Missional Journey

Worship

2011-12-28T13:43:00.001-08:00

Forgive me if this entry is more jumbled than usual I am wrestling with this because of the memories of yesterday and the experiences of the future….let me try to explain

I grew up going to church when it was directed to me by my family; In my childhood we attended two churches, Kitsap Lake Baptist and Gorst Community Baptist church. I am not sure why we went to either one or why we stopped going. I know I never saw a reason why we attended, scripture did not lead us, and Christ did not guide us. When I left home to join the Air Force I attended the chapel services at Lackland AFB, in San Antonio primarily because it provided a solid hour of refuge from my MTI (Military Training Instructor)- I can recall no song, scripture or spoken word from those services. I now know all of these spiritual voices are part of my life tapestry, some of the colors are not vibrant but they play a role in the development of my spiritual walk. The one vivid memory is the image of the chapel; clearly it was different from any other building on Base the sharp peak, the warmth of the sanctuary… the hum of mercy.
Almost two weeks ago we attended services in this same chapel with Michael. Its been 30 + years but the physical construction has not changed, my memory is in sync with the times (good news) but this time I do recall the emotion of the morning. Worship has changed in me and as I observed it changes all those who desire to be touched by the Savior. Many of these young airman came with the came motivation I came with all those years ago ….many were touched ….many experienced joy, relief, forgiveness.
There was a sense of eagerness to experience joy and the presence of Jesus.

2011 has been a dramatic year for us, Michael enlisted into the Air Force and Maria and Jonathan were married in Costa Rica. Janet and I have been doing some traveling with work and adjusting to the life of being empty nesters – We have worshipped with different churches to the same God. I do not have the gift of prophecy but I feel changed to worship honestly with a sense of eagerness…again and again….and again.

Our dwelling passage using the King James describes it this way….

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

I have always been struck that offering our bodies is……reasonable ….not amazing….not extra….or does not even approach supercalifragilisticexpialidocious….it’s just reasonable.

More to come

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's song

2011-11-17T20:29:00.001-08:00

When Michael called this was the song he heard at chapel, he cried...i cried now you can...cry

I can only Imagine- Mercy me

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I
fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I
fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine
i can only imagine

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you

I can only imagine

peace to your house

larry

Date night: Great Falls Montana

2011-11-17T20:24:00.000-08:00

It’s really not uncommon for Janet and I to find reasons to go for a drive , in New Mexico we used to drive from Alamogordo to Ruidoso to eat chicken fried steak at K-Bob’s and stare at this little yellow house. We would dream of a day we could own a little yellow house of our own. When we lived in Port Orchard we often found ourselves driving around Hood Canal exploring every nook and cranny. I remember one Christmas break we drove the Oregon coast in search of the best clam chowder. All of those memories were from our days before the kids came along, so now…..here we go again…. exploring. So its’s Friday afternoon and the movie selection in Helena had too many R’s in them so why not Great Falls?…only 90 miles and we haven’t been there. The drive is spectacular the road is windy thru canyons and mountains, and like any good Montana drive we criss cross the Missouri river at least 4 times. We are early (another event that last happened before kids) and we make the matinee for the movie woohooo…a pretty girl…a great drive ….and the matinee price. Now I will admit I am on my cell phone for work way more often than I should be but this time I had a sense that we were going to hear from Michael. You see, we hadn’t heard from him since his arrival at basic training 3 weeks ago and we were hoping but not sure when the first call would be. So here we are…at the crescendo of the movie, the point we waited for, the emotional memory….and my phone goes off….and Michaels name is on the screen. Janet and I run out of the theater to the lobby were the cell connection was at it’s best and we listened to his voice and cried , and laughed. It was so wonderful to hear from him. He told us that basic was a little more challenging than He expected but He was ok…He shared about going to chapel services and tasting the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit…we cried some more. We thanked our God for sending people in our lives to teach us about Jesus and
We wipe our eyes, and pile in the car for the drive home, sharing the memory of our conversation, we call Jonathan and Hannah- and share in our mutual conversations ( Michael called them also) it was beautiful.

When I got back to the hotel – I wrote Michael a letter telling him all I heard and felt…..
I got to thinking about how beautiful it was to hear from Maria when she was in Thailand how her voice was like sweet music…. And then I think about how much our Father must cherish hearing from us…. how He must feel when we cherish His word by listening to it, not just predetermining the outcome but just listening and letting the Holy Spirit drive us through canyons and mountains and letting the experiences of other lives reflected in His mercy share what they hear and feel.

Dwelling in the Word

Peace to your house

larry

Post Script: as grateful as I was for the call I did send Michael a bill for $11.00… for the movie …after all we didn’t get to finish it …just sayin….

thinking about praise

2011-10-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

When Brad first told me what the new dwelling passage was going to be, my first reaction was that it was going to be another year of us staring at our belly button. don't get me wrong all scripture is worth dwelling on, and I believe sincerely that God is pleased with us when we grow in our loving and listening to His Word. but......I was really hoping for a story, you know Luke 10...Acts 6 they are stories and we began to tell stories. We are a people being transformed...we are on our way to someplace else so the challenge is for us to see our selves and see others who are being transformed.....so let me tell you more....

I don't often get the opportunity to visit other churches unlike what LD is doing- but since Janet and I are on this little Montana sabbatical let me tell you about our Sunday experience. We attended the Rocky Mountain Church of Christ, it was fun...we walked in late and could hear the familiar chorus of 728b(the church's Alma mater) , the preaching was good. I was struck about the contrast the speaker was giving between the church and ....the world. I understand that we are not of this world...we are being transformed from our sinful nature....but the language was a us against them proposition. I have been dwelling on this all day and I realize that nearly all the relationships I treasure are in the church...that saying I don't have a ill feeling for those who don't know Christ...those in the "world". Just to be clear the speaker was not preaching against specific people...just this ambiguous "world". I wondered what it would be like to stumble into this church on a Sunday morning after a binge of Saturday still inside of me. I am not sure I would feel welcomed by those who would see themselves far different than I ...the dwelling passages teaches me to view things "by the grace given me...." I think our language betrays us, it's not us and them..it's Him and it's all about Him and the transformation that causes when he stirs into us grace...love...forgiveness....mercy. We are undeserving and saved and we owe it all to Him.

so lets get back to the subject of praise- Saturday my bride and I drove through Yellowstone.....the words available to me do not describe what God has done...with His words. He is amazing and creative. There was no old school or contemporary worship that was at competition here...just God's handiwork declaring what He is capable of doing and who He is... the Apostle Paul's words reflect this Majesty "...to present our bodies as living sacrifices...holy and acceptable" I don't know about you but Yellowstone has thrown me a challenge , to praise Him as well as that hollowed ground does.

peace to your house

larry

Authentic

2011-10-01T20:57:00.001-07:00

It has been a while for me….
Since I worshipped this way..
with words not hidden in the cleverness of notes.
With words not hidden in the religious garb of Sunday morning clothes.
Where order and neatness and getting out by 11:45 was not the rule
Where being decent and appropriate leaves me so incomplete and hungry
When there is so much more to say and so much more to hear

Mark Hall the lead of Casting Crown’ shared from the story recorded in John 4- about the irony that this woman who was in search of water came to a hole in the ground and spoke to the well.
Mark encouraged us to examine the “holes” we have been looking at for satisfaction and missing the Well that gives us life

The hole’s of needing other’s approval
The holes caused by anger or sadness
The holes we expect the church to fill

The Well

Friday’s Song – ( oh yeah I was singing this Friday)

Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,
Leave it all behind,

I have what you need,
But you keep on searchin,
I've done all the work,
But you keep on workin,
When you're runnin on empty,
And you can't find the remedy,
Just come to the well.

You can spend your whole life,
Chasin what's missing,
But that empty inside,
It just ain't gonna listen.
When nothing can satisfy,
And the world leaves you high and dry,
Just come to the well

CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

So bring me your heart
No matter how broken,
Just come as you are,
When your last prayer is spoken,
Just rest in my arms a while,
You'll feel the change my child,
When you come to the well

CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

Yeah
Leave it all behind

The world will try, but it can never fill... leave it all behind

And now that you're full,
Of love beyond measure,
Your joy's gonna flow,
Like a stream in the desert,
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me,
Cuz you came to the well

CHORUS:
And all who thirst will thirst no more,
And all who search will find what their souls long for,
The world will try, but it can never fill,
So leave it all behind, and come to the well

Peace to your house

larry

The only gift I had to give

2011-09-01T22:36:00.000-07:00

How do I start……In 1982 Janet and I left the comfy green confines of the pacific nw and were sent to Holloman AFB in Alamogordo NM. Small town ….hot….we did not have much money to spend….the housing office on base gave us the address to a 1 bedroom duplex in town with the stern advice that we should take it sight unseen because there was not another option. Not that this dwelling was much of an option ….but it was just us and it was cozy. Almost immediately we met our neighbors who like us were a young military family- Phil and Sue were from Maine and we loved them almost at first site- they were our first friends. We went camping- rode our motorcycles – what a kick. We invited Phil and Sue to church with us- but each invitation was met with a response that said “no thanks”. We loved them.
After a couple years and a couple of moves Phil and Sue’s marriage began to move in different directions and Sue moved back to Maine and sent Phil her ring and his last name. Rather quickly Phil remarried this time to another Maine girl- We met her only once and instantly felt the awkwardness that divorce brings- Michelle was not one of us and yet she was …..
By 1985 all of us were gone- Janet and I were on our way to Texas and Phil and Michelle were back in Maine. We completely lost track – except Phil would track us down …he would find us …call- send a note- he pursued us. In the mid 90’s Phil found us again- we were back in Washington and Phil was once again single- this time a father that was hurting. Phil called and wanted to visit- sure – we would love to see you – but ….you need to know we are involved and planning to attend this event called GNEW (Great Northwest Evangelism Workshop) so…. if you come this is where we are going. What an event – Phil was Catholic and had never attended anything like this- it was good and confusing. Sunday night we had a devotional on our Church lawn and Phil began to ask questions- I shared with Phil all that I knew (minus the filmstrips) and sent Phil back to Maine with an address to the local Church of Christ.
After a couple of years Phil met Christine and was smitten…like her Christine had two failed marriages in her rear view mirror and 3 children…and no knowledge of Jesus- Phil moved in and they began the struggles that are accompanied with a blended marriage and the absence of the Savior. But they were determined to make it work- They looked up that little Church’s address and they found fellowship and grace….and they both found Jesus.
Now it hasn’t been easy but they live transformed lives that only happen when determination and will meet the Great Physician.
Phil pursued us again and this time found us here in Vancouver – and wanted us to meet Christine and his step daughter Katlin- so they came….on Saturday it was awkward and on Wednesday we were crying. We shared and laughed and heard about their lives in the Kingdom- we were blessed.

I confess I am a lousy friend- Phil is a good friend- He has pursued and I barely find time to return phone calls. During their visit we did the 4 day tourist package- Mt St Helens- Ocean- Gorge….and oh yes Church ….this time we did not have to ask ….it was expected.

Phil and Christine brought gifts- they brought stories of their lives in Christ- they host a small group- are active in Men and Women’s ministries. They love the Lord and celebrate the victory (14 years) they have found in Him. As Phil shared about the struggle with keeping a small group interested I gave Him one other gift…and from my knothole this one has had the most significance since I met Jesus in 1979- I gave them Luke 10. I shared that we believe that the Spirit of God lives among His people ….Janet and I shared the process and told them to expect the Holy Spirit to show up and …. He will and they will be amazed.

I can’t wait to hear the stories

Peace to your house

larry

sometimes......

2011-08-17T17:14:00.001-07:00

My friend Avery wrote this a few years ago...

As I lift my voice to your throne
will you hear my cry
renew my soul
in your presence today
fill my spirit I pray
as I lift my voice to your throne

Sunday Wes mentioned that he yearns to hear scripture from the perspective of the author.....to hear the voice inflections... the pauses... from the one's who crafted the words. I am with Wes on this one and maybe just maybe that will be one of the things we will find out when we find out all the the things to find out.

Music poses challenges to me also- to often I feel constrained by the key...or the 4/4 rhythm....whole notes and rests. As a kid I played in band from 4th grade Mr Donaldsen (Clarinet and trumpet) - Mr Bissel 7-8 grade ( trumpet) - Mr Norton 9-12 ( all the brass - a couple). and although I appreciate the need for the structure sometimes for me music like scripture is worth the pause....the inflection...the question. We all probably have different view points on worship leading but the bottom line for me is I do not want to lead worship if I cannot worship at the same time. I have heard many a participant say after a service that they struggled with paying attention or participating in anything else because they had a leadership role in communion...or prayer...or singing. My heart aches for them because we should never put on hold our worship to lead others in worship. enough commentary- lets go back to the song even if you don't know the melody look at how the song reads with the punctuation....imagine singing it this way ( i like ..... instead of commas)

As I lift my voice to Your throne
will You hear my cry?....
renew my soul?
in Your presence today......
fill my spirit I pray........
as I lift.. my voice.. to.. Your..throne

In just a few minutes the house will be filled with conversation ..prayer and tostadas. I am going to do my best to listen for the pauses...

peace to your house

larry

Living in the Story

2011-08-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

“Come gather 'round people wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you is worth savin'
Then you better start swimming' or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

This summer has been very……..surprising.

This spring the current Elders announced that we the VCOC would undergo the process of identifying and appointing new Elders ….interesting…. how does this church go through the process? I have seen congregations handle this many different ways so how does this one walk through it? …after all (I thought) ….. we are a different people….. now that we have tools like dwelling in our heart pocket.
We have been asked to look at scripture……we have been asked to pray….we did and we still are. As I prayed for the body @ VCOC and for the Kingdom I began to settle in on distinct faces and families who I believe embodied the qualities found in scripture. Character and wisdom….lives spent in pursuit of a higher calling. Not perfect men…not perfect wives….but Godly…all of these men are approachable…sincere…devout….servants. And then the surprise…. I was shocked….a sister of mine whom I have spent many a Tuesday evening with said to me …I want you to know that I am praying for you and I am going to through your name on the list to be considered an Elder…..a what!!!??? me. My first instinct was that this dear wonderful person was starting to suffer from stress ….from heat stroke (in the NW this begins @ 65 degrees) a leaky car exhaust …or a sign that the Obama medical plan had gone into effect. …..but I listened and was humbled….and I committed to her to that I would pray about this and I would listen to and for the Spiritual call . Then shocker #2 that same morning before I left the family life center I had another offer the same message….now I am really worried because the conditions are obviously contagious. God help us.

So we prayed….after the voting tally I received the call that said we had made the 10% threshold …..and two of the current Elders wanted to pay us a visit…share the process…asked us to pray.

The thing is this…never…..never ever….never ever never…… had I ever….. thought about being identified or serving in that capacity…but now I was being asked to consider embarking into the process….wading into new waters. We were asked to consider becoming a part of the story. It is a very humbling experience to consider… this activity caused me to look at everything I do …differently….because you are looking at me differently.

We prayed about this and concluded that this was not our time…emotionally and spiritually we had not prepared ourselves for this calling and that is what it is…a calling. The apostle Paul writes “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.” For us we had never considered the thought and I don’t believe I have lived my life in a way that befits this office….but I commit to this it has called me to listen deeper…to prepare…to aspire.

I started off this entry with words from the Bob Dylan classic “the Times they are a changin” I am blessed to be a part of the change and am blessed to be a part of the story here at VCOC….and I am blessed to walk with you. Change is coming… we will need to talk and listen to some old concerns that have haunted our heritage….music…women’s role’s …we need to listen to each other …listen to scripture. The community around us still has the same need ….they still need the same grace offered by the man from Galilee they need to know His mercy…they need to participate in the story… lets not confuse our response with our traditional answers …lets embark with the simple message from the story in Luke...and see what happens

Peace to your house

larry

the Alpha

2011-05-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight as I drove home my mind drifted from the decision making events of today and engaged in the events at SW medical center …… where Ryan lay in preparation for surgery. I know Ryan has endured many different tests….asked many different questions.

On Thursday a dear little sweet lady who I have the pleasure of working with will walk into that same facility and agree to open heart surgery…..she has endured many tests….many different medicines….and asked many different questions

Next Tuesday at 9:00 at another local hospital a partner of mine enters into back surgery….he has had many tests and many different shots….and asked many different questions….

You and I have walked into difficult times….helpless….we asked the professionals …we examined…we tested our faith …we asked many different questions……we prayed…we cried…we hoped

In John’s revelation Jesus whispers his credentials….

” I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.”

And again….. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

I am constantly amazed at how wonderful our God is….He does not read the newspaper to know the news….. He does not watch the Weather Channel to know the forecast for the weekend…..He knows….
Before the confession is spoken He knows…before the Doctors diagnosis…He knows….before the beginning He knows…because He is the beginning.

Tonight my prayer is for Ryan and Jess…. for my partners at work…I pray for healing …for the skilled hands of trained professionals…I pray in faith …in hope…in fear…I pray in confidence… to the Beginning and the End of all of these situations

Peace to your house

larry

Rambles ….or rants?

2011-04-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

I really don’t know what this is , but the need to hear the rhythm of my ergonomic keyboard is necessary to my ears right now.

Exactly

Last week in small group we prayed for Mason….we prayed for Max….we prayed for Meredith….We prayed for Mike….we prayed for the staff at the hospital. We looked at Mason this way because everyone carries a different heartfelt perspective of Mason , Mason who is experiencing the pain and trauma….Meredith who loves and cares for and is helpless to remove…Mike who I know would trade places with his son a thousand times over and Max who sees the tenderness and care extended by his parents and all those who are caring for him.
Scott was right as we pray we sorta pray in mystery to the Great Physician --- we don’t know what it is…what the next test result will uncover…what the prognosis is…. But HE does…Jesus knows exactly what is wrong and HE knows exactly what it will take and HE knows exactly what HE is doing….and HE knew this before Mason was born. Our confidence is in HIM. Exactly

Song

I have seen umpteen postings on facebook about Carrie Underwood & Vince Gill’s duet as they performed the spiritual “How Great Thou Art”- so I watched it….and I have watched it…and I watched it. I am convinced that this is how the song is supposed to be sung … she sang it as though HE is great. What a reminder to me that we ought to sing our songs as if we believe what it is we are saying…and I think our bodies ( hands…face...) should express the message the words of the song are conveying . Thank you for teaching me and reminding me “How Great Thou Art”

Dwelling
Remember this

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.

Reflections

You think it was easy to go?
to go without the comforts of home?
to leave the friends you have always been surrounded with?

We have learned a lot from this story…we learned to trust …we learned to listen…we began believing that the world did not revolve around (me) this was all about God …and that the outcome is not written for us.

I had lunch with a friend that I know has learned a lot from this story….it will serve her well

Peace to your house

larry

Friday Song

2011-04-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

been busy...but singing

I took a walk today between buildings at work, sunshine o where have you been? forecast is rain but...you have inspired these words from Chris Tomlin

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings

All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing GodAll powerful, untameable,

Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night

None can fathom
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

peace to your house

larry

signs

2011-04-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

" Signs signs everywhere a sign..." The spiritual training we are undertaking develops new awareness - by listening we are clued into Holy Spirit led activity... as a people we have observed this spiritual movement among three discernable areas... Bright Beginnings- Celebrate Recovery and Sunset Elementary. It wasn't that we needed to learn how to dwell to teach us to look for this activity it was that dwelling allows us to be clumsy and fragile and public dreamers. Dwelling has allowed us to acknowledge that we don't have to have the project plan signed off before we know the project has been commissioned...by the Great Commissioner. From my knothole (chuckle) this simple action rearranges the outcome listen first...then listen again.....then act. So I say all that to say that Paul uses this phrase "This is a sign to them..." so I am wondering what you are hearing as signs? if you forgive me resist the urge to comment on our own potato salad (internal) but what are the signs you see identifying God's activity in the world around you?.... second question... what is the sign you are wearing?....what is the mark that would identify others looking for spiritual activity to see you as a safe haven... peace to your house larry

Wednesday

2011-03-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

Small Group tried this one on.

Father- thank you for your presence- for Your Guide.

All who are thirsty

all who are weak

come to the fountain

dip your heart in the stream of life

let the pain and the sorrow

be washed away

in the waves of His mercy

as deep cries out to deep

Come Lord Jesus come

so tonight instead of coming to you with a lens to listen through..... use this image to look for what speaks to you

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."

Here is a couple of nuggets

we heard about reflections of our master- and that we will never be the perfect image.

we heard that what appears as beautiful and safe for us is equally frighting to our community

hmmm... what say ye? what do you hear?

peace to your house

larry

How deep the Father’s love for us….

2011-03-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

Dwelling in the Word has flat messed me up…. reading scripture is no longer a race to the finish- I can’t remember the last time I pulled out my Strong’s concordance to find out what a specific word means because I am trying to listen to the context of what is being said- I am trying to listen to you and you are trying hard to listen to me. We lean forward anticipating the story… to feel the breeze that is found outside of our imagination …a place where the Holy Spirit speaks to us in a new language and we are being trained with new ears to see. We often giggle at each other and say I am not sure but this is what I heard…or this is the picture you painted for me…or when you spoke this memory flooded my heart we giggle because we appreciate the way God is using us… to listen from our heart… to see from what we hear…to visualize from words….to appreciate the cadence that the words move in. God is changing our biology ….we see …we hear…we listen from new entry points. Listening to a story for a year trains us to listen for replications of the story in our every day life … like trackers after wild game we are being conditioned to pick up the scent that God’s Spirit leaves..….How many occurrences have risen that we can point to because of our familiarity with the text and say…

This reminds me of Luke…or I see the brokenness and hope of Corinthians…or the decision making and appointing we found in a little obscure story in Acts… It has been no coincidence.

This past week we have been heartbroken for the people of Japan- the destruction.. the loss of life. One thing has been clear to me is the character and integrity of the Japanese people has been evident…no looting….no stealing…no crazed out of control scenes. They are teaching me.

It has been long time since we have had a Friday Song entry…. These are the words I have been singing.. join me-
peace to your house
larry

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

our blessing

2011-01-27T19:33:00.000-08:00

what I am going to share with you has absolutely nothing to do with the missional journey we have been launched into...except this, I have tried to encourage you all to "practice being vulnerable" this blog has been for the most part a record of my journey..our journey. I have written this to live out this vulnerability, it is not my gift rather it is my exploration into acknowledging who it is that leads me.

I know you prayed for us as we embarked to Costa Rica...and I know you could not sit at the wedding table feast ..but you have allowed me to practice with words..Here is the blessing we offered for Maria and Jonathan

peace to your house

larry

Our blessing and hope for you

This is a marvelous day…from now on this will not be known as January 13^th this will always be your Wedding day…. There will be many days on the calendar that will be without memory but never again will this day ever be the same. It will always hold special meaning and contain special memories for both of you. For on this day with the companionship of your family…in the presence of the Holy Spirit you have promised yourselves to one another…forever as long as you are alive.

This is our prayer for both of you

We pray for mutual respect..

We pray for healthy arguments that end with “ I love and trust you”

We pray that you live your lives the way you would want your children to live their lives

We pray that your home is filled with opportunity to share everything you have with the Kingdom of Christ.

We pray that you prioritize time for each other…and that you always remember to love Christ more than you love each other. In so doing you will find the strength to surrender…to serve one another.

We pray that you continue to treasure the heritage in Christ you both have been raised in and continue with for your family.

Your Mother and I are blessed with having you as our daughter….and now we are blessed by having Jonathan as our son…we all have been blessed by the honorable way you have pursued and courted each other.

A treasure we have in Christ is this…when you came home from the hospital and we knew that someday.. you would leave our home for your home…we have long since prayed for your future spouse…we prayed for His family, we prayed for the life lessons he was learning , we asked God for a fellow believer ..a help mate in Christ…a companion to the cross….and look how he has answered that prayer..

Brian and Linda are living examples of the handiwork of Jesus and it is clear they have raised Jonathan to love and live inside of Christ’s protection. And we are confident of this ...that Brian and Linda prayed that same prayer for you…they prayed for a fellow believer…a help mate in Christ ...they prayed for your life lessons… they prayed for us...and they sought for Jonathan a companion to the cross

We stand as witnesses to this day …

may you grow more in love with each passing day and may the grace of the Lord Jesus fill you both.

my mouth is still dry

2010-11-27T20:33:00.000-08:00

I have been practicing my listening skills

Here is what I heard from Janet

"see your daughter in her dress before the wedding day"

......went to maria's fitting today

my goodness

peace

larry

from we to one

2010-11-24T21:58:00.000-08:00

many times in our dwelling experiences we have heard the Spirit of God remind us of all the "we" phrases...the inclusiveness of the journey...the partnerships found by listening....by accepting that God had already prepared the path for us.

tonight I heard and am amazed of the one...the oneness He is calling us into...

walk with me

Philippians

"stand firm in the one Spirit"

"striving together as one for the faith"

"having the same love, being one in spirit"

"and of one mind"

"In your relationships with one another"

I hear God is calling us together into oneness....this is not a multiple choice God

sometimes I fear I treat my faith like a game of Jeopardy

Alex...

....I would like grace "my way" for $200

...Jesus on my terms.. for...well I will decide

......faith as I see it for $1000.

and through this oneness Paul calls us to see the One...what He has sacrificed...and our ultimate response.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Peace to your house

larry

thanksgiving blessing

2010-11-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking of the steering team ...and my old friends who I shared dreams with ....and this Lee Ann Womack song has been running through my head. So on this Thanksgiving eve let me share this snippet with you as a blessing.

"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance"

my prayer for you all is to continue listening .... practice being vulnerable and dance where the Spirit of God leads you.

peace to your house

larry

Whatever happens______

2010-11-17T16:45:00.000-08:00

Tricia clued me in on this ramble last week from small group so from my knot hole…… Paul sets the stage with the with the first two words and the last seven….”Whatever happens_____ ( fill in the blank) to the glory of God the Father.

Conduct your self worthy
Stand Firm
Strive together as one
Don’t be frightened
Be a sign
Live as if you are saved
Believe in Him
Suffer for Him
Join the struggle
Encourage
Be united
Draw comfort
Share everything you have in common with the Spirit
Be tender
Compassionate
Be joyful
Like minded
Make Paul proud
Do nothing out of selfish ambition
Be humble
Value others
Desire relationships
Have the mind of Christ
Consider others…like Christ did
Be obedient
Bow
Kneel
Acknowledge

I hope your list is long and challenging and I hope you will share it with me. Tricia got me thinking this way last week …tonight she leads us…Whatever Happens____ to the glory of God the Father

Peace to your house

larry

Living in the text

2010-10-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

December 1978….. in a small apartment in Binsfeld Germany, Tom Farleigh my escort to Jesus was carefully walking me through the Jule Miller filmstrips…(ding) next frame… allowing me to crawl through Acts chapter 2….Larry (Tom’s voice…) Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? ….what are you …going to do about it?……tension- I was convicted ….Tom had with the hands of a surgeon demonstrated that Jesus was who He said He was….now the ball was in my court… I had to do something…live in the text … be faithful and respond. I had had to trust that the gateway to Jesus is believing,-confessing-being baptized- faithful was the response… true is the promise.

October 1986… Janet and I were seriously struggling…we were on the doorstep of our divorce. I was here…she was there…and I am angry…about everything. I can’t find refuge in the church because …well divorce=sin and sin must be repented of…but its out of my control….good people asking only made the hurt seem all the more present. I wanted to forget…but I was mad (mad as HE double tooth picks) . God reminded (1 Cor 13) me that He loved me ...without a reason other than He loved me…and He was going to continue to love regardless of what I did. He reminded me that I needed to love without expectation- so I confessed to Him that I loved Janet and I promised to continue to love her….. tension…living in the text. Am I going to believe that this God will help us…faithful was the response….true is the promise

October 20, 2010… Sitting in my family room John Nissen walks us through a proposal that a committee He has been working on…a committee of appointed men…men of great respect…men who are in possession of the gift of the presence of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Many of these men have deep ties with the issue on hand. They are appointed by leaders to do a work that is important to fulfill and yet our leaders realize they cannot perform the work…they cannot neglect their responsibility …so they must appoint…. Tension…living in the text. As John was walking through this Acts 6 is not whispering…it’s shouting… we spent a year listening to this story and now by God’s providence we get a opportunity to live in it….and experience …faithful is our guide…true is His promise

peace to your house

larry

I know it's not Friday...

2010-10-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

Tuesday-we feasted on great food...great conversation...great partnership. We blessed each other's comings and goings. We shared in the adventure that has been ours...the wonder of serving together..unexpected...undeserving...but worth it all.

In the background I still hear this song...

I will never be the same again
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

I will never be the same again,
I can never return, I
I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let the flame burn to glorify Your name.

There are higher heights, there are deeper seas,
Whatever you need to do, Lord do in me.
The Glory of God fills my life,
And I will never be the same again.

Fall like fire, soak like rain,
Flow like mighty waters, again and again.
Sweep away the darkness, burn away the chaff,
And let the flame burn to glorify Your name.

I will never be the same again
I can never return, I've closed the door.
I will walk the path, I'll run the race
And I will never be the same again.

peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2010-10-01T09:18:00.000-07:00

Wednesday- Scott and Kara and Tim said " have you seen the Ike Graul youtube video"? - I was a novice on Wednesday - no longer

has this ever invaded my quiet times- in the middle of a noisy factory...in the car on the ride home...in the midst of life...Friday's Song

Ephesians 4: Paul - arranged by Ike

Make every effort to maintain the Spirit - the Spirit of unity through the bond of peace.

live a life worthy of the calling that you have received in the Spirit (the Spirit of unity through the bond of peace.)

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (the Spirit of unity through the bond of peace.)

There is one body there is one Spirit—and we have been called to one hope (the Spirit of unity through the bond of peace.)

one Lord, one faith, one baptism

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all

good teamwork- Paul- Ike and the Holy Spirit

peace to your house ( through the bond of peace)

larry

living discovery channel

2010-10-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

John is right it is a new passage for us.... sure we have read it before ..but when we listen to it intentionally ... discoveries occur.....

452 - Ardis and Janet, heard that " at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow ..in heaven...on the earth...and under the earth." the image that was painted was not a forceful " I am the King and you will bow in reverence to me " ...but rather a time when all creatures...living and dead acknowledge that Jesus Christ is King. And the only response is to take a knee in reverence to who He is.

dwelling reminds me me of how "wow" God is

I think Wednesday night at mi casa it is not life group it's the living Discovery Channel

peace to your house

larry

Fridays Song

2010-09-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Gut Check....

Are we serious about this?

do we mean what we say?....

are we a sent people?

Friday's Song- Tenth Ave North " By Your Side

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

(Chorus 2x)

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

peace to your house

larry

Mt Successor

2010-09-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

Well almost two years ago we huddled around a class room in Federal Way and heard the future for us as a steering team...we heard about Mt. Successor. At that point on the trail we looked each of us in the eye and said " you can't go....don't even think about it"- so here we are not only thinking about it...but we are doing it. we have said with tears and soft voices that we will miss the fellowship...we will miss the time spent together...the dwelling...the worship. The work has been challenging - creative -consuming and fun. We learned to listen....to fight....to submit. We have been stretched and we have stretched others....we have all done things that inside of us were yearning to do..to make a difference... a significant difference in the kingdom. We learned to write...to pray...and to be prayed over. We learned to partner with our leaders .....we learned to share in what we did not know and smiled at what God provided. We learned to be amazed.

I have this advice for us....Maria climbed half dome in Yosemite national park 2 weeks ago. She said the hike up the mountain was hard and sometimes very "scary"...with shear cliffs and a steep trail. She noted though that it was harder physically coming down the mountain returning to the beginning...to the trail head where it all started. Good advice eh? perhaps we should all realize our "Spiritual" muscles have been flexed for the next mountain...not a retreat back to where we began. I won't be in the meetings with the next Steering Team ...but I will be on the trail with you.

peace to your house

larry

Fridays Song

2010-09-09T20:46:00.001-07:00

Song has been so much a part of my life this past week it seems appropriate that we sing together....

Revelation Song- Phillips, Craig and Dean

Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat
[Repeat 2x]

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You
Yeah!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,
Yeah

(Chorus)

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

(Chorus)

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come,
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And “ I - will - adore YOU

peace to your house

larry

faith quest

2010-09-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

I love everything about it

I love cleaning tables- sweeping floors with the browns and the corleys ( i made it with the help of lori's meds)

I love seeing half of the camp 3 times a day

I love singing the same songs and new ones enough times that they resonate inside me

I love the fact that it has been around long enough for my children to participate as campers and adults

what say ye?

peace to your house

larry

has it really been this long?

2010-07-25T19:09:00.000-07:00

Dwelling...

I started this blog as an attempt to enter into a electronic conversation with my companions...to capture what it is I hear from them . To capture the surprises the thoughts...the images. I was hoping to share this diary but all to often this has become my journal of our journey. And as you can tell my verbal paintbrush is not nearly as vivid as your words....

In the last three years we have had countless meetings in which we laughed...cried...prayed..dreamed.

sometimes we were safe..sometimes daring...sometimes challenging. We expressed our vulnerabilities by saying " this is what I heard you say"....and "this is what I heard". We expressed our words on the canvases of our lives . We have sailed around and out of the harbor and now that we have cleared the jetty it is time for the open ocean. A place where the Holy Spirit breathes and moves. A place where we live as if the presence of God is reality.

Raise the main sails....

peace to your house

larry

you are beautiful beyond description

2010-06-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

Three plus years ago the newly founded Steering Team comprised of Lori Davis- Laurie Clark- Wes Regan- Christina Hill- Brad Ducatt- Bill Hunter were just beginning yes they were functioning smoothly...sure they were just starting out ...but this is a well oiled group of Christians and what they lacked in knowledge of the process they more than made up for in knowledge of how this "church" worked- lived-loved . Somehow they ...thought they needed one more to train...to prepare...to guide... so they invited me. Clearly of all the candidates to select from I was going to be trouble...I am a bull and they the china closet- I asked are you sure?...yes...Three years later I still wonder if they made the right decision. I have had the practice of not saying no....to opportunities...so I said yes and this has been a roller coaster experience of which I was unprepared for and unexpected to participate in ......but I am sure glad it came my way.

Today in worship we sang this song....

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.

So for my Elders

Steering Team

MET team

Listening Leaders

Plungers

Facilitators

Staff

and fellow dwellers

I stand in awe of you..

peace to your house

larry

a proselyte from......

2010-06-07T20:07:00.000-07:00

I relocated to Portland 5 years ago as I walked around the factory during my introductory period I was introduced to some great guys ... first by their name and then after they walked away I was given their nickname...that is the name I will always identify them by.

There is "squatty body"- this gentleman looks like Barney Rubble physically he is a cube ...no more than 4 foot tall ... literally as wide as he is tall.

Next up is "hair in the can" this gentleman used the artificial hair spray that simulated hair.... emphasis on simulate. It was normal in a 5 day work week for this gentleman to have a least 3 different hair colors.

I have been occasionally lovingly called "Uncle Fester" ( go figure)

every now and then you come across someone who puts a face on scripture... and not that they are nicknamed like my workmates ..but from now on they will be remembered whenever that scripture is spoken... so it is interesting that Nicolas Meyer who came to us not by natural birth...not a resident church member..he did not attend our Sunday school - never learned the songs that are commonly sung in children's worship...He came to us...we did not pursue him...He pursued Jesus ...with a hunger...and an innocence...and He did it... out loud.

Maria shared that a week ago Sunday the folks at Renovatus studied that the word " Hallelujah" this is a word that is incorporated into languages because there is no other word for Hallelujah... ...this is the word that Nick shouted ...over the top last Sunday night...

Halelujah...my friend...Hallelujah

peace to your house

larry

Nick

2010-06-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

( this posting is from Brad...in memorial of our friend)

You were with us for such a short time. We crossed paths each week in our time of Dwelling in the Word. You brought such innocence and willingness to be vulnerable. It is with hindsight that I marvel at your purity and child like faith in the One who calls us His own and protects us. While I am sad; sad for me and for those that did not get to experience your fresh faith and hear your story. I am sad that you have left us. God certainly saw something in you that compelled Him to call you home. Nick, you have reminded each of us that it is not when one is called, but when one is called, he answers. Nick, I have two songs to share with you. I carry these with me as an encouragement. I will always remember you when I hear halleluiah sung.

Thou O Lord

Thou o Lord art a shield about me.

you're my glory you're the lifter of my head

Thou o lord art a shield about me.

you're my glory you're the lifter of my head

Halleluiah Halleluiah Halleluiah Halleluiah

You're the lifter of my head

I have a Maker

I have a maker, He formed my heart

before even time began, my life was in his hand

He knows my name. He knows my every thought

He see each tears that falls and he hears me when I call

I have a father He calls me his own

He'll never leave me no matter where I go

He knows my name, He knows my every thought

He sees each tears that falls and He hears me when I call

He knows my name, He knows my every thought

He sees each tears that falls and he hears me when I call

and he hears me when I call

Blind Side- Friday song

2010-05-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Finally the movie I have heard much about has risen to top of my netflix queue. It was everything everybody said to me...it is a great story. Unfortunately while watching the movie I did find a that I have a construction problem in my house while watching the movie in a couple of different scenes I ...somehow... found that I have something that was leaking moisture . This moisture seem to settle under my glasses and down my cheeks. I am a sap for a good story I guess that is why I love listening to yours in dwelling...and with the hope of the future before us there will be many more of these stories to share.

peace to your house

larry

from the Generous Mr. Lovewell " Mercy Me" All of Creation

Separated until the veil was torn
The moment that hope was born
and guilt was pardoned once and for all

Captivated but no longer bound by chains
left at an empty grave
the sinner and the sacred resolved

[chorus:]
and all of creation sing with me now
lift up your voice and lay your burden down
and all of creation sing with me now
fill up the heavens let his glory resound

Time has faded and we see him face to face
every doubt erased forever we will worship the king

[repeat chorus]

ohh ah ohhh...ohh ah ohhh

the reason we breathe is to sing of his glory
and for all he has done praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one

[repeat chorus 2x]

and every knee will bow oh and every tongue praise the father praise the son and the spirit in one

wow

2010-05-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

I am trying to put this in words...but this is amazing for me...

Ok ... so

Consider this for most of my walk in Christ i have read scripture in the past tense...or in my present tense. I thought it was my duty as a Christ follower to see the world through the eyes of Jesus and not that my eye chart is wrong...I am coming to realize it is just short sighted . As we plan and look and listen to the text and as we see ourselves living in the text we can begin to see ourselves being transformed by the text to live in the text differently than we have always lived. So this means our outcomes won't be predictable ...for instance before this past year I had never stopped by and found all the amazing stories out of Acts 6...now I carry into the future a hope where we all agree...before it was a myth now because of the text it becomes part of the hope for the future ...God's future.

What is so amazing about this journey for me is that today is the anniversary of my family moving here....200 hundred miles from what we had always known and 200 miles from every friend. I did not expect it...last week Laurie has us consider "unexpected grace"- I knew God was going to bless us...but this has been sweeter...I knew God was going to direct us....but this destination was beyond any of our imagination... Thank you my friends

peace to your house

larry

plans

2010-05-08T21:37:00.000-07:00

The dwelling text haunts me...it stirs in my quiet moments...it interrupts my prayer....it intrudes at work....it barges in when I am at the store....a couple of weeks ago Janet and I were minding our own business driving east on 4th plain and this lady with a cane ...and a hand dolly and a 24 pack of toilet paper disembarks the bus....she is not a stout walker and then when you add the cart and goods...and the cane she needed a hand... All I could think was " Peace to your house" and can we help. She lived only a few blocks way but the ride was welcomed... by the mailbox is fine she said ..."God Bless You"

hmm if it wasn't for the Master's commission from Luke 10...from Paul's words that remind me how His Holy spirit is resident in clay jars and from your partnership I probably would not have seen her... God bless you

peace to your house

larry

difference

2010-04-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

On my way home from work last week I called Brad and as customary we asked each other how were we doing ...how was our week...family. You see it has been a few weeks since all of us on the steering team have been at the same place at the same time. Over the course of time we have learned to depend upon each other.. to listen together. This "dependence" drives us away from the comfort of being strangers to the uncomfortable feelings of dependence...and accountability. having a place where we can share the dreams and images of God's Holy Spirit . I liken it to the first artistic impressions my children drew for Janet and I... blue lines going north- south ...red lines east- west " Look daddy I drew a picture for you..well what is it? ...it's us eating dinner ..of course it is- thank you I love it and then magnetized this Picasso on the refrigerator for all to see. After a while I began understanding the art.. I stopped guessing at what was being drawn and let the artist describe the picture to me..I began to see the image the way the artist envisioned the image.

Brad said he was " hopeful" and "malnourished" Hope reigns because God has reigned in Brad's life from counting dimes, to moving multiple times in his formative years to living in a time where He can see himself living in the text. Hopeful because we were going to meet and pull out the canvases and share once again with those who are interested in letting the artist be refined by the image..the future.

many times my reflections are as refined as my children's first impressions... I am hopeful that I will always have companions who are willing to listen.

peace to your house

larry

horizon

2010-04-22T21:13:00.001-07:00

I was day dreaming about Acts 6 and what it must have been like. You see I think I am living some of the same kind of life...I live a life I never imagined but I hoped for....I live a life I could not describe but one that I desired. So I imagine that the day the complaint reached the apostles was an amazing day...a day that gave hope to those who had lived without ..for the overlooked...for those who had reason to feel like they would never fit in . And now some years later this day continues to inspire...this day gives us all hope ...imagine a day where we all agreed...where we all said yes...where the Holy Spirit was the director and we were the instruments.

I dream that on that evening there was this old guy sitting on a hill overlooking the encampment and the buzz of the conversation is ringing out the awesome response of people who are in tune with Holy Spirit....It was a day He dreamed of and thought it would not come to pass in his lifetime and with tears this praise is offered....

For thou O Lord art high

above all the earth

thou art exalted far above all gods.

For thou O Lord art high

above all the earth

thou art exalted far above all gods.

I exalt thee,

I exalt thee, O Lord

I exalt thee,

I exalt thee, O Lord

Because of you....because of the Holy Spirit I get to imagine living in that day...and looking forward to that day at the same time.

peace to your house

larry

change

2010-03-27T20:50:00.000-07:00

Bob Dylan released "The times they are a changin" in 1964- although only 5, I was blessed with a brother and sister in their teens who influenced my musical appreciation. This song reflected the social and political turmoil of the 60's ...for me... I liked the harmonica and it was a song of my siblings generation and I appreciate now the lyrics of this song in light of where we have been in dwelling

For us traveling to other villages armed with " Peace to your House"...yeah I say the times they are a changing. I think of my Elders agreeing together that we can't do the same thing anymore...that Christ has to be advanced ...that the Holy Spirit would guide...even us

"Come gather round people

wherever you roam

and admit that that the waters

around you have grown

and accept it that soon

you'll be drenched to the bone

if your time to you is worth savin

than you better start swimmin

or you'll sink like a stone

for the times they are a changin"

Change is not the enemy... it isn't change for change sake its allowing God to lead us. I think of the first miracle of Jesus as recorded in John- at the wedding feast Jesus is there and the party has ran out of the bubbly...Mary tells Jesus about this near social fiasco ...Jesus replies "What do you want me to do about it"? ( LEMV) "it's not my time"- looking at the others Mary tells them to do whatever Jesus tells them to do....

"The times they are a changin"

how have we changed by being attentive?...how do you view God's word now?..

active

contemporary

relative

food for life.

I find by Dwelling that God has a greater place in my life because He is speaking with such clarity through so many.... In just a few hours I will once again listen to those who are listening and I can't wait for the change they will express through their awakened imagination...catching a glimpse of the future.

Acts 6 is unpredictable and life changing...don't believe me just ask the priests..just ask Timon. Here is a man we never heard from and in the last year we now know we can't tell the story without sharing his name..He is an honored servant sent to change the way this community lived...prayed over and endorsed by the Holy Spirit. I imagine the day this proposal came forward...talk about a different kind of day..."the times they are a changin"

this might surprise you but I like the group Green Day listen to these words as the story of Acts 6 is relived in your mind

"Another turning point , a fork stuck in the road

time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go

so make the best of this test and don't ask why

it's not a question , but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable and in the end it's right

I hope you had the time of your life"

see you in the morning

peace to your house

larry

Thanks for listening

2010-03-22T21:13:00.000-07:00

Craig let me say thank you…thank you for listening…and thank you for reminding us that this journey is all about listening.

Essential is the training …to listen for clues , to repeat the practice of removing ourselves as our own guide and trust that God would lead us if we would just let Him…let me repeat if we..would…just..let Him…we know deep down that God is much better at leading but somehow we mistook His silence as a lack of participation and we found detours in scripture to defend and missed the breath of life.

I have been guilty of using scripture to prove my point…to teach morality.. to support my opinion . I never said it publicly but I am sure I taught the doctrine of politics…. clearly Jesus was a Republican and Satan and His angels were obviously Democrats ... What I have found from Dwelling with you is that scripture leads us to a much better story…a far better conclusion all by itself . Scripture if listened to ….repeatedly in God’s presence and with other believers sharpens our ears to hear the drumbeat of the Holy Spirit.

in 1 Samuel 3 we are told the story of the young boy Samuel in the temple under the tutelage of Eli. Samuel hears what he believes is the voice of Eli calling for him and in the darkness Samuel runs to find his teacher only to be reminded that the voice he hears is not Eli’s. Again ….and again He hears the call only to find a sleeping Eli. And then Eli realizes what Samuel is hearing… is the voice of God.

It takes courage to dwell..to say I am not sure and I don’t know what this really means and I am hoping that you…or you…can put this together for me. We often read scripture and conclude what it is saying …courage is allowing scripture to speak for itself ..to draw in our hearts images of God’s landscape His preferred and future landscape.

Craig reminded me that the Steering team’s work is to become the Theologians …to discern…to practice listening for God. I am not sure that this task is assigned only to the Steering team , perhaps it is all of our work from dwelling …That we can acknowledge like Eli and testify about God’s voice.

Peace to your house

larry

Cluster

2010-03-10T16:58:00.000-08:00

The first song I wrote about in this blog was Matt Redman's " Heart of worship" I love the song because the tempo and the words often say exactly what I am trying desperately to say....and fall incomplete. I think about this song and the partnership journey we have been on ....this has been the surprise of my life.... never before have I participated equally with another church or with so many churches.... together we have listened to the Holy Spirit...we have reported on what we have heard and what we have experienced through the listening's. I can think of no greater work to be apart of . This is the heart of the church to recapture the Holy Spirit at work to allow God to lead us.. to discern His hand upon us and around us.

I have been blessed by your willingness to share with me your stories...your artwork....to be so bold to share incomplete sentences ...I have learned to trust my companions you are good and faithful and your presence serves to remind me that God prepared you for me long before I knew I needed you. You have reminded me that this work is all about the heart.

Peace to your house

larry

Heart of Worship- Matt Redman

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus

Verse 2:
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

Bridge:
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

Chorus:
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
And it's all about You,
It's all about You, Jesus

Filters and Friday's Song ( on Saturday)

2010-02-27T13:15:00.000-08:00

In the marketplace of life there are buyers and sellers...this week I have been purchasing..

Tylenol
decongestants
Kleenex's
cough drops

all the while napping to regain my normal outlook and energy at life. Sleeping in the recliner is hardly good sleep but there I was snuggled under every blanket available trying to keep warm ...and rid myself of this pest. The only perk to not sleeping and sitting in the recliner was to catch just about every available option of the winter Olympics. I absolutely love everything about the Olympics...granted there are events that I struggle with as sporting events ...but in the end who really cares. I love all the enthusiasm and patriotism... the drama that is associated with a once in a lifetime moment.... Ski Jumping to curling...to hockey...to skiing with guns (way cool on the man scale of life). In the end there are only three who stand on the podiums but all are Olympians...all share in glory of the contest...and I love it.

The flags represent the beauty that each country brings to the game...together each flag represents different ideals...different and sometimes opposing political structures participating and playing at a high level. Our dwelling text reveals different flags...

we have Hellenists...Hebrews....Apostles.....we have flags flown in the synagogues and those by bystanders...and just like the Olympians they have individually marched into the stadium each waving their flag and in the end the only symbol we can clearly see is the flag of peace and agreement... this is the mark of of the presence of the Holy One. Our dwelling in the word together teaches us to listen to our neighbors stories...to challenge each other through active listening...to continually be on the advance ...to not approach life as we have arrived.. in dwelling we acknowledge this is Holy Ground because HE is Holy.

enough already

In view of the Olympics and of Dwelling I wonder what is the song we all can sing...a song where we all have a verse..where we all have a flag in the song and the only thing the world will see is the Holy One.

Friday's Song "This is our God"- Chris Tomlin

A refuge for the poor, a shelter from the storm
This is our God
He will wipe away your tears and return your wasted years
This is our God
Oh... this is our God
Oh... this is our God
A father to the orphan, a healer to the broken
This is our God
And he brings peace to our madness and comfort in our sadness
This is our God

Oh... this is our God
Oh... this is our God

this is the One we have waited for
this is the One we have waited for
this is the One we have waited for

Oh... this is our God

A fountain for the thirsty, a lover for the lonely
This is our God
He brings glory to the humble and crowns for the faithful
This is our God

Oh... this is our God Oh... this is our God

this is the One we have waited for
this is the One we have waited for
this is the One we have waited for

Oh... this is our God

peace to your house

larry

more...

2010-02-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

it has been a little over two years since this blog was birthed, I saw it as a electronic journal of our journey...a way to share....a place to share stories as we caught our breath.

I am so looking forward to tomorrow...not because it is the Steering Teams last big event...it is because tomorrow is going to be a Green day on our time line ....a day of hope...when mercy is tasted together..how sweet is that.

Come now is the time for worship

Come now is the time to give your heart

Come just as you are to worship

Come just as you are before your God....come

peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2010-02-18T20:33:00.000-08:00

(I tried this on at our small group last night- I appreciate that it might be a stretch but I believe you just might be the kind of people who are willing to be stretched)

The discoveries continue as we continue to listen.......We find these truths

1) we cannot out imagine God

2) If we listen we find there is more ...to be heard

3) Dwelling in the Word changes our heritage ..we begin to look more like the "Berean's" ( copyright- Brad Perrigo)

During Dwelling it occurs to me that.....

I have been looking at the 7 men who are selected and somehow I only ....always...saw ....only 7.... until last night

Stephen

Philip

Prochorus

Nicanor

Timon

Parmenas

Nicolaus

men who are full of faith....who are together with ...the Holy Spirit

It's not that the Holy Spirit was appointed ...it occurs to me that these 7 men caught up where the Holy Spirit was going

makes me want to sing..

Agnus Dei- Michael W. Smith

Alleluia
Alleluia
For the Lord God Almighty reigns

Alleluia
Alleluia
For the Lord God Almighty reigns

Alleluia
Holy
Holy are You Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

You are holy
Holy are you Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

Peace to your house

larry

Fridays Song

2010-02-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

On Saturday...night

Sometimes you just have to giggle at what we believe now...compared to what we thought 3 years ago...what then will happen in the next three years? when we live out the faith testimony of this song

Nicole C Mullen " My Redeemer Lives"

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
Who told the ocean you an only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

The very same God that spins things in orbit
He runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life wihtin me cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame
And He lives forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive
And there's an empty grave.

And I know my Redeemer, He lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives

Peace to your house

larry

Beyond Dwelling

2010-02-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

As a guy who has consistently promoted dwelling in the word I hope you are intrigued by the title of this blog entry ......

for those who know me you know I don't fancy myself as impressive writer...I do fancy an impressive God and I have learned much about our God through Dwelling in the word with you.....

we have seen a God who is larger and more capable than we imagined...You have painted images with colors we hadn't discovered but when realized we found out that God was always that big...and was always that present .

What then do we do with our "listening's" ? lately I have been looking for spiritual activity beyond the current steering team work load...I have been looking for application of our dwelling passages at work for instance I have shared with you that I had been working in a new position and I have been encouraging my new workmates to resist the tension of hearing complaints as complaints rather as an invitation to serve...to lead . I find that when I speak missional language at work I also find partners in peace and I find invitations. Like those who traveled in Luke 10 I don't know whose house...or what village....I do know that where I am going God is calling me to go...and like the 2 cor 4 text ...it will not be me....it will be the Holy Spirit God has placed inside of me...

I encourage you to take your listening's beyond the conference room...the living room and listen for the invitations God is inviting you into

peace to your house

larry

It was wonderful

2010-01-31T07:11:00.000-08:00

I know it doesn’t always happen like this but when it does you have to tell someone about it..

On Saturday mornings @7:00 I meet with a group of men and we are studying....having conversation based from John Edlredge's book " Wild at Heart" . Yesterday during our open conversation Lewis shared something very tender and personal and before any man in the room replied Lewis left the room to receive a phone call...upon returning Lewis was in a bit of rush ...He shared that " he received a call from His son...he had a urgent matter he had to attend to and he left this time for good. To a man our hearts dropped, Lewis had just exposed himself...his heart...he shared a weakness each man in the room knew and rarely admits.... we didn't say to him what we wanted....what we needed to.

So we prayed....we prayed for Lewis and the opportunity " the space" we needed God to provide so we as men could partner with Lewis.... we gasped and moved on

and then something wonderful happened...

The doors opened and our brother walked back in..." Emergency resolved"...now where were we.....We cheered and prayed again this time in the space God provided... thanking God for the testimony and the immediacy of God allowing us to partner with our friend.

It was wonderful

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2010-01-28T20:48:00.000-08:00

Tim Wright is my friend a brother in Christ and a member of our Steering Team. Tim shared with me the song for today and instructed me to "paint that masterpiece".....nah...I'll let the artist share in his own words....see if you can see the brush strokes on his canvas of life.... Here is his story....

When I read the words to this song, it takes me back to my college days. I was at the top of my game. I was in the best shape in my life. I knew where I had been, I knew where I was, and I knew where I was going. I had prepared for the last 3 and half months. It was my senior year at Cascade and life could not be better. Soccer was going well. I was doing all the right things that I thought I needed to do. I Had What I Wanted… But, that’s where it all went wrong. I was focused only on one thing… me. Then all that I had worked for my whole life was taken away in a matter of about 10 seconds.

Something that had never happened ….happened. I broke my leg during a game. All I remember is that my legs starts to burn and go cold. I remember people talking to me but I couldn’t open my eyes. A man telling me that everything will be ok, the ambulance is on its way. I ask if it’s broken and I get a silence and then the man says… “I think so…” Once at in the ER they sit me up and I saw my leg about twice the size as the other.

The doctor says that a special Surgeon just happened to be around and wanted to talk to me. He asks if I had eaten much today, and I say no. He says well let’s do it then. After surgery I ask if I would be able to play anymore this season… Not knowing the exact extent of my injury. He tells me something I thought I would never hear… Sorry son, I don’t believe you should ever play again. This injury was an extreme and you may never be the same. You may never get full feeling back and walking will be tough.

During that time I never felt God was there. Through depression and agonizing pain and suffering through therapy, I continued to ask why and how could you… I have found that God has a plan and he knows what He’s doing. He was preparing me for my real journey. The journey I am on today. Act’s 6 tells the same story. Sometimes you need a struggle to see the real picture. God puts in place who and what we need. I had people at Cascade who worshiped and show God in their lives. I found that, I listened, and overcame my fears of ‘Who am I now… what am I going to do and who am I going to be?’ And I focused on who God put in my life, from my professors to my one and only…wife. On that day, she became a mother and wife all at the same time. Without struggle, sometimes you may never believe and have the Faith in Jesus Christ.

I would not be where I am today without the Faith in God and his Son Jesus Christ.

From My heart I present to you Friday’s Song Kutlass " What Faith can Do"

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Peace to your house

larry

who is the next.....

2010-01-27T21:32:00.000-08:00

We see and live things in our time but the spiritual training we are receiving from dwelling is allowing us to see glimpses of the future in God's time....we see struggles ...God sees training.... We see difficulties...God sees growth. We say I can't do it....God is whispering it's not about you. So imagine the road Timon took to Acts 6...Nicholas.....Phillip. What did their training look like?

Who is the Nicanor among us?

peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2010-01-22T20:22:00.000-08:00

Mercy...... now that's a cup I want to drink from, that is the fountain I want to live in.

but it is more than that ...I hope that when you see me....with my chest full and I seem all proud of myself... you will say "that larry he needs mercy"

when you see me and I seem perplexed.. when I am overwhelmed with being a husband...a father...a owner of multiple old cars.....it is my hope that when you see me ...you will say "thatlarry ......he needs mercy"

on the occasional Sunday as I attempt to lead worship and I am struggling with the words...or the images.... I hope you will say " that larry..... he needs mercy"

when you witness me being rude....and hurting someone I hope you will put your arm around me and pray over me and say ..."that larry ...he needs mercy"

and most of all I hope that I will always see you and say......."my brother....my sister is not perfect...is not always right...is not always kind....but is always in need of mercy"

I think we live our lives more in tune with our Saviour when we forgive one another....and say THANK GOD FOR MERCY"

" Therefore , since it is by God's mercy......."

Peace to your House

larry

Friday's Song

Enough- Chris Tomlin

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
And still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
worth living for
And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

You’re my sacrifice
Of greatest price
And still more awesome than I know
You’re the coming King
You are everything
And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can say
You are more than enough for me

Fridays Song

2010-01-15T17:52:00.000-08:00

Our routine on Wednesdays is to meet with our small group....our life group.. they people are much more than either one of those titles....it's our family ....we share in the conversations around our lives and we share in food...comfort food... What is yours?

spaghetti is Janet's it reminds her of Sunday afternoons at her parents home

I heard Elana say Mac and cheese...oh yeah....

What if we looked at our Dwelling passage as comfort food... it reminds of a place ...it reminds who we are...it reminds of who loves us

I have presented this song before...but it's comfort food remember

Peace to our house

larry

For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies
For the love which even from our birth
Over and around us lies

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Lord of all to thee raise

Hallelujah, Hallelujah this our song of grateful praise

For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night
every Hill and valley tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars of night

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Lord of all to thee raise

Hallelujah, Hallelujah this our song of grateful praise

For the joy of human love
Brother, sister, parent, child
All our friends on earth And friends above
For all gentle thoughts and mild

For the church which evermore

Lifts her holy hands above

for the offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Lord of all to thee raise

Hallelujah, Hallelujah this our song of grateful praise

Lord of all to thee we raise
This our song of grateful praise

A day you didn’t expect.

2010-01-11T20:00:00.000-08:00

When I walk through scripture I try to take the route that leads me to what I perceive to be the biggest aha ….a spot that seems to allow God to be bigger than explainable…. A place where as the story teller you wrestle with the words trying to describe …searching to capture the experience. If you walk with me down Acts 6 with this filter than we can imagine that this was the first time anyone had the courage to raise a complaint…. You see in the old church we didn’t talk about such things…we had rules…you better read them and you better listen to them …and agree. So imagine the courage it took to say….”uhhmmm I’m hungry …what can I do to get some food?” all the while knowing for most of your life you have been looked down upon by these zealots as …. unfaithful….racially divided and spiritually impure.

So rather than figuring it all out can you tell me…what you see with this filter? Imagine that it wasn’t planned…it wasn’t prepared…and it never happened before and now the rules are different…and our unity is at stake.

Listen for the aha…..if the image you see looks familiar walk a bit further... tread softly for this is Holy Ground

Peace to your homes

larry

Finally

2009-12-31T12:55:00.000-08:00

H O M E

God has......

2009-12-30T21:38:00.000-08:00

I know is not Friday…but here is a song they could have easily sung in Acts 6 days….

….Excuse me…not getting any food here…what are you going to do about it?....

God has smiled on me

Let’s appoint men…full of the Spirit

He has set me free

And of wisdom

God has smiled on me

And we will continue to seek God…in prayer….and in word

He’s been good to me…

I don’t think we should limit this narrative to the distribution of food….. What is God doing that’s miraculous?

You say coming up with solutions that everyone agrees on?

Finding ways to stay together..

When the problem arose men were ready to accept the appointment…for solution….

That we complained together…instead of in our cars chariots on the way home from church?

Challenges that brought even more….to Christ.

For my part ….The elders of VCOC have been courageous…looking for food solutions through prayer….through listening….through dwelling in the word…

It is exciting to live among people who trust in God…The Holy Spirit…and the Holy One Jesus the Christ for solutions.

God has smiled on me
He’s been good to me

Peace to your house

larry

Enter

2009-12-29T07:35:00.000-08:00

I have a bunch of thoughts…

Reflections from communion “ Christ entering the world”….
Where does He need to enter in 2010?...to big…how about ..today??
Entering into conversations…into hearts….into choices…into attitudes….into responses….Does He enter into the beginning of the journey….or the end?....

8 missional patterns…..planning …coaching…details….listening.. How does Christ enter this event?

And oh yes….The traveling from Chang Mai has begun….

Peace to your house

larry

Friday’s Song

2009-12-17T21:43:00.000-08:00

I know….. we don’t know….but does it really matter? Let’s escape the commercialism and celebrate the Messiah. Let’s move beyond sales ads and celebrate the Word coming to life on earth … Jesus was born quite miraculously I must say…so why not celebrate His birth ..Lets hold baby showers honoring the King. Let’s celebrate His arrival.

O Holy Night by Adolphe Adam

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Peace to your house
larry

Thinking about thinking and random appreciations

2009-12-17T09:28:00.000-08:00

I don’t profess to think well, or often or with great depth. My thoughts are not profound or casual…they are usually random. I don’t think inside or outside a box. I like strong people but I am not a fan of bullies…I like the freedom to be free and yet I find comfort in some of the constraints of tradition. I admire personal growth.
I wrote the first paragraph as the landscape to my personal conviction and appreciation for Dwelling in the Word. I love listening to God develop new ideas …new convictions in us and through us. The past three years are a blessing beyond imagination, truly, in the deepest definitions of the words dwelling in the Word has transformed the way I read and listen.
I have often shared in this blog the appreciation I have for those I pilgrim with (Steering team/ Small group/ Craig/Elders)- The Sunday morning conversations in the library are a testimony to a Living and active Holy Spirit. All of the partners along this journey are treasured companions… this morning….I would like to draw your attention to three men I see as mentors.

Wes Regan- You are a steady student of Jesus- reliable and faithful are words you can use on your resume without blushing. You are knowledgeable enough of scripture to be firmly grounded and capable of being amazed at something new at the same time. You listen carefully to both His Words and our crazy images. Sunday as you testified you encouraged all of us to come to the table and dwell together….to listen to God speak. I appreciate and am humbled to be on this journey with you.

Gene Cash- Most everyone I know in the brotherhood knows of you- you are a pillar in the communities of the Churches of Christ in the northwest. You have consistently modeled what being a Elder, a child of God, a husband and a parent looks like through many challenging times. I talked with Mark outside the hall at TLC and he said “My parents are amazing” the testimony of a child about their parents is profound. I will never forget the impact you made on me when you said “ I am not sure where this (PMC/Dwelling)is all going to end up” those words do not reflect a giving up attitude rather a seeker looking for the future… God’s future. Your testimony inspires a generation to keep looking for God. I appreciate and am humbled to be on this journey with you.

John Nissen- I am treated by a weekly visit with you- you are a gentle man who adores his wife and looks for personal transformation. You converted from a finance background to a deep longing to value the stranger in our midst. You are a grandfather to the children whose parents live far off. You are an active Dweller- you have allowed the Holy Spirit to transform your service. I marvel at the way you listen to scripture and the way you listen to others. There are 2 men in my life that I have said this about...you… are the second “ When I grow up I want to be like you”- I appreciate and am humbled to be on this journey with you.

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2009-12-11T11:15:00.000-08:00

A word of blessing

For our Dwelling filter at life group I asked this brave bunch to listen for a word of blessing... they heard

Devote
Service
Community
Choose
Spreading
Complaint
Became

The depth of listening behind these words reveals much about the listener …..it reflects upon the personal journey….the journey to look more like Jesus and less like themselves….to bring into focus a world that is hungry for Jesus

Peace to your house

larry

Friday’s Song

Give you Glory- Jeremy Camp

We have raised a thousand voices
Just to lift Your holy name
And we will raise thousands more
To sing of Your beauty in this place
Well none can even fathom
No not one define Your worth
As we marvel in Your presence
To the ends of the earth.

We give You glory,
Lifting up our hands and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart
Glory, lifting up our voice and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart

As we fall down before You
With our willing hearts we seek
In the greatness of Your glory
It's so hard to even speak
There is nothing we can offer
No nothing can repay
So we give You all our praises
And lift our voice to sing

We give You glory,
Lifting up our hands and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart
Glory, lifting up our voice and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart

Our hope is drenched in You
Our faith has been renewed
We trust in Your every word
Nothing else can even measure up to You.

We give You glory,
Lifting up our hands and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart
Glory, lifting up our voice and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart

Progression

2009-12-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

Regardless of how well they knew each other socially, they identified themselves by their heritage…by their geography… politically …oh…it’s them.…it’s them again.

Most problems that start here usually stay here. Divided in a religion that understood who is faithful….and who isn’t. Who has stayed true….to all the rules….all the correct ways of interpretation. Who is in....and who is out.

In some ways we should be able to identify with some of the characteristics of the early church…. The hushed conversations about who is a Christian and who isn’t sounds like Acts 6…It's us (Hellenists) ….and them (Hebrews) …For years we in the coC have not known what to call others who profess Jesus Christ as Lord …so we have called them by their political name instead of a unifying title…they are Presbyterians…or Baptists …we never called them Christians or Brothers. For our Acts 6 companions I doubt that this was the first disagreement….the road map to the complaint department was now known…take it to the twelve…let them decide. Yet the transformation is astounding… they enter as Greeks and Hebrews and are now co-joined as friends...brother and sisters. It’s as if the disciples were saying your widowed mother is my widowed mother… and the world watched and joined in….and the church grew even more.

The Holy Spirit is allowing us to see our neighbors as partners to participate in the kingdom message… to see where He is present…to start relationships…

Like the Hellenists we are going to have some complaints to deal with…Let's deal with these by conversation in the community…by leadership of men who are filled with the Spirit and by prayer. And like our narrative …I just bet the whole world is watching…. and the church will grow even more.

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2009-12-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

what if....

Acts 6:1-7 was a musical? what would be the songs to describe the moods? the feelings?

What say ye? these songs might be a place to start....hearing

peace to your house- larry

Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet
Your love is a mystery, how You gently lift me
When I am surrounded, Your love carries me

Chorus
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing

v2
Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising
All the joy that's growing deep inside of me
Every time I see You, all Your goodness shines through
And I can feel this God song, rising up in me

2000 Vineyard Songs (UK / Eire)
Words and Music by Brenton Brown and Brian Doerksen

and....

I sing a simple song of love
To my Savior, to my Jesus
I'm grateful for the things you've done
My loving Savior, my precious Jesus

My heart is glad that you've called me your own
There's no place I'd rather be

In your arms of love
In your arms of love
Holding me still
Holding me near
In your arms of love

Hey there

2009-12-02T19:12:00.000-08:00

I shared today with my Saturday morning brothers that last night I was on my way to write an encouraging note and I was interrupted quite pleasantly by my firstborn. Her Skype text that said simply “hey there” was an invitation for a visit…. We laughed and I listened to stories and even though I was driven to my p.c. to write I was so pleasantly distracted…She consumed my last bit of energy for the day and made it beautiful.
As a Church we don’t meet very often and when you miss a Sunday you miss…I love the relationships we have forged together and the absence just makes it seem like forever… the parallel in this is this. I think God does everything to get our attention…He paints the sky with incredible blues…he adds a dash of clouds and a horizon of mountains. He extends grace and mercy with arms that never grow tired…..His Word never goes out of date…out of style…or empty. His Holy Spirit travels by the name of Comforter. This practice of dwelling teaches us to listen to…and for God. To hear Him in the stranger…the coworker…the text of a friend. Much like Maria’s greeting to me last night I am reminded that God is breaking into our lives often with his “Hey there” message…I am growing better ears to hear because of your testimonies… in each new revelation God is breaking through with a message that reminds us of how awesome He truly is. Acts 6, 2 Cor 4 and Luke 10 are living stories that continue to guide us on our journey.
As a kid our next door neighbor was the son of the first Doctor in the county. Mr. Harlow told wonderful stories and often after mowing his yard or filling up his wood box he would share some gems of his rich history. As I sat in the Harlow’s home Evelyn his wife would listen intently to those yarns as if it were the first time she heard them…she never grew tired of listening…….Thank you Mrs. Harlow 45 years later your gentle presence still reminds me to never grow tired of listening.

Peace to your home

larry

Friday’s song

2009-11-27T06:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning as we were getting our Thanksgiving Day started Maria and Hannah were concluding theirs. The Americans at Chiang Mai met at a home and celebrated the day traditionally – food – games- and family. In context these are her words..
“ The whole missionary team met at Robert’s house and celebrated Thanksgiving- before we ate we each shared a thought….a reflection of which we are thankful for. I shared that even though I am half way around the world from my family I am here surrounded by those that love me and in the presence of the family of Christ. “

I still have a lump in my throat

Some of you might say “ Larry , you must be proud of your daughter….the growth in her spiritual walk” I am….but you need to be as well. If you left your imprint on her through a bible class…. Through a Youth group event…if you have been praying for her…share in this moment with Janet and I.

In the conversation with Maria we shared these thoughts- “How does anyone make it through life without Jesus?....How does anyone make it through life without the bride of Christ?... You see the Church is not a burden….it is a gift…The relationships I have in Christ are the richest I know….Thank you for sharing with me…thank you for leaving the image of Christ on my daughter.

I know this song is a repeat….

How beautiful – Twila Paris

How Beautiful the hands that served
The Wine and the Bread and the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty road and the hill to the cross
How Beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ

How Beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sins and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That choose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ

And as He lay down His life
We offer this sacrifice
That we will live just as He died
Willing to pay the price
Willing to pay the price

How Beautiful the radiant bride
Who waits for her Groom with His light in her eyes
How Beautiful when humble hearts give
The fruit of pure love so that others may live
How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body ofChrist

How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news and the love of the King
How Beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread and the sons of the Earth
How Beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ

Peace to your house

larry

A message from afar

2009-11-27T05:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Family!
I'm so excited to share with you my adventures in Thailand! First, I must thank you for helping me get here. I am entirely grateful for the financial support and your continued prayers. God is awesome and He is making me a better person. You helped make this trip possible and I am sincerely thankful.
I would start by telling you what a normal week looks like for me, but there is no such week! There are, however, a few things that have remained constant. Three times a week the interns meet for equipping. These sessions, so far, have consisted of studying spiritual disciplines. God has been so faithful in these sessions by blessing us with His insight. I know He is remolding both Hannah and myself to be stronger, more faithful women of His kingdom. Thursday nights our church host's a small group. It was my turn to cook a couple weeks ago, so I made Mexican food. Also, we are apart of a weekly bible study that takes place on friday nights. Sundays are long days of worship and fellowship. We gather at the church for service and bible class, which are both in Thai. After, almost everyone goes out to eat together. I love the time we spend eating and talking with each other. After lunch, we usually come back to the church and just hang out together. Everyone here has been so welcoming and gracious. The Thai people are beautiful and easy going.
One last experience I want to share with you. This past weekend Hannah and I were invited to help with an English camp for middle school students in Lampang, Thailand. We received a small amount of preparation, but we really didn't know what to expect. With very little sleep, we were gone for 2 days. I can honestly say it was some of the most fun I've had since I've been in Thailand. The kids were shy at times and very outgoing the rest of the time. We helped the students prepare and write news articles in English. They were all very bright and lovely! I wish the camp could have been longer. Because the camp was not affiliated with the church, I was able to see how, mostly buddhist kids, interacted with each other. The time I was able to observe them was spent mostly praying that they find Jesus. The Thai people, especially the kids, are gracious and respectful. I can only imagine how Jesus would change the heart of the Thai nation if they only knew Him. Family, God is in Thailand! I have felt Him here both in times of solitude and in worship with other Christians.
Please continue to pray for Hannah and I. I ask that specifically you pray for opportunities to share God's love. I am absolutely thrilled I listened to God when I was called to go. I challenge you to listen, to hear and to follow what He is calling you to do.

Peace to your house,

Maria McKinley

Friday's Song

2009-11-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

Not much to say...( just like the comments I get on this blog) The effect of Dwelling in the word has a deep impact on me especially when we are hearing those aha moments for the first time...Wednesday I was looking at Scott as He was twisting around the ideas in His head. I heard about a future where the activity of the Holy Spirit is unmistakable in our lives, where His imprint undeniable in our speech. This wonderful song seems to capture my mood. Enjoy this Friday's song

peace to your house

larry

Indescribable by Chris Tomlin

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

a penny for your thoughts

2009-11-17T19:13:00.000-08:00

We have often looked at Luke 10 language and identified baggage that we cannot carry forward as a sent people .....and I don't know if it's easier to look at that stuff we fuss and fume about or what...but here ( hear) lets start identifying what we carry in our hearts...forward

mercy

grace

forgiveness....and a thousand times again forgiveness

relationships that are founded in a common love of Jesus Christ

a church where scripture rules

where reading the bible is honored and deepens our understanding of the handiwork of God.

hope

music

peace

promises

What say ye? What do we take with us....( this is where you say______)

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2009-11-12T21:59:00.000-08:00

Wednesday in life group I asked our merry band to listen to what God is saying to us in the midst of lots of activity as Kara described it like a juggler spinning plates sometimes we have so much going on we are just a few orbits from disaster. We gain by asking others... we can learn much from listening to scripture and one another.

A couple of weeks back Jessica sent along this song and I present it to you now.

peace to your house- larry

Sanctus Real, Whatever you're doing:

It's time for healing time to move on
It's time to fix what's been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It's time to find my way to where I belong
There's a wave that's crashing over me
And all I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something Heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Reevaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow Your will
Or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is You want from me
I give everything I surrender...
To...

(Chorus)

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I've wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You're up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly

Whatever You're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something Heavenly
Something Heavenly

It's time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

sing with me

2009-11-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

I clearly have songs that routinely are part of my singing vocabulary... this song tonight is ingrained in me because it does everything I need in to do in a song (almost everything) now don't get me wrong I like a rousing chorus of if your happy and you know it clap/stomp/shout amen as much as the next VBS'r but this song puts my priorities in the right order...it keeps God on the throne in the center of the room..

I Exalt Thee - Pete Sanchez

For Thou O Lord art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
For Thou O Lord art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods

I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord

May this song be like a fresh breeze upon your heart, may the Lord heal you of your pain and may you live as a reconciled child of the King

peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2009-11-05T18:58:00.000-08:00

What really made my day last week was I got to hear from 2 fellow travelers. Fellow sojourners who demonstrate in their walk what Jesus is and what Jesus has done. I am pulling from Scott's list for this Friday's song.

Glorious... Newsboys

And if I sing out in the dark of night
Or praise You in the light of dawn
Hear my song and lift me on Your wings
And if I worship You in solitude
Or join a choir 10,000 strong
Hear my song ‘til all creation sings

Chorus
Glorious, shining so glorious
Though I stumble, though I fall
You remain glorious.
Towards Your light
I come running, I come running
Into Your arms
I come running, I come running.

You have searched me
You have known my heart
You’ve heard my every anxious thought
Hear my song, it’s all I have to bring
And though the battles come
This much is known:
The victory’s won by You alone
Hear my song, my Savior and my King

Singing
Repeat chorus

Every faithless mission
Every false ambition
Here, I lay them at Your feet
As in heaven, as on earth
I will ever sing Your worth
You alone make me complete

Repeat chorus 2 times

Towards Your light
I come running, I come running
Into Your arms
I come running, I come running.

peace to your house- larry

giving birth

2009-11-05T16:12:00.000-08:00

The birth of these visionary documents is quite humbling, what we have formed so far are drafts that are not much more than collected words, phrases, feelings of what we are and what we believe God is calling us into - His promised and preferred future. We have come to this intersection by………(here is the key)…..listening. I might be (I am) a little unfair to the work that these drafts represent….they are works of the heart and knees…. The hearts that we have offered to God to work in…to dream in…to speak to. It occurs to me we have the head instructions…do this…don’t do that ….don’t even think about it…. This is right ...this is wrong. The heart becomes the instrument…the address where we desire to see God to encounter His Kingdom at work…alive. And we have found that the way to these hearts are on our knees…bathed in prayer our hearts are conditioned for listening….awakened to grace our hearts are tuned to receive…..We find in prayer our audience has always been ready to receive and willing to participate…we find our audience has always been present …we find our audience larger than our capabilities and our imaginations.
Father , we desire to hear your future…to see with your creativity and possibilities…to not be blinded by our sin stains and failures…to not be limited by gravity or budgets or voices in our heads that say you can never do that. We are devoted to running in new fields and sharing the experience of fresh winds upon our hearts. We desire to not be a people known by the physical landscape ..by our impressive architecture rather that we are a people who live and breathe and are forgiven because of the spiritual architecture You are performing. May we see Your future today

In Jesus

Peace to your house

Anticipation

2009-11-04T14:06:00.001-08:00

Do your remember the Carly Simon song “Anticipation” not an ordinary backdrop for my life but it is the theme I hear lately.
Not all of the lyrics apply but reflect on this part

“Anticipation, anticipation
Is makin' me late
Is keepin' me waitin'

And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet and I don't know nature's ways
So I'll try and see into your eyes right now
And stay right here 'cause these are the good old days”

We have been working on these visionary documents … looking down the road in 5 years and Imagineering – Visioning what does God’s preferred future look like. Some of our visions are grand …we see ourselves in some ways much different than we are today. I think it would be prudent to look back 5 years and use the last 5 years as a benchmark of change to understand what the next 5 years could look like.

In the last 5 years….
We moved into our building
We joined up with other churches to participate in the Winter Housing Overflow
We started the PMC process
We started a relationship with Sunset Elementary that looks like a wildfire… We went asking questions and found that they are pursuing a partnership
We have listened to 3 scriptures for almost 3 years….and have not heard everything the words contain
On a personal note – I witness (weekly) the transformation of a finance guru to a hands on Ministry leader
Our Elders are transforming before our eyes… they are asking and reflecting on the work of the Holy Spirit
We are stretching beyond our borders and identifying ways to be united with the Christian community we are geographically connected to.

I am also anticipating other events that God is in control of…
Life group
Our next PMC cluster
To hear what is going on in the lives of fellow seekers…

Peace to your house

larry

Happy Anniversary

2009-11-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

Craig reminded us yesterday of the historic event today is the anniversary of...

November 2, 2006 in the Fireside Room.
Mark Love (along with Shannon Amburn from East County Church of Christ) met with five (5) of our current Elders, along with Bonnie and myself, to briefly describe PMC and to invite us into the Northwest PMC group which was forming. It would be in February of 2007 that we attended a "preliminary cluster" at the retreat center in Corbett and then actually began with Cluster #1 here at Vancouver in June 2007. Here we are, now ready for Cluster #8 ... once again at Vancouver.

So here is a reflective question for you to ponder and respond too

What is God up to here?

peace to your house
larry

Friday's Song

2009-10-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Early on in our Missional Journey training Mark Love infused our imagination with images of God's preferred and promised future. The words of this new imagination have been the backdrop for all of our work , because, the day of the Lord will be here...a day in which there are no wars...no hunger...no pride...no sin to separate..no sin to bind us from relationship with the Holy One...and we belong to that day.

There will be day- Jeremy Camp

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that trys to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel your walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting

I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing….

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day, He’ll wipe away the stains, He’ll wipe away the tears, He’ll wipe away the tears…..there will be a day.

peace to your house-larry

Go with it…

2009-10-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

Last night at our Steering Team meeting Brad led us brilliantly through dwelling by asking us to listen through all the noise. Brad shared about the chaos at work that was competing for his attention. When the surrender finally took place then the noise became a place for God to work…a place for His Holy Spirit to maneuver. No blowing the horn for retreat …but advance… come Holy Spirit.
So… tonight at small group we were blessed to hear testimony from the Martins – we are learning to be a transformed people...they are…we are learning to understand that we are sent…they live it… We talk Missional (you get the example) – Andrew spoke about the cultural differences they have learned since their stay in Fort Portal began and one of the phrases he used was “Dwelling in the Chaos”… they have had to learn to listen for God in the noise of an African/American life—wow ( clear my throat) WOW... God used that lens for us last night… So instead of resisting the theme we …. Went for it …we dwelt using this lens…of how to listen for God in the noise…better said “the chaos”. The Acts 6 narrative gives us insight to a chaotic opportunity …. People who don’t communicate well enough to share food are asked to identify seven men who are part of the chaos to find a solution…. no Dr Phil ….no Oprah….choose from among yourselves. Jessica heard that the solution has to be found by allowing the Holy Spirit into the noise…-that only a marvelous God and a present Holy Spirit resolves this calamity…
Wow ….can’t you see it….. the eyewitness to this problem were pleased and the bystanders were called into this new birth…The kingdom kept growing and those trained in conflict resolution ( the priests) became obedient as well… so tonight I have been encouraged by living examples …..Brad…Andrew Martin and Jessica . I find encouragement from the priests (new converts) from Acts 6….come Holy Spirit…come

Peace to your house

larry

What a collection..

2009-10-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

From a certain perspective it is kind of humorous to think how God arranges things. For the most part we all feel inadequate for the task- who are we to do this work?- who are we to participate in drafting a document that will be used as the vision for this church?. We haven’t said it but if my steering teammates are like me we have re-read our resumes and can find no such qualification….except one. I know that there will be a larger conversation that polishes the prose that refines the verbs and the nouns… but come on it starts… here? I see no degreed theologian at the table… no advanced studied scholar…I see no one who has experience in doing this kind of work… here we are trying to construct words that will inspire ministries to coexist …who do we think we are?

I wonder in Acts if Timon and Nicanor had some of these same kind of thoughts- if Stephen and Phillip went about saying are you sure..really? The only qualification we (ST) have is that we are appointed to the task… we have been prayed for and over…we agreed when our leaders called. And in many quiet conversations our community has agreed with our selection…maybe not wholeheartedly agreed with the process but a transformation starts with people learning to listen to each other.

So here we are…. The outcome of the Acts story was this community that was growing…continued to grow…that religious leaders who are used to a certain amount of conflict must have been amazed at this problem resolution process because they are climbing on board as well. So here we are… where do we start? .. If scripture is going to continue to guide us… if the Holy Spirit continues to blow wind in our sail….perhaps we start with that which was not worth neglecting… we start with prayer

Peace to your house

larry

tension

2009-10-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

It occurs to me… ( Scott Corley/Reynolds) we have been a people associated with a certain amount of tension. We (I am using this in a very personal sense) have professed to love Jesus ( and we do) and we confess our lives are lived in relationship with Jesus and His sent Holy Spirit but…..we have for the most part not been sure what to do with our neighbors who teach Jesus and come up with different theological conclusions. For many years I did not know what to call these people.. are they Christians? Do I acknowledge their love for Jesus? This theological quandary drew me to professing that only people who went to church where I did or if I really stretched shared the same sign on the street ..were true Christians .. .. This tension is unsettling.. and often is not captured in peaceful conversation among people who love each other.

Other areas of tension - for example

In VBS or children’s Bible hour we would teach our children to shout

WE LOVE JESUS YES WE DO- WE LOVE JESUS HOW BOUT YOU!!!!

Or when we sang

Stand up and shout if you love my Jesus! -- it was part of the song to STAND UP AND SHOUT IT !!!!!!

Yet in our worship services we would carefully consider our participation- clapping.. raising of our hands.. it was expected to remain joyous enough to sing and humble enough to not be noticed- from my perspective there is an embedded tension between these rivers of worship.

I said all of that to say (Mark Love) that it is normal for us to have a certain amount of tension as we are pulled from our pews ( if we build it they will come) to understanding that God has always called us to be missional. God has called us to share His good news- to be a sent people – to live our lives with a forwarding address not as residents of this world rather as ambassadors (missional) . Normal questions arise..What do we do with our belief system as we go forward in participating in relationship with our community? Do we instruct our neighbors when it appears they are in error? Again tension comes into play and I am drawn to conclude because we rarely talk without becoming divisive we are not necessarily trained to talk with our neighbors…. Herein is another beautiful reason to practice Dwelling in the Word… we listen to each other… critical enough to capture the image …yet free enough to listen without judgment.
All of this was prompted this morning when I heard this Jeremy Camp song titled “There Will be Day” listen to these words

“I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting “

I am encouraged this morning that the missional transformation is long and seems like we have been on our own…but have we? …really?- I’m not sure, but I think we should embrace the tension because that is where God can do his transformative work… sort of like tilling the soil – we are being prepared for His harvest.

Peace to your house- larry

grateful

2009-10-23T21:52:00.000-07:00

Father

I am grateful you know me so well that you recognize my shadow on summer sunset
I am grateful you know me so well that you acknowledge my weakness and provide strength
I am grateful you know me so well that before I knew who you are, you knew who I am
I am grateful you know me so well that you have never restricted access to your mercy
I am grateful you know me so well that you have always seen what I can become in you…not what I have not
I am grateful you know me so well that the people you have placed in my life reflect the very images of Christ I need to see and become.
I am grateful you know me so well that you gave me…. You

Friday's Song

2009-10-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

I've shared with you before my family is a singing family. When Michael was little he would try and sing the blues.. but he was not successful- how many blues could a 5 year old with his own Nintendo have?

Friday's song has been a favorite of mine for some time , Clay Crosse's vocals are strong and convincing, this is a great song for those cool nights with the top down on highway 14 east up the gorge..

For years in youth ministry one of my personal motivations was to lead teens in meaningful worship, I am convinced that if we teach our children how to surrender and find the Father through worship ..when they stray they will know the path home... they will recognize the landmarks taught to us through prayer... they will remember the sacrifice of a heart soaked in lyrics. God's word will lead us home... and like this song we are reminded...My place is with you.

My place is with you - Clay Crosse

I've walked along a hundred highways,
Some I wish I could forget.
And I've burned a lot of bridges,
But there's not one that I regret.
Cause every path I've taken,
They all have led me to knowing my place,
My place is with You.

I've had my promises forsaken
Into many empty words.
And I'm amazed and so astounded
That I won't get what I deserve.
Whatever lies I've lived for,
I have finally found the truth.
I know my place, my place is with You.

You are my treasure forever,
The one dream I've searched for.

I've not been given my tomorrow,
I'm only certain of today.
If I don't see another sunrise,
I will not have to be afraid.
I know we will be together,
when all my days are through.
I know my place, my place is with You

peace to your house- larry

remember when

2009-10-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

I remember almost every minute …. I can tell you with great conviction the sounds, the feelings the concerns we were going through..… I can tell you when we moved from room to room… I can still hear the beeping sound of the monitor.. Twenty years ago yesterday @ 12:22 Maria was born…

Janet had a wonderful pregnancy but a very difficult labor and delivery… and at 12:22 everything changed. We were now (gulp) parents…and as unprepared as I was..I was now a Father. I equally remember the events of both children, but Feb 13 @ 3:13 is another day…and another story.

I remember the story because becoming a parent changed everything for me… I want my daughter to know with certainty the profound change she has made in my life story… I want her to share with her children the same passion. I want Maria to know what life was like before and after she was born…prior to her birth I wrote Maria letters, and I annually remind her of these stories on this the anniversary date of her arrival.

It occurs to me… Acts 6 tells us a story in which seven men are identified by name. Scripture tells us more about Stephen and Phillip but on unrelated narratives. The rest of the men are not seen from again… so why are they mentioned? The story in Acts 6 appears to be over as quickly as it began, so why do we need to know their names? … We know the effect of this conflict changed the community and the priests…but why make it personal?.

We have learned that our God is active and calls people into His story…people we don’t expect .. but He does.. We are surprised at the relationship Sunset Elementary wants to have with us but what does our story look like from God’s vantage point? I imagine this- God is identifying the names of Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus because God is recording for all time the value they played in His story- God is giving us names to the faces of men who were full of the Spirit… wisdom and of good standing. God is announcing to the world the role these men have in the Kingdom.

Not everyone of us will be remembered by name in stories passed on from generation to generation, but we should..… let's learn from one another…let's share stories together… let’s lay hands on one another and remind each other the breath that we have in our being belongs to God, and we treasure our laps around the sun …together .

You see it was Mother's Day 2005, our family moved to Vancouver…and your involvement in our life story has changed everything…

Peace to your house

larry

Majesty...worship His Majesty

2009-10-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

Jack Hayford- Majesty

Majesty- worship His Majesty
Unto Jesus be all glory power and praise
Majesty- Kingdom authority
Flows from His thrown Unto His own His anthem raise

Have you ever studied the majesty out of Jesus?
Have you ever examined the word with the wrong motive so that your ears were blinded from hearing God’s drumbeat?
Where there was no longer any awe?

Sunday- we listened for God in our dwelling passage

We were introduced to a God that continues to teach- inspire and convert
We were introduced to seven men who received their commission from eyewitnesses of His majesty
We were introduced to a God who can do seemingly impossible actions (the whole community agrees)
We were introduced to a commitment that says whatever good we can do we cannot sacrifice (neglect) serving God’s word
We were introduced to hearts that did not let the conflict blind them from the joy of being together
and..
We are constantly reminded by God that his word is complete enough to tell us the story and at the same time allows us enough room to be filled with awe between the lines.

Majesty worship His majesty

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2009-10-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

This week has been a busy one-

Tuesday Janet had surgery to remove a lump... results from the Dr...no issues

I had a follow up Dr's appointment - more blood work --- results no issues with my heart (good news)

Maria and Hannah left for Thailand ... the morning of the trip they still did not have their passports with their visa....results passports in hand ...no issues

it seems appropriate

Living by Faith- James Wells

I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all of my worries are vain.

Refrain:
Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise,
Obscuring the brightness of life,
I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies—
The Master looks on at the strife.

I know that He safely will carry me through,
No matter what evils betide;
Why should I then care though the tempest may blow,
If Jesus walks close to my side.

Our Lord will return for His loved ones some day,
Our troubles will then all be o’er;
The Master so gently will lead us away,
Beyond that blest heavenly shore.

peace to your house

larry

breathe in....breathe out

2009-10-15T20:37:00.000-07:00

Love

Peace

Joy

Awesome

What is the word that brings a smile to your heart, that encourages your weakness… a word that smoothes out the highway of uneasiness…

Magnify

Beautiful

Sweetheart

Baby-doll ( I know not technically a single word)

Today… some 20 hours after Maria and Hannah passed through the security gates at PDX my precious daughter sent me an e-mail from the airport in Bangkok

Here is her message

“We are here in Bangkok! I'm soooo tired. It's almost 2 a.m here. We have like 4 hours to go before our flight to Chiang Mai. ..... The trip has been most uneventful so far. It doesn’t feel like we are anywhere but in a airport. I’m still very excited about Chiang Mai, just very tired. I love you all. –Maria”

I found today a new word of encouragement- 20 hours after we prayed and cried in the airport God delivered- a mountain of refreshment in this word “uneventful”…. I sat at my desk and choked back tears- what a beautiful word

Peace to your house

larry

p.s. Maria and Hannah have made it to Chiang Mai- they are safe and excited- She reports “God blessed us with a safe trip”

2 points

2009-10-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

#1

and Nicholas a proselyte of Antioch…

Not much is known about this man except his credentials and his residence. Like the others he was full of the Spirit and wisdom and a man of good standing but, what about the rest of his story.. his education…what hardships has he overcome?....what were his struggles? And the bible says_______________________.
Laurie triggered this listening, you see she heard that God is forward looking…its not the past it’s the future that God sees your role. This citizen of Antioch is now one of the seven selected by the community to serve. He is prayed for and his role serves to bring peace to the changing family. We know that for his participation the disciples continue growing (greatly) and even the priests are getting on board. Laurie reminded us that the resume that God writes for His children is in the future not the past…We sometimes struggle with this forward looking God…God, you know she did this….and he did that….God’s plan remains firm. A forward looking God reminds us that it is not where you come from but where I am sending you. That He can use our past for His future glory.

Wes reminded us that it was Antioch where they were first called Christians….wonder what role did Nicholas had in this? Hmm……

#2

Scott did an awesome job.

How you listened to God and wove His table of fellowship and covenant and Acts 6 together. How you reinforced the story of God’s desire for us into a gentle reminder that no one sits at a separate table based upon our status or abilities … we all sit at the table with Jesus. I appreciated the cadence in your voice and the spiritual travel you humbly walk. But, like the Renée Zellweger line in Jerry Maguire you had me when you called me “another bald brother and friend’. Like Acts 6, the relationship grew from they …to friend.

It was a beautiful day

Peace to your house

larry

Friday’s Song

2009-10-08T22:27:00.000-07:00

Are you ready to worship?

When it comes to talent I am the person who was standing in the food line when God was passing out talent…oops… none left. In my humble opinion some of you have collected more than your share. I have watched you… you are able to do things, build things… craft things. My wife is like this she is equally gifted at holding a sick persons hand and making art out of discarded glass. It is amazing to witness her do this so naturally and humbling at the same time because I know sometimes for Janet I am both the patient and the glass.

One of the distinct differences between music and other art forms (at least for me) is this…music when I offer it becomes mine.
I may not know or understand the author’s motives ….but when processed by my heart and spoken with my mouth and drowned in my tears the song… is mine. It is my offering…it becomes my worship to the object of my worship.
This Friday I want to offer two songs. Both are Third day songs, written by Mac Powell. When I shared this notion with Maria she asked if it was my intent…or was it indecisiveness. Herein is the motivation, the first song prepares me for the second… nothing clever…nothing more strategic than the second song reaches a different level when prepared by the first lyrics. My hope is that you join with me and own these words…personalize the praise..make it your gift.

Your Love O Lord- Words by Mac Powell, Music by Third day

Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide
I will lift my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of your wings

King of Glory - Words by Mac Powell, Music by Third day

Who is this King of Glory that pursues me with his love?
And haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken words
My conscience, a reminder of forgiveness that I need
Who is this King of Glory who offers it to me?

Who is this King of angels, O blessed Prince of Peace
Revealing things of Heaven and all its mysteries
My spirit¹s ever longing for His grace in which to stand
Who's this King of glory, Son of God and son of man?

His name is Jesus, precious Jesus
The Lord Almighty, the King of my heart
The King of glory

Who is this King of Glory with strength and majesty?
And wisdom beyond measure, the gracious King of kings
the Lord of Earth and Heaven, the Creator of all things
Who is this King of Glory, He's everything to me

The Lord of Earth and Heaven, the Creator of all things
He is the King of glory, He's everything to me

Peace to your house

larry

Word

2009-10-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

When we began our dwelling time last night I asked my teammates to listen for the word (words) that stand out to them and why. Knowing that Acts 6 is a gold mine of language, I anticipated that we would strongly connect with words like Holy Spirit, friends, community, and prayer. Tim shared the word he heard was “word”. His reflection reveals that God’s word is complete- we often ask one another for guidance for answers and God’s word is complete and waiting for us to explore. We seek self help remedies and self esteem recipes, and God reveals that His word is complete enough to navigate through life with. Perhaps our struggle is that we wrestle with trusting God-

Luke 10-
It is my harvest…go, Peace to your house is the key to unlock houses and the pin number for broken hearts. I will take care of you so leave all your stuff behind.

2 Corinthians 4
Perplexed?…..perfect, persecuted?…you are what I am looking for, forsaken?…but not struck down...not destroyed. We say, "I am not qualified, not refined." …He says, "Go like the clay jar that you are- it is my Holy Spirit that will strengthen you." Our sacrifice as flawed and imperfect as it is proclaims the beauty of God’s gospel, our testimony of being unqualified further announces to the world the trust that God has in us.

Acts 6
You have a problem- you might find yourself as part of the solution…. That God will appoint…not ask for volunteers… that challenges bring ministry opportunities…. That simply responding to God’s invitation facilitates the kingdom growing… that sometimes our leaders are the last ones to get on board.
The principles we learn from dwelling in the Word changes scripture from discovering what is right and what is wrong to what is it that you desire God?- what is the image that you are painting?- how do we behave and function together?—
Tim you are on to something “Word”

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2009-10-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

What did you do last Friday?
I was listening to this..

We'll sing until the whole world hears- Casting Crowns

Lord I want to feel your heart
and see the world through your eyes
I want to be your hands and feet
I want to live a life that leads

chorus
ready yourselves
ready yourselves
Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night
ready yourselves
ready yourselves
May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise
Until the whole world hears Lord we are calling out
Lifting up Your name for all to hear the sound
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out
as the day draws near
we'll sing until the whole world hears

Lord let your sleeping giant arise
Catch the demons by surprise
Holy nation sanctified
Let this be our battle cry

chorus

we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears

Want to be your hands and feet
Want to be a life that leads
To see you set the captive free
Until the whole world hears
and I pray that they will see more of you and less of me
Lord I want my life to be the song You sing
Until the whole world hears Lord we are calling out
Lifting your name up for all to hear the sound
Like voices in the wilderness we're crying out
as the day draws near
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears
we'll sing until the whole world hears

Peace to your house
larry

My people

2009-09-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

At Port Orchard our anthem song was “Family of God” here is a portion of the lyrics

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God
You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,
It's because we're a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

Our leaving that church was not an easy decision- it was hard because we were family- it was hard because there was no resolution to the conflict- It was hard because when you leave a church you just don’t leave your struggle you leave innocent bystanders.

I quit singing the Family of God song because it reminded me of the conflict..the difficulty. I would like to say the storm inside of me is quenched but Satan reminds me all too often and the realities of yesterday seem fresh anew.

Here is where my healing comes in

Last Friday – 11 of us braved our cultural differences and worshipped with strangers at the Casting Crowns concert- the depth of their lyrics reflect God in ways I want to live- and I did it with my people tucked neatly between Janet and Tammy, between the Wrights and the Corleys in the center of the Spiveys and Christina and Marcie.. there I was …with my people

Small group on Wednesday is not an inconvenient appointment- it is the highlight – I love hearing life’s reflections through them. I treasure the work the Holy Spirit is doing in them - We worship , pray , dwell, eat and laugh together.. …my people

Saturday mornings are filled this fall with men listening to God's word, sharing scripture and testimonies, forming relationships—laughing- praying- dwelling…my people

Lori- Laurie-Christina- Brad P, Tim, Bill, Brad D, Wes--- over the last two years we have prayed –encouraged–laughed –ate- dwelt and cried together. We have heard testimonies, shared complaints, been confused and filled with awe…each of us feel blessed to be invited and overwhelmed at the task.. we dream- listen and grow…my people

My family continues to grow- Maria is on her way to Thailand- Michael is finding his future and Janet is still my girl… I love the warehouse of memories we share …my people

The Acts 6 story reminds us that sharing life, sharing our resources, sharing our faith, sharing trust transforms our relationship… That the complaint is not an invitation to run away…but to run together… to form community. Scholars have pointed out that the seven men appointed to resolve the Hellenist food crisis were…Hellenists- the solution was found within themselves not by themselves but the Holy Spirit which comforts each one of us was living inside these seven in such a way that it was evident- it was identifiable… I can hear the echo of the widows…my people

Jesus prayed for us...(can you comprehend that?) John records Jesus’ words...

“‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” …. (LV) “my people”

Peace to your house
larry

Friday's Song

2009-09-24T22:15:00.000-07:00

At life group the other night Tammy spoke about the Lords Prayer- and her desire was to pray that prayer...but in her words...and then to live out that prayer... in her life. In our life group we are just really getting to know her and her three precious babies but I can safely say from our view you are walking the talk thank you for teaching us how to love Jesus in tough times. Your walk reminds us of the Holy One.

Tammy shared with me the Richland Hills web site , on one of the taped sermons Rick Atchley speaks on the Lords prayer and carefully reminds us how our attention has shifted from "Hallowed be thy name"... "to God I would sure like all the traffic lights to be green"....That we pray for relief from our current circumstances when Jesus reminds us that God needs to be glorified in our daily trials...After all, this is for His Glory. My mind has been running with this thought and if I was to rewrite the Lords prayer..in my words...for me I would have to use some of these lyrics

Wonderful Maker- Chris Tomlin

You spread out the skies over empty space
Said "let there be light"
Into a dark and formless world Your light
was born

You spread out Your arms over empty hearts
Said "let there be light"
Into a dark and hopeless world Your Son
was born

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent Your only son for You are good

What a wonderful Maker
What a wonderful Savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a Father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God

No eye has fully seen, how beautiful the cross
And we have only heard
The faintest whispers of how great You are

peace to your house

larry

Still learning

2009-09-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

The Acts 6 story reveals another story to learn from, By all accounts the Hebrews were a community that was used to living together.. sharing together- most of us would view their world as a closed community- if you were not born into it good luck getting a place in the potluck line.
At this juncture not much is know about the Hellenists except this community was now being drawn into relationship with the Hebrews so it is no longer a Hebrew or a Greek community it is a melting pot. A place where new traditions are formed, where status quo is challenged and where…a complaint has risen …not any ordinary complaint this is a life or death issue and the Greek widows don’t know the rules.
It is fascinating to imagine the conversations that must have taken place…. We know that the proposal to select men…full of the spirit and wisdom was the inspired choice but were there other options raised?
In my experience complaints have often been used as a fulcrum to divide and not seen as an invitation to ministry- the options were not to set up East Side and West Side First Century Christian Church rather in the newness of the relationship they sought for a solution to remain in community.
Our small little life group is not so small anymore- last night 29 adults and children ate- prayed and dwelt in the word together, building relationship and forming community . Scott passionately reminded me (us) that we have been letting our “numbers” get the best of us and we were neglecting the spiritual food we all hunger for, the joy that comes from hearing God speak through the stranger- the blessing it is to pray over and for a friend.. to participate in relationship to witness God’s community.
Jessica heard from the dwelling text that we are called to live Holy lives… together… to grow together…to share together. That this lifestyle, this community is to be lived out loud and it calls to people looking for and listening to the Holy Spirit- I counted at least 7 additional cars packing the street around the Corley’s home last night. With all this activity and post group conversation in the street and driveway someone in the neighborhood is bound to ask Scott or Kara “what the heck is going on over there?” … an invitation to ministry.

Peace to your house

larry

Where do I begin......

2009-09-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

Peace to your house

This message has become a staple in our home … we listened for it in the story in Luke 10 … we reflected in the images that God painted in hearts in our family room, and now this message of peace … this humble message adorns Maria’s postcard announcing her plans to serve as an intern at a Christian school in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
When Maria first shared this dream of serving in Thailand with us it was clear she had a solid fundamental understanding of what it was going to take spiritually and financially.
After prayer she decided to see how God was going to lead this expedition… what to do? Where to start?. Well, she would seek partners… partners who have loved her and cared for her. Partners who would pray…partners who would participate financially…partners who know that the experience of seeing Jesus in a foreign land would become the filter of her life. Partners who love Jesus …Partners who say, “I don’t know how, and I am not sure why, but I need to give you a gift.”
You see, Maria works at a local restaurant- making pizzas, taking orders, and delivering them.
…..and then the Holy Spirit began to make His presence known...

Here is the exchange..

“Hi ..there! (hands the woman her Visa slip) Can I have you sign and total please?”

“Hmm, I want to give you a good tip. What’s a good tip?”

“$2.00 is more than enough for me. You are just down the street.”

“No, what do you want?”

“$5… would be awesome!”…

“You’re lying! What do you want?..I need to give you a good tip... I want you to go out and buy yourself a new pair of shoes.… There is a higher power working through me to give you something.”

“Well…. If you would really like to help, I’m going to Thailand to work at a church for a couple of months. I’ve asked people to donate $15-20 to help me reach my goal.”

“Ok… I’m going to help...because Jesus said “help”

“Wow!..Thank you so much!”

She fumbles, with the paper as if uncertain about her decision… “I’m going to do it… I need to help you.” …She writes a figure…crosses it out….writes it in….crosses it out….I’ve got to do this…. “Ok”….writes it in “It’s the best I can do”…and hands Maria the paper.
Maria doesn’t even dare to look at the slip, she’s astonished. “I just witnessed the work of the Holy Spirit”. Through the shock she manages to say the words… “Peace to your house and God bless you!” and thanked her again.

“Please call me when you get to Thailand?”

I promise…

Maria walked down the stairs, crossed the street looked back to make sure this encounter was real. This new partner was calmly watching her leave. Starting the car she got the nerve to look at the receipt that revealed the tip….She looked back once more and exchanged a wave and drove away.

In the car, Maria realizes this wonderful new partner has just given her a $200.00 tip .A partner being led by something she didn’t understand and given to someone she didn’t know…for a journey on the other side of the globe.

All good stories have legs, this story has become the conversation of the workplace…it affected our morning worship assembly and now is yours to share…

You see this is His harvest and He is preparing those who go into His harvest with partners to share in the story…some of these partners are familiar faces , some Maria has known all her life...some since our journey intersected with Vancouver... and some....are brand new.

Peace to your house

larry

getting ready... Friday's Song

2009-09-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago after one of these Friday song entries ( Casting Crowns " Who Am I) a dear sister of mine shared that this reply

"I was not blessed with a good singing voice so I always sing softly. But...I have been known to sing, with every ounce of my being when this song comes on, at the top of my lungs. I can hardly get through it without it being accompanied by tears. It moves me to know that I AM HIS"

I couldn't agree more and at the same time disagree more. I think the voice you have is the one God wants you to have- Ike shared at Faith Quest that when we sing out loud when we know we are not blessed with the fundamentals of pitch and tone...and rhythm then we are offering our offering to God. Dear sister I love hearing your voice...and so does your Father...so get ready to sing again.

Last week at small group Kara said " does anyone want to go to the Casting Crowns concert? - so I don't know how many are but I am ...and so is my bride....and I am so ready.

Friday's Song- Lifesong
Casting Crowns

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
Now joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight
May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to you

Chorus:
Let my lifesong sing to you
Let my lifesong sing to you
I want to sign your name
To the end of this day
Lord led my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to you

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be your hands and feet
So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to you

Chorus

Hallelujah, Hallelujah let my lifesong sing to you
Hallelujah, Hallelujah let my lifesong sing to you
Hallelujah, Hallelujah let my lifesong sing to you

Chorus 2x

peace to your house

larry

What if...

2009-09-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

How do you describe? ….

The image of literally thousands of new believers all being together excited…sharing…

How do you explain?

The whole community coming together…and agreeing

A love that goes from east to west,

Where a complaint arises that does not divide…it unites… where Spirits are lifted and hands are laid upon weary hearts

And runs as deep as it is wide

Where sharing in relationship is the daily bread

You know all our hopes..

Where leaders- our community- and those with a complaint all listen to each other… where what God is calling us into is the central question..

You know all our fears

That we just might be so busy with ourselves… that we fail to listen… we miss the joy of the Holy Spirit we fail to act upon the Spirit’s invitation.

And words cannot express what we long for you to hear.

Father- you bless us with purpose and partners, You provide new and deeper clarity through your word- you sustain us with your Holy Spirit. You provide hope-grace-love-mercy in abundance. It is our desire to worship honestly and faithfully… this is our desire. You see and understand what we cannot say… what our limited language skills cannot construct.. You translate the images of our hearts into spiritual language that You understand.. our rest..our peace…our salvation..our future is not found in the good works of man…it is found only in You.

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2009-09-11T09:51:00.001-07:00

This song was introduced to us at Faith Quest. It has beautiful strong lyrics. I can personally testify since my home office is next door to the shared upstairs bathroom (and shower) my son has verbally endorsed this as Friday's song.

Your Name - Paul Baloche

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire song of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart and glorify Your Name

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name

Jesus, in your name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
And give us strength to live for You and glorify You name

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your name (3x)

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Peace to your house

larry

reflections

2009-09-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

Wednesday at our life group we had our first post faith quest dwelling experience. I asked our brave band of listeners to hear what God is speaking to us about community. To see the images God is painting…seeking a future where what God desires is our desire… I was blown away.

I heard Kara share that the Kingdom grows because of the unity of the body..working together..meeting needs..listening …sharing…crossing boundaries where we have placed borders. The impact of this Spirit led direction converts the priests.. it changes those who have the responsibility of leading us. In fact the Holy Spirit directs the physician (Luke) to identify this tidbit as part of the narrative.
I think we have more to explore using this lens.. In this PMC process we have had challenges getting our people on board. Some still say “ what is dwelling all about?” shouldn’t we be listening to all scripture? Absolutely we should. The spiritual event of deep listening draws us into community into deeper relationship. Perhaps our continued participation in this narrative is that the acknowledgment of the working of the Holy Spirit at Vancouver even converted ______ and ______. Hmmm

Elana shared this listening from the middle of the text “, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.”
Nicolas was a covert to Judaism and is included in the story. At Faith Quest we had two of ours share their conversion story with all of us. These are stories that were not ours to hear a year ago but today we rejoice. The long range deep impact of their testimony will not be easily measured but it is felt.. it is clear who reigns. Here is the sum of the journey Jesus changes lives. Reflecting on Elana’s listening asks the question “who else is waiting for admission to the story?…who else wants to serve? … who else has a testimony of grace?. Elena reminded us to keep looking for and listening to those who are being led by the Holy Spirit so they can be included in this great story of mercy.

Peace to your house

larry

It's early but it will have to count

2009-09-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

With Faith Quest this weekend I am concerned that time will slip away and I won't be able to share with you this gem.... this Friday's song gem.

Last week was awful for me ... not all of it just most of it..and the part that was awful was so infecting it made the good stuff difficult to see and appreciate. The worst part was it was awful because of me.. I overreacted... I took something personal..I was miserable..the enemy was wearing the clothes of a companion at work and the email darts were like poison ... I was in over my head.. I hurt ...and I was hurting everyone around me.

and then came Jesus.

I prayed for a washing of His presence...I received an ocean
I prayed for His touch...He carried me
I asked for a renewed heart...He gave me this song

I dare you ( double dog dare) to watch this video and not be affected.

Jesus- thank you for your grace- thank you for your hands and feet- thank you for the constant rescue...the constant salvation...the presence of forgiveness.

Friday's Song

Who Am I - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
I am yours..
I am yours..

peace to your house- larry

definitely a ramble

2009-08-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

A lot of this blog has focused on the listening's I have gleamed from you...It's what I hear from you on Sunday's....Wednesdays...at the store...at work..on the news..in song. I am listening for the language between the words that describes what is important to you...what inspires you..what troubles you and how you see the hand of God at work.
I believe in a relationship we need to listen to more than our words to hear what we are saying...and by contrast what we are not saying. I guess that is why Dwelling appeals to me, it allows us to speak freely, to dream with color...to share in pieces.. to grow by reflecting what each of us is hearing.. in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church He writes "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face." When we dwell in a spiritual love relationship we only have a glimpse... a reflection of what it is going to be like... we listen like the reflection what we see is the best we can...until we can see face to face. Its not doctrine...its not always right..its peering in the mirror and sharing what it is we see.

peace to your house

larry

What you say when you don't know what to say

2009-08-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Marvel

Amazed

Imaginative

Inspired

Stunning

Wonderful

Breath taking

In the 1964 Disney movie Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke sang “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” in the musical Mary Poppins . Disney would define this word’s meaning as "what you say when you don't know what to say"

You see I had asked Laurie to lead us in DITW… but what she did was surrender and let the Holy Spirit lead us… I came into evening feeling like I understood how to dwell…how to listen …. and then…..you began to reflect and soon I felt like a finger painting in the Louvre not like I was out of place , but I was out of my league.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Peace to your house

larry

Friday's Song

2009-08-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

When we moved into our home my son chose the bedroom that borders our bathroom /closet. This close proximity has severely curtailed the "normal" shower song list and performance levels of which I am accustomed to. This morning as I was wiping the cob webs out of another nights slumber this song came to me and demanded that I shout it out. I respected my sons sleep- but for the people traveling south on 164th this morning you got all I had.- Peace to your house larry

Beautiful One- Jeremy Camp

Wonderful, so wonderful
Is your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen no ear has heard
No heart could fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are.

Beautiful one I love
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.

Powerful so powerful
Your glory fills the skies
Your mighty works displayed for all to see (beautiful)
The beauty of your majesty
Awakes my heart to see
How marvelous how wonderful you are.

Beautiful one I love
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing
Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.

You opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as you (Jesus)
You opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as you.

Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing
Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing.

And you opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on earth is as beautiful as you.

My soul, my soul must sing,
My soul, my soul must sing,
My soul, my soul must sing,
Beautiful One

Friday's Song

2009-08-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

In this blog I have shared some of my life experiences I have enjoyed from Dwelling in the Word. This practice of listening to God as He speaks to us has been one of the most significant spiritual exercises I have ever…ever.. participated in. I look forward to hearing from those who are listening, I am often amazed at the clarity and conviction in your voice, and I am humbled when you will share when the image is not clear and yet you jump in anyway.

I shared one time with you that I am a big fan of chapters that start off with the word therefore.. like Romans 8…Hebrews 12 . So here goes another “opportunity” this time from the NRLV “Therefore in view of God’s mercy …in view of partnering together with our neighbors, friends… in view of the relationships formed in the library on Sunday, in my family room on Wednesday and every other Tuesday in the round table room”. I present to you Friday ‘s song to be used as the backdrop for Dwelling in the Word “ Word of God Speak” by Mercy Me

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

[REPEAT CHORUS 2x]

I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay

Peace to your house- larry

Friday's Song

2009-08-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

classic & beautiful

I love to sing and as I post these songs I imagine your quiet moments with God filled with these melodies. Sing this one as if you wrote it...

Breathe- Michael W.Smith

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I I'm desperate for you
And I I'm I'm lost without you

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
this is my daily bread
your very word spoken to me

And I'm, I'm desperate for you
And I'm, I'm lost without you

And I'm desperate for you
And I'm, I'm lost without you.

I'm lost without you.

I'm lost without you.

I'm desperate for you.

I'm desperate for you..

I'm lost, I'm lost, I'm lost without you..
I'm lost without you

I'm desperate for you

peace to your house

larry

persistent

2009-08-05T19:02:00.000-07:00

persistant....memorable..repeated

two weeks ago my bride and I attended our neighborhood church, a place where we have relationship a place where we share a passion and a place where we share our daughter. In our worship I was wonderfully reminded how much I love singing with my children. As a family we used to sing together all the time, now as time and our lives have become a little more complicated we often are not in the same place at the same time ..I miss it and I know that they do as well. The persistent memory from that night is this

Geoff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman

How do you explain,
How do you describe,
A love that goes from east to west,
And runs and deep as it is wide?

You know all our hopes
Lord, you know all our fears
And words cannot express the love we feel
But we long for You to hear

Chorus:
So listen to our hearts (oh, Lord, please listen)
Hear our spirits sing (and hear us sing)
A song of praise that flows (a simple song of praise)
From those You have redeemed (from those You have redeemed)
We will use the words we know
To tell You what an awesome God You are
But words are not enough
To tell You of our love
So listen to our hearts

wow... really a God that would listen so carefully to us that He has sent His Spirit to interpret for us... to put into God's language what we cannot say... what is beyond our vocabulary...the very cadence of our soul... He listens to.

Verse 2:
If words could fall like rain
From these lips of mine
And if I had a thousand years
I would still run out of time

So if You listen to my heart
Every beat would say,
“Thank You for the Life, thank You for the Truth, thank You for the Way.”

so in view of this persistent song rattling around in me...the drumbeat of "What is God up to here? stirs my quiet moments...I think dwelling in God's word is the least we can do..to listen carefully...to recall..to share ..to participate in listening beyond the words..

so listen to our heart

Peace to your Home

larry

Fridays Song

2009-07-30T20:42:00.001-07:00

Reflections ...like ripples in the pond each one an image of the previous...not exactly the same... similar in nature but each ripple goes boldly a little further than the predecessor. Each new ripple is dependent upon a courageous first splash a bold leap...

Where will plunging and dwelling take us?... to new shores and new boundaries but we are a ripple on the backs of giants before us. Next time you see one of our giants at the church building thank them for being brave. Thank them for leaping. We dwell each Sunday in a library with a picture of a giant of the VCOC congregation..We dream, we share, we listen in his wake.

Because of God's grace and the influence of the Holy Spirit reflected in your lives.. Fridays Song "O Praise Him" by the David Crowder band

Turn your ear
To Heaven and hear
The noise inside
The sound of angels awe
The sound of angels songs
And all this for a King
We could join and sing
'All to Christ our King!'

How constant
How divine
This love of ours will rise
Oh, how constant
How divine
This song of ours will rise
Will rise...

CHORUS:
Ohh praise Him!
Ohh praise Him!
He is Holy!
He is Holy!

Turn your gaze
To Heaven and raise
A joyous noise
Oh the sound of salvation come
The sound of rescued ones
And all this for a king
Angels join to sing
'All for Christ our King!'

CHORUS {x2}

Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la... laaa laa laa laaa!

CHORUS

How infinite and sweet
This love so rescuing
Oh how infinitely sweet
This great love that has redeemed
As one, we sing...

OUTRO:
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah
He is Holy,
He is Holy

OUTRO

CHORUS

Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la... laaa laa laa laaa!

OUTRO

CHORUS

Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la la..
Oh la la la la la... laaa laa laa laaa laa!

peace to your house

larry

Fridays song

2009-07-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

For years I remember singing this song at youth events and the occasional church campfire- I always thought the song meant us ( that’s us in the coC)
that we … are one in the Spirit
we… are one in the Lord
and we… pray that all unity may one day be restored.
The unity that I imagined was for the fractured divisions within the coC to be healed, that we would renounce the age old arguments that seem to divide and conquer our theology our family our unity.
Then came Tuesday…and the start of VBS and as I started leading this song during the Extollo (praise) session I heard the song through Luke 10… and the We…grew. The narrative in Luke reminds us that it is the Lord’s harvest ….. that we initially engage people with the token of peace that we participate in relationship and hospitality. We acknowledge through the text that all around us are partners actively participating in the work of the Spirit..

You can hear this song in the background of plunging at the local school

We are one in the Spirit we are one in the Lord

When one of my favorite (DITW) partners transforms from leading a finance ministry to a greeting ministry

And the drumbeat of “We are one in the Spirit we are one in the Lord” is heard in the heartbeat of this transformation.

What say ye? Who is the we in your life?

Friday’s song- We are one in the Spirit by Peter Scholte

We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each man's dignity
And save each man's pride.

Chorus

We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each man's dignity
And save each man's pride.

Chorus

-3-
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the News
that God is in our land.

Chorus
And they'll know we are Christians by our love,
By our Love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love

Peace to your house

larry