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-