...

They had just met and found out that they both grew up in the exact same area, just a few years apart. I find myself listening to their conversation as the three of us sit there having coffee and realizing that, no matter how hard I try, I will not be able to connect with these men in their conversation. They were in the conversational Zone. They were in that place that can only be shared by those with common experiences. You can't really understand cancer unless you've been there. You can't grasp the pain of someone who has been raped unless you have had the unbearable burden of walking that road. You cannot understand an addict's struggle unless you have tasted the fruit of the forbidden tree. But they were there. They knew the fields. They knew the gas stations and the schools and the folks who founded the place. But me? I was clueless. And there was really nothing they could do to change that.

Unless they took me there. Unless they could drive me to their old houses and walk me around. Unless they took me to that Dairy Queen.

Then, I could connect that much deeper, but it would not change the fact that I did not grow up there. It would never change the fact that I have other history that distances me from theirs.

I'm seeing this in the Community of faith. We talk to those on the outside with our own language of experience and then they are left saying to themselves, "What? How can I connect with that? They have their own history, their own world and I am not a part of it."

What can we do to bring others into the Story? Maybe that was Jesus' reason for sharing stories. They engage. Sometimes they create more questions than answers. They invite the listener to enter in.

How can we bring the story and allow those outside to become players?

K and I are entering into the next phase of the new season that started at the end of last year. Moving into simple church mode with Mars, dave stepping down and me stepping up and now talk of the Community offering K and I a housing allowance. I've been stressing alot lately about working 6 days/40 hours a week at the Credit Union on top of the full time responsibilities of shepherding a community of believers. Depending on the amount of the housing allowance, this may be just the thing I will need to go part time with work and then be able to devote more "actual" time to Mars.

two things:
ONE- equipping needs to happen. the ideas in my head for direction in the community need to get passed off into the heads of those God wants to raise up for the future of His work in our midst. honestly, we need help in this area. we need to learn how to raise people up, fan the flame of God's dream in them and set them free to fly.
TWO- i need more time. it is looking like we are moving more in a direction of raising "missions" support in order to free me up for the stuff God's dreaming in my own heart. downside= i hate to ask for money. i can across Andrew Jones' post about raising support and it has answered a few cries of my heart. It's good to know i'm not the only one out here struggling with this. please read his post here and know my heart resonates so deeply with the words that they almost made me cry.

Mere Comments
A blog of mere thoughts.

Note: Because a blog or site is listed here does not mean that it's content is agreed upon by the author of this site. Here is where i will indicate that these are meant to spark dialogue between those of modern thought persuasions and those attempting to live out their lives in more of an open forum of thought.

When I grow up, I will live in my house.

You shall enjoy simplicity...

...

In light of current Indie Allies discussions:

Richard Goldstein's: "It's the Symbolism, Stupid"

There is a line that needs to be drawn between govenmental legislation and what one holds to be a moral standard. Should Christians be outraged when a government takes action for those that live under it's watch? Should a government be expected to perfectly represent a religious persuasion (and if so, which persuasion? "Left Behind" theology, "liberal" theology, "prosperity" theology, muslim? buddhist?) or the persuasion of the people it governs?

...

Irony...

is when the cigarette being flicked from the window of a moving pickup illuminates the bumper sticker that reads,

"Firefighters for Bush"

And when I think about it...

I think this is why I do not have "the fish" on my car.

This is why I do not offer free advertising for local "christian" radio stations on my bumper/window.

Because I've found that ,if you do, you are inevitably going to be seen as one of those people driving way too fast to really be a Christian or just proving that all Christians are stupid by driving way too slow.

I'd rather not fight the lose lose battles. So, now I just try to drive nice. (Notice I said try. Another reason not to sport "the fish.")

Finally...

...

...got DSL.

And we did not win the lottery. No cash for you. No cash for me. Thank you, though, for such willingness to bless us with your desire to apportion the funds we would have received. (wink)

Right now Russia will wait another day. Now I will post stuff.

Kelly and I have moved (mostly) into the new apartment. For those who did not know we were moving, we send our deepest regrets. Trust us, it was probably as quick and unexpected for us as it is for you. We were back from Russia less than two weeks when we made the deal to sell the house to a friend (allowing mom to stay there and not have to go through the moving hassles), and then signed an apartment lease. It is good. We're saving cash and it is a new part of the adventure having our own place. We will party hard this Friday with friends and family to thank God for our new place.

Mars has our last gathering in a building in 2 Sundays. We have garage sales this Saturday and next to send all the couches that were used over the last 5 years back out into the world for them to continue on in their God-given mission of bringing families in the Dallas area the comfort they so deserve. Our home gatherings are rockin! More thoughts on that later.

Convergence will happen next month (the weekend before Memorial Day)with Red River and Resonance. And will be a non-linear worship gathering based on the idea of "Memorials" with the ideas (for stations and the like) not coming from "leaders" but from the people involved in the communities that are connecting. I am super eager to see what God does on that night to bring His people closer to his heart.

We are seeking to connect deeper with the Network we are a part of and asking God to show us where we should do so. We are also looking at Simple Church Network to possibly have a local connection with communities that are moving in the same direction God is blowing us in. Both of the men who are helping to head these up have had a great impact in my life and have proven godly resources in my search for God's story for Mars so I am looking forward to a life together with them.

So, here we go a-shepherding.

We love you. Thanks for not giving me the same guff you gave Chris about not posting. Now I can pee in peace.

Welcome back to my bathroom. And, no, I ain't talkin potty humor. This is the real deal.

You're Never Going to Believe This

Last night we decided to try out a lottery ticket, I mean, hey, they're only a buck. Well, turns out we got a 50K winner. We've submitted it to the Lotto folks and are waiting anxiously for the check. We are totally seeing this as a blessing.

We're looking at plans to head to Alpine and "retire" for a few years. We hope everyone understands but we've really been looking for an excuse to get out there again.

If you need to get in touch with us, you can call us on the cell as we have decided to get "off the grid" and will no longer have internet access.

Pray for Mars Hill as the community will need to figure something out about the direction they want to go.

Blessings and we'll see you in a few years.