encouragement from the trail

In the last couple of weeks I have been very encouraged by my neighbors here at cohousing. We have truly enjoyed all of our neighbors. They have welcomed us in ways I never thought possible. We connected right away w/ one couple here (in fact, before we even moved in). They have since become dear friends, w/ whom we share struggles and joys w/. Just recently, we have gotten to know other neighbors more closely and are building new friendships. A couple weeks ago one neighbor, w/ whom we talk and laugh w/ on a regular basis, out of the blue brought up spiritual matters w/ us, sharing where they've come from and where they're at now. I felt so honored that they would share this aspect of their life w/ us, knowing our vocation and all. These topics of conversation have continued ever since. Then, just this week another neighbor shared awesome words of encouragement w/ us. They said that since we have moved in (3 or so months ago), folks around here have rethought their perceptions of Christians. They've seen how we and our friends have welcomed and been friendly w/ others, how we parent, and how we're not too weird. This perception of us has shattered some people’s old paradigms of a stuffy, overbearing, and legalistic Christian faith. Again I felt so blessed to hear these words. I will tuck them away, and bring them out on a rainy day when I need a boost. I love my neighbors, and pray that we can continue to allow the Holy Spirit to tactfully guide our interactions, for His glory.

prayer

I decided to post all the old prayer letters that I've sent out to interested folks, since November 2008. They show the progression of my thinking and the process of what we're doing. This month's prayer requests are on this coming month's prayer letter. You can access all of them on the prayer link to the left.

friend?

I'm on facebook. I laugh at many of the friends I have there. The term friend is such a broad term on places like myspace and facebook. I am "friends" w/ several folks I don't really know: some kid from elementary school, an old friend's little brother, and someone I was on a week-long trip w/. They are great people, but I don't know them very well and we are “friends”.

With the church plant, I am finding that my main job is to make friends, to meet people. I could send out a facebook announcement or a mass email or advertise in the newspaper and telephone poles, saying a new church is starting and ask folks to check us out. But that seems too impersonal to me. I am in the belief that people desire authentic community. This belief places a high priority on relationship rather than structure. It also calls for a slower process of getting things rolling. Building relationships is slow at times, but foundational. In a culture that bucks authority and institutions, relationships are everything. One comes to a party, b/c they are invited and trust the one inviting them. There is power in relationships and friendship.

It is a power of trust and trusting; and, trust takes time. I believe I am beginning to see that our strategy is starting to pay off. Neighbors, who were once (and maybe still are) suspicious are now bringing up spiritual topics w/ us. I think they trust that we are not going to beat them w/ our Bibles, but journey w/ us as we explore faith w/ them. They are becoming friends in the real sense of the word. My prayer is that trust will grow, faith in Him will grow, and friends will be made.

time to train

Who's up for a small road trip to Leavenworth, WA? Every year this Bavarian town in the mountains hosts a sweet Octoberfest, w/ lots of good beer, lederhosen and sausages. Part of the festivities is a half marathon and marathon. This year K8 and I are going to continue an old tradition and run the half, and then have a beer and brat afterwards (just what every runner wants after a long run). We would love some company on the road. The race is on Oct. 3. All the info is at the website: http://www.leavenworthmarathon.com/

If you're interested in joining us let me know, and we can do some training runs together. For us, our official training starts this Monday, July 27. There are lots of good training plans online, depending on your goals. The one we are using is below. See you on the road?

WEEK=MON-TUES-WED-THURS-FRI----SAT-SUN===TOTAL MILES
1======3----Rest--3------3------Rest---4----Rest==13
2======3----Rest--4------3------Rest---5----Rest==15
3======3----Rest--4------3------Rest---6----Rest==16
4======3----Rest--5------3------Rest---8----Rest==19
5======3----Rest--5------3------Rest---10---Rest==21
6======4----Rest--5------4------Rest---11---Rest==24
7======4----Rest--6------4------Rest---12---Rest==26
8======4----Rest--5------4------Rest---9----Rest==22
9======3----Rest--4------3------Rest---8----Rest==18
10=====3----Rest--3--(Walk 2)--Rest--RACE--x---==21

my amazon order

I didn't realize it until it came, but my amazon.com order probably seemed quite random to the guy who packed it. It contained 2 items. The first is a classic Christian work of theology which has influenced untold numbers of people, Augustine's "City of God." I'm excited to have it on my shelf, and read it in the near future. The second item was a yoga DVD, "Power to the Peaceful." It is a fun workout that we lost a while back. The combo of the 2 seemed a little random, but that's me I guess. I am equally excited for both, but for different reasons. Here's to being who we are.

gigs

After being away for a few days visiting family, I finally feel in back my rhythm of work and ministry. Since being a back, I’ve lead music at my parent church, Bethel CRC, and wrote a proposal for a community development grant through AmeriCorp, among other things.

This week my focus has been prepping for the series of sermons I’m preaching this summer in various churches. I was thinking today about the honor and responsibility of preaching the Word, proclaiming the Good News of Christ. Ephesians 2:4-9 speaks to this: “4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.” I’m stoked to again bring this Good News of God’s grace toward us.

If you’re interested, I’d love to worship w/ you at one of my preaching gigs:
-July 19 - Bethel CRC in Lynden (http://www.bethelcrc.org/) @ 10:30am & 6pm
-July 26 & August 2 – Bridge Community Church in Langley, BC (http://bridgelangley.org/) @ 10:30am
-August 16 - Bethel CRC in Lynden @ 10:30am & 6pm
-August 23 – Mosaic Church in Bellingham (http://www.mosaicnw.com/) @ 10am
-September 13 - Bethel CRC in Lynden @ 10:30am