Abba's Child

Prayer Event Success

I'm totally convinced...yes, I am! Taking time to rest in Abba's presence is so core to everything else we do in the kingdom. Whether it's growth in intimacy with the Trinity and all of the freedom, healing and wholeness that can come with that...or whether it's release into mission-oriented living in bringing kingdom life wherever we go...taking time to rest and relax in and with Him is WORTH IT!!!

We did two prayer events this month using material from Graham Cooke (International House of Prayer) and various worship and instrumental songs for reflection...and God met people right where they were at!!!! Some enjoyed intentional time to rest in His presence and find more peace. Some heard words and had visions. Others received direction for forward movement.

I'm sold!! We will continue to do this!!!

Many, many thanks to those that helped. If anyone is interested in helping with future events, say the word!! :) And if you have ideas or suggestions, please do so!

Oh!!!...and this is totally open to anyone from anywhere! No obligation...just welcome invitation. Unity in the body of Christ...it's how we roll.  :)

Saying 'Goodbye'...For A Little While

Oh dear...I love all of my nieces and nephews so much. It's such a delight to watch them discover, learn and grow. As they get older, though, a challenge enters...letting them leave for those grander adventures.

Sigh. 

It's the crazy thing about love. In the same powerful moment, we can experience the deep sadness of "goodbye" and the grand excitement of "have the time of your life"...all at the same time. 

And this Auntie...well, I find it to be so hard every time. 

So...here's to Josh's next amazing chapter...and my box of kleenexes. ;) 

Thank You, Cambridge Faith Community

So...this girl goes to "that church"...the current faith community to experience a "fall" in leadership. While the direct victims were not a part of our community, we quickly found ourselves to be the extended group of the hurting. Very confusing. Very painful.

To be honest, I'm so much more in love with this particular gathering of Jesus' people because of how we've grabbed hands and walked through...letting God help us love and grow...making us better equipped to dispense the kingdom-grace that takes sin seriously but calls forth into freedom, original design and righteousness. We haven't done it perfectly...but man, I'm more excited about our future than I ever have been. Seems like God can work the miracle that forms a broken heart into a bigger one!!! He's THAT good!

But...due to some of my experiences with and observances of the body of Christ for more than three decades...I've had the occasional fear of the shunning and judgment that can potentially come from other believers and faith communities. It's an unfortunate reputation and real possibility...people who need to punish the extended hurting to feel more justice against the offender...or people who just have enough of their own unhealed woundings that limit their ability to extend grace and come alongside brothers and sisters in Christ who need support. So sad...but also a fantastic reminder to NOT be that for the inevitable "falls" of us all.

A particular concern was a day-camp program that operates on our church property. It's an independent operation and not a specific church program, but you know...I was worried about those who might apply "guilt by association" and withdraw support of these fabulous people. Boy, was I wrong! So, so wrong. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of kiddos have been experiencing activities of all kinds that celebrate who they are, and so many adults and young people are being more released into their giftings of leadership and service...all with a joint effort by Christians from the extended faith community. Amazing! Wonderful! Fantastic!

So...I just wanted to say "Thank You" to the Cambridge Faith Community. Beyond specific programs, we've experienced far more miracles of kindness and support than distasteful moments of rejection. It's been a delight to experience God's goodness in such tangible ways. I pray that you will be richly blessed for your compassion. And hey...you can depend on us if ever you need support in the days ahead!

:)

Peace

"Mission" July

So...2013 is supposed to be my "Year of Opportunity". [Every year gets a new theme with challenges to follow.] It has been more of a "challenge" as a whole instead of what I was thinking when I established the tone. But...I think life has finally been restored to as much "normal" as this girl can get...and...the opportunities have begun to come. I was originally planning to do some mission trips, but as much as I've tried, those haven't panned out. So...I turned my month of vacation into "Mission" July.

Not "missionary"...missional.

The goal...per my life intention to live as Abba's daughter...is to improve, influence and impact as much as possible within my giftings or "can-do's".

I'm having an absolute BLAST!!

Some of it is individual with lots of time to think alongside my doings. Other projects are corporate. Community and fellowship...love it.

So...here's to more!!!! Awesome!

Rare but Finally..

I'll tell ya what...it finally became time to pull out the sharpie. I joke sometimes about that aspect of my personality...where I have to cross a person off my list with the permanent marker. Ending a relationship and putting up serious boundaries, though, is not and should not be an easy thing.

I deal with tons of people in my different involvements...some more difficult that others. With the especially tricky ones, I find I have to remind myself that at minimum I'm paid to have contact. Yikes. The stuff I have to put up with though can get pretty nasty. The educational world in particular...with the interplay of invested parties with varying degrees of health and dysfunction...can be a festering pool of "justified" and uninhibited "ick". So sad.

Anyway...it's been a long haul with a situation, and I finally came to the realization that I just couldn't take even one more minute of the reckless dishonor. The constant drama was wearing on me, and more importantly, I realized I couldn't change or fix a thing. So...I took out the sharpie...and I crossed the names off.

I don't know if that's good or bad, but man, it feels so necessary in rare occasions...and is such a relief.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not a fan of a liberal use of such tactic. There just comes a time when we have to guard our own hearts to such a degree...and release people from our lives.

Tough...but...good.

Ain't You Tired...

You Is...