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Retreat tomorrow with the Nixons and Rains from Vineyard Central. They're coming down to eat, talk, pray, worship, counsel with us. I'm excited about it. More later. Pray for us.
| posted by + Alan | 11:09 PM | |
Thursday, June 27, 2002
OK, I'm on here on Thursday morning this time. We had a Pizza making party last night - fun! We made pizzas, talked, laughed, a little beer flowed, and Debi brought Mead (ancient drink - made from fermented honey) - wow! This stuff is goooood! Why have we let this fall to the ways side? Anyway, I think Robert and I are going to try and make some - in the monastic brewing tradition of course. I'll let you know if it works out. Matt brought chocolate pies - we ate some of that - had coffee - and went for a walk around the neighborhood. It was a good time. We were being a community - that's what we do.
| posted by + Alan | 7:57 AM | |
Saturday, June 22, 2002
Hi, again...I forgot earlier that I wanted to recommend a really good movie to everyone. I told the community a little about it the other night, but I want to share it with anyone out there who is interested in the history of "mountain music" or "bluegrass" or "folk music", whatever you like to call it. The movie is called "Songcatcher", from the book of the same name, starring Aidan Quinn and some other fine actors (I really didn't notice the others--Aidan Quinn is in it, that was enough for me. :) ) I rented it on DVD and liked it enough to watch it twice, the second time with the director's commentary. (DVD is such a cool toy!) I will mention that if you have kids, you may not want to include them in viewing this until you've seen it yourself--there's some sexual content that may be objectionable to some. I won't say any more than that because it will give some of the plot away and then Alan will be mad at me. :) Anyway, I highly recommend this movie!
| posted by #Debi | 2:21 PM | |
Hey, everybody--sorry it's been so long since I contributed. I feel a lot like our friend Dan, who says he doesn't like to say anything unless he's got something to say. I don't want to come in here and just type for the sake of typing--I want it to be actually of interest to someone. (I know, I know, you're thinking, "But she's not like that when I'm talking to her!") Anyway, I wanted to put my two-cents-worth in about Wednesday night. I also thought it was a very good time, and a good talk. I was a little worried there at first, though, Robert. I thought for a minute there that you were gonna go all "fire and brimstone" on us, hangin' out in the OT and all. It was good, though. I've been doing a lot of meditating lately, as most of you who read this know, on prioritizing my life and getting rid of the "deadwood"; those activities and things that are in my way, physically and emotionally and spiritually and every other -ly. Knowing which things we are doing "for God" are actually important and pleasing to Him is a key to contentment, I think.
I also wanted to share a little something with you all that I ran across in the Lexington Herald-Leader, of all places. Last Sunday's paper had a section about Father's Day and several letters from fathers to their children, advice for their lives and such. One of the better ones included a poem that I thought was really cool, so I wanted to share it with everyone. It's titled, "My Symphony", by William Henry Channing. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
"MY SYMPHONY"
"To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich. To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.
"In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony."
Isn't that cool? I also wanted to let everyone know that I have applied for a new position within my company with a little more money and responsibility, and it's looking really good for me to get it. In fact, I was told by my supervisor that I am the person they actually had in mind for the job, but it was policy that they had to post it and announce it for everyone to have a chance to apply. So if you all would keep this in prayer, that I would get the position if it's what God wants for me (if He wants something better, I'll take that instead :)) Also that if I do get the job, I'll be given the grace to handle the apparently intensive training that goes along with it. Thanks!
P.S.: Also please keep in prayer my uncle, whom I've mentioned before--he's back in the hospital and apparently not doing all that great. I know God's in control--God, help all the other family members (and Kenneth himself) to know that, also.
| posted by #Debi | 12:38 PM | |
Wednesday, June 19, 2002
Seems I always get on here at night after our meetings - there's my set way. Anyway, another good night. We had a full house tonight - the McGlones were over again - always good to have them hang with us. Matt also visitied tonight for the first time. He found our website and e-mailed me - then he was here tonight. It was good to have him with us. We had alot of fun - talked about "doing the word" - being more than just someone who does the compartmental "spiritual" things but one who lives their whole life abiding with Christ - constantly growing and being transformed. We talked a little about the whole notion being discussed by Brian McLaren, Dallas Willard, etc. about being a "follower of Christ" and not just haing the name "Christian." We discussed how this living it out is not being legalistic - that we are cooperating with the work of God in us on a constant basis - loong haul. It was a good talk. That's it for now.
| posted by + Alan | 11:54 PM | |
We all have a tendacy to get set in our ways and it is hard to change. I should know because I have to make myself remember to come here and at least put something in.
I wanted to say that Robert's talk has stuck with me. I actually thought about it just a short time ago. I appreciate the fact that everyone has taken the time to "do" the discussion. I know it has been a bit of a relief for Alan.
I also want to let you all know that I appreciate you and I truly enjoy when you come over. I don't like getting the house ready but you all are always welcome. I will just scoot all the clothes out of the way on the couch so you can have a place to sit. You all are part of my true happiness.
I think we should all try a bit harder to come here and share with each other. Sometimes we think of things when we aren't around each other and this is the place to share it. Just a thought.
| posted by liz | 8:46 AM | |
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Tonight was good. Robert is on his turn at facilitating the meetings this month. We talked about "being happy" and all we pile on that - how we look for it and what is real vs. false happiness - good discussion. Ashley McGlone, his wife Mary, and their boys Levi and Noah came to hang with us in our meeting tonight. It was good to have them here. It's cool that we're connecting with people here in Lexington who understand what we're doing.
| posted by + Alan | 11:35 PM | |
Where's everygody at!? Well, I'm here. Nothing spectacular happening in the community at present. Well, not that anyone can see anyway. Pehaps God is doing something "wonderful" at least, even if we can't see it yet. I suspect that is the case. I'm almost finished reading Brian McLaren's book More Ready Than You Realize. This is seriously effecting my view of how to "reach people with the good news." I love it! I want our whole community to read this (don't worry guys - it's an easy read) and be effected by it. I'll write more about it later.
| posted by + Alan | 9:03 AM | |
Thursday, June 06, 2002
Here's what we did last night: we went out to eat at a restaurant, talked as we ate, and then went to see The Lord of The Rings. It was a very good time. We had a good time just hanging out with each other and had some good conversation.
And let me tell you, I'm a late bloomer on this movie - I just saw it for the first time last night. I have been waiting for 20 years for this to be done justice to in film - I was not disappointed. I think I was on the verge of tears throughout the whole movie - just overwhelmed. Not just with the film - it was beautiful and extremely well done, but with the Kingdom undercurrent - overcurrent. I read those books 20 years ago and didn't see it so clearly then but as I watched this, it was so clear. Very good stuff.
| posted by + Alan | 9:49 AM | |
Sunday, June 02, 2002
I'm not sure what I just did, but there's a paragraph somewhere out there in the ether....oh well, let's try again.
I realized that it's been quite a while since the last time I checked in here, so I took the opportunity to catch up on my blog reading for like the last week....there's some good stuff there! Congrats, Molly, on a successful blog attempt. Oh, yeah, and also to you and to Robert for graduating from your various programs.
I had the chance yesterday to attend my first Greenhouse meeting, and I was very impressed, as I suspected I would be. Lots of good input from all the participants. Alan tells me I only met like half of the usual bunch, so I'm looking forward to meeting the other half soon. I met one girl who has a connection to someone getting ready to go to Ireland for a year (!) for missions. I'm maybe a little bit jealous, but as Cara said for herself, I know I'm not spiritually or financially ready to jump into that just yet. I do plan to pray for her friend and the team she's going with, though. If I can't go myself just yet, I can at least pray for those who are going.
We talked a lot about things during the meeting like prayer walking, which I've heard about and even attempted before, but now I'm more fired up about the idea. I really don't even know any of my neighbors, and those I know I don't really hang out with. My apartment has always been just kind of a place to sleep in or veg out at, and my "life" really has always taken place "out there". I've been wanting to start a program of walking for exercise with little success--maybe if I add this little twist it'll be something that's not just for my benefit and therefore something I might actually do. :) We also discussed the finer points of cooperating with other churches in our area in ministering to the city with no real agenda other than getting out the Good News....in other words, with no competition motives. A simple idea, but seemingly chock full of obstacles and implications. It was refreshing to hear that these other people, whom I have much respect for and look to as mentors of a sort, are going through the same kind of issues we face in dealing with "building-oriented" churches.
Alan, you'll be pleased to know that I visited the discussion board at the vbcc website, and amused to know that I didn't know it existed. I even put my two-cents'-worth in! (Which is probably about what it was worth.) Please understand that I'm a first-time traveler to the World Wide Web, and there are things I find fascinating that I'm sure all y'all are oh, so blase about. Anyway, it was cool to find yet another way to connect with people all over the world and find like-minded folks.
| posted by #Debi | 11:40 AM | |