Ten Hours or 60 Seconds

This morning I was reminded that God is at work even when I am not.

I texted a friend of mine this morning and told him that I was praying that he had a productive and profitable day.  He responded by saying that he was going to be in a ten-hour training course today. 

My first response was--so maybe it won't be that productive and probably not that profitable since he won't be out working with potential clients.  

Then it hit me:  God is working even when it feels like we are just sitting, waiting, or training. He redeems "wasted time."

Sometimes praying may feel like a waste of time because it feels so passive; but is it?  I think not!  Praying is the wisest investment of my time and energy. 

An old-timer once told me:  "If you've got 60 seconds to make a decision take 55 seconds to pray and think." 

Would you consider partnering in prayer with us?  Let me know at:  johnandtracieorr@gmail.com 

What a Difference A Year Makes

A year ago yesterday our little buddy made his grand entrance!  Happy 1st Saw-yo!

This time a year ago we tethered our family together and like Shackleton and his men started sliding down the glacier into the unknown. New baby, new ministry, sell a house, buy a house, saying "See you later" to old friends, and "Nice to meet you!" to new ones.

So much change!  So much fun!  

If we were taking a "Stress and Strain" test we may be maxing out on the chart right now but God uses stress and strain to strengthen us, doesn't He?

How's your "S&S" level? Leave a comment and let us know how we can pray for you.


Would you become one of our "500" prayer partners?

Let us know by email:  johnandtracieorr@gmail.com

The Stone Church--Work Project Day! June 29th

I still have fun playing with Legos and Lincoln Logs. Now there are building blocks that are more sophisticated than the colored square, rectangle, and cylindrical shapes I had growing up. The ones Harrisen is playing with today are uniquely shaped to create a castle.  Pretty cool!

Would you like to come play with some friends, do some creative construction (and even some de-construction--which is always fun!) at The Stone Church?

Below are a few projects that we can work on that day.  I can send you a full description of the work to be done and a picture of the area.

A.  Clean and Stain Deck and Porch Area
B.  Stain Porch Bench(es)
C.  Outdoor Clean Up
D.  Paint Children's Ministry Room
E.  Clean gutters and secure downspouts
F.  General Clean up
G.  Remove Hedge

Join us at The Stone Church on Saturday June 29th @ 9 am!

If you'd like to take on one of these projects contact me at johnorr.thestonechurch@gmail.com or call me @ 678-877-0309 and let me know what you'd like to do.

Purging

An unanticipated activity on this adventure for us has been the opportunity to purge.  

It probably comes as no surprise that we have too much stuff.  Stuff in the attic (we might need that one day!)  Stuff in the workshop (what if that thing breaks again--I'll have the right sized wrench this time!) Stuff in the wardrobe (hey, that's the T-shirt from summer camp 2003--don't throw that out!)

My favorite T-shirt of all time is the one created by Scott Morgan when he was the Middle School Pastor at Crossroads.  I don't wear it but I did frame it and put it over the trash cans in my garage.

Cleaning out, yeah, it helps get rid of stuff you no longer need.  But the surprise is that it brings back some pretty cool memories too. Thank you Scott for taking the time to design this shirt ten years ago--there's no way that this is getting purged!

Would you consider becoming one of our 500 Prayer Partners?  

Let us know by messaging me on FB with your email or click on this link to let us know:  johnandtracieorr@gmail.com

Fighting Side by Side

My friend Mark Fields is one of the "500" who has committed to praying for us. In his message to me he attached this picture saying he and his wife Linda would be one of our prayer partners.  

Love this image of prayer partners--chained together--fighting together--protecting one another--believing in one another.

Become one or two of the 500 by messaging me on FB with your email or email us at johnandtracieorr@gmail.com 

A Word from an "Old, Dead Guy"

Oswald Chambers is one of my favorite "old, dead guys." His insights into a vital relationship with Jesus are piercing.  Here is his closing paragraph from today's devotional.

Jesus says, "Come to me and i will give you rest," in other words, I will stay you. Not-I will put you to bed and hold your hand and sing you to sleep; but--I will get you out of bed, out of the languor and exhaustion, out of the state of being half dead while you are alive; I will imbue you with the spirit of life, and you will be stayed by the perfection of vital activity. We get pathetic and talk about "suffering the will of the Lord!" Where is the majestic vitality and might of the son of God about that?"

Do you want to live a life of adventure? Do you want to use words like languor, imbue, and vitality?

Get out of bed!

You can spend five minutes with Oswald daily at www.utmost.org

(We are still in the process of identifying the 500 people who want to join us on our adventure through prayer. If you'd like to be one of them please email us at:  johnandtracieorr@gmail.com or you can message John through Facebook with your email address I will add your name to the list, that way we can communicate directly with you in the future.)

500 Prayer Partners

 If I were quicker, faster, stronger, had decent hand-eye coordination, an some talent I could have been a MLB shortstop,  and had my own Topps Baseball card that would probably be worth a nickel.  But that isn't what God had intended for us. No web gems on ESPN and no baseball card. Disappointed. 

Then our friend, Kim Ramey, came up with a cool idea...what about a baseball card:  even if I didn't play baseball I could still make my own baseball card--with the help of the graphic genius, Russell Brown.

So this weekend we gave out these baseball card style prayer cards.  Why?

Because as Bilbo Baggins suggests: "It is dangerous business going out your front door." We wouldn't even consider going on this adventure without the prayer support of our friends.  

Tracie and I are seeking 500 prayer partners that will commit to praying for us and The Stone Church for one year.  If you didn't get a card this weekend at Crossroads Church you can pick one up next weekend at Guest Services. If you would like to be one of our five hundred prayer partners send me an email at:

johnandtracieorr@gmail.com

This account will be used for us to communicate directly with those of you who commit to praying for us. It will also give you a place where you can let us know how we can pray for you and your families.

We hope you will consider partnering with us on this adventure together.

Dangerous Business

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

Bilbo Baggins to Frodo in Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

We have gone out the front door.

We have stepped onto the road that leads north on I-75 to Bartow County and the Cartersville area to rePlant a church--The Stone Church.

Together we are being swept out into an adventure with God--it is dangerous business.  It reminds me of C.S. Lewis' description of Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia:  "'course he isn't safe; but he's good."

We would love for you to partner with us in prayer on this adventure. 

We will use this blog to communicate over the next year what dangerous business is afoot!