Q & A

This Sunday (the 30th) we began a discussion about the non-violent teaching of Jesus. The message ended with some lively discussion. It was GREAT! And we are going to continue that discussion next week. I already have a couple of questions to formulate answers on and we will most likely have some open-ended discussion again as well.

If you missed on Sunday, you NEED to check out the message on our podcast. Be sure to download the podcast on iTunes OR go HERE to listen from our website. That message was titled "What is the Atonement?"

If you would like to submit a question, please just respond to this emailed post. Or send a message to jason@castlechristian.com!

Thanks, and we'll see you next Sunday!

Jason

Q&A!

Hey everyone,

A few weeks ago the topic of a Q&A was brought up. I've been planning on making that happen, but was going to wait another week or so.

However, a particularly candid and sincere conversation I had after church on Sunday revealed that it may be more prudent to address some key issues and concerns sooner than later. Here's what I'd like to do:

This Sunday, I'm going to take a break from Matthew to do a special message on the atonement. This message will be very special and I think will answer a lot of questions about why the messages have taken the direction they have. During that message, I will have Q&A forms that you can write your questions on. After that message, we'll collect those and, over the following week, I'll do my best to develop answers for those questions and bring them back the next Sunday.

A teaser: most of us saw the benefit of saying that Jesus' Kingdom is not a "religion." I was glad for that, because a lot of Christians never come that far. However, we need to explore the implications of that. What is "religion?" What is the purpose of "religion?" Where does it come from? How does Christianity become "religion?" What is the difference between Christianity the "religion" and the kingdom Jesus and John have talked about? Why did Jesus have to die on a cross? How is that a "sacrifice?" What did that accomplish? What does any of that have to do with "violence?"

Please, if you haven't been to church for a while, consider coming back for these two messages. I think they are very important and will answer a lot of questions.

Thanks!

Jason

Abby Holmes Update

Just got a text from Nathan: Abby Holmes' surgery is over and went exactly according to plan. She is a little groggy, but is expected to return home tomorrow.

Nathan said to thank you all for the prayers!

Jason

Doris Richardson

Just got this note from Ben:

Just a note to say I talked to Doris last night around 9:00pm and she reports she is doing better every day. She will find out this week if they got all of the problem area and must keep her stitches until next week.

Let's keep praying for Doris AND Dick.

Jason

Abby Holmes

Please keep little Abby Holmes in prayer this Tuesday as she goes in for surgery.

Also, please don't forget to answer the questionnaires on the blog regarding our upcoming Q & A sessions.

Urgent Prayer Request

I just got this email from the Abernathys...

Ben just talked to Beverly White (Bob’s wife) and found out he is not doing too well. The surgery he had yesterday that he thought was no big deal was a big deal. According to Bev they cut through his neck into his spinal cord. He is at North Fulton Hospital in the Neurology Trauma Center.

Also, I got an email from Doris this week and she told me that she had a “very aggressive” cancer removed from her back this week. They felt that they caught it early, but she is sore with a lot of stitches. Also their great grandson was born this week. All went good with that.

Update on Bob. He is in room 212 of the ICU at North Fulton Hospital.

Let's pray hard for both!

Jason

Prayer Request

Got this prayer request from Judy,

Please pray for my brother, Jim, as he is facing another amputation on his foot tomorrow due to complications from diabetes.