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Lots of BBQin goin' on!

This Friday June 19th:

BBQ @ Aaron and Sarah Hayes house, 6pm
RSVP (Bring your own meat and a side to share)
356.0729 Aaronhayes1212@yahoo.com
3035 Winding Way, 96003

This BBQ is for everyone. If you're new to the Stirring and want to meet some people while eating a hot dog, you've gotta be there!

This Sunday June 21st:

After the morning gathering (around noon) at the Eureka way campus. (click for directions)
We're having a huge BBQ for fathers day. It's free. Invite your dad...it's gonna be amazing! Sean's on the grill...you don't want to miss it!

Show and Tell

This Sunday at the Stirring we talked about living a show and tell life.

Step 1: We have something- a relationship with the God that created the universe.

Step 2: We show the world the: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, compassion, forgiveness, and justice of Jesus in the most creative ways possible.

Step 3: When the world comes running to see, we rise up with courage and boldness and tell them about the hope we have in Jesus!

Got any show and tell stories this week?

Friday night BBQ at the Hayes

If you're new to the Stirring and want to meet some people while eating a hot dog, you've gotta make it out to the Hayes house this Friday night. Here's the details.

BBQ @ Aaron and Sarah Hayes house, 6pm
RSVP (Bring your own meat and a side to share)
356.0729
Aaronhayes1212@yahoo.com
3035 Winding Way, 96003

Movies in the park

This summer, Enjoy is sponsoring movies in the park every Friday night. Admission is free (donations encouraged). Concessions are also available.

What a great way to get to know our city! The first movie is this Friday at Caldwell Park (near the Carter House), 8:30pm

Leah's in town!

Leah Rush will be with us at the Stirring on May 31st. Come and hear about her ministry and how you can be involved in supporting her on going ministry in South Africa.

We will have lunch with Leah at noon at Puerto Vallarta 2315 Eureka Way Redding, CA 96001
Please come and spend time with Leah and ask any follow up questions you may have for her.

Please RSVP for lunch in a comment on this blog.

Family Picnic and Ultimate Frisbee ...

yep, it's that time again ... family picnic and ultimate frisbee (the greatest game on earth) ...

come hang with us Monday evenings at the North end of Enterprise Park ... the upper field at Kid's Kingdom ... if you're new to the Stirring, this is a great way to get connected with our family ...

we picnic at 6 pm and throw frisbee's for a few hours ... bring your family, your girlfriend, and your own food ... see you there ...

Cypress got their shoes!!!

It was quite an ordeal but we finally got all of the shoes over to the kids at Cypress Elementary on Wednesday! If you didn't know, we raised enough money through Erase the Dark (our music, art, and film festival) to put shoes on every student at the school. They brought us into an all school assembly and thanked us...it was amazing...they gave us a COUGAR GROWL!!!
We believe this is what the church looks like. Using our creativity to make our city a better place! Thanks to everyone that pitched in for the event and the passing out of shoes.

Easter Baptism 2009 ...

We love. We make disciples. We baptize.

Just a glimpse of what's to come!

Hey guys, I just wanted to share with you a few things coming this summer ...

First of all, our Summer Life Groups will launch in a few weeks on May 3rd ... as of now, we will have training groups, couples groups, mixed groups, financial peace groups, men groups, women groups, and high school groups this summer ... it's amazing to hear the stories of how God is changing people and shaping people through these groups ... get involved in Life Groups this summer ... we'll have more information to come ...

Also, on May 3rd, we're going to begin a new 12 week series called Acts, unleashing the power of everyone ... Jesus makes one of the greatest promises in Acts 1:8 ... that as the people of God, we would be filled with power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us ... in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit fell upon everyone ... everyone ... not just super spiritual people ... not just pastors ... not just holy priests ... the Holy Spirit fell upon everyone ... they were filled with God ... I so want that for our church ... come and join us for this series in May ...

On May 7th-9th, we're hosting our first 'When God Dreams Conference' ... we're so excited to spend a few days dreaming and seeking God together ... as of now, we have more than 15 different churches in our city and beyond joining us for this experience ... my prayer is that these days together would be provoking, refreshing and encouraging ... may God raise up a generation of God dreamers ...

Lastly, I want to invite you to be apart of our Stirring Jr. High movement ... over the summer months of July and August, we'll be throwing weekly BBQ and pool parties for our Jr. High students ... I'm so proud of our Jr. High team and the vision that God has given them for this coming year ... we want to invite all Jr. Highers to come and be involved in our movement this summer ... it's a great time to be alive and be in Jr. High ...

Heaven Series - Heaven Crashing Down ...

To listen to the podcast, go here ... (should be up soon) ...

Read Revelation 21:1-7 ... the Bible ends with Heaven crashing down on the new Earth ... God Himself will live with His people forever ... the whole Bible is about a God who wants to be here, speaking to His people and dwelling with His people ...

In this Revelation passage, what glimpses do we get of Heaven? ...

Check out these verses ... Genesis 3:8, Genesis 28:12-17, Exodus 25:8 ... do you see God's heart to be with His children? ... do you see God's passion to bring heaven on earth? ...

Read Matthew 6:10 ... when you read the phrase, "On Earth as it is in Heaven," what images come to mind? ... what is Jesus talking about? ... is this the prayer of your life? ... are you living for God's will and God's Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven? ...

I am Jonah - The last two weeks

If you missed the gatherings you can listen to the podcast here.

Two weeks ago Nate asked a few questions:
- Why does God send winds and waves and whales into our lives?
- Why does God hurl us into the ocean depths?
- Why does God bury us beneath his stormy and wild waves?

God, in His mercy, humbles us and exposes us and tests us and disciplines us to shape our character ... to make us holy ... to make us more and more like Jesus ... Read Hebrews 12:1-13
Talk to someone about your thoughts.

This week Travis Osborne shared about God's character
- All through scripture God is described as gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

The irony in the Jonah story is that Jonah accepts God's grace and compassion for himself but he refuses to share that grace and compassion with the Ninevites. But Jonah still smells like fish!

Question: How do you respond when God shows grace to others?

Read Matthew 20:1-16
It's the parable of the workers in the vineyard.
Talk about your thoughts with someone.

I am Jonah - God uses Jonah's

To listen to the podcast go here

Read the whole story of Jonah to give you the context.

Be encouraged...God uses Jonah's
Prideful, racist that are disobedient and suicidal
He used Moses, Rahab, David, Peter and a slew of other ding-dongs.

You have a call. If you've given up. God hasn't.
God uses the foolish things. I Corinthians 1:26-31

What keeps us from believing what God has called us to do?
Are you listening to the wrong voice?

The call has always been the same...GO!

I am Jonah

This week we started a new series at the Stirring called 'I am Jonah'

To listen to the podcast go here

Read the whole story of Jonah to give you the context. It's only four chapters...you can do it!

God calls Jonah to a great city ... Jonah runs, God pursues ... Jonah hides, God exposes ... Jonah sleeps, God wakes him up ...

As we read through the Jonah story, we find that we are Jonah ... God has called us to a great city ... we run and God pursues ... we hide and God exposes ... we sleep and God wakes us up to the call on our lives ...

What are ways we run?
How do we hide?
Does God want to wake you up to the call on your life?

Cypress Elementary School opportunity

In April, the 5th graders from Cypress are going to camp---2 nights, 3 days- April 22-24. The school is looking for people who are over 21 and would be interested in being cabin counselors? Ideally, they would love 4 ladies and 4 men to be counselors. If anyone is interested please comment on the blog. This could be another great opportunity for us to deeper our relationship with this school. Thanks.

Help

Tomorrow February 12th we are going to canvas Redding with Erase the Dark flyers and posters. If anyone is interested in helping just meet at the office tomorrow at 3pm, and we'll hand out assignments. We want to get the word out to everyone! Comment if you plan on coming. Thanks.

Honoring other churches

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Nate had some great questions and thoughts from Sunday on his blog. Go check it out here. Check out Hannah's painting from the night...amazing.

It would be great to read the whole letter that Paul wrote the Ephesians as you think about these questions. We'd love to hear your thoughts. It would be great if some of you posted your prayers for other churches in the comment section.

Next week...I am Jonah!
Bring socks, shoe laces, yo-yo's, jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, and other fun stuff that can fit in a shoe box. Proceeds from Erase the Dark are going to buy shoes for the kids at Cypress Elementary School. We want to fill out their shoe boxes!

Honor- Who do you fear?

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from Sunday to think about this week:

Read the story of Saul and David. The context is really helpful.
- David has a ton of sin issues but God forgives him and he is called a man after God's own heart.
- Saul is a good, humble leader but he fears the men he's supposed to be leading and God removes the kingdom from him.

- When God created you he already had everyone else. We don't need to be jealous of others.
- Why can't we celebrate the good that is happening in other people and other churches?

- There are times that we will be in situations where people hate us...throw spears.
- The question becomes...should I stay or should I go. There are times to be faithful and times to leave. We need wisdom and community to help us make these decisions.

Read 1 Peter 2:12. Thoughts?

Honor- Dan Lance / Bill Randall

Sorry this one is late.
The podcasts are up so you can listen to them here if you missed it.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from Sunday to think about this week:

Dan's message:
Read Philippians 2:3-11
- We live in the burger king kingdom and God is calling us to life in his kingdom. That means the me first, have it your way attitude has got to die.
- We moved from being a covenant people to a culture of convenience.
- If we follow Jesus long enough we get to the cross. Something has to die in order for there to be new life.
- If we want to be people of honor we have to have the same attitude as Christ who was willing to empty himself to the point of death for the sake of others.

Bill's message:
Read 1 Timothy 4:12-14
- We honor because we're image bearers
- We honor the Christ in one another
- There are those who are worthy of honor (merited respect)

Questions:
- What do you do when honoring someone means dishonoring God?
- How do you respond when you've been dishonored?

when God dreams conference ...

in a few months, we're hosting our first Stirring conference ...

When God dreams is a conference that inspires people to become God dreamers ... God is a dreamer, but when God dreams, He dreams through His children ... and we believe that God is looking for men and women who will lock onto His dreams and run with them ...

for three days in May, we're inviting emerging leaders, church planters and creative minds to come together for provoking dialogue, worship and teaching ... more than just an event, our prayer is that this conference will be an experience that will leave our generation encouraged, inspired and ready to chase after the dreams God has placed in them ...

Banning Liebscher (Bethel Church) and Nathan Edwardson will be speaking in the main sessions ... Jeremy Edwardson (the Myriad) and our Stirring worship leader Jenna Barney will be leading worship with the Stirring team ... we'll have breakout sessions and creative church forums to dream together for the future ...

if you want to be involved or have any creative ideas, please let us know ... we'll get the 'when God dreams' website up soon for registration ... until then, rock on ...

Women's Retreat

Gotta be there ladies. It's gonna be amazing. Start telling your friends.
April 3rd-5th
$105

Erase the Dark

we're still looking for songwriters, artists and filmmakers to get involved with Erase the Dark, our music, art and film festival ... friday night, March 6th ... save the date ... last year was amazing, and this year will blow your mind ...

and all proceeds go directly to provide shoes for the hundreds of kids at Cypress Elementary, one of the lower income schools in our city ... this is the calling of the church ... to put the love of God on display ... we can sing worship songs at church all day long, but the world is longing to see the love of God on display ...

if you want to get involved, let us know ...

LYNK

Lynk is a unique, team-taught training series to equip the saints for immediate city-wide kingdom impact. Nate's gonna throw down Thursday February 26th.
Go get more information and sign up to be a part at their website.

Honor- week two

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Jenna and Sarah had some great thoughts about the gatherings. Please leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions. If you posted something on your blog leave us a link.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from Sunday to think about this week:

I don't even know where to start.
I don't think Derrick and Kris Vallotton should be aloud to speak on the same day. Way too much of God's heart. I feel like my brain needs a vacation.
Derrick brought an amazing message about forgiveness.
He used the Joseph story and his own story to talk about the power of our choices.

Kris brought a message about levels of honor, and passing on an inheritance of blessing.
We have never seen a revival that lasts more than a generation because we've put all our hope in the next generation. God wants to pour out his spirit on all people. Acts 2:17-18
We are so divided and God's heart is for us to be a family.

I could blog for hours about the two of these messages but they both need to be experienced. If you were there you have plenty to talk about. If you missed it check out the podcasts!

Kris Vallotton at the Stirring ...

Stirring Community, we've invited Kris Vallotton to speak at the Stirring this coming Sunday night, January 18th @ 5 pm and 7 pm ...

if you've never heard Kris speak, you've got to be there ... Kris has such a burning passion for calling out and raising up a generation of sons and daughters ... over the past few years, he has had such a deep impact on my life and our church ... I just read his new book called "purity" ... great for anyone single or dating ... or those with a passion to mentor and walk alongside young couples ... we'll have copies of this book at the Stirring ... bring your checkbook ...

anyways, I'm stoked about this weekend and this honor series ... Derrick Fleck will be speaking in the morning gathering and Kris Vallotton will be speaking in the evening ... I can't wait to worship with our Stirring family and hear God's speak to us as a generation ... may we become men and women of honor ... may we learn how to humble ourselves as a generation ...

see you Sunday night ...

Honor- fathers and mothers, sons and daughters

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Heather had some great thoughts about the first week. Please leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions. If you posted something on your blog leave us a link.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from Sunday to think about this week:

Honor is humility in action. Honor must be shown. It's not enough to have honorable feelings.

Read Exodus 20:12
This is the first commandment that comes with a promise. Honor brings life.
Nothing sucks the life out of a room like dishonor. Agree? Disagree?

Three words that show us our posture of honor as we grow:
1. As children we obey
2. As we get older we respect
3. As our parents get older we support
Thoughts?

Honor goes way beyond our biological parents.
We have a call to father and mother the next generation. Call out, love, lead, shape, protect, and teach in the way of Jesus.
Honor is what holds the generations together.

Read Malachi 4:6
Thoughts?

One Gathering ...

hey everyone, this coming Sunday, December 28th, we're having an all Stirring gathering at the Eureka Way Campus at 10 am ... we're calling it the One Gathering ...

yep, the entire Stirring packed into the Adventist Church ... filling every pew and the balcony ... it's gonna be sweet ...

remember, NO Sunday evening Stirring ... No 5 pm gathering and NO 7 pm gathering ... One Gathering at 10 am ... everyone's invited ... coffee and donuts and muffins and pews ... bring your mom and your children and your friends ...

this Sunday, we're wrapping up the Simple Series ... it's been such an amazing few weeks ... live simple, love loud ...

and then next Sunday, January 4th, we'll celebrate our 2 year Anniversary as a church ... we'll be reflecting on where God has brought us as a church and where God is taking us this coming year ... you're all invited ...

merry Christmas and a happy new year ...

Operation Christmas Child

This year we will send our operation Christmas Child Boxes to children in Mongolia. The Lains, missionaries we support, will pass out the boxes to children in need in their ministry.
Please use 8x10 Tupperware/shoeboxes to fill with some of the items below. Turn them in on Sunday, December 14th & 21st at the Stirring Gatherings. Thanks!

Items needed:
· Toys: cars, dolls, games, coloring books/sheets
· Clothing: tights, thermals, thick socks, cloth diapers, winter hats and gloves, warm sleepers for babies, belts

· School supplies: eraser tops, fat pencils, #2 pencil, color pencils, crayons

· Misc: toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap (bar only), vitamins, teething rings, zip locks & Tupperware (could be used as packing)

· Food: instant oatmeal and soups, meal seasonings: taco & spices, kool-aid or equivalent

Simple: Worry and Wealth

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from Sunday to think about this week:

In a world that is spilling into the margins in every area of life, shouldn't the people of God be choosing a better way?

Jesus lived a simple, focused, and single-minded life. Every moment mattered. He was busy but not hurried. Lived out of relationship with the father. Had room for interruption.

Matthew 13:1-23 (The parable of the sower)
- Have you seen people respond to the message of this new kingdom in these different ways?
- Do you feel the choking from the worry of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth?

God's people have always been called to be set apart with their money. 23% of their income in the old testament was set aside for others.
- Are you living simple with your money?

We want to live simply so we can love loudly.
We want the life that is truly life!

December: a month of prayer and fasting

As a family, we wanted to have a month of prayer and fasting for some pressing issues in our community. On Sunday, some of you signed up to pray and fast for a day in December. Here are a few things to pray for:

Miller Family

· Randy’s complete Healing from Cancer

· God’s presence and protection in their marriage

· Strength for Chemotherapy & Side Effects

· No outside sickness during chemotherapy

· Parenting: understanding & support

· Provision in Finances & Insurance

· Support from community

The Stirring Community for 2009

· Unity in Marriages, Families

· Wisdom & support for Single Parents, Students, Kids

· Discipleship & Mentorship of a generation

· Provision in Finances

· New Spring Life Groups and Leaders

· Allowing margin in our lives: live simple.

· Becoming a family

Daniel 9:3

You can still sign up for a day at the Community Life Table on Sunday.

Ways to bless our Missionaries this Christmas

Go check out the lists over at the Stirring Missions blog.

Thanksgiving lunch at Market Street Manor

This Saturday November 22nd at noon we are feeding a group of people living at the Market Street Manor and handing out winter clothes. Go to Chris' blog to get the details.
Go here to get directions to Market Street Manor. Thanks for your willingness to serve.

The Green Elephant

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from Sunday to think about this week:

In the beginning there was shalom (peace, wholeness) in every relationship:
- with God, with each other, with ourselves and with the earth

At the fall in Genesis 3 all of those relationships were broken.

In Jesus life, death and resurrection he was making a way for peace again in those relationships.
Read Colossians 1:15-21

Read Romans 8:18-23
Thoughts...

Read Job 38 and 39 to see Gods intimate connection with creation.
One question...WHO LET THE WILD DONKEY GO FREE???

How you treat the creation reflects how you feel about the creator. Thoughts...

We've been given responsibility to lovingly care for and steward the earth. Read Genesis 1:27-31
This responsibility is not a duty, it's worship.

What are some creative ways we can start to be more responsible with the earth God has given us?

The Porn Addicted Elephant

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from the night to think about this week:

Read Ephesians 6:10
There are so many things we can be strong in but Paul urges us to be strong in the Lord

Porn teaches us:
- What are some of the lies?

Porn shapes us:
- How does it affect how you see men and women?

Porn follows us:
- Had you thought about the affect of porn following you into marriage?

With a click of the mouse we invite the enemy into our house.

Porn fuels the enemies attack against women
- What are ways we can encourage our sisters at the Stirring?

Read I Samuel 17
How does the story of David and Goliath encourage us in the battle against porn?

The Political Elephant

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from the night to think about this week:

What should our posture be as we enter this political season?
Read Ephesians 4:1-3

Submert = Submit + Subvert
Thoughts...

God always wanted to be our king
Read I Samuel 8

The slogans: Change / Country First
Thoughts...

The kingdom of God will not be advanced on November 4th through a person or a political party. The kingdom of God will be advanced when the people of God through the power of the Holy Spirit embody the radical love of Jesus on this earth. We are the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth and we are the change we want to see in the world. We talk too much.

Where is your hope?

The Drunk Elephant

Sorry for the late post...I've been moving.

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here.

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from the night to think about this week:

Read Ephesians 5:8-9
We have a light calling
- Some run from the world to the safe Christian sub culture.
- Some immerse themselves so much in the world that they lose their light.
- We live in the land of gray.

How do we deal with the tension?

Read Ephesians 5:15
Paul calls us to a life of wisdom.
We need to ask what pleases the Lord.

Read Ephesians 5:18
What did you think of Nate's illustration of staying filled with the spirit?

It's more than a drinking issue...it's a calling issue.

What are the wounds and areas of tension you face when it comes to drinking?

How do we live as the people of God set apart in the land of gray?

Risen King Harverst Carnival this Friday

October 31st
Harvest Carnival
Jump house, raffles, games, candy
4:30-8pm
Mistletoe Elementary School
1225 Mistletoe Lane
Hosted by Risen King

Couples date night

Saturday November 1st.
Go to Angie's blog to get all the details.

The Sexy Elephant

If you missed this week you can listen to the podcast here. (Should be up by Wednesdays)

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from the night to think about this week:

When it comes to the subject of sex...

the world says HAVE IT
the church says HIDE IT
but God says HONOR IT

Have you found that to be true? How does the church hide it? What are some ways we can honor sex?

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure
I Thessalonians 4:4 each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable

Why is it that we aren't talking about sex in the church and in the home? Two places that we need to talk about it the most.

We have a calling to shape and teach our kids for sex. We've reduced that calling to a talk. How many of you have had the talk? If we aren't shaping our kids the world will and already is!

Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

BBQ for Market Street Manor this Saturday

Date: Saturday October 18th, 12:00 p.m.
Go here for directions.
Objective: Feed 65-70 people in Market Street Manor. Great practical way to love some amazing people in our city.
Go to Chris Cable's blog to get more info.
Leave him a comment or call him so he can plan on you being there.

The Greedy Elephant

This weekend was huge...we planted our new campus on Eureka Way
We also started a new series about the elephant in the church.
This first week we tackled greed.

If you missed last night listen to the podcast here. (Should be up by Wednesdays)

Here's some questions, thoughts and scriptures from the night to think about this week:

Read this scripture: Luke 12:13-21
- Talk about some of the words and phrases Nate brought out of the text:
- Be on your guard (war language)
- The ground
- But God
- Rich toward God

Greed means: to have more. It's not about what you have. It's about not being content with what you do have.

We talked about the land of when...
- When I'm old enough, when I'm in my career, when I get out of debt...
- Do you find yourself saying these kind of things?

Big question for this week:
- WHEN IS ENOUGH...ENOUGH?
- I HAVE ENOUGH are three words you never hear. Do you have enough?

Read I Timothy 6:17-19