What a great turnout for our Turkey Bowl Classic we do every year. We saw more then 170 people come out, enjoy food, games, football and of course community. On this page you will find photos and video footage from yesterday's event.
If you missed out on this years event, don't you worry, there is always next year. Hope you enjoy the content captured from the Turkey Bowl Classic.
I have missed many opportunities in my lifetime due to not wanting to do something just because everyone else was doing it. Stubborn? Just a little. You'd think by now I would realize the reason that so many people are doing something is because it's fantastic. Can't tell you how much my life was changed once I got over myself and started texting. I'm beginning to wonder if Lent is a little bit like this. Do I miss out in my relationship with Jesus because I don't set aside those "40 days of Lent?" I realize not everyone observes Lent. When I was younger, it seemed as though only those in the Catholic Church observed the period between Ash Wednesday and just before Easter Sunday. Now it seems like each year with the hint of spring comes many people, no matter their faith, giving up a vice/behavior/habit for Lent. Whether it be drinking, television watching or fill-in-the-blank. Instead of setting something aside they may add something, like going to church or eating fish on a Friday. If that is what Lent is- giving something up just because that's what everyone else does then I'm not interested. But if Lent is the idea of a "season of soul-searching and repentance. A season for reflection and taking stock" then that is intriguing to me.
A few years ago for the first time, I declared "I’m giving up dessert for Lent." To be honest, I think it was more of a weight-loss plan that a practice of prayerful self-denial. I don't recall anything being different in my walk with God off or on the sweets. I do recall my husband very kindly requesting I find a different vice to give up should I ever declare to "do Lent" again. As it was that year my birthday, our anniversary, other family members birthdays all fell within that period. Made celebrating a little difficult and I haven't observed Lent since.
If you were to observe Lent you'd be in a sense imitating the 40 days that Jesus withdrew into the wilderness to prepare for His ministry, only you would be preparing yourself for Easter. Whether you did that by avoiding certain foods that would feel like a sacrifice to you, adding to a devotional reading, fasting, praying, choosing to be wiser and more engaged with your time whatever it may be I think it comes down to a choice.
Do you choose to set something aside for a time, not out of obligation or legalism, but out of a desire to reflect or if need be to repent? As the time of Lent approaches, I am drawn more and more to the idea that any time spent quietly pondering or being more intentionally focused on Jesus is a time that can only benefit those choosing to do it. Does not doing it affect His love for you? No. The last thing I would encourage anyone is to "do more." He already loves you to perfection. Nothing you do or don't do can make Him love you any less nor can observing, this time, make Him love you anymore. But what if observing Lent caused your love for Him to grow? What if it caused you to know Him a little more? What if it allowed you to be more connected to Him because you'd spent time being purposeful about your pursuance of Him? Worth it? Maybe it's just me but I think with any relationship if you put in 40 days of intentional time in you would leave that season with a stronger relationship. The cord that tethered you to one another would be strengthened. More durable and less likely to give way under the strain.
If you choose to observe Lent this season here is a link to the “Journey to the Cross” devotional that could be used and modified by you for you to use during your family devotional time during Lent.
This week's article is by Theresa Adams, a Redeemer member, a wife & a mom, who would someday love to have her own roller skating rink & thinks getting her kids to eat kale is a major victory!
Ah, the holidays are here! Not that you needed the reminder. But Christmas is coming!
Good food, good laughs, gifts given and received. And hobbits.
Yes, hobbits. Hobbits and Christmas are very similar.
If you've read or seen The Lord of The Rings, you know what a hobbit is. They were a people that lived in the north of Middle Earth that caused so little ruckus that most of Middle Earth's inhabitants didn't even know they existed. Seldom growing taller than three feet in our measure, they wore bright colors, lived peacefully, and knew how to party. Here's how Tolkien described them:
Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking. And laugh they did, and eat, and drink, often and heartily, being fond of simple jests at all times, and of six meals a day (when they could get them). They were hospitable, and delighted in parties, and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted.
Such a people sound amazing. Of course, there are a few exceptions (if you make it through the series, you'll meet a few of them). But based on that description, I'd love to be a hobbit. Or at least have their attitude.
I (Dane) once heard a friend of mine say, "live like a hobbit" referring to the Christmas season. When I heard that statement, it made my head spin with different questions. How can someone live like a hobbit? What does "living like a hobbit" have to do with Christmas? Then I realized, Christmas is all about bright colors, friends, family, great food, good drink, a love of laughter, and celebrations. And as I thought about that, I realized that hobbits love these things as well. That is amazing. But wait, if that is true how can I "live like a hobbit" this Christmas season?
Before we go any further, we just want to acknowledge that Christmas can be very painful and lonely. And we’re sorry. In no way are we trying to make you feel bad for lack of excitement or happiness, nor are we suggesting that you fake it.
Because Jesus didn’t. When Lazarus died, He wept. When it came time to go to the cross, He agonized over what He knew He had to endure. And yet, Philippians 2 says “for the joy set before him,” He endured the cross, and ultimately rose to victory, taking His seat at the Father’s right hand.
Whatever makes this season painful is a blip on the screen of life. Pain is okay. But don’t let it stifle the happiness and joy that can be found in Jesus.
All that said, here’s some ways to live like a hobbit in the midst of the holidays.
In order to bring joy to others, you have to know what brings them joy.
Hobbits are all the same. They all like a good party.
Humans are not all the same. But most of them like a good party. With good food. Sure, we all disagree on what “good” is. But the desire is there.
Through the holidays (and life, really), do your best to create a welcoming and hospitable environment in whatever you do.
Experiencing joy yourself can be so linked to others’ joy. At least it is for me (Brandon). Often the absolute last thing I want to do is go to a party. But if other people are having a good time, I generally am too.
I’ve personally found that when I try to feel happy, I'm never happy. I wonder if I'm doing some thing wrong, or if I've done something wrong, and how my actions and words are interpreted and whether people like me and...
*sigh*
And I wonder why I never get "there."
On the flip side, I've found that when I focus on others and their happiness, I’m a lot less crabby, and I’m happier myself.
We celebrate Christmas because of Jesus. When we make Him a big deal, we make Him happy.
Ultimately, it’s reflecting on Him and what He’s done that will produce the most lasting joy, because He has filled our greatest need. We can never throw a good enough party or give enough gifts to get the joy that is ultimately offered in Christ.
Two years ago, after Redeemer's Christmas Eve Service, my wife and I invited a few people over to our house for an extravagant feast. We decided to buy great meat, get gifts for these people, bring out our special drink and be marry together.
Deep down in my sinful heart I didn't want to share my good food and drink because I wanted it all to myself. Fortunately, when I saw the joy and peace that was on the faces of these people because of the wonderful gifts, well that was the greatest gift one could give me.
So how do you live like a Hobbit during Christmas?
Enjoy the season that is upon us. Throw a lavish party with great food and drink. Laugh often, learn to relax and for goodness sakes do not take yourself too seriously. Christmas is a season of great joy. Not because we get presents, not because we have good food and drink in our system. No, the only reason you can live like a Hobbit on Christmas is because the season is about the coming of the great Messiah. King Jesus has come, conquered, and is consummating a redeemed creation to Himself.
So this season, enjoy the beautiful gifts that this time brings upon us. Have joy, often laugh, throw a party and enjoy this beautiful season.
This week's post co-written by deacons Dane and Brandon.
Click image above to see the many different photos taken at our Deck The Halls Decorating Party!
Last year we threw our first ever turkey bowl! For those who are not sure what a turkey bowl is, well its where a bunch of people pretend that they know how to play football. This year we are doing the Turkey Bowl again. Flag and/or Two hand touch (Depending on if we get enough flags).
The event is on Saturday, November 22nd from 10:30am – 2:00pm at Bloedel Donavan Park. Following the Turkey Bowl we will be doing a BBQ at Redeemer Church to make sure no one leaves hungry. Invite your friends, to this event and have a good time. If you want to help out, please sign up to bring a side dish to share with everyone. We will be grilling Burgers and Hot Dogs, so please bring some side dish to share.
We will be doing two separate tournaments this year. One tournament will include Adults (both men and women playing) and the other tournament will be for the kids to play.
(Side Note: If your kid wants to play, we are going to ask that you would comment on this post with your kids age & experience playing football so we can make sure the teams are evenly put together)
Here are a few other instructions that you need to know:
Here is the Schedule for the event:
10:30am – Start Football Tournaments at Bloedel Donavan Park
12:30pm – Football tournaments will end, and we will all head over to Redeemer to eat some grub and watch some football
2:00pm – Event will end
This will be another fun time where we can all get together, invite friends and have fun playing football. See you all on November 22nd
