1 Corinthians 15.12-20

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 15.12-20. The meat of verses 12-19 indicates that if we do not believe in Christ's resurrection, then in essence all of our faith and hope has been in vain. But then in verse 20 the Apostle Paul writes: "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died." We can find our hope in the one who overcame death and the grave. One thing that sticks out to me is the word "fact" that is used in this translation. This quote comes from the New Revised Standard Version [NRSV]. I did a quick search on other translations, and I found that the CEB and the ESV also use the word "fact". But the NIV, KJV, and NASB do not use the word "fact". When that word is used, in regards to the resurrection, how does that change your understanding of the resurrection in regards to history? Do you believe that the resurrection is a historical fact?
I think the word "fact", truly conveys Paul's emphasis on how important the resurrection is for the life of the Christian. But oftentimes, people get a little nervous with the word "fact" when it comes to the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Because we do not open history books and find pictures of the tomb empty ---- or Jesus standing with his disciples looking into his pierced side. So how does this word "fact" differ from our 21st century understanding of "fact"?

Moving the portico at Warren's Grove

From July 26th, 2011.

Doc Watson

This last June my family and I went to Boone, NC for a camping trip. One night we were hanging out in downtown Boone and saw that the entire street had been blocked off. The reason for that was the there was a statue being dedicated to Doc Watson ----- and he was there for the dedication! I am a Doc Watson fan ----- ever since I heard a PBS special called the Three Pickers [you can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxiligIJ-TU It was awesome to be that close to such a bluegrass legend. Doc Watson was born blind. I have been told that he was able to wire his entire house, even though he was born blind.

1 Corinthians 15.1-11

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 15.1-11. In this passage we can see that the resurrected Christ appeared to the Apostle Paul. He explains how Christ appeared to Cephas, then the twelve, then to 500, then to James, then to the other apostles, and "last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me" (v 8). This is grace ----- for Paul was one who persecuted the church. That even one who had sought out death for the disciples of Jesus ----- was transformed into one that proclaimed that Jesus was the resurrected Lord of lords. How has the resurrection of Jesus impacted you? If you look back on your life, what grace do you see extended your way?

VBS Video

Here is a Vacation Bible School video for this year. This was made by Ashley Ayscue. Enjoy!

Vacation Bible School 2011

We have been having a great week at Vacation Bible School this week. Our theme has been Hometown Nazareth. We have been studying what it was like for Jesus as a kid. We have had great participation and turn out. And the kids have been learning ALOT! Our commencement is going to be on Sunday and I am super excited to see what the kids have in store for the congregation. I have been working with the youth doing local mission projects ----- therefore, I haven't been around to see some of the fun things they are doing. Looking forward to Sunday!

1 Corinthians 14.12-25

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 14.12-25. In this passage the Apostle Paul says "since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church" (v 12). We are called to use the gifts that the Lord has entrusted to us ----- for the upbuilding of the church. To edify one another in love. Recently, a team of 8 (6 of which came from Warren's Grove) just got back from a mission trip in Jamaica. We were there to help put in a floor in a church called Mitchell Town Methodist Church. This church had been devastated by numerous hurricanes, and they have been unable to worship in their sanctuary since 2005. We, along with about 40 people that came out from all over Jamaica, put together this project where we were able to lay a concrete foundation at the church. In this action we can see what spiritual gifts are to be used for. They are to be used for the upbuilding of the church ------ and this is to be done in love.

New Video

New Warren's Grove Video to kick-off our new website.