Mashups and Campouts...

A ton of exciting things are happening here at Campbellsville Christian Church! 

Logan Thompson was voted on yesterday as our new Student Minister and will be joining our staff in the next couple of weeks! We are all very excited for Logan, Amanda, Jenna, and Silas to join us in the work here in Campbellsville!

I am also excited to give my blog readers a sneak peek into what's happening this summer in our Children's Ministry...(I have connections to our Children's Minister, you know)...it's called COLLIDE and you're not going to want to miss it! Here's the official premiere of the teaser video we put together:

Watch for more details about COLLIDE coming soon!

Finally, on this Monday morning, I am excited to announce that on June 21-22nd C.C.C. is hosting our 1st Father-Son Campout out in the middle of nowhere! Think camping, hiking, fishing, campfires, and just spending quality time together with your son(s)...it's going to be great. Mark your calendars now and watch for more details soon!

Friday Five...

1. Favorite Tweet:

@RickWarren: Be yourself.Pretending is exhausting.

2. Favorite Article...Seven Ways for Young Leaders to Overcome the Slacker Generation Label...(via Carey Nieuwhof)
**Carey challenges us to invest 7 key leadership principles into this generation:

Show Up Early, Take Notes, Think Productivity Not Hours, Ask for Direct Feedback, and more. Read the rest here.

3. Favorite Idea I Wish I Had First...The Convertible Napping Desk (via Neatorama)

**You know you want one.

4. Favorite "Who has time to do this stuff?"...Animals Morphed Together To Create Hilarious New Species (via MyModernMet)

**There's more where this came from...click the picture for the rest.

5. Favorite "Gross...but Awesome!" Photos...Amazingly Detailed Macro Portraits of Bugs...(via MyModernMet)

**Click the picture for the rest...they're incredibly creepy, but very cool.

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday's Word...προσεύχομαι

προσεύχομαι

In case you hadn't figured it out, this is a followup blog series to our Sunday morning sermon series entitled, Living in the Shadow of the Cross. You can see the previous weeks here:

Week 1 - What's Next?

Week 2 - λατρεία (Worship)

Week 3 -  γράμμα (Study)

Easter is the highlight of the year for Christians. Not because we have high church attendance, but because we are reminded of the hope we have in Christ's defeat of sin, guilt, shame, and death. Jesus' resurrection gives us hope for the life to come, but also for this life. What does it look like to live "post-cross" or in the shadow of the cross. 

In last week's blog, I talked about my 2nd grade girlfriend and how we didn't talk. Communication is a 2-way street. This is elementary. Obviously we know we should be reading our Bible and praying. We could close the book and stop right there, couldn't we?

Except that knowing and doing are two completely different things. I have to admit that prayer is one of the hardest spiritual disciplines for me. I believe in the power of prayer; it is undeniable. I do pray, but there is a passage that troubles me:

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always,  pray [προσεύχομαι] continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.    Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:15-19, NIV)

I could make excuses as to why I struggle with praying continually. But if I'm honest, at the core it is simply that I like to be in control. Praying requires me to trust God to be sovereign over all things...not other people's things, but my things. I am a fixer, I like to take care of my stuff. Trusting requires me to let go.

I believe that God is sovereign  I believe He is all-powerful. I have a hunch you do too. Belief will only get you so far. In the shadow of the cross we are called to put feet to our belief, to open our hearts and hands to God, to release all things: praises and requests to Him and trust the one who can do immeasurably more in you to do immeasurably more in you.  

Part of becoming "rooted in God's love"is to be continually aware of God's presence in your life. I believe that holding on to things so that I can take care of them quenches the Spirit's work in my life. I know this and am continually learning to move from belief to trust. 

What about you?

Monday's Mentions...4/22/13

Ever have one of those weeks? Mine was last week. My Monday posts are generally a time to mention things that are happening in the life of the church or the lives of those who compose the church that are a testimony to what God is doing in their lives. I'm taking a side road today. 

Last week wasn't bad...it was just blah. I had recently gotten over that respiratory infection that everyone seemed to have and things were looking up. Then Monday hit. It was warm out and it was supposed to rain on Tuesday so I mowed the yard...it looked like the Amazon. The pollen count must have been through the roof. I came inside and had a headache all night. And all day Tuesday I was feeling those sinus headaches. I was grumpy. I was short-fused with my family. I just wanted meds and a bed and quiet. 

This continued into Wednesday and started improving by Thursday. It just left me Blah. 

It was on Friday that I gained some perspective. I paused. Wait...Pollen counts were high? That means things were blooming. Which means it's Spring...my favorite season! 

Spring is my favorite season because through the death of winter life bursts forth! Color comes back. Then I was reminded that I have no reason to feel blah. Christ's death gave birth to life...eternal life. 

So remember, if you're having one of "those weeks," there is hope. I was reminded of Paul's letter to the church in Rome:

Not only so, but we  also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

I know, I took that out of context. My "sufferings" cannot compare to the sufferings Paul was talking to the Roman Christians about. However, I think the truth in this passage for us is that when we are discouraged, frustrated, hurting, lonely, or anything else that as we persevere we gain character (battle scars that serve as a testimony to others), and ultimately we have hope in the One who bring us through to life.

So, there you have it. 

Friday Five (4/19/13)...

Top Five This Week:

1. Favorite Dog (via Neatorama)

**He's seriously excited about that chicken nugget.

2. Favorite Tweet (via @pastormark)

"Our sin not only breaks God's law, it also breaks God's heart."

How often we forget that!

3. Favorite Throwback - Stop Motion Chalk Tetris - (via YouTube)






4. Favorite Reality Check - Risking Your Life for Education - (via Visual News)

**Next time you hear a kid complain about riding a bus...show them this!

5. Favorite "April Showers" Slideshow - (via MSN Now)

**Click for the entire slideshow

I hope you have a great weekend!

Wednesday's Word...γράμμα (4/17/13)

γράμμα

In 2nd Grade I had a girlfriend. For the sake of this post, we will call her Jaime...well, that was her actual  name. I was wondering the other day why our relationship never worked out. I mean, I was in love, I was head over heals for this girl...she was everything to me. So why did it all fall apart on me so quickly?

It wasn't too hard to figure out. Like most every 2nd Grade relationships, this is how our dating took place:

Jaime: "Will you go out with me?"
Rodney: "Heck yeah!"
Jaime: "Cool."
Then came the silence. We never talked about it. We never talked to each other. That's what you do in 2nd Grade. You don't talk to the people you're going out with or that you want to go out with. I think that's where the whole thing fell apart. Lack of communication. 

I haven't lost any sleep over that lost relationship. However, we often take the same approach to our relationship with Jesus don't we? 

"I love Jesus!" "He's everything to me!" "My life wasn't complete until I met Jesus!" "I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and I accept Him as my personal Lord and Savior."  Then comes the radio silence. We stop talking to each other...we stop talking to Him (more on that next week) and we stop listening to Him. Soon we find our love and excitement over all that Jesus has done for us begins to wane; our relationship starts to fall apart. Why? Because communication is key for any relationship. 

As we live in the shadow of the cross we must not lose sight of the Savior. Easter is over. Jesus is risen. He's preparing a place for us. Until then, He's given us some love letters...γράμμα.

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 [γράμμα] is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God  may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

γράμμα - writing, that is, a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.

When I met Kari Jo (it was before texting was widely available), it was not at all uncommon for us to drop notes in each others campus mailboxes. Still to this day I save every card or note she writes to me. Why do I do that? Because what she says is important to me. When she tells me something encouraging, it means so much more than when it comes from you. 

All Scripture is from the very breath of God. It teaches, reveals our failings, encourages, and moves us toward right living on the path God has laid out for us. So, of course, the natural place for us to keep that is on a shelf, in a nightstand, buried in the backseats of our cars, only to be brought out on Sunday morning if we remember it!  

If Jesus is your everything, if you love Him, if you are made complete through Him shouldn't you be clinging to His words as though they are the life-giving, life-altering words they are? Shouldn't you cling to it, reading it over and over again to draw strength and encouragement for your life and the lives of those in your circle of influence? 

May your walk with Christ be more than a 2nd Grade relationship. 

becoming rooted,
Rodney

Monday's Mentions...4/15/13

This week I had the opportunity to spend some time with a couple of groups I don't normally get to spend much time with anymore...

1. I am teaching Children's Church (1-5th grade) during the month of April. Yesterday we talked about how Jesus can do extraordinary things in our lives. We looked at the story of the Apostle Paul and his conversion on the road to Damascus. I was amazed at how well the children knew the story. They told me details about Paul conversion that I would have never guessed they would know. 

So great job parents, children's volunteers, and family members for instilling powerful stories in the lives of your kids!

2. We were short staffed in our 6-7th grade small groups last night and I had the opportunity to jump in with them. We talked about the labels that we allow people to put on us and how those labels lock us in and lock God and the opportunities He gives us out. It is amazing how easily we listen to the labels other people put on us and yet we just was easily ignore the labels God has for us. We are called a new creation, child of God, and co-heir with Christ. 

Yeah...I think I'll take those names over the others names I've been given in my life! 

Have a great Tax Day!

Friday Five...4/12/13

Let's start off the list with a parenting article and another one for anyone who's ever been annoyed by a crying screaming baby!

1. Favorite Parenting Article - Myths About Kids - (via Orange Parents)

**In this article about a book called "Nurture Shock," you'll find the answers to:

We think it's good to praise kids but...

We think it's OK for kids to get less sleep as they get older but...

We think kids learn not to lie when we punish them but...

We think admission to special programs and school predict later success but...

and much much more!

 2. Favorite "I'm guilty" Article - Your Mother Would Be Ashamed If... - (via Orange Parents)

Now, every time a baby starts crying, and I’m around non-mothers or adults who are not accustomed to infants, I feel the urge to stand up and do a PowerPoint presentation. I just think it’s important for everyone who is not a new parent to remember the following things when someone’s baby is annoying you. (click here to read the rest...)

3. Favorite Picture - Antigua Sunset - (via Amazing Things)

**C.C.C. took a mission trip there in 2002 and I can assure you this photo is no lie. It is a beautiful island with some great friends in Bendals and All Saints.

4. Favorite "Messed Up Priorities" Article - 60 Seconds of Kobe Bryant's Salary - (via fastcodesign)

** Every 60 Seconds, Kobe Bryant makes $162.55. The average M.D.? $1.35. Elementary teacher? $0.43! Check the rest of the article for more unreal statistics!

5. Favorite "Word" Article - 14 Words That Are Their Own Opposite - (via mentalfloss)

A couple of examples:

Sanction (via French, from Latin sanctio(n-), from sancire ‘ratify,’) can mean ‘give official permission or approval for (an action)’ or conversely, ‘impose a penalty on.’

Screen can mean ‘to show’ (a movie) or ‘to hide’ (an unsightly view).

Help means ‘assist,’ unless you can’t help doing something, when it means ‘prevent.’

Have a great weekend!  

Wednesday's Word...λατρεία (4/10/13)

λατρεία...

Worship...possibly one of the most abused and misunderstood words in Christianity. Often, it seems to me that we have boiled it down to a great song at church or on the radio that makes us feel good. 

We've used it as a label for the song time during church. "They have great worship," we say without really understanding what in the world we're talking about. 

As we seek to live in the shadow of the cross, we look to the lives of those who first lived in the shadow, 1st century Christians. 

In the book of Romans, chapter 12, the Apostle Paul writes a famous passage about worship. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1, NIV) Paul uses this word, λατρεία, translated as worship. People smarter than me tell me that this word is defined as: ministration of God, divine service, or ascribing worth to something or someone. 

I had a preaching professor, Dr. Pete Verkruyse, who drilled it into our heads to ask "What's the therefore there for?" Sure, it's poor grammar, but it has stayed with me. So, I looked back at chapter 11 of Romans to find it served as a reminder of God's goodness and faithfulness to the Jewish people and now to the Gentiles. After reviewing all of this, Paul closes the chapter with:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and  knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33-36, NIV)

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1, NIV)

Paul says, in light of all this, looking back over God's faithfulness to rescue His people, to call us out of slavery and sin into light, hope, and restoration, in view of God's mercy upon you, live your life...all of your life...ascribing worth to God. 

In the shadow of the cross our lives are no longer for our own purposes. In the shadow of the cross our lives...all aspects...should be arrows pointing to Heaven, to our creator, maker, and Savior. 

This is λατρεία.

becoming rooted,
Rodney

Monday's Mentions...4/8/13

It was a great day yesterday! Its always good so see everyone coming back from Spring Break rested and ready to go! A couple of highlights from yesterday:

- Ricky Malone knocked the communion meditation out of the park yesterday morning, reminding us that Jesus' blood wasn't spilled (that's something that happens accidentally), it was poured (something done intentionally with a purpose. Great job Ricky!

- I got to baptize this guy:

**As an added bonus, his entire family placed membership with us at C.C.C. and partnered with us in becoming "rooted in God's love!"

- As a church we got to spend time getting to know Logan and Amanda Thompson, a prospective Student Minister. Last night, we had an opportunity to hear Logan bring a devotion about family. It was a great time. Keep your eyes out for more information soon!

Have a great week!

becoming rooted,

Rodney

Friday Five...4/5/13

Here they are, hot of the presses...

1. Favorite Parenting Article - "Distracted by the Mirror", by Tim Elmore - (via Growing Leaders)

Narcissism is on the rise in kids today. One study found that 30% of young people were classified as narcissistic, according to a widely accepted psychological test. That number has doubled in the last thirty years.

2. Favorite "Make Me Want to Punch Advertisers in the Face" Article -  

"Underwear, Discernment, and Truly Bright Young Things" - (via The Gospel Coalition)

This article is a response to the blanant targetting of "tween" girls by Victoria's Secret's Bright Young Things Line:

Paul demonstrates that it is necessary for parents to put legs to their prayers by actively teaching discernment to their children. This training, of course, can only attain its ultimate purpose when a heart really wants righteousness, a product of saving faith alone. But regardless of a child's spiritual condition, parents must lay a framework for discerning truth from error.

3. Favorite April Fool's Day Prank - Meatloaf Donuts - (via Neatorama)

4. Favorite Balloonacy - Popping Ballons in Space - (via YouTube)

5. Favorite Best-Dressed Animals - Fashion Zoo Animals - (via fubiz)

On that note, I wish you a blessed weekend. If you attend Campbellsville Christian Church, we are excited for you to meet our potential Student Ministry candidate, Logan Thompson this Sunday night in the Family Life Center. He and his family will be visiting with us this weekend. We will have a finger food carry-in in the FLC at 6:30 PM Sunday night. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday's Word...What's Next?...4/3/13

One of my all-time favorite TV shows was The West Wing. I'm a nut for all things presidential. I still think of Martin Sheen as the 42nd President. If I ever see him in person, I will probably inadvertently call him Mr. President. Anyway, one of his famous lines is after some political or economic crisis was resolved was "What's next?" 

In church world, we spend much of our time building towards Easter Sunday. We do extra praise band rehearsals  we take extra care in the words we use, and we do all of this to make the maximum impact because we know it will probably be the record attendance day for the year. We know that the likelihood that a 1st time guest or an unbeliever may enter our doors is much higher on Easter; so we focus. Well, today is the Wednesday after and I ask, what's next? Not so much for the church, but for you? 

The cross is behind us, and we find ourselves living in the shadow of the cross. What does that look like for us? What did it look like for Jesus' followers in the shadow of the cross? What was the response they got when they began telling people that Jesus had risen from the dead? I'm guessing it would be the same that some of you hear...

"You really believe that fairy tale?" "Right, and I have some ocean front property to sell you in the Sahara." "People don't raise from the dead." Eh...they're right, people don't raise from the dead...though it would make for an interesting funeral! 

How do we live in the shadow of the cross; how do we live in a world that often doesn't believe the one thing that they need most?

Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 1:18: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 

The message we carry out in our day-to-day lives is foolishness to the world around you. What would it take for people to begin to see the risen Christ? You see Him everyday as you look in the mirror...Christ lives in you. Wait, don't rush over that...He lives IN you! 

How would the perception of Christian's change if we actually began to believe that Jesus meant for us to literally feed the hungry, literally give water to the thirsty, literally clothe the naked? What if we accepted that Jesus didn't mean for us to merely write a check and let someone else do the work, but for us to actually get our hands dirty with people and love like Jesus?

That is exactly what the 1st Century Christians did...and it changed the world. 

What's next?

Monday's Mentions...4/1/13

In honor of the day, take some time to check out some new technology that Google is launching today: Google Nose!

On to today's mentions...

1. Yesterday was a great day! The sanctuary was packed for both AM services and you could feel the joy of the resurrection. Jesus put death to death and love won the day!

2. Karen McAnelly has stepped up to lead our Sr. High Sunday School class in the transition between Student Ministers. Give her a high five, a shout-out, or just yell in her general direction for leading the next generation in a deeper understanding of God's word.

3. Coming up...

All of our Wednesday night groups are taking a week off this Wednesday night, but FUEL, Root 252, and Deeper Life will kick back into gear on April 10th.

In Root 252, our P-5th Grade Children's event, is starting a new series called "Stuck Like Glue!" You don't want to miss this month-long look at Friendship!

FUEL, our weekly Jr/Sr High event is beginning a new series called "GROW UP!" on April 10th. Make sure you're here to see what God often uses to grow your faith.

Our Wednesday Night Deeper Life Studies are going strong: 

Shaun and Paige Hord are leading round 2 of Married People and it's been great! It's not too late to catch the last two weeks of it. 

Our Men's Group will continue their study of the book of Romans.

Joe will lead a Wednesday night class on Facing Life Issues (as we grow older.) He will look at issues of aging such as physical, retirement, medical, financial and end of life. The class is appropriate for those who are in middle to upper age. It is also beneficial for those with aging parents. Joe will draw from his experience in the field of senior adult ministry and nursing home administration.