So many time the small things of life are overlooked. Installing a toilet is viewed as lower than gaining education. Changing spark plugs is lower than teaching a class. Why have we come to believe these things? Why do we prize paying someone to talk at us more than physical work? Why is it that I prefer a plumber to a student or a mechanic to a professor?
The world has become and interesting dualism. Where the world of the mind is viewed higher than the world of the hands. This is never more apparent than the Church in the world today. When has knowing the greek mattered to a woman who has lost a child? When has eschatology mattered to a family struggling to make ends meet?
My mind has wandered to this point because I sit here typing while my hands hurt from working on my car. Why do they hurt? Because I use my mind to avoid the labor of my hands. My hands can serve a meal, my hands car rake a yard but my mind can only think grand thoughts. Which matters more to you?
I propose that the seminarian spend time as a janitor.
To learn the virtue of maintenance.
I propose that I spend less time thinking and more time doing.
feedback please...
this is an incomplete thought...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September 2009 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
This month marked our first preview service for Fusion! It was very exciting planning and anticipating the evening. We were very pleased with the way that it went and are very excited about what God is going to do. We had 20 adults and 5 kids at the first service. We had great worship and message. And we learned of things that we will do different next time to be more inline with our vision. We also invited all in attendance to have fellowship in our home as well as serve with us in the community. We are continuing to serve at the Jesus Center and will also be participating in a Walk for Gold, which is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
As well as the service went we still have a ways to go. We ask that you pray for us as we continue to nail down the way we decide to have the services. We want Fusion to reach a group of people that are currently not being met in a church and in order to do that we need to do church differently. We are still trying to define what exactly that will look like. We also ask that you pray for the people who were there that they would come back and that we would have people get excited about the vision and grow to have a close personal relationship with Christ, because after all that is the whole purpose of what we are doing here!
God is doing amazing things and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all of you and your support. We are overwhelmed with the knowledge that so many people are praying for us! Thank you so much for all of your encouragement, prayers, and financial support. We have 4 months to raise $1,000 more a month so if you find yourself in place where you can increase your support we would be very appreciative. Also if you are not currently supporting us, but now find yourself in a position to do so, now is the time. You may increase your giving or make a first time commitment at www.sunergeo.org/donate. If you have not yet sent in your support for September please do so at this time. Thank you again for your support. We are also always praying for each of you and thanking God for you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
This month marked our first preview service for Fusion! It was very exciting planning and anticipating the evening. We were very pleased with the way that it went and are very excited about what God is going to do. We had 20 adults and 5 kids at the first service. We had great worship and message. And we learned of things that we will do different next time to be more inline with our vision. We also invited all in attendance to have fellowship in our home as well as serve with us in the community. We are continuing to serve at the Jesus Center and will also be participating in a Walk for Gold, which is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.
As well as the service went we still have a ways to go. We ask that you pray for us as we continue to nail down the way we decide to have the services. We want Fusion to reach a group of people that are currently not being met in a church and in order to do that we need to do church differently. We are still trying to define what exactly that will look like. We also ask that you pray for the people who were there that they would come back and that we would have people get excited about the vision and grow to have a close personal relationship with Christ, because after all that is the whole purpose of what we are doing here!
God is doing amazing things and we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all of you and your support. We are overwhelmed with the knowledge that so many people are praying for us! Thank you so much for all of your encouragement, prayers, and financial support. We have 4 months to raise $1,000 more a month so if you find yourself in place where you can increase your support we would be very appreciative. Also if you are not currently supporting us, but now find yourself in a position to do so, now is the time. You may increase your giving or make a first time commitment at www.sunergeo.org/donate. If you have not yet sent in your support for September please do so at this time. Thank you again for your support. We are also always praying for each of you and thanking God for you!
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Sunday, August 30, 2009
concerning the Caesar and the Pax Romana
I found myself watching a program on PBS, suffering through the pledge breaks, called Handel's Messiah Rocks. I know that is the worst title but it was a great rendition of the classic piece. Actually listening to the words I sat on the couch with my wife and was struck by some lyrics encasing a concept I had never considered. They were asking which President or King has God ever chosen to save the world... the point being the supremacy of Jesus.
Caesars had a bad habit of claiming divinity and ruling through that right. Claiming themselves to be the Son of God, through which they oppressed people and committed atrocities. They also enforced the Pax Romana which was peace throughout the empire. Those who resisted their idea of peace was executed through military action. Actually throughout history most rulers claimed divinity Caesar was not the first or the last.
As I contemplated the thoughts in my head I was driven to this idea. Jesus was the only one God called the Son of God and He was the only one to bring peace.
We live in a time when people are looking for a leader to guide them to peace and security. Not an outright rejection of God but a "God and" situation. Like Israel clambering for a king so many centuries ago. The problem remains that entrance into the Kingdom of God requires a rejection of everything else. It offers faith, hope and love at the sacrifice of wealth, security and comfort. Jesus offers peace in his Kingdom but a peace that is foreign to us. A peace that requires a surrender of pride and an offer of humility.
Caesar was not divine... the Pax Romana never brought peace.
No ruler is divine and no package can bring peace.
Jesus was the only true Son of God who was crucified and rose from the dead three days later. Which is the number one qualification to bring peace.
Caesars had a bad habit of claiming divinity and ruling through that right. Claiming themselves to be the Son of God, through which they oppressed people and committed atrocities. They also enforced the Pax Romana which was peace throughout the empire. Those who resisted their idea of peace was executed through military action. Actually throughout history most rulers claimed divinity Caesar was not the first or the last.
As I contemplated the thoughts in my head I was driven to this idea. Jesus was the only one God called the Son of God and He was the only one to bring peace.
We live in a time when people are looking for a leader to guide them to peace and security. Not an outright rejection of God but a "God and" situation. Like Israel clambering for a king so many centuries ago. The problem remains that entrance into the Kingdom of God requires a rejection of everything else. It offers faith, hope and love at the sacrifice of wealth, security and comfort. Jesus offers peace in his Kingdom but a peace that is foreign to us. A peace that requires a surrender of pride and an offer of humility.
Caesar was not divine... the Pax Romana never brought peace.
No ruler is divine and no package can bring peace.
Jesus was the only true Son of God who was crucified and rose from the dead three days later. Which is the number one qualification to bring peace.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 2009 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
As the year flies by things seem to be moving forward at a steady pace. On September 6th we will have our first preview gathering. We have found a location called the Chico Grange Hall that has everything we need. Jeremy worked very hard to find this place and we praise God that we are finally able to plan and get the word out for the meetings. We will have one meeting a month through the end of the year and then look at launching a service to meet every Sunday.
We have been blessed with a Video Projection Unit to use during our meetings, given to us by New Harbor Community Church. There are also some other things that we need as well and we are asking for some help from all of you. If you are able to provide any of the following or donate to allow us to purchase the following we would greatly appreciate it. We need a light bulb for the VPU (mentioned above), a lapel microphone, and some café tables. Please pray that we will get these things in time for our first meeting. Our biggest need at this point is the light bulb. We also ask that you would pray for the meetings to be successful and that we can begin the building of our core group through this.
We are very excited about what God is doing here. We know he has big plans and we can’t wait to see what is going to happen. We have met some great people and Jeremy continues to find more ways to serve in our community. He will be a mentor for students at high schools here in town and also be working with the staff at the local Christian high school as well.
Again we thank you all for your very faithful support! It is very encouraging and humbling knowing there are people praying for us. If you have not yet sent in your support for August please do so at this time. Don’t forget that you can also sign up for automatic debits at www.sunergeo.org/donate. As you know December is getting closer as is our deadline for our next fundraising goal. Please pray that we will reach this goal. If you have not yet committed support to us and would still like to you may do so at anytime on the above listed website.
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
As the year flies by things seem to be moving forward at a steady pace. On September 6th we will have our first preview gathering. We have found a location called the Chico Grange Hall that has everything we need. Jeremy worked very hard to find this place and we praise God that we are finally able to plan and get the word out for the meetings. We will have one meeting a month through the end of the year and then look at launching a service to meet every Sunday.
We have been blessed with a Video Projection Unit to use during our meetings, given to us by New Harbor Community Church. There are also some other things that we need as well and we are asking for some help from all of you. If you are able to provide any of the following or donate to allow us to purchase the following we would greatly appreciate it. We need a light bulb for the VPU (mentioned above), a lapel microphone, and some café tables. Please pray that we will get these things in time for our first meeting. Our biggest need at this point is the light bulb. We also ask that you would pray for the meetings to be successful and that we can begin the building of our core group through this.
We are very excited about what God is doing here. We know he has big plans and we can’t wait to see what is going to happen. We have met some great people and Jeremy continues to find more ways to serve in our community. He will be a mentor for students at high schools here in town and also be working with the staff at the local Christian high school as well.
Again we thank you all for your very faithful support! It is very encouraging and humbling knowing there are people praying for us. If you have not yet sent in your support for August please do so at this time. Don’t forget that you can also sign up for automatic debits at www.sunergeo.org/donate. As you know December is getting closer as is our deadline for our next fundraising goal. Please pray that we will reach this goal. If you have not yet committed support to us and would still like to you may do so at anytime on the above listed website.
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
light and dark
Two things can be attributed to the composition of this blog, one I am reading the unabridged edition of Les Miserables all 1500 pages and two Romans 13:11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
There is great deal of darkness and light comparisons that take place in LM. The strange thing is that Victor Hugo wrote this book when he was in exile and anti-church. I found however a deep understanding of Jesus in his portrayal of the Bishop of Dinge. He writes that this man of God has a radiance because of his imitation of Christ. He has put on the armor of light to borrow, from Romans.
So why do we wander spiritually naked?
So may times we live life praising Jesus for what he saved us from but not what he has saved us for...
So many complain that Christianity is a list of do not's and therefore if they ever experience the grace of God they do not know that there is a mission at hand. Much writing has taken place of late reviewing what Jesus has called us to and I am not going to rehash the entirety of this but I want to look at the idea of light and dark.
We live in a world that awaits the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ and the redemption of our bodies. But as those who have the first fruits of his Spirit we have a responsibility to bring light where we go. Jesus coming is the dawn of the new day and we now live in that light and we should reflect that light to diminish the the darkness around us. Bits of light bringing hope living for a future hope. I feel however that this is not the case. I feel the light has become dim as we have chased after things that have nothing to do with the Kingdom of God and our glorious king Jesus. We have sought power through governments and riches and so dimmed the light that it is hard to recognize. We have accepted suffering in the lives of others as we pursue comfort. We have lost the mission in midst of our desire for gain. I suffer from this as well. As we try to stem the tide of the "evil" of society, evil has taken root in us.
May I suggest a course forward... Put on the Armor of light because salvation is ever more near. Let's live as people who are obsessed with becoming more like Jesus Christ. May we pray, may we live and embody faith, hope and love. May the Jesus that we love become the Jesus who we obey.
There is great deal of darkness and light comparisons that take place in LM. The strange thing is that Victor Hugo wrote this book when he was in exile and anti-church. I found however a deep understanding of Jesus in his portrayal of the Bishop of Dinge. He writes that this man of God has a radiance because of his imitation of Christ. He has put on the armor of light to borrow, from Romans.
So why do we wander spiritually naked?
So may times we live life praising Jesus for what he saved us from but not what he has saved us for...
So many complain that Christianity is a list of do not's and therefore if they ever experience the grace of God they do not know that there is a mission at hand. Much writing has taken place of late reviewing what Jesus has called us to and I am not going to rehash the entirety of this but I want to look at the idea of light and dark.
We live in a world that awaits the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ and the redemption of our bodies. But as those who have the first fruits of his Spirit we have a responsibility to bring light where we go. Jesus coming is the dawn of the new day and we now live in that light and we should reflect that light to diminish the the darkness around us. Bits of light bringing hope living for a future hope. I feel however that this is not the case. I feel the light has become dim as we have chased after things that have nothing to do with the Kingdom of God and our glorious king Jesus. We have sought power through governments and riches and so dimmed the light that it is hard to recognize. We have accepted suffering in the lives of others as we pursue comfort. We have lost the mission in midst of our desire for gain. I suffer from this as well. As we try to stem the tide of the "evil" of society, evil has taken root in us.
May I suggest a course forward... Put on the Armor of light because salvation is ever more near. Let's live as people who are obsessed with becoming more like Jesus Christ. May we pray, may we live and embody faith, hope and love. May the Jesus that we love become the Jesus who we obey.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
July 2009 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update
Dear Family and Friends,
Starting out from scratch has been a very exciting experience for us. We have learned so much these past few months and have grown in the process. We feel confidant in the vision of Fusion Church and pray daily that God will bring the right people to be a part of it.
This month has been a busy one. We are looking for a place to hold our monthly vision meetings that will start in September. It has been a little difficult to find a place that can accommodate our needs and our budget. Please pray that we find a place soon so that we can move forward planning these meetings.
We have also been meeting some new families that we are hopeful will get onboard with our vision and be involved in our church. It has been very encouraging to meet people who get excited about what we want to do here. Please pray that we will continue to meet these people and that God will build His church here in Chico.
We are also still consistently serving at the Jesus Center and it is going great! It is a wonderful experience to help those who really need it. We are looking into other ways that we can serve together with our families as well. We also ask for prayer that we will find areas to serve that can help teach our children the value of this very important act.
Again we thank you all for your very faithful support! It is very encouraging and humbling knowing there are people praying for us. If you have not yet sent in your support for July please do so at this time. Don’t forget that you can also sign up for automatic debits at www.sunergeo.org/donate. As you know December is getting closer as is our deadline for our next fundraising goal. Please pray that we will reach this goal. If you have not yet committed support to us and would still like to you may do so at anytime on the above listed website.
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Starting out from scratch has been a very exciting experience for us. We have learned so much these past few months and have grown in the process. We feel confidant in the vision of Fusion Church and pray daily that God will bring the right people to be a part of it.
This month has been a busy one. We are looking for a place to hold our monthly vision meetings that will start in September. It has been a little difficult to find a place that can accommodate our needs and our budget. Please pray that we find a place soon so that we can move forward planning these meetings.
We have also been meeting some new families that we are hopeful will get onboard with our vision and be involved in our church. It has been very encouraging to meet people who get excited about what we want to do here. Please pray that we will continue to meet these people and that God will build His church here in Chico.
We are also still consistently serving at the Jesus Center and it is going great! It is a wonderful experience to help those who really need it. We are looking into other ways that we can serve together with our families as well. We also ask for prayer that we will find areas to serve that can help teach our children the value of this very important act.
Again we thank you all for your very faithful support! It is very encouraging and humbling knowing there are people praying for us. If you have not yet sent in your support for July please do so at this time. Don’t forget that you can also sign up for automatic debits at www.sunergeo.org/donate. As you know December is getting closer as is our deadline for our next fundraising goal. Please pray that we will reach this goal. If you have not yet committed support to us and would still like to you may do so at anytime on the above listed website.
Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes
Posts
