Led by Bill Gambrell
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
The Art of Neighboring
I love the name of the seminar, The Art of Neighboring, that I was not able to attend last Sunday. I really wanted to go, but it was not going to happen that day. I have recently felt a renewed conviction to reach out to our neighbors to share Jesus Christ with them. We live in a small culdesac of 6 houses so it is pretty much impossible to hide. In our cudesac, we have one Hindu family, one new Jewish family and possibly 4 Christian families including ourselves. I have been somewhat intimidated to share my faith with the diversity of our neighborhood, but have tried my best over the years to let them know that we are believers in Jesus Christ. They have been respectful we have been a happy culdesac.
Yesterday, I invited my Jewish neighbor to go on a walk and prayed for an opportunity to ask her what her story is. She jumped right in with both feet to tell me her personal beliefs. She was very forthcoming as she shared her desire to "live a good life like God wants us to". She told me that Jewish people are awaiting the Messiah's return when everyone will live happily. She told me that Jewish people don't really believe in heaven or hell and that people who die before his return are in limbo somewhere. She seemed to think that Judaism and Christianity are basically the same which I agreed there are many similarities with one huge difference, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit gave me the words to tell her that I could not be "good" enough but God loved me so much that He gave His son Jesus who did live a perfect life. He died to take my place so that I can have a relationship with him. She told me that sounded great! We continued our conversation and I told her I was thinking about starting a Women's Bible Study in our culdesac. She thinks it would be a great idea to have a study and all the religions represented in our culdesac could have their view point! They are after all the same. This was the point when I would have loved for a Pastor to join me and take over the conversation or even freeze the conversation to give me time to research how to respond.
You can see we have a ways to go. I'm still praying about if to start, where to start, what to study, etc. I do know that God has put me in my culdesac to love my neighbors and tell them that Jesus Christ loves them too. Maybe it's one at a time. Then there's the time issue as I do not see a spare moment in my schedule to lead a Bible Study. God did part the Red Sea for the Israelites, this can't be as hard as that! We shall see.
"equip me with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in me what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever." Hebrews 13:21
Yesterday, I invited my Jewish neighbor to go on a walk and prayed for an opportunity to ask her what her story is. She jumped right in with both feet to tell me her personal beliefs. She was very forthcoming as she shared her desire to "live a good life like God wants us to". She told me that Jewish people are awaiting the Messiah's return when everyone will live happily. She told me that Jewish people don't really believe in heaven or hell and that people who die before his return are in limbo somewhere. She seemed to think that Judaism and Christianity are basically the same which I agreed there are many similarities with one huge difference, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit gave me the words to tell her that I could not be "good" enough but God loved me so much that He gave His son Jesus who did live a perfect life. He died to take my place so that I can have a relationship with him. She told me that sounded great! We continued our conversation and I told her I was thinking about starting a Women's Bible Study in our culdesac. She thinks it would be a great idea to have a study and all the religions represented in our culdesac could have their view point! They are after all the same. This was the point when I would have loved for a Pastor to join me and take over the conversation or even freeze the conversation to give me time to research how to respond.
You can see we have a ways to go. I'm still praying about if to start, where to start, what to study, etc. I do know that God has put me in my culdesac to love my neighbors and tell them that Jesus Christ loves them too. Maybe it's one at a time. Then there's the time issue as I do not see a spare moment in my schedule to lead a Bible Study. God did part the Red Sea for the Israelites, this can't be as hard as that! We shall see.
"equip me with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in me what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever." Hebrews 13:21
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Class Serving Opportunity
Outreach has a great serving opportunity for our class this summer! We could choose a Wednesday evening and then go have dinner somewhere near the church after packing the lunches. Look at your calendars to discuss this coming Sunday.
We will assemble, pack and pray over lunches to go to the children in our Summer lunch neighborhood. Children welcome with parents. Registration is limited to 16 people so everyone will be utilized.
Dates to serve:
Monday Mornings - 9-10:30 a.m.
June 3,10,17,24
July 1,8,15,22,29
August 5
Wednesday Evenings - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 5,12,19,26
July 10,17,24,31
Summer Lunch Assembly
Dates to serve:
Monday Mornings - 9-10:30 a.m.
June 3,10,17,24
July 1,8,15,22,29
August 5
Wednesday Evenings - 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 5,12,19,26
July 10,17,24,31
Friday, May 3, 2013
Wear's Valley Ranch
Last weekend 17 members of our class traveled to Wear's Valley Ranch for a weekend mission trip. It was stacking up to be a miserably wet weekend and the weather man turned out to be completely correct in his forecast. We prayed for clear skies but God decided against it. Instead, He decided we should give thanks in everything and soldier on despite the dreary conditions.
We were charged with digging a trench, washing vans and constructing a chicken coop and that's what we would do. Since I was assigned to be the blogger for the trip, I went around to each group during the day and found very wet, yet smiling happy people. Where did this joy come from? My son was particularly joyous as he was covered head to toe in mud, but he's a ten year old boy. But the other men who normally work in climate controlled offices sitting behind a desk in a comfy chair, were also happy to be doing something that would benefit the ranch. I could see that they were doing their jobs as unto the Lord.
Our trip also gave us the chance to get to know each other better while doing our jobs, a rare treat! We all were focused on a common goal of finishing our tasks and didn't have cell phone service to distract us! I also personally love the example our class sets for my children as they see adults giving of their time and talents as well as the opportunity to work themselves.
The weather brought our cook out indoors but we still had the chance to visit with the kids, the house parents and ranch employees. I am always inspired with the dedication of the staff and houseparents especially as they are ministering to precious children in the most practical ways. I spoke to a young couple who are house parents for 7 boys. They were making sure that they didn't eat too much dessert, teaching them to clear their plates, etc. The Bible tells us the value God places on children and God is equipping this couple with every good thing to do His will. These images keep coming back into my mind as I reflect on the trip. They are refreshing, beautiful images of what the body of Christ looks like.
Again, we went to Wear's Valley Ranch thinking that we would be doing something for God, but we were the ones who were blessed. I can't wait until our next trip and think we should consider another month of the year to go!
http://jfglobal.squarespace.com
We were charged with digging a trench, washing vans and constructing a chicken coop and that's what we would do. Since I was assigned to be the blogger for the trip, I went around to each group during the day and found very wet, yet smiling happy people. Where did this joy come from? My son was particularly joyous as he was covered head to toe in mud, but he's a ten year old boy. But the other men who normally work in climate controlled offices sitting behind a desk in a comfy chair, were also happy to be doing something that would benefit the ranch. I could see that they were doing their jobs as unto the Lord.
Our trip also gave us the chance to get to know each other better while doing our jobs, a rare treat! We all were focused on a common goal of finishing our tasks and didn't have cell phone service to distract us! I also personally love the example our class sets for my children as they see adults giving of their time and talents as well as the opportunity to work themselves.
The weather brought our cook out indoors but we still had the chance to visit with the kids, the house parents and ranch employees. I am always inspired with the dedication of the staff and houseparents especially as they are ministering to precious children in the most practical ways. I spoke to a young couple who are house parents for 7 boys. They were making sure that they didn't eat too much dessert, teaching them to clear their plates, etc. The Bible tells us the value God places on children and God is equipping this couple with every good thing to do His will. These images keep coming back into my mind as I reflect on the trip. They are refreshing, beautiful images of what the body of Christ looks like.
Again, we went to Wear's Valley Ranch thinking that we would be doing something for God, but we were the ones who were blessed. I can't wait until our next trip and think we should consider another month of the year to go!
http://jfglobal.squarespace.com
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