Fresh cut grass 

Bom fire

What is your favorite thing about being a child? Like what do you miss? 

“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15 ESV

how we can live with childlike faith. 

To have faith like a child is to blindly trust the goodness, care, leadership, and provision of a father. Jesus continually called his disciples to a lifestyle of surrender and trust in him, but never so simply as in 

Mark 10:13-16. Scripture says,

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

What do you believe in when you are a child? 

What do you stop believing in as you get older? 

Be honest with yourself. How many of you believe that God loves you? 

How many of you believe God loves you so much he sent Jesus to die for you? 

How many of you believe God forgives you when you mess up? 

Those seem to be easy examples of faith in God. Right? 

What areas do you struggle with in having childlike faith? 

Do you believe God is a good father? 

Does God stop being a good father? 

Whether it be by a lack of revelation, impatience, fear, wrong teaching, or past experiences, we so often fail to have faith that God will shepherd us to his perfect plans.

God is calling you to a greater lifestyle of childlike faith. He is calling you to place your trust in him alone for your finances, relationships, future, past, and present. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” 

Where do you lack faith?

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

Can you do life alone? 

“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Proverbs 29:23

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:6

There are times when we need to say I am sorry. That is repenting. Saying sorry to God is simple. Ask him to forgive you when you mess up. 

Remember, God tells us to come to him like children. 

The bible is written so that you can read it on a 5th grade level. 

It is not meant to confuse you. 

God is a good father. God to him. 

Let's go something new. Prayer is important. Let's do prayer request tonight. 

2 or 3 we can pray for. 

God wants you to go to him. We can pray for each other as well. 

Saluki downtime September 16, 2025

What’s everyone been talking about for about a week?

3 different groups of people with who Charlie Kirk was. 

1. fighting god's battle - like Paul 

2. he argues his points - hates him. 

3. They don't care

Let’s talk about you and me for a minute. Everything you say or post - someone thinks it's stupid. Whether it's I love kittens. Or these mountains are beautiful, or even look at how cute my niece is. Then I love Jesus. 

There is someone out there who thinks you are stupid for that. Doesn’t matter. It's true. 

Why do we have healthy arguments on Monday nights? 

Who thinks it's hot outside? Who thinks it's cold? 

Who thinks a 15-minute time to get ready is a long time? Short time?  To get ready? 

Who thinks Michael Jordan or LeBron is the greatest basketball player of all time? 

Who thinks 5'10" is tall? Who thinks 5'10" is short? 

Cake or Pie

Beach - mountains 

Pineapple on pizza or not? 

Home School - Public School

Immigration? Open borders or controlled? 

Universal healthcare or private? 

Pro Choice? Or Anti Abortion? 

Gun Control or freedom to purchase? 

Republican or democrat? 

Death penalty or against it? 

denomination 

Who chose one just because a friend decided that? 

When it's an easy topic, you laugh and make fun, right? 

But when it gets serious, we want to defend and argue, right? 

Argument verse debate. When you are arguing, what's the goal? To Win!

When you debate, what's the goal? You want someone to see your side or point of view. 

God loves both of you, regardless of the side of the argument or debate,  right? 

We have to stay in a healthy manner. 

If you choose to talk about Jesus and your relationship with him you must Be ready. 

1. The Bible says they will also hate you because they hated me. 

2. Be ready to die for your faith. 

3. Share your faith and why 

Calling out leaders to stand up for what you believe 

Be examples  but have Compassion on the other person. 

Be comfortable in who you are. God made you in his image. God loves you right now no matter what. 

God knit you in your mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13–14
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

God knows how many hairs are on your head. 

Luke 12:7 (NIV)
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Be the light - A light in a dark room. If you are not I would recommend not speaking. 

Quit to listen  - Slow to speak 

Slow to anger, quick to love 

James 1:19 (NIV)
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

We have a chance to change SIU. 

Perception is reality. I can’t stop how you feel. However you choose how you treat people. 

What you say or do will hurt someone. Intentionally or not, the things you say and do hurt others. 

Leviticus 19:18 reminds us: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Ephesians 4:26 be angry but don't sin

If they legalized killing, how fast would people die? 

I wish someone would die. - We've all said that.

That's why the bible says that hate is as bad as murder or worse. 

Charlie Kirk tweeted with his feet. 

Charlie Kirk  went to college campuses to be in the world. To change the world. 

Challenge - Be in the world and share. 

God loves you the way you are. This is what I want to get out of this. 

My opinion doesn't change the way God loves you or made you. 

Don’t let someone elses 

Can I make someone believe that gods love them? 

What can we do? Show them. 

But  I can encourage you to do is to share your faith where you are. 

Why do bad things happen? 

1. Choices of others. 

2. Personal decisions. Free choice is good until we mess it up. 

When has God changed someone's free choice in the bible? God lets us. 

1 John 5:13 (ERV)

• “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Now is the time to get off the fence. 

Revelation 3:15-16

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (NIV)

Be real. And Love. 

Don’t let the world separate us from God’s love. 

Don’t let the church confuse you either. 

Let LOVE win. Love Better. 

Somebody here needs your hug. 

Stand up and go hug someone.

Saluki downtime September 1, 2025

• “Which is worse: 6 a.m. conditioning or a 3-hour bus ride home after a loss?”
  
  

• “Is game-day superstition real, or just an excuse for wearing the same socks all season?”
  
  

• “Would you rather your highlight make ESPN Top 10 or your blooper go viral on TikTok?”

God has been relevant for forever. God loves you where you are. 

The only person who can change your life is you. 

What is the most significant event where you have changed your mind? 

Does God change his mind? 

God reveals who He is through Scripture and the Spirit. Because He is eternal, He is unchanging, all-knowing, all-powerful, and good. As a loving Father, He keeps His promises, and His word is always effective. Yet, the Bible also records moments where God seems to “relent” or change His mind—usually showing mercy or compassion—which raises the question of how this fits with His other unchanging attributes.

- Jonah  3:4-10 

In Jonah 3:4, the prophet announced that Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days, presenting it as a certain outcome. The people, however, responded with humility and repentance, showing their sincerity by fasting and wearing sackcloth.

Seeing their genuine change of heart, God chose to relent. Instead of carrying out the destruction He had declared, He showed mercy and spared the city from disaster 

- King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:1-6. The prophet Isaiah tells Hezekiah to set his house in order because he will die. Hezekiah prays and weeps bitterly, asking God to remember his faithfulness. God responds to Hezekiah’s prayer by sending Isaiah back to tell him that he has heard his prayer and seen his tears, and will add fifteen years to his life.

- Exodus 32:9-14, after the Israelites worship the golden calf, God expresses his intent to destroy them and make a great nation out of Moses instead. Moses intercedes on behalf of the people, reminding God of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As a result, “the LORD relented from the harm which he said he would do to his people” (Exodus 32:14).

Genesis 18:22-33 provides a compelling example when Abraham pleads with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if righteous people are found there. Abraham negotiates with God, starting from fifty righteous people down to ten. Each time, God agrees to spare the city if that number of righteous people is found.

What Are the Principles and Themes Surrounding When God Changes His Mind? What do they have in common? 

1.  repentance and intercession. Jonah 3:4-10 depicts how the people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s warning of impending destruction with genuine repentance. 

2. fasted, wore sackcloth, and cried out to God, turning from their evil ways.

 In response, God relented. God is willing to change his plans in response to sincere repentance and the abandonment of sinful behaviors.

The theme of personal prayer and weeping is evident in the story of King Hezekiah. God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer by sending Isaiah back to tell Hezekiah that he had heard his prayer and seen his tears, and he would add fifteen years to Hezekiah’s life. This incident underscores the theme that God responds to heartfelt, personal prayer, showing his readiness to alter His plans in response to individual pleas.

3. Intercessory prayer is another powerful theme. In Exodus 32:9-14, after the Israelites made a golden calf and worshiped it, Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites, reminding God of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and appealing to his reputation among the Egyptians. As a result, the Lord relented.  

This story highlights how intercessory prayer can move God to reconsider his judgments, demonstrating his compassion and willingness to forgive. Additionally, Moses appealed to God’s character and glory with the nations, implying how God would be worshipped and feared more if Israel was redeemed and not destroyed.

Abraham’s negotiation with God over the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:22-33 showcases another aspect of intercession. Abraham pleaded with God to spare the cities if a certain number of righteous people could be found. Although the cities were ultimately destroyed due to their wickedness, this dialogue reveals God’s openness to intercession and his desire to find reasons to show mercy rather than execute judgment.

Another instance illustrating this theme is found in the life of King David. In 2 Samuel 24:10-25, after David sinned by conducting a census of Israel, God sent a plague as punishment. David repented and pleaded for mercy. God instructed David to build an altar and offer sacrifices, after which the plague was stopped. This event underscores the theme of repentance and sacrifice, showing that genuine contrition and acts of atonement can lead God to relent from further judgment. 

What Does It Mean for God to Repent?

Repentance is turning fully to God in heart, mind, and direction, while God’s relenting shows His mercy in shifting from judgment to compassion. Though His nature never changes, He responds to genuine repentance and prayer by withholding judgment. At the center of this is His desire for relationship—His willingness to relent reveals His deep love, offering redemption and inviting us into an interactive walk with Him.

What Does God’s Repentance Mean for Us Today?

God’s relenting reveals both His justice against sin and His great mercy, showing that repentance, prayer, and intercession invite His compassion—

His willingness to withhold judgment reminds us that no situation is beyond redemption, filling us with hope to seek Him continually, intercede for others, and share the transforming power of His love.

If you will repent - You will see God. 

Circle around an ant 

What wall have you built around yourself that is just your imagination. 

God loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. 

Its your turn. Who is ready to commit their life to Christ?