a blog for our network of house churches

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

11.29.06 thequest UPdate

thequest family,



Advent is a part of the Christian Tradition that is the season leading up to Christmas. The four Sundays of Advent are the 4 prior to Christmas day. Each has a special emphasis--Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.

Advent is defined as "The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important. (American Heritage Dictionary)" Over time the word was used by the church to describe this season of the year. Advent in this season has a double meaning--that Jesus came--as a baby in a manger-- and He is Coming Again!

As we embark on this time of the year, my own Bible reading has me in Revelation. That book blows my doors off about the Lord's power and might. It also has me anxiously looking forward to Jesus' return. His return could be soon. We don't know. His return is what we are waiting for. But He isn't taking too long...

9 The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness. 14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. 15 And remember, the Lord's patience gives people time to be saved.
2 Peter 3:9-15 NLT


Read more here about Advent: http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html

During Advent, the Book of Common Prayer has Scripture readings for each day. You can read along if you would like to: Advent Daily Readings for 2006 here


Press On,

Mike

Click HERE to read the rest of thequest UPdate

Friday, November 24, 2006

11.22.06 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

Sorry I'm not very creative today...so I looked back a couple of years at what I wrote in the UPdate then...and it fit PERFECT...so I'll re-use it here:


What a neat time we had in Communion together on Sunday. I was overwhelmed again by Jesus' great love for us. It certainly caused my heart to be THANKFUL. That's the right thing for this season!

Sometimes we people are talking about Communion, the word "Eucharist" comes up. Eucharist became the word the early church used for the bread and the cup. One of the neat things I've learned in the last year of is that the word "Eucharist" means "give thanks" or "thankful." more here

It's obvious that we have alot to be thankful for from Jesus...who gave his BODY and his BLOOD so that we could have a relationship with God. I trust that you will take time to remember...and be THANKFUL to Jesus for what He has done and for who He is this weekend.

And I have to leave you with a song. This song is one that the Israelites sang about our God when they were very Thankful. Its actually called a song of Thanksgiving:


A psalm of thanksgiving.

Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth!

2
Worship the LORD with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.

3
Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.

5
For the LORD is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

(Psalm 100 NLT)

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!


Press On,

Mike


Click HERE to read the rest of thequest weekly email UPdate

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Friday, November 17, 2006

11.16.06 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

This Saturday is the big game. On Sunday we've got something BIG too--our Thanksgiving Communion Gathering. We are excited about the opportunity to get together, enjoy a meal together and celebrate Jesus. It is all about Jesus--His work: on the cross, in the present and in the future.

One of the idiosyncrasies about thequest is the way we celebrate Communion. We do it to reflect the last night of our Lord's life. As we look at the night before Jesus died we see three key elements--1) the meal, 2) the washing of the disciples feet by Jesus, and 3) the breaking of bread and drinking of the cup.

There is no doubt that Jesus shared that last very meaningful meal with those he dearly loved--His spiritual family so to speak. That meal is something we ought to celebrate too with our spiritual family. It also reminds us of the future when we will sit down at the table with our Jesus in glory for the Wedding Feast--what a celebration that will be!!

Because we will be sharing BRUNCH together, it might not have the ambiance of the evening, but it will be eaten together with our spiritual family...so that will make it special!

The washing of the disciples feet is an amazing aspect of our Lord's last night. The example of service He showed was amazing. Jesus also states that His action of washing the disciples feet was symbolic of His forgiveness. We revel in the fact that He makes us clean through His forgiveness daily, just like the people in those times needed their feet washed daily. This reminds us of Jesus' present ministry to us.

The bread and the cup are probably the most familiar items to most people. These elements cause us to look into the past and remember that Jesus took on sin and death and WON THE VICTORY! What a price He paid. I trust that those of you here in the metro area will make the time to gather together and celebrate Jesus. Moments like these are so special. We trust that you will join us there!


Two last bonus items: (in case you are still deciding...)

1) Bob Evan's Biscuits and Gravy (and other goodies) for brunch at the front end of our gathering (at 10:30a). So we'll have some good eats provided by thequest.

2) a time of hearing from Mindi about her trip to Trinidad as well.


Press On,

Mike

Click here for the rest of thequest weekly email UPdate

Thursday, November 09, 2006

LIFE BOX project...Stuff for Life




Again this year, we need people from thequest family to pack a LIFE BOX for a second grade class at Weinland Park Elementary @ 2nd Ave. Click here to find out the details of How to Pack a LIFE BOX and for a picture of our 2nd grade class.

In partnership with the Powell Grace Brethren Church we hope to provide a LIFE BOX for every student at the School--It's our goal to share "stuff for life"--learning, healthy and fun stuff and the stuff of LIFE in Jesus.

If you want to see a bit about last year's LIFE Box project, check it out here

Click here for the list of children...so you can pick one or two to pack a LIFE BOX for. This web list will be constantly updated, so you can see who still needs a LIFE BOX.

We need the boxes returned by Sunday Dec. 10th, so don't put off getting started on packing some boxes. Join us for this great outreach to our community! 

A Fall To Grace

I got this article...and thought it was thought provoking considering some of the recent news...




We call it "a fall from grace": a Christian man or woman caught in some type of sexual, financial, legal or other ethical or moral indiscretion who falls from a position of high esteem. The most recent example involves Ted Haggard, founder and former senior pastor of New Life Church and former president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).
Have you ever wondered where that phrase, "a fall from grace," comes from? Galatians 5:4, "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace" (NKJV).

How telling that we use that particular terminology to describe an incident (usually of the high-profile variety) of moral failure. By doing so, we tip our theological hand. While we talk a lot about God's inexhaustible grace and unconditional love, when it comes right down to it, we still believe that grace is exhaustible. We know that we owe our salvation to Christ's grace-giving work on the cross. But it doesn't take long before we trade in that boundless grace for the boundaries of the law.
In biblical terms, a fall from grace is not the sinner saved by grace who is caught in moral failure. That is a fall to grace. A fall from grace is the self-righteous person who tries to earn his or her salvation through the guise of moral living, declaring that Christ's work on the cross was unnecessary—at least for them.

Let me ask a simple question: Do we really believe in grace? Or not?

When scandals hit the news wires and our TV screens, I'm reminded how easy it is to preach and teach grace, but how difficult it is to live out on the rugged plains of reality. And I say that as I search my own heart and attitudes. I say that because I struggle through the gamut of emotions, sometimes throwing critical glances toward a "fallen" man or woman in the Church. "Can you believe he did that?" I'm tempted to say with an air of arrogance.

And then I recall my own shortcomings, and a not-so-popular verse comes to mind, "How can you say, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:4, TNIV).

In Matthew 7:4 the word plank in the original language is a picture of a crossbeam that holds up an entire structure. Some of us have this critical crossbeam that holds up the entire structure of our lives, blinding us from our struggles—and blinding us from the way God views others and our own lives.

"Hypocrite!" Jesus says in verse 5. If you are trying to assume God's throne of righteous judgment, then you are a hypocrite.

People say to me, "I don't go to church anymore, because churches are full of hypocrites."

Let's just lay our cards on the table. We're all hypocrites! Being a hypocrite means assuming a role that is not yours to assume. Sadly, too many churches are communities of criticism instead of communities of compassion.

Criticism is like a boomerang. Matthew 7:2 says, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." So, if you want to get what you are giving, go ahead and give it. But be ready for its return to smack you on the back of your head.

That's why we need to humbly allow Jesus to yank the plank of criticism from our eyes. Once we do, two things happen. One, we can see the mercy of God in our own lives. And two, we can extend the mercy of God to others. Because I am not getting what I deserve from God, I have the power to release others from what they deserve. I'm able to give them what God has given me—love, acceptance and grace.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm not justifying, rationalizing or any other type of "-izing" the moral indiscretions of Pastor Haggard or any other Christian leader ensnared by sin. What I am saying is that it's time to let God be the judge and take our proper role as fellow sinner saved by grace. And maybe it's time for us to stop putting other human beings—who can't possibly live up to our expectations—on moral pedestals. Maybe it's time to remember who the standard bearer of our faith is: Jesus. Maybe it's time to put aside our human nature and, as the apostle Paul suggested, "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

Maybe, just maybe, it's time to yank the plank. Search your heart today and take some time to pray for Ted Haggard, his wife and family, his church, his accuser and the thousands who have been impacted by his ministry. Regardless of the extent of his moral indiscretion, let this be yet another wake-up call as to how spiritually vulnerable we really are. In situations like this, we scream for accountability, but we have to realize that no matter how much accountability we have, we're still vulnerable to the enemy's tactics to deceive us and bring us down.

When it comes to temptation, particularly in the sexual arena, we always overestimate our power to resist and underestimate the enemy's power to persist. Only as we walk daily in the grace of Christ can we find the humility to say, "There but for the grace of God go I."

"What once was hurt / What once was friction / What left a mark, no longer stings / Because Grace makes beauty out of ugly things." ("Grace" by U2)


From 850 Words of Relevant 11.06.06
Ed Young is pastor of Fellowship Church. He is the author of several books including The Creative Leader: Unleashing the Power of Your Creative Potential and You!. www.edyoung.com

11.08.06 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

This weekend we had the opportunity to have our friends and missionaries Ron & Chery Boehm hang out with us. It was good to get to know them better-great people!

Ron shared some words with us about the Gift that we have received as followers of Jesus. Not just the gift of eternal life, but the GIFT of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to His followers just prior to ascending into heaven, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before." Acts 1:4 NLT

We talked about 5 benefits of the gift...of the Holy Spirit's presence in us. They were so encouraging I thought I would pass on these benefits to you today:

1. The Holy Spirit is our Companion - And I (Jesus) will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. John 14:16 We are never alone! We always have someone with us, isn't that awesome?!?!

2. The Holy Spirit gives us Guidance - For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:14 We aren't lost, nor off the map. We have someone who knows it all and beyond that who is guiding us! We are on The Way.

3. The Holy Spirit makes us Belong - ...We have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit...1Cor 12:13 We step into a family-God's family. We have a place, a home.

4. The Holy Spirit Transforms Us to be Like Jesus - And the Lord-- who is the Spirit-- makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Cor 3:18 We can be who we aren't! The Spirit is at work in me...God transforms us...aren't you are glad?

5. The Holy Spirit gives us Power - You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Acts 1:8 This is the energy source for living and obeying. The Holy Spirit has infinitely more power than anything I can see, taste or touch. He works in and through me. WOW!

This power is in us for God's glory. Not ours. And it's for His use. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. (Gal 5:25).

Press On,

Mike

the rest of thequest email UPdate HERE

Saturday, November 04, 2006

11.01.06 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

In our Assembly on Sunday we rambled through 2000 years of the Church. Reformation Sunday gave us opportunity to look backwards; picking up some of the strong points and weak points along the way. As with any group, there are some ugly times. So true with the Church. The Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition should make anyone's stomach turn. Horrible times.

At other points there are amazing things that have been done. The springboard to the reformation via the 95 theses of Martin Luther and the translations of the Bible into the languages of the people are moments of shear beauty! We have an amazing heritage in those who have followed Jesus in the generations before us!

As I look backward, the birth of our "brethren" family of churches is one of the things that I celebrate. In the face of opposition and religious persecution in Germany in 1708, 8 people set out to be in community, to be a local church reflecting the ancient church and to take the Scriptures seriously. These men and women risked everything to do what God had put in their heart!

Real faith was lived out by those early "brethren." They were called other names by those outside their group, but amongst themselves they called one another "brother" and "sister"--and collectively were "brethren." The exchange of blood ties to spiritual family ties was not incidental. It was shocking. No one in the time of "dead orthodoxy" would call the State-Church their family, because it was run by the government and most likely crooked. But this band of "twenty/thirtysomethings" engaged a new family--a spiritual family--their church.

Amongst many other strong beliefs of that those early brethren had I'd like to highlight 3 that we in the flow of thequest still bank on:

Wholehearted commitment to the Scriptures

Wholehearted commitment to a real life of faith

Wholehearted commitment to the local church, a community and spiritual family

That is our heritage. And it's our present. And under Jesus' leadership I trust it shall be that way until He returns.

Check out this link for the powerpoint from this Sunday: Reformation Sunday Powerpoint Slides
(Special thanks to Christian History Institute, http://chi.gospelcom.net/. )

Maybe you want to find out more about our Brethren history. I thought I'd share with you a couple of links where you can go and find some more information if you would like to: Grace Brethren History links:

Grace Brethren History-a thumbnail sketch: http://www.fgbc.org/our-history.htm
Brethren Timeline: http://www.gracebrethren.info/cob/timeline.htm

Our History in Audio/Video, by Dr. Dave Plaster (Real Player-24 mins)
(thanks to Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, AK)


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven."
Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Press On,

Mike


Links to other Brethren groups and helpful histories:

Ashland Brethren History: http://www.brethrenchurch.org/History/Sub-History-Scroll.htm
European Origins of the Brethren: http://www.cob-net.org/europe.htm (Church of the Brethren)

Brethren in America: http://www.cob-net.org/america.htm (Church of the Brethren)


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