manly retreat

woohoo! more comments from one mrs. barnes -- thanks for visiting!
we manly types retreated this past weekend. it was a really good experience for one and all, methinks. bill mills of tinley park, illinois was the featured speaker and challenged and encouraged us all from the Scriptures. some questions he asked, in particular, stood out to me (some are statements that i then turned into diagnostic questions) as especially helpful for us men:
- are you competing to outdo one another in service to others? (now there's a great way to channel the male competitive streak! not that friday night water polo wasn't...that was the most fun i've had in quite awhile!)
- are you using your wife to build your life, or are you daily laying down your life for her (as did Christ for His bride, the Church)?
- are you beginning to resemble Jesus? Dan R pointed out at the Saturday night campfire that, yes, men in our group are -- such as Steve B's servant attitude and actions!

"Shoulder to Shoulder" was the title of the book we were all given, on Nehemiah, and sums up well the emphasis of the weekend - that we are to be about building the church as a team, and that we as men must do so shoulder-to-shoulder, fighting hard to advance the kingdom. i love it. that could be a sweet name for a men's ministry, eh guys?

serving at BPC

BPC on WVLP 98.3 FM

In about an hour I'll head over to the studio of 98.3FM WVLP, a community radio station, where I'll share (what, I don't know, but something) about BridgePoint in the community, from 12noon-1pm. It will be re-broadcast Sunday at 11am. Check it on out if you are able to get the station (in valpo)!

Jimbo on Easter...

Jim ("Jimbo") Warren is a commissioned missionary from BPC serving in our community with Youth For Christ. He's written some reflections on ministry pertaining to the Easter season. Here's a teaser:

• We should empty ourselves of those cultural things that make us comfortable and enter the culture of the people of the world.
• We should identify with people in the midst of their sin even if that sin is appalling to us, though we do not enter their sin with them.
• We should live as servants among them first seeking to meet their felt needs, those they recognize as areas they need to change. Then we can direct them to Him who can meet their real needs.
• We should live sacrificially, giving of ourselves that they might see this and then want to hear why we act toward them in the way we do.

If you'd like to hear more about Jim's ministry, click here.

Wanna read more of his article? Leave a comment to that effect, and we'll pass it along!

Suggested readings for “Holy Week”:

these are the readings suggested in yesterday's bulletin for this week, as we journey with Jesus to the Cross and join in celebrating His resurrection!
· Palm Sunday John 12:12-15, Mark 14:1-15:47
· Monday John 12:3-8, Isaiah 42:1-9
· Tuesday John 12:37-40, Isaiah 49:1-6
· Wednesday John 13:21-30, Isaiah 50:4-9
· Maundy Thursday John 13:4-15, Exodus 12:1-14
· Good Friday John 19:17-20, Isaiah 52-53
· Holy Saturday John 19:38-42, Job 14:1-14