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

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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.

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....

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."