Just thought you might enjoy a cool pic of Rose the Dog! She likes hanging out in the air conditioning and harressing the cat! Gotta love them shades!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
our relationship with God is not "static"
Suzy & I made a trip to Clarksville, Tn yesterday to visit with friends. We met the Duncans from Gallatin and Tim from Clarksville for a ihop pig out. Afterwards we went to the Fairgrounds park and just hung out.
It was very encouraging to hear our friends stories of the unique journeys God is taking them on. Our relationship with God is not "static". Each day brings new adventure, new direction, new understanding. Praise God for change. If we were politicians, we would have trouble with our constiquents accusing us of flip-flopping on issues. In the Kingdom of God, new light is constantly being shed on our journey. We must rethink, reevaluate, and redirect often to stay on track. It is this constant of change that keeps us focused on "hearing from God". While God is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" He also is the One who says "I will do a new thing" The first flows from His uncreated nature, the latter from His being the Creator.
Blessings!
mickey
It was very encouraging to hear our friends stories of the unique journeys God is taking them on. Our relationship with God is not "static". Each day brings new adventure, new direction, new understanding. Praise God for change. If we were politicians, we would have trouble with our constiquents accusing us of flip-flopping on issues. In the Kingdom of God, new light is constantly being shed on our journey. We must rethink, reevaluate, and redirect often to stay on track. It is this constant of change that keeps us focused on "hearing from God". While God is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" He also is the One who says "I will do a new thing" The first flows from His uncreated nature, the latter from His being the Creator.
Blessings!
mickey
Saturday, May 19, 2007
sore bottom!!!
Suzy & I rode the Harley to Jackson, Tn and back today. My old tired bones don't fare as well as they once did. I am trying to get ready for a 4 day bike trip to North Carolinia and back in a couple of weeks. It will be a trip with my oldest son Chris. We will ride and camp together so that will make it a valuable and memorable trip.
We went to a cookout tonight. Several famlies/friends were there and the food and conversation were good. There was spontaneous expression with Christ at the center (testamonies, songs, etc.). I see this group moving closer to the organic sharing of life that
we all need so much.
we all need so much. Tomorrow we will get to visit with friends from Clarksville and Gallatin who have also left traditional ministry positions to follow God's leadership. They, like so many others we have met, are a great encouragement to Suzy & I.
Farther up and Further in! Mickey
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
looking at house church....
Please be patient with me while I "build" my response to some issues often raised with simple church. Please remember that we have only recently transitioned from our institutional church to autonomous simple churches. Over the last year, we have only started to realize how "addicted" we were/are to our western church culture. We have developed a whole "system" of church that in no way resembles the church of scripture/history. We have generally replaced the voice of the Holy Spirit with programs, we have viewed Jesus as a welcomed guest rather than the true "master of ceremonies", we have replaced spiritual mothers and fathers with paid professionals, we have embraced performance of a few over participation by all, we have poured our resources into buildings while neglecting people. Please notice my use of "WE" which chiefly includes me. Yet we have marched on, (much like the story "The Emperors New Clothes") while no one challenges why we do what we do.
We have also developed a "meeting" mentality that does not reflect the Hebrew concept of eklesia (gathering). When growing up, my parents had a lot of friends that visited regularly. Sometimes they would cookout, play cards, sit on the porch and talk, etc. We, as children, were just "there". Yet, somehow, we picked up the values, characteristics, and mannerisms of our parents. Those gatherings were "life" rather than "meetings". Jesus, when explaining spiritual concepts, would pick up a child and sit it on His lap as a illustration of the truth He was communicating. The children were simply "there". They were not interrupting the meeting because there was not a meeting (in terms of our western thinking). They were all together sharing life and the things most important to them in a natural organic way.
We have grown up with the concept of "children's church", committees, boards, organizations, etc. The gravity to escape what WE have created is strong. BUT God is previently leading a return to basic, simple eklesia. The journey will be difficult at best because we will constantly judge "where we are" by the only frame of reference we have (which is what we have known). The true compass for the journey is the Holy Spirit's leadership. Fortunately, God is very patient with us "simple" humans and extends great grace to us during seasons of change. Not everyone steps out at the same time. If we all simply follow His voice and get on board when He calls, it will all work out perfectly! I have heard it said "One step ahead - a leader, two steps ahead - a pioneer, three steps ahead - a martar"!Keep in mind, I am very thankful for the institutional churchs' role in my life and would never want to minimize what God continues to do both in /thru the traditional model. He is responsible for building "HIS" church and He doesn't need my intellectual input! I can only speak to the journey He has called me to. Godspeed on YOUR journey!
We have also developed a "meeting" mentality that does not reflect the Hebrew concept of eklesia (gathering). When growing up, my parents had a lot of friends that visited regularly. Sometimes they would cookout, play cards, sit on the porch and talk, etc. We, as children, were just "there". Yet, somehow, we picked up the values, characteristics, and mannerisms of our parents. Those gatherings were "life" rather than "meetings". Jesus, when explaining spiritual concepts, would pick up a child and sit it on His lap as a illustration of the truth He was communicating. The children were simply "there". They were not interrupting the meeting because there was not a meeting (in terms of our western thinking). They were all together sharing life and the things most important to them in a natural organic way.
We have grown up with the concept of "children's church", committees, boards, organizations, etc. The gravity to escape what WE have created is strong. BUT God is previently leading a return to basic, simple eklesia. The journey will be difficult at best because we will constantly judge "where we are" by the only frame of reference we have (which is what we have known). The true compass for the journey is the Holy Spirit's leadership. Fortunately, God is very patient with us "simple" humans and extends great grace to us during seasons of change. Not everyone steps out at the same time. If we all simply follow His voice and get on board when He calls, it will all work out perfectly! I have heard it said "One step ahead - a leader, two steps ahead - a pioneer, three steps ahead - a martar"!Keep in mind, I am very thankful for the institutional churchs' role in my life and would never want to minimize what God continues to do both in /thru the traditional model. He is responsible for building "HIS" church and He doesn't need my intellectual input! I can only speak to the journey He has called me to. Godspeed on YOUR journey!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
clarification
suzy here
This journey we have taken for the past 15 months, has at times seemed slow as a snail, yet, at other times been a whirlwind of activity.There have been faces and names, that sometimes are hard to connect. Places and dates, that often get confused.
Throughout it all, The clear voice of the Holy Spirit, has been moving us, propelling us, to continue on the path that He has placed us.
Try explaining to your family and friends, this "crazy" journey, you've packed your bags for! Some are quite amiable, others ask hard questions. There are those who believe we have lost our way, and those who would like to be going with us, yet, can not do so at this time. Last, but not least, are those who believe it's alright to be a part of "simple church", if there is no other alternative. That may be exactly where we found ourselves, before we got on this "bus".
This much I know is true, that God has clearly spoken to us, and he is mindful of each and every step we will take. Who are we to question God's wisdom in choosing us?
This journey we have taken for the past 15 months, has at times seemed slow as a snail, yet, at other times been a whirlwind of activity.There have been faces and names, that sometimes are hard to connect. Places and dates, that often get confused.
Throughout it all, The clear voice of the Holy Spirit, has been moving us, propelling us, to continue on the path that He has placed us.
Try explaining to your family and friends, this "crazy" journey, you've packed your bags for! Some are quite amiable, others ask hard questions. There are those who believe we have lost our way, and those who would like to be going with us, yet, can not do so at this time. Last, but not least, are those who believe it's alright to be a part of "simple church", if there is no other alternative. That may be exactly where we found ourselves, before we got on this "bus".
This much I know is true, that God has clearly spoken to us, and he is mindful of each and every step we will take. Who are we to question God's wisdom in choosing us?
Monday, May 14, 2007
Cabin in the Woods
We enjoyed a visit this past weekend by friends (the Callahans - DAWN associates) from Indiana. They spent 4 days at our log cabin in the woods. They are the 3rd set of visitors at the cabin in the last month. We have an increasing sense that many Christian (especially leaders) are stressed and need to get away to a peaceful and quite setting. It is our conviction that we are to make our cabin available cost free on a case by case basis to those God brings us into relationship with. I know this opens us up for abuse, but I believe the benefit outweighs the risk. We are stewards of the things God entrusts to us. So far, all of our visitors have brought us a tremendous blessing and I feel we have come out on the "large end of the stick"! Keep us in your prayers as we navigate this difficult issue.
Denver DAWN gathering - April 26-29
Simple Church restoration marches on. Suzy & I made a run to Denver, Co in late April for a gathering of DAWN Associates. It was refreshing to hear stories of how God was speaking to so many people with a consistent voice on issues relating to the simplification of church (and life). Here are a few personal takes on what we gleaned from that gathering;
*The shared value of not wanting to become a institution. The willingness to partner to accomplish God assigned tasks with the up front understanding that we are a starfish type "leader light" group of relationships with shared goals and values (and the willingness to get out of the way where and when necessary). I personally want to work myself out of a job by seeing healthy networked leaders saturate the landscape - planting churches)!
*The value of cross-pollination. Virtually everyone attending were connected to multiple networks (example - Kevin Sutter from N. California leads a house church network, works within YWAM as a church planting trainer, is a DAWN Associate (we are on a twice monthly conference call). The result being DAWN relationships are a compliment to and should not compete with existing associations / relationships. DAWN is viewed as tool to help relationally "link up" the diversity of what God is doing.
* The power of these gatherings to those who have been "ekbollowed". Mark & Khristi McCutcheon (who I have copied on this email) were blow away by hearing their own story repeated by others (just change the names...same story - Luke 10:2b). Regional gatherings will help facilitate a strengthening of network leaders who may feel alone, crazy, or isolated!
*The shared value of not wanting to become a institution. The willingness to partner to accomplish God assigned tasks with the up front understanding that we are a starfish type "leader light" group of relationships with shared goals and values (and the willingness to get out of the way where and when necessary). I personally want to work myself out of a job by seeing healthy networked leaders saturate the landscape - planting churches)!
*The value of cross-pollination. Virtually everyone attending were connected to multiple networks (example - Kevin Sutter from N. California leads a house church network, works within YWAM as a church planting trainer, is a DAWN Associate (we are on a twice monthly conference call). The result being DAWN relationships are a compliment to and should not compete with existing associations / relationships. DAWN is viewed as tool to help relationally "link up" the diversity of what God is doing.
* The power of these gatherings to those who have been "ekbollowed". Mark & Khristi McCutcheon (who I have copied on this email) were blow away by hearing their own story repeated by others (just change the names...same story - Luke 10:2b). Regional gatherings will help facilitate a strengthening of network leaders who may feel alone, crazy, or isolated!
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