Ten Questions To Ask At A New Start

I just found this in Janie's folder in our computer. I don't know if she created this list or got it from a book or the internet, but it would have made a great New Year's Day post...

What Would Janie Do?

I'm sure that when our friend Kim Winters innocently asked Janie to write a post about God and having cancer, neither of them could have foreseen the far-reaching effects that post, called, "The New Normal," would have. We gave it out at Janie's memorial service, and many people have said they've made copies and handed it out to friends and co-workers. Thanks to the World-Wide-Computer-Net-Inter-Web, people all over the U.S. and even beyond have been blessed by Janie's simple essay.

Yesterday, I received

Forge Was Good

Several years ago, Janie & I had envisioned a worship event very much like Forge was tonight. It was really sweet to see it actually happen and I'm sure she would have liked it very much. It was just a joy to set up and watch the college-aged people filtering into this cool little downtown venue called The Brick Box for the purpose of worshiping God. We had a good time of singing and the Jared gave a really good talk from 1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." He challenged us all to, among several other things, see ourselves as God sees us:

-chosen people
-royal priesthood
-holy nation
-God's special possession

We're really hoping and praying that this would be the start of something special in His Kingdom work here in Vermont!

First Forge

If you are a 20-something and/or college student in the Rutland, VT area, you are invited to (the very first) Forge, a once-a-month worship event right in downtown Rutland! We'll meet at the Brick Box on Center Street on Saturday January 22 at 7:00 for some coffee, conversation, and a time of worship in singing as well as a message from Pastor Jared Wilson from Middletown Springs Community Church.

Friend us on Facebook.

Also save the date for the next one: Feb. 26!

See you there!

New England Church

Yeah, I've been in churches like yours, little guy. Don't be discouraged...keep at it!

Janie's Christmas Stocking Final Update

Carly, when contra-dancing, if a little kid gets in your way....take her out! Buh-bam! I'm so proud of you!

Just kidding. But we did have a contra-dance hoedown for New Year's Eve! And I must say, all ninety or so of us non-experienced contra "dancers" did alright. For myself, I know I am more 'contra' than 'dance.' Just picture Rocky Balboa staggering around in the 12th round. Oh, and to all of you whose toes I stepped on, I'm really sorry and I hear broken toes actually heal pretty quickly.

The evening was rounded out by a time of worship songs and an 'out-with-the-old-year-in-with-the-new' challenge from my friend Rob, or as I like to call him by his rapper name, L'il Robby T. It was a good way to round out 2010 for our family: a celebration and worship....just like Janie would have liked.

Speaking of Janie, it's time for