tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-117587522024-03-07T17:03:08.212-05:00Re-EverythingRe-creation, re-storation, re-conciliation, re-demption: These are all found in the beauty of the Jesus story. This blog is about living those things out and wrestling with their implications for every aspect of life.Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-7557190389369847302014-06-04T23:19:00.001-05:002014-06-04T23:19:49.611-05:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Congrats Class of 2014!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm pretty pumped to share a list of songs that youth workers from Stillmeadow shared with me for our graduating seniors! There's some old and new stuff here, but all inspiring and challenging. And I've included their notes to the seniors below too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">YouTube Playlist <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr0JQJrEYWeUxNvunfmEyRYpTpaQMdjS8">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spotify Playlist <a href="https://play.spotify.com/user/1228503960/playlist/5nhitywFiqBHJVeGJQhiAH">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Jesus Freak </span><span lang="en-US">by DC Talk (Herb)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Because that’s what you are. May your life smell like the fragrance of bacon being prepared on the campsite at Ricketts Glen. (where we went for Excursion)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;">Help Me Find It </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #333333;">by Sidewalk Prophets (Bonnie)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #333333; font-style: italic;">Going out into the world on your own can be pretty scary and confusing. Ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way. Colossians 1:9b-10</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Times</span><span lang="en-US"> by Tenth Avenue North (Aubrey)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There will always be chaos outside of you in the world, and sometimes inside of you too. I pray that you'll re-member in the "times that you doubt him (God), the times you can't feel, the times that you question that His love is real," you'll know in the deepest part of who you are that He says, "My love is over, it's underneath, it's inside, it's inbetween." All you need to do is draw near...even a millimeter...and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8). Much much love!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Speak Life </span><span lang="en-US">by Toby Mac (Jess)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In every situation you face, you have the power to speak life or speak darkness into others. Be the light!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Broken Hallelujah </span><span lang="en-US">by Mandisa (Chas)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;">There are days that you will feel like your life is "in a thousand pieces." In those moments, turn it back to praise...broken as it may be. God is a good, pieces putter-together-er. </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Find your Wings</span><span lang="en-US"> by Mark Harris (Patty)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;">"I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams and that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things." This world needs you to dare to do great things!</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Praise You in this Storm </span><span lang="en-US">by Casting Crowns (Lisa)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;">I praise God for all of you!</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Defender </span><span lang="en-US">by Kings Kaleidoscope (Evan)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Throughout this next step in your lives, there will be times when things simply get overwhelming. But always remember that Jesus is our defender and our redeemer. We have been redeemed not by perishable things like gold or silver, but by the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb. Through this redemption, we are free to live. Our defender in times of trouble will never leave or forsake you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Carpe Diem </span><span lang="en-US">by August Burns Red (Pastor Wayne)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Your Love Never Fails </span><span lang="en-US">by Newsboys (Titus)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;">Just hearing the hope and promise of God when we may feel alone or defeated. His love will always be there. God will never fail us; His love endures forever. When life’s toils hit us hard, or when we have a champion’s day. God is with us and loves us every step of the way. Be strong and courageous, your heavenly father is rooting for you.</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US"> <o:p></o:p></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Do Something</span><span lang="en-US"> by Matthew West (Kim Noel)</span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Graduates, you all have the power to do something...something that will help this World in little ways and big ways. God gave you this power, so go out and use it, and make a difference for HIS Glory!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">My Lighthouse </span><span lang="en-US">by Rend Collective (Deb Staley)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you leave the protective atmosphere of high school and your parent's home, may you always remember that Jesus, like a lighthouse for the seaman, will always be there shining in the darkness, waiting for you to trust in His promise and he'll be ready to carry you safe to shore no matter what the situation, He is the peace in your (and my) troubled sea of life here on earth. One of my favorite things to do is to "go fast and far" in my boat with my family and enjoy the calming water and beautiful creating that God has provided for my pleasure and peace. I love you and will continue to lift each of you in prayer daily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Take Everything </span><span lang="en-US">by 7th Day Slumber (Nate Voorhees)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember to do everything you do as if you are doing it for Christ, and that worship is more than a style of worship. It's the way we need to live every second of every day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Word of God Speak </span><span lang="en-US">by Mercy Me (Don Strausbaugh)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As all you graduates go out into your big new worlds ahead of you...you may find yourself at some point at a loss for words where you will just need to.be still and know that He is with you, and then rest in His holiness...daily!!! The washing of the eyes to see His majesty is another part of that song that we all would do well to remember daily also! Blessings…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">More Heart Less Attack </span><span lang="en-US">by NEEDTOBREATHE (Mike Ames)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There will be many situations in life where forgiveness and mercy aren't the knee jerk reaction as followers of Jesus. It's how we need to react.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Bring the Rain </span><span lang="en-US">by Mercy Me (Julie Callender)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;">Remember that rain only makes us grow, storms make us strong, and our God will always see you through every challenge in life, and use them to grow you into Oaks of Righteousness Isaiah 61:3b It has been an honor sharing in this last year of your high school journey, only the beginning...</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">We Are </span><span lang="en-US">by Thousand Foot Krutch (Matt Forsythe)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are the hope and the light of the future. We are one together with Christ's love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Dare You To Move</span><span lang="en-US"> by Switchfoot (Heather Kidwell)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's a song about having faith and acting on your faith in God while people around you may not. During those times when you're feeling alone or defeated, it reminds you that God has put you where you're supposed to be and that you are supposed to do great things and be a ministry all your own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">Lose My Soul </span><span lang="en-US">by Toby Mac (Jade Frederick)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;">Always remember that you are clay in His hands...and that NOTHING this world offers can take the place of God's presence in your life & heart!</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-weight: bold;">I Will Go </span><span lang="en-US">by Starfield (Natalie Staley)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;">Be willing to say yes and go where God leads you and as you are following his will for your life allow him to shape and mold you into the person he has made you to be. College or the workforce is the next step of where he is leading you, allow God to use you in whatever way he wants to while you are there.</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-81694122656793034532013-12-20T22:18:00.000-05:002013-12-20T22:18:14.353-05:00Making the Most of Your Senior Year (aka Punching Senioritis in the Face)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">This post is for friends who are in their senior year of high school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">The senior
year of high school can be one of </span><b style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>the most awesome</i></b><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> years of your life.
You’ve gotten into your niche in academics or sports or band or whatever at
school. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">You get to do college
visits!</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 115%;">You get to do crazy fun stuff
with really cool friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It can also
be one of <b><i>the most</i> <i>stressful</i></b>. There’s relational stress with friends. There’s emotional stress as you figure out
what you’re going to do with the rest of your life. There’s physical stress
with late nights and big assignments and lots of activities. And there’s that awkward tension with your
parents as you try to figure out how to be an adult and they try to figure out
how to let you be one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And it can
also be one of <b><i>the most blah</i></b>. When some
people get to their senior year there’s this weird feeling of “blah” that
settles on them. They have a hard time
finding motivation to get important assignments and responsibilities
accomplished. Some people call it “senioritis.”
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whatever your
year has been like so far, here are a couple tips to make the most of the rest
of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. E</span></i></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">njoy it!</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With college on the horizon, it’s easy to become far-sighted during your
final months of high school. That’s why you should be careful to not miss the
amazing moments sitting right in front of you. Your senior year can be one of
the most rewarding and enjoyable years you’ve had yet. Enjoy the special times
and opportunities that will surround you. Takes lots of pics and videos. You’ll only be a high school senior once —
hopefully — so get out there and make some memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Think Long Term—Don’t grab at short term thrills<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How are you giving up long term good for a present thrill? Think about
your decisions with money, school, and even sexual purity. Don’t sacrifice
God’s great plan for you for a temporary pleasure. Many who are sexually active
or involved in drinking or recreational drugs in high school pay a heavy price
down the road. It’s not always easy to
say no, but it is worth it. You may not feel like continuing to follow Jesus and
doing the right thing now, but remember, “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor
the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1
Corinthians 2:9). It will be worth it in the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Leave a legacy<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As your thoughts and plans become more and more focused on next year,
remember that you still have work to do where you are now. You are a senior.
You are a leader. God has called you to be where you are “for such a time as
this” (Esther 4:14). Don’t try to fast-forward to college. Instead, make your
senior year count. Seek God for courage and strength to make a mark for Him and
leave a legacy behind you. Find a way to
make a difference and then do it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mentor a younger student.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember those high school seniors you used to look up to a few years
ago? Now’s your chance to be that person for someone else. Take the opportunity
to build some positive relationships with those who are younger than you and to
be a role model for them. Whether you’re on the football field, in the
classroom or at your church, you just might be surprised who’s watching you,
and you never know how much of an impact you could make on their life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank a mentor<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There have been lots of people who have helped you get where you
are. Parents, grandparents, aunts,
uncles, teachers, youth workers, have all put energy and sweat in order to help
you get where you are. Take a moment to
think about who has impacted you. And
then thank them. Tell them what it was
about their life that impacted you the most.
Believe it or not, your word of encouragement might be just what they
need that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Spend quality time with your family.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You likely won’t be seeing your family as often once you move off to
college, and many college freshmen are surprised by how difficult this turns
out to be. When your little sister wants you to play a game of Sorry with her
or your parents suggest a trip out for ice cream, say yes and cherish the time
spent with them. There will be days next year when you will wish you had the
opportunity to enjoy those kinds of moments together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let Jesus be your mentor, friend and
guide—PRAY A LOT<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This really is the most important. Jesus
wants to involve you in His mission to redeem this world, in His plan to show
his love to all people. Do not push Him
to the side in your efforts to enjoy your final year of high school. The more you ignore Him, the easier it will
be to ignore him. But instead of that, “<i>let us run with perseverance the race marked
out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
(Hebrews 12:1b-2a)</i> Fix your mind and your heart on Him. Allow Him to mentor you, to be your friend
and to guide you through this school year.
This means spending time in prayer, talking with him, listening to
him. As you do that, he will shape you
into the person you need to be for this time and prepare you for whatever comes
next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This list has been inspired by and adapted from two interweb articles. Here
they are: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.evangel.edu/2013/10/09/15-things-senior-year-high-school/">http://www.evangel.edu/2013/10/09/15-things-senior-year-high-school/</a>
and <a href="http://fervr.net/teen-life/dont-give-up">http://fervr.net/teen-life/dont-give-up</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-263242059263728232013-01-02T11:07:00.003-05:002013-01-02T11:08:47.234-05:0020 Ways to Grow Spiritually with Your Teen in 2013<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px;">As I was thinking and praying about this upcoming year, I began thinking of ways that my family can grow spiritually together in the year 2013 and then I thought about ways that families at Stillmeadow can grow together too. It's important for me to say "together" because I really believe that my role as a father is not just to teach my children, but also allow them to teach me. By learning from them I affirm that they have something to contribute and encourage them to do so!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px;">So here is a starter list of ways that teens and parents and children can grow in Christ together in 2013. </span></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px;"><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px;">Pray Together</b></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px;"></span><br />
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ol style="border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0.2857em 0px 0.714285em 2em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pray for your school district officials and teachers. Find a list of people who serve in your district, put it on the fridge and pray.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Take time each day to look at the news headlines and choose one or more situations to pray for.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Go for prayer walks in your neighborhood. What's a prayer walk? It's when you walk and pray for the people or places that you pass or that God comes to mind.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pray over the prayer requests listed in the <a href="http://www.stillnaz.com/">Stillmeadow </a>weekly bulletin.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ask your parent or teen how you can pray for them. Then do it. Right there. Right then. And through the week.</li>
</ol>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);"><b>Serve Together</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ol style="border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0.2857em 0px 0.714285em 2em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Find a way to serve your parent or teen in a way you normally don't.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Choose a ministry to serve in together.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bake cookies and give them out to neighbors.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Visit a shut in from your church together.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Serve at the York Rescue Mission with the Stillmeadow youth ministry. We go the first Friday of every month (including THIS Friday!)</li>
</ol>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);"><b>Engage Scripture Together</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.983333587646484px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ol style="border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0.2857em 0px 0.714285em 2em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tell your teen or parent what God is teaching you through the Bible and ask what God is teaching them.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Memorize a scripture per week. Want good verses to memorize? Just check the back of your bible or google "Scripture Memory Verses" and you'll find a ton of places to start!</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Read a passage at whatever meal you regularly eat together. You can find great memory plans on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/">Bible Gateway</a> or on the <a href="https://www.youversion.com/">YouVersion Bible App</a>. </li>
</ol>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);"><b>Practice Gratitude together</b></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ol style="border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0.2857em 0px 0.714285em 2em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Take a moment each day to thank your parent or teen for something they did.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Write thank you notes to the teachers and volunteers and supervisors in your life. List specific ways they have blessed you.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Write thank you notes to fire fighters and other civil servants.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">At each meal or before school or bed have every one share one thing or person they are thankful for.</li>
</ol>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00392157);"><b>Do Justice Together</b></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<ol style="border: 0px; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0.2857em 0px 0.714285em 2em; padding: 0px;">
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Adopt a compassion child as a family. You can go through <a href="http://cs.ncm.org/">Nazarene Compassionate Ministries</a> or <a href="http://www.compassion.com/">Compassion International</a>.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Buy double the ingredients for one meal a week and leave the doubles in the Stillnaz Food Pantry or at the drop bin in the front of your grocery store.</li>
<li style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Strategize and practice random acts of kindness together.</li>
</ol>
<div>
This is just a starter list. There are many other ways to grow together. If you think of some, I'd love to hear them!</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-17213520662169589242011-11-09T16:15:00.000-05:002011-11-09T16:15:49.082-05:00Invitations to be still<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Was just looking through some old notes and found this compilation of scripture invitations to be still. It seems that drama increases and things get busier as the holidays arrive. These scriptures are great invitations to remember that there is more to life than the craziness that's around us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Exodus 14:13-14 <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Nehemiah 8:11<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 37:6-8<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> do not fret when men succeed in their ways, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> when they carry out their wicked schemes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> do not fret—it leads only to evil.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mark 4:37-39<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 46:9-11</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> he burns the shields with fire. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">"Be still, and know that I am God;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> I will be exalted among the nations, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> I will be exalted in the earth." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">The LORD Almighty is with us;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> the God of Jacob is our fortress. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Zechariah 2:11-13<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. The LORD will inherit <st1:country-region w:st="on">Judah</st1:country-region> as his portion in the holy land and will again choose <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>. Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-32416599963153208572011-06-01T23:21:00.000-05:002011-06-01T23:21:23.782-05:00The Jesus Creed for Students<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Every year at <a href="http://www.stillnaz.com/">Stillmeadow</a>, we have a special Sunday service to honor and pray for our graduates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a way it is a sending service, as the graduates are preparing to continue their education or enter the workforce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of the sending we want to give them a gift that will be a reminder of God’s discipleship call on their life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually we give them a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in choosing a book I usually have a couple requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, I want to give a book that is accessible, that any of our graduates can study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, in accessibility, I don’t want a book that waters down Jesus’ call to a radical way of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, I want a book that is engaging, with practical application and real-life scenarios and stories…something to which any of our graduates can relate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I think I found another book that does all three of these: The Jesus Creed for Students.<o:p></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1302169918l/10075620.jpg" /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/155725883X/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d5_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=07FNPGH3WDDJQRW47WTS&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846">The Jesus Creed for Students</a> is a condensed version of <a href="http://www.patheos.com/community/jesuscreed/">Scot McKnight</a>’s much larger, much longer book that came out in 2005.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scot partnered with Chris Folmsbee (head of our very own <a href="http://barefootministries.com/">Barefoot Ministries</a>) and <a href="http://syberspace.typepad.com/">Syler Thomas</a> to make the content of the book available for youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard about the book on <a href="http://www.anewkindofyouthministry.com/">Chris Folmsbee’s blog</a>, where he invited folks to get the book for free in exchange for a review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m glad I did!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s the basic synopsis: The Jesus Creed is Jesus’ response to a basic question, “What is the greatest commandment?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this Jesus replies, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (Mark 12:29-31). </span>Our church has joined many others in summing this up: Love God, love others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Jesus, this is the most important thing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So in the first eight chapters of this book, the authors take the reader through the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) and show how “love God, love others” weaves through the fabric of the entire sermon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s done very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the authors avoid legalism, one of the easiest pitfalls of our faith, by wrapping up the final chapters reminding the readers that this call to love God and love others only happens by the work of God in our broken lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They invite the reader to truly learn from and be shaped by the person of Christ, not just an idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally the book concludes with a call to be a boundary breaker, a person who courageously follows Christ wherever He leads.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the best parts about this book is that the authors are not just handling ideas, but calling for changed lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they give structure for that, inviting the reader to recite the Jesus Creed at the beginning of each chapter and the Lord’s Prayer at the end of each chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they don’t leave it at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They encourage the readers to make those a part of every part of their day.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Although I am excited to give this to our graduates, I believe this book will also be useful for current high school students as well.<o:p></o:p></div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-57979583639631440302011-04-29T13:34:00.000-05:002011-04-29T13:34:05.382-05:00Our Next Sunday Morning STU SeriesSo, we have Stillmeadow Teen University (STU) every Sunday morning at 9:30, when 6-12 grade students get together to study scriptures together and to grow in Christ together. It's pretty sweet. I've been teaching the middle school boys for the past couple months and am LOVING that!<br />
<br />
Anyway, we just wrapped up our <a href="http://re-everything.blogspot.com/2011/01/our-current-sunday-morning-series-using.html">previous series</a> jumping through Matthew.<br />
<br />
Now, we'll be examining what <a href="http://www.stillnaz.com/">Stillmeadow</a> calls her five core values: Connect, Celebrate, Commit, Contribute and Communicate. (Yes, they are all "C" letters.) Essentially, we believe that Jesus modeled these five things in his faithful obedience to his Father, and we want to do the same as a community (another great word that starts with "c"). Since this is "core" to who we are at Stillmeadow, we thought it'd be "cool" to have a series breaking these down with the teens.<br />
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If you'd like to see the <a href="http://stillnaz.prowebproducts.com/user_images/1/youth/11304100105.pdf">Student Guide</a> that we're handing out to our students, follow <a href="http://stillnaz.prowebproducts.com/user_images/1/youth/11304100105.pdf">this link</a>. <br />
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One of the things we're trying out is giving students a scripture for each day that is connected to the theme of the week. This way they can be prepared when they come on Sunday. Not everybody does it, but those that do have expressed that they get great reward from it. We even send out text reminders of what scriptures we are reading each day. <br />
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If you'd like to receive texts with the scriptures for each day (found in the student guide), click on <a href="http://trunc.us/33OG1h">this link</a>.Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-1581372041744456422011-04-15T16:35:00.000-05:002011-04-15T16:35:23.113-05:00Stations of the Cross 2011<div>The Stations will be open from 6-9PM every night during Holy Week. That's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The Stations of the Cross are an excellent way of remembering what Jesus did for the whole world when he endured the scandal of the cross. Each station gives a scripture and a piece of art or an object to reflect on the scripture. Our youth have put energy into the artwork and into construction of some of the scenes. They've been doing this since <a href="http://re-everything.blogspot.com/search?q=way+of+the+cross">2006</a> and I'm excited about this year too!</div><div><br />
If you don't come to our church, you can still come! Our address is:</div><div><br />
</div><div>400 Stillmeadow Lane</div><div>York, PA 17404</div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-72033876784918745282011-02-01T12:51:00.000-05:002011-02-01T12:51:20.028-05:00Google is Bonkers!Google has so many things that they're up to. I personally have loved using their Android platform on my phone for the past year. But today two things caught my eye...<br />
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First, with <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/01/egypt.protests/index.html?hpt=T1">the crisis in Egypt</a> where the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/01/egypt.protests/index.html?hpt=T1">government has shut down</a> most internet and cell phone connections, Google has put out a <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/01/31/google-twitter-egypt-call-service/">Voice to Text</a> Twitter service, so that the people on the ground can report on what's going on there. Wow.<br />
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Second, now you can tour museums with <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl">Google's Street View</a>. If you start at<a href="http://www.googleartproject.com/museums/hermitage"> the Hermitage Museum</a>, you can see one of my favorite paintings of all time in its context: The Return of the Prodigal Son.<br />
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<img height="320" src="http://grahamintheroom.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/15912-the-return-of-the-prodigal-son-rembrandt-harmenszoon-van-rijn.jpg" width="259" />Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-64047300858945115032011-01-27T15:50:00.000-05:002011-01-27T15:50:18.394-05:00Our current Sunday morning series: using SOAP on MatthewWe just started a new journey with the teens at Stillmeadow. From now until April 13 (Palm Sunday) the teens at Stillmeadow are working through the book of Matthew. <div><br />
</div><div>We're proceeding through the book from front to back (although...reading it from back to front might be an exciting adventure at some point) and encouraging the students to read a portion each day. Students can <a href="http://trunc.us/33OG1h">sign up for texts</a> which the passages for each day. I'm also updating my twitter and facebook status every day with those same texts. Feel free to follow along!<br />
<div><br />
</div><div><b>The Method</b></div><div>We're also trying something new with the kids by giving them basic instructions on how to read the text. There are sooo many ways, but right now we are emphasizing the SOAP method! We are encouraging the students to use this method on their own during the week. Then when we gather on Sundays we practice it together. I'm stoked about it!</div><div><br />
</div><div>What is SOAP? I'm glad you asked! See the explanation below!</div><div><b><br />
</b></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">SOAP is an acronym for a simple way of reading scripture. The intention is to guide you purposefully through scripture, taking time for and allowing God to speak through the reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>S</i></b><i>cripture: </i>Before you read, take a couple minutes to sit in silence before Christ, remembering His sacrifice in the past and His ever present love. Then read, knowing His Spirit is with you, opening your heart and mind to His truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>O</i></b><i>bserve: </i>Ask the who, what, when, where, how and why questions. What does this passage say about God and/or humanity? How does this passage fit in with the passage before and after? Is there anything that stands out or that I have not noticed before?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>A</i></b><i>pply: </i>What is God saying to you through this passage? What does He want you to learn? How does He want you to live differently?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>P</i></b><i>ray:</i> Based off what you sense God is saying to you from this passage, take time to write out or form a prayer that focuses on the content of what you read and what you sense God calling you to do. Then pray for family, friends and enemies. Pray for your church and smaller group. Pray for yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Hint #1: You may find it helpful to write your responses in a journal or on paper…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hint #2: You will find some passages more difficult than others. That’s okay! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring any confusions or difficulties to class for questions! More than likely others will have similar questions!</span></span></div></div><div><br />
</div><div>This method is adapted from something our worship pastor, <a href="http://stillnaz.com/dbrown.html">David Brown</a>, gave to me. He adapted it from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Cordeiro">Wayne Cordeiro's</a> book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Mentor-Growing-Faith-Savior/dp/0764203495">The Divine Mentor</a>.</div></div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-83333224032346135282011-01-26T10:10:00.000-05:002011-01-26T10:10:46.553-05:00My Friend Doug Paul Has Moved<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">My good friend (so good he was my best man and I his!) Doug Paul (not <a href="http://voice123.com/dougpaul">this Doug Paul</a>, the original sounding voice actor) has been a part of a church plant called <a href="http://www.eikoncommunity.org/">Eikon </a>for the past few years and has been blogging about the church's journey. He has moved <a href="http://dougpaulblog.com/">his blog</a>. I think it looks quite nice!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Also, if you are interested in the way of discipleship that his church is following, check out <a href="http://weare3dm.com/">3DM</a>. Very rooted, spirit-filled and innovative stuff happening through this. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Hirsch">Alan Hirsch</a>, who has some <a href="http://www.theforgottenways.org/">great work</a> on missional church work, recommends 3DM with this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTCmeRCF3rI">youtube video</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">This video does a good job of explaining why they are doing what they are doing the way they are doing it.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y95jj8h-73I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-58093351068337535442011-01-24T13:00:00.000-05:002011-01-24T13:00:47.564-05:00Gratitude thoughts from Brian Walsh<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 12px;">In a culture of perpetual dissatisfaction,</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">a culture where you are what you have made yourself,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">a culture of ceaseless craving<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">for new experiences,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">for consumer goods,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">for power,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">for sex,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">for wealth,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">for status,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">a culture of hyperactive frenzy and anxiety,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">a culture of paralysis and numbness,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">in this culture,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">gratitude can set us free.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Gratitude receives life as a gift,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">not a self-made accomplishment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Gratitude is rooted in deep satisfaction,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">not held captive to dissatisfaction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Gratitude replaces isolation<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">with community.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Gratitude replaces competition<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">with friendship.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Gratitude meets an economy of ‘more’<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">with the audacious experience of ‘enough.’<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Gratitude abandons aggression<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">for gentleness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Gratitude shakes off arrogance,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">for humility.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">If the peace of Christ rules in our hearts,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if we know the power of forgiveness,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if we have been renewed in Christ,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if love binds our lives together,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">then we will be thankful.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">If the word of Christ dwells in us richly,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if the word of Christ takes up residence deep in our lives,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if that word begins to bear fruit in us,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if wisdom begins to shape our imaginations,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">then we will sing songs of profound gratitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">If we have come to Christ,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if we give our whole lives to Christ,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if we submit every dimension of our lives to his loving rule,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">if we do everything in the name of Christ,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">then our whole lives will be a thanks offering,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">……</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">our whole lives will give thanks to God our Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Christian ministry is not a duty,<br />
</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">…</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 9.0pt;">it is an act of gratitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
You can find the rest of Brian's stuff <a href="http://empireremixed.com/2010/02/01/gratitude-some-thoughts-for-yonge-street-mission/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></span>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-86504783008310144282010-12-13T12:57:00.000-05:002010-12-13T12:57:31.472-05:00A Thank You Note...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I just received a thank you note from Jonathan Philips, a missionary to Romania from <a href="http://www.stillnaz.com/">Stillmeadow</a>. Recently at our<a href="http://www.30hrfamine.org/"> 30 Hour Famine</a>, our teens wrote him some encouragement and prayer notes. Below is his response. If you want to follow and support him on his journey, he updates this <a href="http://romanianazarene.blogspot.com/">blog</a>. Cool God-stories there!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Josh,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I wanted to let you know that this week I received the cards the Stillmeadow teens made during their 30-hour famine. It was an unexpected surprise to receive so many cards. This has been a very busy and stressful week, so it was nice to receive notes of encouragement and to know that I'm being prayed for. Please let the teens know that they brightened my day.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Blessings,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jonathan</span>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-34844733177970031522010-12-13T12:01:00.000-05:002010-12-13T12:01:46.852-05:00A Blessing in the Advent Season<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em;"><em>A shoot will come out of the stump of Jesse,</em><br />
<em>and a branch will grow from its roots.</em><br />
<em>The Spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,</em><br />
<em>the spirit of wisdom and understanding,</em><br />
<em>the spirit of counsel and might,</em><br />
<em>the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord</em></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em;"><em>He shall not judge by what his eyes see,</em><br />
<em>or decide by what his ears hear;</em><br />
<em>but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,</em><br />
<em>and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.</em> (Isaiah 11.1-4a)</div><br />
<br />
My friends, it is Advent, and the Kingdom of God is at hand.<br />
Let us pray that we will bear the fruit of repentance in our lives.<br />
Let us pray that we will be people of righteousness, justice and faithfulness.<br />
Let us pray that we will not judge by what the eye sees or decide by what the ears hears.<br />
Indeed, let us pray that we will have eyes to see and ears to hear the good news.<br />
Let us pray that we will have eyes that will see beyond our stereotypes,<br />
<span style="color: white;">…</span>ears that will listen closely to the stories of our neighbours,<br />
<span style="color: white;">…</span>eyes to see each others gifts,<br />
<span style="color: white;">…</span>ears to hear each others joys and sorrows.<br />
Let us pray that we will have the eyes to see a shoot that shall come out of the charred stump of Jesse, out of the charred stump of our own lives.<br />
Let us pray, Amen, come soon Lord Jesus.<br />
<br />
Some quality thoughts by Brian Walsh on <a href="http://www.empireremixed.com/">Empire Remixed</a>.<br />
Here's the complete post...focused on <a href="http://empireremixed.com/2010/12/08/judgment/">judgmentalism</a>.Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-68325292157744321612010-12-02T13:53:00.001-05:002010-12-02T13:56:07.391-05:00Verse and Voice 12.02.2010<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border: solid #FF9933 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid #FF9933 .75pt; mso-cellspacing: 7.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td colspan="2" style="background: white; border: none; padding: 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt; width: 281.25pt;" width="375"><img height="33" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.sojo.net/images/sojomail/VERSEoftheday.gif" width="179" /><o:p></o:p><br />
<span id="lblVerse">"Get up and pray for help all through the night. Pour out your feelings to the Lord, as you would pour water out of a jug. Beg [the Lord] to save your people, who are starving to death at every street crossing."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <span id="lblBook">Lamentations 2:19</span></span></strong><o:p></o:p></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-row-margin-right: 113.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border: none; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 168.75pt;" valign="top" width="225"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://www.sojo.net/images/sojomail/voice_box_top.gif" width="225" /><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: #FCFAD0;"><span id="lblQuote">"We must move away from asking God to take care of the things that are breaking our hearts to praying about the things that are breaking God's heart." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="background: #FCFAD0;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- </span></strong><em><span id="lblAuthor"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Margaret Gibb</span></b></span></em> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><img height="33" id="_x0000_i1027" src="http://www.sojo.net/images/sojomail/Prayeroftheday.gif" width="179" /><o:p></o:p><br />
We pray today for the victims of violence and war. We ask your healing, O Lord, for those who have been wounded in body, hurt emotionally, and broken spiritually. For the refugees who have been forced out of their homes because of war and destruction, we ask your protection and guidance. Amen.<o:p></o:p></td> <td style="border: none; mso-cell-special: placeholder; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;" width="151"><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div>A good word from the <a href="http://www.sojo.net/">Sojourners </a>Verse and Voice blog found <a href="http://blog.sojo.net/category/verse-and-voice/">here</a>.</div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-14930388042329369402010-11-03T11:01:00.000-05:002010-11-03T11:01:34.024-05:00Advent DevotionalCan you believe how stores are already breaking out the Christmas supplies? Whew!<div><br />
Well, Pastor Bud over at <a href="http://www.ebayse.blogspot.com/">www.ebayse.blogspot.com</a> has joined the fray and is making available a daily <a href="http://ebayse.blogspot.com/p/monday-november-1-2010-gods-big-idea.html">Advent Devotional</a>. This will be a great way for our Stillmeadow people to journey together towards the celebration of Jesus' birth. It's a little different than a traditional advent devotional, because the scriptures coincide with our current sermon series: God's Big Idea--Love God, Love Others (here are <a href="http://www.stillnaz.com/sermons2.pweb">videos of the sermons</a>). Check it out!</div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-62168995509639995532010-10-27T11:27:00.000-05:002010-10-27T11:27:34.680-05:00Prayer for Wednesday (from 1 John 3:17, Mark 1:40-41)Jesus,<br />
You saw need,<br />
You felt deeply,<br />
You reached out and touched the man.<br />
Compassion stirred,<br />
Deep within.<br />
Transform me,<br />
To feel deeply,<br />
To let compassion stir,<br />
Deep within,<br />
So that your love in action<br />
Takes over my life.<br />
In your loving name,<br />
AmenJosh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-47354642965843611332010-10-20T12:23:00.000-05:002010-10-20T12:23:30.717-05:00Prayer for Wednesday (from Psalm 148)God,<br />
All of Creation shouts Hallelujah,<br />
Hailstones, lightening,<br />
Sun, moon and stars,<br />
Clouds and rain,<br />
Bellow their praises to you.<br />
All of Creation shows gratitude,<br />
Sharks and cows,<br />
boys, girls, moms and dads,<br />
angels and wild beasts,<br />
Call out their thanks to you.<br />
I cannot help but join in,<br />
with my heart,<br />
with my mouth,<br />
with my mind,<br />
with my hands and feet.<br />
Thank you, God. AmenJosh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-79623499199989839292010-10-19T08:53:00.000-05:002010-10-19T08:53:07.011-05:00A Prayer for Tuesday (From 1 John 3:11-16)God, Who is love,<br />
forgive me<br />
for my heart like Cain,<br />
for my actions that take life,<br />
for my jealousy,<br />
for my desire to get ahead,<br />
for my failure to "get it"<br />
...that all I need is in You.<br />
Through your Spirit<br />
give me a heart like Christ,<br />
who brought life through his actions,<br />
who laid down his life,<br />
who really "got it"<br />
that all we need is You.<br />
In Christ's name, Amen.Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-79666370761418559402010-10-18T09:54:00.000-05:002010-10-18T09:54:14.854-05:00A Prayer for the Beginning of the WeekGod, Creator and Sustainer,<br />
In You is fullness.<br />
In You is life...<br />
Nothing else satisfies.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Govern my heart,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">guide my thoughts, </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">direct my words, </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">master my will;</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So that in everything I do</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I bring glory to you.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the name of Jesus Christ,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Amen</div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-83574560682690194822010-10-15T10:46:00.000-05:002010-10-15T10:46:16.322-05:00This is not an easy prayer...<div class="MsoNormal">In thinking of the importance of the smaller group leaders and the youth workers in our church I have been doing some reading. In that reading, I came across this prayer I have heard before...it's worth sharing. It's typically used in an annual "Covenant Service" by the Methodist Church, where all commit together to following hard after Christ. But as I read it I was reminded of Paul's attitude towards service to God, willing to accept whatever God brought his way.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I want this to be my prayer...even if it is in old English!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>I am no longer my own, but thine.<br />
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.<br />
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.<br />
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,<br />
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.<br />
Let me be full, let me be empty.<br />
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.<br />
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.<br />
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,<br />
thou art mine, and I am thine.<br />
So be it.<br />
And the covenant which I have made on earth,<br />
let it be ratified in heaven.<br />
Amen. </i><br />
<br />
—as used in the <i>Book of Offices of the British Methodist Church</i>, 1936. <o:p></o:p></div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-40760924405277455262010-10-11T10:19:00.000-05:002010-10-11T10:19:40.295-05:00Top Moments from Fall Retreat 2010!<div class="MsoNormal">Top Moments from Fall Retreat 2010<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>The crazy mingle game while waiting for the buses to arrive at Stillmeadow<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Having both Stillmeadow campuses worship and play together<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>The prayer stations<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Watching kids play in the creek<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>When one of the boys brought over a roasted crawdad<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Playing Taboo outside with a ton of people<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Hearing the bell ring during the prayer stations<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>The sound of George’s coffee pot in the morning after a short night’s sleep<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>The Warm Fuzzy encouragement bags!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Hearing the bold prayers around the campfire on Saturday night<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Communion on Sunday morning<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is just a start…I’d love to hear of some more from my facebook friends!<o:p></o:p></div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-12444624919289652242010-09-09T23:25:00.000-05:002010-09-09T23:25:04.134-05:00The God of the Long Haul<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I took two classes in modules these past two weeks at <a href="http://www.nts.edu/">NTS</a>. The morning module was Genesis and the evening module was Congregational Discipleship.</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">One of the assignments for Genesis was to read through it in one sitting. That took a LONG time and it was well worth it. Then we got to do it three times, each time we took more notes on the stories and characters. Through this process I was reminded time and time again of the beauty, power, awesomeness and gracefulness of our God who created the universe with care and precision, gave humanity free will and when the first humans sinned in the Garden he did not leave them alone but graciously provided covering. I was also struck by the brokenness of humanity, even those who had been chosen by God to be his people set apart. I had forgotten that Abraham lied twice about who his wife was! But even in the brokenness God pursued his people wherever they were. One of the commentators called God the "mobile God" because there was no place that He could not be found (recalling the Psalmist's words "where can I go to flee from Your Spirit?" from Psalm 139). God showed up time and time again on behalf of his people, giving direction, correction, safety, promises, interpretations and provisions.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">It's always interesting to see how the content of my various classes interact with each other. My other class was Congregational Discipleship, which focuses on how the church sees and structures itself so that it will effectively disciple all members of the congregation in the way of Jesus. There was much in this class on spiritual development, teaching techniques and educational theory, and all of these combined pointed to one thing: EVERYTHING we do as the community of God plays a part in the formation of the people. Everything says something about and reinforces what we believe. Yet, because the structure of church is made up of people and relationships, there will always be an incompleteness and room for growth in God's grace. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">This is where Genesis swoops in. God is the God of the Long-Haul. As God bore with the people in Genesis and gave direction, correction, safety, promises, interpretations and provisions, so God bears with the church today. Like Abraham we are called to be his people and sometimes failure happens. Broken relationships, missed opportunities, gross misunderstandings, overlooked needs, etc...But God remains faithful. Time and time again He proves himself and takes over where we mess up.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">A friend just shared with me a story about her dad accepting Christ into his life just six weeks before he passed forward. He had thumbed his nose at God throughout his life. And it was largely in part because of hurt received from the church. But in the end, God worked his way in, softening his heart so that he did open his heart to Jesus. The God of the Long Haul. Awesome!</span></span></div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-64340603968653311502010-09-02T11:06:00.005-05:002010-09-02T11:36:04.634-05:00A Song From Chapel<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;"><b><lyrics><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLVrE2Kr8uOQao3m4IS1qpCXT1FiVUkP7yGchQN8JzTpzkSG8&t=1&usg=__HKD8RlOgI7lm8EIn0Nr4D6SwlQY=" />One of my fav</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><lyrics><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">orite parts of coming out to seminary (www.nts.edu) is that twice a week all the students come together for chapel. And during the module sessions (which last four hours!), that means that we stop our classes and join together for worship. It's a way of saying that while we're here to grow in our understanding of God, Scripture and the Church, true education is incomplete without worship. We could certainly learn an abundance of facts and preaching methods, but these fall flat without an adoration of God, without a love of God. </span></span></div></lyrics></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><lyrics><div style="display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div></lyrics></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Well, today we had a singing and prayer service centered on God's call for the church. The prayer time was beautiful as we offered prayers of gratitude, prayers for God's people and prayers for the persecuted church. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">After the prayers we sang a song that I am unfamiliar with, but the words were so powerful to me that I thought I'd share them with the intranet world. Thanks to the <a href="http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/t/t093.html">Oremus Hymnal</a> for having this.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The Church's One Foundation</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Samuel John Stone, 1868</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;"><b><lyrics><br /></lyrics></b></span></div>The Church's one foundation<br />is Jesus Christ her Lord;<br />she is his new creation,<br />by water and the word:<br />from heaven he came and sought her<br />to be his holy bride;<br />with his own blood he bought her,<br />and for her life he died.<br /><br />Elect from every nation,<br />yet one o'er all the earth,<br />her charter of salvation,<br />one Lord, one faith, one birth;<br />one holy Name she blesses,<br />partakes one holy food,<br />and to one hope she presses,<br />with every grace endued.<br /><br />Though with a scornful wonder<br />men see her sore oppressed,<br />by schisms rent asunder,<br />by heresies distressed;<br />yet saints their watch are keeping,<br />their cry goes up, "How long?"<br />and soon the night of weeping<br />shall be the morn of song.<br /><br />Mid toil and tribulation,<br />and tumult of her war<br />she waits the consummation<br />of peace for evermore;<br />till with the vision glorious<br />her longing eyes are blessed,<br />and the great Church victorious<br />shall be the Church at rest.<br /><br />Yet she on earth hath union<br />with God, the Three in one,<br />and mystic sweet communion<br />with those whose rest is won.<br />O happy ones and holy!<br />Lord, give us grace that we<br />like them, the meek and lowly,<br />on high may dwell with thee.</lyrics></b></span>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-71525203312115239002010-05-18T10:37:00.003-05:002010-05-18T10:46:19.453-05:00Dancing on Prayer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZpItIO8dQOpnC7Wze4aitgiQm5AcdZoiDjucTDJQNEinsHH9267YZYWXCp0-fZrytoYvD2X-8vgIxN0dmFfDlfSYOkKGRsCB3jqMF19Y2F8Mur4rSwoeYXhhl74XBj4qFF6i/s1600/Jumping+on+our+prayers.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZpItIO8dQOpnC7Wze4aitgiQm5AcdZoiDjucTDJQNEinsHH9267YZYWXCp0-fZrytoYvD2X-8vgIxN0dmFfDlfSYOkKGRsCB3jqMF19Y2F8Mur4rSwoeYXhhl74XBj4qFF6i/s320/Jumping+on+our+prayers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472634839379722610" /></a>While we were in the hospital with Eden last summer we began to truly understand the beauty of community prayer and experienced God's touch through His people.<div><br /></div><div>One of those moments was when we received this large prayer scroll. This image will be sealed in my mind and heart until I can remember no more. Friends from our faith community had written encouragement and their prayers on this and sent it to us. We rolled it out in the outside play area on our floor. Then we walked up and down reading the notes, feeling God's presence in the prayers. </div><div><br /></div><div>But Cadence...she ran up and down and jumped and danced on the orange scroll. </div><div><br /></div><div>It may be taking this scripture out of confidence, but I felt like this was a "red carpet" to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). I am grateful for our community who walked with us with confidence so that we were able to receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.</div>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11758752.post-9941172909704837922010-03-29T10:42:00.003-05:002010-03-29T10:48:47.590-05:00Experiencing the Holy Week as a Family<p class="MsoNormal">Today is the first day of Holy Week, when we prepare our hearts to remember again Jesus’ death and resurrection. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Here are some suggestions I gave to our teen parents and guardians for experiencing this together as a family. The first two are activities at Stillmeadow and the final three are activities you can do at home.</o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Go through the Stations of the Cross together. They’re open Monday-Thursday from 6PM-9:30PM and on Good Friday from 9:30AM-9:30PM.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Attend the Passion Play together. Remix is going to the Passion Play on Tuesday. Feel free to join us in this!</p><p class="MsoNormal">Read Scripture Together</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">a.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></span>Monday: <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:black">Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 36:5-11, John 12:1-11</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;color:black"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">b.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:black">Tuesday: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 71:1-14, John 12:20-36<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">c.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:black">Wednesday: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 70, John 13:21-32</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">d.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:black">Maundy Thursday: Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19, John 13:1-17, 31b-35</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">e.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:black">Good Friday: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Psalm 22, John 18:1-19:42</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in; mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">f.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:black">Holy Saturday: Job 14:1-14, Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16, Matthew 27:57-66</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:1.5in"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:black">I found these scriptures neatly laid out <a href="http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/lections.php?year=C&season=Holy%20Week">here</a>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"></p><div>Have a special family meal on Thursday Night, remembering Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. Read Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 (explanation of Passover Feast) and Matthew 26:17-30 (the Last Supper).</div><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">Traditionally the church has kept Friday and Saturday as days of quiet remembrance. Invite your family into quietness. Stay at home on Saturday or go to a park together. Watch a movie at the end of the day. Relax.</p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><br /></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">What are some traditions that you do?</p>Josh Kleinfeldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14823273768091510129noreply@blogger.com0