Gather Together

Life Groups, Small Groups, Home Groups, Fellowship Groups.

These are all nice little catch phrases for a simple but a necessary community in my Christian faith.  It all came to a head when I was off on a little "spiritual retreat" last month.  I enjoyed the non-cooking, non-cleaning, non-demanding schedule of errands and parenting.  It was just James and I in a small but quaint cabin while he went off teaching.  I spent the majority of the day listening to music, praying silently, times of confession, digging into God's Word, journaling and other spiritual disciplines.  I took a break to do some winter trail running.  Practically perfect in EVERY WAY!

Well, it is easy to live the Christian life in a cabin in the woods.  But, reality hit like a cast iron pan when I came home.  My wonderful little blessings can drive me straight to MY HEAVENLY Father's feet.  I need Him and His strength to deal with the not so nice areas in my life.

blessed are the feet of those who bring GOOD NEWS

Our Life Group is a fun but probing group that challenges me in my Island thinking.  God knew we needed one another. Often I am left with spiritual food I hadn't thought of before.  Thankfully, we all come from different backgrounds and it is a blessing.  I had to snap a photo of the wonderful believers in Christ God has allowed to surround me.

My Challenge to you, if you are not in a group of believers GET IN ONE!

Juggling but Connected, ready to do what He wants

I am knitting again.  Do I have time?  That is a great question.  Not really.

Independence Mine.  Hard being the first time of the season (skate skiing), and a torture coming down because of snow pelting out eyes like daggers.  But, I loved it!

This school term has been a huge blessing of at-home-ness. However, our evening are a different thing. It helps to have pre-cooked items, oven on time-bake, or crockpot meals.

SUNDAY/MONDAY:  The Lord has put on my heart to direct a drama called "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever".  I feel totally inadequate and stretched, but the Lord is my strength and my helper.  Thankfully, I have an amazing group of actors/actresses and lots of help (sets, wardrobe, etc) or it would be a disaster.    *Save the date December 13, 20, or 21st.

TUESDAY: Bronwyn gets a unique advantage by being a student at Louise Farm School.  During this years studies, she gets to learn more about the environment and trees.  She spends 3 out of the 5 hours outdoors.  Great outdoor education put on by Students from Alaska Pacific University.

WEDNESDAY:  I am committed to teach the young girls *8 to *9 year olds in Pioneer Clubs which is like Bible Study plus Girl Scouts combined.  I love it. I do get away to a knitting club that I love (Thank Diana).

THURSDAY:  I get to run to Wasilla for Robotics for Max and Technology Lab/Battle of the Books (I am coaching this year) for Bronwyn. Hannah gets to volunteer at our local Thrift Store Charity shop.

FRIDAY Day: Super Fun!  Co-op.  We have about 4 families using Tapestry of Grace, and we share a discussion/activities centered on the World Event and helping form a Biblical Worldview. Then, Speech Boot Camp- I am coordinating a class with 14 students (Middle School-High School).  Then Art-I just play a video and let atelier art teach.  I do play music in the background.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Life group is one of the special nights where we get to be encouraged and challenge one another.  I love it.

I look forward everyday to what the Lord wants from me.  I am thankful for my daughters new business and the opportunities to show love to others in our neighborhood.

I find time to read my Bible, run, ski, and go to libraries.  Help me Lord to do your Will in the midst of life!

Willow LOVED the snow.  We had to drive 25 minutes up a mountain to find it, but we did.

Life Group

James came back from a conference and the thing that stuck out that he told me was, "People grow better in circles than in rows."  Now, I have been to many "rows" in my life and have grown.  However, the concepts and dialog with one another has been a refreshment to my soul.

Seeing people regularly means that I cannot just put on a nice outfit and smile like on Sundays.  People (at least my group), see me without makeup, feisty  not-submitting and sassy.  Not that I hide, but it is easy to smile and wave on Sundays.  But, when your in your home, life is there.  The messy bedroom life.  The hurting life.  The rejoicing life.  The praying life.  We experience one another from a variety of backgrounds, from different ages, however, our one connection (the rope that ties us together) is Jesus.

Our group meets on Fridays.  The meal that we share gives us time to unwind from the week and share LIFE together.  Tonight, I laughed so hard, I cried.  Why?  Well, somethings just need to stay in Life group.  Last week, we celebrated Joe and his quarter of a century life!  Max was so excited to make the cake (even if it was a boxed cake-which he informed Joe).  Why?  Because we love each other.

No, we don't broadcast all the pains of life, but I can trust that these people care for my needs and often pray for their spiritual growth. I hurt when they hurt, I rejoice when they rejoice.  When one gets a job (or 5) I am thrilled.  God created us to be in community.

I recently read the Lord's Prayer.  In circling the pronouns I realized that there is no... I ME OR MINE.  It is in community when Jesus taught us to pray.  Confessed sin, daily needs, and acknowledgment uses the pronouns OUR or US.  Also in Ephesian Chapter 4 the goal of spiritual growth is when we all reach maturity.  I desire that we all grow, not just me.

We recently finished Radical.  But, wrestling with the Bible and others interpretations and ideas have filled my mind with a fresh look at life around me.  I long to be mature and lack nothing.  Thank you Lord for a group with whom we all can grow into maturity.

My large church (Lazy Mountain Bible Church) is amazing.  However, Life happens in small group.