Question For Discussion

Why is it that we need reminded of what Jesus did for us and that God loves us?

*****
Jen

A MIRACLE

This is my Uncle Don and Aunt Donna. This is a picture I took today. I want to thank all of you for your prayers and thank God for his mercy. My Uncle Don is now in rehab at Golden Years and going to get to go home soon. This is a miracle that we have all witnessed and had a part of, so I wanted to share it. Thank you!

Thank you!

I think there are many times in our lives that we do things, or get things done, without any thanks from our family or friends. Sometimes, that is what is best-we did something that should be kept quiet, out of public view, only in view of God. We will get our praise for works well done in heaven and that is good enough. Being the center of praise or attention here is not why we did it.

Then, there are other times. The blog by Jennifer, entitled "The Hand of the Lord," really got me thinking. God moves in mysterious ways SOMETIMES, and sometimes it is right out in the open, exactly where and when we need it. Now that I have set it up, I'll tell you what I am getting at.

On my way to Fort Hill on Sunday, my car busted the alternator belt about a third of the way there. It was so hot and so far out in the middle of no where, and I don't have a cell phone....I decided I would pray (Nick & I both did) and leave it to God to get us there. AND let Him figure out how to get us home afterward. Well, we did get there, just fine and safe. After registering Nick, Kristin came by with a load of kids and asked how I was doing. I told her about the belt and she said she would ask every male she saw if they could help. Faster than I could get Nick's bags out of the car, Rich Book and Jack Jennings were walking toward me....sometimes God is pretty speedy. They didn't have to help me. I could have left the car, gotten a ride home with Judy, and Eric and I came back for it later in the week. Those two wonderful men stood out in the hundred degree sun and fixed the belt. I thanked them and I went home without any problems with the car.

My point: sometimes "thank you's" need to be public. So, I want to publicly thank Jack and Rich for being where, when and especially WHO God wanted them to be. I feels wonderful to be appreciated.

A bright future

There is a quote that has circulated among many of us since the last Leadership Retreat, "You have to get smaller to get bigger." The quote encapsulates the notion that congregational leadership has to discover ways to involve its members in smaller, intimate group gatherings rather than continue to function solely as one homogenous unit. The outreach of the congregation is carried out by way of these smaller, integrated units. A key objective is to see that all members are "members" of at least one smaller group effort. Unless this "discovery" is made, the congregation will stagnate at a particular population. What is the nature of these small groups and how exactly might they function? The possibilities are limitless. As it is with most things, what works well for one congregation does not work at all for another.

Looking forward to this year's Leadership Retreat, I firmly believe that this is our challenge. How do we break down the work of the Sunshine Church into smaller, intimate work groups? I think its fair to say that the leaders of Sunshine are struggling to adapt to such a model. We are small town people. We grew up apart of a small church, we attended small schools, and we most often deal with small businesses. We are familiar with life in a small town, most of us can get around in the big town, but it is not our natural habitat (Shall we all join hands a sing together a couple verses from John Mellenkamp's "Small Town"?).

Generally, we are down on big cities, big churches, and big businesses. Not to exaggerate the point here, but I feel that its important for us to acknowledge that small is more than preference for us, it is a value. We are suspicious even resentful of one who would come in offering a better idea or method. Simultaneously, we will acknowledge that we have much to learn and stand in need of guidance. Consequently, we are basically sincere when we say we want to grow, yet, at a deeper level, we are resistant to the changes such growth entails. I am confident making this observation because I see it most clearly in myself. I am not adept at working in larger scales.

I have been deeply involved in the work of Sunshine, both before and after my college stints. Yet during the college years, I never involved myself in the work of the large congregations that I attended. It was not a conscious choice on my part. Looking back, I can see that I felt like a fish out of water. I had no skills for finding a role within the context of the large congregations. I did not know how to do what I did at Sunshine in this new environment. I also can now admit I harbored a subtle negative attitude about these congregations. The attitude stemmed from my blaming my lack of connectedness on the large congregation rather than on my stubborn rigidity. I was a small town guy with limited abilities to cope with life in the big congregation.

I recognize these things now because I am no longer stuck in the pattern of thinking that characterized me in those days. I can now think a bit more creatively about how I might serve and how church might look. What we are getting at here is a paradigm shift. We are reaching for a new pattern of thinking about congregational life, ministries, and evangelism. None of us have the answers. Let's begin by admitting that fact!

This is good stuff. We are flirting with growth, deeper relationships, salvation of friends and family, the very power of God at work in us. This is why time moves forward. God's kingdom is still breaking into our world, even Minford. Can we catch this higher vision? A vision that captivates our imagination and commands the best of our energy. Surely, we want all that God would give us? I do! I know others who do!

I offer these thoughts in hope of stimulating a discussion. A discussion about Sunshine's present and future. Ultimately, I hope to generate enthusiasm as we build up to this year's retreat. Please join in this discussion. We need each other as we need our Lord.

P.S. Patrick Mead has written about changes of thinking within his own congregation -> here

The Hand Of The Lord

I was doing some reading about experiences some of my friends have had where God was clearly taking control of the situation and protecting and guiding them. I thought it would be great to share a couple of them with you all and ask you to share one or more stories of your own where God had clearly moved in your life. My friends' names are Liz and Lee and their words will be in bold. Please add your stories in the comment section so we can all learn of God's hand through your experiences!

Thanks!

Jennifer


"I was driving to what I considered a mission experience, while living in PA. It had been storming, and the roads were slick and treacherous. I had a fever, and should have been in bed, but I really felt that God wanted me to make this appointment with one who had fallen far away from God. I asked God to be with me before I left, and believe me, more times as I drove. At one point, I approached a busy intersection, and when I gently applied the brakes for the traffic ahead, I realized I was on black ice, and had no control of my car. All I could say was, "Jesus, guide this car!" over and over again. I was weak from the fever, but as I pleaded to God, I physically felt what I beleive to be angels take hold of that steering wheel, and guide me safely out of the flow of traffic, and to safety on the side of the road. I cried like a baby, but I was also crying because I knew what had just happened. When I got to my appointment, I shared what had happened, and while I may never know in this lifetime what affect it had on the lady I was seeing, I know the affect it had on me. I haven't thought of that in years. I remember telling some people about it, but there were some that just blew it off as though it was just a coincidence. I know better."-----Liz


"I came very close tonight to what could have been total panic and disastrous worry when I was in the drugstore paying for my order. I went to get my debit card & it wasn’t in my wallet….or my purse…or my pockets etc. I was not upset, because I had cleaned out my purse last night and I thought it had maybe not made it back in and had slipped off my dresser. So I wrote a check and left the store. I was simply going to go home and look on my dresser first. When I got to my car, I had a strange sensation to look into my checkbook and find the last receipt that I had used the card on. It is unusual, but I found it and then this voice inside told me to just drive to the diner where I had taken the grandkids for lunch on Sunday. It is on the other side of town, but I went anyway. I wasn’t the least bit upset…just curious as to why I was heading in the opposite direction from home. I went into the diner and asked a waitress if they had seen my debit card that may have been left on Sunday. She went into the office and came back with one. Then she asked to see ID and also the receipt from Sunday. I ALWAYS clean out my receipts right away and put them safely away, but I had this one STILL in my checkbook. …I never do that!!! Everything matched and she returned my debit card to me. Not once did I panic or was even upset. I was being led the WHOLE way & I felt the hand of Jesus even open the diner door with me… I have had similar encounters when I’ve felt the hand of Jesus lead me and even save my girls & I from a near fatal car accident, but never this exact and never step by step or so precisely. I just sat in my car & started to cry at the thought of God being so close that I could feel him. Lessons learned about checking carefully for my credit card, but more importantly, lessons learned about listening to the voice of God and following. Praise His Name…He is REAL, He is HERE and He LOVES and protects us. AMEN!"------Lee

Recommended posts

A strong series of posts are being published by Bill Gnade at Contratimes. He is addressing the complex issues surrounding the stance(s) taken by the Episcopal Church. At the heart of the series, thus far, is the issue of homosexuality and the ordination of Gene Robinson as a bishop. On a side note, the most recent General Convention of the Episcopal Church was hosted by the Southern Ohio Diocese (Columbus).

The relevance of the issues, with which Bill is wrestling, are far broader than Episcopal Church's stance on homosexuality. Please take time to read and see if you agree.


Theses On The Door: Statements Regarding The Episcopal Church Of The United States, Part 1

Theses On The Door: The Episcopal Church Of The United States, Part II

Theses On The Door: The Episcopal Church Of The United States, Part III

Here's an earlier post reacting to the recent General Convention:

Moral Imperialism: The Episcopal Church Of The United States

STING!!

The title is for you, Scott....hahaha!

Last night went well (generally speaking) as we ate supper together at Dick's pizza and then went to watch the Pirate movie at the Wheelersburg cinema. Although, 2 of the people in our group didn't get their pizza until after all of the rest of us were finished eating. It's really uncomfortable eating in front of your friends. So, I kindly started offering everyone else's pizza to them....hahahaha!

The movie was not as good as the first Pirates of the Carribean, in my opinion. I felt like they were trying to almost out-do themselves but failed at doing so. There were many great scenes and some good lines spoken in the movie, but it was pretty bloody and down right disgusting. I felt like they were trying to "gore" people to death in the theater instead of "wow" people with good content. It is like they used all of the good stuff they had for a movie in the first one and therefore ran out of anything of substance for the next one. Several of us in the group were complaining about how we were just ready for the movie to end. It was such a long movie! Then, one of us actually made the statement (after the movie) "Doesn't anyone die on this movie?". You'll just have to see the movie to know what I'm talking about.----That is, now that I've talked you all into wanting to see it.....hahaha!

The highlight of the evening for me was when we were at Dick's pizza. Jamie and Kendall came to eat supper with us before going home while the rest of us went to the movie. Kendall was playing with Scott after we were finished eating by pretending she was a bee and stinging him. She never really touched him at first but would simply hold her arm straight out "power ranger style" and yell "STING!!" and then giggle at him. We couldn't figure out what she was doing or why she felt the need to sting Scott so we asked her what she was suppose to be. She said "A PRINCESS!" Needless to say, we didn't see the correlation between "STING!!" and "PRINCESS!" so we just laughed and went with it. At one point, Kendall had become a little concerned that Scott was going to get her so she quickly ran to her daddy's arms and was launched up high in the air to daddy's height and held closely to him. Once she was safe in her father's arms, she held her tiny little arm out toward Scott, fist clinched, and yelled "GET HIM!!!!". Her daddy charged forward with her tightly in his arms so she could "attack" her "enemy". She was not scared and, in fact, became bolder while in her father's arms.

Well, this brought about a great blog post that I have been anxiously wanting to put on here for others to read. I couldn't help but see Jamie and Kendall's playing with Scott as being like the spiritual battles we face. If only we could believe that we are riding along in our Father's arms, we would become bolder and fear would disappear!

December Concert!!

David Phelps singing in Florida on July 4th 2006.



There is a Christian Rock Concert in Ashland, Kentucky on December 11th. It will be at the Paramount Arts Center and Tim and I are going!! My absolute favorite singer (in any genre) will be the artist performing and I would love to get a big group to go with us! Let me just say this: YOU WILL BE BLOWN AWAY BY THE POWER OF THIS GUY'S VOICE AND LUNGS!!!!

So, who's coming with us? We need to buy the tickets very soon!

Plans have been made now...

Friday, we are going to meet at Dick's pizza in sciotoville/wheelersburg at 6:30pm. We are going to watch the late showing of the pirate movie at the Wheelersburg cinema after we finish eating and visiting. I still don't have a time for the movie to start but we'll know by the time Friday gets here and we're eating supper at Dick's pizza.

So, bring money for expensive pizza and the movie and plan to have a great time of fellowship!

Jennifer

Pirate Movie Night Reminder!!!!

Friday is the night we go to the movies and watch the second Pirates of the Carribean Movie! Are you coming?!

Tim and I thought we could all go to the late showing (whatever time that ends up being). This way, we can all get some supper and eat together! Or if you would rather, we can go to the early showing (whenever that is) and then get some ice cream afterwards or something.

Let me know as soon as possible what you want to do!!!!!


Any suggestions as to which theater we go to?

Any suggestions as to where we eat supper?

Also, if you find out what times the movie is showing, let us all know by posting it on here please!

Jennifer :D ;)

These are the great days

Yesterday, we spent the 4th of July at my parents. In the morning, Aurie and Alyssa were very eager to get going to Mamaw and Papaw's. They were going to be swimming with their cousins and less significant family members. As we were driving along, Aurie was telling me the names of those who had yet to physically see her jump off the diving board with her floatie. Alyssa, too, was rattling off her most recent pool accomplishments. They were excited.

It occurred to me that these are the great days of their lives. The time before stress. They are not worried about work, bills, schedules, school, etc. For them, it's all about having as much fun as possible. I can faintly remember the great days of my own life. It seems so distant now.

It felt good simply thinking about the day through the eyes of my girls. I remembered a pointed question Landon Saunders would often ask, "Are you any fun to be around?" The question is very provocative considering he asked it in the context of church people looking for answers as to why so many of their children were leaving the church.

I want to be fun to be around, not just for my kids, but for the adults too. So how do I get more fun to be around? Again, a quip from Landon is helpful, "Get over yourself!"

We, adults, have way too many issues. A few are unavoidable, but far too many are completely avoidable. If we could substitute a pound of entitlement for a pound of appreciation our lives could change. That ought to come easy to those who have been redeemed by the Lord.

I am making a commitment to resist the sense entitlement and live out of appreciation.

Now for some fun, check out these vintage CofC tracts -> here.

Choices

These days, I think a lot about the progression of life. Maybe it’s because I will turn 30 later this year, or maybe it’s because my life has changed significantly in the last few years. Whatever the case, I’m increasingly aware of the significance of seemingly insignificant choices. For example, within the last few years most of us have known someone who has fallen away from faith, gone through a divorce, committed suicide, been arrested, etc. Each of these scenarios probably began with a seemingly insignificant decision as to whether to take a particular class in college, meet a pretty female co-worker for lunch, try a certain drug, or go to the bar with friends.

When I think about all of the struggles I have in my walk with Christ – the greatest of which is not being able to get completely off of “the fence.” It seems that no matter how hard I try, one leg is always dangling just a little bit on the world’s side; and sometimes, only one leg is keeping me in faith. This can make things really difficult. In fact, I have felt the battle raging within me so fiercely that I have wondered whether or not I’ll be able to hold faith until the end. And I realize that the intensity of this and other struggles is directly related to a seemingly insignificant choice I made nearly 17 years ago – who my friends were going to be. Those of you who know me fairly well or have a similar experience will understand the problem of having your closest friends outside of Christ – and all of the problems with my Christian witness and faith that have followed. This is a decision I regret frequently.

Fortunately, God has been very merciful to me and has increased my faith and understanding in spite of my sinfulness and struggles. I continue to be amazed at just how much little, insignificant decisions affect our lives. Something as ordinary as choosing to visit relatives out of state set a chain of events in action that ultimately led to the suicide of someone I once knew. Incredible. What’s even more incredible is that by really believing in Jesus Christ and deciding to obey his gospel, we are forever setting a chain of events that will ultimately lead us to eternal happiness and joy. For all of my poor decisions and activities, I know that when I hear “well done good and faithful servant” it will only be because I recognized my need for Jesus and accepted his gift: a not-so-insignificant decision.

10,000 and counting

We crossed over ten thousand visits. It happened last week sometime. Maybe it's not that big of a deal, unworthy of great fanfare and hoopla, but it's a milestone nonetheless.

Thanks to everyone that participates here. Please accept the encouragement to do so all the more.