Bruised Reeds and Smouldering Wicks

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Finding My Way Back to God video

I just watched this video from a Stadia Church. Wow, I’ve got wet eyes and a renewed sense of why I work for Stadia. http://www.vimeo.com/8696933

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Untitled

This is a really great succinct presentation of the gospel.

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Spiritual obesity

What if all the overfed Christians got out into mission? The NFL is 22 men in need of rest being watched by 50000 people desparately in need of exercise.

The church in America today?

Sent from my Android phone using TouchDown (www.nitrodesk.com)

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

"You cannot give a second chance to someone who doesn't own his failures." ~Jud Wilhite

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Exponential is great

Listening to Mark Batterson lay out the Word.

Sent from my Android phone using TouchDown (www.nitrodesk.com)

Balaam

Its not about where you're going, it your attitude on the way.

Sent from my Android phone using TouchDown (www.nitrodesk.com)

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sign at a pizza parlor

If a man speaks and there is no woman there to tell is wrong is. . . he?

Sent from my Android phone using TouchDown (www.nitrodesk.com)

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Follow the new STadia Webpage, Facebook and Twitter pages

Hey Friends,

We have just updated all our social media accounts for Stadia. I’d love to have you join me on Facebook and Twitter. Just look up Stadia and become a Fan or follower. Thanks.

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Promised Recipes

To all you Bootcamp planters,

Here’s the recipes from last night.

Yummy Hash Brown Casserole

1 1/2 c. sour cream

2 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 can cream of chicken or mushroom soup

2 T. dried onions

1 (15 oz.) shredded hash browns

4 T. butter melted

Cornflakes to cover- (about 2 cups) crushed

In a large bowl mix the sour cream, cheese, soup and onions together. Use your muscles and mix the hash browns and the creamy mixture together until well blended. Press mixture into a casserole dish or 9 x 13 inch pan. Mix the melted butter and the cornflakes and spread over the top of the potatoes and bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees until heated through and bubbly (45 minutes).

Easy Chicken Marinade

Mix together equal parts of olive oil, soy sauce, and lemon juice. For 10 chicken breasts, we used 1/2 cup of each making 1 1/2 cups of marinade. Pour over partially thawed chicken 1 hour before cooking. (Using a gallon size Ziploc bag is the easiest way to marinade and clean up is a breeze.) Caution: If you marinate longer than an hour, the lemon juice will begin to cook the chicken.

Preheat grill on high. Put chicken on and close the lid. Turn down to med. low and leave for 8-10 minutes depending on the size of chicken. Flip and close lid again for 8- 10 minutes or until cooked through.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Listening to Dennis Murphy

Barry Smith just hit it out of the park as he talked about how God has carried him on his journey. Now Dennis Murphy is laying it down about prayer. Tammy and Donna, you should be proud of your men. They are great men of God.

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Listening to Barry Smith

Just listening to Barry Smith tell his awesome story of how God has worked in his life and church plant. What a dude!

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Meeting with World changers

I’m in a bootcamp this morning with 10 couples who are planting churches around the US. What a great thing! I’m old enough to be the father of all of them. There is hope for the next generation.

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Check out Verve

Verve, our new plant in Las Vegas, opened on Sunday and Monday. With the irrepressible Vince Antonucci at the helm you know it’s going to be great. Check out his blog at http://www.vinceantonucci.com/.

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Update from Chile

My son-in-law, Jonathan, along with a group of believers from the churches in Santiago went south to help those devastated by the earthquake. Here is his eyewitness report of their encounters.

Marcos smiled, he smiled and applauded. He applauded as he moved closer to me. He was in the arms of his mother and father as he talked with me. Marcos was like an infant, a twenty-something year old infant. He suffers from cerebral palsy. His house was very near the sea and the means, that which came in as a great tide, took them to a tiny hill far away from the sea. Their home is now four sticks with a blanket as a roof. There are no walls, everything in their lives can now be seen by anyone.

They had not received help for an entire week. The group I went with gave them water, but they were the last people to receive it. It was what was left of a 20 liter container that we had already given out to their new neighbors, people who, like them, were forced by fear to the height of a hill.

The only things we had left had already been given out, and I was left with nothing but a tiny water bottle I had filled in the morning to drink throughout the day. I had forgotten that I had it. I remembered it when the others in my group told me this family received only leftovers. When I gave the bottle to them, this adult child smiled. He smiled and applauded. The water was put in a cup and the child drank it. I spoke with the family and Marcos smiled while I talked to him.

The day before, another group of people, in another place, applauded when they found out we had arrived from Santiago. When they received their food, they laughed with relief, for it was another day they would be able to nourish themselves in those places which, because being dangerous areas, no help was arriving without the accompaniment of the armed forces.

We arrived to their area without any accompaniment to other places where no help had yet arrived, places where, one of the welcomes was given by a man who was sharpening his machete on the pavement. I explained to him that we had brought help to one of the local churches so that they could distribute it. I said goodbye to the man with the machete with a hug and smiles.

People applauding and smiling when we gave water and food. Isn't this what people do when they receive good news--applaud and smile?

These are the images I have in my mind. I don't want them to get erased. I hope they never disappear. I hope not to remember them as a type of monument to goodness, but I hope to recreate these actions again and again in my life. I hope that we can all do this. I hope that together we have the privilege of being received with smiles and applause when the good news--love--arrives in the form of water and food. This is the least we can do.

With love,

Jonathan

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Chile update

Dear Friends and Family.

This is day 5, since the big quake.

I share with you a few details and my heart.

The days we are living seem unreal. My heart breaks thinking of those who still have not contacted loved ones, are still missing, who have lost everything, who are waiting for food, basic supplies like toilet paper, diapers, something to drink. The roads are horrible, and the city of Concepcion is living under curfew for all but six hours a day, under military control. We are struggling to know what to do and how to help.

There is a team of men who are preparing to travel south, with supply packs to help families in need, and look for missing persons. They are not sure yet if they can travel into Concepcion or not, because of closures and law enforcement. The desperation has led to looting, rioting, robbery, and it is heartbreaking. People are having to defend what is left of their homes, fighting with whatever makeshift weapons they can use for defense.

And I was able to do our laundry today. I ate lunch today. I went to the wholesale store across the street from where I'm now living, to help buy rice, pasta, toilet paper, matches, etc. I cleaned a bathroom here at the house. I call on the name of Jesus to bring peace and provide relief for those who are suffering.

Some good news. Our neighbors, whose first floor apartment appeared in the previous pictures I sent, were able to get almost everything out of their apartment. Fernanda and Felipe were married in Nov, just starting out. Jonathan and I had talked this morning, and I had told him I was thinking of suggesting this couple to those of you who had asked me how you could help us personally. I had explained we didn't really need anything at this point, but didn't want to not provide another option. This morning, I prayed about suggesting Fernanda and Felipe to some of you who asked. And God reminds me that he is so BIG. Before we can even ask, he surprises us sometimes. I am grateful for a glimmer of goodness as today, I have been very sad about what is happening in the south. When I stop and think about it,

sadness creeps in.

Please pray for the potential team that is preparing to travel down.

We should know more by later this evening, but they will need special permission from the authorities to be out on the streets out of curfew. And we are not sure it is possible for them to even arrive there.

One friend of ours, a dentist who lives in Concepcion and served for almost a year in the Women's Center in the Middle East, finally made contact with us by text message. We are grateful. she is Ok, but says that in Concepcion, everything has been horrible. She asks for prayer for those who are suffering and the conditions there.

There are many families that are still missing or unheard from.

I will write more as soon as the decision is made about the team's travel. And anything new that presents itself.

Thanks for being with us. We need you.

Anna (with Jonathan) and our team here.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Update from Anna

Dear Friends and Family.

I regret it has taken this long to write. Today I was able to get my computer out of our office.

Thank you for being in prayer for our country, and the affected areas.

I'll skip the details of the quake, as you´ve already seen them on CNN.

Some people have seen Jonathan on CNN, as there were reporters at our building on Saturday morning, as it was one of the worst hit buildings in maipu. A few friends recognized him.

If you would like to read my previous updates, you can see them on my dad's blog at marcusbigelow.posterous.com and it will keep me from writing all over again.

If you haven't heard other news, please read the blog before continuing for our personal family information.

We are "finished" with our apartment, gratefully having been able to retrieve all of our things, furnishings, etc. We are amazed. Thanks for praying for us.

Please keep praying for our country. Further south, there is so much damage, and many lives have been lost. You have seen it on the news. They do obviously try to show the worst parts, and there are many without homes and without anything.

Our mission is working to communicate how we can help, through our churches in the south, and the affected families in those regions. One of our pastors here in the Santiago region is now without a house. Many people are still missing in the south, and many thousands still without roof, or water and electricity. The government is reacting, and there will be a lot of repairs. People are still waiting to hear of family members.

In a few hours, we, as a mission, will have something up on our website, where you can see how to donate funds to relief efforts. You can see that at www.iamweb.org, please keep checking back.

Many of you have written and we appreciate your prayers and thoughts and questions. I will try to update you as the days go by.

Jonathan and I are now looking for a new place to rent, and we are amazed at how little we will need to replace. We got everything out fo the apartment, except some dishes and small items that broke. We simply need to decide in what part of town would be best, what are our options, etc. Please don't worry about our financial needs, just continue to be faithful to the monthly commitments you have already made. God will continue to provide as he always has. I will be sure to let you know if we need anything else. Please, instead, if you would like to make a one-time gift, consider the Relief Effort Fund.

We thank God for the loving family that has taken us in and the roof over our head, and the showers we took this morning.

With love and gratefulness to all of you for your faithful support.

Anna (and Jonathan)

IMG_1171.JPG Our neighbors' first floor unit. They were unable to go back in, as we were able to.

IMG_1177.JPG The tower most affected in our building.

IMG_1181.JPG How we found our office this morning. They say the building will be back to normal function on Wednesday. (I am not so sure yet about that.)

IMG_1184.JPG

Sunday, February 28, 2010

all we have left is words

Give your children to God. Yesterday when the phone rang and we learned about Chile, my wife said, “They are in God’s hands.” Every since they were born we have been learning that lesson. But today again, we have learned it anew. You can’t control how the circumstances of life will affect your children, all you can do is trust them into the hands of God. It doesn’t come easy, in fact, as time goes on it becomes harder and harder, so my advice to parents is give your children to God early and often. So that, when their apartment is destroyed by an 8.8 earthquake, you can say, “They are in the hands of God”.

You should know that my wife says it better and more calmly than I do and is my source of strength and reminder that if God loved Anna enough to send His son to die for her, He is not going to play fast and loose with her life.

Below is Anna’s communication for the day.

Subject: all we have left is words

Hello family.
Jeff snapped this picture of us as we finished taking stuff out yesterday evening. These were the last items we took in our hands, and he thought the scrabble was hilarious.
Today we went back with guys and trucks and we got to take everything out. all the appliances, the furniture. We are grateful. A family is storing it for us now. Tomorrow we will begin to ask around for housing and see what our options are.

We are still very tired. We didn´t sleep so well last night. There was a morning wakeup aftershock around 8:45, which made me nervous, but it was a bit sad seeing our other neighbors for the last time. Many had trucks too. Some nearby house neighbors helped out by loading the trucks, while we brought the items out. As I saw the building again, I am reminded how impossible it would have been to get out any later (on the other tower). I haven`t watched much news today yet, but have heard the death toll is rising. substantially. The southern cities are so damaged and destroyed. We pray for those who are riskign their lives and working endlessly to repair and restore life to these communities.

I´`ll call you later.
Anna

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeff Phillips <iamjeffphillips@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Feb 28, 2010 at 2:10 PM
Subject: DSCN0347
To: Anna Bigelow <anna.bigelow@gmail.com>

DSCN0347

Saturday, February 27, 2010

About Anna

All,

About Jeff and Kathy and family... they are without electricity and are running a generator, but they are ok, too. They can´t use their phones. He went by our building around noon , our concierge told us that he had been there.

Jonathan is coming back from there now, we will eat a late lunch here, and then with a group of guys and trucks, we will try to get as much out as possible. it seems our tower is a bit more possible to enter but only to get a few things out. We will go before dark. we still haven´t slept yet, have been trying to reach other families in the south, that are related to some our of workers on the field. We still haven´t showered, but we will wait. We are glad there is water at this house--very grateful. I´ve never been so grateful to be able to wash my hands.

We grabbed the important paperwork. We hope that the builder will be able to take responsibility.

Further south, there is much destruction, damage, the death toll is rising. Around here, some buses running now, that’s how Jonathan went to the apartment. There is a cloud of gray above the city, and it is not cloudy today. there don’t seem to be too many fires, so perhaps some of it is dirt and dust from buildings.

Keep praying with us, there are many who have lost much more than us, and there are SO many without hope. Jonathan and I are in good spirits, very thankful for how God provides.

We are a bit sad we won’t be going on the outing with the congregation tomorrow, to an all day picnic, where at least two from our groups were going to be baptized. I think it will still happen, maybe just not tomorrow.

We love you all. I will try to send an email soon, but my computer is stuck in the office, and I heard that building is closed, it appears to have sunk. Just the day I chose to leave it there. So, I don´t have my mailing lists here.

Thanks,

Anna

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Update from Jeff Phillips

Dear Extended Family,

Thank you for all of your concern.

Just got a generator going so we can communicate.

Phillips family all OK.

Back dividing property walls on our home and several of the church properties collapsed..

Lots of things broke.

The apartment we were purchasing as our wonderful retirement plan partially collapsed (Oh Well). Anna Bigelow and her husband were renting it. All people got out.

Thank you for your prayers.

Jeff

Thank goodness for Skype

We just finished talking with Anna and Jonathan. They are safe, as far as they can tell the mission’s families are safe. They still have not made contact with Jeff and Kathy Phillips, but they suspect that they are okay as well.

They were giving thanks for their hand crank flashlight because power was out. As far as they know they didn’t lose anything in the earthquake, but, they don’t know if they will be able to go back in and get their stuff out. They grabbed clothes, important papers and a bag of muffins when they ran outside.

It is summer, so it was not cold. Everyone in their buildings escaped without injury.

Anna

Anna and Jonathan’s apartment building was hugely damaged in the quake but they are staying with another family from the mission. Preliminarily it looks like they will have to find another place to live. Jonathan’s family is also okay.

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Anna is okay

Just received a Skype from Anna that she and Jonathan are okay in Chile.

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 26, 2010

Website

In case you want to look at some more Albert Einstein quotes, the site is http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.quotesayings.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/albert-einstein.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.quotesayings.net/&usg=__Rj-dgREZqUAS_LY_lOA5OMEGTu0=&h=779&w=562&sz=55&hl=en&start=2&sig2=KfgEHLVC47B7sBKwtIgibQ&itbs=1&tbnid=pm1KcPR_LIc15M:&tbnh=142&tbnw=102&prev=/images%3Fq%3Deinstein%2Balbert%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=Du2HS5r7H4jWtAO8wpSGAw

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Albert Einstein

I’ve been reading a bunch of Albert Einstein quotes this morning. My favorite so far is “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” I love this because it rings so true. It hurts to make mistakes but it also is an inevitable consequence of moving forward.

Don’t know where this came from but, “Hail to the snail. He only makes progress when he sticks his head out.”

Marcus Bigelow

President

Stadia: New Church Strategies

Office: 916-626-3090

Cell: 707-718-3730

Blog: http://bruisedreedsandsmoulderingwicks.blogspot.com/

Monday, February 22, 2010

Denver is beautiful

I’m looking out a window at beautiful snow glistening in the bright sunshine. Looking forward to being home tomorrow night.