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.