I'll be in orlando with kim this week-- yee haw-- at a renewal & training event for pastors... keep me in your prayers as i seek to grow as a leader in Christ's Church
Great to worship with you today. The musicians did a wonderful job giving us a big strong voice on congregational singing and Sid's baptism was a sweet reminder of the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.
See you Friday night at Peacemaker Conference... Lord willing. I'll be in touch on Thursday.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Sunday January 29 schedule
9am classes for all ages
Richard Horner begins his study in (got your Darth Vadar voice?) ... Luke.
10am
and wow! what a difference to have you there at 9:59... yeh Christ Community...
we'll worship our Great God with singing, prayer, the baptism of Sid Gaitonde!... and preaching, looking at the topic "The Gospel & Your Personal Relationships"
**There will be children's church for age 5 thru grade 2, taught by Nathan Taylor and someone else whose name i can't read**
also, you can sign up for p'maker conference at Oak Hall Sunday
(Wow, i just realized what a great day for Star Wars geeks, 1.) LUKE and 2.) Sid's full name is SidDARTH! )
Richard Horner begins his study in (got your Darth Vadar voice?) ... Luke.
10am
and wow! what a difference to have you there at 9:59... yeh Christ Community...
we'll worship our Great God with singing, prayer, the baptism of Sid Gaitonde!... and preaching, looking at the topic "The Gospel & Your Personal Relationships"
**There will be children's church for age 5 thru grade 2, taught by Nathan Taylor and someone else whose name i can't read**
also, you can sign up for p'maker conference at Oak Hall Sunday
(Wow, i just realized what a great day for Star Wars geeks, 1.) LUKE and 2.) Sid's full name is SidDARTH! )
How will Gainesville be reached with the gospel? Healthy churches
Lesslie Newbigin (1909-1998), who after serving as a missionary in India for many years returned to Britain, only to find that he needed to be a missionary there as well. Newbigin was convinced that the most effective way a secular, pluralistic culture can be reached with the gospel is through the local congregation. "The only hermenuetic of the gospel,” he wrote, “is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it." He means that the local church, like the one you are a part of, should be "interpreting" the gospel and its significance for the world. Newbigin mentions six practical things this might mean for the church: (For a fuller explanation, see Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel In A Pluralist Society [Eerdmans, 1989], 227-233)
1. The church is a community of praise. In a culture that worships sex, money and power, we praise the true Lord.
2. The church is a community of truth. We are constantly bombarded by ideas and slogans and stories that are deeply contradictory of the Christian gospel. Our community should continuously be reminding ourselves about the true story of God and the world, being careful not to believe the wrong story about either.
3. The church is a community for others. In the words of William Temple, the church is the only organization that exists for those who are not members of it. Our neighbors and surrounding community should see us as a people who exist for their good, their peace, and their blessing, so that even if they disagree with us they are deeply thankful for our presence.
4. The church is a community of priests. We should come together every Sunday in order to release one another into the secular business of the world, equipping one another to be "priests" of the Kingdom in our places of school and work.
5. The church is a community of mutual responsibility. We should not just be promoting change, but we should actually be a new social order, in which sex, money and power are used in ways that are deeply counter-cultural and simultaneously used for the sake of blessing to others rather than self-satisfaction.
6. The church is a community of Hope. Our community is very odd, seeing that our hope is not in capitalism, not in the free market, not in a strong military, not in personal success and achievement, but rather our hope is in a crucified man. This should have a dramatic impact on the way we live in the world.
Let me challenge you: help your Christ Community become one like this.
1. The church is a community of praise. In a culture that worships sex, money and power, we praise the true Lord.
2. The church is a community of truth. We are constantly bombarded by ideas and slogans and stories that are deeply contradictory of the Christian gospel. Our community should continuously be reminding ourselves about the true story of God and the world, being careful not to believe the wrong story about either.
3. The church is a community for others. In the words of William Temple, the church is the only organization that exists for those who are not members of it. Our neighbors and surrounding community should see us as a people who exist for their good, their peace, and their blessing, so that even if they disagree with us they are deeply thankful for our presence.
4. The church is a community of priests. We should come together every Sunday in order to release one another into the secular business of the world, equipping one another to be "priests" of the Kingdom in our places of school and work.
5. The church is a community of mutual responsibility. We should not just be promoting change, but we should actually be a new social order, in which sex, money and power are used in ways that are deeply counter-cultural and simultaneously used for the sake of blessing to others rather than self-satisfaction.
6. The church is a community of Hope. Our community is very odd, seeing that our hope is not in capitalism, not in the free market, not in a strong military, not in personal success and achievement, but rather our hope is in a crucified man. This should have a dramatic impact on the way we live in the world.
Let me challenge you: help your Christ Community become one like this.
how clear
Sunday we'll be looking at "The Gospel & Personal Relationships"... so i've been looking at several passages and many of them remind me of the CS Lewis quote about the Christian teaching on sex being frustratingly clear--married monogamy or celibacy--if memory serves me.
equally clear are some of the bible's teachings on r'ships:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
ESV Bible Online: Passage: matthew 18
equally clear are some of the bible's teachings on r'ships:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
ESV Bible Online: Passage: matthew 18
Thursday, January 26, 2006
How God Hears
God stands to you in the close, the endeared relation of a Father by adopting grace, and it were a dishonor done to His name, and an ignoring of His Fatherhood, to approach Him in prayer in any other relation and character than this. Oh, feel that, when you pour out your sinful heart, your sorrowful heart, your broken heart before Him, you are pouring it all into a Father's ear, a Father's bosom.
continued
continued
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Mass Murder in Slow Motion
this is from Al Mohler:
Here at home, most American Christians are busy taking care of their families, working in their churches, fulfilling their vocations, and attempting to pay some attention to domestic and international developments. A tragedy like the genocide in Darfur can all too easily escape our attention or fall between the cracks of our active consciousness.
Nicholas Kristof's courageous and clear-headed reports from Darfur should awaken the Christian conscience to the evil of genocide and the necessity of doing something more than watching as millions are massacred. Merely knowing about the crisis does not solve the crisis--but it is a necessary first step. Read the entire article here
Here at home, most American Christians are busy taking care of their families, working in their churches, fulfilling their vocations, and attempting to pay some attention to domestic and international developments. A tragedy like the genocide in Darfur can all too easily escape our attention or fall between the cracks of our active consciousness.
Nicholas Kristof's courageous and clear-headed reports from Darfur should awaken the Christian conscience to the evil of genocide and the necessity of doing something more than watching as millions are massacred. Merely knowing about the crisis does not solve the crisis--but it is a necessary first step. Read the entire article here
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
consecration thru the week
at Christ Community... it is our practice to confess our sins, receive comfort from God's promises and then consecrate ourselves to him...What is consecration? basically it is saying, "God I'm yours. Use me to heal people not harm them."
a great example is found in a recent song called Yahweh
I think Yahweh is great and I use it all time in conversation w/ my kids
and
Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don't make a fist
a great example is found in a recent song called Yahweh
I think Yahweh is great and I use it all time in conversation w/ my kids
Take this mouth, so quick to criticize,
Take this mouth, give it a kiss
Take this mouth, give it a kiss
and
Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don't make a fist
Sid's Baptism and Book of Acts
Sunday we will baptize Siddarth Gaitonde...later this week i hope to go thru the book of acts and show where the nations were streaming into the family of God
let us not miss this great opportunity to exalt our God and exult in His relentless pursuit of His people
let us not miss this great opportunity to exalt our God and exult in His relentless pursuit of His people
Tales Of Persia: Missionary Stories From Islamic Iran: Books: William McElwee Miller,Bruce Van Patter
great little children's book
and for those of you trying to cultivate the faith of a child
Amazon.com: Tales Of Persia: Missionary Stories From Islamic Iran: Books: William McElwee Miller,Bruce Van Patter:
and for those of you trying to cultivate the faith of a child
Amazon.com: Tales Of Persia: Missionary Stories From Islamic Iran: Books: William McElwee Miller,Bruce Van Patter:
Thinking Biblically & interacting with movies
audio stuff about movies:
Meaning and the Movies: What the 5 Academy Award Nominees for Best Picture Tell Us About Ourselves
given by Drew Trotter, director of Christian Study Center in C'ville VA
* given at University of Pennsylvania, 2005
and
Brian Godawa interiew part one
part deux
2 articles by john frame of reformed seminary in orlando:
Moving Pictures: Theologizing at the Movies
Introduction to the art and science of theological moview reviews
Webpage PDF
and
questions to ask films
Meaning and the Movies: What the 5 Academy Award Nominees for Best Picture Tell Us About Ourselves
given by Drew Trotter, director of Christian Study Center in C'ville VA
* given at University of Pennsylvania, 2005
and
Brian Godawa interiew part one
part deux
2 articles by john frame of reformed seminary in orlando:
Moving Pictures: Theologizing at the Movies
Introduction to the art and science of theological moview reviews
Webpage PDF
and
questions to ask films
Monday, January 23, 2006
The peace of circumstances or the peace of God?
"Were the sky always without a cloud and the ocean without a ripple the
believer would not know so well the God with Whom he has to do; for alas, we
know how prone the heart is to mistake the peace of circumstances for the
peace of God. When everything is going smoothly and pleasantly—property
safe, our business prosperous, our children carrying on agreeably, our
residence comfortable, our health excellent—everything in short, just to our
mind (liking), how apt we are to mistake the peace which reposes upon
circumstances for that peace which flows from the realized presence of
Christ. The Lord knows this; and therefore He comes in , one way or
another, and stirs up the nest, that is, if we are found nestling in
circumstances, instead of in Himself."
--CH Mackintosh, Notes on Genesis, 1897
believer would not know so well the God with Whom he has to do; for alas, we
know how prone the heart is to mistake the peace of circumstances for the
peace of God. When everything is going smoothly and pleasantly—property
safe, our business prosperous, our children carrying on agreeably, our
residence comfortable, our health excellent—everything in short, just to our
mind (liking), how apt we are to mistake the peace which reposes upon
circumstances for that peace which flows from the realized presence of
Christ. The Lord knows this; and therefore He comes in , one way or
another, and stirs up the nest, that is, if we are found nestling in
circumstances, instead of in Himself."
--CH Mackintosh, Notes on Genesis, 1897
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Friday February 3 & Saturday Feb 4
Anyone who:
--lives with another human
--planning to marry sooner or later
--is married
--is a parent
--has co-workers
--has in-laws
--has neighbors
--is a teacher
Basically, conflict is a part of life and you'll either get bitter or withdraw or beat the mess out of someone. This brief seminar is a great opportunity to focus on conflict as an opportunity to bring God glory by experiencing His grace and renewal.
Here is a brief sample:
"Teaching children to be peacemakers is one of the most challenging responsibilities of being a parent or teacher. It requires faith and reliance on God, ministry to our children's hearts, systematic biblical instruction, and careful guidance of their social involvement."Family - read whole article on teaching children to be peacemakers:
--lives with another human
--planning to marry sooner or later
--is married
--is a parent
--has co-workers
--has in-laws
--has neighbors
--is a teacher
Basically, conflict is a part of life and you'll either get bitter or withdraw or beat the mess out of someone. This brief seminar is a great opportunity to focus on conflict as an opportunity to bring God glory by experiencing His grace and renewal.
Here is a brief sample:
"Teaching children to be peacemakers is one of the most challenging responsibilities of being a parent or teacher. It requires faith and reliance on God, ministry to our children's hearts, systematic biblical instruction, and careful guidance of their social involvement."Family - read whole article on teaching children to be peacemakers:
Friday, January 20, 2006
Sunday January 22 schedule
when Christ Community gathers at Oak Hall School on Tower Road...
9:00 is back with a vengeance
Children's classes are having their "open house" slash kickoff gathering where the teachers for this quarter meet the students and parents
For the adults who aren't attending the above with their children.... there is a single-session class in the media center (Jan 29 is when Dr. Richard Horner kicks off his Luke class)
10:00 (and remember our urging/pleading/begging/threatening about you being seated in the theater at, like 10am) worship service... our last week in Acts 17 as we look at Paul's presentation proper
then, sunday afternoon at 4:30 is club 45 and youth group meets at 7
9:00 is back with a vengeance
Children's classes are having their "open house" slash kickoff gathering where the teachers for this quarter meet the students and parents
For the adults who aren't attending the above with their children.... there is a single-session class in the media center (Jan 29 is when Dr. Richard Horner kicks off his Luke class)
10:00 (and remember our urging/pleading/begging/threatening about you being seated in the theater at, like 10am) worship service... our last week in Acts 17 as we look at Paul's presentation proper
then, sunday afternoon at 4:30 is club 45 and youth group meets at 7
NPR helps us seek the coming of the Kingdom of God
This morning on the way into school my children and i listened to a review on NPR of what sounds like an interesting documentary/movie. "The boys of baruka" is what it sounded like to me.
Anyway, about 76% of black teen boys in baltimore do not graduate from high school. In an effort to fight this some group takes 40 jr hi boys to Kenya to live in boarding school for grades 7 & 8. The plan is to grip them there with a vision for their lives that includes a commitment to be a life-long learner. It was fascinating.
In connecting it with us, we (the pca) have a wonderful community re-development work going in the sandtown area of baltimore. i'm sure there are many great things being done by Christ-followers in baltimore. why don't you pray for that city (and especially the boys there) today? that the prayer of Jesus would be realized---THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE... on earth.... as it is in Heaven
**I hope to add links later, to npr, to sandtown, etc... BTW, blogger is telling me that this blog looks like a spam blog... how offensive! does that mean it is boring? Like when i answer phone and people say, "Oh, i thought you were a machine... hey Rob..."
Anyway, about 76% of black teen boys in baltimore do not graduate from high school. In an effort to fight this some group takes 40 jr hi boys to Kenya to live in boarding school for grades 7 & 8. The plan is to grip them there with a vision for their lives that includes a commitment to be a life-long learner. It was fascinating.
In connecting it with us, we (the pca) have a wonderful community re-development work going in the sandtown area of baltimore. i'm sure there are many great things being done by Christ-followers in baltimore. why don't you pray for that city (and especially the boys there) today? that the prayer of Jesus would be realized---THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE... on earth.... as it is in Heaven
**I hope to add links later, to npr, to sandtown, etc... BTW, blogger is telling me that this blog looks like a spam blog... how offensive! does that mean it is boring? Like when i answer phone and people say, "Oh, i thought you were a machine... hey Rob..."
Information meeting, take 2
The info regarding the initiatives of early 2006 are going to be presented again tonite at Hope Church (Tower & 24th) from 7:00-7:45. If you didn't make sunday's presentation, or can't make tonite's... scroll down just a bit to get the link to The audio & paperwork from sunday's info meeting
Thursday, January 19, 2006
an informational meeting on overseas mission trip is tonite
Preliminary meeting for a future trip
Where: MacGregor home (352-372-5204)
When: Thursday January 19 7pm
Why: Preliminary meeting about an international mission trip. We will discuss location and dates. We will pray that God will reveal His purposes to us.
Who should come: All who would follow Christ in obedience to the ends of the world and all who would be willing to pray and help those who willing to go
Where: MacGregor home (352-372-5204)
When: Thursday January 19 7pm
Why: Preliminary meeting about an international mission trip. We will discuss location and dates. We will pray that God will reveal His purposes to us.
Who should come: All who would follow Christ in obedience to the ends of the world and all who would be willing to pray and help those who willing to go
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
End of the Spear
The movie based on 5 men killed while bringing the gospel to the Aucas opens friday and will play in GNV at the Newberry Road 16 screen theater
register on sunday
sign up sunday for the peacemaker conference we're co-hosting w/ Faith Pres & Abundant Grace Community Church.
Conference is Friday Feb 3 evening and Saturday feb 4 morning.
Conference is Friday Feb 3 evening and Saturday feb 4 morning.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Downloads
The audio & paperwork from sunday's info meeting are available at the website
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Downloads
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Downloads
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