Hang on! Here we go again!

Ladies, are you ready?!

Oh my goodness! I can hardly sit still in my seat today! I am sooo psyched for group to start up again! As many of you have said, the month of August has just felt off-kilter for me too, not meeting for so long has got me shook! :)

We've got some new faces coming in and some old people leaving us, but I believe that God has something new and exciting for us this semester! I seriously can't wait!

Anyone out there feel me?!

Living, Breathing, Aching for the Mission

Carmel shared this about her recent trip with the Baton Rouge mission team:

"There are really no words to decribe the mixed emotions I had on this trip. I tell you what though, the people I met down there are so strong and resilient. I am truly blessed and, unfortunately, it is times of crisis and disaster that have to remind us just how blessed we are. The NCC team (5 of us) helped another team to gut a woman's home, which consisted of tearing down walls, ceillings and taking out anything that was destroyed during the storm/flood. The house had not been touched since last August, so just imagine how much there was to do. We were there for two days and we still did not complete the job, but the other part of the team returned the next day. We also did volunteer projects with a church called The Healing Place in Baton Rouge. All in all, I learned a lot about what it takes to build an entire city and how people feel called to help others. I am so glad that God answered my prayers and took me down there to see the destruction and create hope for a home owner that wanted her life back...The trip changed my life forever and I didn't even have to buy a $1,000 air ticket or get a stamp in my passport for it. The affect of this on me and the rest of that region has yet to be realized."

I have been thinking a lot about God's renown. Basically, that is what living on mission is about right? Making God's love and sacrifice and salvation 'an indelible memory' giving him 'fame that never fades'. (Louie Giglio).

Christy Nockels of Watermark put it this way:

...We can't just wash our hands of this and walk away
And blame the ones before us cus its easier to say
Than to listen to his heart beating for the coming age...

...We are a doorway and window to the truth
We have one passage of time
What will we say then?
How will we live?
This burning passion is a gift...

Pardon our dust!

We are slowly starting the transition from "Summer reflections" to "The Vine Inspirations" for the Fall. This is still an available space for all past, current, and future small group members. Feel free to continue posting insights, reflections, revelations... stay tuned for some fun changes to our blog space!

End of semester party!

We're sorry if you missed last night's party; we had a lot of fun. Fruit punch in fun glasses with umbrellas; luau/tiki decorations; fabulous food; and of course, the shirts! Ladies, if you were not there last night, get in touch with Lisa or Lanre to purchase a shirt-- here's a sneak peek, they are pretty hot! (Thanks to Lisa and Kaarin for spearheading that project)














Its been a great summer and I've learned so much. I can't wait until September. Begin reading Romans in the meantime and keep your eye out for emails in August about our social gatherings! Bring on Fall semester!

Your mission, should you choose to accept...

Task: This month, while we do the Missions Series at NCC, a special missions prayer blog has been set up. The blog has scripture and a challenge for the day; reactions to what God is doing in NCCers through the missions series and trips; and opportunities to pray for missions. The aim is to have all of us log onto the website: nccmissions.net at least once every day for the 28 days of this series.

Personal relevance: Our own Sarah H. just returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic-- the website has testimonials and stories from the DR team. Carmel is off to New Orleans this Sunday with a mission team and the website has a list of their prayer requests. In a few days, Michelle, from our group last year, will be joining the rest of the Galapagos team on their mission trip. You and I, without even leaving our neighborhoods or workplaces, are in the very center of a mission field.

I look forward to reading your comments!

Thank Him

I just wanted to share this because it ministered to me this morning. My good friend who I mentioned prayer for on Monday emailed this to me. He is feeling very lost right now and confused about life. He is not a Christian but believes in God and comes from a Catholic background. He told me he reads this every night before he goes to bed and wanted to share it with me. I think it's so cool that just as I hope to minister to him, he in return has ministered to me.

Dear GOD:
I want to thank You for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears ; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the children areasleep and the house is quiet; I thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now.
I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles. I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

It's a tag-team sport!

com·mis·sion n. The act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty. To put into active service.

All authority in heaven and in earth has been given to Jesus and yet our Father, in his infinite wisdom, chooses to touch us, ignite us and send us.

It was a great way to wrap up our semester last night. We talked about how we often underestimate the power of our lives. We are invaluable pieces of a network and web of lives that we have the power to influence, challenge and change. We spent some time discussing Dick Foth's message this past weekend about how we can use the power of the Holy Spirit and forgiveness to open people up to the message of Christ.

I was really touched by our discussion about how we can make our mark on the world simply by the way that we invest in the people around us. I was really encouraged by our conversation yesterday! I can't wait for our party on Monday! Come ready for a full-blown summer bash!

Feel free to continue to post any revelations and thoughts here.

The Power of the Mind

Through the past series of sermons and our summer discussions in group, the idea of renewing my mind in Christ Jesus and the implications it has on my ability to be a woman of faith has taken on a greater understanding for me. Not that it was a foreign concept previously, but it's a concept that I am choosing to no longer ignore. The devotional my running group is going through is titled "The Battlefield of the Mind". This is exactly where my battle begins. Everything I do and have accomplished in my life has been a mental decision or frame of mind that I have placed myself in in order to succeed. It should be the same with my faith. In past years my Christian faith was stagnant. I wasn't thinking about what I was doing nor was I practicing spiritual disciplines.

In this week's sermon, Dick Foth referenced that we are in a race! It just hit home with me. Back in my "glory days" (yes I'm so old!) of swimming I was as mentally tough as they came. I was known as a "racer" on my team. Put me in the pressure spot and I would perform. Even though I loved to race I hated practicing! It was so boring to me but without the hours put in and the physical and mental preparation, I would have never been successful. With my faith I feel like it's the same thing. Without the mental preparation of spending time with God, reading His word, praying and knowing His heart, learning from other Christians, I'm not ready for this race!

I want my faith to be in shape and ready to perform when an opportunity arises. I want my mind to be constantly renewed so that I'm moving forward. After all, I've never heard of winning a race by standing still.

Seize the opportunities

This week, our focus is on sharing our faith. Read over Matthew 28: 16-20-- the Great Commission and journal/blog about how we can be a part of that calling to reach the ends of the earth with God's message of hope and love. How do we become missionaries in our daily lives? How do we share our faith with those around us? How do we seize the opportunities that come our way daily, to win others to Christ?

This Saturday begins the missions series at NCC, so I am excited to hear your thoughts/ideas on Monday! Monday will be our last discussion session-- we will spend the following week in fellowship, prayer and worship as we close out the summer semester!

Blog on!

We believe

A powerful night of proclamations and prayer. Here are some of our truths:

We believe:
- God reveals himself to us in new ways all the time;
- God is strategically placing us in the right place at the right time;
- God is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us;
- God asks us to step out in faith and will pursue us until we do;
- God is in the business of healing-- pray in expectation and He will answer;
- God's Word is a living document;
- God will make a way;
- God is faithful;
- In Christ alone, will peace find us;
- God has the right to demand every part of our lives;
- True freedom is the freedom to do what God wants us to do!

I challenge us all to claim and proclaim these truths and promises over our lives and our circumstances. Where we are desiring for God to show Himself true in our lives but our faith is lacking, pray that He might also help our unbelief!

Carmel's Birthday

Queen of the Night


Happy Birthday "Caramel"!!

Bringing Him Glory

How awesome was yesterday!? To be a witness of the baptisms yesterday and see the joy and excitement that everyone expressed was simply amazing. It was such a blessing for me even to just be a supporter and encourager. I was looking heavenward during the event yesterday and just thinking how much joy this must bring Him. I imagined Him smiling down saying "These are my Christian soldiers who are renewing their minds and spirits to carry out my works." We are in the business of glorifying God and I can only imagine what joy that brought Him. Congratulations Carmel and Kristen in taking this step. I love you both and I was so glad to share in your joy!!
I believe that there is no greater joy than bringing glory to one who created and breathed life into us!

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

Romans 6:4-5
"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection."

Today I am getting baptized. I can't express how excited I am. I have butterflies in my stomach. It's those good butterflies that signal the expectation of something good to come. I'm just in awe of where God has brought me in life so far. His guiding hand is so apparent in the path that has brought me to this moment. I just wanted to share my joy with all of you. And the best part is that it's all for Him. I feel it's this awesome opportunity to not only identify myself with something Jesus did but to show Him how much I love Him and that the desire of my heart is to no longer be a closet Christian.

Romans 6:6
"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." (Whoo hoo!)

I believe that God asks us to step out in faith for His glory...sometimes we may free fall for a bit, but like a sky diver knows the ground will be there, so too we can rest assured that our God will be there. It just takes that first step...

Summer reflections

Summer reflections

Learning to Believe

"The Lord will guide you always...and will strengthen your frame." - Isaiah 58:11

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagels; they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31

I am learning to believe these verses and claim them as God's promises for my life.

This weekend!!

Here we go! Another busy weekend!

Check out our activities this weekend:

1. Friday Concert-
The Violet Burning will be in concert with special guest Steph Modder.
Suggested donation $10

2. Saturday Dinner at Mimi's
Join us in celebrating Carmel's birthday.
When: Saturday July 15 @ 7:00 p.m.
Where: Mimi's American Bistro
Between 21st & 22nd on P Street left hand side
P is street on dupont circle where the CVS is. Follow down two blocks
It's guaranteed to be a great time! RSVP to Kristen

3. Baptism by the bay on Sunday
Come and celebrate as Kristen and Carmel will be baptized this weekend.
NCC annual picnic and baptism at Sandy Point State Park located off of MD Route 50 (exit 32).
Admission is $6. Games and sports at 3pm, picnic at 5pm, and the baptism around 6pm.
Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Home-made goodies preferred!

Who knows NCC has these amazing talents..

NCC Men in tights











Who knows Elvis and Blue Man know each other? =)

I believe God has a plan for me, and His plan is perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11

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

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts
Neither are your ways my ways” declares the Lord
As the heavens are higher than the earth
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And my thoughts than your thoughts


Several months ago, God asked me to surrender and lay down my dream. He asked me to trust and obey Him. Now, the cool part, through a series of situations, God resurrects part of my dream in an amazing way. Beyond my imagination. He showed me that His ways are higher than my ways, His plans and His timing are perfect!!

Seeking obedience...

Last night's small group was amazing. I am really struggling with trying to figure out what being a living sacrifice is all about. Not conforming to the pattern of the world while still trying to be in the world is so overwhelming at times. I am so convicted when I read and meditate on Romans 12 because I see it as our personal responsibility as Christians to renew our minds in order to think more like Him and thus figure out His will for our lives.
This seems sooo big and daunting to take on in a way. But, one thing that I am certain of and that I BELIEVE is that if we seek His will for lives with an honest and open heart than He will not be disappointed in us. If, in the end we are simply seeking to be obedient to Him, He will love us no matter what. I really need to remind myself of that, especially as I am feeling a bit paralyzed in a decision that I have to make. God is good and His love is "bigger than any decision that we think we might screw up!" (quoted from a wise friend)

I stand by what I believe

This week, our assignment is to come up with some "I believe..." statements. As we think about how to share our faith, how to communicate what we hold dear to us-- what is it really that we believe? What is truth? What holds value? What is the constant in our lives?

Our challenge this week is to find bible verses that speak about belief, faith, power of words or that reflect the particular beliefs that we hold.

I believe our discussion on Monday is going to be powerful! Feel free to follow Kristen's lead and let us all know what you believe.