I'll share with you one of the things I've always pictured for my life when we meet on Friday. But I wanted you to know I was thinking about generosity.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The LORD has been poking my heart with the idea of generosity. What does giving look like in my life, especially when my eyes don't see much to give? How do I begin to trust the LORD with the resources He has given me and give up my selfish desires, yet balance my own needs (or what I perceive to be needs)?
Please pray for Uganda... things are moving slowly and I'm getting anxious because this is not something that I want to have to rush at the end. And pray for softness of heart for my mom. She was attempting to be supportive until I came to her for her final consent (needed by the place I'm going... which is ridiculous because I'm 21!). Now she holds the power in her hands and is taking her sweet time to research things before she goes to fax in her consent. My heart desire to go to this place so bad, and it has for over a year now. I'm afraid that my mom will scare me out of going like she always does. She hates for me to go so far away and the thought of me not being home for the summer. I need you to pray protection over me and courage to not turn back because of discouragement.
Email list
Ok, here's the deal on email notifications:
Blogger only gives one spot for an email address to update in the settings section, and I know of at least two people who want email updates. The way to get around that is to create a Google groups thing, where an email address is created that people "join". Everyone in the group receives the email when someone (or something) emails the address.
So if you want email updates, you get to join another group! :) I sent invites to Alli and Amanda already, just let me know if you want to get in on the email notifications.
Hey guys I just wanted to let you guys know how much I appreciate the fellowship that we had while Brendon and I were there. You all welcomed us there as if we had been around all along and I love that feeling. I am excited about this blog and the fact that we get to be a part of it from Colorado, I know that it will be a great encouragement to all of us.
I was also wondering if Lisa could perhaps set it up so that we each get an e-mail when someone posts on here so that we know to check it. I've never used a blog before so I'm not in the habit of thinking to check it...so an e-mail reminder would be wonderful.
Thanks a bunch guys, you are all amazing!
-Amanda Newton
I was also wondering if Lisa could perhaps set it up so that we each get an e-mail when someone posts on here so that we know to check it. I've never used a blog before so I'm not in the habit of thinking to check it...so an e-mail reminder would be wonderful.
Thanks a bunch guys, you are all amazing!
-Amanda Newton
O yeah....
Sweeeeet!!!!!!!! I can even upload pictures!!! heh heh... more to come, friends.....Feel the power today.... and smile!! ;)
Proverbs 28, February 28 and justice.
Good morning friends.
I read this verse this morning and wanted to share it with you all. Bear with me, even though this whole post is not very well articulated....just something I am thinking through right now.
"Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully."
Proverbs 28:5
Read within context, this verse is within a chapter that talks unceasingly about caring for the poor, not oppressing them, and fearing the Lord - being faithful to trust in the Lord's financial provision and care.
When I read this verse, I get this beautiful picture in my mind of a person being enlightened by the Lord... it is almost as if I, for instance, climb inside the Lord's heart and begin to feel my own heart beat in union with his. His thoughts become mine, his heartbeat becomes my own, and his feelings towards his people blossom within me, changing my view of the world around me completely 100%.
Although issues of justice can be seen in many different lights, and all in different contexts, in this case, I simply see a person who knows the Lord's heart and understands exactly what He feels for his people. Especially the people that are suffering, being oppressed, or not receiving the justice that they deserve. Maybe this justice is simply having food to eat that day. Don't all human being born into this world have a right to eat and keep themselves alive?
It's as if, when we ask the Lord for his heart in these matters of poverty and justice, he replaces the glasses covering our eyes with his heart, and all of the sudden, we can see and fully understand. We may not ever know why something like poverty and suffering is allowed to exist in the first place, but we will know the height, width, and depth of Christ's love for his people. We will know his heart for justice, and his compassion that he has for the poor and hurting.
But be careful what you ask for. Once you see, you wont be able to justify living without doing something about it. And this is what the Lord wants from us! He wants a compassionate church, a loving Bride, a family that makes sure that justice happens!
I will end this post with verse 14 of this chapter...
"Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble."
Fear the Lord, you his Saints!!!! Seek his heart, pursue justice, and love... love until your hearts burn and break with compassion towards His people...
I read this verse this morning and wanted to share it with you all. Bear with me, even though this whole post is not very well articulated....just something I am thinking through right now.
"Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully."
Proverbs 28:5
Read within context, this verse is within a chapter that talks unceasingly about caring for the poor, not oppressing them, and fearing the Lord - being faithful to trust in the Lord's financial provision and care.
When I read this verse, I get this beautiful picture in my mind of a person being enlightened by the Lord... it is almost as if I, for instance, climb inside the Lord's heart and begin to feel my own heart beat in union with his. His thoughts become mine, his heartbeat becomes my own, and his feelings towards his people blossom within me, changing my view of the world around me completely 100%.
Although issues of justice can be seen in many different lights, and all in different contexts, in this case, I simply see a person who knows the Lord's heart and understands exactly what He feels for his people. Especially the people that are suffering, being oppressed, or not receiving the justice that they deserve. Maybe this justice is simply having food to eat that day. Don't all human being born into this world have a right to eat and keep themselves alive?
It's as if, when we ask the Lord for his heart in these matters of poverty and justice, he replaces the glasses covering our eyes with his heart, and all of the sudden, we can see and fully understand. We may not ever know why something like poverty and suffering is allowed to exist in the first place, but we will know the height, width, and depth of Christ's love for his people. We will know his heart for justice, and his compassion that he has for the poor and hurting.
But be careful what you ask for. Once you see, you wont be able to justify living without doing something about it. And this is what the Lord wants from us! He wants a compassionate church, a loving Bride, a family that makes sure that justice happens!
I will end this post with verse 14 of this chapter...
"Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble."
Fear the Lord, you his Saints!!!! Seek his heart, pursue justice, and love... love until your hearts burn and break with compassion towards His people...
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday
I didn't really know where to start, but if you can dispel any unsavory childhood memories of a loud and unruly chorus of over-zealous, rhythmically-unified, scripture-reciting machine 4th graders at your local Pioneer Clubs or AWANA meetings, then perhaps you'll find in yourselves a renewed appreciation for this passage.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
[Proverbs 3:5-8]
Well, that was the setting that came to my mind when I re-read this passage today.
I've been more sensitive to the notion of fearing God lately; that's mainly because I haven't been fearing him. I tend to believe in [and often become the subject of] God's sense of humor in that I find a certain comfort/comical element in humility. It's hard to initially laugh at my faultiness, but I do eventually come to a point where I'm grateful for that which the LORD has been teaching me and can only look back and laugh at my foolishness/folly of thinking I had my life all put together. So I ask, what does it mean to "fear the Lord?" That's a tough question. The soundest insight I may have right now is to be settled with not knowing, but trusting, that which the Lord would have for you. Sometimes people see me as a wise individual and come to me, confide in me, and seek advice and answers. I let that get to my head more often than not, and sometimes neglect the fact that all wisdom is God-given...this would be being "wise in my own eyes." By priding myself on maturity/wisdom, I prouded myself on relationships I've formed and the role which I have in some people's lives.
That was errant of me. On Sunday a fear of the Lord overcame me to a point where I sought to make signficant changes in my mindset, fasting from situations and people in whom I would compromise the shift and to instead seek the Lord where he is to be found and to call on him while he is near. I don't necessarily know what this'll look like; I'm still trying to grasp the "realness" of it all. Humility always gets me, but when broken or brought so low, the Lord works and encompasses us in his abundant grace and mercy. As Eric shared earlier, we have a calling, as Christ's body, to encourage one another and build each other up, championing each other to lives of significance [sorry to utilize a lame North Park Cliche], but more imporantly the establishment of the Kingdom. Humility, I believe, is a key aspect to genuine community. Through the fear of the Lord and an intentional embrace of humility, the health of the body will only strengthen and become so strong that evil cannot penetrate it. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. [Proverbs 1:7]
So, have some thoughts today, as vague and disconnected as they may be. And be blessed, brothers and sisters, I've been most blessed by your genuine community of late.
Peter
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
[Proverbs 3:5-8]
Well, that was the setting that came to my mind when I re-read this passage today.
I've been more sensitive to the notion of fearing God lately; that's mainly because I haven't been fearing him. I tend to believe in [and often become the subject of] God's sense of humor in that I find a certain comfort/comical element in humility. It's hard to initially laugh at my faultiness, but I do eventually come to a point where I'm grateful for that which the LORD has been teaching me and can only look back and laugh at my foolishness/folly of thinking I had my life all put together. So I ask, what does it mean to "fear the Lord?" That's a tough question. The soundest insight I may have right now is to be settled with not knowing, but trusting, that which the Lord would have for you. Sometimes people see me as a wise individual and come to me, confide in me, and seek advice and answers. I let that get to my head more often than not, and sometimes neglect the fact that all wisdom is God-given...this would be being "wise in my own eyes." By priding myself on maturity/wisdom, I prouded myself on relationships I've formed and the role which I have in some people's lives.
That was errant of me. On Sunday a fear of the Lord overcame me to a point where I sought to make signficant changes in my mindset, fasting from situations and people in whom I would compromise the shift and to instead seek the Lord where he is to be found and to call on him while he is near. I don't necessarily know what this'll look like; I'm still trying to grasp the "realness" of it all. Humility always gets me, but when broken or brought so low, the Lord works and encompasses us in his abundant grace and mercy. As Eric shared earlier, we have a calling, as Christ's body, to encourage one another and build each other up, championing each other to lives of significance [sorry to utilize a lame North Park Cliche], but more imporantly the establishment of the Kingdom. Humility, I believe, is a key aspect to genuine community. Through the fear of the Lord and an intentional embrace of humility, the health of the body will only strengthen and become so strong that evil cannot penetrate it. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. [Proverbs 1:7]
So, have some thoughts today, as vague and disconnected as they may be. And be blessed, brothers and sisters, I've been most blessed by your genuine community of late.
Peter
I'm Bringing Someone New Too!
I've asked my very good friend Beth Ritchie to come and join us on Friday nights. She's been very important to me this year, and so has our community, and I think we'd both be blessed by bringing the two of them together.
love Love
-Cat.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Championing one another
I had a good conversation with Brendon last night about the purpose of the body and I want to relay some of that to you guys. Brendon shared with me what Omega (the small group they are a part of in the springs was about and it triggered a really good conversation about carrying one another’s dreams and visions. I know this has been a struggle for me as we have sought a church. A couple scriptures before I say more:
Hebrews 10:24 says:
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Philippians 2:1 and 2 says:
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
So these two passages both talk about unity in the body. Often we interpret them to mean we need to share a common vision and dream. In reality though we need to be championing each others dreams, weather they are the same as ours or not. Brendon and Amanda have a heart for ministering to the ski communities in Colorado/Utah area. None of us here have that same heart right now. So does that mean we can’t make joy complete because we aren’t like-minded? No, no and no! Quite to the contrary we left Brendon and Amanda up and praise the Lord that they have a vision for something we don’t! Our response to them is (should be) “praise the Lord that he has given you a desire to serve him in this way!” Our response too often is to take a minimal interest in dreams and visions that are not our own. We fail to lift them up and spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Our whole purpose of meeting is wrapped around this one thing. Our spirit and purpose is not to minister in Colorado, or Bolivia, or Costa Rica, it’s not to save babies in the jungle or build house in Mexico or start a fortune 500 company in Chicago. It is to expand the kingdom. If you can honestly say that what you are doing is with that intent then the church is to cheer you on in that. To champion you in a way that prepares you to fulfill that calling.
So, you have an assignment for this week. I think anybody should be allowed to give assignments here, anything you want to do at the next meeting that people need to prepare for, put it up on this blog. My assignment is this. Begin to pray earnestly about what your calling is and what you want to be championed and spurred on in. Next time we meet we are going to share those callings, those dreams and visions, and encourage one another to them.
Discuss below.
Blessings family,
-Eric
Hebrews 10:24 says:
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Philippians 2:1 and 2 says:
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
So these two passages both talk about unity in the body. Often we interpret them to mean we need to share a common vision and dream. In reality though we need to be championing each others dreams, weather they are the same as ours or not. Brendon and Amanda have a heart for ministering to the ski communities in Colorado/Utah area. None of us here have that same heart right now. So does that mean we can’t make joy complete because we aren’t like-minded? No, no and no! Quite to the contrary we left Brendon and Amanda up and praise the Lord that they have a vision for something we don’t! Our response to them is (should be) “praise the Lord that he has given you a desire to serve him in this way!” Our response too often is to take a minimal interest in dreams and visions that are not our own. We fail to lift them up and spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Our whole purpose of meeting is wrapped around this one thing. Our spirit and purpose is not to minister in Colorado, or Bolivia, or Costa Rica, it’s not to save babies in the jungle or build house in Mexico or start a fortune 500 company in Chicago. It is to expand the kingdom. If you can honestly say that what you are doing is with that intent then the church is to cheer you on in that. To champion you in a way that prepares you to fulfill that calling.
So, you have an assignment for this week. I think anybody should be allowed to give assignments here, anything you want to do at the next meeting that people need to prepare for, put it up on this blog. My assignment is this. Begin to pray earnestly about what your calling is and what you want to be championed and spurred on in. Next time we meet we are going to share those callings, those dreams and visions, and encourage one another to them.
Discuss below.
Blessings family,
-Eric
Sunday, February 24, 2008
My 21st.....
Hey everyone!
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for the fun time last night celebrating my 21st!!!! You guys are awesome! It's always hard for me to be away from my family on my birthday and this year was so special in that I really feel like I have family here now as well. Thank you again so much. (sorry for breaking your banks.....:}
Enjoy the Lord today as we all celebrate in his goodness and life! Praise his name that we are all alive and well and that the Spirit of the Lord lives within us!!!!
Peace and Joy
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for the fun time last night celebrating my 21st!!!! You guys are awesome! It's always hard for me to be away from my family on my birthday and this year was so special in that I really feel like I have family here now as well. Thank you again so much. (sorry for breaking your banks.....:}
Enjoy the Lord today as we all celebrate in his goodness and life! Praise his name that we are all alive and well and that the Spirit of the Lord lives within us!!!!
Peace and Joy
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Cheesy First Post
Welcome to our new mode of sharing with each other!
All this takes is a gmail account. When you're in gmail, go to the "more" menu, hit "blogger" and create a blogger account with your gmail sign in. Easy. And then we can start adding you to the posting list for this blog, and we'll go from there!
All this takes is a gmail account. When you're in gmail, go to the "more" menu, hit "blogger" and create a blogger account with your gmail sign in. Easy. And then we can start adding you to the posting list for this blog, and we'll go from there!
Edited to add: apparently you don't have to have gmail (excuse: it was 2 am).
May the Lord bless you and bring you peace.
May the Lord bless you and bring you peace.
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