Worshipping Together - Apart

The world seems so quiet blanketed in a white layer of snow and ice. No cars, no place to go, no deadlines. I have a pause in my life today. What will I do with it? I will be honest with you, I sat in bed and was making a list of all the things that I am behind on. Time to get caught up! But I don't want to miss out on what God has for me!

Today God has given me the opportunity to rest and worship. During this advent season we want to worship Christ fully. Today we worship together even as we are scattered all over. For me, worship has taken the form of quietness before God. A heart of thankfulness for all I have and not a concern for all I need.


Today we can worship as a real church together - apart - much like the first century church.


I want to give you a word to contemplate: Hope.


Our God is a God of Hope.


Stay warm, stay safe, and lets worship Christ fully together - apart.

Facebook

So Ric wanted me to be his friend on facebook... well to do that I had to open an account. (check it out here) So they want a picture and info about who you are and all that kind of stuff. So I did it. Next thing I know I get about 20 emails saying all these people want to be my friend. HEY I am popular- who new? Weird how an email saying someone wants to be your friend in cyberspace can make you feel good.

Do you know what it REVEALED to me? We all hunger for connection, for community. That is God's design for all of us to be in connection with Him and with each other. I want Real Life to be a face to face not cyberspace facebook. (Wow, there's a lot of "face" in that sentence but you get it right?).

I love reading the devotionals and the blogs from people. I feel connected- face to face- if you know what I mean. When we share in the fast next week (whether you fast food of something else) we will be doing it together in community- face to face. We really are living out the "Acts Church" life- all out for God and each other.

Just real 24/7/365

Walking a new road - GRACE

I was reflecting today on Paul's encounter with God on the road that changed his life. We can have a wrong image of God and that can lead us down a wrong road. I so hunger for God to continue to reveal himself to me. It seems that I need that continually or I find myself inserting my made up reflection of God and that can lead me down a wrong road.

I am so glad that we are doing this together. I can't wait for next week when we will have devotions written by many of you. And the fast is coming YEAH!!! No, really.

Plan on coming to Neewollah for some fun this Friday (and candy) --- the fast is coming.

see you then
J

Getting connected in community

Part of the goal of the Reveal series is to allow God to reveal himself in our lives in community. We want to do this together. On Sunday night, the 19th, we are have a gathering called "Talk about it". If you feel a little disconnected, looking to get to know some people better or desire to hear what God is doing at Real Life and in the lives of people; man, let me tell ya, don't miss out on this!

I can feel disconnected. I want to get to know some people better- soooo I really need you! So come on help a brother out, ok? I don't want to go through life alone. I want to share this amazing crazy journey. I NEED YOU! No guilt though, ok? I don't want to whine! I am just passionate about what God is doing. Can't wait to get together.

P.S. I am bringing some killer Chili. (mild, I have a delicate palette)

See you there

P.S.S. The picture doesn't really match what I'm talking about, but I think it's cute- My baby girl is growing up.

Reveal

This week as a community of Christ followers, we are looking to God to reveal himself to each of us in remarkable ways. Here are some suggested readings in God's word to help us along the way.

Reveal

Explore John’s portrayal of some of the special aspects of the character or work of Jesus.

1. Son of God 1:1-14
2. Son of Man 2:1-10
3. Divine Teacher 3:2-21
4. Soul Winner 4:7-29
5. Great Physician 5:1-9
6. Bread of Life 6: 32-58
7. Water of Life 7:37
8. Defender of the Weak 8:3-11
9. Light of the World 9:1-39
10. Good Shepherd 10:1-16
11. Prince of Life 11:1-44
12. King 2:12-15
13. Servant 13:1-10
14. Councilor 14:1-3
15. True Vine 15:1-16
16. Giver of the Holy Spirit 16:1-15
17. Prays on our Behalf 17:1-26
18. Model in Suffering 18:1-11
19. Uplifted Savior 19:16-19
20. Conqueror of Death 20:1-31
21. Restorer 21:1-17

Lessons from the trail

WOW! Hells canyon was awesome. That was the toughest trip I have ever been on.

You can learn a lot through difficulty. When you are in unknown territory, you have to follow a trail. Water- it seems so simple but run out of it and it becomes the biggest thing on your mind. I am so glad I was not alone, the truth is I would not of made it home by myself! Life is meant to be shared, our faith journey is meant to be shared.

In the coming weeks I invite you to join me in community as we ask God to reveal Himself to us. When God reveals Himself, He also reveals things about ourselves- unknown territory.

What do you want God to reveal to you about Himself?
What do you want God to reveal to you about youself?

Are you ready to experience something great? Then lets head into unknown territory and allow God to REVEAL.

Why blog???

I don't like to type. My verbal skills are better than my writing skills (that's P.C. for "I am a lousy writer!") I tend to think and talk about many things at once. This makes it hard to write something that makes sense to anyone else but me. So why blog?

Why?

Big question.

I guess I am writing this for a very simple reason, I don't want to be alone. I want to be connected at some level with you all in this amazing crazy faith journey.

This summer has been awesome!! I really mean that. Both for Real Life and for me personally but it has also cost me. You know what I mean. You start feeling like you are a little stretched.

So I want to be more connected. It is my responsibility to reach out. So I blog. It is not the be all end all... Who knows if anyone besides Ric will even read it? (Ric edits me so I don't sound stupid - thanks Ric... no problem, Jeff) But it is me reaching out - reaching for connection - opening up so God can do something outrageous. God always over delivers!!! Just look at this amazing place called Real Life where I can blog about blogging.

We shot this week's episode of Mythbusters - funny stuff. We sure have some creative people around here! (Or are they just warped? I may not be the best person to decide that!) I like hearing about your journey too. You can do that on the "my experience" page on the website.

It's not the "be all end all" of connection either, but hey, it is a start! Who knows what outrageous thing God has in store for you.

talk some more soon

I'm out

EXPECTING without expectations

That says it all for me. I am expecting God to hear me and to speak to me, but I am removing my expectations of what that will be. I don't want to miss out because I am too focused on one thing.

I have been praying that God would remove these barriers from me so I can hear him:

1. a cluttered mind

2. a spirit of doubt

3. weariness

4. a spirit of expectancy

I know God is hearing me because my mind is more open to him. I have no doubt he will speak, the weariness is slowly fading, and I am excited about what he will say to me. I am half way there!

I have been impressed with the thought of how much God reaches out to me. He is always initiating the conversation. God seeks me out. God is calling my name. He knows me.

I think I get some of this. God wants to be in relationship with me. A deep, close, and personal relationship.

God can hear me - and I can hear him.

See you Sunday... I can't wait for what God is going to do and say!

Doing a great thing

We are doing a great thing as a church. I really mean it, we are doing a great thing. God is using us to tear down walls, heal broken hearts, and bring hope and life. We are doing a great thing.

I am in Kansas City at a meeting about growing churches. Talking about you all - you are amazing; every one of you. You are open and honest and authentic. I love you guys!!!

I look to the summer and the opportunities to do a great thing with God and the opportunity is right there. I don't want to miss out on a single moment God has for us.

You are vital to this great thing. Every one of you. Will you allow God to stretch you? To use you?

Together, we are doing a great thing.

Neh. 6:3

Celebrating the EXTRAORDINARY LIFE

I am so jazzed about baptism this Sunday. Do you want to know why? Well do ya?!? It is a celebration of what God can do. He changes hearts and lives. I know for many people the enemy of every man (the devil) can cause confusion about baptism.

Let me state in a simple way what baptism is:

IT IS... a celebration of your choice to trust God with your life and follow Him.
IT IS... obedience to God's word (the Bible) - He asked us to do it and He did it himself.
IT IS... Your public statement of God's goodness in you.

IT IS NOT... about religion or the church.
IT IS NOT... something you wait to do until your life is perfect. (sorry but that day will never come this side of heaven)

It is such a privilege to be in a place where we openly celebrate God's Grace. (His forgiveness and goodness in our lives)

I want to encourage everyone, if you have not been baptized then Sunday is a great day to do it. Be of great courage, God loves you! If you have been far from God and have come back to Him, then celebrate the fresh new beginning God has given you.

One thing I love is when people who have been used of God to help someone draw close to Him come into the pool to help in baptism. We celebrate together.

Let's celebrate what God is doing with reckless abandon... Let's hold nothing back.

Let the old life fade away and the extraordinary Life God is creating in you come out.

Can't wait!!!