tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26071426493279253142024-03-05T11:31:58.962-08:00Re-imagined LandscapesMat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-47032557161084757482011-08-23T08:13:00.000-07:002011-08-23T10:08:48.056-07:00Burn Out, Resentment, and Moxie<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm in a season of learning right now from the Lord. He's been working on a message in me for a while, and while I may be in fact jumping the gun, I'm going to put down all I have on the matter anyhow. I shoot first and ask questions later. Tha's how I roll! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think the reason I feel the freedom to write this as well, is that there is no one in particular that comes to mind when in regards to the following, although I'm sure that time will come very soon. We are, after all, more predictable than we think.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Burnout, according to Wikiqedia, is "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> a </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Psychology"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">psychological</span></i></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> term for the experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest. Research indicates </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_practitioner" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="General practitioner"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">general practitioners</span></i></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> have the highest proportion of burnout cases; according to a recent Dutch study in </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psychological Reports</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, no less than 40% of these experienced high levels of burnout. Burnout is not a recognized disorder in the </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DSM</span></i></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sciammind_0-0" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnout_(psychology)#cite_note-sciammind-0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">]</span></i></span></a></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> although it is recognized in the </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICD-10" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="ICD-10"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ICD-10</span></i></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1em;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnout_(psychology)#cite_note-1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">]</span></i></span></a></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> as "Problems related to life-management difficulty."</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaZOuNXxzyI6sn8wjJRKyCIjbb4obcZ-o2dqBWDAUskcnzto19FJtbWjYi8uWaqS35xD044cnjiWvZpoc3oaHoHDqUsRjVK7DqKETqFuQFSRWmBeTvTMgCNjfSlcKjhrN__kTclsV2SR6/s1600/291989_10150761082260133_681625132_20335318_6269143_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaZOuNXxzyI6sn8wjJRKyCIjbb4obcZ-o2dqBWDAUskcnzto19FJtbWjYi8uWaqS35xD044cnjiWvZpoc3oaHoHDqUsRjVK7DqKETqFuQFSRWmBeTvTMgCNjfSlcKjhrN__kTclsV2SR6/s400/291989_10150761082260133_681625132_20335318_6269143_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I hear the word "burnout" ever again in context to the church, I'm going to start throwing flaming bags of poop. Just be aware, if you say that around me, you need to immediately duck to avoid chard burning brown paper lunch bag and fecal matter.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(There! I said it. I actually feel a lot lighter.)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People, in fact, are afraid to even BEGIN to encounter ministry and Kingdom Building from the fear of burnout alone. It's common in the Christian church to say things like, "I just feel burned out." "I'm just exhausted." "I feel taken advantage of." "I feel empty."</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv7hQEomcFD7ZcLIGB-vx7MIQmj_YxpxHSisjeQBnLMuXlxJ1Y7M8SgSSjdGQFwOtMEa9YORNY6AVWDf1vKNGGGMwSqxcbVGBIB3JBYaAEywChxp0l7oZy7SpNmdYpwmZ0MoyAQBjGWw6/s1600/310099_10150761082420133_681625132_20335320_3016778_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv7hQEomcFD7ZcLIGB-vx7MIQmj_YxpxHSisjeQBnLMuXlxJ1Y7M8SgSSjdGQFwOtMEa9YORNY6AVWDf1vKNGGGMwSqxcbVGBIB3JBYaAEywChxp0l7oZy7SpNmdYpwmZ0MoyAQBjGWw6/s400/310099_10150761082420133_681625132_20335320_3016778_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My new reply to the above, "aaaaand...." </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(followed by flying flaming poop.) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tell me, at what activity on this world do YOU NOT get burned out?!? Eating the same meal over and over. Watching the same NOTHING on TV. Hanging out with the same emotionally draining person. Your Monday through Friday routine. Workin' for the man. Taking out the trash. Dishes. The same album that you've been listening to for the past 2 months. Dramatic workplace gossip. Changing diapers. Laundry or sweeping the Kitchen floor....AGAIN! TELL ME?!?!?!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I had TO CHOOSE (yes...all caps.) something to get burned out on, it WOULD in fact be Church and Kingdom work. If I'm going to get blistered and frustrated, I would rather it be while dumping myself into building kingdom colonies wherever I find myself. If my feelings were going to get hurt, I would rather it be over something I deeply care about, and something that is tendered by the Lord. If I'm going to raise my voice in objection, I would rather it be defending the truth. If something was going to keep me up at night, it should be His Voice plotting in my head and heart.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTamGBwDwgVhOjFBpAEgGWsWF4TuqK8X8GKUsIbkIOM6G2EIS0nu8crVVK0bH4k4BjPwDRh1XxZC8jSYmrh_DEtHa2g95_ZXyOFM8uGOcMuaKXqjYy72kOv8zdQt0DkxCb8UdgykdZUMmg/s1600/314654_10150761081595133_681625132_20335307_4668181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTamGBwDwgVhOjFBpAEgGWsWF4TuqK8X8GKUsIbkIOM6G2EIS0nu8crVVK0bH4k4BjPwDRh1XxZC8jSYmrh_DEtHa2g95_ZXyOFM8uGOcMuaKXqjYy72kOv8zdQt0DkxCb8UdgykdZUMmg/s400/314654_10150761081595133_681625132_20335307_4668181_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God is teaching me that burnout is inevitable. We are going to get burned out in everything we do, no matter what. We are promised, however, in the house of the Lord that when we are empty, we can be renewed, all for the sake of doing it all over again.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><b>Psalm 23.1-3</b></span><b><br />
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</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><b>Psalm 109.21</b></span><b><br />
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</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><b>Isaiah 61.1-4</b></span><b><br />
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</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><b>Isaiah 40.31</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh799uXI4TU4pZI45AxKdUUdBK37jmphEw8oY9v7p_B_srSPkqLrm5QOB9NimQL6mDdKvM3XBQdslRLP5cuqOkdQJ7JLSCkjWV_PU2lfLUosVGlRNLebMe30cQSNQFDIU1Xmh0LcjIwE5Fj/s1600/300187_10150761084180133_681625132_20335341_190345_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh799uXI4TU4pZI45AxKdUUdBK37jmphEw8oY9v7p_B_srSPkqLrm5QOB9NimQL6mDdKvM3XBQdslRLP5cuqOkdQJ7JLSCkjWV_PU2lfLUosVGlRNLebMe30cQSNQFDIU1Xmh0LcjIwE5Fj/s400/300187_10150761084180133_681625132_20335341_190345_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2MxcSXwOEspzyYHZrMnclQeFG3InYxF2Zzpr2DsMcdISAnCb1HOmP7EyB3YSqdyPhpMtd-ejqLjUtLPPczNuZpHvpuEG86njuXwKPVb1Z0T1c41ncPe3rX-DeFSguC4nagqOwdtmnTZR/s1600/320921_10150761083330133_681625132_20335330_6353538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2MxcSXwOEspzyYHZrMnclQeFG3InYxF2Zzpr2DsMcdISAnCb1HOmP7EyB3YSqdyPhpMtd-ejqLjUtLPPczNuZpHvpuEG86njuXwKPVb1Z0T1c41ncPe3rX-DeFSguC4nagqOwdtmnTZR/s400/320921_10150761083330133_681625132_20335330_6353538_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">My whole life will had better be exhausted in bringing The Kingdom right down here where it belongs. It's what I love, even when it sucks. It's where I want my kids to grow up. It's where I want to be ruled and reigned over by One Good King. There is nothing else...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">My resolve and advice: Adjust your priorities. You are always going to get burned out, no matter what. Dust yourself off and get back in there and start swinging. Listen to the voice of the Lord. Be renewed when you are empty. Find your "cross to bear" AND DO IT. Suck it up, and do it. Resolve, and do it. Believe you me, I need to be told this from time to time. Lay your resentment of imperfect folks before the Throne, and move on.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">The Lord is ALREADY on the move and ALREADY doing great works and wonders. Determine to stay in the game.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">Phew! There. It's out.</span><br />
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</span></span>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-55363191657122543552011-06-26T07:50:00.000-07:002011-06-27T03:51:35.718-07:00Change, Sumbraros, and Amniotic FluidsI'll begin this one by saying that the past week and a half might have had some of the most memorable moments of life change I've had packed into a short time in quite a while. Things in me are changing. Things in my community are changing. Things in my family are changing. All of these changes somehow wonderful and difficult to swallow at the same time.<br />
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It's summer time. Hot and humid, which I'd take over dry heat any day of the week mind you. People...humidity means that there are green plants nearby, and thank goodness! You can keep those cactus gardens, and give me a thick humid day digging in my veggies and flowers, hands down.<br />
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I'm working leather with Scott Hofert this summer. He turns out to have a couple of very interesting tricks up his sleeves other than organizing a growing local church, and tanning (working leather) happens to be one of those tricks. Who knew?<br />
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Anyhow, that's how changes with <i>me</i> began. A long conversation with an old friend while cutting leather and occasionally my finger. We talked about his church, and changes in our culture. How homosexual populations are on the move in the world, and how the church is wrestling to adapt or not adapt. Though I know it was not his intention, this conversation made me feel more alone than I have in a long time. Going back to the basics; Who am I? What is my purpose? Where will I lead my family? What will God's Family do as these changes in cultural norms evolve faster and faster? Where are movements of faith happening in this culture?<br />
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I spent a lot of time studying and talking to my wife. I need any men that read this to know that after the first difficult conversations of unashamed truth with your wife, the road ahead is as smooth as a slow rolling stream. I don't want to remember a time when Katie and I were not on a page together. It is <i>that</i> good. <i>(Footnote: Amidst this conversation with Katie, we laughed about our pet peeves with one another. She always leaves her shoes and water glasses all over the place. She's like that girl from Signs with a water glass; "That one has a spec in it. That one is stale. That one is too warm." Drives me nuts but I crack a smile about it. How I leave all of my coffee mugs in the car and unload them once a week is her touche. Clever girl :P)</i> Another powerful voice into my life, Mrs. Amanda Martin. If you are in our Family, and you are passing that lady by, you are missing out on the goods, let me tell'ya! I have yet to find a woman as grounded and full of the Spirit as Amanda. She takes the edge off of my loneliness from time to time.<br />
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God has loaded this week with kind reminders and those smiles that make you feel good all over. You need reminders like that when things are changing so fast. Speaking of change...Wednesday.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOm-nqfsGYViGVoaiiZUg05-9yjCd7OtDvW1VweD5ZzJd75jgLJfFOGXWKwm_oCmXoVaPHyiOINwVQgFqUAsOn4sA8ESRw1gmyt5jwyS57Z8U6gKgLiZAJkxFa4cOQH9rkLaUWUOzw-XwS/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOm-nqfsGYViGVoaiiZUg05-9yjCd7OtDvW1VweD5ZzJd75jgLJfFOGXWKwm_oCmXoVaPHyiOINwVQgFqUAsOn4sA8ESRw1gmyt5jwyS57Z8U6gKgLiZAJkxFa4cOQH9rkLaUWUOzw-XwS/s320/photo-1.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>This past Wednesday, my small group took over my house, popped the wine bottles, laughed and cried and feasted, all for a fond farewell for Tracey and Christine Keitt. At 24 now, Tracey has been in my life since he was in high school. We have scrubbed our knees bruised our egos serving the homeless. 200 Charlotean homeless getting meals and conversations and dignity every Saturday. We wrapped our minds around networking our church into a neighborhood of working poor in West Charlotte. We made a lot of mistakes there, but learned a lot too. We played soccer and taught english and delivered flowers to refugees in the Birchcroft community. Somewhere along the way in there, it was my privilege to marry him to the lady you see to his left. She is his equal in every way he needs. Katie and I both loved Christine from the first time we met her over a long and leisurely supper at the Dish. As we sat in that moment, we had no idea how our lives would change as God drew us all together.<br />
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As we rolled along with the ebb and flow of Kingdom work together, the four of us, Tracey and Christine have decided that their next adventure will lead them to Chile. It's been a slow process for the two of them to manage this new step in life, but all along the way, I've felt joy and sadness simultaneously. I'm sure I shot them a guilt trip or two, but I promise, only in an attempt to show them my love and adoration for them both.<br />
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Wednesday night was a night to remember. There were long conversations all over my house. Good wine and good food. Worship sailed into each room and right out the chimney to our Father. We laid our hands in one-anothers and on their shoulders, and spoke Truth into them both to fill them with courage. We reminded them that we are always tied together by ties that run thicker than blood and deeper than the dark blue ocean. They are making their way to Chicago before they use their one way tickets to Chile where they will teach and worship and find their new life.<br />
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That image of Tracey and Christine and that red sombrero has burned into my mind now, and holds so much joy and a hand full of sorrow. When will paths cross again? When will we embrace each other? When will we be able to say our "I love you's" to one another, just because? These are the kinds of things you take for granted, and pay little mind to, until life changes and they can't be simply answered anymore.<br />
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The night ran late, but we paid it no mind. Moments like those need to be savored.<br />
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I didn't sleep much that Wednesday. I would wake Katie and Elliot up the next morning to go meet this new little being growing inside of my wife, and my eyes were open with wonder and possibility into the late and early hours. We drove to Cornelius, to a little office on exit 28 for our very first 3D sonogram. I would have ran, if it didn't mean dragging my wife and child behind me.<br />
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We sat in anticipation while technician maneuvered her jelly coated wand over my wife's plump womb. Elliot thought the images looked "ickie" and still thinks the baby is his momma's belly button. My personal belief is that 3D images look a little more strange than I'd like. I just wanted to know one thing...boy or girl. After about 4 minutes of eternity and nail biting, she froze the picture and said; <i>"You see this equal mark. That's a girl!" </i>The room erupted with shouts and tears and joy. Almost the kind of joy as I did when I saw my son for the first time. Katie cried and smiled and so did I.<br />
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Leona Claire Rogers. Leona after my great grandmother who should have been sainted, and Claire after Katie's mentor in college, Claire Natt.<br />
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The morning was sweet, and ushered in to us a new kind of life. The walls of our hearts grew bigger that day, as Katie and I made room for this new little life. <br />
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On the car ride home, I felt new feelings though. The same ones I feel about Katie and Elliot. This little girl is an extension of me. Her vulnerability makes me vulnerable. As I grow and change in this role of fatherhood, I have gradually become more and more vulnerable. My life is truly not my own. It's His and Katie's and Elliot's and now Leona's. Fear follows these feelings for me; <i>"What if this... or What if that..."</i>. Will this little girl love the Lord? Will she grow her beauty inside first, and let God grow it from there? Am I able to protect her? My family? No. God gently whispers a reminder that they are His, and I have to never loose sight of that. His ways for Leona and Katie and Elliot are for their good (Jer. 29:11), and I have to trust him.<br />
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I feel different after this weekend. Older even. It's funny how these feelings creep in. Like that daunting sense of <i>future</i> you feel at your High School Graduation, just after you move your tassel across your face and declare that "you are now an adult" (<i>which is a ludicrous thing to think, really, at age 18</i>). I feel a renewed desire to leverage all things toward the Lord, because I watch Him keep promise after promise.<br />
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I press forward with my questions and passions and convictions with courage, because I have witnessed God time and time again, and I know what he has up his sleeve for the Rogers Clan is so good that I couldn't imagine it. Come what may, God is at the helm, and at the end of all things I long to be able to say to him that through every change that this life brought, I kept him close in my heart, and loved Him with everything I had.Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-62327168602055848612011-06-13T06:01:00.000-07:002011-06-13T07:53:04.438-07:00DaydreamingIt's been a hot minute since I've but my fingers to the keys to crank out a blog, but just so you know, that's very common for me. I don't think I like to write unless it is being worked out in my life, and actually, not too many things have been reworking in my landscape until recently.<br />
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</div><div>Today is my first day on staff at Renovatus. I'm sitting in a quiet office listening to Fink and daydreaming about what this next leg of the race is going to look like. If you are a fellow Renovatian and you are reading this, it's my privilege to lay down my developing abilities in service to the Kingdom and to you.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I should know better than to forecast my life. Every time I make a plan, it seems our sneaky God has something else up His sleeves that better suits me anyway.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Katie is 15 weeks now and feeling much better. She doesn't think so, but all the changes that she is traversing make her more lovely in my eyes. I'm betting there's a little girl in there. So sayeth the "ring trick" and the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Don't knock the games I play with myself. They provide many blissful hours of "what if's" and "maybe's". Leona Claire Rogers after my Great Grandmother. We don't have a name for a boy. I guess I should start looking into that.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XfVnsN1MdQKr8OhKd_GtytpwxKT72ngU561dkJAgpwhbDWimDmQ7XljsaIJzrRS6YhkEsdBAVr3OAOKKbZsyU7UjDUwYE8ZjEYBvqK_U1rDohCehN6lcH2hj7iJmokAVmyU0vHLaL4jI/s1600/Something_New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XfVnsN1MdQKr8OhKd_GtytpwxKT72ngU561dkJAgpwhbDWimDmQ7XljsaIJzrRS6YhkEsdBAVr3OAOKKbZsyU7UjDUwYE8ZjEYBvqK_U1rDohCehN6lcH2hj7iJmokAVmyU0vHLaL4jI/s400/Something_New.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XfVnsN1MdQKr8OhKd_GtytpwxKT72ngU561dkJAgpwhbDWimDmQ7XljsaIJzrRS6YhkEsdBAVr3OAOKKbZsyU7UjDUwYE8ZjEYBvqK_U1rDohCehN6lcH2hj7iJmokAVmyU0vHLaL4jI/s1600/Something_New.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Elliot is saying thank you, which sounds more like; "tink ew." I melt a little every time he says it, but I don't want him to know that. He tries to make me laugh now when he gets into trouble. It works more times than I'd like to confess. He leads me around the house by the hand. Rotten. I love it.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfzty831eCRmvTbWxKif0HqfxZgdJneOLzhpfgre2Yq2a5p0BPdHScj9bgI1FUwxpZVnzIQ0mBrwuW87DJFWCHwlT07obFUgCygjNPG4-DXEtRPQwfA_eshbhgHnjSeQxxk4TSNR9waFV/s1600/247817_10150635488920133_681625132_18915490_6946648_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfzty831eCRmvTbWxKif0HqfxZgdJneOLzhpfgre2Yq2a5p0BPdHScj9bgI1FUwxpZVnzIQ0mBrwuW87DJFWCHwlT07obFUgCygjNPG4-DXEtRPQwfA_eshbhgHnjSeQxxk4TSNR9waFV/s320/247817_10150635488920133_681625132_18915490_6946648_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God is teaching me on the regular. Things about humility. Things about repentance. Things about manhood. He spoke sweet words to me in worship this weekend. He's shown me the root of my rebellious nature. The good of it and the bad. When to rebel and when to submit. Kind Teacher. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm nuts about Him.</div><div><br />
</div><div>As I start something new, I'm eager to see what He's plotting. What's going to happen in Birchcroft this year? What's going to happen to Jonathan and Amanda and my Family at Renovatus. How is He going to continue to shape and rework my family? My parents? My siblings? All that jazz.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The certainty I keep in my heart (its on my left sleeve) is of His goodness no matter the circumstance, so I move forward into these changes without fear.</div><div></div><div><br />
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</div>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-32695818849691747612011-03-28T06:54:00.000-07:002011-03-28T06:54:44.907-07:00To Move a Mountain<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer0rEzkoZx2yJ_o_3q6S64qAdz-gdDgvfD0pabXd2JarmEif850_k-BcV5Z8Hhn-D2Le44RtH5J6NysghW8R6Sq6hRLeNoylABegFc-2_Y1aJH5kZb-87Mj273o59QNS-6T1JvY_zNme-/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23715" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>14</i></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23716" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>15</i></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23717" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>16</i></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”</i></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23718" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>17</i></sup><i> “You unbelieving and perverse generation,”</i></span><i> Jesus replied, </i><span class="woj"><i>“how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”</i></span><i> </i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23719" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>18</i></sup><i> Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.</i></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23720" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>19</i></sup><i> Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”</i></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> </i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23721" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>20</i></sup><i> He replied, </i><span class="woj"><i>“Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”</i></span><i> </i><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23722" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><i>[21]</i></sup><i> </i><sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23722a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"><i>[</i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+17&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23722a" title="See footnote a"><i>a</i></a><i>]</i></sup></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span class="woj"><sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23722a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"><br />
</sup></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>~Matthew 17.14-21</b></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I needed a little time yesterday to decompress before I could write. Renovatus and Mosaic gathered together at the Birchcroft apartments and started to lay bricks of the Kingdom, side by side. I've been spending the last 48 hours literally reeling from Saturday, unsure of how to explain it to folks or talk about it and give it its due justice (no pun intended)((inside baseball)). <br />
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Friday morning, before the event, I could feel the weight of the weekend creep up around me as things do that are contingent on a move of God, or people, or are the summation of a thousand details. In defiance, I cranked my iPod up and began to worship. Just then I saw a blue star fall right out of the dawn sky, like a heavenly affirmation. I laughed a big belly laugh and worshiped harder as I continued the drive in.<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><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/SVLSwwr2wMk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Our plan was to deliver bags of toiletries and first aid door to door. These bags had been distributed to Renovatus, filled, and brought back, totaling 122. We were also planning on up-fitting the soccer field with new nets and soccer balls. We were going to have food and drink in place, to allow us to hang out and get to know some of the residents, and have a tent set up full of nurses, nursing students, doctors, and E.M.T.'s, giving free medical assistance. We labored and thought critically and planned and worked, all the while hoping we were pleasing our Lord and making room for His arrival.</div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Saturday rolled upon us and looked more ominous than I had it pictured in my head. It looked like a sea of rain was going to fall right on our heads. I felt the Lord all day though, speaking softly that it wouldn't matter. Whether or not we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">had</span> enough bags, or there was enough food, or the heavens released their rain on us, or we couldn't speak any of the languages of the people around us. It wouldn't matter, because He was going to be amidst us, and that was all we would need.<br />
Now, having all of the introduction out of the way, I need to try to tell you what I saw that day, but I'm not exactly sure how. What I saw, filled me with energy. It gave me fuel to run on for miles and miles. It filled me with a sense of purpose and adventure. It slapped my face to wake me as if I had been dreaming some useless dream for a time, calling me into something<i> Real</i>. What I saw brought tears and laughter and wonder back into the forefront of my life, and I welcomed it in like a starstruck teenager meeting their favorite celeb for the first time.</div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>I saw a mountain move. </b>Well...several <i>actually</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL',charis,Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOunjjOSfdVWIwJwHO3X9VYTAIU15SOIgUPG236q4cczwmCuncsCih-NO_Zwjk2dqV5ZIk4nLQRIkcJLSQi7L_I3kQhdStP_sEtLzxSpHJKnFk0cL79EHavUSLiA9wL2oQHAdoNGkfOpk/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOunjjOSfdVWIwJwHO3X9VYTAIU15SOIgUPG236q4cczwmCuncsCih-NO_Zwjk2dqV5ZIk4nLQRIkcJLSQi7L_I3kQhdStP_sEtLzxSpHJKnFk0cL79EHavUSLiA9wL2oQHAdoNGkfOpk/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I'll preface, because I always feel the need to preface, that I don't chase things that are miraculous. I don't look for swirling vortexes of the spirit or knock people off of balance and shake my hands in the air or claim to have any supernatural powers of my own.<br />
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I am unlearned in the ways of miracles. I can not recant for you specific exegetical bible studies I have come across that have enlightened my opinion on them. I can't unfurl theological rhetoric on the "Feeding of the Five Thousand". I can only talk about what's been shown to me, and tell you that I'm completely comfortable with the mystery of everything else.<br />
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<b>Bump</b> variety. <i>Mystery</i> is the spice of life.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegg8VZpx5_DddskfyAMZ5ELIqzgWs4-Oy-7oeH4WrnwUx4yN9VKoS55ZNUnJgMPxn1vTX2N4tc8RJ_bQRMksNQAHz8t9ww9r4pB2qijy8wi8xrtjAkzYankHfsIoJgiJeSAgBCUZNY2Ks/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgegg8VZpx5_DddskfyAMZ5ELIqzgWs4-Oy-7oeH4WrnwUx4yN9VKoS55ZNUnJgMPxn1vTX2N4tc8RJ_bQRMksNQAHz8t9ww9r4pB2qijy8wi8xrtjAkzYankHfsIoJgiJeSAgBCUZNY2Ks/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A father finds out he and his wife are </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pregnant at the medical tent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu8cO2E1kK4VMiOtnrDIL1-cABhr7FdmeNkIiGNs-Ywv4dNdtFjpmdHCzvIqKK1foVsl9FUOXt9KRVL0BvxehOzoX_dmIvIxr-Yj8ozYiOrKh74W_v3wx0P7B1SM2xK3raQ6LrbSrcxFw/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRu8cO2E1kK4VMiOtnrDIL1-cABhr7FdmeNkIiGNs-Ywv4dNdtFjpmdHCzvIqKK1foVsl9FUOXt9KRVL0BvxehOzoX_dmIvIxr-Yj8ozYiOrKh74W_v3wx0P7B1SM2xK3raQ6LrbSrcxFw/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>We put our arms around people from all over the world. We told them they were loved and welcomed, and that we would be here to help them as they entered this new life here in the States. We collected <b>119</b> bags and there were <b>119</b> doors that opened to us. There were 3 people who came to us late in the day, saying that they missed us when we were giving out the bags and were wondering if there were any more left. Each time, someone would pull up late from Renovatus with a bag in hand, apologizing for not bringing them by the office earlier in the week. The rain did little more than a drizzle all afternoon until we started to wrap up, which, if you stepped outside on Saturday, you would agree...that was no small miracle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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/8oSs3Mi-dNA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
I suppose you could look at it as coincidence, and I couldn't blame you. It's easier to look at things like this and <i>explain</i> it away. It keeps control in our hands so let's can get a little bigger.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, there are those who wish and hope for a move of God. The want to see the sea part, and the locust descend, and the bread divide, and the seas calm.<br />
<br />
I don't think I fit comfortably in either of those categories, but please feel free to correct me if I'm off. I hope I'm somewhere in the middle, learning as I read ancient texts of Old Testament mystery, while working in a New Testament Kingdom of Heaven right here and right now, all the while wrestling with what Jesus meant when he said; <i>"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."</i> <b>~John 14:12</b><br />
<br />
What I find, after a day like Saturday is this: We live in a place where the <b>Christian tradition</b> is common place and <b>ordinary</b>. The Church is resigned to an event you attend on a Sunday morning or has become as frank a task as putting on your tie for work or hitting up the Starbucks on your way in. You could walk into a coffee shop and strike up a conversation with a stranger, and 8 / 10 at some point in that conversation get asked <i>"What church do you go to?"</i> We have lost Her mystery and beauty in the hustle and bustle of the every day, and what's worse, I see people who don't even believe that the God of the Bible can do what is written.<br />
<br />
I think the reason for that is simple. People don't make a practice of putting themselves in a posture of requiring <i>faith, </i>nor are they enamored enough with the Object of their faith. We have fallen in love with useless gods who offer us nothing and can do nothing. They neither hold the stars with their word nor move the hearts of man with their promises. It's our fault, not His. A part of us craves an adventure while another holds us on our couches, afraid to miss what we D.V.R.'ed. In the noise of our <i>un-attuned</i> lives, miracles of all sizes float right by, and our souls are left thirsty.<br />
<br />
Not me. No sir. I may be awful at it, but I want to see the Kingdom come and His will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. I am convinced that there is no other alternative to Real life. I want to see so many mountains move, that the wonder of it slips further and further away from the mountain itself, and to the One who moved it. I want a life so full and so steeped in the presence of my King that watching Him remove an obstacle in my path is as un-itrusiveness and ordinary as Him opening a car door.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-23564473943574361292011-02-14T07:21:00.001-08:002011-02-14T07:21:34.810-08:00<b>Recap:</b><br />
<br />
Last night, we decided to go on the Offensive spiritually on behalf of Jess and Birchcroft. We are going to metaphorically / prayerfully lower them down through the roof to our King with intense prayer and a 4 day fast. The fast is not mandatory, of course, and no one is to be discouraged for opting out. Intense obstacles require intense countermeasures. Our sister needs us. Birchcroft needs us. <br />
<br />
Our prayer and fasting ends this coming Sunday at our house with a dinner (that will blow your mind, guaranteed), and conversations about our journeys.<br />
<b><br />
March 26th Event:</b><br />
Lauren Horten is organizing food and soccer equipment as well as the agenda for the day.<br />
<br />
Elizabeth Marx & Kate Rouse are facilitating the acquisition of Toiletries / First Aid bags on the Renovatus end. Elizabeth, I need you to keep tabs with Lauren Wednesday to compare notes.<br />
<br />
Sarah Calvert & Adam Pohlig are working logistics on what is actually needed for the bags.<br />
<br />
The Method; we will get 150 empty bags to the church with a detailed list inside of what they need to be filled with. The congregation will return the bags filled and we will distribute them door by door. <br />
<b><br />
ESL:</b><br />
Erica & Sostenes are spearheading our endeavor to support Chelsea and Steven's leadership. Teachers have started to roll in and I will get you their contact information as quick as I get it. Erica is responsible for communicating to the new recruits via email and making sure they are equipped and prepared.<br />
<br />
We have decided to let them shadow the current ESL teachers for an indeterminate (as of yet) time until they naturally subdivide, so that the new teachers can get their bearings and give Chelsea the time she needs to get her mind around the changing environment.<br />
<br />
Erica, you are working with Corey on details for shadowing and clarification of the ESL programs strategy and plan of action, as to not confuse new volunteers.<br />
<br />
Sostenes, you are responsible for keeping lines of communication open with Stephen, and bringing needs to the group on his behalf. <br />
<br />
So far, $200.00 were donated to the program by the end of the 1st service. I'm excited to see what happened after the 2nd. The church is opening up an account for us to keep and designate money for Birchcroft. As soon as we get the green light, we will purchase supplies / books that Chelsea and Stephen need for ESL.<br />
<br />
Thomas, update on Library?<br />
<br />
Anthi, I spoke to your boss Sunday about work space and that sounds like a viable option. You mind continuing communication on that regard. We can use the church van to move folks. I don't see a need to start that until Chelsea gets home.<br />
<br />
Praise reports:<br />
Renovatus has assimilated the vision for Birchcroft well I believe, and I'm so excited to see what God is up to as he leverages His Body into one particular direction.<br />
<br />
Sostenes got a job. Woot woot!<br />
<br />
Adam and Anthi will be wed in 23 days. Holy crap!<br />
<br />
Spit to the West,<br />
MatMat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-49563181006095620772011-01-28T06:07:00.001-08:002011-01-28T06:07:56.788-08:00Staying Focused...<b>Thomas:</b> Do you have any updates on Library space?<br />
<br />
<b>Anthi: </b>Following up on tutoring space.<br />
<br />
<b>Anthi & Christine: </b>No need to worry about curriculum research. We will cross that bridge with grant applications of we need to.<br />
<br />
<b>Christine & Tracey:</b> Tell us about the grant writing process. What do you need? What is our time frame? Chelsea has already gotten a heads up that we might need her help to get you some of the information you may require.<br />
<br />
<b>Adam & Sarah:</b> Medical / Toiletry supplies for March 26th. Let's start brainstorming what we are going to need and how we can get it. The group can organize it for the supplies once we have them, we just need to get them. Work your connections and lets see what we can come up with. <br />
<br />
<b>Everyone: </b> I still need a leader to rise up to spearhead ESL from the Renovatus end. I also need someone to share leadership with me for the March 26th event. Someone who loves event planning. Pray and be bold. Jump on it.<br />
<br />
We approach the church next Sunday. Start praying for our church to respond now.<br />
<br />
I love our small group.<br />
~MatMat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-16699690851768485702011-01-24T05:22:00.000-08:002011-01-24T05:22:01.082-08:00Where We Are Going<b>Renovatus Justice Small Group has 3 items on the docket for the review of our Pastor as of this morning:</b><br />
<b> </b><br />
1) ESL is underway, and we are currently working through legistics: Classes meet every Monday from 4-6pm in Apt. F. We need 6 Renovatians willing to help teach. We need school supplies for both the classrooms and the students. We are working out more space at the Library off Central. We need to purchase additional 8 curriculum books (My First Message: A devotional Bible for Kids by: Eugene H. Peterson). <br />
<br />
<i><b>ESL will be Renovatus first (of many) weekly steps into the neighborhood. </b></i> Once that is up and running, we will start something new, while maintaining and facilitating ESL. Make sense?<br />
<br />
2) March 26th; First community event. We will be partnering with <b>Mosaic Church </b>to up-fit the kids soccer fields with new equipment, cookout and invite folks out of their homes, and provide them with a variety of toiletries / home medical supplies.<br />
<i><b>Quick Note: </b>It turns out the grand U.S. of A. only provides immigrants around 6 months of health care, and then they are left to fend for themselves. We thought this could also be an opportunity for our nurses to meet folks and help them with their medical needs.<br />
</i><br />
3) April 30th; Second community event. Spring cleaning event for general landscaping, taking flowers to folks in their homes, and cleaning communal spaces. We are hoping by this point we will have had the opportunity to build relationships with neighbors, and thusly be allowed to enter their homes and clean for them.<br />
<br />
<b>Group Discussions:</b><br />
I have requested two leaders to step forward to lead ESL from our end under the leadership of Chelsea. Pray about it and get back to me. We have to move quickly. I will be facilitating the role in the meantime.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>For Accountability's Sake:</b><br />
Each of us in our small group will be (eventually) required to pick up leadership of <b>ONE </b>service project in Birchcroft, and one project only. Your other responsibility is to meet up with us in group so we can protect / refresh / pray / encourage / provide for you / and hold you accountable. According to the Spirits leading, we each have to find time to regularly (however that looks) meet with folks in the neighborhood. This makes your weekly commitments to the church manageable. From my end, I will protect you from <i>burn out </i>at <b>all</b> costs. We love you too much to burn you out.<br />
<br />
Our small group makes my heart smile.<br />
<br />
Mat<br />
<br />
<b> </b>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-23493696449891487262011-01-17T15:21:00.000-08:002011-01-18T16:04:47.464-08:00Thoughts from tonight.Tonight, Katie, Elliot and I snuck a peek at what's going on in the "ESL" department at Birchcroft, and despite a little chaos, we were completely overwhelmed with what God was up to.<br />
<br />
The space was broken down into 4 areas; there where kids that were too young that were being entertained in the kitchen, elementary school aged kids in the living room, a group of middle/high school kids upstairs in a bedroom, and a group of girls in a separate apartment. <br />
<br />
I was upstairs with the middle school/ high school boys. They were writing summaries from Biblical stories they talked about in previous weeks. I met Husain and Z. They were both pretty cool boys.<br />
<br />
There were 7 volunteers to my best count, but Chelsea (the leader) claims that there needs to be at least 4 more consistent volunteers that meet and teach curricula every week. That shouldn't be a problem.<br />
<br />
Needs I will be petitioning our <b>congregation</b> for:<br />
1) 4-6 volunteers to meet at Birchcroft to teach ESL on Monday nights, 4-6.<br />
2) "My First Message" by Eugeen Petterson, one for each teacher, so about 8 copies I would say. They run about $20.00 a copy.<br />
3) Dry erase boards & Markers w/ easels.<br />
4) Notebooks<br />
5) School Supplies<br />
<br />
To my best of knowledge, I know they will need something more challenging for their older kids. Let's see what we can do to help them out there.<br />
<br />
What I need from <b>you</b>:<br />
1) I need one of you (not Erica or Saucey) to work under me and help organize ESL from our end, eventually taking the reigns from me once the ball starts rolling. Pray, and move as you feel led.<br />
<br />
I'll see you all this Sunday night, 7:00pm.<br />
<br />
I love our Small Group,<br />
Mat.<br />
<br />
Ps. If you have thought to prepare a letter for Jessica, we will be sending her our first care package next week. I know she could use our encouragement and prayers.Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-15387649188829963642011-01-07T06:07:00.000-08:002011-01-07T06:07:50.931-08:00Wistle While You WorkWhere's the bottle of <i><b>champagne</b></i> for the christening? This ship is sailing.<br />
<br />
Our first prerogative is to assist and streamline ESL and tutoring that is already taking place in Birchcroft. The meetings thus far are on Monday nights from 4-6. Below is an email I've received from Stephen you should take a look at.<br />
<br />
<i>Matt,</i><br />
<div></div><div><i>I am forwarding you an email from our ESL leader. The Lord is blessing our ESL class on Mondays and we now have 4 ESL teachers coming on a consistent basis (I believe Cori and maybe Amanda attend Renovatus). At the beginning of this year we started a girls ESL class separate from the boys and we had 8 girls show up!!! It was incredible and 4 of them come from Muslim families. Please pray for continual blessings on this new girls class!!!</i></div><div></div><div><i>As you will see in the email our ESL leader requested that she could use some help and it would really benefit our classes if we could get our hands on a few more of the Bible story books that she uses and some journals. Is this something that you and Renovatus could help us with? Just let me know...</i></div><div></div><div><i>Thanks brother! Sometime in the next few weeks you and I and Steve need to meet so we can fill you in on what has been happening in Birchcroft! Amazing movements of the Lord bro, healings, passion for Jesus spreading, it is incredible!!!</i></div><div></div><div><i>In Christ,</i></div><div></div><i>Stephen Jackson</i><br />
<br />
<b>I just got this this morning. Again, I think it's amazing how God knits things together without us trying. Lets promise to never fabricate this process and let the Spirit pilot.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Agenda: </b><br />
<b>Me:</b><br />
I am working on tracking down 4 teachers and 2 additional stand by volunteers for Monday nights.<br />
<br />
<b>Thomas:</b><br />
Possibilities of public space in the local library for overflow population.<br />
<b> <br />
Christine & Anthi: </b><br />
Tracking down working curriculum for Monday nights. I need you ladies to use Stephen's contact info and touch base, making sure curricula mesh.<br />
<div style="color: black;"></div><div style="color: black;"><a href="mailto:wolvesfanjackson@gmail.com" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-family: tahoma,sans-serif;"><b>wolvesfanjackson@gmail.com</b></span></i></a></div><div style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-family: tahoma,sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></i></div><div style="color: black;"><b>Additional Needs:</b><br />
Discussion with Jonathan about possabilities of renting space in Birchcroft to pull off multiple events on site, and tentatively using Anthi and Adams place in the meantime.</div><br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
We are making a commitment to take things slow and facilitate needs one at a time. This is a long term relationship, and there's no need to rush it. Lets do all things like we are doing it for Him, and we'll do just fine. If you are getting antsy for some action, I understand. Im the same way. Take it upon yourself to meet some families, facilitate some small needs, drive some folks to church, etc. Apart from that, coorperatly we will start with Tutoring and ESL.<b> </b><br />
<br />
Also, we are discussing next weekend when exactly we can move small group so we don't loose Katie H. or Erica. I threw Sunday afternoon out there. Two birds with one stone is how I see it :)<br />
<br />
I love our small group.<br />
<br />
MatMat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-90200354150404378892010-12-11T06:35:00.000-08:002010-12-11T06:59:51.177-08:00Altar BuildingAs we move forward into harder times, I think it's important to keep the practice of altar building. We have to remember what God has done for us while we attempt to build His Kingdom in obedience. I'd like for us to record these here on our blog as we go, as a place of reference and celebration. You cool with that?<br />
<br />
Having disclaimed, <b>Altar #1 (<i>Providence</i>)</b>:<br />
<br />
<i>Providence</i>, <i>n. </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><i>a</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><i>manifestation</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><i>of</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><i>divine</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><i>care</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><i>or</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i>direction.</i></span><br />
<br />
<i>Two stories have been Written simultaneously, and to understand this altar, you have to see them happen separately before you can understand their <b>Providence</b>.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<b>Justice Small Group's story;</b> We have come from all over the place...literally. We've been drawn together from different states and churches and backgrounds. As we have strived to serve God in obedience, fasting, and prayer, we have watched as God has drawn up our blueprint.<br />
<br />
1) Events of service to the Birchcroft Community; outdoor movies, community potlucks, coats & shoes, clothing drives, home restoration, etc. At least 6-8 events held this year that will invite the public out, and allow for our Renovatus Community to engage the Birchcroft, and visa versa. <br />
<br />
2) Weekly gatherings; small group Bible studies, ESL classes, Tech. classes, community farming, transportation, child care, dinners, etc. The regular ways that a more select few of our Renovatus Community engage Birchcroft.<br />
<br />
3) Fund raising; Grant applications, Art sales, Garage sales, etc. How can we become self reliant to support the needs of Birchcroft without depending too heavily on Renovatus, for the use of things such as turning on power for homeowners, supporting live in missionaries, providing our our events, etc.<br />
<br />
This was the general plan brought to us through our time of prayer and fasting.<br />
<br />
All the while...<br />
<br />
<b>Steve Shak's story; </b>The Charlotte Eagles have already begun partnering with the four Refugee Communities in Charlotte, long before we arrived on the scene. They have live in missionaries, and seek to partner with local churches to get these people plugged into the Gospel and the Narrative of Jesus Christ, recognizing that they themselves are not the church.<br />
<br />
While many churches have engaged this particular community in a very fleeting way; dropping things off, preparing food, giving shoes and coats, etc., none have stuck around for the hard work of relationship building and all the good and the bad that comes with it.<br />
<br />
The requisites for partnership with the Charlotte Eagles are as follows;<br />
<br />
<b>Your church is commited to:</b><br />
* Establishing a prayer team - This ministry was birthed through prayer and will be sustained through prayer. We ask that you would put together a small group that meets regularly to pray for your church, the Urban Eagles staff, and the children in the specific community you will be working in. <i> </i><br />
<i>"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." (Colossians 4:2)</i><br />
<br />
* Serving the people in this particular community by:<br />
<br />
1. Casting a vision within your church hat this is your outreach.<br />
2. Promoting and enlisting volunteers to help with food/ snacks, tutoring, leading devotions/prayer/bible study, help with transportation and special events.<br />
3. Being a resource to help the community's practical needs: employment, food, clothing, and furnityre.<br />
4. Organizing 305 outreach events per year (food, foot washing, movie night, etc.)<br />
5. As the Lord leads, increasing your commitment and support by giving financially to the needs of the full-time missionaries planted in the community.<br />
<br />
<b>God's story; </b>Apart from each other's even knowing, The Lord clearly gave us the same plan, of no invention of our own. I don't know what else to say, but <b>AMEN! </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Praise the Maker who ties all things together and does all things well. We remember your faithfulness Father and will worship you when times are as good as they are right now, and when we surround ourselves into the darkness while we try to bring your Light. We well remain humble and dependent on your movement and guidance, as you have always been good to give us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Today, Oh Lord, we give you this Altar. We will not forget.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>~ Mat</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-87689212896746382252010-12-02T07:33:00.000-08:002010-12-02T07:33:34.501-08:00Common PrayerWell, it's safe to say that last night was not what I was expecting, but no matter. It was still wonderful. I've started to move through Common Prayer, and it's already giving me much food for thought. Shout out to our Dusties. We missed your faces. That includes Kate too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="CommonPrayer.jpg" height="320" src="webkit-fake-url://D9DF24FE-7E15-48B1-BAA4-6B2B1817412A/CommonPrayer.jpg" width="206" /></div><br />
<br />
Disclaimer: This will be no guilt in your absence this Holiday Season. Just do what you need to do. Hang with your families, and spread some love.<br />
<br />
Also, this Wednesday, we will be going over some legistics. I've spoken with our pastor, and we definitely have some things to go over. We need to start with our leadership body though, so come and prepare to be open as we get our heads on straight. Spiritual gifts and all that type of "strategerie." <br />
<br />
I'm nuts about this group of folk.<br />
<br />
~MatMat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-72555158408464854092010-11-24T03:58:00.000-08:002010-11-24T03:58:30.836-08:00Thanksgiving BreakRemember, no meeting today. Go enjoy some time with your family. Also throw your thoughts down about Birchcroft, its important. I need to check our spiritual temperature as it were so I can get some things going for when we get back together.<br />
<br />
Have a great holiday. I miss everyone already.<br />
<br />
MatMat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-69017060748178954392010-11-22T05:10:00.000-08:002010-11-22T05:16:57.418-08:00Birchcroft Recap.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqS9HOUN5SBSqqfn1G-yy6-BPJdBD_sXYkZlW7mWHZL_TGgBcqW-1MigKJDiDrcPcjro40xe45tW0Ux1-D1IlMvqGvUVN7zx6YxeeiYSijmYC7XdSEPP_zje5Iz1ffvUEw9TDIIykmx3s/s1600/IMG_7364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqS9HOUN5SBSqqfn1G-yy6-BPJdBD_sXYkZlW7mWHZL_TGgBcqW-1MigKJDiDrcPcjro40xe45tW0Ux1-D1IlMvqGvUVN7zx6YxeeiYSijmYC7XdSEPP_zje5Iz1ffvUEw9TDIIykmx3s/s400/IMG_7364.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2vf13mLBOAsKiHGt0A_Y4iAKQD6CGoRb7nE8x2JYIlfaC52Bkq_2ovESwVdlm-piHMXb4qxjHOrD50_yTy6yngbVHBC2Nh6-qUMNHtIAiEsgueKwBmUL4bkXybpSZls9BDoTLFdW1uzw/s1600/IMG_7258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2vf13mLBOAsKiHGt0A_Y4iAKQD6CGoRb7nE8x2JYIlfaC52Bkq_2ovESwVdlm-piHMXb4qxjHOrD50_yTy6yngbVHBC2Nh6-qUMNHtIAiEsgueKwBmUL4bkXybpSZls9BDoTLFdW1uzw/s400/IMG_7258.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06DyrEBnngPNsfihOyuLnxJSqMk_J1uQ1_q5_2YSsLGuhSaQYOsXOSqrtIf1CKA8ES3tJXFIqZJQq5d-7-Cy_-4E5B92MFbz3oPnACB6QjNjYXxy_-rD42zzMgNuHcqso-Wb9x8bRLNzj/s1600/IMG_7296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06DyrEBnngPNsfihOyuLnxJSqMk_J1uQ1_q5_2YSsLGuhSaQYOsXOSqrtIf1CKA8ES3tJXFIqZJQq5d-7-Cy_-4E5B92MFbz3oPnACB6QjNjYXxy_-rD42zzMgNuHcqso-Wb9x8bRLNzj/s400/IMG_7296.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Amen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-84562867424400046342010-11-19T07:20:00.000-08:002010-11-19T08:02:44.813-08:00Wet ToesThis weekend will be our first step into something larger. I'm trying to keep my expectations in check. We've seen/done it all, and I know that small and humble beginnings are the way to go. This is going to be an amazing opportunity to start relationships in a neighborhood that we are going to start planting some roots in.<br />
<br />
<b>In preparation for Sunday</b>, keep your hearts focused. Look for opportunities to help serve, start conversations, pick up trash, fill in where needed. <i><b>Be flexible. </b></i>This wont be super organized, only borrowing from strategies we <i>already</i> know. Be <i>ok</i> with that. Take the initiative to lead and serve upon yourself. Don't wait for me or Katie or Denis or Lisa or Tracey. We are a body of leaders. I want to be flexible enough to get pictures taken for us to document our first steps, so make sure you get there early enough to rally as we set up and get a loose structure. <br />
<br />
Thoughts as we go forward:<br />
<br />
<b>Me.</b> This is how I work, so this is a confession and an explanation so you can see and understand me; when I don't see anyone step forward in instances to take the "baton" (or whatever) of leadership, I take it and move. This, over time, limits peoples ability to find their niche in leadership/servanthood. Does that make sense? I'm not trying to steal a spotlight, I'm trying to keep us moving. Sometimes that's necessary, sometimes that isn't. My weakness is, when I'm not careful, I can look over folks. Forgive me when I do that.<br />
<br />
My job is to play middle man between the leadership of our Pastor and our church, and ourselves, which puts me in a spot of communication a lot. I'm humbled to steward your relationships/thoughts/passions/vision/gifts/leadership as we navigate uncharted territory. Forgive me my short comings. I have quite a number of them.<br />
<br />
<b>Us. </b>We are going to spend sometime during our next meetings to get to know each others gifts, and organize our leadership that way. There are a lot of us, and it's going to take some time, but that's ok. We need it.<br />
<br />
<b>Organization. </b>Make sure you are following the blog and our Facebook group. These are the best ways to share thoughts and touch base through the week. <br />
<br />
I love you guys. Keep humble hearts and minds this weekend.Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-65118534734286708622010-11-13T05:50:00.000-08:002010-11-13T11:55:47.206-08:00Bolstering Ranks<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our numbers are still on the climb. This week we were joined by Kate and Adam. I'm going to need the Lord to multiply some square footage at this rate. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kate, Katie H., Katie R., Thomas, Denis, Lisa, Patrick, Courtney, Tracey, Christine, Elizabeth, Paulo, Anthi, Adam, Jessica, Erica, and Saucey, my heart is filled with anticipation at getting neck deep in Kingdom work beside each of you. I get goose bumps, for real.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember, next week (Nov. 17th) we are meeting at Birchcroft to walk and pray and learn. Tentative address is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3143 Central Avenue, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charlotte, NC 28205-5413, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(704) 536-3520. That should get you there. I'll get Adam's address this Sunday.</span></span>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-80680617409403244822010-11-11T08:32:00.000-08:002010-11-13T05:52:05.132-08:00Sanctification<div class="header" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;">sanc·ti·fy</span></div><div class="header" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; 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font-size: 13px; height: 18px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; width: 30px;"></a></span><span class="show_spellpr" style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="prondelim" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">[</span><span class="pron" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="boldface" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">sangk</span>-t<span class="ital-inline" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">uh</span>-fahy</span><span class="prondelim" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">]</span> <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/Spell_pron_key.html" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><img border="0" class="luna-Img" src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" /></a> <span class="pron_toggle" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a alt="Toggle for IPA" class="pronlink" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2607142649327925314&postID=8068061740940324482" style="color: #333333; cursor: pointer; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" title="Click to show IPA">Show IPA</a></span></span></span></div><div class="body" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="pbk" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 15px;"><span class="pg" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">–verb</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">(used</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">with</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">object),</span> </span></span><span class="secondary-bf" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">-fied,</span> </span></span><span class="secondary-bf" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">-fy·ing.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="luna-Ent" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">1.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">make</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">holy;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">set</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">apart</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">as</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">sacred;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">consecrate.</span></span></div></div><div class="luna-Ent" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">2.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">purify</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">free</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">from</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">sin:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Sanctify</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">your</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">hearts.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="luna-Ent" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">3.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">impart</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">religious</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">sanction</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to;</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">render</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">legitimate</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">binding:</span></span><span class="ital-inline" style="color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">sanctify</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">a</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">vow.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="luna-Ent" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">4.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">entitle</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">reverence</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">respect.</span></span></div></div><div class="luna-Ent" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: block; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="dnindex" style="color: #7b7b7b; display: block; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 28px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">5.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">make</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">productive</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">conducive</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">spiritual</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">blessing.</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">If I listen to my heart to the messages put out there last night, I think it's quite clear, that while we've been praying for a direction, the Lord meant for us to be sanctified first. I don't think that's meant to be a "Holy Pitty Party" where we dialogue about each other's sins until we are blue in the face, but that He means to put us to work, and to qualify us first.</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">I think I've heard it said before, but I'm not sure from where "He doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">It fills my heart to know that we are getting ready to be used. </span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">About Thanksgiving in Birchcroft. I got the green light from Jonathan, </span></span>(<i>Speaking of, if you have the opportunity to, or even if you don't, stop that man when you see him and hug him around his neck, even if that means jumping. I've known a lot pastors in my young walk with Christ, and I haven't met many who are so trusting in their flock that they would allow us to set a vision from the Lord out to the church without micromanaging or looking over our shoulders. We are so blessed to have a leader like him. I'm not blowing smoke. We <b>really </b>are.)</i></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">I've signed up Reimagined Landscapes at www.<i>signupgenious.com </i>I tried to use Friends Feed Friends, Denis, but I couldn't figure it out quick enough and we're on a time crunch. We need to figure that out though for any preceding events. </span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">The URL is: <a href="http://www.signupgenius.com/go/thanksgiving657">http://www.signupgenius.com/go/thanksgiving657</a></span></span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6X23-RuJqgzNxCP19oI2nNh5fES2_s_TpBEM_9Lm4BXNMeCgQbN4q94wNp1KAhdQtJPM1UnUQuu1nIjGDSux-WQt4qKr5ldsqWld5dLSaiJrejyEs3sybKCyYpXrP7XDmOvZ8PuP0bdV/s1600/sharing_meal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6X23-RuJqgzNxCP19oI2nNh5fES2_s_TpBEM_9Lm4BXNMeCgQbN4q94wNp1KAhdQtJPM1UnUQuu1nIjGDSux-WQt4qKr5ldsqWld5dLSaiJrejyEs3sybKCyYpXrP7XDmOvZ8PuP0bdV/s400/sharing_meal1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">I'll rally the troops Sunday morning, having been given Jonathan's permission.</span><br />
<span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">It feels like the Lord is steering is in a direction that is meeting us all where we are at. Prisoners, the trafficked, the poor, widows and orphans...it looks like they can all be found under this one umbrella. </span><br />
<span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">I don't say this lightly, but last night, I totally felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Keep your hearts humbled as you continue to seek him. I'm so humbled to be surrounded by each of you. I love watching what God is up to, and I'm eager to share this journey with you.</span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></div><div class="dndata" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 37px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God.</span><br />
<span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="hotword" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-70822333678273396402010-11-09T05:24:00.000-08:002010-11-09T05:36:32.912-08:00Food for thought<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbs.org/soulsearching/images/features/primary-merton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbs.org/soulsearching/images/features/primary-merton.jpg" /></a></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
<br />
<i>"It is easy enough to tell the poor to accept their poverty as God's will when you yourself have warm clothes and plenty of food and medical care and a roof over your head and no worry about the rent. But if you want them to believe you - try to share some of their poverty and see if you can accept it as God's will yourself!</i>"<br />
- Thomas Merton, Seeds of Contemplation, chapter 14, p. 107 (1949).</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
I have no clue how each of your spiritual journeys are going, but I can't wait to find out tomorrow. I know you're being obedient and humble as you seek our Father on your own behalf, on behalf of this group, and on behalf of what He is doing with Renovatus. </div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Setting our direction aside for a moment, Elizabeth has presented an amazing idea and I wanted to share it with you before group tomorrow.</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">There's no harm in getting our hands dirty while we fast and pray for a vision. What if we cook a huge Thanksgiving Dinner for the refugee community at Birchcroft? We certainly have <i>experience</i> with pulling something like this off.</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Food for thought. No pun intended. </div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div></div>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-12079417766151661442010-11-04T03:23:00.000-07:002010-11-04T06:03:01.171-07:00Justice Small Group: 11/03/2010Last night was deep. I feel like our wheels are starting to turn and it makes me excited. The direction of our prayers and meditations this week go towards the Refugee Community at Birchcroft. We are asking if this is the path we are to take, or are we supposed to clear it off the table. Remember to pray for yourself primarily, and for the group. Let God speak your language to you, and then come back to us next Wednesday and tell us what He said. He doesn't need to speak blanket statements with us. Let Him be as direct as He likes.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_03/teresaDM2408_468x377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_03/teresaDM2408_468x377.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>"Clothe the naked Christ - by your charity in the words and protecting the good names of others. Give a home for the homeless Christ - by your making your own home a home of peace and joy and love, through your thoughtfulness for all and everyone in your family and your next door neighbour."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>~Mother Theresa</em></div><br />
We all got tickets to Shane Claiborne's conference here in Charlotte on December 1st on Common Prayer at Area 15, which I've got to say was spontaneous and wonderful. It's not surprising though. Our paths are directed for us. Doors will be opened. We'll get exactly what we need. I can't wait to learn with you.</div><br />
This week, Paulo is following up with our guy from Urban Eagles. Just a quick conversation to keep his interest about speaking to us after the 17th.<br />
<br />
Thoughts for us before we get back together; don't be afraid to put yourself out there. This is totally a safe place. Know and be known by each of us. Teach us about your life and burdens. Our <i>purpose</i> is to help you shoulder them. We are each leaders with a limp, whose crutches are the man standing next to us. (Or <i>woman</i>...you know what I mean.)Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-90857627622076849602010-10-28T05:16:00.000-07:002010-11-05T06:34:57.611-07:00Justice Small Group: 10/27/2010<div style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The kind of <i><b>fasting</b></i> I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. <i>“Yes, I am here,”</i> He will quickly reply.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Lord will <i><b>guide</b></i> you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. <i>Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.</i> Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">~<i>Isaiah 58:6-12</i></span></div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>//</i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm all wrapped up in that scripture today. I found it this morning, and may have read it before, but never actually <i>READ</i> it if you know what I mean. I think it's fascinating that God's leading us on a journey that he has led our forefathers on.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Foreigners</b> seemed to be the topic of the night, mostly in reference to the refugee population that inhabits Ridgecroft...Birchcroft...Birchtree...Elizabeth help me out! (Inside joke). I think that's unique considering the diverse population in our Justice Small Group. I want to fight the temptation to <i>jump the gun</i>, but I will say that the addition of 7 new people (who for now shall remain nameless) bring an exceptional level of giftedness partnered with humility. Some of us have been together for a long time, and we know and are known by each other. I'm eager to get to know and be known by a new fleet of Kingdom Laborers. You honor our household ( you know who you are :P ).</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Foreigners can branch out into a lot of areas. Underpaid immigrants. The abused. ESL. Single mothers. Divorced families. The trafficked. Providing groceries. Tutoring. You name it, we could do it. I think it's a God sized vision to be certain.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The request has been made. Fasting one day a week, however that looks for you, with the intent of emptying yourself, seeking His Face, and meditating on the following scriptures:<i><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"> Leviticus 19:18,</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">1 Samuel 2:8</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Psalms 82:3</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Proverbs 14:31; 19:17; 21:13; 22:9; 28:27</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Isaiah 58:6-11</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Matthew 5:43-45; 19:19; 22:39; 25:34-46</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Mark 12:31</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, 2 Corinthians 9:7-15</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Ephesians 2:8-10</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, James 1:27; 2:8; 2:14-24</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, 1 John 3:17-19</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Romans 13:9</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, Galatians 5:14</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">, 1 Timothy 6:17-19.</span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">I have no inclination to micromanage your spiritual life. I trust that you will spend time with him and seek the truth. I wish it were January. I know I shouldn't, but I do! I promise, I'll do my best to be right here and right now.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span">In the meantime, we've got our work cut out for us. I already can't wait until our next meeting.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-24980988743239009072010-10-25T07:47:00.000-07:002010-11-05T06:36:10.189-07:00The Upside Down Kingdom<blockquote style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I'm going to do my best not to sound preachy or overly philosophical as I put my thoughts into words. Sometimes blogs can sound pretentious in an effort to make someone seem pious or super spiritual. The longer I've been on this journey with the Lord, the more I have become aware of my lack of piety in fact. When we scale this hill, towards the House of the Lord, we inch closer and closer to Light that shows us who we are. The things we're afraid of. The secret places in our heart where we try to hide our indiscretions. I guess I'm trying to say, I submit my thoughts in humility, to the aim of making this journey of Justice we are taking transparent to my brothers and sisters.</div></blockquote><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><blockquote style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">If you're reading, I'm blessed and humbled. I offer to you my young experience in the Trenches of Kingdom Work, and hope to reveal to you the journey I've been on, as it's being revealed to me.</div></blockquote><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><blockquote style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I'm spending my days thinking about the Kingdom. If I'm honest, I have no clue what the Lord is up to. I can say though, that when He opens a window into his Kingdom from time to time, Spirit and Scripture and Flesh all line up and make sense. Wrongs are righted, no matter how <i>small</i>. Seas are parted and mountains are moved. Transgressions are <i>forgiven</i>. There's food enough to share. Smiles widen and tensions ease. These are what it must be like to be in the King's proximity. He once said, "Taste and see that the Lord is good..." If the Kingdom had a taste, it would be like cold clean water to a dry mouth. If you could see it, it would look like the marvel of my son as he attempts to make sense of a bubble landing on his finger.</div></blockquote><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
So the Lord is getting ready to move the whole of Renovatus in a particular direction. In a unified, mass effort, we are going to build the Kingdom of God, right here and right now. We have fed the homeless for 5 years on "The Wall" in the heart of downtown. The stories I could tell you of the Kingdom we saw there would make the hairs on your neck stand straight up. Then we saturated a neighborhood of the working poor in Reid Park for a year. Tutoring kids for school, painting, yard work, garden planting, long conversations, home repair, kisses on the cheek, sweat, rides to work and church, and dirty hands. We watch crime and prostitution statistics decline as the Lord expanded the borders of his Kingdom in that tiny neighborhood on West Blvd.</div><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Now, the <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>largest</b> </span></span>task yet looms in the distance, who's goal is still a little ambiguous. Sex Trafficking. Refugee communities. Widows. Orphans. Homeless children. Mental health patients. Hospice patients. The Aids Consortium. Tendering the Elderly. All noble causes, but we can only choose one. I'm not nervous though. We've asked for a vision and direction for Renovatus, and I know we'll get one. <br />
<br />
<br />
Here's how I know it will happen; the distinct ways that the Lord speaks to everyone on our team will slowly creep up on us unbeknownst. For example, He lights me on fire fast. I get excited and passionate right away, and could run a marathon. Katie on the other hand, takes time. The Lord gives her what she needs patiently. We both arrive at the same conclusion at the same time. It's like he ties up our narratives at their conclusion, though we took different paths to get there. That's what He will do with Justice Small Group. Tracey, Christine, Katie and myself, Dennis, Lisa, Elizabeth, and Erica...we will all arrive at the same vision at the same time in our own distinct ways. That's how good He is.</div><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">So far, the thing that fills us with the most fear and passion seems to be Human Trafficking. What does it look like to rebuild what the enemy has stolen there? How will the Kingdom grow in the midst of modern day slavery?</div><h1 style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></h1><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span class="body"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work."</span></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><i><span class="body"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">~Mother Teresa</span></span></i></div><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><img height="226" src="http://elkinsinc.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/mother-teresa-feeding.jpg" width="320" /></div>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-31811049054476746082010-10-24T14:14:00.002-07:002010-11-05T06:36:50.844-07:00Justice Small Group: 10/13/10<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ideas for Serving </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Him</span></span></b></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Orphans, organizing and implementing a strategy to reduce the cost of domestic adoption.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Reworking a plan to feed the masses/ clothe the masses/ help the masses.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Rework a strategy to invade neighborhood of the working poor.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* New Women's and Children's Shelter.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Home for aftercare of human trafficking.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Helping people in hospice.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Dealing with mental health.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Working in a Refugee Community in Bridgecroft on Central A</span></span></i></span><span style="font-family: Didot; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ve.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Working with the Aids Consortium.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 5px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Available Resources:</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Triad Ladder of Hope ~ Sex Trafficking</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">National Trafficking Information and Referral </span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hotline: 1.888.373.888</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">P: 336.883.2233 Ext. 223</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">E: triadladderofhope@north state.net</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">W: http://www.triadladderofhope.org</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Triad Ladder of Hope is a grassroots, faith base, non profit, non governmental organization dedicated to eradicating the exploitation, sale, and enslavement of victims. </span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our Mission: </span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Triad Ladder of HOPE works to liberate women and children trapped in modern day slavery and give them Hope, safety, security, and freedom.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Affiliations: </span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Partner with the Dept. of Health and Human Services Rescue and Restore Campaign. A National Christian Women's Job Corps site and part of the NC Ripple Collation.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Method: </span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Education: Educating the citizens of America is a key to eradicating modern day slavery. We offer presentations and training...law enforcement, first responders, faith based community and organizations, health departments, NGO's, community, service and civic organizations. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As a service provider: </span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We provide a Christian context, wherein women are provided a safe environment, equipped for life, employment, and self-sufficiency, within a context wherein women help women.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Safety Net: </span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Working to rescue victims by working with law enforcement and other organizations. Offer assistance to victims.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Facts:</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There are 27 or more million people enslaved today. More than ever before in the history According to the Department of State. Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 victims annually are trafficked across international borders worldwide. According to the Department of State an estimated 14,500 to 17,500 of those victims are trafficked into the US. This number does not include US Citizens who become victims of exploitation of sex trafficking and labor trafficking.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A Childs Place ~ Homeless Children</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">P. 704.343.3790</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">E. </span></span><a href="mailto:info@achildsplace.org"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">info@achildsplace.org</span></span></span></a></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">W. </span></span><a href="http://www.achildsplace.org/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.achildsplace.org</span></span></span></a></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">With no permanent residence, homeless children often stop going to school -- the one place that should provide structure in a life of transition. Without the influence and stability of a classroom environment, these children lose more than a chance to learn. They also lose the crucial sense of belonging gained from interacting with friends and other students. But there is hope for these children -- and help -- through A Child's Place. Founded in 1989, A Childs Place is a collaborative effort between Charlotte, NC community and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The goals for A Child's Place are to:</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Provide stable, appropriate education to homeless students</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Provide support services to enhance their opportunities for academic success</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Provide services to families to ensure long term stability and self sufficiency.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Strategic Plan 2010 - 2012</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.achildsplace.org/customers/102092517470720/file manager/ACP_Strategic_plan_chart.pdf</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Project Rescue ~ Sex Trafficking</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">P. 417.833.5564</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">E. info@projectrescue.com</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">W. </span></span><a href="http://www.projectresue.com/connect.html"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.projectresue.com/connect.html</span></span></a></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Project Rescue is a ministry to women and children in sexual slavery focused on providing physical, emotional and spiritual rescue and holistic restoration. our multifaceted programs aim to provide a save environment for transformation and growth. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Rescuing today's young sexual slavery victims is nothing short of a miracle. Our efforts to remove women and girls who have been forced into prostitution begin with providing long-term shelter in a safe place in which trust and healing can develop. This often includes:</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Negotiating the terms of release of enslaved women and girls.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Accepting trafficking victims who have been rescued during police raids and tacking them to one of our Homes of Hope.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Intervening to get sex workers' children out of the brothels during their mothers' work hours and into safe and nurturing Project Rescue Night-Care Centers.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">During the first year of our efforts, Project Rescue utilized our financial resources to dismiss many young girls' "debts" to brothel owners, so that her freedom could be obtained. As we began to better understand the sexual slavery trade and comprehend the horrors in trafficking system, however, we realized that this strategy only put money back into the hands of the organized crime; money that then used to enslave other young girls.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Today, Project Rescue takes a different approach. We've established strong relationships with local police, city government officials, and even brothel owners who have come to trust our organization. Project Rescue workers are now recognized and trusted in the cities' red-light districts and have become known for showing genuine kindness and demonstrating Christ's example of love in tangible ways.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My thoughts on organizations presented:</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Well, it looks so far like the idea of stepping in behalf on those that are caught up in sex trafficking is what excites us the most. Triad Ladder of Hope looks like it's struggling in comparison to Project Rescue. I could see God using us with either; starting from scratch with a new Project Rescue or coming underneath Triad Ladder of Hope. We would have to be very creative with how to get everyone active in a mission like this. There would be many layers as to how to help; the front line, working with local police, building relationships, child care, fund raising, etc. It's a little overwhelming to think about, but it sounds God-sized to me, which fills me with energy.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I have no inclination yet as to what direction we might head in, but I'm excited about our new prospects. </span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Additionally, what does it look like to defend the widows and orphans in our area?</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I love our small group already.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">~Mat</span></span></i></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Meditation Scriptures:</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Leviticus 19:18</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 Samuel 2:8</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Psalms 82:3</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Proverbs 14:31; 19:17; 21:13; 22:9; 28:27</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Isaiah 58:6-11</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Matthew 5:43-45; 19:19; 22:39; 25:34-46</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Mark 12:31</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2 Corinthians 9:7-15</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ephesians 2:8-10</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">James 1:27; 2:8; 2:14-24</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 John 3:17-19</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Romans 13:9</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Galatians 5:14</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1 Timothy 6:17-19</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thoughts We Kicked Around</span></span></b></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Fasting one day a week while we seek the Lord for guidance and direction.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* Being open to either one of two solutions; allowing </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">God</span></span></b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> to show us how to start from scratch, or provide energy for an organization that is already up and running.</span></span></span></div>Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607142649327925314.post-58918735652361559882010-10-24T14:14:00.000-07:002010-10-24T18:22:08.729-07:00Re-imagining CharlotteWhat follows are the thoughtful notes, prayers, passions, and studies of a band of flawed and low servants in a Kingdom that is unseen, and is rising from the ground beneath us. Currently, we are using the months of November and December to fast, pray, and seek after the Heart of God as it pertains to Justice in Charlotte, NC. We've been charged by Jonathan Martin, whom we humbly follow, to steward a vision that we expect the Lord to give us. Once He does, we will settle our sights into the fog, and run it down with all the faith we can afford.<br />
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In 2011, we will launch and execute a move of God using the hands and feet of Renovatus, and I've got to say, the thought of seeing God's presence break barriers and open doors and conquer rulers and free captives makes my head light with expectation. I think I've become a junky.<br />
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I expect a lot of bumps and bruises along the way. That's fine by me. I've learned that the things in life worth working for are hard and hurt the most.<br />
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I am humbled to venture this journey with; my wife Katie, Tracey & Christine Keitt, Dennis & Lisa Boydstun, Elizabeth Marx, and Erica Johnson. The story behind this team is as remarkable as they are, but for another time because I'm late for dinner and hungry.<br />
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I can not wait to see and hear and smell and taste what the Lord is up to. I want my kid to grow up in the Land flowing with milk and honey, where all streams flow toward the Mountain of God.<br />
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We are inadequate, and underprepared, which is just how He likes it I'm pretty sure.<br />
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I like to call us...Justice Small Group!<br />
...or...Renovatus Justice League. I haven't decided.<br />
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Throw us a prayer every now and then, will ya?Mat Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06221048872582389413noreply@blogger.com0