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Talbot Davis August 5, 2011 at 5:00 am 0

So we come to the final week of Elements this Sunday.

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect out of the series. It was such a departure from our norm.

Plus, it was a series that unapologetically focused on what we do together on Sunday morning.

And finally, I knew I'd say some things that might be unsettling, especially for people who have long been comfortable with Methodist understanding of the sacraments.

Yet in spite of my uncertainty, God has favored us in this series. We've seen people stretched, challenged, educated, and comforted. And, best of all, many baptisms are in store in future weeks.

So we conclude the series with the element of "Prayers." Granted, this element is not tactile like bread, water, or baskets, but the notion of a private practice like prayer happening in a public place like worship brings up a number of questions, including "why do it at all? Why do this private thing in a public venue?"

Ah, that question contains the seeds of the answer.

To see how and why, Sunday.

8:30. 10. 11:30.

Good Shepherd

Elements Week Four — Notes

Talbot Davis July 22, 2011 at 5:00 am 0

So we're moving on with Elements.

People have been stretched, challenged, comforted, and educated through our exploration of why we do what we do in church on Sundays.

I expect more of the same on Sunday.

And experiential look at the roles of "notes" in our worship gatherings.

Don't anticipate. Participate.

Sunday.

8:30. 10. 11:30.

Good Shepherd

Guest Bloggers From Haiti — Ron Dozier & Mike Gathman

Talbot Davis July 15, 2011 at 10:58 am 1

Talbot,

We have had an amazing time here connecting with the children at the three orphanages we have visited. You would be very proud of the GS volunteers who are on this trip.
We have had some internet issues so that has delayed sending the blogs in a timely manner.

Latest Blogs: By Michael Gathman

July 13
Wednesday – This was day two for our team at Girlin’s orphanage. It’s hard to tell if the children or our team was more excited to see each other again – we’ll call it a tie! Nearly every team member had children to hug, love, and play with throughout the day. All the while some folks continued work on the bunk beds started the day before. By the end of the day one full bunk bed had been completed – which means two less mattresses on the floor.

While the team waits for the container of shoes to be released here in Haiti, we are limited by the shoes we brought with us in bags from Charlotte. Many of the sizes were far too big for the kids at the orphanage. But of course God had a plan for those shoes. We set up chairs just outside the orphanage, and began to share the gospel, wash the feet, pray for, and deliver a pair of shoes to the many local men working to remove rubble from a lot nearby. Many accepted Christ – some simply received the gospel seed. What started with a few men grew to be many men within minutes. Going with the Haitian culture, there was always a sense of peace and order even as the crowd grew in size.

Through Christ’s strength, we spent the last hour of the day at another baby orphanage – again loving, holding, and playing with the children. The beauty is that as we grow tired, Christ provides more strength, and a never-ending supply of His love to share.

Upon arriving home we celebrated brother John’s 50th birthday! The perfect ending to another great day in Haiti!

July 14
Thursday – John, our partner in Christ here in Haiti, decides to take our team to a “temporary” housing village built primarily by World Vision. En route, we pass hundreds of tents, busy people, children moving about, animals looking for a crumb to eat. All the while the anticipation of what we are about to experience is welling up inside. Finally after an hour or so of driving we arrive to rows and rows – hundreds of homes – where God has led us to minister for the afternoon. The “temporary” housing is much like a woodshed many of us use to store yard equipment. The reality is that this temporary housing is likely permanent.
In this village and with these people, this housing was more than sufficient. The space between houses was neatly cared for – much like we care for our yards back home. They too take pride in their living areas. As we began to walk and talk with the people, the needs were much like our own. We prayed for many pregnant women asking God for strength at this time in their lives. We prayed for a three year old child who could not walk, and another who had a knot protruding from his back. Others asked for prayer for a better life. As we moved house to house, people began asking us to come to their house next. At each stop we shared scripture through our translator – the Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword! We then prayed for each person according to the needs they shared. All glory to God.

Good Shepherd

Elements, Week Three: Words

Talbot Davis July 15, 2011 at 5:00 am 0

We've eaten bread.

We've been immersed in water.

Now it's time for words.

Why do we use words in worship? What do we actually believe God does with them? Our vocal chords work, air emerges, words get sounded out, and that's supposed to change the world?

We'll see.

Sunday.

8:30. 10. 11:30.

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd

Talbot Davis

The Heart of the Matter

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