EVENT: Full Disclosure Soulhouse May 4

Last Week: Return To Me: Prayer (Graham Clinton): 1 Kings 19:11-12

11-12 Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.

Prayer is communicating with God. Good communication means we should listen and not just talk.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says pray continually or pray without ceasing. Keep your mind connected to God. It is a wireless connection but that connection may stir be severed when we choose to block Him out. He didn't leave, we did.

Matthew 6:7 reminds us not babble like pagans, or think that because of our long winded sentences that God will listen more. He isn't fooled by mindless jibber jabber or by big fancy, spiritual sounding polysyllabic utterances. He just wants us; raw, uncut, un-retouched. Genuine. Honest. Sincere. You. That is what He delights in.

James 5:16 reminds us not to take prayer lightly cuz the prayers of a righteous person have great power. So what will you set your mind to praying for? What will you loose the power of God against?

Then consider the silence. Listen to God. Be alone with Him. Unplug. Listen. Find some quiet somewhere and bathe in it.

Talk to Him. He hears. He listens. He is waiting saying "Return To Me!"

This Week: No Soulhouse cuz yeeeeaaaahhhhh it's Mother's Day!
Next Week: Trust, Peace & the Kingdom (Jon Harvey)

g-ram

EXPERIENCE: Dinner Theatre @ the Parshad's

Who doesn't like great people, great food and a show? I mean, honestly, just a great night. Maybe you should look into booking a night yourselves, you won't be disappointed. Seating is limited so book early!
I was surprised to see the high quality costumes that complimented the stellar acting. Truly an event to remember. I know Merlin had an incredible time playing with Robin and Mandi, so thank you very much. Sheryl, Finnley and I also had a great time, but probably no where near as great as Merlin:)
I also had a crazy thought while there...what about a night at Soulhouse with an all parent band? No firm plans or anything but what if? Any parents interested?
Hospitality is a blessing and we were blessed. Let's keep it going. Who will be next to keep the hospitality train running? Invite someone to your house, share time, share space, share food, share grace with each other.

g-ram

EVENT: Markham Youth Network Worship Gathering

Friday night some churches came together so that we could do something together. A good idea. So folks from Cornerstone Community, Markham Missionary, Olive Branch, Unionville Oasis & UAC came together to laugh, worship, sing, clap, eat, pray and meet some new folks. It was good. A good start to a relationship that needs to grow. Next event in October. We will be even more ready then.
Great job everyone.

G-ram

EVENT: Full Disclosure Common Ground April 30

This Week: Seven: Gluttony (Graham Clinton): We get so accustomed to the noise of our culture and the distractions of life that when we hear someone giving us valuable information we can blow it off as if “it is not about me.” Sometimes you can be so engaged in doing what you do not even sense the danger that you are in. “It didn’t seem bad when I started,” in fact it seemed good and maybe even important.
Here is a warning that might be easy to dismiss.
Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires. over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste.

“When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.” (Proverbs 23:2)

Don't let overindulgence overwhelm you. Gluttony has not been defined just as consumption but the with holding of something that someone else needs. This expanded view certainly increases the number of people who might be dabbling in "Gluttony." What have you withheld from those around you? Love, encouragement, support, security, the truth. The list can be long.

Live not just for yourself.

Next Week: Seven: Sloth/Laziness (Jon Harvey)

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THOUGHT: Me, Talking, Power, God

We are trying, a bunch of us anyway. We are trying to get together on a regular basis and pray for each other personally and for the churches we represent. The Youth Pastor's Prayer Gathering. It is amazing to see how many churches that there really are in the area...and we know so little about each other. How will God's people ever really stand together if we never, well, stand together?
Prayer changes things...mostly me. It gives me a chance to pour out my heart to God and therein be vulnerable. When I am vulnerable it seems that God is more able to speak to me. You know, less of me and more of Him. It is a good trade. Less of me and more of You God.
There has been a bee in my bonnet lately. A thought that just won't leave. It started from a letter I was reading. The letter wasn't addressed to me, but I read it anyway. It was still written to me, perhaps you have read it also. It was the second letter to a new, young pastor named Timothy. Yeah 2 Timothy 3:5, read it in context, but the part that has been sticking to me is just this phrase: "...having a form of godliness, but denying its power..."
That phrase has stuck with me. Is that me? Is that what I am like? How much of God's power am I DENYING? Makes me seem powerful. I can deny God's power. Makes me seem stupid. I can deny God's power. Why would I do that?
I pray God make me into Your image...but not that way.
I pray God grow me into the man you want me to be...but leave this part alone.
I pray God help me overcome my weaknesses...but just give me an instant, no effort fix.
When I pray I am confronted by what I hold back from God...too much.

"God, I don't want a form of godliness that denies Your power. Have mercy on me God, cuz I am dumb and selfish sometimes. Help me to rid myself of all the sin that so easily entangles and makes me trip when I want to run. I need your power to live well, help me to take all of my medicine. Continue to heal me from my death-style. Thanks for being patient. I am going to keep coming. I am not going to give up. Amen"

g-ram

ANNOUNCEMENT: Soulhouse Videos

There are more Soulhouse videos available for you to enjoy @ both my Facebook page and our new youtube page. The link is available in the sidebar.
I think maybe we should do some more video in the future. There are a number of you out there who said you would be down with touching the video market. If we can get a crew together then we can upgrade our fledgling podcasts into video podcasts. But I need some feedback and some volunteers. Who wants to help?

g-ram

EVENT: Full Disclosure Soulhouse April 27

Last Week: Celebration. What kind of summary can you make for this night? If you weren't there, uhmmm well you missed out...big time. The Cafe was awesome and a welcome recharge after an enthusiastic, passionate evening of worship with some amazing musical creativity. The spirit of the place was great, the community of the place was desirable, the music was fantastic. Perhaps the part that I am most proud of is this: I had nothing to do with what happened. I just enjoyed, worshiped my God and thanked Him for the church He has placed me in to pastor. It was a key night to the entire year.
Check out the video on my Facebook page or @ check here on youtube. Let God Arise
This Week: "Return To Me" Prayer (Graham Clinton)
Next Week: No Soulhouse. Mother's Day.