"What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him." One of my friends shared this verse to us before we started our Monday prayer time yesterday. There is such power behind knowing the One who created the universe and all that is in it dwells amongst us when we gather to pray.
As you have probably heard me say before our primary work here in Aliquippa is prayer. I can't help but blog about it and talk about it because we have seen God work in so very many ways through our crying out. Please understand that I do not say any of this to bring credit to ourselves, but to God and God alone.
Through prayer God has given a couple of our friends a vision to start missional communities. What are missional communities you might ask? The purpose of a missional community is to intentionally live out God's mission together. Life on Life! Worshipping together, serving together, learning together, outreaching together, failing together, and rejoicing together. I know some of you may think, "how is this different from what you do now?" The difference is we are providing an atmosphere for believers and unbelievers to be discipled whether they choose to attend an institutional church or not. I am so excited about this! I know God is going to do incredible things through our two groups and cannot wait to see the power of Christ transform people. Please pray for us as we begin this new journey. Your prayers are coveted!
Love Deeply
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
A Beautiful Mess
I am re-reading a book my best friend gave me called A Beautiful Mess. I love it. Basically, it is about our Kingdom signifying those exact words. The book talks a lot about the art of "beauty pushing through brokenness." I think this phrase itself represents Aliquippa to the utmost. Within all the brokenness that men, women, and children have in this community, beauty is slowly but surely making its appearance . . . to stay.
When I say beauty is pushing through brokenness, I think of the three individuals who just came to faith in the last couple months; I think about how God is providing a group of people from Aliquippa the opportunity to go and serve the individuals of Africa this Spring; I think about a once homeless, addicted, prostitute transforming into a beautiful, confident woman; I think about our youth fighting the temptations of the street in order to serve the Lord; I think about men in the drug dealing business being restored as men who fear a Perfect King; I think about a community that sees itself as hopeless, seeking, finding, and experiencing the hope of Christ.
My trust is in a King, which reigns over a Kingdom that cannot be shaken. May we all expect and be oh so thankful for the Power that is able to revolutionize a life. Amen and Amen.
Love Deeply
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Homecoming . . .
This past weekend our church here in Aliquippa had a homecoming to celebrate 93 years of existence. When I first heard about this homecoming celebration I honestly thought to myself, "what church has a homecoming celebration?!?!" I had never heard of something like that before. But then again, I have never been a part of a church that has 93 years of history. It started Friday night with a traditional style hymn singing service. Saturday night, there was a dinner banquet, where I won an award for answering a question about the history of the church! Actually, I cheated and the secretary gave me the answer. I am justifying it by giving away my fall gift basket to one of the ladies we have Bible Study with :)
Then came Sunday. As the previous days, there were people from all generations represented at the service. The oldest member who returned for the weekend was 90 years old. Throughout the service, there were testimonies from the respected older generation speaking of their youth group days. They spoke of how his youth group leaders at the time would drive them all around and pick them up for meetings and such. Looking back on the days, he said he was confident that his leaders prayed a hedge of protection around him and the rest of the youth at the time. It was encouraging to hear, knowing 1) that some of our youth were sitting listening to this man and 2) it was again confirmation that our Lord does indeed water the seeds that are planted in His perfect timing.
The most powerful part of the service, however, was at the end. There was an invitation by our leadership for everyone to come to the front and pray life into our community. At the alter, there were elderly men and women, young men and women, youth, and children. We started out praying individually and silent, but was then challenged to pray out loud. The voices and tears of many were spoken in boldness to the Lord. Aaron Schust led us in a time of worship following prayer. I took time to look up and see the body of Christ worshipping as one; crying together and singing together. It was a beautiful display of the Kingdom and His Majesty. To Him be the glory! Amen and Amen.
Love Deeply
Then came Sunday. As the previous days, there were people from all generations represented at the service. The oldest member who returned for the weekend was 90 years old. Throughout the service, there were testimonies from the respected older generation speaking of their youth group days. They spoke of how his youth group leaders at the time would drive them all around and pick them up for meetings and such. Looking back on the days, he said he was confident that his leaders prayed a hedge of protection around him and the rest of the youth at the time. It was encouraging to hear, knowing 1) that some of our youth were sitting listening to this man and 2) it was again confirmation that our Lord does indeed water the seeds that are planted in His perfect timing.
The most powerful part of the service, however, was at the end. There was an invitation by our leadership for everyone to come to the front and pray life into our community. At the alter, there were elderly men and women, young men and women, youth, and children. We started out praying individually and silent, but was then challenged to pray out loud. The voices and tears of many were spoken in boldness to the Lord. Aaron Schust led us in a time of worship following prayer. I took time to look up and see the body of Christ worshipping as one; crying together and singing together. It was a beautiful display of the Kingdom and His Majesty. To Him be the glory! Amen and Amen.
Love Deeply
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