Atomic Church

1 Corinthians 12:12-31
The body has many parts! The church also should have many parts, but these parts must work in unison. It is an imperative that these parts not consist of one person, but the church must learn to exist on the "atomic" level; wherein, the flesh of ministry--that which is seen--is perhaps viewed as a small group or team effort which in fact is dependant on other functions of the church taking a positive role in the effort of sustainability. The hand of the church cannot perform outreach if the arm is not mobile; the feet cannot carry the gospel if the legs do not bend; the mouth cannot proclaim grace if lungs have no air; and all of these are incapable of any duty if the heart and head have not wanted and worked together to discipline and motivate each cell, each atom to work in accordance with thier design. If the church does not realise the need for this coordinated effort then she is certain to fail in each and every attempt she makes to please her betrothed, for He sees the the soul of His bride and knows when sincerity exist and when motions are the only effort she portrays. It is our duty, church, to live a life according to every scripture, to every gift, to every work and to every purpose for which He calls to His beloved. Arise! Take up your charge and follow after Him, the one who is worthy to be honored. We are one, we are His.

Entertaining enlightenment

Above the dark yet well lit life of this terrestrial consciousness we imagine that we are better off for having attained a position that can prove our intellect; while there still exists those who have not run our course yet achieve greater than we ever aspire to reach. Humility surrounds the scholar, the prophet, and the philosopher while the achievers gloat in the prominence of their community never turning their heads to the common state of life, for we are all one creation and must all perform in some way the same tasks. Continually we use a belief system to boost our self respect claiming that our current state is "God's will". God's will is for us to reach beyond our current or aspired state to the realisation of His perfected love that His provision is not class based, that the pauper is endowed by this creator with the bejeweled crown of the highest of earthly kings; while the best our highest king dons is nothing more than a worn out shop towel to He who is the final and only judge in these matters. Yet, we are held back because of our belief in the systems of this world and weighted don by the customs taught by our class system; the hopes of achievement are dashed against the rocks of shame and fear for failures experienced and conceptualised by the common man. I am here. I am with you.

Waking Moments 1

The sun spilled with autumnal brilliance through the freshly washed window as the morning began at the end of the dream in the life that so many people wish were their own, yet I had been blessed with the ability to actually live. Life had not always been this bed of roses though, and I knew somewhere down inside that living in this paradise would not or could not last forever.
Cilver lay beside me still as if dead, covering her face with the comforter so as not to allow any ray of light to disturb the bliss of a morning’s moment. There we lay caught between the dream world and reality, yet anymore we could not differentiate what we dreamed from what was true. Six years now this life had been our experience, but last night I dreamed what I thought could possibly be reality.
Leaning over to wake Cilver I noticed a scar on her left shoulder that I was positive had not been there before. My mind raced back to what I thought only a glitch in my perfect dream state and now I questioned whether reality was truly where I was waking. Turning away from her I crept into the lavatory to peer into the mirror…just to be sure. Hazily groping for the switch, flicking it upward the lights flashed for a second the room then returned to the dimly lit void it was before. Something did catch my attention as the six bulbs simultaneously concluded their purpose. It was a disfigured face in the mirror, strangely familiar, yet distinguished from the one I knew from last night.

Ready to go

Ezra, when things fell in to an awesome way for him was certain of one thing- he was ready to go. in Ezra 7:28 (Message) it states, "my God was on my side and I was ready to go. And I organized all the leaders of Israel to go with me." Recently challenged to read and write again I have fallen into an ideal situation where the situations that have bound me to certain hours and days of service are eliminated now all that remains is to go. It is my prayer that I feel the direction in which God is chiding and calling me.

UBER

These days are the days of uber uberment. People write that they are uber-excited, uber-ecststic, uber-delighted. This idiomatic prefix is beginning to bore me. especially when I am consistently confronted with it by people with the claim of personal originality. Fad following fellows fostering fragmented follies. I jest at the uber-coolness it must be in certain circles to glom on to a catch phrase and claim it as one's own. These phrases so totally awesome and wicked for sure are radical and to the max that one can no way talk to the hand thinking outside the box following seven habits with purpose till they are in denial over any fatigue of originality and crash realizing they are not the sharpest tool in the shed. Of course, that is just my opinion of the use of the newest vernacular fad as I try to remain uber-original.

సౌల్ beautiful

Waiting strangely twisted emotional
Love completely capture me
Walking listening fainter cries
What this feeling makes complete
And I know
The beauty in her soul

Stunning calmly conversation ending
Words with meaning fill my head
Restless dreaming through the night
Renting sheets upon this bed
I feel her
The beauty in her soul

Anticipating waiting silent debating
Frustrated at what life has become
Unending mortal supernatured
Trying to put this lust to rest
Still I need
The beauty of her soul

Lucid love affair of endless matter
Hearts joined yet uncomfortable
We could make this love so happy
Still jealously in discontent
Can you see me
Any beauty in this soul

Dormat souls ready for spring

This prayer is for you it is a revelation of the resurrection given to me by God this week may it bless you as you consider His work within all unseen things.
May The LORD bless you today in all that is done, in every word that flows from your heart and in every word that penetrates your soul. May you be reminded of the beauty of the Fall yet never be discouraged by the work brought on by Spring lest ye become as dormant as winter wood that seems to never bud, so that you may flower when God changes the weather in your life. Be reminded that inside that dormant vessel, sometimes 'neath mounds of snow God's metamorphosis is taking place...is taking place for the Harvest!

front porch of my soul

I cannot get inside why I have not seen the rage nor have I felt this pain outside no love that stays in vain inside the place I cannot reside. And suddenly the darkness rises all the pain in wetness lies still waiting for the door to open I remain outside. Who is this I long to question who is the owner of the residence who cauterizes me from wisdom as I am kept outside. There is no further in my pursuing to deeper quest for what abides no more I long to see the madman who waits for me inside. I have too long awaited anger and love has left my side I grope for relief from this wager while still entrapped outside. What does the soul have in the center while thoughts and dreams show their demeanor what answer is there no one wonders while we all remain in superficial existential artificial lives. Still struggling on the doorstep to my soul awaiting all that never takes hold offering some insight to others reaching goals alone and waiting I wallow in lack of my control. Having not the power to lose the simple plot I die within my diligence and delight within my plight

prayer blessings

A granting of Blessings

Drawing near to God is a life-long endeavor that should at no time be conducted without the realization that through prayer this is made possible. Often when Christians are overwhelmed by the burdens of this world their thoughts end up with a realization that a drawing near to God is what is needed in their life, yet they struggle with depression, doubt and fear that this burden of “acceptable” sin in life will somehow keep them from a closer relationship with God. A misconception of the nature of God and sin is that God cannot tolerate sin. Quite the opposite is closer to the truth—sin cannot tolerate God. Sin runs from God trying to drag His creation with it, but there is no escaping the presence of God. This is where the struggle of man’s existence truly dwells. God is light and sin is trying to hide within the shadows from His presence, but from the presence of God there is no escape and only when we stand and face God with our sin in hand does He fully address our sin and alleviate it. This is the blessing of prayer.
It is within the act of prayer that we stand before God examining our sinful nature and expelling the individual sin while gaining understanding of the cause and affect of sin. Too often one attempts to shrug sin off and leave it in the shadows while conversing with God only to return from prayer to sin. The dog returns to its vomit time and time again. This is why so many spiritual retreats wear off so quickly after they are done. A few months go by and all that is heard is how much a return to that setting of prayer is needed. We treat sin as a pet that is tended to by our neighbors or coworkers in our absence—once returned from the retreat we may try to train sin to behave better in our lives, but the truth is we should have taken it with us and let the vet put it down. Sin is the portion of our old self that is dying within us while destroying us.
Prayer is our defense! Accountability in prayer is our most valuable asset. Now not only are we to stand before God and be purged of sin by His power, we are to stand before our brothers and sisters and recall what blessings God has granted us in His presence. These times of confession and relief are to be open and confidential yet liberating. There should be no hindrance in prayer, no holding back in our accountability. Casting off fully what we once were and putting on a new righteousness that is not of self but of community. This is the full completion of Kononia-fellowship with a purpose. We are to be before God with every burden, knowing well that Christ has made this possible and the Holy Spirit has led us to the throne. The aspects of God combined to the Shema-HEAR there is only one God and we are His people! This is the call that we are to go boldly into the light of His presence, allowing Him to purify what we cannot do apart from Him. That we are to return to this world with the cleansing of God and, continuing in our confession, proclaim what God has done for us—This is the Blessing of Prayer.

maturing prayer

The task of prayer

Prayer is the key to a healthy spiritual life. It matters not what religious faith one is a part of or what ones faith calls the act of discourse with their central figure, the communication through various means remains the focal point of spiritual interaction. The Christian faith emphasizes a strong need for developing a stronger life of prayer. A common cliché states, “Do your best, let God take care of the rest.” This cliché misses the call of how Christ aims to develop the lives of His followers. The concept of doing better is sometimes overlooked by our English class’s teaching that the definite top notch is best; however, we will never achieve our best if we are convinced that we are already there. The challenge before us is to do better than we have ever done—while this does not mean we accomplish the best, it does insist that we are trying to outdo what we were previously able to accomplish.
Just as communication between two people matures, so should communication with our creator. The words we use with close friends are not the words we speak with a child; the words we speak in presentation of business are specific to the corporate world; the dialogue in the courtroom is specific to the matters at hand. With these things in mind our prayer life should be at times the discussion of a child, a friend, a petition, and a presentation.
A child is heartfelt one way communication. A child rarely has time or an attention span to wait and listen to the answer. Children rarely understand the answer even when thoroughly explained. Much the same a basic prayer life that does not develop past the pleas and yearnings of a child is very one sided. One may often approach the throne of God the Father with this mindset without understanding the Father’s answer to whatever request we make of Him.
As the Christian develops a meaningful relationship with Christ, the prayer life tends to open up to a listening interactive discussion. Fellowship with other “like-minded” Christians becomes part of the “norm” of a blossoming Christian’s existence. The seeking experience is no longer for personal gain, but for personal growth and understanding. This friendship with Christ is becoming part of His family, associating with His friends and followers. The Christian at this point develops ears to hear the will of God through prayer, fellowship and study of the scriptures. This stage is the most powerful stage in Christianity, it is at this stage that Christians change and are able to be molded into useful instruments for the Kingdom. These prayers are mostly confidential calls to the position of Christ as friend requesting assistance in understanding the will of God.
The next type of relational prayer comes as the Christian enters into a ministry and aims to set goals for that venture. This is a petition relationship. The Christian in personal time may still share the friendship with God, but here in the devotion to see the current ministry develop, the prayer is seeking God’s specific will through the revelation of success. The Christian studies now with a purpose for the specific ministry while drawing closer to God, yet at times sectioning off from other fellowships within the church. This is the petition to the creator style prayer that recognizes God’s power in the relationship to transform the surroundings as well as the internal condition of the Christian.
The final style of prayer here is the presentation prayer. This is a corporate prayer addressing the will of the people of God in accordance with the will of God. This is a pastor’s prayer. This prayer is done with great humility and struggle as it comes as the formality of all types of prayer, while maintaining the heart of an individual prayer. This prayer is the prayer which is so well thought out that the verbiage seems too extravagant to be being spoken by a human tongue. The Christian in this prayer is often moved to tears for this prayer not only is the base of each Christian’s desire, but in it the heart of God is felt to be moved. The culmination of all needs for each ministry and individual are raised up as if each desire were from God and now were returned to Him that they may be fulfilled. It is in this prayer at the fullness of Christian life that God is the focal point, brothers and sisters in Christ are the petition and self is simply enjoying the pleasure of belonging to this great organism called the Church.
Which prayer is the best? The scriptures tell of us many different ways in which communication to God is made, but the New Testament teachings are probably the answer to the best way to pray—we are to pray in all ways at all times with all sorts of prayers; even as a pastor, one should continue to approach the Father, as an unfinished Christian on should be close to the friend in Jesus, and as a friend one should not be discouraged from requesting the help of the Master. Pray then in this way.

What now

What now should be done at this the turning point of creation into uncreation. What was once a perfect place has come full circle into what must now be transformed into that which cannot be perfect but must exist without perfection or imperfection. Nothing ugly can ever be nor can that which is beautiful. No segregation or congregation in this new form we share. Dead to life and alive to to finaly live. no waking moments or tiresome spans. No time and yet all time, nothing lost, nothing gained, nothing proud and nothing shamed. The most beautiful nothings concieved or contrived the most beautiful nothing imagined. all we know is now unknown all these truths are disproved and we are relieved...not because of some inability to stand behind them, but relieved that they are no longer only truths as the truth blossoms into fact it no longer resembles what it once was, the same is with any seed it exists to become something greater. The longing for that thing is immense and unsatisfied while it remains a mere truth but when it is fact and fortified it fulfills beyond satisfaction.

Knowlege

A problem perplexes me when considering responses to my writings. A difference does not seem clearly made between my personal convictions and my ecumenical beliefs. My positions on the church are separate from my views of personal understanding. What I question may be widely accepted doctrine at times also what I see as undeniable fact may be found by the church to be questionable. This is not an isolated situation, for many who believe have within them the reasoning over the Word.
God has given reason to us which is why I find it at times unacceptable that reason is not used. Instead of reason what is too often found in this world is passion. What is stunning is that passion is often more respected than reason. People passionate to prove or disprove the existence of God have thrown reason out of the argument, for when reason enters one must pursue knowledge...diligently prepare for the battle ahead, not flailing off into the night with a personal flashlight, but waiting for the created sun and preparing for the dawn.
Parting are the thoughts of a savior who has completed the curse of the tree of knowledge and now stands in full view of paradise beckoning to all to eat the fruit is good the price is paid for it and the banquet can begin.

Pressing on

What then is our goal? What is it that we should be striving to obtain? Is there truly something better than what has already been given to us? THeses things I ponder as I consider the gift which Christ gave me. Am I not already bound for eternal peace? Yes, the answer is not what else can I earn from Christ, but what more can I do for Him. I need no more reward than what He has already given to me. I am content with the challenges over which He controls my victories. I sometimes get disgusted with the continual looking back by those on this journey with me. The beauty of the cross, the mystery of the empty tomb, or the power of the pentecost. That is what happened it is why we are enabled today to press on toward something better, but it is not the direction we are to be looking. Forward! Eyes front! let us not be over nostalgic in our efforts to be conquerers. If Christ wanted our stories to end at the cross He, having all power to do so, would have ended His story there. Christ has called us from that symbol of death, that end of mortality into a new life. Being blunt is necessary here, Christ got away from the cross we need to follow. Greater amounts of reverence to the cross will not make you more holy, nor will reenacted observences of the tomb. Our only Saviour is Christ! He is not on a cross, He is not in a tomb. He is in front of us leading; His only command is, "Follow."
I press on.

Vision

When instructing on vision one often considers a set statement of reflecting purpose; however, it is a ministry's purpose that should reflect the vision. God's vision for the ministry must be the forefront and instigator of purpose. Without considering and confirming vision, any purpose would fail. But a problematic conflict within the set structure of vision/ purpose setting arises for we put our desires into one purpose and then begin to dream of how that plays out constructing not God's vision but our diluted, self-fulfilling hope. Where our hope lies for our pursuit of gain and self promotion there our downfall comes as our purpose fails to align with God's vision.

Contentment

The beauty of our world is in the enjoyment and appreciation we experience in being content and fulfilled by what we have in this moment and not in what the future may or may not hold. This beauty can only be discovered within the contentment and joy of abandonment. the abandonment of what is considered real, that which one can experience with the senses that one can touch, smell, see, hear or taste. These five senses are animal at best; they only determine what our bodies accept and enjoy, but does not determine how we feel. Our other than human experience, to feel, comes not from what we like, what we enjoy, what causes pain or comfort; but stems solely from our ability to love, to feel joy, to hurt, and to have peace. This is what begins the conceptualization of Contentment.

Spring

As this is the first day of realized spring here at our home I had to write a thought of how great it is. The breaze strong from undetermined direction blows through the screen doors and out the open windows as outside the tractor trudges through the awaiting garden. Seeds and starts are preparing for their lifes work the magnum opus of a harvest that strengthens the bones and entices the the tongue with its natural flavor. The humming birds and bumble bees floating by searching for nectar from the newly awaken lilacs and iris' the sun finally drying out the muddied soil. I, enjoying the sweetness of a farm-style breakfast, cannot contain the joy of this spring through all that may be percieved as wrong in this world this world has once again provided us the beauty and the rites of Spring.

soul searchers

many churches have become "seeker friendly" in their quest to become more aware of their communities. These churches have gone through many drastic changes to glean from other "succesful" ministries. these great lengths often add to the structure of a very glorious buildings that have outcroppings of oglers in awe of the artful structure their sacrifices have collectively been combined to construct. each wing with its own special chic persona and each room with a mod and soothing groove. it is what each college or high school student always dreamed thier campus should be...dreamy. But what is it these buildings are trying to do? A working homage to some great desire to rest instead of encouraging the concept of restless work. The "church" that allures seekers of rest rather than restlessly searching for the soul that is lost. The efforts and resources spent and withered in the convolusion of coporate conquest causing the gutteral churning of the sweet taste once known. Rising up against this tyranny of the few wealthy patrons of a beautiful homily are the new, young, sweaty browed workers who desperately desire that fire of the Spirit to consume each other in a blaze of soul changing and life transforming poverty apart from this world richness in true being. This is the revolution behind the scenery, behind the glitz and glamour of that religious facade so many see as the popular church. This is the reason so many are not recognized in the back halls, on the bulletin page or in the prayer list archives; they are the the adrenal glands and the cerebral cortex or the spleen of ministry giving energy, thought and health to the whole body in order that souls may be sought.

Untying the Knot

Communication is the struggle to find and convey words that express and illuminate personal experiences. Pre-marital and marital communication becomes prejudiced by emotional ties that strangle the truth. This complex relationship entangled with romantic undertones must therefore find a way to untie the knot. That which is said to bind the lovers together must be undone before it threatens to choke and destroy a friendship that must emerge. The theory of a knot is, “it must be easy to tie, difficult to untie.” This concept of untying the knot may go against conventional counseling; however, it is the practice of realization that must be a pinnacle to success in marriage. Who are these two individuals apart from each other that would cause them to entwine themselves while they are together? What textile is each made from that makes them compatible for a lasting bond? Or what knot is necessary to tie in order to hold them together?

Unwind! Wouldn’t it be great if at the end of every day or night away from your other if you could simply unwind? Not come into something as tense as a tightly wound knot bound to whatever it was bound to when you left. This is a practice that many happily married people have mastered, yet the quarreling dissatisfied couple have yet even to grasp for the basics of the concept. Too often the ends that are bound by the knot are frayed and tattered needing to separate from the bounds and be straightened out. Some of those tatters need repair and some of the frays need lopping off. So, unwind for a few moments and free yourself of any frays and tatters so that you may be a clean and fresh healthy rope which can help hold a strong, durable knot.

Little Church

There are many little churches scattered throughout our nation. It seems a great many light bills, water bills, heating bills and insurance policies are being paid for churches that have no exuberant, evangelical purpose. Discouraging as it may be a realization must at some point made that God is through with that portion of His work. The fig trees along the road to somewhere have not produced fruit and are withered and now incapable of reason. No great speech or advertisement can revitalize the dead. God is done it is finished. Christ used the cross, but did not remain there for all eternity. Likewise the Holy Spirit has used many community buildings for great revivals of old, yet did not remain in that time or place to be displayed and reverenced as some past glory or achievement. One thing that has been constant in Christendom is the concept of movement; perhaps if one finds that movement is not existent in the fellowship one attends it is time to move. Against the concepts of Christ these churches remain separated by past while they celebrate it. A unifying underlying message of hope brings each little congregation together while semantics keeps any true message from being revealed. How many churches does the unbeliever pass along the way? A world that is crying out for unity and in desperate need of Christ the church is divided, fractured and ineffective. What can we do about this? Stop living in a Christ abusing past and start joining fellow believers to mesh our faith as if we were His church and not our own.

The fellowship I most enjoy currently is made up of people searching for that present church home. It is difficult for many to realize that in a very specific way, that fellowship is Christ/Church in its fundamental base. Whereas we have been burdened by each others grief and overjoyed by each others accomplishments. Perhaps in this fellowship of love a true church is beginning not constructed by stone or steel, but by the Holy Spirit bringing about a realization of need in each life of these friends. There is no special message, no ordered songs of praise, no specific time of prayer(and during prayer at times little attention to reverence). But in this fellowship there is concern for life matters and a greater sense of respect and care for each others needs. Is this then the true church that non-believers miss, need, and desire? I know as a believer, former Ministerial volunteer, and pastor it is what I most wanted and need for my family so that they will understand Christian unity and God's love without the presence of man's intrusion on purpose.

Having it all

The apostle Peter claims that the Christian has everything the christian needs, but how many Christians do you know that live as if they actually have all needs met? Some may be lost by the claim of Peter saying such things but perusing II Peter 1:3 the statement is clear that the Lord and Savior of all has given this gift of "everything necessary" to live a life of righteousness. Scrambling around in blindness trying to scrounge up a few monetary notes to reach some other form of fulfillment should really become obsolete for a person who has been given "everything" should it not? Truth...the pursuit is not for righteousness it is for everything else. Why must the "else" interfere with the "everything"? Spiritual Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit, talents and blessing and now the bottom line...everything has been freely given from a God who loves and cherishes His creation, but we turn from these things and pursue the "else". Is it related to our fear of stepping out in faith and only pursuing to add to our gift for as Peter continues his letter he instructs the Christian to add to certain things which so few actually pursue things that were given not attained but now can grow.

The Start

Many times I have considered what having a blog spot might mean not only to me but to those who repeatedly ask if I ever am going to publish anything apart from poetry in collections noone will ever read. I believe the days of publishing great works of individual thought are coming to an end as are the days when people would pay to exam those thoughts. My conclusion in all my rationalization is this which presently you are reading...the current age of thought presentation known as Blogging.
The genesis of my own thoughts however random, scattered and abrasive they may be will inevitably end up in a curious battle over the subject matter I will pursue on the daily basis. Today I have considered already nine different concepts for which to bore the browser with as I contemplated whether or not even starting this post was a good idea. My conclusion was to introduce the reader first to the writing and now to the writer.
My name is Matthew Woolery. I was born in a small town in California in 1971 where I spent my early years in private schools and Southern Baptist churches. I never received a high school diploma for all my efforts but at 18 after a move to Arkansas I did achieve a GED as part of my entrance to what I hoped would be a life in full time military service. Uncle Sam at that time had no full-time positions open for GED recipients (only wanted the best of the best) so I turned my enlistment over to the National Guard and entered Basic Training in April 1990.
After all that wonderfull training in Georgia I returned to Arkansas with only one thing truly valuable from the time that being the start of a long distance relationship with a girl I had known for a very long time, yet never thought was as interesting as her latters to me in Georgia proved her to be. Her and I were married in 1991 after only a handfull of dates either in Arkansas or California. We both had plans to attend college, but were young and trying to manage finances and this crazy concept of living together. 1991 ended with us moved back to California, pregnant, and starting a new carreer in a new field.

The time in California was shorter than one could hope for as NAFTA became the US's first step towards true globalization. The company I was employed with closed and the job market in the west was trim especially for younger people. With two kids no job and no prospects a search for work in Arkansas proved fruitful and after a few long months my family was together starting over again, the constant yearning to teach Christ never leaving our hearts.
A few years in Arkansas turned us towards effective and active youth ministry and steered us on a course towards full time ministry leading us to Indiana to pursue a degree in ministry. Here we are with ministry constantly on our minds and the opportunities for those ministries opening up daily.