There are many things in life that are bigger, deeper, or have more meaning once we get into it. I love Paul’s example when he takes tough circumstances and says it is “advancing the gospel”. How do you have this peace even when life has a lot to throw at you? In Philippians, we are learning that every circumstance is an opportunity to grow in our understanding of prayer, the Holy Spirit, and life and death. Everyday is a new day to learn something new.
The tough stuff in life has sometimes brought me to my knees. Even in times when I thought my prayers were unheard, I learned to keep on praying. I continue to learn that the Holy Spirit is at work everyday and that the Bible does not hide that it is usually when we are struggling that we come to understand Him the most. As for life and death, I use to think that I was invincible and that life had a reset button, but that thought was soon taken away during tough circumstances. As time goes by, I am thankful for the circumstances although I would never want to go through this again. I am truly thankful for all that God is teaching us at Roane Church.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Follow-up on Pete
I called Pete Stetson while he was still in the emergency room yesterday and talked with him later on in the day. At the hospital, they did some tests and blood work and found no answers that would explain the situation that occurred. He will follow up with a cardiologist in the near future. Please pray for him as he and his wife try to get some answers. At this point, he is back to business as usual.
Our First "Public" Meeting
How do you take your heart and put it on paper? Sunday was a great day! The worship environment was incredible. The children’s area is one of the neatest areas. I am not sure who was having more fun the children or the adults. There have been so many people praying and working to begin a church in Roane County that would not be just another church but a different church. I want to thank all of the new people who came. Several of you have already responded with so many positive statements that honor God. I know that God is the one who led us yesterday.
We are gearing up for this Sunday already. Bryan McKaig will be leading worship with band members from Knoxville. Remember this church is for anyone. I don’t care where you have been or what you have done. Please come and know that already people are earnestly praying for you this week.
We are gearing up for this Sunday already. Bryan McKaig will be leading worship with band members from Knoxville. Remember this church is for anyone. I don’t care where you have been or what you have done. Please come and know that already people are earnestly praying for you this week.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The People
Today we went to the Michael Dunn Center to do some work in their community room. It is so much fun just to be there, but I love getting the privilege to know some of these incredible people. Today it was Justin.
My family, along with MDC employees Micheale & Rhonda, looked through Justin's photo album. The pictures depicted a young man full of compassion and joy who has many meaningful relationships. As we looked at these pictures I could see Justin smile to let us know that he was fully aware of everything going on.
There were many other people with different needs come and engage us while we were there. All of them noticed the children and my pretty wife. This all goes to show that the incredible people at the MDC are people who long to share real lives, with real hope, and real love. I hope through the years to develop some of these real relationships. Roane Church knows that God’s love is for everyone, no matter our backgrounds or different needs. Sunday is coming fast! We will see you at 10am at the MDC!
My family, along with MDC employees Micheale & Rhonda, looked through Justin's photo album. The pictures depicted a young man full of compassion and joy who has many meaningful relationships. As we looked at these pictures I could see Justin smile to let us know that he was fully aware of everything going on.
There were many other people with different needs come and engage us while we were there. All of them noticed the children and my pretty wife. This all goes to show that the incredible people at the MDC are people who long to share real lives, with real hope, and real love. I hope through the years to develop some of these real relationships. Roane Church knows that God’s love is for everyone, no matter our backgrounds or different needs. Sunday is coming fast! We will see you at 10am at the MDC!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Preparations
Today, we sent off our second 5000 piece direct mail. It is going to the same homes that the first direct mail went out to in Harriman, Rockwood, Kingston, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, Loudon, and Lenoir City. This is a 10 mile radius surrounding the Michael Dunn Center. Who knows what is going to happen Sunday, but we are praying. Many people are praying that people will “connect to hope in Jesus” and people will know that as long as there is breathe in their lungs that they would know that there is hope for them. No matter what we have done or where we have been, God is waiting to show us love. I wanted to share with you a thought that a friend sent me today, Kevin Bradford, who will be moving he and his family here from another state to join us in the work God has appointed us to do at Roane Church.
I thought this was pretty cool. If you are reading this today, maybe take a moment, take a deep breath, and know you are loved by God. Hope to see you Sunday!
As I was reading through Luke 15, verse 1 and 2 caught my attention.
It says that the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to Him.
And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled saying, 'This man receives sinners
and eats with them.' May the tax collectors and sinners draw near Sunday as
Roane Church begins public services. May they be received, welcomed, and
loved! And as verses 7 and 10 say, may the maddest block party ever
be thrown in heaven because people have surrendered to Jesus and become cleansed through His blood! The Lord God Almighty is more than able to do far more than all we ask or think. May He be glorified?
I thought this was pretty cool. If you are reading this today, maybe take a moment, take a deep breath, and know you are loved by God. Hope to see you Sunday!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday Reflections
Sunday was a really good day for us. Several new people attended for the first time even before our opening day. For the last two weeks, I have taught about both people’s expectations and opinions as they come to church. I am still amazed that the first words recorded in the book of John from the lips of Jesus were “What do you want?” He knows that we have expectations and opinions, but Jesus came to this earth and knows exactly where we are. What thrills me is that He still loves us!
After our Sunday time of worship, Michaele Butler, an employee at the Michael Dunn Center, did an outstanding job giving us training on people with special needs. Roane Church understands that we are coming into their community, and we are excited to make welcome anyone who would want to come to Roane Church. Michaele taught us that yes, these people have special needs, but maybe we could see them as different needs. I thought this was pretty cool. We all have needs and they are all different. Come and learn what God is teaching through sharing life together.
After our Sunday time of worship, Michaele Butler, an employee at the Michael Dunn Center, did an outstanding job giving us training on people with special needs. Roane Church understands that we are coming into their community, and we are excited to make welcome anyone who would want to come to Roane Church. Michaele taught us that yes, these people have special needs, but maybe we could see them as different needs. I thought this was pretty cool. We all have needs and they are all different. Come and learn what God is teaching through sharing life together.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Why The Michael Dunn Center?
One of the most popular questions that has been asked to me is “how did you get connected with the Michael Dunn Center”. I have come to understand that this has been so big that I really did not make this decision but God was truly directing steps. Roane Church was looking to find a place to meet and found that the options were limited in Roane County. The store fronts were too expensive, there is not a movie theater, and meeting in a school fell through. This brought concern and much prayer.
At the same time, Roane Church had a goal to find ways to “earn the right” to be a church in this community. After meeting with different leaders in the community and asking “how will you allow us to serve”, there was not a peace to pursue those options. There was also the thought about doing a “habitat like” project in order to help someone with a home or a renovation. All of this leads to more and more prayer. Then God revealed His plan.
God’s plan was and is for Roane Church to learn what the word “compassion” means by leading us to the Michael Dunn Center. This was not a project to simply get done but a partnership where the church will develop relationships for years to come. The Michael Dunn Center has welcomed us with open arms. After praying for a place to meet and to serve, God has answered that prayer. This last year has been great fun. It is a blast getting to know the people of the Michael Dunn Center. There is a lot to learn, but God is faithful everyday to teach us about compassion.
At the same time, Roane Church had a goal to find ways to “earn the right” to be a church in this community. After meeting with different leaders in the community and asking “how will you allow us to serve”, there was not a peace to pursue those options. There was also the thought about doing a “habitat like” project in order to help someone with a home or a renovation. All of this leads to more and more prayer. Then God revealed His plan.
God’s plan was and is for Roane Church to learn what the word “compassion” means by leading us to the Michael Dunn Center. This was not a project to simply get done but a partnership where the church will develop relationships for years to come. The Michael Dunn Center has welcomed us with open arms. After praying for a place to meet and to serve, God has answered that prayer. This last year has been great fun. It is a blast getting to know the people of the Michael Dunn Center. There is a lot to learn, but God is faithful everyday to teach us about compassion.
The first gathering at MDC (before renovations)
Thank you God for these incredible people!
The Christmas party was incredible fun!
As families we learn to live and serve together.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Newspaper Ads
This week, Roane Church has run three separate newspaper ads. The three ads together paint a picture of who we are hoping and praying to be. Maybe as you read these three ads below, it will connect with where you are and you will want to come and check things out.
# 1 We almost gave up on church. Seriously! We are a group of people who are tired of playing church. We’ve grown weary of church as usual. We’re not looking for a new program, model, or style. We’re wrestling with a shift in how we view our purpose as Christ followers and how we live that out in our community.
#2 We’re all asking questions, searching for answers, struggling with issues—looking for hope. We live in the same community and deal with many problems. We're concerned about our futures and our finances, our families and our friends… the stuff of everyday life. So, we have no need to waste your time or ours covering up flaws or masking faults for we have plenty.
Just come and grab a cup of coffee, check out the band, and find hope. And, please, wear what you want… just be comfortable!
#3 Before you write church off completely, give Roane Church a chance to change your mind. Our desire is to make the Kingdom of God tangible. We want you to touch it, taste it, see it, and sense it. We seek to be part of the rhythms of our community, to be good neighbors, good friends and good servants.
# 1 We almost gave up on church. Seriously! We are a group of people who are tired of playing church. We’ve grown weary of church as usual. We’re not looking for a new program, model, or style. We’re wrestling with a shift in how we view our purpose as Christ followers and how we live that out in our community.
#2 We’re all asking questions, searching for answers, struggling with issues—looking for hope. We live in the same community and deal with many problems. We're concerned about our futures and our finances, our families and our friends… the stuff of everyday life. So, we have no need to waste your time or ours covering up flaws or masking faults for we have plenty.
Just come and grab a cup of coffee, check out the band, and find hope. And, please, wear what you want… just be comfortable!
#3 Before you write church off completely, give Roane Church a chance to change your mind. Our desire is to make the Kingdom of God tangible. We want you to touch it, taste it, see it, and sense it. We seek to be part of the rhythms of our community, to be good neighbors, good friends and good servants.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Hard Work
This has been a great week! Ryan Brooks who I have known for years brought 21 college students to do work at the Michael Dunn Center from Taylor, SC. They have done a great job painting, putting carpet down, constructing sound panels and covering them with fabric. They also helped Roane Church by passing out 4000 door hangers! That is not the best part of the story. These college students were lined up to stay in a hotel and have a room with a bed and shower. They approached Roane Church and asked if we could find a place somewhere that they could sleep on a floor. Then, they would put the money that they saved on lodging into materials for the Michael Dunn Center. It honestly has overwhelmed me. I want to thank Chapman Grove for allowing these students to use their gym floor. Come and see all that is happening to the Michael Dunn Center on January 18th @ 10am as we kick off Roane Church. 
4000 door hangers, Yippee!
We have learned in college to read directions to figure something out!
Putting up many sound panels
The finished product
Laying carpet in one of the many offices
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to the Blog! The purpose of this blog is to let you in on the heartbeat of Roane Church. In this last year, we have been praying, planning, and working hard to begin this “come as you are” environment. We are everyday people who have been rescued by Jesus and are learning more about God everyday. We have known for a long time that there are “no perfect people” and that we have a God who sent his Son for us. We want everyone to connect to hope in Jesus. It would be a great honor if you would subscribe to the blog and invite you anytime to come and enjoy Sunday morning at Roane Church.
Monday, January 5, 2009
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