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

the Elephant in the Church ...

this coming Sunday morning and evening, we'll kick off our new series the Elephant in the Church ... everyone's thinking about it, but no one's talking about it ...

I love the challenge of taking on tough topics or controversial issues ... too many churches are answering questions no one is asking ... we dance around the real issues ... but when we have the courage to talk about tough topics, I believe we experience a healthy tension as a church community ...

Some of the issues we'll explore in this series are things that God-fearing, Bible-believing, Christ-following people have disagreed about for two thousand years ... and because of that, we often steer clear of them ... but I'm convinced that God wants to weigh in ... God wants to speak ... and that is what this series is all about ... as a church, we need permission to talk about difficult and avoided topics ...

Join us for this six week series ... Sunday mornings 10 am at the Eureka Way Campus and Sunday evenings 5 & 7 pm at the Bechelli Campus ... Let's talk about the Elephant in the Church ...

We Make Disciples

Last night concluded our we love...we make disciples series.

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 Matthew 28:16-20
- This is the last words Jesus had for his followers while he was here with them.
- Jesus chose some boys and young men to travel with him for three years and as he leaves them he tells them to go and do the same thing with others. Simple.
- Age isn't the issue. Jesus was 30. Did you have a picture in your mind of older disciples?

Read Luke 24:13-35
- What does Jesus teach us in his approach to making disciples?
- He believes in them, calls them out, and travels with them

Making disciples is about traveling with someone
- You don't have to have all the answers.
- Disciple simply means "learner"

If you're not making disciples then what are you doing?

We want to be a community that loves and makes disciples. Those that are just starting to follow Jesus are learning what it means to become a disciple and those that are further along and bringing others along with them.

Is there someone in your life that you are traveling with right now?

Stirring BBQ & Swim at the Hayes!

This Friday, October 3rd
6pm-8pm
3035 Winding Way
Bring your own meat and a side to share!

Don't forget your towel!

Kid's Rooms

The church plant (countdown: 10 days!) kid's rooms are in need of the following items . If any Stirring Parents have these laying around your house, not being used, in good condition - please let us know!

Infant Room: Changing table, Pack-n-Play (portable crib or any kind), “Push” toys for newly walking children, Stackable blocks, Teething toys, Rattles, Books

Toddler Room: Table and chairs, Changing table, Baby dolls with clothes, Large Legos ,Books, Rocking chair, Kitchen set, Puzzles (age appropriate), Arts & Crafts

PreK-Kindergarten: Table and chairs, Puzzles, Large Legos, Trucks/Cars, Baby dolls with clothes, Kitchen set, Books, Board games (age appropriate), Arts & Crafts

1^st-5^th Grade: Board Games, Mancala, Jenga, Twister, Legos, Dress-up clothes, Arts & Crafts

In each room we would love to have a portable CD player. Thanks!

We love the least

Last night was part 4 in our we love...we make disciples series.

We want to be wrestling with these ideas through the week in Life Groups and in our day to day relationships.

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

We talked about 4 interactions that Jesus and his disciples had with the least:
- The Samaritan woman: John 4:1-26
- Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-9
- The man with leprosy: Luke 5:12-15
- Peter and John heal the crippled beggar: Acts 3:1-10

Spend some time skimming the gospels and look at the amount of interactions that Jesus had with the ones that had been marginalized and overlooked.

Read Matthew 25:31-46
- Loving the least takes Gods eyes for people
- When we start seeing with the eyes of Jesus the world doesn't change...we just see the whole world differently...it's like a new lens that we see the world through.
- Nothing changes but everything changes!

We start seeing our city and world differently
We start seeing the Stirring differently

Talking about the least gets overwhelming but Jesus makes it simple:
- a glass of water, a meal, clothes, shelter, visitation.
- invest in one

Are there some creative ways you and your friends or life group can see the least this week and practically meet a need?

Couples night

Saturday September 27
Meet at 6:30pm for dinner or dessert at Red Lobster
Then we are going to Movies 10 at 7:30pm.
No child care provided.
The trailer can be viewed at www.fireproofthemovie.com
If you have any questions please email Angie at a.headrick@hotmail.com

Stirring BBQ this Friday at the Flecks

Friday September 26th
Stirring BBQ
6 - 8pm
2888 Salmonberry Dr (the Fleck's)
Bring your own meat & a side to share. It will be a great night to get to know people at the Stirring.

We love shirts

We are going to have kids, guys and girls shirts available this weekend at the Stirring. $20 a shirt. All the proceeds go to our church plant. Bring cash on Sunday!
Thanks Jeremy for creating a great shirt.

We love the world

Last night was part 3 in our we love...we make disciples series.

We want to be wrestling with these ideas through the week in Life Groups and in our day to day relationships.

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

Read Acts 17:16-34
- Paul's heart is burning for the people of Athens...he stands up in the center of the Greek world...he starts describing God to them.
- What was his posture towards the people he was addressing?

Three big thoughts from the night:
1. God is already moving in people's lives. He's already there. We don't bring him to places like Africa in our pockets. He's the God of the whole world. He wants us to join him in what he's already doing.
- Is this a shift in thinking for you?
- Do we see everyone first as created in God's image?

2. God is calling all creation back to himself. John 12:31-32 He has placed a deep hunger for God in the heart of every person. We were created to live face to face with God...All of us. It's not our calling to get people saved...salvation belongs to God. Our calling is to love people towards Jesus
- Is this a shift in thinking for you?
- What are some creative ways God is asking you to ignite that hunger in others?

3. God is bringing people into our lives every day. Are we willing to get uncomfortable enough to love the world God has placed us in? Talk...pray...share...listen. We don't have to go out to do outreach. All of life is reaching out to those around us. That's why we keep things simple with Life Groups. We want to spend as little amount of time as possible in the church building so we can give our lives to the people in our community.
- Do you see the people in your life that you bump up against everyday this way?

Read Colossians 4:2-6
- Let this be our prayer for the world God has called us to love every day.

Stirring parking lot sale THIS SATURDAY!!!

September 20th
Garage Sale Fundraiser for Church Plant
7am - 3pm
2225 Bechelli - by the big flag
*drop off donations there on Sept.19th between 6 & 8pm

Stirring BBQ tonight!

September 19th
Stirring BBQ & Swim
6-8pm
2907 Camulos Way (the Miller's)
Bring your own meat & a side to share.

We Love Each Other

Last night was part 2 in our we love...we make disciples series.

I'm posting on Mondays with some thoughts, questions, and verses from our Sunday gatherings. We're hoping that our gatherings are not just a one way conversation. We want to be wrestling with these ideas through the week in Life Groups and in our day to day relationships. Feel free to leave some comments.

If you missed last night listen to the podcast here. (Might take a couple days to get up...sorry)

Read Acts 2:42
The disciples were devoted to four things
- The apostles teaching: learning and living the way of Jesus
- Fellowship: that word means as committed to each other as we are to God...so much more than church potlucks!
- The breaking of the bread- sharing a meal with the risen Lord
- Prayer: the most natural expression of our love for God

Questions:
- Do you really want to be a part of a movement like this?
- Are we as committed to each other as we are to Jesus?

Read I John 4:7-21
- Thoughts?

So many times our love is THIN...we're too busy...spread thin...committed to everything so we're really committed to nothing.

We want to be a community that loves THICK...Jesus loved the world but was devoted to a few. We want to follow his example.

Question:
- Who are you devoted to?
- Who are you in fellowship with?
- Who are you locking arms with this year?

Loving God is easy. He never lets us down...never leaves us...never wounds us.
Loving other Christians is hard. Most of our deepest wounds come from other Christians. Why?
Sometimes we need to bear with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
We have the choice to run when we're faced with difficult people but what happens if we do?

Read John 13:34-35
As a church you can be known for a lot of things but we want to be disciples that are known by love!
It's easy to go to church...sing songs...and wear Christian t-shirts.
Loving thick...being devoted to a few...loving through pain and wounds...that's church!

Cambodia sharing night

Come hear from the women about their summer trip at 7pm
2413 Ramona (Emily's House)
Contact: Jenna (559)760-1028

Night of prayer this Wednesday

Wednesday night, September 10th
@ the Stirring in the main sanctuary of the Nazarene church
No child care provided
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

We Love God

Last night we started our vision series at the Stirring.
From now on I'm going to put up a post on Monday with some thoughts, questions, and verses from our Sunday gatherings. We're hoping that our gatherings are not just a one way conversation. We want to be wrestling with these ideas through the week in Life Groups and in our day to day relationships. Feel free to leave some comments.

If you missed last night listen to the podcast here. (Might take a couple days to get up...sorry)

Read Luke 7:36-50 (The story of the sinful woman at the feet of Jesus)
- After hearing the context of the story last night did the passage open up to you in new ways?
- Who do you identify with in the story?
The Pharisees caught up in religion and judgment of others?
The ones on the outskirts of the courtyard, hiding in shame in the shadows?
The sinful woman that disgraced herself and risked everything to get to Jesus?

Read Acts 1-4 this week
- When Jesus ascends to heaven the first thing the disciples do is worship together. They spend time in prayer and God shows up in powerful, unexplainable ways. Do we want that for our church? Are we that crazy in love with God?

- Prayer should be the most natural expression of our love for God. Is that how we see prayer? Do you find ourselves talking to God in the car, when we wake up, and when we're at work and school?

Acts 4:13 says the people took notice that Peter and John had been with Jesus even though they were unschooled and ordinary men. Do people take notice of that in our lives?

Here's a great verse to memorize this week: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

We are having a night of prayer this Wednesday from 7-10 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Nazarene Church. Everyone's invited. For more information check the website.

we love. we make disciples.

this Sunday night, we begin a new 5 week series ... we love, we make disciples ... we believe this is why God has placed the Stirring community in Redding ... we want to spend the next 5 years living these 5 words ...

I can't wait to spend the next few weeks calling our church to give their lives to what matters most ...

props to my peeps Jeremy Coverdale for the most excellent image ... I'm blown away by the passion and creativity in our church ... Jeremy's images ... Cory's t-shirts ... Juan's paintings ... Patrick's design ... and all the other creative minds ... you guys help me see God in so many profound and life changing ways ... thanks ...

if you get a chance, read the first couple chapters of Acts before Sunday night ... for the next few weeks, we're going to live in the book of Acts ...

Blog changes

Starting this week this blog is going to serve a new purpose.
So I thought I'd switch up the template to symbolically show something new was happening!
Each week I'm going to start posting scripture, thoughts, and questions on this blog from our Sunday gatherings. All of our Life Groups are going to be wrestling through what we're talking about on the weekend so I want a hub that everyone can come to so that we are asking the same questions and moving in the same direction. This week we start our We Love...We Make Disciples series. 5 weeks that get at why we are in Redding. These are 5 words that we want to live out in our city and world for as long God allows it. I can't wait to hear the feedback and the talks that come out of your Life Groups.

some books shaping us ...

just wanted to remind you about a few books shaping us as a community ... you must read these books before you die, or before the end of the year ...

Shane Claiborne ... Irresistible Revolution ... living as an ordinary radical ... this revolution begins inside each of us, and through little acts of love, it will take over the world ... let us begin to be Christians again ... Jesus, give us the courage ...



N.T. Wright ... Simply Christian ... why Christianity makes sense ... N.T Wright gives the most profound and captivating picture of the God story ... moving us from Genesis to Revelation, this book will change your life ...


Rob Bell ... Velvet Elvis ... what does it really mean to follow Jesus ... if there is one book I would recommend everyone read, it's this one (and I like the Bible) ... wrestle with this book ... wrestle with God ... just read it ...

Backpack sort for Cypress.

Just wanted to give a HUGE THANK YOU to Emily, Laura, Becky, Rosetta, Anna, Catrina, Aidan, Juan, Brent, Jenna, Christian, and Brad for helping out with our Cypress Elementary School Backpack/School Supply sort today.

It was an insane 5 hours of filling 24 huge boxes with 265 girls and boys' backpacks, paints, wide-ruled paper, pencils galore, hand-sanitizer, glue, toothbrushes, games, snacks, underwear, socks, and Cypress t-shirts. These kids will be set!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to those who put their time in today and who donated supplies and backpacks and money to make this happen. Thanks to Juan for the glorious t-shirt design! They look amazing! We'll be meeting at the office at 8:30am Monday to load up and take everything over to the school (if anyone wants to help). See you there!

face to face ...

Have you ever wondered if there's more?

Think about it. The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, pursues us with this jealous, reckless, endless, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our response? We go to church, sing songs and try not to cuss. It may sound a bit crazy, but God created us for so much more.

We were created to live face to face with God. To live and move and breathe with the One who spoke us into being. So why don't we? Does something in your heart long for more?

Over the next four weeks, our prayer is that God would awaken in us a deep passion to know Him, to hear His voice, to see His face. And when you encounter His face, you will never be the same.

Our new series begins August 10th. Join us Sunday evenings.

Stirring Missions blog

Go check it out! It's so exciting to see the way our Stirring family is extending all over the world.
Thanks for putting it together Kari.

Stirring Baptism ...

Join us this friday night, August 1st, for our Stirring baptism and bbq ... we're baptizing at least 15 new followers of Jesus ... amazing ... leaving our old lives and becoming who God has created us to be ... and eating hot dogs and fruit salad ...

bring your own meat, a sidedish to share, towel, and swimwear ...

2036 Princeton Way, Redding

Directions:
take Simpson Blvd off of Shasta View (across from Simpson University entrance)
Right on Princeton Way (2036 Princeton Way)

if you can come early and help set up, that would be awesome ...

Go check out Leah's blog

We had a chance to pray for Leah last night at the Stirring and it was awesome. Leah has her blog up and rolling. She is leaving soon for South Africa. Please leave her some encouragement and continue to keep checking so we can know how to best pray for her.

Night of worship tonight

Risen King is putting on a night of worship at Mistletoe elementary school tonight, Friday at 7pm if anyone wants to go. (1225 Mistletoe Ln.)
Garrett will be leading with his team. It will be awesome.

the Lains ...

hey Stirring community ... please pray for Larry and Krista Lain, and their family ... they leave for Mongolia this week ...

pray that God would lead them as a family ... pray for Averianna and Eli, their two amazing children ... pray that God would open doors in the community where God places them ... pray that the Spirit of God would fill them and speak through them ...

God has a burning passion for the people of Mongolia ... I was recently told that half of the population in Mongolia is under 18 years of age ... they are so ready to hear the message of Jesus ... they are so ready to meet with God ... pray for the people of Mongolia ...

Arise and Shine, for your light has come for all nations to see. For the glory of the Lord is shining upon you.

Darkness as black as night will cover all the nations on earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine over you. All nations will come to your light. Mighty kings will come to see your radiance.

Look and see, for everyone is coming home!

Isaiah 60:1-4

Updated Stirring peeps

Sorry we've been slacking on posting to this blog. I added a bunch of Stirring peeps to our blog roll. If I forgot anyone or spelled anyones name wrong or your link is broken please let me know. I think it's nuts that we have 55 bloggers at the Stirring that we know about. How cool is that!?!

Hackfest 08

Go here and get all the details. The Stirring is ready to plant its first church and Hackfest is gonna help us get there. Help sponsor one of our golfers if you have the means or ask someone you know that might be interested. We really want to cover all the overhead costs of planting so we are ready to go on the first day!

Single Mom Saturday

Saturday July 12th, 11-1:30pm
Mom's show up with their kids at 11am at the Nazarene church.
We're taking portraits of the moms with their kids that we will print off and give as gifts.
Mom's leave the kids, we have a crew that will spoil the kiddos.
Mom's carpool with another crew that is taking them to Tierra Oaks for lunch...our treat.
While they're gone we got a crew that will be washing and detailing their cars.
We have 6 moms right now and we can take around 10. Know a single mom that needs some love? Send em' our way.
I can't think of a harder job in the world then raising your kids by yourself. We want to be the kind of community that takes care of our single moms!
Our hope is that this one event will turn into long term investment in the lives of these families. We want to be a church that is known for our love...anyone down to help?

Stirring Baptism ...

hey guys, just wanted to remind you about the Stirring Baptism ...

save the date ... friday evening, August 1st ... baptism and BBQ and swimming and cannon balls ...

if you are interested in being baptized or what it means to be baptized, please connect with us at the Stirring on a Sunday night ... see Dan Lance or Sean Gafner ... or email dan@thestirring.org ...

becoming who we are ...

As a prisoner for the Lord, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:1-6

we're five weeks into this Ephesians series ... what an amazing journey for our community ...

our prayer is that God speak to you this week ... that He would remind you of the call on your life ... that you are blessed, you are chosen, you are adopted, you are forgiven, you are alive ... you are called ... and God will never change the way He sees you ...

and may you live a life worthy of this call on your life ... may you live who you are ...

Picnic & Ultimate Frisbee ...

just a reminder ...

this tuesday night at Enterprise Park ... on the field above Kid's Kingdom ... picnic and ultimate frisbe ... show at at 6 p.m. ... bring your own picnic ... bring your family ... bring your girlfriend ... bring your mom ...

Poem from Sunday night

I posted it here.

ashley's story ...

last week at the Stirring, we talked about how God pursues us ... when we least expect it and when we least deserve it ... we were dead, but God makes us alive ... here's one of our stories ...

ephesians ...

hey stirring community ...

a couple weeks ago, we began a new series 'becoming who we are' ... we're reading through the book of Ephesians ... I believe God has so much to say to us over these next few weeks ... let's keep pressing into Jesus ...

and I pray that you, being rooted in love, may grasp how wide and how long and how high and how deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge ... that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God ...

Ephesians 3:17-19 ... we're praying for you ...

adopting sofia ...

on Sunday night, we began an eight week series in the book of Ephesians ... becoming who we are ...

what is so awesome about this story is that Dan and Alyssa would travel across the world to get to this one girl, Sofia ... that they would spend so much time and energy and money to bring this one girl home as their own ...

and what if God pursues us with that same passion?

becoming who we are ...

this sunday night, we begin a new series 'becoming who we are' ...

most Christians still believe that following Jesus is about what you do ... but it's just not true ... following Jesus is about who you are because of what Jesus Christ has done ... and yet we get this so confused ...

so many of us spend our entire lives trying to do all the right things to please God and everyone else ... and it gets so exhausting ...

so over the next few weeks, we want to create space for God to speak to us and shape us and remind us who we are ... and when God speaks and we get a glimpse of who we are in Jesus Christ, we will never be the same ...

see you Sunday night ...

Couples night

Saturday May 31st
Ralph and Pricella's house (2602 Yana Dr.)
6:30-8:30pm
Bring a food dish to share
Childcare available if RSVP
RSVP to Ralph and Pricella 222.2432

This is a great way to connect with other couples at the Stirring.

newcomer's gathering ...

if you're new to the Stirring or you just feel new to the Stirring, don't miss our newcomer's gathering this Friday night, May 23rd, at Dan and Alyssa's house ...

just show up, hang out and meet our team ... and eat dessert ... check out our website www.thestirring.org for directions to the party ...

Let's try to help the White's

Jared and Amanda White are in need of a low cost apartment or in-laws quarters so they can save money for a year long mission trip to Ukraine, working with orphans. They need to move out of their current apartment (Simpson married housing) by May 31st, because Amanda just graduated from Simpson. They're looking for a place to stay for about 8 months so if you have any leads, give them a call! Thanks.
(530) 917-7911

mother's day ...

tuesday nights ...

so, we played a little Ultimate Frisbee last night ... the conditions were perfect ...

light winds ... cool summer air ... steak on the barbie ... and my wife packed me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich ... homemade jelly ... perfect ...

we're playing Tuesday nights at 6 pm for the month of May (and maybe longer) ... we're meeting on the upper grass at Kid's Kingdom ... see you next week ...

Stirring Kids

just wanted to say thank you to our Stirring Kids team ... you guys are amazing ...

I am convinced that our 'Greatest Call' is to our children ... Jesus always welcomes the children ... to Jesus, they are not a second thought ...

if you get a chance, thank Bethany Hardy, Emily Branca, Cassie Cable and the rest of the Stirring Kids team ... thank you for showing God's love to our children ... they will never be the same ... and my wife and I will forever be grateful ...

and thank you, Jeremy Coverdale, for this amazing photo ... you are such a huge and creative blessing to our church ...

Abby Will @ Yaks

hey everyone ... just wanted to remind you about tonight ...

Matt and Abby Will, our missionary's in South East Asia, are spending a week with us ... I spent a couple hours with them this morning ... amazing ... they have such a passion for justice and ending poverty ...

if you're interested, Abby will be speaking tonight, friday, May 2nd, about 'women in poverty' at Yaks @ 6:30 p.m. ... you're all invited ... if you get a chance to meet and encourage Matt and Abby while they are in Redding, that would be awesome ...

ultimate frisbee & picnic

so, it's that time of the year ...

Ultimate Frisbee and picnic ... next tuesday night, May 6th, @ 6 p.m. at Enterprise Park (above Kid's Kingdom) ... 

I'll bring the frisbee and you bring the picnic ... bring your own picnic (BYOP) ... bring your family or your girlfriend and don't forget a blanket ... see you there ...

please comment if you are interested ... I'm not playing Ultimate Frisbee all alone ...

Thoughts on last week

Sorry this is late. Anna and Leah had some great thoughts about last week at the Stirring. Let me know if I missed your thoughts.

The terminal

The conference is officially over. Amazing. Nate and I are both moving to a remote village in Honduras for two years to start up a clean water project and plant 4 churches. It will be cool. Someone tell our wives. Meghan is speaking till we get back.
If that doesn't pan out we will be home tonight at 11:30pm in Sac...that get us home at 2:30am. At least we aren't acclimated to east coast time! It's gonna feel like 5:3oam.
We are gonna be fresh at the Stirring!
Can't wait to see you all...keep blogging.

spiritual gifts & questions

hey guys, we're just sitting in this hotel room in Orlando ... dan lance and I flew out for a 'church planting' conference called Exponential ... so far, speakers Andy Stanley, Ed Stetzer and Alan Hirsch (the shaping of things to come) ... it's been provoking ...

this coming Sunday night, we'll be talking a bit more about spiritual gifts ... that God has given each one of us unique spiritual gifts ... healing, prophecy, discernment, service, mercy, teaching, leadership and many more ... and God calls each one of us to bring our gifts to encourage, strengthen and provoke the family ...

so, what are your questions when it comes to spiritual gifts? what would you like to hear more about? if you have any thoughts, weigh in ...

and don't forget love ...

Dudes responding...this blog is blowin' up!

I asked the dudes to step up the blog love at the Stirring and they have responded like crazy: Aaron, Derrick, John, Juan, Kendall, Paul, Sean, and Tyler have all recently created blogs.
I think it's pretty crazy that in 2.5 months we have 37 Stirring peeps with blogs and an average of over 50 individual visits to our blog a day!
I love the direction a few of the blogs have moved to in serving needs. Go check out Amy and Chris' blog.
I'm hoping that this community gets larger and larger and that we find all kinds of creative ways to become family. Keep the blogs comin'!

we are family

all right, we're 3 weeks into this series 'we are family' ... 

we've talked about God's heart for family ... we believe that God is calling us out of a dark room into family ... that God is calling us out of hiding into this messy, imperfect family that bears His name ... 

and not only that, God is family ... the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit ... God has always been family ... God has never been alone ... and that we cannot fully reflect God's image by ourselves ... together as a family, we bear the image of our God ... as we love and forgive and sacrifice together ... amazing ...

we've talked about family responsibility ... that as we mature in family, we are called to carry weight ... it's so easy for church to become a chair ... we come and sit and sing and leave ... and that's it ... 

we realize this is America ... and for many, this series is uncomfortable ... for most people, church has and always will be a chair ...

but for those who are serious about living the way of Jesus, it's time to become the family God has created us to be ... to step into our unique family calling ... to come out of hiding ... to sacrifice ... to make the time ... to get out of the chair ... to become fathers to the fatherless ... to carry weight ... to put God on display in every way possible ... 

we are family ...

What our community has been saying...

...about Sunday night at the Stirring. Here's Nate, Amy and Leah's thoughts. If I missed your thoughts feel free to link to your site in the comments!

What in the world???

Erase the Dark was ridiculous
450+ people in a gym
6 amazing musicians
6 great films
100+ pieces of art
The best food ever eaten
$5500 total raised for Cypress Elementary and Eagles Soar after school program
Our first Erase the Dark music, art, and film festival was a huge success.
Thanks to everyone that made it happen!
Pictures will be coming shortly...hint, hint Emily

John's story

We shared John's story during the second night of our "We are family" series...powerful stuff!

Our ladies are talkin' about the retreat

Emily, Sarah, Erica, Anna, and Bethany share their thoughts. Sounds like it was an amazing retreat.

props to the family

just wanted to say how grateful we are to have such an amazing family ...

those who show up early and set up chairs and couches ... those who lead us in worship every week ... those who run sound for those who lead us in worship every week ... 

and the girls at spot (coffee bar) ... and those who greet at the door with smiles and bulletins ... and our amazing Stirring kids team, who love and shape our children ...

and the Stirring staff ... and the Advisory Team ... and those guys who do the announcements ... and those who create graphics ... and those who show up every week to help out with media and lights ...

and our life group leaders ... and the prayer team who show up early every week and pray for us ... unbelievable ... and those who stay late and tear down the stage and screens ... 

 

God has given us such an incredible family ... 

 

nathan and erica edwardson   

The stories keep coming

Annie shares her amazing story here about how the family series is affecting her...WOW!

Cable's in the house

Chris Cable is starting a Life Group that is focusing all it's energy on serving others. Interested? Go check out his blog and tell him you're down.

We're in the paper baby!!!

Help

Jamie Williams is moving out of her apartment on Saturday. Jeff got a job in Spokane and he's been there for a couple weeks now. Jeff's family is down to help Jamie but we need a crew to help. I've got 4 dudes but we need more. Can anyone out there help? 8:30am this Saturday. I've got the info. Leave a comment if you're down. Don't forget...we are family!

More thoughts on family...

Emily's story gets right at the heart of what Nate was talking about on Sunday night. Check it out. Kari also has an amazing story about what God is showing her in this family series.