East Side Connection

Lets Dream A little bit...

2009-07-24T13:23:00.002-04:00

Micah 6:8 says, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

We, as a group seek to do this, to walk humbly with God, growing as learners, lovers and givers, considering what it means to act justly and love mercy in the world around us. As we are preparing to launch out new groups I would love for us to take some time to dream about how God is calling us.

Consider this a brain storm session:

How would you like to see God's Kingdom move forward over the next 6 months?

Think about where you see needs in the world around you, in Raleigh, spiritual needs, physical needs, emotional needs.
Think about where you see needs in relationships within and outside of the church
Think about where you see God already working

There are no limits to the options that we can consider... it would be great to hear a couple of ideas from everyone...

Another Discussion Chain...

2009-06-15T15:12:00.002-04:00

If you took the time to look through the power point attached to the email, it was made by the Hope House, the first faith based home for domestic minor victims of sex trafficking in NC. One of our Jubilee members is head out there for a few months, please say some prayers for Rachel.

I have a ton of presentations available, additional links and websites that I could share with videos, facts, figures, scriptures, music, Let me know if you want more info. But I know you could spend hours searching this on the internet yourself as well.

Also, on Sunday night I got to go to the kick off Rally for the Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk that I was telling you guys about. I am more excited about the possibilities for the money and awareness raised through these efforts now as ever. I am hoping that you guys can help me come up or follow through with some creative fundraising strategies.

The funding raised through SCTNOW will go to fund special operations teams on the ground who are former Navy Seals, Army high ups, FBI, etc. They will be looking to bust rings of trafficking and be gathering the needed information for these cases to get prosecuted. From talking with a lot of the guys, this method seems to be something that you all could get behind and really see as a need for helping combat this problem.

At the same time, I don't want to gloss over the fact that we opened up a great conversation about our views of sex, what contributes to our sinful natures, and the honesty of dealing with these in our relationships with our spouses, friends, and internal workings of the soul. I have been pretty much on the verge of tears, if not full out crying for days because I have once again been reminded about how far away we all are from what I believe God intended for us. I have a ton of hope and am thankful for healing, but it just pisses me off when I can't seem to escape it, just turn on the tv or radio. I am affected more than I would like to admit and I would say that most of you would admit that as well. Thank you for being people that can share in helping to create a ripple affect for our healing.

Remember why I care about this stuff??

2009-06-12T16:13:00.003-04:00

When I have questions about the bible, about if something is cultural or if something is a universal application, one of the things I do is look for themes in scripture. I look at the way Jesus lived his life and if there are consistencies over the entire story... God's heart for justice and respect for women and love for people is one of those enduring themes. It would be beneficial for us to recognize these things... here are 5 themes...

1) God is a God of Justice who hates injustice
Ps 11:7—for the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face
Is 61:8—For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and inequity.
Deut 32:4—He is the rock, His works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Ps 106:3—Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.

2) God gives Dignity to all human life
Gen 1:27— So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them
Gal 3:26-28—You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

3) Jesus Christ came to redeem and restore the whole person, body, mind, and spirit
Matt 20:29-34-- As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.
John 8:1-11—But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
Luke 15: 1-7-- Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Then Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

4) Concern and care for the poor and marginalized is commanded by Jesus and modeled by His life
Luke 4:18—The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

Isaiah 61:1-4-The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

5) At the heart of Christ’s earthly message was hope for new life for every man, woman, boy and girl
2 Cor 5:17—Therefore, if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation. Behold the old is gone, the new has come.

Last night we learned about some grave atrocities in our world. Some of this was be news to you, some was not. You were most likely be stirred to anger and shock at how terrible the plight is of victims of exploitation and how much our world promotes the demand for corruption and continued violence and oppression.

At the same time, we just looked God’s heart and considered a how Jesus brought hope, compassion and restoration for the oppressed, the marginalized, the poor. So, what does this mean for us? How do we make sense of this? Here is my attempt to try:

We are God’s plan to bring restoration to this world. God created us in his image, to pursue justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him.

Our Lord designed us to participate with him in redemption and restoration.

If we are following Jesus then we have a model of how he lived his life. A life of justice, A life of restoration, A radical life of love. Jesus said, You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Shine your light before men, they will see your good deeds and praise my father in heaven. Matt 5

Maybe we are asking the wrong question... maybe the question is, what does participation in restoration and redemption look like in your life?

Sex Trafficking Follow Up

2009-06-12T09:40:00.002-04:00

Thank you to everyone for talking opening about something that is often uncomfortable, overwhelming and gives us a glimpse into the darkness of our own hearts and the world around us. I come away from last night still hopeful that we can live differently in ways that bring healing and hope for those who are hurting, ourselves included.

Although, there were many perspectives about what can and should be done and how we should look at the sex industry there are some common themes that I would like to pull out.

God created sex and meant it for good! We need avenues to express our sexuality in healthy ways, not shy away from discussing it, especially as a church.
We need to recognize how much porn, stripping, prostitution, and just normal media messages contribute to all of our warped perspectives on sex (male and female). Its important for us to talk about this in community with others.
There are children being exploited for sex locally and globally and this is a problem that needs to be addressed.

For more information on Human Trafficking check out these links:

NC Stop Human Trafficking

Polaris Project

Stop Child Trafficking Now

Shared Hope International

Some of you were interested in stats:

300,000 children in the U.S. are at risk every year for commercial sexual exploitation. -U.S. Department of Justice
600,000 – 800,000 people are bought and sold across international borders each year; 50% are children, most are female. The majority of these victims are forced into the commercial sex trade. – U.S. Department of State, 2004, Trafficking in Persons Report, Washington, D.C.
An estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States each year. The number of U.S. citizens trafficked within the country is even higher, with an estimated 200,000 American children at risk for trafficking into the sex industry. – U.S Department of Justice Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons
There are open sex slavery cases in all 50 States. An estimated 10,000 sex slaves exist in New York City. – Red Light Children Campaign
An estimated 2.5 million children, the majority of them girls, are sexually exploited in the multibillion dollar commercial sex industry – UNICEF
Investigators and researchers estimate the average predator in the U.S. can make more than $200,000 a year off one young girl. – NBC Report by Teri Williams

I realize that this is overwhelming and you can spend many hours on the internet researching and learning about all of the various aspects of human trafficking and child sex trafficking. I would encourage you to do your own research and become informed on your own time. This way you will be able to talk with others about what is going on all around us.

One of the biggest problems we have is that we don't know enough to talk about or aren't aware that it is happening. The more you learn, the more you will become aware of stories that you see in the news and possibly even places where trafficking is taking place in your own community. Hopefully we can be a part of combatting demand and rescuing and restoring the lives of those who are being exploited.

Action Items

Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk— 9AM Sunday, Sept. 27th & Information and Encouragement Rally Sunday, June 14th 7PM

Guest Host Night at NoFo Café—Tuesday, Aug. 18th 5:30-9PM

Transform Asia—Cambodia Vision and Service Trip, December 2009

Talk! Change your attitudes! Pray! Pay Attention!

Jubilee meets at Visio Dei Church on the 1st & 3rd Monday’s of each month at 7PM.

Please post comments! This is a discussion we need to continue.

Conflict Negotiation

2009-04-17T09:19:00.002-04:00

Thank you guys for participating in our discussion last night. There was some discussion about a follow up or some tips on getting to the collaborative/healthy conflict...

Here is a 10 step process of interpersonal negotiation that might be helpful.

1) The parties involved in the conflict should come together

2) Each party should take a turn describing his/her perception of the situation, how he or she feels about it, and what he/she wants. The other party should listen and then reflect the other's perspective.

*By reflect I mean restate what they heard the other say

3) Together, parties should come to an agreement on what the conflict is really about. (This may take several iterations of step 2)

4) Each person should agree to be willing to come up with a solution that encompasses both parties' interests.

5) Together, parties should describe their ideal situation.

6) Parties should come to an agreement on a new ideal and realistic situation

7) Talk about what changes will be needed to bring about a new situation

8) Together, make a plan of action which will help achieve the desired new situation and set a time frame for these changes.

9) Make a commitment to make the necessary changes.

10) Set a future date to evaluate the situation and to re-negotiate any differences if necessary.

*Obviously this process is not going to happen with bells and music playing the background like a dream, it takes hard work, and often requires humility and trust to be established and given. Sometimes it even requires a 3rd party to help us walk through these steps.

We all have stories

2009-02-06T09:44:00.002-05:00

Last night we had a great conversation. One of the many things that I took away was that we all have stories. Each and everyone of us, those sitting at 807 Edenton St. every Thursday night and those who would never venture to step a foot inside with a group of Christians.

We talked about not wanting to be seen and at the same time so desperately wanting to be seen. I wonder if this is a paradox that most face on some level? My guess is 'yes'.

Two clues give this away to me... Post Secret and the 25 random things about me that has been going around face book recently... we want to share and we want to know, but we aren't sure how others are going to respond because somewhere deep down we feel alone or that our story will shock others or turn away friends and family.

This can still go on, or we can do something about it. My suggestion is that we start sharing our stories... What is yours? Mine will be on the first comment (in abridged form). Maybe sharing our stories will free us up to engage with others, go as Jesus did and heal as he healed...

Coffee Pot/Maker

2008-12-12T19:02:00.002-05:00

I have a friend (ahem... I will not name any names) who accidentally broke their coffee pot... anyone have a replacement laying around??? It needs to be replaced by Monday morning... ;)

thank you,

-Jason

*I assure you it is not me who broke the aforementioned coffee pot. I am merely trying to help a friend (or family member)

**It is certainly not Diana either...

Stop Hunger Now

2008-11-07T09:14:00.000-05:00

I just received an email promoting Stop Hunger Now. Thanks for everyone who helped us out a few weeks back. What we are doing matters :)

Halloween Pics

2008-10-31T09:24:00.007-04:00

Last night we had great fun trick o treating a day early. We decided to pick up canned goods to take to the Salvation Army. Their food pantry has felt the economic crunch as well and we hope to contribute about 60 cans from our halloween fun.

Some people had left bags with cans outside for us and were very encouraging. Others were a little confused and thought they had gotten their dates mixed up... but, all in all we had a great time and trust that some folks who need these cans will be blessed by them.

Check out the sweet costumes we sported.

Gifts Assessment Link

2008-09-30T17:30:00.002-04:00

If you are looking to take a spiritual gift assessment to help give you an idea of how you might become more involved with our home group, please use this link. This is the website that we are trying to get all of the home groups to use so that we have a common language as a church. There are three parts to the test... 1) personality 2) gifts & 3) leadership style.

Once you go to the link you will need to create a user name and password and fill out some basic contact info. This all goes to a data base for me (traci) to look at.

We would love to talk with you more specifically about what spiritual gifts are all about and how we view that as an essential part of our group!

Celebrating the Kingdom

2008-09-29T09:55:00.002-04:00

Last week several of us when to Stop Hunger Now to package meals to be sent overseas. We learned that most of the meals we were packaging are going to Haiti to help with those who have been hurt by the Hurricane.

Some of the coolest things:

Michael wearing Lisa while packaging boxes.

Getting to try some of the freshly cooked meals.

Having conversations while scooping soy, rice, and veggies together.

Watching how quick Nathan moves from station to station. We couldn't have done it as quickly with you!

Knowing that this organization has a long term process in place to make sure individuals get the nutrition that they need.

Beating last years amount by 186 meals.

Thanks for everyone who helped out!

Last Night............

2008-08-22T09:18:00.003-04:00

For anybody that wants to listen to the MP3 from last night:

http://www.imagodeicommunity.com/information/sermons/god-in-a-box-rugged-spirituality/

we didn't get a chance to discuss this talk, if you have any thoughts, please start up some conversation.

Paul: An example for us

2008-08-11T08:07:00.002-04:00

Although I missed out on home group last week, I got an update about it from Matt and Jeff. Of course I have something to say about the discussion...

It sounded like one of the main points we took away from that night was the ability to talk about our life journeys. If I understand correctly, giving a short example about how my life was on a journey in one direction and then talking about how following Jesus has set my life in a new direction is an effective way to share our stories with people.

I was reading in Acts this morning and Paul was making his defense before Agripa. His testimony to him seems to model this exactly. Take a look. Its Acts 26.

Evangelism and Charity

2008-07-25T17:08:00.002-04:00

Good talk last night... good because it left all the wheels in my head turning really fast. The crux of my frustration is that although the "conclusion" we came to was that we have to love, what's often taught and said (in this case, the video) really sends the message "We have to DO". It's not about loving people... it's about how to inject their lives w/ the pestering of proselytizations! DO this and you too can be a good Christian! Because all good Christians show their love to their friends by "working on them" for years and decades.

Earlier in the day, I had a talk w/ my car pool buddy about feeding the poor as Christians. We discussed the motivation and I expressed my annoyance w/ the idea that some Christians would only feed the poor when it fulfilled their mission to evangelize. While one can easily argue that side of things, I think it's extremely difficult to credibly and seriously make the claim that you are going to love people unconditionally when you have ulterior motives... no matter how sincere and love-driven those motives are. If Jesus' ministry had centered around trying to convince people that he was the Messiah or getting them to change their behavior, it would have been an utter failure. He loved people unconditionally. Yet, when we are told the story of the woman at the well, we are ALWAYS reminded that Jesus told her to "go and sin no more". The point of the story was that Jesus loved this woman unconditionally and made her human again in a society that had marginalized her. The point was NOT that people shouldn't commit adultery. So we should feed the poor because we are overflowing with love and care for them and we want to (perhaps as a result of following Christ!), but we shouldn't feed them out of a desire to convert them. Am I wrong here?

So when we talk about evangelism, I have a hard time with it. I realize that the whole point of evanglism is to "convert"! But the way it is executed leaves me (and obviously many non-believers) with a sour taste in my mouth. It's hard to argue that it's about the love. It's easy to see it being about the conversions. It's not just the revival-style either. That video kinda made me sick. I don't want to be someone else's project... I don't care how much they love me! If something really is the truth, won't it be a bit more self-evident than having to spend a decade befriending someone to convince them?

Sorry to be such a stick in the mud on this. Thoughts? Flames?

-Chewie

A thought

2008-07-25T08:36:00.001-04:00

A quote keeps coming to mind. In light of the conversation we had last night...

Seek to understand rather than to be understood.

Sometimes I really good at this and other times I really bad.

Building the Stone Wall

2008-07-22T15:18:00.002-04:00

I have the privilege of working with multiple groups on building up the body of Christ, and so over the past few weeks I have been reading even more and having conversations that are helping me to understand what questions and opportunities might be helpful for people in considering how we fit together as a group.

These are just a few more questions to ponder:

• What value do you bring to the home group?
• What do you need in order to be successful?
• When dealing with conflict, how do you like to be approached?
• What motivates you?

Could you complete the following statement?

If I am to honor how God made me, I should seek ministry opportunities that require…. And say “No” to opportunities that require…

I think it would be great if we could start a dialogue about this on the blog.

I'll go first...

1) I bring value to the home group by providing motivation and encouragement to fulfill the calls that Christ has for us a group. I am able to bring people together who might become good friends or have resources and talents that could help one another. I like to come up with processes and provide opportunities for other people to be empowered to use their gifts. I would also be a good person to talk to if you have an emotional or spiritual problem and need a listener and encourager.

2) I need feedback on how I am doing and interaction with other people on a regular basis in order to succeed. I need to discuss ideas and opportunities with others. I need to be held accountable that I can't do everything or be everything to everyone. I need to be reminded to slow down and that I'm not Jesus, but that I follow Jesus.

3) As far as conflict goes, I'm not sure... I don't really like conflict, but I would like to be approached in person and preferably in a place where we could work through things. I don't like "you did x, y, and z" wrong statements and often take criticism personally even if its not meant to be that way. I prefer, "I feel uncomfortable, I disagree, I feel hurt, when you did x, y, z" statement. Then I know better how to respond.

4) I am motivated by scripture, books, and talks with others who have a lot of passion. I am motivated if I a specific task that I can check of my list to accomplish.

I'm still working on the last fill in the blank statement...

anyone else want to share?

Christian license plates...

2008-07-07T10:34:00.003-04:00

What on earth are we coming to?

Do we really need to show off our beliefs on license plates now?

I saw this on a CNN article online. I think this is hysterical.

...I think we should pitch in and get these for Jeff and Jason's cars. :)

Anybody want to try this out?

2008-07-01T09:08:00.002-04:00

My journey group is going through a book that has activities for the week, basically a spiritual exercise that we try to do and then we talk about how it went. Last we was beneficial to me, so I thought I'd share this week's exercise with ya'll in case anyone wants to try it out.

Experiment this week with living life as Jesus would if he were in your place; specifically focus on spending a day consciously "at home" with the Father-- living in his grace. Here are some ideas:

Wake up and direct your first thoughts to his loving presence.
Pay attention to his gracious daily provisions, even the ordinary ones-- a closet full of clothes, a hot shower, the ability to see, think, hear, and feel.
Look for some examples of his grace around you in scenes of natural beauty, the face of a friend, meaningful accomplishments, moments that make you laugh.
When you sit down for a meal, imagine God preparing this table just for you. Slow down; enjoy the gift of food in his presence.
Pursue a favorite activity. Try to consciously engage in it with your Father as your companion.
When you fail, bring it honestly to him. Experience his open arms of forgiveness.

Does it make any difference to live this way? Is God's companionship enjoyable? Do you feel like your days are spent living freely in your Father's house? What did you find hindered your ability to enter into this kind of grace?

Saw this on CNN today

2008-05-30T09:55:00.002-04:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/05/30/brazil.tribes/index.html

This is wild to me, I can't even imagine what this group was thinking with a freakin plane flying over their heads.

It makes me think about the gospel and can God transcend a person not verbally hearing the gospel? I tend to think he can, but it's an interesting thought and conversation.

Thoughts?!?

TV Last night

2008-05-28T09:09:00.003-04:00

Did anyone else see Amy Hathaway on TV last night?

Amy, you did a great job talking about the project at Fletcher park. It was pretty complex and you were very eloquent and easy to listen to. I have to admit that I don't remember all of what you said, but I am looking forward to the new pedestrian entrance off of Boylan.

Can you clarify the difference between a rain garden and a water garden?

Where do we go from here?

2008-05-23T13:47:00.002-04:00

Our group has had some great discussions over the past two weeks and my desire is to see some of the ideas that we talked about become a reality.

I want every one to know that you don't need to wait to act. Please continue to talk with others, read, and try out things that will help you figure out your gifting and then seek opportunities to use them.

If you are an encourager, leader, organizer, have discernment please help call out the gifts of others and/or come up with ways for us to incorporate them in the life of the group. This is a dynamic process that we are going to need to work together on.

I am reminded by Jason's comment last night, "greater love has no man than this, to lay down his life for a friend." One of my prayers is that we come to understand more of what it means to love one another.

In Romans 12, just before one of the spiritual gift lists Paul writes,

"Therefore I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy to offer your body's as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing, and perfect will."

If you would like to search the scriptures on your own to find out more about Spiritual Gifts, here are some places to start:

Romans 12: 1- 21

1 Corinthains 12:1- 14:40 (This includes several chapters)

Ephesians 4: 1-19

Please post questions and comments here

watering in raleigh

2008-05-21T10:59:00.003-04:00

You've probably noticed all the rain we've been getting this spring. Well, we're almost officially out of the drought. The NC Drought Monitor says that the Raleigh area is still abnormally dry, but that's way better than the exceptional drought we were in earlier.

Raleigh still has water restrictions going on, but they've lightenend up a bit. Here's a press release describing the latest info for watering in Raleigh.

Spiritual Gifts

2008-05-19T09:32:00.003-04:00

As a group we are moving forward in the directions that God is calling us and I am super pumped about it. I believe that the Lord is moving in the life of Visio Dei and in each of our unique journey's of faith.

On Thursday we talked about the three main purposes of our home group:

1) We desire to collectively grow as Learners, Lovers, and Givers.

2) We desire to be a community that is discovering and living out our gifting.

3) We desire to be a community in movement.

As we are growing collectively and striving to live out our unique calling we will be like the mustard seed (the smallest of all garden plants) that became the largest tree and offered shade to every area of the garden.

In order to help us discover our gifts I have a few websites and materials to check out.

United Methodist Church-- Gift Website:

This website has a short video that describes spiritual gifts, an in depth description of 20 spiritual gifts with questions to help you reflect on them and stories of how people are using them. It also has a short (21 question) gift test. This was one of the best (holistic) online resources that I found.

Team-builder Spiritual Gift Test:

This is the original test that we asked people to consider taking and reflecting on. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to answer. There are 108 questions on this test.

Dove Spiritual Gift Test:

I have not taken this test, but it has 140 questions and considers 28 different gifts in the analysis. This site recommends saving an hour of time to take the test.

***Please remember that tests are simply a starting point for you!! Finding our spiritual gifts is a process.***

Now, Discover your strengths:

This book covers practical strengths that we have and how they play out practically. There is an assessment that goes along with it but there is a fee attached to it. I have one copy of this book if anyone would like to borrow it.

The Enneagram:

A book that offers insight into how our core needs and strengths can be used for greatness and also are attached to our inherent sinfulness. It is very interesting and insightful. You will be challenged to understand yourself and core needs in new ways. I also have one copy of this book if anyone would like to borrow it.

**In the next post I will copy and paste my notes from Tim Keller's talk. I will also attach it to an email to our entire home group. If you have not heard this talk yet and would like to please contact Jason, Jeff, or Traci and we will work to get it to you.**

My hope with all of this is that we are starting a process of discovery that is freeing and meaningful for our group.

We love because God first loved us! What a privilege it is to be uniquely created for the work that God has for us.

Worship

2008-03-05T10:09:00.004-05:00

Last Thursday Jason helped us to lead each other into worship. I took the liberty of writing down what everyone said. I was trying to capture themes and see how God is and has been moving in our community. They spoke to me about who God is. Here are some of the things that God has done, is doing, and is going to do...

Has built and continues to build friendships: Ones that we may or may not be looking for
Works through conflict and challenges us to change, helps us let go of our stubbornness and control
Provides jobs with purpose
Teaches us through times without jobs with purpose
Creates Nature, mountains, opportunities to see and experience this creation
Provides Health
Provides Patience
Brings peace in uncertainty
Calls us outward in new ways and provides strength when we do so
Brings Hope to situations where Hope is hard to find

God is Love, God is Just, God is Peace

It was hard for a lot of us to dream about the future and we hope for God to do. I am challenged by this. Its scary to "predict" what God is going to do, because what if he doesn't? How can we Hope in His steps as move forward as a community?

Valentines Day Pics

2008-02-16T10:51:00.002-05:00

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Valentines Day celebration. Check out my blog for pictures and commentary.

Trade

2008-01-29T10:34:00.000-05:00

I just got an email annoucement from Redbox that the movie, Trade, is now available to rent. If you're unfamiliar with Redbox, it's a DVD rental vending machine located at some Harris Teeters in town. You pay by credit card and DVDs are $1 a night. I think Traci had a plug about this movie a few months ago, but I don't think it ever came to theaters in Raleigh.

I'm probably going to try and rent it soon and wanted to pass along the info for all of you! :)

See ya on Thursday.

"Sermon on the Mount"

2008-01-23T11:26:00.000-05:00

Hello All,
Last Thursday and continuing to this Thursday we will be discussing things in parallel with the teachings on Sundays on the "sermon on the mount." This will be a theme for homegroup teaching during Jeff's series. Basically, we'll spend time talking about concepts that are brought up during Sunday teachings. If you have questions or want to discuss something from the Sunday teachings, we can do that. This will give us a chance to think further and "wrestle" with the concepts from the "sermon on the mount."

Jeff may even let you wrestle him.

Listening to the podcasts from Sunday and reading the text might add even more thought to this process. But, all can contribute without doing so.

See you tomorrow !!

Home Group Follow-Up - Christmas

2007-12-14T08:31:00.000-05:00

Most of us are probably presented with this story of Christmas every year, but that doesn't make it any less real or powerful.

I have come to enjoy the time spent with family during Christmas, the excitement in the air, the community of humans putting down their guard a bit for a season, the coolness in the air (normally), the giving spirit.

Most of us love this time of year, and most of us realize the true meaning behind Christmas. Do we stop and celebrate that? Do we still wonder? Do we still marvel at the vulnerability of Christ as a child? Do we still see the miracle? Do we still relate the birth of Christ to our own lives?

The short video Ashley played for us had a part that made me really think. It spoke of the many different names that God has, and it's true: The Prince of Peace, I am, Emmanuel, Father (there are many more). I think he has more names than Puff Daddy, or Diddy, or P. Diddy, or whatever. It amazed me to think about how God could be all these things. That all these names are not just another way to call him something, that they are there for a reason.

So, three things:

1. What are other "names" given to God/Christ ?
2. Which name is most comforting/relevant to your life right now ?
3. And maybe this is a rhetorical question, which do you need to experience right now?

Weekend Fun

2007-11-30T13:03:00.001-05:00

There is a great walk, shop, and art adventure this Sunday afternoon in Boylan Heights:

Art Walk

Thanksgiving Favorite

2007-11-27T14:41:00.000-05:00

Here's a recipe for everyone's favorite, sweet potato casserole! :)

Casserole Ingredients:
3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes (1 good sized sweet potato is about 1 cup)
1 cup sugar
2 beaten eggs
1/3 stick butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Topping Ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 stick melted butter

Preparation:
1. Cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave for about 15-20 minutes (if you're cooking all 3 at once). You can boil these to cook them, but if you're pressed for cooking space for a big family dinner, using the microwave can be handy. :)
2. When cooked through, scrape out the inside of the potatoes and put in a mixing bowl. You can peel these before you cook them, but it's easier for me to scrape....use whichever method you prefer most.
3. Mash potatoes together until mostly smooth.
4. Mix in remaining ingredients for the casserole.
5. Spread into a buttered casserole dish.
6. Mix the topping ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
7. Spread the topping over the potato mixture.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.
9. Enjoy! :)

NFS Campaign

2007-11-04T17:57:00.001-05:00

Be there!!! and bring at least 2 friends!

Stop Hunger Now

2007-10-16T09:29:00.000-04:00

We had a great time making over 5000 meals on Sunday afternoon.
Check out Stop Hunger Now for more info about the organization.

And scroll on down to see some fabulous pics from the assembly line. Great Job Everyone!

Amy Hathaway in the N&O

2007-10-13T08:04:00.000-04:00

So, I wake up this morning, fire up the coffee maker and grab the newspaper from the driveway (as old men often do). As I'm reading the City and State portion of the paper, I came across a very familiar name- our very own Water Quality Engineer, Amy Hathaway! Very nice job Amy! Check out the story through the link below. It sounds like a great program and a wonderful opportunity awaiting the finger tips of all our neighbors who want to become aware of the quality of our waters. So, next time you see Amy, give her some props!

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/735628.html

Yeah for our Homegroup....

2007-10-02T13:54:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to let you all know that I am so thankful to have such an amazing group of people to live life with. It is an incredible thing to witness and be apart of a group of people who really love, care and support one another. I feel like God smiles when he sees His children really loving each other and the people around them! Looking forward to the adventures ahead...

Joel & Rebecca's Wedding

2007-09-17T09:05:00.000-04:00

Joel and Rebecca got married this weekend and a few of us were in Wilmington to celebrate with them. It was a really fun wedding and quite an entertaining message during the ceremony from Joel's grandfather.

If you weren't there, I'll sum it up by letting you know he talked about doing it on a bear skin rug in front of a fire and he said "lubrication" during the message. You should have seen the look on Jason's face!

It was fun reception and here are a few pics! :) Feel free to add some of your own to the blog!

Connection to the Sermon?

2007-09-03T09:16:00.000-04:00

Did anyone see a connection between how jeff was talking about evangelism and justice being so interconnected that we miss something when we distinguish between the two and the faith and works discussion we had on Thursday?

I like to compartmentalize things so much in my life and this whole series (justice and james) is helping me see my life in a more wholistic sense.

Any thoughts?

Mudcats game on Saturday!!

2007-08-15T13:12:00.000-04:00

If any of you are Mudcats fans...or even if you aren't, there's someone very special singing the National Anthem at this Saturday's game!! Our very own Kendal Quinn is singing the National Anthem!

I think we all need to team together and ask Kendal for a sneak preview tomorrow night at home group! :)

p.s. that's Kendal and his brother

Thoughts on Home Group Mission/Outreach Change

2007-08-12T21:03:00.000-04:00

Most of you probably heard of the new format of missions/outreach within our homegroup. For all who did not, we have decided that our missions/outreach activities will not be geared towards thursday nights anymore (other home groups have already made this decision, and we decided it was a good idea). We will continue to meet every thursday night, but will be adding a few more worship and guy/girl nights (or something else) in the place of our thursday night missions work.

Now, obviously this does not mean we have had a change of heart and no longer desire to have this as a part of our community, instead, we will be moving towards activities that do not necessarily center around one particular night of the week. Through this, we hope to investigate what it means for us to live missional lives both as a community and as individuals. Surely living a missional life involves more than one thursday night a month.......

Thoughts?

Introduction to James

2007-07-26T12:48:00.000-04:00

Well, we've been discussing James for the past 3 teaching gatherings and it seems to be very relevant to many in our community, hopefully more than many actually, but I digress.

When we first discussed James as a potential book to study as a group, I guess I figured I had seen this information before and we could all learn some, make some observations, apply it to our lives in some way. Well, my first teaching involved a discussion on how we are to have Joy in Trials and I began to see how this book is a bit more difficult than I originally thought. Lots of conflict between our human emotion and spiritual understanding, lots of thoughts that rub us the wrong way, lots of themes that I still don't understand. The topic of trials is difficult, a common theme we wrestle with God over. How can He allow bad things to happen? How are we to view the most horrific events in our life? How do react to those around us who are experiencing trials? Can I find consistent Joy in my life while allowing myself to feel various emotions?

-jon

Blog Debut

2007-07-26T12:34:00.000-04:00

Hello All,
I hope this blog can become a place of discussion for our home group and whomever else chooses to chime in. I realize debate can sometimes lead to frustration, but I really hope we can have meaningful and sometimes conflicting conversation without it leading to impaired relationships. It is tough to "win" a debate, especially when talking about topics so close to the heart which involve lots of introspection. So, you can make your point known, but realize you may not "convince" somebody you're right. And that's cool, maybe you give them something to think about, maybe they give you something to think about.

FYI - If you always think you're right, you're probably not.

Basically, if we can't communicate to each other with grace and understanding, we're going to have quite a difficult time communicating with those around us as well. And I think we can get our points across without being inconsiderate (or using complete sentences and correct spelling in my case).

FYI - If your comment starts with "No offense but......" you're about to offend somebody (thanks for that quip Jim Rome)

So, here we go, enjoy, and come to flying saucer tonight.

-jon