HRBC Open Door

We will leave the door open for you!

2011-09-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hi all, we are prepping to leave for Back to Church night at HRBC at the Prillaman house. You are of course, invited and hereby reminded..If you are there, stop by and say HI!. even if you haven't been to church in months... Hey, at a minimum, its free burgers.. ;-)

It was good to be back in the saddle teaching this AM after a difficult Summer. Lots of great stuff coming up for the FALL as Tayman and I will continue to share facilitator duties.. but we will always challenge you and yours to Think about what you Think! It was great to have visitors today, as always..

Challenge: pass this email along to someone who would benefit from a vibrant, Life community rooted in Christ and practical study/application of scripture.. "in community"

Calling all Specific Beloved First Born Children of Christ.. You have a place with us.. and the door will be open..

I'm also working on arranging some Google + "Hangouts" for midweek discussions… using computers…can't get more OpenDoor than that… since we are all so busy and so many are teaching and serving in other places on Sunday AM.

if you haven't set up an ID.. get it done.. not sure when the first one will be, but you won't want to miss out. CLICK HERE To GitRDone on Google+ -- https://plus.google.com/i/YRrisH_JMnk:uEx1FhXzoOc

OPEN DOOR BLOG: http://hrbcopendoor.blogspot.com/

Music like religion, unconditionally brings in its train all the moral virtues to the heart it enters, even though that heart is not in the least worthy.

Jean Baptiste Montegut

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OPEN DOOR AT A GLANCE

If you are visiting HRBC on a Sunday AM here is an "at a glance" view of the Life Community which calls itself Open Door. We usually meet upstairs in the Wallace building "by the coffee pots".. but with us, you never know. Sometimes, we end up outside, in a park, or even at pool;-)

Requirements to visit/join:

Not really much, as we talk about the Bible and the implications of scripture in our daily lives, in plain english, no nonsense kind of approach.
Can't say that I regularly even take roll. We are there for one another, whoever is there, each week.
Bible knowledge not really required, this is an OTJ training environment.

Fun Facts:

We are interested in "churches without walls" but that isn't practical, so we always leave the door open. seriously...We talk a lot about going to people instead of asking them to come to us...still trying to solve this one.
We are the "coolest" class in the church. (especially in the Winter)
We actually talk about things that many people in churches just think about.

Who we are:

We are mostly married 30 somethings, 40 somethings, and 50 somethings. We tend to have children of differing ages in elementary school, but not necessarily.
We enjoy thinking about current issues, and talking about how to actively use the gospel in our every day lives/applications.
We aren't afraid to discuss and even question entrenched ideology and theology in a safe, inclusive, environment of friends.
We care about one another and we act accordingly, going beyond the "traditional" expectations. We strive to sacrifice for one another, to make a difference.
We ALL want to learn more about loving one another through regular study of the Bible, and further through regular fellowship and study. (in ecclesia)

Whose we are: GOD's period.

We are believers and searchers. A few of the favorite saying of Jeff are

"I don't know the answer, but I still believe"
"Every day is an opportunity"

"In a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have." Lee Iacocca

Listen and Celebrate.

2011-02-27T11:59:00.000-08:00

Listen, God speaks in many ways, unexpected...

We returned to Numbers this AM and got to learn about biblical consultants and some unlikely speakers.
Balaam and Balak, and talking donkeys ruled the day.
(cartoon above from Ridgeway Community Church)

Best conversation centered around our old friend/topic: what is our motivation for coming to church..

Three options surfaced and great discussion ensued.
1. Obligation: kids, family, always done it
2. Searching/Seeking knowledge, spirit, God's presence, "to be filled.
3. Celebration - revel in our blessings and give back to God for his goodness, sacrifice of praise.

The open door welcomed visitors again today, and we remain focused on taking our knowledge and applying it to action...

Reminders:

Listen to voices that are unexpected.
Learn on your own, never just blindly follow.
God is at work, actively, in our world today... from talking donkeys, to sticks, stones and rocks.
Seek God on your own through passion and discipline and service.
Strive to come to church on Sunday am and celebrate, as an example of service to both believers and non-believers alike.

Searching for the promised land... back to the upper room.

2011-02-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

Numbers 13 and 14.. and the tyranny of the majority vs the sacrifice of the minority ruled the day.
Today's class was about "how we seek" and discern in order to act in accordance with God. Quite literally...

Things to remember:

the majority is not always right, maybe even rarely right
act in compassion and love as the Holy Spirit guides you
God telling you something? look for correlation in bible study, prayer, circumstances and the church.
Just because someone is alone, in the minority, doesn't mean they are wrong.
Remember that God loves you, sustains you, and that you are special.. you have nothing to fear
where faith is strong, fear is fleeting.
Joshua and Caleb were awesome...even in their "failure of leadership"
the people suffered when they chose a path not in accordance with God's will
people suffer when they listen to the wrong voices
people suffer when they lose their focus on God's will for them
we need not suffer. we are amazing

"God fully expects the church of Jesus Christ to prove itself a miraculous group in the very midst of a hostile world. Christians, of necessity, must be in contact with the world but in being and spirit ought to be separated from the world. --- and as such we should be the most amazing people in the world."

--- A W Tozer 1897-1963

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
--- Marianne Williamson.

THE DRAMA & THE WANDERING...
In regards to OpenDoor's space and the exodus from the gym today...

We can't continue to meet in the gym folks. The lack of respect for the class and our conversation is not acceptable and we are creating a volatile environment and unnecessary distraction for our time together. Administrative meetings, setup, cleanup, will continue.. That is the fact and no amount of preaching about respecting our class' environment and needs in "a gym" will rectify it. Our style of class is not going to work in there. It may be true that we are forcing and exposing poor decisions by others as we discussed, but the outcomes are not helpful. We must act to stop it now. The class' decision to simply exit and reassemble back in our old classroom today was the right one. The rest of the church, "the majority" can't and won't adjust, but we can and will.

For the time being I propose that we go back to our classroom. It is my prayer and request that each of you would pray and think carefully about the space limitations and begin thinking about creative solutions. Seek God's will in our challenge.

What is he telling us through the bible, prayer, circumstances and our church of late?

we should switch rooms?
we should meet at another time?
we should combine with other classes in larger rooms?
we should split our class and go out and tell what we've learned?
something else that we can't even imagine.

The connection of these lessons and events is not an accident. I believe firmly that we are having our actions tested.. Don't forget who we are. or whose we are.... remain focused on our mission and purpose.. it isn't to grow out class' numbers.. It is to maximize our impact to the outside world.. through our lives and examples in Christian service.

REMINDERS:

Open Door is ... from OpenDoor at a glance

focused on using our gifts and life community to reach out and go out.. not just invite in..

Who we are:

We are mostly married 30 somethings, 40 somethings, and 50 somethings. We tend to have children of differing ages in elementary school, but not necessarily.
We enjoy thinking about current issues, and talking about how to actively use the gospel in our every day lives/applications.
We aren't afraid to discuss and even question entrenched ideology and theology in a safe, inclusive, environment of friends.
We care about one another and we act accordingly, going beyond the "traditional" expectations. We strive to sacrifice for one another, to make a difference.
We ALL want to learn more about loving one another through regular study of the Bible, and further through regular fellowship and study. (in ecclesia)

Whose we are: GOD's period.

We are believers and searchers. A few of the favorite saying of Jeff are

"I don't know the answer, but I still believe"
"Every day is an opportunity"

We have learned in the past two years that we are ALSO:
Constantly changing... seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance as we join God in his plan for our lived.
Specific, beloved, first born, children of Christ

Peter: I was there man, I was there...

2011-01-30T12:46:00.000-08:00

Open Door interpreted and/or translated? NOTES

Non siamo stati, si sa, proprio desiderio su una stella quando abbiamo previsto i fatti prima di voi per quanto riguarda il ritorno potente del nostro Maestro, Gesù Cristo. Eravamo lì per l'anteprima! Lo abbiamo visto con i nostri occhi: Gesù risplende di luce da Dio Padre come la voce di Gloria Majestic parlò: "Questo è mio Figlio, segnati dal mio amore, l'attenzione di tutti la mia gioia." Eravamo lì sul santo monte con lui. Abbiamo sentito la voce dal cielo con le nostre orecchie molto personale.

Non potremmo essere più sicuri di quello che abbiamo visto e sentito gloria di Dio, la voce di Dio. La Parola profetica è stato confermato a noi. Farete bene a tenere concentrandosi su di esso. E 'l'unica luce che hai in un periodo buio, come si attende l'aurora e il sorgere della Stella del Mattino nei vostri cuori. La cosa principale da tenere a mente è che nessuna profezia della Scrittura è una questione di opinioni personali. E perché? Perché non è qualcosa di inventato nel cuore umano. Profezia risultato quando lo Spirito Santo viene richiesto uomini e alle donne di parlare la Parola di Dio.

2 Peter 1:16-21 (The Message)

^{16 -18}We weren't, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master, Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our own eyes: Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father as the voice of Majestic Glory spoke: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of all my delight." We were there on the holy mountain with him. We heard the voice out of heaven with our very own ears.

^{19 -21}We couldn't be more sure of what we saw and heard—God's glory, God's voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You'll do well to keep focusing on it. It's the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts. The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word.

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Interpretation

action of explaining the meaning of something : the interpretation of data.

• an explanation or way of explaining : this action is open to a number of interpretations.

• a stylistic representation of a creative work or dramatic role : two differing interpretations, both bearing the distinctive hallmarks of each writer's perspective.

Translation

1 the process of translating words or text from one language into another : Constantine's translation of Arabic texts into Latin.

• a written or spoken rendering of the meaning of a word, speech, book, or other text, in another language : a German translation of Oscar Wilde's play | a term for which there is no adequate English translation.

• the conversion of something from one form or medium into another : the translation of research findings into clinical practice.

• Biology the process by which a sequence of nucleotide triplets in a messenger RNA molecule gives rise to a specific sequence of amino acids during synthesis of a polypeptide or protein.

HOW to INTERPRET SCRIPTURE (apply it)

Context & Background
Look for pervasive, big themes.. not single points
Correlation between Old&New Testament is what.. New is fulfillment of the old
Filter through Jesus’ actions
Trust HOLY SPIRIT within you to teach you.. explain to you… help you…
Filter through your service…
PRACTICE!!

Practice: ELEM ELEY

WHAT is practice? According to Merriam-Webster, practice is “systematic exercise for proficiency.” Practice must involve experimenting/improvising (creative energy), but it is primarily to channel that energy into training. Practice is the investment of hours and years to build a resilient, dependable technique (method of carrying out a skilled activity). Practice is what one does to bridge the gap between his/her best intentions or dreams, and reality. In other words, practice is making consistent the application of desired choices; one practices making choices, so that they become “second nature,” automatic, as natural as breathing.

WHY practice? Learning without application is of questionable value; in a skill such as singing, learning is arguably worthless—unless validated by consistent practice. One does not learn to sing only in the voice lesson; vital concepts are introduced there, but the student builds with and upon those concepts/techniques in the practice room (studio class, the coaching studio, the opera rehearsal, the choral rehearsal, in performances…). It is important that techniques introduced in the lesson be promptly, thoroughly and regularly supported by generous amounts of time in practice. Much influence comes from teachers, coaches, conductors, colleagues, etc., but the student must embrace his/her right and responsibilities as Chair of the Vocal Board.

BAPTIST PRINCIPLES

Soul freedom: the soul is competent before God, and capable of making decisions in matters of faith without coercion or compulsion by any larger religious or civil body

Church freedom: freedom of the local church from outside interference, whether government or civilian (subject only to the law where it does not interfere with the religious teachings and practices of the church)

Bible freedom: the individual is free to interpret the Bible for himself or herself, using the best tools of scholarship and biblical study available to the individual

Religious freedom: the individual is free to choose whether to practice their religion, another religion, or no religion; Separation of church and state is often called the "civil corollary" of religious freedom

Lasker Baptist thoughts from Rev Ricky

2011-01-29T14:17:00.000-08:00

"It is God's Spirit and only God's Spirit that can rightly interpret the words of life to our spirits. That's why I pray that God will help me to stick to the text when preaching, not doing so much of what I used to do, showing off my cross referencing skills and making things fit my world view, but presenting texts in a way that will encourage thought and promote personal seeking of God, Then trust the Holy Spirit ti interpret the material to the heart of individuals, who knows, he may have a different message for each of us all from the same passage. One thing is for sure, we all have a different ministry." Reverend Ricky Barnes

About Lasker Baptist church in Lasker NC: "We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven. What we do here and now and the effects our actions will have on future generations deeply concern us. We know that our relationships with one another, with other peoples, races and nations, should be governed by justice, equity, compassion. It is our conviction that, as the Body of Christ, we are to bring the healing, saving, life giving power of God wherever needs exist in the world. Come and Celebrate life with us tomorrow. Breathe in the fresh air of freedom."

This is my wish for Open Door at HRBC, seeking, studying, serving in action, not just seeing others serve and supporting.. -- Jeff

Remains to be seen... "it depends" on you

2011-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

Open Door jumped into James and practical application today with a review of James 1:22-27

What I want you to remember..

You can't earn your way up to more love, or blessing from God...
You can earn the respect of your fellow man with your actions.
People come to church because of other people. People don't come to church because of other people. God is their for each of us, despite our actions. The big question is whether we will be there for our fellow man "as directed by God" Will we actually be doers, or just listeners?
We are the Pharisees in the Gospel story.

From Lesson Book:

" When we lead genuine lives of faith, people more readily believe our testimony. Our actions earn us a hearing with those we wish to reach."

From Commentary: on REAL RELIGION by Brett Younger

Real religion is a Sunday School class mentoring families transitioning out of welfare into self-sufficiency, helping these families plan a budget, look for jobs, and parent their children.
Real religion is the growing number of churches who make a place during the coldest months of the year so that homeless people can spend the night in their buildings.
Real religion is the many Christians who care for children and the elderly through their time, their presence, and the sharing of their gifts.
Real religion is following Christ by defending the oppressed, refusing to stereotype, and building friendships across dividing lines.
Real religion is talking about faith to people who snicker, inviting friends to church, and praying for those who are lost.

Each week at church we can learn how to live our faith. We read the Bible and hear something new. We learn that the best teachers are Christians who serve. We learn that being kind is more important than being right. We learn that those moments of recognizing God's presence in the needy make life spectacular. We learn that love, not time, heals all wounds. We learn that life is tough, but God is always with us. We learn that when we follow Christ, Christ walks beside us.

Imagine James after Sunday school, shaking hands with a woman who says, "James, that was a fine lesson."

His reply, "That remains to be seen"

Was Open Door worth our time today? well, you know my answer. ;-)

Gathering community - great way to define "organic church"

2011-01-19T07:33:00.000-08:00

A dear friend at Lasker Baptist church recently published this statement about his church and it seemed more than worthy of sharing. This eloquently expresses my feelings as the leader/facilitator of OpenDoor. We are a "life community within our larger HRBC", but we are certainly doing many of these things.

Reading this? you are welcome in open door.. any time. We meet in the gym at HRBC, from ~10am - 11am every Sunday morning.. Consider gathering in a "life" community with us.. as we all think about what we think, learn, and worship our loving Father.. question, struggle, rejoice, and journey together!

"Lasker Baptist Church is approaching church as a Gathering Community, a ministry somewhat different from the old outdated Southern Baptist model. As a matter of fact it is our goal to minister to and communicate with people who have been hurt by institutional religion and who seek an organic relationship with God.

We want this community to be a mosaic of people from many different walks of life, races, ages, and classes all journeying toward a better Christian life through life-long friendships, the celebration of the arts, and intentional social action- helping the poor and the disenfranchised. This is a Church for people seeking spiritual direction without out the pressure to conform to any particular practice. You can participate at whatever level is comfortable for you. This could very well be the church for you." - Reverend Ricky Barnes

New day

2011-01-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

1 Peter 1:13-25 Message
So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

Now that you've cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! That's why the prophet said,

The old life is a grass life, its beauty as short-lived as wildflowers; Grass dries up, flowers droop, God's Word goes on and on forever. This is the Word that conceived the new life in you.

==========
2010 has come and gone. 2011 presents each of us with specific opportunities. As members of Huguenot Road Baptist Church we endeavor to Be, Love, and Serve in a world sorely in need of just those services. No need for us to travel to Narnia, or even another place.. We can serve in our own homes, in our own lives, in our places. The choice is ours...

Lewis created Aslan for the purpose of touching the love already in us. And you know, you do love that Lion as you read about him. With each new Chronicle the love and appreciation increase. You love him for his dignity, his wisdom, his pure goodness, his gentleness. Perhaps most of all you love him because he wants us to receive his love and to know him and to share his happiness.

In the last chapter, the children are afraid that it is going to be quite a while before they can come back into Narnia. They wish that return to be soon. In their final conversation with Aslan they hear distressing news. Lucy says, "Will you tell us how to get into your country from our world?"

"I shall be telling you all the time," said Aslan. "But I will not tell you how long or short the way will be; only that it lies across a river. But do not fear that, for I am the great Bridge Builder. And now come; I will open the door in the sky and send you to your own land."

"'Please, Aslan,' said Lucy. 'Before we go, will you tell us when we can come back to Narnia again? Please. And oh, do, do, do make it soon.' 'Dearest,' said Aslan very gently, 'you and your brother will never come back to Narnia.' 'Oh, Aslan!' said Edmund and Lucy both together in despairing voices. 'You are too old, children,' said Aslan, 'and you must begin to come close to your own world now.' 'It isn't Narnia, you know,' sobbed Lucy. 'It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?' 'But you shall meet me, dear one,' said Aslan. 'Are — are you there too, Sir?' said Edmund. 'I am,' said Aslan, 'But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.'" - Author: S. Michael Wilcox , What can we learn from a lion? Lessons about Christ from Lewis' Aslan

Choose your perspective and your path.

2010-12-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

Few more weeks until Christmas.. Open door explores choices, actions, consequences this week...

(MSG)Matthew 1: 18-25 -- The Birth of Jesus The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn't know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God's angel spoke in the dream: "Joseph, son of David, don't hesitate to get married. Mary's pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God's Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—'God saves'—because he will save his people from their sins." This would bring the prophet's embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for "God is with us").
Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God's angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.

Every day life is made up of decisions.. expected and often unexpected... Choices...
Choices have consequences... acceptance, scorn, money, change, inclusion, exclusion.
Choose to embrace your faith as the guiding principle for your actions... Faith is a choice, not an emotion, or a whim...

Joseph's model for use?
Discern, Debate, Decide, Do, and Don't look back!

Obeying God's will mean participating in something bigger than you, more significant than you, usually more than you can possibly do on your own.

Join in the journey! your love story with your family, your neighbors, your God provides you opportunities to BE LOVE SERVE and REPEAT.. every day...

To Christmas and beyond...

Stuff Jesus never said... DANGER!

2010-11-11T11:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.religiousherald.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4627&Itemid=9

EXCELLENT ARTICLE in RELIGIOUS HERALD

EXCERPTS:

Try this: read the Bible regularly without anyone telling you what it says and means.

Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, and see what emerges.

If you need a place to start, try Matthew 5-7, the finest and most famous sermon ever preached.

Warning: this is dangerous and will change your life.

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Jesus never said that the end justifies the means. To see how some of us go about doing church, you would be hard pressed not to believe this. The tendency for congregational leaders to try just about anything to get people in the pews or money in the plate is toxic. The effect is either to water down the scandal of the gospel in order to make it more palatable to the public or to use unethical or dubious methods to insure our success. What Jesus did do (John 6) was to present a demanding call to discipleship and not back off, even when it proved unpopular.

Jesus never said that the first would be first, the last would be last, so look out for number one. 21st century Christianity seems to have lost its way with regard to our place in the world. To hear some, the church’s appropriate role is at the head of every line in culture. We want acclaim, political power, recognition, and status. The same goes for our parishioners and clergy. We easily overlook those in need and on the fringes of our society. Our practices belie an insatiable appetite for the limelight that seems incongruent with the one to “came to serve, not to be served.”
Jesus never said we are to live by the rule of an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. In fact, that ancient code of retribution and retaliation was overtly overturned when he offered a radical alternative in Matthew 6:39-42. Our calling is to be unreasonably gracious and generous. Watching us nurture our grudges, wounds and prejudices while allowing them to cripple our witness must be heartbreaking to him.
Jesus never said that when we come and follow him, we will find success, fame and fortune. In fact, the biblical and historical witness is directly contrary to that silly folk wisdom. The cross most people bear in order to be faithful is real and significant. Some of God’s most faithful servants seem to have suffered the most. The benefit of biblical faith is most often internal, not external. Our most meaningful rewards cannot be deposited, driven, or worn, for they are eternal not temporal.

ACT like a Christian! Do you "resemble" that remark?

2010-10-31T09:21:00.000-07:00

TOPIC: WAR & PEACE
yep, that is the topic of the day and just the idea of have a true "open" discussion rooted in when and how violence might be "justified" in the world around us scared me more than a little. As always, God was AWESOME, and a great discussion ensued.

My personal guiding principles/notes as shared:

Do the ends really justify the means?
My thought: The method of change should be rooted in and resemble the targeted end state.
Killing as % of population of world is an interesting metric to focus on. Assertion in class was that world killing has decreased as a result of the US dropping the atomic bomb on Japan and starting the nuclear age. -- this would seem to disprove my idea... hmmmm, need to learn more about this. would love to hear comments or facts to prove/disprove.
We must use the "exact likeness of God" shown to us in Jesus Christ as a guiding principle to ACTing in our world.
We are called to action in a world in need of our service.
Service and leadership are very different.
Leaders have to make choices that others have the luxury of only talking about. Those actions speak for the rest of us. It is in appropriate to judge and indict so harshly unless we are willing to carry the burden.
Shifting from a individual ideology to a collective "imposed" dictate for others is dangerous and must always be rooted in love, tolerance, inclusion, respect...
Violence should be the last resort as it damages all parties.
Judgement delivered by men on and to other men is at the root of a very bad cycle of events.
(GameTheory) comes into play in judging and acting in these cases.
Self confidence and self respect are critical in evaluating and deciding on action towards others. We cannot build ourselves up by destroying or diminishing others. In fact the opposite is true. As we build each other up, we are all "increased".
Remember that your enemy is a "specific, beloved, first born, child of Christ"!!! just like you...
Actions are personal and should remain that way.
Acting like a Christian requires the discipline of a plan.. specific tasks, with measurable goals and milestones... The problem is that our plan won't ever be finished...

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30 1-4; 11-20

The final paragraphs of the Smith & Helwys commentary(written by Brett Younger of McAfee School of theology in Atlanta) summed it up for me perfectly.. and I read these words aloud to close the class and then closed in prayer. I hope they resonate with you no matter which God you worship and that you will consider what story your ACTIONS tell those around you. use of money, use of time... Do you act, or do you talk.. if so how.. What do you worship and how? war, peace, love, power...

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a short story titled "The Great Stone Face." It is the story of a young man named Earnest who is enamored with a face carved on the side of a mountain. Day after day, Ernest stares at the stone face. Bye the end of the story, his human face has started to resemble the one on the mountain. Remarkably, has has been transformed into the image of the face at which he has gazed.

The truth in the story is irrefutable: "What captures our attention shapes us. Focus day after day on a particular person or thing, and it will transform you. Nowhere is that more true than in our concept of God. We become like the God we worship. We are each transformed in the face of the God at which we gaze. Certainly, our concept of God will affect our view of war and peace.

If our God is a warring God, the God of the Old Testament who regularly issues declarations of war on Israel's enemies, that God will shape us. We will have no problem with any "holy war" that endeavors to stamp out evil and bring in God's kingdom.

If our God is a God who favors war over tyranny and oppression and can use war to bring about good, that God will shape us. We will have no problem with a "just war" that protects the innocent and seeks to alleviate atrocities.

If our God is a God who hates war and really means we are to love our enemies and turn the other cheek when someone attacks us, that God will shape us, too. We will have a problem with any war and will see it as an inadequate, un-Christian response to evil.

As always happens, our view of God affects the rest of our lives. In this case, it determines our view of war and peace. And our view of war and peace lets everyone know what kind of God we serve.

If nothing else, these lessons on war and peace will give us occasion to consider again our own concept of God.

Demographics: Be not afraid... but.. Action Required.

2010-10-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

Hi all, here is a video on point for what we ended up talking about on Sunday in Open Door. I had not planned it but I'm open to talking a lot more about this topic 1x1 or in small groups. if you are interested....

I would reiterate my position that we have nothing to fear and that the way forward will always be tolerance, inclusion, and love demonstrated in our actions not just our words. I don't know very much about Islam. I do know and testify to the love of Jesus Christ and I think that is where any discussion or action plan should start. We should follow a model of action which embodies the spirit and principles of that which we are professing.

This video is thought provoking, and very interesting to think about. Let me know if you are interested in talking more.. AS for FEAR--- you should listen to what my friend Steven Condy says about it.. an amazing voice, and a beloved Christian heart and spirit. --- FEAR NOT - http://ow.ly/2SbyF

Road Runner Religion

2010-10-17T05:29:00.000-07:00

Do I approach life and each day filled with grace, or am I critical?
WHAT Exactly matters?
God loves to show up and show off!
Is you God big enough? in control of every situation, every moment. every option... (RoadRunner & Wile E Coyote, Bugs Bunny, Kobiyashi Maru-StarTrek)

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 (MSG)

9 -13 But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I've had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he's left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he's coming or going. I've decided that there's nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That's it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift.

14 I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.

15 Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God.

Purpose and Perspective are inextricably linked.
Productivity is perspective.

1 Corinthians 15 (MSG)
Life is about service and the resurrection.
We must learn to receive, not achieve.
We must seek to serve and love, not consume, seeking the favor of our fellow men.

"We are called to patience, faithfulness, and trust. as we lean into the sovereignty of God"

"Cliff Notes" on Ecclesiastes:

Rejoice in the small blessings of every day, every moment.
Remember that we are not God, our work is indeed futile, as are education, pleasure, community...
Revere God, THE GOD, Omniscient, Loving,

Martin Luther wrote: "The important thing is that we have a tranquil and quiet heart and a mind filled with joy, that we be content with the Word, and the work of God."

Michael Eaton: "The preacher's vast researches have found nothing in the finite earthly realm which can satisfy, the human heart intellectually, or practically. Though he has resolved to understand "all" that is under the sun, there is that within him which makes him realize he can never comprehend God's plan in its entirety. This is the nearest he comes to Augustine's maxim: "You have made us for yourself, and hour hearts are restless until they can find peace in you."

All is vanity. TOIL

2010-10-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hope is not a management strategy. Hope springs eternal. Hope is what you rely on when all else is lost. Hope is what sustains you after you have executed a good management strategy.

Every day is an opportunity. I did nothing yesterday to deserve to wake up today. I'll use my time wisely.

Spirituality is a component of religion, but Religion is much more then spirituality.

Talk is cheap. Bless at least three people every week.. and make sure one of them doesn't deserve it.

Just because you believe something is spiritual, doesn't make it true. Truth is revealed, and validated in scripture, prayers, circumstances and the church.. all together.. Start with spending more time with Jesus in prayer and reading the Bible.. the rest will come through service as you act on what is revealed there.

Church is not the point. The kingdom is the point. Your mission in the kingdom is to discern for yourself and act on your beliefs.

It always comes down to a simple point of faith. Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again for you? If you do... your life should be noticeably different. You should be doing Amazing things as you join God in his mission for the world If you aren't.. maybe you are asking God to join you in your mission for the world...

Think about what you think.

People become Christians because the see and know Christians.
People reject Christianity because they see and know Christians.

Ecclesiastes 2: 17-26

Toil Is Meaningless
17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? 23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Sometimes God has a better idea

Sunday October 03 2010

Posted by Rick Warren

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

"If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that. (James 4:15 NIV) "

Have you noticed that things don't always turn out the way you want them to? That sometimes God has a better idea?
The Bible says in Proverbs 27:1, "Don't boast about tomorrow. You don't know what tomorrow's going to bring." (ESV)
It's okay to make your plans, but remember that life is unpredictable and God says we shouldn't presume on it. On the other hand, we shouldn't worry about it because God is in control.
James 4 tells us the proper attitude to have: "Now listen you who say 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.' Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. ... Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" (vv. 13-15, NIV)
James is saying it's OK to make plans, but just realize that ultimately God has the final word.
The right attitude is to always keep your plans submitted to God. Make your plans but say, "God, if this is what You want, this is the direction I'm going to go. I'm doing this with flexible faith."
Proverbs 16:9 says, "We should make our plans counting on God to direct us." How do you do that? By praying. When you get up in the morning and have your quiet time, say, "God, what do You want to do with this day?"
Then when interruptions come, you'll remember God is in control. It will dramatically lower the frustration level in your life as you remember it is not all up to you.

Refresh!

2010-10-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Strong Marriages - Intentional Parenting - Whole Families
Spread the word about a wonderful local retreat for couples looking to "refresh and strengthen their most important human relationship". Presented by PEACE IN THE HOME.org

REFRESH: Saturday Nov 6, 2010 9am-Noon more info, register online at http://peaceinthehome.org/refresh

What kind of activities will be used? Three topical and interactive presentations with breaks and couples' time opportunities. Must register online.
Cost? $25 per couple before Oct. 6th. $30 thereafter.
Childcare available? Free child care available for children of registered couples.
Appropriate for what age couple? actual age, marriage age...?
Married, engaged, dating.. all allowed? for married and engaged couples with a wedding date. No singles -- it's a marriage event. Appropriate for anyone married 5 minutes to 50 years.

Wishing for... Vision, Hearing, Discernment, Socks?

2010-09-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

What did you wish for?
How did you decide what to wish for?
How do wishes evolve with maturity.. in age, in faith, in fellowship with others?

PEOPLE: Elijah, Elisha, Obiwan, Luke, Lone Ranger, Tonto, Batman, Robin - and that was just where we got started.
2 Kings 2: 1-14

Fun class today all.. I hope you will finish those wish cards somewhere and come back to them some day. Believe that God will provide and answer you.

Here is what I remember..
Don't be afraid to ask God for something.
Look for yourself, believe for yourself.
Chariot of fire is a big deal.
"I run because God made me fast"
Embrace who you are, and your future, seeing every day as a chance to serve.
Think about what you will ask for when you are given the chance.
Future is assured when you accept Jesus as your savior.
Action is required on our part to "join the mission"
We are the champions. Act like it!
Believe.. Don't just believe in...

SUMMARY POINTS:
The future can seem overwhelming, but God will guide us one day, one step, one moment at a time...
God places people in our lives for a reason. Mentors, students, friends, family.
We are not irreplaceable and life will go on without us. Let go and pass your mantle/cloak on to others.
The future is in God's hands. It is enough to live faithfully into each day as it comes.

FALL for GOD?

2010-09-05T03:55:00.000-07:00

For the month of September we will be "Trusting God" using stories of ELIJAH.

For the FALL, Each week I'll use a theme or section from Missional Renaissance by Reggie McNeal to further inform our discussion and study. I'd encourage you to pick up a copy and read it. It is a worthy addition to your personal library.

THE CHARGE: WHAT will you be doing this FALL for GOD? just coming to church won't cut it... He expects more.. and I'll be talking about how Open Door can encourage and help YOU. You need to make a difference and be, love, and serve in your world...

Do you believe in God or do you believe GOD?

Sept 5 Trusting God's Supply 1 Kings 17:1-24

Sept 12 Trusting God's Direction 1 Kings 18:1, 17-40

Sept 19 Trusting God's Voice 1 Kings 19:1-17

Sept 26 Trusting God's Future 2 Kings 2:1-14

I'll be there.. loving, and serving God both in Church and out.. I hope and pray that you will join me.

jeff

Some of my Thoughts/Tweets from the last week:

Miles McPherson Rocks - Do something!#missionalrenaissance volunteer, donate, Help- Be,Love,Serve,Repeat! #rva

When you live knowing that you are made in the image of God, your purpose, place and path is crystal clear! #missionalrenaissance

Your superpowers are real. You know that from the impact you make on a daily basis with people who “get” you. http://ow.ly/2zjDt @pamelaslim #leadership#entrepreneur

"Family is kryptonite to your superpowers"http://ow.ly/2zjy2 @pamelaslim #leadership#entrepreneur

"God loves last minute, bottom of 9th type saves..." - best quote of week. No big deal if you are resting in the Lord--fully!

"God says you are capable" @RickWarren http://ow.ly/2xSYq #missionalrenaissance

Its just not enough to be right. | Virginia Tenor http://ow.ly/2xSvK

Perhaps, this thought is at the root of "Restoring Honor" to our electorate: -- "independent statesman" http://ow.ly/2xo7B

RT @RickWarren: Love without orthodoxy is foolish. Orthodoxy without love is ugly.

RT @RickWarren: Healthy churches grow larger & smaller at the same time. Larger in worship, smaller thru groups. #missionalrenaissance

Time is moving quickly, but the future is filled with opportunity. #jobsearch #ric #rva

Lessons through the lens of life with Blble as text, Group as teacher, Spirit as guide - OPENDOOR #missionalrenaissance http://ow.ly/2wm2h

Ideas are interesting, but actions & people make the difference. Putting the two together is the foundation of real power. #leadership

Success scorecard is built on how much we bless others with our service & services. People, Churches, Businesses.. #missionalrenaissance

"Positionally ensconced but personally removed leaders don't inspire..."#missionalrenaissance #leadership 1 Cor 4:16 - "imitate me" Paul

RT @RickWarren: Anything can become an act of worship if we recognize God presence and rely on his power while doing it.

Church should contribute community service work equal or greater than their estimated tax burden #dotherightthing #missionalrenaissance

Intrinsic #motivation2.0 +#missionalrenaissance + inclusive excellence sums up http://hrbcopendoor.blogspot.com & http://dacapova.org

RT @RickWarren: Healthy churches balance 3 types of teaching: BUILD-UP"edification" FIRE-UP"exhortation" HOLD-UP"comfort" 1 Cor14:3

Does your ministry build programs or people? Focus majority attention & resources inside or outside the walls. #missionalrenaissance

RT @RickWarren: Confront passive-aggressive behavior toward you.You’ll both be healthier & u just might save the relationship. Prov 24:26

Success scorecard is built on how much we bless others with our service & services. People, Churches, Businesses..#missionalrenaissance

RT @RickWarren: The simplest way to influence is SMILE "A leader's smile can give people life; his kindness is like a spring rain" Pr16:15

"kingdom agents have no other option than being subversive..." #missionalrenaissance http://ow.ly/i/3ovL

"the church is not the point" - for God so loved the WORLD-- #missionalrenaissance http://ow.ly/i/3ov7

RT @lrmartinjr: Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations.

“If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” – Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)

A champion is a recipient, a celebrant, and an active agent into the future.

DO YOU ACT LIKE A "specific, beloved, first born child of Christ" - a CHAMPION?

Our Inheritance: Grace, Patience, Wisdom, and Power
by Rick Warren

God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 1 Peter 1:4 (NLT)

"You are far richer than you realize."

The New Testament gives great emphasis to our rich “inheritance.” As children in God’s family we get to share in the family fortune, that everything God has belongs to us (Galatians 4:7). The apostle Paul adds, “I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people” (Ephesians 1:18 NLT).
What benefits do we inherit?
As children in God’s family we are given “the riches ... of his grace ... kindness ... patience ... glory ... wisdom ... power ... and mercy” (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 2:4; 9:23; 11:33; Ephesians 3:16; 2:4). We also inherit eternal life and God puts his Spirit inside us now as a guarantee of all that is to come.
What an inheritance! You are far richer than you realize, which is why Paul could write with confidence: “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).
Your eternal inheritance is priceless, pure, permanent, and protected; no one can take it from you. It can’t be destroyed by war, a poor economy, or disaster. This inheritance, not retirement, is what you should be looking forward to; retirement is a shortsighted goal.

Our story, our song

2010-08-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

HRBC OPEN DOOR AT A GLANCE
Specific, beloved, first born, children of God.. living and learning life "together, but separate ;-)"

As we finished up our study of Jacob and Esau's family drama this AM, we had a excellent review and discussion of Revenge vs Reconciliation as themes in our own lives and stories.

As always, I'd love to see a continuing discussion in comments on the blog and as always, I'm personally available to talk with any of you... both as a friend and as a Christian brother.

Talking Pts.

The story of this family resonates deeply with all of us. It is our story.
Wounds inflicted are real.. and cause damage
God's mission can be accomplished even amidst Man's conflict and despotism.
We are defined by Who we are but also by what we do.
A spirit Revenge roots us in a constant state of bondage. Linking us to a moment, event, or an action and inhibiting us from forward motion and growth.
A spirit of humility and service empowers and encourages us and others.
Reconciliation does not come without sacrifice.
Reconciliation is practical and requires communication and context to seek resolution.
We can choose humility and service or... meism.
Our God is an awesome God of reconciliation and redemption.
We must choose to join God in his work rather than constantly asking him to join us in our work.
Is God in your life, or are you in God's life?

For the FALL - Open Door will focus on a Missional Renaissance as a Life Community. We will learn and deal with Life issues first using the Bible and the Holy Spirit to seek out where God is working in our world today, right here in Midlo, around us...

(BE)Key Themes for coming weeks:

Jobs needed
Needs vs Wants personally, collectively
Current roles are related to our purpose exactly how...
How does our faith intersect with the workplace...
Listening for simple things, simple solution
what does ministry mean exactly?

(SERVE) Our Life Community must have an external focus in addition to our collective time on Sunday AM.

What is your plan for service in ministry?
How are you equipped for ministry?
How and where are we serving in God's mission and God's world? rather than ours...
Are you willing to document a plan for YOUR service? if you don't write it down, it won't likely happen... work with others, personal accountability.
Do you have a scorecard for your personal ministry?

Fernando Ortega's song: Anita's Heart was what I wanted to open with and discuss. The parallels for what Rebekah must have felt when Jacob left... a child leaving home... trust in the Lord for a relationship for each of us... Hope for a future...
I'd suggest a listen along with some personal reflection on how this song resonates with you. Who and what must you leave behind to join God in a "Missional Renaissance" - Reconciliation is the beginning of redemption and relationship.

Back to Be Love Serve Repeat

2010-07-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

Had a nice time this morning as I returned to the "facilitator/teacher chair" after almost a full month away. It was so familiar, and yet special to be among friends, in fellowship. It is amazing to be reminded of my purpose, and to be able to learn and contribute concurrently, embracing diversity. All as we, Be Love Serve.. and REPEAT.

From the opening prayer ;-), to the trickle in attendance effect, to the excellent conversations, challenges, and inclusive learning, to the worship service, it was a reminder of why I do indeed love Open Door and HRBC.

If you are or have been taking a break for the Summer, or simply just traveling... don't forget the comforts of home in Open Door where it depends, we don't always know the answers, but we still believe. Most importantly, we have a forum where we can think about what we think, talk about what we know and don't know, and practice what we preach as we prepare for the harsh realities of our culture.

References and materials I used this am came from:

Matthew 23:1-12 NIV
James 3:1 & 13-18
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Galatians 6:1-6

HRBC OPEN DOOR post/class from July 2, 2010 - Thank you sir, we are not worthy...
Virginia Tenor: Circle of peace and love
Virginia Tenor: Fundamentals

============== Rick Warren's Devotional on Choice

Choices control your calendar
by Rick Warren

We are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 6:5 (NLT)

"You have just enough time to do God's will while you're here on earth."

Your choices control your calendar and, as a result, your lifestyle. Your choices are far more powerful than your circumstances. You may not like how complicated your life has become yet, with very few exceptions, no one is forcing you to keep your life complicated.

You have the power to simplify your life.

The Bible teaches, "We are each responsible for our own conduct" (Galatians 6:5 NLT). To me, that means God expects us to assume responsibility for our lives and to carefully choose how we spend our time.

That's why I've spent years teaching people to discover why God placed them on this planet: What is your purpose for being here?

Ultimately, it will be the donation of your life that will count far more than the duration.

In other words, it's not how long you live - or even how much you cram into how long you live - it's really about how you live.
Here are three essential steps to simplify your life:

First, figure out your purpose, and then let your purpose guide the goals of your life.

Second, organize your activities based upon your purpose.

Finally, harmonize your schedule with your purpose; that is, bring your activities into agreement with your goals.

You have just enough time to do God's will while you're here on earth. You've been given just enough time to fulfill your purpose. When you try to do more than God planned for you, it's only natural that you'll find yourself constantly out of time or stressed over your schedule.
If it doesn't fit the purpose of your life, God doesn't want you doing it. In fact, he may be overjoyed that you finally got the message and stopped doing meaningless activities. He may even want you to add "rest" or "have fun" to your to-do list. My prayer for you is that you will find relief from stress and a new sense of satisfaction as you do only the things God created you to do.

===================== Smyth & Helwys Commentary...

"The Sin of Omnicompetence"
In her memoir Leaving Church, Barbara Brown Taylor speaks of the day she began to clean out her desk drawers in the office of the church where she was pastor. She was amazed and humbled by all that she found there: "Crowded in the third drawer," she writes, "were folders for every one of Grace-Calvary's many parish groups and committees. Children's Chapel. Confirmation Class. Journey to Adulthood. Daughters of the King. Stewardship. Annual Budget. Parochial Report. Buildings and Grounds. A/V Equipment.… The folders went on and on, convicting me by their sheer numbers of the sin of omnicompetence. Who could be good at so many different things? What had driven me to try…a whole file cabinet full of things that would never get done no matter how many hours I spent on them?" (117-18). Taylor had come to the difficult realization that the busy, all-encompassing life she was living in the church had been less in the image of the easy yoke Jesus spoke of and more like that heavy, showy burden of the Pharisees striving for perfection in every tiny detail of life: "My quest to serve God in the church had exhausted my spiritual savings. My dedication to being good had cost me a fortune in being whole. My desire to do all things well had kept me from doing the one thing within my power to do, which was to discover what it meant to be fully human" (127)--one who makes mistakes, who lives not by works but by grace alone, by depending on others to carry us through the places where we do not have the resources to make it on our own.

I wonder for how many people has the sin of the church's omnicompetence become a process by which we "tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others" (Mt 23:4)? We see our churches, in many senses, as one-stop spiritual shopping--we have to have worship to fit everyone's needs, vibrant programs for all ages, study groups in every teaching style and topic. But how often, rather than leading us to spiritual depth, does this lead us to a spiritual dryness like that of the Pharisees--to a place where, as our lesson says,

"A façade of spiritual vitality covers the emptiness of shallow lives"?

If each church were to focus on its own gifts--having humility to know what it is wise for the church to tackle and what will be too much, to know the places where God is calling them to work and the places where another church may be better equipped rather than competing with other churches for the best in everything--might we learn the humility of a lightened burden? Might we find ourselves freed from endless committees, classes, and projects enough to open up time to actually see others and serve them, as Christ served those he saw as he walked through life with empty hands and open eyes?

Barbara Brown Taylor, Leaving Church (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 2006).

Abby Thornton holds a B.A. in religious studies from the University of Virginia and an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School. She has served four congregations in North Carolina and Virginia, most recently as minister of spiritual formation at Freemason Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia. An ordained Baptist minister, she presently lives in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

Thank you sir, We are not worthy...

2010-07-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

Discussion points from today:
Pride seems to be at the root of many things both good and bad.
We "personified" the sins.. in discussion and ideology from Tiger Woods, Hugh Heffner, and Donald Trump to all of the characthers from Star Wars. Sith or Jedi? Which character do you identify with? Who do you idolize? The individual answers of attendees today were not surprising, but also lined up with our cultures' ideals.

THE TWIST: We as a society idolize the very things which promise to be the root of a potential downfall. We must remain focused on service and Christ. but... I posit that we should actually embrace our passions and have pride in who we are.. "fearfully and wonderfully made in God's image"... By doing so, we become the salt and light which the world so desperately needs.

I encouraged the class to embrace their specific uniqueness as first born beloved of Christ while understanding that there is a line which must be avoided. Pride is a slippery slope, but it is balanced by the dangers of a lack of self esteem, and a collective passiveness to the Christians in a world desperately in need of their gifts.

"God fully expects the church of Jesus Christ to prove itself a miraculous group in the very midst of a hostile world. Christians, of necessity, must be in contact with the world but in being and spirit ought to be separated from the world. --- and as such we should be the most amazing people in the world." A W Tozer 1897-1963

My premise... We as Christians have long embraced a spirit of humility and overempasized this ideal. We have inhibited generations of evangelists, teachers, disciples, and missionaries by telling them that they must always learn more, know more.. before they can do more. The modern church institutions has a habit of inhibiting its member rather than empowering them. Ministry must be contained, blessed, controlled by the powers that be in so many cases. This is baffling to me.
We discussed God's examples of "equipping the called" rather than the, secular, pride filled, humanist model of "calling the equipped."

From Oliver to Wayne's World and back again with a short trip through Proverbs...

How does a lack of self confidence inhibit your life, ministry, and mission?
Is it better or worse than over-confidence and hubris run amuck...?
Where is confidence appropriate? and how?
Are you abdicating our moral and ethical leadership role as a Christian in today's society due to cultural pressure to conform with "political correctness"? Do you call that humility and is it?
What do you do when you are right and you know it? with kids, family, friends, colleagues?
How do you respond when someone affirms/tells you: how great you are, what a great job you did, how cool you are.. or what an amazing role model you are? Ok.. so probably doesn't happened so much to most of us... but how would you respond if it did.. We will practice ;-)
Do you affirm those around you or do you more naturally criticize them? Is it because of your pride or you humility that you most often take action?
How do you decide to speak up or be silent... helping a friends succeed, but risking the friendship.. or allowing them to fail and just being there to support. When are you justified in interfering?
Is your pride fierce? Is your humility equally fierce?

Proverbs 11:2; 16:5, 18-19; 27:1-6
11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble.

16:5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the LORD; be assured, they will not go unpunished.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. 4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming but who is able to stand before jealousy? 5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6 Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

More References:
Excellent Blog post by Dallas Willard on Humility
"This is the path to humility. Never pretend. Never presume. Never push."

Competition or Collaboration by Dr. Charles Hulin III
"...We compete:
To receive attention . . .
To satisfy the ego . . .
To enable right to win over wrong.
We conclude that we have discovered the secret for the good life, namely, in the word "compete." "

OUT OF UR - OUT OF CONTEXT: "When our goal of worship is to receive God's help to be successful, pride is taking over. Then we are just using God to further ourselves. Could it be that we want church-growth secrets, or even God's Spirit...for the wrong reasons? Have we slipped into a proud and competitive mode? Is this part of the reason why the American church seems so crippled right now?"

Just a little more please... Slippery slope of greed and envy

2010-06-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

GREED: intense and selfish desire for something, esp. wealth, power, or food.
ENVY: a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck

Greed is rampant in our society and psyche. The culture which blesses us so fully is a dangerous and powerful force in our personal worlds.. motivations, ideas, decisions, and plans.

Giving is the solution for solving the problems created by getting!!!!!

Are these questions a slippery slope for you personally, how about collectively? I/We need....

More/Better time?
More/Better space?
More/Better motivation?
More/Better education?
More/Better friends/members?
More/Better stuff?
More money, more money, more money?

Proverbs 3:27-28; 11:24-28; 23:17-18
-- 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"--when you have it with you.
-- 11:24 Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. 25 A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water. 26 The people curse those who hold back grain, but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it. 27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to the one who searches for it. 28 Those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.
-- 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD. 18 Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

10 COMMANDMENTS are relevant here in particular: Check out #10

More DISCUSSION QUESTIONS---

How does greed manifest itself in our personal decisions?
How does greed influence our decisions in the workplace?
Does the church as an organization experience greed, envy?
What is the difference between greed and striving to get ahead in life? What are the results of experiencing one without the other?

Jokingly, we say, "Money isn't everything, but it's way ahead of whatever is in second place." Read James 2:1-13. Why do you think the prosperity gospel puts so much emphasis on material things?

God's blessing are poured out on his people. Your needs will be met and he has plans to "prosper you not harm" Jer 29:11 - While this doesn't mean that you will be free from trials, it does mean that there is no need to hoard in a way that deprives your fellow man of opportunity.

Blessings and belongings are not EVIL.
Success in competition is not SIN.

I believe that blessings and prosperity are given to be shared.

If you have a big house - use it to entertain, share ideas, study and rejoice with many
If you have a great kitchen - use it to cook meals for others
If you have a nice yard - use it to meet your neighbors, cookouts, games, sprinklers
If you have a nice front porch - invite a friend/neighbor over just to talk.. share a beverage ;-)
If you have a nice vehicle - use it to take someone to work, school, or church.. other than your family
If you have a beach or lake house - revel in the glory and power of the ocean with friends, invite others to share
If you have a cabin - take your neighbors, friends, even "enemies" on retreat and share the splendor of smores and a campfire as you love.
If you know something, tell someone else.
If you have time - use it to serve, create, and make a difference!

Sin, Sex, Salacia, and the Slippery Slopes

2010-06-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, we begin a series of lessons on Sin and in particular the "Seven deadly sins".. Our texts for 6/6 focus us on Lust and Gluttony.

In case you are wondering, one of my favorite restaurant experiences was in Va Beach for a wedding anniversary celebration where Tracee and I enjoyed a phenomenal meal at Salacia.. Excellent restaurant.

Below are some reference notes and ideas to get you started.. on our own slippery slope.. Lets all hope that we will spend the next few weeks climbing.. rather than digging... that is assuming you understand that we are already in a hole with our lifestyles and culture of "meism".

Little Sins/Big Sins... separate us from God and put our feet firmly on the "proverbial" slippery slope.

Proverbs is a book presenting the Wisdom of the Sages where the goal is to provide a roadmap to "live well and right"

Proverbs 1:1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon, David's son, Israel's king— Written down so we'll know how to live well and right, to understand what life means and where it's going; A manual for living, for learning what's right and just and fair; To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. There's something here also for seasoned men and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn— Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Seven Deadly Sins: is a human construct/interpretation of SINS that lead to... death and eternal separation from a God who loves us and sacrificed himself for us to pay our ever accumulating debt.

What exactly is SIN? yep, answering that question is the most central issue for us. If you don't know, then that should be your focus.
Do you respond to positive reinforcement or judgemental punishment models? and how do you believe that the guidances for wise living set forth in Proverbs, should be dealt with... Are they laws, should they be?
What is the punishment for not obeying this wisdom? What is the punishment for SIN?
Why do we continue to sin even if/when we know that it is both wrong and bad for us?
Do you know what the "seven" things are that God despises?
Do you know the Seven Habits of highly successful people?
Do you think regularly about your personal "Tools of the trade"? Benjamin Franklin used a table to track his personal progress and regular practice of 13 Virtues.

What is your PLAN for LIVING WELL AND RIGHT? Perhaps... it starts and ends with Love and an occasional trip through the Open Door. I would also suggest a regular review of the Wisdoms of the Sages presented for us in Proverbs.

The Dilemma small church vs big church

2010-05-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a nice mid week article to help you think about "what you are doing?" this week.. and where your ministry obligations/accountability come into play.

For Open Door on Sunday... We will continue talking about church with the same leading questions from last week... what are you doing? Then add in: what do you expect others to do? And what do you do when others "do" ?

I read the linked article just now... and I'm thinking.... Maybe the supposed future is a series of "small churches", one might even call them life communities... intertwined and active within the construct of larger assisting fellowship organizations, or even traditional churches... Maybe the "small churches" of our future are already here in our traditional church model, and just need to be engaged and activated/empowered in their own missions...

Questions: What changes if we think about HRBC as an association of 15-20 small churches all working together for a common cause of "kingdom work".. What is our mission then? Would we do things differently, meet on different schedules, etc...

I'm just sayin... We need to think and then ACT...

SUGGESTIONS for some things TO DO...
-- "be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
-- Use two gifts.. Speak and Serve... It is really that simple, but it sure isn't easy...

Small Churches are the Next Big Thing -- http://www.outofur.com/archives/2010/05/small_churches.html

PERHAPS We should also be...

"Celebrating small churches because they are better positioned to reach people at the margins, better equipped to empower the laity for the work of ministry, and more inclined to cooperate, rather than compete, in ministry"
Recognizing the value of the existing "big church" institutional ministry assets.. people, patterns, facilities, brand, systems of action...
Bridging the gap between the two to come together and do Kingdom work.. one person at a time..

Using your gifts...Looking for gifts

2010-05-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

Our journey in Open Door continues as we begin to wrestle with who has what, does what , is expected to do what, and gets credit for exactly what?

Discussion Questions?

What are our gifts and how are we using them?
Are you committed to your beliefs and ministries or do you just show up?
Are you hiding your gifts so that you won't be asked to commit?
Do you recognize the service you see in others and encourage it?
Are you offended when leaders within your circle step up and lead? How do you know their intentions and guidance are right?
How do you feel about the idea of paid/vocational staff members in churches? How does their role and obligation to serve others differ from yours?
What do you do when they blow it? What do you expect others to do when you blow it?
When it comes to churches... How big is too big and what happens with small?

Guiding Thoughts

We need each other in community. Our continuing ministry is built upon our wiring for service and love to one another. Each of us has a role to play... We cannot play one anothers' roles as we are each specific, beloved children of God.
Faith and its associated works is associated directly with sacrifice and suffering. We must be fearless, gentle and reverent as we ACT not just speak about the love of Christ. This means holding one another accountable, celebrating successes and openly discussing failures. The community succeeds or fails together and all its members share the burden.
Leadership positions in a faith community are a tremendous responsibility and burden. Not an opportunity to showcase and build yourself up. Service to a life community is just that.. It is a life of humility and service..

LINK TO ARTICLE: THE DIRT ON ORGANIC CHURCH from LEADERSHIP JOURNAL

NOTES on ORGANIC CHURCHES and response article on Out of UR.

BOOK LINK: Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens - Neil Cole

This feels right to me.. our evangelism becomes about gentleness, reverence, and accountability to each other through deeper personal relationships with one another.. both inside and outside of the "institution". Evangelism becomes a part of who we are every day, in everything that we do.. it is NOT a task to be checked off... Our life community becomes about transforming both our own lives as well as those around us through Being, Loving, and Serving.. Repeatedly!!!

http://www.outofur.com/archives/2010/05/defending_organ_1.html
1. Make disciples, not organizations, and let Jesus build the church out of changed lives. A disciple is one who follows Christ and learns at his feet. Allow them to learn to follow Jesus. They will make mistakes along the way, but that is how we all learn. Protecting people from mistakes is to keep them from learning.
2. Lower the bar on how church is done and raise the bar on what it means to be a disciple. Look to invest in what’s proven rather than in potential. As people are faithful with small obedience present them with the opportunity for more. Start slower and smaller and let the growth generate by reproducing new life, rather than trying to grow something too quickly through attraction.
3. Life Transformation Groups (LTGs) are a simple method of empowering ordinary people, even brand new Christians, to connect to God’s word and obey without creating a dependency upon others who will tell them what to think and do. When the disciples are connected to Christ and following him, then the church that is gathered is strong and able to stand on its own without the unhealthy dependency that Mr. Hofmeister felt was needed. In an LTG people are reading a lot of Scripture repetitively and in context. They are also accountable to one another for confessing their sin weekly. Finally, they are identifying and praying for the souls of lost friends that need Jesus as well. I can trust people who are in such a relationship, and in a church made up of such people has the strength to grow, reproduce, and endure. (Search & Rescue is a book that explains how LTGs work and why.)

==============================
1 Peter 4:7-5:5
The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.
8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief-maker. 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?"19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God's will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

Tending the Flock of God
5:1 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it--not for sordid gain but eagerly.
3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Stones: hot, cold, rolling, alive, dead

2010-05-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all..

BE: I am a specific, beloved, first born child of Jesus Christ.

Open Door discussed how to live as "living stones".. It isn't easy people...
but at least we aren't "ogres" like Shrek.. Tracee said she was surprised I didn't use this video in class so in her honor: here it is...

I believe!.. even if I don't know all of the answers.. When in doubt, LOVE!

Is our church harmless? should it be?
How are you making a difference in your relationships, communities, and structure? How do you SERVE?:

Talking points that I emphasized.

Stones have substance.
Stone's characteristics are influenced and often defined by the forces/context around them.
Important metaphors to focus on in the Bible: Stones, Sheep/Shepherds, Fire...
Stones can be assembled together to form a structure..
Who are you? versus what do you do? -- We so often ask and focus on the wrong questions.. We are human "be"ings, not human "do"ings.
"I see you, and I know who you are." is a powerful, inclusive, loving statement if we choose to interpret it that way. So often we react in fear and exclusion.
This is the context that God sees us in... He "gets" us.. he knows "how we roll"
Stones within a structure carry a load...It is an obligation.
As the number of relationships increase, the load on the foundation stones increases.
Christ is the cornerstone, keystone that sustains others.. The closer you are to Christ, the more strength you have and "load" you can carry.
The world reinforces the idea of self sustaining ability, but the stone separated from the building leaves a hole in the structure, and is forced to carry its load on its own.
We should live in reverent fear.. of God.. not of one another.
Tearing down others.. can never build you up.
Maturing in our relationships is a process.. takes time and we must REPEAT the same steps over and over to finally learn... there is only one cornerstone/keystone, but there are many, many connecting stones.
Pyramids were build over a looooong time, with really big stones on the bottom.. cut perfectly, with no mortar.. Amazing...
I would really like to hear what you remember and think?.. comments are welcome..

Scriptures used and referenced:

1 Peter 1:13-21 NIV

1 Peter 1:21-2:10 NIV

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Romans 12:1-2 MSG

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

1 Peter 1:18-21 MSG

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

Complete

2010-04-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

We finished up our lessons drawn from the Psalms on Sunday with one of the most beloved of all time. Psalm 23 is so stunningly simple. It is complete. It speaks to everyone differently and it has such profound implications stated so elegantly. It must be sung.. believed.. shared with others.. from your heart... from your core..

Sharing the Presence of God with a people that need it so..

Psalm 23 NIV (New International Version)

A psalm of David.

    ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
    ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,
    ³ he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.
    ⁴ Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death,
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.
    ⁵ You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.
    ⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

Open Door "at a glance"

2010-04-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

If you are visiting HRBC on a Sunday AM here is an "at a glance" view of the Life Community which calls itself Open Door. We usually meet upstairs in the Wallace building "by the coffee pots".. but with us, you never know. Sometimes, we end up outside, in a park, or even at pool;-)

Disclaimer:Admittedly, this is Jeff's view of the class, but I figure as the teacher I am best positioned to prime the pump with ideas and lay it out there. If you all have other ideas, comments welcome.

Requirements to visit/join:

Not really much, as we talk about the Bible and the implications of scripture in our daily lives, in plain english, no nonsense kind of approach.
Can't say that I regularly even take roll. We are there for one another, whoever is there, each week.
Bible knowledge not really required, this is an OTJ training environment.

Fun Facts:

We are interested in "churches without walls" but that isn't practical, so we always leave the door open. seriously...We talk a lot about going to people instead of asking them to come to us...still trying to solve this one.
We are the "coolest" class in the church. (especially in the Winter)
We actually talk about things that many people in churches just think about.
We have a lot of fun outside of church, from Pool parties, to Meat Night, to Ladies Nights Out, to our annual "men provide/cook gourmet dinner and serve it to the ladies"

Who we are:

We are mostly married 30 somethings, 40 somethings, and 50 somethings. We tend to have children of differing ages in elementary school, but not necessarily.
We enjoy thinking about current issues, and talking about how to actively use the gospel in our every day lives/applications.
We aren't afraid to discuss and even question entrenched ideology and theology in a safe, inclusive, environment of friends.
We care about one another and we act accordingly, going beyond the "traditional" expectations. We strive to sacrifice for one another, to make a difference.
We ALL want to learn more about loving one another through regular study of the Bible, and further through regular fellowship and study. (in ecclesia)

Whose we are: GOD's period.

We are believers and searchers. A few of the favorite saying of Jeff are

"I don't know the answer, but I still believe"
"Every day is an opportunity"

Joy from Despair... based on perspective?

2010-04-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

What a great class today.. We began with an extended exercise to document our coping mechanisms for handling serious "despair" scenarios. The list extended from bible verses, to poetry, trips to the beach/mountains, music, family, loved ones, and even sports and exercise. Everything on the board was relevant and perfectly articulated how we deal with problems in our world. Rational, reasonable, logical.. and well explained.. Then the kicker arrived.. We cannot avoid the trials and sorrow..

JOHN 16:19-22 (MSG) Jesus knew they were dying to ask him what he meant, so he said, "Are you trying to figure out among yourselves what I meant when I said, 'In a day or so you're not going to see me, but then in another day or so you will see me'? Then fix this firmly in your minds: You're going to be in deep mourning while the godless world throws a party. You'll be sad, very sad, but your sadness will develop into gladness. "When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You'll no longer be so full of questions

"Joy is derived from the presence of God, not the absence of sorrow." As humanists, realists, and "enlightened" thoroughly modern thinkers we tend to rely on our intellect, to control and try to manage issues to solve problems. This does not work. We solve for the symptom, not the disease/source. As a class, we talked a lot about how the "coping mechanisms" we had all articulated "double" as mechanisms to seek the presence of God in our lives. Even as the problems remain, the solutions must be centered in the JOY from "down deep in our heart" provided by God..

We are wired for joy and no amount of pleasure can complete that circuit.. From shoes, to jobs, to the internet and Facebook, to sports and entertainment... we must be sure that we seek joy rather than short acting, pleasures of our material, consumer driven society. We are completed through the presence of Christ in our lives and he not only makes us whole, but provides us an imperative for action. The world needs to continually hear the story of Christ.. to be reminded that he is our joy, not just for salvation but for everything in our life. The difference between pleasure and joy is... "the presence of God" in the object, idea, or activity. God is within in you and working all around you. You must remember that and look to him, see him, trust him... It is really that simple.. Note that I didn't say it was easy. As we talked about in class, there is no Simple button in life. We know it, but we so often forget that.

"Theology without obedience is mere religious opinion." Wesley Handy

We are COMMANDED to spread that joy to the world, the be the salt and light for the "greatest meal ever served"... Start by loving one another.. loving yourself, and seeking God in everything, everywhere! He is already there.. the only question is whether we choose to see him or see ourselves...

My favorite line from Bert's sermon today:

"Simple" -- 7 word summary of the Bible:

"I am God, and you are not!"

Awesomeness!!!

2010-04-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

We met outside in the courtyard today and it was refreshing and different for everyone. Distractions, focus and mechanics/logistics o corporate praise are indeed difficult to manage, but when approached with care, they can be managed.. Goal must be to focus on the why(source) not the how(logistics, liturgy, facilities, chairs, food, etc..) -- Jeff

Praise: express warm approval or admiration of
• express one's respect and gratitude toward (a deity), esp. in song : we praise God for past blessings.

Other Words to consider: worship, glorify, honor, exalt, adore, pay tribute to, give thanks to, venerate, reverence; formal laud; archaic: magnify.
--- Awesome, Humble, Authentic, Facade, Simple, Elegant, Alone, Together

-----
Where does your praise come from...
If and When you praise... HOW DO YOU DO IT
What role does worship play in your life?
Do you praise, or do you perform...and how do you define the difference?
What role does praise have in your relationships... in your relationship with God?
When you are facing the "demons of your days".. how do you get up?
Do you "hang out" with Jesus?

Psalm 150 MSG:
Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship,
      praise him under the open skies;
   Praise him for his acts of power,
      praise him for his magnificent greatness;
   Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
      praise by strumming soft strings;
   Praise him with castanets and dance,
      praise him with banjo and flute;
   Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
      praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
   Let every living, breathing creature praise God!
      Hallelujah!

So, What is your story?

2010-04-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

Easter is a miraculous event..
it is a celebration of the cornerstone of our belief as Christians in a risen Savior.

Texts for the day: Psalm 118 and 1 Peter 2

Remember: the lesson from Psalm 118

Thank God (BE)
God is Good and His Love endures forever! (BE, LOVE)
Admit and own your difficulties and who you are.. then let them go.. (BE, LOVE, SERVE)
and Let it be said of you.. that Christ's likeness is shown to the world through you. (REPEAT)

How do you tell the story?
Will you tell the story?
Is THE story your story?

"What defines you NOW may not be what will define you eventually. However, NOW is what matters to allow for the journey to continue. Definition takes time, observation, decision, and a large dose of reality.Accepting WHAT YOU HAVE is enlightening - not disappointing. If you know what you have, you can develop it to its fullest. It can truly be YOU - not a watered-down version of something else; YOU ARE ENOUGH if you develop honesty, work ethic and purpose to find it and develop it fully." -Susan Eichhorn-Young

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” --- Marianne Williamson.

Let it be said of us that the Lord is our passion...

that with gladness we bear every cross we are given.

That we fight the good fight..that we finish the course...

Knowing within us the power of the risen Lord.

Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song....

by mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong.

Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song...

til the likeness of Jesus be through us made known.

Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song!

People, Expectations, Reality... Let them...

2010-03-28T06:04:00.000-07:00

When God Seems to Fail

Jim had been a pastor since he was twenty-six, and for twenty years he tried to live up to the expectations of the congregations he pastored. Jim would be at the hospital early in the morning for members' surgeries and out late at night visiting prospects. However, Jim could never live up to expectations. He was forty-six years old when his twenty years of ministry began to take their toll. Jim began to experience increasing periods of depression.

Jim's last pastorate had become increasingly difficult. His depression was worsening and lasting longer when "they" asked to meet Jim to discuss his performance and "their" expectations. During the meeting, Jim told "them" that he was wrestling with depression, but the confession had no effect. Instead, "they" asked Jim to prove his point, so a second meeting was scheduled. At the second meeting, Jim gave "them" a letter from his attending physician that confirmed his depression. After reading the letter, "they" proceeded to move toward a change in leadership. Jim could resign, or "they" would recommend that he be asked to leave. Jim took the former.

Whatever expectations Jim had for understanding and care from the church was of no benefit. The nine years that followed were tough on him. He found himself having to rethink his understanding and relationship to the church. Jim also had to re-imagine a God who made sense. If the church had left Jim feeling abandoned, God had done so, too.

Nothing Harder

There is nothing harder for a pastor than feeling abandoned by God--nothing more hateful, nothing more hurtful than feeling all alone: "I'm a bucket kicked over and spilled; every joint in my body has been pulled apart. My heart is a blob of melted wax in my gut. I'm dry as a bone, my tongue black and swollen. They have laid me out for burial in the dirt.… You, God--don't put off my rescue!" (vv. 14-15, 19a).

Faith Reimagined

Jim and his wife were driving to the mall when Jim's wife said, "Jim, I hope that when you get through this, your faith will be intact." Jim quietly replied, "It will; you just won't recognize it."

It was a difficult lesson, but Jim learned that church went on without him. More personally, Jim learned that he needed to move on, too. Jim also had to come to terms with God. Eventually, Jim was able to see God again--differently, but no less real: "He has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around. He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there, listening" (vv. 23-24).

Everything Is Good

After nine years, Jim is a pastor again. In many respects, he is a better pastor than he was before, for he understands the limits of "pastoral care" and congregational utilities. He has learned to set boundaries between himself and the congregation, a clear set of expectations for which he is responsible.

If you were to talk with Jim, he would tell you, with a sense of hard-fought wisdom, "Everything is good": "Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life. And I'll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers. Down-and-outers sit at God's table and eat their fill. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him. 'Live it up, from head to toe. Don't ever quit!'" (v. 25).

A Note to Colleagues

Before you wear yourself out by getting up early and going to bed late, trying to fill an unrealistic number of expectations, remember the church's utility. Take care of yourself. Set boundaries.

A Note to the Church

Let them.

Jeffrey Wisdom is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, where he met his wife, Brenda, in 1975. Married in 1979, Jeffrey and Brenda have two children, Sarah and Iain, and live in Matthews, North Carolina. Jeffrey has served five congregations in North Carolina and presently serves as the chair of humanities for the University of Phoenix Colleges for Arts and Sciences, Charlotte Campuses, Charlotte, North Carolina.

OPEN DOOR: Mere Christianity book club is ON!

2010-03-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

Hi guys.. So here is what I have so far.. We WILL be reading Mere Christianity by CS Lewis together. I am currently looking for a study guide/approach that will be appropriate for this "special group"

IN SO FAR:
Jeff , Dee, Forrest, Heidi, Tim, Jennie, Veona, Jon, Beth, Bambi, Stephen, Phil, Jessica -- others welcome...

My plan is that we will begin reading and schedule some discussion cookouts after Easter.. likely spreading into June... maybe after church or on evenings.. I know everyone won't be able to make every one, but that is okay.

Here is a link to the book on Amazon if you want to purchase..
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis

Also available as an audio book here:
Audio Book off of iTunes

I am excited.. and this is a great opportunity to invite friends or neighbors to participate. Who knows where we might meet up to talk.. backyards, parks, parking lots, food courts..

I promise to make it fun folks. And I sure hope that I'll have some partnering facilitators...

Couple of study guide links suggested already:

FROM CSLEWIS.ORG Resources

http://www.gordy-stith.com/Mere%20Christianity/mere_christianity_study_guide.htm

Jesus never was politically correct...

2010-03-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

"Don't let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do."

"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty."

"You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God's Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment—the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that's wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?"

"You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You're like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin you're total frauds."

===================

Matthew 23 MSG (The Message)

Religious Fashion Shows

   ^{1 -3} Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.
   ^{4 -7}"Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn't think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend.'
   ^{8 -10}"Don't let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven. And don't let people maneuver you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
   ^{11 -12}"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.

Frauds!

   ¹³"I've had it with you! You're hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God's kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won't let anyone else in either.
   ¹⁵"You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You go halfway around the world to make a convert, but once you get him you make him into a replica of yourselves, double-damned.
   ^{16 -22}"You're hopeless! What arrogant stupidity! You say, 'If someone makes a promise with his fingers crossed, that's nothing; but if he swears with his hand on the Bible, that's serious.' What ignorance! Does the leather on the Bible carry more weight than the skin on your hands? And what about this piece of trivia: 'If you shake hands on a promise, that's nothing; but if you raise your hand that God is your witness, that's serious'? What ridiculous hairsplitting! What difference does it make whether you shake hands or raise hands? A promise is a promise. What difference does it make if you make your promise inside or outside a house of worship? A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account regardless.
   ^{23 -24}"You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God's Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment—the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that's wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?
   ^{25 -26}"You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You burnish the surface of your cups and bowls so they sparkle in the sun, while the insides are maggoty with your greed and gluttony. Stupid Pharisee! Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something.
   ^{27 -28}"You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You're like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it's all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you're saints, but beneath the skin you're total frauds.
   ^{29 -32}"You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You build granite tombs for your prophets and marble monuments for your saints. And you say that if you had lived in the days of your ancestors, no blood would have been on your hands. You protest too much! You're cut from the same cloth as those murderers, and daily add to the death count.
   ^{33 -34}"Snakes! Reptilian sneaks! Do you think you can worm your way out of this? Never have to pay the piper? It's on account of people like you that I send prophets and wise guides and scholars generation after generation—and generation after generation you treat them like dirt, greeting them with lynch mobs, hounding them with abuse.
   ^{35 -36}"You can't squirm out of this: Every drop of righteous blood ever spilled on this earth, beginning with the blood of that good man Abel right down to the blood of Zechariah, Barachiah's son, whom you murdered at his prayers, is on your head. All this, I'm telling you, is coming down on you, on your generation.
   ^{37 -39}"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Murderer of prophets! Killer of the ones who brought you God's news! How often I've ached to embrace your children, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you wouldn't let me. And now you're so desolate, nothing but a ghost town. What is there left to say? Only this: I'm out of here soon. The next time you see me you'll say, 'Oh, God has blessed him! He's come, bringing God's rule!'"

Compliance with the law isn't subjective.. or is it?

2010-03-06T12:31:00.000-08:00

"In Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest, Wayne Muller said,
The God who made the Sabbath is not a cranky schoolmaster, always forbidding, coercing obedience, and watching sniveling subjects slinking about in cowardly compliance. Let me make it easier for you, God says…if you work all week and forget to rest, you will become brittle and hard, and lose precious nourishment and joy. Forgetting the Sabbath is like forgetting to unwrap the most beautiful gift under the tree. (31-32)

Unfortunately, it seems to be human nature to take something God gave as a gift and turn it into a law. The Pharisees seemed gladly to have taken the responsibility to coerce obedience."

-------

"Whenever there came a conflict between the law and grace, Jesus gave grace. Several years ago I heard preacher, scholar, and author Calvin Miller say the following in a sermon:

...Remember this: If you are torn between doing what you know to be right and what you know to be loving, do what is loving first. If you are torn between your convictions and your compassion, be compassionate first. If you can't tell whether you should throw stones at a sinner or embrace her, ask yourself how it was that God first greeted you, with rocks or love."

"Piety" is an often misunderstood word in Scripture. The Hebrew word for piety means fear or reverence for God. In Greek, the word means righteousness. But piety can also have the negative connotation of righteousness for righteousness' sake. Jesus says, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 5:20). He also warns, "Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Mt 6:1).

Jeffrey Wisdom is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, where he met his wife, Brenda, in 1975. Married in 1979, Jeffrey and Brenda have two children, Sarah and Iain, and live in Matthews, North Carolina. Jeffrey has served five congregations in North Carolina and presently serves as the chair of humanities for the University of Phoenix Colleges for Arts and Sciences, Charlotte Campuses, Charlotte, North Carolina.

================

Healing on the Sabbath LUKE 13:10-17 (The Message)

   ^{10 -13}He was teaching in one of the meeting places on the Sabbath. There was a woman present, so twisted and bent over with arthritis that she couldn't even look up. She had been afflicted with this for eighteen years. When Jesus saw her, he called her over. "Woman, you're free!" He laid hands on her and suddenly she was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God.
   ¹⁴The meeting-place president, furious because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the congregation, "Six days have been defined as work days. Come on one of the six if you want to be healed, but not on the seventh, the Sabbath."
   ^{15 -16}But Jesus shot back, "You frauds! Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it. So why isn't it all right for me to untie this daughter of Abraham and lead her from the stall where Satan has had her tied these eighteen years?"
   ¹⁷When he put it that way, his critics were left looking quite silly and redfaced. The congregation was delighted and cheered him on.

Phil's name is still not Mark...

2010-02-28T14:42:00.000-08:00

Table stakes

2010-02-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Who is at your table? and who is not? and why?
Who's table are you willing to sit at.. and why?

I was so proud of how our conversation evolved this am. It is indeed powerful when we begin to rationalize the implications of: no sacrifice we can ever make will ever be enough. The world will continue, the problems and blessing will remain.. but we can CHOOSE how we REACT. The sacrifices have been made by God already, and we are loved..our "seat" is assured". It is despicable to exclude others from the table based on our human judgements of their worthiness. Jesus calls us to action and that action is mercy not sacrifice or sacrificial ritual.. (seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly)

Talking points and experiences flow through my mind like a whirlwind..

The seats at the table are open to everyone.
It is good to be at the table, but it dangerous.
Hierarchical power structured based on "works/goodness" or "compliance with the law" are flawed at their very foundations.
Phil's name is not Mark ;-) (BE)
Discernment can only be done spiritually. (BE)
We must see people. Despite their actions, consequences. (BE/LOVE)
If we create an exclusionary model intentionally or unintentionally, people are hurt..(LOVE)
EVERYTHING we do must seek to include..(LOVE)
Choice to action is individual for self, it is not to be prescribed for others..(SERVE)
Inviting others to our table only goes so far. It must be balanced with going to their table.(BE & SERVE)
Goal is not to "invite them to come to church, even to OpenDoor" the goal is be "Christ" for the world. walk around, live, set an example rooted in love and mercy every day (BE, LOVE, SERVE, REPEAT)

Matthew 9:9-13 The Calling of Matthew
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.
10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
----
(Micah 6:8 NIV) 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.
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What God Is Looking For (Micah 6:1-8 MSG)
Listen now, listen to God: "Take your stand in court. If you have a complaint, tell the mountains; make your case to the hills. And now, Mountains, hear God's case; listen, Jury Earth— For I am bringing charges against my people. I am building a case against Israel.
"Dear people, how have I done you wrong? Have I burdened you, worn you out? Answer! I delivered you from a bad life in Egypt; I paid a good price to get you out of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you— and Aaron and Miriam to boot! Remember what Balak king of Moab tried to pull, and how Balaam son of Beor turned the tables on him. Remember all those stories about Shittim and Gilgal. Keep all God's salvation stories fresh and present."
How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves? Would God be impressed with thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin?
But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

Joy or Despair. Your choice...Ooooohhhhhh

2010-02-14T10:04:00.000-08:00

Life is hard
Life is not fair.
Throw a party and celebrate.
The end is certain and we win..

Zephaniah 3:8-20

We aren't called to WIN but we are called to show up and finish...

ROMANS 12
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Are you serious?

2010-01-23T09:56:00.000-08:00

What is worship and why we must come to worship, not just see our friends and support our kids?
Who exactly is responsible for exactly what?

Our mission "as the church" not "for the church" is to announce the good news and live in the light of Christ. God should be speaking through us, not just to us. We have talked at great length in the past about accountability, and obligations. I agree that each of us individually must assess our role in living out the messages of Matt 25 around social justice, benevolence, and being Christ for those in need.. however I think tomorrow we will be talking more about the role of worship.

Our God is a Holy God and is indeed worthy of our worship and our best. When we come together, and lift our hearts and our minds "in worship" it is not about social justice, or education, or receiving some blessing.. It is about Loving our Heavenly Father and showing our humility and praise through the offering of ourselves, our spirits, our voices, our hearts, and our time. This is why it is important to be at church on Sunday AM and it is a lesson worth remembering.

Don't miss the Open Door tomorrow.. we will GET SERIOUS!

Outline for Discussion:

1. How do you define value/valuable/special/honor? How do others around you define it?
2. How do you define cheap/shoddy?

3. In a world of "me", what is the value of ritual/discipline/work ethic/perseverance?
4. In your life how/when has discipline and ritual served you well? How about taking the easy way?

Who is accountable for the results, for the perspective, for the process? boss, employee, leader, soldier? To whom will go the rewards?

Why is authentic worship necessary?

Authentic worship, sacrificial, humble, transforming experiences IN God's Love are a critical piece of us as the "priesthood of the believer"
The Holy Spirit lives in us. We are the priests that Malachi is speaking to.. The temple is no longer divided and God is available to us.

It is true that we are charged to be light for the world and that we should be consumed with loving others as God would love them. Social justice and Brotherhood is an imperative of every Christian but it cannot be accomplished unless we first utilize discipline, meet together regularly, worship our Holy Father experiencing grace, love and forgiveness..

Once we have experienced that love and grace we are freed to share it with others.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
--- Marianne Williamson.

========================
Malachi 1:6–2:9 (THE MESSAGE)

No More of This So-Called Worship!

   ¹ A Message. God's Word to Israel through Malachi: ^{2 -3}God said, "I love you." You replied, "Really? How have you loved us?" "Look at history" (this is God's answer). "Look at how differently I've treated you, Jacob, from Esau: I loved Jacob and hated Esau. I reduced pretentious Esau to a molehill, turned his whole country into a ghost town."
   ⁴When Edom (Esau) said, "We've been knocked down, but we'll get up and start over, good as new," God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, "Just try it and see how far you get. When I knock you down, you stay down. People will take one look at you and say, 'Land of Evil!' and 'the God-cursed tribe!'
   ⁵"Yes, take a good look. Then you'll see how faithfully I've loved you and you'll want even more, saying, 'May God be even greater, beyond the borders of Israel!'
   ⁶"Isn't it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master? So if I'm your Father, where's the honor? If I'm your Master, where's the respect?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies is calling you on the carpet: "You priests despise me!
   "You say, 'Not so! How do we despise you?'
   "By your shoddy, sloppy, defiling worship.
   "You ask, 'What do you mean, "defiling"? What's defiling about it?'
   ^{7 -8}"When you say, 'The altar of God is not important anymore; worship of God is no longer a priority,' that's defiling. And when you offer worthless animals for sacrifices in worship, animals that you're trying to get rid of—blind and sick and crippled animals—isn't that defiling? Try a trick like that with your banker or your senator—how far do you think it will get you?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.
   ⁹"Get on your knees and pray that I will be gracious to you. You priests have gotten everyone in trouble. With this kind of conduct, do you think I'll pay attention to you?" God-of-the-Angel-Armies asks you.
   ¹⁰"Why doesn't one of you just shut the Temple doors and lock them? Then none of you can get in and play at religion with this silly, empty-headed worship. I am not pleased. The God-of-the-Angel-Armies is not pleased. And I don't want any more of this so-called worship!

Offering God Something Hand-Me-Down,

    Broken, or Useless
   ¹¹"I am honored all over the world. And there are people who know how to worship me all over the world, who honor me by bringing their best to me. They're saying it everywhere: 'God is greater, this God-of-the-Angel-Armies.'
   ^{12 -13}"All except you. Instead of honoring me, you profane me. You profane me when you say, 'Worship is not important, and what we bring to worship is of no account,' and when you say, 'I'm bored—this doesn't do anything for me.' You act so superior, sticking your noses in the air—act superior to me, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! And when you do offer something to me, it's a hand-me-down, or broken, or useless. Do you think I'm going to accept it? This is God speaking to you!
   ¹⁴"A curse on the person who makes a big show of doing something great for me—an expensive sacrifice, say—and then at the last minute brings in something puny and worthless! I'm a great king, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, honored far and wide, and I'll not put up with it!"

Desecrating the Holiness of God

   ^{1 -3} "And now this indictment, you priests! If you refuse to obediently listen, and if you refuse to honor me, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, in worship, then I'll put you under a curse. I'll exchange all your blessings for curses. In fact, the curses are already at work because you're not serious about honoring me. Yes, and the curse will extend to your children. I'm going to plaster your faces with rotting garbage, garbage thrown out from your feasts. That's what you have to look forward to!
   ^{4 -6}"Maybe that will wake you up. Maybe then you'll realize that I'm indicting you in order to put new life into my covenant with the priests of Levi, the covenant of God-of-the-Angel-Armies. My covenant with Levi was to give life and peace. I kept my covenant with him, and he honored me. He stood in reverent awe before me. He taught the truth and did not lie. He walked with me in peace and uprightness. He kept many out of the ditch, kept them on the road.
   ^{7 -9}"It's the job of priests to teach the truth. People are supposed to look to them for guidance. The priest is the messenger of God-of-the-Angel-Armies. But you priests have abandoned the way of priests. Your teaching has messed up many lives. You have corrupted the covenant of priest Levi. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so. And so I am showing you up for who you are. Everyone will be disgusted with you and avoid you because you don't live the way I told you to live, and you don't teach my revelation truly and impartially."

Jan & Feb Major themes aren't Minor! Don't miss a single episode of Open Door

2010-01-23T08:12:00.000-08:00

The prophets we are studying are referred to as “minor,” but their messages are a “major” component of our spiritual heritage and shape our understanding of God and God’s people.

Jan 24 --- Malachi was concerned about the quality of worship he witnessed among his people. He noticed that both the priests and the people were bringing substandard sacrifices to the temple. Malachi relayed the message that God was not pleased with the offerings, particularly since the people were giving their best to earthly rulers. This raises the question, “When have I offered less than my best to God?”

Jan 31 -- The familiar text in Micah 6 calls us to examine how our worship is connected to acts of justice. Micah charged Israel with ingratitude for God’s many saving acts and superficial worship. God desired not only their worship but also that they love kindness, do justice, and walk humbly before God. This text calls us to reflect on how our behavior demonstrates the depth of our devotion to God.

Feb 7 -- Habakkuk lived during a time when justice seemed nonexistent in his world. Like others before him, he lamented undeserved suffering. He wanted to know how a just God could allow such suffering to occur. In the last chapter of this brief book, the prophet draws on ancient traditions in which God establishes order in the cosmos.

Feb 14 -- Zephaniah lived during the reign of King Josiah, just before the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC. This was a time in which the people sinned against God by living outside God’s laws. Zephaniah announced the arrival of the Day of Lord, which would be marked by judgment. But he also spoke about the future national restoration and the return of the nation’s exiles. Even though he pronounces judgment, Zephaniah’s message concludes on a note of praise for God’s redeeming grace.

Now What?

2009-12-27T15:06:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed talking with you all this morning as we executed our "year in review".. It was great to have a visitor (Steve) in the room and I was impressed at the conversation. What a year we have had... and what a year we have ahead of us. As it has been, it will always be.
Do you believe that Jesus was born, lived, died and rose from the dead? That is pretty much the whole game.. So my answer is YES.. I do believe.. Now What?

That is what we talk about each week in the "coolest room in the church".

LOVE IS A CHOICE

Thanks for making the time to study through the open door this am.
jeff

Below are some other links I talked about:

Peace in Bethlehem?

2009-12-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Open Door Discussion today was focused on the importance of Bethlehem and the role of humility in the Christmas story. After we studied and worshipped together, we continued our fellowship at TK Tripps for great luncheon. Good times had by all.. Two full tables of kids, and no issues.. Amazing.

Talking Points Summary:

We are spiritual beings on a human journey, not human beings seeking a spiritual journey.
Jesus models the way for us in everything that he does. It isn't about importance, it is about love and a willingness to sacrifice for others' needs.
Bethlehem's peace story is about inner peace.
Death is not something to be afraid of. Bethlehem points us on the path toward the crucifixion and resurrection.
We need to seek to recognize and truly appreciate the value and unique blessings that every person lends to our lives. Every person is special and can do great things.. through Christ.
There is no such thing as impossible.

If I missed anything, please feel free to add in your thoughts in the comments.

jeff

Below are bunch of links we talked about.. and even laughed about at lunch..

Jeff's Quotes that are important to me page: http://web.me.com/jeffp/Jeff_Prillaman/Quotes.html

Alarmi, Alarmi! Are there artists among us? http://vatenor.blogspot.com/2009/12/alarmi-alarmi-are-there-artists-among.html

Atlas doesn't shrug in my mind even after weeks : http://vatenor.blogspot.com/2009/09/atlas-doesnt-shrug-in-my-mind-even.html

Religious Objectivism http://vatenor.blogspot.com/2009/09/religious-objectivist.html

"Sometimes you have to create that which you wish to be a part of." -- Virginia Tenor: Fit in http://ow.ly/GXZd

command and control doesn't mean what you think it does. http://ow.ly/FB4v

Unity requires a circle of relationships, not a chain of command. http://vatenor.blogspot.com/2009/08/unity-requires-circle-of-relationship.html

Advent Candles with Open Door

2009-11-28T17:54:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a place to study the Christmas story with a twist.. Open Door is the place for you. We begin each Sunday morning at 10am, Huguenot Road Baptist Church, upstairs in the middle building..by the coffee pots. We start where everyone else does, but we rarely end in the same place. ;-)

Hope to see you through the OpenDoor, Jeff

======================
How is the birth of Christ relevant to my life?

WEEK by WEEK Overview for Advent 2009:
The first four lessons in this unit draw inspiration from a traditional interpretation of the Advent candles as the Prophets’ Candle, the Bethlehem Candle, the Shepherds’ Candle, and the Angels’ Candle. The final lesson, which occurs after Advent, celebrates the theological meaning of Jesus’ birth as described in the prologue to John’s Gospel.

In the first lesson, taking our cue from the Prophets’ Candle, we delve into some of the prophetic words about the Messiah in the book of Isaiah. As we study these Old Testament prophecies, we will ask ourselves, How is God present in my life—yesterday, today, and tomorrow?

In honor of the Bethlehem Candle, we move in the second lesson to the little town of Bethlehem, a most unexpected place to serve as the birthplace of the King. Through what unexpected sources might God want to bless us? As we think about ancient Bethlehem, we will ponder this question.

The third lesson reminds us of the Shepherds’ Candle. Shepherds were considered untrustworthy and irreligious, so it is surprising that God chose shepherds to receive the news of Jesus’ birth. We also may sometimes feel unworthy of God’s love. The lesson invites us to think about the kinds of people God uses.

In the fourth lesson, we focus on the Angels’ Candle and ponder the angel’s difficult message to Mary. What hard thing might God call us to do?

Finally, in the fifth lesson we explore what it means that “the Word became flesh and lived among us” (Jn 1:14). We conclude our study by asking a practical question: How is the birth of Christ relevant to my life?

Lessons will use Smyth and Helwys Formations as the base for discussion. Outline above comes from their online overview summary materials.

Thankful for Stewardship Summary Sunday & fellow fanatics..

2009-11-22T11:33:00.000-08:00

Luke 18 and the story of the young, wealthy, ruler's encounter with Jesus is a powerful lesson for us as we seek to find our way in a world of uncertainty.

The illusion of control is enticing and insidious. Wealth, health..
"Coming to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than putting your head in an oven makes you a biscuit."
We are commanded to love one another and "keep our kin" by the true King.
The problem posed in following Christ aren't as hard as they appear. We should seek the perspective of a child as we entertain options.
Cost of Discipleship: Jesus asks us for all that we are..all that we have and all that we will be in the future..
Linear problem solving approach to life just won't get it done.
We can't solve all of the world's problems nor are we obligated to..
As we journey together to seek the goal, we learn that the goal is actually the journey itself.
Our salvation and the results are assured.
The price of our failure has already been paid.
The young ruler's freedom was respected above all.. We don't know that he didn't return to Jesus at a later date, but Jesus demonstrated his love, respect and compassion.. rather than forcing.
Peter Pan required a happy thought and some "magic" to fly.
Peter Pan's childlike spirit freed him from his "anchors/distraction"
Our strengths and resources sooo easily become our greatest weaknesses.
Fulfilling obligations and accountability/responsibility in a "get it done model" are not the path to Christ.
Coming to church, and doing all the right things is not the path to Christ. It isn't enough to present the illusion or facade of discipleship. Christ asks us to be fanatical.

Keepin our Kin

2009-11-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

Talking points from the discussion for those of you that missed today..
Scripture was from Luke 16

Are you your brother's keeper? YES
Kin: is traditionally a relationship imbued by blood or marriage, but can extend far beyond our cultural "norms" how we define it is generally up to us.
The "keeping" part is not simple. requires balance between blind service and control/ownership.
Is Jesus a communist/socialist? This was a rhetorical question... but we aren't sure he would be a capitalist. When he was asked, he said render unto Caesar what is his.... studied this last week with separation of church & state ideas.
Idea that we should use Jesus and Matthew 25 to support a socialist agenda really fired some folks up. We didn't really discuss this in depth, but it stirred a lot of passion.
Closing thoughts: Discernment regarding actions and benevolence are individual choices, and the accountability is ours alone. We should listen to the prophets and read the bible, then decide for ourselves.

MISSED THIS FROM MY LESSON PLAN.. Bonus thoughts:
1. The price for our failure, and our brothers' failure has already been paid by Jesus on the cross. Our obligation/imperative is simply to love our "kin" and be God's light in the world.. sharing his love.
2. It is not our obligation to right the wrongs, solve the problems, nor to judge the wicked. We are here to journey together and love one another through good and bad. Sometimes we can help. We should always want to help. How to help, is ultimately the question.

That is what " keepin kin" is all about in my "neck of the woods".

Fanatical Focus on the Future through FAITH

2009-11-07T09:48:00.000-08:00

What is the cost of discipleship?
time, money, power, attention..

Where is our/your focus? future or past

What is the church's(HRBC) mission?
Our mission at HRBC is to glorify God by being a loving, Christian community that reaches out to all people through worship, spiritual growth, proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, and ministry to needs in our world. (Acts 1:8)

Where do our resources come from?
God, experience, skills, gifts...

Facilitator Thoughts to interject if/when appropriate.

The illusion of support is a foundation for failure on a gigantic scale. If the foundation is false, the "building" will crumble.
We must maintain a fanatical focus on the opportunities available to us in the future.
We must remember that we are beloved of God and that he will provide for our needs.
We cannot OUTSOURCE our ministry obligation via the church, the cooperative programs, the staff, or children.
The church is a tool to educate, empower, support and embolden individual. It is not the goal in itself.
Maintaining what we have in the present is an anchor which can distract us.
Our past is indeed a base of security and comfort, but it is also a burden and an excuse for inaction.
We must remain vigilant as it is the small distractions which are easiest to miss and that have the most impact over the long term.
A fanatical focus on hope for the future, presents opportunities in every day, minute, meal, conversation, performance... We begin to see messages and levers for change in everything from movies, to our workplace, to our familes, and yes in our GIVING.
time & money matter... resources are required for support and change.
Stewardship is an important focus for all of us.. A Steward has an obligation to "care for the passengers" on their journey. The job is by its very nature, temporary and is a means to an end.. Remember the end, and do NOT focus so much on the means.

What is our mission? now THAT is the question we each have to ask... and are we stewards, or do we maintain an illusion of control in place of a stewardship of others awaiting the "return of the king.

REFERENCE RESOURCES:
Luke 9:57-62 (MESSAGE)

⁵⁷On the road someone asked if he could go along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said.
   ⁵⁸Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know."
   Jesus said to another, "Follow me."
   ⁵⁹He said, "Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral."
   ⁶⁰Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!"
   ⁶¹Then another said, "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home."
   ⁶²Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."

Luke 9:23-27 (MESSAGE)
^{23 -27}Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I'm leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn't, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God."

Luke 14:25-27 (MESSAGE)

^{25 -27}One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.

Movie reference: Return of the King ...Tolkien

The steward was to secure and "keep" the city for the king. He was NOT the king.
In the face of the real battle, each member had to hold the line and do their part. All were needed.
Stewardship does not equal control but without the stewards, the city could not have survived.

Fanatic:
a person filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, esp. for an extreme religious or political cause. ---- informal a person with an obsessive interest in and enthusiasm for something, esp. an activity

STEWARD:
1 a person who looks after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train and brings them meals.--a person responsible for supplies of food to a college, club, or other institution.
2 an official appointed to supervise arrangements or keep order at a large public event, for example a sporting event.--short for shop steward .
3 a person employed to manage another's property, esp. a large house or estate--a person whose responsibility it is to take care of something : farmers pride themselves on being stewards of the countryside.

Baptist nation?, Christian nation?: Religious Freedom

2009-11-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

We are a nation of Christians, not a Christian nation. yes, there is a BIG difference.
Two major forms of Idolatry to look out for: Nationalism/Patriotism, SELF
We are here for the sole purpose of loving one another and letting God's light shine through us. We are called to demonstrate God's love to the world in accordance with the great commission.
Jefferson was most proud of 3 things: UVA, Declaration of Independence and the VA Statute of Religious Liberty.
It is amazing that the founders ratified the first amendment of the constitution.
Freedom is messy, but it is ordained. Free will, freedom to choose God or not..
We must maintain a perspective which balances history, present issues and a reasonable/diverse view of the future implications for our decisions/actions.
We are NOT in control. GOD is.
Government and all authority exists from GOD.

--- Marianne Williamson.
VA Statute of Religious Liberty Reference: http://www.vahistorical.org/sva2003/vsrf.htm

Jefferson on Politics & Government: http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeff1650.htm

Constitution 1st Amendment: Freedom of Religion and Press: http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am1

Roman 8 (Message)-- http://www.Biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=Romans8&msg=yes
v28 ...we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Jeremiah 29:5-14 (Message)-- http://www.Biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=Jeremiah29&msg=yes
⁵"Build houses and make yourselves at home. "Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. ⁶"Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you'll thrive in that country and not waste away. ⁷"Make yourselves at home there and work for the country's welfare. "Pray for Babylon's well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well for you." ^{8 -9}Yes. Believe it or not, this is the Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel's God: "Don't let all those so-called preachers and know-it-alls who are all over the place there take you in with their lies. Don't pay any attention to the fantasies they keep coming up with to please you. They're a bunch of liars preaching lies—and claiming I sent them! I never sent them, believe me." God's Decree! ^{10 -11}This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. ¹²"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. ^{13 -14}"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—God's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

Romans 13:1-10 (Message)-- http://www.Biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=Romans13&msg=yes
^{1 -3}Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.
^{3 -5}Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you'll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren't there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That's why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it's the right way to live. ^{6 -7}That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders. ^{8 -10}Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love

Freedom: Gathering at HRBC through the Open Door

2009-10-25T19:05:00.000-07:00

Today's lesson was challenging today, as you all know of my general disregard for the "institutional realities" of our modern church. As I explored the ideas of church freedom I struggled to understand and ground my own freedom and responsibility to participate in the larger congregational polity of HRBC. This was quite a stretch for me, as I tend much more towards individualized ministry goals. Below are the themes and ideas that I presented as we discussed. (for those of you who made it through the open door)

Church models:(membership)

Parish model: geographically aligned, baptism upon birth, closely linked to local gov't historically
Gathered church: choose to join, free will tradition

Church models:(governance)

Episcopal: leadership drawn from apostolic tradition, bishop, clergy
Presbyterian: leadership decision by council of elders, representatives, session
Congregational: leadership by democratic process, consensus, each member is unique and voice is critical to the "body"

THEMES:

Church is constructed and organized around a shared purpose, mission, vision.
I believe that our purpose is to love and to model God's love for our community outside the church while embracing and inclusive approach to the world's diversity and the church's conflicts and messiness.
That purpose must be active and outward facing, and cannot become consumed by self sustaining objectives.
Church exists to support the congregation members as they perform ministry in community and in their communities.
Mission should arise from/out of the congregation, not be dictated to the congregation.
In dealing with conflict/dissent, polity and actions must NEVER cross the line to control, manipulation, or violence. individually, or collectively.
Respect for the priesthood of the believer must remain paramount.
God empowers the called, he doesn't just call the empowered.
Casual engagement, lack of passion and fear of dissent are the enemy of a polity built on the supremacy of the individual's worth.

Interesting to review the sequencing instructional parallels between 1 Cor and Romans in these passages:

1 Corinthians moves from Gifts/Diversity to Love(Ch13), to Prayer/Orderly worship(Ch14) to Belief & Resurrection(Ch15)
Romans moves from Gifts/Diversity/Entreaty to Submission to authority(Ch13), to Relationships(Ch14), to Imperative to help others(Ch15).

Scripture references:
Romans 12
1 Corinthians 12
Acts 5:38-39 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

We need a faith community to sustain us and support us through the storms, and ambiguity of our daily lives.
We are needed within a faith community to ensure diversity of ideas, gifts, and blessings. A diverse community is capable of withstanding the onslaught.

The church must lead by example both inside and to a thirsty world. Showing the Love of God in our actions. not just our words. as individuals and as a group... LOVE tells the success, not size of buildings, number of members, nor the depth of our financial reserves, nor the amount of giving.

Bible Freedom

2009-10-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

What does freedom mean?

What is required to maintain it?
Is it the easy path?
What role does personal responsibility, accountability play in securing and maintaining freedom?
How are individuals responsible and accountable for those same ideas when they are part of a group. How is freedom for the individual secured by the control, governance of a larger assembly/body?

What are the foundations of our "lens" for freely viewing the Bible. (People, Time, Culture...)

Others Views: history, scholars, commentaries, preachers, teachers...
My View: Personal study, life experience, meditation, cross referencing with other sources
Jesus Christ, our personal relationship
Holy Spirit, working within us, individually and collectively.

What do we do with the Bible after we interpret it "freely". Can/Should our interpretations change over time?

We control, and we choose to be prescriptive of actions or descriptive of actions.
Control is applied individually or collectively how?
Do we use it to coerce others, under the guise of influence, manipulation, politics, leadership, and management? (Creeds)
Do we use it to build self confidence, self control, self governing actions which then showcase the righteous paths for others through results and actions. (Confessions, Statements of Faith)

How is it different when the bible is interpreted and applied to or for a group rather than an individual?

The reference scriptures are:

Hebrews 1:1-2,
Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!
Hebrews 4:12-13
God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what.

I vouch for...

2009-09-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today's lesson was from 1 Kings 1.. We reviewed themes of power, influence, advocacy, and even what some might consider manipulative, political posturing. The theme which stood out to me was that Nathan and Bathsheba were simply standing up for what was true and right. Solomon was Jedidiah, he was chosen. God selected the next King just as he had David and Saul before him. When David made his proclamation, he was simply vouching for Solomon with the people.

I posed a lot of questions today. Among them were:
What is Power? Affluence and Money, Influence, Ability, Confidence, Action, Production, Knowledge, Strength?
What ideals will you vouch for and why?
Who will you stand up for and why?

You don't have to agree with everything that someone else believes to advocate for them. Love them, serve them and go forth into your world with humility.

Just think what a difference you can make if you stand up for your friends, neighbors, and fellow Christians in their action and yes, even in their failures. David was NOT perfect, but he was King. Jesus is perfect and is King. We choose how and who we follow.

Do you know who you are?
Do you remember whose you are?

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. I can vouch for Jesus.(not that he needs it)

Window open or are curtains closed?

2009-09-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Great class this morning as we studied 2 Samuel 12. The profiles of David and Bathsheba give us a window into their lives.

God's interactions with them should also provide us a window into our own lives.

We aren't perfect and our actions have consequences, but those consequences don't change the fact that we are "beloved of God"
It is okay to be a non-conformist. David was, Jesus was...
The entrenched ideology of our culture is interesting, but it is not a replacement for our own personal relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Think of this image. God is outside the window looking in, you are inside looking out. The Bible is the window. In this role, Scripture provides a window into the nature of God and his love for us.
He is always out there just waiting for us to open the shades, lift the sash and "live" with him.
We need to open it wide open and live in full ecclesia/community with God.
We tend to close the window, put on a reflective coating, draw the shades, and even install curtains. God is still there.
We choose the blocking, not him.

Open Door... At a glance...

2009-09-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

With the Fall 09 "activity" season upon us, HRBC will host its annual back to church night on Sunday evening Sept 13... all around the church. come on over to the courtyard for food, friends, and fellowship. Come on over and if you see a big man, sitting in a "big boy" chair, come say HI!

If you are visiting HRBC on a Sunday AM here is an "at a glance" view of the Life Community which calls itself Open Door.
Disclaimer:Admittedly, this is Jeff's view of the class, but I figure as the teacher I am best positioned to prime the pump with ideas and lay it out there. If you all have other ideas, comments welcome.

Requirements to visit/join:

Not really much, as we talk about the Bible and the implications of scripture in our daily lives, in plain english, no nonsense kind of approach.
Can't say that I regularly even take roll. We are there for one another, whoever is there, each week.
Bible knowledge not really required, this is an OTJ training environment.

Fun Facts:

We are interested in "churches without walls" but that isn't practical, so we always leave the door open. seriously...We talk a lot about going to people instead of asking them to come to us...still trying to solve this one.
We are the "coolest" class in the church. (especially in the Winter)
We actually talk about things that many people in churches just think about.
We have a lot of fun outside of church, from Pool parties, to Meat Night, to Ladies Nights Out, to our annual "men provide/cook gourmet dinner and serve it to the ladies"

Who we are:

We are mostly married 30 somethings, 40 somethings, and 50 somethings. We tend to have children of differing ages in elementary school, but not necessarily.
We enjoy thinking about current issues, and talking about how to actively use the gospel in our every day lives/applications.
We aren't afraid to discuss and even question entrenched ideology and theology in a safe, inclusive, environment of friends.
We care about one another and we act accordingly, going beyond the "traditional" expectations. We strive to sacrifice for one another, to make a difference.
We ALL want to learn more about loving one another through regular study of the Bible, and further through regular fellowship and study. (in ecclesia)

Whose we are: GOD's period.
We are believers and searchers. A few of the favorite saying of Jeff are

"I don't know the answer, but I still believe"
"Every day is an opportunity"

Meat night 2009

2009-07-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

Lots of fun was had by all the guys last night.. Unfortunately, most of what was said is subject to the overriding rules:

RULE 1 "What happens at meat night, stays at meat night!"

Just a few of the Dinner Rules:
nothing sauteed
nothing "mild"
name of the dish cannot have female name in it
no girly drinks
sweet potatoes and sweet tea are allowed due to geography only(we are in the South)

Movie was Transformers 2:
absolutely nothing redeeming about this movie.. other than fun.
Lots of stuff got blown up.
One line remains in all our minds.. sorry can't fully quote it here. "I am directly beneath...."

RULE 2: Remember Guys.. if you had fun last night.. it is now our obligation to plan and present a wonderful meal for our Ladies in the Fall!

Nineveh, Jonah, Grace to all

2009-07-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a great lesson plan queued up for today.. largely due to my lack of administrative prowess. That is a fancy way to say that I forgot that the facility committee and staff were presenting the new strategic facility plan to the church this am..

I missed you all so much over the past few weeks that I was back on autopilot and preparing.. So I decided to go ahead and write down these thoughts so we don't lose them. I'd love to hear your thought or comment as well.

The book of Jonah is a quick read, but worth every word. One of my most profound theological learning experiences came from a study that Rev Scott Erwin and I undertook using Eugene Peterson's "Under the unpredictable plant". For me Jonah represents so much of the reality of vocational ministry and call versus the ideology that most see. Ministry is about doing God's will where God puts you with whatever he gives you. When you couple God's call to a servant leadership model, it creates a condition where you are often forced to be an outcast in today's culture. (or you should at least be willing to be outcast) The message is not likely to merge well with today's culture or values. Of that we can be sure.

We were all set to focus on our personal mission fields, our personal and group obligations(our calls to ministry).

Where do we serve?
Who are we and how do we serve?
How do we decipher God's call to us when he does speak?
Are we remaining open to the Holy Spirit or have we locked in instead on our vision for the future?

and now for the tough ones..
What happens when God loves everyone, even the people we don't like, agree with, or even want to be around?
What happens when our friends or colleagues embark or are already on a path that we don't believe is correct? How far do we push? How much obligation do we have?

Where is your Nineveh, could it be Midlothian, and maybe even HRBC?

Identity and Heritage

2009-06-10T06:12:00.000-07:00

Who are you you? We spent Sunday talking about identity as it relates to heritage, choices and our future. We will wrap up this topic on Sunday 6/14 with an attempt to "hang out our shingle" in writing.

Jeff's challenge to Open Door:
Spend a few minutes thinking about what defines us in OpenDoor and what it is that draws you personally to class each week. When you invite someone to visit, what do you tell them?

Thoughts and/or questions:
lots of things define us and we are each a unique mix
God loves us no matter our actions or intentions
It is easy to embrace "high level" ideological principles. much harder to make the daily decisions that flesh out the action and the future.

Verses referenced and used:
Joshua 24:14-18
Jeremiah 29:11
James 2

Homeostatic Happiness

2009-05-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Today at HRBC was all about Next steps.. from the graduates in worship to our closeout of the story of Esther.

Few of my thoughts/bullets are below summarizing the stuff we talked about... Was great to see you all today. (post your comments/thoughts on the blog)

Commanding generals Lee and Grant "chose" a path to reconciliation and unity at Appomattox. Check out (Appomattox County) for more on this.
Esther and Mordecai "won" and chose a path which allowed the Jews to massacre over 75,000 people as a result of the persecution. Was this revenge or justice?
There is no linear solution to "happyeverafterness", no matter what Hollywood says
Willy Wonka told Charlie "remember what happened to the man who got everything...he was happy"
Perhaps by focusing on what God wants for us, we can be happy.. perhaps not.
We should live in JOY, and joy is not same thing as happiness.
God was at work through Easter and is at work in our lives every day.
Holy spirit is with us and will help us anytime we ask.
Revenge and Justice are dangerous for us. They present a lot of problems which we can't easily reconcile. Perhaps they are best left to God to deal with..
People: both adults and children should never raise ourselves up by putting others down

CLASS ACTIVITIES TO PLAN:
Ackerman assistance (come through Jeff, assessment is underway)
Fun in the Son 2009???
Meat Night
Ladies nights continue..
Remember Open door has a group on Facebook.
====

Friday nt forums are ON!.. Prillaman house on Friday nights.. bring enough food for your crew to eat, kids welcome.. we eat from 6-7 and talk from 7-9ish.
on June 5: we will continue with the 912 principles & the Declaration of Independence

Future topics for the forum are likely to include: the Church & the government, Influence of Arts on world, Obamanomics, The Great Depression, Raising kids in our entitlement society, Universal Healthcare, Gay Marriage and embracing diversity, Rich v. Poor in U.S.A. , Green future... Socialism, Fascism in Our time/town... who knows we may even have some guest experts..

Brotherhood vs Benevolence via Relationships

2009-05-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Memorial day was a special memory for the Prillaman clan today. With my mom and dad here, and in response to a great children's service last week, Josh decided to make his public profession of faith. It was a good day.. to quote Fernando Ortega, "this good day, it is a gift from you. The world is turning in its place because you made it too. I lift my voice to sing a song of praise, for this good day. "

In class today, we continued the saga of Esther, focusing on the people in the story and their relationships and choices. We recognized that there are different levels, expectations, filters and even capacities for different relationships in both their lives and ours. I shared my vision for our class as a true "life community" that lives as an active part of each others' lives while at the same time recognizing the development cycle which we have to continually traverse. Group dynamics are indeed an interesting and constantly evolving reality for a family/community like ours.

Read more on Form, Storm, Norm, and Perform here: http://changingminds.org/explanations/groups/form_storm_norm_perform.htm

Here is another interesting point on this.. might surprise you. http://judesmith.blogspot.com/2007/09/form-storm-norm-perform.html

As we mature and constantly navigate this cycle I want to encourage each of you to think about not only what you can/will do but also what you expect. An honest discussion is key to our continued growth.

Stuff we talked about today:

Who are the people in our lives. Don't forget our adversaries, enemies in addition to teachers, friends, colleagues, etc..
What is the definition of a BFF and how do you make one?
House and Wilson and whether they are really friends.
Risk and Reward concepts abound in relationships. To mature and grow we need trust. Trust is developed through shared experiences both positive and negative.
Esther and the King.. using position, power, and savvy negotiating to get good results.
Helping one another as brothers not benevolence.
Anyone interested in helping "tactically" with the Ackerman's needs, should work through me. I am and will be coordinating a property assessment and plan of action.
Other people in the class need to also queue up requests for help for our "life community to help with", from carpentry, to childcare, to coaching, and beyond. (This should come to Jeff as well for coordination)
Boundaries and the danger of communications context in generating good will vs ill will.
Being careful not to manipulate the sympathies of others just as Esther did with King Ahasuerus.
There ARE consequences for good choices and poor choices. Adults should be constantly vigilant.
Reality that many people just want a list of things that they can do to make a difference "locally". This is okay. By starting and working through conflicts and challenges together, openly, and honestly, we will all grow and we can "be one in Christ"
Open Door is not in the business of benevolence. I EXPECT us to be in the business of brotherhood. My vision for this class is for us to constantly grow as Christians, while we study, change and deal with the conflict that is LIFE.

To quote my mom, we are all blessed but the blessings are not for our benefit alone. They are gifts from God to be shared with our world... one relationship at a time.

Love you all.. Have a great day.
jeff

The FEUD

2009-05-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

Continuing episodes in the saga of Esther found us in "conflict" between two authority figures. Haman and Mordecai definitely didn't get along, to say the least. The "FEUD" ends up okay but at this point in our story, things look pretty bad.

If you couldn't make it today, please know that I missed you and the class wasn't the same without you.

Ideas discussed today:

Bowing, when, how and why
Warning signs: if your identity is tied up with being against someone or something, that can be dangerous. It isn't bad by definition, but it is very risky.
Cost benefit analysis on keeping up the "hate" or just letting it go
Betrayal: Jeff's personal reaction to it, and ideas on how to look to the future and move ahead.
Reminder: God is working in and around you all the time.
Forgiveness and reconciliation: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do"
Turning the other cheek means? bowing down, choosing not to fight back, demonstrating an all encompassing "love" for your enemy/adversary. It doesn't mean ceding the "right" position, but it does mean that Love and the relationship must remain paramount.

THE ONE THING: It is not enough to be right. More action is req'd and loving your brother in spite of his actions, maybe even "because of" his actions is critical. Honesty and integrity in the face of crisis coupled with loving actions will "get you through it".

As always, I would love to hear commentary on these ideas and I hope and pray that each of you is actively participating in our life community outside of class. Dinners, dates, discussion, hanging out, and maybe even a few "diapers".. (I threw that one in for you Forrest/Lori). Please remember and don't hesitate to reach out to one another for the little things... help around the house, babysitting, video game tips, shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to, and someone to laugh with.. Relationships matter, and they don't just happen. They take work and continuing action/dedication.

MOVIE Recommendation: Go see Star Trek.. great entertainment, without any real "agenda" just fun, fighting, feuding, and photon torpedoes.. this one is worth seeing in the theater.

Class business:
We need a class secretary/secretary team to check the role, and pass around the announcements. (if you are passionate about that sort of thing, please step up)
Activities Coordinators/team: plan the Spring/Summer/Fall events and actually "make them happen"
Teaching Assistants/Facilitators: I need a break once in a while, please let me know if you are interested in taking the lead for any of the coming segments.. even for just a week or two..

The teaser:upcoming lessons/Themes:

Lessons for May will continue on the soap opera of Esther ;-)
June is about Prayer on the go.. will be interesting to see where exactly it goes...
July is all about God's messages for cities. Jerusalem, Nineveh, Nazareth and Sodom.
August wraps up all of this mess with studies of "Adjusted Attitudes"...

Happy Mother's Day to all. Hope you enjoy the beautiful weather and remember the blessings bestowed upon you by your Mom.

Read your lesson before Sunday AM.. it helps!

Jeff

Ms California, Tea parties and the evil bankers - Open door notes 050309

2009-05-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

Well now, I came to church this am thinking that the lesson would be pretty boring standard fare. Come on now.. like Don said, going through each day could just be about being "practical". That is certainly what I think Mordecai was doing. We DO need to be practical and think about when to speak up and when to be quiet.
Our actions should speak for themselves. I wonder if they do?

I enjoyed studying with you all this am. It was much more fun than I thought it was going to be. Ooops, not sure if I should have said that.

I do hope to get to see more of you, more regularly over the next few months/units. I know it is hard, but please do all you can to make it out on Sunday AM. Our time together is important for each and every one. I believe that we have something special going on, and that we need to try and reach out to our church, and our community with our fellowship, families, and faith. If we can't be disciplined in making our time together and in worship a priority, how can we expect to impact our community and neighbors. God will bless our offering of time and resources, but we must make an offering first. Please think about how and what you might do to sacrificially follow Christ and do kingdom work over the next few months..

SPRING/SUMMER FUN:
Lessons for May will continue on the soap opera of Esther ;-)
June is about Prayer on the go.. will be interesting to see where exactly it goes...
July is all about God's messages for cities. Jerusalem, Nineveh, Nazareth and Sodom.
August wraps up all of this mess with studies of "Adjusted Attitudes"...

Notes:
1. Open door now has a "group" on FACEBOOK for any of you that are addicted like me.
2. Ladies night fellowship is tonight at Tripps. This is a great opportunity to come out and praise your wonderful and virtuous husbands & children in public or... you could just get to know the other ladies in the class. I am really proud of you all for doing this sort of thing.
3. 2009 Fun in the Son. where, when, how.. pool? beach?, lake anna?,

How about a class party soon? I have heard good things about Dave & Busters and there is now one open up in Short Pump.. sounds like it might be a fun date night for all of us adults.

Other ideas: any chance of a Spring camping trip or even a beach weekend for any/all of us to go together?

Remember, we all do what we want to do. I pray and hope that you will "want" to be with your friends at Open Door no matter where we go...

jeff

--
Jeff Prillaman
Executive Director, Da Capo Virginia
http://www.dacapoinstitute.org

Success at community?

2009-03-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

What would Jesus think of?
Us, Our church, Our familes, How we use our time... OUR DISCIPLESHIP

I deeply enjoyed learning and worshipping with you all this morning. I got myself all worked up as I listened to Bert speak and at the same time realized how busy my family would be at "church" today. The ideas that were laid before me were oxymoronic. This isn't the first nor likely the last time I get into situations where the Holy Spirit speaks to me and I don't understand. I may not know the answer, but I do believe.

We are truly committed to the business of HRBC, but we are more committed to the mission that Jesus laid out for us. I had some revelations in the last 24 hours as I studied Mark 8:34-9:1. Ask me one on one and I'll be glad to share some of my own insights. They are a bit personal, so I won't write them there, but I would like to talk with you more about them and learn about your own journeys, with their successes and failures. We don't have time for that on Sunday mornings, but I would like to offer up a regular discussion time at my house, if anyone is interested. We as a life community, can choose to prioritize and spend time together supporting one another in our homes, and outside of the expectations of HRBC. Perhaps, we might find a new language or tone to our discussions if we are open. We can talk more about this after I ask Tracee if it is okay.. ;-)

I know and can speak to the elements in my life of denying self and sacrificing for the ministry and mission that Jesus has laid out for me. I follow blindly, and I trust in the future. I love my neighbors often to a fault.

Assignment: (yes this is a test and written answers would be best)
1. What sort of Church do you want to be a part of? (answer in paragraph form)
2. Does HRBC and our OPEN DOOR class fulfill on those dreams? (yes or no)
3. How are you helping your church to bridge the gaps?

EXTRA CREDIT!!!
4. Are we successful as a class based on the criteria laid out in the video?
passion, work, focus, persistence, ideas, good, push, serve
5. What are we good at?
6. What can we improve on?

Meet Who? where, when, how, why

2009-01-31T17:26:00.000-08:00

Hi all, Scripture for tomorow is

Isaiah 12:1-6 NRSV
You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. 56 Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.

Isaiah 12:1-6 MESSAGE And you will say in that day, "I thank you, God. You were angry but your anger wasn't forever. You withdrew your anger and moved in and comforted me. "Yes, indeed—God is my salvation. I trust, I won't be afraid. God—yes God!—is my strength and song, best of all, my salvation!" Joyfully you'll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you'll say, "Give thanks to God. Call out his name. Ask him anything! Shout to the nations, tell them what he's done, spread the news of his great reputation! "Sing praise-songs to God. He's done it all! Let the whole earth know what he's done! Raise the roof! Sing your hearts out, O Zion! The Greatest lives among you: The Holy of Israel."

Since I won't be there.. I need each of you to think about how you can contribute to the class' journey through Meeting God. Look to the Holy Spirit to work within you and treat this as a bit of a test for one another.

on accountability, resourcefulness, encouragement.. are you role models for one another?

Proposed discussion plan and starter sequence: whoever is there.. this is your "ASSIGNMENT"

When you come to church.. Who exactly do you intend to meet?
How exactly do you "MEET" God? write up some practical examples.. maybe even personal stories. reviewing the last few weeks..

How do we worship.. review the scripture for guidance.. what else can we do?
Why do we worship.. review the scripture for guidance.. what does it say.. What else is the Holy spirit telling you right now?

Others: What role does discipline and boundaries play in your life, sports, arts? What are some of the big boundaries for Christians? How do we deal with them and what role does the worshipping community play in supporting one another through our collective failures?

Is worship between and individual and God or is it the "collective" offering of the church honoring God? is it both? and what does that mean.

I am so sorry that I won't be there to talk with you and learn from you tomorrow. I will probably miss you much more than you miss me.. ;-)

Reminder, this is what we have talked about through January..

Meeting God in Renewal Isaiah 2:1-6, 13, 20-22
Meeting God in Judgment Isaiah 5:1-13
Meeting God in the Temple Isaiah 6:1-8
Meeting God through the Spirit Isaiah 11:1-9
Meeting God through Worship Isaiah 12:1-6

BONUS ACTIVITY: What do you remember from our study this month... fill up those boards.. with thoughts, ideas.. maybe even action plans.. would love to see comments, emails on this for discussion.

Our first Make a difference Sunday is still set for April 26th but we may not be able to partner with Julie's class since this is Youth Sunday.. I am feeling convicted that we should stick with the date and find something to do.. even if it means coming to church and then "hitting the road" with our familes for service.. Wasn't my original plan, but it might be what God's plan is.. I am still praying on that one.

Sorry I won't see you tomorrow.
jeff

The LISTS: Kooky with Big Ears, are you?

2009-01-25T17:47:00.000-08:00

It was great to be back at HRBC today. We had a low attendance day today.. FYI to all, we noticed and missed you. Glad we had Jill, Jon, Veona, Don, Tracee, Heather and myself..

MAKE A DIFFERENCE SUNDAY will be April 26. mark your calendars, and start preparing.. We are partnering with Julie's class and ideas are coming soon...

Study today was on Isaiah 11:1-9(full text is at the bottom of this post from the NIV)
Sermon in worship service was on :

We began our exercises today trying to come up with the characteristics we would list to describe people in our lives who are "led by the spirit".. real people, real examples.. not ministers or church leaders..

Our Role models, Encouragers, Accountability Partners, and Resources were:
Bruce, Cassandra, Pat, Ed, Liss, Dee, and Nancy.

The Spirit LIST: Humble, Faithful to God, Trusting, Compassionate, Honest, Encouraging, Servant, Positive, Respected, Kooky, Helpers, Charitable, Available, Big Ears, Big Hugs, Persistent, Fair, Objective, Prayerful.

For us this list defined values that are Old and TRUE... these should be the keys to success. It is unfortunate that in most cases in today's world, we tend to attribute value to individuals who exemplify the opposite of these things all too often. The list above perfectly exemplifies the ideas we have been focusing on for: Perspective, Opportunity, followed by Action. That is how we meet God in my book. We should all strive to be a little more "kooky" and we should definitely spend more time listening with our "Big Ears".

We then dove into our Bible study and created the following lists to try and make sense of the poetry and message from the prophet.

vs 1-5-- The new king as defined by Isaiah will be: fruit-bearing, filled with wisdom, understanding, counsel, mighty, powerful, full of knowledge, fearful of the Lord, will delight in the Lord. he will judge by righteousness and not just by sight, just, righteous, faithful,

vs 6-9-- The new kingdom as defined by Isaiah will be: non-conformist, child-like, calm, peaceful,trusting, smart and safe

The Branch From Jesse

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD -

and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears;

but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.

Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.

The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.

They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.

QUESTIONS for YOU!
How would you score on our spirit filled, spirit led 10 point scale?
Under pressure, do you look to the Lord first or do you first lean on your OWN understanding and experience?
Who is in control? the president, the pastor, the church, the individual, the parent? or......

Accountability: Perspective, Opportunity, Action

2009-01-17T12:16:00.001-08:00

I have been so busy lately, that I haven't maintained a very healthy example of keeping perspective, finding opportunities or actions. I wonder if maybe you all might be feeling the same. Seems like things are kind of hectic right now despite our "deep freeze".

Had an interesting thought that while my personal focus is a little frenetic right not, my "systems of involvement" and relationships have kept me on track. Other people and my regular committments have helped to hold me in line despite myself. Coaching in Upward with the practice on Monday and then games today has made a difference in reminding me and keeping me accountable to my own plans. Preparing for SS lessons is always a challenge and praying with my family at meals is a constant baseline of attention. Think about what your grounding points are and what the contexts are that keep you involved in each others' lives. Telephone calls to one another, maybe meals together, studying together and even playing Wii together are all opportunities. Sports, Music, Choirs, etc.. each presents chances already in place that we just need the courage to embrace and commit to.. Not always necessary to reinvent the wheel. Aren't we lucky that God is always there and just waiting for us to ask for help, or even just waiting for a simple conversation.

How is your personal God time going these days? I would like to hear and help and hope we can all help each other as the devotion below mentions..

Tracee and I will be at First Baptist Ahoskie way down in NC tomorrow but Ken will do a great job facilitating and teaching as he always does. Pray for safe and fast travel for us.. We will be booking it back up the road and hope to see some or all of you at Family Movie Night tomorrow night. See you soon!

jeff

==========================================
Spiritual Growth Is Not a Private Matter
by Rick Warren

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

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

Some of us hesitate to commit ourselves to developing an intentional plan of growth that requires accountability or relationship with others because we believe spiritual growth is a personal and private matter. We choose to believe each person develops in his or her own way at his or her own rate.

This is an aberration from the truth.The idolatry of individualism has influenced even the way we think about spiritual growth.So much of the teaching on spiritual formation is self-centered and self-focused without any reference to our relationship to other Christians.

This is completely unbiblical and ignores much of the New Testament. The truth is that Christians need relationships to grow. We don't grow in isolation from others. We develop in the context of fellowship.

Over and over again in the New Testament we find this basic truth: Believers need relationships with each other to grow! Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another …" (NIV).

God intends for us to grow up in a family.

The Line

2008-11-23T10:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. As we enter this holiday week and the Advent season beyond (even if Rev. Terry thinks it is Lent.. ;-) each of you should know how special our time together is each week. I have learned to cherish the precious time I have with you, as it emboldens and empowers me to action and decisions throughout the week. It is my prayer that our time together has the same effect on you. Thank you for your time and energy.

---------

We talked today about names, choices and the system of influences which inform even our most basic of decisions. Going forward, think about how you use your Christian beliefs, the imperatives presented in Matthew 25, the examples set out for us in Daniel, and the model of servant leadership displayed to us by the life of Jesus.

One piece of my lesson that I didn't get to today was the role of our government in this call to social activism. I honestly don't believe that it is nearly as central and important for us in the future as it has been in recent decades. Our government is charged to provide for us: "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".. Each of us defines success differently, it has radically different manifestations based on place, time, culture, and the context of neighbors. The government needs to succeed in ensuring opportunities for its citizens equally, not in mandating the content of those provisions. We are each accountable for our own success and failures given the conditions provided for us by our times.

The video Jill mentioned is included here from Advent Conspiracy

As a member of a the Christian community and a follower of Jesus, we are charged to make a difference. We are charged to "just do it", not talk about it, pray about it, or simply expect to others to do it for us. Doing always presents choices and options, and the choice of actions or acceptance is driven by our perception of the line.

Where do you choose to stand up, set an example, and act to preserve your faith(with its implicit call to action)? Jesus was a radical and called us to be the same. I call you to stand up for "your" line and encourage/learn from our class both in relationships, and in the classroom.

Happy Thanksgiving,
jeff

Class BUSINESS:

Need some "action" for a Christmas event/party.
Need to check in on the Hulettes and help out however we can. first few weeks of new baby are tough, even tougher as we enter Holidays with other children.
"Make a difference Sunday" is still on for some time in Q1 2009. I am still looking for ideas on how we as a group, with our families, can put our words into action showing that worship can and will take place somewhere other than just at HRBC on Sunday am. ideas so far include: Children's Hospital trip, Veterans Hospital fellowship, Homeless shelter workday, Neighbor in need blitz on housework, etc.
Team teaching on Sundays. I would like to return to a regular rotation where we provide some others in our class opportunities to step up and lead. Volunteers, step up and let me know. I'll schedule it.
Deacons Warm up plans for the Winter are underway. Barry and I will be in touch with more details. Please make this chance to meet and interact intergenerationally important in your schedule.

Bruschetta ________________

2008-11-22T06:14:00.000-08:00

Got this picture from a friend who recently returned from Spoleto.. In honor of our recent adventure into Bruschetta Pomodoro.. thought you might enjoy options on what it looks like with other toppings from mushrooms, to herbs, to ???

remember it is pronounced [broosKeta] not brooshetta

Confession of an "Activist"

2008-11-16T09:59:00.000-08:00

I have to be honest and confess. I was actively trying to stir you all up a bit to see what would happen and how we would function as a life community faced with volatility and opinion. I was using volatile language and emotional personal preferences to spur you into thinking about your own actions, ideas and choices. I believe that Amos was dealing with this sort of situation when he spoke out and I commend each of you for talking and listening equally. If you left thinking, then I accomplished my goal as your facilitator. If you left stirred up, a little shocked, then I accomplished my goals. I wanted to "Rock the Boat". Thanks for helping me.. all of you.

WHY?
Social activism is something I believe we should embrace as a class, but it will NOT come without a cost. maybe money, maybe reputation, time, resources, etc..
Like Amos, there will be consequences. Lots of things will be "in the air"..

Will we choose to sacrificially love those around us who we may not even agree with?
Can we love without return?
Do you believe that actions really speak louder than words.. If so, then why do we talk so much, and do so little...?

We can't fight all the battles or change the world. We can pray to God to inspire and direct us towards HIS work.

What is God telling you that we should be doing? now, tomorrow, next week, year, etc...
Where do you draw the line and stand up to be counted, despite the cost?

I'd like to hear...

jeff

Ladies Night 08 reflections

2008-11-09T09:15:00.000-08:00

Hi all, I want to thank you for a great night last night. For those of you who missed it, let me just say.. You seriously missed it. Our Open Door class events are always fun, but last night was exceptional on all fronts and each of us played a part. You all are great friends. Here is a gallery of a "few" photos...

I can't speak for the ladies directly, but the guys had an awesome time in the kitchen and the food came out great. Jon, you are "da man" on that grill. As far as the pretty boys go, Ken, Tim and Barry set the bar for the future. I have to send out a thanks to my daughter Alyssa for all her help with the shopping. If I had been there by myself it would have taken much, much longer. Thanks Alyssa. Also, thanks to the childcare folks and to Tracee for setting all that up.. It was really incredible to have a "grown up" meal without having to worry about the kids at all..

I feel like we all got to know each other a lot better and that was the goal. Of course, we also wanted to prove to the ladies that we could actually plan and pull off a "high end" gourmet dining experience. For my notes, I think we got the job done AND had fun doing it.

I would also like to offer particular personal thanks for the exceptional job of clean up in the kitchen. That is not my strong suit by a long shot. Tracee, said we are now "certified" and can use her kitchen anytime. That is quite an accomplishment, I assure you.

Missed you all this AM as we were singing at St Thomas Episcopal, but we will see you next week. Thanks to all of you.

Next class event will be a Christmas party or drop in of some sort.. I need a "leadership team" for that one pretty quickly. Tracee and I will gladly help and offer up our house to host, but other options are available too.

jeff

PS that mozzarella caprese is PHENOMENAL as a leftover for lunch.. WOW, is all I can say.. plus we are going to make more bruschetta pomodoro this afternoon as I'm addicted now. I forgot how much I love that stuff..

REFERENCE INFO-MENU FOR POSTERITY:
Head Chef: Jeff P
Sous Chef: Tim R, Jon T
Servers/Service: Ken W, Barry L, Tim R
Sommalier: Ken W
Runner: Tim R

LADIES in attendance: Tracee P, Vickie L, Jennie R, Heidi T, Angie W

Ramp up/Greeting time:
Bread: Pumpernickel, Marble with Butter
Water, Sparkling water(Apollinaris), Va Wines

Appetizers:
Mozzarella Caprese
Bruschetta Pomodoro

Salad:
Baby Spinach w/fresh walnuts, dried cranberries & Maytag blue cheese in a gourmet white balsamic vinagrette

Entree: Petite filets wrapped w/bacon, grilled peppers & mushrooms, roast red skin potatoes all topped with marinated and seasoned large shrimp

Dessert: Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake and Grilled banana chocolate surprise.

Church or Religious Club?

2008-11-02T10:59:00.000-08:00

Ladies night is coming.. Pray for those of us trying to plan this meal.

Lesson today was a struggle for me. standing apart is not an idea that comes easily to me when I constantly preach and live this idea of inclusionary theology. When I first saw the lesson title and the scripture lesson I literally thought: "well, I had a good run..." ;-)

Little did I know that Nancy would pull it out for me today. Question I asked was " How do you know if/when to leave a church?" I think we answered it well. Your positions should never cross the line to prohibit you from loving your God and your neighbor.

For me the answer as to when to sever ties to a community/church/club is:
If membership inhibits me from accomplishing the purpose for which God has commissioned me.

Now the final question I asked was.. are we members of religious club or a church and how do we individually define the difference. That one is too much for this forum. For answers and thoughts, you'll have to come to class in the coming weeks.

Cheerful Giver

2008-10-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

I was so proud to see each of you this morning and I remain humbled to be given the chance to teach you and learn from you. I pray that each of you will be granted strength and humility as you navigate a "successful" week this week, day by day, hour by hour, opportunity by opportunity. Love you all, and I'm excited to see you next week, if not before... jeff

"we must not forget that each of us has freedom and power to make choices that can release holy and healing energy that points people to the hope of Jesus Christ" From LSMF Music in Time of Crisis, Dr. Charles Hulin IV

Bert Quote of the day: "God's Grace is irrevocable."

2 Corinthians 9:6-15
We are blessed and we are charged to disseminate that blessing to those around us.

Discussion went a lot of different ways today and man was I glad that we weren't sitting around a campfire in 40degree temperature with the kids' "wailing and gnashing of teeth". By the same token, the room has regained its reputation as the coolest class in the church. If it was more than 65 in there, I would be surprised.

Questions for thought/discussion:
Do you go "to church" or are you living your life "as church"?

Is HRBC an obligation and a duty for you, your finances, your time? ...or is it a place for you to be fed and sustained so that you can go out into the world and share your blessings?

Are you a member of this congregation, of your community? Do you give, or receive and in what proportion?

I pray specifically that you will seek to improve your life by giving your time, your money and your heart to others... not just HRBC, though that is a good start (just like Kindergarten).. but more importantly, to your wife/husband, your family, your colleagues at work, your friends, your neighbors and yes.. even to strangers whom you may never see again.

The blessings of giving will return to you, but the first move is yours.
Do you believe? Do you trust? in whom? yourself, God, your money?

Books I mentioned today: free to read on Google books...
Reaching out without dumbing down by Marva Dawn A Royal waste of time by Marva Dawn

Law, Leadership, The Book

2008-09-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

We had a good class today and I particularly appreciated your wonderful participation. Thanks for Tracee's idea for donut holes. They always seem to be a good addition and make us happy.

Today we talked about how we can use the Old Testament history and stories as so much more than just rules and law. Rules have a place in our lives. Leaders and administration have important roles to play in all of our lives. History will repeat itself if we choose to ignore its lessons. That is reality.

Personally, my favorite note from this morning came from Bert. The best way to keep people from fighting is to give them more to do. We saw that at the Clinic yesterday. If we all work together, and focus on our work, the petty disputes tend to "fade away" into the background noise. Let the leaders and administration work out the approach and governance. Each of us should simply play our part and focus on OURSELVES, not others' behaviors. At least for that choice, we have some semblance of control.

Fighting is a choice in behavior. Just like loving one another is a choice. I think the we all know what the right answer is between those two choices. In a war, everyone loses, it is just a matter of who loses more or less. The consequences are inescapable.

If, on the other hand, we choose to stand beside our "foe" and simply love and accept the end result is probably better for all. Even on things that are not "petty" the opening position and majority of our energy should be focused on including and loving. It is simply not enough to be right. Relationships are worth more than that ribbon is worth.

Where are your guardrails? Where is the middle line of your road? What do your road signs say? and perhaps the most important question of all...

Where are you going?

BTW, those books by Brian Mclaren that changed my life are:
A New Kind of Christian
The story we find ourselves in
The last word, and the word after that.

Personal note: I have been very disappointed in Brian's deep immersion into partisan politics of late, but that is a story for another day. I still respect and love him for the Christian and leader that he is. It is hard, but that is something for me to deal with on a daily basis. We don't agree, but we share a common goal for the world, for an emergent church, and for making a difference in the lives of others.

Choices and Challenges

2008-08-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

Tracee and I returned from our vacation this week. Refreshed, renewed, and mildly depressed to no longer be reveling in the beauty of the beach and the freedom of its sunrises, sunsets, waves and wind. As we awakened this morning and began our "reentry" it was wonderful to do it among the Open Door Life Community. Huge thanks to both Ken and Tim for teaching in the past two weeks. I continue to be encouraged by the strength and depth of our class in showing both knowledge and love for one another.

NEWS:
Keep the Ackerman family in your prayers as Adam is in the hospital after suffering a bad fall and concussion.

CALL TO ACTION!
Invite friends and family to join us on Sunday morning. It is up to you as we each have our role to play.
Sign up and encourage your entire family to participate in and help with THE CLINIC. You can make a difference. This is a great full family opportunity.

THE LESSON

The lessons of today centered on our choices and challenges. Paul speaks to us of compassion and love for our fellow men and women in spite of very rational decisions. It is simply not enough to be right. We must embrace those around us and demonstrate love. Inclusionary, sacrificial love trumps intellectual, legally grounded correctness even when the decision is based on deep seated theological principles.

The choice of "who gives in" is up to each of us. We make it within a life community, and we are never alone. We are on mission, commanded to demonstrate the humility and hospitality of Christ to our world.

What have you done to build "love up" your neighbors lately?

Have you embraced intellectual knowledge, depending on your own ability, or do you strive to let go and just love?

I know how I sound, a bit like a 21st century idealist seeking a bit more than I can handle with my simplistic words. Perhaps that is the truth. Isn't it great that God can make up the difference for each of us if we remember to ask. Love the Lord your God first and then love your neighbors and you might be surprised at how we can manage challenges together.

Passage of study for today:
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 The Message

Attitude + Action Required

2008-07-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

NEWS:

Thanks for filling 4 backpacks. Good job.
Thank your friends who were in Music Man. They deserve it for a job well done.
Fun in the Son 2 at the Haywood's pool facility is Sat Aug 2. RSVP if you haven't already.
Jeff & Tracee are out on 8/10 and 8/17 need a substitute teacher.

Class Notes: Open Door 072708
Hi all, we had a great class yesterday as we explored "Hospitality to newcomers" and really got into some great discussion on our own expectations for church, our hang ups, and the never ending continuum of "rightness". "It is not enough to be right" was my statement and I stand by it. Christians and Christian leaders in particular have to find a way to include and embrace diversity of attitude and action while maintaining a spirit of compassion and consideration.

How good are we at this? not good enough would be my answer.
Where is our focus when we come to worship? on us(all about me) or on what we bring...(gifts)

Can we get better? Yes

How do we get better? Bring the right attitude and Transform it into action! We have to actually love those around us. WE have to care and sacrifice for people we may not know very well. This isn't easy, but it is the way.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40 (The Message)
^{26 -33} So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three's the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you're saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you're also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions.

^{34 -36}Wives must not disrupt worship, talking when they should be listening, asking questions that could more appropriately be asked of their husbands at home. God's Book of the law guides our manners and customs here. Wives have no license to use the time of worship for unwarranted speaking. Do you—both women and men—imagine that you're a sacred oracle determining what's right and wrong? Do you think everything revolves around you?

^{37 -38}If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I have written. This is the way the Master wants it. If you won't play by these rules, God can't use you. Sorry.

^{39 -40}Three things, then, to sum this up: When you speak forth God's truth, speak your heart out. Don't tell people how they should or shouldn't pray when they're praying in tongues that you don't understand. Be courteous and considerate in everything.

For Richer or Poorer

2008-07-13T10:18:00.001-07:00

Well it was a treat to be back with you all today. Tracee and I have missed the fellowship, friendship, and warmth of worshipping at our home base.. It is fun to travel, but it isn't quite like home. Thanks for being there today.

And... a special welcome to our returning visitors Jon and Veona and new visitors Don and Melanie. I hope that you felt our hospitality and genuine appreciation for your presence. We don't always (or even usually) have all the answers but we all know that We Believe!.. and we are excited to have a life community to talk openly within, share, and trust in.

If you couldn't make it today, you missed a whopper of a lesson on Ruth 2:2-17 where we studied a model for hospitality to the "poor" and discussed how we could or should apply it to our daily lives. It is hard to see the poor, even harder not to judge and difficult to prioritize and share of our blessings, whatever they may be.. The imperative to embrace hospitality is NOT optional. We are instructed to CARE, and that is where the difficulty lies..

Seek to include, not exclude.
Love others, especially those that are different from you.
Use your blessings, skills and talents to make a difference in someone's day, EVERY day!
Random acts of kindness are small and simple.. don't make it harder that it is.. "save one starfish at a time" and let God deal with the whole world..

Our lesson these weeks is on "Missional Hospitality" so I think I will use our Fun in the Son pool party on August 2 to wrap us up as a theme. It seems appropriate given the generosity of the Haywoods to open and share their pool and home. Please think about how we could double our group's size.. with friends, neighbors, kids, etc.. As Amanda said this morning.. it is pretty easy to invite someone to a party.. TAKE the opportunity to stand up and reach out. We can use our community to reach out to others if we CHOOSE to...

NEWS/EVENTS:
FUN in the SON 2 - pool party at Haywoods.. August 2, ~2pm - 8pm.. more details to follow.. Tracee P is the Primary POC on this. 804 794 1586

LADIES' DINNER: is on the docket to be planned and executed in the FALL(date TBD, principal coordinator needed)..I'll be glad to cook and serve, but the planning part isn't my strong suit. I'm thinking a Friday nt, Guys will cook and serve dinner to all the ladies.. We will all dress a bit and make it NICE..

Bulletin today communicated a need for Backpack ministry through school supplies.. As the OPEN DOOR Life COMMUNITY: I would like for us to embrace it and fill at least 3 backpacks with supplies for some less fortunate children. This is an opportunity immediately for us to make a difference. Choose to help please! More to come on this next week.

Lesson info/MORE:
The book of Ruth can be read as a drama in four acts, with introductory matter at the beginning (related to Naomi and her husband's ill fortune in the land of Moab) and an epilogue at the end. In the first act (1:8-22), the widowed Naomi resolves to go back to Bethlehem. She tells her Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to remain in Moab. Ruth refuses to leave Naomi, however, and accompanies her to Bethlehem. In the second act (2:1-23), which is the focus for today's lesson, Ruth gleans in the fields of Naomi's relative, Boaz, who shows special concern for her in her impoverished condition.

The third act (3:1-18) takes place at Boaz's threshing floor, where Ruth executes a bold plan to express her wish that Boaz marry her according to the Israelite custom of the kinsman-redeemer. In the fourth act (4:1-12), an unnamed relative more closely related to Naomi renounces his right to marry Ruth, and she is finally married to Boaz. Finally, in the epilogue we read of Ruth's descendants and Naomi's joy.

UNIT CONTEXT:

Missional Hospitality

If we are serious about following Jesus, we will be people of open hearts, open hands, and open homes. In other words, as followers of Jesus we will practice the fine art of hospitality.

In this unit, we will study five facets of Christian hospitality. As we do so, we will be reminded that hospitality is "missional." That is, simply by being hospitable, we will be on mission for Christ.

In the first session, we reflect on a passage from Job, where Job proclaims his lifelong practice of showing hospitality to strangers. This first session highlights hospitality as a central virtue in both the Old and New Testaments.

The second session specifically addresses hospitality to the poor. Our spotlighted passage is from the book of Ruth, where Boaz practically and kindly reaches out to Ruth in her poverty.

The third session focuses on hospitality to sinners. We study the episode in John's Gospel where Jesus forgives the woman caught in the act of adultery and use that passage to consider our own response to sinful people.

The fourth session focuses on hospitality to newcomers, specifically newcomers in our church. The passage we use in this session is from 1 Corinthians 14, where the apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians to consider the needs of others in their times of worship.

We wrap up our study of Christian hospitality by reminding ourselves that all of our hospitality is really hospitality to Christ. The final session in our study focuses on the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25, where Jesus says all of our hospitality is actually done to, and for, him.

The good news about hospitality is that it doesn't require us to have money, education, brilliance, fame, or power. It only requires that we open our hearts, our hands, and our homes to the people around us.

July 6
Hospitality to Strangers
Job 31:16-23, 31-32

July 13
Hospitality to the Poor
Ruth 2:2-17

July 20
Hospitality to Sinners
John 7:53-8:11

July 27
Hospitality to Newcomers
1 Corinthians 14:20-33

August 3
Hospitality to Christ
Matthew 25:31-46

Creation Refuge: Credo

2008-06-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

NEWS FLASH: I have heard from our planners re: our next events...and the "word" is that FUN IN THE SON 2 is well underway and planned for August 2 (exact times still TBD).. this time we will do a traditional "pool party/cook out" and the Haywoods have graciously agreed to host us all..(BTW they have a beautiful pool at their home with a great facility for a party) Tracee and I got to know them as part of the church dinners, and fellowship breakouts last year and they are really great folks. I hope you will mark your calendars and come if you can. I would encourage you all to think about inviting friends, or even kids' friends as we did with the Pocahontas trip. Lets show our hospitality to our neighbors and non-HRBC friends and try to reach outside the "open door". Take a risk, it might just pay off. Tracee and Vickie will coordinate the planning details but we will have plenty of food and fun.. guaranteed... if you need proof, check out pics from the first Fun in the Son.

-------

I don't know about you, but I have had a pretty tough week so far. I was reflecting on Psalm 104 from our lesson from last week, and perhaps I wasn't looking to God at the proper time, perhaps I didn't wait for him to open his hand.. and I probably haven't been satisfied with the things that surround me and have been given to me. My perspective is a bit skewed I think... maybe it always is..

Tracee and I are about to head off to the Lasker Summer Music Festival in NC where we will be performing tonight and then participating in the retreat and festival events through Sunday. Keep us in your prayers as I think this is the longest we have ever been away from the kids. It may be a challenge for all of the Prillamans but good for us all the same. The Christian artist fellowship at Lasker is very special and is something we are passionate about.. so it is worth it. There were other prayer requests on Sunday morning worthy of your attention as well.. Lift them up.. If you can't remember them in detail, simply pray..God does remember them..

See you soon..
Jeff

Seeking refuge in the midst of turmoil is the theme for this week's lesson which Barry will be leading. Please prepare and think about what you do in times of turmoil, fear, high stress.. Psalm 91 can help you with this.. I would encourage you to read it along with Psalm 90 as the two are coupled and 91 seems to be a response to the fear and trepidation of 90.

notes to reflect on...as you prepare.....

"As they're used psychologically, words like repression, denial, sublimation, and defense all refer to one form or another of the way human beings erect walls to hide behind, both from each other and from themselves. You repress the memory that is too painful to deal with, say. You deny your weight problem. You sublimate some of your sexual energy by channeling it into other forms of activity more socially acceptable. You conceal your sense of inadequacy behind a defensive bravado. And so on and so forth. The inner state you end up with is a castlelike affair of keep, inner wall, outer wall, and moat, which you erect originally to be a fortress to keep the enemy out, but which turns into a prison where you become the jailer and thus your own enemy. It is a wretched and lonely place. You can't be what you want to be there or do what you want to do. People can't see through all that masonry to who you truly are, and half the time you're not sure you can see who you truly are yourself, you've been walled up so long.

Fortunately there are two words that offer a way out, and they're simply these: 'Help me' It's not always easy to say them--you have your pride after all, and you're not sure there's anybody you trust enough to say them to--but they're always worth saying. To another human being--a friend, a stranger? To God? Maybe it comes to the same thing.

Help me. They open a door through the walls, that's all. At least hope is possible again. At least you're no longer alone."

--Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words (New York: HarperOne, 2004) 150-51.

"Courage is a crucial virtue, for once again the currents of history are churning into rapids, threatening to carry before them everything we have loved, trusted, looked to for pleasure and support. We are being called upon to live with enormous in security. The churches could become centers of creative and courageous thinking. They could also become sanctuaries for frightened Americans, recruiting grounds for authoritarian figures and movements, some of which already bear the earmarks of an emerging fascism.

Will we be scared to death or scared to life? It all depends on where we find our ultimate security. In Leipzig, Martin Luther was asked, 'Where will you be, Brother Martin, when church, state, princes, and people turn against you?' Answered Brother Martin, 'Why then as now, in the hands of Almighty God.'"

--William Sloane Coffin, Credo (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2003) 150.

Meat night

2008-05-31T07:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-05-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-05-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-04T11:44:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-05-02T05:54:00.000-07:00

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.

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.

Witness Cost/Benefit Analysis

2008-04-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone.. good class today.. it is a good thing you were there.. because I certainly didn't have all the answers.
To sum it up.. "I don't know the answer to your question, but I still believe" Witnessing isn't about knowing all the answers. It is about standing up and sharing the Gospel. just like Peter and John did in the face of the persecution of the "ruling authorities". For me, Acts 4 presents a powerful picture of how to stand up, witness, take the persecution, pray, embrace the power, and then go back out for another round. Seems like there will always be another round.. ;-)

Special thanks to Rev Ricky Barnes of Lasker Baptist Church in NC.. who helped immensely with the preparation over dinner in Roanoke Rapids last night.

I have to admit, I felt like we were a bit scattered (my fault on that one as we attempted too much), and when half the class left at 10:45 (after starting at 1015) it definitely didn't help.. but C'est la vie.. It is interesting to think of how we allow ourselves to get so busy that we miss out on things which are right in front of our face.. Be careful with that.. it is a mistake I have made many times. Personally, I think we should do a few things really great rather than everything mediocre to poor. Did you devote some time specifically to someone else this week? other than your kids, your family, or your "circle"? I'm talking about making a list of folks you care about, and actually calling them once in awhile, or visiting, etc.. The efforts is up to you to be a Witness. Don't assume or just email. Make and Take the time. choice is yours.. as it is in so many things these days.

Welcome to Tim and Jenny.. We definitely hope you will come back again soon.

Attached to this email is a bunch of stuff.. I would recommend reading it.. in particular because I think you need to read all of Acts 4 to relate to the events we talked about today. We need the first part to set up the "response to persecution map" we talked about.

First church on the Web commentary on Acts: Ron Beckham

MOVIE RECOMMENDATION for the WEEK: "CONTACT"
--likely to stimulate good conversation and more questions than answers, good entertainment that can provide a foundation for a "faith-based" discussion. Lots of persecution, and a faith based finale for sure...

BTW.. our class social/trip coordinators Tracee and Vickie will bring us a report on options for some Spring FUN next week. Don't miss it.

Love to you all.
jeff

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

Acts 4 (The Message)

Nothing to Hide

1 -4While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up, indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus. They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening. But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!

5 -7The next day a meeting was called in Jerusalem. The rulers, religious leaders, religion scholars, Annas the Chief Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander—everybody who was anybody was there. They stood Peter and John in the middle of the room and grilled them: "Who put you in charge here? What business do you have doing this?"

8 -12With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: "Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I'll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.' Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one."

13 -14They couldn't take their eyes off them—Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright—so healed!—what could they say against that?

15 -17They sent them out of the room so they could work out a plan. They talked it over: "What can we do with these men? By now it's known all over town that a miracle has occurred, and that they are behind it. There is no way we can refute that. But so that it doesn't go any further, let's silence them with threats so they won't dare to use Jesus' name ever again with anyone."

18 -20They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John spoke right back, "Whether it's right in God's eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there's no question—we can't keep quiet about what we've seen and heard."

21 -22The religious leaders renewed their threats, but then released them. They couldn't come up with a charge that would stick, that would keep them in jail. The people wouldn't have stood for it—they were all praising God over what had happened. The man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old.

One Heart, One Mind

23 -26As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: "Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:

Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth's leaders push for position,
Potentates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!

27 -28"For in fact they did meet—Herod and Pontius Pilate with nations and peoples, even Israel itself!—met in this very city to plot against your holy Son Jesus, the One you made Messiah, to carry out the plans you long ago set in motion.

29 -30"And now they're at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus."

31While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence.

32 -33The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.

34 -35And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.

36 -37Joseph, called by the apostles "Barnabas" (which means "Son of Comfort"), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles.

Reach out and touch someone

2008-04-18T12:53:00.000-07:00

Who have you talked to from our class this week?

I chose to devote some time to just make a few phone calls instead of keeping my normal schedule and I was blessed.
I also have to say that I had a great time playing "Battlefield" on the Xbox360 with a class member last night as a result of simplying talking "outside of class". We learned that we had some things in common that we didn't know prior to talking. Who knew that we would enjoy running around a virtual battlefield shooting at one another and blowing stuff up. I can't make a "deep" theological connection on that one, but I know that I enjoyed spending time with a friend, and that my "playtime" was certainly more enjoyable with a friend than if alone on this occasion.

Alas, I won't be in class on Sunday morning as I will be singing for the worship services at River Road Presbyterian Church. I will miss you, but you are in the capable hands of Ken Woodruff, and the topic looks pretty interesting so I hope you will come prepared with open hearts and minds. Yes, that means reading the lesson, or at least the scripture before you get in the room on Sunday morning.. Shocker! I wrote a blog entry HERE this morning that may interest some of you, sort of in response to our discussion in class last week. If you have a minute, I'd love for you to share a comment in person or online.

Scripture for this week is a continuation in Acts chapter 2. You may want to start back and read all of Chapter 2 to help you remember the context for standing up, feeling empowered, and then acting.. Think about the connection to Acts 1:8 as well since it connects you to the "commission" and presents a framework for where as well as what.

Acts 2:37-47(THE MESSAGE)
37Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?"
38 -39Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."
40He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
41 -42That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43 -45Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met.
46 -47They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

I hope I see you soon. Reach out and touch someone!
jeff

Wait?

2008-03-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Tom and Leping this morning. It was great to have you all in our class. Everyone, please continue to keep Wayne in your prayers as he manages the loss of his grandfather.

As you have probably figured out by now, I will try to send out notes and references from our class and discussion when it seems appropriate, and if I can manage the time to get them "written down" before my Sunday afternoon crash. Funny, I used to make fun of my parents for napping on Sunday afternoon, but I can't seem to avoid it any more.

BTW, my homework from last week is available here on my blog Consistently Inconsistent. If any of you wrote a paragraph per our instruction/exercise, I'd like to hear about it.

Couple of business items.
1. I'd like for us to plan a weekend retreat for Late Spring or Summer as a class.. with kids. I am thinking that we would do a short trip maybe a retreat center, or a State/National park... We could camp or cabin it, and spend some time together outside of class. We may not get everyone, but we will do our best to schedule to accommodate as many as possible. An overnight would be preferable and we will be discussing a plan in coming weeks. Maybe we invite a special "facilitator" to take us on a tour and even integrate a family learning and fun time into our schedule. More to come on this...I am open to your ideas/suggestions. There is so much that we can do within driving distance of Richmond, it shouldn't be too hard.
2. I'd like to begin a rotation of teachers as soon as possible. We have a ton of talent in this group and we will all benefit from the diversity of style and approach to the lessons. Upcoming lessons are listed below... look for a telephone call from me and be thinking about how you might like to participate. Team teachers are welcome, and this isn't a long term committment unless you choose for it to be. We all have something to share, and this is a chance for you to "witness" in a safe, secure environment. Remember, we learn from each other and all of us have something to share. We must choose to do so.

An Unforgettable Church
April 6 -- Unfinished Business Acts 1:15-26
April 13 -- Unimaginable Power Acts 2:1-21
April 20 -- Unfeigned Devotion Acts 2:37-47
April 27 -- Uncompromising Witness Acts 4:23-31

Lesson today was on the Luke passage on the Upper Room and the beginning of Pentecost. My question was... What now?
Jesus' imperative to the apostles was to wait for the power, and then to go out to the world and share. "Witness"
Bert-- Christ's Presence is corporeal, visceral, innate and learned. Love is not an intellectual exercise...It must be experienced not just
discussed and simply studied.

Luke 24:36-53: (THE MESSAGE)
36 -41 While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you." They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, "Don't be upset, and don't let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this." As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. 41 -43He asked, "Do you have any food here?" They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes.
44Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled." 45 -49He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high."
50 -51He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them, and while blessing them, took his leave, being carried up to heaven.
52 -53And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.

Wonder, Worship Witness--- HOW..
What did Jesus do in the story?
What does he command us to do?

Why Wait?

-- From the online resources: Often when we feel we most need a fresh encounter with God's Spirit, we are made to wait. In a culture that demands immediate results, it's no wonder that we cry foul and get frustrated. What we fail to realize is that a season of suspense is anything but passive. It is instead preparatory.We often balk at God's inefficient policy on Spirit-sending and Spirit-leading. When we do, we run the risk of pulling our team out prematurely and missing a great blessing--a blessing that does not come easy, but always at the right time and in the right season.

Questions for Discussion
• How can Pentecost happen in such crowded lives and schedules? Who is even paying attention?
• How can we prepare ourselves for Pentecost while we await its arrival?
• When was your last Pentecost? Did you discover the significance of your wait?
• Are we to wait alone and figure it out by ourselves? How significant is friendship to the practice of waiting for Pentecost?

Matrix.. Oracle tells Neo that he will know when/if he is the one. The power is within us. Neo had to choose to embrace it.

Listen: God is speaking all around us, working all the time. Question is only whether we join him. It is our choice. We are not the drivers, we are the vessel. (August Rush)

GREAT COMMISSION: WITNESS imperative -- DO THIS!
Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. (Message)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

Explore how each of us can do this.. through our own lives, abilities and experiences.