Conversations for Couples

Tomorrow night, thursday night, we will be hosting another "Conversations" night for couples. This is a time we set aside for couples to come to our house and hang out. It is a relaxing environment to talk and share. There will be couples at various stages in their journey seeking to connect on a deeper level. This 2-3 hour block of time provides an ongoing way for couples to deal with the real issues of marriage and intimacy.

"Conversations" is an important part of the overall Marriage Encounter ministry. It helps us to accomplish two things. First, it gives a "front door" entry for anyone to our ministry. It is a safe place to talk and deal with relevant issues to your relationship. Second, it provides an ongoing environment for couples to build on the truths taught in a Living Room Encounter or other experiences.

So, I look forward to the conversation tomorrow night. I know that Melody and I will grow and be challenged through the time together.

community of handicaps...

friends...
wow, been a crazy week or so. the family was hit with a stomach bug last week...so we were down for a few days. lots of spiritual warfare last week...i should have blogged you guys to be praying for us. learning as we go. thanks for your ongoing prayers...this ministry and work is actively coming against the enemy, Satan. So, we need your support.

Anyway, thought i would share a few thoughts that have been hitting me about "brotherhood"...what does that really look like?

The first from Paul...
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (The Message)
7-10Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

Next, from a brother named Nate Larkin who wrote "Samson and the Pirate Monks"... (i am reading this book right now...powerful story and community)
"Considering Paul's problem and God's response, I was suddenly struck by the possibility that God's apparent inaction in a painful area of my life might have been deliberate. Maybe, just maybe, God knew I needed that problem. He hadn't afflicted me with it, that was clear, but maybe he loved me too much to take it away. Maybe that problem was the only lever in my life big enough to force me out of my determined isolation and into honest relationships with other members of the body of Christ."

So, I guess (i know) pain/handicaps/thorns are our "lever" into community...our brokenness paves the way for community...
No brokenness, No community.
Know brokenness, Know community.

Living Room Encounter

This weekend Melody and I are facilitating another Living Room Marriage Encounter with 2 couples. This intimate gathering will take place in a home where couples will be encouraged to share, pray, and do battle for their relationships. Going into this weekend, I am so open to whatever God wants to say and do. It is a relief that these Encounters don't involved a formula or program. It is not a "show up and let us give you 5 steps to a better marriage". Been down that road before...not much transformation. These Encounters are much more about entering more deeply into your own story and the story of your marriage. It is inviting God to move and speak a fresh message. Each Encounter is unique. This weekend, we are working with 2 couples who are farther down the marriage road. So, it will be interesting to see what God wants to say.

Melody's parents are coming in on friday to help with our children. So, that is a huge blessing to know that they are cared for while we minister and guide. If you are reading this, offer up some prayer for us and the couples we are meeting with. Pray that we truly encounter the living God who desires for marriages to reflect His mercy and love.

Thanks Intercessors...

Thanks for praying and supporting us over the weekend with the men's boot camp. It was a powerful experience with the men. The final session of the boot camp was the most powerful as the men opened up and shared. The pastor was able to open his heart and communicate his need for them to develop as a true brotherhood. The men conveyed their desire to fight for sharing their stories and developing deeper connection. So, it was a door opener, a step in a new direction. Chris and I will continue work with this church and the men.

Thanks friends and allies for supporting us with your prayers...continue to fight on our behalf!

Intercessors Needed...

Allies and Friends...
Tonight, we go into battle for men's hearts. Chris Roe and I are leading a group of men in a Freedom and Life Boot Camp tonight. These men are from a local church that started about 4-5 years ago. The boot camp runs tonight through saturday afternoon. We will be leading sessions on the larger story, the poser, and brotherhood. Key areas in every man's journey.

So, in doing battle, we need people to come alongside us with prayers. This type of heart-work is critical and is opposed. So, we cannot do it alone. If you are reading this right now, STOP and PRAY. Don't wait for a convenient time to pray and intercede for us. Will you pray right now and lift us up...

Father,
Thank you for allies who support and pray for our ministry. We are doing this together. I thank you that ministering alone is not an option. I thank you that battling for hearts is what You have called us to do. So, now as our brothers and sisters uphold, surround, and support us with their prayers. Honor their prayers and bring strength, wisdom, and courage. amen.

Lucky to be Leafless

Eugene Peterson is truly a sage of our time. I love his writings and love his heart on ministry and life. I have recently been reading and rereading a sketch that he wrote on "blessed are the poor in spirit". One of the things God is teaching me right now is to read slowly and soak deeply. I tend to rush through scripture and readings. I seem to "get through a lot" and check it off my reading to-do list. But have I slowed down enough for soul-soaking to happen.
So, here is something to soak on by Peterson...

The Lucky Poor
"blessed are the poor in spirit"

A beech tree in winter, white
Intricacies unconcealed
Against sky blue and billowed
Clouds, carries in his emptiness
Ripeness: sap ready to rise
On signal, buds alert to burst
To leaf. And then after a season
Of summer a lean ring to remember
The lush fulfilled promises.
Empty again in wise poverty
That lets the reaching branches stretch
A millimeter more towards heaven,
The bole expand ever so slightly
And push roots into the firm
Foundation, lucky to be leafless:
Deciduous reminder to let it go.

Lesotho's Crisis: 6 Doctors -- 800,000 Kids

Encounter is hosting a silent auction in October to help raise funds for AIDS orphans and families in Lesotho. Lesotho is located in the southernmost part of Africa. Encounter Humanity, an aspect of our ministry, has formed a partnership in this country to help with families and children.

The following news article came out over the weekend to help explain the medical crisis...
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/GlobalHealth/story?id=3553436&page=1

Just a reminder that our Silent Auction is Thursday, October 4. You can see items that are for sale at www.encounterauction.blogspot.com. Every dollar raised will go toward this ministry effort.