Being vs. Doing

I am at the Emergent Convention right now and my mind is beginning to fill up. I skipped the community discussion so I could put some of what I'm processing down. Besides, they're talking about epistemology. I had my fill of that for the last three years. (If you don't know what epistemology is, its a discussion on how do we know what we think we know? It's very philosophical and it has no meaningful application to my life. That might be an overstatement but its how I feel). On to the deep stuff. (-:

We are to be the Good News and not just tell the Good News. I heard this from Dieter Zander. Its what I've been trying to express for a while. We read that the early church had the "favor of the community." It means that when people saw the early church Christians, they were glad. Are people glad to see you coming? (By the way, you can now comment without registering with Blogger. I didn't know there was such a setting!).

I saw a vision of my future and I don't know what to make of it just yet. I was in the middle of the prayer labrynth when I was asked to express what I wanted to leave when I well, leave. What will be my history when I'm history? Friend of God, Husband, and Father. These were the things that I kept writing into the sand before me as I realized that my desire isn't to please men and be known as a great pastor. What I need to focus on is what God will say about me. What my kids will say about me. I grew up with a father consumed with ministry. It consumed our family as well but not in the same sense of the word. I NEVER AGAIN WANT TO NEGLECT GOD OVER "MINISTRY." I NEVER AGAIN WANT TO NEGLECT MY WIFE IN THE NAME OF "CHURCH." I NEVER WANT TO SACRIFICE MY CHILDREN ON THE ALTAR OF "MINISTRY." Maybe I'm a little passionate about this issue. (-:

If you wonder why I use (-: instead of the traditional :), its because I'm left handed and that's a left handed smiley. Just a random thing about me. (-:

Bearing my soul through blogging is becoming a process, a practice, a discipline that is so freeing. I don't know if anybody will ever read this but that's not why I blog anyway. I blog, I put glimpses of my soul on display in order to release them and keep it from eating me from the inside out. I can't explain it. I don't know if I want to just yet. I might not have anything left to blog if I did so.

What do you want to be known for when you check out of this world? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Communion

We had communion as a church last night for the first time. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. We used pita bread since nobody within 30 miles seemed to have any unleavened bread available. I've always used some type of simple cracker or wafer and a teeny tiny cup of grape juice.

This time, we poured the juice into larger cups. It made the time of remembrance take longer and I think that was the best part about it. The communion wasn't a side note in the middle of all the other worship. It was the worship for the night. Here are some pics on how we set it up. We also set up our offering basket as a station that you can go to at any time during the worship gathering since we believe it is an expression of worship as well.

How many pickles fit in a pickle jar?

I read a great article the other day that talked about how we try to spiritualize things. The article asked the question, "How many pickles will fit in a pickle jar?" The answer is about 12. But how many pickles will fit in a pickle jar if you pray about it? As many as God wants, but usually about 12. The story was showing how we don't prepare for God by creating space in a church situation and expect miracles to happen.

This applies to how we comfort one another as well. I can't stand to go through a rough time and have someone give me a trite, "God is going to work this out." I KNOW GOD'S GOING TO WORK IT OUT. I need someone to listen to me. Its like telling someone about the pickle jar for me. "God can do anything so He can work this out." At the point when I tell others my trouble, I don't need them to assure me. My assurance comes not from pithy statements but from the peace that passes all understanding (Namely, from God). I just wanted to rant a little bit. We are in the process of finding a place to worship for corporate gatherings at our church and it hasn't happened yet. People keep giving me empty statements instead of just listening. Have any of you ever experienced this? Let me know. What's the best line someone's ever given you? (i.e. God needed her in heaven more then you do so that's why He let her die) I've enjoyed how people are responding to my blogs through e-mail. You can also comment on here if you want to start a running conversation.