On our journey we are joined by my sister-in-law and her husband. I say joined, they actually live in another state so we don't get to share much time together. They searched and searched for a church, getting involved in several and then finally deciding to take a break...all just soon before God lead us on this journey.
What is so amazing...I was made aware of a difficult situtation going on in our family. My sister-in-law decided it was time to get serious in prayer, so she fasted and prayed. God answered the prayer - miraculously! I know a lot of people look at those of us who have left the church and think, we have walked away from God...how far from the truth! I am encouraged and blessed to hear stories like this from others on the journey...have one to share?
I also just got an e-mail from Eric...the family I met last Sunday. He and his family's heart is to LOVE GOD and be faithful to whatever God calls them to. Eric...thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you God for giving us a chance to interact with others on this journey!!
Live Loved, Live Free,
Mark
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
An Amazing day on the journey
A couple of weeks back I got an e-mail that Wayne Jacobsen would be in Phoenix. I made plans to attend 2 events on Sunday...amazingly, he was speaking just 1 mile from our home and attending an open house just 4 miles away.
The first event (his teaching event) was hosted by a House Church. Please don't take this comment wrong, but it was really just institutional church done in a home. They had a projector w/announcements and songs...they had worship leaders, annoucement maker and obviously someone in charge of the church. They accepted an offering and sadly, the members were more concerned about getting me to attend their house church. Having said that...Wayne's message was awesome!
Wayne is just a regular guy. He doesn't claim to know anything but Jesus Christ. He just shared with us the reason Jesus lived and died on earth. He quickly told us of his journey and encouraged my journey. I LOVED his message and his heart!
While at the Home Church event, I met a family on the identical journey as ours. They don't attend church, nor do they feel motivated to do so. They were just a regular family seeking an intimate relationship with God. It was great to visit with them and encourage them on their journey!
In the evening we attended the open house (with some hesitation). Wayne was available to share more of his personal journey and it was wonderful to hear it! Our middle son had him sign our copy of "So, You Don't Want to Go to Church anymore"...his signature included; "live free"! Kari had a great conversation with a young musician who no longer attends church (although his wife still feels she needs to attend...praying!). We are hoping that he and our oldest son make contact since both love Music!
We are still alone in the journey...God has designed it that way for now so that we don't focus on anything but Him. BUT, today I am encouraged and confirmed by meeting others on the journey and meeting Wayne! If you are on this journey...be encouraged...this is a God journey!
Mark
The first event (his teaching event) was hosted by a House Church. Please don't take this comment wrong, but it was really just institutional church done in a home. They had a projector w/announcements and songs...they had worship leaders, annoucement maker and obviously someone in charge of the church. They accepted an offering and sadly, the members were more concerned about getting me to attend their house church. Having said that...Wayne's message was awesome!
Wayne is just a regular guy. He doesn't claim to know anything but Jesus Christ. He just shared with us the reason Jesus lived and died on earth. He quickly told us of his journey and encouraged my journey. I LOVED his message and his heart!
While at the Home Church event, I met a family on the identical journey as ours. They don't attend church, nor do they feel motivated to do so. They were just a regular family seeking an intimate relationship with God. It was great to visit with them and encourage them on their journey!
In the evening we attended the open house (with some hesitation). Wayne was available to share more of his personal journey and it was wonderful to hear it! Our middle son had him sign our copy of "So, You Don't Want to Go to Church anymore"...his signature included; "live free"! Kari had a great conversation with a young musician who no longer attends church (although his wife still feels she needs to attend...praying!). We are hoping that he and our oldest son make contact since both love Music!
We are still alone in the journey...God has designed it that way for now so that we don't focus on anything but Him. BUT, today I am encouraged and confirmed by meeting others on the journey and meeting Wayne! If you are on this journey...be encouraged...this is a God journey!
Mark
Friday, December 5, 2008
Thanksgiving
Last year on Thanksgiving we had a house full of people. This year on Thanksgiving we had one family over...our neighbors you've read about before. The difference between this year and last? This year I sat with our neighbor (I'll call him Bob) and we talked about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our conversation went from salvation to faith and we spent some time on what pleases God. The day was a blessing!
Now is a good time to mention that sometimes the journey is hard and "unknown". There are times of doubt, times of fear, and feelings of being alone. God is so gracious that He walks us through those tough times...giving us just what we need, when we need it. We've come to realize that being around a lot of people has not proven an effective ministry. When we invited people over from the ic we had a lot of people in our home (over 100 on two occasions)...but with little meaningful impact. We found that our only connection with several people was were we walked into and out of on Sunday. Now, our conversations (though less in numbers) are centered on God, not on a building. It isn't easy...but God is glorified as we trust Him and grow.
Mark
Now is a good time to mention that sometimes the journey is hard and "unknown". There are times of doubt, times of fear, and feelings of being alone. God is so gracious that He walks us through those tough times...giving us just what we need, when we need it. We've come to realize that being around a lot of people has not proven an effective ministry. When we invited people over from the ic we had a lot of people in our home (over 100 on two occasions)...but with little meaningful impact. We found that our only connection with several people was were we walked into and out of on Sunday. Now, our conversations (though less in numbers) are centered on God, not on a building. It isn't easy...but God is glorified as we trust Him and grow.
Mark
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