Where Did You Go??

You guys make me laugh... the most random of you, giving me gears for not blogging in a very long time!?  Then with this somewhat guilty look you confess... "Ok.... yes... I secretly creep your blog..."  Well, at least you're honest.  :)

Here's the deal... I actually haven't stopped blogging at all. The truth is, it seems to have naturally evolved into a Sunday morning LIVE thought based on scripture with some fresh insight/reflection that I will open our church service with.  Yes... LIVE and in person.  I don't read from a script but rely on God's Spirit within me to take the words from the bible and lift them with HIS breath into the hearts of those gathered.  It changes week to week as you can imagine.  

As I'm writing this my teen girls come sit beside me and I can tell they want to talk, so I literally stop typing and we end up sharing a deep conversation.  An hour later and I pick this up.  ;)

Most of you know we have a somewhat full schedule and yet I've personally decided to make a choice that I will not let technology take the place of real authentic, face to face, heartfelt love that is always best given and expressed through one's whole being.  My kids KNOW they are loved and cherished.  They KNOW despite the many demands of their parents church planting, that we have a sweet unity in our family that the Spirit causes us to celebrate.

Can I encourage you even today, to set aside what might seem so important, to look into the eyes of those in front of you?  To not be so time driven, worried about all that is going on around or what still needs to get done and rather enjoy the true fellowship of relationship?

Our world is changing, this is true.  It doesn't mean technology is bad... I simply won't let it master me.  I don't have a Facebook account for that reason.  Am I missing out on great marketing benefits,  or long lost friends, updates, etc... ??? No, I chose to do my best to be most present with who is PRESENT before and around me.  (I constantly make mistakes and continue to, and yet as my heart leans into this desire and choice, God has really been helping me. )

This desire spills over into our church.  For God is showing and teaching us that the power of Presence far outweighs all the best technology and marketing this world can offer.   It's pretty amazing to witness to be honest.  God is calling people into His Presence; His Presence of Love and He's using us as a church to not only be His witness but a demonstration of His power in this.  Roger and I were sharing how we are truly standing in awe, baffled, at all that God doing in and through our new baby WestMOUNT church.  It really blesses and humbles me.

I so long for His Presence to be felt through me.  For the delight I feel in my soul with Him, is too good to keep to myself!  He is amazing.  Really.  And if you have no idea of what I'm talking about..... honestly... come be with us on Sunday mornings.  10am.  Xtreme Landmark Theatre... West Kelowna. No need to look pretty, or try to impress anyone... God prefers you just present and real and so do we.  God's big about TODAY.  He always has been, always will be.  He is the "I AM" remember.

I can honestly say feel, sense and know Him more today than I did a year ago when I last blogged.  That is the truth.  Ask those who are with me daily, if they believe this to be true.  I would even encourage you to start with those I live with, my husband and kids and ask them when I'm not around.  ;)

Interestingly, when I last wrote this blog, we just arrived back from Haiti.  Today our 17 year old daughter JUST returned from 3 wks on her own, having gone to help serve with another one of our church members who has chosen to live there and run a Haitian orphanage. This was a HUGE life changing spirit filled trip for her!!  And Lord willing we will have another 30 members go down in Dec to continue a great reach of love to the poor.

I don't want to stop or shrink back!  I want to continue to walk in step with our great God and let Him continue to use us to bring Himself glory.  This is our calling.  It doesn't need to happen in Haiti that's just an overflow.  It starts first in me, in my heart and being tenderly present. And then will begin to influence those closest to us on a daily basis.

Join us in this pursuit ... a God driven reality to bring His Kingdom here on earth.  It's already started and even the gates of Hell won't prevail over it.

"Thank you Lord, for the privilege you've given Roger and I of leading an aggressive charge to build your kingdom, with a sword in one hand, a shovel in the other, unified by your indescribable love.
You alone are worthy."