Resurrection.

The next topic for 610 is Resurrection
I have included a few Scripture texts worth reading (among many others) before we meet on March 7. I have included a few other reading and audio resources along with some questions to think through. If you have anything you would like to add or questions re: resurrection to discuss then throw it in the comments section. Peace to you all.
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5.17-7.29

[youversion]Matthew 5:17-7:29[/youversion] |This one word appears in the Sermon on the Mount 15 times. It is in many ways the very point of the teaching Jesus is giving. We can read through this section over and over again and drive right by it every single time because it is not one of those action words we are used to looking for like: love, joy, or worship. No, this word is a little more common. But it is a word that packs immense meaning for every single one of us. It is a word that defines every one of us as a person.

When Jesus uses this word over and over again, I think he is telling us something about what it means to live in the kingdom. After all this section is about what living out the Kingdom of God truly looks like. How do we handle relationships? anger? prayer? giving? fasting? life? Jesus is painting a picture of humanity as the way it was intended to be - humanity as we are intended to live - but none of this can happen without understanding this one word.
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5.13-5.16

[youversion]Matthew 5:13-5:16[/youversion] | Add Comments: What does it mean for us to be salt and light within our world?

5.1-5.12

[youversion]Matthew 5:1-5:12[/youversion] | Known as “The Sermon on the Mount”, this is the longest teaching of Jesus we have and is for lack of a better description… a kingdom manifesto for living out heaven on earth. The start of this is often known as the Beatitudes, or as I was taught in Sunday School, The Be Attitudes. Yes, the “Be-tudes” as us cool kids called them for short, were basically a giant list of things we should be if we want to get into heaven when we die.
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Repentance.

I just read a great quote on repentance and wanted to share it with everyone.

The trouble with the word [repentance] is that people have often not understood it. They have thought it means, “feeling bad about yourself”. It doesn’t. It means “change direction”; “turn around and go the other way;” or “stop what you’re doing and do the opposite instead.” How you feel about it isn’t really the important thing. It’s what you do that matters. - N.T. Wright,  Matthew for Everyone Pt. 1

There is so little we hear on repentance anymore. Yet, according to Jesus, it is the first step into the Kingdom. Our response as followers of Jesus is to make sure we have taken this important first step and share it with everyone around us.

Stories.

I Am Second is a collection of raw video testimonies that are real and powerful. These are amazing stories worth watching and sharing with others. Leave some comments about the videos that stirred you the most.

Jesus For President

Jesus For President | I read this book sometime last year and thought it was an amazing read. I know we are entering a new political era where there is a lot of change and uncertainty, and a media who can’t stop salivating like Pavlovian dogs everytime the big O opens his mouth, but what is our response as followers of Jesus supposed to be? This book starts the conversation on a great answer to that question. Check it out if you are looking for a good new read and if you have read it leave some comments behind.

PS. remember to spend time praying for President Obama. As the elected leader of America he has a huge responsibility and the pressures and decisions he faces must be unbelievably difficult.

Dear Mr. President,

President Obama campaigned with a message of Hope and Change. As Christians, we know true hope  is found in Jesus changing and transforming us and our world. But we also know as Christians it is our responsibility to have a voice in our world and in our government. Why else would Paul have committed himself to Rome unless he believed it was essential to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the leaders of the world. It is essential for us to speak out and speak up when we see things that are not right in our world.

This is why an awesome organization from the UK - Christian Aid, has decided to send our president an email expressing their hopes for change in this world. They are also providing the opportunity for anyone to write in their hopes as well. There is concern for issues like abortion, poverty, and the Middle East that need to be addressed. But what would you say to President Obama if you had the chance? Add your thoughts here and/or submit them on the Christian Aid website.

Email Obama via Christian Aid

610 at The Garage

February 7

The 610 Project will be meeting at The Garage on February 7. For those of you who are new to the 610 Project it is basically a group of us from the Cincinnati/Dayton area who have begun meeting on the first Saturday of each month to rethink what it means to be the people of God here on earth.

Dinner will be shared with everyone on Saturday night. So if you are coming please plan to bring a food dish/item that can be shared with the group. If you can’t bring a food item, please still come! There will be enough for everyone. This will give us a chance to relax and share our lives with each other over some good food.

Childcare will be provided for this month’s 610 project. If you have kids you would like childcare for please email me.

Invite any friends you would like to be a part of this by simply sending them to the invite here. You will find a map and all the info on the invite.  So come ready for conversation, prayer and challenging each other to become people who live in anticipation of heaven coming to earth.