Seize the Holiday

Reposted by Request

It’s the middle of October, and already I have spied decorated Christmas trees in stores. Our culture seems to have defined October through December as one on-going holiday season. To some, this may excite us with anticipation, while others feel that it is season of commercialism. But what many of us in the Living Stones family are learning is that the holiday season creates unique opportunities to love our neighbors.

October 31^st--Whether you call it Halloween, Harvest Day or Reformation Day, there are some unique and redeemable opportunities within this holiday that many Christians understandably distance themselves from. There is no other day of the year when almost all of your neighbors are roaming around your neighborhood and even knocking on your door. How can we use this cultural rhythm to live out the two greatest commands of loving God and loving others? Justice in the Burbs, a book that some of the women in our church were discussing, talks of the importance of loving our neighbors whether in the city or the suburbs, wherever God has placed us. In the book, followers of Jesus loved their neighbors by serving trick-or-treating parents chili in their front yard, providing a place for conversation, replenishment and rest. Some Living Stones members will be creating these connection points of care on the 31^st in their neighborhoods.

Thanksgiving--While many people get together with there loved ones on this day, many others don’t have the resources or the opportunity to dine with family. Who are those people who won’t be across the table from loved ones this Thanksgiving? College students, singles, divorcees, recent transplants, immigrants, people in the retail and service industry--I'm sure you can think of some your life brushes up against. All can be welcomed to the table.

Christmas--While many acts of love are performed during the “Christmas Season”. Christmas Day itself often sees a lull in these acts of service. December 25^th is another clear time when people reflect on what relationships they have or wish they did. Last Christmas Day, we had visited a group home of children in foster care. The children living at the home who had families were off visiting them. Those who were at the group home on Christmas Day were the most relationally poor. So we had the opportunity to celebrate the greatest gift with a simple but powerful act that we posted about previously.

Have you prayed about how God may be calling you to seize the holiday season? Perhaps the decor and accelerated sales in the stores can be a reminder that God may be calling you to love your neighbor, your co-worker, or the lonely man or woman your life sometimes brushes up against. This holiday season is great time to demonstrate through both great and small acts our Father's great love.

Creating Community with Living Stones Church

An Invitation to Experience Community

"Nothing good ever comes easy. For sure, nothing of God's Kingdom comes without resistance from our personal kingdoms or the world's kingdom. Nothing of the Spirit of God comes without a good ol' fashioned bar fight from our flesh."

- from the Tangible Kingdom Primer

Last week we started the Tangible Kingdom Primer, with the goal of living life more like Jesus not only as individuals but as a community: Loving God, loving others and participating in God's activity in the world around us.

Here are some excerpts of what others are saying about Tangible Kingdom Primer on Amazon:

"It's one of those resources that so deeply provokes the soul that you can't help but to be changed or decide you don't want to."
 
"It was fun watching the transformation from 'skeptic' to 'engaged in community' by many of our group"

"If you are a Church-planter, Church leader, Church goer, or Church hater, I assure you that this book will challenge your paradigm of Jesus' mission, foster a new understanding of ministry, and as it has done for many, catalyze you and your church into a new style of living."

"The strength of this tool is that it leads us to think AND act! It leads us to think about and realize what the implications are for life as followers of Jesus. Church is not a place or something you go to... it is who we are and how we live."

"It is accessible to new and pre-Christians and yet still contains a simply profundity that will challenge seasoned Christians."


Interested?

Meet me at Starbucks from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights at the New Tampa Starbucks (7525 Preserve Walk Lane Tampa, FL 33647) or give me a call or email. 


Pastor Steve

813-838-8486

Counting on Accountability

The word seems scary, but Christian accountability helps us to be faithful to the next steps of our Christian journey. A lot of times, we already know what to do. God has enlightened us through His Spirit and Scripture as to what next step we need to take to follow Him.

But there is often a disconnect in the transition from conviction to action. Having a relationship with someone else that can help you follow through is key—someone with whom you can share what your next step is going to be and then can encourage you to actually take it! Find another sojourner with whom you can share your God insights, and help each other on the journey.

With whom can you be honest with, and respond positively to their feedback?

How Our Garden Grows: Organically Cultivating Faith in Community

If you have experienced other forms of church, you may be asking about our “programs”. Well, we don’t have programs, but there are many other things that are occurring throughout the week. For example, already happening are groups of 2 or 3 that are meeting for discipleship. Also, some folks have started a community garden for those that don’t have the opportunity to grow their own veggies, and there are weekly Bible studies. These all started within the community of faith. Some new things that are starting in June are: a Wednesday evening Experiencing God study that meets in a home in New Tampa, as well as Summer in Sync—Reading Scripture in Community.

In the right soil, with living water and Son, faith in action grows. What is God germinating in your life that should blossom within your relationships?

Summer in Sync: Spending the Summer in Scripture Together

In the middle of the “lazy days of summer”, our schedules are often cast aside. What a great time to try something new! Summer in Sync. is 85 days of Scripture-reading within community.

We invite you to read the New Testament Epistles and Acts Reading Plan by YouVersion with us from June 7th thru August 30^th.

Sync with God, as you spend daily time in His Word.

Sync with others, as we all focus on the same passages and reflect on them in our relationships, Facebook page, youversion.com and worship gatherings.

Sync with Scripture, as you forge a daily rhythm of Bible reading. You are also encouraged to reflect on the Scripture with journaling.

Summer in Sync starts on Monday, June 7^th with the first chapter of both Romans and Acts. How are you going to make this summer last?

Dashboard Confessions

Like burning embers, the letters shone from my dashboard. MAINT REQ’D. It was at the end of a week during which I drove my 9-year-old car 1,200 miles. I have always had my Honda serviced by the dealer and the little car has been faithful to me. So immediately, I picked up my cell and scheduled an appointment for the following day. But the next day, I cancelled my appointment because something came up. Well, it is almost a month later, and the car has not had a wash much less the oil change and maintenance. The indicator still shines, but somehow, after seeing it day after day, it doesn’t seem as bright anymore. I will address those maintenance needs… someday… when I find time.

On our Christ following journey, there are parts of our lives that need attention. Sin that needs to be addressed, spiritual disciplines that need to be exercised, heart changes that need to be made. But the more we ignore the Spirit’s urging the more distant God appears to be. We realize that these small yet bright indicators need to be prayerfully and quickly addressed. Sometimes we want God to speak new things to us even though we haven’t yet responded to the last things He has shown us.

What spiritual indicator light is emblazoned on your dash? And how are you going to seek the Lord today to address it?

What is your next step on the journey?

"...I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…"

- 2 Timothy 1:6

At times we can be overwhelmed by the life change implications of the call of Jesus…. There is no way around it; the impact of the Gospel is huge. But we are called to faithfully take the next steps.

Whether we are investigating who Jesus is, or have been a Christian for a long time, we are called to ask ourselves (and be asked by others on the journey): "What is your next step?" As we faithfully live out our answer, we ask each other and ourselves again how we can fan the flame anew.

Living Out Love

On February 7^th, during the monthly gathering of both our home churches, we studied how Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 illustrated the care as and compassion of the Good Shepherd.

We discussed ways to show one another God’s love. In this short month we have witnessed Living Stones not only be hearers of the Word but doers of the Word. The month is half over and already great acts of love and compassion have taken place within the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel Home Churches. People have driven 45 minutes to drive a friend’s wife to the ER, a sick USF student was brought food by two different individuals, meals are being given to a family with a new born, foster children are being cared for. People of all ages and demographics are participating in loving one another with Godly actions.

What other acts of God’s love can you show in this month?

Cornbread Casserole: a recipe for teen involvement

We strive to include everyone in the life of Living Stones Church regardless of age, social status, and spiritual maturity. One of the ways we have been getting teens and tweens  (as well as adults) involved is in the meal times.  Since most of our events include a potluck, teens have a weekly opportunity to cook and bake for the rest of the Living Stones family.

Here is one of our favorite meals made by one of our teens. She originally found the recipe here. 

CORNBREAD CASSEROLE

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup sour cream

1 (17 oz) can of cream style corn

1 (17 oz) can of whole kernel corn, drained

4 oz (½ cup) melted butter (Plus a little for the casserole dish)

½ cup granulated sugar

Pinch of salt

1 to 2 Tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce

1 (8.5 oz) package Jiffy Corn Muffin mix

______________________________________

1. Butter a 2 qt casserole dish and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients.

3. Sprinkle the Jiffy mix over the combined ingredients and fold in with a spatula. Do not beat the mixture.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes before serving.

The Fringe Benefits of Discipleship

This summer we were all challenged to get into a discipleship relationship with someone else from our home church network.  The goal was to find someone of the same gender and meet weekly to grow in character, knowledge and faith.  Someone people learned more than they bargained for. Here is Living Stones story in her own words.

When I began my discipleship experience this past summer, I had no idea what to expect, but I made myself one promise, I would be open, honest and transparent with my partner.  I prayed and asked God who I should approach, the person He choose surprised many, even me.  However as we met, I began to see what an amazing symbiotic relationship He was building.  We both brought things to the table that the other needed.  We found strength in knowing that there is someone there that truly has our back.  We have found many commonalities, however opposite our current life situations are.  I am single living with my brother; she is married with a child.  Not only have I experience a new friendship grow, but she keeps me challenged, asks the hard questions and ‘reads me my mail’ when needed, and I know I can do the same in return.  Not only have a gained a great friend, but our families have embraces one another.    I have no doubt when I show up at her house, I will be welcomed in.  Our relationship has grown a great deal, I now volunteer at her work and her daughter spends one afternoon a week with me. 

Since our meetings were never structured, we allowed the Holy Spirit to be our mentor and to guide our conversations.  We would meet at my place, at a restaurant or walk.  Usually we would spend time sharing our week, our pitfalls, successes and areas we need prayer.  If needed encouragement in the Word, in remembering who God is in our life or just some compassion was shared.  When you purpose to be transparent, it is awesome to watch the bonds grow and the trust grow and the judgment disappear.  I learned that I am not alone, that many people face the same things and that people have great capacity for forgiveness love and compassion, when you allow God to do His work through you.

 I have always seen discipleship as a one way street, like a mentorship.  I have found that it is much better as a two way street.  We all have something we can learn from someone if we will just open ourselves up to that.  That lesson has been very present in my life lately.  I have learned that unless you are teaching and being taught, you are not growing to your full potential.  Sometimes it can be with the same person, sometimes it is with many people.  I have been learning so much from 2^nd graders as well as some friends in their 70’s.  Discipleship has taught me that lessons are all around us.  We just have to be open to listening to God, dropping our preconceived ideas and letting Him run the show.  When I do that, He is always on time with the right answer or encouragement or challenge.  He always leads me to the right resources, be it the Bible or a friend.  I never have to face things alone.  This is what discipleship has taught me.    

Quest for Community: Looking for "My People" in Tampa

At times Florida can seem like a collection of people whom have come to the Sunshine State for a job change, a change of climate, or just to start over. There is a need for connection. Here is one person’s story of searching for community in our fragmented society.

From May of 2007 to the present I have lived in DC, Atlanta, and now Tampa: 3 cities in 3 states, 3 jobs, 3 apartments, and a partridge in a palm tree. Or something like that. It’s been an interesting journey these past couple of years.

When I left DC, I left behind the familiarity and rootedness that comes from being in a place for almost 6 years… a wonderful church family, an absolutely amazing group of friends, and storehouses of memories contained in the streets and sights and sounds and smells of a neighborhood and city I love. DC had become home to me, but I ventured on to Atlanta when a job came open with an organization I had dreamed of someday working for.

I was in Atlanta for only 10 months. Due to some unforeseen circumstances within the organization, said dream job turned into something of a nightmare. But even in those short months, Atlanta too had become a home of sorts; I deepened friendships with friends I already knew there and met some incredible folks who I now count as some of my dearest friends. And if I had not been there during that time, I would never have ended up where I am now…

Tampa, the land of perpetual sunshine. When I arrived here, all that was waiting for me was a job I hoped I would love (I do) and an apartment to call home. Starting out fresh in a new place where you do not know a living soul is not cool. Or brave. Or any of those other encouraging things people try to tell you. It’s just plain HARD.

The first few weeks were really fun with setting up house, learning my way around, and getting used to a new job. The next few months were not so bad either. I was getting to know my co-workers and all the kids I work with and was enjoying a “normal” work environment. Summer came and went in a blur of church hunting, work trips, my old roommate visiting, etc. Then fall hit….very hard. I still hadn’t found a church, I hated the weather (no crispy nights, changing colors, or crunching leaves underfoot), and my nearest friends lived 8 hours away in Atlanta or 14 hours away in DC. That pretty much felt like the other side of the world. While those faraway friends were/are some of the best friends in the entire world, the one thing I wanted and felt like I needed, was something they were unable to provide. They could not be physically present and a part of my day to day life. And that was what I desperately longed for in Tampa: community.

Community is hard for me to explain, especially now that I’m finding it again through Living Stones. While it was absent, I couldn’t fully describe it either, but I knew it was missing and I ached for it in the depths of my being. I wanted community here in Tampa. I wanted to feel like I fit and belonged and could feel at home. Community is being with “my people”. And being with my people is being home, no matter where I am geographically. My people are those whom I am totally comfortable with who I know and love and who know me and love me in return. There is laughter, there is ease, there is comfort, but there are also tough questions and challenges. There is growth in a place of safety as life is done together….not just someone to celebrate your birthday with, but someone who is there when you’ve had a rough day/week/month at work, who will bring you OJ and tissues when you’re sick, who calls when they haven’t seen you recently, who remembers what you tell them and follows up on things that are important to you. The Living Stones community members are becoming my people. I am blessed to now have a home here in Tampa with “my people” and am looking forward to journeying with them as we learn to better love and serve God and the people He brings across our paths. 

Seize the Holiday

It’s the middle of October, and already I have spied decorated Christmas trees in stores. Our culture seems to have defined October through December as one on-going holiday season. To some, this may excite us with anticipation, while others feel that it is season of commercialism. But what many of us in the Living Stones family are learning is that the holiday season creates unique opportunities to love our neighbors.

October 31^st--Whether you call it Halloween, Harvest Day or Reformation Day, there are some unique and redeemable opportunities within this holiday that many Christians understandably distance themselves from. There is no other day of the year when almost all of your neighbors are roaming around your neighborhood and even knocking on your door. How can we use this cultural rhythm to live out the two greatest commands of loving God and loving others? Justice in the Burbs, a book that some of the women in our church were discussing, talks of the importance of loving our neighbors whether in the city or the suburbs, wherever God has placed us. In the book, followers of Jesus loved their neighbors by serving trick-or-treating parents chili in their front yard, providing a place for conversation, replenishment and rest. Some Living Stones members will be creating these connection points of care on the 31^st in their neighborhoods.

Thanksgiving--While many people get together with there loved ones on this day, many others don’t have the resources or the opportunity to dine with family. Who are those people who won’t be across the table from loved ones this Thanksgiving? College students, singles, divorcees, recent transplants, immigrants, people in the retail and service industry--I'm sure you can think of some your life brushes up against. All can be welcomed to the table.

Christmas--While many acts of love are performed during the “Christmas Season”. Christmas Day itself often sees a lull in these acts of service. December 25^th is another clear time when people reflect on what relationships they have or wish they did. Last Christmas Day, we had visited a group home of children in foster care. The children living at the home who had families were off visiting them. Those who were at the group home on Christmas Day were the most relationally poor. So we had the opportunity to celebrate the greatest gift with a simple but powerful act that we posted about previously.

Have you prayed about how God may be calling you to seize the holiday season? Perhaps the decor and accelerated sales in the stores can be a reminder that God may be calling you to love your neighbor, your co-worker, or the lonely man or woman your life sometimes brushes up against. This holiday season is great time to demonstrate through both great and small acts our Father's great love.

What are you bringing to the table? Home Church & The Potluck

What is a potluck?

Well, without checking Wikipedia, it is a meal where guests are invited to (and expected) to bring a part of the meal to share with the other guests.

While a restaurant provides professionally prepared meals and customers are only asked to show up, eat and leave (in exchange for money), a potluck is different. For a potluck, the financial cost is lower, but the investment is shown in different ways, as the meals require preparation and thought by all participants, guests and host. The potluck shows the unique personality, preferences and gifts of the guests invited. It also leaves a sense of the unknown, depending on who they are and what they bring.

Most of our Home Church gatherings involve a potluck meal. A few weeks ago 2 people brought rich desserts. We enjoyed both trifle and “dirt” over coffee. The following Saturday no one brought dessert. So for perhaps one of the first times in 2 ½ years, we did not share any dessert.

But more than our mealtime, our entire gathering together is a potluck of sorts. Everyone is invited to metaphorically bring something to the table. A prayer, a story of experiencing God through the week, an eye opening question, a song, an encouraging word, and even a listening ear. The Holy Spirit hosts our gathering, and through the Spirit's work through each one gathered, we minister to each other. We come as participants, bringing our gifts to share with the church. The Home Church gathering is a feast where God is the host and we enjoy the offerings that each member brings to the table....

The GATHERING: on the 1st Sundays of each month

Now, the first Sunday of the month, the extended Living Stones family will meet together (instead of the separate evening meetings that weekend). We call it the GATHERING. It is when all our home church groups come together to worship, celebrate, teach and learn. It will be a great opportunity to use different gifts and continue to connect our Christ following communities. Say that fast 5 times!

Laura: Called To Serve

Laura was "sent out" from the Living Stones family in August to show God's love to college students in Maryland. Here is some of her story in her own words.

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, for you had become very dear to us.

1 Thessalonians 2:8

God used this verse to call me to the mission field this Spring while I was wrestling with counting the cost of ministry. The verse caused me to look back on the past couple years, my involvement in The Navigator ministry on my campus and even my time at Living Stones Church. He reminded me of all the leaders who took time out of their day to spend one on one time with me either in the word, or in the application of the word, or just to talk about life. It was in these meetings that I learned about God’s grace (why it’s so amazing), servant-leadership, and what it means to be the church (the beauty of authentic relationships in Christ). These individuals all spurred me on to not keep this knowledge to myself, but to share what I’ve learned with younger students. In time, as they continued to be patient with me, God began to break my heart for people and to give me the burden to share Him with others. I became very passionate about discipleship, investing my life into the lives of others that they might find their purpose in Jesus Christ and experience God satisfying their deepest desires through Him.

I graduated this past May and have been given an opportunity to give back to students what God so graciously gave me while I was in college--hope. I’ve been invited to help launch a ministry at Bowie State University, a Historical Black College/University in Bowie, Maryland. Due to the lack of campus ministries at this school, students have little opportunity to understand how eternal life in Christ connects with them as African American collegians. I am excited to build relationships with them as I intentionally spend time with them, not only sharing the gospel with them but also my own life as many others have with me. I will also help train students to do the same with their peers. Our hope is that we can build a foundation in these students that they can build on for the rest of their lives, leaving a legacy of changed lives behind them.

Because my job is a full-time ministerial position I have the responsibility of raising my support this year. I’ve been asking people to prayerfully consider partnering with me by giving monthly gifts of $75-200 a month. If you are interested in joining my financial support team, please go to my blog and click on my picture,

Your Partner in the Gospel,

Laura Welch

So Somebody Asks You for Money as You Get Off the Highway

A small group of folks decided to come together and participate in a summer book club. They are currently reading "Justice in the 'burbs" by Will and Lisa Samson, and have been discussing ways to follow Christ and live out the Biblical call of justice whilst residing in the suburbs of Tampa. Here is how one member, Brenda, envisioned ministering to those who daily stand near the highway on and off ramps, often asking for money.

"I have put together some bags to give away when I see someone who's homeless. Too often I have wrestled with the idea of giving money to someone who might, in my mind, make bad choices with the money. I wondered if there was another way I could help. So, I got some food items that don't need refrigeration and put them in gallon plastic bags. I keep them in my car, so when I see someone, I can give it to them. If they are hungry, then their needs are met. I think we all wrestle with a judgmental attitude, and this helps me remember that Jesus said "When you do this to the least of these, you do it to me". I'll take those words as my call from the Lord and let Him work in the lives of the others."

Under Construction

We are revamping our blog. We want to lift up some of our stories many that are currently under construction. Living Stones Church is a network of small faith communities of Christ following friends and families in Tampa Bay. We want to share some of what God is doing in our midst. So not only the pastors of Living Stones Church will be blogging, but others Christ followers will be contributing as well. God makes it clear that no matter of education our title, are all asked to follow him with our whole heart. Stay tuned for some stories of responding to God’s love and grace.

Sorry it's been a while since we have blogged!

Has it been a while since we have connected? There are a lot new things happening in our midst. We would love to share with you what is new, not only through this blog but in person as well. Here are some of the highlights:

New Home Church in Wesley Chapel!

We have a new home church now meeting in the Meadow Pointe Community of Wesley Chapel, Sundays at 5pm. The start of our new group has renewed the Saturday New Tampa Home Church as well. So it is almost like having two new home churches. Both communities share the same passions of loving God and loving others but since each home church is made up of different people, they each have unique personalities. So if it has been a while since you stopped by, come join us again and find the right house church for you.

We regularly have gatherings to help those in both home churches stay connected to one another. Recent gatherings have included outings at Bruster's Ice Cream, swimming & BBQ, and weekly prayer, Lutz 4th of July and Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A. Some outdoor adventures, are being planned!

2 years in 1 paragraph

Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God 1 Peter 2:10a


This month two years ago, two families started meeting in the New Tampa area to share life and faith together. After a year of meeting together God slowly added new individuals, families, believers and seekers to form a community of faith. One relationship at a time we have been cobbled into a family. Things have not gone how we expected, but it has been an incredible journey. We have felt the call to start another home church just north of New Tampa, in Wesley Chapel, as part of the movement of Living Stones. We are preparing for an exciting step, as our family continues to grow.

Who is on your heart?

Not a week goes by that someone doesn’t capture my attention for at least for one moment. It might be the veteran holding the sign at the highway off ramp, a young lady skirting across the Bearrs Ave with groceries and infant in arms, children pouring out of an urban elementary school, or George, who sells me a Sunday paper from the roadside median.


It is easy to let these bearers of God’s image leave our minds as quickly as they entered. But Jesus normally had a different compassion for people—a compassion that led to action. And we too are blessed to be a blessing to others…


This month we are collecting clothes (specially medium, small and children’s) for Burmese refugees. Many of these individuals left Myanmar and moved here from refugee camps. And they found their way into the heart of Sergei, a member of the Living Stones family. That is where we feel mission comes from: the compassion God lays upon our hearts. And so we as a church rally around Sergei to help him to be faithful to the task God has put on his heart. It’s that same ethos that found us scooping ice cream on Christmas day.


It is too easy to allow fleeting thoughts of compassion, charity, truth and justice to be whisked away by the busyness of life around us. We have to prayerfully allow these yearnings of the heart to ignite our sense of mission—and then act on them! Who’s on your heart today? What bearer of the image of the King has God put in your path? How is God asking you to show his love, mercy and justice?