Direction of Hope

On this All Saints Day I can't help but consider the hope that has pierced the hearts of men and women through the ages. The hope is that which has changed lives by bringing freedom to captives, a voice to voiceless people, sight to blind eyes, and second chances to death bound wanderers. The hearts of men and women filled with this hope have been given over to something much greater, much higher than themselves.

The past few weeks I've attended political rallies, heard endorsement speeches, enjoyed a politically motivated concert, and talked politics with people, one on one...through each of these things I've found the word "hope" to be associated with a particular campaign and a particular agenda (if you don't know which one I'm referring to, please stay under your rock for a few more days :). Obviously, people put their hope in many different things, but over the past few months, for some people, the sight or hearing of the word "hope" immediately brings to mind a presidential candidate and the coming election. While I could have a field day here discussing the genius of branding and marketing, I fear that "hope" as a word has lost a bit of its power.

While hope for political change is not at all a bad thing, seeing it as an ultimate goal is significantly missing the mark of where hope best impacts and changes lives. Hope, when it is found in the enemy-loving, self-giving, self-sacrificing, person of Jesus, can not only impact a life for eternity, it can bring about real life-altering change, today. It is that hope that is the hope of the Saints which we celebrate today...the Saints who have decided to give their lives to the good news of Jesus. In the coming week I hope we will consider where we put our hope. Is hope changing lives...literally? ...mine? ...yours?

Sometimes you need a...

...playground. Yes, a playground. Every now and then you just have to get out and play. I have to say, in the mix of my multiple jobs and responsibilities it's been easy to lose sight of the need to play. On this gorgeous fall Sabbath my beautiful wife reminded me and showed me the fun of an afternoon on the playground.








If you're tied up with work of the day to day, might I suggest finding your local park or playground?!?

_________ for Dole

You for Dole, me for Dole, women for Dole, men, farmers, veterans, democrats, republicans, fill in the blank and you name it. Elizabeth Dole is the lady for North Carolina! Until now the office in Raleigh was solely a behind the scenes working office and not so public. Just this week the front door has been opened to meet Raleigh with all the signs and stickers to help keep Elizabeth Dole in the U.S. Senate. Here are some pictures of the place since it's gone public. If you're in the Raleigh area please stop by. If you're interested in volunteering in the campaign visit teamdole.org. And, if you can vote in NC...well any where really...Get to the poles on Nov. 4!

A weekend packed full...

Last weekend the City on a Hill Team had a great opportunity to visit Indianapolis, IN and share the vision for this new church plant. If you're wondering "why Indianapolis" - Matt & Sarah used to live there where Matt was a youth pastor. They still have a lot of dear friends in that town and we are about building bridges into places across the country where people might share the vision for the church and have a desire to partner with us to impact the Kingdom of God.
It was a special time Friday night when about 40 people piled into the intimate space of a living room to hear what we had to say. Mark and Sandy Goff were amazing hosts with a great team of supporters providing an evening meal (and dessert) for everyone there. We got to stay the night at the Shunem House which exists to be a place of retreat for Missionaries when they are back in the area. Much thanks is in order for that great hospitality of that place!! Sunday morning Matt and I got to share in the service at Trinity Wesleyan Church (where Matt was youth pastor) for about 10 minutes.

So many people gathered around us and brought such joy and encouragement to us through out the weekend. Probably the most impactful time for me was Sunday morning when we got to visit KidZone at Trinity. In the children's worship service we were invited up front to meet the kids and share a bit of what we're doing. We were introduced as SuperHeros...kinda cool...and, while you and I know that's not true...what a great image for these kids to associate with people who do the work of the Lord (which should be all of us, shouldn't it??). All that said...it wasn't the super hero part that impacted me. It was when we bowed down up front and every single child in the place encircled us for prayer. Peter, their children's pastor invited the kids to pray aloud, and one bold little guy did...I'm not even sure what he prayed for, but the pure hearted words of a child before the Lord just grabbed my heart and moved me... The power of children in earnest, selfless prayer has never been such a reality to me before. My gratitude to Peter for teaching such a powerful thing to a wonderful group of young people and to God for calling us all to be children in faith!

The trip was altogether amazing! If you might be interested in hosting or having a house party in your area please email me - justin@lovechapelhill.com

i have gone i...

It's pretty late and I've got to work tomorrow, but I just wanted to share with you a change in my life today. i have gone i...3g that is. No more regular cell coverage...fully functioning, world at your fingertips service. I feel like I have joined some kind of revolution! I'm excited about the new iphone...how awesome it is...and what a great tool it will be. I just got it today and I'm learning a lot about it. More later! Thanks for stopping in!

J