Meat night

Well, we did our part for the local economy last night.. a little more than any of us had planned, but Meat night was a "Raring" success.. culminating in the wedding of Indiana Jones in church..not our church, but a church all the same... actually I think a church does meet at the Carmike.. so maybe we can say we ended the night literally "in church".. okay, that may be stretching it.. Good news is that seven guys walked out of the theater upright after hours of fun and numerous bathroom trips for all... The goal was achieved.. we dined in a room of kings.. seriously.. it looked like something out of a Henry 8th period movie... giant mirrors on all walls, waiters everywhere, complete with skewers of sizzling delights and an array of vegetables and desserts that will bring you to your knees..

We had a great time, enjoyed each others company "in community" and didn't break any major rules as far as we know. We focused on who we believe in.. and talked a lot about what we believe.. and what others believe for that matter.. From Iraq to Buddha... We all agreed that what goes on at meat night stays at meat night.. so unfortunately we are bound by a "medium rare" blood oath and cannot divulge details further.

Sources inform me that several of the ladies and kids gathered and enjoyed a "meatless" pizza party... I have to ask why one would buy pizza without meat.. and at the same time I say "welcome all to my world." since I hear Tracee did the ordering ;-)

We humbly and gently thank our beautiful, loving wives and children for allowing us this "rare" indulgence of time and family funds. We have some very nice plans in the works to show our adoration.

For all of you that couldn't come out last night. We thought of you, missed you, and then moved on as we understand that the world is a tough place... Alas, we will endeavor for another time in the years, maybe many years to come.. where we can join in the festivities of "meatness"...

Thanks for the time guys.. I loved it.
jeff

--
Jeff Prillaman
Executive Director, Da Capo Institute
http:www.dacapoinstitute.org
http:web.mac.com/jeffp

Unity doesn't equal Uniformity

BIG NEWS: All you can eat Meat night is THIS Friday night at Texas de Brazil.. yes that is this Friday.. Gentlemen, Eat a light lunch or save your money and just don't eat at all... come prepared for a fun night out with the guys.. if you haven't RSVP'd yet.. do it.. you won't want to miss being a part of this "EVENT" seriously, we will probably never be allowed to go out alone again so we need to make the best of it with our shot...
For the record.. All Open Door men are invited, and all Male Staff are invited.. although this might be a stretch for a vegetarian.. ;-) Sorry ladies, but this one is guys only...

Look for more "inclusive" chances in the NEAR future.. Like June 14.. Open Door invades the Park.. details from Tracee and Vicki

HERITAGE DAY next week.. NO EARLY SERVICE.. CLASS will start at 10am.. FOR REAL.. Seriously.. Not Kidding.. 10am.. Come, and bring a covered dish so we can eat lunch together...and worship together ALL together, one room, one time.. one congregation, one mind, one body..


LESSON STUFF! ====== UNITY!
John 17:22
Ephesians 4:1-6
1 Peter 6:8-11

we had a good time today despite our small numbers. I hope that travelers have a great weekend.

Tidbit:. only those raised Catholic or those teaching apparently come to church on holidays... or at least to Sunday School.. Mature Baptists clearly understand that this is a weekend to visit and travel. Our class was pretty uniform and unified..hmmm is that good?
Open Door today was 3 Baptist raised Catholic, and one Baptist who likes to go to Mass.. very interesting discussion..

The prayer in John 17 is boundless, baffling, and limited by language.
Love conquers all...seriously.. LOVE CONQUERS ALL!
We are one in the Spirit.
Focusing on what we believe will divide.. Focusing on who we believe in will unite! You Choose to include or exclude..
Unity doesn't equal uniformity
Diversity as an idea is easy to accept, as a reality, it is VERY difficult. Tactically it requires a lot of faith, hope and love.. mixed with gentleness....
Even though it is hard, it is required.. that we be inclusive, and not exclusive following Jesus' model.

MOVIE recommendation for the week:
Narnia: Prince Caspian

Why are we so afraid to stand up alone and seek God when he calls us?
Why do we trust more in our group, than in our Lord?

"not for your dignity, but for the Love of your people"..


If any of this makes or doesn't make sense.. then talk about it.. Call a friend, visit a neighbor. Walk, don't just talk!

Community Creates & Calms Conflict.. Choose?

CURRENT EVENTS
1. Open Door Celebration at Pocahontas Park: June 14
2. All you can eat Meat (Guys night out) : TBD but planning in progress
--special invites go out to Phillip Brown and Steve Smith for their "reply all" courage..

Sunday school and the sermon presented powerful messages today.. I hope we can get some more great commentary going..

CLASS NOTES
Peace and harmony is a choice. Hardship and Persecution is certain is we are standing up and testifying for Christ. 

Hardship and conflict does not equal despair. 

When we choose to seek God first and do kingdom work, we are provided the power to endure and prosper, for Christ has conquered this world indeed. We must LOVE one another.. in practice, not just in theory. This is not easy, and it gets even harder when in conflict but the imperative from scripture is the same.

Key Words to think about
ABIDE, ENDURE, LOVE, GENTLENESS, FAITH, COMMUNITY, QUARREL


Our full thread of recent emails is on the blog at http://hrbcopendoor.blogspot.com

Key scriptures from class today...

James 4:1-3
1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

1 Timothy 6:11-12
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

John 15:12-17
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

Deathmatch?

This article from Christianity Today(along with the fascinating comments) has two very interesting themes.. Personality/Ego driven leadership models coupled with maturing seeker churches returning to liturgy. I was particularly struck by the piece about young churchgoers "returning to ritual".. I don't think I see either of these trends at HRBC.. wonder why? Are we that far ahead or that far behind? hmmmmm I tend to believe that a church requires strong leadership, but I also believe that strong leadership must be deeply connected with a team/congregational mentality rooted in diversity of thought and idea. Everyone has a viewpoint, and doesn't have to agree all of the time. The leader must facilitate dialogue and trust so that the discussion can continue.

I am looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday AM.. I doubt we'll talk much about this as a class, but if you take the time to read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts personally.

Sunday's lesson will be about Enduring as a part of our journey. John 16 presents a pretty tough theology when viewed through the prosperity Gospel lens but it is a good followon to our work in the past few weeks. How do we handle "less than prosperity"?

We should have a good opportunity to embrace our diversity. Conversation's depth and richness will probably rely directly on how prepared you all are for class..

Looking forward to learning from you all and with you all on Sunday.

Invite a friend or call Call a classmate.. either way, they will know that you care and it only takes a few minutes to say hello. I was thinking of you all for the last little while. Each of you..

jeff

NOTE: COMMENTS POSTED WERE FROM OTHER WRITERS MOSTLY... They look like they came from "jeff" but I just transposed them from other emails.

Abide

As we studied John 15 yesterday, we put a lot of attention on what it means to "abide in Christ" as he abides in us. This language is not typical of our culture today and presents many challenges.
I believe it is the key to understanding imperatives and actions in a Christian context.

We finished with a reaffirmation, that we are commanded to testify to what we know and believe and that we as Christians must rely on the Holy Spirit to work through us.

My personal thoughts coming out of today's class were that I should try to "abide" with my friends and family more actively. I think that means to call them or contact them once in a while just to say HI.. not because I need something, or have another purpose.. but just because they are part of my life. Visit, just to visit, call just to call, these are ideas which seem to come out of another time for me. They are no less relevant to today. I think I may have just stopped approaching my relationships this way.

I either care or I don't.. I abide with them or I don't.

Great news of the Gospel, is that Jesus will not reject us even when we don't call, write, or visit. He abides in us. We don't have to earn it. The invitation is there for us to let him carry our load, but our dependence and ego has us struggle rather than submit. We end up competing instead of collaborating and relying on our source.. our vine.. our redeemer..

in my name

Today was a hard one for me. John 14 is so central to everything that I believe yet it seems to be in almost total juxtaposition to my analytical, objective based perspective on "my" world. Perhaps that is exactly where my thinking falls apart. The world is not mine. Despite my knowledge, committment, talent, and focus; I am unable to control much of anything.

Deep down, I am Thomas asking Jesus.. I have no idea how to go where you are going.. The answer is within me, my Lord is keeping the channel open.. Sort of like a Nextel push to talk feature.. I can talk and ask anytime. The real question is will I.

Will I ask for help? Do I have the patience to wait for an answer in God's time rather than my own? When I am in trouble where is the line between personal accountability and a demonstrated willingness to ask for help, and trust that God will provide an answer?

This week there were certainly more questions than answers.. That is how it goes sometime. My answer: I don't know, but I still believe.

We spent a lot of time talking about what Jesus meant re: "Ask in his name" I hope you think about what it means to do something "in someone else's name" . For me it meant to ask for me, to act as my proxy. To do as I would do. (e.g. If I do something in Terry's name, it means that Terry must agree and wholeheartedly support it. ) I am acting in "one accord" as we talked about when we analyzed Acts 4. When we ask in Jesus name, it assumes a lot. Make sure you are asking for something in accord with Christ, and not just for yourself. When we join God's mission, all things are possible. I don't believe that all things are possible for me just because I want them.. for me, or even for someone else.

I would suggest that the more appropriate response to our study today is to show your love to those around you. Live in community. Seek to respect understand and embrace diversity of thought, idea. Remember that we don't have to have all the answers. Faith, Hope and Love.. And the greatest of these is LOVE. That is what Jesus did for us. He loved us, despite who and what we are. In spite of us, he acted "in our name" and took on sins of the world. That, my friends is a GOD size task.. and not something we can do.

Commentary on John 14 by Ron Beckham

Stress anyone?

Wow.. I look outside this morning and it is beautiful. I spend a little time reflecting. The sun peeks through the trees' new leaves in the backyard, dogs bark, and yes the kids are fighting.etc.. I still have to go to work, just like you all. This week has been quite a challenge for me, and I wonder if it might have been for you too..

We will be talking about John 14 on Sunday. Here is a teaser...
John 14 expounds on the themes of encouragement and comfort for those who are discouraged. It therefore reveals important insights both for the early church and for Christians today.
Chapter 14 begins, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Yet the disciples had many reasons to have troubled hearts! They were confused about Jesus' words and actions. They continued to struggle with Jesus' true identity. They were probably frightened about what would happen to them after Jesus' death. In this chapter, we read Jesus' attempt to comfort, encourage, and educate the disciples about what would happen to him and what would happen to them. Not knowing what will happen to us produces anxiety.

I read this devotional from the Purpose driven machine on the West Coast.. and it seemed to make me feel better in a very "corporate" kind of way. I think perhaps just seeing or talking to friends can make a difference. Intentionally caring about others, instead of only our own problems. I am not a psychologist, but maybe there is something to "helping others will help you". It is certainly the model that Christ provides for us.
Have a great day today.. I hope I get to see you this weekend or on Sunday morning.


jeff

==========================
Seven Secrets of Stress Management
by Rick Warren


Then Jesus said, “Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.” There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:31 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***

Jesus experienced enormous stress and pressure, yet it didn’t seem to disturb his peace of mind. In spite of opposition, constant demands, and little privacy, his life reflected a calm sense of balance.

What was his secret?

Identification – Know who you are (John 8:12)

Eighteen times Jesus publicly defined himself. There was no doubt in his mind as to who he was. If you are unsure of your identity, you’ll allow others to pressure you into their molds. Trying to be someone you’re not causes stress!

Dedication – Know who you want (John 5:30)

You can’t please everyone. Even God can’t! Just about the time you get “Crowd A” happy, then “Crowd B” willbe upset with you. Jesus never let the fear of rejection manipulate him. No one can pressure you without your permission.

Organization – Set clear goals (John 8:14)

Jesus said, “I know where I came from and where I am going.” (NIV) Preparation prevents pressure, but procrastination produces it. You work by either priorities or pressures.

Concentration – Focus on one thing at a time (Luke 4:42-44)

You can’t chase two rabbits at the same time! Jesus knew how to handle interruptions without being distracted from his primary goal.

Delegation – Don’t try to do everything yourself (Mark 3:14)

We get tense when we feel it all depends on us. Jesus enlisted twelve disciples. Don’t allow perfectionism, or the fear that others may do a better job, to keep you from involving others in the task.

Meditation – Make a habit of prayer (Mark 1:35)

No matter how busy Jesus got, he found time to get alone to pray everyday. A daily quiet time is a great stress decompression chamber. Use this time to talk to God about your pressures and problems, evaluate your priorities, and discover the rules for successful living by reading the Bible.

Relaxation – Take time to enjoy life (Mark 6:30-31)

Balance is the key to stress management. Work must be balanced with fun and worship.

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