A good answer to what church should be...

This is from a pastor friend Joseph who writes a daily email to his congregation... This is really well said in my opinion.


Daily reading taken from the Church of England lectionary: Bible (and Apocryphal) readings can be found at: http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/

Ephesians 1:15-23 (The Message)
15-19That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!
20-23All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

Thoughts
Whoa!

That is a freaky piece of writing this morning!

I know the Church in general has not been perfect. Sadly, it has done many things that have given Jesus a bad reputation by association.

One reason why my own dad still uses the expression: Jesus Christ. As an expletive. A curse.

I find that strange, because I really love Jesus. Hearing His name used as a curse is just weird to me.

But to be fair to my dad, I understand fully why he is not impressed by the Church or by his image of who Jesus might be.

It is like it has been masked by people using the name of Jesus and the title of Church who have kept my dad from seeing what is real. I think if he saw the Church in action, he might change his opinion.
Hmmmm. The Church is central to what God is up to on the planet. According to today’s reading.

Central.

Now if we all remember what CHURCH means it helps us get a clearer picture. CHURCH literally means, “people of God.” Not program. Not a building with a steeple and cross on top. Not organ music. Not hip indie music. Not potluck dinners and bake sales. Not pedantic bible study groups. Not another sermon about evil versus good. Not one more prayer time disconnected from reality.

Real church is energized human beings who have said time to wake up to who I am called to be. Fully alive. Fully in love. In love with God. In love with me. In love with other humans around me.

Real church does not talk about justice, it does justice.

Real church does not meet to pray and then fail to become the very answer to the prayers.

Real church does not hear Bible words and avoid the costly implications of those words.

Real church smells, tastes, sounds, feels, and looks like Jesus.

That kind of church is indeed central to what God is up to on the planet.

I hope, I really hope I personally do not get in the way of what God wants to do in the Church.

That is my prayer this day.

by Joseph, that dreamer

WOW it's been a while!!!

So, we're really missing yall! This week we'd like to make it interesting... Ponder the following questions and respond/comment. You can comment anonymously too... W can talk about this Saturday too... We are really interested to know what you think!

1. What does Christianity mean to you?
2. What is the "TRUE" Gospel?
3. What are messages of hope that we can give to hurting people in our communities that don't know Christ?
4. What are messages of hope that we can give to hurting Christians?

NO gathering this Saturday

Jason and I will be away... You should all get together anyway.... Practice some music... Now that would be fun wouldn't it?

Community Projects

Lets talk about our city. What are it's needs in your opinion? Who needs to be touched by God?

Lets pray about what we can do to positively affect our community. It is really needed. I realize that we often bring this up but Jesus called us to be pro-active Christians. We need to stop talking about it and thinking about it and actually DOING it. So lets make a plan to do something! What are your thoughts?

Prayer List

Hey all... Yesterday, a prayer list was put together. Please pray over these and post any prayer concerns or praise notes that you would like to have published. If there are any prayers that you don't want published, email them to intothelionsden@hotmail.com

Prayer List

*Simms family reconciliation*

*Purchase of building downtown*

*For the strength and development of the Lion's Den core group*

*The Lion's Den meeting with Rymal and Growth Ministries*

*Positive response to the Lion's Den*

*Overcoming insecurities*

*Wayne and Mélanie's grandmother had heart attack and is seeking treatment*

*Wayne and Mélanie's little cousin broke ankle*

*Finances*

*That we can find joy in the Christian life*

*Job for Jessika/painting career*

*That we can have more energy*

*That all of our gifts and talents be developped*

*The success of the art show at Rymal*

THANK YOU!!!!!

Guys we want to thank you soooo much for your food contributions for the potluck this past Saturday..... It was soooooooooo good! The Lion's Den hopes to have a potluck every week but don't feel obligated to bring anything extravagant. This week we will actually make a salad or two for our potluck. Let us know what you are bringing too...