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Today I took the dogs on a walk, showered, had my morning reading/ reflection time, read from the Gospel of John with my housekeeper, and made my first lasagna-- all before lunchtime! It was a thrilling start to the day, really. Somehow mornings always fill up so fast around here. By the time lunch was over, there was a little sunshine peeking through the vast white expanse. Ahhhhh.
We had 12 women at the Bible study this afternoon, a noteworthy increase from recent weeks. We are studying what the Bible says about who we are, beginning with the fact that Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:14). This afternoon was Part 2 of 4 about our friendship with God. I'm currently writing the next segment about our sonship, or rather, our daughtership in this case. Anyway, the women seemed genuinely interested in studying what the Bible has to say about how God views them and treats them. I enjoyed their honesty, sincerity, and enthusiasm. I'm secretly hoping that the group doesn't grow too much more in size, because what I really long to see is growth in depth.
After the Bible study, my housekeeper and my former-druggie (?) neighbor came over to watch Part 2 of the Alpha Leaders Training videos. With C gone, we recruited them for the leadership team. They definitely seem to "get" the Alpha purpose and method. And why shouldn't they? This is the only exposure they've had so far to Christianity! They're excited about diving in this Friday night, and I think they'll probably do a good job. We now have 5 leaders in addition to Tim and me, although 2 of them are also taking the course for the first time themselves.
All in all, it's been an encouraging day I'd say. The sunshine never hurts. Earlier in the evening, Tim and I were smiling remembering how scared we were a week or two ago about being in charge of this movement of God. Wait, who's movement was that? Oh yeah, God's, not mine. I thought I had to take this church somewhere if it was going to be on the move. Apparently not, because the moment we let go and gave up, some beautiful things started happening.
PS- I was just going to put the part of that verse about JESUS being the head of the church (not me), but how can I leave out the rest?! This is poetry. This is my God.
PPS- Sorry these recent posts have been all about our work and not about our hearts. I think so much has been going on with our work that it's consuming my thoughts. But in a good way.
We had 12 women at the Bible study this afternoon, a noteworthy increase from recent weeks. We are studying what the Bible says about who we are, beginning with the fact that Jesus says, "You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:14). This afternoon was Part 2 of 4 about our friendship with God. I'm currently writing the next segment about our sonship, or rather, our daughtership in this case. Anyway, the women seemed genuinely interested in studying what the Bible has to say about how God views them and treats them. I enjoyed their honesty, sincerity, and enthusiasm. I'm secretly hoping that the group doesn't grow too much more in size, because what I really long to see is growth in depth.
After the Bible study, my housekeeper and my former-druggie (?) neighbor came over to watch Part 2 of the Alpha Leaders Training videos. With C gone, we recruited them for the leadership team. They definitely seem to "get" the Alpha purpose and method. And why shouldn't they? This is the only exposure they've had so far to Christianity! They're excited about diving in this Friday night, and I think they'll probably do a good job. We now have 5 leaders in addition to Tim and me, although 2 of them are also taking the course for the first time themselves.
All in all, it's been an encouraging day I'd say. The sunshine never hurts. Earlier in the evening, Tim and I were smiling remembering how scared we were a week or two ago about being in charge of this movement of God. Wait, who's movement was that? Oh yeah, God's, not mine. I thought I had to take this church somewhere if it was going to be on the move. Apparently not, because the moment we let go and gave up, some beautiful things started happening.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:15-20
PS- I was just going to put the part of that verse about JESUS being the head of the church (not me), but how can I leave out the rest?! This is poetry. This is my God.
PPS- Sorry these recent posts have been all about our work and not about our hearts. I think so much has been going on with our work that it's consuming my thoughts. But in a good way.
