This Is My Beginning (Week 7)
June 21, 2011
So we are down to single digit countdown…just a few more days until we leave for Canton! I know this week is going to be busy, lots of you are going down to Alive…others have sports or other activites, but I would encourage each of you to take a little quiet time out of your days this week in preparation for next week.
Here are the questions for this week:
What stuck out most to you this week? Why?
One thing that continues to stick out to me throughout this book are the photographs. Each photograph tells its own story and adds so much more to the story that it is tied in with. One photo that I would like you to take another look at this week is the photo of the church tied in with the story of Hope. Why do you think this photograph was used? Does church represent hope to you? If so, how?
Carmen gives some really great examples of how she lives her life as ministry in really practical ways in the story called “A New Way of Living”. What are ways that you can tangibly live your life as ministry?
I’m looking forward to next week and hope that all of you are beginning to get excited! Thanks for all of your thoughts! 
Something that really stuck out to me was President. I thought it was really awesome that despite his circumstances, Z still had the energy and spirit to be happy and creative. I think we can all learn lesson from him. We can learn to be happy despite our current circumstances, because I know we can count on our God to take care of us. We all need to take a jump on the trampoline and stop worrying about things that we need not worry about.
The story that stuck out to me was “President” Also. All because he had a trampoline in his back yard, he was able to change this boys life. And now Z even wants to be like him, and become a “president,” and help kids.
I think that churches do represent hope, because most of the time people are there to pray for hope in their lives, and they are hoping for complete healing, or better circumstances in their life. So I think the picture is perfect for what the story is trying to tell us.
Well going back to the trampoline thing, we have a trampoline in our back yard, and sometimes we say that the neighbors come over just to play on the trampoline. But maybe while they’re over, I can use that time to talk to them and tell them about Christ instead of thinking that they are just there for my trampoline.
The story that stuck to me was president. It is amazing to see how one small thing like a trampoline that a man is willing to share with neighborhood kids can completely alter the man’s life and people like z’s life… It’s the small things that matter most.
I think that the picture was used because its not one of those beautiful amazing churches its just a little square brick building that people find hope in just for the fact that its a church, a community of believers who will love and support you no matter what. The building is not what matters, its the people inside it that matter. Church is not the building that surrounds you when your pastor is preaching. It is the community of believers inside that building that is the church, and that is also the same church that people find hope in, not the building but the people inside the building.
Church does mean hope for me and most likely for a lot of other people. It is a place that you can go to love and worship god and be loved for who you are not what the world or any one else wants to be.
I liked a quote from the story, Playing it safe. The quote said, “Truly loving others means taking risks.” I also liked the story the gift of friends. Because true friends are really a gift.
I do view the church as hope. I think that our church is hope. People come here in the mess of their lives and find God. Then the healing of their lives start. Church is also a place of community.
Ways I can live my life as a ministry, I can be helpful and nice to my parents, I could always keep a smile on my face, go out of my way to help others and ask if their OK and I can pray for others.
The story ” President” really stuck out to me. But one specific quote put a smile on my face. Z said ” I want to be a president and have a trampoline so kids can come over and play.” Z didn’t mean to make any kind of statement, he was just speaking from the kindness of his heart. It’s the littlest moments in life that are most memorable.
I think the photo was used because of the church sign. When I first saw it, I thought that the sign itself represented hope. It seems to be lit up and draws attention away from the streets. Church does represent hope for me. It’s like an escape from the chaos of every day life. As long as I can make it to the positivity of church every week, I know I am doing fine.
I can give my own time for the benefit of another person. That can be helping around my house, doing yardwork, or just taking time to help someone out. My life can also be a ministry if I get to know & spend time with people.
Wow. A lot of people said that “President” stuck out to them and it stuck out to me too. This story was really cool because just because Z thought Leroy being a “president” was cool and important, that Z now wants to become a “presdent” and help kids out.
I think that the photo was used because the sign was neon and its like a light becaon of hope. I do see church as hope because I go to church every Sunday and it makes me fell good when I go and keeps me feeling good all week.
I can help out around the house more voluntarily instead of calling those things “chores” and grumling about doing them. I think that if I do them without being mad about it and just do them because I want to help, I wouldn’t mind doing them so much.
The story that stuck out to me the most would be O Father, Where Art Thou? This stuck out to me because I have a couple of friends without fathers and they always stick out from others on how they act. Sometimes they are really nice to you or they will be very emotional and sensitive and then really mean. I always feel bad because i don’t know how I could live without one of my parents.
The photograph in A Word on Hope gives hope to me because it is in the side of a building not one building designed for it and it is in a city area empty of people
Some ways you could live your life in ministry is when you pass someone in need by stopping talking to them and really wanting to help them not just drop change and walk by. Another way could be by helping in community service projects or even starting a community service project. Also a big thing would be to bring friends or someone new you met on the street to church or something bible study related.
I can’t wait the trip is in nearly 24 hours.
I really liked the story Playing it Safe. I think we all like to stay in our little bubble where we are familiar with everything. But if we dont take chances we will miss out on a lot of things God has planned for us.
I think this photograph does represent Hope. I dont think its the church building itself or the people inside of the church. I think the Church is defined as everyone who believes in God and wants to live for God. I dont think it matters what building you’re in or what country you’re in, because it doesnt matter as much if your at a church then if you are a part of the Church. And that does give me hope.
I think you can live your life in ministry by literally by having God live through you. Let God lead you to the people you are supposed to talk to and let him speak through you. God will make it easier to talk about Him and make it easier to invite people to church.
The story that stuck to me was president.story was really cool because just because z thought it would be real cool to be president and he wants to be the same and help peopel out
I do view the church as hope. I think that our church is hope because so many people come here to find god and worship and thats COOL
i can be nice and do what my mom and step dad tell me to do
The story that stuck out the most would be, “O Father, Where Art Thou?.” I liked this story because, when my brother was little his parents got divorced. From the time when that happened to the time my parents met, I bet it was a little difficult for him in some way, even though he was really young. Although he was only fatherless in so kind of sense, he didn’t live with his father, for a good 2-3 years. It seems that God gave him another father, when my dad married our mom. I would never want to know what it is like to be fatherless, whether its for a few years or for the rest of my life. I’m very thankful to have a father of my own.
I think that this photograph was used because, it doesn’t show that you have to be in a fancy church or anything to worship God. Church can be in any kind of building, and God will always be there. I think church does represent hope, in a way that is open to everyone. People are welcome to any church to pray, and ask God for hope in their lives. Church gives hope to people, and to their hearts.
A way I can live my life as a ministry, is to participate in activities or events that can impact someones life. I can go out of my comfort zone to help others, and have God leading me the entire way. It can really bring out God’s gift, and show what God can do through us.
Like many of the others, the story that stuck out to me was “President”. It really stuck out because It seemed like Mr. Leroy had inspired Z to help kids. Z wanted to be just like him and help kids out. I thought that that was really sweet.
I think that this photo was used because it does symbolize hope. Even if you go to a small church like this, or no church, you can have hope. You have hope because God will be there for you and help you meet your goals.
A way that I can live my life as a ministy is by being a good neighbor to those around us and those we love. Just by helping others and participating in events (like missions trips), we can show God’s love.
The story that stuck out to me was the president. What stuck out to me in this story was how Leroy inspired Z to become a president and help other kids. Z just want to be like Mr. Leroy.
I think that this photo was used because of the name Ebeniezer. Ebeniezer was the cold mean man in the christmas carol but changed and had hope again.I believe that church is hope because peoplego there to grow close to each other and god.
A way i can live my life as a ministry is by be the good neighbor to everyone.
The story that most stuck out to me was Playing it Safe. I know that I am way to careful when it comes to building a relationship with someone I don’t know, and I have probably lost some potential friendships that way.
I think that this picture was used because the church looks like it’s not in the nicest neighborhood, but a church can give hope to the people there.
I can try to get to know my neighbors, since I don’t really know any of them, and I can try to be friends with girls who aren’t neccesarily in my group at school.