A Symbol of Commitment

Just over 4 years ago, I entered a covenant with my wife Heather. The ring that you see is a symbol of that covenant. The covenant itself is the substance; the ring is the symbol. On one level, true faith in Christ works this way as well. There is the substance of faith and there is also the symbol of that faith.

This afternoon, I was reading the gospel of Luke with some students in the commons building at VCU. One of those students was a gentleman who has yet to give his life to Jesus Christ. He has a little bit of “religion” though, so as we discussed the importance of truly receiving Christ on his own terms before we can become “children of God” (John 1:12), this gentleman made a big deal about the fact that he had already been baptized.

As the other students did a great job of explaining to this gentleman why that baptism, all by itself, could never replace true repentance and faith in Christ, I looked at my wedding ring and thought, “Maybe he will understand this.”

I took my ring off and said, “Am I still married?” He responded immediately, “Yes.” I continued, “The reason that I am still married is because I possess the substance (a true covenant with my wife) that is represented by this symbol.”

And then I asked him… “If you were to put on this ring, would you be married?” He immediately responded, “No.” When I asked him why, he said, “Because I don’t have a wife.”

I looked at him and said, “If you can understand that, then you can also understand this: You possess the symbol of a relationship with Jesus Christ (baptism), but you do not have the substance (true repentance, faith, obedience, love).”

Afterward, with him present, we all prayed that God would reveal to him what it means to truly have the substance of faith in Christ. Join us in praying for this gentleman. I believe that God will hear and answer your prayers.

Reflection

– Have you ever had a real, moving sense of God’s immeasurable greatness?
– Which of God’s attributes has been the least real to you? How do you know?
– What negative emotions expose your efforts to control your life? (anger, fear, worry, etc)
– What one attribute or truth about God will you study this week to be set free from the desire to control your world?

Parents, please take a moment to look around your house and car to see if you have mistakenly taken home one (or more) of our children’s check-in cards. Our inventory of cards have run very low and it would help us considerably if you could return any you may have taken home.

Please return them to the Childrens Ministry Table this Sunday.

Thanks!

Every Monday night from 8:00-9:30pm, students from various schools come together to read the Bible and to help each other learn how the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection should impact every area of our lives.

We currently meet in the home of UR alumni, Dan and Dana Kleinschuster. Their address is:
214 Paxton Road
Richmond, VA 23226

For more information, contact Raymond Goodlett at: raymond@redemptionhill.org.

- What stood out to you this morning? How can you respond?
- Where do you see God’s grace at work in your life?
- Are you building you hope and joy on God’s gracious justification of you and adoption of you? Where are you struggling with guilt or insecurity?
- Have you done a single thing or stopped a single thing because of your love for Jesus and enjoyment of His grace?

- What stood out to you this morning? How can you respond?
- Men, how would you evaluate your practice of honoring? Would your wife or friends agree? Could you ask?
- Ladies, where do you see God’s grace already helping you to demonstrate biblical submission? Ask your husband or friends for examples.

Are you looking for a creative way to reach out to your community? Why not take a idea from Lee Costic and start a movie theater in your back yard!

Every summer since 2006, Lee has transformed his backyard into the Hanover Starlite Backyard Movie Theatre, offering free movies and family fun to all his neighbors. To learn a little more about what Lee is doing in Hanover, we caught up with him and asked a few questions.

How did the Hanover Starlite Backyard Theatre start? What gave you the idea to do this?

I’d always been a huge fan of drive-ins, there was one near my college. In 2003, I saw an article online about setting up a backyard theater with some very detailed instructions (important because I am pretty manually challenged!) When we moved to Mechanicsville in ’04, our house just happened to have a half-acre open field next to it, which was perfect, and I set it up in the summer of ’06.

What all is involved in running the theatre?

Mainly just promotion, and setting up and tearing down the equipment each time. People keep telling me we need to build a snack bar, but we’re not there yet!

What has the community’s reaction been to the Hanover Starlite Backyard Theatre?

The reaction is always positive, but the turnout has been mixed. Everyone I talk to–inside or outside of our community–always says, “Wow that’s a cool idea!”. And we’ve advertised and promoted it with signs all over the neighborhood. I really thought the whole subdivision would show up: they didn’t. The number of strangers coming out has always been really small. But I think that gets to a key part of community: people need to feel an initial connection to something before they will invest. People are understandably reluctant to go watch a movie in the backyard of someone they’ve never met. However, when our subdivision holds its official “Neighborhood Cookout and Movie Night”, tons of people come out. And I think it’s because they have that initial connection to the neighborhood that makes them more comfortable. (Or maybe it’s just because there’s food!)

What drives you to keep putting so much energy and effort into this project?

Insanity? Haha. Actually this project is embodies several of my passions: technology, media, design, promotion, being outside, etc., so I really enjoy doing it. And my kids really love it, so that’s a big part of it.

How does (or does) the gospel impact or influence what you’re doing with the Hanover Starlite Backyard Theatre?

It’s definitely part of it. It’s funny, I like movies, but I’m not a die-hard movie buff or anything. But I really love how movies are such a “great uniter,” a common ground for literally all kinds of people, and I’m always excited about the potential of who might show up.

Additionally, despite the mixed turnouts, it has been a great way to meet some of our neighbors. Another aspect of it is just trying to serve people with a chance to unwind, and maybe giving families something they can all experience and enjoy together. And if we can keep it going, I am hoping it will be a safe alternative for my kids and their friends when they are teenagers.

Any advice for people who are thinking of trying to reach out to their communities in creative ways?

I think I would want to encourage them and underscore the importance of community. But I’d also say that reaching out to our communities doesn’t always need to be a such big ordeal like the Starlite: ANY thing we do to engage people is important. I really love (and am challenged by) 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” Reflecting and sharing our hope in Jesus is the key, and anything–from movie night or neighborhood picnic to simple conversations across the fence–can all be effective.

I was particularly struck and challenged by Lee’s answer to the last question. I think, at least for me, that I often think that my outreach to my neighbors has to be something big. But as Lee says, “Reflecting and sharing our hope in Jesus is the key, and anything–from movie night or neighborhood picnic to simple conversations across the fence–can all be effective.”

If you’re interested in seeing the Hanover Starlite Backyard Theatre in action this weekend, Lee will be showing Iron Man on Friday, August 13th, and Beverly Hills Chihuahua on Sunday, August 15th. Movies start at 8:45. If you can’t make it out, at least check out Lee’s Flickr page with photos of his setup… it is pretty impressive!

*Note: Lee said that he’ll likely be showing 5-10 more movies between now and early October. We’ll announce them on The City for those who’d like to join in.

UPDATE: Direction to Hanover Starlite Backyard Theatre

- What stood out to you this morning? What steps can you take to respond?
- Is your vision for marriage “in step” with the BIble’s view?
- Men: are you becoming a Psalm 112 man? What do you need to cultivate?
- Women: are you becoming a Proverbs 31 woman? What do you need to cultivate?

Baptism at the rivah!

We will baptizing folks Sunday, August 15, at 3:30 PM in the James River. We invite all of Redemption Hill to come witness this joyful celebration of our new life through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Want to get baptized?

If you are interested in being baptized, or have questions about baptism, please speak with your Community leader or contact Chris or Robert at info@redemptionhill.com.

Want to come?

We’ll be getting in the water at the Wetlands, part of the James River Park system, east of the Pony Pasture and very close to the Powhite Parkway. At 3:30p we’ll meet at 3442 Northview Place and then take a short walk down to the river together.

Enjoy Grace,

Chris

Reflection

- What stood out to you this morning?
- Would you characterize yourself as a consumer or provider at Redemption Hill?
- Could you come every week intent to encourage someone, meet someone new, and pray for someone?
- What areas could you use someone to instruct & encourage you in? Are you willing to ask?