Thursday, April 17, 2008

EVENT: Full Disclosure Common Ground April 16


This Week: Seven/Anger (Jon Harvey): The saga continues through the Seven Deadly Sins. Tonight we were gripped by anger. Like we have seen some times before it can sneak in almost unnoticed and then grow rapidly into a destructive force. There is no doubt that is what happened in the story of Cain & Able. From one blocked goal, ignoring the warnings, to full blown rage that turned into the murder of a brother.
Anger is not always bad in and of itself but lingering, simmering anger leads down a dangerous path. Anger from selfishness will damage us and those around us. Once again it seems that the goal of these sins is to break down community, to break down relationships, to leave us abandoned and alone. Anger breaks our relationship to God and our relationships to each other.
Anger abandons love in favour of fury.

Next Week: Seven/Lust (Graham Clinton)

g-ram

EVENT: People Web April 15

The painter, the hairdresser, the video and cabinet maker all came over for some intense sport. There was weeping by the tennis court and exultation at the bowling alley. Truly it was a night to remember.
And why not? Whenever Dave & Kali drop by who knows what will happen. We had so much talent and skill wrapped up in our little place that who would believe it.
Thanks for the visit guys and for your interest in getting more involved at Soulhouse. There are spots to be had all over the place. But the kind I like best are the kind people really want. Soooo let's see what we can make happen.

g-ram

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

EVENT: X-pression May 25th

Whatever you do, do it to glorify God. Bring your hidden skills out into the open. Bring your art. Hey all you ARTISTS out there! The options are almost limitless. What is your thing? Bring your thing, do your thing, share your thing so that together we might delight together. Let's be Memorable Through Participation.
What are you going to do? Post your comment and let everyone know your plan. Don't be scared. It won't hurt...much.

g-ram

Monday, April 14, 2008

EVENT: Full Disclosure Soulhouse April 13



Last Week: So the Story Goes… Judges/Gideon (Erin Carter): We are finishing up this year’s section of So the Story Goes… with a gooder, one of my favourite stories…Gideon. We went through his story from beginning to end and looked at and discussed together instances of obedience, faith and sacrifice. We learned some great stuff about our God. He is patient, He is faithful and He is powerful. One cannot help but wonder what our lives would be like if we could step out in faith as Gideon did. The key part of his story is not the fleece test but prior to that pulling down the idols of his hometown. What a risk and nowhere to hide. Then he went on to face a vast multitude with only 300 men…oh yeah, and God. But it would take huge faith to believe that God was going to show up after you blow the trumpets.

I took a step of faith and offered up a special giving opportunity (to help one of our families hit by hard stuff) to Soulhouse. I asked them to apply the principles laid out in Acts 2:42-47. They responded. OH BOY, did they ever respond! After our regular offering, which was certainly larger than normal, Soulhouse generously and energetically sacrificed to bring glory to God and grace to a family a sub-total of $724.29 (sub-total because some money is still arriving). Well done. May God be praised! This is huge.

This Week: Why? Creation/Environment (Kevin Chan)

Next Week: Celebration!

g-ram

Saturday, April 12, 2008

THOUGHT: True Identity

So one of the books I am reading right now is Henri Nouwen's "The Return of the Prodigal Son." He is a wise fella. So let me share his thought with you from page 52.

"Although claiming my true identity as a child of God, I still live as though the God to whom I am returning demands an explanation. I still think about his love as conditional and about home as a place I am not yet fully sure of. While walking home, I keep entertaining doubts about whether I will be truly welcome when I get there. As I look at my spiritual journey, my long and fatiguing trip home, I see how full it is of guilt about the past and worries about the future. I realize my failures and know that I have lost the dignity of my sonship, but I am not yet able to fully believe that where my failings are great, 'grace is always greater.' Still clinging to my sense of worthlessness, I project for myself a place far below that which belongs to the son. Belief in total, absolute forgiveness does not come readily. My human experience tells me that forgiveness boils down to the willingness of the other to forgo revenge and to show me some measure of charity."

Hmmmmmmm

G-ram

Friday, April 11, 2008

EVENT: People Web April 10 2008

There was WII, there was AWESOME cheesecake (thanks court ;) ), there was a Silver Surfer of sorts, there was Mel, Allison, Courtney and who could forget Mabel? What a great night. Thanks for coming and hanging with us, ladies, you made the whole gang happy. When Merlin woke up the next morning he asked if you guys were still here.
What a pleasure for us and we will have to do this again sometime...can you believe that there are actually people alive who have not seen Star Wars or Monty Python's Holy Grail? Try and find them in this picture. Then help them move into the past so that they can embrace the future.
These are three quality, Godly ladies who are ready and willing to serve. May God bless you as you take your show on the road.

g-ram

Thursday, April 10, 2008

EVENT: Camping Trip

End of June. I'm booked. It has been over a year since I have been camping and Sheryl and Merlin are itching to get back at it. We took last summer off cuz little Finnley decided to join us.
Long story short: we are going camping again. Our first trip will be a shorter one, end of June. We were thinking that if anyone was interested we might expand our trip to include a maximum of four others (unless you book your own site).
Are you interested? If you are contact me and I can give you some of the details. We might have to make some sort of application process or something.
Anyone want to camp with us for a couple of days?

g-ram