Msg @ The Rock Sun., June 9th by Jon Woolner

www.Rock-church.com

Philippians 4:10-14 NIV
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. [11] I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [12] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. [13] I can do all this through him who gives me strength. [14] Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Msg on being content. Being thankful.
Jon talked about how those ideas are an issue. How you're thinking. When things are dark, what do you do? Practicing those disciplines aren't easy... Paul says that he found the art of contentment.
Some people say they are where in reality they're lazy & indifferent.
Paul says he 'learned it'... How to arrive @ connectedness...
Contentment & joy coexist...

Things that happened to Paul after he follows Jesus...
He has to leave his family..
He has to leave his position in his religion & culture..
He had to walk away from his security, his future
Then had to deal w conflict.. w early church. Like people changing his msg.
Went to jail.
He learned the secret to be content.

A story about someone in 1809...
A woman named Zold... Was rejected by a suitor, then never married. She started a ministry to house Jewish children after the Nazi occupation. Her tombstone said, "Mother to Thousands"

Back to Paul:
Acts 26:14 NIV
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

If we keep seeing a 'goad' ... We should pay attention to them... It may be painful, but if we're bumping in to it, maybe its necessary.

Do we get stuck in our heads w the "if onlies"..
One thing about Paul's teaching: he never talks about an escape clause..

You're gonna feel 'lack'.. it's ok. Yer gonna make mistakes..
Paul tells his view of things...
Sharing in the suffering of Jesus.. to die is gain.. the lens of Jesus.. it's ok to lose everything for Christ's sake.
Paul has learned to tell his story through a different lens.
We can look down @ the mud on our feet or up to the miracles around us.

Msg @ A.N.C. Sun, May 12th, 2013

Msg @ A.N.C. Sun, May 12th, 2013
Anconline.com

2nd to last service @ The Park...
All of the "stuff" has to go...

The characteristics of God has both male & female aspects.

[ a firm/ministry that frees victims in India ] [ John & Jane] (names removed)... talking about working in India.. work w Arahdna... [John] works in their legal dept. [Jane] grew up in Bolivia as a child of missionaries.. worked in Japan originally... Then to India. Met [John] in route. Went to visit her parents in India To work to help w an missions w trafficking..

[ a firm/ministry that frees victims in India ] works in India to rescue girls out of brothels. Social work & case management. As well as legal issues & job opportunity. Rescued 200 girls since 2006.
Evan talked about a girl they helped when she was 14 in 2006.  Rough road. They gave her freedom but they're helping her work through her issues.
They talked about the brainwashing & dedicated to gods. The girls @ 1st want to stay.
They talked about how they ended up staying... Cuz they want to work in the mission & help.
They're going back to the 22nd.

Played "Our House" by Madness cuz it reminded him of Mother's day..
"The church: Gathered & Scattered part 1"

- compared the song w the dynamic of being involved in their community..
There are a lot similarities w the church.
Broke into groups... Vision For Your Home...  How would you compare w yer frenz...
Welcoming, Sanctuary, feeling love.
Comparing: sleep overs as youth.. friendships..  spirit of service... Attitude of motherly & concern. Attitude of service.
Talking about church & the people of God.. how we should be..
Church is: Ekklesia: called out, gathered together one...a community assembly, a meeting called by community elders.. Believers in Christ, called out of the world's system, then gathered and sent as representatives.
Isaiah 40:1-11 NIV
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God. [2] Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. [3] A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [4] Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. [5] And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." [6] A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. [7] The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. [8] The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. " [9] You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" [10] See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. [11] He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
Talks about the majesty of God.
Matthew 23:37 NIV
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
Mark 13:34 NIV
It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

Church in light of Exodus.. freedom.
Jesus offers freedom-captivity is now over.. from the things that keep u from the things of God.
Moses called them out & brought them out of captivity.. that's what the church is.
You can rescue those who are captive to where we were...
21st century American Church:
Growth within churches:
Attractional model, mega churches, yet decline within society. Culture is moving away from church & fewer people find church relevant and/or meaningful. More people view church as intolerant & narrow-minded.
We have some concerns to address.
Lessons from hens... God wraps His wings. Hens labor offer their offspring. They turn th egg for optimal heat.. hens call their chicks to follow. Hens sacrificially shelter their chicks.
Hens train their chicks to thrive.
Good churches have the same attributes.

I just realized that Starbucks has become It's own sepulchre w/more interaction than any church/ temple today. (& most people prefer it that way).

Another home video audition

Threw this together yesterday as an audition for the new horror film: Thus Spoke Judas... kinda fun, kinda guerilla style...

https://letitcast.com/en/auditions/22773

spread the word! :)

My Neck is JACKED!

Anyone know any doctors that specialize in necks? Mine is way beyond jacked. I need an MRI & am way willing to be in medical testing. The pain is continual & is continually interrupting my life. It's way beyond pain tolerance w/ drugs. There's something definitely wrong.

What a privilege to be photographed today by Juan Garcia for the Face Value project... https://www.facebook.com/facevalueseries

Y'all should check him out- it's a dynamic look @ L.A. & you might c me in the finished product! :)

Check him out- & c if you can be part!

http://www.juanluisgarcia.com/facevalue/

review of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (7 1/2 out of 10)

   Finally rented it last nite. I was pretty glad I was able to see it in the comfort of my home, because the subject matter was so difficult to digest and so well acted, there was no way not to be personally affected.
   I watched it with an 8 year old, who kind of understood the emotional tie-ins, but, didn't understand the gravity of the film. There was definitely a Q & A after. Which, I believe is the writers intent. Definitely rare qualities in this one.
   The acting: excellent. I made the mistake of watching Larry Crowne, because I'm a Tom Hanks fan- and I have to say: he redeemed himself on this one. Thomas Horn has body language and ticks and emotional skills way beyond his age. Sandra Bullock as the haggard single mom... whoa. They roughed her up for this. Max Von Sydow delivered without saying a word. This movie is very moving & I was choked up for most of it.  Better to watch with a loved one, and not worry about holding back. It's a ride- and a great reminder of the travesty that hit America on 9/11.