As much as we joke, there’s a lot of Biblical truth that I’ve learned through this funny saying. A truth that we sometimes overlook as Christians. Because deep down, a lot of times, we do think that we can do it all. Or at least that we should know how.

Photo source

Learning From Our Spiritual Gifts and Callings

Over the past several weeks we’ve learned all about calling, spiritual gifts and the role of the Holy Spirit. I’ve learned about gifts over the years, but this month I’ve been reminded that not all of us have every spiritual gift. And God’s given us the one, two or three dominant ones for a reason. There’s purpose behind our passions.

In the “calling” week, Orion said that we each have a “Spiritual DNA” that makes us unique. Just like none of us look alike, our gifts and callings work the same way. It’s less about what gifts we have and more about how we use them.

Finding Health in the Body

I’m finally finding peace with settling into my one or two gifts and not trying to do it all. Because really, when I lose that focus – my gifts become more about me and less about Christ. Our physical bodies won’t function if each organ tries to do it all. Our bodies also won’t work if each organ doesn’t do its part. We lose energy, stamina and our health. We need each part do to its job in order for us to feel and look our best.

It’s no coincidence this physical example mirrors the church in how we are to work together and use our gifts. We can’t sit back and do nothing, yet we also can’t do everything if we want to be on mission. The way we’ll find complete health is by figuring out what we’re gifted in and focusing on that. And being able to admit to ourselves that sometimes, we aren’t the colon.

Read more … Pastor Orion’s post on Knowing Your Role

We’re still in the midst of our sermon series, “You Have a Born Ultimatum” where we’re discovering who Christ has made us to be. We’ve discussed calling and spiritual gifts. Make sure to join us on the last two weeks of the series coming up as we discuss the Holy Spirit and have a spiritual gifts analysis.

The Plan for January 29 & February 5 at The Avenue

Please make sure to remember we are NOT at the Hilton the next two weeks. Mark your calendars with these details:

January 29 – Meeting at FCA National Headquarters

Address: 8701 Leeds Road Kansas City, MO 64129

Service Time: 10:45am (Childcare provided. NO 9:30am Avenue Kids classes)

February 5 – Meeting in Small Groups

If you are in a life group, please plan on meeting with your group on this morning. Not in a group? Find one near you!

We’ll finish out the series with a spiritual gift assessment.

If you are NOT in a life group, please check your email for where to go

OR, if you’d like to visit and aren’t sure where to go- email us and we’ll get you a home to go!

Except there’s only one thing stopping me – I need to actually get out there and start running. Let’s just say it’s been awhile.

Spiritual Sprints Take Devotion … Not Stuff

As I began reflecting on the upcoming new year and how I would use my nice Christmas gift, I realized that my spiritual situation isn’t all that different than that of my physical exercise and quest to become a runner. I desire to be close to the Lord; to discern His voice and His will for my life. I’ve got a shelf full of books to draw me near to Him. I’ve got a Bible in every room and then some. I have prayer journals, cards with verses on them, home decor with Christian sayings and an app on my phone with scripture. Not to mention I have the opportunity to worship publicly and freely each Sunday morning, a life group that keeps me accountable each week and Godly friends who pray for me and encourage me.

Except I’ve found that I’m in the same situation here.

Having the Christian “stuff” isn’t going to draw me any closer to God; just like having the running “stuff” doesn’t automatically make me a runner.

It’s going to take self-discipline to spiritually grow.

Spiritual Growth Takes Self Control

As Christians, and especially believers living in the Western world, we can so easily get caught up with the “stuff” and think that just because we have it, we’re good to go. And while most of us know that it’s not enough to just own a Bible, we need to read it – how many of us really do? Or how many of us really dive in and take the steps to spiritually grow, not just have the stuff to get by. I know I’m guilty.

There’s a reason the last fruit of the spirit is self-control. In a culture of busyness and distractions, it’s easy to shrug off spending time with the Lord. It’s all too convenient to read a verse and call it “good” for the day, or to own a devotional book and think that’s enough, yet never take the time to read nor reflect on its promptings. And while I’m not saying there are those days sometimes where that’s all you can do (I’m a new mom – I totally get it…) I am saying that most of us are desiring more out of our relationships with the Lord. And that’s not going to come through a trip to the Christian bookstore, but actual time spent in the Word, worship and in prayer. It’s going to take getting on our faces before God.

In a season of resolutions, I’m learning that it’s going to take self-control this year to grow spiritually, not just my arsenal of stuff to get me by. And that same drive is what it’s going to take to get me on the path of physical fitness, too.  I’ve been blessed abundantly with the gear to get me there, it’s just a matter of actually taking the first steps and getting in stride.

While eating chocolates from tiny little windows labeled by each day is quite fun, it doesn’t totally cover what advent really is about; Advent is about so much more. It’s like Christmas in a lot of ways – there are some really awesome traditions, but they don’t quite reach the true meaning of what is happening.

What is Advent?

Advent, the word itself, comes from Latin (Adventus) and means ‘coming.’ It’s the time of the year when we celebrate the coming Messiah. I know my inner nerd will come out through this but what really gets me amped up about advent is that the word itself is closely associated with the Greek word ‘Parousia’ (PAR-OO-SEE-UH) that is used in reference to Christ’s 2nd coming.

How cool is that?

Advent; the season of expectation of Christ’s coming as a newborn into the world, is also a time when we, as Christ’s bride, wait for for Him to return!

Meaningful Advent Season

Celebrating Advent makes Christmastime so much more meaningful to me, because I can identify with the Jews in the 1st Century longing and waiting for a Messiah to come. I really want Jesus to come back, to gather us all together and surround us in His glory – but I must wait for that day to come. Just as the people waited for the birth of the Messiah, I must wait for Messiah to return.

So as you’re opening tiny doors to find a piece of chocolate this Advent season; remember to identify your longing for Christ’s return with the longing the Jews had for their Messiah to be born.

Happy Advent Season.

Up until a few days ago, the first thing I did right after I woke up in the morning was … check my email.

Sigh.

Yep, I’m one of those people who have a hard time putting the constant flow of the inbox away. My cell phone charger is all too conveniently right on my nightstand, so it’s too easy to reach over, check the time on my phone, and then start digging through the inbox.

This has been a growing habit of mine for some time, but I’ve found that recently, it’s gotten a little crazy. It’s like I’m tied to my email and my phone. Especially owning my own business now, it’s been hard to put it away in fear that someone might need me, and if they can’t reach me – it’s all over and done with. Or now that I’m a mom – what if there’s an emergency?

Can anyone else relate?

it's harder than it seems to turn off the phone and email!

Learning to Shut Off my Phone for Rest

This past weekend, our life group took a retreat to the Ozarks area where I forced myself to keep my email inbox closed – both on my computer and my phone. I wasn’t attached to my email all weekend, and the one time I did check it – I made sure to keep it less than 10 minutes and close it right away. And you know what happened? I gained clarity. I didn’t die. And the world kept turning.

When life gets busy for me, my mind starts to get fogged up and I can’t think clearly. Things like remembering my to-do list or keeping my house clean start to fall by the wayside. Even worse, I start to detach myself from God and get further and further away from Him the busier and more side-tracked I get. When it gets out of control, I can lose vision and passion for what I’m called to do, and what God wants for my life.

It took a weekend getaway with our group for me to unplug a little bit and regain that clarity. And what I learned along the way has me shaking my head, realizing that it’s one of the most simple, obvious lessons I need to remember as a Christian: rest.

Learning to Follow God’s Example to Sabbath

I’ve never been good at resting. I mean I’m a good napper – but actually finding time to rest is not one of my specialties. There’s always something to do, with some sort of urgency or emergency tied to it. Or so I think. So taking a whole day, much less a weekend, to rest is a big step for me.

But as I stepped away this weekend, God reminded me of his example He set when he created the whole world and then took a day off.

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:1-3

Little bit bigger of a project than me getting the church bulletin ready, or writing blogs for people. God showed me this weekend that I MUST rest, for it’s how I will continue to keep my spiritual fervor and serve the Lord. Rest is how I will hear from Him. Rest will help me know my calling. Rest will give me peace. Rest will keep me going.

So – I’m on Day 2 of keeping my email open while I’m working – and not while I’m resting. And it’s going really great. I sometimes shake my head at how it simple the solution really is when it comes to our faith and finding God in the midst of it all. But I’m finally realizing that rest isn’t just a nice suggestion or lofty goal to try and hit sometime – but it’s mandate from God, an example set by Him, to take a break, to shut off the email, and to really lay it down for a bit.

Mission: Ignition is Oct. 10-16

Why Mission: Ignition?

I thought I’d just throw out a few bits of info, and refreshers about why we do Mission: Ignition. I know with my life and craziness, sometimes I forget why we do things – and so if you’re also in that boat, here goes:

• We do Mission: Ignition because as Christians, we’re all called to live missionally.
• With that said, we’re all busy. So Mission: Ignition gives us a full week to be intentional.
• Plus, because we push it as a church, there’s more accountability.
• A week of Mission: Ignition is designed to give ideas and challenges.
• One way to worship God is through our service to him.
• So, for a whole week, we encourage loving and serving others. That’s our worship to God. (and why we traditionally don’t have Sunday services on M:I week.)

Bless others through food next week!

October Mission: Ignition Plans

We always try to provide a “theme” for Mission: Ignition. This M:I’s theme – food.

If there’s one thing The Avenue does well is bless others through food. We do potlucks, BackSnack team, food collections, meals for families, etc. really, really well.

So, we’re channeling our hospitality gifts this week and encouraging everyone to think about how you can use a meal or food to bless others.

Here’s the rundown:

Mission: Ignition – Monday, Oct. 10 – Sunday, Oct. 16

Here’s what’s coming up-

• Monday, Oct. 10 – Church-wide Fast
  Fast with us to experience one of the most powerful spiritual rhythms we have – withholding food to focus on prayer. If you can’t fast food, consider fasting electronics or something like that. Log on Monday for suggestions for prayer as you fast with us.
• Tuesday, Oct. 11 – Prayer Walk
  The Berridge Life Group is hosting a prayer walk, everyone is welcome to join! They’ll be at Waterfall Park (Behind Bass Pro Shop in Independence, MO) starting at 6:30pm. Kids can play on the playground as adults walk and pray over our city and our church.

• Thursday, Oct. 13 – “Let’s Eat!” for Beacon House
  We’re hosting a “Let’s Eat!” potluck for men at the Beacon House on this evening. This is a great way to provide a delicious home-cooked meal to some guys who could use extra encouragement! Check The City for what we need and to sign up to donate an item!

• Friday, Oct. 14 – Sunday, Oct. 16- Breakfast & Dinner Dates
  We strongly encourage every Avenue family to think about making plans with another individual/family who you can love and serve this weekend. Be intentional. Use Sunday morning to do breakfast. Or stay out later Saturday night to do dinner. Who has God put on your heart to love?

Just Because Ideas – M:I

If you’re looking for a few other ideas about how to love & serve this week, here are a few ways you can reach out to others, through an easy method of food!

• buy the person behind you’s meal/coffee
• get a grocery gift certificate to bless someone
• donate cans/ food to harvesters or a local food pantry
• make Halloween goodie bags for our BackSnack kids (we would need 30 for each school)
• make a batch of cookies or bread and take it to a neighbor
• have a friend or family member over for dinner
• make a food gift basket for a teacher/coach/coworker/boss/friend
• do the dishes for another member in your family ( if you take turns) or when at another’s house
• pray for the hungry in the KC family with your kids during dinner time
• take a friend out for some coffee or lunch

The possibilities are endless. And the bottom line – love and serve how God leads you this week.

With any questions, email us at The Avenue! Praying for an amazing Mission: Ignition week!

What is it about the word “retreat” that makes some people shutter? As I joined the planning committee for this years women’s retreat at The Avenue I quickly began to realize that there is a stigma that comes with telling other women about the women’s retreat. Maybe I am excited because I have experienced some of my best memories at retreats in the past, and others have experienced the proverbial, “arts and crafts, need-a-tissue” type of retreat.

So I have been asking myself, How do I cast vision for this retreat? How do I share that we’ve got an extremely great planning team with a plethora of fun ideas, none of which involves crafts.

And yes, there may be a little vulnerability involved and some sharing, but really what a better place to do that than with ladies you can trust.

I have decided I just need to tell people why I am so excited.

An Overnight Women’s Retreat

What I am most excited about for this retreat, is that it’s an overnight. I can’t remember the last time I attended a sleepover. Yes, I know that may seem a little scary for some. I sure don’t wake up looking like sleeping beauty (luckily my husband has poor vision and has to put in his contacts in the morning!).

But really, how much fun would it be to get out of the house and hang out with a bunch of your girlfriends; to get out of your comfort zone for just one night? And that is the best part, it is just one night! The retreat is pretty laid back too, so if you can’t make it one day, you don’t even have to stay overnight (although I can’t say you won’t miss some inside jokes that will probably arise in the middle of the night.)We are totally flexible and want to make this retreat work however it works best for you!

Located at the Three Trails Salvation Army Camp, the setting is ideal for a sleepover. And since we will be staying in a cabin, there will be no formal setting of table and chairs, you can get as cozy as you want on the couches as you listen to our speaker, Shannon Selmon Carter, who is part of the Shine Foundation (the sponsor of Rainbow Town) and a great friend of Amy Elrod.

Tell Her That I Love Her

Shannon will be speaking on God’s love for us women, how we can encourage other women, and how
we can build discipleship relationship because of those two things. I believe God is moving in this area of discipleship at The Avenue and I am so excited to see how He speaks to us through Shannon on this topic.

Sign up for our Women’s Retreat at The Avenue – Independence, MO Church

So….if you are looking for a boring, tear-filled, ushy-gushy type of event, don’t come to our women’s retreat! If you need a night away with your girlfriends or want to make new girlfriends, if you want to relax, laugh and be filled up for the weekend, then I hope you will join us. My goal is to break the negative stigma associated with retreats. Our hope and desire is that this weekend will do just that.

Interested to know more? Want to sign up? It’s easy!

Shoot us an email.

(or, for Avenuers – RSVP on The City)

Here are a few updates about some events coming up this weekend at The Avenue Church, and in the next few weeks!

• Marriage Series, “In The Ring” Begins
  This weekend we begin a new marriage series, “In The Ring.” We’ll specifically focus on the MEN this weekend. Hope you can all join us!

• Serve Sunday – Volunteers Needed This Weekend
  We do not have a life group assigned to this weekend’s Serve Sunday and are in need of extra help. If you’re willing to serve with our kiddos this weekend, please email Danielle ASAP!

• Iron Sharpens Iron – Men’s Conference
  A Men’s Conference, “Iron Sharpens Iron” will be Sat., Oct. 1 at Abundant Life Baptist Church. The Avenue is taking a group of men to this conference. If you’d like to attend, get more info on The City, or email Danny.

• Women’s Retreat – Tell Her That I Love Her
  The Avenue women are pumped about the upcoming women’s retreat. The retreat will be at the Salvation Army Three Trails Camp (40 Hwy & LS Road) and last from the evening Fri. Oct 7 through Sat., Oct. 8. Shannon Selmon Carter from the Shine Foundation (sponsor of Rainbow Town documentary) will be speaking. Please see The City for more details, and contact Donna Mash with any questions.

• This Week on The City…. 
• Women’s Bible study beginning next Wednesday
• Sign up for the 2011-2012 BackSnack team
• RSVP for Men’s BBQ this Saturday

Make sure to log into The City to get the full scoop on all of these events!

Don’t have an account to The City? Request one here, we’ll get you hooked up!

Have a great weekend!

Welcome to our new website! We thought we’d refresh our web presence with a new site and refreshed content! As a church plant, we’re constantly opening new doors and discovering things God has called us to. Updating our website is just one of the ways to reflect all that God is doing at our church!

We hope you enjoy and take a look around. Much, much more to come…