-We want to do significant things with our lives.
-We want to make a difference in the world.
-We want to have an impact that reaches beyond ourselves.

Yet, we don’t really know where to start. Have you ever felt that way? I know I have.

A couple of years ago, this hit me in a way that I have never felt it before. As I was getting ready for bed, I was going through the nightly routine: drink of water, turn down the bed, brushing the teeth and as I looked up into the mirror, I thought to myself,
“Is this it?” Is this what I have been waiting my whole life for?

I had worked hard to get through college and graduate school, had moved to Nashville and was working for a great company and was forming community and had even found a great church here at Rolling Hills. Yet, there was something missing. I was yearning for something more.

I had noticed as a young adult in my first real job that I was already forming patterns that I didn’t enjoy or that were not fulfilling that inner drive to make a difference. I would go to work, deal with the good and bad things about my job, maybe hang out with some friends after work, go to Bible study, sleep in on Saturday, go to church on Sunday, wake up on Monday and repeat. Deep down, I knew there was more.

I would like to say that the journey out of that humdrum mentality was easy, but it was far from that. It was a constant battle to strive for more and to evaluate all that I was doing while still discerning a deeper sense of calling and purpose.

Thankfully and not suprisingly, God was so faithful during that process and began teaching me that a lot of what I was feeling could be averted if I simply did something. Just “do something”. Could it be that easy?

If I wanted a deeper sense of purpose, than I was going to have to work for that. I couldn’t be content just participating in a small group, when I knew God was wanting to step up and help lead one.

If I wanted richer community, than I was going to have to do something to make that happen. That meant showing up at places where I knew I could connect and meet others and being more intentional and not just waiting on community to find me.

If I wanted to make a difference in the world, then reading stats and trying to advocate was not going to cut it. I needed to show up when there were opportunities to serve. I needed to step out on a limb and join a mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters so I could have a weekly commitment where I was investing.

And most importantly, I had to learn how to stay better connected to the Source, Christ. A lack of meaning was largely in part to how I was drifting farther away from what God had really designed for me. He was calling me a deeper level of discipleship and I had to work and “do something” to grow.

Wherever you are on this journey, my prayer is that you will not let the worries of the day, where you are in life or where you would like to be, prevent you from stepping up and simply “doing something”. Just try it. You may be surprised how it works.

Identify a few areas where you would like to find more meaning and jot down a couple quick plans of action on how to make traction on those quickly. Then, pull the trigger on those things before the week is over. Below in the Connection:Service:Depth section, you will see some things that you can connect to quickly.

Don’t let the magnitude or vastness of everything keep from you doing anything. Do Something.

You’re aware of the day of the week. And, per usual, we have some announcements for ya:

1. NOW conference. You can still go. Just show up at Brentwood Baptist tonight before 6:45pm.
2. Maundy Thursday Seder Experience will be next Thursday (Can you believe it’s almost Easter?!) at 6:30. Go here for more information and to RSVP.
3. Good Friday Via Crucis–Come to RHCC any time between 6pm-8pm for the Stations of the Cross.
4. Eggstravaganza! Saturday, from 10am-noon.
5. Easter! Sunday, April 24.

Now, here’s the deal. We need some volunteers to help out with the children and preschool kiddos during some of the Holy Week activities. They are super fun and hilarious, so it’s gonna be a good time. And if you’ve been paying attention at all the last several weeks, you know there are hundreds of them. We need people to hang out, do crafts, play games, and provide tours through a version of the Via Crucis for kids on Friday night. We’ll need people to help out with the Eggstravaganza, too (with a name like that, how can it not be fun?). And, Easter morning, we expect to be packed out during both hours of Sunday School, so we could really use some help then, as well.

But wait, there’s more! If you email Nic Allen or Danette Cravens within the next twenty minutes (well, really, as long as it’s before next Friday) to help out for one hour of fun, you will be signed up to win a fabulous prize!

And don’t forget to invite people to church for Easter (or any Sunday). Many times people are more open to coming to church on Easter, so that’s a great time to ask!

*It would actually be Patrice Wilson’s words. He wrote the song.

I know we talk about a lot of lunches on here and they can all seem the same. Well, this one is different. On April 1 we’ll be having lunch at the Warehouse following the 11 AM service, and it will be a time for us to hear about the Wildest Dreams 2 building campaign happening at Rolling Hills. I strongly encourage you to come to this event so you can learn about the exciting plans for our church building and more. This will also be an excellent chance for you to meet other people in QuarterLife without having to show up at a restaurant and hope you recognize someone!

If, however, you enjoy taking that chance, you can join us for our regularly-scheduled lunch this Sunday after the 11 AM service at McDougal’s in Cool Springs. If you’ve never been before, I strongly recommend it!

Hopefully, this nice weather will hold up for our next Sunday lunch which is scheduled for next Sunday, March 27 at McDougal’s in Cool Springs.  They have a great patio!

Also, there will be a lunch at church on April 3rd for us to hear more about the new building campaign – Wildest Dreams 2.

And one more reminder about the NOW Conference that Elizabeth wrote about last week that’s being held at Brentwood Baptist Church April 15-17.  This looks like a really great conference, so I hope many of you will join us there.  Their website can be found here.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.”   Jeremiah 29:11

If you were like me, you may have seen that verse on at least a dozen of the cards you got for high school and college graduation. Plans to prosper, to give hope and a future. Sounds great! Sign me up.

Then, if you were like me, you made 5-year plans and 10-year goals. You planned out that future and hoped your plans would prosper.  Upon graduation, it seemed we had forever to fulfill those lists. For most of us, though, we’re either passing the 5-and 10-year marks, or we’re approaching them.

Recently, I read an little devotion about the verse above and the Christian mindset that often seems to look to the future. How many times have we thought of what God is going to do in our lives? in our church? in our careers? in our city? We often forget that those 5-year lists made 5 years ago; the future we dreamed of is happening right now. So, what is God doing right now?

In April, several of us are attending a conference that talks about this–what can we do for God in our lives, our careers, our city, right now? Here’s a video that explains it a little more:

It’s $99 and you can register and get more information here.

Here are a few other things happening in the near future:

1. Remember to “Spring Forward” this weekend. Move your clock ahead an hour on Saturday night, or you’ll be late for church!

2. Lunch at Five Guys in Cool Springs this Sunday.

3. Love and Respect Marriage Conference. March 11-12. $20 at the door. This is for singles, too!

4. New Orleans Mission Trip, March 22-27. It’s not too late to sign up!

5. April 3, we’re having a free lunch at the Warehouse to discuss the future of our church (notice a pattern here?) after the 11:00 service. The Wildest Dreams 2 campaign has begun and we need your help! Jeff will be there and we’ll learn more details about the plans and campaign.

LOVE >
This is the last week of the Love > series. If you’ve missed any of this amazing series, you can always catch up at: http://www.rollinghillscommunity.org/podcasts/.

LUNCH: February 27
This Sunday after the 11am service, we’ll meet for lunch at Wokano. It’s in the Target shopping center right up the street from the church and next to Panera.

DRAW NEAR: March 2
At 6:30pm on March 2nd, join us for a time of music, reflection, and worship at the WareHouse. It will be an amazing time of praise and worship.

NOW Conference: April 15-17
It’s that moment when living out your calling starts happening; the choices you’re making today define your life. Why wait? Those dreams God’s planted in your heart-the time to pursue them is NOW.
This is going to be a great event targeted specifically at young adults. If you have ever wanted to make a difference in the world within your current setting, NOW is the time to do it. This conference will equip you as you seek to make a difference where God has planted you. Check out the links and videos. I am excited about this! Speaker include Jeremy Cowart, Jon Acuff, Jen Hatmaker, Pete Wilson and many others.
NOW Conference Web Page

Have a great weekend, and we hope to see you on Sunday!!

In his book, Stearns talks about what he calls the three greatest commandments. The first two Jesus spells out explicitly: 1. Love God, 2. Love Others. And the third, Stearns takes from the Great Commission: 3. Teach others to do the same. That is the essence of the call of Christ, the New Testament for Dummies. Seems so simple right? If only it were.

Well, we’ve got plenty of opportunities for you to live these commands out in the coming months, and I strongly encourage you to take advantage of at least one and see what happens!

Strahl Street Community Party-THIS SATURDAY–Feb 19th

We need your help. This Saturday Feb. 19th at the Strahl Street Park. You can plan on playing some games, serving food, giving some hugs, getting to know parents and enjoying a day out in the sun. Join us from noon-3:00 p.m. RSVP by emailing Jason Hale
New Orleans Mission Trip-March 22-27 2011

There is still time to sign-up! We will travel to New Orleans and work with Harbor Community Church, the New Orleans Mission, Beacon of Hope Ministry Center. You will also get some good cajun food, good coffee and beignets (if you don’t know what those are, you are in for a treat).

A $100 deposit is due by Feb. 20th. The total cost of the trip is $259 and includes transportation, lodging, meals and ministry projects.

Have a great week everyone!

For those of us choosing to celebrate Singles Awareness Day in lieu of Valentine’s Day, we have a party for you!  Join us at my house this Saturday night for our Black, White and Red Party.  For this one, we dress up a little (in black, white or red, of course!) and we’ll have desserts and play games.  More info can be found on the Facebook page.

Another possible meaning of the phrase “Would you be mine,” is that often used by one of our most favorite children’s television show characters.  Mr. Rogers, who’s theme song states, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor.  Would you be mine?” teaches us the importance of relationships with those near to us.

With that in mind, we have the opportunity to be good neighbors to those living near our church.  We are hosting another Strahl St. Community Party on Saturday, February 19th from noon till three.  We will play with the kids, talk to the adults and really just be there to show we care.  Come out and be a good neighbor with us!

Luke 18:16 says, “But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’”  Let’s show these kids that we’re not only asking “Would you be my neighbor,” but Jesus is also asking, “Would you be mine?”

RSVP to Jason@rollinghillscommunity.org or on the Facebook page.

Also, we’ll be having lunch this week after the 11:00 service at Moe’s in Cool Springs.  Hope to see you there!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The Annual Black, White, and Red Party is set for February 12, from 7:30 to 10pm. Get dressed up (in black, white, or red, of course!) and head to Jennifer Knutson’s for games, dessert, and fun. Here’s the facebook event page, if you should need the address and to RSVP.

The next day, February 13, we’ll grab lunch at Moe’s on Cool Springs Blvd. after the 11:00 service.

The next Saturday, February 19, is a Strahl Street Community Party. These are always tons of fun and a great opportunity to serve our community with others from RHCC. The party will be from noon to 3pm. Come hang out, play games, and meet people!

In addition to the street parties, another exciting thing RHCC is starting up to minister to our community is a bunch of classes for the kids in things like dance, photography, art, music, sports, whatever! If you have a skill that you’d like to teach, let Jason know. The projects will last from 6-8 weeks and there is a ton of flexibility when it comes to times and days.

Finally, if you’re looking for an opportunity to go on a mission trip with RHCC, the New Orleans mission trip is coming up–March 22-27. While in New Orleans, the RHCC team will work with several organizations working to make a difference in a community ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. The cost of the trip is $259 and includes transportation, lodging, meals, and ministry projects. A deposit of $100 is due February 20.

Answer: E