Archive for October, 2007
The “Dash”
This past Sunday afternoon before coming to church at Buckhead, I attended the funeral of Stanley Nurnberger IV (May 31, 1978–October 25, 2007). He was the brother of Leslie, one of our amazing Fusion leaders, the husband of his very strong wife, Tiffany, AND the proud father of his one-week-old son, Stanley Nurnberger V!
I was inspired at his funeral as several people stood up to share in the celebration of his life. The context for this celebration was set by a poem read by his cousin. When we leave this world, the time we spent on earth is represented by a set of dates listed on a tombstone, much like the ones above. But this poem suggested that it’s not the beginning or ending date that matters, but the “dash” in-between.
People stood up one after another talking about Stanley’s “dash.” They talked about his commitment and unselfishness as a friend, his obsession with the Florida Gators, his strong work ethic, his love of his family, and his faith in Christ that began as a high school student. I left wondering what my “dash” would represent . . .
What do you want your dash to represent?
Tell us HERE!
joel
joel thomas
director of college & singles
Happy Fall Y’all
Okay, so this might not be the most “spiritual” blog entry ever written. Nevertheless, when I saw this “hamburger” pumpkin at a pumpkin- decorating contest this weekend in Asheville, I couldn’t help but snap a picture.
Call me crazy, but I do think there’s something spiritual here. I think God is honored when we use our creativity. After all, we have the DNA of the Creator of the Universe within us. How about you? What are some of the ways you could think outside of your normal boundaries today? How could those thoughts be used to glorify God? How are others inspiring you to think differently or creatively? What are some creative ideas that you’ve seen recently?
If you look close enough, there’s a lot of creative inspiration all around us. Even from hamburger pumpkins.
Jeff Henderson
Campus Director
Crossing paths…
If there is one statement that resonates with almost everyone living in Atlanta, it is this one: “I don’t have enough time.” Most days we arrive late and leave early, driven by our schedules, slaves to our “to do” lists, and going a thousand miles an hour. For married couples, busy schedules drive us faster and faster, usually on different routes, to the point that husbands and wives become “ships that pass in the night.” As schedules fill, it’s easy to let the relational connection in a marriage get put on the back burner. At some point, we need to stop, rest, refuel, and reconnect. That is why we’ve created MarriedLife Live.
MarriedLife Live is an awesome quarterly event that offers married couples an evening of laughter, great music, and the creative presentation of relevant truths that will empower and enrich their marriages! MarriedLife Live is for married couples of all ages . . . from newlyweds to empty nesters! Best of all, it provides a great excuse to pause our busy lives, grab some dinner, come to a fun and insightful evening at Buckhead Church, and still have some time to go out afterwards for coffee and conversation.
Many of you know that we had our first Married Life Live in our new building on September 15. The number of people that showed up blew us away, and we were thrilled with all the great feedback. As you read this, we are feverishly working toward creating the next great MarriedLife Live that will roll out on Saturday evening, November 3 (a week from this Saturday)! If you liked the last one, you’ll LOVE this one! Trust me when I say, “You don’t want to miss it!”
We have a ton more room in our new building for MarriedLife Live to grow! That is why we need your help in two specific ways…
1. ATTEND and BRING SOME FRIENDS! You can help us get the word out by talking up the November 3 MarriedLife Live to your spouse, friends, neighbors, and community group. Remind them that tickets are $12 each and available at www.marriedlife.net, the :Connections Resource Center, and Resource kiosks at Buckhead Church on Sunday mornings.
2. As this environment grows, we are going to need people to VOLUNTEER TO HELP us make it happen! It is a great way to “give back,” but also to meet some other great couples in the process! For every MarriedLife Live, we specifically need help with set-up (typically on the Thursday before the event), hosting and greeting at the event (in the auditorium and parking lot), and breaking down after the event.
If you have questions or want to volunteer, simply email katie.peters@buckheadchurch.org and we’ll get you plugged in! If you can’t make this one, be sure to put Saturday, February 9, on the calendar for the next one!
Billy Phenix
Director of Family Ministry/MarriedLife
Buckhead Church
Lovers?
I found myself in kind of a strange place this week as one of the pastors of our community. I found myself praying for broken hearts. If you missed Part 2 of our current series Judgment Call this past Sunday, you might think this is a bit odd. But I am convinced that this is one of those key distinctions of the body of Christ that we can’t survive without! We have to get this one right!
I loved the way Andy put it: “Sometimes judging is loving.” So here’s the question I am pondering and praying. Is my heart breaking for the people inside our community that have willfully chosen to embrace the sin for which our Savior died? Not, what should happen to them? Not, what am I going to do about it? But, what is in MY heart toward them? Andy gave us strict instructions NOT to act yet. You have to come back this Sunday to get your next assignment.
But for this week, join me in praying for broken hearts. Mine, yours, those of the people in your community group, the regulars who attend Buckhead, and the leadership of our church. Pray that God would bring about his restoration inside our church, as well as outside, so that we really will be known as a community of love. Judging is loving when it comes from one whose heart is broken over sin in the life of someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus.
Remember these words? This is Jesus speaking: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
How are you doing with this? What is God stirring in you as a result of the message this past Sunday? Really. How are you processing this message? We would LOVE to know!!
joel thomas
director of college & singles
More Celebration
Enjoy a couple of our wonderful baptism stories that we have celebrated recently. God is on the move! (If this ever gets old, we need to close down Buckhead Church.)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/P9FBl3gZaBc 425 350]
[youtube= http://www.youtube.com/v/YzhbJ3wa8V0 425 350]
Tell us how God is moving in your life.
Jeff Henderson
Campus Director
