craving intimacy

Have you ever had an unexplainable loneliness even while standing in the middle of a crowd? I heard a friend say several times recently that he doesn’t need anymore acquaintances in his life, that there is no more room for such relationships. He desires friendships that go much deeper than that, friendships that are authentic, real, transparent, intimate. People who he will be there for, and who, in turn, will be there for him. I agree.

Think about your own life. Who are those ‘deep’ friendships you share, those deeper than merely ‘acquaintances?’ Who are the people in whom you are investing yourself and who are investing themselves in you? Who are the people you are walking with through life, who make you better, who even perhaps sharpen you spiritually?

One evening last week, a group of people I’m beginning to count more and more as my ‘deep’ friends (people who are also in our church community) spent some time together bowling. We had a blast laughing together (and not so much at each other), applauding and giving high-fives, encouraging each other and enjoying the unique personalities each person possesses. It was also a surreal evening as we all watched Molly dominate us on the lanes! I was humbled.

Bowling that evening was one of those moments where things deeper than community are formed. Relationships are deepened and become more intimate. People develop meaningful, more authentic relationships as they share their lives together; relationships that go beyond simply the people you go to church with, to a holistic-level in life. These are the people I’m beginning a new spiritual journey with, the people I’m walking with and sharing my life with. And that’s our vision with Awaken…a community of people in deep relationship, who walk together and who live out the very meaning of koinonia, the Greek term for Christian Fellowship as it should be.

Looking at God’s Word, I’m convinced these types of relationships – ‘deep’ friendships – are what our souls crave. But to have these types of relationships require that we give more of ourselves away, including our hearts and our love…and that can be risky. Yet, that’s how God created us, because the more we love, the more our love expands, the closer it leads us to God.

Is your soul finding satisfaction in your relationships? Who are you walking with? Who can you go deeper with? Listen to your soul…

Beauty in Ashes

Today in Boone, it is raining outside, the overcast makes visibility low, and the air is warm so that your clothes stick to you. Very few people are out on the streets, but for those few that are, the majority keep their faces to the ground to keep from getting any inch of their skin wet. Water has accumulated in many places, so that it is almost impossible to walk anywhere without getting a sock full of rainwater.

Today is one the most beautiful days in the world. I cannot explain to you the peace I found in just taking a simple walk down to Espresso News and back. With smooth jazz in my ear buds and rain gently falling on my face as I kept it towards the sky, God was there. I wanted to find every opportunity in the world to make eye contact with someone and just smile. I've found eye contact, even if just for one second, with a complete stranger, slows down time. Not literally, but it's one of those instances where you suddenly wonder what town they were born in, and whether they know this God who makes rain beautiful.

I think rain is very symbolic of our lives. Most people see rain as irritable, sticky, and an overall nuisance to our daily life. And, on face value, it is. This can represent the pain and hardships we face in our lives. But, also, think about this. When it's raining, you cannot help but notice. You're either going to wear what you normally wear and suffer through it in your mind, or wear a raincoat and get through a little better. Regardless of the choice, your day changed a little because of the rain.When it rains, I see this as God getting our attention. The same is with some of the pains and struggles we go through.
The phrase, "beauty in ashes," is basically another way of saying, "look at the bright side." Rain can be annoying, but it can also be revitalizing. Water is one of the strongest images tied to purity and cleansing. As each drop of rain touches your face, think about it this way: every drop represents a single mistake or sin or whatever in our lives that's holding us down. And every drop, as it hits your face, is God proclaiming, "You are free of guilt and misery. Live free and abundantly."

Think about this! Ooh man! When a raindrop hits your face, think about how lucky you are! You are the only person who gets to feel that raindrop in the whole entire world. If that doesn't make you feel unique, I don't know what can.

I could keep going, but I want you to start where I finished off. Let it be a conversation between you and God.

seeds

He (Jesus) also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.”
-Mark 4:26-27 (NIV)

Recently, Molly and I had the privilege of joining our church family in Wilson for their 15-year anniversary celebration. It was a day full of stories, laughter, encouragement and anticipation of what’s to come. While sharing about the progress of Awaken, Pastor Gary reminded me of how Wilson Community Church began back in 1992 with 7 people in his living room. Today, WCC is a sending-body of believers, with around 200 people gathering week to week throughout Wilson. I’m proud to be part of the continuing story of WCC!

As I reflected on that small gathering in Pastor Gary’s living room, I thought of the word ‘seeds.’ Jesus uses this term a lot when referring to the kingdom of God. Paul uses the term when referring to new church communities as well as the life of God that is sown into the hearts of people. In most cases, the ‘seeds’ refer to something that begins small, but later becomes great. It represents something with potential, possibilities, and the ability to grow. Going back to WCC, those 7 people represented the seed that God used to grow the church into what it is today. And today, WCC is a Life-Giving Plant to ministries all over the world, including ours!

Yesterday, our Core Community gathered in our living room for our weekly meeting (a group in similar number). I gave each person a small seed (fescue, to be exact, which I recently used to sow grass in December, thanks to the mild start to winter) and asked each person to examine it. Our words were ‘possibilities,’ ‘potential,’ ‘care,’ ‘growth.’ As I sat with these people who have become my dear friends, discussing our individual strengths, I couldn’t help but dream of the possibilities in days and months to come.

When I think about a seed, I don’t know how to explain how the growth will occur other than doing what I know how to do: gathering and spreading seed, regularly adding nutrients to the soil and watering it is the extent of my ‘grass-growing’ expertise…and somehow it grows.

And that’s how God’s kingdom works. Such things begin with just a few, faithful to the Word of God, desperately seeking after the life found in Jesus, and all of a sudden, new Life begins to grow in the hearts of those around us. As God reminds us through the prophet Zachariah (4:10) “Do not despise these small beginnings.” No matter what area that may speak to in your life right now, know that small things hold great potential when given to God.

teacher

While in Boone recently, we were having a conversation about teachers who make a difference in our lives...individuals who spoke truth and love in our lives to teach us something about ourselves, our worth, and our potential. A friend of ours told us a rather humerous story about an incident when she was growing up where the teacher actually threw a paddle at her. Her response: she threw the paddle back at the teacher! The incident had somewhat a negative impact on her for obvious reasons.

We had a great discussion about how teachers can either elevate our hearts to greatness or they can blind us from seeing who we truly are capable of becoming.

Recently, I've been studying the Book of Ecclesiastes written by one who calls himself "the Teacher." King Solomon's concluding words are facinating, explaining how the teacher's greatest characteristics: one who is wise, imparts knowledge, is organized, ponders, searches for just the right words and speaks the plain truth with clarity. The result is that the teacher's words are "like firmly embedded nails," making an impression on us that perhaps 'spurs' us to action, or causes us to see ourselves and the world around us more differently than ever before.

Rob Bell, author of 'Velvet Elvis,' points out that "the best teachers are masters of the obvious. They see the same things we do, but they are aware of so much more. And when they point it out, it changes the way we see everything." (p.89)

I think of how Jesus looks at us through eyes of love and compassion, through God's eyes, pointing out all that we are and all that we capable of becoming through Him. When Jesus tells me that He has come to give me life, that my life is hidden in Him, that I am a true child of the living God, and that I possess His power through the Holy Spirit that He sends to guide and direct my life, it changes the way I see myself and has a tremendous impact on the way I live.
To me, and many others, Jesus is the greatest teacher of all. He speaks to the heart...words of love, encouragement, compassion, restoration...and challenges us to do the same.

Recall the teachers in your life who have made the greatest impact. Perhpas you'll discover the similarities we find in their approach to the one Jesus takes with us.

Add to the painting...who are some of the greatest teachers you've encountered and why? How do they compare to Jesus?

the sign

Our new office sign was installed last week! Check it out!

identity

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied…”And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
-Matthew 16:16-18 (NIV)

Isn’t it interesting how Jesus looks back at Peter after he confesses that Jesus is the Christ, and then reminds Peter who he truly is? “…I tell you that you are Peter…” It’s almost as if Jesus is saying, “You’re right, I AM the Christ, but do you know who you are? Do you know what you’re capable of? Do you know what I’m planning to do through you? Do you understand what that means for you?”

I’ve been thinking a lot about identity lately. Identity of myself, the people around me, and especially our church community. I recently asked our Core Community (a group of about 7 people who are journeying deeper with us) to share what excited them most about who we are becoming as the church that Jesus Christ is building. I’m excited to share these responses with you…

“People care and know your name.”

“I like how we’re taking time getting to know each other.”

“This is one of the first places we’ve felt we belonged in a long time.”

“I like our diverse make-up.”

“…our values and our goals, and how we emphasize relationships.”

“We’re a church for such a time as this.”

“We care about individuals and their thoughts.”

“I really like how we talk about relationships and how we celebrate everyone’s uniqueness.”

As I’ve chewed on these statements this week, I can’t help but celebrate in the fact that we’re becoming the church community that God gave us a vision to become almost 6 months ago. We are living more and more into our identity as we continue to advance, and it’s nothing short of thrilling!

I don’t know if there’s anything more glorifying to God than we we’re living deep and passionately from our hearts, when we’re learning to live comfortable and satisfied in our own skin. Few things in life are as significant as discovering your true self (a value our community is committed to), and moving forward in that life in an act of worship to the Sovereign Creator, a life created for a unique and glorious purpose!

Today, may you hear the words of Jesus in your life; “I tell you that you are ______,” and live deep from your true identity. Please know that we are so thankful for the way each of you are encouraging and supporting the identity of Awaken!