Joline's Journey Into the Woods
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Into the woods, it's time and so, I must begin my journey."
Such has been my life: a journey with the King.
I've been blessed beyond measure to have met so many interesting people from all different walks of life on this journey. All with their own story. All with their own pain.
See, what I've learned on the journey is that everyone on the journey carries "stuff". They may try to hide it, lie about it, minimize it, or deny it, but everyone harbors something they don't want others to know about. A secret. Something they are ashamed of. In need of. Longing for. Grieving.
This is why I "get" Into the Woods - a musical where characters from several fairy tales get entangled in each other's lives because they are all lacking and searching for the "thing" that can make them whole. And although they are all on their own personal journey, it is not until they ban together in community that "happily ever after" occurs.
We are stronger together. But to experience this, we must admit how very weak we are alone.
"Things will come out right now
We can make it so
Someone is on your side
No one is alone"
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Divinely Designed Community
Debbie Legg is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
The Strategy of Community
Like Anitra, I am also a award winning introvert - I like my alone time and don't generally verbally process my life. And like Joline, I need to be intentional with my time - more so, because I have a tendency to draw away. And while, there is a different balance for each of us, we are meant to be a blessing to others in our life, and to receive a blessing from others through relationships. So, maybe this week is just an opportunity to check in with yourself and with the Lord - how are you doing about building healthy relationships in your life? Are there people in your life that are feeding you, and that you are pouring into? If not, where might you find your next appointment? Walking buddy? Coffee date? Bible study? Small group? Phone friend?
my strength of soul you increased." Psalm 138:3
Discipline in Community
I worship in a community.
I exercise in a community (both in person and online in a larger cyber-community).
I discuss books in community.
I fellowship in a small group community.
I eat meals in community.
I even drink a little wine in community.
However, it may come to your surprise to find out that while I find myself in community often, I actually CRAVE being alone. I work from home. But unless I'm on the phone, it is quiet - except for neighborhood noise. No TV in the background. I rarely even play music. I like to be by myself.
Only, I have learned that there are some habits (or lack thereof) that I just can't seem to tackle alone. And that's when I go hunting for the appropriate community for help.
Huh?
I mentioned in one of my older posts that prayer is a discipline which foils me. I've always struggled with it. Thus, to insure that I was practicing this discipline into my life, I purposely set up a weekly prayer group with me and three friends whose walks with God I admire, am challenged by, and with whom I can be all me.
There is discipline in community.
And take daily devotions. The summer can be trickier for us with kids out of school, so for two years now, I've made it a habit of choosing a summer devotional for our Mom 2 Mom group specifically for the summer months. Something that is read everyday. And to keep me even more on track - I send out a brief daily email with what God taught me that particular day. If that doesn't keep a girl consistent, I don't know what will.
There is discipline in community.
Have you tried NOT attempting difficult things alone? I highly recommend joining a huddle!
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Community Contentions
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving
out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” Debbie Legg is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
The Cost of Community
Community College
I think that the reason people use such throw-away commentary is that they are often afraid to give the Church a chance. Let’s face it, the idea of getting to know Jesus all on your own, without the complication and interruption of other sinners, seems like an easier row to hoe. Perhaps, it is. But without a Community “college”, you are turning away from a quality education. And, guess what? A quality education is expensive.
Committing to a faith community will cost you dearly in patience, sacrifice, humility, and self-control. But, in return for your hefty tuition, you will be given unlimited credit hours to explore gratitude, forgiveness, grace, and love in the Kingdom of God!
So come on, people. Let us stop spouting silly theologies from the safety of our homes. Now is not the time to drop out. A new semester is beginning.
It is time to enroll!
Community Within Community
We attend an amazing church. I love the glimpse I get of “every tribe, every tongue, every nation” each time I’m there. This is by far the most diverse community of believers I’ve ever joined in worship--in ethnicity, in age, economic background and denominational roots. It’s a wonderful place to call home for folks who can handle living with a big family. It’s not, however a place where everybody knows your name.
While that works for me, I’ve met plenty of people who’d find it overwhelming. These people might assume that they’d get lost in a church this size. How will they connect? How will they feel like they belong? I totally get it. One of the things we look for in a church is a sense of belonging, and at first glance, large churches might not seem to offer that. The large churches that “get it,” however, know the power of community within community. These are the churches where small groups abound, and in these churches, those small groups hold the key to making community happen.
Recently, my husband and I had the ridiculous honor of being interviewed by our senior pastor in front of our congregation. We opened ourselves up to the larger group to share how “doing life” with our small group helped bring healing and restoration to our battle-weary lives. As we talked, we realized that the people we’ve met in our small groups have become the people we play with, pray with, cry with and spend time with, just about everyday. It’s those smaller chunks of community that have made us feel like we belong in the community at large. Those people we engage outside the walls of the church have made our time within the church all the more meaningful.
I hope you’re experiencing that and discovering the power within “the smaller chunks” (where everybody does know your name and they’re always glad you came). The community within the community might turn out to be the lifeline you need. It definitely was for us, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Anitra Elmore is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
"Act" of Community
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They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Teaching
Fellowship
Breaking of bread
Prayer
Unfortunately, at times, our community looks a little something like this:
Too much talking, not enough listening
Gossiping
Mindlessly taking communion
Saying we will pray
Oh my, I sound cynical don't I?
I don't mean to, really. I guess I just wonder if we use our "bible" words to convince ourselves that we are indeed building community.
I think the best way to assess whether community is indeed a priority in one's life is to simply ask the following questions:
Am I being taught? Open to being taught? Committed to being taught? Growing from being taught?
Am I spending time with like-minded believers? Am I surrounding myself with those that sharpen me? (And do I sharpen others?)
Am I celebrating the Lord's Supper in the presence of other believers?
Am I praying? Consistently praying?
Community is a blessed gift.
As we desire to grow, we should not look this community "gift-horse" in the mouth. I myself have made sure that I am in a small group, have set up an even smaller, more intimate group of women with whom I pray once a week, AND have had the same prayer partner since 1993. All intentional.
If it was good enough for the early church, it is indeed good enough for us.
Are you a part of a strong community/small group? Or do you have a group you meet with regularly for fellowship?
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Community
This week, the Daily Fast Fuel Kitchen Crew is cooking up commentary on community. As I write our week’s intro, it is Saturday night and, I must say, I am in an especially appropriate frame of mind to write on such a topic. I say this because thanks to a long night facing off with a defiant three-year-old, I want nothing more than a little solitude. In moments like these, when one is tempted to close out St. Patty’s Day with more than their fair share of Irish “spirit”, the realities of individual relationships can shed light on the delights and disappointments of the beloved community of faith.
Community is such an integral part of the building up of one’s faith. It can strengthen you. It can challenge you. It can make you exhausted or invigorated. Overall, it can draw you closer to the One who gathered us together as a tribe in the first place. And at the end of the day, that is what it is all about.
We, the fellowship of believers, belong together. Read why as the Daily Fast Fuel serves up a Community Pot Luck this week!
