I hope our time together this past Friday was encouraging to you in a variety of ways to include the fellowship with each other and growing in your faith as we looked at God’s word. For those of you who were not with us, we studied how John the Baptist had a proper view of God and a proper view of himself. God is sovereign over His entire creation and we often over-inflate our view of ourselves. Ultimately, as John the Baptist said, “He must become greater, I must become less” (John 3:30). That is a simple and easy verse to memorize to remind yourself of having a proper view of God and yourself. Put “3:30” on a piece of paper in your pocket and each time you pull it out recite this verse. By the end of the day you will probably have it memorized!
This week we will be looking at the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at a well (John 4:1-42). Our potluck theme is Salads and Breads—I did promise a prize for the most creative salad! Saturday night we are going to watch the movie “Fireproof” at 7pm.
Additionally, this weekend is the last chance for you to sign up to attend the men’s retreat March 13th-16th. We currently have 26 men signed up! If you must work either Friday or Monday you can always come after work on Friday and/or return home Sunday night.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Recession and Girl Scout Cookies
What do the Recession and Girl Scout Cookies have in common? Not much other than the fact that they are the two things I want to comment on today. The important one first.
I listened to a great sermon recently about the recession. It is by one of my favorite preachers and writers, John Piper. His five points are below. And here is a link to listen and/or read the whole sermon (I recommend that you do so!).
(Some of) God’s Purposes in This Recession
1. He intends for this recession to expose hidden sin and so bring us to repentance and cleansing.
2. He intends to wake us up to the constant and desperate condition of the developing world where there is always and only recession of the worst kind.
3. He intends to relocate the roots of our joy in his grace rather than in our goods, in his mercy rather than our money, in his worth rather than our wealth.
4. He intends to advance his saving mission in the world—the spread of the gospel and the growth of his church—precisely at a time when human resources are least able to support it. This is how he guards his glory.
5. He intends for the church to care for its hurting members and to grow in the gift of love.
(from www.desiringgod.org)
And now for the rough transition onto Girl Scout Cookies. I just wanted to let everyone know that after years of holding the top-spot on the Brian's Favorite Girl Scout Cookie Chart, Thin Mints have been dropped to number two. I was just as surprised as you are. The new cookie took over the top spot by the narrowest of margins and will have a tough time defending its position next year. But at least for one year, the new Top Cookie belongs to:
Do-Si-Dos®: "A sandwich cookie. The round, bumpy perforated oatmeal cookie top and bottom surrounds a peanut butter-flavored layer inside."
I am a big fan of the "round, bumpy perforated oatmeal cookie top." Check back next year about this time to see if the Do-Si-Dos can stay on top.
And for those of you who are curious, the only other two cookies that are good enough to be on my list are #3 Samoas and #4 Trefoils.
I listened to a great sermon recently about the recession. It is by one of my favorite preachers and writers, John Piper. His five points are below. And here is a link to listen and/or read the whole sermon (I recommend that you do so!).
(Some of) God’s Purposes in This Recession
1. He intends for this recession to expose hidden sin and so bring us to repentance and cleansing.
2. He intends to wake us up to the constant and desperate condition of the developing world where there is always and only recession of the worst kind.
3. He intends to relocate the roots of our joy in his grace rather than in our goods, in his mercy rather than our money, in his worth rather than our wealth.
4. He intends to advance his saving mission in the world—the spread of the gospel and the growth of his church—precisely at a time when human resources are least able to support it. This is how he guards his glory.
5. He intends for the church to care for its hurting members and to grow in the gift of love.
(from www.desiringgod.org)
And now for the rough transition onto Girl Scout Cookies. I just wanted to let everyone know that after years of holding the top-spot on the Brian's Favorite Girl Scout Cookie Chart, Thin Mints have been dropped to number two. I was just as surprised as you are. The new cookie took over the top spot by the narrowest of margins and will have a tough time defending its position next year. But at least for one year, the new Top Cookie belongs to:
Do-Si-Dos®: "A sandwich cookie. The round, bumpy perforated oatmeal cookie top and bottom surrounds a peanut butter-flavored layer inside."
I am a big fan of the "round, bumpy perforated oatmeal cookie top." Check back next year about this time to see if the Do-Si-Dos can stay on top.
And for those of you who are curious, the only other two cookies that are good enough to be on my list are #3 Samoas and #4 Trefoils.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
This Weekend
The Graf House is back open and ready to see you all on Friday! The dinner theme is “Breakfast for Dinner!” The lesson will be over the first half of John 3.
Saturday we have the ladies “Drop and Shop”. If your husband is deployed you are welcome to “drop” your kids off at the Graf House at 2pm and Brian will babysit while you go shopping and to dinner in Bayreuth. If your husband is not deployed, you can still go to Bayreuth with the ladies but you just cannot drop your kids off at the Graf House. Make sense? If not, call us.
Saturday we have the ladies “Drop and Shop”. If your husband is deployed you are welcome to “drop” your kids off at the Graf House at 2pm and Brian will babysit while you go shopping and to dinner in Bayreuth. If your husband is not deployed, you can still go to Bayreuth with the ladies but you just cannot drop your kids off at the Graf House. Make sense? If not, call us.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Weekly Events and New Singles Bible Study!
Here is a quick summary of upcoming events! We will be starting a new singles Bible study this week!!
Wednesday—Singles Bible Study at the Chapel. Meet for dinner at the DFAC at 5:30 or just meet us in Room 205 of the Chapel Annex at 6:30.
Friday—NO DINNER and STUDY! Please come to the Grafenwoehr Chapel Talent Show! (At the Chapel of Course!)
Saturday—“Focus” has been postponed. No Scheduled Events This Weekend.
Wednesday (4 Feb)—Singles Bible Study
Friday (6 Feb)—Friday Night Dinner at Study. Potluck Theme: Italian. Bible Study on John 2: 13-25.
Saturday (7 Feb)—Dodge Ball vs. Club Beyond! This is tentatively scheduled for 3:30 as long as the request for the Field House is approved.
Wednesday—Singles Bible Study at the Chapel. Meet for dinner at the DFAC at 5:30 or just meet us in Room 205 of the Chapel Annex at 6:30.
Friday—NO DINNER and STUDY! Please come to the Grafenwoehr Chapel Talent Show! (At the Chapel of Course!)
Saturday—“Focus” has been postponed. No Scheduled Events This Weekend.
Wednesday (4 Feb)—Singles Bible Study
Friday (6 Feb)—Friday Night Dinner at Study. Potluck Theme: Italian. Bible Study on John 2: 13-25.
Saturday (7 Feb)—Dodge Ball vs. Club Beyond! This is tentatively scheduled for 3:30 as long as the request for the Field House is approved.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Graf House Happenings
Quick update...
Skiing on Monday was great! Not quite Colorado...Ok, nowhere near Colorado. But it was good for not being in the Rockies or the Alps. We had seven single soldiers join our family. Jacob and Owen both took half day lessons and then skied with us in the afternoon. It was right on the border with Czechleslavokia which meant that our nine-passenger van was a nice target for the Polezei to pull us over as we left the ski slope. They claimed it was routine for them to check identifications since we were so close to the border. They took all of our I.D. cards, phoned them into their headquarters, and then told us we were good to go! One Polezei stood and talked with me the whole time and was real friendly.
Here is what is going on in the coming days. Note there are a couple of changes!
Friday (23rd)—Dinner and Study. Potluck theme is pizza! Anything pizza related is great! We will then be looking at the wedding at Cana in John 2!
Saturday (24th)—Changed from the calendar. We are now going to Rothenburg, which is a really cool walled city. Following dinner we are going to Ansbach for a praise and worship concert in their chapel. We will meet at the Graf Chapel at 11:00. Please let us know if you are interested in joining us as we might schedule a city tour. We will have our “Focus” night a week later.
Wednesday (28th)—Singles Bible Study--6:30 at the Chapel Annex. You can meet me for dinner at 5:30 in the DFAC.
Friday (30th)—NO DINNER and STUDY!! Instead, join us at the Graf Chapel for a talent show. Please let Haila Hill know if you plan to display a talent (i.e. artwork, crafts, etc.) or perform a talent (i.e. sing, dance, etc.).
Saturday (31st)—Changed from the Calendar. We will have a special night of worship, encouragement, and more. We are calling it “Focus”! Please join us from 7:00-9:00pm.
Skiing on Monday was great! Not quite Colorado...Ok, nowhere near Colorado. But it was good for not being in the Rockies or the Alps. We had seven single soldiers join our family. Jacob and Owen both took half day lessons and then skied with us in the afternoon. It was right on the border with Czechleslavokia which meant that our nine-passenger van was a nice target for the Polezei to pull us over as we left the ski slope. They claimed it was routine for them to check identifications since we were so close to the border. They took all of our I.D. cards, phoned them into their headquarters, and then told us we were good to go! One Polezei stood and talked with me the whole time and was real friendly.
Here is what is going on in the coming days. Note there are a couple of changes!
Friday (23rd)—Dinner and Study. Potluck theme is pizza! Anything pizza related is great! We will then be looking at the wedding at Cana in John 2!
Saturday (24th)—Changed from the calendar. We are now going to Rothenburg, which is a really cool walled city. Following dinner we are going to Ansbach for a praise and worship concert in their chapel. We will meet at the Graf Chapel at 11:00. Please let us know if you are interested in joining us as we might schedule a city tour. We will have our “Focus” night a week later.
Wednesday (28th)—Singles Bible Study--6:30 at the Chapel Annex. You can meet me for dinner at 5:30 in the DFAC.
Friday (30th)—NO DINNER and STUDY!! Instead, join us at the Graf Chapel for a talent show. Please let Haila Hill know if you plan to display a talent (i.e. artwork, crafts, etc.) or perform a talent (i.e. sing, dance, etc.).
Saturday (31st)—Changed from the Calendar. We will have a special night of worship, encouragement, and more. We are calling it “Focus”! Please join us from 7:00-9:00pm.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sabbath Rest
There remains a Sabbath Rest. Why don't I experience this much? I know the answer--it's because of me! It is Sunday morning now. I am rested; I am at peace; I've been up long enough to have two cups of coffee and my deovtional; I even have time to be sitting here typing this! This looks so different than a lot of Sunday mornings. In part, we have almost two hours extra before Chapel since there is no Sunday School today (How does not having a one-hour Sunday School equate to almost two-hours extra? It's complicated but it does!). Which makes me think, if I had extra time most Sunday mornings before "rushing" off to chapel then I might arrive at church to worship God with a peaceful and rested spirit instead of being hurried and frantic. Does the latter describe you? If you have kids it probably does! Maybe an extra hour or two would do us all some good. But don't go cancelling Sunday School just to make it happen! Maybe the key is Saturday night... What if we ,me included, were better about going to bed at a decent hour so that I could be up before the "frantic" sets in immmediately after the alarm? Just a thought worth considering...
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Graf House Happenings!
This Friday we will continue our study of the Gospel of John by looking at Chapter 1:35-51. Two weeks ago we started through this gospel by looking at why John wrote it, the difference between recognizing and receiving something, and we were then challenged to testify to The Light. Last week we discussed testimonies (especially John the Baptist’s testimony) and baptism. Here are links to a couple of websites that offer good articles on baptism if you want further reading: John MacArthur’s Grace to You and John Piper’s Desiring God.
Please join us on Friday for a potluck dinner (theme: Family Favorites) at 6:30 and then we will continue through the Gospel of John at 7:45. And here are a few more upcoming events:
Saturday, 17 Jan: Guy’s Game Day (Wii, Risk, and other games generally not favored by the girls.)—4:00
Sunday, 18 Jan: Reminder there is NO Sunday School or Awana’s at Graf Chapel (due to four-day weekend).
Monday, 19 Jan: Ski Trip!
We will be going to Arber (www.arber.de) which is about 2 ½ hours from Graf. They do have ski school for those interested (30 Euros; 9:30-12:30) and lift tickets cost 25 Euros for adults and 18 Euros for kids ages 6-16. They have sledding available as well. We will be leaving the Hospitality House at 6:30 so that we can be there in time for ski school but you are welcome to just meet us there (the slope isn’t too big!). Single guys are welcome to stay at the House Sunday night.
Please let us know:
1. If you plan to come.
2. If you will carpool from here or meet us there.
3. If you will be staying the night.
We look forward to seeing you at any or all of these events. Check out more events to the right.
Please join us on Friday for a potluck dinner (theme: Family Favorites) at 6:30 and then we will continue through the Gospel of John at 7:45. And here are a few more upcoming events:
Saturday, 17 Jan: Guy’s Game Day (Wii, Risk, and other games generally not favored by the girls.)—4:00
Sunday, 18 Jan: Reminder there is NO Sunday School or Awana’s at Graf Chapel (due to four-day weekend).
Monday, 19 Jan: Ski Trip!
We will be going to Arber (www.arber.de) which is about 2 ½ hours from Graf. They do have ski school for those interested (30 Euros; 9:30-12:30) and lift tickets cost 25 Euros for adults and 18 Euros for kids ages 6-16. They have sledding available as well. We will be leaving the Hospitality House at 6:30 so that we can be there in time for ski school but you are welcome to just meet us there (the slope isn’t too big!). Single guys are welcome to stay at the House Sunday night.
Please let us know:
1. If you plan to come.
2. If you will carpool from here or meet us there.
3. If you will be staying the night.
We look forward to seeing you at any or all of these events. Check out more events to the right.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A New Year's Resolution...For You!
Join us for our Friday Night Dinner and Study each week. We have a potluck at 6:30 followed by a time of worship and a lesson on the book of John. We normally kick worship off around 7:45. We are just starting John and look forward to seeing God revealed through this Gospel.
Childcare is provided form 6:30-9:30 and please bring your kids fed as dinner is for adults only. This provides many parents a night to enjoy "adult conversation" without kiddos in tow! We would love to see you this week!
Join us for our Friday Night Dinner and Study each week. We have a potluck at 6:30 followed by a time of worship and a lesson on the book of John. We normally kick worship off around 7:45. We are just starting John and look forward to seeing God revealed through this Gospel.
Childcare is provided form 6:30-9:30 and please bring your kids fed as dinner is for adults only. This provides many parents a night to enjoy "adult conversation" without kiddos in tow! We would love to see you this week!
Happy New Year
We rung in the New Year last night with several single soldiers who came over for dinner. After that we had several families join us for dessert and games until around 11:00. We probably had about 25 people and the games were good and loud!
The German tradition is to light off fireworks for New Year's so we did that an hour early so the kids could go to bed. In the end only Owen went to bed and the rest of us stayed up to watch the rest of the countryside shoot fireworks at midnight. About 10 people stuck around until 3:00am playing Taboo! Aimee and I haven't been up that late for quite a while!
We hope your New Year's was good! Check back for more of what is going on here!
The German tradition is to light off fireworks for New Year's so we did that an hour early so the kids could go to bed. In the end only Owen went to bed and the rest of us stayed up to watch the rest of the countryside shoot fireworks at midnight. About 10 people stuck around until 3:00am playing Taboo! Aimee and I haven't been up that late for quite a while!
We hope your New Year's was good! Check back for more of what is going on here!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December House Happenings!
Friday Night Dinner and Study (12th)—Dinner at 1830 (All-American Potluck)—please have your kids eat before coming as we have a babysitter from 1830-2130. We will then look at what it means to love our neighbor.
Saturday (13th): White Elephant Gift Exchange from 2:00-5:00. Fun for the whole family. Find a gift in the basement, attic, garage, or anywhere else and wrap it up. Before opening them we will then select gifts, trade gifts (aka, steal one that you think looks promising), and then unwrap them! You are welcome to bring a gift per person in your family (for example, if you have five people in your family you can bring five gifts and then each of your kids can select and participate at well.) The more unique your gift is the better!
Friday the 19th: Dinner and Study. Potluck theme: “Breakfast for dinner.”
Saturday the 20th: Christmas Caroling to our Neighbors—7pm
Sunday the 21st: Graf Chapel Evening Christmas Program
Monday the 22nd: The Chapel will be caroling through the barracks. Meet at 5pm at the chapel. See CH Hammond for more info and bring cookies to share with soldiers!
Christmas Day: Brunch for single soldiers at 1030 (let Brian know if you want a ride). Christmas dinner for everyone at 5:00 followed by games, puzzles, dessert, etc.
Tuesday the 30th: Swimming at the Weiden pool (4pm)
New Year’s Eve: Dinner for single soldiers at 1730. Pie and Game Night for everyone from 1900 until….??? Single soldiers are welcome to stay the night.
Saturday (13th): White Elephant Gift Exchange from 2:00-5:00. Fun for the whole family. Find a gift in the basement, attic, garage, or anywhere else and wrap it up. Before opening them we will then select gifts, trade gifts (aka, steal one that you think looks promising), and then unwrap them! You are welcome to bring a gift per person in your family (for example, if you have five people in your family you can bring five gifts and then each of your kids can select and participate at well.) The more unique your gift is the better!
Friday the 19th: Dinner and Study. Potluck theme: “Breakfast for dinner.”
Saturday the 20th: Christmas Caroling to our Neighbors—7pm
Sunday the 21st: Graf Chapel Evening Christmas Program
Monday the 22nd: The Chapel will be caroling through the barracks. Meet at 5pm at the chapel. See CH Hammond for more info and bring cookies to share with soldiers!
Christmas Day: Brunch for single soldiers at 1030 (let Brian know if you want a ride). Christmas dinner for everyone at 5:00 followed by games, puzzles, dessert, etc.
Tuesday the 30th: Swimming at the Weiden pool (4pm)
New Year’s Eve: Dinner for single soldiers at 1730. Pie and Game Night for everyone from 1900 until….??? Single soldiers are welcome to stay the night.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Past and Future!
Past: It was great to have so many of you join us for Thanksgiving dinner and the Christmas Market. I think we had around 30-35 for turkey dinner and 40 to see a very cool (and cold!) parade at the Medieval Christmas Market! Thanks also to all of you who invited friends to join us.
Future: This Friday we will resume our weekly Friday Night Dinner and Study. The potluck dinner theme is Mexican! Please bring your kids fed as we will have a babysitter from 6:30-9:30. The study will be on loving God as we look at what is commonly referred to as the Greatest Commandment:
"Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?'
Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'" Matthew 22:34-40
We will look at loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Next week we will look at the second commandment, loving our neighbor as yourself.
Please call or email with questions!
Future: This Friday we will resume our weekly Friday Night Dinner and Study. The potluck dinner theme is Mexican! Please bring your kids fed as we will have a babysitter from 6:30-9:30. The study will be on loving God as we look at what is commonly referred to as the Greatest Commandment:
"Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?'
Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'" Matthew 22:34-40
We will look at loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Next week we will look at the second commandment, loving our neighbor as yourself.
Please call or email with questions!
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