AMAZING WEEKEND

 

What an amazing weekend this was. I don’t think I’ve had so much back-to-back stuff going on before and enjoyed it all so much.

 

On Saturday morning Wendy and I hosted our Second Annual “KID’S CLUB” in our den with our two boys and a couple of the neighborhood kids.

We sang songs, played games, and talked about how Jesus commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Next week we’ll talk about how we’re also called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

 

Saturday night we hosted the very first local House Church Leader’s meeting in our home. We had one couple from Bellflower, and one leader from Cypress, and one potential leader from Fullerton join us for pizza and some really amazing and encouraging share time. We all agreed to do it again next month and to continue inviting other house church leaders to join us. We talked about how God had called each of us to step into the House Church, and shared our testimonies over lemon cookies and good coffee. Next time we want to talk about how we can help new house church leaders understand how to go about starting and leading a house church, but at the same time, to avoid a “This is how it’s done” set of “Right Way” instructions. One thing I think we all love about House Church is the fact that it’s truly Organic. There is no right way or perfect way to do house church. In fact, no one ever seems to do it just exactly the same as anyone else…and I love that! In fact, I think it would be tragic if anyone took The Mission model and tried to duplicate it exactly in their own home. I honestly believe it would kill any sense of spontaneity or individuality in the group. Every group is different. Every leader is different. So, next time we want to discuss the best way to provide guidelines without turning it into a set of step-by-step instructions.

 

On Sunday morning we probably one of our best house church meetings ever. My son, Dylan (11), read from 2 Chronicles and our entire discussion for the morning flowed from that one chapter. We ended up sharing about God’s heart for the poor, and discussed the mystery of healing and miracles, and even had time to weep together and encourage one of our sisters in Christ who is loosing a dear friend to cancer. That’s Church my friends!

 

Last night we ran over to The Wright’s house for dinner and some very encouraging discussions ensued about how we can really build a stronger, and deeper, sense of community within our house church. It was amazing for me to find out that they had been wrestling over these issues and wanted to become more invested in the leadership of the Mission. What a blessing!!

 

This morning one of our dear Mission family’s, The Pannell’s, left for Ecuador for a six week missions trip. They’ve got a blog which I’ve linked off of our Mission House Church page. How exciting it is to send out our first Missionaries from The Mission! I have to admit we really had very little to do with this, other than to pray for them and to encourage them to take the steps that The Father has already laid out in front of them. But, still…what an awesome thing it is to see so many of our Mission Family discovering their own Mission Field and stepping into it like this!

 

So, as I think about what God might have in store for us, our family, our house church, our ministry, etc., I am very encouraged by what I’ve seen and experienced these last two days.

 

I am even more encouraged to pray for God’s blessing and direction as we continue to minister and to worship and seek Jesus in this way. I know I have never in my life enjoyed following Jesus than I do right now.

 

God is good.

 

Peace,

Keith