Does anyone have a list of movies or music they recommend for listening/viewing during Easter week?
Vivaldi? Handel? Veggie Tales?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Our START>
One of the ideas behind the InsideOut blog is to project stories of living a missional life to others in the community. With the beginning of our new Home Group study START> Becoming a Good Samaritan, we would like to hear more from people who are now challenged at the end of every chapter to come up with ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Our home group decided to begin this Thursday, Maundy Thursday, the day when Jesus sat down with his friends to share both a meal and a future for all mankind. We are beginning our study on a day marked by companionship and service and prayer.
It's a START> Hopefully, a good one.
Our home group decided to begin this Thursday, Maundy Thursday, the day when Jesus sat down with his friends to share both a meal and a future for all mankind. We are beginning our study on a day marked by companionship and service and prayer.
It's a START> Hopefully, a good one.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Buy Someone a Meal, Receive So Much More
The following blog post, provided to us by Sara Stoops, needs no introduction. Just read it...I've added clarifications in parenthesis.
One of the discussion questions in session one of our new study (Start Becoming a Good Samaritan) stuck in my head - #4 p. 16. Jim Wallis - "It's the places where you're not supposed to be that you'll learn the most, and the people you were never supposed to meet that you really encounter Jesus in a new way." I kept thinking - I go to work, church, stores friends houses, etc - but when am I ever where I'm not supposed to be.
Last Tuesday, I was shopping for rain boots at a place I never go. On my way out of the store I heard a voice call out "Buy me a bowl of soup in here". In the time it took me to walk to my car , the voice echoed once more to someone else and I was at an angle that I could see the scene better. In front of a little restaurant sat a homeless man asking for food. It was the Holy Spirit that moved my hand to shut the car door and move my body toward him to say - let's get you some food. Once inside I realized why would I buy him soup when he needed a meal. Standing in line he introduced himself and offered a handshake. I ordered the food at the counter, and then realized that I couldn't leave him in a restaurant by himself. So we found a table and started to chat over our Pepsi.
He was a lovely man, and in the hour we sat there we talked about things like rock 'n roll, football, Jesus, his family, my family, growing up in Nome, drinking, hopes for the future and how he'd take his leftovers to share with his homeless friends. I was very moved when he asked if his Pepsi was refillable because if it wasn't he'd drink water since he honored his mother and would not steal, even a drink. When he was finished we hugged and offered each other God's blessing. Back in my car I saw him cross the street with his to-go box in hand, and I could still smell the alcohol. It was such a small act, but perhaps a START >.
I hesitate to say that it was life-changing, but it was very eye-opening and special. I've thought about him many times since and prayed for him.
One of the discussion questions in session one of our new study (Start Becoming a Good Samaritan) stuck in my head - #4 p. 16. Jim Wallis - "It's the places where you're not supposed to be that you'll learn the most, and the people you were never supposed to meet that you really encounter Jesus in a new way." I kept thinking - I go to work, church, stores friends houses, etc - but when am I ever where I'm not supposed to be.
Last Tuesday, I was shopping for rain boots at a place I never go. On my way out of the store I heard a voice call out "Buy me a bowl of soup in here". In the time it took me to walk to my car , the voice echoed once more to someone else and I was at an angle that I could see the scene better. In front of a little restaurant sat a homeless man asking for food. It was the Holy Spirit that moved my hand to shut the car door and move my body toward him to say - let's get you some food. Once inside I realized why would I buy him soup when he needed a meal. Standing in line he introduced himself and offered a handshake. I ordered the food at the counter, and then realized that I couldn't leave him in a restaurant by himself. So we found a table and started to chat over our Pepsi.
He was a lovely man, and in the hour we sat there we talked about things like rock 'n roll, football, Jesus, his family, my family, growing up in Nome, drinking, hopes for the future and how he'd take his leftovers to share with his homeless friends. I was very moved when he asked if his Pepsi was refillable because if it wasn't he'd drink water since he honored his mother and would not steal, even a drink. When he was finished we hugged and offered each other God's blessing. Back in my car I saw him cross the street with his to-go box in hand, and I could still smell the alcohol. It was such a small act, but perhaps a START >.
I hesitate to say that it was life-changing, but it was very eye-opening and special. I've thought about him many times since and prayed for him.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Can you Let Go?
Palm Sunday is this week; the day when Jesus came riding into town on a donkey knowing full well what was ahead of him. The kids of Trinity are going to do some special songs and wave their palm fronds in the air in celebration of the event.
This means Lent is almost over and Easter Sunday is nearly here. I took a long look today at the Lenten promise I made some 30 days ago and what it means today. I promised to lay things down. Let them go. Die unto myself. But that's hard.
I'm a grudge-holder. It is sometimes a difficult and sad way to live, and I am sure I am not alone. When I look at events going on in the world and close to home, there seems to be an epidemic of grudge-holding.
Forgiveness without dwelling is one of the hardest Lenten promises I have ever made, even more difficult than giving up chocolate. I don't mean forgetting about something, I mean consciously, prayerfully letting go of my own selfish sense of holding on just for the sake of replaying a particular incident or word or action over and over and over again in my mind. Someone once asked me why I acted in this way. I replied "Because I can't let things go." She responded back with "You mean you won't." Ouch.
What things do you need to lay down before God this Palm Sunday? I look forward to being able to rejoice in the glory of Easter and truly be thankful for every thing Jesus did for me in a way that is more beautiful than ever before.
All because I let some things go.
This means Lent is almost over and Easter Sunday is nearly here. I took a long look today at the Lenten promise I made some 30 days ago and what it means today. I promised to lay things down. Let them go. Die unto myself. But that's hard.
I'm a grudge-holder. It is sometimes a difficult and sad way to live, and I am sure I am not alone. When I look at events going on in the world and close to home, there seems to be an epidemic of grudge-holding.
Forgiveness without dwelling is one of the hardest Lenten promises I have ever made, even more difficult than giving up chocolate. I don't mean forgetting about something, I mean consciously, prayerfully letting go of my own selfish sense of holding on just for the sake of replaying a particular incident or word or action over and over and over again in my mind. Someone once asked me why I acted in this way. I replied "Because I can't let things go." She responded back with "You mean you won't." Ouch.
What things do you need to lay down before God this Palm Sunday? I look forward to being able to rejoice in the glory of Easter and truly be thankful for every thing Jesus did for me in a way that is more beautiful than ever before.
All because I let some things go.
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