Christmas at V21

"What a beautiful time of year, as we celebrate the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. We are excited for Christmas this year at Vintage21, and will celebrate in two special ways. First, in place of Owners Night we will hold our annual Christmas Party at 117 S. West Street. Please join us for carols, festive food, and cider on Tuesday, December 11, starting at 7:00 pm. Second, join us on Christmas Eve at 5 pm as we celebrate the coming of the Messiah. This will be a meaningful service with Christmas songs of worship and a sermon about Jesus Christ. Bring your family and friends!"

I will be attending this Tuesday at 7pm for the v21 Christmas party! I would love it if you all could join; let me know if you are coming (jera.mendenhall@gmail.com)!

Jera

Thanksgiving Potluck

Wednesday, November 28th our group will have another fun night enjoying a potluck together. We will meet at 7pm at Jera's townhouse

Email with what you would like to bring, if you can (modestcattle@gmail.com)! Here is what we have so far:

• Mitchell: Corn casserole
• Patrick: stuffed cranberry sauce
• Elizabeth: cookies/drinks
• Jera: Meat Entree
• Lisa: dessert/ macaroni and cheese
• Leigh Ann: Green beans
• Jessica: Sweet Potatoes
  
• hannaH: rolls/bread
• Matt: delicious lemon pie

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for our wonderful home group! I missed you all this week!

Jera

First Cram Session

We are going to have our first official bible cram session this coming Saturday (11/17). We will actually take time to study the bible like we have all done last minute for an exam.
So this Saturday we will meet at the NCState library at 10:00am; we can go to the third floor for the religious section or the new fancy learning commons. Meet here at 9:40 if you want to carpool.

We will just take time to sit and study the bible; so bring it and a journal and whatever else you think you will need. This time will be totally what you want it to be, but I just want to keep each other accountable through this commitment.
Afterwards, we can go out to lunch together!

Hope to see you then! Please email me back to let me know if you are coming, so I will know to wait!

Jera

Leigh Ann's Look Up 2

Digital Converter Coupon: First Digital TV Converter Box Wins Government Approval
By Michele Greppi

The National Telecommunications & Information Administration has issued its first approval of a digital-to-analog converter box, the device that will allow analog set owners to continue to watch free over-the-air broadcast TV after the national switch to digital-only broadcasting Feb. 17, 2009.
Manufacturer Digital Streams announced Friday that two models of its approved converter box will be available in stores early next year for a suggested retail price of $69.99.
The NTIA, a division of the Commerce Department division, is overseeing a federally funded program that will make available to qualified TV households coupons worth $40 toward the purchase of the converter box. The coupons will be available starting in January.
The Digital Stream boxes measure about 7 by 4 by 1.5 inches. The company said it plans to unveil a comprehensive retailer/partner and customer-support plan for the converters, including telephone technical support for consumers.

Leigh Ann's Look Up

Street Names:
From my findings, it appears that there are guidelines for determining the term used in naming streets, however it is determined by the governing body of the area.

Developers do get to name new streets, but must use the guidelines provided by the government. One such listing is below:
a. Boulevard Or Parkway: Major thoroughfares which have a landscaped median divider.
b. Avenue Or Road: Major thoroughfare streets with substantial continuity such as major or minor arterials.
c. Street Or Drive: Streets of less continuity such as collector streets which connect residential streets with arterials.
d. Court, Place, Circle, Way, Terrace, Lane, Loop, Trail Or Path: Streets with no continuity. e. Private Streets: Private streets or rights of way are designated Grove, Heights, Point or View.

By definition, a road's main function is transportation, while a street facilitates public interaction.

Cramming for the Test

This week at church Tyler stated something that really hit home. He asked us when the last time we sat down with God and studied his word for hours. As a student for essentially everyday of my life thus far, I have spent countless hours cramming for tests and exams. Now, that isn't to say that was fun or enjoyable at all. However, it was a priority. The week of exams, I clear my schedule and study hard because I want to do well.

So I am claim to want to "do well" for the Lord, but I have yet to force myself to sit down and really learn his Word, so that I can be ready for the "tests and exams" of life that come my way. I need to make this my main priority. Thus, I plan to require myself to really take time to do this occasionally and I am recruiting your help to do it. I need to be held accountable for this. So by the end of November, I will have spent a chunk of time just studying God's word. I would love to have some company or some people to just do the same. I will post more details of my plans in the near future.

A letter from my grandmother.

My Grandmother passed away about a month ago. This (rather long...but stick with it) letter below was written by her to my Dad, Aunt and Uncle when she and my Grandfather were missionaries in South Korea. My Dad and his siblings were in the states. This makes me so glad to come from a linage of believers. What tugged at my heart in this letter was her desire to pass on to her children not just that Jesus gives us eternal life in heaven, but what a "relationship with Christ" really means to us here on earth. Please read:

I woke up early this morning and thought of how I would begin my first class to get their attention and to start us on the right track--It will go something like this--Have you created anything or made anything just because you wanted to? --just for your own satisfaction--for your own glory? Then it was yours and you could do with it as you pleased. Then, if you, a human being, have the right to create something for your own glory (satisfaction), doesn't God, who is all powerful, have the right to create things for His own glory--for His own satisfaction--and use them the way He wants to? God in His wisdom and power created this universe and created man for His own glory. this means that the purpose of our being here--the very purpose of our lives--is to glorify God--to have a personal relationship with Him, giving Him thanks and praise. This is why we were created.

I've already worked awfully hard on this year's Bible Study, but last year I really slaved. However, it was good for me, 'cause I got a lot straightened out in my own mind--things that had bothered me. I had some real frustrations about finding Christ to be of help personally in my everyday life and also had some resentments toward God. Nothing seemed to help with the daily struggle, and life seemed mighty rough to me. Slowly during the past four years I have come to understand the two sides of the Christian life as God evidently planned it: first, eternal life, through faith in Christ, which I settled long ago; second, the abundant daily life which comes through letting Christ take over in our hearts and believing that He is right here with us to help us with all that we will trust to Him--a personal relationship by faith. It's the same faith, but a different aspect--we can have faith for eternal life and exercise that same faith for an abundant life on this earth. We just have to open our lives to Christ and accept by faith the fact that Christ is right here with us ready to help us. This more abundant life I have slowly come to understand and have grown into. I had felt all along that there must be more to the Christian life than I had found. Now I know there is no other way to peace and satisfaction on this earth than in putting Christ first in everything and trusting Him to work out everything for me. This is really a great and wonderful realization, because it takes the burden out of living and gives a peace and joy that cannot be had without Christ. Now what really hurts me is that I didn't know of this abundant life and how to have this personal relationship with Christ through faith in time to teach each of you children to put Christ first in all your thinking and planning. This really tears my heart. And because I love you children so much and don't want you to have to go through the misery and separation from Christ that I went through, I'm trying to tell you this now. I so hope that you take this step of faith, and ask Christ to come into your heart and take over, because Christ dwelling in you can give you a wonderful satisfying life of peace and contentment--it doesn't mean having to go out and do things for Him--He doesn't really need any one of us--it just means asking Christ into our lives, trusting that He is there continually and letting Him take over and guide and take care of our needs--let Him guide even in the little things of life--there at home--in relationship--in working out problems with people--in the decisions you make--in seeking your life work and life partner--even as to the use of your time--asking for His guidance and strength, admitting that your strength and wisdom come from Him, putting your problems in His hands and saying, "Lord I can't, but You can", and trusting Him to work. The abundant life is a personal relationship, believing that Christ is right here with you and within you and that He personally cares about your present situation and problems as well as your future. You enter into this personal relationship by asking Christ to live in you and take over your life problems, and then trusting Him to do it, and then praising Him and thanking Him for his presence, for salvation in Him, for life, health, beauties of His world, His power, His wisdom, His help, the things He has allowed us to have, the work we have to do, etc., giving Him praise and glory. Out part is to yield ourselves to Him, entirely and willingly, trusting Him to accomplish results. If we take a step of faith we can expect God to work. "The step of faith always falls on the seeming void, but finds the rock beneath." He can carry our burdens and manage our affairs if we commit them to Him. You may need to pray the prayer I had to pray many times, "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief.". Faith will grow as we thank Him and give Him praise and glory. Deut. 28:47 shows us through Moses' words to the children of Israel that we are to "praise the Lord with joyfulness and gladness of heart by reason of the abundance of all things". So it is yielding ourselves to Christ, trusting Him in everything and praising Him that brings the abundant life here on earth.

a young goat...

In my morning reading i came across this:

Judges 14:6 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat.

firstly, who tears a goat? and why is that the comparison to the lion??? that samson, what a fella...

anyway, i just thought i would share...

have a great day and be sure to tear apart lion as you might tear young goats.

- hH

Prayers from 10/24/07

Prayers from our last modest cattle home group (the boos and moos):

+ Rain
+ Lisa (no cavities)
+ God's will for our group being missional
- Leigh Ann's mother's skin cancer
- Dana's friend: wisdom in tough situation
- Jessica's little brother
- hannaH's mother's wrist surgery
- Patrick's grandma's chemotherapy
- Mitchell's grandparent's farm
- Elizabeth's friend

MORE fun at the fair!

More fun at the fair! -from Patrick

All Night Bash

http://uab.ncsu.edu/allnightbash.html

Meet at my townhouse Friday night at 9:00pm to carpool over to NCState. It will be $10 without a student ID. If you need one, please email me and I will try to arrange something.

Jera

Future Hockey Games

Below I have posted the dates of upcoming Hurricanes College nights. For the cheap seats it would be $15 with a valid ID. I was thinking January would be good. Let me know if you are interested: jera.mendenhall@gmail.com

November 28
December 18
January 22
February 19
March 25

fun at the fair!

Fun at the Fair

The predominant thing I want to do at the fair is eat! I have a few things in mind that are musts such as Saratoga chips, apple french fries, apple dumplings, and root beer. I am very excited and I hope you are too.

I have attached the fair schedule: http://www.ncstatefair.org/2007a/General/10-17-07.htm
Racing pigs could certainly be fun and I always love the fireworks.

Please comment on anything you are getting pumped about too!

What really grinds my gears...MODEST CATTLE EDITION

Do you know what really grinds my gears? The words that come out of my mouth. Let me setup the familiar situation. It's a good ole modest cattle Wednesday night study and we've read this week's passage, and have been asked a somewhat vague question about it. There's a good 30 seconds of silence when one brave sole (I'm rarely this person) comes out with an answer. Our group quickly starts warming up to conversation about the topic, and I decide I wanna contribute something significant to the conversation. After some deep pondering I come up with something that, in my head at least, seems to be very profound.

I thought that once this statement was made, it'd be so profound, that I'd expect everyone's faces to be glowing like Moses' as he came down from Mount Sinai. So after a little pause in the conversation, and a 2 second courtesy wait I speak my profound words of wisdom..."So when Jesus says love your neighbor...I think it means we shouldn't hate our...uh...neighbor"...wait...WHAT?!? What just came out of my mouth?...that was the dumbest thing I could have said...,Sadly though instead of cutting my losses...I keep going. "Um...what I meant was that...ya see...love is good, and hating is...uh...well, Webster defines love as the...um...Lisa, didn't you have something to say?"

Sad to say when it comes to making answers up on the spot...I'm what you'd call the anti-C S Lewis. I'm not always the best with...um...words. However it does remind me of what James says in the Bible about words...or I mean the tongue where when you say something, you can't...um...or your tongue can't take back the...er...I think it has something to do with putting toothpaste back in a tube or...oh boy...

...and that's what really grinds my gears.

Prayers from 10/03/07

Prayers from our last modest cattle home group (the boos and moos):

• Leigh Ann had a great day
• Matt Barry did too
• Patrick's car keying is covered by the insurance
• Jera has no more exams
• hannaH is excited about going home and hopes for a safe flight
  
• Patrick is having two spots removed; hope all goes well
• Dana's friend Aubrey's headaches to be figured out
  

October Things to Know

October Schedule:
10/3: 7pm Bible Study at 1116 Garnet Ridge Way
10/10: 7pm Bible Study at 1116 Garnet Ridge Way10/17: 7pm State Fair Fun at 1116 Garnet Ridge Way (walk there; admission will be $4 with our coupons)
10/24: 7pm Bible Study at 1116 Garnet Ridge Way
10/30: 7pm Owner's Night at V21
10/31: 7pm Patrick's Party (aka Halloween)


Also, I would like to know your thoughts on an idea the ladies have had. I was hoping to start a monthly rotation of random matchups in our group with the intent of getting to know one another better. So you could be matched up with 1-2 other people in the group and meet to hang out grab lunch or coffee. Let me know what you think: jera.mendenhall@gmail.com

If you would like to step up a lead our bible study discussion or lead it with me, let me know. I know you get tired of hearing me talk!

Thanks!

--Jera

Clark Dining Hall Lunch

After the 11:30 service this Sunday (9/30), I will be going to Clark dining hall on the NCSU campus all you can eat brunch and lunch buffet. It is right under $6 for some fun all you can eat! If you want to join me, just let me know!

http://www.ncsudining.com/dining/menu/clark.html

Jera

What really grinds my gears...feel free to comment.

Do you know what really grinds my gears? Handshakes. Now not all handshakes are bad. When I meet someone new or bump into someone who's not, or never has been, an actual friend, I think the handshake is quite appropriate. Also if the handshake's purpose is to pull into a hug, there's nothing wrong with that. It's the handshake between friends that resembles two business partners shaking to close a deal. And those who shake this way don't just make it a greeting shake, but turn it into the "ahola" of greetings and use it for the goodbye as well.

What's wrong with this you ask? The problem is, I'm not your business partner, I'm not your colleague, and I'm not your friend's dad. I'm your friend, and friends hug. Now if you're one who's not keen on the hug, not a problem, a simple wave will suffice or just the word hello.

Up to now I've been silent and passive on the issue, but now that I've sent the warning, I'm also turning the tables. If you insist on greeting me in a way that makes me feel like my dad, I'll go ahead and one up you, go on offense, and also extend my left hand out for the "elbow grab". And who does the elbow grab you ask? Old people, that's who. So if you make me feel like my dad, then you're gonna feel like your grandpa. Now honestly it doesn't have to go there. Simply go in for the hug or the "howdy" whatever your pleasure. But please please please...no handshakes...

...and that's what really grinds my gears.

What really grinds my gears...at the request of Jera.

Do you know what really grinds my gears? Clapping while singing. Let me explain, I'm in church, the words come up on the screen, and we start singing. So far I'm fine, I feel confident that I pretty much know the words (in reality though I just think I do). Then at some point in the song the inevitable happens, the guy up front lets go of his guitar, takes a few steps forward in front of his microphone, and moves his arms in almost a slow flying motion to induce a *clap*. A few over-enthusiastic follow quickly, with the same wide clapping motion, or the over the head clap. But beat after beat this small group of clappers grows larger and larger, a wave of claps get closer and closer to me. And since during the song my hands have been shuffling between hanging out in my pockets, and hanging by my side, they feel they want to join in the fun, even though my head is telling the hands there's no way he can pull it all off. But they disagree and attempt to follow along. "I'll *clap* fly away *clap* O glory*clap* I'll..," but then it happens...the off-beat clap...as the cavity of silence between the group clap is filled with my solitary clap, I feel the burning stares of people around me for disrupting the angelic song.

I admit it alright!...I'm not an ambiclap-singer. I can do one or the other but doing both is tougher than biting my own elbow (you know you're trying to do it as we speak). I just hope that either I can let my hands know that I'm the boss and they may not under any circumstances clap during a song, or that there is a place for people like me, who through therapy, can be an equal in the clap-singing world that I live in...

...and thats what really grinds my gears.

September Potluck

Wednesday, September 26th our group will have another fun night enjoying a potluck together. We will meet at 7pm at Jera's townhouse

Email with what you would like to bring, if you can (modestcattle@gmail.com)! Here is what we have so far:

Matt: bacon wrapped bbq shrimp
David: an entree
Jera: a dessert (probably cake since it is my favorite)
Lisa: baked ziti
hannaH: side dish
Patrick: vegetable side dish and possibly some fruit
Leigh Ann: shrimp caesar salad
Elizabeth: drinks

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

For Ladies: See the v21 Journey Class description below. There will be some women from our group attending this course and we would love to have some more! All you have to do is read the first two chapters of the book and show up this Thursday to join in. Let me know if you want to join me. -Jera

Women's Study: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

Thursdays, 7pm V21 space / Sept. 27 - Nov. 1 / Contact info: Fiquet Bailey fiquetb@aol.com

Even women who were close followers of Christ during his time on this Earth fell in the same trap that many do today, being too busy. Such a story appears in scripture when two sisters were being visited by Christ. One sister, Martha, was busy doing the typical household duties of a woman in the early first century trying to care for her guests. The other sister however, Mary, was sitting at the feet of Christ listening to his teaching, forgetting to help her sister. Johanna Weaver has taken this story from scripture and written an acclaimed book that takes a look at how to balance a busy life and and your desire to serve the Lord without neglecting to actually have a relationship with Him.

Prayers from 9/12/07

Prayers from our last modest cattle home group:

• Kevin to get better
• Leigh Ann to recover fully from surgery
• Matt to find a new and fitting situation
• The future of the modest cattle

Prayer at V21

Prayer Meeting:

"If God is who He says He is, why don’t we pray more? If you need prayer or would like to join others, come out for these times of prayer: Thursdays from 5-6 pm, and Saturday morning from 10-11 am. We will pray for each other, the people of the Triangle and the world, and God's work through Vintage21."

Know, Live, Build for the Modest Cattle

I try to think about what we should do about this as a group. We are working on knowing the gospel and living the gospel together. However, I feel as though our group is struggling sometimes as a unit. It is a simple fact that we must simply get to know each other better. So I think it is essential we spend more time together. Please pray that our group can grow in this together and really work on knowing, living, and building the gospel together. Please share your ideas on how we can do this.
Last night, Chas expressed some of the ideas that we want to work toward. We want to be group that is building the gospel in the way that Tyler discussed. We want to see God working on us in our service and showing his love through that. So with all that said. If there are things you want to consider as a group or discuss in order to build the gospel, then I would love for you to contact me or express thoughts on the blog.
Also, if there are things you simply want to see happen for our group (big or small) then please talk to Chas or me about that too.

Jera

August Potluck

Wednesday, August 29th our group will have another fun night enjoying a potluck together. We will meet at 7pm at Jera's townhouse

Email with what you would like to bring, if you can (modestcattle@gmail.com)! Here is what we have so far:

Hannah: fruit & pasta with pesto & tomatoes
Matt: drinks
Mitchell: Jambalaya
Lisa: Macaroni & Cheese
Jera: Chicken dip and crackers
Patrick: Blueberry cheesecake
Leigh Ann: side dish

Prayers from 8/22/07

Prayers from our last modest cattle home group:

• Kevin's friend's mom and step-dad: their relationship
  
• Lisa's coworker and her husband: lost job
  
• hannaH's cousin: Mandy's healing
• Leigh Ann's upcoming surgery
  
• Patrick and his coworkers: their relationship and discussions
• Chas's vision for men's and women's ministries at v21
• Our Homegroup's relationships and calling
  

Durham Bulls College Night

This Thursday night is college night at the Durham Bulls stadium at 7pm.

We are meeting at 6pm at our townhouse to ride together:
1116 Garnet Ridge Way
Raleigh, NC 27607

At college night, you get a $1 your admission price which is usually $6-8. Also hot dogs, fries, and popcorn are $1. So we can have a festive baseball cheap meal!

You can email me or Leigh Ann if you are interested at: jera.mendenhall@gmail.com or leigh.thomason@gmail.com

Hope you can come!

t shirts

t shirt design #1

t shirt design # 2















t shirt design # 3

Potluck and T-shirt design (8/8)

Wednesday, August 8th our group will have a fun night enjoying a potluck together. Games could be a possibility if we have time. Also, we will discuss and hopefully finalize our T-shirt design. Please be brainstorming.

We will meet at 7pm at:
1116 Garnet Ridge Way
Raleigh, NC 27607

Email with what you would like to bring, if you can (modestcattle@gmail.com)! Here is what we have so far:

Hannah: vegetables of some kind
Mitchell: homemade ice cream
Matt: drinks
Kevin: brownies
Lisa: macaroni & cheese
Jera: some en tree...

Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer

This week we began discussing the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6) and realized just how much meaning can be in a short little prayer crafted by Jesus himself. Thus, we only made it half way through discussing it. We decided should continue our discussion on this here blog:

Matthew 6:
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

Things to consider: praying for our daily needs, the manner in which God can forgive sin, the idea for praying specifically about sin before we even do it (or hopefully in turn will not!)

Jera's comments:
I am amazed by God. I know that is funny to say. Of course I should be amazed by God, but sometimes I forget just how amazing. He can forgive and forget sin just as quickly as me saying a short sentence for the some of the sins that I don't even realize I am doing. It takes me forever to forgive someone. Honestly, I am probably still working on some. So it blows my mind that my sins against God are of such a greater magnitude and there is no balance at all either. With friends or family, I can say "Oh well, I hurt them before too"; it is like it is even and we acknowledge we have all done each other some wrong. With God, there is none of that. He is constantly forgiving and I am constantly messing up. Then on top of it, he decides to let me be born in America and have more than enough to eat everyday. I have the opportunity to be picky about some foods. I am so blessed and yet, I come to God with prayers of need. I should constantly pray with thanksgiving for my forgiveness and all the blessings in my life. Like potting flowers....

I will stop for now, but please do share thoughts too! Either sign on or comment to this post! I can't wait to see what you all put up here!

v21 needs moving help

July 30-August 2: Construction / 8 am - 9 pm each day. We need skilled laborers for these days.

August 3-4: Final Painting and Clean-up of 117 S. West Street / 8 am-9 pm each day

Note: There will be no A/C. There will be water/ and running restrooms but suggest people bring personal water bottles

I will be going on Friday morning for cleaning; let me know if you want to join. -Jera (jera.mendenhall@gmail.com)


August 5: FIRST SUNDAY AT NEW V21 at 10:30am only!

Field Day Plans

Date: TBA
Time: 7:00-9:00PM
Location: park at the corner of kilgore and gardner, right around the corner from the rose garden
Food: Cooler of water
Freeze Pops
Cups
Homemade Ice Cream?

Events: (If your name is beside it, you are in charge of it (i.e. getting all the stuff to do it and explaining the rules).
50 yard Dash: Leigh Ann
Egg Race: Holly
Dizzy Bat: Hannah
Tug-o-war: Mitchell
Clothes Relay: Lisa
Water Balloon Toss: Matt
Potato Sack Race: Billy
Slip & Slide: Lisa
Balloon Animals: Kevin
Kickball: hannaH
Go to girl: hannaH

What a perfect field day!

Other Thoughts: Home groups each wear a color to form teams for games.
Modest Cattle wear RED!
Have Ribbons for winners and winning home group!

Prayers from 7/11/07

I wanted to begin a weekly posting of our prayers from the week and hopefully, over time we will see how God is working in them. If you ever want to add any yourself in the middle of the week go for it! You can label them Prayer using the labels at the bottom of the posting page and then we can quickly see them all.

For this week:

• Kevin's friend in car accident and their family
• Cameo and her family as they look for new home
• Matt's friend's mother, Leah, as she and her family cope with cancer
• Holly's grandfather, her family, and her
  
• Hannah's cousin
• Billy's brother
  

the calf

welcome welcome all ye cattle.

we have finally sat down and put this thing together...we want this to be a place where we can all communicate, laugh, get out ideas, etc...as a home group our goal is to grow together and to really help each other in this thing we call life...

if you have a funny story, tell us.
if you have a question, ask us.
if you have a plan, invite us.
if you have a prayer request, share it.
if you have a picture, post it.
if you have a kazillion dollars, by allllll means, give it.

pretty much what we are getting at, is...get on here, use this, write on it, read on it, laugh on it, love on it...

enjoy!


- the creators of this here blog.