Advent Conspiracy

Hi, me again.... sorry, I just have too much time on my hands these days. :)

Two weekends ago, I had the fortunate opportunity to visit Imago Dei, a church in Portland. (is it just me or did you hear Matt and Christi just yell "Go Portland!") It is an AMAZING community doing some amazing things to say the least. I won't go through all the cool things I saw and read... but I did want to introduce to you a couple of really amazing websites to check out. Imago Dei is one of three churches/pastors that have spearheaded something called the Advent Conspiracy. I will embed the promo video in this post so you can get a quick handle on what its all about.



I would love to talk more about this, as a class, in our small groups, over dinner... whatever. Its worth the time and the dialogue. For sure. Its worth THINKING about. PONDERING about the meaning of Christmas. We talk about the "meaning" of Christmas all the time. Its en vogue to do so in church of course. But seriously, have you ever really thought about it? I have to admit I haven't. Have you ever stopped to really think about why you give, what you give and who you give to? Again, I haven't. Until now. And to be honest, this is hard for me to think about. I like giving gifts. I like making my list out of what I want, and who I want to get for. I love opening wrapped gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. LOVE IT. And there really isn't anything wrong with that - AT ALL.

But... WHAT IF those wrapped gifts were something handmade, used, or bought from an organization that supports the least of these, the lost, and the forgotten around the world? WHAT IF I actually sat down to think, really think about the gift I give to my niece (instead of the mad rush to Big Lots for a plastic Dora the Explorer dress up kit for 10.99??)? WHAT IF I decided to make her some dress up jewelry from pasta and/or used beads from a thrift store because I KNOW she loves dressing up? WHAT IF I gave the gift of my time and/or talent to a dear friend, instead of the vest that I bought on clearance 3 months ago (knowing she has about 5 of them in her closet already)? WHAT IF I bought tickets to a Suns game to take my husband out and enjoy the evening together instead of getting him another camouflage mesh hat? WHAT IF I gave my neighbor some coupons for free babysitting so she and her hubby could go out together or she could get some alone time on the town? WHAT IF I took a tithing of my Christmas budget and supported a child or provided a new water well for a village?

IF I did that, I would be SPENDING LESS (fighting the consumerism cancer that is overtaking our culture), but GIVING MORE (of myself, my time, my talent, my friendship). And I think Jesus would really jive with that. The point of Christmas? The meaning? It was the giving of His life... not just his actual physical life on the Cross, but his life of 33 years of serving, giving, loving, teaching. What if we all embraced more of HIS way of celebrating the season and less of our way?

If you read enough through the following websites... this isn't about numbers (except for that one part about how much stinking money we Americans spend this ONE time of the year). It isn't a legalistic formula for being more Christ-like. Its about RETHINKING why we give, what we give, how we give and to whom we give. Its about reconditioning ourselves to know that checking someone off the Christmas list doesn't mean we really GAVE something meaningful or lasting. Its about getting creative and seeking to give more of ourselves to others and less stuff. Hey, I like stuff... don't think this is a cake walk for me, either. Its tough. Its been way easier to just NOT THINK about any of this and go about my merry way this season. Trust me, I am still tempted to do so. But deep inside I know I need to change, and I want to change. And this is a great resource to help me on this journey. Check it out!



Here is the site:

ADVENT CONSPIRACY


COMING SOON.......

Ok, now that this is on the table, lets talk!!!! Lets brainstorm ways we can incorporate the mantra of "worship fully. spend less. give more. love all." into our personal lives, the life of our Fresh Grounds Community, the city of Phoenix and even the world! Some of us are blessed with ingenious creativity, and some of us could spend 365 days a year trying to come up with one alternative/creative/useful gift idea. So, please help the rest of us, you creative ones (um, yes Jess I am talking to you girl!). Lets pool our ideas, thoughts, experiments, experiences and see what we can come up with............

Check out RETHINKING CHRISTMAS to see what I am talking about....

FreshList

Ok, so I am in Texas now for a few weeks visiting my mom.... which means I have some help with the girls.... which means I can finally blog some things that I have been wanting to for a long, long time... which means this could be really long. We'll see. :)

First up.... THE FRESH LIST:

Ok, it doesn't have to be called the FreshList... but I thought it was catchy. Some of us have been talking about doing some sort of craigslist-type thing on this site and with our class. I think we started dialoging about this at the camping trip or even further back. And with Christmas around the corner, this could be really timely.

If you have been to our house and had the unfortunate opportunity of viewing our garage, you would know that we have some stuff laying around (ok a lot of stuff) that isn't of use to us just now. We have done a few garage sales trying to pare down and simplify and organize our lives. But mostly we are too lazy to load it all up and take it to Goodwill or set up another garage sale. But what if one of you could use that Waring juicer? Or the bumbo seat for the kiddo? A couple of months ago Matt and Christi were at our house and I said something about not having a microwave. Christi said, "Oh, hey we have one sitting in our closet. The apartment has a built-in so we don't need it." And whala.... I had me a microwave oven just like that.

So, I wanted to just throw this opportunity out there.... I know some need to sell some stuff like furniture, or other things. Some may just want to unload some "junk" (aka someone else's treasure). Others may want to just loan some things out (baby equipment etc...). The FreshList could be a place for any and all of that. Shoot, we could even barter for things/services too.

And you know what? This is Biblical. Its what the New Testament Church did... they shared, they took care of each other, they served each other. And I think we can do that too, even in our independece-worshipping, self-serving culture. We in the Fresh Grounds class are all more or less in the same stages of life.... some a little ahead and some a little behind certain milestones... but all walking the same direction. So let's share the journey!

But it takes some humility too... this isn't just about some of us saying "hey, I have a box of candles and sconces I want to get rid of... anyone interested?" You have to be willing to share the need or want as well. Don't be shy to ask... there is no pressure here. If someone can provide your need or want... whether free or for a reasonable price, there you go. If none of us can fit the bill, then head over to Craigslist or Ebay. This is just a special way we can grow even closer as the Body, don't you think?

Ok, thats all I have folks... Does anyone know how to practically flesh this out on our blog? Should we have a weekly post, or maybe twice a month with a list of needs/wants or things offered? I would be more than willing to combine it all and post the lists periodically, but if any of your web gurus out there have a better idea/way of doing this, I am all ears.. or eyes.. or fingers? Whatever. :)

Peace -

Chelsea

Bobby

~ just another adorable up-and-coming fresh grounds studmuffin ~ i must say, fresh grounders make pretty babies. 

~ Chelsea