Was it for the TV or the vacuum?

(Disclaimer: This post does not necessarily represent the opinion of OCEC, the Inn, or its representative staff.)

You've probably already heard about it twenty times or so but I am still kind of shaken over the news from Black Friday. Two dead at a Toys-R-us in Cali (which may have been gang-related), one employee dead at a Wal-Mart in New York. Searching back it seems that Black Friday violence is more of a norm than anything. Some even began calling the day Black and Blue Friday over the years. 

I don't think Christians can participate in Black Friday any longer, as it stands, or even some of the things it represents.

Shock and awe? 

To me, at the point I am in my journey, from my perspective (etc. etc. etc.) it seems that Jesus would not have us participate.

Christ broke the Sabbath for the sake of life and a person's health. I think we are called to break away from Black Friday for the sake of life and health. He called for a radical love for God, and directly opposed that to the love of things and money.  I don't see Thrifty and Shrewd Shoppers being blessed in the Beautitudes, but a completely down group of people. 

Black Friday, and the things it represents (materialism, consumerism, the scarcity-mindset, win-to-win competition , giving-for-the-sake-of-anything-but-generosity, etc.) are not...are not of the Kingdom.  

Maybe this is too judgemental or hypocritcal, too topical or short-sighted, too reactionary or provoking. 

But doesn't Christ make a difference in how we shop and why?

Perhaps the Advent Conspiracy is part of the remedy (see below).
Are other things necessary?

What's your thoughts?



Questions, questions, questions, and the only answer is to look up. 

-John

Perspective

I am experiencing both, excitement and fear for what God is doing in, through and around me.

It's an awesome sense, knowing that God has a plan. My problem, if I can pinpoint just one, would be the simple fact that I wrestle with being in control. My tendencies lead me to pursue the things that I have control over, or at the very least, have some sort of leverage. Yah - not the case as of late. And that's okay, I guess.

It's an interesting place - a place that I have not made myself too familiar with over the years - a place that I am learning to appreciate and embrace. That doesn't make it any easier; just my reality.

That said, I am seeking God's will for my life, my family, my finances, my ministry, my future. Or is it His life, His family, His finances, His ministry and His future?

Perspective changes everything.

~Andrew

Happy Gratitudegiving-Day!

In honor of Thanksgiving day (which honestly deserves a little more than a day wouldn't you say?) I looked up "thanks" up on Wikipedia. Here is the gist of it (with a little bit of research cut out):

"Gratitude, appreciation, or thankfulness is a positive emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive. Even though our reactions to favors might not always be positive, researchers have found that people express gratitude often. Psychological research has demonstrated that individuals are more likely to experience gratitude when they receive a favor that is perceived to be (1) valued by the recipient, (2) costly to the benefactor, (3) given by the benefactor with benevolent intentions, and (4) given gratuitously....

Gratitude may also serve to reinforce future prosocial behavior in benefactors....

Research has also suggested that feelings of gratitude may be beneficial to subjective emotional well-being....

Although gratitude is something that anyone can experience, some people seem to feel grateful more often than others. People who tend to experience gratitude more frequently than do others also tend to be happier, more helpful and forgiving, and less depressed than their less grateful counterparts."

I love that gratitude seems to be so helpful to life! I think an entire blog could be written on about that alone, but what I really want to think/thank about is the four criteria in the quote, and how they relate to Christ's gift of himself to us.

Valued by the recipient: How enormously valuable Christ's giving was to us! Looking at Ephesians really helps me to see how much I should value what he gave. I mean, how much value can you see in being brought back to life! Or in when we were without knowledge of God, being enlightened with Christ! Or when we were metaphorically far off, being brought near to God! What a precious gift he gave to us!

Costly to the benefactor: To benefit us Christ had to give up so much! I think we sometimes ignore the initial cost of what Christ did to give, and focus solely on his suffering on the cross and his death. Just in coming to the earth Christ seemed had to pay a price. He emptied himself to come to earth, and then he humbled himself to become a servant, till he died! What a precious gift He gave to us!

Given by the benefactor with benevolent intentions: "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."[!] It's amazing to me that God would allow us a second-chance at what we could have had in the garden. And then beyond that he promises that this eternal life will be the 'fullest' life we have ever had! What a precious gift He gave to us!

Given gratuitously: I had to look up gratuitously, which means:

1 a: given unearned or without recompense b: not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration c: costing nothing : free

2: not called for by the circumstances : unwarranted gratuitous assumption>

Amen to both definitions! Counter to most religions of the world, and even the modern mindset, what we do does not ultimately affect how we end up in life! Christ gave us something we could never earn, without expectation of being 'payed' back, and did it even while we were breaking His instructions, sinners, separate from Him and God. What a precious gift he gave to us!

So on this Thanksgiving day, I hope you experience a sense of gratitude towards God for the precious gift He gave!

Thank you God for your Son and his life, death, and coming-back-to-life. Thank you for what you are doing here on earth, and may it continue in our lives. Thank you for what is happening within the Church, I pray that she would continue to love You and love people. Thank you for what is happening within our church, I pray that we can grow in you, and be continually bettering our community. We love you.

-John

P.S. We had prime rib for dinner. It was awesome.

The Inn-ja's second game, and reflections on the edifying each other.

I had the pleasure of seeing our Inn-ja's soccer team today, and let me tell you...

they...

well...

They have an amazing cheer squad behind them! (They also have amazing, dedicated, and vibrant players! Tim Alban had a great score tonight, Tim and Ryan had some awesome saves tonight, and I saw some really great teamwork and hard-play out there on the field!)

At the end of the game someone came up to me and mentioned that the other team wished they had a cheering section like the Inn-ja's did. It made me realize the impact that Christ makes on each and everyone of us as we live our daily lives. (Yes, this just turned into a devo, stick with me for a little while and see if you agree, disagree, or want to comment otherwise.)

Earlier today I went to a site called studentreviews.com to look up my school, and noticed that a large number of the reviews of other colleges on there, especially 'secular' ones, were not only incredibly negative, but nearly hateful and virulent. Now I realize not all the reviews were like this, but it seemed that a larger majority of the negative reviews coming from 'secular' schools were derogatory, mean, etc. than the ones coming from Christian schools. (I hate the term secular, because it creates an us-them mentality, but it is the easiest way to identify the schools I am speaking of.)

Then today, as I procrastinate on my homework, I read from Ephesians 4:1-16 on the unity of the body and giving of gifts to build it up. I can't help but note that there is something that brings Christians together for each other in a way that is different than the world. Yes, we still fight over and have division over inane and not so inane things but when we actively use our gifts to build up the body, to edify and love each other, something happens that is literally out of this world.

So when the other team noticed our cheer squad I kind of got excited, not in a proud kind of way, but in a "things are working the way they should" kind of way.

Finally, I look back at late this morning as I saw one of our own being baptized. Christ Tomlin was baptized while his fiancée Jessica Lowrie helped, and many from the Inn cheered. It was incredible to see the large amount of support behind him and to see the church encouraging and loving each other.

What do you think your gift is?
How are you using it build up the church?
How are you using it build up the world?

-John

P.S.

Congratz to Erin Gonzalez and Jamie Thames on their recent engagement, as well as Michael Thames and Sarah Parsons! Now we just have to wait and see if Emma-jo, Jamie and Michael's younger step-sister will soon be engaged too! Hehe.

Random Thought

It's amazing to me how God orchestrates things. I never cease to be amazed at the ways in which He will keep me on my toes; keeping me guessing and leaving me wanting for more. The crazy thing is that just when I think that I am getting a grip on the plot, the story takes off like a Rally car being run by a professional driver - God takes me through trails and turns at speeds beyond my comprehension - and I love it!

My thought on the subject? Hang on and enjoy the ride!

~Andrew

ENATION

ENATION - A band local here to the northwest, out of Battleground, WA. I just got their first album from a buddy and have not stopped listening to it since. Amazing to say the least. Unique in their styling, I am enjoying the vocals, the variation in songs and the heart behind their songs. When you get the chance, check 'em out.

www.enationmusic.com

~Andrew

Happenings...

We've had two new happenings at the Inn this last week:

1. Andrew and Stacy are going to have a little girl in March!

2. A certain couple got engaged! I will give you a cookie if you tell me who.

-John.

Digital Prayer

Lord God;

Thank you for your before-time love. Thank you for your giving of life. Thank you for your son and his self-sacrifice. We know that you hear these prayers and others, and ask that you would be in them and for them. We pray at the same time that we would be found in you and working for you.

-John.

I am John's eternal frustration with wifi internet...

Andrew asked me to write a little something here, and I told him I would get it done by Friday, so I figured late Sunday afternoon would be the perfect time to write...

My name is John Lussier, and I am the Inn-tern here at the Inn. Har har har.

Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and then give anyone out there reading this a chance to do the same in the comment section.

"I was born a poor black child. I remember the days, sittin' on the porch with my family, singin' and dancin' down in Mississippi...(1)"

Here's some quick stats about me:

-Born August, 1986 I can remember growing up as a child watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, G.I. Joes, and my all time favorite Adventure of the Gummi Bears(2). Knowing that should pretty much orient you to the rest of my life.

-I currently live with my parents and my two younger sisters. By live with I mean live beside...in an R.V (3).

-I am finishing up my junior year at Multnomah University, majoring in Bible/Theology and Youth Ministry.

-In my extra time (4), I love to read, listen to all kinds of music (5), make videos, take pictures, play mafia, go out to coffee, and just generally chill.

-I have been attending the Inn since its beginning, and I keep coming back because of the exciting things I see God doing there and with the people. The atmosphere is inviting, the messages are motivating, the worship is provoking, the people are loving, and I continually experience God there.

I would absolutely love to hear from you if you are reading this. Who are you, what you are about, why do you attend the Inn, etc. And please, please, please make sure to include your favorite 80's cartoon. SO COMMENT!!!

-John Lussier
__________
Footnotes:
1. That's a quote from the Jerk, one of the best movies of all time. Rent it, watch it, live it.
2. I can't forget to mentions Transformers, Dark Wing Duck, and Batman as well.
3. Long story... I have to tell you, it is pretty sweet; it's like I am constantly camping in my backyard. Without real heat, or a space bigger than 6' by 8'
4. All two minutes of it, with school, volunteering at the highschool, with the Inn, and working at home.
5. Except country. Bun-nu-nu-na-nu-nu-nu-nu-nah!

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

During the past few weeks we have been exploring such faith issues as Image (Chris Farley Show), Distractions (More Cowbell) and Making A Difference (Matt Foley - Motivational Speaker).

So this week we're finishing up week four of our four-part series entitled, The Gospel According To Saturday Night Live; a comedic approach to relevant faith issues. That said, I am excited to see how God is going to move in the hearts and lives of His people. These messages, although funny and entertaining, have really been challenging us to exercise a life of faith in action - a life lived both in and through our faith in God. It's been awesome experiencing the significance of each decision to live out of faith both as individuals as well as in our ministry as a whole.

I invite you to attend this week. Mark your calendars now (Thursday, November 6th - 7:00 pm). Come ready to experience a night with other 18 to 30 somethings from across the area, engaged in worship through music, prayer, a relevant message, authentic relationships and more.

~Andrew Anderson