Five Aspects of Real Community

We recently had Mindy Caliguire (www.soulcare.com) in to speak to our group and she identified five elements of real community that I found extremely helpful to think thorugh. They are:
1. Prayer
2. Self-Disclosure
3. Giving and Receiving Grace
4. Mirroring
5. Celebration

We were created to live in community with other people. The problem is: We live in a society that values individualism...which inevitably results in loneliness and isolationism. If we're really going to live the way we were designed to live, we have to engage with other people. And admittedly, finding the right people can be a very intimidating process. So how do you go about it? I start by praying and asking God to lead me to the right people. I ask Him to MAKE ME THE RIGHT KIND OF PERSON! Sooner or later that means I'm going to have to take a risk and open up my heart. I'm going to have to practice vulnerability - self-disclosure. When I do that, I'm going to need lots of grace...becasue I'm pretty messed up. The good news is: I'm ready and willing to give as much or more grace back at you. That's what mirroring is all about: Having someone else whom I've given permission to call me a butt-head when I deserve it. In fact, I insist on having these people in my life. People who will care enough to tell me the truth...in love. Becasue when that's done in a Godly way, it gives me plenty of reason to celebrate all that God's doing in my life!

We (Christ-followers in general) need to get better at celebrating! It's about time to loosen up and learn to really celebrate! No one shoudl be better at this than Christians in whom God is actively working and molding and shaping to be more like Himself! God, please make me into the kind of person who can live in real community!

Its Been Awhile

Okay, so I'm not the most active blogger. No excuses - just life. I keep thinking things slow down in the summer, but in reality everything just seems to speed up. The kids are home and I want to spend time with them. The days seem longer - the sun doesn't go down around here until almost 10PM these days, so no one's in bed until much later. There are summer camps and community events and trips to the ice cream store that quickly fill up my day. So the challenge for me these days is finding space in my life to simply do nothing. I have this burning desire to be alone and just listen, but our society fights me on it at every turn. I must pursue it. I must make it my passion. That's the only way I will ever find it. But I also realize that's the only way I'll ever survive!

The Power of Community

Loneliness plagues our society. We are busier and loneier than ever. There are more people around us, but fewer who really know us. We have access to all the best technology and yet seldom do we give anyone access to our souls. How did this happen to us? What can we do to regain genuine community? Don't we need real community to survive? Isn't our faith best practiced in community with others who are sharing the journey with us? Why do you think so many of us are resistant to true community? Why are we afraid to open up and let someone into our heart? Who do you have in your life that really knows you?

What Do I Need to Know?

What do I really need to know about Jesus to become one of His followers? Do I need to know about the Incarnation? The Cross? Forgiveness? The Resurrection? Do I need to know He's a Great Teacher, Healer, Prophet, God in the flesh? At what point am I ready to call myself a "Christian"? Is there anything else I need to know or do to begin following this Divine man who has captured me?

April 27, 2007 - Following Jesus?

This past Sunday I gave the message at my church and it proved very controversial and offensive for some people. First of all, if you're one of those people, I'd like to apologize and ask for your forgiveness. While it was certainly not my intention to offend anyone, I obviously did and I'd love to figure out why...

So I'd like to invite you to interact with some questions...

1. What does it really mean to be a follower of Christ? Is it important for everyone to "mark" the moment in time that they decide to start following Jesus? Why?

2. What is the gospel really? Isn't it more than just the "forgiveness of sins"? What does someone need to know before they can be "converted"? What place does the cross have in the gospel?

3. Did the Apostles follow Jesus differently than we do today? When did they begin their journey? What did they use to mark that place in time when they decided to begin a relationship with Him?

4. Is it important for us to question our beliefs and stretch ourselves a bit when it comes to our understanding of the gospel and what it means to follow Jesus?

Scott McKnight, Brian McLaren, Richard Peace have all had influence on my Christian journey in the past several years. While I certainly never believe everything someone teaches (other than Jesus), I have found what these men have to say very challenging to the way I've always thought about my faith. Are you willing to question some of your long-held beliefs? Join me on this journey...

4. Wh

April 8, 2007

Today as I celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I looked over at my family and thanked God for everything He means to me. I'm so grateful to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Because He lives, I can have unexplainable peace in my soul. Because He lives, I have something much BIGGER to live for - today and eternally! Because Jesus Christ is alive today, I know He will help me walk through whatever challenges and difficulties come my way. And because He lives, I know that through faith and trust in Him, I will live forever too - starting today and continuing on for all eternity. Where is your God today? Mine is alive and walking with me through this life...

Life can be a real trip at times! There are some days when I wonder if I'm going to make it through it all. I used to think I could make it through on my own. I've smartened up. Now I realize that there is no way I could ever make it through without a community of people to rely on. Where do you find real community? Who do you go to when times get tough? What are the downsides for living in community? Let's dialogue...