The Chronicles of The Best They Ever Had

Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. -Acts 2:43-47

Sunday, October 30, 2005

a little prayer, por favor

hey all,
I just wanted to ask if you guys could do some praying for me; I spent a good 3 hours tonight talking to a friend of mine, Scott Boone. And, through the conversation, God really pointed out some things that I've been justifying and/or ignoring for quite a while. I feel like, in a way, as if I've become a bit like the Pharisees of Jesus' day. I know how to live, and what to do to walk with God, and I listen to God and so on...but along the way, I've become self-righteous and judgmental. I need to learn what it really means to just honestly love people instead of guaging where they stand with God and so on. I could go into a lot of detail, but I'd rather not on this blog. If you want to know more, I'd love to tell you all about it, so just give me a call or IM me. Or, I'll be seeing some of you in a couple of weeks, and I can tell you about it then. I just ask that you be praying for me in the meantime that God loosens my grip on my pride.

love you all
Jordan M

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Check it Out

Check this out:

http://churches.everynation.org/default_ministries.asp?id=589

This is from Jim Lafoon's devotion book. Jim Lafoon is the man....he's an incredible prophet that comes to King's Park (my church in Durham) pretty often and preaches powerfully and prophesies over folks a lot. Anywho, they seem to be posting his devotionals daily if you guys wanna check it out....i havent read them much, but maybe it'll give you a lil' taste of Every Nation flavor.

Luke

to keep the sports theme goin...

I am on 2.. count em 2, intramural soccer teams. Got a game tonight and tomorrow. This is the team that is sick nasty ^^, and I get to play keeper for. The other team is for the Teaching Fellows, first game got canceled but games are on Monday. Anywho out to go dominate, hopefully (cuz I haven't played in forever). Well I am out.
lata
stevo

Friday, October 21, 2005

are you ready for some football

hey guys...so i'm on a football team now...Nance Girls Intermural...whoo hoo...we're gonna take on ALL the sororities.

brooke

Thursday, October 20, 2005

cute

"Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die." (look for the double meaning).

"I think... I think it's in my basement... Let me go upstairs and check." -- Escher

Luke

Monday, October 17, 2005

Intelligent Design - a college professor is standing up for it

In addition to checking my email and this blog daily (ok, so multiple times daily), I like to check cnn.com just to at least read some headlines to see what is going on in the world. Today's check of the "Education" section held this article.

jmm

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Way To Go, Princeton

Finally, something encouraging in the realm of how our society treats relationships.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/10/13/college.chastity.ap/index.html




JMM

"The Greatest Enemy to the movement of Jesus Christ is Chritianity" Erwin McManus

Ok heres my spiritual life right now, thanks to Catalyst God has redirected me, and I'm listening to God again, and I haven't had time to process it all. I believe my unhappiness this summer, was in God's plan to move me into his direction. But the most depressing thing I've heard in a long time is the fact that the average American is more afraid of "Eveangelical Christians" then serical killers. Because television preachers, and evangelicals, condemn men to death. When Jesus is a life giver and there was no Christian outrage brought against him. Donald Miller talked about 3 pardigm shifts during his speaking time there are more in his book that i haven't been able to read yet but they were
1. Other People Exsist.
2. Nobody will listen to you, unless they know you like them.
3. People have to understand that God loves them. Christianity means a million things to a million different people.
McManus pointed out that we have to make our relationships about them instead of us.
Both Miller and McManus pointed out the need for diversity, surronding ourselves with people who validate us, will not challenge us to think in different ways.
Im well aware of the fact that I need to work on this myself but im filling you in on me and what im facing.

I feel like I make a difference this summer, more so here then anwhere else, all the thoughts and ideas running through my head are much more condcive to this environment. I think that the Methodist Church needs something new, and no where is new more important to be but in the hearts and minds of youth and youth leaders.

Finally it greatly upset me about Stephens comment on why Katrina happened. If that were the case than God would have had to strike the world. I believe an important function of grace is Freewill and while I believe that God has reason for everything I don't believe Katrina was about killing sinners, and destorying dins of inquity or every city and state in the country would need to be struck down.

I want to make clear my position on Homosexuality, because its an issue greatly plaguing the church in our time, I believe that homosexuality is a sin and in no way support it, I don't believe Homosexuals should become ordained, however, John 8:7 says as you all know, "He who is without sin cast the first stone" Thus it is imperative that not condemn homosexuals, but we should reach out to them as we were reached.

peace
jordan cauley

up up and away

So again really busy, but I have had a chance to stop and breath tonite, while in Chicago. It has been an awesome trip so far and has been beyond expectations. I have found a new love for the city. I miss everyone from camp a whole bunch and I love you all. I hope that college is going well for our Petra and Stephen. Life has been good. Right now I am having to battle it out with my pregnant professor who has mood swings that change as quick as the gas prices, and having projects that are very similar to mine that I had during my first year. I know already that Monday is going to be one long day when we get back, because there is no way I can catch up on my sleep while here. Adios mi amors.
Heather Ray
Fly with Christ

Friday, October 14, 2005

Ok here it is

First off i need to apologize to Petra about my cruel and hurtful words, I felt my character was being attacked even though it may have needed and I responded the way I normally do.
The other problem here is motivation has changed. Motivation is the single most important factor in film and literature, and is also a major factor in life. The relationships that have been built with each of you has been motivated by Rockfish, however, in every group of friends change shifts in role, and events dramatically reshape a group a dynamic. Through both of these I no longer have a niche or a motivation. This summer our group experienced a shift, I never found a new niche at Rockfish I wasn't very useful, and was incredibly uncomfortable. Thus my motivation has changed, I am no longer motivated by a love of Rockfish, it is no longer a home, or a place of comfort and will likely never be again. This has a profound impact on all of you, as my relationships and conversations with you guys always rooted in "last summer" and "next summer" I will no be there this summer. At this point I don't think I have any desire to attend reunion even if I could. Thus I will likely dimish further from this blog because I don't feel I have anything to add to you. I don't fit into the puzzle. This summer I will be here at Junaluska working as a Sound Technician, and will be directing videography, I suppose it would be similar to Jorge's job, but many or our videos will be scripted peices to accompany the program.
I'm sorry if I've hurt you guys.
I will always Love you guys, but I'm not sure how much longer our paths will be together
Peace
Jordan Cauley

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Homosexuality in the Church

John Boruff sent this link about different issues in the church over homosexuality. It's sad that something that should be a non-issue, something that Paul tried to kill in the churches 2000 years ago with his letters condeming homosexuality, is still a debate at all. This article includes another issue with methodist leadership too.

http://crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/1356084.html

Luke "But Some People Call Me Lukas" Oltmans

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

The missing person!?!?!!

Where have all the people gone?!?!!? The elusive Jodan Cauley who no1 can get a hold of. How about the busy Heather Ray? I would love to sees all of your beautiful handwriting on this blog^^. Hmmmm, I will search, but will prob. come up short..... lol, and Luke"the man"Oltmans (lol) where have you gone to :tear:. Anywho, tried to make this post interesting, lol. I am out to raquetball, woot woot!
lata peeps
cool kids
stephen

never going to do homework i guess

It was so great to see most of you this weekend at camp. I sure do miss seeing your bright, shining faces every day. And, I have to say, I love the Joiners dearly - I'm super glad we got to sit and hang out with them this weekend as much as we did.

I also just wanted to mention to you all...I just want to apologize if I've been particularly rude or blunt or just out right discouraging in the last couple of months. God has been bringing a lot of stuff to the surface and I've been dealing with a lot of insecurities. I didn't really know how to talk about any of it with you all, and I feel like I've shut myself off every now and again. And then there are times I say things with the intention of being helpful or encouraging and then it just comes out all wrong and the more I talk to try and fix it, the worse it gets. I don't know how to explain it all...just that there are some insecurities that run deeper than I thought...and on one hand I didn't want to say anything because humility hurts, but on the other hand I wanted to say something because I know humility is so important. I wanted to share my recent troubles, but I guess I also just kept pulling back because I didn't want compliments or to seem like I was doing it for attention (you know those girls that say dumb things like 'I'm fat' just so someone will say 'Oh no you're not!')... good grief, I don't know. But again, I apologize if I've hurt anyone's feelings at any point since the middle of this summer.

Jordan M

Friday, October 07, 2005

Actually it took two posts

The order is a little off but McManus is proly the best


Bill Hybels Session 6

Handles different on a full tank of fuel.

Ephesians 2, you are dead in your trespasses and sin, but God who is rich in mercy saves us

Handle it in a biblical way

Did God give you the dream.

The rate at which I was doing the work of God, was destroying God’s work in me.
Do it better don’t fake it better.

Malcolm Gladwell Session 7

Reframe: take current infrastuctre and reframe it to fit something is new

Jesus reframed religion, a message of love rather than rules and punishment

Who is David Sarnof,
• responsible for birth of radio, with the broadcast of the 1921 Jack Dempsey boxing match.

Social Power
• most people have social circles of about the same size
• always several exceptions, people you have social circles that are 3 times the rest of the group.
• More phone calls, more emails, more communication
• As people get older they shrink to there social worlds
• Its not just about the message its about the messenger
• Social power is a network
SOCIAL POWER MATTERS
• Isolation is dangerous
• age isolation is dangerous
• Teenagers need adults.
• connectors matter

Maven
• we rely on people in our social groups with expertise
• social power can come from a specific expertise
• Leads others through confusing new ideas.
People shut down when they feel crowded

• people always evaluate a problem steps
• leadership, economic power,
• interpreters of information, and communication
• issues to consider British knew how it worked use, the understanding of those before you.

Andy Stanley Session 8

Introduction

I. Three Components of Sustained Momentum:
New, Improved, Improving
• A. New
o 1. New triggers momentum
o 2. Anything new, by definition, generates some kind of momentum

o 3. The momentum can be positive or negative
• Negative event – negative momentum = 9/11
• Negative event – positive momentum = miner falls into a well
• Positive event – positive momentum = new sports franchise
o 4. Study any organization that has enjoyed a season of momentum and you will discover at least one of three things
• Leadership
• Direction/vision
• Product/program
o 5. Implication: when evaluating an organization or program that lacks momentum ask “Do we need a new leader, a new direction, or a new product? Do we need some combination of the three?”
o 6
• Momentum is never triggered by tweaking something old. It is triggered by introducing something new.
• B.
o 1. Improved sustains momentum for the short term.
o 2. The new must be a significant improvement over the old.
o 3. When evaluating new options ask, “Is this a significant improvement over what we had before?”
o 4. You can’t sustain momentum if new isn’t significantly improved
o 5.
• New leadership must be Competent and significantly better leadership
• New vision must be a compelling vision
• New product must be quality product.
• C. Improving
o 1. Long-term momentum is sustained through Continuous improvement
o 2. Specifically:
• Long term momentum is sustained through relevance
• Your vision must be recast and re-illustrated
• Your product must be continuously upgraded
o 3. Continuous improvement requires systematic and unfiltered evaluation
II. Applying “New and Improved” to the world of ministry
• A. New
o 1. New personal
o 2. New programming
o 3. New season
o 4. New series
o 5. New look
o 6. New venues
• B. Improving
o 1. Look for way to upgrade your presentations
o 2. Visit other organizations
o 3. Attend other churches

Conclusion:
• When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples. “Who do people say the Son of man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed you are, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:13-18

The Rest of my notes from Catalyst

Louie Giglio Session 2

Are you going to live and how are you going to live?
With one life its more important to live than lead
Let God lead, I’m with him
You are prized by majesty, by a God who has given supremely to mer
Leading is secondary to living
Worship is revelation and response
All of me for all of you
Worship is simple, its me in God’s hands.
We may be infatuated with the experience of worship
FIRE!!
In worship we are to be consumed not consumers

Consumer ask whats in it for me , style, enjoyable, feels good segmented thing, use up the songs, trendy downloading, being happy, about me

Consumee is what can I give, surrender, costly and always involves sacrafice, what God requires, hurts good all of life things God uses up the singer, using Gods will, what to give more, eternity , where your bowing down, about bringing happiness to God, me being all about God

Living and leading for what never passes away
Nothing can stop God from putting us in his plan
What kind of worshiper are you

Donald Miller Session 3

1925 evolution vs. creationism in school education
• Leading to the growth of Christian schools, universities, and business
• Are the people around you challenging you or are they there to validate your opinion
• You may be the main character in your movie but you movie isn’t the feature film, God is the feature. o add value you to people
Paradigm shifts
They are in our way. Scripture tells us to treat them better then ourselves

Christianity means a million things to a million people the term is deluded, and the definition is destroyed.


John C. Maxwell, Session 4

Phases of Leadership
• 1. I want to make difference.
• 2. With people who want to make a difference
• 3. Doing something that makes a difference
• 4. At a time when it makes a difference

Has to a have a passion in making a difference in the lives of others.
High morale is when a person can say what I am doing is making a difference
Low morale is a person who thinks that they are making no difference at all.

Noah can say I made a difference, for all of mankind.
Nehemiah made a difference, built the wall. He became a team builder, he know nothing about construction. Came to Jerusalem with broken people, broken walls. He rebuilt the walls first, so that the homes could be rebuilt safely and the people would be rebuilt by the wokr

If you don’t like why don’t you do something about. Margaret Maxwell

1980s keyword was management
1990s management to leadership
2000 leadership to team leadership
developing a team is important, fill in skill holes.

one is to small a number to achieve greatness!!

John hopes God will gives a niche, our calling our priority, our sweet spot

never try to explain God before you obey God

Leader must have an understanding of the time they live in, and the time they have.

its what you do after you know it all that counts john wooden

Be ready today

Today Matters
• We overexaggerate yesterday
• And we overestimate tomorrow
• And we underestimate today

Successful people make important decisions early in life and then manage them the rest of your life. You cannot manage a decision you haven’t made

close
the card says, JUST FOR TODAY
I will choose and display the right attitudes

Erwin McManus Session 5
Read Joel
The blind man is aware of what is going on around him, hes blind not deaf.
How would it be if you were the blind guy

Go to the pool, but no help to get there, but sent by God. Imagine yourself as the blind man, some things God does for us, some things we must do for ourselves.

Uniqueness: churches are standardized, standardized rarely works, Jesus wasn’t standard
People don’t want to be the same, no desire to be a Christian clone

Move from utility to creativity, it doesn’t need to work the way it used, think outside the octagon but don’t write off the box

!!!!I NEED TO STOP BEING A DREAM SUCKER!!!!

Everyone has a purpose in your life

People don’t care if everyone is as bad, as long as everyone is equally as bad as them.

The church doesn’t look like a movement of dreamers and visionairies

Diversity: moves from homogeny to diversity, churches reach people like us rather people

Make people the highest value. Its about them.
Christianity has become the most power self help company on the planet.
No longer spiritual,
We’re losing because we’re becoming to spiritual,
No connection to everyone else.

The Christian Faith grew thanks to Roman Government, why can’t explode through near world wide freedom

Love can’t be forgotten.

I’m afraid of things I don’t understand.

Move from pragmatism to mysticism
Shift from conviction to compassion:

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Wowza

So, Allison (best friend at Duke) and I have taken on the task of starting a freshman bible study in our westminister group. Lots of people have voiced wanting one, so we are taking action. It is coming together well. I was in several other bible studies, but i think if this one comes through it will be best. It is going to be self-led and with the people in the group it has the potential to be amazing. Please be praying for it.

Other than that, I have had two midterms which were okay, and I have the hard one tomorrow - Bio. I cant study because there is a funny picture of a fetus that looks like an alien and i just crack up every time i see it. mature, I know

well its dinner time. I shall see some of you fine people tomorrow at camp! Yay

Love you all!
Petra

Wisdom

Notes from catalyst
Ill have more later

Andy Stanley Session 1
Intro
• 1. Your leadership ability has the potential to take you further than your character can sustain you.
• 2. Leaders get into trouble when their integrity doesn’t keep pace with the momentum created by their giftedness.
• 3. Our commitment to integrity can easily be eroded by our love of progress
• 4. The excuses we are most tempted to use are:
o God promised it.
o I deserve it.

1 Samuel 24: 1-4

I. David’s Opportunity
• A. This had all the makings of a God thing.
• B. When opportunities line up with our prayers and passions, it is difficult to exercise restraint.
• C. Opportunities must be weighed against something other than the uniqueness of the circumstances surrounding them.

II. David’s Response
• A. David weighed this opportunity against three things:
o 1. Law of God
o 2. Principles of God
o 3. Wisdom of God
1 Samuel 24: 1-12

• B. Everything that looks like a God thing, and feels like a God, and is suggested by others as a God thing isn’t necessarily a God thing
• C. The most direct route to what you want is rarely the best route.

III. Application

• A. Weigh every opportunity against the law, principles and wisdom of God
• B. Decide every day that you will not sacrifice integrity for progress
• C. Leadership decision
o Being the leader does not exempt you from the need for wise counsel. It necessitates it.

Conclusion
• 1. We are only one decision away from sacrificing our integrity…
o …which leads to a loss of credibility
o …Which undermines our influence
• 2. Remember: you never accomplish the will of God by violating the law of God, ignoring the principles of God or refusing the wisdom of God

Quotable Quotes:
• “No Correlation between giftedness, and maturity.” John Maxwell
• Don’t give up accountability.
• An open door isn’t always an invitation from God
• You do not replace what God has put in place.

Louie Giglio Session 2

Are you going to live and how are you going to live?
With one life its more important to live than lead
Let God lead, I’m with him
You are prized by majesty, by a God who has given supremely to mer
Leading is secondary to living
Worship is revelation and response
All of me for all of you
Worship is simple, its me in God’s hands.
We may be infatuated with the experience of worship
FIRE!!
In worship we are to be consumed not consumers

Consumer ask whats in it for me , style, enjoyable, feels good segmented thing, use up the songs, trendy downloading, being happy, about me

Consumee is what can I give, surrender, costly and always involves sacrafice, what God requires, hurts good all of life things God uses up the singer, using Gods will, what to give more, eternity , where your bowing down, about bringing happiness to God, me being all about God

Living and leading for what never passes away
Nothing can stop God from putting us in his plan
What kind of worshiper are you

Monday, October 03, 2005

What up

What up yall!!!
So it's been awhile....
But i figured it was time to hit this sucker up, especially since you guys seem to have slacked off severely in my absence. So like i had said, i gave up aim for a while...and it has been quite wonderful. Seriously, i do hop on briefly and under that "invisble" mode or whatever to talk to a few folks, but other than that i have given it up. The freedom is amazing. While i've still been mysteriously drawn to it at times (much more so lately...so keep me accountable about getting on too much, i wanna keep down to one or two brief sessions per week at most), i have kept my decision to get away from it and love it. I really do feel much freer and it's been very good for me spiritually. I dont really even like getting on anymore. And if any of you do find that you miss the sweet serenade of my captivating conversations, just hit me up on the cell. Heck, if you do that i could even sweetly serenade with a song if you want--better than aim, eh?
Anywho, i've been doing pretty well. Last weekend was the ENCM Fall Advance--a retreat, involving tons of NC schools that have ENCM chapters, that we call an "advance" because we aint retreatin' from nuthin': we'are advancing in God and against the enemy (i'm not so sure that you can use a hyphen and a colon in the same sentence, but i did anyways). Anyways, i cant really go into details cause that'd take forever, but what the pastor spoke about hit home big time for me--and in a totally unexpected way. It turned me around from the problems i've been having and showed me a side of God that i've never truly experienced before. And since the Advance, i've been learning a lot about spending time with God and standing on scripture.
I'm definitely excited about our fall break starting wednesday--Jo-Jo and i are going to visit Winthrop to see my favorite two co-counselors ever: the AMAZING and INCREDIBLE Brooklyn Currie and Crazy Rique (again, hyphen and colon in same sentence...not too sure about that). THEN, we get to work at camp and see the Joiners and Tim and Petra and i dont know who else, but i'm excited to see them too.
Finally, i wanna leave yall with this scripture from Revelation 2 that Pastor Doug shared on the Fall Advance:

2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

In our busy lives that so often get overrun with school, church, bible study, jobs, friends, television, AIM, and being leaders in ministries, dont forget the simplicity of Christ's love for you and your love for Christ. Scripture also tells us that without love, everything else is pretty much useless. I would encourage you all to dedicate a part of your devotion time to just being silent and blocking out all other thoughts, worries, and prayers to just sit and rest in His love and tell Him in words how much you love Him.
Let me know how you guys are all doing and call me up if you're struggling with ANYTHING.

Love you guys,
Luke