What I Miss

I’m not a big NBA fan, but, as a sports fan, I typically watch the Finals… and generally root for the Spurs. However, I, like much of America, am stoked about seeing the Celtics vs. the Lakers. I believe this makes their 12th NBA Finals against each other and the two teams combined own 50% of all the NBA Championships. So… what do I think is missing?

Living in the Triangle, I consider myself a college basketball purist. While I do think an 18 year old has the right to go directly to the NBA to earn money, I miss the days when we could count on 3 years from our favorite college players. That is what is missing about this Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry.

The last time these two teams met, their leading players had actually met in a Final Four after a storied college career. Occasionally, great college rivalries would seep into the NBA — Magic vs. Bird, Jordan vs. Ewing, etc. This Finals, with all the media attention, lacks that.

Instead this year’s match up features two players of a different sort — the first two genuinely high profile players to enter the NBA out of high school. And we could argue the two that have had the best careers. While it certainly marks the change in the sport (perhaps fitting they would meet in a storied rivalry), it lacks some of the vitripl of former times — college competition spilling over into the NBA. Sure, while many would say I need to move forward with the times — the college basketball fan in me says… nah, it was better in the older days.

Pastors Retreat

This week the pastors “retreated” to the Nantahala region of North Carolina. We had a great time. There were white water rapids, tornadoes on the bike trail, many losses in the game of pool, and lots of blood, sweat, and tears… (the recreational kind)

I’ll let some of the other guys tell more stories…. (ask Pastor D)

Enjoying the Moments

Phyllis and I have just about completed an 18 month project of updating our home. Having lived here for 19 years, raising 6 children, homeschooling them and putting them all through college, we felt like it was time for a house face lift!

Last night as were sitting in our newly screened in porch watching the sun set over Cox mountain by the Eno River, I commented, “What a great house! It’s like a new home without moving!” We are like kids who have a new place to explore and enjoy. Listening to the cacophony of birds singing in our woods in the early morning, watching birds feed, or deer graze 50 feet from our window, we are daily entertained by the wonderful creation of our God. It was a lot of work, but we thank God for His rich and gracious provision and for the rest our souls drink in enjoying the moments of God! Selah.

21,000 Down!

It took two weeks, more than 20 two-hour shifts, hundreds of volunteers, and a LOT of prayer… but as of 4pm this afternoon all 21,000 copies of “How Good Is Good Enough” by Andy Stanley were delivered.

For more on the stats and significance of the work, read on.

So what was the final breakdown of the giveaway?

Estimated:
15,000 in Chapel Hill (more than 90% of the city’s total residences)
4,500 in Durham
1,500 in Carrboro

What is 21,000 in terms of Biblical numbers?

It is 7x to number of people saved on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 (3,000)
It is 4x the number of men Jesus feed at the feeding of the 5,000 (most scholars think there were around 15,000 there… so larger than that)
It’s a lot of people.

What is 21,000 in terms of sports numbers?

244 college football teams
It would fill Cameron Indoor Stadium twice and then fill all tents in K-ville as well.
It would fill the Dean Dome and overflow the RBC Center
It is half the size of Kennan stadium.
It’s a lot of people!

So what is the point of all these stats? Am I bragging too much? Well, if I’m bragging on anyone — I’m bragging on all of you! This monumental task would not have been possible without the massive cooperation of all you in Grace Church. You made it easy, and it shows how much you love your city.

I’m also bragging on the HUGE vision of our pastor, Kendrick, and his massive amounts of encouragement to get this done! We touched an entire city with the love of Jesus Christ.

There are too many people to thank, but here are some of people that deserve BIG THANK YOUs.

Curtis Campbell — he spent countless hours mapping the entire city of Chapel Hill to make it easy to distribute the packets.
Cari Carothers — she helped Curtis with mapping, helped on several of the delivery shifts, and when it was nearly over, she decided to deliver 650 books to her neighborhood (with the help of a co-hort), just for the fun of it.
Helen Williams — she organized all the packing parties that helped to get all 21,000 packets put together and she did it with the help of Mary Ann Pearce and Wendy Reece.
The Youth of Grace Church — Junior High helped pack packets and distribute them, Senior High conducted two of the most successful distribution teams on two nights. Special thanks goes to the Dingfelder Klan, Kendrick Vinar Jr. and the Meinel boys — they put in countless delivery hours (okay… so Junior did count his hours :tongue: )
The Pastors at Grace Church — who led most of the delivery teams and offered a lot of support to me.
The Staff at Grace — they put up with the mess. :crying:
Michelle Dingfelder and the Intercessors — this was not possible without prayer and spiritual warfare.
And my wife (and in-laws) who put up with me being gone several nights and two weekends (when her parents were in town).
And I’m sure there are many, many, many, many, many MORE whom I could name!

Keep praying. The word needs to be mixed with faith. Thanks again everyone.

Blessings on Chapel Hill and Durham,
Jeremy

Learn more about how to stop human trafficking

We have some great upcoming opportunities to learn about how to stop human trafficking (in America and abroad).

On Tuesday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m. Debbie Walker will be at Grace Church to share about Freedom Firm and what they are doing to stop sex trafficking in India. Freedom Firm serves by helping prosecute the bad guys – the pimps making money by kidnapping and enslaving young girls.

Here are some links to to learn more:

Video on the work of Freedom Firm by Debbie Walker

Freedom Firm Website

Debbie’s sister’s family website – They are also working with Freedom Firm in India.

Coming up on April 3-4 is the Combating Sex Trafficking Conference at UNC (the Friday Center). Several of us from Grace Church will be attending. Linda Smith from Shared Hope International will be one of the presenters.

We can make a difference!

Gospel Project

Having spent much of the last three years studying church history and theology at seminary, I am constantly amazed at how some of the great fathers of the faith have come to know the loving salvation of Jesus Christ. Stories such as these emphasize the importance of distributing How Good Is Good Enough to every home in Chapel Hill.

Here are three of my favorite stories of conversions for the fathers of our faith, and how it speaks to what we are doing with the Gospel Project during the next few weeks.

St. Augustine, considered by some the greatest theologian of the church after the Apostle Paul, was converted when he was sitting in a park in near Milan when he heard the voice of a small boy say “Pick up and read it.” He then picked up his Bible and read, Romans 13:13-14 which spoke directly to his sinful lifestyle, he repented and turned to Christ.

Charles Spurgeon, considered one of the greatest preachers of all time, had been a student of theology and the scriptures from childhood. But he was convinced that he was lost and began visiting churches to try to find what he was missing. One snowy day he stumbled into a church where most of the congregation (including the pastor) was absent because of the snow. That is when a church member who, in Spurgeon’s words was “stupid,” stood to preach a simple message. He ended it by looking at Spurgeon in the back of the church and cried out “Look unto Jesus!” At that moment, Spurgeon’s heart was filled with faith and just a few years later he was preaching to thousands in London.

Last of all, Charles Wesley was started on his path to faith by reading the book Rules and Exercises of Holy Living and Dying by a Bishop Taylor. Later in life he was leading a revival that swept the nation of England, and started the Methodist Church.

So what does this have to do with distributing How Good is Good Enough to Chapel Hill? We never know what God is going to use where to draw people to His Son. What seems foolish to us (and to the world) could be the very thing that God uses to save the lost. Who knows, the book you and I put on some random door in our community could be the home to the next great theologian, preacher or revivalist of the faith. I look forward to seeing you on the streets.

Jeremy Gwaltney

Vacation photos

We got back from a week of family vacation this past Saturday. I’ve posted a few photos – thought you might enjoy seeing them.

Vinar vacation photos

Had to practice what we’re preaching – “margin”. It’s great being back. I’m so encouraged by the amazing things happening at Grace Church.

Here’s one update. We’re going to have a passover seder at Grace Church on Good Friday (March 21). Seth Klayman is coming from Sha’arei Shalom in Cary. It’s going to an educational and inspirational evening. A catered dinner will be served. Tickets will go on sale on March 2nd. $12 for adults and $6 for kids (12 and under). We will provide childcare. More details are coming, but thought you might want to know early. Hey, you’re reading the pastor’s blog. You deserve an inside scoop.

Have a great day.

John Piper's sermon on abortion

Here’s a link to the text and audio from John Piper’s sermon on abortion from the past Sunday.

Abortion: The Innocent Blood of our Sons and Daughters

Social Injustice

On Sunday, I shared on human injustice and our role in making a difference. We looked at two specific issues of social injustice: human trafficking and abortion.

Here are a few links to learn more.

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

Shared Hope International

An article on Child Prostitution in America

Free the Slaves

A video – Education on Human Trafficking 101

Video: Bono’s Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast 2/2/06

Transcript of Bono’s Speech

On a lighter note. Here’s the link to Nathan’s wedding day video. Our beloved worship leader runs out of gas on his wedding call… and calls 911. His sister catches it on her phone video camera.

Nathan’s Wedding Day Fiasco and Fun

Three G's for the New Year

Today is the first day of the New Year. As you turn the page into the New Year, let me ask you the three questions that I asked my kids this morning. We talked about this three questions, had God time, and then discussed them. Wow, some amazing insights from my kids.

Three G’s

1. What are you Grateful for (looking back at ‘07)?
2. How are you Growing in ‘08?
3. What are some of your Goals for ‘08?

Faith and passion come from getting insight into the vision that God has for your life – your year. What is God putting in front of you? How will you personally grow?

Take time to reflect. Be specific. Don’t be cynical or negative. His mercies are new every morning. God is working. He wants you clued into what He’s doing (not all of it – as He likes surprises but definitely some of it).

Happy New Year!

Bible Reading Resources

We’ve been discussing digging into the Bible and feeding our hearts on God’s Word. It truly is one of the most beneficial habits – give us this day our daily bread.

My strategy is very simple. First pick a time, place, and a plan.

During my time with God. This is what I do: 1. Read 2. Meditate 3. Pray. That simple strategy will fill your mind, heart, and spirit with God’s transforming truth.

Here’s a great article by R.A. Torrey on “Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is the Word of God” – Click here

Click on “Read more” for resources to help you come up with a Bible reading plan.

Here are some resources for you. The first Bible reading plan is my favorite. It’s a 25 day per month plan with readings from four places: Gospel, Acts or Paul, Psalm or Prov, and Old Testament.

Bible Reading Plans:
www.navpress.com/Assets/PDF/Magazines/DJ/BRPlan.pdf

http://www.bibleplan.org/

http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/Bible/Plans.htm

http://christianity.about.com/od/biblereadingplans/Bible_Reading_Plans.htm

http://christianity.about.com/od/biblereadingplans/tp/topbiblereadpla.htm

http://www.biblereadthrough.com/readthrough/

http://www.bibleinayear.org/

Online Resources:
www.biblegateway.com

http://bible.crosswalk.com/

www.christianbooks.com

http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/

http://bibleresources.bible.com/

The Weekend with David & Melanie Koerts

We had the privilege of having our ministry partners, David & Melanie Keorts, from Delft, Holland with us. You can hear David’s heart for reaching his city online at our sermon page. He and I shared the sermon time yesterday.

David has started playing golf. A month ago he found out that he’d be going to Pebble Beach for John Maxwell’s Equip gathering. Equip is doing an amazing job training leaders around the world (2 million of them). David is the coordinator for Equip in the Netherlands. He’s speaking tonight at their opening ceremony. Rich Kao will also be at the event representing what Equip is doing in China. Rich is our ministry partner from Vancouver.

To help David prep for his golf in at Pebble Beach, he played his first 18 holes with Jim Reklis, Will McFarlane and me. We had a blast – lots of laughs. The next day David got a golf lesson from Kendrick Jr. He started hitting the ball well. We played three holes after his lesson. He got his first par. Pebble Beach – what out for the Dutch phenom.

I’m doing pretty well with this whole scenario of David and Rich playing Pebble Beach. I am not jealous. I am not jealous. I am not jealous. Convinced?