Nashville
This past weekend was awesomely fun coolness. First of all, Karen came home safely from her business trip (Karen had a business trip...never realized how funny that would sound). I was ecstatic to see her! We got up early the Saturday morning and headed for Nashville a.k.a. "Nashvegas" to see our friends Shayne, Aarron, and Crystal. Hanging out with these guys is always so encouraging. They have such a passion for life and ministry for Christ. It's also easy to say that they know how to have fun as Christians and live life to it's fullest. This is something I strive for so desperately!
We watched plenty of football, went shopping, cooked out some great burgers, and went to church. I was impressed with how God is working in this church. Shayne is working with the media ministry and will be on staff full time as the Assistant Media Minister starting in January. If you've met Shayne, you know how awesome this job is for him. He is able to use his talents to further the ministry at the church... and he's darned good at it!
Listening to Aarron preach on Sunday morning was quite encouraging. He kept hitting on the point that we are in Christ and driving home our need for Him. What I notice the most about Aarron and Crystal is how much they want to engage you in conversation about your life. They love discussing how God is moving in their lives and ours. Again, very encouraging.
We as Christians need to be engaged in each other's lives and build each other up in Christ. Let's stop holding back and start running after Christ together as ONE body. If we think we can do it without the help of other believers... we are arrogantly incorrect. What do you think?
posted by Chad B at 3:38 PM
2 Comments:
absolutely. and not just incorrect if we think we can go-it-alone, but also incorrect if we think we can go-it-alone with just "our" family. Our true family is the Body of Christ, not just our spouses and children and relatives. There is great value, I believe, to also be engaged with a greater Body of Christ, not just those naturally, physically closest to us.
I'm still working on in my brain how to practically do this, to live as one, live as the Body of Christ, as a part of it, in an intimate and intentional way. I am always drawn back to the book of Acts (Chapter 2 to start).
The Fellowship of the Believers
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Quick observations:
-Believers met together every day
-Believers shared meals together, which may have involved the Lord's Supper, in their homes and not just in the temple courts
-Possessions were in common and sacrifices were regularly made for the support and betterment of the Body.
1:24 PM
I totally agree w/ Kristi's comments. True biblical community isn't something that comes easily, when we've been raised with a different paradigm.
Additional thoughts on the passage that is simply inspiring:
-Believers shared in each other's spiritual lives and growth
-They shared with anyone who had need (not who was deserving, nice to them, prequalified, etc.)
-They shared in each other's joys
-God used them to bring more believers to Him
What an awesome community, huh? I want to be part of that!
9:17 AM
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