Stewart 5

Would love for all of you to consider this - great opportunity to seek God’s Kingdom.  Please pass on the info as well…

The Pentecost Project is an experiment towards a more true and loving economy. Recently, the U.S. Congress passed an economic stimulus package that the President then signed. Beginning in May, most Americans will receive a rebate check that they are being encouraged to go out and spend in order to stimulate America’s sagging economy.

What if, instead of becoming greater consumers, we encouraged people to move towards an even better economy, an economy of abundance? What if, instead of accumulating more stuff, we encouraged people to give things away? What if, instead of the possibility of making a down payment and opening new credit, we encouraged people to pay down their debt?

Why the connection to Pentecost? On the day of Pentecost, after the Spirit descended on the apostles, and after Peter’s fiery preaching and the conversion of 3,000 people from all nations and races, the book of Acts goes on to tell us,

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, NIV)

Later, in the 4th chapter, we learn,

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35, NIV)

In this Spirit, we undertake the Pentecost Project: invest in others, share possessions, reduce debt.

http://pentecostproject.wordpress.com/

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The Gospel is more like a piece of music to be performed than a list of ideas to endorse.

- Scot McKnight in Embracing Grace

1. What do you think of this picture?
2. What would be implications for you?

Comments please!

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I don’t do a good job of regularly updating our blogroll.  However, I added a few links today that I wanted to bring to your attention:

Dion Forster’s blog - Dion is asking all the right questions here in South Africa and I am hoping to learn a lot from him.

Tim Keel’s blog - met Tim at the Amahoro conference in Uganda last year.  Tim is pastor at Jacob’s Well in KC and just had a book - Intuitive Leadership - published.

Jackson Pollock - when you want to blow off steam or have fun drawing, check out this site!  You get to create Jackson Pollock style.

Photosensibility - my friend Andrew Gray in Japan is an excellent photographer and posts pics daily.  Beautiful.

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I have been tagged by Anthony for this random fact meme.

Here are the rules:

- Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog eight random facts about themselves.
- They need to post these rules.
- At the end of the post, they need to tag some people by listing their names.

Here are my random facts:

1. My response to most/many questions is, “in my pants.” Ex. - Arthur where did you put the scissors? “They’re in my pants.” Where should we got to see a movie tonight? “In my pants.” You get the idea. Good for hours of fun.
2. I have trouble answering where I’m from. I was born in Colorado. Lived 22 years in Fresno, 7 years in Pasadena, 1.5 in Oxnard, and now 4.5 in South Africa. Do I go with where I was born, where I lived longest, the place I like best, the place I think of when you say “home”?
3. My favorite color is black. No, I haven’t grown out of that phase. I like to wear black. I like accessories and appliances that are black. When I was a lad, apparently some teacher or school counselor was a little concerned about me coloring EVERYTHING black and talked to my mom about it… I wear black on the outside, because black is how I feel on the inside?
4. I nickname people - generally funny or clever nicknames. If you are reading this, odds are I have a nickname for you, whether you know it or not
5. I am ok with some nicknames people have or me, not ok with others. OK: arthdogg, candyman, daddy (what all my kids call me. NOT OK: art, a-train, jerk-face.
6. I like black liquorice. No, I LOVE black liquorice.
7. I have played many instruments over the years, none of them well. Clarinet, baritone, harmonica, trumpet.
8. I went to preschool AND jr. high with the woman who would become my wife at the end of university. Melissa is a good way to finish this list

Here is my tag:

Barbonne, Cobus, Roger, JJ, Chris

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Within the next few days, I am launching a new “project” of sorts.  However, wanted to give my faithful readers (ok, not sure if there are such people…but YOU’RE reading this, aren’t you?) a sneak peak.  so, check out http://arthur-stewart.blogspot.com/

I find myself compelled to do this.  Not sure if the idea grabs at your heart as well, but would love for you to join me.  In any event, would love some feedback

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