Did that title get your attention? I've been reading a book entitled "The Naked Anabaptist" by Stuart Murray which highlights some of the essentials of my background (Mennonite) and how they might be relevant to the position of the church in our society today, specifically with respect to the decline of the Christian society (Christendom).

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder that the August 16, 2010 deadline to meet our $7,500 sponsorship goal for International China Concern's fundraiser Walk on the Wall is rapidly approaching. If you are planning on participating but haven't signed up and asked your family/friends/co-workers/classmates, etc. to sponsor you yet it would be good for you to do so sometime soon. You can sign up and join the Simplechurches team at www.walkonthewall.org.

Let's show our support for the great work that is being done by this organization!

Blessings,

Taryn

Here is an encouragement from Eugene Peterson (again) on prayer!

Everything and every person has an interior. Prayer goes beneath the surface and penetrates to the heart of the matter. Unlike mere action, prayer is not subject to immediate evaluation or verification. If we are addicted to "results" we will quickly lost interest in prayer. When we pray we willingly participate in what God is doing, without knowing precisely what God is doing, how God is doing it, or when we will know what is going on - if ever.

About this Teaching

This teaching looks at the background information for the gospel.

I read this today from Rick Warrens Twitter feed. I've always "known" him to be a very good man.

To put this in context, Warren is a pastor of one of the largest mega churches in the world, he is also the author of "The Purpose Driven Life" one of the highest selling books of all time (nearly 40 million copies!), he also was invited to give the inaugural prayer at President Obama's Inauguration ceremony.

Given that bio, I thought this was a profound statement:

I was just reading in Isaiah and was encouraged by these verses...
it got me thinking about the picture that someone had over simplechurch of the pipes and the water system in Vancouver. Also, the theme of "new songs" and "new life" came to mind while reading this..

Isaiah 41: 18-19

Strawberry Fast and Yard Sale Follow Up

Hi all... what a great couple of days we have had as a church over the past few weeks.

First was the Strawberry Fast. Such a great way to fundraise... asking our father to miraculously provide for us. Thanks for getting on board. Be sure to post your stories of provision and answered prayer as the weeks go ahead.

Hi Everyone,

As I have been praying for sun over the last few days, I have also been imagining the garage sale in the rain. How could that happen? We even fasted and asked the Lord for a big "harvest" for the Ukraine and China.
I was a disbelieving that it would be rainy although my iphone weather report kept trying to tell me different.

Hi everyone,

We left our stainless steel camping mug at the city wide. It has a few dents inside. Did anyone happen to pick it up? If yes, could you bring it to the garage sale?

Thanks,
Teresa

Part way through the second journey, Paul stops in to Athens. What transpires is one of the most formative sections in Acts for life on mission in our City. Listen on.

The following is the announcement made at the June CityWide regarding our "organization" with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Read on and field any questions to your nearest council member:

Organization Announcement
and Explanation
June 13, 2010

As many of you know, I spend a couple of days each month helping to develop future church plants within our denomination. This past week I spent two days with other leaders from British Columbia, praying and dreaming about how we might collectively encourage church multiplication in our province.

Hey there folks!

I'm in charge of the baking for the upcoming yard sale (June 19th) so I'm looking for volunteers to bring baking to sell. I've sent out an e-mail to some people whose e-mail addresses I had, but this is open to anyone and everyone who is willing to help. So let me know if you're up for helping and I'll keep you in the loop!

Amy

Driving home from Edmonton yesterday, Jolie and I were listening to the CBC. The afternoon show featured Seamus Heaney, a poet from Ireland who was speaking about an upcoming collection he is releasing. As part of the interview, he told about a stroke he recently suffered that left him, for a few weeks paralyzed. During the paralysis, he believed that he would never properly function again, until one morning, his toe began to wiggle - in a few weeks he would be back to normal, no remaining effects from the stroke.

Details

This is part two in a two part series dealing with the life of Martin Luther. This talk picks up just as Luther is about to begin his battle with the church.

The teaching includes a number of pre-recorded quotes from original sources.

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I read this in Tell It Slant by Eugene Peterson (He is quoting Evagrius the Solitary from The Philokalia):

Submitted by chad on Thu, 2010-05-13 12:44.

Excellent intro and use of slides on the pod roll Andy!

Luther has got to be one of most important theologians ever, in my opinion.

The question that I have is:
** What is the 'faith' that God seeks? **

Luther, in his day, defined it (I think) as an intellectual assent that God exists and that He justifies us by grace alone, not works. This is not enough!

Hi Everyone,

A few job opportunities at International China Concern have recently been posted! The details are in the attached document. Please pass this on to anyone who you think may be interested. More information about International China Concern can be found at www.chinaconcern.org.

Taryn

Details

This is part one in a two part series dealing with the life of Martin Luther. This talk begins with a discussion of why this history is important for us today, then it moves to the early life of Martin Luther providing the backdrop to the events that lead up to the Reformation.

The teaching includes a number of pre-recorded quotes from original sources.
The audio has been updated to include higher quality voice overs

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