Getting ready to lay the slab - 8.29.2011

Frederick Buechner - Faith

I heard a quote by Frederick Buechner at Duke Divinity School's Convocation in 2010. I was putting away some of my notes and came upon that quote again. The above video is one by Frederick Buechner talking about faith. The quote that I was referring to is below: “The common view is that life itself, whatever life is, does not care one way or another, any more than the ocean cares whether we swim in it or drown in it. In honesty one has to admit that a great deal of the evidence supports such a view. But rightly or wrongly, the Christian faith flatly contradicts it. To say that God is Spirit is to say that life DOES care, that the life-giving power that life itself comes from is not indifferent as to whether we sink or swim. IT WANTS US TO SWIM.” ~ Frederick Buechner

Day After the Footings Were Laid 8.25.2011

Earthquake & Hurricane

This last week we had an earthquake in our area of North Carolina. Now, at the latter end of the same week we have Hurricane Irene barreling through. This has caused much discussion at our home. We have discussed that this was probably a once in a lifetime occurrence for our children. They have experienced their first ----- and possibly last earthquake. We have discussed how that has impacted folks and what were the procedures for measuring earthquakes.

Then we discussed Hurricane Irene. [Quick parenthetical note ----- last time Irene was named was in 1999 and it came through the same part of North Carolina. DeAnne and I got married the day before it blew through.] One of my children asked why God makes hurricanes. My response was that I am not sure what hurricanes that God makes ----- but I am sure that God loves us and promises to never leave us or forsake us. Suffering is part of our existence as Christians ---- and that is why the Lord gives us one another to help each other carry the heavy loads we each bear.

The notion of God making natural disasters that kill people is hard for me to get my head around. Also, I am not sure if I can make those pronouncements on God's behalf. I am writing this because I would like to hear how you all answer questions like that.

Jury Duty

For three days I was summoned for jury duty. The first day we were released after 2 hours and the second day we were released after 1 hour. Then on the third day I was selected to serve on a jury in a criminal trial. I got to come home and have lunch in the midst of that trial ---- and DeAnne decided to take my picture. I was actually excited about being picked as a juror ---- and she said that she had to take a picture of me because I am the only person she has ever met that was excited about serving on a jury. It really was a fascinating process and it was extremely different than I thought it would be. Our case was cut and dry so we were done with our deliberations pretty quickly. But I do think that our jury worked hard at being fair and weighing the evidence.

Old Well Filled In 8.9.2011

Footings being laid 8.23.11

Jamaica Mission Trip 2011

This is a video made about the Jamaica Mission Trip that was June/July 2011. Ashley Ayscue created this video.

Moving Dirt and Light Pole at Warren's Grove

Ground Breaking Service.

This is our ground breaking service from Sunday, July 17th. We as the church broke ground for God's glory. Our prayer is that in everything we do we proclaim the Lord's goodness and majesty. This video was made by our Associate Minister Touger Thao.

Moving Dirt at Warren's Grove

Moving Dirt 8.2.2011

Trees coming down part #4

Trees Coming Down part #3

Trees coming down Part #2

Trees Coming Down part #1

Outdoor Mission Camp - Campability

Here is a video of our youth group helping to lead a camp called Campability. This was in Maggie Valley, NC and I would encourage you all to ask them about their experience.