paulurban.blogs.com

Sense of community

There's something about this that screams "shared experience", "sense of community".  We all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.  The church should be leading the way in this type of thing, not Oprah and the Black-Eyed Peas.  This is a pretty incredible video if you haven't seen it yet (you can skip the first 40 sec. and last 45 sec., but don't miss the song and dance).  They call this a "flash mob", right?  What if the church was a "flash mob" of difference-making, and serving.

Now it's your turn

Yesterday on the blog I talked about all the things we've been doing in the community - now it's your turn.  Here's the announcement that went out in our Journey Top 3:

HELP THE COMMUNITY THIS SATURDAY
There are many people still cleaning up in our community from Sunday‘s storm. See to see the disaster in Mark's neighborhood by clicking here.  We would like to organize a group of Journeyers to help with the clean up and share God‘s love with our community. If you can help, show up at 9:00am on Saturday at Mark‘s house, 6882 Wintergreen Drive, Fruitport (call 231.366.7032 if you get lost). Mapquest the address here!  Bring gloves, work shoes, rakes, a water jug, and a snack (a chainsaw and a truck to haul stuff if you have one). We will first meet at Mark‘s, then go out to the community from there in groups. Wear your Journey t-shirt if you have one.  If you can't be there at 9 am, come when you can to Mark's house and we'll find a place for you to serve.

When times are tough (part 2)

Okay, last time I said that I would share a sure fire way to make it through tough times with flying colors.  Ready?  Okay, here it is:  just weather it!  Were you looking for more?  Looking for a silver bullet?  The silver bullet is that you simply need to weather it.  Do what needs to be done to make it through to the other side.  I'll tell you why it's a silver bullet in a moment.  Maybe for your family - to weather it, means that you have to cut back to basic cable ("ahhhhh!!!!"), or that you need to cut out some subscriptions, or sell off something, or get a reliable, but older, used car.  Don't try and finance your way out of it!!  Now, here's why it's a silver bullet - because if you're a follower of Jesus, the Bible says this and  this!!  God knows our needs, they matter to Him, and He PROMISES to provide for us.  Clothes, food, shelter.  When times are tough, really tough, we need to remind ourselves that God is our provider and He promises to "never leave us nor foresake us".  He has not forgotten your situation.