darfur now

this wedensday we shared a meal & watched DARFUR NOW
a stunning documentary captured the lives of 6 individuals
& what they are doing to help the situation in west Sudan.
here are some thoughts from some of us who viewed it:

Kate's Thoughts:

Justice in Africa has been on my mind for several years now. Several friends I know are involved in volunteer work there, and my husband and I donate to groups that permanently do work there. But some day I would love to go there myself. It is hard to imagine the extreme fear these people live in day in & day out. I have such a cream puff life. I do not want to take my life situation for granted, like many of us realize when we become aware of the outside world. And I want to use my resources to make an impact over there. This documentary encourages me to know that perseverance pays in raising awareness & sacrificing time, energy and money to make a difference. Quick solutions aren't solutions at all. It takes a long while to change minds, hearts and governmental policies. It is overwhelming to imagine people/regimes exist that are so evil, corrupt and ruthless. I have a very difficult time with that. It seems a little reasoning could bring someone to care & turn from their evil ways that are hurting nations, but it isn't that simple. When God gave us free will, it is amazing what some people do with that.

the retreat

we had a wonderful time at the cabin together... enjoying the peace & quiet together... we had a day of silence on saturday... & learned much about working & being in solitude together. it was a beautiful experience.


here are some reflections/thoughts/ideas from some of the participants:

CHRISTIE's JOURNAL ENTRY:

"If you throw away the symbols, you tear the walls of your house apart."
"The bird in the Aspen tree is perfectly camouflaged - light on the underbelly, darker green on the top. He blends into the rustling leaves. Just as the bird is perfectly hidden in his correct environment, so too can we become less in the eyes of man when we dwell in the place God has specifically created for us."

BJ's JOURNAL ENTRY

Romans 13:11-14

In this passage the Writer exhorts the reader to "awake out of slumber", to "cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light" and especially to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh". What does this mean? What is the "slumber" to awaken from and how can I be "armed with the light"? Is it the constant motion and noise of our society that lulls to sleep? Perhaps the darkness is in the increasing separation of those who will follow whatever the cost and those who want a spiritual "experience". Has there ever been a time like today when the light shines brighter in the darkness? The pursuit of Christ IS this armor of light and it IS the difference between the dark and the light. If there has ever been a time for stillness, clarity of mind surely it is now. Truly, "now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed, the night is far spent, the day is at hand"! Can I be anchored, can I be sure and can I live with no provision for the flesh? Yes, know, Christ, He will not let you go.

MOLLY's JOURNAL ENTRY

Your Butterscotch Shade

sunshine swingset in the

butterscotch shade

i lean my head back on your windy lap

rope fraying from the weather tight between my fingers

sunlight in my squinty eyes

i think of my blind friend from the movie

- his thankfulness, his white robe and bald head

his smile.

I'd rather be blind in your presence

and holding your hand...

your sweet butterscotch kisses and your breezes

on my toes - intimacy i can touch and feel

as i lean back my shoulders and unwind at your side

JESS' JOURNAL ENTRY

Matthew 11: 28-30
As I look around the cabin, most people are resting and several are sleeping. I feel the Lord's compassion for us. We're all running around, living crazy, busy lives, trying to find meaning, do good and love the Lord... but Jesus just wants to give us a little rest and let us know he loves us! How simple is that? When was the last time any of us really had the time, space or freedom to let our guards down and really rest in the Lord? It's amazing how the silence gives us freedom. No need for pretense, no pressure to entertain or be funny. No pressure to come across as genuine, smart, involved, concerned or friendly. Freedom to be, to think, to read, to journal, to sleep, to pray, to wander. I love seeing people just bask in the peace and beauty! Maybe we are called to provide a place of rest right now in the city.

KATE's ENTRY

It is beautiful how the immediate peace comes from our communal quiet. All I heard was a bee buzzing at my honey-covered bagel this morning. Lord, thank you for this weekend. Inspire us--make this your tabernacle. Oh how I crave you. Lord, you're my all--inspired I am to worship you. Please bless me with words, convicting and encouraging me to help me grow in wisdom, strength and tenderness. I know I am not much without you. May each of us be changed as we meet with you this weekend, face to face. 

joshua station

Last night we headed over to the Joshua Station: a revamped hotel used to house homeless families. We helped clean different areas, played with the kids & met parents. It was a beautiful experience. We look forward to more involvement with this ministry. Here are thoughts from Dan, Dalton & Christie:

CHRISTIE'S WORDS

Serving at Joshua Station gave our house church the opportunity to put hands and feet to our faith in Christ. Laughing, playing tag and simply listening to a child's story is true faith lived out. I hope we'll develop eyes to see Denver and the world with God's vision.

DALTON'S WORDS

I'm pretty sure I had more fun than any of the kids. Children have this way of bringing out a side of ourselves that we seem to forget is there (and help us get a good workout in). It always serves as a reminder of what it means to have "faith like a child," and why Jesus had a special place in his heart for them.

amazing grace orphanage

i wanted to share with you a video i found back in 2005.

after watching this video of kids at an orphanage in africa, i was deeply interested in knowing more about LAHASH, it's USA partner.

since then, noah & i have met with the creators of Lahash & deveopled a friendship/partnership with them through various fundraisers... now it's 2008, and we as a HC are getting involved.

we recently raised money for Susan Tabia, who needs a truck. Susan runs the orphanage these kids go to that is featured in the video i thought you might want to know WHO the money is supporting & see some of the faces your money is blessing!!

watch the video that stole my heart : http://www.lahash.net/grace/movie.html
& the orphange website: http://www.agorphanage.com/index.html

retreat

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. ~Henry David Thoreau, 1854

We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart... and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.... I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude. ~Helen Hayes


Horray for our celebration of solitude & silence.
We are leaving for a Friday-Sunday getaway retreat at a friends' cabin outside of South Park. We will be silent all of Saturday to teach ourselves the disciple of discovering God's voice in the quiet... of slowing ourselves down... and letting the noise of the world disappear for awhile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SARAH HOOVER, Sept 13!

this wednesday

this wednesday, sept. 3, jan & tina cowles are coming to speak on western vs traditional jewish/greek thinking in relation to the biblical text & traditions of the time... join us at 7pm. dinner is provided.

email: katecrem@hotmail.com for information

kicknic 2008

we met for kickball & a picnic dinner in south denver
check out the fun!