Community

This week the family I have been being a nanny for is on vacation meaning I have a week to focus on illustrating Joy’s book.  I am getting closer and closer to starting the final step of watercolor.  I am very excited to have these illustrations “come to life” with color!

Last night Mars Hill had an all-church sync.  They try to do these meetings once a month.  There is typically a potluck and either a guest speaker or a focus on reporting something about the health of the church.  Instead of meeting at our usual spot of UGM, the meeting took place at Seattle Chinese Alliance Church.  It was great to see 2 churches coming together with warm greetings because of Christ.  CAC is actually the home church of the family I nanny.  I saw her mom there last night and heard how grateful she is that I am helping out her grandbaby!  We also met a couple we have seen every Sunday serving communion.  When we were doing the typical small talk greetings we learned that the wife is from Apple Valley and graduated from AVHS 2 years prior to Josh! Small world.   

Last night another MH Pastor- Brad House spoke on community.  He had some very good insights- hence why he has also written a book titled “Community”.  What really gripped me was when he asked the group WHY do we do community groups (aka small groups).  People shared their responses and he broke them down into three different categories.  He revealed to us that we usually share with someone the WHAT we do at group for the WHY question.  We have food, fun, live life together, serve etc.  By sharing the WHAT we create consumers voicing only the needs that can be met rather than WHY we meet.  So WHY do Christians get to be in community??  Because we were created for it.  When God created man he said it was NOT good for him to be alone.  He created us in His image and God exists in community through the trinity- hence he created Eve so that Adam could be in community as well.  Sin destroyed that community- hence why when we sin against each other we separate.  BUT BUT BUT then in steps Jesus and He redeems community by reconciling us back to God and back to each other.  THEREFORE why do we get to experience community once again?  Because Christ created the way to be with one another in love and in peace.  Wow that is so much more amazing and sustaining than food or fun.  I am so grateful for Mars Hill church because they are convicting me of how many times I leave Jesus out of my faith and what I do.  Don’t forget Jesus- it is all about Him. 

On another note- Josh and I would greatly appreciate prayers for the upcoming week.  Josh will be going to camp in Canada with the Mars Hill Youth.  The camp is from June 21-26…the longest time we have ever been apart since being married AND there is no cell phone service where they are going.  We are not looking forward to be away from each other….we do better when we are together J      

Oh MN I miss you, but not your crazy weather!  Stay safe my dear friends!