videos from the trip

videos from the trip

Do Something

We started a new sermon series tonight called "Do Something." We are going to learn, pray about, and participate in missions. Here is a breakdown of the series.

Each week we will be collecting goods for a ministry:

week 1 we collected can goods for the Greene County Food Bank

week 2 we will be collecting items to make a basket for the Hope Center (Greeneville's Crisis Pregnancy Center)

week 3 we will be collecting Bingo items for the nursing home

Each week I will send out a text/email describing in particular what items we need.

We will also have a group challenge each week:

week 1 I challenge you to go barefoot as much as you can tomorrow. It is National Barefoot Day raising awareness for the poverty in the world. You can read about and get info here http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/index2.php.

week 2 I challenge you to fast on Thursday 15 to raise awareness of world poverty. This means that you will not eat any food, liquids are fine. You can find information about it here http://www.30hourfamine.org/.

week 3 I challenge you to come to Mission: Greeneville on Saturday April 24 from 9-12. We will be helping out the food bank, a nursing home, and be doing a rest stop ministry.

We will also have some individual challenges each week. Consider these extra credit for those who want to do more. Here are this weeks individual challenges:

• Get some fresh air. Ride your bike to a place you'd usually drive.
• Re-use. The next time someone hands you a plastic water bottle, use it 5 times before tossing it in the recycle bin. (The amount of plastic that can be recycled from a plastic bottle is only 10%.) Better yet, buy an ultra-hip high-quality water bottle and use it all the time.
• Learn...Visit the website www.350.org and learn about climate change. Agree/disagree? Talk about it.
• Get a cuppacoffee...Bring your own mug. Most places are stoked if you bring in your own cup. Get your double-espresso-caramel-soy- machiatto-venti no whip in your own mug that you know and love.
• Cut that meat! Meat is one of the most environmentally taxing foods to produce. 1 pound of beef requires 12,000 gallons of water! (60 for a pound of potatoes.) Skip one serving of beef this week.
• Hurry up in the shower...Take 2 minutes to get squeaky clean. Set the timer. Get your suds on! Try it for a week. Chances are, you'll find you don't need 10 minutes to get un-stinky.
• Unplugging is better than the off-switch. See which appliances and chargers in your home could be unplugged when not in use. Only plug them in when they needs to be used.
• Buy something vintage and give it a second shot at life... If you need a new something-or-other, consider something from a thrift store. Old Stuff doesn't require manufacturing processes.

Pictures from Ridgecrest video

videos from the trip

Ridgecrest update day 2

Yeah, this is post #100 for the blog.

Sitting in the hallway chatting with Shelby and Katie at 11:42 at night and talking about how awesome the retreat has been. Matt Papa has been great and Clayton King, the speaker, preaches like a hog eats. Sorry that is his quote not mine. Clayton talked about discipleship this morning. His three key points were Foundation, Focus, and some other F word that I cannot remember at this late hour. After breakfast (biscuits and gravy with grits,) we split up unto our school groups.

This afternoon Leigh Ann and I ran a 5 K that actually turned into a 2 K. You can see the pictures. We had matching uniforms. We then went to a Matt Papa concert. It was great fun and some awesome worship. You rock, Papa Shababy!

After supper with Bill and Dianne Woody, we had another group time. The adults got the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Richard Ross. He was one of my professors at Southwestern and one of the most profound people that I have ever met. Every time he speaks, it changes and grows your awareness of what God is doing.

Our nighttime session with Clayton and Papa was epic. Clayton brought his wife on stage and they talked about relationships. Our youth were really challenged to honor God with their relationships. Treat every date like they are a potential mate.

Coming home tomorrow, great weekend, God has done some amazing things. I am renewed and the youth are too. God thank you for the glory of Your Son, May you live through us as we leave this place. May we never be the same again, never to be satisfied with this world. Enflame our hearts with the power of the gospel and compel our lips to tell everyone that we see of your majesty. Good night all.

Pictures from Ridgecrest