1 John 2:12-17

These are my notes from Rob's sermon at Apex
Neal and Abby led worship and they sang my all time favorite song , at least it is right now , "From The Inside Out" Such a great worship song! and to hear 500+ people sing it A Capella at the end is awesome.
Rob asked for prayer for a children's minister,John, whom he met at a camp in North Carolina last week when he spoke. John has heard the gospel many times but he has never made the decision to accept Christ into his life.
It made me wonder...how many ministers are out there just going through the motions without the true heart? Probably more than you think.

Anyway, in this passage John is still "mending nets" He's talking to everyone in this passage when he says children but then he also singles out the mature in faith as well as the ones new in their faith.

Please remember children that you:
1 Are forgiven for the glory of Jesus
2 Have access to a relationship with Jesus

For those of you mature in your faith:
1 Never forget the starting point of your faith

For those of you who are young in your faith:
You have won the biggest battle with your strength(zeal) and the word(knowledge)

All of these wonderful truths stand in opposition to "the system". The value system of the world.

James 4:4 4You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Ephesians 2:1-2

The system feeds:

1 Broken desires- cravings of sinful man ie sexual immorality,impurity,debauchery,idolatry,witchcraft,hatred,discord,jealousy,fits of rage,selfish ambition,dissension,envy,drunkeness,etc.

2 Broken eyes - our eyes are a lamp into our body. Broken desires lead to broken eyes. It affects how we look at things and the meanings we attach to it.
Psalm 119:37...Turn my eyes from worthless things

3 A Broken Significance - once we have those desires..we boast in ourselves. We should be boasting about Christ..not ourselves

The Sobering Reality
THE SYSTEM IMPLODES

If you are attached to that system, then you implode. Those who make idols become like them.

You attach to the wrong thing.
Stockholm syndrome...the victims of a robber refused to testify against him and one of them became engaged to him. They connected to the robber.
We get spiritual stockholm sydrome...we connect to the robber(Satan and the world)

Always remember..Jesus has overcome the world. You may be hated for your values but you shouldn't care if you're relevant to "the world"

Strong storm

Yesterday afternoon, I had just gotten home from the library and I noticed the clouds were really weird looking. About 15 min later, the skies opened up. The wind and rain and hail were unbelievable. It took the trash can from the side of our house and blew it clear to the end of the driveway. We were fortunate though, we had no damage. The neighborhood beside us, Stoneridge, was hit hard. We drove through there today and huge trees were uprooted with branches everywhere. It didn't look like any structure damage though and no one was injured as far as I can tell. We didn't have power most of the night and this morning and we still don't have cable.
The rest of the night was actually beautiful. Darrell and I went to the Fraze after church and sat outside (for free :) and listened to Boz Scaggs. We met a nice couple from Beavercreek who sat beside of us with their 2 cute dogs, a dachshund and a Jack Russell.

Derek Trucks...guitar god

I am going to see one of the "guitar gods" according to Rolling Stone magazine.
Derek Trucks is playing at the Fraze on July 3 and my husband and son are HUGE fans.
In case you have never heard of him, I put a video on here.

You know you're a metro-rednexual if:

I was reading a blog this morning about "metro-rednexual" and what makes you one. It's kind of like the Jeff Foxworthy "You know you're a redneck". Some of the things people came up with made me laugh. You can go here to read the article and the comments.
I'm going to put some examples of my favorite ones here:

"Among other things, I’m guessing a metro-rednexual buys lunch from a gas station and his clothes from The Buckle.

… If you wear designer jeans to the State Fair…

…. Or your best friend does and you hear yourself saying, “Are those Diesel’s? Spin around, let me see the back.”

… if you carry a man-purse to a monster truck rally…

…If you have matching throw pillows or an elaborate bedding ensemble in your ‘double-wide’…

— If you get your “skinny latte” from a machine in the Git-n-Go across the street…

… If you ask your barber for highlights…

… if you can’t drive by the Banana Republic outlet store without making a purchase…

— if your plans tonight include eating a Swanson TV Dinner while watching Will & Grace…

Chews Red Man tobacco but spits in a Starbucks cup that at one time was the home of a grande skim toffee nut latte or a 1/2 white, 1/2 dark hot chocolate with skim milk and carmel topping


You’ve programmed “Achy Breaky Heart” as the ring on your I-phone.

I think you are if you use product in your hair…except the product is motor oil.

-You know the release dates for the new fall clothing line and the schedule for flavor rotation on the freezy drink machine.

purchases the decor for his midtown loft apartment at the Cracker Barrell Old Country Store

Week of freebies

I love when I can get something for nothing or almost nothing. I love to find books on Amazon for .01.

This week I got a coupon for a free dessert from City Barbecue for my birthday

I won something from the Centerville library for being in their Summer Book Club and actually reading :^)

Now..today I found out I can download a book on women and money for free!

So for the last one...I'm passing the info on. Go to Oprah.com and for today's show(June 26) it has a link to click on to download the book from Suze Orman. I like her ..she's very upfront and in your face about what you should be doing as far as debt and saving money. The book is usually around $16.00 on Amazon. You have to do it before tomorrow ,June 27, at 8 pm EST.

Addendum: Got a free cookie at subway...yes!!

The Vintage Novelty of Love

These are my notes from the sermon Jason did yesterday on 1 John 2:7-11
When you read these you have to keep in mind that the context of this information is not to make someone feel guilty but to show us joy, holiness,truth and assurance.
This passage deals with the social teaching...how do we interact as the people of Jesus when we run into difficult people?
Difficult people make a difficult church!

In this passage we are dealing with two dichotomies:

How can something be old and new?
How can something be both seen and heard

I liked Jason's examples.
He bought a shirt at the thrift store...(if you like Napolean Dynamite, he bought a shirt that said, "Tena you fat lard come and eat your dinner" and it had a picture of the horse.) He then gave it to a girl in the church who wanted it. Even though it's an old shirt ...it's new to her.
Old things can be new in how we experience them.

For seen and heard, he used the example of a song and how you listen to it but also can see the meaning through a music video.

In this passage, John uses the old command "Love one another" and shows a new way to look or experience it...light vs dark and love vs hate.

The oldness of the command is tied to hearing it before
In Leviticus
In John's teachings in the book of John
From the basics of christianity
Loving other christians is not graduate level...it's elementary.

The newness of the command is tied to it's being seen.
They are seeing it in a way they hadn't before....In Christ's love.which is light and through the actions of other Christians.

Big Idea
When we walk like Jesus walked then we will love like Jesus loved.
When we love like Jesus loved, then we will display his light.
When we display his light, we know we are not in darkness.

True Christians not only love Jesus but they love those who love Jesus.

You hear the saying "I love Jesus but I hate the church"
You are saying that you hate his bride...Jesus is not okay with that.
If you hate the church...it's going to impact your relationship with Jesus.
Jason used the example of himself. If you love him but say you hate his wife Rachel..
it's not ok...it will impact your relationship with Jason.

Good music ....good food

After church today, Darrell and I decided to go to the Fraze to the Blues Fest. We took our friend, Doug, who we deliver groceries to once a month.
It was a little cloudy but it never did rain. There were barbecue and cajun food booths and they had the most awesome homemade chips! We had the bourbon chicken with rice and beans. The festival is free but they get you with the cost of food! We stayed and listened to 2 bands,Denzon and the Road Doggz and Jon Justice Band.
They played out in the Lincoln Commons where the fountatins are. Joe Bonamassa is the big act playing tonight in the Fraze amphitheater.
We saw him last year for $5 bucks so we decided not to stay and pay $20 this year :^)
They have some other free festivals this summer and some free bands coming.
One of the bands is "Over the Rhine". There's a good article in Relevant last month about them and what they have gone through in the past few years.
We are also going as a family to see Crosby,Stills and Nash in July.
Good music and good food in a good venue !!

Update on Kristen in Chile

I talked to Kristen last night on Skype. She's doing great. She passed her first spanish class and will finish the second one this friday. This is her last week in Santiago. They experienced tear gas this week. There were Chilean students protesting and they sprayed tear gas and it came through the ventilation of the subway system. Kristen said her eyes and nose burned.
They are going to a place where they make pottery today.
They will be leaving next weekend to fly to the northern part of Chile to an area called the Atacama desert and a city called Antofagasta. It's much colder and drier in this area. I've included a picture I got from the web.

Funny phrases

One of the things I love about the people I work with is their sense of humor.
We deal with some very challenging people at times...patients,staff,doctors,etc. so you need a sense of humor and some patience.

This week I heard 2 funny phrases that made me laugh

Our nurse practitioner went to see a patient and when she described him she told me "He's a few french fries short of a happy meal"

One of my doctors was verbally attacked by a very immmature nurse. When he described her behavior to her manager he said " She treated me like I was the cable boy who showed up late "

"Just the black notes"

This made the hairs stand up on my arms! I love Amazing Grace and the history of it and listening to Wentley Phipps

Sounds and smells of summer I love

the sound of crickets at night

the sound of doves cooing in the morning

the smell of fresh cut grass

the sound of the ice cream truck playing

the smell of grilling food

the smell of coconut oil suntan lotion at a swimming pool

"Knowbedience"

These are notes from the sermon that Jason Wing did at Apex this am. Jason is the minister who helps with house church support and spiritual growth in our church. He was the youth minister when Apex first started so he is very well connected.
This is his first father's day...his daughter Reagan is 8 months old.

The scripture is 1 John 2:3-6

Things to remember to keep this in context: John is an "old dude" writing to a young church. With youth there is immaturity and they are easily swayed and impressionable.
He is writing because false teachers have come in and deceived them and attrition has begun to happen. He is writing to give them assurance.

"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands"...We know...you can have confidence IF you obey his commands.
The litmus test for assurance is if you have obedience. Salvation will manifest itself in obedience.Many people in this world say they love God but they refuse to obey his commands. These aren't "other kinds of Christians" They are imposters. Love for God and disobedience are incompatible.

Problems with obedience..what makes it hard

1 Sometimes obedience is contrary to what we've been told.
Sometimes truth can "rock your world"

2 Sometimes obedience is exactly the opposite of what we want. It can be hard to stay committed to God's commands above our own desires.

3 Sometimes obedience conjures up negative emotions. It can trigger guilt. That is not John's purpose. The purpose of this letter is: a. for their joy b. because he didn't want them to sin c. Because they knew the truth d. so they would know they had eternal life. His purpose is not to make them feel guilty

Big idea of this scripture
Relational knowledge leads to loving obedience and loving obedience leads to relational assurance.

You may know alot about God but do you know God? You need both theology and doxology

"This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

2 big questions

1 Are you obeying what Jesus taught? Love one another,Forgive,make disciples,Jesus is the way to God


2 Are you walking as Jesus walked? Humbly,serving,unconditional love,selfless, with compassion,

Update on Kristen

The picture is a clock made of flowers in Vina del Mar in Chile. Kristen got to see this when they went to the beach today.
By using Skype I'm able to video chat with her for free so she's been filling me in on all of her activites and showing me her purchases :^)..Kristen is the ultimate shopper :^)
She finishes her first Spanish class on Monday and is doing good. She said it was hard to figure out dollars to pesos at first but she's learned to calculate because some of the things in Chile are much more expensive i.e. Starbucks small frappucinos are over 4.00 and perfume is double the price.
She's eating very well and enjoying real Mexican food!

Apologize

"Time heals all wounds"
I'm not sure that's true but sometimes it is too late to apologize...
I like the song but I really liked the video...very creative

3Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, (F)you whitewashed wall!

We've been studying Acts in our house church. Chris talked about the definition of whitewash and it's just been in my mind the last couple of days.
So many times you think you know the inside...the heart...when actually it's just covered with whitewash..it's temporary. Sometimes though that whitewash fades slowly and you don't recognize the true color bleeding through for months or years.
I realized this week that God has put genuine people in my life so that I'm able to see the obvious difference and appreciate the real thing when I have it.

Dude

This commercial is so Zach. His word for everyone is dude including me. I told him I'm dudette but he still says dude.

Crazy dad commercial

This commercial makes me laugh everytime...It never gets old!

"Disaster Averted"

These are notes from the sermon at Apex this am
We sang the song "Cannons" by Phil Wickham which I LOVE...especially when Phil and Issac sing together.
We also had a baptism which always is a great celebration at our church

1 John 2:1-2

Paul writes this with an investment in the people he's talking to
Key Question..What is the relationship of sin in the life of the believer?

With/Without Christ
a Without Christ...sin dominates you and your life
b With Christ..sin distracts you but it doesn't dominate

a Without Christ...sin is inevitable
b With Christ..sin is avoidable

a Without Christ...sin is natural
b With Christ...sin is unnatural

a Without Christ...you are enslaved to it
b With Christ...youare a slave to righteous

BUT when sin creeps into your life we make choices that mess up our lives

Revelation 12:10 Day and night Satan's goal is to accuse you
The bad news is that most of the time the info he accuses us with is true..he manages to twist it to an accusation. It leads to despair and we run back to ourselves or to things that were comfortable.

When you sin and you are on the verge of despair, run to these truths.....

1. Jesus is your appointed defender
1 Timothy 2:5
Hebrews 7: 24-25

2. He is your evidence for acquittal
Pure..innocence no sin
He has given us his righteousness

3. He is your justified punishment
atoning sacrifice God's wrath had to be turned away
His wrath is justified punishment for breaking his laws

John Piper wrote a book giving 50 reasons Jesus died on the cross
God sent Christ to be our wrath absorber

At the concentration camp Auschwitz...the gate above it read "Work Makes Free"
It was a lie..it ended in suffering and death
That's the lie many nonbelievers believe today
"If I do these deeds.."

WE ARE FREE ONLY THROUGH CHRIST

1988....remembering

Last night Darrell and I went to a funeral viewing...for a 19 yr old boy. That's the same age as my son Zach. Corey was born June 26,1988 and he died in a tragic car accident this week in Miamisburg when his friend swerved to miss a car and they hit a Rumpke trash truck. They had just left Serra after making plans to start working there. They had just graduated from auto mechanic school at Sinclair. They had their whole future in front of them and in an instant it was gone. His dad has worked at Serra for years so we went for emotional support. It was hard to see so many kids that young grieving for their friend.
With all the pictures and videos it made me think of 1988..the year he and Zach were born. The video I put on here was one of the most popular songs that summer...I still love that song. That summer was the hottest I ever remember...maybe because I was 8 months pregnant and only had a window air conditioner in our first house, a 2 bedroom little cottage house with a screened front porch in Oakwood. I remember finding out I was having a son and thinking of names. I remember looking for little blue clothes and trucks and cars. I was working as a floor nurse full time 3-11 on a medical floor. I drove a white cavalier..hmmm we still have a white cavalier :^)
I had an 18 month old little girl who was into everything and loved to sing "Roll with it" by Steve Winwood.
I have good memories of 1988. I'm sure Corey's parents do as well and can hold on to those memories. I just wish they had their son to hold on to as I do.
The following saying is what they put in the little remembrance card:

To those I love and those who love me

When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears
Be thankful for our beautiful years.
I gave to you my love. You can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you each have shown.
But, now it's time to travel on alone.
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for a time that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away , for life goes on
And if you need me call and I'll come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near
and if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile, and say
"Welcome Home"

Random things

At house
church tonight , Janelle spoke to us about her and her husbands passion for reaching out to the lost. They are working toward being involved in a group called keynote. Keynote is a group who uses music and creative arts to reach out to the lost primarily on college campuses here and abroad. Janelle plays keyboard and sings and her husband Tony plays the drums. They don't have children yet so they feel it's a good time to travel in the mission field.

I found out that my friend Carrie's brother was one of the editors for relevant magazine.com
He's a writer for the Dayton Daily News as well as a pastor in West Milton. I had sent her husband Chris(my house church leader) an email with an interesting article on Gay Rights and how Christians should respond. Chris has a brother who is gay and who has left the church and it's a struggle for Chris to know what to say to his brother at times.

I also found out that one of Chris's college friends is one of the founders of random shirts.com They make some of the funniest shirts. I have one that has an apple with a bite out of it and it says "My bad"--Eve.

Update on Kristen..I received an email from her yesterday. She got to Chile at 7:30 am and she already loves it there. She's started her classes...it's hard work but definitely worth it. She's experienced some of the food and also some of the language barrier. I've been a little worried about her but I talked with Dr. Parilo (he's from Chile) and he helped put my worries to rest.

That's all from me .. I just watched Detroit win the Stanley Cup..sorry Adam :(

Pedicures are awesome!

Once a year before summer, I get a pedicure. My friends from work have given me a gift certificate to Hausfeld's for my birthday for the last 3 yrs. I almost forgot about it until I was going through my drawer Sunday and realized it expires in 1 week..so today I went and spent 1 hr in heaven :)
They don't just paint your nails..they give you the royal treatment including the atmosphere. It's quiet and the lights are dim and they have this nature music playing. You put your feet in warm bubbling water and then they take one foot at a time and clean,trim,file,lubricate,and massage each foot. I probably like it more than most people because I spend the majority of the days I work on my feet.
Definitely something all women and men( without the nailpolish) need to experience!

"White As Snow"

We sang this song yesterday in worship and it was one of those songs that you could tell just touched a lot of hearts including mine.
It's from an album called "Winter" by Jon Foreman.
He's also the lead singer and guitarist for Switchfoot.

The Sober Act of Claiming

These are my notes from the sermon from Apex this am
1 John:5-10

Nominalism..75-90% of high school graduates will not have a walk with Christ a year from now.

God is light..there is no darkness..not even one spot
Psalm 104:2 "He wraps himself in light"
Issiah 60:19 "The Lord will be an everlasting light
John 1:4 "Light of men"
John 12:36 "Put your trust in the light"
Revelation 22:5 "No more night..the Lord God will give them light"

Light empowers and illumines
God's light shines through us from the inside

Three ways that people commonly deal with sin (darkness)
1 They make sin compatible.
They fellowship with God but they also continue to hold on to sin patterns..attitudes and anger
Scripture tells us that can't happen. Light can't fellowship with darkness

2 Make sin small
We must live in a way that we are on guard always. We live in an Antichrist culture

3 Treat sin as if it never existed
We blame problems on other things other than our own sin.

You make God out to be a liar if you treat sin as compatible,small or as if it never existed.

Darkness creeps in slowly
Have you ever heard someone say "I'm going to go to another church..I'm just not connecting to these people here"? Usually the "connections" they're looking for are unbiblical. Christ takes diverse people and brings them together.

The way to deal with sin

1 Engage in deep honest regular confession..from your inner self..not superficial. God hears our hearts and our motives.

2 Recall the person and work of Jesus
The shed blood of Jesus on the cross still has the power to cleanse us.
Fellowship with Christ doesn't depend on being sinless. It depends on the love and forgiveness of Christ.

3 Locate the lie
Truth has the power to set us free. There is no condemnation for those in Christ.

4 Start walking on the basis of his forgiveness. Walk in obedience to Him..otherwise you get lazy and you become tempted.

Where are you? In the darkness or the light?