Kingdom Community Sweetness

Last night we examined Psalm 133 as a community (Sweet, Like Mountain Dew). As we discussed last evening, the sweetness and beauty of Community is seen best, often, against the backdrop of contention and turmoil. What make community so heavenly is the journey of friendship where people love each despite conflict, where forgiveness flows, hospitality permeates the welcoming spirit.

but, the question that we started to pose last night as we concluded was:

"What Boundaries do we need to have?" and how do we practically function with these boundaries?

Does Doctrine become a boundary? if so-to what degree? what other things become boundaries for us as a community, in order to protect the community?

thoughts? Questions? comments?

(posted by sam)

God is Pro-earth discussion Part 2

How is it that we have become so out of touch with our home? Of course the story of The Fall that continues today is the base reason- but as God's children we should be restoring the earth. How bad is it when............................
The Tsukiji Fish market (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukiji_fish_market) in Tokyo, Japan receives and auctions fish..........fish caught off the eastern coast of the U.S. states. American fishermen from the New England area drive to work in the cars, truck, or suv. They get onto a boat, travel out into the vast ocean. They catch magnificent tuna (as well as other fish)- and they haul the fish back into the harbor. They load the fish on ice into big diesel trucks. The trucker drives the fish to NY's JFK airport. they load the fish from the truck, still on ice, onto a Jet. The pilot flies the plane over the vast ocean all the way to Tokyo, Japan. The unload the fish from the plane, onto a truck-kept cold by ice. They drive the truck to Tsukiji Fish market, where the tuna is auctioned off to the highest bidder. Often that bidder is represents a great Family SeaFood Restaurant from- Oh---NY, or Chicago, or Atlanta- . They load the prime tuna back onto a truck, to a plane, over the ocean from which the fish came, back to a truck- to a restaurant- where it is served.................FRESH!

Have we become disconnected from our home? Have we lost touch with the Earth that God loves and created to enjoy fellowship with us, and it-and all its inhabitants?

How do we get reconnected? What small things can we begin to do to reconnect? To restore?

(Posted By sc)

God is Pro-Earth Conversation part 1

In the Genesis narrative Tuesday gets extra-love.....twice the story tells us: "And God saw that is was good" (Gen 1:10, 12). But this Tuesday it's cloudy, raining, thundering and lightning. Makes me want to crawl back into bed and sleep this one away. But, creation, even rain tells us so much about God, His wisdom and love- about ourselves:
"Job 5:8-10But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God; Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number. He gives rain on the earth, And sends water on the fields." Aparently rain is a "wonder" from God that we ought to be in awe of Him for. (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/1998/1117_The_Great_Work_of_God_Rain/... a great article on God giving rain)

Jesus used Creation to teach us about life. In Matthew 6 He tells us to consider Lillies to understand the provision of God in life. In another place Jesus tells us that we can discern the seas (or we do discern the seas) by the color of the sky at night, and yet we stumble over clear signs of Jesus. He speaks of birds of the air, and uses a stormy sea to teach of faith and power. He uses seeds to illustrate the hiddenness of His message and the great potential it has. Fish are used over and over again by Him to reveal something of his existence.

James, the Lord's half brother uses creation as illustration to teach us about our tongues.

In Psalm 19 the Psalmist paints a vivid picture of Creation revealing the Glory, the Righteousness, the splendor of God.

What has Creation taught you/us lately? What have we seen about How God has cared for His Earth?

What do these things tell us about God and the Life He wants us to live?


(posted- by SC)

Genesis-

Genesis-

We affirm the essential, historical Orthodox truths of the Christian faith. We see ourselves as part of the story of a relationship between God and humans that involves people from every generation, all lands, including all ethnicities, excluding no languages. The bible working with the Holy Spirit of God to be the voice of God and many who have walked with Him, for the greater good of the relationship of Jesus Christ, the groom, and His Bride, the Church (redeemed of all time and places). We believe that History is, as well as the story of God’s ineffable beauty, the story of God’s redeemed people constantly reforming and assisting Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in re-creating the world through the timeless gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore we dream of being a people who knows our Genesis and lives the ever completing of that story!

"I was 5 or 6 when I was baptized to make my parents proud.........................."

"I was told-'you're getting baptized today............................................................"

"We love this Community, The Riv, and want to dedicate our lives to living life with you all"

"New, Fresh meaning to baptism........we have to be baptized ............................................"

"Thanks for allowing us to be a part of this day......................................."

"I love being a part of a community where creativity is valued....I was......................."

"I hated church, I knew there was something more, better. Then when I came to The Riv my I knew this is what it's about....community........"

"I love Jesus Christ........I WAS (still-but wow God is a Redeemer) an addict...I've been sober for 13 months....."

"I am recovering addict and have been clean for 6 months..............................."

(Sometimes I think God loves sinners!!!!!! I'm glad b/c I am one--)

"I grew up in a Pastor's home, then married one.........and yet God still saved me (lol)..."

Stories intersecting, intertwining, Converging at a river, with The River!

Some stories spoken, some not..............

What's your story today? this week? this year? this life?..............................

(Posted by SC)

A Follow Up to Serving The world in love

I have ton of thoughts racing through my mind over what we have discussed the past 8 weeks at The Riv. One thought I've been considering even before Sunday, and especially since Sunday night's dialogue, is-

HOW IMPORTANT ARE WORDS IN THE GOSPEL?

I.e.- how important is what we say? We speak often, well most of us- against a contrived, formulaic presentation that reduces that gospel to a few propositions. One of the problems with these 'presentations'-beyond the presumptive 'sales pitch' appearance- is that these presentations reduce the gospel the our assumed basic level of the gospel-e.g. "just believe", "repent", "say this prayer", "confess these things" ...etc etc. which may or may not be a fair assessment of the gospel. Furthermore, these presentations are rarely organic and natural. They come with the agenda of "getting to the point/close" so that we can get the person to "accept/receive" the gospel in this moment-once for all (or again -depending on one's belief in the "eternal security" of a believer). Which obviously leaves out the clear, replete biblical teaching of a continued obedience to the holistic gospel and calling upon the name of the Lord as not only a means to conversation, but a lifestyle- e.g. Psalm 116:13.

So, back to the question- How important are the words we say? We are not looking for one sentence answers to the question here, but rather looking to discuss out the tension of the significance of words. Word "preach" is certainly not limited to words, but includes words. Answer (as in 1 peter 3:15) entails speaking words. Words such as "Proclaim", "declare", "herald", "teach" are all words that at minimum include that we speak something of the gospel.

So-how important are words? or let me phrase the question another way- "What are the things that we should speak" when we "share the gospel"?

And let me add to the question- If our words, our conversations are to be truly organic, natural- and authentically productive,- (WOW) how important then does our Knowledge of the Faith become?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAND- Go!

thoughts- Questions, comments..........

(posted by Sam)

The Watery Imaging of God in Jesus

The bible opens and closes with a scenic views of rivers flowing. In Genesis the Edenic word painting speaks that "a river flows out of Eden to water the garden and from there divides into 4 rivers. The first, Pishon; flows where there is gold. The gold there is good (not that sucky gold). .....the second river is named Gihon; it flows through the land of Cush. the 3rd river is named Tigris(Hiddekel) and flows east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates."

What a vivid portrait! Through this breath-taking Garden flows an sparkling, luminous river that takes on the life of multiple (its interesting that in both the opening and closing scenes of the bible Rivers and trees are present. Rivers come from many sources, various streams and lakes and creeks flow into ONE river. And Trees start with many ROOTs and flow into ONE massive Trunk-which is THE TREE- and then branches out into many branches, with many leaves with many seeds. Perhaps this is a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven Community) rivers. (In addition, the opening scene of the bible starts with God's Spirit, or breath, hovering over the watery abyss.......). All that is necessary for life is in this garden. Trees for shade, cooling, comfort, fruitful food- housing for the animals, birds and people to live in. And the river flows through it as a life sustaining source. It's really quite exquisite.

The bible ends with another picturesque work of art: (Revelation 22:1-ff) "Then the angel of the Lord revealed to me the Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb, right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing 12 kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month! The nourished Tree Leaves are for the health of the nations."

These are depictions that make one burst into singing: "Oh how marvelous, oh how wonderful is our savior's love for us!"

Life, beauty, community, health, food, (I haven't read about a big big yard to play football, but it must be there- A CCM band wouldn't just make that up!?! would they?)......aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand- A RIVER! (that might make for a good name of a Kingdom Community:) )

A River is a Life Source, even John the disciple writes that it's the Water-of-Life River. A River brings life to trees, their leaves and fruit. A river makes for a good place to cool off. A river is where to be on a sunny (or should I say SONny!!!) day for a swing from a tree into the river! Rivers and water have other biblical and ancient cultural meanings as well.

In Jeremiah God told His people they were living in an Unreality, or NON-Reality, or maybe the best way to say it is- An INSANE reality, for they were forsaking Him, the Fountain of Living Water for broken cisterns that hold no water (Jeremiah 2).

In John 4 Jesus encounters a lonely lady at a well and speaks to her about Water that quenches thirst forever! In John 7 Jesus proclaims that whoever believes and embraces His Way (or Truth or Life) will have Flowing Rivers of Living Water in their life.

When we read Proverbs and especially Song of Solomon- we'll find Watery imagery used as euphemisms for coitus. E.g. "Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs (or rivers..) be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets?...Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth.....let her love intoxicate you always in her love...."(Proverbs 5:15-19) or ".....a garden fountain, a well of living water, and flowing streams ....Let my love come to his garden and eat its choicest fruit" (411- the bible is filled with graphic sexual imagery that's meant for our good in many ways. We ought not to shy away from it. It's how we are both culturally relevant and counter-cultural examples, for we take sex to it's ultimate good).

In the Sumerian (which Abram/Abraham is from Sumer and much of our heritage can be traced back to this) culture (as well as others. the Chinese Symphony on "the meaning of water" and it's oral explanation is remarkable and vivacious) creation was seen as a mini-drama acting out the World and Lives of the gods. Rivers were considered the ejaculatory emissions of the gods bringing life to and through their mistresses.

Water, Rivers, streams, fountains, wells=Life! They are pictures of the flow of life and the meaning of life and the source of life!

So when we go into water for baptism-maybe the imagery or metaphor is infinitely deeper in meaning than just- "A Picture of the death, burial, resurrection of Jesus". As wonderful and infinite that is in and of itself- perhaps it means, maybe in it's infinitude- more?! Perhaps the water has meaning of health, forgiveness and cleansing-but MORE! Perhaps the Water is a drawing of the Life Christ lives and gives-but MORE! It could be that the water points to the beauty of Kingdom Life in Christ in more ways than we'll ever conceive in a million millenniums-

Water has so much meaning! Could it be that Baptism was never meant to be reduced to a symbol of just one aspect of the Faith Journey?

Perhaps some of the more to baptism (more than symbolic metaphors, more than identification with Christ and His people, more than ____________) is just the JOY of living in Christ and being filled with the Joy of the Holy Spirit. Often in scriptures when you see the Holy Spirit-you see Joy, excitement, ejaculatory excitement (like in Genesis 1 the Spirit hovering over the waters into the Marvelous manifestation of God's beauty through Light and then the rest of the creative narrative. And John the baptist leaped for joy, filled with the Spirit, as he heard in the womb of Jesus conception).

Water seems to be the ONE, unifying, thing regardless of the mode of Baptism: Maybe, just maybe the Water and it's plethora of meaning should be more our focus and less on the mode of baptism.

thoughts??

On September 28, 2008 we'll celebrate our 1 year anniversary. We already have some who are going to be baptized. It may prove to be monumental moment in the Genesis of The River to have several participate (even many) on this day. We certainly are not advocating that it is necessary to membership, fellowship, or salvation- just throwing it out for thought that this may be a Story day for The River in the years to come.

(Posted by Sam)

Why I love the Church.....Especially The River!

Just about every Sunday night when I leave our gatherings at The Riv- I come with a sense of: "that just happened" (said in the voice of Ricky Bobby)- Well, I come home with a sense of -WOW! Elations of joy inexpressible. I am trying to put into words what really can't be defined. So, I am trying to paint a picture with words (it's hard- a picture really is worth a thousand words). After our Gatherings I feel love for others and loved. I am humbled by God's presence in ways both mysteriously spiritual and communally real. I am refreshed and enlightened (and not really about teaching-even on 'off' nights I leave having learned something profound about who God is in Jesus Christ). So, last night I was up late-couldn't sleep- but not in a bad way. It wasn't an anxious 'awake', but rather I am filled with so much joy I feel sleep wastes the "trip". And I was up early (4 A.M.)-but I don't feel sleepless, but rested, strengthened, fresh-ready.....ready for life this day and week.

As I was up early (and lest anyone think I am trying to sound more 'faithful' than I am- the late and early hours had more than their share of Sport Center and Internet reading on the Cowboys!)- and the jubilation that filled me stimulated me to muse on why I love the Church, especially The Riv (no offense to any other church, but for my family- it's the greatest community/church I've ever known, and I thought my last two churches were that respectively).


1) Jesus Christ founded the Church: Mt 16:18, Ephesians 2:20-22

2) Jesus gave/gives His life for and loves the Church: Ephesians 5:25

3) Jesus is the groom for his bride-the church: Revelation 19:7-9, 21:1-2

4) God, in Jesus Christ, lives in and through His body, the Church: 1 Corinthians 6:19

5) God the Son , Jesus Christ, is often experienced in mind blowing, clandestine ways through the gathering of believers: Matthew 18:20 (for MacArthurites, this passage is way more than about church correction-), Communion 1 Corinthians 11:26, Creative Worship -Zephaniah 3:14-17, Ps 22:3

6)God the Son, Jesus Christ, is often experienced in mystifying and hidden ways when the Church not only serves- but journeys in partnership with the poor, the oppressed, the captives, and least of these (in the world's view)- Matthew 25:31-ff.............and the River dreams this, aspires to live this holistically,......and does this w/ a large measure of faithfulness in it's early days.

7) Because Jesus shared, is better than Jesus hoarded! I heard a pastor the other day speak of being intimate with Jesus, and all of his stories of intimacy were about being alone with Jesus, meaning the bible (in his paradigm). I love those moments, but they are not complete in and of themselves. They find their completion (if that is even the best way to describe the furtherance) when I share those moments with others in the church- and they rejoice with me and share their own stories, and we find our stories not just co-existing- but actually converging into one larger story! I agree with the Old Hymn- "I'd rather have Jesus", and I think that write agrees with the Psalmist (16th Psalm)- who said- (verse 2-3) "I say to the LORD (God in Jesus), I have NO good apart from YOU! (and then he continues in describing by saying...) As for the saints (the Kingdom Community/church) on earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is ALL my delight!"
That makes me wanna shout- Hallelujah, thank you Jesus! "behold how good and beautiful it is for the brothers and sisters to dwell together in unity!" (ps 133;1) It's not a matter of Jesus isn't good enough alone- it's a matter of How much do we really experience Jesus alone? And the norm is that Heaven is a place of "many rooms" for lots of brothers and sisters all Loving Jesus TOGETHER!

8) I am way better with The River, than I am with anything else!- I'd move from Nebraska to Florida to be a part of The Riv. I'd turn down $80K to pastor a larger church in a beautiful area to stay here (may have happened..........but who cares). And I am only getting better as a Follower of Jesus- b/c of the Church, especially/specifically The Riv-

9) The people I love most in this world (there are a few others who are in the "most") are the people of The Riv. From Samantha to Tori, to Zach, to Luke, To Hosanna, To Bell Bells, to Jason and Melissa...Alyssa, Lexi, J.T. to Jeremy & Melissa...Donovan, Tobin,........Jake and Cassie....Hailey-Emma, Eric, Daniel, Kyle, Justin & Beth, Sweet bittems (Beth T), Super Willy, Hale, Elizabeth, Jared, Jason #1 my bud, Kaitlin, Th'rain, Keith and Dotti :-), Josh Woods, Kalyn (soon to be with us!), Amy Foote=one of our missionaries, Lauren LaRose=another of our global missionaries (we miss you and can't wait for you to return), Tony and Deborah Mujasi =our Ugandan brother and sister, the Church of Musese which is so much a part of The River for me- Stan Crush on Facebook even though you are a made up person!, Kelsey S., Fil De Sousa, David and Casey even though Alabama stole you- Matt P (even though we oddly enough have never seen you when certain other people don't come- "Am I right" ...i don't even know what that means...is it from ground hog day?), and of course there are others who have come once or even several times and we love you/ I love you- The Riv-people I love the most!

10) I love The Riv-cuz we can be ourselves! The River-it means a "whales vaggg.........."- okay it doesn't, but Scholars say the meaning was lost 1000's of years ago.

Peace and Grace to The River-
And Grace and Peace through The River- Thank you Jesus for this Community and Your life flowing through it into my life.

(posted by Sam)

When eating with a "Christian" is wicked

1 Corinthians 5:6-11
Your boasting is not good. (see verse 2) Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven (life before Christ) that you may be a new lump (New Creation Living, Kingdom Living), as you really are (It's our REALITY in CHRIST!) unleavened. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed (and Risen!). Let us therefore celebrate the festival (Communal Life in the Context of Perpetual Communion), not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity (authenticity) and truth (Christ' Kingdom Reality).
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people- not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world (further proof we SHOULD eat with the not yet redeemed for their highest good) or the greed and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to get out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of Christ (someone who professes to be a child of God in Christ) - if he/she is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler-not even to eat with such a one.

Why is eating with a professing bro/sis in Christ so bad when the person is living a practicing life of wickedness? Shouldn't we labor to "restore" this bro/sis in Christ? Shouldn't we all the more "fellowship" with them with the hope of bringing them back into the community?

Such questions are good, even necessary. However, the primary concern is not the individual. (this doesn't mean the individual isn't extremely important, but the individual significance is swept up in Community). The concern in the community. In Matthew 18 Jesus gives profound instructions on "discipline" in the Kingdom Community (Church). Discipline can be such a difficult word. For most of us, the word conjures up images of spankings from when we were children, or timeouts in the corner, or writing essays, soap in the mouth, or even an occasional blunt object into the skull (just kidding on the last one). that view may be misleading and not altogether accurate. Discipline is not really the act of correction, but rather the goal desired-that's the discipline. Discipline is the teaching of what is important and right and healthy and productive. So, in MT 18, Jesus is teaching us that the Community is sacred, so sacred that there cannot be room for unforgiving hearts and unrepentant behavior/attitudes. In the end, Jesus teaching is that the community must be valued as something especially Holy (1 Peter 2:9). (Please do not confuse that this means, or that I am stating-the individual is not precious to Jesus-but every thing in the universe, including the Creator of it- is not revolving around any individual).

So there comes a time when it is for the collective good of a community- to sever ties with an unrepentant sibling in Christ. And we have to believe, hope, dream and pray ('Oh, my God do I pray'... a little 4 non blonds for us) for the restoration of this sibling. And yet the community is better for having removed this person from communal fellowship, and here the part that we have to labor to believe- the individual is better off (or so it seems since Jesus Himself says to leave them alone, and Paul seems to be teaching the same thing in our above passage) being put out on their own. We could conjecture all sorts of reasons why this is so or not so- but as the fundies say- "God word says it, I believe it" (Just kidding, I do believe it, but just kidding about quoting that trite saying). One reason this may be for the highest good, is that it place the person in a predicament where they have to rely on God (or just go down the street to another church and be fake w/them).

As soon as this erring sibling is ready for true, authentic restoration-then we have to be arms open wide-Faithfully theirs (cue Journey song now "we're forever yours, faithfully! Goooooo Steve Perry).

Let me give a closing summation here: Whatever the details are- there is a time when a Kingdom Community (like The River) has to collective determine, for the highest good of the church (locally, which is for the highest good of the world and the individual, since we exist to be "the incarnated Spirit of Christ for the peace of the world") have to deliberately choose to NOT EAT/Fellowship with certain professing Christ Followers, b/c they have chosen to live under the "leaven" of the world (greed, sexually immorality, drunkenness, idolatry, malicious divisions etc).

What things do we ponder as we make these decisions? How do we talk these things out in love, without seeing each other as enemies, and the one with whom we are discussing? Do we call on everyone (in the community) to follow the collective decisions?

How hard is this....................?
(posted by Sam)

Missional Eating or Fellowship w/ Darkness

I love/hate tension. there is soooooo much tension in the bible. It can be so freeing, and it can inflict mayhem on your faith also. In Luke 15:1 we have the Pharisees unrighteously accusing Jesus of not only "receiving" sinners, but also eating and drinking with such! WHAT IS JESUS THINKING? And yet Jesus also proclaims "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (Jn 8:12). One writer suggests to a church that they "do not become partners with the children of disobedience.......take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them" (Ephesians 5:7,11). Another passage tells us that "do not be deceived, evil companions corrupt righteous morals. Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning" (1 Corinthians 15:33-34) and yet we have Jesus drinking wine with sinners. How do we live out in this tension?

On one hand we are called to not find our companionship with those who live by a different reality. On the other hand we are called to live with/among these for their highest good and redemption. So, how do we know if we are hanging w/ "wicked" or "broken" (meaning not able to see the world as God created it by faith in Jesus) for their highest good or if we are fellowshipping with them simply b/c it brings us worldly joy? Does it matter?

We talk a lot about being hospitable to the "unchurched" in our lives- yet how do we maintain light, lest we be corrupted.

It seems that we can have a good dinner gathering with the worst of "sinners" (every time I hear or read that word I envision Dana Carvey as "the Church lady" ...could it be....mmmmmmmmm.. Satan?) and actually be living out as the "incarnated Spirit of Christ for the peace of those we eat with" or we can be gathered for dinner with people for our own selfish pleasure. How do we know?

However simple the answer maybe in words and writing, the answer is quite difficult in reality:

So, for those of us who belong to Christ and at that in/through THE RIVER- our vision has always been to live, not just "in community" but AS community. Everything we talk about is layered and saturated with the value of Community. It seems then, that we should protect ourselves, our "LIGHTNESS" if you will, by being in the incarnated Spirit of Christ to the world- TOGETHER. If we are being Hospitable together- then our fellowship together becomes Missional in our eating. Friendship then is genuine, authentic- intimate!

If we are gathered as a community-then there is a sense of Communal Living. (No doubt even this is full of incredible Tension, but there is still a vision of something bigger than ANY individual). Communal Living suggest that, while we accept, love, and forbear one another-we also have a "Royal Law" that guides our living. We accept those who are battling for the joy of their life (which is life itself)- While we join them in their battle and journey, we refuse do join in their "confusion" or "un-Reality" of living by the fallen world's rules. And by doing this together, we help to ensure that none of us falls prey to the continued fall. Perhaps this is what Hebrews 3:12-14 is warning the Kingdom Community.

So, we must be Hospitable and Generous to those on the outside of the Kingdom Community (not just because it's our calling, and not just b/c we used to be there, but rather b/c in some ways we are still there- and the journey is too hard to do alone!)- but we must do it together, lest we fall prey to the deceitfulness of sin.

this may open a door for some confession for all (many) of us: but as we continue the conversation- what things do we do well here? What things do we need to improve on? Is it Missional to have "believers over from another church"? or is that just more "christian" fellowship?

If we really want to get into some deep discussion: Is it wrong to have an agenda is building a relationship? It seems many popular writers over the past two years have pronounced having an agenda as bad! Is it really bad if our agenda is to see another person experience the same joy we have found in living in a community? (I know there is tons of tension here, but probably worth discussing).

Thoughts?

(Posted by sam)

Food For Thought

Last night we had another good discussion and this subject centered around one of my favorite topics: food. There were so many good things said, like when Sam spoke of the meta-narrative of the kingdom of the heavens being revealed through times when we eat with one another. Eric brought out a good story about God’s using a gathering time with other veterans eating to bring about healing in his life. Someone else brought up the fact that food is like heaven when you’re really enjoying it with someone you love, but it can really be like hell when the company is not that great. And then, of course, we all articulated the multiple benefits of eating out bringing about God’s glory…oh, wait, I may have presented that in a way that would bring about my glory.

Seriously, I was pondering last night as we were discussing this: how does food daily play out in the way of causing us to become an afflux of authentic life for our sisters and brothers, our host community (Northwest Florida), and the honor of Jesus Christ? What are the daily and weekly implications for buying food, eating together, and using food as a way to point people to Christ?

I want to start this off by suggesting some things about the nature of food that hopefully will spark some different ideas on this: Food has a powerful way to connect us with the past. Sam obviously talked about this last night when he discussed the various festivals that the children of Israel celebrate in order to commemorate certain events in their history, like the Passover feast connecting them with their redemption from the Egyptians. Personally, I can eat certain things, though, and it can take me back to a certain place and time in my past. There is a uniquely Atlanta restaurant, e.g., that Melissa and I used to eat at called The Varsity that served these ball-park, greasy hot dogs, onion rings, and fries, and for some reason it always made me think of going to watch Friday night football games at my high school when I was growing up (guess the grease in their concession stands).

For us, though, it seems as if we are using something less- like food- to call us to something more- like people. Food is a great element of real life that has a unique way of relating with people, no matter where they are in life. And as we consider this, I think one of the things we should spend some time thinking through is how possibly we can connect with others through food (like in hospitality, collective community serving, etc).

Although food is so much a part of our social life, it is also so integral to our basic survival since if we fail to eat then we fail to live. Therefore, as Sam articulated this last night in our gathering, our intake and attitude towards food on a daily basis demonstrates our core belief towards God’s work in the world on behalf of poverty and hunger. With this being true, there are naturally some things we should think through pertinent to fighting this ongoing hell. This fight is unmistakably a fight not only in developing countries, but here in the U.S., as well, plus our own local poverty in Northwest Florida. As we resist the urge to be gluttonous and profligate in our use of food, we are helping to fight the endemic of poverty and hunger in our world. But, we are also fighting against our own hell through consuming our bodies and lives with too much of a good thing, and ignoring the cry of those who need our help. This is not something I am touting I do, but rather something I really struggle with, and yet am weekly convinced of my own selfish living in this way. What are some ways we can talk through these issues about food and their connection to others?
(Posted by Jason G. aka Jason #2)

Bringing the New Creation through creative living pt 2

........................as we slowed to meditate and sing Sunday night, our time of examination and discussion in the word flowed into Zephaniah 3:14-17. A beautiful story of God living with (face to face!) His people, right in their midst. And in this Edenic- of a new kind of community- there is tons of singing and music and creativity going on. God is sing and shouting and celebrating..............us........his people! And we are singing and shouting and celebrating....God in Jesus! Although eternal life is much more than singing and music and art and whispers of sweet nothings-Creative Life does appear to permeate this New World. And as we discussed Sunday night in our Gathering, creative moments and living now- are a sign of the New Creation, a manifestation of the Kingdom Coming (just as Jesus taught us to pray) ...invading earth in a glorious rescue.

I can think of several stories where singing, music, and creativity opened my eyes in ways where God was seen by Faith in majestic ways.

Do you have a story to share where Creativity seemed to enrapture you into communion with God and His people?

Bringing the New Creation through Creative Living pt 1

Last night at The Riv we continued our conversation on "what is The (River) Church. We specifically discussed why we sing, play music, look at poetry, display art, light candles-etc.

Being part of the New Creation as both a work of new creation (redeemed) and assistant to the new creation (joint heirs) is a natural obedience to the greatest "commandment". In Matthew 22 Jesus was asked by a lawyer what the greatest Commandment is. I love how Jesus always goes deeper than us. We ask and seek on a surface level, but Jesus goes deeper. In Jesus' answer he says "You shall Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all your soul and ALL of your MIND" (verse 37).

Our brains are complex. The Right side of the brain is the creative side. The Left side of the brain is the more linear side. One part of the brain deals with long term memory. Another part deals with short term memory. (WOW! Our creator is AMAZING)

If we are to love God with all of our minds- then Creativity must be part of that. Not only with each individual, but also collectively. If we shun the creative nature of our Community, then we by necessity shut out those individuals who are by design more right brained then left. And we then exclude many from participation in the Kingdom community.

the next verse says "the second greatest command is like the first, love your neighbor as yourself". How can we do this if we exclude those who are more artistic?

What are our thoughts, comments?

For Discussion: In what ways do those who are more linear in their thinking appreciate those who are more creative?

How do we as a community keep these two sides of our brain in UNITY- (not balance)?

peace,

(posted by sc)

Meditating on Worship, Music, Singing

As I am studying, meditating, considering the subject of Worship in our Gatherings-singing, music, art etc, I have come across some great stuff. Here is a great interview between Tim Smith (Worship Pastor Of Marshill church in Seattle, Wa) and Bob Kaufmen (Worship pastor in Sovereign Grace Church in MY).

http://voxpopnetwork.com/doxologist/2008/07/13/bob-kauflin-interview-part-5-what-about-the-%e2%80%9cexperience%e2%80%9d-of-gathered-worship/

For those belonging to The River, would love some Pre-Gathering Thoughts on Art in our gatherings and Art out of our Gatherings.

peace,
sc

Great Gathering

Last night was incredible. The dialogue was open and productive. thank you all for being The River!

I blogged some personal thoughts about Gatherings week in and week out for me-and I wanted to link it here to share with the community sense several may not know about my personal blog. Love you all-

http://sam-alttherivorg.blogspot.com/

The Power of Gatherings

Over the past week, especially Sunday, I've been wondering if God really does work in mysterious ways? Does He do things seeminly random as a result of something unrelated? Like: Does He stop a marital fight between a couple driving by our building at 5:45 because of what is going on in our facility? Does He change a person through a story that was intending to have a different affect altogether?

I'd like to think so! not because of me/us, but because I believe God is mysterious- and He loves to do Good and Justice, and maybe, just maybe sometimes- when His people call upon HIs name in real life ways (Jeremiah 33:3....not just saying the words in a prayer with heads bowed and eyes closed) with pure hearts (Matthew 5:8 "blessed are the pure in heart for they shall See God!") they see some of these "little" (not really little) mysteries in magical ways (I don't magic as in card tricks, nor witch craft, but more like Narnia magic.....this is for the Fundies:) ).

Check the post- "Memories" here for a story of such magic: //homeoftheholloways.blogspot.com/

enjoy! and do you have a "mystery" moment to share?

Making Disciples- Starting Thoughts

As I prepare for our Talk on Sunday (where we will examine the question- Why do we teach the bible?")- I have been pondering on, for the past 3 mornings, Matthew 28:19-20. We are told that our life calling is to "make disciples". So often i've heard that "go" is the operative command here, but that just doesn't seem to jive with every thing else. Go, baptize, teach- they all seem to modify "Make disciples".

There could be weeks and weeks of teaching and dialogue here, but the pressing question that keeps coming to my mind is- How do we "share" the gospel in the complex culture in which we live. We all know that we must build relationships, seek peace and grace into the lives of others- but our words, our conversations at some point have to point to Christ (at least that seems to be the biblical paradigm). So how do we do this? How do we share Christ without- "Forcing our beliefs on others"? How do we do this and still see living the reality of Jesus Kingdom Life and seeking the other person's highest good our goal? (rather than getting them to "say a prayer" or "make a decision")

Ed Stetzer, one of the premier Missiologist of our day wrote an article giving some good ice-breaker info: http://theresurgence.com/es_blog_2007-03-27_beginning_a_conversation_about_christ

If you have thoughts- let's converse here.

peace and grace

Gathering Ponderings

Last night at The Riv we talked about "why we gather?" and the sacred joy of gathering. We even shared for several minutes of "memorable" moments from worship gatherings from our past.

In addition to humorous or awkward things happening that stick in our mind, what are ingredients that make for a great gathering? And the things we list/discuss, what makes those things so powerful?

What other thoughts do we have on The Gatherings?

(posted by Sam)

Heart's thoughts from a Riv member

the conversation is going well on the previous post-let's continue it. But yesterday, a covenantal member of the riv opened their heart to share the difficulties in living by faith.

Here is the link to a post by Beth King: http://adayinthelife1985.blogspot.com/2008/08/seeking-first-kingdom-of-god-highest.html


thanks Beth for allowing us to journey through life with you, and for your love of justice in this unjust world.

Defining something bigger than definition

Last night in our talk on What is The (River) Church we said that "the Church is the communal incarnation of the Spirit of Christ (to the glory of God) bringing peace to the world".



There's incredible tension in that statement.

A Community, a deep rooted, authentic community-one where people confess their sins (the things that create separation b/t us and God, and between us and us- and those things that keep us from enjoying the reality of Christ, enjoying HIs excellencies in everyday life), a community where people love each other enough to bring to light things we see in each other that are harmful and unproductive, a church where we accept people for where they are in their journey as long as they are committed to moving forward and not desiring to drag the community down in their heart- this type of community-well....it takes a lot of time, energy, investment. It would seem that focusing on this this type of mission would be a full (life)-time job.



And yet investing our energies on bringing restoration in the world has adequate enough, difficulties that it would also consume our lives.



How do we handle the tension? How should we labor to see these two as NOT two, but rather one task, moreoever-The One Life we should commit ourselves to holistically?



What does this look like for a church, specifically our church?



Let's diagalogue this? With each other! (everyone).



sc

A Conversation on Church

Tonight, we are starting a series on THE (RIVER) CHURCH. (Series Title is The (River) Church: Isn't She lovely?")
The Key Question is: WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

We have all heard more than our share of preachers say "the church isn't a building". Yet often in their commentary they excoriate those who don't "come to church". This week I received a text from a friend that read "The Church has left the building". As usual, I got a good laugh from another church sign laboring to ..............I don't know what they expect to happen from their signs.

We all know what that the church is not a building (at least I hope so). But what is the church? Tonight we'll give a "one liner" answer (sure to make this blog tomorrow or later tonight), but beyond a once for all one line (paragraph, paper, etc)answer= what does it mean to be the church? Isn't this a conversation that should never end? Isn't this a conversation that should drive our lives into the seemingly mundane and glorious new order?

WHAT IS THE CHURCH? What are some thoughts we have? And let's be gracious, but not "nice" (as in let's not avoid "criticism" when critique is necessary).

starting the conversation (or at least keeping it going)
sam c.

Advancing the Conversation

For the past 6 months our conversations at The Riv have been getting better and better. We really want to continue these conversations, to help our community not only come together throughout the week and in all of life- but to "spur one another to love and good works" in real life. So we have created this blog as a way of doing so!

Welcome to the conversation!

THE RIVER CHURCH-