aaron walters

6.2011 prayer letter

2011-06-14T20:12:00.001-07:00

Happy Anniversary!
One year ago, The Table held its first worship gathering. God has done many great things since that time. A year ago our church did not have a name, a weekly rhythm, or a known presence in the neighborhood. That has all changed, because of His faithfulness.

In the last year God has been faithful in allowing us to live out our rhythms. The Table has lived out Hospitality, hosting and sponsoring numerous parties or events, all while making folks feel welcome in His name. We've lived out our Discipleship rhythm, praying and studying God's word together during all three of our weekly gatherings. And, The Table has blessed its neighbors in tangible ways during 8 “official” projects during our Blessing weekends, not to mention the countless “unofficial” blessings. We have many reasons to give God glory for what He has done. Thanks for your faithful and continued prayers and support of The Table!

We will be celebrating The Table's anniversary on June 26th, at Glen Echo Gardens. It will be a morning of sharing food, prayers of thanksgiving and for the future, and stories of His faithfulness so far. We’d love to celebrate with you! Stay tuned to our website for details of the day (www.thetablebellingham.org).

PRAYER FOR THE YEAR TO COME:
Please pray a prayer of thanksgiving for all God has done in first year of The Table. Pray that God would continue to allow us make more room in our lives for our neighbors and friends, in a display of the Hospitality of Jesus. Pray for The Table to grow in its width, and its depth in Jesus, in our rhythm of Discipleship. And, pray that we’ll continue to be a Blessing to our friends and neighbors in tangible ways.

2.2011 prayer letter

2011-02-27T00:30:00.000-08:00

The 2.2011 Prayer letter for The Table is up. Just cick the "prayer" link to the right to get at it.

Blessings.

the table's new website!

2011-02-22T23:20:00.001-08:00

After a lot of work, The Table now has a website! Under the direction of our own John Barry the church's website is now "live." Designed by Shiloh Hubbard and built by Phil Gons, we are excited to see how God will use this avenue to grow His church and His kingdom! Let us know what you think.

the table logo

2011-01-24T09:49:00.001-08:00

We are very proud to display The Table's new logo. As a leadership we decided on this logo a couple weeks ago. We like for its simplicity, and creative imagery. Above all we hope that God will use the logo to remind people of the work He is doing around them, and let folks know that they are welcome at HIS table (and the church we call The Table). May He be glorified even in the simple things, like logos.

the table "blessing weekend"

2011-01-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

Below is a blog post from Aly Hoover, Director of the Whatcom Volunteer Center's Chore Program. The link to the Whatcom volunteer center is now on the left. The Table partnered with Chore a couple weekends ago as part of our Blessing Weekend (a monthly expression of our rhythm of Blessing neighbors in Jesus' name). Aly wrote about The Table's participation. (The Whatcom Volunteer Center's blog: http://www.whatcomvolunteer.org/category/blog/)

"Faith Community Helps Neighbors in Bellingham" - Aly Hoover

On a cold, wet January morning, most people would prefer to be cozy at home. But for two church service groups from Birchwood Presbyterian and The Table, their preference was to assist community members.

Birchwood’s Second Saturday group is led by Sharon Stahl. She collaborates with the Foodbank farm, Habitat for Humanity, the Chore Program, and others to make a difference the second Saturday of every month. This past Saturday the group helped out at three Chore sites. With thirteen people, they completed yard work in the Columbia neighborhood, cleaned apartments in Fairhaven, and put away Christmas decorations for a couple in north Bellingham.

I met with the team sent to the Columbia neighborhood, and I barely said hello before they had rakes, trimmers, and weed whackers in hand. When I returned a few hours later to collect yard tools, I was amazed at how much the group accomplished despite the dampness. The client was equally pleased, and remarked several times on the kindness of the volunteers. “I am so blessed,” he said of their visit. I especially want to recognize the dedication of Fred Stahlbush, who was the first to greet me at the project site. He made two trips to the county dump just to make sure all yard debris was taken care of, which is above and beyond what was expected.

Later on Saturday I met with the The Table. Aaron Walters and his wife had been previous volunteers with Chore, and I appreciate that they thought of us for their group’s service project. Eleven people arrived ready to clean apartments at Chuckanut Square, a high-rise apartment building for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities. Two generous souls were willing to break off from the group to help a senior gentleman with his grocery shopping. I also appreciate Chuckanut’s resident manager, Ernie Swordmaker, for showing the group which apartments needed the most assistance.

Chore is grateful to have a faith community so willing to serve people in need. Our clients will not soon forget the kindness and hard work of Birchwood Presbyterian and The Table’s volunteers.

1.11 prayer

2011-01-07T01:43:00.000-08:00

This month's prayer letter is up! Just click the "prayer" link to the right. Blessings!

great article

2011-01-06T11:26:00.000-08:00

Here's a great article (By David Platt, Special to CNN) passed on to me by my friend Dean (thanks Dean). Let me know what you think.

We American Christians have a way of taking the Jesus of the Bible and twisting him into a version of Jesus that we are more comfortable with.
A nice middle-class American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn’t mind materialism and would never call us to give away everything we have. A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts.
A Jesus who wants us to be balanced, who wants us to avoid dangerous extremes, and who for that matter wants us to avoid danger altogether. A Jesus who brings comfort and prosperity to us as we live out our Christian spin on the American Dream.
But lately I’ve begun to have hope that the situation is changing.
The 20th-century historian who coined the term “American Dream,” James Truslow Adams, defined it as “a dream… in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are.”
But many of us are realizing that Jesus has different priorities. Instead of congratulating us on our self-fulfillment, he confronts us with our inability to accomplish anything of value apart from God. Instead of wanting us to be recognized by others, he beckons us to die to ourselves and seek above all the glory of God.
In my own faith family, the Church at Brook Hills, we have tried to get out from under the American Dream mindset and start living and serving differently.
Like many other large American churches, we had a multimillion-dollar campus and plans to make it even larger to house programs that would cater to our own desires. But then we started looking at the world we live in.
It’s a world where 26,000 children die every day of starvation or a preventable disease. A world where billions live in situations of such grinding poverty that an American middle-class neighborhood looks like Beverly Hills by comparison. A world where more than a billion people have never even heard the name Jesus. So we asked ourselves, “What are we spending our time and money on that is less important than meeting these needs?” And that’s when things started to change.
First we gave away our entire surplus fund - $500,000 - through partnerships with churches in India, where 41 percent of the world’s poor live. Then we trimmed another $1.5 million from our budget and used the savings to build wells, improve education, provide medical care and share the gospel in impoverished places around the world. Literally hundreds of church members have gone overseas temporarily or permanently to serve in such places.
And it’s not just distant needs we’re trying to meet. It’s also needs near at hand.
One day I called up the Department of Human Resources in Shelby County, Alabama, where our church is located, and asked, “How many families would you need in order to take care of all the foster and adoption needs that we have in our county?”
The woman I was talking to laughed.
I said, “No, really, if a miracle were to take place, how many families would be sufficient to cover all the different needs you have?”
She replied, “It would be a miracle if we had 150 more families.”
When I shared this conversation with our church, over 160 families signed up to help with foster care and adoption. We don’t want even one child in our county to be without a loving home. It’s not the way of the American Dream. It doesn’t add to our comfort, prosperity, or ease. But we are discovering the indescribable joy of sacrificial love for others, and along the way we are learning more about the inexpressible wonder of God’s sacrificial love for us.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love my country and I couldn’t be more grateful for its hard-won freedoms. The challenge before we American Christians, as I see it, is to use the freedoms, resources, and opportunities at our disposal while making sure not to embrace values and assumptions that contradict what God has said in the Bible.
I believe God has a dream for people today. It’s just not the same as the American Dream.
I believe God is saying to us that real success is found in radical sacrifice. That ultimate satisfaction is found not in making much of ourselves but in making much of him. That the purpose of our lives transcends the country and culture in which we live. That meaning is found in community, not individualism. That joy is found in generosity, not materialism. And that Jesus is a reward worth risking everything for.
Indeed, the gospel compels us to live for the glory of God in a world of urgent spiritual and physical need, and this is a dream worth giving our lives to pursue.

David Platt, Ph.D., is the author of the New York Times bestseller Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream and is senior pastor of the 4,000-member Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama.

amos pax!

2010-12-22T00:40:00.000-08:00

Our son Amos was born last weekend! We are blessed to have him w/ us. K8 has written a great summary of all the events of his birth on our family blog:

http://www.mymomsaysiambalanced.blogspot.com/

ps 29

2010-12-16T11:38:00.000-08:00

So, I thought this was cool yesterday. I was reading Psalm 29 (below) and was encouraged. This Psalm is all about the power/strength of God. It says He rules over creation; He is above the chaos (waters/flood); His strength breaks powerful trees (cedars,oak); He dominates nations (Lebanon/Sirion); His power shakes the earth (the desert/Kadesh); He reigns in His strength. The bottom line is that our God is powerful and worthy of praise, and in the face of it the only thing we can do is worship His greatness.

So He's powerful... check. But what does He do w/ His strength? What does He do w/ all this power of His? Check out v. 11, "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." He shares this strength, and blesses US w/ His peace. I find that super cool. The most powerful being in the universe, blesses us by giving us a piece of his strength and piece of His peace. What more can we say, but a word of thanks.

Ps 29:
1 Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

the way of love by john fischer

2010-12-01T14:58:00.000-08:00

Here an article my homeboy Cody passed my way. Thanks Cody, it's a good word.

The Way of Love
by John Fischer

"The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty." - Mother Teresa

In her thoughts on homelessness yesterday, Marti brought up something we would do well to spend more time discussing. It's this idea that homelessness may be closer than we think. Not so much that anyone of us could find ourselves homeless given the right set of circumstances, but that there is a type of homelessness that goes on even in the most secure of homes - a kind of absence of love that leaves family members fragmented and alone. Homelessness is having no one there to love you in your own home.

So disheartened are we who do not know every neighbor on the street much less their stories. When did our God-given consciousness no longer recognize our neighbor as our responsibility? When did we stop caring? Was it during the time we stopped treasuring our families with warmhearted concern and started arguing with each other until we dissolved into faceless fragments of our own isolation?

This has been one of the glaring inconsistencies in evangelical Christianity for some time. Everything revolves around evangelism and yet our homes are falling apart from the inside. So much focus on "outreach;" so little "inreach." You can't love "out" if you can't love "in."

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) Inner love stimulates an outer revelation. As Mother Teresa admonished us, let's start addressing the poverty a world away by remedying the poverty in our own homes.

11.10 prayer

2010-11-26T10:14:00.001-08:00

I've posted the Nov. prayer letter for The Table in the "prayer" link to the right. Thanks for your prayers and support!

citizen

2010-11-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

It's late Friday night and the house across the street is testing the maximum volume of their house speakers. What do you do? You see someone finish their 1 liter of Pepsi, and throw it down next to 7 other cans and bottles. What do you do? The dangerous road you walk down, still has no sidewalk. What do you do?

The answer to these questions for many of us is to wish someone else would take care of it. So we either sit and fester, sit and complain, or sit and call the authorities (the city, the cops, etc.). This answer is indicative of how our consumeristic culture gets played out in our daily lives. We see and believe ourselves to be consumers of a system, waiting to be served.

Presently, I am at an AmeriCorps/community development training. The grant I received is focused on boostering volunteerism in my neighborhood. With this focus, a goal is to change the attitude of seeing ourselves as consumers to begin seeing ourselves as citizens. A citizen, in my mind, is one who takes responsibility for the condition of their neighborhood. My hope is that citizenship will increase in my neighborhood as a of this grant.

I can imagine a better neighborhood than first described. So, it's late Friday night and the house across the street is testing the maximum volume of their house speakers. I can imagine a neighbor calling that house, because of an already established relationship, instead of calling the cops. Or, you see someone finish their 1 liter of Pepsi, and throw it down next to 7 other cans and bottles. I can imagine a neighbor asking that person to properly dispose of the trash, and if "the bird is flipped" knowing that the citizen-led regular trash cleanup will help keep the streets clean. And when the dangerous road you walk down still has no sidewalk, I can imagine a group of neighbors putting pressure on the local government to act, or seeking funds and approval for private neighborhood action. I would much rather live in this second neighborhood, where my neighbors are empowered. You?

living rhythms

2010-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

In our journey of church planting, there has been a big emphasis on dreaming/planning/scheming. This continues to be the case, but with a new addition, implementation. After creating, casting, and refining vision for so long, it is strange to put those thoughts into action. Doing so is what makes those rhythms living things that express how God is moving through us.

With our leadership community, the vehicle of the new church is moving. This past month was The Table's first full month of living out our rhythms of hospitality, discipleship, and blessing. We "worshiped" three weeks, served the neighborhood one week, and threw a party the next. It is awesome to see this movement occur. It is not how I guessed it would be, but it is beautiful.

The vision of our rhythms did not begin this way. After reading a book called "Simple Church" by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger, I became convinced that and organization's mission must also be its values and their vision. Too often a the beauty of a mission get bogged down by values and vision that are similar but different, leaving the organization w/ a massive document no one looks at.

So if someone asks what the mission of The Table is I'd say, "To live the HOSPITALITY we see in Jesus, to grow in our DISCIPLESHIP in Him, and to be a BLESSING to those around us, in His name." If someone asks what the values of The Table are I'd say, "To live the HOSPITALITY we see in Jesus, to grow in our DISCIPLESHIP in Him, and to be a BLESSING to those around us, in His name." And if someone asks what the vision of The Table is I'd say, "To live the HOSPITALITY we see in Jesus, to grow in our DISCIPLESHIP in Him, and to be a BLESSING to those around us, in His name." You get the idea.

Now that we have this in our minds as a church, it is cool to see us living it out. As a group we had a party where social lines and circles blurred b/t friends, neighbors, and church folk. To me it was a step of HOSPITALITY. In our worship gatherings and Bible studies, it is awesome to see and hear "iron sharpening iron" (the image of DISCIPLESHIP), as we grow in the likeness of Christ together. And it is cool to leave our 4 walls of comforts and go out and pray for the neighborhood as we pick up trash or visit neighbors in "their territory", and BLESS them on "their terms". It has been awesome to see us implement our rhythms, for His glory. I pray we will continue to grow in these rhythms as we continue follow the lead of Christ.

"how america sees God"

2010-10-28T16:16:00.000-07:00

The following is an interesting article, taken from “How America Sees God” – USA Today, Nov. 7, 2010. Let me know what you think.)

If you pray to God, to whom — or what — are you praying? When you sing God Bless America, whose blessing are you seeking?

In the USA, God — or the idea of a God — permeates daily life. Our views of God have been fundamental to the nation's past, help explain many of the conflicts in our society and worldwide, and could offer a hint of what the future holds. Is God by our side, or beyond the stars? Wrathful or forgiving? Judging us every moment, someday or never?

Surveys say about nine out of 10 Americans believe in God, but the way we picture that God reveals our attitudes on economics, justice, social morality, war, natural disasters, science, politics, love and more, say Paul Froese and Christopher Bader, sociologists at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Their new book, America's Four Gods: What We Say About God — And What That Says About Us, examines our diverse visions of the Almighty and why they matter.

Based primarily on national telephone surveys of 1,648 U.S. adults in 2008 and 1,721 in 2006, the book also draws from more than 200 in-depth interviews that, among other things, asked people to respond to a dozen evocative images, such as a wrathful old man slamming the Earth, a loving father's embrace, an accusatory face or a starry universe.

Researchers from the USA to Malawi are picking up on the unique Baylor questionnaire, and its implications. When the Gallup World Poll used several of the God-view questions, Bader says, "one clear finding is that the USA — where images of a personal God engaged in our lives dominate — is an outlier in the world of technologically advanced nations such as (those in) Europe." There, the view is almost entirely one of a Big Bang sort of God who launched creation and left it spinning rather than a God who has a direct influence on daily events.

Froese points out: "You can't really ask people directly about their moral and philosophical worldview. But if you know their image of God, it could give you insight into why they get upset when you break the rules, or you stand up for a certain politician. Or, how they will react when bad things happen or whether they see personal morality or foreign policy in stark right-or-wrong terms."

Four views of God
Froese and Bader's research wound up defining four ways in which Americans see God:
•The Authoritative God. When conservatives Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck proclaim that America will lose God's favor unless we get right with him, they're rallying believers in what Froese and Bader call an Authoritative God, one engaged in history and meting out harsh punishment to those who do not follow him. About 28% of the nation shares this view, according to Baylor's 2008 findings.
"They divide the world by good and evil and appeal to people who are worried, concerned and scared," Froese says. "They respond to a powerful God guiding this country, and if we don't explicitly talk about (that) God, then we have the wrong God or no God at all."
•The Benevolent God. When President Obama says he is driven to live out his Christian faith in public service, or political satirist Stephen Colbert mentions God while testifying to Congress in favor of changing immigration laws, they're speaking of what the Baylor researchers call a Benevolent God. This God is engaged in our world and loves and supports us in caring for others, a vision shared by 22% of Americans, according to Baylor's findings.
"Rhetoric that talks about the righteous vs. the heathen doesn't appeal to them," Froese says. "Their God is a force for good who cares for all people, weeps at all conflicts and will comfort all."
Asked about the Baylor findings, Philip Yancey, author of What Good Is God?, says he moved from the Authoritative God of his youth — "a scowling, super-policeman in the sky, waiting to smash someone having a good time" — to a "God like a doctor who has my best interest at heart, even if sometimes I don't like his diagnosis or prescriptions."
•The Critical God. The poor, the suffering and the exploited in this world often believe in a Critical God who keeps an eye on this world but delivers justice in the next, Bader says.
Bader says this view of God — held by 21% of Americans — was reflected in a sermon at a working-class neighborhood church the researchers visited in Rifle, Colo., in 2008. Pastor Del Whittington's theme at Open Door Church was " 'Wait until heaven, and accounts will be settled.' "
Bader says Whittington described how " 'our cars that are breaking down here will be chariots in heaven. Our empty bank accounts will be storehouses with the Lord.' "
•The Distant God. Though about 5% of Americans are atheists or agnostics, Baylor found that nearly one in four (24%) see a Distant God that booted up the universe, then left humanity alone.
This doesn't mean that such people have no religion. It's the dominant view of Jews and other followers of world religions and philosophies such as Buddhism or Hinduism, the Baylor research finds.
Rabbi Jamie Korngold of Boulder, Colo., took Baylor's God quiz and clicked with the Distant God view "that gives me more personal responsibility. There's no one that can fix things if I mess them up. God's not telling me what I should do," says Korngold. Her upcoming book, God Envy: A Rabbi's Confession, is subtitled, A Book for People Who Don't Believe God Can Intervene in Their Lives and Why Judaism Is Still Important.
Others who cite a Distant God identify more with the spiritual and speak of the unknowable God behind the creation of rainbows, mountains or elegant mathematical theorems, the Baylor writers found.
This distant view is nothing new. Benjamin Franklin once wrote that he could not imagine that a "Supremely Perfect" God cares a whit for "such an inconsiderable Nothing as Man."
The Baylor researchers' four views of God reveal a richness that denominational labels often don't capture. They found that Catholics and mainline Protestants are about evenly divided among all four views, leaning slightly toward a Benevolent God. More than half of white evangelicals identify with an Authoritative God; that view is shared by more than seven in 10 black evangelicals, they said.

How we see daily life and world events
How did we get to this multifaceted state? A three-night TV series starting Monday on PBS, God in America, examines our religious history, one rife with people contesting over visions of God.

It begins with the first Europeans arriving with visions of a New Eden and clashing immediately, first with Native Americans, then with each other.
Even in 1680, it was clear that "European religion would not survive unchanged" in America, says Boston University religion professor Stephen Prothero, one of the narrators for the series, created by Frontline and WGBH-TV Boston.

By the time of the Founding Fathers, "God was seen as a more distant deity, not someone who will row the boat across the Delaware for us," series producer Marilyn Mellowes says.

History is portrayed in the PBS series as waves of mini-dramas: challenges to religious order, the rise of concepts of political liberty, the establishment of First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religion — and the fits and starts of working out what it means to be a nation without one state-sanctioned religion.
Each generation makes righteous claims for social justice, for God on their side in combat, for the truths they want to teach their kids, Mellowes says.

The PBS series finds today's fights over Muslim efforts to build mosques echoes past religious liberty struggles such as the fight in the 1770s by Baptists in Virginia to be free to preach, or the 1940s push by Catholics in New York to educate their children outside Protestant-run public schools.

When asked about Baylor's findings, Prothero says views of God are splintering, even though "Protestants had control of the culture right up into the 20th century. ... It shouldn't be surprising that the model now is more like a different God for every person. Baylor found four Gods; other researchers could have found eight or maybe 16."

Bader and Froese looked at themes, including:
•Morality. People with an Authoritative God are about three times more likely to say homosexuality is a choice, not an inborn trait, than those who see a Distant God — affecting their views on gay rights, particularly on marriage and adoption.
•Science. Those who see God as engaged in daily life (authoritative or benevolent) are nearly twice as likely as those whose God is critical or distant to say that God often performs miracles that defy the laws of nature.
•Money. "We are all values and pocketbook voters now," the Baylor sociologists write. "In general, your values reflect your God and your God reflects your pocketbook."
In research done at the height of the recession, the authors found "lower economic status is strongly related to the belief that God harshly judges and is angry with the world." This reflects a view that it is personal faith or faith-based action, not the government, that solves poverty, they write.
•Evil, war and natural disasters. Does God cause mayhem, allow it or have no role? "When we talked about Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, the Authoritative God type was most likely to think God had a hand, directly punishing us for society's sinful ways," Bader says.
But believers in a Benevolent God "will focus on a fireman who escaped, or the people who rebuild homes, or the divine providence of someone missing a flight that crashed on 9/11," Bader says.
To someone who sees a Distant God, the 9/11 terror attacks amounted to a sign of man's inhumanity, not God's action or judgment, Bader says. And they see a storm as just a storm.
Believers in a Critical God say whatever happens now, "God will have the last word," Bader says.

So how do our views of heaven differ?
Political scientists Robert Putnam of Harvard and David Campbell of Notre Dame address this in their new book, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, also based on nationwide surveys.
They found unifying threads: Americans of every stripe overwhelmingly believe that all good people go to heaven, that many faiths contain truth and that religious diversity is good for the nation.

Putnam and Campbell's optimistic conclusion is that we are able to live with vast religious diversity because we are "enmeshed" in networks of people we care about — your Catholic aunt, your Methodist spouse, your spiritual-but-not-religious child and your evangelical neighbor. The Baylor sociologists also see this. "With our high level of religious freedom and pluralism," Froese says, "all kinds of views of God will do very well."

The national conversation about God, Bader says, is "much richer than showdowns between screaming evangelicals and screaming atheists. This is the way we tell the stories of the world around us."

mexico

2010-10-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

K8 and I returned last week from our 10 year anniversary trip to Mexico. Montana spent the week w/ grandparents in CO, and we spent the week by ourselves... that's right, just us. It was awesome! It was a beautiful week of great connection w/ each other. We actually had opportunities to have uninterrupted conversations, occasions to laugh, and rich times of dreaming together. K8 and I had a week full of shared recreation, where we snorkeled daily, seeing God's creation in a totally foreign environment to us. It was a week of taking a brain break, where we each sat on the beach and read our own books, talking about them as we went. It was truly an awesome, awesome week.

Overall, I would say the week was restful and refreshing. To me, it was a great picture of Sabbath. John Calvin speaks of the command for Sabbath in his "Institutes" saying, “The whole may be thus summed up... first, that during our whole lives we may aim at a constant rest from our own works, in order that the Lord may work in us by his Spirit" (II.8.34). We rest from our work, so He may work in us... beautiful. For me, getting away w/ K8 allowed God to open me eyes again to His glory, and His blessing - to be in a place where He opens my eyes anew to the gift of K8, the gift of missing Montana, to gift of creation, and the gift of His pursuit of my heart. Sabbath is a chance to enjoy the fruits of life and relationship, to be reminded that all of life is sacred, to remember His work in our lives.

I am thankful for our time away together, especially before junior comes and life changes again. But I am most thankful for the great reminder of God's blessing in my life. He has blessed me w/ a wife I am still captivated by, a daughter I miss when she's not around, and a community I love serving. I pray for my Sabbaths in Bellingham to continue to point me to Him and His hand of blessing.

hosea

2010-09-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

We started reading the book of Hosea this week in our Monday night Bible study. It's an interesting book. In the 1st 3 chapters, God asks Hosea to marry a prostitute to reveal the nature of His relationship w/ Israel, and their unfaithfulness. I am struck by the tennis match of emotions that are played out in the 1st 3 chapters. Hosea's wife, Gomer (nice name), bears 3 kids after marrying Hosea. We're not sure if they're Hosea's kids or of a "John", but God instructs them to give the kids names that represent violence, "no love", and the breaking of covenant. Gloomy, eh?

But then after naming the last child, and in spite of the children symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness to their covenant and relationship w/ God, God promises to make Israel His children. Hope in the midst of the gloomy.

But then God states that He will take away all the blessings Israel claims have come from other places than God, all so she can see that God is the source of all blessing. Gloomy again?

But then after stripping away everything, it says that God will lead Israel into the desert (w/ nothing) and speak tenderly to her (refreshing her). Promising that He will make "the valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope", making the land a place of peace and security and rest. Awesome!

I think the reality I see in these chapters is the reality that we "make our own beds", having to live w/ bad decisions. We are w/o hope on our own, like the sorrowful and broken patterns of a prostitute. But there IS hope. In this sorry state, God moves toward us and calls us home, home to that place of peace, security, and rest. He did come to us in Jesus, and continues to bring hope.

Hosea is a challenging book, but a book of human reality, and the reality of God's grace. I pray that He will reveal that grace to us again today and as we walk about our week.

prayer letter 9.2010

2010-09-16T15:21:00.000-07:00

FYI - This month's prayer letter for The Table has been posted. Just hit the "prayer" link to the left. Thanks for your prayers for our church!

balance and the bellingham bay half-marathon

2010-09-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

Next week is the race, The Bellingham Bay Half-Marathon. I've been training for about 7 weeks now. I always enjoy running a race in the fall. It seems like a good way to start a new season. This year I had another motivation... Mexico. A week after the race K8 and I are heading for Mexico to celebrate 10 Years of marriage, which should be sweet. So to gear up for it I felt extra motivation for this race (no one wants to see flabby Aaron). This is the longest week in my training, and I'm ready for shorter miles.

In light of thinking about making running for of a weekly/daily rhythm, I've been thinking about balance. Unless I have a goal, working out is usually the 1st thing to go in a busy schedule. But it is the workout that helps me maintain balance in the midst of a busy schedule. I find that if I don't get into the word and get active in the mornings, the rest of the day feels rushed or strained. It may be different for someone else, but this is what I've found. I dislike the days that feel disproportional toward one thing or another. A well proportioned day of study, fitness, work, being social, family time and service feels the best. And summer felt pretty proportioned and balanced. So the question for me is, How will I continue to find balance after the race is over, and once fall is fully in bloom?

I pray that you and I both will be blessed with the foresight to make proactive choices (rather than reactive choices) so we may live lives w/ margin, balance, and joy. I believe that when we are able to live in these spaces, we are able to listen to God's voice more clearly and have the room in our lives to bless our families, friends, and neighbors in His name. So will you join me in raising a glass to His movement in lives as we strive for balance?

change

2010-09-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

As I was working at the Firehouse today, one customer mentioned that they had just dropped their kids off at school. Today is the 1st day back for Bellingham School District. I was curious if they were relieved to get their kids out of the house or wishing they didn't have to go. My customer mentioned that this year is their child's senior year of high school, and so they were navigating the feelings surrounding this being the last year of school, and all that means for their family. In contrast to this, just yesterday Kate and I were standing inside a classroom deciding whether to enroll Montana in her 1st year of preschool. "It's only preschool", but it feels funny thinking about sending her off to begin a new chapter. Then I also think about some new friends of mine. They've just moved to town from another state. Beginning new jobs today, making new friends, and finding "their" new spots to hang.

Change is in the air this week, and w/ it is a mix of emotions. We long to keep things as they are. I found myself saying (the same words my mother said to me as a kid) to Montana, "Don't grow up so fast". Yet, we also long for newness. I'm excited for the new adventures that the next season will bring. It's a strange mix of emotion. Change is in the air this week, but it always there. Change has a feeling of destabilizing us. And depending on our mood or disposition, this can either be welcomed or feared.

Change is something we can count on. But in the midst of it, there is One whom we can actually depend on, One we can look to for true stability. I'm encouraged by the words of Psalm 62:5-6, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." This fortress will remain solid in the face of attacks, and strong winds.

So as think about my customer, my friends, and our family - all experiencing a different form of change - I have hope. I hope in the Constant One, our strength and our salvation. I know He is good, stable and powerful when we feel mixed. For that, I have hope and give Him praise.

facebook

2010-08-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

The Table is on facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/thetablebellingham

Will you be our church's friend?

looking to fall

2010-08-25T15:11:00.001-07:00

Summer has been nice. It has been a great change of pace compared to the rest of the ministry year, busy but different. Looking ahead to the fall, I know that it too will be different compared to what we've experienced thus far. I anticipate it to be an exercise in balance. It will be a balance between what we've been done all year (Bible studies, working at the Firehouse, and hanging out), the worship gathering we started this summer, and what we will add in the fall.

I mostly envision the addition of my Americorp grant to be the big wild card for balance. I received a part-time grant to do community organization in my neighborhood. This will add 20 hours a week to my schedule. My hope is that some of those 20 hours will be absorbed into existing activities, but that is yet to be determined. Ultimately it means defining or redefining what "ministry" means; what it means to me; what it means to the CRC; and what it means to everyone else. Does community organization or making coffee or volunteering fit into my calling as a missional pastor creating a new church? Answering this question is important to my relationship w/ those who support me, to our budding church, to my integrity as a pastor in the CRC, and most importantly to my call to be obedient to God's calling on my life and the life of my family.

To me the answer comes from meditating on the "Great Commission" from Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...(NIV)" A better translation would be "AS YOU GO make disciples of all nations..." As I go and do what I do in different settings, my call is to make disciples, build up the church that He has called me to pastor, and love Him, while I love others in His name. Definitions of "ministry" for organizations will vary, but to me it all goes toward fulfilling the Great Commission. So navigating and balancing my time this fall between different organizations and commitments will become a matter of translation and integrity. May He be glorified as we navigate the balance.

worship gathering

2010-08-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

I just finished cleaning up, after having many friends over for our 5th worship gathering. It was a great discussion tonight, about making time to engage w/ neighbors, following Jesus' spirituality of engagement (Mk 2:13-22). Cool crew of folks tonight. It is a pleasure and honor to host and lead such an event!

Here's some photos form our 1st gathering back in June:

the table!

2010-08-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

We are very excited to announce that the church plant finally has an official name... The Table! Our leadership community made the official decision this week. We are excited about our name, as it evokes images of rich relationship and community. “The Table” matches the rhythms of the new church, of hospitality, discipleship, and blessing. A table is a great place of connection between new friends… a table of hospitality. A table was where Christ invited his disciples into greater fellowship… a table of discipleship. A table is also a place where the hungry are fed… a table of blessing.

Now that we have a name, we plan to continue to doing what we have always been doing: living out our rhythms of hospitality, discipleship, and blessing. Our desire is to continue to make room, as individuals and as a church, in our lives to welcome others in; to continue to make Christ the focus of the hope we have and share; and, to continue to seek ways to tangible bless our neighbors. It is an exciting season at The Table! Here’s to God’s work at The Table!

doing dishes

2010-07-15T13:20:00.001-07:00

Last night, I again finished a small pile of dishes, after hosting a party. This has become a frequent thing, that I have grown to enjoy. Usually the small, or big, pile of dishes is from a church group of some kind, whether a Bible study, leadership meeting, or worship. I enjoy doing the dishes of my guests. Strangely enough, it has become a meditative activity of worship. In this tactile act, I have a chance to rest, reflect of the evening, and thank God for His goodness, His provision, and His movement among us.

Last night as I did the dishes, I was reflecting on the leadership community meeting that happened that evening. What a great group of folks! They are such a blessing and a source of encouragement. We ate, drank, and shared what was going on in our lives. We talked about our worship gatherings, planned some things (including our next worship gathering on July 25), and discussed names for the budding church we lead. Then we prayed, daydreamed, and nibbled some more. It was a great night, and, as I meditated about the evening over the dishes, a feeling of great blessing fell over me. God is good. He is the source of hope in my life, and it is cool to see Him forming a new community, and bless His people. For this reason, I love seeing a pile of dirty dishes.

preaching from the hamper

2010-06-28T15:59:00.000-07:00

Last night was our first worship gathering as a church plant. It was awesome! We all showed up at our home at 5:30pm and ate a meal together for about 45 minutes. Then the kids left and did their own Bible lesson and activities, while we sang sangs, prayed, had a discussion on Mark 1 (I lead the discussion while sitting on my hamper...funny), and then took communion together. Then the kids came back and we hung out and ate dessert.

It was so encouraging to see so many people in my small apartment (about 40 folks). It was so much fun to see our small community come together and worship and party together. i look forward to seeing what God will do in the future. Our next gathering is on July 11 at 5:30pm. It should be another great time!

prepping

2010-06-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

This week is the first week of its kind. The church plant is having its first worship gathering this coming Sunday evening. I've planned many worship services, but this is different. In the past I've planned services, and simply pulled out the blank "worship order" and filled in the blanks, tweeking it occasionally. This time there is no blank worship order to fill in, just a blank sheet.

It's quite cool actually. We can do whatever we want, however we want. There is no schedule or thing to follow, because we are on "day 1". It is a fun process of discerning what is valuable and meaningful to our little community.

At this point I am using the elements seen in Acts 2:42 as a checklist, of sorts. It says, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." So, we are making eating together, praying, a Biblical teaching, and communion a priority. We are trying to keep it simple and authentic. I am excited to see the personality this gathering will take, as we tweek it as we go.

here we go... again

2010-06-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in a previous post, on Sunday, June 27th, at 5:30pm, the church plant will hold its first worship gathering. We are very excited to again reach a new mile marker on our journey. Our hope is that we will worship every other week this Summer, in our home (until we out grow it).

We are planning on eating together, maybe singing songs of praise, pray for each other and our neighbors, hear a message of hope, and receive the Lord's Supper together. I anticipate that it will be an intimate, authentic time of connection between us and Christ. If you are in the area, we'd love to have you join us in shaping what God is calling our community to be.

june 2010 prayer letter

2010-06-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

The June prayer letter is up. Just click the "prayer" tag off to the left to view it.

leadership community

2010-06-11T16:11:00.000-07:00

Last night was a sweet night. After a couple months of inviting trusted friends to be a part of the church plant’s leadership community, we finally got together as a group for the first time. My only agenda was to eat, share our stories w/ each other, and pray. All of those things were accomplished. Over a meal we told each other about ourselves. It was cool to hear new aspects of my friends’ lives and journeys. We spent a brief time prayer for the future of our community, our group, and our church, that God would grant us wisdom, unity, and fun. It was everything I hoped the party would be… and more.

After our official times was over, most folks stayed around, and immediately we began daydreaming together. I had the desire to gather the church for worship over the summer, but did not know when we would begin. I tend to want to move faster than is relationally realistic. So I was playing “the patient card,” waiting to see the timetable of everyone else. And to my very pleasant surprise, the crew last night wanted to start a worship gathering very soon. So we set a date (June 27th at 5:30pm at our house), and began scheming what needs to happen to pull it off. There was an obvious spirit of excitement in the air, as people were suddenly speaking a little louder and quicker, and rapidly throwing ideas back and forth. It was awesome.

I feel tremendously blessed and thankful for how God has moved. The process of forming a community out of nothing is draining at times. And it is moments that I rely on my own efforts that cause me the most stress and grief. But, when I sit back and observe how God is forming the church, and moving in our lives, those are, by far, the most rewarding, productive, and encouraging times. Psalm 127:1 says that unless God builds the house, we labor in vain. It was apparent last night that God is doing some building.

So now our task is to be obedient to what He is forming, and laying on people’s heart. We will be figuring out a liturgy as we go along, how we will structure ourselves, and how God wants us to serve Bellingham. It is a freaky, humbling task. But I am blessed to have some friends to do it with, for His glory.

plant update

2010-05-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

So we've been at this thing for about a year and a half now. This thing being, starting a church. For the first 6 months we discerned where in NW Washington God was leading us to serve. Bellingham kept coming up, and was confirmed, so about a year ago we moved here. Since that time we have made it our priority to simply build relationships and friendships, w/ neighbors, coworkers, fellow church goers. It has been a fun year, living in a fun place.

About a month ago I really felt the nudge from God to begin taking the next step of faith. I believe after a year of living here, it is time to start gathering our initial prayer/planning group, our launch/core team. So for the last month I've been having intentional conversations w/ friends who have walked w/ us for this year. In some conversations my friends said they did not feel the tug to join us in the ambiguity of starting this church, and in other conversations friends had been waiting for such an invitation. In all of them, I feel like friendships were deepened, and God was honored.

So now I am done w/ my initial short list of friends I was going to ask to join us. We have 5, maybe 6, households. Now my hope is to get them all together and have a party, a time when they can all get to know each other better. Then hopefully soon there after we will meet, and pray, and begin daydreaming about what God has in store for us. Perhaps we will decide on a name, a worship time, and how we can serve our neighbors.

I am very encouraged. I am excited to see what God has in store for us this season. Thanks for your prayers and support of us and the ministry God is unfolding.

waiting

2010-05-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been thinking about God's timing, how sometimes it feels like forever as we wait for an answer of some sort from "above". When we are in the thick of waiting it stinks.

I was thinking of all this again, when I was reading Acts 23-24 today. In these chapters Luke (the author of Acts) gives us the account of Paul on trial before two different courts. In Acts 23, he was seized by the ruling authorities in Jerusalem, and in this Jewish council he proclaims his hope in the resurrection of Christ.

This scene is followed by Acts 23:11: "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.'" Jesus encouraged Paul in what he just did, and proclaims what he will accomplish in the future.

How often do we feel like God has something for us, but the timing is not right? We receive the call, or the inspiration, and are excited. But then time drags on and we wonder if we heard from God at all.

I believe Paul may have been in a similar spot. After hearing that word from Jesus he was rushed out of Jerusalem, and in Acts 24 stood trial before a Roman official, Felix, but nothing really happened. In Acts 24:27 it says, "When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison." Two years after his trial with Felix, Paul was still in prison. I would be discouraged, and I'm sure Paul was also, to some extent.

If we read the rest of Acts we know that Paul did make to Rome, and Jesus' words from Acts 23 were fulfilled, but what a wait! If Paul was anything like I am, he would have been impatient.

Our time tables are different from God's, sometimes He moves quicker than we would, and other times slower. His timing throws us off guard; it screws up our plans; it makes us realize that WE are not in control at all. What I gather from these last chapters of Acts is that God is faithful to fulfill what He promises, and says that He will bring glory to Himself through us, and that He provides for what we need.

I'm not sure what you're waiting on, or what you feel is moving too quickly, but God is faithful. We can rest in the uncertainty, knowing He is in control and has our best in mind. I pray that He would give you peace and encouragement, while you're in the middle of it. And, may He have all the glory through you.

rhythms

2010-05-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

It certainly feels like I have found a rhythm to my week. There are exceptions of course, but I basically know what each day of the week MAY look like, at least for now. For a while there, I was living in denial that Sunday was still a day of rest. So when Sunday showed up and I was expecting to sneak a nap in, I was repeatedly disappointed, and found I was missing a day of rest. We all need a day to rest, whether resting means relaxing or being active. I wasn't getting that, so I felt out of sync, w/ myself, my family, and my work.

It has been amazing how much better my weekly rhythm feels now that I look at Sunday as "my Monday." The first part of my week is now quite busy, w/ church, Firehouse work, small groups, meetings, and running around. The second part of my week is laid back, w/ volunteering, writing, reading, and lots of time hanging w/ K8 and Montana, and friends. It is nice to have rhythms of working hard and resting.

The idea of Sabbath is pretty profound, if you think about it. God leads by example and rested (Gen 2:1-3); Christ often sought solitude in the middle of His busyness (Mt 14:13, 23). It is good for us when we are able to stop from or normal work, and do something different. It's nice when we have the time to stop and listen, give thanks, and worship. This picture is a good one, but a bit dualistic, compartmentalized. It's nice to look forward to the second half of my week, but what about first half of the week.

Is it possible to find rest and worship WHILE we work or are busy? Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk known for his teachings in "The Practice of the Presence of God", encourages us to find the peace of Christ in common things. One of the things he's known for is making the average experience of washing dishes an experience of worship. Brother Lawrence was obviously able to find rest and worship outside of Sunday morning.

It's a blessing to have rhythms in my week, and important for me to guard these rhythms. But more importantly, it's a blessing to find moments of rest and peace in Christ no matter I'm doing. My prayer is that God would reveal to you and me moments of worship today, whatever rhythm we're in, however mundane.

may prayer letter

2010-05-04T16:34:00.001-07:00

I've posted my latest prayer letter in the prayer page to the left. Enjoy!

my monday

2010-04-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

I'm finding that things that used to feel unique, or I didn't know how to address, have become normal.

For instance on Monday, I went in early to the coffee shop the read before I clocked in. As I walked in, a crowd of regulars greeted me w/ smiles and waves. After getting a drink I sat down at a table and read from my Bible.
As a regular found his seat (at the table next to me), he leaned over and asked, "What are you reading there, some sort of dictionary?"
"No," I said, w/ a smile, "it's my Bible."
"Oh," he said, looking a bit surprised, "is it for personal study, or something else?"
"Yeah, I'm reading in preparation for studying w/ some friends tonight."
"So you're a Christian?!?"
"Yeah, I am."
"Oh, well that's interesting," he said, more to himself that to me, and turned around.

During my shift, making coffee, I was greeted with many different folks, most of whom I know by name. One regular came in, obviously very excited. She told me that she and her partner had just filed for their domestic partnership w/ the state. These 2 ladies have been together for 20+ years, and they were in the coffee shop to celebrate. Next, another woman came up and asked what she should do, as a Christian, in giving her cousin advise on an ethical issue. Then after a regular denied being pickup for a future date from her old boyfriend, I chatted w/ her about love and relationships and aging. All in a day's work at the Firehouse.

Walking home, I prayed for our Bible study and for the Lord to lead our time and give us wisdom. Coming inside our home, K8, Montana, and a friend were looking at photos. It's cool to come home, knowing someone dropped in to hang out. I could smell the good soup, that another friend made, warming on the stove. Soon our home was filled w/ friends eating and drinking, laughter, and kids screaming. As 7:15p approached, we setup a computer in the bedroom for the kids to watch a video. The adults slowly gathered in our living room. We opened up our time praying for the concerns of each other. Then we took turns reading Acts 18 (the night's chapter for discussion), and then shared observations or questions we had from the text. And as usual a rabbit trail of awesome discussion is followed. On Monday, two rabbit trails lasted. The first was how to handle the undeserved grace that we receive, even when we know we deserve so much less. The second was encouraging each other to embrace the mystery of God, even as we desire to know more and have "things figured out." It was an intense evening of grace and raw humanity colliding. We then gathered again in prayer, holding hands. This was followed be more food and drink, until folks left. God answered the prayer of leading and wisdom.

These different things that happened Monday used to be unique, but are now par for the course. The course being one of the best I've ever played. I am thankful for my friends/family, that God has blessed our family w/, from the coffee shop to our weekly groups. May He be brought glory through all our lives.

3.10 prayer letter

2010-03-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

I've posted my latest prayer letter in the prayer page to the left. Enjoy!

resting in uncertainty

2010-03-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

SkyMall, seen on many airplanes, is awesome. In what other catalog can you purchase a Snuggie, the world’s largest crossword puzzle, and a door bell for pets? "Honey, I know it's early but my Christmas list is finished!" It is awesome. But right now, it's not doing it for me.

As I write these words on my Blackberry, I am sitting on the runway of Grand Rapids airport preparing to return home to Bellingham. We've been delayed an hour and a half, and I am uncertain if I'll make it home today. Being patient in the face of uncertainty is familiar territory in this season of life and ministry.

With my wife, Kate, I am planting a church, and currently forming a launch team. Lately, I have been telling people that we are in the season of "DTR's". "DTR", or Define The Relationship, is a term I used in high school/college to describe a conversation to determine if a girl who was a friend would be interested in being a girlfriend. Through the Bible studies, parties, and service projects we host, we've made many good friendships. This however doesn't necessarily translate into folks joining us in the church plant. That's where the DTR comes in. I had one DTR just before flying out to MI, and in the next couple weeks I hope to have a several more. After these are all through, my hope is to gather all those who are "in" and have a party, then later begin the journey of daydreaming together.

Those are my HOPES, but I can't call them PLANS, because I am uncertain if anyone will say "yes" to my DTR's. Despite my mellow, laid back disposition, I genuinely dislike waiting, and right now I'm ready to take the next step of ministry and move forward with my launch team. I know, however, that for the moment (and for the long-term health of our church) I need to sit in uncertainty and wait to see who God is calling to join us.

I'm still here on the runway, and I'm wondering if I'll make it home today. As I sit here, I'm also wondering what the people around me are reading. "That one looks interesting. I wonder if I can read it without him noticing. Has it come to this? I'm a second hand reader." Waiting is no fun.

Patience in midst of uncertainty is not unique to travelling or church planting. I'm sure as you read these words you can easily think of an element in your life where the future is unknown. I wonder if you're asking, "How will I make it without [insert name]", "How am I going to make ends meet", or "How are we going to move forward and make a decision." If you're like me, you want to know what will happen. You want to know the outcome and the timetable, and the longer you have to wait, the more confined you feel.

It's like the guy sitting in front of me on the airplane. He has just fully reclined his chair without warning. Why do they do that? Now I can't reach my Sudoku.
Resting in the midst of the unknown stinks. I rebuke myself for being impatient, knowing I wasn't created to be anxious, knowing I was rather designed to rest in security of my savior.

There are many great texts in scripture that speak to this security, but the one that comes to mind, as I'm trying in vain to open this tiny bag of airline pretzels, is Psalm 46. In this Psalm we are confronted with the sheer power and presence of God in the midst of apparent uncertainty. While natural disasters and political chaos seem to rule the day, we are corrected and told that God is in fact the one in control. He powerfully rules over creation, brings wars to an end and shatters the tools that inhibit peace and justice. In the midst of this grand display of awesome authority, in the face of our fear and anxiety, in the mighty thunder of His presence, the Lord gently grabs us in verse 10, sits us down, and says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." In light of all the uncertainty and chaos, God tells us to relax, take a breath, and know that He's sovereign, and His purposes will be fulfilled; He will be glorified and He will be with us.Here on the runway, I know we won't be taking off anytime soon. So, I decide to kill some time and check out the airplane washroom. What an amazing place! When I'm in there in feel a little freedom, knowing I'm not always going to have share an armrest with the woman in the wool sweater next to me. It feels good to know that I'm not stuck.

Knowing that God is in control and will accomplish His purposes, even though it seems uncertain to me, gives me comfort. I am confident that He has called us to start a new faith community, and will provide the means to make it happen. When I think about it, there are too many things for a church planter to consider, structures, fund-raising, tax statuses, strategic planning, not to mention serving your people or DTR's. But in the midst of the apparent chaos and uncertainty, the Lord gently grabs us, sits us down, and says, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

I'm curious about you, as you think about waiting in the midst of your own uncertainties. Waiting stinks. But, I'm curious if you feel you can rest in confidence in that place, knowing our God is sovereign and will fulfill His purposes in your life.

Finally we're taxiing again. The flight attendant has told us we can’t take off until we all turn off our "approved electronic devises", although I'm not convinced. I'm still not sure if I'll make my connecting flight in Chicago, and be home tonight, but I know we serve a God who will be exalted among the nations, and will be exalted in the earth. So, I can relax, take a breath, get out the SkyMall catalog and figure out if my wife would prefer a three-foot tall ceramic bigfoot statue or a digital tea kettle for her birthday.

my friend chris

2010-03-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

Last night, K8 and I went to the opening of our friend Chris' art show. Over the last couple months we've been praying w/ him as he has been prepping for this show. I am proud of my friend and his family. To see them work hard and struggle toward this goal gave me a glimpse into their life, w/ it's rewards and struggles.

After the opening last night, a group of us went to a pub to celebrate. Chris and I got into a cool conversation. It ebbed and flowed to different places, but one of the things that stuck out for me was the question, "Can one experience God in beauty?" I think the answer is a definite YES!

God reveals Himself in the beauty of creation, in art, in friendships, as well as in books of theology and sermons. In all of these revelations salvation is not bestowed, that is the work of the Holy Spirit. However in these revelations I believe God often reveal Himself, and causes us to wrestle, praise, and journey w/ Him.

Seeing Chris work has reminded me that God lives and moves in both sides of our brains. It has been an inspiring thing to be friends w/ this man and his family. It seems to me that for Chris his art is a very real avenue of worship for him. This comes out in the bio he had posted on the wall last night and on his website (http://chrisshreve.com/home.html), which you should check out:

"DRAW A BED AND CLIMB IN IT: AS A CHILD I loved to draw. I would come often to my mother with the same question: “What can I draw?” Her response was always the same, “Draw a bed and climb in it.” When I think of these words now I am struck with the profundity and power they can hold if cared for properly. I believe that we literally have the ability to pull from the invisible and shape the visible. Imagination and creativity have power to “bring into being”. To incarnate. Painting has allowed me to conceive of a thing and watch it grow flesh. The sketchbook and the easel have become for me an altar for prayer and meditation, for confession and struggle and a place for ugliness to be confronted by grace and beauty. It has become a place to make my bed and lay in it."

thinking

2010-02-24T16:13:00.000-08:00

I feel like this season of ministry is one of defining and redefining vision, and clarifying vocabulary. I had a great conversation today w/ Matt and Sean, 2 pastors at Mosaic, about our partnership and future/continued involvement in the Mosaic faith community. It was great food for thought regarding defining who we are, what we're doing, the strategy to move forward, and the vocabulary we use in communicating it. I'll share more about that in the future, but right now I'll say it is exciting and overwhelming and a lot to think about all in once.

After the meeting, I asked K8 to drink from the fire hose, as I debriefed all that we had talked about in my non-linear and chaotic presentation. She's awesome. She understood it and gave good insights. She's awesome. Then I got in the car to run errands and drove by a church board which read "What God Ordains, He Sustains." Normally I nearly vomit at the cheesy stuff that people put up on those boards, but this was encouraging.

Later, as I sat to get into the Word, I found this gem from 1 Peter 1:3-8: "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

God has given all of us what we need to move forward w/ what He's called us to, whatever it is. When we keep our eyes on Him and not all the stuff we need to do in order to get from A to B. When we focus on Him and on these things (goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love) we are productive in what He has for us. This was a good word for me as we consider the tasks before us, and our faithfulness to Him.

why i work at the firehouse

2010-02-10T10:23:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I worked at the Firehouse Cafe, as I do every Monday and Tuesday. Before my shift I prayed that God would help me to see what He was already doing in people's lives, to give me the insight into how I could be a blessing to others, and for opportunities to put in a good word for Him where I could. As my shift started, a semi-regular asked me what else I do besides making coffee. I shared that I'm a pastor starting a new church. She was very intrigued, so I shared my vision for the church. I imagine I'll invite her to things in the future. Next, I reconnected w/ some new friends who are not Christians. It was slow so I sat w/ them, laughed w/ them, heard what was new w/ them, and shared again about the church and the faith. I got their info and we will hopefully have them over for a meal and more good conversation. Then I chatted w/ another regular about a Tolstoy's book "What is Given to Men" (a must read), which I've read and he was returning. It was a cool conversation about faith. I'm not sure where he at w/ Christ, but books like that allow us to talk about Jesus together. Finally as the shift was ended, I spoke again w/ the owner of the Firehouse about our walks w/ Christ as they relate to our walks w/ neighbors, friends, and family. It was a cool day, an answer to prayer, and confirmed for me why I spend time there making coffee.

feb. prayer letter

2010-02-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

I've posted the text of our Feb. prayer letter. Check it out at the prayer link to the left.

discouragement

2010-02-02T22:33:00.000-08:00

It was interesting this past weekend. I preached at Mosaic about discouragement and the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. My main point was that even though we may be discouraged and wonder if God is moving, the truth is that He is moving, and in fact creating a home and a feast for His people. Having preached in the evening gathering, we went home and began winding down for bed. When I turned off the light… guess what hit me in the nose? Discouragement!

Thoughts raced in my head, of what good I did that night, what would happen if no one joined us in the church plant, what we would do if it all fell flat. My own answers I'd preached hours earlier were not helping; I couldn't shake it.

The next morning I shared it all w/ K8. We prayed together that God would draw His church in. I went for a long walk before working at the coffee shop. I was feeling better, but still had felt the aftershocks of the short night of sleep.

Then when my shift was almost over, I got a call from a friend who told me he and his wife had been talking and decided to take the plunge and join us as we start the church. What a difference a few hours makes! I had started the day in the dumps of discouragement, prayed for encouragement, and then God brought encouragement. It was so awesome to receive a specific answer to a specific prayer. Just when you think God's not moving, He reveals a bit of what He's doing, and we praise Him for it.

I continue to pray that God would bring folk to us who will be a part of the first chapter of the church, but this was a specific boost I needed for that day. Cool, eh?

update

2010-01-29T11:46:00.000-08:00

It has been far too long since I posted something on the old blog. Since my last post Xmas and New Years has come and gone, we've made new friends, and we've refound own rhythms. That all being said, a brief update on the church plant is on order. As I've written about before, we are partnering w/ Mosaic (http://mosaicnw.com/), a church here in Bellingham. Mosaic is bursting at the seams w/ people. So this month they started a 2nd evening gathering, which will help alleviate growth (in theory). The evening gathering also serve as a place for me to be seen more in leadership, preaching, and a place where we can promote church plant stuff, in hopes of gathering a launch team. I am super stoked about it. If your in the area Mosaic meet at the Majestic on Forest St. on Sundays from 10am -12pm, and now 5pm -7pm. Come hungry!

I've also become a board member of the Happy Valley Neighborhood Association this month. My hope is that this will be a place of partnership for service projects in the hood w/ the church, and a place to make new friends. Related to this, I've applied again for an Americorp grant doing community development. Whether I get the grant or not, I'm going to "do" the project I have in mind. I'm convinced that in my populated neighborhood there a numerous people who share the same passions or concerns, but don't know each other. My idea is to survey the neighborhood for assets and concerns. Then look at the data and begin getting people together who w/ common interests and then act! I think it's a great idea for community development/organization.

Our different small groups continue to grow in depth. We have a Bible study at our home on Mondays nights, a guys pub night Wednesdays, a men's Bible study at lunch on Fridays, any random parties. I am encouraged. As I look at all these relationships, I am beginning to wonder if God is bringing His church together. I'm wondering if it is time to turn the corner, and invite people to join us to a season. It feels premature right now, but I am praying about it, and chiseling down the vision for the church.

I want the church to be a place where folks are known and can share their laughter and struggles, where we move together in our pursuit of prayer, and where folks and get their hands dirty serving their neighbors. That's what we're moving toward, and this is where we're at. We appreciate your prayers on our behalf. Let me know how i can prayer for you too!

be refreshed

2009-12-09T13:31:00.000-08:00

Even though we may be sitting in a crowd, we can still feel alone. Even though our holiday season may be filled with parties and business, we may still feel isolated. It was interesting in our Monday night Bible study this week we looked at Acts 3. In it, the passage says a guy was placed outside the temple everyday to beg. This brought to mind that he probably saw Jesus walk by a few times, in the past months and years. But on this day he was healed by Peter. God had waited until this day to heal him. God Himself, in Jesus, saw this man, but waited to heal him until the Holy Spirit healed him that day, via Peter.

God's timing can be funny. Sometimes our seasons feel dry, and we wonder when we'll drink again. Other times He blesses us with rich times of refreshing. We had a great discussion about His timing on Monday. I was struck by God's timing to heal this man in this passage. After this healing, a crowd gathered, and Peter explained things to them. And in 3:19, with the fully restored, healed man clinging to John and Peter out of joy, Peter says "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord..." The NASB says, "...in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." The
Message, "Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you..." While the restored man before them, Peter speaks of allowing God to refresh them. If you've been in a desert, remember God is a God of refreshing. His timing is funny, but He is a God who WILL bring refreshing, restoration, and healing. I pray that He will bless you this week w/ at least a taste of that refreshment, and I hope that you will be be immersed in His presence and encouragement.

prayer

2009-12-02T22:35:00.001-08:00

FYI - I've posted the December prayer letter in the prayer section of the blog. I invite you to check it out.

calgary

2009-12-02T22:21:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks back I went to a church planting conference in Calgary. It was a week long thing, but I feel like I could have left after the first afternoon. One of my favorite authors, Michael Frost, spoke a few different times, and surprised us the first afternoon we were there. He talked about four historic elements of church: worship, community, discipleship, and mission. Each of these, in his mind, are equal, none with a lesser value. In theory they should all have equal play in the church, but he believes that is impossible b/c we are human, and will always allow one to organize the others.

#1:
Worship
/\
Community – Discipleship – Mission

Historically, the church has organized around worship. If you wanted to get plugged into community (small groups, etc.) you found out about it at Sunday worship. The primary vehicle of teaching the faith was the Sunday sermon. And the primary way you reach out to the “lost” was the invite them to the Sunday gathering.

#2:
Community
/\
Worship - Discipleship – Mission

Another option is to allow community to organize the church. Frost stated that this gets played out into a cliquish end, where a close-nit group of friends praise God, learn, and serve the community together, but the inclusion of outsiders or the “lost” is difficult. I would like to hear him explain this one more

#3:
Discipleship
/\
Worship – Community Mission

The next option is to allow discipleship to organize church. His critique here was that the church’s mission becomes to learn, rather than promote kingdom growth. This I found the weakest point of his argument, so again I’d like to hear more.

#4:
Mission
/\
Worship – Community – Discipleship

Lastly, and the one advocated by Frost, is to allow mission to organize church. He states that if the church focuses on mission (bringing and sharing the kingdom of God to the neighborhood) than the others come alive. When after spending times w/ guys at the pub, you finally see a friend open to the gospel of Christ, it causes your community to want to worship. And, if that conversation goes bad, the community is at the feet of the Father pleading again for change. When you head out on a short term mission trip, you return weeping for joy over the connection you had w/ those on the trip (the trip that focused on mission). Community is tightened. And as you confront challenging people and faith questions w/ those at the coffee shop, the community is forced to plunge into scripture together – discipleship.

I’m not saying the other models are bad, but I found the argument for a mission-organized church to be very convincing. We are young enough in are development to reinvent anything w/ the church plant. So his brief and simple presentation was very thought provoking. I am excited to dialog w/ you all about this, as we continue to articulate God’s call on our life.

partnering w/ mosaic

2009-11-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

K8 and I have found a local church home in Bellingham at Mosaic (http://mosaicnw.com/). They match our vision for living out our faith, emphasizing community, growing in Christ, and service. We have also made a decision to partner w/ them in launching the new church. My hope is that we will be able to deepen our relationships there, and that God would lay on people's hearts to join us for a season. We consider ourselves to be a part of their family, and are excited to see how God has grown their church, both numerically and in faith.

Part of Mosaic's numeric growth plays into the their partnership w/ us. Mosaic is currently considering starting a 2nd gathering in the evening. It's intention is two-fold, first: to help Mosaic in maintaining its priority of intimate community, allowing gatherings to remain "not huge" and authentic, and second: to intentionally create space for a new church w/ us, creating a greenhouse for growth. I am very excited for this option, as it services Mosaic, maintains relationship and vision, and gives new leaders, like myself, the opportunity to contribute to community and the Kingdom. This new gathering may start as early as Nov. 22nd.

Here's what Matt from Mosaic said concerning the 2nd gathering:

"MOSAIC IN THE….EVENING? – We are considering a 2nd gathering at Mosaic and would love to hear your thoughts!

"WHY? – Space & New Communities. Have you noticed that often, we are quite full? Believe it or not, growing in numbers has never been our goal. As a matter of fact, numerical growth can work against our desire to see real community rather than just a lot of people attending a church service. But, sometimes growth happens and we are given the responsibility to lead the growth in a way that is consistent with WHO we are called to be as a community. We are called to be a community that attempts to orient our lives around the person and teaching of Jesus and to do this by endeavoring to live five rhythms – Beautify, Listen, Eat, Study & Send (BLESS). You need to know that anything we do will be intentional in these five areas.

"2 Purposes For The Evening – Space & Sending. Not only would the evening provide some space for our community to grow, but we have always believed we are to be a community that multiplies missional faith communities; ie, to live our “SEND” rhythm, not just talk about it. As many of you know, we have been working with our friends and co-workers, Aaron & Kate Walters, toward the establishment of a new missional community in the Happy Valley area. This 2nd gathering would give the Walter’s a great opportunity to get to know more people and to share their heart for Happy Valley.

"SO…We are considering this 2nd gathering being at the Majestic on Sunday evenings around 5pm. We would still share a meal (probably soup, salad, pasta & bread), attempting to get to know each other around the table, while continuing to express our rhythms in our gatherings and in our lives. We will continue to come together for our BEAUTIFY rhythm Sunday’s as well as the times when we gather in homes rather than at the Majestic. It is likely that we would also combine a lot during the summer months.

"PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, we must remain committed to building strong relationships and not just attending a meeting!

"MEETING ATTENDANCE DOES NOT EQUAL “COMMUNITY”!

"Let us know what you think about this possibility and we will keep you informed about intentions to begin gathering in both the morning and the evening. Right now we are considering November 22 – December 13 and then again beginning January 3rd."

my wife the writer

2009-11-07T13:43:00.001-08:00

Yesterday in the mail we received a copy of an academic journal. The last article in the journal was written by my wife, K8. It is an abbreviated version of her master thesis, about how women who grow up a Third Culture Kids develop their identity as women. I am so proud of K8. This was a life goal for her, to have her thesis published. And now, it is a reality. I am stoked that more people will be able to benefit from her research, as they discern their futures or present. Very cool, eh? Well done, babe!

how's He working?

2009-10-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

Like a good boy, I was reading my Bible this week (the Gospel of Luke in fact), and I got to thinking. In Luke 7, Jesus is at work; He heals someone and raises someone from the dead. Then some disciples of John the Baptist report to John what they are seeing, and John sends them to Jesus to ask if He is the messiah who they have been waiting for. In Luke 7:21, 22, we read, "At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers [John disciples], 'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.'" The proof Jesus chooses to report to John's disciples is seen in the results or actions of His ministry.

What got me thinking was this question: How would we answer someone today to show that God is working through what we do? If you are a Christ follower, how would you explain to others that Christ is working in your life, and in your community? What would you say? Answering that question makes me wonder how I am using my time, and how I could use it better. I believe that as we work toward starting a new faith community, God is working through us to draw people out of spiritual and social isolation. Spiritually lonely people are finding fellowship, and the lonely are being visited.

Drawing folks away from isolation is one thing I think He is doing through us here in Bellingham, but I think there is a lot more we can be doing. I don't feel guilty about this, but rather excited to see how He will use us as we continue to step out in faith, for His glory. What would it be like if we all "went for it" a little more, and stepped out of our comfortable relations and situations and gave a hand of compassion and a word of encouragement to those we feel like we "should" be reaching out to? It is cool to think about how God would use us, for His Kingdom.

mercy run

2009-10-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a beautiful piece from Calvin's "Institutes" II.7.7+8. It speaks to God's mercy, in light of humanity's weakness. I found this passage encouraging, because we often try to make things happen to better ourselves or our situation, but by our own efforts we fall short. Despite our imperfections, we find perfection in Christ's grace.

Calvin in this section is speaking of the how the law is a mirror, where we see our deficiencies. He continues in II.7.7 saying, the law "gives a brighter display of the divine goodness... [and]additional sweetness is given to divine grace, which comes to our aid without the law, and additional loveliness to the mercy which confers it, because they proclaim that God is never weary in doing good, and in loading us with new gifts.

[II.7.8] "But while the unrighteousness and condemnation of all are attested by the law, it does not follow (if we make the proper use of it) that we are immediately to give up all hope and rush headlong on despair... The Apostle testifies that the law pronounces its sentence of condemnation in order “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God,” (Rom. 3:19). In another place, however, the same Apostle declares, that “God has concluded them all in unbelief;” not that he might destroy all, or allow all to perish, but that “he might have mercy upon all,” (Rom. 11:32); in other words, that divesting themselves of an absurd opinion of their own virtue, they may perceive how they are wholly dependent on the hand of God; that feeling how naked and destitute they are, they may take refuge in his mercy, rely upon it, and cover themselves up entirely with it; renouncing all righteousness and merit, and clinging to mercy alone, as offered in Christ to all who long and look for it in true faith."

armor

2009-10-12T10:15:00.001-07:00

A couple weeks ago I was invited to give an update on the church plant in a local church (Hope in Christ). Pastor Scott was preaching on Ephesians 6:19, 20. Prior to these verses, the Apostle Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. In preparing for the update I was reflecting on this armor. I believe when Christians hear or read this passage our thoughts automatically go toward defense, which begs the question: "Who are we defending against?" Some would say the devil or the world, which is true to a point. What happens is we put on this armor w/ a posture of defending ourselves against outsiders, we become xenophobic. We begin to build walls against the very people and institutions we are called to serve and love. I was encouraged that Scott's message was not about building up the defenses/staying put, but spreading the love of Christ.

After talking about the armor of God, Paul says in verse 19, "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel..." With the armor of God in mind, Paul asks that he could confidently proclaim the love of Christ. He was not staying put or being defensive, but stepping out in love. My prayer for those of us who are believers in Christ, is that we would go, that we would not stay put and fortify the walls, that we would confidently share the hope of Christ w/ those who do not know Him, sharing that God is for us and them not against us or them. We are not called to live in ghettos, but to share our lives and love w/ others, standing in the confidence that we are protected by God.

the run

2009-10-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend we ran our half-marathon. It wasn't really just "our's", as there were 1,600 other people running. We ran in Leavenworth, WA, a beautiful spot. With a clear day, colors starting to come out, and a mountainous backdrop, we felt pretty good about the run. A few of our friends joined us, so it was a sweet time of hanging, running, and QT in the car.

Every time I finish a race it feels great, mostly b/c I can take a breather from training. The end marks the completion of a season of building up, of preparation, and sacrifice. Even though "our" race is over, I still feel I am in such a season. With my work, things are suddenly moving faster. Last week I was a part of starting 2 new small groups, while maintaining our Monday night Bible study. This week I start my 3rd week of working at the coffee house, and will begin mentoring some college guys, while getting ready to begin a couple other monthly groups w/ K8. It is not a season of resting, but building.

The autumn season seems to have this feel for many of us, things are more regular and routine and busy. My prayer for you, and me, is that as this season of building and busyness continues, we would take time to breathe, to rest in the midst of it, to spend a little QT w/ friends and family. My prayer is also that it would be a fruitful time of building, of seeing our savior in the midst of the busyness, to remained focused on what is most important in each moment. I am excited to see what fruit God brings forth as we step out and follow the callings He's placed on our lives. I'm also excited not to run for a couple weeks.

october prayer

2009-10-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Check out our latest prayer letter. Click the "prayer" link to the right to get to it. And, as always let me know how I can be praying for you. Thanks for your support and prayers.

working man

2009-09-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

I'm loving the fall so far. I can handle this weather for sure, but I know that it will change. It is a season of transitions. Each of our summer rhythms are changing into new fall rhythms. Along w/ starting new small groups, beginning mentoring college guys, and continuing our Monday Bible study, I've starting working part time at a great neighborhood coffee house, The Firehouse Cafe (http://homepage.mac.com/mattchristman/firehouse/index.html). In my humble opinion, it is by far the best neighborhood hub, gathering neighbors and building community. I'll be working about 20 hours a week, and will see if this is too much this quarter (then adjust if necessary). I'm excited to have already begun meeting folks and develop new relationships. I figure I could knock on 50 doors, or work for a few hours and meet more people in a manner that is more organic, non-intrusive, and natural. I feel very blessed that God opened this door for me. You can pray that He would continue opening relational doors as I build deeper relationships w/ coworkers and regular customers.

lectio divina

2009-09-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

While doing a tiny bit of research for a friend I stumbled upon this well worn gem called "lectio divina". It's an old Christian practice that beautifully, and meditatively, brings prayer and scripture reading together. It can be a powerful practice. I was reminded of it again while looking through the book "The Inner Room: A Journey into Lay Monasticism", by Mark Plaiss (2003). I think I may try to incorporate lectio divina into my week, and see how it goes. I invite you to join me, perhaps with reading the Psalms. Let me know how it goes if you do. Here's the excerpt from the book:

Chapter 12: More Prayer
“…Monasticism has a special tradition with scripture. That tradition is known as lectio divina, or holy reading. First and foremost, lectio is prayer. In lectio you do not so much read scripture as heart it with your heart. Lectio is not an academic exercise. In lectio you do not read scripture to decipher theology or prove a point. Lectio is not about knowing God, it is about experiencing God. Lectio is about listening.

Lectio is not a devotional. In a devotional, the person is active, petitioning, praising or beseeching God. The line of action goes from person to God. Lectio is just the opposite; God comes to the person and the person listens.

Lectio divina begins with a deep reverence for the Word. In Bible study, one may mark the text, underlining certain passages or scribbling comments in the margins of the page. That is not the case with lectio. Here, you do not impose your opinions or thoughts on the text.

You do not, however, simply grab a copy of the Bible, flop down in a chair, open the book and begin immediately to plow through Paul. Before entering into lectio, you cut yourself off from where you have been: going to another room of the house, leaving the house and going to church, stepping outside to the quiet of the yard or a park. Having found the appropriate site for prayer, you prepare your mind and soul for prayer. You take some deep breaths; you ask for God’s presence. One such prayer might be, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love.” Many kneel or light candles as this prayer is prayed. The idea is that you are separating yourself – emotionally, physically, and spiritually – from what you had been doing prior to lectio.

You begin by reading the text slowly, and aloud, if desired. Reading aloud dispels distractions and helps to internalize the words being read. There is something about words rolling off the tongue that gives them more impact. You read until a certain word or phrase strikes a chord. That word or phrase is then repeated over and over, allowing it to seep into the soul. This rumination is the prayer. This is the essence of lectio. The chewing and the gnawing of the Word brings God into the depths of your being.

How much text should be covered in one reading? That is the beauty of lectio. There are no rules, and therefore no pressure, about the amount of text to be read at any one sitting. On time only a single verse may be covered. At another time only half of a verse may be read. Still other times several verses of scripture may be covered. Several months may be required to read an entire book of the Bible. The amount of text covered is never the issue. The issue is allowing whatever is read to be mulled over in the heart, allowing God to enter your being.

Although the amount of text to be covered is never important, consistently practicing lectio is important. Lectio should become a habit. Breaking open the Word should be a regular form of prayer…”

redemption song

2009-08-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

I have given up on trying to finish John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion" in a year, but I continue to read and meditate on this great work. Today I finished Book II, Chapter 6, which focuses on Christ as our redeemer. I'd like to share a piece of the this chapter’s final section on the comfort we have in Christ:

“I wish to impress upon my readers... that the first step in piety is, to acknowledge that God is a Father, to defend, govern, and cherish us, until he brings us to the eternal inheritance of his kingdom; that hence it is plain, as we lately observed, there is no saving knowledge of God without Christ, and that, consequently, from the beginning of the world Christ was held forth to all the elect as the object of their faith and confidence. In this sense, Irenæus says, that the Father, who is boundless in himself, is bounded in the Son, because he has accommodated himself to our capacity, lest our minds should be swallowed up by the immensity of his glory (Irenaeus, lib. 4 cap. 8)... the meaning merely is, that God is comprehended in Christ alone."

I love this piece; it causes me to give praise to God, that He is a Father who defends us, sustains us, CHERISHES us, and faithfully brings us the end. He does all of this through His Son, Jesus. I especially love the quote from Irenæus. Knowing that if we as humans, w/ our limited bodies and minds, were to fully engage w/ God’s glory, we would be consumed by His awesomeness. So desiring relationship w/ humanity, God sent Jesus so that we may approach Him safely. It is a beautiful picture of God's grace, His power, and our need for Him.

support

2009-08-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

This past week our car broke down. “Big Red” was a little jumpy as we drove around, so I got on the horn and called around. I spoke w/ folks from auto parts store and a couple mechanics, and the common denominator was our “mass airflow sensor.” I looked at our existing one and it was visibly damaged, so I figured it was a sure thing. By the time I figured out that this was probably the problem, the car wasn’t starting at all. Poor Big Red.

It was from this point forward I realized again how blessed we are by the people around us. A friend and neighbor from cohousing drove me to an auto parts store to order a new airflow sensor, which was a fun time of chatting and getting to know her a bit more. The next day, another friend/neighbor drove me back to the store to pick up the part. Again it was a great time of connection. Returning home to our dead car, I installed the new part; and to my dismay Big Red didn’t start! Apparently, my gamble to save a few bucks did not pay off. So figuring I had created enough damage, I resolved to take the car to the shop. But how to get it there? Again, my neighbor came to my aid and said he would tow me to the mechanic, but he didn’t have a tow strap. So we knocked on some doors around cohousing, and another neighbor/friend couple helped out, by cutting us some thick rope for the tow. Thankful, we towed the car to the shop w/ no troubles. Being Saturday, the shop was about to close, and said they could not look at it until Monday. Knowing Sunday was the next day and I had to lead music in Lynden (30 minutes away) that evening, I wondered how we were going to make it there. But, you guessed it; someone else came to our aid. Our good friends from Lynden drove down and hung out w/ us Saturday evening, bringing w/ them a loaner car for us to use. We were able to meet all of our obligations on Sunday as a result of having this loaner car.

The (hopeful) end to our car story came this morning when I received a call from the shop. They said that, in fact, I did install the right part, but neglected to finish the job by connecting a tube that came loose at some point, that I did not notice. I picked up the car, w/ no charge from the mechanic, drove it home (running like a champ – hooray for Big Red), and dropped off the loaner car to our friend’s place of work, here in town.

This whole experience was a bit of a pain in the neck, but made me realize, again, how blessed we are by those around us. In the short time we have lived in WA, we’ve made great friends who have supported us in incredible ways, practically, relationally, and prayerfully. Being on the receiving end of these things makes me resolve, again, to be there for folks who need some help and/or encouragement. Last week I was encouraged by Hebrews 10:23-25. I want to learn from and live out what it says. It reads, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let 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.” I would encourage you this season to join me, and think about how you can live these words out. He has blessed us richly in many ways; so, let us be a blessing, in His name.

looking ahead

2009-08-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

As the rain comes down a bit today, I’m reminded that fall is not too far away. Fall is a great time to start things, find our life rhythms again, and to again connect w/ our communities on a more regular basis. With these aspects of fall in mind, I am looking, daydreaming ahead and planning.

In the fall I’d love to find new expressions of our life and church rhythms. Those being: to be social, to deepen our spiritual walk in Him, and to live out our faith through service. I hope that as the church plant continues gaining momentum we will actively pursue times w/ each other, to simply hang out and be social, whether it is w/ movies nights, coffee times, the Wii bowling tournament I’ve been daydreaming about, or spontaneous times together. I hope we’ll communally deepen our spiritual walks together. We’re planning on continuing w/ our Monday Bible group, and will meet together to pray and daydream about the future of this ministry. Some of my daydreams include starting a men’s morning group and another small group (maybe focused on prayer and food?). I also hope that we’ll find room to serve our neighbors, neighborhood, and city together, maybe w/ a monthly service project in Happy Valley.

I believe we are all called to live these communal and personal rhythms of being social, deepening our spiritual lives in Him, and living our faith in service. Social, Spiritual, Service: these are aspects of the lifestyle I want to live, and would love to live out w/ you in the church plant. Let me know if any or all of this sounds good to you. We’d love some help in starting these new groups, or for you to simply join us along the way. It is an exciting time, and I am excited for this next season.

encouragement from the trail

2009-07-28T15:03:00.001-07:00

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

2009-07-27T16:39:00.001-07:00

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?

2009-07-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-21T10:45:00.001-07:00

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

2009-07-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

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

wonderings on cana

2009-06-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

I just got back from being out of town. Early in my trip we were able to attend my cousin's wedding at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of Notre Dame. All the wedding activities were a lot of fun. In a couple weeks I am going to be preaching on John 2:1-11, the passage where Jesus turns water into wine. It took place at a wedding where the wine was running out. This would have been a social disaster for the family, but Jesus saves the day by making some awesome wine. I'm just starting my prep work for the sermon, but I could not help but contrast the text w/ my cousin's wedding. I've read this passage in John 2 many times, but I still don't think I get the whole picture. I wish I could have been there to see Jesus interact w/ other guests. What was He like at this event; what was the event itself like?

Sometimes I wonder if we interpret scripture based off of stoic, dry, sanitized painting of the past. Like this one to the right. Now I'm not an art history person, w/ any knowledge about anything, but this sure seems like a lame party to me, one where no wine is flowing. Is it a wedding feast or a funeral? My question is how we view Jesus today. Do we view Him as a somber guest at a lame party? Do we view Him as a someone distant and quiet? Or do we view Him as something different? I'm not done making conclusion on this passage (and probably never will be), but I think a better picture of Jesus is one where He desires for us to thrive, where we are restored, redeemed, and revived. The making of water into wine can be seen as a picture of turning something ordinary into something worth celebrating. This is a picture of our relationship w/ Him. As regenerates us, He turns our lives of survival into lives that thrive in Him and experience the full range of emotions, includes fun and celebration.

There could have been multiple reasons why they ran out of wine that day: maybe they were poor and didn't have the money to buy enough wine, maybe they had the money but didn't plan well, or maybe folks were simply drinking more than what was planned for (meaning people were having a great time). I think the party was hopping that day. I think Jesus was laughing and celebrating w/ everyone else. I think He saved the day. And I think the best is yet to come. That's the Jesus I see in the passage.

books

2009-06-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

K8 and I are heading out this week for a couple weeks off. We’ll be visiting family. My cousin is getting married at Notre Dame, and after a few days there then we’ll go to the Black Hills to hang w/ K8’s family. So we’re packing, which isn’t something I usually put much thought towards. But I have a dilemma, what books do I take w/ me? It’s a toughy. I am currently reading a lot of different things, some personal, some professional, some fun, some not, but all worthy.

So I need to make a decision. It’s a matter of suitcase space and reality (what am I actually going to possibly ready maybe. I usually bring more than I will read). At the moment, none of these books are on my Kindle, surprisingly. So I need to make a decision. I’ll figure it out, but I thought it would be fun to share what I’m reading right now, and maybe someone can give me some insight on which would be better for vacation.

Here they are:
-John Calvin’s “Institutes of the Christian Religion” (A classic book of theology, guaranteed to get some “church nerd” jokes from my loved one’s)
-“World Café” by Juanita Brown (A book describing a method of bring community folks together to discuss common interests, community organizing goodness)
-“My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult (an interesting novel, generally read by women, but I’m down)
-My Bible (it’s the good book after all)
-“Exiles” by Michael Frost (a book about living a missionally our culture which doesn’t feel obligated to the Christian faith)
-“Plan B” by me (it’s my half-way done attempt at writing fiction, which I want to finish this summer, but haven’t written on in a few months)
-“The Disappearance of the Universe” by Gary Renard (a Gnostic/”new agey” book I’m reading for a spirituality study group w/ neighbors)

incarnational ministry

2009-06-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

In the world of new church development/church planting much is being said about being incarnational versus attractional in one's approach. One way to differentiate the two is to say that incarnational means "going out to the people", while being attractional means "calling the people in". Some do not like these labels, but it makes one think about how the church relates to its neighbors. I'm not going to give any dissertation here on the benefits and costs of each, but I will offer this quote I read this week from "The Tangible Kingdom" by Hugh Halter & Matt Smay. It offers an interesting component of incarnational ministry.

"The incarnational big-story gospel will require a place of discovery, where people will be able to see the truth before they hear about it. This place will not be a location but a community of people who are inclusive of everyone. These people will be making eternity attractive by how they live such selfless lives now, and will be modeling life in a New Kingdom in ways that will make it easy for other people to give it a try. People like this aren’t desperate to convert everyone; they are desperate to be like Christ and to be where Christ is. Their heartbeat to be transformed into the image of Christ, and to pray and work for little specks of transformation in everyone and everything they touch. Success is faithfulness. The rest is up to God."

time

2009-06-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

One interesting discovery I've made recently has to do w/ my use of time. There are days when the day is mine and I can do what I wish (hang w/ folks, read, do whatever). Other days, I have competing very valuable things I can to choose from. For instance on Tuesday evenings, there are several beneficial activities I feel I "should" participate in for the good of our ministry. I can go to a running club where I can meet people from the community, I can attend a study group w/ some spiritually-open neighbors, or I can attend a small group from another church. Tuesday evenings represent my week in general.

The question is a philosophical question of my time. With the task of gathering folks together for the church plant, I have a choice of options. Do I focus on meeting folks from the community, who may or may not be spiritually open? Do I focus on spiritually open folks, who do not have a Christian leaning (and maybe do not even want to go there)? Or do I focus on meeting and gathering Christian people to form some sort of core group? What should be my focus of time? Right now my answer is to do all three. But the problem comes on Tuesday night, when they all meet at the same time; I'm forced to make a decision. It becomes a strange balance of being faithful w/ my time and which is best for that week/day. Whatever I decide on the given week/day, it is a challenging decision. It creates another opportunity to listen to the Holy Spirit and step out in faith.

the weekly freak out

2009-06-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

In the work we find ourselves in we feel very supported by different churches, friends, and family. But usually, about once a week, I have a little freak out. I question what we're doing and how we're doing it, wondering who will join us and how we will sustain the long road ahead. These freak outs are usually drawn from self-imposed pressure to perform. Usually it comes in moments when I think about the performance objectives I place on myself or worrying about how I am going to pull it all together. "Me", "I", and "self", do you see the Aaron-centric perspective in these moments. The freak outs come when I worry about how I will be viewed by others, how I will make it happen, or how I think I am doing. "Me, me, me."

Usually the freak outs end when I go for a walk, and allow the Spirit to again breathe life into me, reflecting on the scriptures, and the truth that God is in control, this is His church, His ministry, His servant. A fellow church planter in Seattle gave me this advice, he said, "Always remember that you are a child of God." Whether the church we start is an awesome success or a horrible failure, I am His child. Whatever happens, I am His. I think it is healthy to have the weekly freak out; it keeps me humble and rooted in the One who has called us. I would prefer however to grow in maintaining a God-centered perspective in life, rather than drifting toward that Aaron-centric perspective which results in the freak out. My prayer is that we will all grow in our knowledge that we are His, that we are under His blanket of love, and that we live only under His grace.

a good reminder

2009-05-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

I found this piece of truth from John Calvin's "Institutes" an encouragement yesterday. To remember that we are in God's hand, and to recognize this grace and release ourselves to it is a comfort, even in the midst of crazy weeks and seasons. This nugget comes from II.2.11 of the Institutes:

"I have always been exceedingly delighted with the words of Chrysostom, 'The foundation of our philosophy is humility;' and still more with those of Augustine, 'As the orator, when asked, What is the first precept in eloquence? answered, Delivery: What is the second? Delivery: What the third? Delivery: so, if you ask me in regard to the precepts of the Christian Religion, I will answer, first, second, and third, Humility.' By humility he means not when a man, with a consciousness of some virtue, refrains from pride, but when he truly feels that he has no refuge but in humility. This is clear from another passage, 'Let no man,' says he, 'flatter himself: of himself he is a devil: his happiness he owes entirely to God. What have you of your own but sin? Take your sin which is your own; for righteousness is of God.'"

day dreaming

2009-05-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

"People don't come to church for preachments, of course, but to daydream about God" (Kurt Vonnegut, Jr). On Friday, we gathered some folks in our home to daydream about church. The folks who came have supported us in the church plant endeavor in one way or another, and I invited them to come and support us again as we begin to put words to our thoughts on church. I asked the crew what they value in their current church or what they would love to see in church. I was surprised when nearly everyone expressed the importance of community. Using different words, they expressed that church is/should be a place where one feels supported and can support others, where one is known, where one feels relationally safe, where one is a part of something greater than themselves, and where one is not just one, but one together w/ others... church is/should be an authentic community.

I believe we all long for authentic community, the place described by the group Friday. I love the idea of living a life w/ others where we are: 1) intentionally growing inwards (creating safe, fun places where we grow socially together and others feel the warmth of Christ), 2) intentionally growing upwards (growing in our faith and knowledge of our creator together), and 3) intentionally growing outwards (discovering and experimenting how we can live our faith in Jesus out in our neighborhoods, serving others). I love the idea of living a congruent life w/ others where these 3 rhythms of life inform each other. I believe others will be attracted to such congruency, and God will use it to draw folks to Himself. My prayer is our daydreams about God and church will continue to find words and feet and we move forward together.

room to breathe

2009-05-20T18:54:00.001-07:00

I just finished a book entitled "How We Decide", by Jonah Lehrer. The title says it all; it’s a book about how our brains make decisions. Traditionally, it was thought that purely relying on our rational mind, w/ as little emotion as possible, was best. But, the author asserts that using all facets of our minds (both reason and feeling), in a balanced manner produces the best results. Not only that, but knowing when to step back and think, and when to follow your hunch, and being aware enough to know when to employ each. It was a fascinating read, w/ lots of interesting examples and research. One study explained in the book kept jiggling in my head after I read it. Here’s the excerpt from the book:

“Consider this experiment. You're sitting in a bare room, with just a table and a chair. A scientist in a white lab coat walks in and says that he's conducting a study of long-term memory. The scientist gives you a seven-digit number to remember and asks you to walk down the hall to the room where your memory will be tested. On the way to the testing room, you pass a refreshment table for subjects taking part in the experiment. You are given a choice between a decadent slice of German chocolate cake and a bowl of fruit salad. What do you choose? Now let's replay the experiment. You are sitting in the same room. The same scientist gives you the same explanation. The only difference is that instead of being asked to remember a seven-digit number, you are given only two numbers, a far easier mental task. You then walk down the hall and are given the same choice between cake and fruit. You probably don't think the number of digits will affect your choice; if you choose the chocolate cake, it is because you want cake. But you'd be wrong. The scientist who explained the experiment was lying; this isn't a study of long-term memory, it's a study of self-control. When the results from the two different memory groups were tallied, the scientists observed a striking shift in behavior. Fifty-nine percent of people trying to remember seven digits chose the cake, compared to only 37 percent of the two-digit subjects. Distracting the brain with a challenging memory task made a person much more likely to give in to temptation and choose the calorie-dense dessert… The subjects' self-control was overwhelmed by five extra numbers.”

What I found so interesting about this study was how it related to another book I read a few years back, "Margin" by Richard Swenson. In "Margin", Swenson asserts that we live a marginless existence, where our time is maxed out, finances are constantly stretched, and, as a result, our relationships are on the back burner. He advocates the act of simplifying our lives, allowing for more margin; margin to give to others from our time and wealth, and margin to be present w/ others doing the things we love.

The parallel from the study from "How We Decide" w/ the choices in refreshments and living w/ margin seemed obvious. When we max out our lives, financially, mentally, and relationally, we end up living a life we will wish we did different. We make lifestyle choices that we may regret, ranging from an unhealthy diet to having a distant relationship w/ our family. In John 10:10, Christ tells us, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” He came to give us not only a life, but a rich life. I believe many of the values we hold in North America are not helping us live the full lives Jesus desires for us. I believe this fuller life He desires for us is a life that allows us room to breathe, room to observe what God is doing around us (and praise Him for it), room to jump on board w/ what He is doing, and room to engage those around us who are both joy-filled and full of grief.

I don’t want to be overwhelmed by 5 extra numbers, or five things that will take me away from being present w/ others or would blur my vision of the God who is constantly present w/ us. I’m not advocating that we quit our jobs or blow off responsibility; I am, however advocating that we chill out a bit, take a deep breath, and consider how we can engage ourselves in the things that have greater purpose, and perhaps trim the unnecessary things that may slow us down from loving God, and loving others.

stamps

2009-05-08T08:18:00.000-07:00

Come May 11th the cost to mail a letter will go up by 2 cents in the States. I thought this would be an easy and inexpensive way to bless my neighbors. Most of us still use snail mail, and it stinks when we’re caught on the increase. So next week I’m going to pass out envelops w/ some 2-cent stamps in them and my card.

As we are about to start our new church I find myself daydreaming about this community to-be. My hope is to live life w/ a community of people who share common lifestyle desires. 3 characteristics of my desired lifestyle include: 1) Hanging out together (over meals and/or drinks, and participating in what’s already happening (like the running club in the previous post), 2) Growing together in Christ (through reading the Bible, praying, worshipping, and eating), and 3) blessing our neighbors together (whether it’s regular service to others, or random things like giving away stamps. In these 3 things the common thread is authentic community w/ friends and God. If any or all of these aspects seem cool to you let me know. Jesus told us that the 2 most important things is to love God and love others; my prayer is that this will be the lifestyle I live and our new church focuses on.

i'm proud of my wife

2009-05-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

I'm proud of my wife. Yesterday, we received news that a refined version of her master's thesis is going to published in an special edition of an academic journal called, "Mental Health, Religion, and Culture" (http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/carfax/13674676.html). We don't know when it will be in print, but we know she got in. Her research revolved around how women develop their identity as women, when they grow up in cultures that are not their home culture. These people are often called "Third Culture Kids," and include children of missionaries, international business people, and overseas military personnel. My prayer is that her research will help folks understand their upbringing and further empower them to be all they can be. Kate, my wife, worked very hard on this, and deserves this recognition. Getting research published was a goal she never thought she would accomplish... but she did it! She's smart and beautiful. Well done Kate; I'm very proud of all you do!

the run

2009-05-08T07:46:00.001-07:00

This week I went to my 1st community run w/ Fairhaven Runners, a running store near our home. Every Tues. @ 6pm they have an “all paces run.” I thought it would be a great way to meet folks and make a community connection. I enjoy running, so it seemed like a natural fit. It was a cool time. I can tell that people know each other. They were very welcoming.

I ended up running w/ the group that was a bit above me, but it was a good challenge. I would never run at that pace by myself, but w/ the group I was able to keep up. Synergy, I guess. When we run together we are able to encourage each other along. In the case w/ this running group, they did not verbally push each other on. I was encouraged simply by their presence. I was thinking this is similar to our lives as well. I believe we are able to do more, and do it better, when we are in community. To be surrounded by folks who share the same rhythms of life offers support, accountability, friendship, and resources. As I think about the church we plan to start, the picture of group running together fits. Together we had purpose and synergy. My prayer is that we will run better together.

coming together

2009-05-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

Tis the season to come together. I've been thinking about the strategy, vision, and values I hope the new church will have. As I do so, it feels a bit artificial (not my feelings or the ideas that are coming forth, but the process). These things (strategy, vision, and values) are things that we put a lot of work into, and then often put them on the shelf and forget about them. The process at times seems to place a higher priority on the process itself, rather than the people and their relationships (when it should be reversed). So I guess I am questioning the process, while at the same time acknowledging its value.

My hopes for the church revolve around developing a way of life together that is rooted in authentic relationship - relationship w/ God and w/ each other. I desire to find a common rhythm (to borrow a term from Mosaic - http://mosaicnw.com/ ) or rhythms together, w/ those 2 relationships at the center, that welcomes others, that's informed and growing in our walk w/ God, and that looks outward and serves others. As we begin to come together in different ways, I hope we'll come together in one of 3 ways: hanging out together, growing in Christ together, or serving others together. These 3 components are 3 elements of a lifestyle that I would like to share w/ others, a common lifestyle the church shares. These 3 lifestyle elements can be our strategy, our vision, and our values. Let me know how you see yourself sharing in this life w/ us.

provision

2009-04-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

As we are now over one week in our new place, I have reflected on the blessing of provision. The struggles we’ve wrestled w/ this week have been important, but in the big picture I feel we are very blessed. In this initial season of ministry, we have been blessed by various financial supporters (churches, our denomination, and individuals). We are blessed by all our new friends we’ve met since moving to WA (we entertained 2x this past week, had several friends pop in, and look forward to more of both). We feel blessed that Montana, although reaching new levels of energy and spunk, has had a smooth transition. And I feel blessed to live in Bellingham CoHousing. The space is cozy and inviting; our neighbors have been so friendly and welcoming. I feel blessed by all of these different things.

While thinking about these things today (an awesome sunny day), I was reminded, by my homeboy John Calvin, that although all these blessings come from different people and places, they have the same source. God has blessed through the blessings of others. Here’s a piece of what I read today:

“With regard to inanimate objects again we must hold that though each is possessed of its peculiar properties, yet all of them exert their force only in so far as directed by the immediate hand of God. Hence they are merely instruments, into which God constantly infuses what energy he sees meet, and turns and converts to any purpose at his pleasure. No created object makes a more wonderful or glorious display than the sun. For, besides illuminating the whole world with its brightness, how admirably does it foster and invigorate all animals by its heat, and fertilise the earth by its rays, warming the seeds of grain in its lap, and thereby calling forth the verdant blade! This it supports, increases, and strengthens with additional nurture, till it rises into the stalk; and still feeds it with perpetual moisture, till it comes into flower; and from flower to fruit, which it continues to ripen till it attains maturity. In like manner, by its warmth trees and vines bud, and put forth first their leaves, then their blossom, then their fruit. And the Lord, that he might claim the entire glory of these things as his own, was pleased that light should exist, and that the earth should be replenished with all kinds of herbs and fruits before he made the sun. No pious man, therefore, will make the sun either the necessary or principal cause of those things which existed before the creation of the sun, but only the instrument which God employs, because he so pleases; though he can lay it aside, and act equally well by himself” (Institutes I.16.2)

we're in!

2009-04-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

We finally moved to Bellingham! We are excited and a bit disoriented. Moving can be exhausting on numerous levels. My back is feeling a bit fatigued from not lifting w/ the legs, but it is basically “back” to normal (bad pun). We felt so blessed to have had so many people help us load and unload the truck. Thanks to those who helped. Emotionally moving is also challenging. I don’t enjoy living in chaos, but we are getting that figuring out too. I will be glad when I don’t have to think too hard where things are. K8 has been awesome w/ the move, making things work in a smaller place. Montana has also been awesome. We wondered how she would adjust to a new environment, but she has made some new friends and discovered many new exciting places to play. Our new neighbors have welcomed us so warmly, w/ helping us unload, w/ food, and greetings. We’re excited to get to know them all better.

Now that we’re here and roughly moved in, the task becomes gaining a strategy for the church plant. I’ve been intrigued by how Jesus built into His disciples. He called them from where they were at in Luke 5-6, then He built into them in Luke 7-8, and then in Luke 9 He sent them out to serve. Calling, building, sending, I like these things in regard to how we might do church, although the language could be contextualized. These are things we can be doing both now and 5 years from now. I like the idea of trying to focus on these things concurrently. We can be hanging out w/ folks, whether that means joining book clubs and running clubs, or watching movies and eating in our home. We can be looking into God’s word w/ people, or praying together. And, we can begin serving our neighbors and neighborhood in practical ways w/ others. It seems simple. Maybe I’m naïve, but I’m going to start w/ those 3 things as we get to know people around us in our new neighborhood and town. I’m sure it will get chiseled as we continue the journey, and discern w/ others. Let me know if you are interested in walking this journey w/ us.

creation points us to the creator

2009-04-02T17:16:00.000-07:00

Before moving on from his discussion on the creation of the world, Calvin expresses how the sovereign work of creation can speak to humanity. He says in I.14.22:

"...To conclude, in one word; as often as we call God the Creator of heaven and earth, let us remember that the distribution of all the things which he created are in his hand and power, but that we are his sons [and daughters], whom he has undertaken to nourish and bring up in allegiance to him, that we may expect the substance of all good from him alone, and have full hope that he will never suffer us to be in want of things necessary to salvation, so as to leave us dependent on some other source; that in everything we desire we may address our prayers to him, and, in every benefit we receive, acknowledge his hand, and give him thanks; that thus allured by his great goodness and beneficence, we may study with our whole heart to love and serve him."

He, the creator God, richly provides for us, via His creation. He made sure our world was ready for our arrival before He placed us in it. This causes me to think of the imperative we have therefore to care for His creation, as good stewards, promoting justice and compassion to our world and neighbors. It also causes me to come to the same conclusion as "our boy" Calvin states above, that in a like manner we can have great confidence in knowing that God will provide for our needs, both spiritual and physical. He is good; the good earth He created points us to His goodness, His love, His compassion.

us

2009-03-31T16:55:00.000-07:00

Now that we've figured out where God wants us for this next season, I'm readjusting my mind to a new chapter. Perhaps the title of this next chapter could be something like, "Discovering Who We Are" (I'll try to think of something witty later). Ideas of mission, vision, and values are floating here and there. I've read lengthy statements for each... and it is too much. I'm discovering these types of statements have value, but are not expressed in the language I speak. Realizing we are on a journey, I like the idea that our values should be our vision, and our vision should be the values we strive for; simple, they are one in the same. The image of this "conversation" or "story" resonates much more to me than a canned "process" of strategic planning. So I am trying to find a language that speaks to our story, yet also captures the value of the process of vision casting.

It is a work in progress, but I cannot shake the story of Christ. He called and loved folks where they were at; He built them up in His love; He then sent them out to love and serve others, where they were at. This was all done in the context of community, drawing folks from isolation and into a family. So how does this story translate as I daydream about our future chapters? How does the story of Christ translate in our language today?

It is a work in progress, but I like the idea that we would follow His lead and hang out w/ people where they are at, having fun doing the things we commonly share (in playing, watching movies, discussing ideas and daydreams, over a good meal, good coffee, or a good beer). I like the idea of following His lead, coming together to build each other up in His love for Him and each other (through prayer, study of His word, eating together, worship). I like the idea of following His lead as we together express our love for Him, His creation, and His people through serving those around us, w/ no strings attached (in our neighborhood, w/ our neighbors, as we creatively influence our neighborhood for common good). I like the idea of having those 3 elements (hanging out, growing, and serving) define who we are, how we live, and what we strive for. Maybe it is too simple, but simplicity is my preference. It is a story that is a work in progress, and I invite you to join our conversation.

prayer

2009-03-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

This week we are in committing ourselves to prayer for Kingdom growth here in the county, that God’s LOVE would be made known anew in our area. My prayer this week is that He would give us open eyes to see how we can show His love to our neighborhood, and creativity in addressing needs. Will you join us in prayer this week? I’ve placed a prayer guide on the prayer link to the right. May He bless as we serve Him and others.

the goodness of God

2009-03-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

I’m doing my best to read John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion this year. Today I was encouraged by this piece from section I.14.2:

“…In the very order of events [creation], we ought diligently to ponder on the paternal goodness of God toward the human race, in not creating Adam until he had liberally enriched the earth with all good things. Had he placed him on an earth barren and unfurnished; had he given life before light, he might have seemed to pay little regard to his interest. But now that he has arranged the motions of the sun and stars for man’s use, has replenished the air, earth, and water, with living creatures, and produced all kinds of fruit in abundance for the supply of food, by performing the office of a provident and industrious head of a family, he has shown his wondrous goodness toward us…”

I was blessed by this today. To think that before humanity was created, God prepared a rich home for us. He prepared our awesome world, w/ all its blessings and riches, THEN created humanity. This displays His great love for us, His goodness, and His plan to bless us. We serve a great God.

happy valley – bellingham cohousing

2009-03-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Having not written on the old blog in a while, there is a lot to say. Since my last entry on march 3rd, a lot has happened. We decided that we feel the Lord is leading us to move and work in the Happy Valley neighborhood in Bellingham (#17 on the neighborhood map, next door to I-5 to the east and Fairhaven (#19) to the west, and WWU (#15) to the north). Folks have asked, “Why Happy Valley?” My answer = while I investigated neighborhoods in Bellingham, I found myself repeatedly daydreaming about how I could serve this neighborhood, which wasn’t happening in the other neighborhoods. This coupled with the encouragement of others to check out the area. Happy Valley/Fairhaven was an area that continued to be an overlapping neighborhood when people suggested places to pray about. “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” (Acts 15:28).

K8, on our family blog (http://mymomsaysiambalanced.blogspot.com/), expressed some thoughts on moving to Bellingham, which I think are well worthy of sharing here:

When Aaron and I lived in Langley, we would often drive down to Bellingham for an afternoon. We would go for a walk around Lake Padden and have supper at La Fiamma. Our conversation at one point or another would lead to how cool it would be to live in Bellingham and how much we loved that community. Yesterday, we had a little outing to Bellingham. We hiked around Lake Padden and ate at La Fiamma. The only difference between the trips a few years ago and yesterday was that we had Montana with us AND we signed a lease on an apartment in Bellingham. CRAZY! It's so exciting to be taking yet another step in our journey and cool to see it come full circle. Little did we know 2 or 3 years ago that we would be moving to Bellingham. It seems God was planting those Bellingham seeds in our hearts. It makes me think of Proverbs 19:21 (from the Message)... "We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails."

K8 mentions we signed a lease on a place in Happy Valley, and the story is cool. After sending out a prayer letter to folks, expressing our decision to serve in Happy Valley, I received an email from Larry. He expressed that if we were going to be in Happy Valley to check out an available place for rent in the Bellingham Cohousing (http://www.bellcoho.com/). I had driven by a few months ago, looked it up online thinking it would be a cool place to live, but discovered at the time that there were no openings. So I was excited to discover that it was now an option. It is a campus of condos where residents intentionally allow their lives to overlap w/ their neighbors. There are optional shared meals, and lots of opportunities to share life w/ others (check out more on the website). K8 and I have always talked about living in this manner, so we are stoked to move in April. God surprised us, and opened this door for us to start living and serving in Happy Valley.

a story from the run

2009-03-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

Nearly every week, K8 and I try to hang out w/ different people. One week we invited a family to our place for dinner. Having never hung out w/ them before, the dinner gave us a great opportunity to get to know them more. We heard a bit of their story, how they met, their hopes, and their journey in the church and faith. It was great. As they were putting on their coats, they mentioned that we were the first people in a couple years to invite them over. This family is not new to the community, and we (the newcomers) were the first to invite them over. It made K8 and I sad to think about it. This couple, and all of us, long for community. We long to belong. You know, "Making your way in the world today takes everything you got. Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came." We all want that, and yet it's out of our comfort zone to invite someone along w/ what we're doing; so, sometimes we don't. My prayer is that you and I would be challenged to action, moved to include others in our lives, and that we would do it. May He bless our movement and building of community together.

synergy

2009-03-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

As we move through the process of creating community, I am again struck by the need for community. No brainer, right? Having others to keep us in check, others to pray w/, others to have fun w/, others to dream and move toward those dreams w/ - all these things are a blessing. As we narrow down a "place" to plant, I find myself needing to focus on "people." Who will join us in the launch phase of the church plant? Who will join us in doing life together in community? My prayer is that God will rise up folks who will love and worship God w/ us, while we love a serve others and each other. My prayer is that He will bring people before us who will synergistically move w/ us in these things, someone w/ a passion for worship and prayer, someone with a heart for hospitality and outreach, someone who loves to see families grow in the Lord together, someone who enjoys administration stuff, and all w/ a heart to see God transform their lives, and their neighborhood and their city. My prayer is that these folks will cross our paths this month, and daydream w/ us. Will you join me in this prayer?

incarnation

2009-02-16T15:15:00.000-08:00

"As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world" (Jn 17:18). Think about it for a moment: The sovereign Lord of all creation - who's ways, means, and thoughts are unknown (except for what He chooses to reveal), who is infinite, all powerful and all knowing - came and lived among His creation in a limited body and in a manner where that creation could understand and relate. GOD (underlined) came and overlapped His life on earth w/ ours; He became our neighbor, bringing God's peace and restoration w/ Him. This is a piece of His incarnation on earth. Awesome! God the Father sent God the Son to live next door to us, and now God the Spirit has been sent w/ us to be incarnate in our world. We are called to mimic Christ and truly become neighbors to our community, bringing His peace and restoration w/ us. As we narrow our neighborhood search down, we are, at the same time, discerning what strategy of incarnation God is calling us to pursue in that neighborhood. We want our lives that overlap w/ those in our community, our neighbors. We desire to move in synergy w/ what is already happening there, while breathing the breath of life into those we encounter and partner w/. This "incarnation" will be different in different places. Last week I met with an awesome pastor in the Birchwood neighborhood of Bellingham, Cameron Garcia of NW Community Church. His incarnation in Birchwood is seen in community development. Mitchell and Rachelle Senti's incarnation is at the Three Trees Coffee House in downtown Bellingham, while my homies at Mosaic church in Bellingham do a blend of working both in and out of church, focusing on service. Incarnation, our "being with" our neighbors has different faces. Our desire is to plant a church and live a lifestyle that is both in, for, and with our neighbors, to borrow a thought from Baron Miller, meaning we are literally IN the neighborhood we focus on, advocating FOR the betterment of our neighborhood, and doing it all WITH our neighbors. We want to be like Christ in, for, and with that place.
As you pray for us and our discernment, please pray that the Holy Spirit would counsel us in the best way we can be incarnate in the neighborhood He is calling us to. You can click on the prayer link to the right for some specific incarnational strategies we are praying through. I will be praying for you, that God would counsel you as to how you can further be an incarnational presence in your neighborhood. Please contact me if you want to daydream and brainstorm together about this. And may God bless you in your incarnational journey.

regret

2009-02-10T15:45:00.000-08:00

Today I am a bit angry at myself. I was having a lunch meeting w/ a Bellingham pastor, when we were interrupted by a guy sitting in the booth next to us. Prior to the lunch, I had prayed that God would use me to encourage this pastor and anyone who crossed my path. This interruption was an invitation to encourage. This man had overheard our conversation about church and mission, and decided to ask who we were. This man expressed he has heart for ministry and for God. He also told us he had just moved to town, is looking for work, and is living w/ relatives (and has until March to find his own place). The pastor gave him a couple resources to check out, and then he returned to his booth. As we left we said goodbye to the man, but I felt a tug at my heart to grab his contact info and to pray w/ him. I did neither. I feel like God opened the door to, at least, encourage this guy, but I was blind to the opportunity. As I got in my car to go home, I decided to drive by the restaurant to see if he was still there; he was not. I regret not acting upon the Spirit's leading. I wonder how often I miss out on the chance to breathe life into someone's day, b/c it wasn't on my terms. Those moments of "ministry surprise" catch us all off guard, especially when we are preoccupied w/ something or someone. And yet, we can not ignore them. My prayer for myself, and you, is that we will learn to be aware of the big picture around us, open to the Spirit's leading, and have the clarity to act in the midst of surprise moments. And, I am reminded that in God's sovereignty, He chooses us (w/ all our imperfections and flaws) to partner w/ Him in ministry. So, I pray that God will encourage that guys today, despite my "miss", and resolve to submit myself more to the Holy Spirit.

pick a number

2009-02-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

We have moved from trying to discern where the church plant will be in Whatcom County to now discerning where it will be in the city of Bellingham. Our initial leanings are to one of the neighborhoods surrounding the campus of Western Washington University (number 15 on the map). If you know Bellingham this means we begun our search in the neighborhoods of Sehome, York, South Hill, Fairhaven, and Happy Valley (numbers 11, 14, 16, 17, and 19 on the map. The map is from www.livebellingham.com/ if you're curious). This is the initial circle where I've spent the last couple weeks praying through the places and looking for neighborhood hang outs / gathering points. As I finish this initial "look/prayer over" I'm going to return the the neighborhoods that God left an impression and spend some significant time in the neighborhood's coffee shops, parks, etc. to try and get to know folks there. During this month I'm hoping to connect w/ ministry, church, and community leaders, as well as key individuals, to network and begin discerning together both where we'll be, but also who we'll focus on and who will join us. "People and place" is out prayer. I'm also hoping to check out some Bellingham social and neighborhood networks of interest, whether its running clubs, neighborhood associations, service clubs, or something along those lines. When we feel a definite leaning toward a certain section of town, we'll begin looking for a place to live that will facilitate our vision of ministry. Then we'll move from Lynden to Bellingham, and jump further into outreach. It is an exciting and scary time, which forces us to always put ourselves before the cross, seeking His direction and submitting to His will. Anyone up for an adventure?

bellingham

2009-01-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

It is nice to be back in WA, and to begin to think again about the task before us. We've been called to start a new church. As individuals and as churches we are called to partner together in reaching our neighbors w/ the good news of Jesus Christ. My hope is that the church plant will focus on loving and worshiping God, while loving and serving others in their physical and spiritual needs. My hope is that this new church will call others to Christ, be built up in Christ, and send people out in the name of Christ.
Since starting 2 months ago, I've begun to network w/ local CRC folk, and other church leaders. We'll continue to pray together as we partner together in our common task of Kingdom growth. We'll have another prayer gathering next month, so stay tuned. The other task since we started was to begin looking at where God is leading us locate. We've looked at lots of demographics of the county. We've spent many more hours in communities throughout the county, meeting folks and getting a feel for the personality of each place. We've spent lot's of time praying for these communities and how we fit into reaching needs. Through these efforts and discernment w/ others, we've decided that God is leading us to plant the church in Bellingham. It, like everywhere, is a place that has a great need for the gospel. It is a town that matches who we are as a family and our vision for ministry.
So now our task becomes to find who we feel led to reach in Bellingham, and which neighborhood would facilitate that. This means we will continue to to pray discern w/ others. Once we feel a leaning toward a general part of town we will move to that neighborhood, so we can begin developing local relationships in the neighborhood. We will also continue to pray for folks to initially join us - whether that is to simply worship w/ us or join us in initial leadership.
Please pray that:
-God would draw us to a specific neighborhood in Bellingham
-Folks would gather w/ us to worship and serve
-And how you individually can get involved (contact me if this strikes a holy chord in you)

love

2009-01-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

I recently returned from Colorado, for the second time. I returned again to Colorado, after only a week home in Washington, b/c my Grandma passed away. It was a special time of connection w/ my family. When i was in Colorado the first time, for Christmas, I was able to connect w/ Grandma. She and my Grandpa, "Peeps", had an awesome marriage of commitment and love that I hope K8 and i can imitate. In my last couple conversations w/ Grandma, she got sappy when it was time to go (she always did). In her "goodbye" in those last couple meetings she gave me the advice to love, "b/c it's the most important thing." Reflecting on this, I shared 1 Corinthians 13 at her memorial service. We wrongfully think of this text only as a wedding text, that is focused on marital love. In reality Paul wrote the Corinthians concerning church unity, by which love draws us together. So, using the text as a wedding text fits, but on a secondary level - the same can be said for using it as a funeral text as well. Anywho, I think Grandma's words are true. Love is most important in our relationships w/ God, our family, church, friends, and community. If our desire is to love all these things, then we must reflect on the words of 1 Cor. 13. As you read the words of the text, I invite you to join me in reflecting on how we match up to the descriptors of love. I pray that you will be blessed by the exercise.
1 Corinthians 13, "1 If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body [to hardship] that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails... 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

the end ... for now

2008-12-18T14:45:00.001-08:00

The prayer and fasting week ended last night at a prayer gathering. We had some bad weather which prevented some folks from coming, but we had about 20 people brave the elements and join us for a great time of prayer and fellowship. It was awesome to come together and worship, pray, and discern together. I really got a sense that the Spirit is stirring something within us, not just for the church plant but in our hearts. My prayer is that God will stir in all of us the desire to break the walls down which keep us from venturing out in service to Him and others. This will not be the last time we gather together, but for those who participated in prayer and fasting with us I am curious about your experience. At the meeting last night I posed a couple questions:
1. How was the exercise of intentional prayer and fasting for you?
2. What is the Spirit speaking you, whether it be in your life, the life of your church, or the church plant?
Please share your thoughts on this by clicking the “comments” link at the bottom of this post. Feel free to share your name, and your thoughts on either questions, or on something else.
May God bless us as we continue the journey, together.

community

2008-12-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

Along w/ a group of folks, I’m in the middle of a 3 day pray/fast. The focus of this time has been for Kingdom growth here in Whatcom County. My prayer is that God would use the existing churches and our church plant, in partnership, to do this. This week my goal has been to simply worship and listen, asking what the Spirit speaking to us, whether it is in our lives, in the life of our churches, or in the church plant. One thing that has begun to stick out in this time of meditation has been a draw to community. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem church sent a letter of unity to the believers in believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. In this letter there is a small phrase, they almost say in passing, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” They agreed with the Holy Spirit as a community on their thoughts in this letter. This thought continues to come before me: Our faith is best lived out in community. My hope is that, whenever possible, our worship, our prayers, our fun, and our service will occur in community. My prayers today have been lifted up for those participating w/ us in this prayer and fasting week, that God would reveal Himself to us, that we would have ears to listen to His voice and eyes to see how we can serve Him and other, and that we would find our strength in Him and w/ each other. I am looking forward to praying with them tomorrow night, and hear what the Spirit is speaking to us and what He’ll have all of us do, for His Kingdom and His glory. Blessings to you as you journey toward Him in community.

prayer = foundation = good

2008-12-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

I've been reminded, again, how much we are dependent upon the grace of God. In ministry it is only by His power that kingdom growth occurs. Therefore, staying and remaining connected to the source is vital to life. So, I'm organizing a ½ week of intentional prayer for the kingdom growth in Whatcom County: in existing churches and through the church plant. It's from Dec. 15th – 17th. I'm inviting folks to pray intentionally for 3 days, and fast during that time to whatever level they choose (a meal a day, the entire 3 days, 1 day, whatever they see fit), and then we can come together for a prayer gathering on Wed. 12.17 (contact me if you're interested). At that event we'll pray together for the ministry, each other, and the "lost," maybe sing a bit. Then after the official meeting is over we can break our fast together and hang out a bit over finger foods. For those who want to pray with us, I've posted a prayer guide on the "prayer" link, under "411," in the right column.

May God bless us as we seek Him, and pray for the growth if His kingdom.

ordination

2008-11-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

The biggest day of my professional career occurred the past Sunday evening; I was ordained as a “Minister of the Word” in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). To be honest I didn’t know exactly what is would look like, but now that it is past I would chose to give it three words: special, honoring, and foundational.

It was special for many reasons; my folks and K8’s folks flew out from Colorado for the event. While they were here we celebrated Montana’s, my daughter not the state, birthday, which was very cool. Having family present for both events was a reminder of God blessing K8 and I w/ such support and love. Many from my old church in British Columbia (Bridge Community Church) came down. It was there where they allowed me to grow in my pastoral identity and they spoke greatly into my life. It was also special to have many of my new church community present. I believe around eight churches were represented, in a display of God’s unity among different communities…very cool.

Honoring was the second word to describe the event. Pastor John of Bethel CRC in Lynden conducted the worship service and preached. In his message he spoke of the importance for me, and all of us, to live out our faith and call in all aspects of our lives. I would use the phrase, “holistic faith” to describe the call to live out a lifestyle of worship that is seen in work, play, and social interaction. He also called me to not preach theology, politics, culture, or other agendas, but only preach the living word of God seen in the scriptures. This of course infirmed our theology, politics, culture, and other spheres of our lives, but as a pastor I am called to preach the Trinitarian God, seen in the Bible. It was a mighty word to hear on such a day. I was honored to hear it from John, who has served as a friend and guide in my first months of this new ministry. It was especially honoring to have my friend William Dellemen of the Bridge give me my charge as a new pastor. His mentorship and leadership has been and continues to be a model I which to follow. I was also honoring to have Mark Davies of 2^nd CRC give the charge to the community to support me and partner w/ me in ministry. His insight on the CRC, ministry, and the pastorate has been a blessing. Finally, it was honoring to have Les Mulder, elder at Bethel, pray on behalf of the communities represented. I am honored to partner w/ such a supportive community.

Lastly, the event was foundational. As a pastor in the CRC I am called to “preach the Word, administer the sacraments [communion and baptism], conduct public worship services, catechize the youth, and train members for Christian service.” This is what, through my ordination, I have been set aside to do. This will be present in my life, whether in church planting or whatever else the Lord calls me to in the future. As we serve together as students of Christ, I anticipate I will look back on these tasks during good and challenging times. The beauty of serving as the body of Christ, allows us to compliment each others gifts and passions.

So, all that to say my ordination service was special, honoring, and foundational. And maybe I’ll add the word “cool” to the bunch, b/c it was.

Blessings.

one

2008-11-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

"...and so Aaron entered the world of blogging, excited, nervous, and wondering how often he would actually make entries. He didn't know who would read it, who would care, or who would stalk him as a result of the ensuing fame from the blog's popularity. All Aaron knew was that it seemed like a good idea. He hoped it would help his journey toward a simple, intentional, holistic lifestyle of worship and community... and to be cool. Aaron hoped to use the blog to share stories and pictures of culture, faith, community, and growth. It would remain to be seen if that happened, but it was worth a try. It was the one of many new beginnings for Aaron, from being in a new place, to starting a new career, to finding a new tribe. Yes, it was a new day for Aaron, but who would have thought..."