Community is kindof a buzz-word. We hear it in political speeches, in civic functions and certainly within churches that are hoping to connect their adherents. We recognize that it is vital if people are going to stay involved and feel supported. So, why do we still see so many disconnected and isolated people?Maybe some of the reason can be found in the fact that we may develop community, but we rarely experience communitas.

Unfortunately our good friends, the Treadways are on their way back to CA. We are going to miss them a ton, so we thought we would give Shane one last crack at us before he becomes a visiting guest speaker. :) Love you Shane, Carrie and the kids!!

As usual, he stepped up and delivered the goods! Er, maybe we should say that Jesus delivered the goods and Shane reminded us of them.

Unfortunately our good friends, the Treadways are on their way back to CA. We are going to miss them a ton, so we thought we would give Shane one last crack at us before he becomes a visiting guest speaker. :) Love you Shane, Carrie and the kids!!As usual, he stepped up and delivered the goods!

This week Matt Atkins asked our community to imagine being charged with the task of bringing together the Republican Party and the Democratic Party to form one new political party. In the midst of our crazy Presidential race that we are going through, it hard to imagine the difficulty of the task. What do you think it would take to pull off the merging of the two parties? Crisis? Common enemy? War on our own turf? Humility?

Now, imagine the challenges facing Paul as he wrote to churches encouraging them how to live as one; not Jews or Gentiles, but one community. No more slave or free, Jew or Gentile, male or female, but one, in Christ. Doesn't it make sense that he would call both sides to humble compromise, agreeable behavior in their gatherings and culturally sensitive attitudes/actions? But, doesn't it also make sense that he would call us to the similar compromises, behaviors, attitudes and actions, that fit our day, our city and our community? It wasn't a "one size fits all", it was "this is what I think the Spirit is saying to you, right now."

This week Matt Atkins asked our community to imagine being charged with the task of bringing together the Republican Party and the Democratic Party to form one new political party. In the midst of our crazy Presidential race that we are going through, it hard to imagine the difficulty of the task. What do you think it would take to pull off the merging of the two parties? Crisis? Common enemy? War on our own turf? Humility?Now, imagine the challenges facing Paul as he wrote to churches encouraging them how to live as one; not Jews or Gentiles, but one community. No more slave or free, Jew or Gentile, male or female, but one, in Christ. Doesn't it make sense that he would call both sides to humble compromise, agreeable behavior in their gatherings and culturally sensitive attitudes/actions? But, doesn't it also make sense that he would call us to the similar compromises, behaviors, attitudes and actions, that fit our day, our city and our community? It wasn't a "one size fits all", it was "this is what I think the Spirit is saying to you, right now."

One of the most influential people in the Bible, also happens to be one of the most conflictual. The Apostle Paul writes some of the most eloquent theological sections of the NT and some of the most confusing. Down through the ages, particularly in the evangelical world, it could easily be argued that the writings of Paul have become more important than the Gospels. But, is this right? Would Paul have wanted so much emphasis on what he wrote? Maybe Paul would talk to us about his writings, much like he talked to the people of Israel about the Old Testament.

One of the most influential people in the Bible, also happens to be one of the most conflictual. The Apostle Paul writes some of the most eloquent theological sections of the NT and some of the most confusing. Down through the ages, particularly in the evangelical world, it could easily be argued that the writings of Paul have become more important than the Gospels. But, is this right? Would Paul have wanted so much emphasis on what he wrote? Maybe Paul would talk to us about his writings, much like he talked to the people of Israel about the Old Testament.

How often do you get asked about your walk with God? Rarely? That's the case for most of us. Why is that?

For some reason, the volume on this recording is very low. Turn your volume way up!

How often do you get asked about your walk with God? Rarely? That's the case for most of us. Why is that?For some reason, the volume on this recording is very low. Turn your volume way up!

Last week, though the recorder was plugged in and turned on, we didn't connect it to the sound system, so we didn't capture any audio. So, this week, we did a quick overview of our conversation last week and jumped into what the Bible teaches about heaven.

Do we go immediately to heaven when we die?

Did the NT writers believe they were going straight to heaven?

If not, what did they teach?

What is heaven like?