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Staff Blogs
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Messages from Brad
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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 29 November 2005 |
As I was driving my car lately, I heard an advertisement that sent my
thoughts spinning. It was an ad for an advertising agency. Part of its
tag line contained the words “we change minds”! This line was the one
thing that stuck out for
me, as it contained within that statement a depth of realization that I
have become numbed to. This realization was that I am directly shaped
by the world and that there are those within the world that are
intentional about accomplishing that. I cannot
stop myself from being impacted by the world I come into contact with.
The part of this experience that hit me the hardest was that I am a
participant of the “world” that is impacting me and others. In a sense,
I am a miniature “advertisement agency” that seeks to impact others in
the world by what I say, do, support, vote for (thru my time, money,
attention), and generally either feed or starve. How is it that I have
supported or encouraged those things in the world that directly
influence
me and others either negatively or positively? For example, if I value
having good neighbors, am I critiquing my own actions to ensure that I
am being a good neighbor? If I know that certain food is not healthy
for me or my family, do I yet pull thru the drive-thru and vote for it
with my money? Do I believe that kids should develop into
model lovers of God and others, and yet I criticize them and make sure
they know what they’re doing wrong (advertisement tag line “do as I say
and not as I do”)?
The amazing reality of how God created us is that we impact every
person and situation we come into contact with. I am advertising to
every person!!! It’s not just the logos of what you and I wear. It is
the greeting we give to our spouse, advertising either “I love and
cherish you” or “glad you’re still breathing and can fix me some
dinner.”
It’s the touches we give to others, advertising either “you are cared
for and accepted” or “I may catch something if I touch you.” It’s the
attention we give our coworkers, advertising either “we are equal in
God’s sight and mine” or “you’re not the boss, so why should I worry
about you?” If a person would spend the day with you or me, what would
he say we have advertised? We are all in the mind changing
business. Allow God to post His message to the world on us. |
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Messages from Dan
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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 29 November 2005 |
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I write this I have to admit that I am literally having to force myself to think about
Christmas being five weeks away. I shop as little as possible and have
not had to deal with Christmas displays in stores much, so Christmas
still seems a long time away. But alas, it is not.
You know one thing that blesses me so much is that whether Christmas is
a long way off or just around the corner, it in no way affects how near
or far away God is from us. The only time God is actually far away from
us is when we have removed Him from our lives and our minds. God is
actually no farther away then, it just seems like that to us because of
choices/decisions we have made.
God actually desires for us to be close to Him, to have the kind of
relationship with Him that we speak to Him constantly and pray
continually (I Thes. 5:17). We learn quickly in the Bible the kind of
relationship God wants with His creation when we read, Then the man and
his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as He was walking in the
garden (Genesis 3:8).
God doesn’t want us to be distant from Him; instead, He wants us to be
deeply dependent upon Him and to love Him with all our heart.
I mentioned on Sunday, November 13, that God has laid out before me
what He wants from us as a church. He wants us to spend our time,
energy and focus on prayer. He wants us to know Him not just know about
Him. I understand how that can seem both mind-boggling and a little
intimidating. How do I pray so God will know me better? Would God still
love me if He really knew me? God may want a relationship with others
but I am sure not with me. I do understand how these thoughts can come
to the surface when you think of the Almighty Creator of the Universe
wanting a relationship with you (me). Please, I am not saying He needs
the relationship with us (as if God would need anything from our
hands), I am
saying though, He wants one. Second, I am saying that we need a relationship with Him.
Soon (by year’s end) there will be a room dedicated to be used only for
prayer. Currently that room is known as the Archive Room. All its
activities will be moved to other locations.
Then, we as a church (Center/The Living Well) will do an all adult
class study on the Lord’s Prayer entitled Reaching The Ear of God. The
preaching will follow the chapters in the book during the first
quarter. So our focus will be upon having a deeper more intimate
relationship with the One who formed and made us – God our Heavenly
Father – through our Savior, Jesus Christ!
The year 2006 will be for us “The Year of Prayer.” So we can begin moving in that direction! |
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Messages from Dan
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Written by Dan
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Wednesday, 31 August 2005 |
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, hello and blessings!
I bent down to pick her up, she was obviously hurt badly. In fact I saw
only the slightest movement as she lay there on the hot blacktop. I
might not normally even notice, but as I stepped down and onto the
parking lot my eyes were drawn to her. Helpless — nearly- lifeless — a
strange sense of compassion sent me to her cupping my hands and lifting
her with the gentlest of effort. She didn’t look like she’d make it,
but I couldn’t let her lay there only to be run over by a car or
stepped on by an inadvertent passerby. I found myself concerned about
the imposing death of this monarch butterfly.
Now it may seem a little overdone to tell the story as I have but I
simply am relating to you how the event unfolded to me. I took her out
behind the shelter house and ever so gently placed her on the grass.
She made no motions at all, and the antenna movement I had seen just a
few moments earlier had stopped altogether. She was so “insignificant”
that her weight did not even cause the grass to bow. I sat down on the
corner of the picnic table where I sometimes go to clear my mind and
pray and watched her for a few minutes. An important reality came to me
in my pondering. God even knew about the death of this smallest part of
His creation. He knew about what caused her death, more than I knew and
I was the one looking at her just a few short feet away. Yet, I had
cared for the little one that didn’t seem to matter. Because He cares
for the “least,” we are called to do the same. There is a connection
with this event — one that came to me out of the clear blue — and one
coming up that we can actually plan for.
You know, there is a day coming up in September that we can actually
have an impact on the community with the same kind of caring and
compassion God gave me in that moment. Only, it would be His children
that we would be caring for. The mission committee is joining with the
United Way and on September 17th becoming involved with making an
impact on our community. Join with me that day in being Making a
Difference “M.A.D!” The Center community is coming together to make a
difference for Christ, and yet doing so within the framework already in
place here in Indianapolis (see related information about the United
Way Day of Caring on page 10). There are three open places to be filled
for that day. There is also an opportunity to work on the HIM House the
same day or to serve a meal to the homeless (see related article on
page 2). Who knows how and in what ways we will be able to show
compassion on others? Let’s show those who might feel insignificant
that they are important to us because they are important to Jesus
Christ! Let’s show the community that we care—not with our money
but also with our time and talents! |
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Messages from Brad
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Written by Brad
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Wednesday, 31 August 2005 |
It’s so funny to realize that, we have the same conversation with one
another about this time of year. “I can’t believe summer is almost over
and the kids are going
back to school!” Did you ever realize that we say this every year? And
so, too, I say the same thing this year! With this new school year
arriving and the start up of
Sunday School, we also look forward to the Connection taking its place
once again on Wednesday nights. For those of you not familiar with this
ministry, the Connection
was begun last year for the purpose of providing Biblical training and the opportunity
for mid-week fellowship. This education and fellowship is designed for
every member of the family to take part. This year, the Connection is
offering the course Financial Peace University, a 13-week course on
eliminating debt and building wealth. This is a course that has helped
many individuals and families learn tools and principles to help them
get out of debt and take control of their finances. Terry and Suzi
Tolliver are going to be facilitating this DVD supplemented course.
Also this year Disciple 1 is going to be taught. Jump at this
opportunity to read 80% of the Bible in 27 weeks and understand what
you are reading! Dan Rasmussen will be leading this course that has had
rave reviews in the
past. The Power of Prayer group will again be meeting during the
Connection. Take advantage of better understanding what prayer is and
having designated time at the Connection to pray and be prayed for;
Donna Mullen will be leading this group of prayer warriors. This kids
will once again be enrolled in Faithweaver, which is a Group Publishing
curriculum that blends fun activities with faith education. Kids will
have time for crafts, music, a snack, activities, and lessons. Together
with our caring nursery staff, your kids will be sure to be cared for
in their faith development. The Jr./Sr. High youth groups will be open
for teenagers to come together and grow deeper in faith and community.
And don’t forget, the whole evening begins with a home cooked, hot
meal. Whether coming for the meal alone or for the “whole enchilada,”
this ministry is bound to be a
blessing in your life. As I reflect on the experience of last year’s
Connection, I am excited to see what God will do with this ministry in
the next eight months. |
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Deliver Snacks with Tear Down the Walls Ministry |
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How You Can Help
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 05 May 2005 |
HOMELESS INITIATIVE—Outreach opportunity—on several occasions we
have partnered with Tear Down the Walls Ministry. They are asking for volunteers
to help in their Saturday evening’s outreach for delivering snacks, clothing
and Bibles. An experienced outreach volunteer will also be present during
this activity. If you are interested, please contact Glenda Hoffman at 840-6406
for further details. |
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