The Heart of A Generation–Unity

If you’ve seen the movie, you know awesome this is…if not, well, sorry.

If you’d like to bring “The Heart of A Generation” to your church, email me at admin@dialoguechurch.us . We are scheduling dates for the summer now!

NEXT

Tire Tread

Authorities in Cape Coral, Florida are on the hunt for a shoplifter with tire tracks on her back. A T.J. Maxx security guard told police that a woman was caught stuffing six designer purses into her pants and then fled the scene only to be run over by her getaway car…twice.

Eyewitnesses said that she tried to get into the car but fell out and was run over by the car. Not knowing what to do NEXT, she jumped onto the hood of the fleeing getaway vehicle as it passed by for a second attempt. Her grip failed and she was flung from the car, and…run over again. On her third attempt she made it safely (?) into the car!

We’ve all had those moments when we just didn’t know what to do NEXT. Hopefully it wasn’t at the scene of a double hit-and-run. Join us tomorrow at Dialogue Church as we try to learn how to be led by the Spirit of God as we move from “where we are to where we want to be”.

Welcome Dialogue’s Newest Member!

Sadie

Sadie is a full blooded Greman Short Haired Pointer! A hunting dog with lots of energy. Can’t wait for everyone to meet her next Thursday!

Hilarius

A friend sent me this add. I’m thinking of doing something like this as a promo for Dialogue Church.

What do you think?
[join the conversation]

Head back to www.ragamuffinsoul.com for more creative chaos!

Thursday’s “On Location” Starts Tonight!

Tonight is the kick-off of our Discussion Group in Muncie. We will eat free food, watch a killer video, and get to know each other in a more real way.

Show up at 6:30.
We eat at 7:00.
Video starts at 7:45.
We’re out at 8:30.

We will be meeting at Jim and Sherry Boysel’s house.
8301 W. Weatherstone Ln
Muncie

Use mapquest if you want to print directions, or follow the map below!

Come ready to…
[join the conversation]

It’s Official

It’s official…I’m sick.

Blessed

I’ve been astounded recently at the incredible people that I call friends and family. As I look around Dialogue Church I am literally amazed at the passion, creativity, and generosity that I see. People who are more than just people; heroes in their own little corner of the world, shining God’s light in dark places. I realized again and again that…

I’m blessed.

I’m blessed to know Kyle over at vagabondrunn.com, who recently posted these words on his blog:

However, in those next 10 minutes that I sat there, God broke my heart for whoever it was that was going to be change.
I cried. (not saying that you don’t really feel God until you cry)
I felt pain for that person.
I was able to pray specifics without knowing what they were.
Then something happened that scared me.
It didn’t just scare me though.
It changed me.

You really should read the rest of his post. The honesty and passion is overwhelming. I want to care for people like he cares for people.

I’m also blessed to know Rachelle. For those of you who don’t know her, she is your average twenty-something bartender, passionate Christ follower, and daily Starbuck patron. And when you meet Rachelle you discover in well under 2.3 milliseconds that she is the most generous person that you may ever meet. Whether she is paying for your St.Arbucks, or genuinely asking how you have been doing, you know that in her mind, you come first. Recently Rachelle took in her four (FOUR) nieces and nephews. She has become their primary care giver and embarked on the daunting task of unraveling years of pain, abuse, and neglect in their lives. I want to be like Rachelle.

Then, I came across these words on Ashlee’s blog (www.agenesislife.wordpress.com).

My heart cannot let go of Him. I can fight and doubt all I want and still He would be there, loving me. Maybe that’s what He wants? I think it is. I think God wants us to question and dig deeper, because it means that we are really in relationship with Him. That me wondering is really loving Him at the deepest levels.

She goes on to say…

To everyone who I know that is not a Christian: I know you don’t understand. To be honest I don’t really either. I do know that my heart cannot let go of this love that has been given to me. And I thank all of you for helping me to question. Yes, it’s hard and I know I don’t have answers. In a way everyone who has helped me “doubt” has made me a better Christian.

I wish that I could tell you how I felt when reading her words. Some writers just have the ability to crawl into your heart and read the graffiti. Ash writes with such authenticity and creativity that my only reaction is to pray and cry. Please, stop what you are doing, and go here to read the rest of the story. I want to know God like Ashlee does.

Dialogue Church is blessed with so many creative and inspiring people, and I’m blessed to be a small part of their stories. Wait till you hear about Jill battling chronic pain, and Hannah getting crazy creative with the video camera, and Sherry’s heart breaking for people she never thought she could love, and on and on and on. I can’t tell all of their stories, but they are there waiting for you to discover. And they are in your church, at your school, in your office, on your bus, and in your dorm. This week, I implore you, break the silence! Move across the aisle! Open your heart!

And Join the Conversation!

(Yes, I stole this pic from Ashlee’s blog.)

The “Weight” of Sin

During a creative worship session, we wanted to give our students a sense for the “weight” or “burden” of sin. We announced ahead of time that everyone should bring an old backpack or tote bag to service. During the meeting students moved in small groups from station to station where they dealt with and discussed various areas of sin relevant to their lives. Each station contained a pile of bricks. After each discussion students were encouraged to reflect on their own life and add one or more bricks to their bag. As the morning wore on it was powerful to see and feel the weight of our own sin! Then we wrapped up the morning with a time of confession and repentance where everyone dumped out their bag of “sin” at the foot of a cross.

Some of my favorite moments were seeing a tiny 7th grade female student labor up the stairs with her bag and yet refuse help because it was “her sin”. Another memory is of a strong football player agreeing to carry the bag or “burden” of his sister.

Overall it was a wonderful time. Hope it works for you!

Jump back over to www.ragamuffiinsoul.com to check out other posts!

Blogger Small Group :: Thoughts on James 1:1

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:”

James knew his audience. He wrote to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. How many time do we as Christians and, more specifically church leaders, take the shotgun approach to our ministry? We try our best to appease everyone and, in so doing, reach no one! We sprinkle our services with a little bit of this and a little bit of that like sugar coating on a cake. We attempt to satisfy all age groups and personalities; is it any wonder that we come off sounding like a politician running for office?

James took a different approach. He narrowed is focus like a laser pinpointing its target. He spoke to the lost nation of Israel.

Dialogue Church is different. It’s not designed to reach everyone. We have no expectation that the masses will come running. We are perfectly fine with the fact that Christians will be more comfortable in more traditional churches. We aren’t targeting them. We believe that the Traditional Christian Church has become experts at reaching Christians for Christ. We are reaching to a new generation—an emerging culture. We are listening to those who are asking questions. We are journeying with those on a spiritual pilgrimage. We connect with others as artist finding beauty in the chaos and doubts. We are convinced that we have much to learn and so we invite others to ‘join the conversation’.