Mahalo
I've just returned from yet another business trip to Hawaii. I love the words of Hawaii like Mahalo which means thank you or your welcome or other terms of endearment.
There is a way in Hawaii...a slow down...relax...you'll get there attitude. Islanders are not in a hurry, after all how far do you have to go - your on an island!
Well, I got to spend some time walking the beach and thinking about this journey we are on with God. Why do we get anxious? Why do we worry? Why do we stress? The only reason I can come up with is "control". Like we really "control" our lives or those around us. But I am constantly struggling with being anxious, thinking, planning, praying, etc.
What I heard on the beach is; Mark, just relax and enjoy the journey. God's in control, He knows what we need, He knows us better than we know ourselves...I think He can handle it without my stress. So, how do you slow down and let God handle your journey?
One moment at a time. As I would feel anxious, I'd zing my mind right back to God and seek Him. Oh, to have a faith that would allow God to 100% handle my life so I could let go of stress and anxiety...I am praying for that faith.
Until then, Mahalo and God bless as you seek Him!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
God Loves Us!!!
Wow, I am in the middle of reading another book from Wayne Jacobsen - He Loves Me. This confirms what God has been speaking to me for a LONG time...He LOVES US - period.
Where is the guilt in "love"? Non existant
Where is the performance? Non needed
Where is the good behavior? Not required
God Loves Us. He doesn't love us because ____. He just Loves Us. So why do people go to church and not get it? Why do thousands of individuals feel no sense of love yet they are involved up to their ears in church activity? Why do so many feel guilty? Because churches breed guilt and performance.
I was involved for decades. As long as I was involved, everyone felt good. The moment I resigned my titles, positions, and duties, everyone felt I had abandoned God. Normally I would have felt "guilty" because this is the church...this is God, and I should be giving 110% to Him. But then I stopped...I didn't care what people thought about me...I was done playing church. WOW, I found out that God doesn't love me because I am busy, leading, teaching, and serving. He Loves Me...period.
Read the book. Stop the madness. Relax in God's love and then what ever flows out of that love is a sweet aroma to Him.
Mark
Where is the guilt in "love"? Non existant
Where is the performance? Non needed
Where is the good behavior? Not required
God Loves Us. He doesn't love us because ____. He just Loves Us. So why do people go to church and not get it? Why do thousands of individuals feel no sense of love yet they are involved up to their ears in church activity? Why do so many feel guilty? Because churches breed guilt and performance.
I was involved for decades. As long as I was involved, everyone felt good. The moment I resigned my titles, positions, and duties, everyone felt I had abandoned God. Normally I would have felt "guilty" because this is the church...this is God, and I should be giving 110% to Him. But then I stopped...I didn't care what people thought about me...I was done playing church. WOW, I found out that God doesn't love me because I am busy, leading, teaching, and serving. He Loves Me...period.
Read the book. Stop the madness. Relax in God's love and then what ever flows out of that love is a sweet aroma to Him.
Mark
Thursday, December 11, 2008
God is awesome
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
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
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
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Amazing Bible Studies "outdoors"
Ok, I'll admit we are blessed here in Arizona with some great weather in the winter. So, now that we don't "attend church" we have moved our Bible studies outdoors!
The first study we did at the Riparian Water Preserve. We walked around the park talking about sowing seeds. It was great to see how some seeds might fall on the path...other seed amoung the thorns and still others in good soil. I really think our 2 younger kids got it! The KEY to what we studied - Don't worry about where you put the seed, just get the seed out there! What was funny to watch, is how many people would see us with Bibles and head the opposite direction.
It was a wonderful Sunday morning spent with my wife and our 2 younger boys.
Last week we took another Bible Study field trip and went to a new housing development. We walked around a "foundation" for a home. Then we went to a home that was already built. Our discussion was around building a foundation on something solid (God). We spent time in prayer and then the boys wanted to play at the nearby playground...it is wonderful to live in the freedom Christ came to bring us!
And about our older 2 kids? Well, my son is really praying about what God would want him to do. He is still VERY involved in an institutional church, but he is spending time in prayer and conversation with me about where God wants him. My constant statement to him - just be faithful to God where ever you are. Our daughter is also still attending the ic as well. She enjoys the social aspect of going and we know God loves her more than we do and therefore we trust Him to move in her life as He knows is best for her.
Let me pause and take a moment to say - we are not anti-establishment. We are not anti-church. Our calling from God is to let individuals know there is spiritual life outside of "churches". God is not confined to the walls of a building. If you have struggled to find a church and maybe you've even given up - rest in God's peace, open His word, talk to God...he is your Father and LOVES YOU! You are not alone!
Mark
The first study we did at the Riparian Water Preserve. We walked around the park talking about sowing seeds. It was great to see how some seeds might fall on the path...other seed amoung the thorns and still others in good soil. I really think our 2 younger kids got it! The KEY to what we studied - Don't worry about where you put the seed, just get the seed out there! What was funny to watch, is how many people would see us with Bibles and head the opposite direction.
It was a wonderful Sunday morning spent with my wife and our 2 younger boys.
Last week we took another Bible Study field trip and went to a new housing development. We walked around a "foundation" for a home. Then we went to a home that was already built. Our discussion was around building a foundation on something solid (God). We spent time in prayer and then the boys wanted to play at the nearby playground...it is wonderful to live in the freedom Christ came to bring us!
And about our older 2 kids? Well, my son is really praying about what God would want him to do. He is still VERY involved in an institutional church, but he is spending time in prayer and conversation with me about where God wants him. My constant statement to him - just be faithful to God where ever you are. Our daughter is also still attending the ic as well. She enjoys the social aspect of going and we know God loves her more than we do and therefore we trust Him to move in her life as He knows is best for her.
Let me pause and take a moment to say - we are not anti-establishment. We are not anti-church. Our calling from God is to let individuals know there is spiritual life outside of "churches". God is not confined to the walls of a building. If you have struggled to find a church and maybe you've even given up - rest in God's peace, open His word, talk to God...he is your Father and LOVES YOU! You are not alone!
Mark
Sunday, November 16, 2008
First Official Day outside of Church
Although it has been a few weeks since we left the institutional church (ic), I have actually been travelling on business. Today is the first day of waking up on a Sunday morning without "getting ready to go to church". Wow...43 years of waking up on Sunday mornings "getting ready to go to church".
So, what are we going to do with our new found freedom on Sunday morning? I am excited to say that we are going to a local park (Riparian Water Preserve) and we are going to share some of how Jesus interacted with His people. With our 8 & 12 year old, it will be fun to be in an outdoor setting as we walk with Jesus.
Speaking of our younger 2 children...they had a program back in the ic recently that paid them "bucks" for doing certain things. They got "bucks" for bringing their Bible, memorizing verses, answering questions, and bringing friends. The "bucks" were then turned in each month for prizes like Target gift cards and toys. Our 12 year old said, "I didn't feel like it was a good thing to get paid to do things, but I wasn't going to turn it down." You see in the ic you exhaust every way possible to get people to do things and then you turn to bribery, or more common guilt. This is not Jesus way...that is not the way of our Father.
I have to be honest, I have not guilt this morning. The verse that has been thrown at every non-compliant christian, "forsaking not the assembling of the Saints" has lost its incorrect meaning. I am truly walking in the freedom that comes from Jesus Christ. I am thrilled to be a part of His Kingdom and cannot wait to see where He leads and to who I will share His love.
So, what are we going to do with our new found freedom on Sunday morning? I am excited to say that we are going to a local park (Riparian Water Preserve) and we are going to share some of how Jesus interacted with His people. With our 8 & 12 year old, it will be fun to be in an outdoor setting as we walk with Jesus.
Speaking of our younger 2 children...they had a program back in the ic recently that paid them "bucks" for doing certain things. They got "bucks" for bringing their Bible, memorizing verses, answering questions, and bringing friends. The "bucks" were then turned in each month for prizes like Target gift cards and toys. Our 12 year old said, "I didn't feel like it was a good thing to get paid to do things, but I wasn't going to turn it down." You see in the ic you exhaust every way possible to get people to do things and then you turn to bribery, or more common guilt. This is not Jesus way...that is not the way of our Father.
I have to be honest, I have not guilt this morning. The verse that has been thrown at every non-compliant christian, "forsaking not the assembling of the Saints" has lost its incorrect meaning. I am truly walking in the freedom that comes from Jesus Christ. I am thrilled to be a part of His Kingdom and cannot wait to see where He leads and to who I will share His love.
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