Accountability: Perspective, Opportunity, Action

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

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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)

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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.

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches.

The Line

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.

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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:

1. Need some "action" for a Christmas event/party.
2. 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.
3. "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.
4. 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.
5. 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 ________________

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"

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

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?

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

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