Impact Christian Fellowship

Personal Worship - Sep 19

2006-09-13T20:09:00.000-06:00

This week we will be focusing on the Spiritual Discipline of “Personal Worship.”

Here are some ideas for you to experiment with on your own this week. Please come willing and ready to share your experiences with everyone!

-Pick a letter of the alphabet and see how many words you can think of that start with that letter, that describe God.

-Visit http://www.sharesong.org/ Find the lyrics to your favorite songs and spend some time singing the songs or meditating on the words.

-Visit http://www.naturephotosonline.com/npo_main.htm and worship God by being amazed at his creation.

-Better yet, take a hike in the mountains and tell God what a great job he did with creation!

-Read some Bible verses online in different translations. The Psalms are a great place to be reminded of the greatness of God. http://www.biblegateway.com/

concerts!

2006-07-12T10:55:00.000-06:00

John, back from Utah!!!

2006-06-26T21:20:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone,
I survived another Prayer Gathering to Salt Lake City. The trip was very eventful with all sorts of new people: seasoned missionaries, church pastors, campus ministers, and more amazing people God brought to fellowship with us. Some brought their spouses and others brought aunts, in-laws and roommates. New relationships were formed and much encouragment was given to everyone. Our God brought us together to grow more in Him along with each other. It was amazing worshipping and praying with one another, and we had many laughing parties mostly started by myself: one was about an orange being peeled in the car and others pertained to events (joking) that happened during the week spent together. It was very refreshing for all of those who attended. We were encouraged by the testimonies of what God is doing through 24/7 prayer rooms and in the lives of each other. It is hard to discribe the expierience, but I can say that God was there leading us in seeking Him more.
For more information contact me @ Kairos on tuesday at the park...see you there.

Grace and Peace,
John W <>< <><

Summer 2006 Tentative Schedule

2006-06-14T22:40:00.000-06:00

8-10pm Every Tuesday! Large Group Kairos meeting @ 1439 Acacia Dr.
Starting June 20 we will meet at Danville Park, 3 blocks West of our house.
6:30-7pm Pray at the Park.
7-8pm Games at the Park.
8-10pm Kairos at the Park.
8-10pm every Thursday. Girl’s group on the Gospel of John. 1439 Acacia Dr.

June 18: Sun afternoon Girls hike. Contact Kristen @ (719) 337-0174
June 23: Fri night 7-9pm. Promise Keepers Rally at Fellowship Bible Church. FREE
June 24: Sat. Bike Tour. More info coming. FREE
June 25: Sun. Girls Book Club.
June 30/July 1: Fri/Sat. Camp Friday night and Climb Huron Peak on Saturday.
July 3: Mon 8pm. Rob Bell is speaking in Colo Spgs. $10.
July 4: Tue @ 10am? Ultimate Frisbee and games @ Palmer Park. Lunch at Daesha's.
Aug 8: Tue. High Ropes Course in Estes Park.
Aug 12-14: Sat-Mon. 14er hike. Backpacking, camping.... Yeah!!
Aug 16: Wed. Student move in at UCCS. Please help!!
Aug 25-26: Promise Keepers in Colo Spgs.

Contact Wade @ 640-5974 OR wadedara@hotmail.com with questions.

Urgent Prayer Request

2006-06-14T18:42:00.000-06:00

Hello friends and family, could you please stop and pray for Bret Beherns. He's a close friend of mine.

He suffered a fall from about 65 feet yesterday afternoon. He had surgery to repair the tear in his aorta at 3 am this morning in Springfield, IL. Because open heart surgery would be a slow recovery the surgeons chose to do a patch type stent. They will wait to make sure that his heart is stable before they begin the repairs to the compound fractures in his ankles. He is heavily sedated and is being given mega doses of antibiotics to help with possible infection. His vitals are again pretty stable. Prayers are being answered and according to hospital staff he is doing miraculously well for what has happened to him. Many friends have been beside Brian and Sandy (Bret's parents) in Springfield and they are feeling peoples' prayers...continue to pray that the aorta patch will be successful, and the bones will be repaired and there will be no infection.

At around 11:00 this morning Bret went into surgery for his back. He had compression on his nervous. This is a 6 hour procedure.

Please also pray for Bret's family. They need sleep. They are doing well and have been a huge witness to everyone around them, but they need rest.

Pray for me and those who are close to them to know how to help or stay out of the way.

Thanks for your prayers. God is using this in a mighty way to bring glory to himself.
"The prayers of a righteousman is powerful and effective."

Blessings,
Barry

Road Trip this summer anyone?

2006-06-14T09:08:00.000-06:00

Hey everybody! Most of you have at least heard a bit of how I am trying to do a road trip later this summer. A vacation, and all. Right now, there are a few people that have expressed interest but no one to commit. I mean, even Barry is thinking of flying out and meeting up somewhere on the trip!

Check out the link above for details. Basically--right now trying to get a two week road trip going. From here to Grand Canyon / Las Vegas / up the California coast to Monterey and San Fransisco / to Yosemite NP / to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons and back. Big trip...lots of ideas in the way. In fact, we already have a few hotel room (suites!) reserved at really cheap rates ($39 a night) in Las Vegas and Santa Monica. If interested, please let me know!!! It is going to be great--because a focus on God is going to be kept throughout the entire trip. Most likely daily devotionals, prayer time, of course fellowship throughout it all, and we're trying to find some non-threatening outreach we can everywhere too. It is going to be great!!

Royal Gorge Rafting????

2006-05-25T22:35:00.000-06:00

Wow - we have sure stopped using the blog. What's going on here??!?!

June 10 (Sat) Rafting the Royal Gorge!!! Cost $50. Need money by this Tuesday, May 30!!!!!! Please email me if you are at all interested.

Anyone?
Anyone????

Dave Roever

2006-03-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

Mar 18 (Sat) @ 6pm: Dave Roever Will be speaking at Radiant Church. 4020 Maizeland Rd. He is the guy that survived being burned in Vietnam. He has an incredible testimony.
Wade is going - anyone else want to go?

Pool and Prayer on Thursdays

2006-03-17T09:23:00.000-07:00

I'm fairly sure Wade will never feel like a whole person again unless I write this blog so it is in the best interest of our friend and the ministry that you read this story and the moral that comes at the end.

It was a wonderful thursday afternoon and two beaver friends Nade and Wathan decided to challenge their lemur friends Eryon and Bvangelos to a friendly game of tiddly winks. The lemurs were winning most of the game and, if you could relate tiddly winks to pool, you could say the lemurs only had two balls including the eight ball to get in before they won as opposed to the beavers who had seven balls including the eight ball to get in. Needless to say Nade and Wathan were being completely destroyed at this friendly game of poo...er tiddly winks.

The game went on for ages (or atleast 30 minutes) with no hope in sight for the desperate beavers. Suddenly, though, the winds of change began blowing their changy air about. Soon the game was tied and before you could resite the Bill of Rights Nade and Wathan had stomped Eryon and Bvangelos. And by stomped and mean masacred, completely destroyed, connquered in the most extreme way possible.

There are 2 morals to this story:
1) Never try and mix Bryan and Evangelos the names just don't work together
2) Don't miss out on another session of pool in the pub at UCCS at 1 o'clock on thursdays or else there could be some unfortunate logging accidents near your house.

Oh and there's something else wierd before pool like talking to our divine creator in a large group just like the Bible tells us to do...or something like that. You can meet us for that at 12:15 on the third floor of the university center on thursdays.

I hope the rest of your day isn't nearly as confuzing as this blog,
Nathan

ONE - #4

2006-03-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

ONE: navigating the world of dating and relationships - #4: Don’t Mess With the Bull

Our ultimate goal is to ______________ God.

Gods idea: You are ________ your own. (Eph 4:1) Cosmo’s idea: It’s all about __________

“Sin will take you farther than you want to ________, keep you longer than you want to _________, and cost you more than you want to __________.”

Explain the Law of Diminishing Returns….

The two options if things are going too far.
1) Get ______________ ! But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. ~1 Cor 7:9

2) Develop self-control and ___________ . It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ~ I Thes 4:3

Points to ponder…
If you can’t develop self-control within the relationship, we need to ________ ________.

If you find self-control difficult as a ____________ person, how will it be different when you are ________________ ?

How about your partner? If they can’t control themselves now, how will they control themselves after ____________?

What’s the prerequisite for the ability to love?

Guidelines for success.
1) Don’t make provisions for ___________________ . Ro 13:14

2) Good things happen when the ______________ are right. Ps 16:6

What do I do?
First - _______________ what legitimate need you are meeting in an illegitimate way.

Second - Come to the _________ of yourself. (Lk 15)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ~2 Cor 5:17

Spiritual Disciplines Retreat

2006-03-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

March 27-31

• Day 1 – Leave Colo Spgs at 8am. Travel to Sand Dunes. Setup camp, dinner crew cooks, and evening discussion on gospel of grace along with dividing group into Methodist Examen groups for daily time together over coming days, these groups will also rotate through cooking/cleaning responsibilities.
• Day 2 – Awaken at 6 a.m. Group Examens. Breakfast. Teaching on Retreat of Silence to include Examen; Meditation on Scripture; Silence. Lunch. Afternoon Retreat of Silence for 4 hours following lunch (on the Dunes) until dinner. Dinner. Group processing of ROS and singing.
• Day 3 – Awaken at 6 a.m. Group Examens. Breakfast. Teaching on Fasting and Study. Fasting through Lunch with Afternoon ROS until Dinner. Dinner. Group worship and Teaching on Reading God's Word & Lectio Divina Prayer with practicum time.
• Day 4 – Awaken at 6 a.m. Group Examens. Breakfast. Teaching on Praying the Psalms with practicum. Lunch. Afternoon Off (@Waterfall) . Dinner. Group Reflection and encouragement.
• Day 5 – Awaken at 6 a.m. Group Examens. Breakfast. Break Camp. Return home.

Cost $100. (Or $20/day if you want to come Monday and leave whenever.) This covers all expenses, and we hope to have some extra to refund to you.

I need to have commitments and money by next Tuesday - March 21.

Amy's Baptism!

2006-03-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Amy on being baptized on March 11th!! Yes! As if getting baptized is not memorable enough, they had to step off of an iceberg into the water! This will be something that we will never forget!

Check out the rest of the pictures at http://spaces.msn.com/wadedara/

ONE - #3

2006-03-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

ONE: navigating the world of dating and relationships - Lesson 3: The One.

Presupposition: Relationships are successful only when an ______________ of God is ____________ in our hearts. When Christ is the ________ of our lives, then we are ready.

Questions to ask to see if this person might be “the one.”

1) Are we in the same orbit?
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Cor 6:14

2) What’s love got to do with it?
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her Eph 5:25

3) What do my parents think?
"Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--
"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Eph 6:2-3

4) What do my friends think?
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Prov 15:22

ONE - #2

2006-03-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

ONE: navigating the world of dating and relationships -
Lesson 2: what are u looking 4?

Take a moment to describe the perfect date…..

How do we lower our “expectations” without lowering our “standards?”

If the “hotness meter” is not the right tool, then what is???

From Proverbs 31, which character traits do you find to be the most important?

What conclusion does Pr 31 leave us with in regards to the “hotness meter?”

You will attract who you _____. You will marry who you _____.

Girls: What does how you dress communicate about you?

Guys: What does your desperation communicate about you?

In marriage, one + one = _______. (The more whole each one is, the more whole the relationship is going to be.)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. –Mt 6:33

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; -Pr 3:5

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. -Ps 37:3,4

If we seek, rely, trust – we will come to _______ in the Lord.

As we delight in the Lord, his desires will become our desires. Then he will be able to give us the ____________ of our heart.

What are you looking for? What are your expectations? Who are you? What are you attracting?

What God wants for us is to be satisfied with him first.

ONE - #1

2006-02-22T21:38:00.000-07:00

So, our Feb 21 topic was on relationships. We will be on this series for awhile, using some material by Aaron Stern. Thanks, Rob, for the definitions of "cleve." That sure helps to set the "meat cleaver" idea aside!

Here is the handout from the 21st. If you want the "answers," you will have to review the comment section - I will post a rough draft of the audio tape there.

ONE: navigating the world of dating and relationships Lesson ONE: how it all started

What are “BIG IDEAS?”

Gen 1:1 “In the beginning God…..”
Our presupposition needs to be _________. (What’s a “presupposition”??)

When are relationships successful?

BIG IDEA, ONE
Gen 1:26-27 “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
We are made in the image of _________. (What’s the big idea there??)

How does this big idea apply to me?

If this is true of me, what is the application here for the person that I am (or want to be) in a relationship with?

BIG IDEA, TWO
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. Gen 2:18-20
Man was alone and he needed __________________.

When men, with God, _________ their lives, they are then ready for God to introduce a _____________ into it.

Why does this lead to a better chance for success in relationships?

BIG IDEA, THREE
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Gen 2:21-24
Rhymes with Steve, two words: _____________ and ______________.

What’s the big idea here?

BIG IDEA, FOUR
The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. Gen 2:25
God’s intent was for one man, one woman and ________ _________________.

God is able to take away the shame, and help us to start __________ and __________.

Defintion of Cleave

2006-02-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

From last night--the question arose as to what "cleave" meant other than "splitting". I looked it up on Dictionary.com--here are the answers:

1. cleave ( P ) (klv)v. cleft, (klft) or cleaved or clove (klv) cleft, or cleaved or clo·ven (klvn) cleav·ing, cleaves v. tr.

To split with or as if with a sharp instrument. See Synonyms at tear1.
To make or accomplish by or as if by cutting: cleave a path through the ice.
To pierce or penetrate: The wings cleaved the foggy air.

Chemistry. To split (a complex molecule) into simpler molecules. v. intr.

Mineralogy. To split or separate, especially along a natural line of division.
To penetrate or pass through something, such as water or air.

2. cleave ( P ) (klv)intr.v. cleaved, cleav·ing, cleaves
To adhere, cling, or stick fast.
To be faithful: cleave to one's principles.

3. cleave v 1: separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument; "cleave the bone" [syn: split, rive] 2: make by cutting into; "The water is going to cleave a channel into the rock" 3: come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation; "The dress clings to her body"; "The label stuck to the box"; "The sushi rice grains cohere" [syn: cling, adhere, stick, cohere]

I definitely think it is interesting how the same word in the English language has two definitions that are almost direct antonyms. How the same word can mean to stick fast and to split, tear, penetrate is interesting. But here you have it...

Yet another Concert Opportunity

2006-02-04T09:09:00.000-07:00

If anyone is interested, Rebecca St. James, BarlowGirl, and Jadon Lavik are going to be in town on February 28th at Village 7 Presbeterian Church. The tickets are $18.
Unfortunatly that is a Tuesday and while the concert starts at 6:30, it might run into Kairos time. But Wade said that me might be able to rearrange the evening if lots of people wanted to go. (Ie have game time first)

Rebecca St. James
BarlowGirl * Jadon Lavik

If I Had One Chance to Tell You Something
Village Seven Presb. Colorado Springs, CO February 28, 2006 - 6:30 PM

Ticket Prices
General Advance Tickets $18
Gold Circle $25

Another concert opportunity

2006-01-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

Click on the link for the Winter Jam Tour 2006. They will be at the World Arena on 5 March at 6 pm. Tickets are not bought in advance...and only $10 at the door! Artists there will be: Newsboys, Toby Mac, Newsong, ZoeGirl, Hawk Nelson, more...

Feb 7 Prayer Opportunity at UCCS

2006-01-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

The Campus Ministry groups at UCCS are excited to announce an incredible prayer opportunity. We will be hosting a day of prayer, broken up into 1hour blocks, beginning and ending at midnight.

Please go to this web site to learn more about the event, and to sign up for an hour of time with God. http://uccs24-7.blogspot.com/

May God bless this time, and may He be blessed by our turning to him.

Third Day / David Crowder Band Concert

2006-01-25T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hey--just stumbled into this concert happening up in Denver in March--a Sunday night. David Crowder Band and Third Day at the Fillmore.

Sun, Mar 12, 2006 07:30 PM

If anyone is interested, I think I want to go up to this one--tickets are $26 bucks right now on ticketmaster.

Encouragement

2006-01-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

I think everyone was blessed by the time of encouraging each other last night. Thanks to all for participating.

I put those addresses on you handouts for our friends in Louisiana. I heard from the lady that helps take care of Gloria that she could really use some encouragement. I am sure that a letter would go a long way towards blessing her!!!

Super De Dooper Bowl

2006-01-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody if anyone is interested in a good ol' fashioned Super Bowl party then come on over to my house februrary 5 at around 4-4:30 (that's the time wade said anyway). Please bring any and all types of food that is suitable for such an occasion. You know chips, dip, hot wings, soda, huge sub sandwiches, nachos, chili, tail weenies, candy, steak...you know the usual. Post any questions you have here and I'll try to pretend like I have a reasonable answer.

Directions to Nathan's House:
From union and academy: go north on union past vickers the next light is downhill, take a left on downhill it will run straight into marron bells take another left onto maroon bells and then take the second right onto Mach 1 dr. The adress is 6145 Mach 1 dr it's the yellow and green house with the ugly fisher price mail box out front.

Summer in China

2006-01-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

Who is interested in spending 3 weeks in China this summer? July 5-23?

You would mainly be teaching English at a camp for Chinese University studetns.
This would be an incredible experience.

Cost is $2100. (God will provide!)
I need to know by the end of Feb. Post a comment! Let me know what your questions are!

UniverSanity conference

2006-01-24T13:55:00.000-07:00

Feb 10-11 (FREE!)
Check out http://www.dayspringcenter.org/index.asp to learn about the whole program, and check out
http://www.dayspringcenter.org/Dayspring/CSpringsUniverSanity.pdf to learn about the weekend event.

It will be held at:
First Pres Church
219 East Bijou St
Phil Steiger 660-3074
psteiger@dayspringcenter.org

And is from Friday at 6pm to Saturday at 3pm. Post a comment if you are interested! You have to register online by Feb 8 to get in for free. (Otherwise it's $10)

Back to School Party

2006-01-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

This Saturday Night, Jan 21! At Wade and Dara's place. 8pm.

Come join the fun! (Think we can get a 4 hour game of UNO going???)

Bring some snacks, bring your friends, bring some Katrina pictures if you want to swap them.

See you there!

Need directions? Email me. wadedara@hotmail.com

Spring Break!!

2006-01-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

Spring Break for UCCS and PPCC is the last week in March! I was planning a Spiritual Disciplines retreat in the mountains, but I am hearing that some of you want to go back to New Orleans. As soon as possible, please leave a comment about what you would like to do. Is anyone at all interested in a Spiritual Disciplines retreat????

Mission Trip Review at Littleton Church of Christ

2006-01-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hey all. Just got a message from Wade, and Bill and company are doing a Missions Trip review at their church this coming Sunday during evening services. They would like anyone who wants to come on up to do so. I talked to Bill this morning and here are the details:

5 pm meet up at Littleton Church of Christ
5:30 pm give the review to the congregation (maybe 100 people or less)
Follow up by going to Bill's house for pizza and a little party.
We are to wear the Yellow Missions Shirts for the evening!

Also--I thought it would be neat if everyone could bring their pics on a CD or digits or whatever--so we can cross-level them between ourselves!

I will plan on going--I get back into Denver at 4 pm. Anyone else interested--let me know and we can coordinate a way up there. It should be pretty fun--and we can meet up with Bill, Glenn, Chip, Walt, Gene, Kevin, Mark and everyone else again, too!

2006-01-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

Kairos Reminder: January 3rd at Rob's place. Need help, give me a call. We will be discussing the New Year. In particular--bring any resolutions you may have made, and thoughts on how you can keep them. The couple of posts (on this page and also on my blog) that talk about how we keep ourselves focused on God will be involved.

Basically, my hope is a renewal of our minds through the Holy Spirit as we enter the year 2006. Because the only waste is if at the beginning of 2007 we are at the same point in our walk with God as we are today.

KATRINA

2005-12-31T18:38:00.000-07:00

Katrina visited New Orleans in 2005, and the place will never be the same.

But Kairos visited New Orleans in 2006, and we will never be the same.

It was an amazing time. We teamed up with the Bill Orsborn and the Littleton Church of Christ (from Denver) to head down to New Orleans for the week. Wade, Dara and our children were already on the road, so we met everyone down there. The rest of the college-aged folks came down in the vans with Bill and his crew. They drove all night, sleeping in the vans. (Except for the drivers, of course!)

It was so great to be down there. Katrina was such a "bad" thing, but I just love how God is able to bring so much "good" out of "bad." Everyone we talked to down there was just in awe of how people have reached out to help them in their time of need. Back home when you ask someone if you can pray for them, they are often taken back a bit. But down there, you had to preface your request for prayers by saying, "What is it that we can be specifically praying about?" And everyone always had something that was going on.

Not everyone we helped was "poor," but everyone was so grateful. Just before the trip happened, God arranged it so that we were given $1900 to take down and give away. Some of the people who we tried to give it to insisted that they really didn't need it. So we asked if they knew anyone who really needed it - and they never had a problem thinking of plenty of people who they could pass it along to. In fact, one lady called her friend on the phone right then, just so her friend could thank us in person!

The students that went did such a great job. When it's time to work, everyone worked HARD. And when it was time to play (UNO, spoons, etc) we all played hard too! No broken bones, but a few minor cuts, bangs, and carpet burns. (Sorry Amanda!) :) We even had a chance to have church together Saturday night in the parking lot. I love how Kairos loves each other. How they are so willing to but others first.

God really used us to touch some lives down there, and he really used down there to change our lives as well.

God is good. It doesn't matter what size "Katrina" is in your life. God is good. We might not "thank" God for every situation that comes along, but we sure can praise him through it all, because

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!

Watch out!

2005-12-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

Barry has gone, but not without a parting shot!

Check out his new blog - it is listed on the side bar, can you guess which one is his???

Kairos December 27th

2005-12-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

As Wade said at the christmas party, everyone is invited to my house next Tuesday at 8pm. We won't really have a lesson, just want to continue meeting. We can watch a movie, play games, play it by ear. I'm open to ideas if anyone has any.
I'll send directions out in an e-mail. If you don't get the e-mail just talk to me.

God bless!

Amy

Left items from Christmas party

2005-12-21T02:07:00.000-07:00

Two containers. One had olives in it and the other a dip. (I think these are Wade and Dara's)
The elphent thing. (I think this is Dara's)
Someone also left their pooh on my table. (Don't know who's that is)
If anybody is missing anything let me know it might be somwhere in my house.

Ideas on what we do to STAND FIRM in the Lord

2005-12-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I just wanted to ask people their thoughts on what works for them in Standing Firm in the Lord. We have been talking about what we believe...and what Spiritual Disciplines are. But what do we use on a daily basis to keep us rooted in Christ, focused on God. Examples I use: Dedicated time in the morning (wake up early) to read the Bible, write a particular verse that stuck out to me on an index card and put it in my pocket with my phone or keys, so I keep feeling it and remembering that verse--to meditate on it throughout the day. These are just some examples, have any more? If you want to see a more detailed thought on this, go check out my blog (it is linked on this page). For our hope is in the Lord!

Christmas Party

2005-12-16T16:49:00.000-07:00

Meet at Bryan Russi's on Dec 20th for a Kairos Christmas! Meet at 8pm, and bring a white elephant gift!

Email Wade with questions.... wadedara@hotmail.com

Questions and Homework

2005-12-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

Any answers to discuss, or insights to share?

Questions
1. What is the role of the Spiritual Disciplines in the life of a Christian?

2. Discuss Luther’s analogy comparing spiritual health and medical treatment. How would you describe your own spiritual heath?

3. Why do we sometimes fail to express peace or joy in the Christian life?

4. In what ways does God meet our spiritual needs?

5. How would you respond to someone who claims that the Christian Gospel opens the door to moral laxity?

Homework: Meditate on this verse:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ~John 14:27

Jesus has something to say to you. Will you listen? Will you give him a few minutes, to speak to you the truth about the peace, love and holiness that he has in store for you?

This We Believe - Round 5

2005-12-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

Being a Christian: What should I experience?

What does an unbelieving world say when another TV Evangelist runs off with several million dollars, or when another preacher divorces his wife, after he has been caught in the pews with the secretary??

Probably something like: "If Christianity is unable to really effect a change in the lives of its adherents, then how could it be all that great?"

Can the Gospel really change a person?
Is Christ indeed unique among the “gods?”
Can he do a work in our lives that no other “savior” can do?

In past lessons we have covered the truth that we all start as sinners who fall short of the glory of God. However, through Christ’s death we receive forgiveness. From being sinners condemned to die, we now receive the gift of eternal life! Let’s see how Jesus describes it in John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

So, if belief in Christ leads to eternal life, and if eternal life is knowing God (see John 17:1-3), then why are many Christians not experiencing fulfillment in Christ?

How about this question, “Does everyone have fantastic relationships with all their friends and family?” No?! Why not? Because it's hard, it takes work.

So, if we want a good relationship, it requires “cultivation.” How do we cultivate our relationship with God? (Answer – The Spiritual Disciplines!) Remember, the disciplines are not a way for us to reach God, but rather a way for us to enter the door that God has already opened to us in his desire to have a relationship with us. So, my initial conclusion is that the more you cultivate your relationship with God, the more you will experience fulfillment in Christ – Not a fulfillment that is here today and gone tomorrow, but a real, lasting fulfillment.

What should we experience in our relationship with God?

*Two of the most common should be love and joy! Check out Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Remember that God is love! And so he is able to provide that lasting experience of love and happiness – not the short term fixes that the world offers.

*Holiness should be part of the experience of all Christians. 1 Peter 1:14-16 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Did you know that of the total 2,005 verses in Paul’s epistles, 1,400 of them deal with holiness, godliness, or Christian character? We should listen to John’s advice, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.” 1 John 2:1

So, to be called “Christian” while blatantly breaking God’s commands is not biblically acceptable. But then again, we are not usually transformed overnight! Martin Luther compared conversion to being diagnosed by a doctor, who then prescribes the proper course of medicine. Until then, the patients health had been deteriorating. Complete healing does not come at the time of diagnosis, but rather takes time to have full effect. At the time of conversion, we change course from being sinners on the highway to hell, to being pilgrims on the road to heaven. This change of our nature to conform to the likeness of Christ is called Sanctification. We will grow in holiness, in sanctification, as we purse God through pursuing the spiritual disciplines.

Warning: Many people come to Christ because they realize that he can meet some of their needs. This is legitimate, but people also need to be aware of the whole package – that Jesus didn’t come just to meet needs, but to save us from our sins by making it possible for us to live lives of holiness. Getting our needs met by God is not about a “formula.” It’s not even the most important thing! Understanding how serious our sin is, understanding that Jesus came to die for our sins – these are important things! And understanding this will help us in our pursuit of God, in our experience of holiness.

*Peace is another experience. While having our needs met is not the most important aspect of Christianity, it is something that God give us. Phil 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” This peace dispels anxiety because we know that God cares for us. 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

*A final experience includes purpose and significance. As we enter a relationship with God, we become his agents. 2 Cor 5:20 “We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.” The most happy and contented people in this world are those who believe that what they are doing in life is significant.

So, if all of this is true, and if Christians should be experiencing love, joy, holiness, peace and purpose – then why are so many Christians trapped in habitual sin, not experiencing the peace, joy and purpose that God has for them?

There is no way to explain it but to say that people are living out of their heads, not out of their hearts. They know it all, intellectually, but they have experienced none of it from their hearts. It doesn’t have to be that way. Many, many people have been set free – free not only from the power of sin, but also free from approaching God out of legalism and rules. You too can be set free.

Christmas at the zoo

2005-12-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

I think it would be fun to go visit the Christmas at the zoo one of these upcoming nights. I don't know if weekday or weekend would be better...any takers?? It's pretty cheap and starts on 9 DEC. Find info on it here: http://www.cmzoo.org/esafari.html

1000 Visitors

2005-12-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Yes! We have hit the 1,000 visitor mark! I was hit # 1,002. Who was hit #1,000????

This We Believe - Round 4

2005-12-07T11:16:00.000-07:00

Last week we talked about Christianity being something that can’t be “proved scientifically,” because it is simply not a repeatable event. However, we can use the “legal-historical” proof, where we show that something is fact beyond a reasonable doubt. This proof depends on three types of testimony: oral testimony, written testimony, and exhibits. Let’s see what conclusions the Legal-Historical proof leads us to as we consider the case for Christianity.

Let’s consider the Written Testimony (The Bible).
What are some classic pieces of literature that are more than 1000 years old? How do we know that they are accurate – that we now have what was originally written? What are the tests to apply to any piece of literature of history to determine if it’s reliable?

Bibliographical Test – an examination of the textual transmission by which documents reach us. Not having the original, how reliable are the copies? What is the time interval between the original and the surviving copies?

**Aristotle wrote his poetics around 343BC, but the earliest copy we have is dated 1100AD. There are only 5 manuscripts in existence.
**Caesar wrote the history of the Gallic Wars between 58 and 50BC, and we only have 10 copies dating 1000 years after his death.
**Over 20,000 copies of NT manuscripts are in existence, with most of them being written within the first 100 years of Christ being on this earth.
**The next best manuscript authority is the Iliad, which has 643 manuscripts.
We can have confidence that the text that we now have is what was originally recorded.

Internal Evidence Test – Is the written record credible? One must listen to the documents claims and determine if there are known contradictions or factual inaccuracies. This “ability to tell the truth” is closely related to the witness’s nearness both geographically and chronologically to the events recorded. When people tell lies to cover up lies, sooner or later they will make a mistake.

External Evidence Test – Whether other historical material confirms or denies the internal testimony of the document itself. Josephus, Papias, Irenaeus – all are historians who agree with the facts laid out in the Bible, even if not all agree with the conclusions that Jesus is God. Archeology also continues to validate the Bible claims over and over again!

What about Oral Testimony?
What is a good definition of “history?” “A knowledge of the past based upon testimony.”
Do you believe that Napoleon lived? Why? You are relying on testimony!

Can we trust the oral testimony of the apostles?
-When the apostles wrote or spoke, they did so as eyewitnesses!
-The apostles were thoroughly convinced that Jesus was raised from the dead!
-Their bold conduct (from total cowards!) is a convincing proof!

What do we do with the Resurrection?
It would appear that the Legal-Historical proofs are quite convincing, indicating that Jesus did indeed live on this earth, he was crucified, and he actually did rise from the dead.

What are the implications of the Resurrection?
The resurrection radically transformed the way of thinking of the early Christians.
To the Jews in Jesus day, resurrection meant the anticipated end of history! The dead would rise and be judged, the will of God would be fully, finally, and clearly revealed. The meaning of history would only be fully know at its end.

So, consider this: Jesus death and resurrection was experienced as the fulfillment of history, the decisive even of the last day, the revelation of god’s will once and for all. Even though history continued after Jesus rose, there was an understanding with the early Christians that through their meeting with the risen Lord, they were already in touch with the end time, and therefore with the meaning of universal history!

Christians understood their lives as fundamentally altered in relations to the resurrection. They concluded that in Jesus’ resurrection the end is already present! Thus the will of God is finally revealed. To be “in Christ” is to already share in the events of the last days.

Thus the resurrection discloses nothing les than the final revelation of the will of God in history. The resurrection, therefore, is not just a past event, but that which presents personal encounter with the living God now.

So what does the resurrection mean?
-Liberation from the power of sin and death.
-A seal and confirmation of Christ’s saving activity on the cross.
-A transformation of the early Christians’ view of the Sabbath.
-Help in understanding the meaning of the whole of history.
-It ratified Jesus’ messianic teaching for the early Christians.
-That Christ’s triumphant resurrection makes our own possible.

Read 1 Corinthians 15 for more thoughts.

This We Believe - Round 3

2005-11-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

We jumped around a bit this week - here is what we covererd:

What about Science?
Ever heard someone say, “You can’t prove Christianity Scientifically?” It’s like if you can’t prove something scientifically, it’s not true. Well, as we shall see, that in itself is not true!

“Scientific proof” is based on showing that something is a fact by repeating the event in the presence of the person questioning the fact. There is a controlled environment where observations can be made, data drawn, and hypotheses empirically verified.

Now, what if I asked you to use the scientific method to prove that you went to class this morning – can you do it? No! Because you can’t “repeat” the event.

Here’s where we get to “legal-historical” proof, where we show that something is fact beyond a reasonable doubt. This proof depends on three types of testimony: oral testimony, written testimony, and exhibits.

The Christian faith is not a blind, ignorant faith, but rather an intelligent faith. We are called to love God with all of our minds, as well as our heart, soul and strength. John 8:32 says that, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

So, the nest time someone tells you that you “Can’t prove Christianity Scientifically,” all you have to do is agree with them and tell them that they also can’t prove scientifically that they went to work yesterday. – neither is a “repeatable event.” However, ask them if they are interested in learning about “legal-historical” proof that Christianity is indeed true!

Truth
So, over the last couple of weeks this verse has come up from John 14:6, “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.”” That is a basic fact of Christianity, that Jesus is indeed the Way and the Truth and the Life.

However, I am realizing that based on the world that we now live in, you can’t just present the first part of John 14:6 – you also have to present the rest of the verse. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Why do you suppose that is important?

A: Because some would say that it’s okay for Christianity to have it’s own “truth,” it’s just that other’s have their own “truth,” and everyone still gets to God. However, the rest of John 14:6 makes it very clear that THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.

Remember from the first lesson we had about this - that is why the majority of the world has a problem with Christianity – because it leaves no room for another path. However, as we also realized, this path of Christianity IS OPEN FOR ALL TO TRAVEL! All that Jesus asks of us is to come in faith.

What makes Christ the only Way – Why he had to die for my sins.
“Salvation in its full sense is from the guilt of sin in the past, the power of sin in the present, and the presence of sin in the future.” Sinners receive through faith in Christ alone “the gift of righteousness” (Rom 1:17, 5:17, Phil 3:9) and thus become “the righteousness of God” in him who was “made sin” for them (2 Cor 5:21).

Let’s look at the twin realities of God that we must deal with to have a solid belief system. God is a God of wrath and judgment, but he is also a God of love and grace.
Let’s look at these words from 2 Thess 1:6-10
6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power
10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

God’s judgment runs through the center of the universe. God is God. Jesus is our judge. That truth makes the Gospel such GOOD NEWS! Check out 1 Tim 1:15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.” Jesus the Judge is also Jesus the Savior. This is the heart of the gospel.

Let’s try to grasp the big picture. We were created by God and for God – to love, worship and be in relationship with him. But we have rebelled, and now we worship ourselves. To get back to God, we are now dependant on his mercy. Realize that there is no reason in us that God should be merciful, but there is every reason in himself to be merciful. Because at the core, God is love. And his infinite love is greater that even our greatest rebellion.

However, there is a real barrier to our forgiveness. It is not the fact that we have sinned, but the fact that sin is ultimately against God’s character. To maintain his justice as God he must judge all sin. So then, how can God forgive any sin without compromising his own justice and integrity??

We find that Jesus’ death, as a sacrificial offering made to God in our place, “atones” or makes up for our sin by receiving the punishment that would otherwise be ours. Simply put, Jesus’ death pays the penalty for our sins in our place.

Through the death and resurrection of Christ, God made it possible to forgive sinners and welcome them into his kingdom while at the same time protecting his righteousness.
At this point, it will hopefully be very clear why the only path to salvation is through Jesus Christ. We come to God with nothing but our sins. As a righteous judge, God must proclaim a “guilty” sentence on us, and punish us. And without Christ to take our punishment, we must endure it on our own. The consequence for us is death – eternal separation from God, separation from eternal life with him.

The choice is simple – take your own path and you will continue to have the guilt of past sin, the power of present sin, and the presence of future sin. OR, choose Christ and receive mercy from God as Christ takes your punishment. He died that you might live.

This We Believe - Round 2

2005-11-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Who Are We?
“For the Christian Church to ignore, euphemize, or otherwise mute the lethal reality of sin is to cut the nerve of the gospel. For the sober truth is that without full disclosure on sin, the gospel of grace becomes impertinent, unnecessary, and finally uninteresting.” -Cornelius Plantinga Jr.

What is truth? Pilate asked, and we still deal with that today. The truth is that we all start out as sinners. We all have a lethal condition that, if not dealt with, will result in our destruction. But the truth is also that there is a cure – a vaccine that will save us from death.

Original sin is the fault and corruption of the Nature of every man, that naturally is ingendered of the offspring of Adam; wherby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation.
-The ninth of the Anglican Articles of Religion (1563)

What is sin?
-Sin is rebellion.
-Human life is rebellion. Rebellion against God is the natural state and condition of the entire human race.

What's the conclusion?
-Human beings are born rebels to God by reason of original sin.
-Acknowledging our need should promote humility, causing us to grow in our knowledge of God and of ourselves.

So, we now understand that we were born sinners. That is the Bad News. But it doesn’t stop there! There is Good News coming!

Who was Jesus?
Lord, Liar, or Lunatic?!

Ever heard anyone say. “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.” The problem is that, to Jesus, who people believe him to be was of fundamental importance.

Let’s stop for a minute. Jesus claimed to be God, and to be the only way to God. Doesn’t that leave us a problem if we are going to try and accept him as just a “great moral teacher?”

The Lord, Liar, Lunatic debate was first proposed by CS Lewis in Mere Christianity. Let’s look at each of the three elements to help us understand his reasoning better.

Was he a liar?
If Jesus knew that he was not God, then he was deliberately lying. That would also make him a hypocrite, because throughout his whole life he was teaching others to be truthful! He also would have been very evil, as he was encouraging people to trust him for their eternal destination! On top of it all, he would have been a fool – as his claims led to his crucifixion. Was he all those things? Could Jesus be a “great moral teacher” and all those other things?

Stop and think about what you know of the results of Jesus’ life and teachings. If everything Jesus is about was a lie, then why is it that the result of his life and teaching leads to honesty? Liars become converted and tell the truth. Nations come under his power and choose to do what is right. It would be impossible to find anyone who has influenced the world to do so much right. Is it possible for all of that to have happened if it all started with a lie? Is it possible for a deceitful, selfish, depraved man, to invent and consistently maintain the purest and noblest character of anyone who has ever lived? And then sacrifice his own life for what he knew was a lie? Is it possible?

Was he a lunatic?
Could he have thought himself to be God, but been mistaken? It is possible to be sincere and wrong! If any other Jew in Jesus’ time proclaimed himself to be God and the only way to God – he would have to be a lunatic! It was a monotheistic culture! To tell others that their eternal destiny depended on you… that would have been lunacy.

They have places today where they lock up people who think they are Napoleon or Elvis. They lock them up because people like that are not “normal.” You can tell by interacting with them that they have a “few screws loose.” But Jesus spoke some of the most profound sayings ever recorded. The skill and depth of his teaching point towards complete mental wholeness. In fact, if he is not God then we have a new problem of trying to explain how a mere man could come up with such a depth of truth and insight!

Is he Lord?
It’s impossible to conclude that he was a liar or a lunatic, which leads us with the conclusion that he is Lord! Most Jews are convinced that Jesus was not a Liar or a lunatic, but they will also say that he was not God! How can that be?

All three of these options are possible but only one is probable. Only one is really even remotely possible.

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31 (NIV)

Transiberian Orchestra Choir

2005-11-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

Would anyone be interested in seeing the Transiberian Orchestra Choir on Wednesday Nov. 23rd at 7:30? They will be at the World Arena here in Colorado Springs. Unfortunately the tickets aren't cheap, they're $41, but if anyone thinks it would be worth it let me know. I'm seeing who might be interested because I don't think I can talk my family into it and I don't want to go alone. I just think it would be alot of fun so I'm considering it...

This We Believe - Round 1

2005-11-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

For the next while we will be using Kairos to examine...

aWhat do we believe?
aWhy do we believe it?
aHow do we explain it to others?

We started off the evening (Nov 15) asking the question, "Does my life have meaning?"

Check out this link to learn about a life of no meaning...
http://stripe.colorado.edu/~morristo/sisyphus.html

We found that meaning comes in this form, through Wonder, Truth, Love, and Security. Then we concluded that meaning is found in each of these areas through Jesus Christ.

Jesus: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” -John 10:10
People who came to Jesus drew life and joy from him. He gave life meaning.

Then we had some fun asking what people believed, and why they believed it.

Responses included, "Because the Bible says so," "Because that's how I was brought up," "Because of my experiences," and "Because there are no better options."

While these are not wrong answers, we realised that people from different belief systems use these same answers to explain why they believe in their own faiths. If we all use the same answers to explain what we believe, then how is Christianity different?

Conclusion? Fulfilled Prophecy!!! Only God knows the future, therefore only God can reveal the future to man. Check out this link if you want to learn more: http://100prophecies.org/

We finally concluded with the question, What makes Jesus so Different??

The obvious answer is that Jesus Christ claimed to be God, and also to be the only way to God. It's a pretty exclusive claim, but the good news is that the offer is open for all to come to God through him.

So, the starting point of faith rests in your answer to the question, Who is Jesus?

Next week we will deal with possible explanations for Jesus' claim to be the "Son of God."

PS - Please add your thoughts of Psalm 40:1-3 as a comment on this post!

International Students

2005-11-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

Interested in developing a relationship with an International Student? Just think, all the benefits of learning about and interacting with a different culture - without even leaving home!

Email Wade or leave a comment if you are interested.

Single Mom's Night Out!

2005-11-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to comment on what a great night it was! Thanks, Lindsey, for setting it up!

This coming Saturday Night (Nov 19th) we will be doing childcare at the Salvation Army center at 908 Yuma St. This will make it possible for the single Mom’s to have a night out. What a great way to serve!

We will be there from 5pm-9:30pm. We are helping in shifts, from 5-7:15pm and 7-9:30pm. Please come and help.

The Salvation Army is located near the corner of Circle and Galley, behind Walgreen’s. Park in front of the building and come on in!

See you there.

Weekly Mountain Biking

2005-11-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

Interested in Mountain Biking?
Starting on Sunday, Nov 20, we will meet each week at 2:30pm (Be ready to ride at 2:30pm!) at Palmer Park.
Check out the picture – that’s where we will meet. Brenner Place turns South from Austin Bluffs at the NE corner of the park. You will just park along the road, and there is a bike entrance to the park there.

You will need to bring your own bike!

PS - The picture was just to get your attention!

Sand Dunes Trip

2005-11-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

Looks like this will take place on Nov 12, possibly on the 11th and 12th if there is interest?

Rob - are you heading this up? :)

Post comments if you are interested.

Winter Ski Retreat

2005-11-03T21:16:00.000-07:00

Camp Como is putting on another Winter Ski Retreat this year, Jan 2-5.

Lodging, Lift Tickets, and Rentals: $275

Lodging Only: $100

Interested? Let Wade know.

Listening

2005-10-27T18:17:00.000-06:00

We had a fantastic time learning about LISTENING TO GOD, and then actually experimented with it! Wow – to think that God might have something to say to ME!?!

We learned that the Lord speaks to us in ways we often miss. He has many ways of speaking, including through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, spiritual gifts, common sense wisdom, conviction, His character, His peace, natural things, and even in times of silence.

Our homework assignment was to read John 12:1-21 and spend some time listening to what God might have to say to you through those verses. Please post your thoughts, whatever God might have said to you!

Congratulations!

2005-10-27T18:15:00.000-06:00

We made it through Ecc 5:1-7! Way to go for those of you who did it all, and thanks for the effort to those of you who got some verses here and there! (And thanks to Meagan for the idea!)

Now, are we going to forget the verses? I hope not. Here's my plan...

Repeat all 7 verses every day for 2 weeks.
Then repeat the verses once a week for 2 years.

I am pretty sure they will be "locked in" my mind after that!

SlingShot57 concert

2005-10-20T18:24:00.000-06:00

Kevin Andler wanted me to let all you guys and gals out there know that the youth is having the band Slingshot57 come and do a concert at Sunnyside.

Where: Sunnyside Christian Church
When: This Sunday (the 23rd) at 6:30 but doors open at 6:00
Cost: $3 at the door pizza will be available for cheap (about $.50)

If you have anymore questions call the church 596-1659, I don't know anything else this is just whats on the flyer Kevin gave me.

Hike before Bike

2005-10-19T12:01:00.000-06:00

If anyone is interested in an easy hike on Saturday morning--here's the plan. Leave at approximately 7 am. (I am open to other meeting spots is not everyone wants to come to my apartment) Drive out and hike the Crags. There will be 5 flat landers (guys/gals from Kansas) that will be coming as well. If you have never done a hike, or do it all the time, we can have a fun time. We should be back easily before 1 pm (probably much sooner). Overall, it is about 4 miles of easy walking. Looks like it will be nice and cold. We will consolidate as many vehicles as possible as I am not sure how good the road is. But I'm sure it'll all work out. Let me know if you want to go--just post a comment!

Bike Ride

2005-10-19T09:01:00.000-06:00

I'm going mountain biking this saturday just around palmer park so nothing to hard because I'm a wimp. If you want to come just meet me at the main parking lot of palmer park (the one right off of academy) at about 4:15 and we'll have a joyous time of grunting and burping and doing other manly things.

Wade is that all I needed to put? Did I do good?

Oh yeah and if you do plan on going please leave a comment or email me (nathan@landrymanor.com) or any of that fun stuff just so I know to watch for people and don't just go on my lonesome.

How to Meditate on God's Word

2005-10-05T20:53:00.000-06:00

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

-Author Unknown

We have all heard the expression, "you are what you eat", but is also true to say "you are (and are becoming) what you think." What things do you spend your time thinking about?

Meditate: to engage in contemplation or reflection, to focus one's thoughts on: reflect or ponder over. to plan or project in the mind

Meditation is a function of the mind and the heart. It is what we think about in our hearts and it is something we each do every day. Whether we realize it or not, we all spend a large portion of our time in some form of meditation. The thing is, what we meditate on may or may not be worth while. In fact, what we habitually think about is frequently unhealthy for our growth as Christians. Often it is simply sinful.

First, we must become consciously aware of what we spend our time meditating on now. When you catch yourself meditating on something undesirable, renounce it and cast it away. Imagine yourself throwing it to the ground and stepping on it to kill it. Then immediately choose to replace the thought with a good one, such as a prayer, a memorized scripture or song. Do not be discouraged if you find yourself thinking about that same thing only a minute or two later. Simply recognize sin as sin, renounce it again and choose to replace the thought with something worthwhile.

Whether your realize it or not, your character is being formed and solidified with each passing day. This is true whether you plan through what you want to be or if you just let life happen. Some of the most powerful influences on the development of your character come from the following sources:

What you read
What you look at
What you listen to
The people you associate with
What you think about

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:1-3)

Meditation as a lifestyle (How do I meditate on God's word?)

Meditation on the things of God yields wisdom and purity. It yields spiritual maturity and communion with God. Here are a few of the things we can meditate on.

The things God has done for me and others I know.
The holiness and perfection of God.
The Beauty of Christ
Our meeting with God after our life here is complete
Our eternal fellowship which we will have with Him
The meaning/application of any specific passage of scripture.
Anything God has just taught us or made us aware of
Questions regarding the will of God.
The salvation he has given us
The life he has freed us from
Other ideas?????????

You see, much of this is reflection on the relationship we have with God, it is thinking about His love and influence in your life, it is wondering about His awesome power and mighty deeds. It is joyfully giving thanks to Him for all he has done. It is sitting in awe and appreciation of his works. It is using all your energy to understand and obey his word. Just as your digestive system processes the food you eat so it can be of use to your body, so also meditation digests all things concerning God and makes them a power which can renew your heart.

All of the above comes from www.memoryverses.org

Please leave a comment with your thoughts and experiences about meditating…..

Short Trip

2005-10-05T08:26:00.000-06:00

Hey! This is Megan all the way at Lincoln. I miss you guys and pray for you! This weekend I went with a group from school down to Louisiana with hurricane relief. If you are interested, you can read about it in my blog, http://jer209.blogspot.com, and I will try to get some pictures posted soon.

God bless!

Megan

Memorization

2005-09-28T12:23:00.000-06:00

Thoughts on Memorization.
The mind is an amazing thing. We can put tons of information in our minds and recall that information very quickly. Just think of all the words that we know and how we can put them into sentences and communicate with others. Think of all the people we know, sports statistics we remember or the notes of a musical score that we can log into our memories. Unfortunately we have not used our minds fully to glorify the Lord and have put our minds to use in ways that are not beneficial to God’s Kingdom. We don’t like discipline and we often take the short cut, but in order to grow in the area of memorization we need to learn how to slow down, concentrate, discipline our minds, learn to review and keep God’s word as our daily food. The following are some verses and thoughts about memorization (A lot of the following came from http://www.memoryverses.org):

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children . . ." (Deut. 6:6, 7).

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you maybe be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:7-8)

“The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver" (Ps. 119:72).

“And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times” Psalm 12:6.

"Even at night my heart instructs me" (Ps. 16:7)

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:14-17).

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Other great verses on memorization:
John 15:7, Psalm 119:9-11, Eph 6:13-18, Psalm 37:29, 1 Peter 3:15, Co 3:16, Hebrews 5:13-14, Psalm 119:97

Why should we memorize?
1) Delight. The Scripture is God’s Words. We should delight in God’s Word.
2) Obedience. Obedience is part of who we are as believers. How can we obey if we don’t know God’s Word and what He commands of us? Jesus often said, “If you love me you will obey my commands.” So we must know the Scriptures in order to know what the commands are that we are too obey.
3) Protection. Jesus used Scripture against Satan’s temptations (Matt 4:1-11). David knew that “hiding God’s word in his heart was the key to purity (Psalm 119:9-11). Paul says that Scripture is the armor to fight/defend against the enemy (Eph 6:13-18).
“The law of his (the righteous man) God is in his heart; his feet do not slip” (Psalm 37:29).
4) Cleansing. Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Meditation (PH 4:4-9) on the scriptures cleanses and transforms the mind (RO 12:1-2) and heart (De 30:14; Job 22:22; Ps 19:14; Pr 15:14; Pr 16:23; Mt 15:18; MA 7:20-23; Lu 6:45; Pr 27:19; Pr 4:23). It’s just healthy for the mind.
5) Witnessing. We are told to be prepared to answer questions concerning our faith in Christ. (1PE 3:15) Paul was able to reason with non-Christians because of a knowledge of the word. (AC 17:1-4)
6) Encouraging Others. Having the word in our hearts allows us to encourage and teach others. (CO 3:16; 2 TI 2:14-17)
7) Wisdom and discernment. Knowing and using the Word teaches us right from wrong. (HE 5:13-14). It can increase our ability to distinguish truth from error in doctrine
8) Prayer. It will help our prayer life (John 15:7)
9) Study. Knowing God's word allows us to study the Bible more effectively
10) Meditation. If we know the scriptures we can meditate on it anytime wherever we are. (Ps 119:97; Ps 16:7)

Tips on how to memorize?
1-We must see memorization as important. If we don’t see the importance we won’t try.
2-We must have proper motives. We should not desire to show how “holy” we are like the Pharisees but rather we must desire to know Christ and to honor Him.
3-Accountability. Need another person to hold us accountable to our goals.
4-Realization that our culture does not encourage memory work. Our culture (and our flesh) wants the quick fixes not the long road of discipline. Television encourages lazy minds. Calculators do the math for us. Spell check spells for us so we don’t have to remember.
5-Lying in bed – meditation on Scripture while you wait to fall asleep.
6-Relate the passage to life. Apply it to things in your life.
7-Relationship with the Lord must be growing. If we have sin or are turning away from Him, how can He help us with His Word?
8-SLOW DOWN. The slower and more accurate the better. Learn bite size phrases at first.
9-REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW
10-Be creative. Put to music. Draw a picture. Use different voice inflections.
11-Use Acronyms.
12-OUTLOUD. Memorize by reciting out loud to yourself, to others, to God.
13-Make a recording (or have a friend, or loved one, record their voice).
14-Write it out.
15-Schedule memory work as part of the day. When you brush your teeth. In the shower. Before a meal. After a meal. In your car. Before you sleep. Instead of TV.
16-REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW (they say you must review a verse 100 times before you have it memorized).
17-Check out www.memoryverses.org
18-Ask God to help you memorize.

May your hunger for God’s Word grow and may you find satisfaction and delight in His Life-Giving Word.

Star Wars

2005-09-22T12:15:00.000-06:00

Does anyone have any of the Star Wars movies on DVD? (Is Episode 3 even out yet?)

I have been promising Caleb that we would watch them, and now that we are moved into the house we are ready to get started. I am hoping to watch them for 6 consecutive weeks, one a week. Maybe on Friday nights? Anyone want to join us?

A Question for Anyone

2005-09-19T17:12:00.000-06:00

I have to confess that I really have a hard time with breaking a fast. Like, I feel guilty for eating food again, even when it's the time I've decided, before God, to break a fast. Does anyone else struggle with this? If so, how do you deal with it in your head?

Last day game request

2005-09-16T13:53:00.000-06:00

Hey--just wanted to throw out a proposal for something to do during the day on Saturday, if people aren't busy...I just thought it might be fun to get together and play some games (video, board, card, whatever) during the day so Andrew can come. Particularly, if anyone wants to play some XBox or whatever, just give me a call @ 719-964-8665.

I also think we need to set up a serious game day, with the board games, croquet, etc. sometime (hint, hint Wade/Dara)...Just a thought.

Peace

The Prayer of Intercession

2005-09-14T15:23:00.000-06:00

So, I just wanted to post some of the thoughts and verses that we went over last night. I pray that you were blessed by interceding for others, and I pray that you will be convicted about continuing to pray over the specific requests that you had in your small group last night.

Prayer of Intercession. This is where we take other peoples requests to God on their behalf, interceding for them – that’s a real ministry. We have all been called to be intercessors. Praying for other people is the greatest privilege in life. God gets excited about the prayers of the saints.

Introduction
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Tim 2:1-2 (NIV)

13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
James 5:13-16 (NIV)

What to pray for?
9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2 Cor 1:9-11 (NIV) For HELP!!

1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.
2 Thess 3:1-2 (NIV) Against Evil!

6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Philem 1:6 (NIV)
3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
Col 4:3-4 (NIV) To share our faith!

Conclusion
1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Luke 18:1 (NIV)

Croquette, Anyone??

2005-09-12T11:14:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow at Kairos we are playing croquette, starting at 7:30pm. Drop in to Kairos early if you would like to join the game!

Also, don’t be forgetting our memory verse that we are working on. We wouldn’t want to be offering the “sacrifice of fools,” now would we?!?!?

ECC 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

UCCS 14ers

2005-09-08T20:53:00.000-06:00

We are beginning a new club at UCCS. It is and always will be open to everyone. In fact, it is not even an official club yet. Just in progress. The idea is to create an atmosphere where we can get our friends involved in some activities where we can have fun and really build relationships with them, through climbing mountains!

We have started a blog site specifically for this club. The link is in the side bar. Check it out, and you will be able to see the pictures of our latest adventure!

Happy viewing.

Miniature golfing anyone?

2005-09-08T17:48:00.000-06:00

Anyone interested in going miniature golfing this sunday (9/12) after church? Holly is suggesting it and since she doesn't post here I thought I would spread the word, hope some of you will come!

What a blast! Thanks to everyone for showing up, and thanks to Holly for the great idea!!! Who will plan the next event?? :) -wade

Chronos Groups

2005-09-01T22:47:00.000-06:00

We are going to begin something new with Kairos, and it’s called Chronos!

Kairos = A specific moment in time when something happens!
Chronos = The continuum of time, what happens over the long-haul.

We will be forming small groups (2-3 people) for a three-fold purpose of
1) Accountability and encouragement in our Christian walks,
2) Reading Scripture
3) Praying for those who are not yet believers

Rather than posting all the info here, I am going to leave it as a comment on this post. Feel free to copy and paste it into an email or a Word document, so that you can read it later at your leisure.

Remember what we memorized from Psalm 1?

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

I am firmly convinced that a good healthy dose of God’s Word will bless you beyond measure!

The doodlepad

2005-08-28T18:02:00.000-06:00

Just thought I'd drop a note and let people know they are more than welcome to come over and check out the mullings of a moron. Err, maybe just the ramblings of fool? Ok, so it's just a daily thought or so from yours truly. Just click on The Doodlepad...

word from mr. wood

2005-08-27T14:00:00.000-06:00

hey kids...big dav here...current;y sitting in someone's house i barely know(their not even here) listening to mr. jackson singing something about being black and white...just wanted to let everyone know that i'm here safe and sound after my kayaking adventure in lower missourri...i can't move into the dorms until sunday so jenny found me a place to stay, with her aunt and uncle...but they're great...we stay up late and share the craziest stories with me...nikki, jenny, and i had a blast camping and kayaking...we did about 60 miles of the jacks forks and current rivers in 4 days...woo hoo...anyways...classes start on tuesday...or maybe wedsnday...or something...i may go...but for now i'm off to see a certain wizard to discuss obtaining certain peices of real estate in, shall we say 'oz'

dav out

Fasting

2005-08-27T00:10:00.000-06:00

For me fasting was about purpose and sacrific, what's it about for you?

Uncle Wade has challenged us to fast for 24 hours starting Monday night, can we do it? If your willing, remember that during the time of fasting, it is important to fast with a clear purpose. Fasting isn't about hunger strikes for God. Your purpose should be to meet God. Remember the song "I'm here to meet with You" that's the goal. During that time of fasting you got to stay focused! When Peter lost his focus on Jesus, he sank and you''ll sink to if you don't remain focused. A 24 hour fast is difficult because all you want to think about is food, but if you stay focused on your purpose in the mist of the hunger pains, God will reveal something awesome. God luck to you! When you think I can't do it, just remember Jesus' sacrific.

Kent

Spiritual Discipline #1 - Fasting

2005-08-24T21:21:00.000-06:00

Fasting… “Giving up something good in order to obtain something better.”

Let’s have some fun with fasting this coming Tuesday. I propose that we join together in doing a 24 hour juice fast, starting this coming Monday night at 8pm. Then at 8pm Tuesday, we will start Kairos with a meal! We will provide salad and drinks, but please bring some money to chip in for pizza.

The guidelines for the fast are as follows, if you would like to participate. You can drink as much juice as you would like. It needs to be labeled 100% juice. Or you can stop by Jamba juice and get a carrot juice! Also, make sure that you are drinking lots of water throughout the day.

It helps a lot to have a reason for the fast. If you don’t have anything else to pray about, please focus your prayers in on Lisamarie or Kelley (see below).

Also - for those Kairos members who are scattered far and wide - please join us in this fast!

Please share any thoughts or ideas about fasting that you have....

Contest.......

2005-08-24T20:54:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to say “thanks” to everyone who helped (and to those who wanted to help!) with the move into our new house. This picture was taken on Saturday, Aug 20th, and yes - that's hail on the ground!

Kairos will meet at our home from now on. Email me for directions!

So, here’s the contest – who can think of the best quote for what Rob is thinking in this picture????? (Thanks for being a good sport, Rob!)

Lisamarie's Prayer Request

2005-08-24T20:18:00.000-06:00

Lisamarie is facing a tough situation and needs our prayers. Basically, she can only be “checked out” by staff and by her “Spiritual Family” in Canada. However, at the moment there is a conflict with her Spiritual Family, and a new rule at the home says that staff can’t check the students out. All the other girls in the program have family nearby who check them out, but Lisamarie is left without an “escape.”

Please pray that a fair and just solution will be arrived at quickly. Pray that Lisamarie’s attitude would be right. THANKS!

Prayer Request from Megan

2005-08-24T00:12:00.000-06:00

My best friend's mom passed away this morning. Kelly's mom has had brain tumors for years, but they were always classified as "benign." A few weeks ago, she gave me a call, using the word "cancer" and, in tears, told me that her mom only had six weeks to live. Two weeks later, she IM'd me with the horrible news that treatment had not helped at all and her mom only had a few more days to live. This afternoon, my mom called me with the news that she had passed away this morning. The good news is her mom was a very solid Christian woman. She had faith and it was a faith that affected people around her. There is no doubt in my mind that she is with her Savior right now. However, if you could say a prayer for Kelly and her family, this is a very hard time for them as I'm sure you can imagine. They are not only emotionally dealing with the death of a mother, wife, daughter, and friend, but Kelly has to go back down to school next week, and there is not much family support, or the support of friends (because we're all off at schools in different states). Thank you so much for your prayers!

Memorization??

2005-08-18T09:46:00.000-06:00

So, does anyone have any ideas on memorization?? I would like to see us putting God’s word into our hearts and minds, but I would rather not be the one to pick what it is this time. It should be something that you want to memorize. Let’s be looking for a passage, not just a single verse.

Post your comments on what would interest you, and we will make a decision from there on where to go with it!

Thanks for the ideas! Check out the comments and think about which one you are interested in!

On Fire for God!

2005-08-18T09:38:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Kristen and Lisamarie for sharing with Kairos about their adventures over the past while. A common theme seemed to be the need to be taken away from our comfort zones for us to grow, and the necessity of faith to see great things happen.

Does anyone have any ideas on how we as Kairos can be challenged in these areas this Fall??

Is that gum on my shoe?

2005-08-14T17:12:00.000-06:00

Sunday afternoon thought--

Do you ever wonder why so many little things seemed to get us riled up, get our blood flowing, even boiling? Why is it that something as simple as getting gum stuck on your shoe, or hitting every red light on the way to work when you are in a hurry, can ruin your entire outlook for a day? Did something get amiss, when we know it's not important? How do we so often misplace importance with immediacy, and forget the long-term consequences and goals of our existence?

Are we similar to Israel, in that despite the workings of God, the words of God, and the actions of God, we get caught up in a hustle and bustle of daily life, losing the importance. John Wooden, the famous basketball coach has a maxim that says "Make every day your masterpiece." Will Smith, in Hitch, says, "Live each day on purpose." Why is this so difficult to do sometimes? God is near, and God is listening, waiting for us to call on His name, to give Him our concerns, our worries, our joys, to give Him the glory. How much different could this world be if we lived this way--placing the focus where it is and really living salty.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." --Matthew 5:13-16

Think about it--what can we do to keep salty? How can we make each day our masterpiece for the Lord, to glorify His name? Let's take the next step, right out of the boat. A little scary, the unknown, but Jesus is there to keep us from sinking...

Edwin and Jessie Shonts

2005-08-13T11:04:00.000-06:00

Congrats to the lovely couple!! This is a pretty exciting time – our first Kairos wedding! It was a beautiful event. May God continue to shower you two with favor all throughout the rest of your lives together.

I also couldn’t miss the opportunity for a picture of these Kairos folks dressed up nice and looking so spiffy! We clean up pretty good!

Canada - EH!

2005-08-12T12:14:00.000-06:00

Welcome home Lisamarie!! We are so glad to have you home for a visit! We are so proud of you for sticking with your desire to be free – really free. You are an example for all of us in your desire to know truth. May the truth set you, and each of us, FREE.

Love, -Kairos

Do you REALLY believe?

2005-08-10T21:32:00.000-06:00

Thanks to everyone for making the discussion so good last night. We first talked about how everyone matters, each of us has value. It is so cool when everyone is real, when we are not focusing on externals (either complementing looks OR making fun of looks), but rather focusing on internals (integrity, compassion, purity, etc.). I pray for more conviction in all of us to look at the heart, not the outward person.

Then we learned about loving ourselves - “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller shares how he had a problem with negative self-talk, telling himself that he was a loser, and not being able to receive love from people. The breakthrough came when he realized that he would never talk to his neighbor the way that he talked to himself! Then he realized that it couldn’t be wrong to “receive love” because someone had to give it before you could receive it, and God definitely wants us to give love, so therefore he must want us to be able to receive love.

And receiving love might be the most important thing we ever learn! Not only will it affect all of our relationships here on earth, but receiving love will also let us enjoy the best relationship that we could ever want… a friendship with God.

A final thought to leave you with. Most of us who have been in this “Christianity thing” for awhile know that God loves us. We know it – but do we believe it? Does the fact that God loves us shape how we live? Have we experienced his love? Have you experienced God’s love? Really experienced it? Would you be willing to post your experience?

Sky Sox - Aug 11

2005-08-04T11:17:00.000-06:00

OK, so I guess baseball players melt in the rain or something. Or maybe it's that their chew mixes with the rain and starts leaving slobber all over or something???

Yes, the game was cancelled due to some sprinkles. And the $20 we spent on tickets for our family? Oh, "just come back and trade them in for another game!" And the $5 we spent to park? "Sorry."

Not that I'm bitter or anything. One good thing did come out of the evening - a great picture of Dave and Megan! We will miss you both as you head off to school soon. :(

What I Believe

2005-08-03T23:01:00.000-06:00

I really enjoyed Kairos last night. The discussions were insightful, and I appreciate everyone’s participation. Here’s part of what I read last night, from Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller.

My friend Andrew the Protester believes things. Andrew goes to protests where he gets pepper- sprayed, and he does it because he believes in being a voice of change… I like Andrew because he actually believes things that cost him something. Even if I disagree with Andrew, I love that he is willing to sacrifice for what he believes… Andrew is the one who taught me that what I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do.

I have to ask myself, “What does my behavior say about what I believe?” If I treat the checkout person at Safeway like an ignorant indentured servant, do I believe that there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free in Christ Jesus? For those of you who are dating, does your behavior with your boyfriend or girlfriend indicate that you desire to be holy, as God is holy? Most of us can talk the Christian talk, giving the right Sunday School answers, but when it comes to my behavior, what would people say that I believe?

What would people say that you believe? Please post your own thoughts to help encourage me and others as we try to walk the walk.

Garden of the Gods

2005-07-31T21:42:00.000-06:00

Based on these last few posts, everyone is going to think that all we do is hike! It was another great hike today. This picture was taken along the Palmer Trail, where we stopped for a little climbing.

We did see a very cool rattlesnake along the trail, and some people even saw some mountain goats. God’s creation is a wild and beautiful thing. We may think that we have tamed it… but watch out!

Eric Gaston was the hero again today, with his infamous last words… “Look guys – a slide!” Dooh. But the scrapes should leave some nice scars – if you look at the bright side of the whole situation.

Thanks to everyone for making the trip so fun!

Manitou Incline!

2005-07-30T17:34:00.000-06:00

Wow - now that's a hike! One mile in length, gaining 2100 feet of elevation! The Manitou Incline used to be a train line, but the tracks are now gone, leaving about 5,000 railroad ties to hike up!

Anyway, a group of 13 of us (including Caleb and Anna!) met at 5:30am to begin the assault. Anna and Dad made it about 3/4ths of the way up before bailing out on a shortcut to the trail. Everyone else made it! The record time that I heard was 40 minutes, set by Eric Gaston. (Hhhmmm – when my broken toe gets better I am going to have to challenge that record!)

Great fun, good exercise, God’s mountainside!!!

Kairos Has Come...

2005-07-30T10:58:00.000-06:00

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" -Mark 1:15 (NIV)

The Greek word kairos is the word time in the verse above. It describes a point in time when something happens, a point when a change takes place and there is no going back to the way it used to be.

Wade & Dara Gardner work with Impact Ministries Int. www.impactministries.tv and have partnered up with the local Christian Churches in Colorado Springs, CO. The result is Kairos – a college aged group of people who are hungry for more.

More what? More God, more freedom to live the lives that Christ has died to bring us.

Come join the journey. This web site is dedicated to sharing the adventures, sharing the stories, for growing together in our pursuit of God.

Contact Wade & Dara at wadedara@hotmail.com