A Quote from St. Augustine

OK, so I thought I would put the quote out there that seemed to capture everyone's attention this past Sunday...

"Those who make dissensions and disturbances in the church are the ones who seem to be what they are not." -- St. Augustine

Prophecy, Interpretation, Tongues?

OK, so before our discussion on Sunday, you might want to read Acts chapter 2, especially the first 13 verses, and consider...

* What was the power of hearing the words in their native tongue?

* Why didn't God pull out this particular stunt again in the course of the New Testament narrative?

Then, go over to I Corinthians 14, and consider verse 18...what is Paul trying to say here?

* Look at verse 28 - is interpretation necessary? If there is not an interpreter, what should the speaker do? Why?

Then look at verses 29-33...how is prophecy different than what we typically call preaching?

Awakening

In those days,

we finally chose to walk like giants

& hold the world

in arms grown strong

with love

& there may be

many things we forget

in the days to come,

but this

will not be

one of them.

- Brian Andreas

As I was trying to look ahead in regard to our house church, I looked around the room at folks who have a lot on their plates right now. Facing grave illnesses to themselves or close family members, starting new seasons in their lives, beginning jobs or looking for jobs, seeking healing and wholeness of mind and body, dealing with nests that are rapidly emptying. It seems as if perhaps this is a time to remember to hold on tightly to one another with arms grown strong through loving embrace.

Grace and Peace

Ryan

Book Club Schedule

For my regular book club people and others who might want to join us (you are ALWAYS welcome!), here is our upcoming schedule...

Because several have read Donald Miller's Book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, we will look at that coming up on March 30th, April 6th and April 13th. I think it is a wonderful book, and I know several have ready it on their own!!

We will then take a one week break and pick up with a new book entitled The Year of Living Like Jesus ISBN: 0310247772. The author, Ed Dobson, is a pastor has been diagnosed with ALS and been given 2-5 years to live. He decides to embark on a year long quest to truly live like Jesus. His book is a memoir that chronicles that year. You can check out more about Ed Dobson here...

www.livingjesusly.com

We will pick that book up on April 27th...we meet at 6:30pm and would welcome one and all...

Writing has been scarce

Sorry that my blog posts have been few and far between lately...God and I are doing a lot of business, and a lot of things have been running through my head. But they haven't necessarily been things I was ready to put down on 'paper'. Let me say that I love being with this group of people, and I thought Sunday in particular was a deeply enriching day...

I will have more things to say in the coming days, but for now, let me say...you are much loved!

A Possible Retreat

So I am thinking about having a planning retreat May 14-16th...how many folks would be available?

Waiting??

So, I was thinking this week (happens occasionally, no matter what Earl tells ya!) :-)

Jeremy was reading from I Corinthians 11 before Communion and asked us all to wait to eat the common meal until we all had our food. Wouldn't you know that people were sneaking bites and hollering to find out if everyone was through the line (oh, wait, that was me!). That scripture came alive for me this week!

I have begun to look at spiritual practices very seriously and try to decipher which ones really do benefit my spiritual life...and coming to some interesting conclusions!

This week at mentoring group Micah introduced Jonathan and I to a new spiritual practice called 'A Church of Two.' I will introduce all of you to it this Sunday! I hope it will be beneficial...but be ready, it calls for you to share!