City Grace Men's Morning Group Meets at Comfort Diner

City Grace's Men's Morning Fellowship is self-described as "A great way to start the week." It begins again this year on Monday, January 4, and will meet from 7:30 to 8:30 at the Comfort Diner on East 45th Street (between 2nd and 3rd). The group meets for Bible study and prayer.

[image via Stephanie Nikolopoulos]

Serve Dinner at All Angels

Continue your goal to be more actively involved in social justice by joining Redeemer and Hope for New York in serving dinner at All Angels Church this Sunday:

All Angels: Serve Dinner

Hope For New York

All Angels Church has several outreach programs to the homeless, marginally housed and working poor. As an extension of their Sunday night worship service, they offer a meal to the community. On the First and Second Sundays of each month, serve dinner from 4:30PM to 7:30PM. Contact Eric at emull@allangelschurch.com to volunteer.

Time: 4:30pm

Location: Contact Eric at emull@allangelschurch.com to volunteer

Web site: www.allangelschurch.com

[image of the original All Angels Church via All Angels]

This is taking place on Sunday, January 3.

What sort of service projects are you interested in?

TGC Open Call for Epiphany-related Art

[image: Josh LaRock’s painting from the Sermon on the Mount series, summer 2009: Consider the Lilies via Trinity Grace Church]

Trinity Grace has an open call for art related to Epiphany:

We want your art for our upcoming Epiphany series (Jan/Feb 2010). We’ll be studying the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus. Send questions or submissions to callingallartists[at]trinitygracechurch.com.

I AM the bread of life. John 6:35: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:48: “I am the bread of life.”

I AM the light of the world. John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 9:5: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

I AM the door. John 10:7: Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”

I AM the good shepherd. John 10:11-14: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me….”

I AM the resurrection and the life. John 11:25: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

I AM the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I AM the true vine. John 15:1, 5: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

If you're an artist, Asphalt Eden would love to feature you. Send us an email or drop a comment in the comment section.

Bowery Mission Meals Outreach on 2/2/10

Did you make a new year's resolution to become involved in more service projects? Then, maybe the meals outreach organized by Redeemer through the Bowery Mission is the thing for you:

Bowery Mission: Meals Outreach

Hope For New York

Serve at Tompkins Square Park by distributing food and supplies to the homeless and help those who are interested get involved with The Bowery's residential recovery program. Saturday, January 2 from 7:30AM to 10:30AM. Visit www.hfny.org/the-bowery-mission for more information.

Time: 7:30am

Location: Further information at www.hfny.org/the-bowery-mission/

Web site: www.hfny.org/the-bowery-mission/

What sort of service projects are you interested in?

2010 Predictions: Food Trends, Part 2

[This silly image is from RV for Sale Guide]

Another food trend that will be big in 2010, according to Nutrition Unplugged is:

Changing restaurants — Will continue to evolve with initiatives such as no reservations, happy hours, value pricing and a move toward more local ingredients

As far as the "move toward more local ingredients," we've been on board with the locavore movement since we started Asphalt Eden. Check out our links in the food column to the right for tips on where to find great organic and local food. Even though we're surrounded by asphalt, we believe we were created to live in Eden and that it's our job to protect the earth. Part of the way we do this is by choosing to eat responsibly.

Do you have a favorite shop for buying locally grown foods? Which restaurants serve the best local foods?

2010 Predictions: Food Trends, Part 1

[image via Dessert Truck]

In 2009 we reported that Peruvian was going to be the hot food trend. Did we eat Peruvian? Even once? No. It's still on our resolutions list.

For 2010, we have it on good authority that the following will be "in" for food:

Street food — Dining trucks, street vendors, informal and authentic ethnic food, part of anti-restaurant movement

We've actually already noticed that dining trucks have gotten a whole lot more innovative this past year, and are eager for more of the Dessert Truck and the Bistro Truck. This website is devoted to helping you find where these and other food trucks are, so you can track them down when they come to your neighborhood.

Which is your favorite food truck?

2010 Predictions: Color of the Year

[image via Pantone]

Pantone announced that turquoise will be the color of 2010.

According to Pantone:

In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.

After a year of scandals and economic downturns, we need a color that will help us escape our worries. The color is pale enough to be calming and soothing but bright and cheery enough to lift our hearts.

It's a fun color, and we're excited to see the color pop up in unexpected ways this year.

The color is, of course, based on the gem.

[image via Wikipedia]

As a gemstone, we usually see it in Southwest jewelry, so we're hoping 2010 is the year that turquoise makes the leap to non-regional looks.

This handcrafted turquoise ring we found on Etsy, for instance, is simply adorable.

[image via candysart's Etsy page]

This stackable turquoise ring by Maribelle Campa is great on its own or stacked with other rings.

[image via Maribelle Campa's Etsy page]

Which reminds me... Sarah Perlis has a beautiful turquoise ring that would be worth blowing some Christmas money on.

[image via Sarah Perlis]

What do you think of Pantone's pick?

Where would you like to see turquoise? Send us links to any good examples of turquoise you see.

A Look Back to 2009

Asphalt Eden officially launched in 2009. It's hard to believe a whole year has gone by already! Here's a look back at some of our favorite blog entries.

In 2009, we were all about mimosa.


(I'm hearing fuchsia is the in color right now. Stay tuned for our 2010 predictions!)

We snagged some great exclusive interviews! The very first one we did was with one of my personal favorite artists David Kramer.


We discovered Christians have a thing for vampires.



We got an email from one of the organizers of the Christian Book Expo when we bemoaned the fact that the expo wasn't in NYC.


We attended Goodmeet@SALT


John Calvin turned 500 this year, and we were there to celebrate.


We even ventured outside the city and took a day trip to Sleepy Hollow.


What were some of your favorite topics that we covered this past year on Asphalt Eden?

What sort of postings would you like to see more of?

A Study in Sherlock Holmes: Pendant

In preparation for next month's film release, we're scouting out all things Sherlock Holmes.

In homage to the great detective, pin this pendant on your tweed coat:


This hand-painted pin can also be worn as a necklace. The designer, dragoncat, also has other Sherlock Homes-inspired pieces.

A Study in Sherlock Holmes: Pocket Watch

In preparation for next month's film release, we're scouting out all things Sherlock Holmes.

You and Dr. Watson can sync up your watches with this cyberpunk-inspired treasure:


Designed by tempusfugit, this gold pocket watch features a see-through window that lets you spy on the gears inside the clock.

Day Trippin': Church of the Presidents

Attend church with the presidents on your next trip to DC.

"Happy Accidents in a Common Places" Hits Nerves in Its Look at Community

Community. It's something we talk a lot about at church. But how do we form community that isn't artificial? When are small groups, life groups, missional tribes, whatever you want to call them, a hindrance to our faith and development? David Zimmerman -- and those who commented on his article -- raises some of these issues in his article "Happy Accidents in a Common Place" over at Burnside.

Speak of community, have you seen the TV show on NBC? Hilarious.

A Study in Sherlock Holmes: Upcycled Vintage Train Case

In preparation for next month's film release, we're scouting out all things Sherlock Holmes.

Spotted on Etsy: this vintage train-case that's perfect for overnight trips to Dartmoor.

[images via Etsy]

The upcycled carry-on is designed by GetReadySetGO, a Florida (via Michigan) twenty-nine year old. Not only does it feature an on-trend skeleton key, but it comes with a working combination lock (with combo), so you don't end up with your own personal mystery on your hands.

Day Trippin': Fall Foliage in Sleepy Hollow

These are some shots of the stunning foliage out in Sleepy Hollow over Halloween. You just can't see leaves this pretty in New York City. Sleepy Hollow makes for a great day trip, if you're looking to venture out of the city.

Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.
Psalms 4:6