Poison

Laben loves Jesus. Laben loves Jesus so much that he wants to go to Buffalo & tell people about Him.














Laben love Jesus so much that he did a work day to raise money for Buffalo & cut a path for his landlord: Through Poison Oak.


























Laben said he didn't get Poison Oak. Laben is a liar. This is what happens to liars named Laben who love Jesus when they work for their landlord cutting a path through Poison Oak.


















It's dangerous for liars to love Jesus.

One of my Grad teachers said, "Steal the best with pride," & I haven't hesitated to do so in many areas of my life. Here's a great example:

"Whenever we exist for ourselves, we are piling up horse manure into a pile (hold your nose!), but whenever we exist for others, we are spreading manure over the field causing things to grow; the difference between excrement and fertilizer is whether you pile it, or spread it..."

Well said; don't be excrement, be fertilizer.

Church is an interesting thing. Our church is an interesting thing. Your church is interesting. I often wrestle with the ideal & with the real. My ideal is what it all looks like when I write it on paper or picture it in my head; however, as many of you have figured out by now, ideal is not real. Not to say that we shouldn't have ideals. Having goals or pictures in your head of how you see God's plan for your community played out help you to work toward that goal; however, as many of you have figured out by now, ideal is not real. Real is real. How do I work with my real? The regional pastor for the Vineyard in our area said this, "Maturity is: The ability to deal with reality." I thought, & still think, this is great. How am I able to deal with the reality of what's really going on in order to guide myself, & others, toward the bigger goals God has for us? Here is where tension comes in. What's that next gracious step toward God's goal for me, & for us? Wrestle on.

Sucka' say what!??!?!

antiochsc.com

One step closer to a spiritual revolution.

We had a carwash today to help raise money for Buffalo. There were 12 people who gave up 4hrs to help us out today & 5 of those 12 who are discovering who Jesus is. As I was holding up one of our signs that read, "Clean Car?" I looked back & laughed as I saw the group of people devoted to raising money for a missions trip. It is the Father's heart that people would be able to belong as they are in the process of believing. Too, I am blessed to see the genuine friendships that are developing amongst people who otherwise have little to nothing in common. We aren't a clique; we are friends.

First, for both of you who follow this blog, I'm sorry I'm such a slacker!!

I guess when there's a lot going on blogging isn't a priority. However, I do read everyone's blogs to keep up to date. That said, my life is full; full of the right things for sure.

Our church is doing great. We are seeing new people plugging in & other people wrestling with discipleship unto Jesus. Janine mentioned the other day, "It's cool to see these gals wrestle with following Jesus." For us the wrestling match is a wonderful, painful, enjoyable process. The Kingdom of God isn't about you & that's a hard truth for a consumeristic American to swallow; yet at the same time, by becoming a "slave of Christ" (a favorite title amongst NT writers)that is where true self-fulfillment happens. If only our silly commercials brainwashed the masses in that direction! I'm amazed at the ability of pride & selfishness to morph & manifest into the most beautiful displays of piety & sin. Amazing. So we wrestle on; God being the goal & source of our total affection is a hill we're dead on.

We're going to Buffalo in 2 weeks, which will be amazing. We're bringing 5 new people, 2 of whom are just starting relationships with Jesus. Fun times.

I started coaching a church planter from Texas who will be planting a church in San Diego in the fall. My two questions I keep asking him: Are you spending unrushed, quality, alone time with God each day? Who have you shared the gospel with this week? Legalism for sure; I know. I keep trying to figure out how to find the American Idol of "Freedom" in the NT, but I'm having trouble finding it.

One of the things God is teaching me is: Pace. This includes getting my tank filled up by God; Rest; & organization. The last one is the hardest, but that's why someone smarter than me created the dayplanner. My personality (sin, etc) keep me fairly unorganized & help me become busy. Busy meaning internally frantic. This is a growth process for me, but it's great. Too, it's time to start running again. Carb loading on various treats isn't doing much for my spiritual or physical health!

Blessings,