DWELL Missional Church of Burlington, Vermont - A Vermont Church Seeking to be missional in all areas of life.

Posted by: Zach Hoag | September 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment(0)

Jim and Bobbi Hoag will be leading a new dwell/ing every Wednesday night, starting tonight! Here's the downlow from Jim:

Dwell/ing in the Finished Work: Wednesday nights, 7pm, Kids Alive Building on the corner of Elmwood Ave. and North St.

The focus overall is the preeminence of Jesus Christ and the depth of His finished work on the cross. God's great desire is to see His people built upon a sure foundation, bearing fruit, and walking in full assurance of His unconditional love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Jesus said, "All Scripture testifies of Me" and so Wednesday night will be given to the Word of God, strengthening our living relationship with Him, dwelling in the finished work.

We aim to be intensely missional, an important outreach of Dwell, and a major offensive against "Jesus Deficit Disorder" as we "look away from all that distracts unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith."

Check it out!

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Posted by: Zach Hoag | September 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment(0)

If you listened to the podcast we just posted from last Sunday, you'll have a perfect lead-in to the video below.

This is the baptism itself which immediately followed the gathering at the church:

Dwell Baptism 2009 from Kevin Gannon-Parada on Vimeo.

And this is the perfect place to announce that we have a new page in the Transmission section for original Dwell videos such as this. Look for more in the near future.

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Posted by: Zach Hoag | August 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment(2)

So I know I was supposed to wait until next week to post this, but I couldn't. Baptism is coming up this Sunday, and I want everyone to be able to read this chapter before Trevor takes the plunge. For those who don't know, this is the sixth chapter in Trevor's continuing Redemption Story called Diaries of a Newborn Christian. Let this soak into your mind and soothe your heart with the encouragement that God is real, he is here, and his Spirit is doing that wonderful gospel work in our midst.

Diaries of a Newborn Christian
Chapter 6: The Day

Well, here it is, the day God put his hand on me and helped me understand what's going on. At this point I was dabbling with praying and trying to understand what all this religious stuff was, going through the Christian motions. I was going to church and trying to be nicer to people. I was holding doors for people, letting cars go in front of me, and all the simple day to day things I should be doing as a kind human being. But, I was still not down with the whole God/Jesus thing. I enjoyed the community of the church and really loving all my new found friends. Josh and Alicia are super killer, Grant and Rachel are very sweet and the list goes on. The kids love church and Sunny doesn't seem to mind going, that's a bonus for me.

So on this day, Sunny and the kids were at a birthday party in Castleton at one of her cousins. I had to work that day with JIF, a local landscaping outfit and some dear friends of mine, thanks to their daughter, who is one of my best friends. I decided to go to church on my own and see everybody and keep plugging away at this whole faith/believer thing. I got there and went through the normal routine of saying hi to everyone and found a spot next to Kalen. My girl K, good ole special K. I love that girl, she really is the sister I've always wanted. I don't think anyone can make me laugh like she does. She is very honest and very funny. Her humor is subtle and she's an easy target, but she takes it so well. I feel good being around her, safe.

So big man Z got up and started the sermon, He opened the show with the usual updates and general talks. He explained we would be talking about core values and some other important stuff. I'm still really trying to listen and retain all this information he's putting forth. You know, all the hours he puts into his sermon and I dismantle it in a matter of seconds by just not listening.. How bad is that? Ugh! Like when you're watching a TV commercial for the 100th time and your wife says, "Did you hear me?" "Huh? Oh yeah babe." You reply, "Got it." When really all you heard her say was, "ear me?"

So Zach went on speaking about core values 159-3-5 or whatever, I'm not trying to disrespect the mans work, but, it's just hard for a non-believer to listen especially with ADHD! Oh look, gum. I try to, it will always be a struggle, I'm best when I can hear or see it 1000 times before I go, "Ohhh, ok, I get it now." When Z stopped, my main man Josh got up with George and Grant to worship the Lord. Ah, music, I love it, "I will sing the heck outta most of these songs today," I thought to myself. No Sunny to look at me and giggle at me while I'm trying to capture something. It's hard to sit through church with someone that is just there to be there for you and the kids. There is a nagging feeling that if I let go and just get into it, I will get picked on until the end of days by her, but, that's not fair to her, it's my own hang up.

So with no Sunny, I said to myself, "This will be fun." The boys in the band warmed up with a good song that most knew and sang along with. I faked it pretty good. Then after a little prayer between songs like my boy Josh does, we sang "Choice." This song will forever be in my mind and my heart, as this was the song that changed me forever.

But, let me step back a week, I was praying to God in my room one night and I asked him to help me understand, help me get it, I asked him to speak to me in a way I would understand. A way that would make me believe without a doubt. Like a WHOA factor. I need things like that to affirm my already suspicious mind.

So we were rocking out the song and Josh was really singing it and George was banging on those bongos with precision. I was singing and just enjoying myself thoroughly. Then Josh did this break down where it was just Him and George on the bongos. I started getting a little burning in my head, no big deal, I'm about to yawn. Then like a blast I was overwhelmed with what seemed like a controlled uncontrolled adrenaline rush. I couldn't hold it in, the tears came, the burning grew stronger, the singing got louder in chorus and Josh's voice was piercing me with every word. I was alone in a room full of people. I was looking around to see if anybody was looking at me as I was looking for someone to snap me out of this! My head was reeling, my heart was pounding, my hand was trying to reach for Kalen but I was afraid she would have freaked out thinking I was joking and tell me to get lost or something. I'm shallow breathing at this point, hearts banging through my chest. Josh's voice is unrelenting, the bongos are pulling my heart out, holding back the tears and the intense burning in my heart. I looked around for another familiar face that would know I wasn't screwing around. The song is getting louder in my head. I looked at Zach, his head was down and eyes closed, Nick was in the front row not looking at me. I glanced over and saw a beacon, Bobbi, she would hug me, I had an overwhelming sense to find someone to hold onto.

I started in a way what seemed like slow motion, my legs all stiff and frozen, I had to kick myself to go, my feet didn't want to move. The burning was still there, at any moment I felt like I could have just collapsed into a ball and cried myself into oblivion. The voices of everyone carried my heart to my throat. As I finally got out of the pews and rounded the corner to the back of church, I headed towards Bobbi then I saw a very familiar face. Jim, Jim Hoag. I b-lined right to him and grabbed him. He looked at me and called me a knuckle head and then he really looked at me and he new something was up. So he grabbed back onto me and held me. As I sat in his arms I tried not to ball like a baby, I had all I could do to fight it back. As the song kept pulling me and pulling me towards it, the feeling was so insane and wouldn't go away and only burned in my chest. I wasn't scared, I was just overcome with something awesome and my body couldn't handle it. As the song ended, I can't explain it in perfect words, but I was subdued, I was humbled, awed, loved, full, and just simply amazed. The band went right into another song, I looked at Jim and he said, "Wow, what's going on with you?" I mumbled something unintelligible I'm sure. I looked at him, wiped my tears and went back to my spot next to Kalen. Jim, being the awesome father and friend that he is followed me back. Asking me questions that I really don't remember right now. I'm sure it was about what I was experiencing, and how I was feeling. I do remember him saying that was the hand of God, how do you like him now? I smiled at this and was just knocked off my feet.

Few things in my life have taken my breath away, or even stopped me in my tracks, but on this day, I was in fact, glad to have been delivered that blow. During the rest of the service, I kept my head low and was just lost in a trance, kind of a daze. I was there, but not really. It sounds all so romantic to me, maybe that's a lame analogy, but I can't think of anything else that makes sense to me to explain it to you. Like love at first sight, it's a hard thing to come by, but if you're lucky enough to have that, then you know how it feels. When your core gets rocked so hard you can't help but pay attention to what just happened. When the service got done, I was taken aback and I explained my story to everyone that was listening. Jim gave me some Scripture that identified with what happened to me.

1 Samuel 10: 5-6
After that you will come to Gibeath-elohim, also known as "God's Hill," where the garrison of the Philistines is. As you arrive there you will meet a band of prophets coming down the hill playing a psaltery, a timbrel, a flute, and a harp, and prophesying as they come. At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come mightily upon you, and you will prophesy with them and you will feel and act like a different person.

That's pretty amazing I thought, something I've never read before or even thought was a possibility in the Bible. What's up?!

So, This is my day, this is the day God made me a believer. The day he spoke to me through life and music. Today was the first day my eyes opened, my walls were shattered in an instant. My heart was so full of love, grace, happiness, and I feel amazing. I feel blessed to have had that experience, and I was so happy that it happened within the walls of Dwell. I will forever be grateful to the Hoags for loving me for all my faults and short comings and never really giving up on me. Just like Jesus never gave up on me. Just like Jesus never gives up on us all. Feel the love, and spread the word with love and relationships. Start a community or join ours and get the love Jesus wants us to have.

A special thanks to my dear loving bros Zach and Nick for being my friends first, and letting me become apart of the spiritual family I have been searching for. Jim and Bobbi will forever be my mom and dad, I love you all, you unrelenting lovers of Jesus Christ. Xoxo

Dwell Missional Church will forever always be my church. Thank you for the life lessons.

Amen,

Trevor

Ps This doesn't end here, I will keep writing and if you want to keep reading let me know and I will make it happen.

 

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Posted by: Zach Hoag | August 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment(1)

This is the fifth chapter in Trevor's continuing Redemption Story called Diaries of a Newborn Christian. Enjoy.

Diaries of a Newborn Christian
Chapter 5: He Tears the Walls Down

So, it's getting to be summer time now, minus all the rain we've had. The Maple Festival has passed by, the green is getting greener, the farms are spreading their, um, mess on the fields and the days are getting a little bit longer. Here's an update on my family as I mentioned in chapter one. My father was diagnosed with Cancer and well, we are not focusing on that part so much, it's a tumor on his kidney, and it's only on his kidney. The tumor has to be removed as well as the kidney. He has to lose 60lbs to have surgery. He's three plus and it's too dangerous for him to be operated on. It's a sad day when you're overweight and you can't have an operation that will potentially save your life. My brothers Lupus has him running ragged, he has transfusions three days a week now and his kidneys are gone, useless. The both of them are in good spirits and staying positive. My brother and I go off-roading in "Candace" (my jeep) to pass the time and bond. It's the one thing we both enjoy together and can do all day with minimal stress.

Now at this point I've been very into this whole religious thing. I've been catching flack from some of my friends and family and support and nurturing from some of my friends and family. It's very weird how religion affects so many people in so many ways. Everyone seems to have an opinion on it, and how they envision religion and how it is or should be. So, being the super number one positive guy that I am, *ahem* I try and focus on what's important to me. I take all criticism and support and learn how to use it. I keep reading my book Searching For God Knows What by Donald Miller and getting lost and trying to understand it all, the faith you must have for such a belief is huge!

I'm trying to wrap my head around the total trust and love you have for an imaginary friend. Ya know, like when you were a kid, some of you may have had an imaginary friend, it was probably Jesus. Just saying, someone had to give you that friend. That's how I see it. I'm totally seeing things blindly, though I can see you and everything you believe. It's hard to understand something that I've rebelled against for so long, I ask myself, is this what I'm really doing? Why am I doing this? What is it that this guy (Jesus) wants from me? I know all the, "What it's like to be a Christian" motions, but, I can't see myself living like a Christian. It's not that I don't want to, it just seems way out of my realm of possibility. Having to be nice and loving to everyone!?!? Hi, my name is Trevor, have we met? It's so foreign to me, I have a lot of love but I also have a LOT of, um, well, we'll call it anger issues. I've been for so long, crushed, so crushed in fact that, I've got a titanium bubble around me and it's lead sealed and rigged with explosives. Try and get near my heart and you will be destroyed, not kidding. Ask my wife, it's very hard to get really emotionally deep with me, let alone go love someone that I've judged as being worse or less than myself. Hey man, tough it out, you want to know why I'm such a jerk? Cause I've been there pal, and look at me now kid. Don't come at me with some sob story, been there, lived it, and I'm great now.

Yeah, see where I've been for almost 25ish years. It's ugly what I've become inside. How could I be this guy, why do people flock to me still? I will cut you down every chance I get and laugh at you. Nothing is getting in and I'm not letting anything out. Sure, I love people, but I had to measure them on my, "ok you can be my friend" scale. But here's the thing, I've been so fake to myself that I forgot what the real me was. Through my early years of a rebellious teen trying to fit in, I went through some crazy stuff, trying to be happy and get a sense of completion, of wholeness and what life held for me. How did I get so far away from myself and my right to receive love and give love. I walk with a HUGE attitude, and I purposely give off a "don't even look at me" vibe. This is what has been me for soooo long, I'm just scraping the surface to give you an idea of what I was. Drugs, drinking, family abandonment, other things that I won't mention for the website. I was so lost and so searching for what?! I knew what I was doing, and this was not what my heart or my soul was feeling. I was trying to shut it out and shut it up. Temporary fixes that some drug addicts face, this search for happiness and purpose was my drug, my addiction. I did whatever I could do to be happy and shut that "this is wrong!" feeling down.

You think you know someone man, just look around you, people in your everyday life could be reaching out for something or someone and you may not even see it. It's crazy to think about it, all the people that just get so lost and are searching for what? Ugh, is all I can say. All these Charlie Browns out there, just never catching a break. All the bad luck that just seems to come their way. Good grief. You may never see it, because like me, they have just as tough of a wall as I have. So why wouldn't someone with such a dismal life seek out faith? Or even try to chase that bad luck away, or change their life to make it better?

What about the people that are doing great and have no real issues?

What does a non-believer not have that a believer or a faithful person of God may have? Love? Maybe non-believers have so much love in their life already. I know it's not God's love, but we are talking about non-believers here. Community? Hey, I'm surrounded with such good friends and family, I have a great community. Health? Perfect. Money? Got it. Wife/Kids? Got them too, love them a lot. Job? Making ends meet and saving. Life seems good for said non-believer, but what really is the difference?

I'm coming into faith, you're already there. What would make me just believe, like yourself, what would tear my walls down, what would make me a full on feet first, head over heals believer? Do you know? Do you really know? If you have that single one answer, I'm not going to believe you. Do you want to know why I don't believe you?

You can say, have a relationship with God and Jesus. Ok, I think I'm rolling with that. Give yourself to him fully, I'm trying. Do good things, I'm working on that. Love everyone, I'm learning. Don't sin, well, I'm doing my best. Spread his word, still figuring out that word. I just named 5 things, not just one thing will make you a believer or a follower of Christ. It is a whole identity, it's a whole type of reasoning, it's a whole way of life, a way of love and way of teaching without dictating, it's Jesus, man, just live for Jesus. Live for Jesus and eventually, and I do mean eventually (13 years later) you will believe. Every person is different and God will come to you and you will believe. You can believe and it does not hurt when you believe and you will feel so blessed when you realize, that you do believe in that imaginary friend that everyone speaks of in one shape or another. Simply amazing.

So as tough as I am and so jerky as I've been, God has found a way to speak to me and tear down my walls in seconds. Next week..

Next week will be my last installment for this blog for Dwell Missional Church. The adventure is far from over and I will continue to write and eventually put a book out for my first year as a Christian.

Next week's blog will be my revelation, my hand of God story. I hope you enjoy it as I will never forget it.

Love,

Trevor

 

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