Thought for the day..."What is a church?"

After the last couple of weeks attending various events, (none of which were actually held in a "church" building)  I have been considering...... "What is a church?"  The last 14 or so days have been filled with some of the most wonderful worship times and incredible teachings.  And then there is that incredible experience of the presence of Jesus.  Now I am not saying that you CAN'T have all of this IN a traditional church.  What struck me was that you CAN have all of this without the building.  

These two pictures are 10 years old.  I took them in Kenya and Uganda in 2004.  As you can see, while there were "buildings", these buildings were not exactly what we think of a "church". As a matter of fact, there were several services that were entirely outside, with NO building.   But I can assure you, there was worship and teaching and the presence of Jesus.   In the last couple of weeks, I have been at "church" in a basement meeting room of a large conference center, in a large ballroom of a conference center, and in a living room of a home. 

 

In each of these events, the common denominator between all of the people in attendance was the cross.  It did not matter what denomination you were.  How or when you baptize, or what you think about the book of Revelation.  All that matters is the cross of Jesus.  It is so good to be in a place of unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

 



I know that this is not a new thought.  Lots of people have contemplated this, talked about it, spoken about this, wrote about this.   That is why I almost didn't share this thought today.   But, you see, I have been so blessed in these very non "church" church services.  And I believe that part of the reason is because these events happened.........outside of the ordinary.  

So I am thankful tonight that my definition of "Church" does not include a building.  It includes people.  Lots of wonderful, loving people.  Some of the people don't really know me at all.  To some I am just a face in a crowd.  To others, I am known.  With all of my faults and troubles and prayer needs.  AND with all of my gifts.  When I sit with these people, and share a meal with them, or worship with them, learn and grow with them, I am loved.  I feel that love of Jesus flowing through them into me.  And it is awesome!  

My encouragement to you tonight is to consider expanding your idea of church.  Think "outside of the box" (or the walls).  Find an event that is different than anything you might have previously considered attending.  Look for a meeting or conference or group in your area that includes people from many different churches.  Or better yet, form one of your own.  My home group is a life saver for me.  I know that I can count on their prayers.  And these meetings and conferences are life giving for me.  Take a risk.  Step out of your normal routine.  Go and be blessed.

Jesus, thank you so much for reminding me that YOU are the only thing that matters.   Holy Spirit, give us all courage and boldness to go outside of our "normal".  Help us to seek and find those places where you are.  Draw us to those like-minded people, with whom we can share and grow.  Keep us open and free to learn and grow!   Amen

Thinking about being a mom.....and more from last week!

I chose this picture today (of my mom with Doug and Gwen at Gwen's high school graduation), because it represents a bit of what "MOM" means to me.   I love this picture!  Please stay with me and read to the end, and you see how this picture fits!

I promised to share a bit more about last Sunday evening.  And, as it turns out, things from my Friday and Saturday evenings as well!  You know when you hear something and it just resonates in your spirit?  Well a couple of weeks ago, Gwen and I were talking about an upcoming event, when she was to be speaking to the youth at her church.  The topic was the time following the resurrection and Jesus' appearances to the disciples.   Gwen had chosen to speak on this topic last year when the leaders were planning the years event.  So, even though it was her birthday, she shared her heart on this topic.  She spoke on 5 things we can learn about Jesus through these stories and 5 things we can learn about ourselves.  If you want to hear her entire message just click here The Lost 40 (part 2).   That Jesus loves to eat is on her list! Last Sunday evening, I was at the HUB meeting.  I have shared a couple of blogs about this meeting.  One of the topics discussed was that heaven will be a celebration and Jesus likes to eat! (This is the same message that Gwen spoke!).  Then on Friday evening, I was at another HUB meeting with Mahesh Chavda and he spoke the exact same message!  We sang a song about a "Holy Ghost party" that included that heaven is a party and we celebrate!  Then yesterday there was an Elijah list post Al Thomas: Life with Jesus is a feast.  So it would seem that this is the "NOW" word!  What a blessing that many people are hearing the same message from Jesus and sharing it with us all.

I love that I can learn from my kids.  And hear the voice of the Lord through their thoughts and words.  My mom always told me that it blessed her so much to hear me share my thoughts and ideas and she told me how much she had learned from me.  I know that most times we focus on what we are teaching our children.  Today, for me, I am focusing on what my children are teaching me!  So here goes.....

1.  Do what your heart says, not what the world says.  Gwen has advanced degrees in music and could be teaching or performing, but her heart says, teach preschool.  She loves those kids and they love her.  She is a great teacher.  Doug made a choice not to attend college.  His heart told him that he did not want to sit in an office all day.  Today he has a great job doing exactly what he loves.  And it does not involve sitting at a desk!

2.  Breath the fresh air outside.  All Gwen wanted from her family on her birthday, was a quiet hike by a lake.  That was refreshment for her.  Doug and Susie spend more time camping and outdoors than anyone I know.  Doug often goes fishing on Fridays (Note: his ideal job is 4 days a week! Isn't he blessed?).  Don't really know how this happened, but my kids love nature. 

3.  Make it a priority to stick together.  I love that our kids want to be together.  They MAKE time for family and pay attention to each other.  It is so easy to drift apart.  To not stay close.  Don't let busyness, friends and other commitments come between you.  Hold fast to family.

4.  Be givers of yourself.  My kids are always doing for others.   They are serving in their churches, they are helping out friends, they are making meals for someone,  they are fixing someone's attic, they are climbing on a roof,   really the list could go on and on.  I have stepped back and thought about where I was at their particular stage of life, and I know I wasn't this willing to give.  I love that my grandchildren (and future grandchildren) will be raised in a culture of others first! 

5.  Prayer matters.  If I ever have a prayer need, I know that I can count on my kids to be praying.  And the best thing is that they have surrounded themselves with other people who also pray!  Again, I was much older before I understood how important a tight group of friends can be.   I am so thankful for the people in my kids lives! 

I know that there is much more that I could add to this list.  But I will stop here.  I need to reflect, myself, on each of these things, in the weeks ahead.  I am so blessed to be mom to these amazing kids.   I am missing my mom today.  And I am sure that there are many others in my shoes.  But then I just remember that Jesus loves to eat and there is a banquet table filled with food and a BIG Holy Ghost party going on in heaven.  And mom is there with her mom and her sisters and my sister Karen.  And they are having a wonderful time with Jesus!

Jesus, thank you for my mom and my children.   Holy Spirit, you are speaking to us through many prophetic voices.  Help us to listen carefully and prayerfully for your voice in their words.  Thank you for confirmations and affirmations.  Jesus thank you for leaving us evidence of your love of eating!  Thank you for that celebration going on in heaven.   Amen

Mothers Day....

 

Yesterday, I had one of those odd experiences when a memory just hits you at the most surprising time.  I was wandering the aisles of Walgreens, trying to kill some time before a meeting, and then this memory came.....in the candy aisle....a bag of "Bridge Mix.  My mom loved "Bridge Mix" and would often put a bag in the grocery cart.  It was her one little indulgence when I was young.   She loved all of it, but I remember that she liked the dark chocolate pieces, especially.   Yes, my mom loved chocolate.  Right next to the bag of "Bridge Mix" was the chocolate covered raisins.  Another thing that she loved.   Quite honestly, I don't even know what is in "Bridge Mix"!  I found this description on line... A variety of raisins, peanuts, and almonds covered in milk and dark chocolate as well as milk chocolate pecans and cashews make up this chocolate bridge mix. An excellent addition to any party or gathering! As a matter of fact, bridge mix got it's name from the mix that high society ladies would eat while playing bridge!   Since my mom did play Bridge, I guess that's where she first tasted this candy.   Today as I was thinking about this memory of mom, I realized that I don't think my dad ever gave her a box of really good chocolate.  In her later years, her grandchildren often sent her boxes of candy (which she loved getting!).   Given that it is Mothers Day week and also next week was my Mom's birthday, it is not surprising that I am thinking about her.  Ah, Mothers Day! 

My kids call Mothers Day a "Hallmark Holiday".  They feel the same way about Fathers Day.  It is really not that important in our house.   My mom really loved the holiday, but it was unfortunate that her birthday (May 15th) always fell around Mothers Day.  So she often got "combined" recognition.  I always tried to mail that Mothers Day card a week or so earlier than her birthday.  That way she got to enjoy both special occasions.   It's really funny that it honestly doesn't bother me that we don't make a big deal out of this day.  BUT I do wish that I could still have my mom around to honor her.   Isn't that something?  I guess I am always the daughter on Mothers Day. 

This week I helped a bunch (26) of three year olds make a present for their mommies.  First I created these salt dough hearts. 

 The kids painted these and then we added their thumb prints in the middle of the heart.  And a magnet on the back.  For a card we created these yarn wrapped tulips and wrote "Happy Mothers Day" on the stick.

They were all so excited to give these packages to their moms!  You could feel the joy and the delight in each of them as they passed on the present to their moms.  It made the week very enjoyable. 

 

I know that I promised more from Sunday, and I really do have more to share.  I just don't know exactly when that will be!   Today, this is what was in my spirit to share.   It feels a bit like a prelim to Mothers Day.  I don't always know WHY things show up on this blog.  I am just trying to be true to the original intent of this blog..... honesty.   Today, I just felt that I needed to share about my mom and Mothers Day.   And the joy of working with preschoolers who love their mommy with all their heart. 

 

Isn't it interesting how Jesus uses little things to bring us to exactly what we need?  I love that I got to really think about my mom today, and this little thing about who she was.  And I am so glad that even though it was a busy week, I loved helping these kids make something for their moms and hoping that she will love it.  

 

Jesus, thank you for helping us honor and remember our mothers.  Holy Spirit,  remind us to take time to remember all that you have given us in our families.  Thank you for the joy and delight of little children.  Jesus, help us to all be as little children.   Thank you for the grace to write what is on my heart.  Give me courage to continue to share what you have shown to me.   Jesus, thank you for mothers!   Amen

More about Sunday night....and Charlie Shamp

I lifted this picture of Charlie Shamp and his wife from their web page.   I talked a bit about my Sunday night at HUB ministries and the way that I experienced some personal revelation during the worship time.  And it became a rather long post.  After looking at the post, I realized that I didn't say anything about the main speaker!  If you have gone to his web site off  from the link on yesterday's blog, you will see some amazing testimony about Sunday's meeting.  Among other things, a man's eye was healed, several people experienced healing of their backs, someone's elbow was healed, and several people experienced supernatural weight loss!   I sure wish I had been blessed with that weight loss, but alas, it was not a part of the plan for me. 

While trying to decide exactly what to write about the meeting, I decided that I would just do some bullet points that have really stuck with me.

1.  The first most important point is that this was not a "typical" healing service (if there is any healing service that is typical!).  I told someone today that Charlie said over and over that this whole thing was not about him.  That when the glory came into a room, that glory was God.  And God was the one performing the miracles.  I had never thought about glory in quite this way before.  Many of the healings just happened as people were sitting in their seat.  While Charlie did pray for some people, the feeling in the room was electric.  It was clear that anything could happen!

2.  There was one point when Charlie was talking about the atom.  And the smallest part of any atom was LIGHT.  He talked about creation.  First there was God and then he created.  And the waters covered the earth.  Charlie said, "think about this, the Spirit of God hovered over those waters and then he said "Let US make man in our IMAGE!"  Charlie said...imagine God saw his own reflection in that water, and then he created.  Isn't that a simply powerful message?  I know that I will be meditating on this for some time, and I am sure that there is much I will learn.

3.  Charlie spoke a great deal about the glory cloud (see number 1).  He spook about natural precipitation and the clouds being full of water.  yet it doesn't rain until there is pressure on the cloud. Charlie said that Jesus hovers just like those clouds, waiting for our action.  Charlie said that our praise and desire for the glory is the pressure that causes that glory to rain down on you when.  He also said that one person in the room can get that glory rain, or the entire room can be rained on.  Let me tell you that it was raining in that room on Sunday night!  Isn't it interesting to compare the natural rain to spiritual rain?  I loved this.  I know that every time I am in the rain, I will think about this.

4.  There was gold dust everywhere.   I have experienced this a couple of times before.   It was on my hands and arms and on my face.  People on the other side of the room seemed to be more covered than the side I was on.  But I felt the silky smoothness of that gold dust on my face, even when I was on my way home.   I don't have much more to say about this, except it was amazing.  And I can tell you, my skin still feels really soft.  

Okay............. enough for one blog.  There is still more.   So, once again, I encourage you to come back and hear some more about this wonderful time with Jesus! 

Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself in such amazing ways to us when we gather and seek your face.   How amazing it is to know that you love us so much that you bless us with these amazing evidences of your presence.  Continue to speak revelation to each of us.  Bless Charlie Shamp, his family and his ministry.  Pour out your provision and your favor on them.   Thank you again, for HUB and Nancy.  Amen

Bit about my Sunday.......... and a teaser for a couple of future blogs!

First of all, Happy Birthday (Yesterday) to my sweet Gwen!  I love the look on her face in this picture.  She was not so happy about that cake.  Another interesting thing is that the table and hutch shown in this picture, are now residing in Gwen's house!  Even after all these years....(Sorry Gwen, but you are 35 years old! Sigh...) As a mom you can't help but remember and think about the day your babies are born.  While I didn't get to spend the day with Gwen, we were together on Saturday and have lots of family time planned in the month of May. 

So, after a day of usual Sunday things like shopping and laundry, I decided to go to the HUB meeting.  I had seen an email about the guest speaker, but his name was not familiar to me.  I know from past experience that it simply doesn't matter!  These meetings are always so worth it!  First, the worship is always amazing.  It is a time and place to be in the presence of the Lord and rest.  It is also a place to receive.  The guest speaker was Charlie Shamp.  (Click on his name for information and to watch some incredible videos!)  On the Home page there is a note about last nights meeting.  Frankly, I have so much to share, I don't really know where to begin....

The worship was............heavenly.  The minute I walked in, I felt that there was a message that I would hear.  And I was not disappointed.  It started in the worship...

The first prophetic worship song included these words...........
I sit at your feet, I lean back and drink from your cup, I hear your heartbeat, I melt in your peace
Your love is so deep, more than I can stand, its overwhelming.

I will talk a bit more about this song in a later blog, but for now, lets just say I was transported to that place during this song.  Sitting at the feet of Jesus, leaning into him.  WOW!  And then the worship team moved on.

The next worship song began.... This is an "Upside Down Kingdom".  The world is moving fast and you are right on time.   And then in the middle of the set, the line that stopped me and I knew it was an answer to a question I had been asking.....  "You haven't missed your chance".    Yes, this sent an arrow right into my spirit.   The next line I heard (sometime later) was "Let your living waters flow"

At that exact moment I was hearing (in my right ear) "It's not too late" but in my left ear I was hearing "It's dead, it's too late.....just pull the plug".  Okay, I know that it sounds weird that I was hearing a different thing in each ear, but that is how I perceived this hearing.  And then very clearly I heard, YES - PULL THE PLUG!  RELEASE THOSE STREAMS OF LIVING WATER FROM WITHIN YOU!  LET THAT LIVING WATER FLOW!  And just as I was hearing that, Nancy (the leader of HUB) came to the microphone and talked about the living water flowing out. 

Isn't it interesting how you get a totally different message from the same three words?  Pull the plug!  On one hand it means a death and an ending.  But (thinking of the bathtub) pull the plug, just means let the water flow!   A very different perspective.   It really gave me a renewed sense of purpose and destiny..... it was a great affirmation for me.   I have been wondering if the last few years that have seemed as if I have been stagnant had caused me to miss my chance!  I don't know what exactly that means, but I have been feeling that way.  Like I've missed something.  That is, until last night.  It was a wonderful affirming message and it was not just for me! 

So I encourage you all to sit a moment and take in the message that you haven't missed your chance.  It is not too late.  Pull the plug and let the living water flow out of your belly.   Just meditate on these seemingly little things.  I believe that many of us will feel a new release as we meditate on this message.  

I realize that I haven't even begun to share about the meeting and Charlie Shamp.  I encourage you to come back over the next couple of days, as I share more about the rest of the night! 

Jesus, thank you for HUB and Nancy and all that are a part of that ministry.  Continue to pour out your favor and your blessing over them.   Thank you for Charlie Shamp and his heart for your glory and your presence.  Holy Spirit, remind us all to think about the simple message I heard and help us to take it in and process it.  Jesus, thank you for Gwen and all that she has brought to Ken and I.  Continue to bless her and her family.   Jesus, thank you for your living water that flows from your throne!   Amen

Long time friends, baby shower and Baptism birthdays.......

Today I was driving on a road quite close to my house, when I saw something really unexpected.  It was an object on TOP of a car......it was a DOG SLED!  You know, the kind of thing that they use in the Iditarod? What were they doing with a dog sled, in Illinois, IN MAY?  I confess that I had a moment of contemplating if there was snow in our forecast.  I mean, it is Illinois and it has been in the 30's.  And it IS May.  Yes, it was very unexpected.  And in the last couple of days I have been looking for those unexpected things.  I'll let you know if I figure out any hidden meaning in this dog sled sighting!  (Possibly it goes along with my message from "Paddlefoot?)

 

Today was one of those really great, exciting days.   I had the wonderful pleasure of attending a baby shower for Gwen's best friend since 6th grade, Brenda.   It was certainly a time of celebrating and also a bit of remembering.  I calculated that Gwen and Brenda have been friends for 24 years.  WOW does that ever make me feel old!  I spent part of the day holding my sweet little Anna, and it was so wonderful contemplating all the fun Anna and this expected baby boy will have at future parties.  It is so good to gather together with friends and family and mark these important events.

 



It was also an important day for Ellie!  It is her "Baptism Birthday"!  Five years ago she was welcomed into the Covenant of God's family and sealed with the cross of Christ. 

 I love looking at these picture of Ellie's Baptism day.   She wore Gwen's Baptism dress and was so cute!  While I was going through the photo file, I discovered this photo......

This is Brenda holding Ellie, and her husband Rick, five years ago.  Today we celebrated their coming baby.   I can't help but think how wonderful this is!  I love that Anna and their baby will be only months apart.  There is something so powerful in seeing your kids and their friends, grow up and have their own kids.  Brenda spent so much time with Gwen that she really seems like part of our family.  I confess, it made me quite teary.  I can't wait to meet this new little one.

 

I am so thankful that Gwen and Tim have made it a priority to remember and celebrate the Baptism birthdays of their kids.  It is a time when the kids talk about what Baptism is all about.  They light their candle and remember that Jesus is the light of the world.   It is a special day for them.  Wouldn't we all benefit if we added in this extra special day of celebrating by remembering our Baptism birthday?  I plan to celebrate my special day this year....on November 7th.  I want to encourage you to find your own Baptism birth date and make it a priority this year.  Celebrate this very important day in your life.  Celebrate with family and friends..... and cake! 

 

Jesus, thank you for old friends and new life.  Thank you for the new life that we have in you.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your working in Baptism.  Jesus, bless Brenda and Rick and their baby.  Bring your peace and presence during these final weeks before the birth.  Thank you, Jesus, for Ellie and all that you are doing in and through her.  Help us all to remember and celebrate our Baptism Birthdays with joy.   Amen

 



Stay with me today.  Last night I had a very odd dream.   A strange dream.  And I have spent the entire day trying to figure out exactly what was going on....what was the real meaning of this dream.  Now I didn't have much time to ponder today.  It was a very busy day at work.  Lots of kids, rain (so no outside) and then to add to the "normal busy" we are getting 3 new kids on Monday and it was the beginning of the month.  The new kids mean making new name tags, cubby markers, file folders, etc. And with the beginning of a new month all of the cubbies get new name tags, the calendar has to be changed and bulletin boards need to be changed.  So it was while I was on my way home from work, that things started to "click" about this dream.  And, I am showing my age, I doubt that most of you will remember the crazy show that was the story line of this dream...

I very clearly remember watching this cartoon in the morning, before school.   I was a "latch key" kid and I was responsible for getting myself out the door to the bus stop and this show was my "alarm".  When it was over, I had to leave the house.  I looked it up on the internet and found out that it began airing in 1960.  There were 59 episodes and I found it very interesting that each episode was created in 6, 5 minute blocks.  It was intended to run one segment each day and then rerun on Saturday as a full 30 minute show. And that last 5 minutes held the solution to the problem.  So you had to watch on Saturday to find out what happened.  Clutch (the white haired guy) was quite the adventurer.  He was part 007 and part explorer.  The little boy, Spinner, and his dog Paddlefoot always went with him on his adventures.  Swampy provided the "information" that was needed to complete the mission, but always in some odd way.  This show had TERRIBLE animation.  Anyone who saw this show today would wonder why we had even watched it.  However, there was a real educational component to this show.  Every episode took you somewhere around the world.  And there were great things learned through every show.   Anyway....here is my dream, and what I think I am supposed to take away from this dream.

 

I was on a Clutch Cargo adventure.  I don't know exactly where we were headed, but we were in that amazing plane that he always had (just a note, that plane was one of the best things about this show). The interesting thing was that Paddlefoot was talking to me!  And the only thing he said was "your mission is to go to the nations".  Okay, I understand this message, but why Clutch Cargo? And why Paddlefoot?  Here is my first thoughts on this dream.   I believe that I need to hang on to the earliest message that I received from Jesus.  (Get it??? CLUTCH - hang on to CARGO - the message, the word).Especially important in this is that my first very clear encounter with Jesus happened around the time that this show began to air.  And the message I received was that Jesus was real, I had walked with him in a beautiful garden, and I needed to tell everyone about this.  And I believe that the reason it was the dog that spoke to me in the dream, was to remind me that messages come in very different ways ...... expect the unexpected.   

 

I'm not sure if this is the entire word behind this dream.  But tonight I am feeling a bit nostalgic for Clutch Cargo.   But more than that, I am so thankful for that early dream I had and the way the Holy Spirit has continued to use this dream to speak to me.  And I am very grateful that I have plenty of time to ponder this dream.

 

Jesus, thank you so much for using everything - even a silly old television show - to get our attention.  Holy Spirit, thank you for speaking to us in sometimes hidden ways.  Help us to ponder these things and go deeper, rather than just dismissing them.   Thank you for your message to all of us to go to the nations.  And keep us expecting the unexpected.   Amen