Pilgrimage
It's a journey to a sacred place. We did it this last weekend with our church Jacob's Well. It was a great time! We stayed in cabins, laughed together, played with the kids (ours and other people's), rested and worshipped together. It was very cool. We journeyed to YouthFront south camp where they have over 600 acres and 60+ sacred spaces. It's a great place.
One of the highlights of our time was Sunday morning. Carol was baptized! It was great. I love the way Jacob's Well really tries to journey together and find a rhythm of life together. It is so refreshing and generative!
I wonder what kinds of pilgrimage's some of you others go on?
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Telling Stories: Missouri friends
This past weekend I spent at the Missouri NYI Convention. I was the "speaker" and had a great time with them. Mona Downs is the District President and is doing a great job and the people there were so kind (special thanks to Charlie for carting me around a bit and taking me to dinner!). I love making new friends!
I told two stories, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Friday night I shared the story of Ephesus and talked about how the Greeks valued beauty, performance, competition and achievement (which thankfully is nothing like our culture today). I went on to talk about that as the context of Paul's letter and shared some from there.
Saturday I told the story of Zaccheus. I pulled out the back story of who tax collectors were and how they were treated, etc.
Okay, so now here's my point, I told these stories and after each service people came up to me and started talking about how they found themselves IN the story. They related to someone in the story. They felt at home, sometimes even uncomfortable home. There wasn't 3 points and a power truth. Just the story from Scripture and our story, which as I think about it, is THE STORY.
This past weekend I spent at the Missouri NYI Convention. I was the "speaker" and had a great time with them. Mona Downs is the District President and is doing a great job and the people there were so kind (special thanks to Charlie for carting me around a bit and taking me to dinner!). I love making new friends!
I told two stories, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Friday night I shared the story of Ephesus and talked about how the Greeks valued beauty, performance, competition and achievement (which thankfully is nothing like our culture today). I went on to talk about that as the context of Paul's letter and shared some from there.
Saturday I told the story of Zaccheus. I pulled out the back story of who tax collectors were and how they were treated, etc.
Okay, so now here's my point, I told these stories and after each service people came up to me and started talking about how they found themselves IN the story. They related to someone in the story. They felt at home, sometimes even uncomfortable home. There wasn't 3 points and a power truth. Just the story from Scripture and our story, which as I think about it, is THE STORY.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Gutsy FaithI just finished "Gutsy Faith" this weekend. I'm a bit behind on my reading, but am getting close to being caught up.
Here what I loved in my friend Jeff's book:
1) Stories - lots of stories. I love stories. I also loved that Jeff used lots of real life examples that we all can connect with. Nicely done.
2) Lots of Scripture - it seems to be a no brainer in a book about Christian faith, but a cursory look at what's on the shelves of most Christian book stores will prove otherwise. Jeff's use of Scripture every step of the way show his passion for connecting people with THE STORY as well as his passion for that Story in his own life.
3) Readability - it's an easy read, but not in a simple way. Gutsy Faith goes to some deep places, questioning some things that are core to our faith, but does it in a way that anyone can read.
Some things I thought could be better:
1) Overall layout - I just found myself wishing that the section headings were more helpful. The chapter titles were good, but in going back to reference something, the subheadings just didn't really reveal anything as to what was actually in that part of the text. Maybe just my opinion and maybe just being picky.
2) I wish Jeff would have brought the community piece in more. He seems to hint around at it quite a bit, but he never comes out and talks about the importance of the role of community in knowing God's will for your life. Maybe he doesn't value it, but I don't really think that fits with all that he calls us to.
3) A stronger connection between every chapter. As I mentioned above, I love that he used lots of stories, but perhaps there could have been one story that he continued to refer to which would pull everything together. Again, probably me being picky.
Overall, I really enjoyed the read and would recommend it to anyone. I especially think it would be helpful for people in transitions.
Good job Jeff!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Is Preaching really about story?
This question was offered up to me like a slow pitch softball in a lunch conversation last week. The question is not really that easy, per say, its just that the person who asked it had no idea what they were in for when they asked ME :-)
I'd love to hear some people thoughts on the role of story and narrative and preaching. I have some thoughts, which I will share as we continue, but I'm curious as to what you all might think. To get things started there are two quotes I'd like to throw out there:
"Truth naked and cold had been turned away from every door in the village. Her nakedness frightened the people. When Parable found her, she was huddled in a corner, shivering and hungry. Taking pity on her, Parable gathered her up and took her home. There, she dressed Truth in story, warmed her and sent her out again. Clothed in story, Truth knocked again at the villagers’ doors and was readily welcomed into the people’s houses. They invited her to eat at their table and warm herself by the fire."
- Jewish teaching story
And this offering which comes from an interview from the infamous "Wittenburg Door" magazine with one of the greatest story tellers of our generation, Garrison Keillor.
Door: Any suggestions on making sermons better?
K: Yes. First, I think that people want to hear the gospel in the form of a story. There’s a story at the heart of every sermon. I think sermons fail when they take that story, stick it in a corner, and make it into a lecture. That won’t work for people.
Door: Why not?
K: A story allows people to come into it. You can somehow envision yourself as a participant in a story. It engages the imagination in a way that a lecture does not. In order for a lecture to draw people in, it really has to be a sustained experience. Twenty minutes is definitely not enough time.
But a story has a magical power to draw people into it. If you simply describe specific details of a landscape, if you crate a street in a small town in Midwest in January on a Sunday afternoon in North Dakota with the drifts plowed up high along the sides of the road and steam coming out of the chimneys of a few homes on the edge of town, and beyond that a great sea of snow on fields perfectly flat and broken by tree lines around farms – you’ve just created a landscape that someone will be imagine himself in. And then something else can happen.
Door: What?
K: You can draw him out of himself and into this place in the imagination. The story of Job draws us into it. The parable of the prodigal son is easy for me to imagine anyway. Most of the other stories in the New Testament draw people in, as well.
This question was offered up to me like a slow pitch softball in a lunch conversation last week. The question is not really that easy, per say, its just that the person who asked it had no idea what they were in for when they asked ME :-)
I'd love to hear some people thoughts on the role of story and narrative and preaching. I have some thoughts, which I will share as we continue, but I'm curious as to what you all might think. To get things started there are two quotes I'd like to throw out there:
"Truth naked and cold had been turned away from every door in the village. Her nakedness frightened the people. When Parable found her, she was huddled in a corner, shivering and hungry. Taking pity on her, Parable gathered her up and took her home. There, she dressed Truth in story, warmed her and sent her out again. Clothed in story, Truth knocked again at the villagers’ doors and was readily welcomed into the people’s houses. They invited her to eat at their table and warm herself by the fire."
- Jewish teaching story
And this offering which comes from an interview from the infamous "Wittenburg Door" magazine with one of the greatest story tellers of our generation, Garrison Keillor.
Door: Any suggestions on making sermons better?
K: Yes. First, I think that people want to hear the gospel in the form of a story. There’s a story at the heart of every sermon. I think sermons fail when they take that story, stick it in a corner, and make it into a lecture. That won’t work for people.
Door: Why not?
K: A story allows people to come into it. You can somehow envision yourself as a participant in a story. It engages the imagination in a way that a lecture does not. In order for a lecture to draw people in, it really has to be a sustained experience. Twenty minutes is definitely not enough time.
But a story has a magical power to draw people into it. If you simply describe specific details of a landscape, if you crate a street in a small town in Midwest in January on a Sunday afternoon in North Dakota with the drifts plowed up high along the sides of the road and steam coming out of the chimneys of a few homes on the edge of town, and beyond that a great sea of snow on fields perfectly flat and broken by tree lines around farms – you’ve just created a landscape that someone will be imagine himself in. And then something else can happen.
Door: What?
K: You can draw him out of himself and into this place in the imagination. The story of Job draws us into it. The parable of the prodigal son is easy for me to imagine anyway. Most of the other stories in the New Testament draw people in, as well.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Water Fire Wind... and Earth?
In a stunning twist of God's comedic humor, I have returned from vacation only to find that Tim Keel, our pastor from Jacob's Well, is doing a series that includes the elements of creation - earth, air, fire and water. Hmmmm... Could it be a mass consipiracy? Doubtful. But one never knows... Either way I highly recommed listening in on the series. He has done an intro week, earth and air and will be doing water this week. I feel like I could do this series - not in the same way or as well, but because I've spent the last year in these three elements and Scripture. God must be up to something here.
In a stunning twist of God's comedic humor, I have returned from vacation only to find that Tim Keel, our pastor from Jacob's Well, is doing a series that includes the elements of creation - earth, air, fire and water. Hmmmm... Could it be a mass consipiracy? Doubtful. But one never knows... Either way I highly recommed listening in on the series. He has done an intro week, earth and air and will be doing water this week. I feel like I could do this series - not in the same way or as well, but because I've spent the last year in these three elements and Scripture. God must be up to something here.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
We're Back...
We are back from a great vacation and I'm digging through 3 weeks worth of mail, email and voice messages. We had a great time on our vacation in Maryland, Michigan and Indiana (and places along the way). We got to hang out with the Snows (including the newest edition Ryan) in the inner harbor of Baltimore, we ate crabs and ice cream with Josh and Aubrey (where I also learned to attract bats with my sandal), hung with the Youngs a bit at their home, stayed a night with Jim and Sue and James Dougherty, saw and visited with lots of other friends and got to visit and preach in Bel Air! We also visited my parents and my brother Kevin and his family in Michigan, saw my brother Steve and family, and stopped by Carol's sister's to hang with the cousins. We all had a great time!
It was a great reminder of the extensiveness of God's Kingdom and our friendships. Believe it or not, we also got some rest! Now we're back to Kansas and 100+ degree heat. Since home, I've changed out a toilet kit and we've gotten a new hot water heater. I hope that's all the home improvements for a while.
We are back from a great vacation and I'm digging through 3 weeks worth of mail, email and voice messages. We had a great time on our vacation in Maryland, Michigan and Indiana (and places along the way). We got to hang out with the Snows (including the newest edition Ryan) in the inner harbor of Baltimore, we ate crabs and ice cream with Josh and Aubrey (where I also learned to attract bats with my sandal), hung with the Youngs a bit at their home, stayed a night with Jim and Sue and James Dougherty, saw and visited with lots of other friends and got to visit and preach in Bel Air! We also visited my parents and my brother Kevin and his family in Michigan, saw my brother Steve and family, and stopped by Carol's sister's to hang with the cousins. We all had a great time!
It was a great reminder of the extensiveness of God's Kingdom and our friendships. Believe it or not, we also got some rest! Now we're back to Kansas and 100+ degree heat. Since home, I've changed out a toilet kit and we've gotten a new hot water heater. I hope that's all the home improvements for a while.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Swingin' in OKC
This stop on my journey is in Oklahoma City at Southern Nazarene University. Good to make some new friends and connect with some old! Great to see some of my Bel Air (Mike, Katelynn, Weston, Austin, Andrew, Bambi, Denise, the Moots [Hannah is huge!!] and a few others) and Mid-Atlantic friends (Renee thanks for not throwing anything at me!). Also great to see my brother Kevin who is here with a team. As soon as I finish this post I'm headed to meet with him for a late lunch.
One quick thing that struck me - I was in this restaurant that stands as a place keeper for the 60's. It had all 60's (and a few 70's) stuff on the wall and as decorations. While it was a little entertaining to see, I wondered how much this is like a lot of our churches. Do we put things up on the wall that tell us the story of yesterday? Do we play only music from a by-gone era? And if we do is that so bad?
A highlight for sure was the chance to walk in the sanctuary at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. You probably have never heard of it - I hadn't - but it has the most beautiful glass windows I have ever seen. They are not stained glass but have that look. The artwork is actually printed within the glass and it is spectacular. We met with Jason Johnston who was kind enough to share with us all his knowledge on the glass and the sanctuary. There are no pics on their website yet of the glass, but he said that they are redoing their site and will have some up soon. I hope so. I could have spent weeks looking at them.
How does this compare to the 60's diner? Well there is a whole beauty and art issue here, but I guess my heartburn is that if we only tell that story and don't reimagine and tell our story of God at work today, then perhaps we've missed the point all together.
Next week I have vacation and I'm so looking forward to it. I'm tired and trying not to let it show.
DCLA was awesome and a huge help to me and the NYC team. I learned so much from some of the event coordinators as they did their trouble shooting, dealt with convention center staff, oversaw medical issues, etc. It was just plain great. I met some new friends there too which is always awesome! I also walked a LOT. Meanwhile... Carol and the kids PLAYED! They are having a great time with Maryland friends and being back in the east!
I've been invited to preach on Sunday at Bel Air and am excited and slightly nervous to do so. I haven't preached since my last sermon there and I have this mixed feeling of pressure and joy to be with them again. Anyway it should be fun!
This stop on my journey is in Oklahoma City at Southern Nazarene University. Good to make some new friends and connect with some old! Great to see some of my Bel Air (Mike, Katelynn, Weston, Austin, Andrew, Bambi, Denise, the Moots [Hannah is huge!!] and a few others) and Mid-Atlantic friends (Renee thanks for not throwing anything at me!). Also great to see my brother Kevin who is here with a team. As soon as I finish this post I'm headed to meet with him for a late lunch.
One quick thing that struck me - I was in this restaurant that stands as a place keeper for the 60's. It had all 60's (and a few 70's) stuff on the wall and as decorations. While it was a little entertaining to see, I wondered how much this is like a lot of our churches. Do we put things up on the wall that tell us the story of yesterday? Do we play only music from a by-gone era? And if we do is that so bad?
A highlight for sure was the chance to walk in the sanctuary at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. You probably have never heard of it - I hadn't - but it has the most beautiful glass windows I have ever seen. They are not stained glass but have that look. The artwork is actually printed within the glass and it is spectacular. We met with Jason Johnston who was kind enough to share with us all his knowledge on the glass and the sanctuary. There are no pics on their website yet of the glass, but he said that they are redoing their site and will have some up soon. I hope so. I could have spent weeks looking at them.
How does this compare to the 60's diner? Well there is a whole beauty and art issue here, but I guess my heartburn is that if we only tell that story and don't reimagine and tell our story of God at work today, then perhaps we've missed the point all together.
Next week I have vacation and I'm so looking forward to it. I'm tired and trying not to let it show.
DCLA was awesome and a huge help to me and the NYC team. I learned so much from some of the event coordinators as they did their trouble shooting, dealt with convention center staff, oversaw medical issues, etc. It was just plain great. I met some new friends there too which is always awesome! I also walked a LOT. Meanwhile... Carol and the kids PLAYED! They are having a great time with Maryland friends and being back in the east!
I've been invited to preach on Sunday at Bel Air and am excited and slightly nervous to do so. I haven't preached since my last sermon there and I have this mixed feeling of pressure and joy to be with them again. Anyway it should be fun!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Free Book!
My friend Jeff is just releasing his new book, Gutsy Faith. If you're interested visit his blog to find out how to recieve a free copy and join in the reading and blogging. I'm reading it now.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Kenyon College visit
Recently while visiting one of our Nazarene Universities, we stopped by another small private school that has been around forever - Kenyon College. I took these pictures there.
The cross is from 1904 graduating class. The others are from the chapel on campus.
Father's Day
Yeah, I'm the richest man in the world with the family I have! This was part of my Father's Day presents. Not shown were tickets to a T-Bones game (Kansas City minor league baseball) and some Art's Coffee. Art roasts it one day, delivers it to your door the next. Quite good! In the pic you'll notice the Super Soaker from Jahred, the awesome picture and frame from the kids, a card and my favorite kind of tie... it is personal, means a lot and it will never have to go around my neck!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Tripping...
Headed out for a three week galavant around the country... St. Louis, Indy, DC, Oklahoma City, Maryland, Michigan (?), St. Louis and home. Good thing is my family will be with me for most of the time. Other good thing is that a week of it is vacation. I need some sleep.
Look for...
- working on a chapter for a book and think I might post a rough first draft here for some added feedback. But then you all might be the only ones who read it if it gets published and that's sucky marketing. Actually it would be extra long for here, so we'll see.
- worked up a some theological vision thoughts on NYC that I'd like to share
- pictures. I've got some great ones, just have to get them to this blog.
If you are near, in or around any of the above locales in the next few weeks, give me a shout out through this blog, through email or through cell and we'll get together. I'd love to have at least one significant emerging church conversation at every stop.
Headed out for a three week galavant around the country... St. Louis, Indy, DC, Oklahoma City, Maryland, Michigan (?), St. Louis and home. Good thing is my family will be with me for most of the time. Other good thing is that a week of it is vacation. I need some sleep.
Look for...
- working on a chapter for a book and think I might post a rough first draft here for some added feedback. But then you all might be the only ones who read it if it gets published and that's sucky marketing. Actually it would be extra long for here, so we'll see.
- worked up a some theological vision thoughts on NYC that I'd like to share
- pictures. I've got some great ones, just have to get them to this blog.
If you are near, in or around any of the above locales in the next few weeks, give me a shout out through this blog, through email or through cell and we'll get together. I'd love to have at least one significant emerging church conversation at every stop.
Got it... don't got it
I don't know about you and your life of faith. I don't know how your journey has gone, but for me it's just sometimes the most bizarre thing. There are some things that you realize, believe and change you. You think you've got it figured out, you've experienced it and you've got it covered. You've "been there, done that". But then it hits you again and something you thought you had mastered, you quickly realize you have so much to learn, understand, experience.
For example, last Sunday Tim was talking about how everything we need as people we can get from God. But when we don't go to God to get it - love, affirmation, space, purpose, peace, etc. - then we begin to want to get it from other people and impose that on them, instead of just accepting them as they are in love. I know this. I've taught and preached this. But when I heard it on Sunday it was like God let me have ears to hear for the first time again.
It's a wonderful thing to be surprised by God and the things of God. It's great that we can't master them. But man it's goofy sometimes. Maybe no one else has experienced this, and in all likelihood I haven't communicated this very well, but I'd love to know if you're tracking on this at all.
I don't know about you and your life of faith. I don't know how your journey has gone, but for me it's just sometimes the most bizarre thing. There are some things that you realize, believe and change you. You think you've got it figured out, you've experienced it and you've got it covered. You've "been there, done that". But then it hits you again and something you thought you had mastered, you quickly realize you have so much to learn, understand, experience.
For example, last Sunday Tim was talking about how everything we need as people we can get from God. But when we don't go to God to get it - love, affirmation, space, purpose, peace, etc. - then we begin to want to get it from other people and impose that on them, instead of just accepting them as they are in love. I know this. I've taught and preached this. But when I heard it on Sunday it was like God let me have ears to hear for the first time again.
It's a wonderful thing to be surprised by God and the things of God. It's great that we can't master them. But man it's goofy sometimes. Maybe no one else has experienced this, and in all likelihood I haven't communicated this very well, but I'd love to know if you're tracking on this at all.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
There is No One Like You
So goes the lyrics to David Crowder Band’s song about God. It really is true. As we were worshipping with 1500 high school students at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and we were singing those words, I realized how true that really is.
One hour before I had been having an in-depth theological conversation about the emerging church and post-modernity with some people who have been pretty modern and known as such for quite some time. God opened doors for the conversation and while nothing was “settled” it ended cordially with some potential for continued conversations.
Earlier that afternoon I met up with my roommate from my freshman year at Olivet, Chris Riggs. The stories he has on me (with the evidence to back it up) could probably put me in jail! It was so good to talk with him and hear how God is working in his life and ministry. Who’d a thought 14 years ago that either of us would be here, in ministry?
One hour after the service I found myself in a room full of youth workers leading a question and discussion time over the limits we put on ourselves, our ministries and God because we often stop hoping. It was a great discussion. Afterwards Dave and I met up with some folks and began a long discussion on the failure of youth ministry in our churches (50-88% of kids who graduate from our youth groups never return to church). What a great time to re-imagine where we might be heading. Great people, great conversation.
God, there truly is no one like you!
So goes the lyrics to David Crowder Band’s song about God. It really is true. As we were worshipping with 1500 high school students at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and we were singing those words, I realized how true that really is.
One hour before I had been having an in-depth theological conversation about the emerging church and post-modernity with some people who have been pretty modern and known as such for quite some time. God opened doors for the conversation and while nothing was “settled” it ended cordially with some potential for continued conversations.
Earlier that afternoon I met up with my roommate from my freshman year at Olivet, Chris Riggs. The stories he has on me (with the evidence to back it up) could probably put me in jail! It was so good to talk with him and hear how God is working in his life and ministry. Who’d a thought 14 years ago that either of us would be here, in ministry?
One hour after the service I found myself in a room full of youth workers leading a question and discussion time over the limits we put on ourselves, our ministries and God because we often stop hoping. It was a great discussion. Afterwards Dave and I met up with some folks and began a long discussion on the failure of youth ministry in our churches (50-88% of kids who graduate from our youth groups never return to church). What a great time to re-imagine where we might be heading. Great people, great conversation.
God, there truly is no one like you!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Something's a little fishy
This morning Meg and Jahred and I went to a kids fishing derby. It was a good time. There were a lot of people and some free stuff. It was our first time fishing this year. After many minutes of intense struggle and some fantastic coaching by her dad, Meg realed in three fish (all about 4 inches long), actually small mouth bass to be precise. Jahred went oh-for, but he did manage to lose two hooks and a bobber... and have an overall good time.
In other news, many of you know of my ties to the emerging church. Some MAJOR controversy, even garnering an ABC news report, came up recently over an article. You can read the article here and the see the news report here. It's really worth looking into!
This morning Meg and Jahred and I went to a kids fishing derby. It was a good time. There were a lot of people and some free stuff. It was our first time fishing this year. After many minutes of intense struggle and some fantastic coaching by her dad, Meg realed in three fish (all about 4 inches long), actually small mouth bass to be precise. Jahred went oh-for, but he did manage to lose two hooks and a bobber... and have an overall good time.
In other news, many of you know of my ties to the emerging church. Some MAJOR controversy, even garnering an ABC news report, came up recently over an article. You can read the article here and the see the news report here. It's really worth looking into!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Summer Institute
Well I wish I was in Minneapolis this week at the Summer Institute. Here are some pics. Doug is blogging a tiny bit on it and has some pics as well. I'll be anxious to hear more from folks as it unfolds. I'm just wishing I were there.
Well I wish I was in Minneapolis this week at the Summer Institute. Here are some pics. Doug is blogging a tiny bit on it and has some pics as well. I'll be anxious to hear more from folks as it unfolds. I'm just wishing I were there.
Tim my man...
Got an email from my good friend Tim today. I haven't talked to him in a while. It was good to "hear" from him. In his closing he signed it - Tim "Peter". I used to say that Tim was my Peter. He would drive me crazy some days (can you say broken van window - while moving - it was winter) and then he would make me think he was a great missionary. He brought people and cared about people. Nathan and Jacob for instance. Sean for another. So I'm giving this post as a shout out to Tim.
Monday, June 05, 2006
A little catch-up
I'm in St. Louis and have a few minutes tonight so I thought I'd do a grand catch up post... I planned on doing this yesterday, but wasn't able to so here it is today.
As promised here's a picture of our dog Foster, the Catahula...
Here is Jahred's Hummer that we made together for his "Drive to First Grade" at the end of the year... (Hey, if you gotta drive it might as well be in style!) Despite his multiple efforts and plans we managed to keep the guns off.
Here is a friend of our family, Nick DeVoss. You can read about him and his family. all amazing folks, at Carol's blog here.
I'm in St. Louis and have a few minutes tonight so I thought I'd do a grand catch up post... I planned on doing this yesterday, but wasn't able to so here it is today.
As promised here's a picture of our dog Foster, the Catahula...
Here is Jahred's Hummer that we made together for his "Drive to First Grade" at the end of the year... (Hey, if you gotta drive it might as well be in style!) Despite his multiple efforts and plans we managed to keep the guns off.
Here is a friend of our family, Nick DeVoss. You can read about him and his family. all amazing folks, at Carol's blog here.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Hiding Out?!?
Two weeks ago, Tim (our pastor) started talking about what it means to "hide" in Christ. He talked about how there are times and rhythms in our lives where God may be very well "hiding" us for a time. He used the examples of Christ - 30 years before any ministry that we know of - and Paul - around 14 years between his conversion and appearance before apostles in Jerusalem and his first missionary journey. It also appears that this season right after Easter is indeed a time, a rhythm of hiding in Christ, but we often want to "get going" this time in ministry. Tim's words have challenged me to hide out a bit - hence the rare posts on this blog and rare outputs other places as well.
I share this now, only as an invitation for others to join in this rhythm of hiding out for a while. Maybe this is not where God has you right now, so don't misunderstand me as trying to "hi-jack" what God is already doing in your life. However, you may be in that place where God is hiding you for a time and have struggled with the purpose behind it. I can give you no purpose, except to trust in the One who really knows.
Two weeks ago, Tim (our pastor) started talking about what it means to "hide" in Christ. He talked about how there are times and rhythms in our lives where God may be very well "hiding" us for a time. He used the examples of Christ - 30 years before any ministry that we know of - and Paul - around 14 years between his conversion and appearance before apostles in Jerusalem and his first missionary journey. It also appears that this season right after Easter is indeed a time, a rhythm of hiding in Christ, but we often want to "get going" this time in ministry. Tim's words have challenged me to hide out a bit - hence the rare posts on this blog and rare outputs other places as well.
I share this now, only as an invitation for others to join in this rhythm of hiding out for a while. Maybe this is not where God has you right now, so don't misunderstand me as trying to "hi-jack" what God is already doing in your life. However, you may be in that place where God is hiding you for a time and have struggled with the purpose behind it. I can give you no purpose, except to trust in the One who really knows.
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