Sorority House Project Update ...by Patrice Maturkanich
This exciting and challenging project is in full swing and we see God opening doors that we didn’t even know existed! First, let’s review the purpose of this new ministry:
“SORORITY HOUSE is a Relaxed, Informal, Home environment where Women can share their needs with other Women. It is a place of Encouragement, Support, and Prayer. Sorority House offers resources to help in crisis care, prayer counsel, spiritual mentors, life coaching, and training as we come alongside women during different stages of their lives.”
The gathering place for this “Caring Home” is 1400 S. Fullerton. There is a small house at the front of this property, which Crossroads Christian School had used for offices. The house is in need of an “Extreme Makeover”. There are holes in the walls, no kitchen facility, and a minimal bathroom. In other words, the poor little home is in serious need of some TLC. But no worries! Why? Because Ty Pennington has been called? NO! Because God has wonderful plans for this ministry, and WE have been called to get it READY!
In a miraculous fashion, our local HOME DEPOT and other companies have already signed up to partner with us! The plan? To make this house a welcoming place for women to get a lift up both spiritually and physically.
Not only have these companies allocated FUNDS, but each department (cabinets, plumbing, windows, etc.) has dedicated volunteers to make purchase orders AND help with installation!!
So we KNOW that YOU would like to be a part of this ground-breaking ADVENTURE!!
Mark your calendars NOW:
Saturday, January 30th. Demo Day.
This will be an “All Crossroads Day”. We need to remove all the old carpet, take out a wall, and generally clean-up the property. Bring your hammers, gloves, shovels, rakes, nail pullers … BRING YOUR OWN TOOLS! And plan to have a great fun for a purpose!
We will be on-site from 8 am until finished.
Exterior
• Remove all exterior lights
• Remove room a/c and secure electrical.
• Remove plants/shrubs/sod
• Remove water fountain
• Scrape/Prep Stucco
Interior
• Remove all carpet and baseboards.
• Remove all window treatments.
• Sand and prep all wall surfaces. If you have a sander, bring it!
• Remove all bath fixtures
• Remove all cabinets
• Remove all wallpaper
• Remove all unnecessary lighting.
Multipurpose room.
• Remove carpet
• Prep for paint
CONSTRUCTION DAYS: are tentatively scheduled for FEBRUARY 19, 20. This is determined by Home Depot and our ability to get supplies ordered .Please sign-up so we can keep you posted!
Hospitality:
We are asking for FOOD DONATIONS for each day of the project.
You can also donate SAM’S CLUB CARDS for the purchasing of supplies.
We will need people to help with FOOD SERVICE every day that we are on-site.
We will have COFFEE, WATER, and SODA on site.
BREAKFAST for this day will be delicious MUFFINS and creamy DANISH.
LUNCH will be juicy, old-fashioned HAMBURGERS. A man size BBQ on-site.
Please plan to stay and eat with us!
There is too much info to include in one email! …We will be at the Kiosk this Sunday through the end of the project. So come by! Talk to us, share with us! And sign-up!
Thanks Patrice for being sooo excited! …LOL ..Todd
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
What’s Nehemiah got to do with me?
“The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:
In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.” Nehemiah 1:1-4
In Nehemiah’s day the walls of the city represented safety and security. It kept the people of the city safe from intruders, wild animals and thieves. When we lack security, we lose our ability to take risks and trust. We must have a solid wall to rest behind in order to venture out into the world during the daytime.
I remember reading in the old “Dare to Discipline” book by Dr. Dobson, how the kindergarten class at his school was getting a new fence around the play yard. The kids were informed to not venture too far out toward the street during playtime. Previously, the children would run up to the fence and through the play yard with confidence. Now that the fence was temporarily gone, the children would bareiy leave the reach of the teacher as they huddled around her during playtime. Their security was gone, and what was seen as the normal play yard before now lacked the safety of the fence.
What gives us security? Our jobs: our jobs are our security in today’s society. They provide the fence or wall that allows us to walk securely though life. Our jobs ensure that we have a home, food to eat, and a place to sleep. Nehemiah wept when he heard that his people were not secure. We weep for those who are unemployed, underemployed or in jeopardy of being laid off.
“For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:
"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.” Nehemiah 1:4-6
Nehemiah’s first response was to petition God. Nehemiah was secure in the kings residence, but yet he prayed for his people. I know that if you are unemployed at this time, you are petitioning God. Did you realize that there are many also petitioning God on your behalf? And we will continue to petition, until the problem is resolved.
So back to the original question, “What’s it got to do with me?” If you are unemployed, we weep for you. We petition God to provide security for you. Because we are part of the same city, the body of believers, if your part of the wall is down or crumbling, it affects our security as well. We do understand your pain and discouragement, but we will continue to hold you up physically and spiritually.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Nehemiah and Jerusalem resolves the security problem in the chapters to follow. But the next blog will concentrate on Nehemiah Chapter 2. Right now I want you to understand you are not an outcast or failure and you will be restored to rest behind secure walls.
In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.” Nehemiah 1:1-4
In Nehemiah’s day the walls of the city represented safety and security. It kept the people of the city safe from intruders, wild animals and thieves. When we lack security, we lose our ability to take risks and trust. We must have a solid wall to rest behind in order to venture out into the world during the daytime.
I remember reading in the old “Dare to Discipline” book by Dr. Dobson, how the kindergarten class at his school was getting a new fence around the play yard. The kids were informed to not venture too far out toward the street during playtime. Previously, the children would run up to the fence and through the play yard with confidence. Now that the fence was temporarily gone, the children would bareiy leave the reach of the teacher as they huddled around her during playtime. Their security was gone, and what was seen as the normal play yard before now lacked the safety of the fence.
What gives us security? Our jobs: our jobs are our security in today’s society. They provide the fence or wall that allows us to walk securely though life. Our jobs ensure that we have a home, food to eat, and a place to sleep. Nehemiah wept when he heard that his people were not secure. We weep for those who are unemployed, underemployed or in jeopardy of being laid off.
“For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:
"O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.” Nehemiah 1:4-6
Nehemiah’s first response was to petition God. Nehemiah was secure in the kings residence, but yet he prayed for his people. I know that if you are unemployed at this time, you are petitioning God. Did you realize that there are many also petitioning God on your behalf? And we will continue to petition, until the problem is resolved.
So back to the original question, “What’s it got to do with me?” If you are unemployed, we weep for you. We petition God to provide security for you. Because we are part of the same city, the body of believers, if your part of the wall is down or crumbling, it affects our security as well. We do understand your pain and discouragement, but we will continue to hold you up physically and spiritually.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Nehemiah and Jerusalem resolves the security problem in the chapters to follow. But the next blog will concentrate on Nehemiah Chapter 2. Right now I want you to understand you are not an outcast or failure and you will be restored to rest behind secure walls.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sorority House
If you heard Chuck’s lesson this Sunday on “The State of the Church”; you would be inspired at the things that God has accomplished using Crossroads in the past few years. We witnessed over 2,200 baptisms and over 4,000 decisions for Christ this year alone. This year there are plans for God’s hand to continue to move in the Corona area. As Chuck went through the changes of the property that are targeted for 2010, I thought “We could do that Lord. The men of this congregation could do that!”
Those thoughts rolled around in my head for the next few hours as I walked around the campus during the second service. I knew that the men were eager to put their hand to something tangible. I stopped to read the first few chapters of Nehemiah and how Israel banded together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Things started to brew in my mind of what the first steps would be for a project. The first step is Purpose, none of us work for the sake of working. We look for a reward or something that is rewarding. The second step was that we needed to be able to pay for the project.
As the second service was coming to a close I found myself in a casual conversation with Michele Koranda. We joked that I was now a part of Men’s Ministry. She started telling me that at times they could use men in Women’s Ministry and went on to explain about Sorority House. Crossroads is opening a Women’s Resource Center, sponsored by Crossroads Women’s Ministry. It will be on the old Fullerton Road Campus. Home Depot had donated $25,000 dollars to do an “Extreme Makeover”. I looked at her and said “We can do that, the men can do that! I was praying about something just like this.” We both had that OMG look on our face. In this case it was more than a phrase; it was a point of worship. We now have a purpose, a project and funds.
Sorority House Mission Statement:
Sorority House exists to provide a unique environment of hope, encouragement, support and training for women on their journey of life through mentoring, classes, spiritual refuge, and a one stop resource center.
The Challenge for Men.
The part of the complex to be made over is the old house on the front of the property at 1400 Fullerton Road. Meetings are taking place in the weeks to come, but I can tell you that God is moving at an amazing pace. The general plan is to remove a wall, install a kitchen, cabinets, windows, paint, flooring, bathroom, shower, water heater, and landscaping. The project is tentatively set for the second weekend in February, which will be the 11th through the 14th.
What we need from you:
Prayer. That God’s hand is on this project and we use wisdom in following His plan and agenda.
Our immediate need is consultation with a licensed: General Contractor, Electrician, Air Conditioning Contractor and Plumber. If you know one, have them contact me Todd@crossroadschurch.com or MichelleK@crossroadschurch.com
Volunteers:
Once our dates are confirmed we will have more information. Right now it looks like one day of demo and 2-3 days of construction and finish. We will need as many volunteers as we can. If you can cook, clean, paint, patch, cut, hammer, dig, laugh, pray, work, then we have a job for you.
Security
Once supplies are delivered we will need to have someone on campus through the night. At different times friends have brought in trailers and “Camped out” for the duration of an event. If you or your trailer/motorhome are available we would be appreciative.
Food
We plan to serve our volunteers at least 2 meals a day. This means we will be serving coffee and barbequing. We will be filling ice chests and will run a food service area …You can donate food or Sam’s Club gift cards. This will be an event!!!
Contact us and Follow us.
Todd@crossroadschurch.com or MicelleK@crossroadschurch.com
Join our Facebook Group “Crossroads Men’s Ministry-Accept the Challenge” and join our Cause “Created to Serve”.
Stop by the Men’s Group kiosk on Sunday.
This New Year is starting off at an incredible pace … I hope you can at least make it out one day to see what God is doing. We look forward to hearing from you.
Those thoughts rolled around in my head for the next few hours as I walked around the campus during the second service. I knew that the men were eager to put their hand to something tangible. I stopped to read the first few chapters of Nehemiah and how Israel banded together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Things started to brew in my mind of what the first steps would be for a project. The first step is Purpose, none of us work for the sake of working. We look for a reward or something that is rewarding. The second step was that we needed to be able to pay for the project.
As the second service was coming to a close I found myself in a casual conversation with Michele Koranda. We joked that I was now a part of Men’s Ministry. She started telling me that at times they could use men in Women’s Ministry and went on to explain about Sorority House. Crossroads is opening a Women’s Resource Center, sponsored by Crossroads Women’s Ministry. It will be on the old Fullerton Road Campus. Home Depot had donated $25,000 dollars to do an “Extreme Makeover”. I looked at her and said “We can do that, the men can do that! I was praying about something just like this.” We both had that OMG look on our face. In this case it was more than a phrase; it was a point of worship. We now have a purpose, a project and funds.
Sorority House Mission Statement:
Sorority House exists to provide a unique environment of hope, encouragement, support and training for women on their journey of life through mentoring, classes, spiritual refuge, and a one stop resource center.
The Challenge for Men.
The part of the complex to be made over is the old house on the front of the property at 1400 Fullerton Road. Meetings are taking place in the weeks to come, but I can tell you that God is moving at an amazing pace. The general plan is to remove a wall, install a kitchen, cabinets, windows, paint, flooring, bathroom, shower, water heater, and landscaping. The project is tentatively set for the second weekend in February, which will be the 11th through the 14th.
What we need from you:
Prayer. That God’s hand is on this project and we use wisdom in following His plan and agenda.
Our immediate need is consultation with a licensed: General Contractor, Electrician, Air Conditioning Contractor and Plumber. If you know one, have them contact me Todd@crossroadschurch.com or MichelleK@crossroadschurch.com
Volunteers:
Once our dates are confirmed we will have more information. Right now it looks like one day of demo and 2-3 days of construction and finish. We will need as many volunteers as we can. If you can cook, clean, paint, patch, cut, hammer, dig, laugh, pray, work, then we have a job for you.
Security
Once supplies are delivered we will need to have someone on campus through the night. At different times friends have brought in trailers and “Camped out” for the duration of an event. If you or your trailer/motorhome are available we would be appreciative.
Food
We plan to serve our volunteers at least 2 meals a day. This means we will be serving coffee and barbequing. We will be filling ice chests and will run a food service area …You can donate food or Sam’s Club gift cards. This will be an event!!!
Contact us and Follow us.
Todd@crossroadschurch.com or MicelleK@crossroadschurch.com
Join our Facebook Group “Crossroads Men’s Ministry-Accept the Challenge” and join our Cause “Created to Serve”.
Stop by the Men’s Group kiosk on Sunday.
This New Year is starting off at an incredible pace … I hope you can at least make it out one day to see what God is doing. We look forward to hearing from you.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Homeostasis
I don't meake "New Years Resolutions", but if I did it would be to maintain "Homeostasis". Homeostasis is one of the first things I remember about medic school. It’s on my “Top Ten” most important things I learned in life. The following comes from Biology Online:
Definition noun
(1) The tendency of an organism or a cell to regulate its internal conditions, usually by a system of feedback controls, so as to stabilize health and functioning, regardless of the outside changing conditions
(2) The ability of the body or a cell to seek and maintain a condition of equilibrium or stability within its internal environment when dealing with external changes
In humans, homeostasis happens when the body regulates body temperature in an effort to maintain an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, we sweat to cool off during the hot summer days, and we shiver to produce heat during the cold winter season. As long as the body is able to compensate for external changes, everything goes as designed. When the external environment exceeds the body’s ability to compensate, then death will ensue. A small cut is no problem for the body; a major cut can cause death. You can even survive oxygen deprivation for a minute or so; after that, your body is going to start screaming for air.
God also designed the church body to maintain homeostasis:
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13
So God gives the church all of these “Body Parts” (prophets, evangelist, pastors & teachers) to keep in balance. Not just one part, but many parts. When something happens in our human body, there is a multiplicity of responses which require multiple “parts”to do thier thing. Just to drink a glass of water: our hands reach, muscles articulate, saliva glands secrete, taste buds activate, our tongue moves, our glottis closes so we don’t choke. All of this happens to make sure the body survives.
There is a clear purpose for each of these “Body parts”:
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ”. Ephesians 4:14-15
For a body to grow properly as God intended, it must “GROW”. There is an expected maturity if the body is healthy. Paul rebuked the church of Corinth for not growing.
“Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 1Cor3:1-2
How would you like to get that staement from Paul in your email?
God didn’t design Christianity to be a spectator sport. “Let’s all gather at the stadium (church) and root for the home team”. No, God expects our participation in our Faith; we are the Body. If we approach our Faith from the outside of the body, we are out of balance; we are not in a state of “Homeostasis”. A hand cut from the body is no longer part of the body and is unable to benefit from the nourishment. We must be a part of the body to be able to be maintained by the body. The purpose is clear.
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16
I come from a family of bad knees. My grandfather had knee surgery, my dad had knee surgery, I had knee surgery, my son had knee surgery, and my dog has had knee surgery. Needless to say, ligaments are very important things to the Holtkamp family (Just a note, the dog is adopted). If you have ever had any type of joint go out, you know it affects your whole body. In the case of my knee, the one that hurt the most was the one that was not injured. Why? It was compensating for the injury to the other.
In Conclusion:
God has blessed us with an amazing body, both physically and spiritually. If we take care of them, they serve us well. If we ignore and abuse them, get out of balance, we scream in pain all the way to our soul. I hope you set about this New Year to get into better shape, both spiritually and physically. Maintain “Homeostasis”; stay in balance. Don't start the New Year at the gym and end it face down in a a gallon of Hagen Daus. Don't start at the church door and end it alone, apart from the Body...
Definition noun
(1) The tendency of an organism or a cell to regulate its internal conditions, usually by a system of feedback controls, so as to stabilize health and functioning, regardless of the outside changing conditions
(2) The ability of the body or a cell to seek and maintain a condition of equilibrium or stability within its internal environment when dealing with external changes
In humans, homeostasis happens when the body regulates body temperature in an effort to maintain an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, we sweat to cool off during the hot summer days, and we shiver to produce heat during the cold winter season. As long as the body is able to compensate for external changes, everything goes as designed. When the external environment exceeds the body’s ability to compensate, then death will ensue. A small cut is no problem for the body; a major cut can cause death. You can even survive oxygen deprivation for a minute or so; after that, your body is going to start screaming for air.
God also designed the church body to maintain homeostasis:
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13
So God gives the church all of these “Body Parts” (prophets, evangelist, pastors & teachers) to keep in balance. Not just one part, but many parts. When something happens in our human body, there is a multiplicity of responses which require multiple “parts”to do thier thing. Just to drink a glass of water: our hands reach, muscles articulate, saliva glands secrete, taste buds activate, our tongue moves, our glottis closes so we don’t choke. All of this happens to make sure the body survives.
There is a clear purpose for each of these “Body parts”:
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ”. Ephesians 4:14-15
For a body to grow properly as God intended, it must “GROW”. There is an expected maturity if the body is healthy. Paul rebuked the church of Corinth for not growing.
“Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 1Cor3:1-2
How would you like to get that staement from Paul in your email?
God didn’t design Christianity to be a spectator sport. “Let’s all gather at the stadium (church) and root for the home team”. No, God expects our participation in our Faith; we are the Body. If we approach our Faith from the outside of the body, we are out of balance; we are not in a state of “Homeostasis”. A hand cut from the body is no longer part of the body and is unable to benefit from the nourishment. We must be a part of the body to be able to be maintained by the body. The purpose is clear.
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16
I come from a family of bad knees. My grandfather had knee surgery, my dad had knee surgery, I had knee surgery, my son had knee surgery, and my dog has had knee surgery. Needless to say, ligaments are very important things to the Holtkamp family (Just a note, the dog is adopted). If you have ever had any type of joint go out, you know it affects your whole body. In the case of my knee, the one that hurt the most was the one that was not injured. Why? It was compensating for the injury to the other.
In Conclusion:
God has blessed us with an amazing body, both physically and spiritually. If we take care of them, they serve us well. If we ignore and abuse them, get out of balance, we scream in pain all the way to our soul. I hope you set about this New Year to get into better shape, both spiritually and physically. Maintain “Homeostasis”; stay in balance. Don't start the New Year at the gym and end it face down in a a gallon of Hagen Daus. Don't start at the church door and end it alone, apart from the Body...
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