http://www.riverbend.com/familyventureblogFamily Venture Blog Updatesen-us Favorite Moms This Sunday, we're hosting a brunch to celebrate both our moms & our community of new & old friends.  The menu looks awesome! (Thanks, guys for stepping up)  Our program should be fun.  Now all we need is...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=118871Wed, 09 May 2012 19:08:00 Z Everyday Heroes From the earliest of ages, we're drawn to heroes;  People - real or animated - that stand for what is right and don't cave to challenges.  It's also how we want to live, especially when we find ourselves with kids as our...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=118779Thu, 03 May 2012 18:08:00 Z Heroes in training I remember when our now-12 year old son was about to start Kindergarten. The teacher hosted a gathering of quiet, slightly anxious parents the week before school started.  We sat in a circle of too small chairs with...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=118461Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:51:00 Z Everyday HEROES Grace + Effort = Transformation Ever long to overcome, to heal, to grow?  Seems to be the cry of all our hearts.  While growth isn't automatic, it is  part the Creator's design. So, in what ways are we changing...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=118343Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:47:00 Z Loved, Loved, Loved our time on Sunday.  Great discussion.  Great enthusiasm for things to come!  In case you missed it, we introduced a Lent initiative, which starts this Wednesday, Feb.22.  Below are the highlights but I'm...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=117159Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:36:00 Z ...being the Church Hi friends,  What a month!!  If anyone wonders where's the love, it's among us!  February has been a full-court press on all-things-Love. The sold-out Daddy Daughter Dinner & Dance was a flat-out love-fest...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=117148Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:27:00 Z What do you do when it’s time to start over? Whether it be a new year or a new chapter of life, none of ever wanna feel stuck. In fact, don't you think we all have an expectation for growth? And, a second chance or a fresh start seems to represent a...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=116538Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:44:00 Z Something’s waiting for you... Advent is all about anticipation.  It not only reminds us that Christ came but that he's coming again.  He's return is imminent, which is something to celebrate as we wait for his return AND wade into the...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=116024Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:23:00 Z I found this blog entry reposted on a friend's blog.  It was so good and timely for our Advent(ure) that I thought it worthy of another repost.  The author, Pete Greig experienced a reawakening of hope late one night in a 24-7 Prayer Room...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115897Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:49:00 Z Tis' the season Ah, right on cue...the sights, smells, temperature change all start feeling more like Christmas.  Welcome to the first day of December, not to mention what is traditionally the most hurried, emotional, travel-filled, and...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115802Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:27:00 Z An Un-Expected Gift. How come I don’t approach Christmas with the idea that I have something to learn?  Instead, I realize that my approach is reflective, nostalgic, avoidant, and sentimental.  My expectation is to remember and...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115726Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:29:00 Z Chances are, if you were in class last Sunday, the conversation is lingering.  You were moved. Inspired. Compelled.  We introduced the Holiday season by re-introducing an old friend of Family Venture.  Cora Shinaberry, who's leads a...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115657Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:18:00 Z Recovering. There’s a dance we’ve all done, mostly around our Junior High years, especially at roller rinks.  It’s a “mixer”, which is another way of saying everybody can do it.  To get it going, everyone forms a big circle, typically...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115638Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:22:00 Z Enjoying the view. Okay, I just gotta say it...if you missed out on family camp last weekend, well, you totally missed out ;-).  Honestly, I thought several times about so many of our other great families that all help make Family Venture...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115571Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:45:00 Z Thoughts from around the table Here's a summary & some of my own thoughts from, yet another, amazing FamilyVenture Brunch!  There's something about combining food w/laughter.  We had lots.  Great job, people! Thou shall... ...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115432Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:57:00 Z Fall-ing into Friendship    Umm...Let me just say, "Well done, Family Venture.  Well done."  I love the friendships, the new faces, and the way our faiths are being expressed.  Oktoberfest  was ideal - relaxed...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115430Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:16:00 Z "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115295Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:48:00 Z When we think of ourselves, it's common for most people - particularly people of faith - to think of themselves as "a work in progress", certainly not perfect.  No one is  (Though, One was).  Most of us live with a belief that we can...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115145Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:24:00 Z For years, the motto at Apple was Think Different.  Every media outlet is flooded this week with news of passing of Steve Jobs.  Suddenly, every speech, unveiling, interview, and ad is being mined for his genius.  His contributions to...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=115089Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:09:00 Z Good news seems relative, doesn't it?  What's good for one may not feel as good to another. One might think rain is good, unless you're hosting an outdoor event.  Owning a home is good, at least until you pay your property tax. ...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114992Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:43:00 Z Making room Anyone else notice the buzz around Riverbend these days?  Adding to the buzz is a lot of new faces.  These are good days.  Last Sunday, I got to once again champion the cause of Community Groups at Riverbend. ...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114848Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:11:00 Z Wow, what a morning!?  Certainly our new space accommodated our swelling crowd of friends.  Our conversation took on incredible openness and care as we talked through our roles as spiritual leaders.  As we massage these roles in our...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114722Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:51:00 Z we're moving this week! Join Family Venture this Sunday as we move to our new room - The Plaza View Room, which sits in the corner of the Fellowship Hall conveniently above the children's area.  At the end of the Hall, Riverbend's new Cafe...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114695Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:50:00 Z Faith (and parenting) in the dark Just for kicks, we had a little drawing assignment...blindfolded!  (Nothing like being blindfolded then posing for pictures ;) As if our stick figures and rough sketches could be worse!  But, what we...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114348Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:46:00 Z stayin' cool Summer's great! This one's been no exception--a relaxed schedule, fun trips, being w/friends, grillin', time in the pool...all good. Wouldn't trade it. Yet, summer doesn't feel that productive, at least from a Punch List stand...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114311Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:51:00 Z feelin' the heat There's this dramatic scene in Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestles with a divine being all night long, refusing to let go.  In his words, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." (Gen.32:26).  It wasn't until he made...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114256Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:44:00 Z Green Pastures We all go through "Desert" seasons.  We know they'll end, but when?  We know there's relief, but where?  The desert can feel lonely, like we've not been heard or are forgotten.  Yet, I think there's life - and...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114246Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:43:00 Z we can do it again! In scripture, the image of wine represents God's blessing. Whenever vineyards bear fruit or wine is poured, it seems a subtle reference to his presence and prosperity.  As I think of our growing friendships, I can't...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114247Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:45:00 Z Immersing ourselves in summer Over the last three weeks, we've been diving into conversation around the Holy Spirit.  We've based our discussion on Francis Chan's book Forgotten God.  Maybe by now, the person of Holy Spirit is a little...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114248Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:33:00 Z That just happened. Hey friends, I have a confession to make.  Ready?  Here goes...I'm feelin' kinda needy.  Shocker, right?!  To some of you, you're happy I just took that step in my own self-awareness while...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114249Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:22:00 Z      Kind of a random analogy but, in reading about the Holy Spirit this week, it reminded me of the Christmas-time movie, A Christmas Story.   After weeks of anxious waiting, and missing out on the daily "secret...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114250Wed, 25 May 2011 15:37:00 ZFaith..it's supposed to feel different, right?  It's supposed to change us, right?  So, what does it mean - as people of faith - to believe in the resurrection of Christ?  Resurrected...from what?  To what?  As recounted on...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114251Thu, 05 May 2011 15:21:00 Z What's common to all of us - as parents, spouses, and professionals - is the level of sacrifice we readily give.  We all go through seasons of life where meals get skipped, golf game gets shelved, exercise is put off, relationships put on hold,...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114252Sat, 19 Jun 2010 17:23:00 ZIf you’ve ever had a desire to grow but didn’t know where to turn, you’re not alone.  I think lots of things inhibit growth – environment, interest, inhibitors, invitation, learning styles to simple distractions (I guess we’re all prone to...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114253Wed, 05 May 2010 17:41:00 ZA couple of weeks ago, the training wheels literally came off. We decided it was finally time to help Annika learn to ride a bike (especially since we got her one for Christmas. Shhh!). Until recently, she hasn't showed a lot of desire in...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114254Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:00:00 ZWhen it comes to the challenges we all face in life, I think we sometimes confuse being in a tunnel with being stuck in a cave. It may be dark but you’re not through it yet, either. The difference between the two is that eventually there is...http://www.riverbend.com/default.aspx?p=58401&beid=114255Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:38:00 Z