There are lots of people out there who call themselves Christians and say some pretty scary things. I typically tend to avoid the people on TV because I don't want to start to study someone's teachings and then find out that they've missed an important point of theology and then have to go back and evaluate everything else that I've heard from them. I read an article that was linked to KLOVE's website today, though, about a sermon by a famous preacher that I think deserves a second look.
Rick Warren is the pastor at Saddleback Church in California, a huge megachurch that just celebrated its 30th anniversary. He recently preached a sermon challenging everyone in his congregation - all 20,000 of them - to put their money where their mouths are, so to speak - or to find another church home. He's looked at the eight characteristics of the first original church as described in Acts and has set goals for his church based on these.
Warren says that in the original church there was no audience, but that everyone served and ministered in some way. He says that we are all there to support each other and that everyone has a calling, a talent, a gift, and a job to do. The Great Commission is for everyone - and over the next ten years, he's planning for everyone to be serving. He's even planning to send parishioners out to every country in the world. We're talking about radical, word-for-word obedience here.
I think that what he says makes sense. But don't take my word for it. Read the article for yourself and see what you think.
Do you have a gift or a talent that He's asked you to share??
Sharing our stories of home, hearth, and health as we build our nest in the rocks
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Road Trip, Anyone??
Lysa TerKeurst is speaking in Apex on August 13-14! I am SOOO excited! This is a Friday night/Saturday morning conference. I realize that this is really far into the future, but ticket prices do go up a bit mid-summer, and I want to get this locked in on my calendar now. Anybody else want to go??
Tickets are $25 if we reserve our spots now. You can check it out here.
Tickets are $25 if we reserve our spots now. You can check it out here.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
SoBo Faith Fest 2010
Faith Fest is coming to South Boston again! On Saturday, May 29th, from 12 noon until 9 PM a free Christian music festival will be taking place on in the Halifax County football stadium. Included in the day's activities are a car show, petting zoo, clowns, climbing walls, puppet shows, crafts, and concessions. Oh, and did I mention that the headlining band of the evening is Rush of Fools, best known for their song 'Undo?' (Three other Christian bands will also play. You can see which ones here.)
So, I thought that since our little group never did get together last summer, nor did we manage a winter thing this year, that maybe this festival would make for a fun day for all of us. Entrance and all children's activities are free, and it's not too far away. I realize, however, that it is a 'busy' weekend. We're planning to go; is anybody else in??
Oh, PS - KLOVE is one of the sponsors of this event. :-)
So, I thought that since our little group never did get together last summer, nor did we manage a winter thing this year, that maybe this festival would make for a fun day for all of us. Entrance and all children's activities are free, and it's not too far away. I realize, however, that it is a 'busy' weekend. We're planning to go; is anybody else in??
Oh, PS - KLOVE is one of the sponsors of this event. :-)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Mother's Day Giveaway
Jill at Titus24U is giving away one copy of "Letters from LeAnne - The Beauty of a Spiritual Mother-Daughter Relationship" on her blog today. You can post anonymously. Hop on over there for a chance to win!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Spiritual Gifts
Today on Wendy's blog, while digging for nuggets in the long lists of Levite names, several people drew out some really cool information. Rhonda pointed out that, once again, the names have meaning - they translate to what sounds like song titles. Brandee pointed us all to an online spiritual gifts test where you can answer questions to find out where your strengths are. Obviously for the men in today's reading it was related to music; maybe they were good exhortation, teaching, or administration.
What are your strengths??
What are your strengths??
Thursday, April 29, 2010
A Day of Excitement
Today was a day chock full of excitement. Some more easily shared than others, I'm sure, but still ....
One event in particular has my daughter still talking.
Sure, the kids are excited about painting Luke's bedroom walls and picking out plants for our new garden, but ... it doesn't compare. This is making them really THINK.
We went to the mall today to look for a bed tent for Luke's new big boy bed, but we were barely out of the car when we saw a few men take off running through the parking lot. It scared me, and I started eyeing the distance to the mall entrance, when one started yelling and asking for a phone. I looked over - they were just in the next aisle - when I saw legs peeking out past a gold car. Finally understanding, I called 911 as I listened to the men look down at the fallen woman and speculate as to what happened. Slowly others began to gather around, and eventually a nurse turned up with a towel and began putting pressure on the gash on the woman's head. Throughout all the drama I continued relaying the conversation of the people helping the woman to the 911 operator and trying to answer his questions. By the time the fire and rescue truck and then later an ambulance made it to us, a small crowd had gathered to frantically flag down the paramedics.
A woman from the crowd helped the paramedics find and secure her personal belongings, and it turns out that her name was Rose. She rgained consciousness as they transferred her to the ambulance, and I think she'll be okay - not that I have any great medical knowledge to draw upon. She did lose a lot of blood, though, and my kids were quite scared. Could you please pray for Rose and her family?
One event in particular has my daughter still talking.
Sure, the kids are excited about painting Luke's bedroom walls and picking out plants for our new garden, but ... it doesn't compare. This is making them really THINK.
We went to the mall today to look for a bed tent for Luke's new big boy bed, but we were barely out of the car when we saw a few men take off running through the parking lot. It scared me, and I started eyeing the distance to the mall entrance, when one started yelling and asking for a phone. I looked over - they were just in the next aisle - when I saw legs peeking out past a gold car. Finally understanding, I called 911 as I listened to the men look down at the fallen woman and speculate as to what happened. Slowly others began to gather around, and eventually a nurse turned up with a towel and began putting pressure on the gash on the woman's head. Throughout all the drama I continued relaying the conversation of the people helping the woman to the 911 operator and trying to answer his questions. By the time the fire and rescue truck and then later an ambulance made it to us, a small crowd had gathered to frantically flag down the paramedics.
A woman from the crowd helped the paramedics find and secure her personal belongings, and it turns out that her name was Rose. She rgained consciousness as they transferred her to the ambulance, and I think she'll be okay - not that I have any great medical knowledge to draw upon. She did lose a lot of blood, though, and my kids were quite scared. Could you please pray for Rose and her family?
Most Worthy of Praise
The psalms in today's reading were WONDERFUL! So open and honest and yet full of praise - even though David was full of pain himself. That's the hardest time for me to praise, yet that's exactly when we most need to praise. Wendy says that praise confuses the enemy, so we should not forget to praise even in the hardest of circumstances.
I've told a few of you about Baby Gabriel, who has neuroblastoma and has been undergoing testing to determine a course of action. His family received FABULOUS news yesterday, and Wendy talks about it in today's post. I can't share it with the same exuberance that she did, so please hop on over there and check it out.
Don't just stop the video after Gabriel's update, though. Wendy then shares about what "earnestly seeking" God means. Do you do that? Do I? Not always, I'm sorry to say. I think that her teaching today is especially applicable to my life. It has the research, the information of the era, but more importantly - it's all wrapped up in a neat little bow and handed to me to do. I need that honesty and pointedness sometimes.
Check it out. Maybe you need to hear this, too.
I've told a few of you about Baby Gabriel, who has neuroblastoma and has been undergoing testing to determine a course of action. His family received FABULOUS news yesterday, and Wendy talks about it in today's post. I can't share it with the same exuberance that she did, so please hop on over there and check it out.
Don't just stop the video after Gabriel's update, though. Wendy then shares about what "earnestly seeking" God means. Do you do that? Do I? Not always, I'm sorry to say. I think that her teaching today is especially applicable to my life. It has the research, the information of the era, but more importantly - it's all wrapped up in a neat little bow and handed to me to do. I need that honesty and pointedness sometimes.
Check it out. Maybe you need to hear this, too.
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