How God Moved in 2009!

[Ryan May]

As The Net approaches One Year, we're curious... How has God used this church to move in your life? Tell us what 2009 brought for you and how the body of Christ played a part. Where did He perform a miracle? What spiritual growth did you see come about? How has life changed for you? How have you changed in the process? What role did The Net play in that story?

[Jenifer Riddle]

Are you serious Ryan? You are such a busy guy you don't have TIME to read my response - it's THAT long.

But I will draft a response anyway. Since I am taking time away from Facebook, I can focus all my energy on NetGroups. HA.

In all seriousness. The Net has changed my life in so many ways and I will be happy to tell you all how in a day or so.
Love and blessings.

[Ryan May]

Figured you'd just copy & paste your story in from FB! :)

[Peggy Petrey]

God provided a safe haven for us through the Net. 2009 had many challenges for us as a couple…after just beginning to settle into Chattanooga ourselves, we were faced with the need to purchase a home for our elderly parents and then refurbished all 3300 sq ft ourselves in 8 months. We immediately moved them from Florida and are now caring for them. Whew, that on top of traveling to 18 art festivals around the country, selling a house in Florida and all the other things that happen in life, including deaths.

Then one day, after not hearing from him for 6 months, my husband's 22 yr old son sent us an email telling us his life was not working well and asked to come live and work with us. My first thought was that John would have to pick one generation to help, I was not up to helping both, nor could we afford it. I was becoming bitter under the strain and toll it was taking on me. I had just celebrated my 50th birthday days before and had made a decision to start living my vision and now it was once again being pushed aside.

I listened first and then suggested we invite him up to talk about his expectations., needs, etc. We spoke with him on a Saturday and I didn't feel any reassurance that he was really interested in changing his life, just looking for a quick way out. Sunday, as his son slept, John and I spoke and he said some harsh things to me, and my fears charged ahead into what I had been worried about, that our marriage would be affected in a negative way. We left for the Net, praying as I drove that the message that day would answer what God would have me do. Even though I never like to go into church with that specific of an expectation.

Ryan's message was on Luke 6:27-28 and 32-36, Love your enemies. It rang loud and clear in my ears, heart and being. When he shared his advice to the woman who was in a similar circumstance, being the sole caretaker of parents, and one that mistreated her, I knew God was about to give me the nudge towards what I had prayed for.

"Replace the word enemies with their names" Ryan said. I have always prayed for my enemies, even as a child, this was not new to me or hard for me. But I didn't consider them enemies, but their actions were an attack on our marriage.

After church I pulled over in the middle of that huge empty parking lot, and in tears (and I'm mean the blubbering, snotty kind) I confessed that I didn't want to do it, but knew God was asking me to and because He was, I would. And quietly, I began praying Luke 27, replacing enemies with their names and actions. Immediately my heart changed. I mean instantly. My fear subsided, I knew God was going to take care of me through all of this.

Two days ago, my mother-in-law shot an arrow my way, and it took me 24 hours to realize that I had not reacted in the old way. I normally would have picked up my bow, grabbed her arrow and shoot it back at her, and not have missed. But I hadn't. In fact I responded in a kind, loving, honest way, letting her off the hook. What a gift to me to not get upset.

This is just one of several examples of how the message, delivered in a an honest, simple way has touched and then changed my life this past year. And I have no doubt that two days ago, God showed me I had dropped my bow and arrow, just so I could tell you today how the Net teachings have made a difference.

Ryan (and TJ), never underestimate the power of God working through your words, stories, jokes, examples and willingness to speak. It is through you, that He has the opportunity to grow us each week. It's through your mouth He can speak. Through your "style" that He can make the words land softly. And it's through your authentic transparency that makes it believable and real to us.

And to Salina, thank you for letting Ryan use your lives as an example. It's through the lessons of love, support, struggles, humility, honesty and commitment that we will all grow and trust deeper. You are beautiful and both your strength and humbleness are seen.

May God bless you through learning how you have blessed many this past year. May you know He is pleased.

Peggy

[Ryan May]

Wow... thank you, Peggy! We love you guys and are grateful to have you with us. So glad God has given you to us!!

[TJ Clayton]

For the first time in my life I feel comfortable coming AND inviting people to church. The Net has been a breath of fresh air. Victoria and I love every minute of serving and worshipping with you guys. To all of the volunteers, thanks for doing what you do. You make everyone feel so warm and welcome each week. To Ryan and Selina, thanks for asking us to come along on this journey with you guys over two years ago (wow, can't believe its been that long). Not once have we regretted stepping out in faith and moving here.

I've always hear that the first year a church starts is its most challenging and problematic. If that's the case, 2010 is going to be mind blowing. Can't wait!!

p.s. - Peggy, thanks for the shout out. I'm so blessed to serve everyone at The Net!

[Ryan May]

Bless you guys, TJ! We love having you and Victoria with us! Can't imagine it any other way!!

[Patricia Gordon]

To really understand how the Net has changed my life you have to read this poem. I wrote it years ago and have been struggling with the feelings described until now.

My Cup Runneth Over
But What Satisfaction
Can That Bring Me
If I Am Not Thirsty

My Desert Is Gardened With Manna
But What Relief
Can Be Given Me
If I Am Not Hungry

What Is The Point In Laboring
For That Which Spoils
Even My Drives And My Desires
Waste Away Into Dust!
What Then Can Sustain Me?

You Say That You Bring Forth
Living Water
And Whosoever Drinks Of It
Shall Never Thirst Again

You Say That You Are The
Bread Of Life
And Whosoever Eats of Your Flesh
Shall Never Hunger Again

But What Is It That You Can
Bring Me
For I Favor Not These Gifts
I Need The Wanting
I Want the Needing

I Have Eaten and Drunken Nothing
And So I Am Filled With Nothingness
So Much So That I Am Full

Make Me Thirsty, Oh Lord
Grant Me Hunger, Oh Lord
Give Me These Things
That I may Be Famished For You

Net Church- I am finally Hungry, I am finally Thirsty, I have been empty but satisfied- I finally feel gloriously unsatisfied- and it is because of the people I have met there and the messages I have heard there and the passion I have witnessed there.

Earlier 2009- I was going to quit church altogether and really never go to any church again. I was jaded, I was frustrated, I never felt like I fit anywhere and I never felt inspired by God anywhere. I felt defective. I was empty, God and I were good acquaintances but I was not IN LOVE with the whole Christianity thing, mainly dealing with other people and serving- kind of like where you love the husband but you don't know what to do with all the in-laws and don't hit it off with them and it is only frustrating to deal with them,lol.

I feel like God really gave me direction in 2009- he gave me a sense of purpose- he gave me answers-he made me feel alive and brought me joy through stand up comedy- he made me fall in love with all the in-laws and inspired me through inspiring people that spoke my language, he gave me a church in which I could feel inspired by him and moved and made hungry.

The defining moment for me was when I was invited to a potluck- I was fed but was actually made hungry.

I am ready to dine and pig out and share the banquet!
Praise God for it is truly a miracle that he has crafted!
I Thank You Net Church- for giving me the Gift Of Wanting :)

[Ryan May]

Very cool, Patricia! Well said. You're smiling face and bubbly spirit are a gift to us each week! May we ALL stay hungry!!

[Jenifer Riddle]

(I wrote this on Facebook. If you read it there, you can skip it here. :D I edited it to mention only the church stuff and not all the "other life" stuff)

I was thinking about everything we had done this year and wanted to jot it all down for a reminder when I feel like nothing ever happens to me (yes, I have those days). So here goes:
.......

2009 brought a few life changing events into the Riddle household. If you are still reading this, you must know what they are, or at least have an idea....

Along about November or December of 2008, Keith and I began seeing a billboard that read "If you hate church.com" Keith and I attended a church that we were less than thrilled with. We were casually visiting other churches. To be honest, I was so involved in things there (not NEARLY to the level I am now, just with the kids and VBS) that I wasn't that into moving for the kids' sake. Anyway... I visited the website. I started emailing with the pastor of this new church that was going to open its doors in January. He kept inviting us to an open house at his home. We couldn't ever make it. It was on a Wednesday and that's when I was teaching Youth Drama at our old church. And even if we didn't have Youth Drama, there always seemed to be a reason that we couldn't make it to the May's. Finally Ryan (the pastor) invited us to dinner on a Thursday since we couldn't make it out on a Wednesday. We went. We met. We fell in love with him and his wife, Selina and even their son, Gannon. He sold us on his idea of this church called The Net.

One morning, we showed up to help the launch team set up and break down their set. (Keith has pointed out to me since I originally wrote this that I have the time line messed up. We did set up first THEN met with Ryan. Oh well. Sorry Ryan. Got the story wrong. :) ) We did a run through of a service. Its no exaggeration to say that in FIVE minutes time, we felt more at home than we did in five YEARS time at our old church. And I mean NO disrespect to those from Morris Hill. I love Mo Hill. I love the people. I love the leadership. It was not for us. We connected with those people in an amazing way. We knew IMMEDIATELY where God wanted our family. We have been a Net Family ever since and haven't questioned it a single time. It has truly changed our lives and our walk.

Keith and I re-read a book about the same time together. It was called The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. I highly recommend it. The re-reading changed our lives. This guy talks about what it means to be a Christian. Not in pretty ways. In the ways that matter. In the ways that you SHOULD be doing it. In the every day ways. In the down and dirty ways. He lives in an inner city ghetto in Philly. Intentionally. He hangs out with the homeless and the downtrodden and sees Jesus every day through those people. He has simplified his life and gotten rid of the "stuff" that doesn't matter. Who needs five tvs? (Well the Riddles DID but not anymore. More on that later.) Anyway, you should read the book. And live the life. That's what we are trying to do. Live a life that Jesus would live if he were here today.

Love Jesus. Love People. Its that simple guys.

Reading about Shane and his passion for the homeless has further ignited OUR passion for the homeless. Ryan (the aforementioned pastor) found out that I have a passion for outreach and the homeless. in that first meeting with him, he explained that The Net would be made up of many small groups and perhaps I would like to start one focused on nothing but outreach. The idea intrigued me but I didnt do anything about it. In June I think, Ryan came to me and asked if I would organize a feeding of the homeless we were going to be a part of in conjunction with The Springs Church in Ft. O. I jumped on it. Then he suggested that since it went so well, we start a small group revolving around that. Thus, Net Reach was born. Yeah, we started that small group Ryan wanted. I think we have grown beyond what he originally envisioned. our small group (ha small) has 52 people in it. Thats about 1/4 of the church. Keith and I come up with outreach ideas and organize them, invite anyone and everyone out to them and a group of people get some small, some large community project/volunteer work done. Its amazing. We do battered women's shelter makeovers, feeding the "hungry", hospital visitation, decorating homeless shelters for Christmas, etc.

If Keith and I had our way, we would do the Net Reach stuff all the time. Thankfully (i Think haha) we have Ryan to pull us back in from time to time. So we do a lot of stuff on our own. Part of that stemmed from simplification. We decided (after reading THE book) that we have too much stuff. I mean, seriously, who needs 75 band tshirts, other than Keith? How many pairs of too small jeans do I need (although now that I lost 20 pounds, I could use a pair!)? Why do I have 17 forks? So we simplified. I have 7 outfits. Three pairs of shoes. A set of dishes for each of us. Keith weeded out the tshirts to I THINK 20. We got rid of 3 TVs. Countless movies and CDs and books out the wazoo. Yeah. *I* parted with books. Can you imagine? I, who had books on every flat surface of the house. I got rid of books.

So we simplified first. Then we took - seriously - an entire back of the Pathfinder load of clothing to the community kitchen and gave it away.

Then we did the same with the rest of the house and gave it to various non profits.

Then the simplifying wasnt enough. So we started hanging out with the homeless. We know them by name. We went down last night to have a New Years Eve party with them. We made sandwiches, bought water, took a box of sparklers and headed downtown. Too bad none of them were out and about.

Wow. I just stopped to catch my breath. This was supposed to be a bullet pointed list with a sentence or two explaining each item. boy did I get off track. I will stop now.

The one thing I want to point out is how well our family is doing. For those of you who are NOT part of the family that has joined with us this year, you know how much our family has struggled over the past few years. We have had more than our fair share of stress and pain (at least I think its more than our fair share. maybe not.) We are finally happy now. Its about durn time, don't you think? I love my family more than anything and I will walk through hell to keep us this happy. It has totally been worth it. From my marriage to my struggles with exes, to my struggles with stepchildren to my struggles with raising a teen, it has finally paid off. I am at peace. Love to you all. I hope 2010 is a banner year for us all.

[Ryan May]

Loved it on facebook... love it here! You guys rock!!!!

[Yvonne Evett]

It is hard for me to know where to start about how The Net has changed my life. I was the one in my family that was hesitant about coming so I tried every excuse I could think of to get out of it. Finally, my daughter & I came when Cody was on a mission trip at our other church and I really liked the the music although I am not musical. Since Ryan did not speak that day (it was a video during the One Prayer series), I was not going to commit until I heard him preach. My whole family came again a couple of weeks later and at the end of the service I knew I had found a new church home. When I asked Cody (age 14) what he thought there was a thumbs up & I wasn't bored. Believe me for him that is high praise. There is not a Sunday that goes by that the words spoken by Ryan or TJ have not been what I needed to hear. Sometimes I have to be reminded about grace and also that my walk with God comes with work. For a long time, I just tried to skirt by with thinking all I had to do was believe. Now I am more commited to put my belief in action. I have told Ryan several times that I thank God every day for bringing us to The Net. We came from a church where we had spent amost 14 years and it has been a long time since I have felt as accepted as I do at The Net. The friendships I have made through Net Reach and working with Net Kids & Hospitalty have enriched my life. I know I have people who will support me and pray for me. It is also nice to have a pastor and his wife who are willing to share their time and friendship That had been missing for me for a long time. When Monica & I tried to go the movies on Christmas night the Rave parking had spilled over to the Sears lot & all I could think about was how great that would be on a Sunday morning. It can happen. I cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store for The Net. I think it is going to be awesome.

[Ryan May]

We love you, Yvonne! We went to the Rave that same night to see a movie and we were dreaming the same dream! Can't wait to see God bring it all to fruition!