The grassroots blog

You should download this album now. It's offered for free (legally) at noisetrade.com. You have the option of leaving the artist a tip.

It's Josh Garrels' "Love & War & the Sea In Between." http://noisetrade.com/joshgarrels. It sounds yummy, and his lyrics are poetic, insightful and inspiring. It's described as Portland, Oregon, acoustic/breakbeat. I've been listening to it all week.

Also: Yobel Market's Second Sunday documentaries are now Final Friday documentaries and have a new location. They'll screen the movie "Chocolate Country" tomorrow, Jan. 27, at Cafe 225, 225 N. Weber St., from 7-9 p.m. Suggested $3 donation at the door. Here's a description of the movie: "In the isolated hill towns of the Dominican Republic, cacao farmers have been fighting a losing battle with the global economy for as long as anyone can remember. But in Loma Guaconejo, things are about to change. If the farmers here can win organic certification and market their product in a directly and fairly, they just might manage to turn the system on its head. Pulling it off will take the effort of an entire community."

And here is a music video from Josh Garrels' "White Owl."

-Willow

Featuring hors d'oeuvres, giveaways of these tote bags and bracelets (great gifts) from Restore Innocence to the first 6 people to donate $15 or more, and music by Josh Dillard and the National Champions, and li'l old me in The Ivory Banks.

All donations will go to Restore Innocence, which helps victims of child trafficking and is raising money to build a safe house for victims. The event is generously sponsored by grassROOTS and The BASCO Group. Get there by 6:30 for your chance to win the prizes. Music will start promptly at 7.

Lon Chaney Theatre, City Auditorium, downtown Colorado Springs.

For details and to hear the bands, check out the Facebook event page here.

--Willow

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New options for a building, please keep this in your prayers! Keep your ears peeled as we will be able to share more on December 11th.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We are continuing our series in Galations, "The Epic Tensions" will pick back up in Chapter 5. Bring your friends and family! See you there!

One LOVE!

My family and I moved to the Cragmoor neighborhood a couple of weeks ago.  One night recently, I made the drive over to K-Mart on Fillmore and Nevada to pick some things up.  As I wove through our neighborhood, parked and made the rounds in the store, I was struck by something about the people I now live near.  One thought came to mind; Need.  My heart was burdened.  Part of our reason for moving to this neighborhood was to meet these people, build relationships, share the gospel.  Now it's clear that we are also called to be loving hands and feet and meet some of the practical needs our neighbors surely have.

On Saturday, a group met up to pray and serve.  Adam Elbrecht had gathered us from Grassroots Church, Calvary Bible Church, and Rooted Student Ministries.  When I showed up (late), the gang had already bagged most of the groceries into roughly 30 neatly packed sacks of eggs, milk, bananas, bacon, butter, bread, and flyers.

We loaded into the Calvary Bible van and Pastor Pat prayed  that we'd find success getting out these groceries to those in need.  After the 30 second drive over, it was clear that many of the trailers are vacant.

We jumped out and split up to knock on doors.  Kendra and I went to the nearest home and knocked.  The first faces we saw were friendly, and they said no groceries were necessary for them. Next we met older ladies who cried and expressed what a timely blessing the food was for them.  Younger guys seemed stunned that we were simply giving them something with no expectations.  We invited everyone to read their flyers and contact Grassroots if they need prayer. After finishing up at the trailer park, we had plenty more groceries, so we drove to the nearest duplexes.

All in all, the groceries were a success.  What I saw as the greatest success was the joy that this food brought to people.

Thanks to Adam for putting this together.  My heart was over-joyed being a small part of this, and I know that my neighbors were in bed that night with full stomachs, wondering why a couple of local churches would spend their time and money giving out food just to show them love.

-- Brian

I wonder how many people beat themselves up over Matthew 5:28: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (NIV)

Was Jesus saying that it’s the same for a man to look at a woman and think she’s hot as it is to have sex with her? I don’t think that’s what he meant, and I think that’s dangerous thinking.

I’m a married woman with eyes and desires. Getting married didn’t all of a sudden make me not notice when a guy is attractive. But I think there’s an important difference between having a thought or feeling and entertaining that thought or feeling.

Should we feel guilty when we look at someone and think, “Wow, he’s a babe”? What about enjoying the feeling we get an attractive person gives us attention? I say we shouldn't feel guilty. It’s natural. There is a gap between a thought and a fantasy. Between a feeling and indulgence. But it can be difficult to know where that line is. It's easier to know when we are walking in step with the Spirit. But if we have quenched the Spirit's voice, lines of sin easily become blurred as if we are in a fog.

Being tempted isn’t a sin. How do we know? Because Jesus was tempted, and he never sinned. But temptation can be powerful. It can be hard to stop once we give into it just a little bit.

I think one of the best ways to resist temptation is to acknowledge it without self-judgment. I know that’s the opposite of what a lot of us do. Usually we’ll have a thought or an interaction and we’ll beat ourselves up about it and try to force the thoughts out of our heads.

For me, that’s like telling yourself, “try not to think about a polka-dotted elephant.” Then that’s all you can think of. Don’t tell yourself “try not to think about this,” try telling yourself, “I’m having this thought or desire. I accept that without self-judgment. Now I will ask God to keep me on the path he wants me on.”

Guilt can drive us into situations much worse than a fleeting temptation. I think it’s one of the tools the devil uses to get us to screw up. One way to think about this that can help you decipher those feelings is the concept of condemnation vs. conviction. The Holy Spirit does not condemn us, for "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," but he is faithful to convict us of sin.

If you’re nearing the gap dividing a simple desire, thought or temptation from an emotional affair, physical affair, or indulgence of fantasy for someone you don’t want to be fantasizing about, just step back. Maybe you’re in the gap already or have crossed it. It’s not too late to back away.

I’ve read a few interpretations of Matthew 5:28, and I don’t know what’s right, but one minister wrote that he thinks Jesus meant that we shouldn’t look at someone with the intention of being turned on by them. Like going to a strip club or looking up porn online. Those are decisions we have control over.

But sometimes we can feel out of control. As the daughter of a recovering alcoholic, I have seen the power of addiction. No one should feel enslaved to a desire or action or object or substance or person. You probably realize that this addiction isn’t serving God. But it’s not even serving you! So who is it good for? If you do feel enslaved to something destructive, don’t hide in shame and beat yourself up. That will make it worse.

That’s why we have each other! Seriously. Talk to someone. Bring these things into the light through confession both to Christ and one another. Pastor Clay says, "We are easily deceived when then remain isolated in the dark. Even a bad lie we can believe if we're only listening to the lie and not other Godly people around us."

We all know we’re sick of fake Christians. So let’s be real with one another. We’re not characters in a 1950s sitcom. We’re struggling humans trying to figure out how to get by in a depraved world.

Here is a free resource for people struggling to overcome destructive habits or addictions or desires. Check it out if you feel enslaved to anything in your life. http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/

Most importantly, talk to someone. If you don’t have anyone, come to grassROOTS in downtown Colorado Springs at the City Auditorium’s Lon Chaney Theatre at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. There will be no judgment there.

A few months ago Pastor Clay preached a sermon series entitled Crescendo of Faith. We went through the book of James together and heard how the Gospel is not something that you simply take in week after week and treasure it for yourself. Instead, a life dramatically altered by the Gospel produces an outward response of Spirit led, faith-filled action.

Currently we are looking into a a new space for grassROOTS. The location that we meet at now does not foster growth nor is it safe for our little ones. The reality of this search is daunting. As a church family we have a tight budget. Our target group is of people who desperately need the gospel but may not have the ability to tithe much. Here is the thing though. If we are called to a new building, God will stop at nothing to ensure it happens. This is testimony of the Gospel. God sent his own Son to death and resurrection to ensure that we have right relationship with him. If a building will foster the right relationship among a body of believers and become a beacon of hope in a dark city, then God will make it happen.

So then, while God is moving what is our responsibility in this? Faith. In Matthew 17 Jesus’ disciples were brought a boy who was possessed by a demon. The disciples tried to cast it out, but were unable. Finally Jesus cast out the demon and when asked by the Disciples why they were unable to do the same, Jesus responded: "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

Jesus was asking them to have BIG faith. If we are walking in this big faith, then nothing is impossible! So then what is faith? Clay answered this very question in Crescendo of Faith. I would ask that you read this, and meditate on it. Ask yourselves how you can integrate this into your daily life. Talk about this in your huddles. Pray with each other! But, most importantly pray that this becomes the heartbeat of our church:

Faith is our response to that in which we believe in.  As Christians, faith is our response to Jesus Christ.  It is not blind arrogance, idle belief, or vain actions of good deeds. Whatever area, whether it is reflecting impartial love, an active love working itself out in merciful deeds, or exercising wisdom and meekness to surrender our tongue to Christ. Faith is our response to the Gospel, the truth of the Word of God, the love of the Father, sacrifice of the Son and the tangible love of Jesus, expressed through sacrificial service that culminated in the ultimate sacrifice.... death. Our Savior taking our punishment because of our sin, paying our debt, being himself, our ransom and atoning for the sins of all mankind. Our faith is a living, active and obedient response to that Gospel.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith is our hope and our response to the Gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ is indeed God, is indeed faithful and did indeed rise from the grave, sealing our faith, hope, assurance and fulfilling His promise. God's love, God's mercy and God's grace are overwhelming and we rejoice in our assured hope that through Christ's death new life is free to all who turn. We have hope and stand confident because death has been defeated. That's the Gospel.... the good news that secures our faith.  Not an empty belief of empty words, not a faith that is dead, but a life changing and lived out response to Jesus Christ. A faith that is visible and tangible, a faith that is evident in action, deed, obedience, devotion, sacrifice, and perseverance all for the glory of God. This is the beauty of the Gospel: Jesus Christ laid down his life for ours and in response; we lay down our lives and become servants of this Gospel, sent into the world to be on mission for the Gospel.

Let this become our heart’s cry. This is not about an old building or a new one, but a life lived out physically in response to the change that God is doing in us. If you are reading this and realize that God is not at the center of your life, please e-mail grassrootsclay@hotmail.com. We would love to pray with you and talk to you about the God who moves mountains. If you are sure that God is moving in your heart but feel that you need direction in how to make this an outward portrayal of an inward reality please let us know! We have many service opportunities, ministries, and general needs that we can help you get plugged into. Thank you for walking with us in your journey, we are honored that you are a part of ours.

1. This Saturday the 19th, Adam Elbrecht is leading an effort to buy and bag groceries for people in the Cragmor neighborhood.You can meet at Calvary Bible church, 865 Westmoreland Road, at 9 a.m. Saturday. Everyone will go to the grocery store to get food, head back to the church, bag the food and then hand it out to families who could use some extra help. Or you can donate money for the groceries on Saturday as well.

Here's Adam's notes about it:

If you want to donate money for the food drive please consider buying a bag or as many bags of groceries as you feel led to give!
Here is the list and cost for the bagged groceries:
1 gallon of milk = $2.78
18 eggs. ... = $2.68
bacon. = $2.89
I loaf of bread. = $1.00
1 tub of butter = $2.50
Total (not including tax) = $11.94
 

Updated details: Aight peeps! Here's da dillio..... We are meeting this Saturday at the Cragmor church (Calvary Bible) at 9:00 am. From there we will go to the grocery store and get food, head back to the church, bag everything up and hand it out. You can still donate money or bring food this Sat. Calvary Bible has already donated $250.00! Woo hoo!!!!!! Come on out Saturday and help us love on the people in the Cragmor community!!!

2. Here's a big list that ran in The Gazette about holiday needs in the Pikes Peak region.

Just some encouragement for my friends who have been struggling with a promise or desire the Lord has given you:

In the Old Testament, there was a woman named Hannah who could not have children. After years of devotion to the Lord, "Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if You will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to You. He will be Yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”1 Samuel 1:10-11 (NLT)

"and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” 1 Samuel 1:20 (NLT)

Then Hannah prayed: "My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because You rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God. Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don't speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what You have done; He will judge your actions. The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. The Lord gives both death and life; He brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The Lord makes some poor and others rich; He brings some down and lifts others up. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord’s, and He has set the world in order. He will protect His faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the Lord judges throughout the earth. He gives power to His king; He increases the strength of His anointed one.” 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (NLT)

You see, Hannah demonstrated three key acts of reverence (a feeling of profound awe, respect, love and honor).

1) She loved, adored and had genuine relationship with God ... enough to be completely vulnerable before Him to truly speak what was on her heart and mind. She was not afraid to seek the Lord for her deepest longing to be fulfilled.

2) She kept her word, the covenant she made with the Lord. By naming her son Samuel, which is Hebrew for "God is heard" or "His name is God," she was forever reminded that God granted her request. Samuel was not only God's servant, but one of the first major prophets. He anointed King Saul and King David, and was the last of the Hebrew judges.

3) She gave all glory, all honor and all credit to the Lord by singing a song of praise! She understood what it meant to give a humble heart of gratitude, and how to have the correct fear of the Lord.

I'd like to challenge those of you who are struggling with an aspect of your life to be like Hannah!

Become completely vulnerable with God, keep your word, praise Him despite the circumstances, and have a reverent fear of the Lord.

-- Becky

What: Human Trafficking Awareness Art Show, with live art performances, music and Mexican food

When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, and 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10

Where: Cafe El Paso, 3840 N. Nevada Ave.

Details: Free; 634-3940. Some proceeds go to the Human Trafficking Awareness Foundation

Today over at Simple Mom, Shaun Groves writes about an experience he had with his mother in their local grocery store. 

Bent over at the shoulder blades. Hair that shade of pinkish silver denial. Spotted hands on the crossbar of her shopping cart, pushing hard against it. Wrestling her way down the aisle in a losing battle against a wobbling stubborn wheel.

I passed by. But my mother? She stopped

“Here,” she said,”take mine.”

She began lifting the woman’s groceries from her cart and placing them in ours...

Shaun goes onto say that as he helped his mom switch carts that day he learned something about compassion, community and service. The story reminded me of home. A small town where everyone knows everyone else and is generally quick to lend a hand to a neighbor. Living there, I was quick to lend a hand or stop and talk. Going out of my way was part of small town life, and it didn't feel all that "out of the way." 

Since moving to a bigger city, I've settled into the anonymity that makes not lending a hand, not talking easier. Live and let live, that's by and large the unspoken motto of city life. I say that knowing that there are pockets of the city where neighbors know each other and people genuinely care. I also know that there are some people who are just down right neighborly no matter where they live. My mother-in-law is one of those people. I am always convicted about my impersonal interactions with cashiers when I'm shopping with her. She asks about their day, not because it's polite, but because she cares. 

In the short time that I've been a mom, I've seen a lot of things about my life and character that have got to go if I'm going to train my little girl to be a woman who lives a gospel-centered life. And this is just another thing to put on the growing list of things I need Jesus to help me grow in before I can help her. 

I want to be someone who's looking out for the needs of people I run across at the grocery store or in line at the Post Office. And not just because Ava is my daughter, but because Jesus is my King. Jesus saw people and their needs no matter how big the crowd or what he was on his way to do. 

So here's to getting back to a better way of life, of seeing people even when the population is a little larger, to having a small town heart in the city. To having a Jesus heart wherever I am.