Friday, August 30, 2013

Really, I Am...

I made good on a promise to one of our folks at CoJ, who was unable to fulfill his commitment to clean our ministry center for a couple months.  When I learned that, I told him that I would gladly take his next two turns.  So, yesterday before my Thursday night men's 5 Q Circle I went over early and began the process of cleaning.  (Didn't finish before, so I finished mopping floors afterward) 

I was busy working at cleaning the bathrooms when one of our 5 Q guys came in a bit early for our circle gathering and when I explained what I was doing he said, "you are doing what?"  I said, "I am taking my turn cleaning our ministry center."  And he was astounded.  You see the church he was part of paid someone to do the cleaning.  I am glad that we don't pay someone to do the cleaning and am glad that we have folks who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work.  While I was cleaning inside, a volunteer was mowing the lawn!

I think it was also astounding to my friend that the pastor was doing the cleaning.  Sorry it seems odd.  Because to me, it is not odd at all.  I don't consider myself any more important than anybody else that is part of our church family!  And really, I don't mind one bit rolling up my sleeves and working hard in physical ways!

Cleaning is not my gift nor is it a gift that others have.  It is necessary to clean and it is necessary that all of us do things like cleaning that are outside of our gift areas because those things need to be done.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Soon Time for 7th

That's right it is soon time for our 7th Neighborhood Pork Roast and Fun Fest September 29 at the Ministry Center 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.  All the food and activities are FREE.  The day will include free food, special music, big bounce, corn hole, face painting, yard games and time to relax and visit.   This is Community of Joy’s biggest outreach and is designed just to bless our neighbors and create positive feelings in our neighborhood.  Hope you can come!

If you are part of Community of Joy, please look for ways that you can help. This event takes ALL of us doing what we can and giving generously of our time to pull it off.  It is an event for our neighbors and friends not for us.  In coming weeks, we will have sign-up sheets out for help and food donations at the Ministry Center. 

Since we are the faith based Partners of Pinehurst Elementary School, we will also be inviting the students, staff, and families to join us again this year.  (We had great participation from them last year!) 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Excitement builds....

Excitement builds for the birthing of more 5 Q Circles at Community of Joy!

I think the Holy Spirit has nudged a second female leader to make 2 women and 2 men who are willing to give birth to 2 new groups.  Another person has come forward feeling a nudge to be part too!  Been praying to get a college student circle started and have a place to meet and a co-leader, just waiting on the Spirit to nudge a leader for this circle, then we will birth 3 new circles!  Have some college students that are excited about being in a circle of peers!

And if that isn't enough excitement... one of the new circle leader team wants to go door to door with informational brochures to introduce themselves to their neighbors and invite them to join this circle in the leader's home. Another of the new circle leaders told me yesterday of a prayer that they are already praying for a couple of co-workers that they think would join the circle and take a next step toward Jesus and this leader is eager to begin that part of the circle!

 I have two homes that folks would love to welcome a 5 Q circle in as soon as I get new leaders for them we will make that move too!

And there's more... yesterday, my daughter who is headed out of state for her senior year of college shared with me an email she sent to her VA Church pastor (who is new to that church) sharing the 5Q Circle model and suggesting she would lead a group that was targeted at reaching out to other college students in the area.  The pastor was elated and invited her to lunch when she gets back to VA!

WOW!  In the words of my new favorite song... "ARISE, church ARISE!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Many Hands DO Make Light Work...

Yesterday we had a clean up work day at Community of Joy.  We gathered at 9 and most were done by 1 but a few stayed around all day some leaving at 6 with a couple still there working a bit longer.  It was so nice to get so many things done yesterday.  The furnace room is cleaned out totally!  And the shed is cleaned out and organized, as are many of the cabinets, and storage areas.  Crock pot alley can once again be used because all the supplies that were sitting on the counters are now stored.  The nursery toys were all washed and disinfected.  Windows washed, window wells cleaned out and stones installed.  Shrubs trimmed, grass edged, weeds pulled.  The emergency light in the rear was replaced, a hole in the facia fixed.  The ramp rails were sturdied up with new cement at the base. Sticks in the yard picked up and hauled away.  And a baby changing station was added!

What an incredible day!  And even more incredible than all that got done was the fact that we had great help and eager workers who jumped right in and checked items off the list!  It is an awesome thing to see people set free with tasks accomplish those tasks!  THANKS to all who came out and gave their time and muscles!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

More Evidence the Holy Spirit is Empowering US....

It is uncanny to me to see how the Holy Spirit is working in our congregation at Community of Joy!  Six weeks ago as we launched a series on the book of Acts from the Bible, looking at the question - what were the characteristics of the first church that enabled it to experience such explosive growth and why aren't we experiencing the same growth?, we heard Jesus telling the first church to wait in Jerusalem until the gift of the Holy Spirit was given.  So, that first week, I encouraged our folks to wait on the gift of the Holy Spirit.  To pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit to guide us into a new future.  Too often we just lunge ahead in our own power and neglect the gift of the Holy Spirit that God give us.  So, we began to wait on the Holy Spirit and to pray for its guidance.

And as we waited and prayed, evidence of the coming of the Holy Spirit began to show up.  The very next week in worship, both worship gatherings in different ways experienced the Spirit's power.  And then the Spirit gave me a discipling model (I had been looking at models of other churches but the one I was given was one we had a couple of years of positive experience with!)  Last week, I shared the model and said we would take steps into that model in the coming weeks.  And this week, looking for 4 leaders to form new circles out of our one existing 5Q Circle, I already have 3 leaders confirmed and I didn't have to twist arms, or beg, they just stepped forward.  One person even had a Holy Spirit confirmation that they shared with me.   And one more evidence... all three of these new leaders are persons who shared last week in my sermon, the impact this 5Q Circle has had on them.  That is evidence you can't dispute!

I can hardly contain my excitement and the growing excitement I feel as we take steps toward Jesus and invite others to do the same!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Blessed by God so that we can bless...

At Community of Joy, we believe that we are blessed by God so that we can be a blessing to others.  For the past several years we have sought in a variety of ways to be a blessing to our local elementary School - Pinehurst Elementary.

Each fall we bless them with school supplies.  Here is this years blessing...

 
Currently we are taking a survey of interests or other ways that we might be able to bless them... like reading in the class room, conducting after school activities, being a teacher's helper, helping with school projects.   Other years we have done a clean up day there, supported their monthly good behavior incentives, held staff and teacher appreciations - soup lunch and cookie feast!, donated new underwear and sweat pants so that when a kid has an accident they can get changed and back in the learning environment quickly, ran the chess club, adopted families for Christmas, gifted each class with Christmas gifts for the class, blessed a needy family with food for the summer and an easter meal.   We have so appreciated the opportunity to share our blessings with this great school and the awesome teachers and staff who work so hard to educate our community's children!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Transformation Happens Best in Circles!

Wow!  I am in awe at what God is doing right now at Community of Joy!  There is incredible power and growth happening in our circles.  We are in the process of giving birth to a few more circles and making room for new people to join a circle to experience the power of transformation that comes in circles.

There is nothing more powerful than the people of God, gathered in a circle around the word of God, with the transforming presence of the Spirit of God!  It is one of the busiest times of year when folks are in vacation mode and our circle is bursting at the seams.  So, thanks to a gift God has given us in a new idea, we are birthing at least 3 more circles right now and more in the future.

It is amazing what happens when we resign from the role of trying to make something special happen and let the Holy Spirit guide our circle and the discussion.  Transforming things happen and we take a next step even closer to Jesus!

 
The great thing about these Circles is that everyone is welcome to come and to participate at whatever level they are comfortable doing so.  Yesterday, I was telling one of the ladies I walk with in the morning at the mall about the 5 Q Circles and what God is doing in them right now and she asked if she could come to experience one.  But she told me that she would NEVER speak at a Bible Study.  So she came last night and even spoke a couple of times!  And this morning she was talking about how powerful it was!
 
If you want to be part of a circle at Community of Joy... get in touch with me... God is moving in awesome ways right now as we roll out these new circles!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The Gamaliel Principle

At Community of Joy, we are embarking on a new direction... one that I have wanted to see us take but haven't fully known how to move that way or what process to do.  On Thursday of last week, I felt that I was given a gift by the Holy Spirit of a process to make disciples of Jesus or as I have been saying to help people take their next step toward Jesus.   The gift is that we have a couple of years experience with the cornerstone of this new process... 5Q Bible Study method that I have been developing and using successfully for the past several years.  Also on Thursday, I was given several other components to add to this 5Q method and thus is born the 5Q Circle at Community of Joy.  I am excited by the prospects and the transformation that is sure to happen.

There is something powerful that happens when we come as we are, just as we are... warts, flaws, misgivings, and all... and gather in a circle around the Bible and with the presence of the Holy Spirit.  Nothing is more powerful than the community of God gathered in a circle around the word of God with the presence of the Spirit of God!!   Transformation is sure to happen.

But you might ask, shouldn't these leaders have some formal training?  Great question and to be sure we will work at equipping them, but when I look at Acts 4:13 and read, "the members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures.  They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus."   It is amazing what happens in and through our lives - even our ordinary lives- when we spend time with Jesus and let the Holy Spirit empower us!

So, I am not worried one bit about who will lead these groups or what will happen, because I trust the Holy Spirit to be present and to guide and to convict each of us of our sin.  And I am confident that the Gamaliel principle is at work too... and that is "if what we are doing is of God, then it will be unstoppable!"  And besides if you try to stop it and it is of God, as Gamaliel said in Acts 5:39 "you may even find yourself fighting against God!"

So, I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us, empower us, and work in and through our lives to powerfully multiply the influence of Jesus in our community and world as we take our next step toward Jesus and help others take their next step toward Jesus too!

Monday, August 19, 2013

5Q Circle Testimonies....

As a part of yesterday's sermon, I asked 5 people to share in a couple sentences or a paragraph, what impact their participation in our Tuesday night 5Q Bible Study Circle has meant to them.

I want to share those testimonies here....

Gary Betters writes... "Participating in bible study has become a desire and needed part of my week rather than an obligation. Even days where I am worn and tired before going, I am always refreshed when I leave, feeling closer to God and to my church family."

Leslie Follebout writes..."It's hard to condense into a couple sentences something that is changing my life.  Being part of the Tuesday night group has given me the opportunity to connect with others in COJ in a very special way.  It is a great mixture of people and each one brings something different and important to the circle.  As my knowledge of the Bible grows, my relationship with the others does as well.  The evening starts and ends with a powerful prayer and I always go home with fresh insight to guide me through the week on how God wants me to live.  It’s exciting to have new people join the group and to watch as the circle grows and gets larger. I cannot think of a better way to spend my time on Tuesday nights and I miss it very much when I am not able to come."

Patrick Marvel writes...."I am grateful for the Tuesday night Bible study because it gives me an opportunity to dig into God's word.  It may start with 5 questions but it goes beyond.  We have different levels in our walks with God that are represented by a diverse group.  We each walk away with a greater understanding and also lots to think about.  My hunger for more knowledge of God's word goes beyond the walls of the ministry center and group and follows all the days after, thanks to my participation in the Tuesday night group."

Lauren Follebout writes..." Before I started going to Bible Study Tuesday nights were just a typical tuesday night. Tuesdays have now become my favorite night of the week because of Bible Study. I admit I am not as educated in the Bible as most but what I learn in one night is something that I can easily take in and remember. I am the youngest that attends and it would be great seeing others my age. Thanks to Bible Study I have made outstanding friendships and learned so much about the faith of others. I love being able to see these people twice a week and I encourage all to come out on tuesdays because I guarantee you will find it very rewarding."

Priscilla Timken writes..."As I drove past COJ today, I noticed the new message on the board.  It resonated with me.  It said..."we are a come as you are learning community....No Kidding!  Join us"
And I said to myself, that's it!  That is what Tuesday Night is for me....an evening where we all come together, just as we are, and together we are learning about God, His Son Our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit within.  Be it grace, love, suffering, faith, hope, promise, some message of God's presence is presented to us in scripture.  Then together we share thoughts and questions which help me understand scripture and God's presence in my life and grow in my relationship with Him.  I am learning.  No Kidding!

 
Sharing this time with other believers in a small group is a very special gift I feel fortunate to be receiving.  Sharing prayer in a small group is transforming.  I will say this, as I imagine Jesus walking the roads of the Middle East, teaching, talking, mingling with folks of all walks of life.....as I carry that image....my time together with other believers on Tuesday night is as close to living that image as I have ever experienced.  It is transforming.
 "


I hope this leaves you with a desire to take that next step toward Jesus through a 5 Q Circle at Community of Joy in the coming weeks!
 


An Excerpt from Sunday 8-18-13 Sermon - UNSTOPPABLE

Here is an excerpt from yesterday's sermon (the end) so that you (participants at Community of Joy) can see what we are up to and get on board....

It’s time for us to take a next step.  I am all about and want us here at CoJ to be all about helping people take their next step toward Jesus so that they can help someone else take their next step toward Jesus.

            The last commission that Jesus gave us is to MAKE DISCIPLES.  Yet we aren’t doing that very effectively.  One thing that is true about every church that is committed to making disciples, they are growing and growing and their impact and influence in the world for Jesus is powerful!
 
I have heightened my prayers for the guidance of the HS for me and for us.  And on Thursday morning, I feel like I was given a gift!  While I was doing my morning walk at the mall (it opens at 6:45 daily for walkers) I was praying and listening and I felt a HS nudge and in a matter of minutes I was given a complete process for us here at CoJ.

            I want to share that with you today.  For a couple of years now, we have been doing a Tuesday night Bible Study and I have been leading a community men’s Bible study using the 5 Q method that I have developed.  I have seen firsthand how participation in this process has transformed lives.  Made disciples of Jesus and impacted the lives of each participant in great ways.

I would love to see ALL of us at CoJ in a 5 Q Circle.  Here’s my plan (the gift I was given on Thursday from the HS)  We will begin this fall to take steps toward the goal of 100% participation in a 5Q Bible Study Circle…

This week, I will be asking the Tuesday group to consider who among them God is calling to lead a new group.  I would like to see the Tuesday group commission two pairs of co-leaders and become 3 groups.  By doing that we make room for some new folks in these 3 groups.

             I am suggesting that each Circle begin in the Gospel of Matthew using the 5 Q Method and in each circle gathering there would be time at the end to share personal prayer needs and pray together.  Confidentiality is a must!   Also a part of that prayer time, would be a time to pray for 2 or 3 unconnected local friends of each circle participant with the hopes that praying for them might open their eyes and hearts to the love of Jesus and even the circle.

            I would like each group to plan a group serving outreach a minimum of once a quarter in our community.  I would also like each group to include a fellowship component each week as well as plan quarterly circle and friends fellowship activities so that to the fellowship and serving activities, circle members can invite the friends- the very friends the group has been praying for.

              I will plan to meet with all leaders once a month to support and equip them in their roles.

            As circles grow, we will give birth to new circles by empowering a team of leaders from an existing circle to begin a new circle.  And each circle member will constantly be on the lookout for unconnected people that they can invite to join the circle.

            I feel strongly that the HS is nudging us to do this here at CoJ.  The TIME HAS COME to take a step! This process picks up all of the characteristics that we have explored in the first church that made it so impactful! (See ACTS) Those characteristics are….The presence of the HS which empowered them to be witnesses.  The centrality of Jesus.  The devotion to scripture and circling with others. Along with generosity and serving as well as outreach and witness.

These circles are easy to lead and welcoming of all people of varied ages and life experiences. You don’t have to have ANY bible knowledge to participate and there is no homework to do before or after the group in order to participate fully.

I know this is a bold request!  But I also know that these characteristics that we have explored in the early church are transferrable to us and can have the same impact on our life together and the community and world we live in.  Further, I am confident that the Gamiliel principle is at work here too.  IF this is of God, it won’t be stopped!

So, I am asking each of you to prayerfully consider taking that next step toward Christ – out of these rows and into a transformational circle.  Tuesday circle folks, I am asking you to prayerfully consider if God is calling you to take your next step toward Jesus by agreeing to become a co-leader of a new circle.  I am even asking some of you to consider opening your homes to such a circle.

Brothers and sisters, if we want to see God move in our lives and through our lives like he did in the early church, it’s time to take our next step. If we want to become a vibrant church that has an empowered witness and growing impact on our community and world for Jesus, it’s time to take our next step.

Continuing to do what we have done for the last 14 years  is not going to make us a vibrant church!  And be confident of this.  If what I am asking you to consider is not of God, then it won’t happen. But also know that if it is of God, and you willingly take the necessary steps toward Jesus, we too can become UNSTOPPABLE like the early church!

I want to conclude share this story… Author and pastor Neil Cole writes…”My brother and I were born less than a year apart, and when we were in middle school, we went on an African safari with our mom.  This was the kind of adventure that most young boys dream about.  Our first stop was a couple of days in a hotel on stilts, called Treetops, overlooking a water hole.  Wild animals would come from miles to drink at the water hole and tourists like us could observe them from above their natural habitat.

When we checked in, we were warned to keep our windows closed so that these curious tree top dwellers didn’t steal our possessions while we were asleep.  One morning, Neil says, I was on the top platform and saw a gray baboon reach into a woman’s purse and steal her camera.  He was close enough for me to touch him so I was foolish enough to grab his tail in the hopes he would drop the camera.  But he spun around in an instant and opened his mouth wide and showed all his teeth and let out a chilling scream… I froze in fear and immediately let go of his tail and off he ran with the camera.

            From treetops, they then traveled to a game reserve.  The tour guide had heard of Neil’s baboon encounter and decided to play a joke on him. He told him that the rhesus monkey were friendly toward tourists.  So, Neil found one and tried to approach it but is shrieked at him and he stepped back… the monkey picked up on Neil’s fear and aggressively came at him… chasing him around and all of a sudden hundreds of monkeys fell out of the tree tops and joined the chase.  

Later that night, Neil’s mom and brother went to dinner at the lodge but he stayed behind saying he wasn’t hungry.  Before they returned he got hungry and decided to go by himself from their hut to the lodge.  It was dark and normally they saw zebras and other animals grazing in the yard illuminated by the night lights of the lodge.  But not this night.  In fact Neil says he could see all the people in the lodge standing near the window intently watching him… some were motioning him to hurry to them and others motioning him to go back to the hut.  Neil had no clue what was up but he sped up and when safely inside the lodge, was told that a leopard was seen in the grass stalking him.

During that adventure, Neil says, he saw, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, elephants, wildebeest and tons of monkeys.  He had ridden in a land rover and chased rhinos.  It was quite the adventure… one he will never forget.  But the whole time Neil was having these adventures, his brother was sitting around reading a novel about adventures in Africa. 

Sisters and Brothers, There are two kinds of people in life – those who live the adventure and those who read about others adventures!

It is time for us to stop reading about the adventures of the early church and time for us to take that next step toward Jesus in our new adventure.  Time to confidently trust that the HS will empower us to be witnesses.  Time to move out of rows and into circles so that we can grow in our relationship with Jesus and each other and our unconnected friends.  

It is time for us to become an unstoppable force for Jesus in our community and world!  Who is ready to take that next step toward Jesus? A new bible study circle is coming to a place near you!  Will you open your life to its power?  Will you heed the nudging of the HS and commit your life to a 5 Q circle, so that you can grow as a disciple of Jesus who has a contagious faith and increases the impact of Jesus’ love here in our community as we receive his love and give his love and repeat again and again?

Will you take your next step toward Jesus today?   I believe the HS is calling each of you to get into a transformative circle.  Won’t you make that commitment today?   I believe the HS is calling some of you to step into leadership roles in a group.  Won’t you take that step today?   I believe the HS is calling some of you to open your home to a transformative circle.  Wont you take that next step today.

If the HS is nudging you.  Make a commitment in your heart to take action today!  And if you don’t feel a nudge, actively seek the HS this week opening your heart and life to his direction.  Sisters and brothers, where ever you find yourself in your journey toward Jesus, it is time for you to take your next step toward him… are you willing to do so today?

(let me also be clear that the newly forming Women’s Bible Study group can be a Circle and will have all the characteristics of a 5 Q Circle except it won’t use the 5 Q method but will use The Story as its curriculum)

Friday, August 16, 2013

An Article I wrote....

Here is a link to an article I wrote for a Church of the Brethren publication that just came out.  I was asked to write from the perspective of a gun owner and Christ follower.

http://www.brethren.org/basinandtowel/documents/view-on-gun-ownership.pdf

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Love it when....

I had a monthly meeting yesterday morning at my parents house with the area wide Church of the Brethren Pastors.  Usually I lead this group but this time one of the other colleagues is leading!  We are reading and discussing Scot McKnight's book The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited"    It was a great discussion.   And always ends with lunch.

Since I was going to be down that way yesterday, I decided to use the afternoon to do some work in the deer woods and Mom also asked me if I would help my dad trim some Christmas trees.  I have a wedding to officiate this weekend so I had comp time so, I enjoyed a great afternoon.

Recently I have been reflecting, praying, reading Scriptures about the role of the Holy Spirit and yesterday, I had two things gel for me that I can say without a doubt were the Holy Spirit.  I just love it when the Holy Spirit answers prayers that you have been praying and praying and praying in a way that makes it abundantly evident what is happening!  That happened twice for me yesterday. 

And the interesting thing is, that in a previous prayer time, I had been reconsidering something that I had already laid to rest because I didn't feel it was feasible.  In reconsidering, perhaps I was trying to take control of something that I was praying about rather than trust God to work it out.  I began to feel that maybe my original answer was wrong and I reconsidering the option was a way to answer this prayer I had been praying.  But yesterday, the Holy Spirit made it abundantly clear to me that what I was doing was trying to work this out in a way I felt I cold.  So, I am confidently trusting God on this one and have laid that particular decision to rest and continue to seek God's direction and provision in this realm!   I love it when the Holy Spirit gives a clear direction and there is no mistaking it!  Now, I just pray and watch....

The other thing I had confirmed yesterday involves the church - Community of Joy and it was really cool how all that came about too!  I will be praying about it and sharing it with the church in coming days as well as inviting them to prayerfully consider this answer to prayer.   As we have been praying at a corporate level to be filled by the Holy Spirit and empowered to be witnesses for Jesus.  I just love it when the Holy Spirit answers our prayers...

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

The church is NOT the building...

The church is NOT the building!  The church is the people of God on mission together for Jesus in the world.  In fact at Community of Joy, we call our building - the Ministry Center.  We do so, because we want it to be used for various types of ministries in the community and are happy to share what God has blessed us with with others!

At Community of Joy, we want to help you take your next step toward Jesus so that you can help someone else take their next step toward Jesus!   And if the building can be used to help that happen for folks - great!   We are busy planning one of our annual events that we host to deepen our connections with our neighbors.  On September 29, we will host our 7th annual Neighborhood Pork Roast and Fun Fest for our neighbors and the families at Pinehurst Elementary School.  It is always a fun day and one we look forward to each year.  Everything is free to our friends and neighbors.  We started it 7 years ago to do something positive for our community.  As a way to bless others...

We hope you can join us on September 29 @ 12:30 for this years event!  And PLEASE feel free to invite your friends to join you and us!  See you soon!

Monday, August 12, 2013

I Stand AMAZED In the Presence of the HOLY SPIRIT!

Wow!  I can't begin to describe what happened yesterday at Community of Joy in both worship gatherings in different ways!  We have been praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives and it is happening!  New ideas are being birthed.  New folks are coming.  New life is pumping.  New love is taking hold.   As I sit here contemplating what is going on, I am filled to the brim with gratefulness! 

We have been singing this song.... A New Hallelujah at our 10:30 gathering and it is fast becoming one of two theme songs for this season of ministry at Community of Joy!

Can you hear there's a new song?
Breaking out from the children of freedom
Every race and every nation
Sing it out, sing a new Hallelujah, yeah

Let us sing love to the nations
Bringing hope of the grace that has freed us
Make ...
Him known and make Him famous
Sing it out, sing a new Hallelujah, yeah

Arise, arise, let the church arise
Let love reach to the other side
Alive, come alive, let the song arise
 
I can hear a new song rising... and I can see love reaching for the other side!   Arise.  Let the Church arise!
 
Can't wait to see what happens next!
 

Sunday, August 11, 2013

My Prayer and Our Song This Morning...

Love this song and it so captures the spirit of my sermon series at Community of Joy as we have been looking at the book of Acts in the Bible and the explosive growth of the early church right after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension.

Thanks to the Rend Collective for this awesome song... Build Your Kingdom Here....

 
Come set Your rule and reign
In our hearts again
Increase in us we pray
Unveil why we're made
Come set our hearts ablaze with hope
Like wildfire in our very souls
Holy Spirit come invade us now
We are Your Church
We need Your power
In us

 We seek Your kingdom first
We hunger and we thirst
Refuse to waste our lives
For You're our joy and prize
To see the captive hearts released
The hurt; the sick; the poor at peace
We lay down our lives for Heaven's cause
We are Your church
We pray revive
This Earth

 Build Your kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show Your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set Your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build Your kingdom here
We pray

 Unleash Your kingdom's power
Reaching the near and far
No force of hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts
You made us for much more than this
Awake the kingdom seed in us
Fill us with the strength and love of Christ
We are Your church
We are the hope
On Earth

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Third Annual Art in Nature Photo Contest Entries

For the third year in a row (which makes the total time this has been in existence), I am entering some photos in the Ward Museum Art in Nature Photo Show this weekend. (if you go to the site linked... you will see a couple of my photos on the wall in the pic - they are the two with really bright blue near the front of the pic- one is the photo I use on my blog header!)  The first year I took third place in the Plants category.  I doubt I will win anything, but it is fun to enter.  And they have great workshops and key note speakers too!

Some folks have asked what I was entering this year, so here are the ones I have chosen....








 
Unfortunately they will all be in the same category.  But that's okay.  It is fun to take the pics and fun to be part of this great event.  It is open to the public to view and participate in all of the events associated.  Check it out Friday - Sunday!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Excited and Hard to Believe ...

It is really hard for me to believe that this December 17, Sharon and I have been married 25 years.  That's right... 25 years!  WOW... seems like yesterday we walked down the isle together at the Manassas Church of the Brethren in VA. 

Sharon has always wanted to go to New England for the foliage in the Fall.  So, since our anniversary date is not a good time to do that, we will be celebrating early with a trip to Manchester, VT and will be staying at the Ira Allen House in October.  I am excited to help her check this item off her bucket list and to celebrate with the love of my life in this place!   It came highly recommended by a friend!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Blessing the Community....

At Community of Joy, we believe that we are blessed by God so that we can bless others.  I like to live by that same belief.  So, one Friday night Sharon and Caroline and I were downtown Salisbury for the Third Friday Event ( a great event - every 3rd Friday downtown Salisbury!) and as I was looking at the artist booths, I walked by this one concerning a New Vision for a mural downtown to replace one that is there but in bad shape.  After reading more and seeing that it was in need of funding or else it wouldn't happen... I decided to make a small contribution.  And I am DELIGHTED to say that it got full funding and will be happening downtown on the Rt. 50 side of the City Center building.   Now, my gift was very small, but it was an effort to partner with the community to see something awesome happen downtown.  Excited to see it soon become reality!

The artist, James Thatcher, is the same person who did the original artwork that this new mural is replacing.  I think that fact is really cool too!

Here is what it will look like...


Thursday, August 1, 2013

Love this APP!

I never wanted a smart phone.  But when one was given to me by a friend who wanted to trade for a dumb phone and everyone else in my family had a smart phone, I took it.  I must confess, I have enjoyed having one! 

There are lots of apps that I have loaded onto my phone and many of them I enjoy having but none as much as the one I downloaded a couple weeks ago!  This app is free and is available for both droid and iphone formats.  It is called Soul Revolution.  It is a 60 day experiment to help us get closer to God.  The app lets you set the time parameters but basically it sets off an alert every hour that includes a tone, and a scripture passage and some focus questions for either reflection or action or focus points for prayer.  I love this app!  It has been so wonderful to have the hourly reminder that I am a beloved child of God and to encourage a deeper prayer life!

Hope you, who have smart phones, will check it out!