Inside the Heart, Mind and Soul of Chris Jarrell

Message Manuscript from My Message from Kingstowne 9/4/11

2011-09-07T07:53:00.002-05:00

This is the manuscript from the message I preached this past weekend at the Kingstowne Location. Romans 12:1-8...Let us get up and serve in the church.

SERVING TOGETHER TO KEEP THE CHURCH MOVING:
Romans 12:1-8

We are at a very unique church that is a small part of God’s greater Kingdom. Two I love about NCC, we have great vision. We have a 2020 vision for 20 locations. Our locations are one part of the larger church body. We are unique members in the greater family of NCC.

As we launch more and more locations we need people to step in and serve. It doesn’t allow us to get comfortable or lazy

Second, thing I love about NCC, is the great and amazing people. We have some the most gifted, smartest, creative people here at NCC. As individuals, we are part of the greater family of NCC, we all have unique roles and opportunities to play here at National Community Church.

It takes great people serving together to keep NCC’s vision moving forward.

This weekend all of the Campus Pastors will be preaching from Romans 12 with the theme of SERVING TOGETHER TO KEEP THE CHURCH MOVING!

Going to TC WILLIAMS High School was awesome for me…The made a great movie about my school – Remember the Titans. The school has a great sports program and great history of State Championships in Football, Track and Field, Cross Country and basketball…For those that don’t know TC Williams has an amazing Crew team (Rowing) , actually they are nationally recognized as one of the best Crew team in the nation. Several of my classmates actually have gone on to row on the US National Crew team in the Olympics.

Our most successful teams were our 8 man and 8 woman crew teams…they rocked all kinds of titles from 89-92 and beyond…little known fact my amazing wife Lora actually rowed in High School for a rival school that was not that good, West Springfield.

The athleticism and teamwork that goes into rowing is so important. Actually, to row it is some of the most intensive training and if the team of 8 isn’t working together in synchronicity you are going to have lots of trouble and the boat will go in circle of go totally off course.

Every position in a boat is just as important as the other. No one position is less. It takes the full team working together to keep the boat moving.

Let me excite you a little bit about the finer details of a Crew/Rowing team in an eight man boat and share with why each person has an equally important and necessary roles to play to help the team to succeed.

Stern Pair

The "stroke" is the rower closest to the stern of the boat. Everyone else follows the stroke's timing - placing their blades in and out of the water at the same time as stroke. The strokeman can communicate with the coxswain (when in a stern coxed boat) to give feedback on how the boat feels. During a race, it is the stroke's responsibility to establish the crew's rate (number of strokes per minute) and rhythm. (In coxed boats, the coxswain will assist the stroke in establishing the rate). Because of the great responsibilities, the rower in the stroke seat will usually be one of the most technically sound members of the boat.

The next rower ('seven' in an eight) sits directly behind stroke and is typically both fit and skilled: this rower acts as a buffer between the stroke and the rest of the crew. They closely follow the rhythm set by the strokeman and help transmit this rhythm to the rest of the boat, and particularly to the rowers rowing on the same side as seven, since rowers tend to look at the blades on their side of the boat to check their timing. If the strokeman increases or decreases the stroke rate it is essential that seven follows this change so that it is translated to the rest of the crew.

Middle Crew

The middle rowers of a crew (numbers 2 and 3 in a four, and 3, 4, 5 and 6 in an eight) are normally the most powerful and heaviest rowers, colloquial known as the Fuel Tank, Engine Room, Power House or Meat Wagon. The boat pitches and yaws less in the middle, and the oarsmen there have less effect on these movements, being closer to the centre of mass and centre of buoyancy. Therefore the rowers in the middle of the boat do not have to be as technically sound or reactive to the movements of the boat, and can focus more on pulling as hard as they can. It is common practice among crews to put the most technically proficient rowers at the bow and stern and the physically strongest and heaviest rowers in the centre.

Bow Pair

The rower closest to the bow of the boat, is usually called either "bow" or the "bowman". In coxless boats, the bowman is often responsible for giving calls to the crew. The bow pair of bow and "two", who are the two rowers closest to the boat's bow, are more responsible for the stability (called "set") and the direction of the boat than any other pair of rowers, and are often very technical rowers. The bow of a stern-coxed boat is subject to the greatest amount of pitching, requiring the bow pair to be adaptable and quick in their movements.

Boats that are bow coxed rely on communication between the bowman and the cox - as the cox cannot see boats coming up from behind. Bowmen tend to be the smallest of the rowers in the boat.

In a sense each member on the team has to work together as ONE unified BODY, no one is more important than the other and each has to follow one another.

In much the same way, the Church is called to work together to be completely effective in our purpose to serve those around us. We are called to unity and to each play our own unique and equally important roles in ministry to keep the Church moving forward.

That is the truth that is being taught in Romans 12:1-5.
When Jesus was here on earth, He ministered in a physical body but since He has returned to heaven, He has ministered thru a spiritual body the body of Christ the Church! v. 5 members=body parts! He has no hands but ours!/feet/voice

Let us start reading Romans 12:1-2:

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

First thing, we must recognize from these first two passages in Romans 12 of Scripture is this: that we must fully express our surrender to God. Before God wants your service He wants a guarantee that He really has you

1 - Our first obligation in serving together to keep the church moving is to completely surrender to the Lord! That’s why vv. 1-2 are attached to 3-8. God cannot use us in the body of Christ until we make a complete surrender of our selves and our gifts to Him.

What do you have to give? You! Your uniqueness! Your talents! Your Skills and the God given gifts that through the Holy Spirit that every single one of you here this morning has.

Whenever you see the word “therefore” in the Bible you should always ask what it’s there for. When we come to chapter 12 of Romans, Paul is making a shift from doctrine to practice.

He follows a similar pattern in the books of Ephesians and Colossians when he establishes doctrine in the first part of the letter and then moves to application in the second half.

Paul never fails to give practical applications based on the doctrine discussed. A Christian cannot separate doctrine from duty. Learning must be translated into living.

THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS NOT DESCRIPTIVE, IT IS ABOUT ACTION! ---Love God and Love Others!!!

Theology is never meant to be cold and lifeless. It must always have a practical application. It’s as if he’s saying, “Based on everything that I’ve just said, this is what you now need to put into practice.”

The word worship in Romans 12:1, is the Greek word latreia, which means “divine service” context of Hebrew temple worship – our offering in the Church body.

When we offer ourselves in acts of service to God, it is worship. It is holy and pleasing when we offer all of ourselves, heart, mind and soul to spiritual acts of “divine service.”

What an amazing way to pursue God!

Based on all that God has done, Paul says, “I urge you, brothers…” Even though Paul could have used a command here, he instead makes an appeal. He does a similar thing in Ephesians 4:1: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

This word means to “call near” or “to invite.” Notice that he refers to them as “brothers,” indicating his affection for them as members of God’s family. He’s begging believers, not unbelievers, to do something that has not yet been done.

He makes this plea “in view of God’s mercy.” The original word used here for “mercy” is actually plural and refers to God’s multitude of mercies. He is not merciful just once but again and again. He is consistently and constantly full of mercy. John Calvin once said that we will never worship with a sincere heart or serve God with unbridled zeal until we properly understand how much we are indebted to God’s mercy. God has demonstrated so much mercy to us that we can’t help but respond by fully surrendering our lives to Him.

It’s interesting that Paul doesn’t say, “In light of God’s grace” but instead focuses on mercy. Why is that? God’s grace is demonstrated when we get what we don’t deserve, whereas His mercy is what keeps us from getting what we do deserve. Micah 7:18: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”

We can’t begin to see the Church moving until we come to a place of COMPLETE SURRENDER.

It will do us no good at all to deal with spiritual gifts to think about what our gifts are, until we have grappled with this issue of complete surrender.

Paul then gives us three ways to fully express our surrender to God:

1. Offer your body. We are urged, in view of the many mercies of God “to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.”

This word “offer” is a technical term that was used to describe the bringing and presenting of an animal for sacrifice on an altar.

To “offer” means, “to present once and for all.” In the Old Testament worship included sacrifice. A live animal was brought to the priest and the owner would lay hands on the beast to symbolically say, “This animal takes my place.” The animal was then killed and the blood was sprinkled upon the altar

This idea of a “living sacrifice” must have been a novel idea to the Jews of that day. This was something they had not heard of before, except perhaps in the case of Abraham offering Isaac upon the altar. T

hey were used to offering dead sacrifices. Once a sacrifice is offered to God, you can’t take it back. When we are called to present our “bodies” to the Lord, we are exhorted to offer our total being to Him, not just bits and pieces.

God does not just want to be a “part” of our lives; He wants us to be completely committed to Him. As someone has said, the problem with living sacrifices is that they keep crawling off the altar!

God isn’t interested in beasts today; He’s looking for bodies of believers who will be sold out to Him. He wants us to be living sacrifices, not dead offerings. When an offering is made to God, it was set apart and was completely devoted.

Paul continues by saying that our life offering is to be “holy and pleasing to God.” Sacrifices were to be without blemish or defect.

In like manner, we are to offer to God our best. When we give our best to Him, it will be pleasing, or agreeable to Him. This is then our “spiritual act of worship.”

Worship is not just what we do here on Sunday mornings it is a 24/7 practice.

True worship is the presenting of our bodies as living sacrifices to Him and living holy and pleasing lives, every day of the week.

2. Offer your mind. Verse 1 calls for a decisive commitment to fully surrender.

Verse 2 tells us how we can maintain that commitment by renewing our mind and not following the fashion and pattern of the world.

The world’s way of doing things is built on selfishness, not selflessness. The tense of this verse indicates that we must stop conforming, implying that this is something that we are doing. I

f we’re serious about surrendering fully to Christ, we must focus on being transformed, not being conformed to those things the world values. He who controls the mind, owns the person.

The world centers around me, myself and I!!! Our culture more worries about going after the AMERICAN DREAM than GOING AFTER GOD’S DREAM

The word “conformed” is the word that we get our English word “scheme” from.

It’s sometimes translated “fashioned.” Paul is urging us to stop being pushed into the fashion of the world. Sometimes we are so conformed to the world that there is little noticeable difference between Christians and non-Christians.

A conformist is afraid to be different and feels a need to be like everyone else. A Christian is not supposed to be a chameleon!

Some of you are facing some incredible temptations right now. You feel yourself being pulled to conform. Don’t give in! Unfortunately, some of us have internalized the world’s values and fashions so much that we don’t even recognize it anymore.

It’s like walking into this theater when it is completely dark in the middle of the day. When you first go in, everything is really dark. But after a while, you can see normally, that is, until you walk back outside.

Some of you are in a similar situation today. If you spend enough time conforming to the world, you become so accustomed to the darkness that you think it’s now normal.

The word “transformed” refers to an inner change. We get the word “metamorphosis” from this Greek word.

A metamorphosis is not something we can do on our own. If we present ourselves as living sacrifices and reflect upon the mercies of God as evidenced in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will transform our minds.

It is by the renewing of our minds - trading the old pattern of selfishness for the new pattern of Christ’s kingdom values that we are transformed.

I like how the Living Bible translates Romans 12:2: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a newness in all you do and think.”

3. Offer your will. Notice the last part of verse 2: “Then we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

Isn’t it great that God allows us to test and approve his will for us? God will not force us into anything. He does not dominate our wills, but allows us to choose His will.

But it’s no use sitting around waiting (KAVA – Waiting does not mean sitting still waiting. It means like a waiter taken an order or in military terms to get our orders to go somewhere. Isaiah 40:41 --- The Holy Spirit helps us to decide our orders as we wait on the Lord) to have the will of God revealed to us. This is an active verb.

We learn His will by doing. When you wonder what God’s will is for your life, the first place to start is by living out Romans 12:1-2.

Until you offer Him your body, your mind, and your will, you won’t understand His good, pleasing, and perfect will. LET’S RECEIVE OUR ORDERS AND DO!

Have you presented yourself to Him in complete surrender? The answer to this question will determine your ability to tap into God’s limitless resources to allow you to serve effectively.

After vv. 1-2 comes 6 verses about spiritual gifts.

This passage of scripture utterly destroys the idea that a Christian can be committed to Christ but not active in church/love the Lord, but not obey Him!

2. Secondly, before you can serve together to keep the church moving you must have a proper estimate of yourself. We must look in the mirror and evaluate ourselves.

LET US READ NEXT 3 VERSES:

ROMANS 12:3-5 - ³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

How do you begin evaluating yourself and have proper estimate of who you are?

1. Discern who you are (3). Thinking more highly of ourselves than we should is one of the greatest problems in serving God. The Roman church may have struggled with the problem of self-importance because they were located at the heart of the Roman Empire. That reminds me of the man who was driving down the expressway in rush hour traffic when he received a call from his wife on his cell phone, “Honey, you need to be careful driving home because I just heard on the news that there’s a dork driving in the wrong direction on the same road you’re on.” To which the husband responded, “It’s not just one; there are hundreds of them!”

Have you ever been around an individual who always thinks they’re right? How does it feel to be around someone who boasts and brags about his or her abilities? It’s not a good feeling, is it? Never forget this truth: God uses us simply because He wants to. We’re to avoid thinking too highly of ourselves and we’re to avoid thinking too low of ourselves. We do that by focusing on God’s grace. Everything we are and everything we have is by grace. Let’s skewer our superior attitudes.

2. Celebrate diversity (4). We must also remember that just as the different parts of our bodies have different functions, so too, in the body of Christ, each of us have been given different gifts and roles. We can’t do it alone. If God’s purposes are to be accomplished and His church is to grow, everyone of us is important. Nobody is a nobody in the Body of Christ. While no one can do everything, everyone can do something.

There are so many ways that we are different from each other. That’s how God designed us. A fully devoted follower of Christ understands and celebrates this variety in the Body of Christ. Let me use the acrostic S-H-A-P-E in order to demonstrate this diversity. This is an idea taken from Rick warren’s book Purpose Driven Life.

Spiritual Gifts (what you do)

Heart (where you do it)

Abilities (talents)

Personality (how you do it)

Experiences (our spiritual resume)

I’m shaped differently than you, and you’re put together differently than I am. And that’s a good thing.

3. Recognize our dependency (5). While we’re uniquely designed, we’ve been made to function in community with one another.

Each of us belongs to one another. I might be strong in the area of my gift, but I am weak in the areas where others have been gifted. Thus, I must minister to others out of my strength, and be dependent upon the ministry of the rest of the body in my areas of weakness.

In order to understand our shape for ministry, we must stop thinking individualistically and begin to think corporately. We cannot look at ourselves as an island, independent of all others. We must see ourselves as fully functioning members of the body of Christ, with certain gifts that are necessary to the equipping and ministry of the entire church. There is individuality within the body, because there are many members, all with a different role to play. But there is no room for individualism, for we are inter-dependent.

We must rely on other members of the body just as they must rely on us.

Let us check out a Parallel passage in I Corinthians 12:20-27
²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

WE NEED EACH OTHER! WE ARE DEPENDENT ON OTHERS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY.

Experts tell us that 85% of the success of people in the workplace is directly related to their interpersonal relationships.

Bad attitudes hinder good relationships. Some of the most gifted people in the world struggle to get along with others.

Let’s determine to follow the example of Christ by serving people and by considering others better than we are.

Did you know that you belong to the person sitting next to you?

We’re in the boat together with each of us doing different roles. We are all oarsmen/women.

I am huge personal believer that no gift should be elevated above another and at the same time no gift should ever be minimalized or marginalized.

Don’t Minimize your gift
I have observed that the person who constantly belittles themselves, which is false-humility, a form of pride!

Some people do this because they are fishing for compliments.

Some people minimize their gift to get out of using it!

Some genuinely think they cannot be used.

You may find your gift is not as public as someone on stage, it may be behind the scenes, but don’t minimize the importance of it, or you insult your God who gave it to you!

You may not be a leader of a ministry but be a great follower. The great leaders are the greatest followers.

Little is much when God is in it!

Many times it is those menial or little things that WE THINK aren’t important makes the biggest impact. Perhaps it is serving Cotton Candy to Kids at a Movie Night , or crushing some ice for Snow Cones that can soften someone’s heart or putting a movie screen up so a family can sit down together and enjoy family friendly movie. Our perceived little things make the biggest differences.

And though unappreciated, may encourage someone to check out church for the first time or may keep guest returning until they come to faith!

Humility will keep us from misplacing our gift
I have seen people come along who aren’t willing to serve unless they have the title or they are the leader.

Jesus was the greatest among leaders and he got down with a towel and washed feet. Jesus showed complete humility with his life on Earth, not demand a title or position. Not being born in a palace in Rome but being born in a stable in Bethlehem.

Love Matthew 20:26-28 - ²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Stay humble, grow, learn and serve where you are at with the gifts you have been given. Become a 360 degree leader, you can lead from the bottom and the middle.

The question in testing our motivation and humility we need to ask is this: Are we working for the glory of God or the praise of men.

Yes, true humility will keep us from magnifying/minimizing/misplacing our gifts.

YES!!! God has given National Community a couple of precious gifts: Great Vision and Great People!

We can’t accomplish what God wants to do without Great People!!!

We all need to focus clearly on who we are, why God left us here, and what gifts He’s given us, then we need to get together, put it all together, diverse body parts all put together into the body of Christ!

He has no hands but ours! He wants to use us together to keep the church moving in the Great Vision that has been given.

Then, whatever gifts you have, whether public or not, prominent or not, be prepared to use your gifts for the glory of God!

Don’t get puffed up by your own importance and don’t take yourself out of the boat by thinking you don’t matter. We need each other because we belong to each other.

God wants to use you, he has called you to service.

Service doesn’t mean anything unless we are advancing the Kingdom of God.

3. Finally, commit to serving together to keep the Church moving forward by Completely Engage in Service

We need to fully express our surrender to God. Then we must cultivate our gifts to build up the church.

Finally, we’re to completely engage in service.

We see this in verses 6-8: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

This list of seven gifts is only a partial list.

There are many others that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4, and Ephesians 4.

Suffice it to say this morning that a spiritual gift is an ability given by the Holy Spirit to express our faith effectively for the strengthening of someone else’s faith. The Church moves forward when we strengthen one another’s faith

NCC is a vibrant church because so many of you are using your spiritual gifts and it will be even stronger when even more of us put our gifts into action. A church that does not value gift-based ministry will not grow to maturity.

When Mother Teresa visited Australia several years ago, a young man was assigned to be her guide during her stay. He was thrilled at the prospect of being so close to such a godly woman but he became frustrated over time because even though he was constantly near her, he never had the opportunity to talk with her because there were always other people around.

When her tour was over she was scheduled to fly to New Guinea. In desperation, this young man came up with a plan and said to Mother Teresa, “If I pay my own fare to New Guinea, can I sit next to you on the plane so I can talk and learn from you?” Mother Teresa looked at him and asked, “You have enough money to pay airfare to New Guinea?” “Oh, yes,” he replied eagerly. “Then give that money to the poor,” she said. “You’ll learn more from that than I anything I can tell you.”

The lesson here, many of us would rather experience something than do something. We always learn more by doing because our gifts are given to be given.

· Commit to SERVING TOGETHER TO KEEP THE CHURCH MOVING: through fully expressing your surrender to God.

· Commit to SERVING TOGETHER TO KEEP THE CHURCH MOVING: through a proper estimate of yourself.

· Commit to SERVING TOGETHER TO KEEP THE CHURCH MOVING: by completely engaging in service.

When we commit to these things, we’ll tap into the rich reservoir of God’s blessings and we can keep the church moving.

Let us stop looking at church as mentor type one-sided relationship. Church is designed for mutual benefit, we are called not to just receive what others offer but to give back what we have been given.

This my favorite part of the message to share some roles of those that are in our family here at Kingstowne, each person is unique, each one has a different and unique gift.

Dave and Carrie Field –

Greg and Kathy Schumacher –

Traci Howell –

Michael & Phoung Yokitis –

Lora Allen –

Alex and Greg Carver -

Before we close in prayer, I want us to reflect on these three questions and respond…

What is the path to God’s pleasing and perfect will?

Has church for you become about consumption?

What do you commit into church to keep it moving forward?

Let Us Pray!!!

Prison of Pornography Addiction

2011-08-02T11:08:00.002-05:00

It is so easy to get in to prison but it is hard to leave. The same is true of pornography addiction, it is so easy to get behind the walls of pornography and create your own cell that it is is hard to escape from.

Pornography affects your mind, spirit and soul. It destroys relationships and it is controlling. The walls of pornography limits our field of vision. Much like prison wall do the outside world around it. It distorts reality and perverts the God given beauty of sex.

My question is straight forward and poignant: Are you sitting on death row because of your pornography addiction? Is it destroying your life? Pornography is like a lethal injection that for the most part suffocates you and shut down your internal system. It is like sitting a in a rusty cage of death and death has no exception.

There is hope! There is freedom on the other side of the wall. You can step out and take a deep breath of the open air. There is a process, there is way to be released from the addiction of pornography --- you can't do it alone! You need to be rehabilitated.

In Judges 16, we read about the story of Samson, a man's man! A strong man. Someone who had God's favor on him and God blessed him with amazing strength. Unfortunately, he was enticed, he gave into the allure of a woman. A man that was once strong and mighty, is now weak. A man that was free found himself chained to the walls. He was a prisoner. He let his guard down, he allowed himself to give into temptation.

I think this happens many men, strong men, men who have great potential. But because they have allowed pornography to entice them, maybe starting out with some browsing or even "unintentionally" check things out on the web. Eventually they are enticed and dragged away by the addiction to pornography.

Just as God gave Samson a second chance at redemption (it took time for his hair to grow back). God wants to give you a SECOND CHANCE. This is not a hopeless situation. But it will take time, there is a process. It takes discipline and it takes focus. Don't take your eyes off of Christ...he will give you the strength that you need.

My prayer for each of you that you would be released from your prison of pornography. Pornography HARMS! It destroys! Contact someone! Contact me - chris.jarrell@theaterchurch.com

If you are a pastor reading this, please reach out now...this WILL destroy your ministry and your family. Contact me, it will be completely confidential.

My Playlist Today for Working Offsite Today

2011-07-28T09:37:00.002-05:00

Music that helped me to stay focused today while working offsite...

Evermore United
Glory to God Forever Steve Fee
No One Higher / The Stand Steve Fee
With Everything Hillsong United
Everything Good Ashes Remain
Search My Heart Hillsong United
From The Inside Out Hillsong
How He Loves Jared Anderson
Awakening Chris Tomlin
Forever Reign (Live) Hillsong Live
Beautiful Exchange (Live) Hillsong Live
Rise (Live) Hillsong Live
Holy (Live) Matt Redman
You Are More (Live) Hillsong Live
All to Us Chris Tomlin
God of Refreshing Kurtis Parks and Steph Modder
Your Love Never Fails Chris McClarney
Grace Like Rain The Crossroads
Mighty To Save Hillsong

Also tracks from www.GodAnthology.com that we will be singing for God Anthology Live recording next Wednesday!

What if...What if the Churches in the Kingstowne VA Community Connected and United?

2011-07-20T11:45:00.002-05:00

What if...

This is from Pastor Mark's Blog Post! I am so grateful to serve a leader and example like Pastor Mark Batterson.

What if the churches in the Kingstowne VA community connected...no agendas? What if we shared a meal and shared what God is doing in and through our lives and ministries.

Yes I am calling out all pastors in and around the Kingstowne community! What if we all connected? Well...what if?

Check out what Pastor Mark wrote:

The Curse of Territorialism

I think territorialism is one of the greatest curses on the church. There should be no turf wars in the Kingdom of God. Why does it happen? To put it bluntly: insecurity. It’s the Saul Complex. David was his greatest asset, but Saul perceived him as his greatest threat. Why? He kept a “jealous eye” on him. Any pastor who is threatened by a neighboring pastor is building his own kingdom, not God’s kingdom.

Let me be the first to say: I’m guilty. A few years ago, the Lord convicted me big time. I remember writing a confession in my prayer journal: it’s easier for me to pray for a church that is four states away than a church that is four blocks away. By the grace of God, that is changing.

I honestly think the key is relationship. Last week I met with an Episcopal priest who pastors on Capitol Hill. We had a meeting with a handful of local pastors dreaming about a corporate prayer gathering a few days ago. Today I’m having lunch with Amos Dodge who pastors Capital Church–the church that hosts the Easter Sunrise Service every year at the Lincoln Memorial. The more I get to know these neighboring pastors and churches, the more I love them.

One of the lessons I learned from my Father-in-Law, Bob Schmidgall, is that a humble and genuine effort to embrace and celebrate other neighboring churches dissolves territorialism. It can’t be superficial. Calvary Church prayed for other churches every week and I believe it’s one reason why God blessed them. But God wanted bless sibling rivalry.

I can only imagine how God could impact a city if the Christ-centered, Bible-believing, Spirit-led churches actually joined hearts and joined hands. I’m praying for revival in DC, but certainly not just at NCC. If it starts in another church, praise God. Let it spread to us!

We all have different church names, but there is only one Church in DC.

Email me if you want to connect - chris.jarrell@theaterchurch.com

A1:8 Congo Video

2011-07-16T05:20:00.002-05:00

As I watch this video from our trip to the Congo it moves me and my heart breaks for the people of Congo and for the beautiful orphans shown in this video. The is so much hope and life in these people even in the middle of so much terror and hardship.

Thanks to James Bayot who put this video together.

How Pornography Affects the Mind - Understand the reality

2011-07-08T09:20:00.001-05:00

This is posted at http://salifeline.org/can-pornography-use-become-an-actual-brain-addiction/

Can pornography use become an actual brain addiction?

Posted by SA Lifeline Foundation on September 21, 2010

Donald L. Hilton, Jr. MD, FACS
Clinical Associate Professor
Department of Neurosurgery
University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio

The human brain is programmed to incentivize behaviors that contribute to survival. The mesolimbic dopaminergic system rewards eating and sexuality with powerful pleasure incentives. Cocaine, opioids, alcohol, and other drugs subvert, or hijack, these pleasure systems, and cause the brain to think a drug high is necessary to survive. Evidence is now strong that natural rewards such as food and sex affect the reward systems in the same way drugs affect them, thus the current interest in ‘natural addiction.’ Addiction, whether to cocaine, food, or sex occurs when these activities cease to contribute to a state of homeostasis, and instead cause adverse consequences. For instance, when eating causes morbid obesity few will argue that the organism is in healthy balance. Similarly, pornography causes harm when it impairs or destroys a person’s ability to develop emotional intimacy.

A decade ago evidence began to point to the addictive nature of over-consumption of natural behaviors which cause a dopaminergic reward to be experienced in the brain. For instance, Dr. Howard Shaffer, Director of Addiction Research at Harvard University, said in 2001, “I had great difficulty with my own colleagues when I suggested that a lot of addiction is the result of experience … repetitive, high-emotion, high-frequency experience. But it’s become clear that neuroadaptation–that is, changes in neural circuitry that help perpetuate the behavior–occurs even in the absence of drug-taking”[1] In the decade since he said this, he has focused his research more and more on the brain effects of natural addictions such as gambling. Note the following from this same Science paper from 2001

The experts are fond of saying that addiction occurs when a habit “hijacks” brain circuits that evolved to reward survival- enhancing behavior such as eating and sex. “It stands to reason if you can derange these circuits with pharmacology, you can do it with natural rewards too,” observes Stanford University psychologist Brian Knutson. Thus, drugs are no longer at the heart of the matter. “What is coming up fast as being the central core issue … is continued engagement in self-destructive behavior despite adverse consequences,” says Steven Grant of NIDA.[2]

In the decade since these revolutionary concepts were first described, the evidence for the natural reward addiction concept has only strengthened. In 2005 Dr. Eric Nestler, now chairman of neuroscience at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York published a landmark paper in Nature Neuroscience titled “Is There a Common Pathway for Addiction?” He said: ““Growing evidence indicates that the VTA-NAc pathway and the other limbic regions cited above similarly mediate, at least in part, the acute positive emotional effects of natural rewards, such as food, sex and social interactions. These same regions have also been implicated in the so-called ‘natural addictions’ (that is, compulsive consumption of natural rewards) such as pathological overeating, pathological gambling and sexual addictions. Preliminary findings suggest that shared pathways may be involved: [an example is] cross-sensitization that occurs between natural rewards and drugs of abuse.”[3]

In 2002 a study on cocaine addiction was published which demonstrated measurable volume loss in several areas of the brain, including the frontal lobes.[4] The technique was to use an MRI-based protocol called voxel-based morphometry (VBM), where one millimeter cubes of brain are quantified and compared. Another VBM study was published in 2004 on methamphetamine with very similar findings.[5] While interesting, these findings are not surprising to either the scientist or the layperson, as these are “real drugs.”

The story does become more interesting when we look at a natural addiction such as overeating leading to obesity. In 2006 a VBM study was published looking specifically at obesity, and the results were very similar to the cocaine and methamphetamine studies.[6] The obesity study demonstrated multiple areas of volume loss, particularly in the frontal lobes, areas associated with judgment and control. While this study is significant in demonstrating visible damage in a natural endogenous addiction, as opposed to an exogenous drug addiction, it is still easier to accept intuitively because we can see the effects of overeating in the obese person.

So what about sexual addiction? In 2007 a VBM study out of Germany looked specifically at pedophilia, and demonstrated almost identical finding to the cocaine, methamphetamine, and obesity studies.[7] The significance of this study in relation to this discussion is most relevant in that It demonstrates that a sexual compulsion can cause physical, anatomic change in the brain, i.e., harm. Interestingly, a recent paper found a high correlation between pedophilic pornography and sexually abusing children.[8] This noted, the paper thus focused on a subgroup with, among other problems, severe pornography addiction. While we may draw ethical and legal distinctions between child and adult pornography, the brain is not likely to have such an age-related set point with regard to dopaminergic downgrading and addiction-based volume loss. Does the brain care whether the person is physically experiencing sexuality, or doing it through the medium of object sex, i.e., pornography. The mirror systems of the brain turn the virtual experience of pornography into a real experience, as far as the brain is concerned. This is supported by a recent study from France showing activation of areas associated with mirror neurons in the human brain in males viewing pornography. The authors conclude, “we suggest that… the mirror-neuron system prompts the observers to resonate with the motivational state of other individuals appearing in visual depictions of sexual interactions.”[9] A preliminary study supports frontal damage specifically in patients unable to control their sexual behavior.[10] This study used diffusion MRI to evaluate function of nerve transmission through white matter, where the axons, or wires connecting nerve cells, are located. It demonstrated dysfunction in the superior frontal region, an area associated with compulsivity, a hallmark of addiction.

Numerous studies demonstrate metabolically pathologic changes in neurochemistry as the brain “learns” to become addicted. These addictive changes in the dopamine reward system can also be scanned with brain scans such a functional MRI, PET, and SPECT scans. While we would expect a brain scan study to show abnormalities in dopamine metabolism in cocaine addiction,[11] we might be surprised to find that a recent study also shows dysfunction of these same pleasure centers with pathologic gambling.[12] Overeating leading to obesity, another natural addiction, also shows similar pathology.[13]

Also pertinent is a paper from the Mayo Clinic on treatment of Internet pornography addiction with naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist.[14] Drs. Bostsick and Bucci at Mayo Clinic treated a patient with the inability to control his Internet pornography use.

He was placed on naltrexone, a drug which acts on the opioid system to decrease dopamine’s ablility to stimulate cells in the nucleus accumbens. With this drug he was able to obtain control of his sexual life.

The authors conclude:

In summary, cellular adaptations in the addict’s PFC result in increased salience of drug-associated stimuli, decreased salience of non-drug stimuli, and decreased interest in pursuing goal-directed activities central to survival. In addition to naltrexone’s approval from the Food and Drug Administration for treating alcoholism, several published case reports have demonstrated its potential for treating pathologic gambling, self-injury, kleptomania, and compulsive sexual behavior. We believe this is the first description of its use to combat Internet sexual addiction.

The prestigious Royal Society of London was founded in the 1660’s, and publishes the longest running scientific journal in the world. In a recent issue of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, the current state of the understanding of addiction was reported as it was discussed by some of the world’s leading addiction scientists at a meeting of the Society. The title of the journal issue reporting the meeting was “The neurobiology of addiction – new vistas.” Interestingly, of the 17 articles, two were specifically concerned with natural addiction: pathologic gambling[15] and a paper by Dr. Nora Volkow on similarities in brain dysfunction in drug addiction and in overeating[16]. A third paper by Dr. Nestler addressed animal models of natural addiction as well with regard to DFosB.[17]

DFosB is a chemical which Dr. Nestler has studied, and appears to be found in the neurons of addicted subjects. It appears to have a physiologic role is well, but is strongly implicated in addiction Interestingly, it was first found in the brain cells of animals studied in drug addiction, but has now been found in brain cells in the nucleus accumbens related to over-consumption of natural rewards.[i] A recent paper investigating DFosB and its role in over-consumption of two natural rewards, eating and sexuality, concludes:

In summary, the work presented here provides evidence that, in addition to drugs of abuse, natural rewards induce DFosB levels in the Nac…our results raise the possibility that DFosB induction in the NAc may mediate not only key aspects of drug addiction, but also aspects of so-called natural addictions involving compulsive consumption of natural rewards.[18]

Dr. Nora Volkow is head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and is one of the most published and respected addiction scientists in the world. She has recognized this evolution in the understanding of natural addiction and advocated changing the name of the NIDA to the National Institute on Diseases of Addiction. The journal Science reports: “NIDA director Nora Volkow also felt that her institute’s name should encompassaddictions such as pornography, gambling, and food, says NIDA adviser Glen Hanson. ‘She would like to send the message that [we should] look at the whole field.’”[19] (emphasis added).

In summary, in the last 10 years the evidence is now firmly supportive of the addictive nature of natural rewards. Drs. Malenka and Kauer, in their landmark paper on the mechanism of the chemical changes which occur in the brain cells of addicted individuals state, “addiction represents a pathological, yet powerful form of learning and memory.”[20] We now call these changes in brain cells “long term potentiation” and “long term depression,” and speak of the brain as being plastic, or subject to change and re-wiring. Dr. Norman Doidge, a neurologist at Columbia, in his book The Brain That Changes Itself describes how pornography causes re-wiring of the neural circuits. He notes a study on men viewing Internet pornography in which they looked “uncannily” like rats pushing the lever to receive cocaine in the experimental Skinner boxes. Like the addicted rat, they are desperately seeking the next fix, clicking the mouse just as the rat pushes the lever. Pornography addiction is frantic learning, and perhaps this is why many who have struggled with multiple addictions report that it was the hardest addiction for them to overcome. Drug addictions, while powerful, are more passive in a “thinking” kind of way, whereas pornography viewing, especially on the Internet, is a much more active process neurologically. The constant searching and evaluating each image or video clip produced for potency and effect is an exercise in neuronal learning and rewiring.

Human sexual climax utilizes the same reward pathways as those mobilized during a heroin rush.[21] If we fail to understand the implications of pornography’s ability to re-program the brain structurally, neurochemically, and metabolically, we doom ourselves to continue to fail in treating this formidable disease. However, if we accord this powerful natural reward the appropriate focus and emphasis we can help many now trapped in addiction and despair find peace and hope.

[1] Constance Holden, “Behavioral Addictions: Do They Exist? Science, 294 (5544) 2 November 2001, 980.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Eric J. Nestler, “Is there a common molecular pathway for addiction?” Nature Neuroscience 9(11):1445-9, Nov 2005

[4] Teresa R. Franklin, Paul D. Acton, Joseph A Maldjian, Jason D. Gray, Jason R. Croft, Charles A. Dackis, Charles P. O’Brien, and Anna Rose Childress, “Decreased Gray Matter Concentration in the Insular, Orbitofrontal, Cingulate, and Temporal Cortices of Cocaine Patients,” Biological Psychiatry (51)2, January 15, 2002, 134-142.

[5] Paul M. Thompson, Kikralee M. Hayashi, Sara L. Simon, Jennifer A. Geaga, Michael S. Hong, Yihong Sui, Jessica Y. Lee, Arthur W. Toga, Walter Ling, and Edythe D. London, “Structural Abnormalities in the Brains of Human Subjects Who Use Methamphetamine,” The Journal of Neuroscience, 24(26) June 30 2004;6028-6036.

[6] Nicola Pannacciulli, Angelo Del Parigi, Kewei Chen, Dec Son N.T. Le, Eric M. Reiman and Pietro A. Tataranni, “Brain abnormalities in human obesity: A voxel-based morphometry study.” Neuroimage 31(4) July 15 2006, 1419-1425.

[7] Boris Schiffer, Thomas Peschel, Thomas Paul, Elke Gizewshi, Michael Forshing, Norbert Leygraf, Manfred Schedlowske, and Tillmann H.C. Krueger, “Structural Brain Abnormalities in the Frontostriatal System and Cerebellum in Pedophilia,” Journal of Psychiatric Research (41)9, November 2007, 754-762.

[8] M. Bourke, A. Hernandez, The ‘Butner Study’ Redux: A Report of the Incidence of Hands-on Child Victimization by Child Pornography Offenders. Journal of Family Violence 24(3) 2009, 183-191.

[9] H. Mouras, S. Stole4ru, V. Moulier, M Pelegrini-Issac, R. Rouxel, B Grandjean, D. Glutron, J Bittoun, Activation of mirror-neuron system by erotic video clips predicts degree of induced erection: an fMRI study. NeuroImage 42 (2008) 1142-1150.

[10] Michael H. Miner, Nancy Raymond, BryonA. Meuller, Martin Lloyd, Kelvin Ol Lim,“Preliminary investigation of the impulsive and neuroanatomical characteristics of compulsive sexual behavior.” Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging Volume 174, Issue 2, November 30 2009, Pages 146-151.

[11] Bruce E. Wexler, Christopher H. Gottschalk, Robert K. Fulbright, Isak Prohovnik, Cheryl M. Lacadie, Bruce J. Rounsaville, and John C. Gore, “Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cocaine Craving,” American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 2001, 86-95.

[12] Jan Reuter, Thomas Raedler, Michael Rose, Iver Hand, Jan Glascher, and Christian Buchel, “Pathological gambling is linked to reduced activation of the mesolimbic reward system,” Nature Neuroscience 8, January 2005, 147-148.

[13] Gene-Jack Wang, Nora D. Volkow, Jean Logan, Naomi R. Pappas, Christopher T. Wong, Wei Zhu, Noelwah Netusil, Joanna S Fowler, “Brain dopamine and obesity,” Lancet 357(9253) February 3 2001, 354-357.

[14] J. Michael Bostwick and Jeffrey A. Bucci, “Internet Sex Addiction Treated With Naltrexone.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2008, 83(2):226-230.

[15] Marc N. Potenza, “The neurobiology of pathologic gambling and drug addiction: an overview and new findings,” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 363, 2008, 3181-3190..

[16] Nora D. Volkow, Gene-Jack Wang, Joanna S. Fowler, Frank Telang, “Overlapping neuronal circuits in addiction and obesity: evidence of systems pathology,” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 363, 2008, 3191-3200.

[16] Eric J. Nestler, “Transcriptional mechanisms of addiction: role of DFosB,” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 363, 2008, 3245-3256.

[18] D.L. Wallace, et al, The Influence of DFosB in the Nucleus Accumberns on Natural reward-Related Behavior,The Journal of Neuroscience, 28(4): October 8, 2008, 10272-10277,

[19] Science 6 July 2007:?Vol. 317. no. 5834, p. 23

[20] Julie A. Kauer, Robert C. Malenka, “Synaptic Plasticity and Addiction,” Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 8, 8440858 November 2007, 844-858.

[21] Gert Holstege, Janniko R. Georgiadis, Anne M.J. Paans, Linda C. Meiners, Ferdinand H.C. E. van der Graaf, and A.A.T. Simone Reinders, “ Brain activation during human male ejaculation,” The Journal of Neuroscience 23 (27), 2003, 9185-9193

Online Resources - Educate Yourself on Porn and Sex Trafficking

2011-07-08T06:28:00.003-05:00

Because, I know some who look at my blog when dealing with the subject of pornography will dismiss it or think I am a zealot. Here is what I know...Pornography is a very real addiction...it is a dangerous addiction and it has no value. I struggled for many years with this addiction, I know the baggage and issues that come with it.

But it doesn't just affect those who view it. It affects those on the other side of it. They aren't just innocent people who are in the "industry". If you are liberal or conservative, man or woman, someone of faith or not, you should be upset with pornography. You should want to do all you can to to shut down this "industry". These are daughters, sons, moms, dads, sisters, and brothers these are kids, teens and adults. Many are victims that are being trafficked to make money.

If you are addicted to pornography get help. Restore your life. There is hope. There is light at the end of this dark tunnel.

Here are some resources to get a educated, better or a different perspective on pornography.
http://www.xxxchurch.com/
http://www.wiredforintimacy.blogspot.com/?zx=18c392ddb3006822
http://www.thea21campaign.org/
http://www.pornharms.com/
http://www.covenanteyes.com/
http://thepinkcross.org/
http://www.fightthenewdrug.org/
http://www.compulsionsolutions.com/
http://salifeline.org/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Girls-Against-Porn-Human-Trafficking/231445173532851
http://www.waronillegalpornography.com/
http://www.pathwaystohealingnow.com/
http://theresurgence.com/books/porn_again_christian

Love These Posters from Porn Harms

2011-07-08T05:50:00.007-05:00

The TRUTH is porn harms. It destroys lives. Destroys marriages. Destroys families. Messes up the wiring of the mind. Many people either are ignorant about the issues of pornography or they turn the other way.

Pornography is a very real and dangerous addiction that is not healthy and has the value in life or in culture, except the fact it is a multimillion dollar industry that people use to destroy lives and traffic others.

Pornography is a perversion of the beauty and gift of sex. To stand up against is not about being prude it is about bringing the beauty and proper perspective back to how sex is intended.

Raising Money for Several Different Projects in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo)

2011-07-01T13:39:00.003-05:00

So I am looking for creative ways to raise money personally (fundraisers) and solicit support from my network of people for several projects in the DRC that will not only help out the Orphans at the Congo for Christ Center but also the surrounding village/community.

Here are the three projects I am working on raising money for:

1. Medical costs for the orphans: Everyone who goes to the doctors in the Congo has to pay first, including these orphans. If you don't have money, you don't get treated. If you are dying? Pay first! Seriously. These orphans don't have money. Doctor visits are about $100usd.

2. Scholarship for one of Pastor Jeremiah's daughters. She wants to go to school in Kampala, Uganda to be a doctor and then come back and serve at the Congo for Christ Center to help not only the orphans but those in the village surrounding the orphanage. So many medical needs.
Here is the breakout for the Scholarship Information I was given:
Kampala International University,
Bachelor of Clinical Medicine and Community Health
Tuition; 1,300 USD per term and each term is made up of two terms thus
the 5 and a half years consist of 11 terms therefore that will be
14,300 USD the whole session
Bachelor of Clinical Medicine and community Health
Tuition;910 USD per term for 4 and half years, amounting to 8190 USD
the whole session.

3. Provide very basic over the counter medicine from Children's Tylenol, Children Vitamin, Stomach medicines, neosporin, bandages, band aids, again the very basic stuff for 65+ orphans and kids who hang out at the Congo for Christ Center.

Here is one of the things I am willing to do - http://toughmudder.com/events/virginia/

Here is what the training page says:

BASIC FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

Tough Mudder will punish you, no matter your shape or size or current level of fitness. As such, we encourage all Mudders to increase their physical training in anticipation of the event. That said, the event is as much about mental toughness, grit, and camaraderie (and having a great time) as anything physical.

In terms of what you are looking at: each Tough Mudder course will have 10-12 miles of hills, mud, water, ropes, walls, electric shocks, and of course, fire. Check out the course map for the specific event(s) in which you’re enlisted to learn more.

How fit do you need to be? First, complete slackers need not apply. Basically, you should be in good physical condition. At a minimum, we recommend that you are running regularly (3-4 times a week), work up to at least runs of 5-7 miles, be able to do 15-25 push-ups in a row, be able to bang out 6 pull-ups in a row (especially the guys), and be able to swim 50 yards without stopping (although you can skip the water obstacles).

It certainly helps to be a strong runner, and like we said you should be running regularly as part of your TM training, but a large share of our participants have never run 10 miles straight before. It’s not necessary to be a marathoner or half-marathoner. We all know that running in a straight line is boring. Thankfully, at TM we mix up the drudgery with belly-crawling, wall-climbing, mud-slogging, ice-water dunking, monkey-bar traversing, huge slip n’ slides, etc.

As we like to say, Tough Mudder is about completing a fearsome challenge, not renewing your sponsorship contract with Timex or proving your VO2 Max. So while some Mudders are ultra-marathoners and others are super-jacked Rambo clones, most are (almost) regular people wanting a true test of their toughness, a really fun day with friends, and a goal out there that will force them to step up their workouts.

Below is a rigorous version of the training program that we recommend, but feel free to create a program that suits your level of fitness and schedule. Then for good measure, fill your bathtub with ice, dunk yourself in it, and stick your finger in the electric socket, all at the same time. Just kidding. (Sort of.)

I will only do this if people would donate towards the above projects. Looking for $1500 in support for the above.

Also, do you have any other suggestions for what I can do to raise money for the projects listed above.

Seriously, I am open for sincere suggestions to raise money for the orphans in the DRC and keep the work we started there is sustainable.

Any thoughts???

Independence Day (in DRC) an article by Walter James

2011-06-30T14:15:00.002-05:00

Today is Independence Day (51 years) in the Democratic Republic of Congo the following is an article by Walter James someone we had the honor to meet while we were in Uvira, DRC. He mentions a restaurant where we as a team ate all of our meals at the end of the article.

This is from the website called The Advocacy Project - http://advocacynet.org/
Walter writes often here - http://advocacynet.org/wordpress-mu/wjames/

Walter James is on the ground in Uvira, Congo with SOS Femmes en Danger

Independence Day Walter James | PostedJune 30th, 2011 | Africa

Tags: africa, belgium, dr congo, independence

Happy Independence Day! Today, on June 30th, Congo is celebrating 51 years of independence from Belgium. In light of this national holiday, I thought I’d write up a little history of the African territory today known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly its political history and how it relates to the state of the Kivus today.

1884-85
At the Berlin Conference, King Leopold II of Belgium consolidates control over a massive chunk of central Africa. The Congo Free State, as the colony is known, is created ostensibly to encourage free trade and wipe out slavery. However, the true goal of the colony was for the personal profit of the king, who quite literally owned the colony all to himself. Tribes were given quotas of ivory, rubber, and other natural resources; the quotas were enforced through a brutal system of executions, floggings, and torture. It is estimated that anywhere from 10 to 13 million people were killed or forced to flee during the period of Belgian colonization.

1960
On June 30, Congo declares itself independent from Belgian rule, creating the Republic of Congo. Leading the fledgling government is President Joseph Kasavubu, charismatic Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, and army chief of staff Joseph Désiré Mobutu. Almost immediately, the mineral-rich provinces of Katanga and Kasai secede. When Lumumba turns to the Soviets to quell the rebellion to the disagreement of Kasavubu, Mobutu seizes control of the government from both politicians on September 14th. Lumumba is subsequently imprisoned. It is probable that the CIA was involved in Mobutu’s “peaceful revolution”, as Washington cables from mid-1960 indicate approval for CIA agents in Kinshasa for an operation “replacing Lumumba with a pro-Western group”.

1961
Patrice Lumumba is taken to Katanga and executed, with Belgian collaboration.

1965
Joseph Désiré Mobutu mounts a coup and becomes the supreme leader of the Congo, declaring a one-party state.

1971
Mobutu renames the country “Zaire” in a campaign of “authenticity” to diminish the colonial legacy hanging over the country. He also encourages Zairian citizens to drop European names, dress, and customs and adopt more African traditions; Mobutu himself adopts the name Mobutu Sese Seko.

1973
Mobutu confiscates all foreign-owned enterprises (farms, plantations, industries, commercial enterprises) and turns them over to himself and the Zairian elite, who subsequently loot these enterprises to support lives of exorbitant luxury. The Zairian economy, which beforehand was experiencing on average 7 percent growth per annum, begins to rapidly decline.

1990
Mobutu bows to international and domestic pressure and ends the one-party system in Zaire. However, despite having driven the country into massive poverty with his lavish lifestyle, Mobutu manages to stay in power through masterful manipulation of opposition forces.

1994-95
Thousands of Hutu refugees flee to Zaire in wake of the Rwandan genocide and the victory of the RPF. Among the refugees are the remnants of the Interahamwe, the Hutu militia that performed much of the genocide, and also Hutu elements of the military that assisted in the genocide. Mobutu plays a tug-of-war with the refugee situation, welcoming the exiled génocidaires. International organizations (such as UNHCR) rush to provide assistance in the refugee camps, but do nothing to suppress extremist elements in the camps or move them farther away from the Rwandan border.

1996
Rwanda invades Zaire, in order to hunt the exiled génocidaires rebuilding their forces in refugee camps just across the border. In the process, thousands of refugees are killed and the génocidaires flee further into the Zairian interior. The AFDL (Alliance des Forces Democratiques pour la Liberation), a coalition of 4 rebel groups in eastern Congo, forms and challenges Mobutu’s government in Kinshasa. Laurent-Desire Kabila, an old foe of Mobutu’s, emerges as the leader of the rebellion.

1997
The AFDL, with support from several African governments, routes the Zairian army and marches triumphantly on Kinshasa on May 17. Mobutu, already ailing from prostate cancer, flees to Morocco in exile and dies several months later. Kabila is sworn in as president, and the country is renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo.

1998-2000
Conflict continues in eastern Congo as ethnic tensions boil to a head, with fighting between the escaped Hutu extremists, the new Congolese military (made up largely of Kabila’s former rebel force), Burundian FDD rebels, Rwandan troops, Ugandan troops, and the Mai Mai (grassroots militia resenting any Rwandophone ethnic groups in the region). Kabila starts to lose the support of crucial allies with his erratic behavior. In 1998, Kabila orders all Rwandan troops to leave the Congo; very soon afterward, a new rebel movement, the RCD (Rassemblée Congolaise pour la Démocratie) forms in the east to challenge Kabila’s authority, again with backing from several African governments. Only an intervention from Angola and Zimbabwe prevents the rebel movement from duplicating Kabila’s own victorious march on Kinshasa. Despite failing to secure Kinshasa, RCD still controls much of eastern Congo. The warfare between the different armed factions continues to toll heavily upon the civilian population, with massacres being committed by troops from all sides.

1999
The first observers from MONUC (Mission de l’Organisation des Nations Unies au Congo) arrive in the Congo

2001
Laurent-Desire Kabila is assassinated by one of his own ex-child soldiers. His son, Joseph Kabila, succeeds his father as President of the DR Congo. Kabila fils immediately starts courting international support in order to de-legitimize the various rebel factions laying claim to the Congo.

2002
Kabila fils signs power-sharing agreements with the MLC (Mouvement pour la Libération du Congo) and the RCD, the two most formidable rebel groups in the Congo. Rwanda begins to withdraw troops from eastern Congo.

2006
In its first-ever national election, the DR Congo elects Joseph Kabila as president. Running against Kabila is Jean-Pierre Bemba, leader of the MLC. Today, Bemba is imprisoned at The Hague on trial for war crimes.

2007-2009
Laurent Nkunda, a former FAC/RCD commander, forms a new rebel faction, the CNDP (Congres National pour la Défense du Peuple), in North Kivu. The CNDP gains much ground in the Kivus and ignites more conflict, but eventually the movement is subdued through political negotiations with the Rwandan government. Nkunda is taken prisoner by Rwanda, and the CNDP units integrate into the FARDC.

2009
The FARDC (Forces Armees de la Republique du Congo) carry out Operation Kimia II in eastern Congo. The goal of Kimia II was to wipe out the FDLR and other armed groups operating outside of state authority. The FDLR sustains heavy losses and is forced farther into the interior, but civilians pay a heavy toll in human rights abuses committed by members of all armed groups involved.

2010
The FARDC carries out Operation Amani Leo in eastern Congo, an effort to further dislodge the FDLR and other rebel groups in eastern Congo.

2011
Congo’s second national election is scheduled for this fall.

Today
So, what is going on in Uvira today? Well, people tell me there used to be a parade, but there isn’t one this year. President Kabila is in Lubumbashi for a large military parade, and it is being broadcasted all across the country; I watched some of it this morning at the little boutique where I buy bread. However, there is sure to be a big party tonight. When I was walking past the Esperanza (a popular local restaurant), a group of men were unloading case after case of beer from a car with Burundian plates. A large banner on the wall proclaimed a big June 30 party at the Esperanza tonight, if you are willing to fork over the hefty $5 entry fee.

Fortunately, the streets are quiet. With the upcoming elections, many people are worrying about political demonstrations that may turn violent, but in the past week or so there haven’t been any major manifestations in Uvira.

Let the festivities begin!

To quote Mandy Vida, a woman from the A1:8 Congo team - "With our own Independence Day approaching on Monday, it makes me sit back and really appreciate what "true" independence is. Independence from war, from violence, from poverty, and most importantly independence from sin through Jesus - I'm reminded of how blessed I am (how blessed we all are) and am reconfirming my pledge to use my blessings to help continue the amazing work that God has put into motion in Uvira and in all of our lives." - I personally could not say it any better!

Thoughts about the Congo Missions Trip

2011-06-27T13:41:00.007-05:00

Our team right after we prayed on top of the water reservoir/filtration system

Water Filtration System

Pastor Jeremiah and myself - Love Pastor Jeremiah

One of the kids at one of the water sources

Some of the orphans eating lunch

The Orphanage/Bible School Classroom

Another Water Source for those who live in the village - Source of hope and life!

Baptism in Lake Tanganyika (I had the opportunity to baptize 13 people from Congo for Christ Missionary Church)

I know it has taken me awhile to blog about the Congo trip. A team of 13 NCCers went to Uvria, Democratic Republic of Congo June 6 to June 14 2011. One word to describe this trip---INTENSE!

Throughout this trip we saw God's faithfulness first hand. We saw God's faithfulness to the people of Congo in spite of the conflict currently going on. God's faithfulness shown to Pastor Jeremiah and the Congo for Christ Missionary Church...for them to see fulfillment of the vision for the orphanage, Bible School and the Water Pipeline system.

As I continue to process this trip, which is by far the best missions trip that I have ever been a part of on so many levels. God definitely broke our hearts for the orphans and for the Congolese people.

A few takeaways, I will try to narrow it down to 5 things.

1. The vision of Pastor Jeremiah is amazing. His vision is not limited by his resources. Pastor Jeremiah is such an amazing man of God and faith. He vision goes beyond the Congo for Christ Missionary Church, the Orphanage, the Bible School and it goes beyond the compound where where everything is.

He has such a vision to reach the village around him and to meet the needs of the city of Uvira. By the way, God has strategically placed them on land that overlooks the city of Uvira...in many place around the world, people would build their dream home on this mountainside! They have an amazing view of the area.

Pastor Jeremiah wants to see a hospital/clinic on the compound. For the orphans and those who live in the community. Serving everyone and not turning away anyone. He also wants to have a restaurant on the compound that would create some economic sustainability and provide for the community as well.

Another side note, I love seeing how Pastor Jeremiah's adult children absolutely admire and love their father. They show so much honor to him. As a whole, the church really honors their pastor. My personal reflection of Pastor Jeremiah is that he is an amazing godly man with a heart for the people that he serves.

2. How much joy and celebration that the people bring with them. They don't allow the situations or circumstances that they have faced to keep them down. They celebrate God! They have joy! Here are people who have experienced some crazy things in the middle of conflict, yet those things don't keep them down. Some of the worst atrocities that have been committed and they have so much joy! Love how they have challenged me and giving me a different perspective on my own circumstances, situations and challenges.

Love watching them dance, sing and all out celebrate God's faithfulness! People great need celebrating with so much joy!

3. To be able to see first hand the building that was built for the Orphanage and to be a part of the water pipeline dedication. It was our hope and prayer as a team before went over to the Congo that this water pipeline would be a source of hope and life not only for the orphans but for those in the village. Not only did they put a water source right next to the orphanage, they also put a water source at the bottom of the compound to be used for the purpose of provide accessible water for the village.

Again, was so cool to see what many NCCers had the opportunity to invest in last April with the offering that they gave for that orphanage and for the water pipeline as well. God is awesome! For us to see this first hand was absolutely amazing and indescribable.

4. The hospitality of the Congolese people. From their heart to serve to their desire to just want to pour out love and blessing, even if they don't have a whole lot they gave a whole lot. From the time we stepped foot on the soil of the DRC to the time we left we were greeted with so much love and enthusiasm and felt so blessed and appreciate for being there.

Never once did we feel unsafe or like strangers. Everyone we came across invited us into their country with open arms and with love.

5. This is on a personal level --- I was blown away by every opportunity that I received along with the team to minister. Everything from being able preach 3 times for the youth conference to baptizing 13 people from Congo for Christ Missionary Church to meeting the Mayor of the city of Uvira, DRC and the Governor of the region of Uvira (felt like a diplomat, of course not officially) to hanging and loving the orphans, teaching them how to throw a football.

One of the coolest ministry opportunities we had as team was meeting two sister who own the restaurant that we ate breakfast and dinner at everyday while we were there. This was outside of our scheduled "ministry time" but we were able to build a relationship with them and they said that were going to start going to Congo for Christ Missionary Church.

I also got to preach an outdoor evangelistic meeting in a community along the main road and 8 people decided to cross the line of faith and make a decision to follow Christ!

God gave me and us as team some amazing opportunities to be used for His glory! One of my prayers before this trip was that God's glory would be revealed in and through us as a team. God certainly answered that prayer.

Overall, such an amazing mission trip. With an equally amazing team! God definitely destined for the 13 of us to do this trip together. We all left a part of our hearts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and we are all looking forward to going back. Not just to go back to be on the ground, but to continue the relationship with Pastor Jeremiah and the Congo for Christ Missionary Church. We have a desire to them in a great capacity not just in the Congo but also from right where we are here in the United States. We also want to provide and nurture a sustainable partnership with them as we continue to invest in incredible ways as individuals and as a church.

I thank God for what began as a financial miracle on April 11, 2010 to what He has done in me and the other 12 individuals who were a part of this team. Looking forward to what is next!

Here is a letter from Renee Reed of Global Outreach International that she sent to us right before our trip (PLEASE READ!)

PORNOGRAPHY: Accountability and Victory

2011-06-27T09:10:00.003-05:00

I wanted to put out some practical steps on how to overcome the addiction of pornography. I know many men are living in shame of this addiction and many more men are wrestling alone. You can not, I repeat---YOU CAN NOT wrestle with and overcome pornography addiction alone. If you try, it will lead you to a very dangerous place and in many ways it will do more harm than good.

Accountability times meet with Chris: (Must have that one person who can hold you accountable and walk this journey with you. You need to have someone to ask you tough questions.)

· 2 times a month 30 minutes to 1 hour.

· Q & A Time

· Full transparency and disclosure

Internet Accountability: (If you aren't willing to have internet accountability you are already setting yourself up for failure. If you struggle with pornography, especially using the internet why not set up boundaries and have ways to be accountable with what you look at. What are you hiding?)

· Covenant Eyes

· XXXChurch.com

New Disciplines: (Transformation happens when new patterns begin. What new patterns will you begin? It not just about what you need to stop doing, but what do you need to start doing? or vice versa)

· Adding new disciplines in your life (physical, mental and spiritual)

· Changing routines

· What are you going to stop doing?

Identify all trigger points that drive you: (You need identify those times that lead you to look at pornography---these are the trigger points.)

· Journal those times or those trigger points (It is important to write these times down every time)

o Loneliness

o Stress

o Anger

o Detachment from spouse

o Bored

· Journal and continue to ask these questions before and after.

o What is the stimulus?

o What are the initial thoughts?

o What do feel emotionally?

o What are your second thoughts?

o What behavior will you commit to instead?

· Talk about those trigger points with Chris and your spouse if you are married or other close personal friends.)

· Be fully aware what other activities can you do instead or looking at pornography. (What outs do you have?)

Books to Read:

· Wired for Intimacy

· Treating Pornography Addiction

Write Out a Personal Plan of Action:

· What do you need to guard yourself against?

· What accountability measures do you have set up?

· Are you being honest with yourself, spouse and others?

· How will you share your story with others? (There is freedom when you share struggles.)

Thinking about consequences if you are unable to stop: (There is always consequences from shame and guilt to broken relationship and detachment from spouse.)

· What relationships will be impacted?

· How has pornography impacted how you act when alone or with others?

· How has it impacted you spiritually? How have you tried to include God and His Word?

· Do you have withdrawal symptoms when you go long periods when not looking at pornography?

If you need help and want to take more practical steps along the way please email at chris.jarrell@theaterchurch.com. Pornography is not something we can take lightly, there are very serious consequences to this addiction.

Dream Year Retreat Weekend - June 3-5

2011-05-09T06:58:00.002-05:00

Dream Year Retreat Weekend

Washington DC: June 3-5, 2011

Join Ben Arment for a weekend Dream Year retreat in Washington DC on June 3- 5, 2011. You'll experience a three-day, intensive retreat that covers much of the content of Dream Year. You'll get to collaborate with other dreamers and get personal coaching sessions with Ben for your particular dream.

I am personally going through the Dream Year process thanks to an amazing couple who see potentially in me and want to invest in a God sized vision. Ben brings both encourage and a push to see your dream come to fruition. He speaks like into your dream and helps you stay accountable in the process to achieve your dream.

Ben is definitely your biggest fan and great supporter of what God has placed inside of you. I am grateful for his voice in my life. I would encourage all of you to check out the Dream Year Retreat Weekend. Don't stand in the way of your own dream.

Check it out!

http://www.dreamyear.net/#weekends

2011 Northern Virginia Easter Eggstravaganza at TopGolf Alexandria

2011-03-15T15:01:00.003-05:00

One of the most EGGciting Easter events in the area, this is a time for kids and families to come out and enjoy a fun-filled event. Last year, we had over 1,500 people in attendance. Come on out and enjoy the festivities with us! NCC strongly believes in kids and families! We put a lot of effort into investing in kids lives and having events where they can have fun and learn valuable lessons.

For the Northern VA Easter Eggstravaganza
Saturday, April 16, 2011
10:30-1:00
Rain or Shine
at TopGolf Alexandria
6625 South Van Dorn Street
Alexandria, VA 22315

Two Egg Hunts
Life-size Easter Bunny,
moon bounce(s)
Cotton Candy
Face Painting
Games
Prizes
Magic Show
Musical Artist
Martial Arts Demonstration
Bike Raffle (one girl’s and one boy’s bike)

Schedule for Northern Virginia Easter Eggstravaganza

10:30 – Eggstravaganza Opens

11:00 – Pre-K Egg Hunt on the Valley Mini Golf Course

11:20 – Martial Arts Demonstration by the Beryong Academy Demo- Putting Green Stage

11:45 – Music Entertaiment - Bethany and the Guitar– Putting Green Stage

12:15- K-5th grade Egg Hunt on the Valley Mini Golf Course

12:30 – Child Time Magic - Putting Green Stage

1:00 – Bike Giveaway via drawing (one boys bike and one girls bike)/Prize throw out

Congo Radio Spot

2011-02-14T10:22:00.001-05:00

This is the radio ad for our Congo Fundraiser that we are partnering with Global Outreach. Great spot thanks to Nik Hanlon on our Congo Team and Sarah Bayot our co-leader who wrote the script

CHECK IT OUT!

If you want to be a part of the solution and help bring water to the orphanage in the Uvira, Congo go to www.waterforcongo.com You too, "like a well can be a source of life and hope."

Day Of Prayer For the Congo Team

2011-02-09T18:43:00.002-05:00

Our Congo team is taking every Wednesday to pray and seek God for our trip June 6-14...here is what going on in me.

Definitely tried to pray some BIG prayers for our team. Of course, most
of the prayers center around each of the team members, there are 14 of us going and we need to raise $2400 a piece for the trip.

I am also praying that God will help this team raise the funds not only for trip cost, but also for the water project (www.waterforcongo.com) and the we would find favor in raising money.

We are also in need of getting donations of balls (basketball, soccer, kick) and equipment to take! Outside of trying to raise money to provide water for the Christ for Congo compund we also want t raise fund to help get a solar power solution to the orphanage
Congo for Christ Compound.

One of the key prayers throughout today to God is, Here I am! Along with prayers of submission, prayers to be used, prayers to be stretched.

This song has been resonating within me today...listened to it Carry Mee like 7
times today.

Carry Me by Seventh Day Slumber

On my knees
Searching within
I’ve come to the end of me
And I’m ready to begin
To find my purpose
To find my way
I’m reaching for you

Bridge:
And I am desperate
And I can’t do this on my own

Chorus:
Won’t you carry me
My arms are wide open
I’m giving everything
Won’t you carry me
Oh Lord I surrender
I’m letting go today

Verse 2:
I’m forgiven
Because you paid the price
I still can’t seem to leave it all behind
All my failures
All of my mistakes
Still I’m reaching for you

Verse 3:
And all of these years
So lost and broken
And all of these tears
I’ve walked alone
Now reaching for you

Miracle - You Can Be a Partner in This Next Miracle

2011-02-09T09:06:00.005-05:00

Here are the faces of the beautiful kids in orphanage that we will be serving June 6-14 in Uvira Congo...song is Miracles by Kurtis Parks...this trip has its foundation in a Miracle.

Do you want to give them the gift of love and water go to www.waterforcongo.com

You Can Be a Part of the Solution!

2011-02-08T15:04:00.002-05:00

Congo! Congo! Congo! June 6-14, 2011 a team of 14 NCCers will be stepping on the soil of the Democratic Republic of Congo! A place that is far from safe...a place that lacks comfort...a place that is far off anyone's GPS. A place that we are going to say "Here I am Lord, use me!" We are going to love, serve, love, bless, love and meet practical needs of 63 beautiful orphan children.

This is an invitation for you...that is right--- YOU! You can be a part of the solution! You can invest in the life of child! You can give a gift of life...something we take for granted, by helping provide water so the 63 children can move into their new home to be cared for.

How can you help? How can you be the solution? How can you show love? Valentine's Day is coming up in a few days - instead of buying flowers that wilt and die, candy that has been sitting in boxes for weeks and months and cards that get thrown---Show love by giving the gift of clean water to orphans in Uvira, Congo. This Valentine's Day, we are partnering with Global Outreach to kickoff a fundraising campaign in order to bring a water pipeline to the Congo for Christ Orphanage in Uvira, Congo. We encourage you to be a part of this campaign by donating your Facebook status letting your friends know about the campaign and provide a link to our website where they can make a donation: http://www.waterforcongo.com/

$5 and $10 donations multiplied by hundreds of friends = life saving water!

Immediate Beneficiaries
-63 orphans are waiting for water so they can move into their dormitory
-10 widows serve as caregivers for the orphans
-21 Bible college students are currently in training on the campus
-3 teachers and their families permanently reside on the campus
-the church also regularly feeds its 200-300 member congregation

Cost
$35,647.30 will purchase the equipment and labor to install:
-an intake system from the Mugaja River
-2000 meters of buried pipeline
-a filtration system
-a reservoir
-3 distribution points at the Congo for Christ compound

Over $20,000 has already been contributed by Global Outreach partners.

Why wait? Make a difference in 63 kid's life now!

Here is another opportunity for you to invest into the work on the ground in Congo. On Sunday, April 3rd the A1:8 Congo Missions Team from National Community Church will partner with Invisible Children to bring the "Congo Tour" to Ebenezers Coffeehouse. We will be showing the new documentary film "Tony" and will also hear stories from their Ugandan teammate.

The Congo Missions Team will also be raising funds for their mission trip in June, specifically a water pipeline project for Congo for Christ Orphanage. The team will be debuting a limited edition Congo t-shirt available in men's and women's sizes. Proceeds from sales will benefit the water pipeline project.

Go to http://www.invisiblechildren.com/face-to-face and http://vimeo.com/16189889 for more information on the Congo Tour and to view the trailer. Invite your friends and RSVP - HERE! This is one event you do not want to miss!

Tony Bracelet: Trailer from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Highlights from NCC's 2011 Leadership Retreat ALL IN

2011-02-02T08:01:00.002-05:00

This year National Community Church will be going ALL IN! At our 2011 Leadership Retreat with over 270 leaders from our six locations here are some of the highlights that were captured via video...God is indeed so incredible things at NCC and He is using amazing leaders to be a part of His plans and purpose as we all step up our game and put it ALL IN!

So honored that I get to serve at National Community Church in the capacity of a Campus Pastor at our Kingstowne Location in Northern Virginia! I really feel 2011 is going to be a year where we are challenged to ENGAGE and to move ALL IN!

Check out a few of the highlights...

NCC's Gambler Remix from National Community Church on Vimeo.

Typical NCC Staff Meeting from National Community Church on Vimeo.

Paula A.G. Deen goes All In. from National Community Church on Vimeo.

Love Series at NCC

2011-01-31T19:53:00.004-05:00

Love our newest series we kicked off this past weekend. This series will be focused on different kinds of relationships. Everything from singleness, married, mentors/friendships, kids, community. This weekend we will also be giving everyone that comes to National Community Church Take It Home Experience Kits. Love these things, it is a great way to remember the different lessons and to take it home as tangible reminders and to make personal applications. This is really going to be an amazing series no matter what life stage that you are currently in or hope to someday to be.

Dr. Dick Foth really knocked one out of the park this past weekend to kick us off! Should be online soon at www.theaterchurch.com.

Nothing Like Being in the Center of God's Plans

2011-01-31T09:49:00.001-05:00

One of the biggest takeaways from this weekend 10th Annual National Community Church's Leadership Retreat "ALL IN", wasn't merely one idea, one principle or a key phrase that Pastor Mark, Pastor Heather or Pastor Joel said. It was more a quickening in my heart and spirit---that there is nothing like being in the center God's plan.

Yes, before you can be in the center of God's plan and on a greater scale, His wonderful favor---you must be willing to go ALL IN! What a great challenge and theme for all of us as leaders---to go ALL IN with everything. Not to leave it on the field.

From the time we stepped into the opening service on Friday, National Community Church leaders were challenged and pushed to put it ALL IN! We were asked what are we holding back from God...what are we keeping our back pocket. Here is the thing, as a church, we will not rest on the past blessings (we will give God thanks and praise for those amazing things.) But we are going to step up our game and point our spear towards where God is going to take us next, we will also continue to lay ourselves down before God and confess those things that stand in our way.

I think to many people quit too soon, they give up on what God has called them to, I also there has become sense of laziness and apathy in the Church. I also think too people go back to the familiar, the comfortable, and the past..and they don't want to embrace the mess of life and community. I am not pointing any fingers to anyone, please trust me on this. I am looking at a mirror first.

The most amazing moment for me is when the amazing Kingstowne leadership team of Ministry and Small Group leaders gathered around me to pray for me. For me it was a very intense time. It was also a time where, I was supposed to pray over NCC leaders and commission them to step in and go ALL IN to their roles as leaders.

The prayers of the amazing leaders I get to serve with, the leader where we get to pour out our blood, sweat and spit with at the Kingstowne location reminded me that I am right smack dab in the center of God's plans for my life. Despite the fact, I gotten emails or people have communicate in other fashion that there were either leaving NCC, going to head to another location or moving out of the area, It seems like a mass exodus, that it would make the most secure pastor, insecure...it would make the pastor who is certain in his calling to question whether he wants to continue on or quit all together. But it was those poignant prayers from the amazing leaders at Kingstowne, that confirmed to me that there is NOTHING LIKE BEING IN THE CENTER OF GOD'S PLANS and GOING ALL IN!

This was the theme worship song from this weekend...This song is resonated within my heart even as I reflect on this past weekend.

Are you willing to GO ALL IN? Are you willing to give EVERYTHING? What are you holding back from God? Are you running back to the safe places, the familiar or the comfortable? Or are you allowing God to challenge you to be a part of a community that is messy, moving forward, and willing to push everything in the center and GO ALL IN?

National Community Church is not a perfect church, if you are looking for a perfect church---GOOD LUCK---there is NOT ONE! But National Community Church is a great church filled with gifted communicators, awesome leaders, people who give their all each and every weekend. A church that isn't lazy but always moving forward and pushing ourselves.