All members of the Terrace are currently involved in this rotation of the Mentoring Stacks. We are discussing when our campus group will meet when we pick back up in the fall. If you're interested in joining our group please let us know so we can work to find a night that best works for everyone.

We are also working on the plan for ministry with the youth around the Plaza District for this year. We are thrilled to have kept in contact with the kids from Taft Middle School and are also developing other contacts within the community to find areas where we can serve. The need is great and we would be happy for you to partner with us! Send an email to Chris or pull any of us aside on Sunday morning if you'd like more information.

For the greater glory of God,

Jamie

Kids of The Club

There are so many great kids around inner OKC that are in trouble. They are in trouble for a lot of different reasons. There home life may be a wreck, their friends might be really bad influences on them, they are probably daily exposed to drugs and gang influence, and a lot of other things too that I really have no idea about.

These kids, urban youth, need love. They need love and encouragement. Something they may not have had for a long time.

Jamie G, Arthur, Steve, Holly and I have all been involved with an awesome opportunity to meet, interact, and invest in some urban youths lives this semester. We teamed up with a program called "The Club" hosted at NWBC on Wednesday nights.

Basically it is a mentoring program and afterschool event for the kids, but our role is to go hang out and do some structured games, basketball, and arts and crafts with the kids for 45 minutes every Wednesday.

I just want to say that these kids rock. Toi, Dia, Cortez, Victor, and James are a few of the consistent kids we have been getting to know week in and week out. They are talented middle schoolers at Taft that have so many gifts. We don't know their whole story yet, but they probably have had pretty tough lives. But we talk about suceeding in life, keeping good grades, their dreams in life, and their day to day interactions at school. Simply being consistent in their lives and dreaming with them has impacted them greatly, and us to.

Each week our small group "the Terrace" meets after the club at the Corbin house to do small group and pray for eachother as well as the kids and relationships evolving there.

I want to encourage anyone who has ever wanted to show the love of Christ to anyone to jump into the lives of these okc kids. They need it. They really need you. We would love to have you be a part of our group too.

P.S. December 17th we are going to watch some of the kids from our group do a band recital at Taft auditorium. Should be a christmas event not to be missed. More importantly we hope to meet their parents and further those relationships as well.

God bless and email me anytime if you want to come hang out anytime.

Christopher-corbin@ouhsc.edu

Once upon a time...

It began in the State of Kansas in 1933. Bill Braum was in grade school when he began his career by helping his father, Henry H. Braum, with the family business, a small butter and milk processing plant in Emporia, Kansas. Seven years later ice cream processing was added to the operation. 76 years after that a school teacher, a hygenist, three dentists and a Ugandan walked into an Oklahoma City Braums to eat ice cream in the most unusual of ways.


The evening started with a lovely Italian meal at Steve Mueller's apartment. Home-made lasagna, French bread and a green salad beckoned the hungry friends to the table and, consequently, away from living room where there was starting to be a few too many impressions of The Godfather.

They ate.

Thus completing the third meal of the day, the dentists, so as to avoid hypocracy, whipped out travel sized toothbrushes from their pockets and proceded to brush. Toothpaste, however, lacks the abilty to satisfy a sweet tooth craving, so the diners decided to go out for ice cream.

Upon arrival at Braum's one of the friends exclaimed, "Hey, that's Morris in the drive thru!" And so another dentist was caught about to load up on ice cream. (He claimed it was all for the wife, who was expecting, but he fooled no one). The friends stormed the car and invited the fourth dentist and his wife to join them inside.



Once inside, the group ordered two half-gallon tubs which they intended to invert, unwrap, then eat. This was not an easy task and involved a lot of confused discussion (mostly in regard to how to remove the tub). Many utinsils were needed, which of course required a little bit of charm to attain from the Braum's employees. The Ugandan had to show the school teacher how this was typically done. The only thing more disturbing than the sight of this was the over-abundance of framed ice cream sundae posters trying to pass for art on the wall (see photo below).

Eventually, the ice cream was accessed and everyone partook of the delicious treat. The friends talked and laughed and generally enjoyed each other's company.

The End.

All flesh is like grass

For you have been born again, not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. For “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the LORD abides forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you. Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. - 1 Peter 1:23-2:3

Three different people gave me bouquets of flowers for my birthday. I loved them. All were some arrangement of purple and yellow, which happen to be two of my favorite colors.*

Being an overly-practical person, I used to think the giving and receiving of floral bouquets was kind of a waste of money. To some extent, I still think this, but that’s not really what I want to write about. Suffice to say that I’m not as opposed to giving flowers to people as I once was. Yet there still remains some level of silliness to the whole thing because no matter how beautiful the flowers are, they always wilt and die (rather quickly, if under my supervision). When this happens I always feel a twinge of sadness and it’s easy to forget how much joy their gleaming beauty brought me when I first got them.

Well, as I listened to a pastor preach over this passage of 1 Peter yesterday one thing that kept popping into my head was my dying flowers that had so sweetly been given to me for my birthday. They are now about two weeks old (in vase years) and very much in the process of losing their former glory.

It struck me that, even in their rapidly decaying state, there is still beauty to be found. They can serve as a visual reminder of how precious a truth it is that the word of the Lord, the very word which was both written for and preached to us so that we will grow in respect to salvation, is living and imperishable. They can remind me, just as Peter does, to think of the Lord’s kindness towards me and to long for the pure milk of his abiding word, which both spoke my life into existence and declares to me my freedom from sin. What could be more beautiful?

*Any affection for said colors is enhanced by, but not limited to, their affiliation with my favorite basketball team. Go Lakers!

Then there was She......Guitar BATTLE!!!

As Jayme Henry and Jamie Growe (J squared-as we affectionaley call them) glared at eachother from the beginning of worship time, we bystanders didn't really understand why they were so intense. We started with the classic song "All in All" and then Jamie Growe just started shifting her capo and hittin' some crazy notes so hardcore that it literally brought blood to her finger tips (see pic). That quite frankly left Jamie H. twiddling her thumbs. As Jayme H. winded down the first song she teased Jamie. G into thiniking the song was over the real games began....

As Jamie G. strummed that last note carrying us out of the song, Jamye H. got a second wind and went onto the mysterious 3rd verse of "all in all" (yah most don't know it). As she ripped through it Jamie G. sat stunned as Jayme H. joyously and passionately finished out the chorus after said mystery verse 3. Hitting the last chord Jayme H. was basically was gloating in her guitar dual victory.

Strangely Jamie G. just got up and smashed her guitar on the chair ( you know the kitchen one that is broken) and said "terrace is over." So, I'm hoping there will be dualing guitars this week, but just not quite as intense. J squared are just so intense. Hopefully they can just get along this week. Come and find out.....

The Wonderful World of James...

It has been two weeks too long since there has been a post, and I apologize for that. I know there are so many avid readers of this blog and they are just so ancy to check it every day. So to those fans, I am sorry.

We have been in James for two weeks not and it has been a really great study of challenges for believers in our walk, accountability, and what it means to have a strong faith in the Lord. As usual come and enjoy time toghether. The Terrace has been great with worship (even dualing guitars last time) , fellowship and good study. Bring yourselves, bring a friend, and just come to be encouraged and escape the grind of the week.

We look forward to seeing you at the Terrace this week at 7:30pm. email if you need directions christopher-corbin@ouhsc.edu

Cuppies and Joe Sebatical

HEY GANG,

The Amos study has come to a close.  We finished us out last week with an overview of what all God showed us through Amos.  We really did enjoy looking at Amos and talking about God's desires for his people.

Also, we really enjoyed seeing everyone that showed for the Super bowl party.  It was a blast and we really enjoyed watching Reagan and Kenny cheer against eachother's team.  Not to mention the sweet 3-d commercials.

 This Wednesday  night we are just going to hang out for a while and enjoy relaxing at cuppies and joe.  We were hoping everyone would come and we will have  a great time catching up on the week.  7:30 meet at cuppies and joe on NW 23rd and Shartel 'ish.  You can google it too.  But, good coffee, laid back atmosphere, and sweet stuff too if you want it.

A Dangerous Dinner

If you dare brave the roads come tonight and join us for some of Jamie Growe's famous Amos Meatloaf. It's good stuff and piping hot. Actually I just wanted to put a picture of meatloaf on here. It might not be meatloaf at all. In fact it probably won't be. But!!!! She is making dinner. So, come, drive safe and we will have a great time.

P.S. If you haven't ever had any of this meatloaf too, it rocks as well. check it out.

New Semester Starting!

Hey everyone! Hope the break from school was great and that you are "okay" with being back in action. It is sometimes hard to come back to the monotony of school, but, very very good to see friends again and join back in some great community. Speaking of such community this Wednesday night at 7:30pm at Jamie Growe's house 436 46th Terrace, we are meeting for our first real bible study night this week 1.14.09. Come join us and we will have a great time.

We are diving back into the Amos study where we left off last semester. We will cover most if not all of Amos 4 and really discuss how God called out those that were sinning in that time and addressed some of their specific sins. It is good to fellowship together, we would love to see you.

Amos Study

Come join us at The Terrace for the beginning of a new study on the OT book Amos.   For those that have not read much of the old testament, or simply haven't in a while, it is always awesome to get back to some of the truths and convictions laid out in the OT.  

Come join tonight as we have an intro into the book of Amos and talk some about God's vision for Amos and his life.  As Amos was called to preach to the Israelites there is no doubt that he second guessed his aptitude for this job.  Yet God used him to deliver a message of strong conviction and repentance to the Israelites that resonated for generations to come. If you feel or have ever felt complacent in your walk with the Lord, come and be encouraged as we dive into God's word.

We are meeting at 7:30 and should have coffee and perhaps some cookies/brownies as usual.  Come be a part of this campus group community and join in some great fellowship. See you there.

Movie Night

There is no Bible study tonight since we have finished 2 Timothy and tomorrow is Thanksgiving. But, our pastor (Kenny D) and his family are coming over to the Terrace for a movie night and you're all invited to join us. We'll be starting the flick around 7:30. Per norm, there will be coffee, tea, and snacks. I should also mention that we now have a second couch, so you shouldn't have to sit in the uncomfy wooden chairs during the movie...

CHILI vs CHOWDA

The first annual "Terrace Cold Weather Cookoff" took place last week November 5th. The contenders: Chili vs. Chowda.

Holly Corbin -brought a sweet yet zesty blend of beef, beans, and booyah to the table in the big ole' chili bowl.
Jamie Growe- stepped up to the plate with some oh so good Corn Chowda' with enough punch to leave you hankerin' for some more.

Who won? Well, let's just say the chowda brought the house down while the beer bread chased my blues away.

It was all amazing, and we try to not to choose favorites, because afterall food that is made that I don't have to prepare is always, always really good.

Thanks to those who brought food and thanks to all that came. The men of the night had a really good conversation about our testimonies while the ladies had conversations about....well.. let's just say, not testimonies.


Just a quick reminder about the terrace campus group meeting tomorrow night at 7:30pm. We would love to have any and all of you whether you have come before or not! We will continue our study on II Timothy, see how Paul challenged Timothy, and talk about how these challenging charges apply to us today. It is truly a blessing each week to come together with friends for fellowship. We hope you can make it!

oh and there will be brownies and coffee as usual...

Email me if you need directions christopher-corbin@ouhsc.edu

II Timothy 2:1-7

As we have studied II Timothy for the past few weeks there has been much discussion about our responsibility as recipients of God’s grace to actively, but humbly, use our spiritual gifts to both guard and share the truth of the gospel.

“…but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines the heart.” (I Thess. 2:4)

Regrettably, it is far too easy as immature Christians to fall into the trap of wanting to please ourselves or others more than wanting to please God. Even church leaders are susceptible to this selfish desire, which “inevitably leads to moral and spiritual decline, because pleasing the world, including worldly Christians, demands compromise of God’s truth, God’s standards, and personal holiness” (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary – II Timothy, p.45).

John MacArthur also gives a good summary of the verses we discussed last week at the Terrace. He writes,

“There are certain things the spiritual Christian has to endure, such as suffering for the faith [v.3]. There are certain things he has to avoid, such as becoming entangled with the affairs of the world [v.4]. There are certain mandates he has to obey, namely, the commands of his Lord [v.5]. There are certain things he has to do, including tasks that seem mundane and ordinary [v.6]. And, just as surely, there are things he will be given to enjoy, the victory and the rewards of a dedicated selfless, and disciplined life. Through His apostle [Paul], the Lord assures us: ‘Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Cor.15:58).”
(The MacArthur New Testament Commentary – II Timothy, p.49)

We are grateful for the spiritual gifts God has given us so that we may be equipped for effective service. But like Timothy, we often look at our weaknesses and feel largely inadequate. So we strive, through prayer and faith, to keep Christ as the treasure of our hearts and to make pleasing Him our primary goal in life. We trust that He is faithful and will bring to completion the good work he began in us (Philippians 1:6).

What a great night Wednesday night. We spent some good time chatting over coffee and some famous "corbin special recipe" chocolate chip cookies.

We dove into II Timothy and discussed Paul's charge for Timothy and all believers, to cherish, guard, and share the gospel. After talking about practical ways to do this in our lives, and what guarding the gospel really looks like we broke up for the night and all gave Steve a high five on his broken hand?!

Come check it out The Terrace next week, we would love to have you for the first time or again and again!

The Gospel: GUARD the Good News

Ya, pretty much of all us have heard the Gospel and believed the Gospel. But, do we truly, truly understand and take to heart what God calls of us to do in response to it. It should change our lives, it should make us see the world through different eyes, and it should stir us to arms in defense of the Gospel.

In II Timothy, continuing in Chapter 1, Paul calls Timothy not only to teach and be bold in Ephesus, as the church leader there, but to become so passionate about the Gospel that Timothy would guard it like the treasure it was and still is.

Come join us at The Terrace at 7:30pm Wednesday night. I think Holly might be making some good ole' chip o' the choclate cookies and we will dive in to some good talk about God's word, as well as a probably some other random subjects, which last week led us into sleep walking....Stay tuned!

Famous Last Words....

Have you ever noticed how society hangs on every little word that comes out of famous people's mouths. Even last night with the Presidential debate, each Presidential candidate slowly and very carefully chose their words as audience members asked them tons of questions. It's because WE are watching and waiting for people to say crazy things, wrong things, and sometimes, if we're lucky, amazing things.

But inevitably when a famous person dies everyone waits for their famous last words. Be these words of wisdom, or loving words of kindness.

Paul was one of those men that all through his life, people noticed. When he was a Pharisee that persecuted Christians, I feel sure people noticed and were quite frankly afraid of him. When he was miraculously saved he became quite possibly the greatest prophet our world has ever seen, aside from Jesus. And during his time, and his many missionary journeys he began to develop strong relationships with other believers that would impact the world around them. Paul died for a reason; that reason being to proclaim Jesus life, death, and resurrection.

In the next couple of weeks we are going to read and study what Paul's famous last words were in II Timothy as he spoke loving and encouraging words to his most faithful friend, so that this friend could carry on the teachings of Jesus to the next generation. Come join us this Wednesday at 7:30 pm as we fellowship and study God's word together. Shoot me an email at christopher-corbin@ouhsc.edu to get directions!

The Terrace

Hey everybody, welcome to "The Terrace" blog. We are a campus group that meets Wednesday night at 7:30 pm and also Sunday evening at 6pm at CampusChurch on OCU's campus (www.campuschurch.tv). We are a group of believers that love fellowship, believe in the teachings of Jesus, and live it out together, here at The Terrace.

If you are a student at the OUHSC, a student anywhere, or just want to come hang out, learn, and make some great friends join us Wednesday nights.  We are meeting at a pad at 46th Terrace (between 46th and 47th) and Walker (near Crown Heights).  We would love to have you!

Shoot me or any of the other leaders an email for more info.  Christopher-corbin@ouhsc.edu