JESUS AND POLITICS

Hey Family,

Last night we talked about Jesus and Politics. In light of the upcoming elections we thought it was necessary to address your concerns and questions. You submitted killer questions and we dealt with a good majority of them as best we could, using the Scriptures as our authority. Thanks for all your positive feedback and engaging conversation after Epic.

Well as we talked about last night, we don’t want this to be a one-sided conversation. We want you to continue the dialogue with the Epic family. If you have questions, comments, disagreements, conclusions, opinions, or thoughts about last night, feel free to contribute something. Use this blog or email us at epicsandiego@gmail.com. We hope to read some of your comments as a follow-up next Thursday. Thanks in advance for your contributions. To refresh your memory here are some of the questions addressed last night.

~ Would Jesus vote for a president? Would He vote at all? Would He want His followers to vote?
~ How will this election change the character of our nation?
~ Why should we force morality through laws example prop 8?
~Would Jesus be a Republican or a Democrat?
~ What does the Bible say about the role the government should have (their purpose)- their sphere of influence/power?
~ How involved should Christians be in politics?

Looking forward to our conversation,

Love you all,
Manny

7 WEEK CHALLENGE

At the end of the evening everyone walked to the front of the auditorium to be part of the 7 week challenge. The idea behind this challenege is that small acts of kindness done with GREAT LOVE can change the world. This challenge entailed everyone getting a card with a random act of kindness or bold witness of Christ. The goal is that every person do at least one of the challenges in the next seven weeks. If you weren't there, take the challenge with us. Here are some of the challenges:

-Tell a co-worker something you genuinely appreciate about them
-offer to wash someone's windshield at a gas station and tell them God bless you.
-ask a co-worker or fellow student for a prayer request and follow up with the as to how they're doing.
-Take time to appreciate someone we tend to take for granted. (police, fireman, nurse, grocery store worker)
-While eating, ask your waiter/waitress for a prayer request and pray for him or her while you pray for your meal.
-pack a couple sacks of goodies for a homeless person, put in your car and hand out when you see one. (socks, food bar, water, TP, tract, etc.)
-add your own act of kindness that shows the love of Christ.

If you have done one of your challenges share your experience, write about it here so that others will be inspired to partake.

The Revolution Begins

Last night was awesome. It was the kickoff of our new fall series "Revolution; we are the change we've been looking for." Our guest speaker was Terrell Fletcher, former San Diego Charger and current pastor and founder of City of Hope church in San Diego.

He spoke on the fact that revolution will not be easy. Change always comes at a price and if we really want that change we must be willing to encounter resistance. He ended the call for revolution with an appeal towards everday random revolutionary acts. This means simply being aware of the needs of people around us. It alos means showing the love of Christ in small yet meaningful ways.

The capstone of the evening was people rising up to take the 7 week challenge and small group sign ups.

NEW SEASON OF EPIC

Well Epic officially launched its Fall season last week with a fresh feel and an challenging look towards the future. The evening started with RESTORE, a time where people could enter the Sanctuary fifteen minutes early and quietly meditate, or pray or unwind from a hard days work. Then at 7 Epic began with moving worship with Dominic Nuncio at the helm. This was followed by a poetic interpretation of John 4, the woman at the well passage which also happened to be the story for the evening's message. The message focused on our God-given mission for this ministry which is "to be a community that loves others the way that Christ loved." In this example Jesus encounters a shady, struggling Samaritan woman, and He shows her unconditional and true love by accepting her unconditionally and giving her life-changing truth at the same time. When the culture of Jesus' day were ignoring, rejecting, condemning and judging people like this, Jesus was actively and lovingly pursuing them.

This is who we want and need to become! We need to radically seek to accept and love all people regardless of their lifestyle, views, baggage... In a time where religiosity, judgmentalism, self-absorption and self0righteousness plagues the church, we need to rise up and be to a hurting and broken world what Jesus was to this woman...love and truth incarnate.

Epic Week 7

What a rad thing to see Dr. J raw, up close and personal. We got to ask him questions and learn about his life. He was open and vulnerable and willing to share some life lessons that he's learned over his 50+ years of walking with the Lord. He also got to share some ministry experiences and lessons.

What stood out to me was the fact that he has struggles that he deals with too. He shared about his cancer experience and how he thought he wouldn't make it. At the same time he saw God's faithfulness through the Word, pick him up during his darkest moments.

Another thing that stood out was the fact that church ministry isn't perfect. He's had battles with people and criticisms and haters, (if I can put it that way). God has shown him that it's always best to take the high road.

He also shared how he keeps his walk strong and fresh through journaling and alone time with God.

I just touched the surface of all he shared but nonetheless it was an awesome night!

Maybe you can share what impacted you about this night.

EPIC WEEK 5

To sum this week up, all I can say is intense but awesome. Diane Szuch was our speaker. She was real and transparent as she shared her story of abuse, neglect, rejection, divorce, and other hurtful things. It touched us all because we all have hurts and burdens. She challenged people to begin the healing and recovery process by being real and revealing the junk, and not hiding it anymore. Many people responded and began that difficult but hopeful journey of healing. The scene at the end of the night was people praying together, others tacking their burdens and prayers on canvases up front, still others singing to the Lord.

The most amazing thing however, was people dropping their masks and making themselves vulnerable to each other. I admire the people I talked to and respect them so much because they shared with me and were willing to admit that they have crap in their lives just like I have crap and everyone else too. They were real and came as they were. In the process they realized that no matter what, they were loved and accepted. I can picture Jesus saying to each and every one of them what he said to the woman caught in adultery...

"who condemns you?" to which the woman answered, "no one Lord" and Jesus handing his hand and helping her up says to her, "neither do I condemn you..."

What a beautiful picture of what were going for here at Epic. Remember, no perfect people allowed!

EPIC WEEK 4

Week four was awesome as we continued the breakout sessions. The topics were helpful and practical. Dr. Nichols spoke on how we can know the will of God. Dr. Ron Barnes spoke about how to live now in light of tomorrow. And Fred Blackburn spoke on the subject of Buddhism from the perspective of a Buddhist.

to finish the evening we had an amazing art show. People from Epic brought their artwork and many people came early and stayed late to enjoy it. Thanks to all who were a part of it and thanks to Steve Lucero who put it all together!

What did you think of week 4? What did you get out of the breakouts? Talk about something you learned, agreed with, disagreed with, whatever...this is your forum.