Category Archives: Community

Out of the wilderness…my thoughts on the church.

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Posted by Mel on February 1, 2012 – 8:31 pm
Filed under Church, Community

We all have definite opinions about “the church”. I hear them often from people, all manner of people and many different ideas. Religion and church give us much for discussion~good and bad. It has been my opinion for awhile now to not discuss church too much here on my blog. If I do, I prefer it to be in a fairly vague way. I’ve felt that’s been a good policy to have for multiple reasons. Recently, I’ve been drawn to the idea of sharing some thoughts about church. I could go into a huge background about my own personal church experiences starting with VBS at Aurora Springs Baptist Church when I was a child. That’s a memory that is so far away and misty that I can barely call it to mind. So, from that, you know I’ve had a long relationship with church…but not always a good relationship with church.

ekklesia~refers to all of God’s people which he has “assembled” or “gathered” out of the world.

God calls us out of the world to be a part of an assembly of believers.

Why? Do we believe that? That we are called to ekklesia…. I went through a period of time where I did not believe. Maybe, more than one time, if I’m going to be honest.

There’s something to be said about discipleship, it turns around some very bad theology that we pick up from various places and some selfish thoughts and ideas. It makes baby Christians become mature believers. That said, it’s time to talk about church. I have too many people in my life that don’t believe. Oh, they believe in Jesus but not His church. Too many people in my life that have walked away from ekklesia. Something is broken in our thoughts and ideas about church today and lends to a belief that walking away from relationship with God’s people is okay. Hear this….it is not okay. No matter how disillusioned you might be, or heartbroken, or road weary….or just plain pissed off.

One more time~It is not okay for us to hold on to those broken beliefs and it’s something that gets close for me because I’ve experienced all those things.

I’m going to introduce you to the church my family calls home, because I think it’s important. A lot of you have asked and I’ve been fairly vague about discussing church with you. I’m not sure that’s honored God in any way. I’ll give you a little background on this experience. We walked into The Bridge Community Church in Leadington, MO about 3 years ago. After a year of what felt like wandering in the wilderness, we honestly entered the doors of this interesting looking church building exhausted and on our last legs. Disillusioned and broken and lost and me with a huge chip on my shoulder! What a recipe for disaster! Here we go again, is all I could think. But, what else did we have to lose? Seth Durbin was the first person I remember seeing that I knew and he made his way straight to us. We had known Seth for a long time and he was a friendly face on a very rough day and we needed that…and God knew that. I can tell you now that I could never have dreamed the plans that God had that day. See, God was going to take every prideful thing we thought we knew about church and blow them up.

It’s never easy to commit to some iron sharpening iron. It sounds poetic on the page but not so easy to go through. We were uncomfortable there in the beginning. The Bridge does some crazy stuff…like teaching right out of the Bible. Long chapters of scripture read! Really? Who does that? They talked about hell and how our hearts are depraved and sinful from the very beginning of our lives. Didn’t they know that doesn’t make new people feel comfortable?  They encouraged us to go to Conquering Addiction and let God conquer our last hold on our sins. They talked over and over again about disciples making disciples….about going out on mission….about truly being free in Christ. They showered us in huge deluges of God’s love and talked about real people with crazy life changing stories of salvation and redemption. Big thing for me, no, huge thing…I learned about and accepted the truth of forgiveness~given and received. (I promise, Tim, I’ll never forget…20 bucks! )

I don’t know how many people attend The Bridge, I look around and see a lot of people. There’s not too much mention of that. The music’s great but not the focus. Instead we talk about people who are lost, and children and widows not being taken care of….and then we talk a lot about our responsibility in that. We share life with our communities and other churches. There is no air of competition or insincerity. There are constantly new leaders being raised up and new churches to plant. Mission is no longer a “thing” we do, but a way we live. Whether here in our own neighborhoods or across the ocean.  So many other things I’d like to share, but words for another day.

Tim Gray said to me, in the beginning, that I could come to him and say anything I needed to…even if I disagreed with him. That was not off limits That was a huge statement for him to make and me to hear. I knew, then, I might not always be here at The Bridge physically but my heart would always be tangled up here. The Bridge trains us to go and our family has been going…..recently, to Haiti and I really don’t know where that might lead but I know where it started. The church is so much more than what we have made of it here in America. I’ve experienced that in Haiti and at The Bridge. It’s not a place to go to be entertained and made to feel good. In fact, there are some times that it’s hard and not comfortable and hasn’t felt so good. The Bridge takes the church out of the box and goes one step further and blows the box up! When I stand in the middle of those little bit crazy, radical Christians, that remind me a lot of the early church goers, I know without a doubt that this is the way God meant for church to be. Not always safe, sometimes messy, but always seeking to glorify Him.

I’m grateful for servant leaders like Tim, Ben, and Lance. They are by no means perfect or ever pretend to be but always strive to be humble and love God’s people. Which I can only imagine is hard some days. Tim reminds us often that they will be called to give an account someday for what they’ve done along the way. They take that pretty seriously. I’ve watched them come a long way in the 3 years we’ve been there. It makes me realize God’s always working on our lives and through our lives.

If I can say one thing in closing. Don’t give up. Go somewhere, commit to try. Let God work through some of your ideas. It’s not easy but it is important. Take one step on faith and see where God leads you…..because He will lead you, dear one, somewhere you never imagined.  Remember…. He called you……

A Mother’s story…

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Posted by Mel on January 28, 2012 – 12:07 pm
Filed under Community, Jesus, Life, Relationships

My guest writer for this post is very dear to me. I jokingly and lovingly refer to her as the one person that helped me make it through kindergarten! And it is the truth! (That’s a story for another time.) I am honored to know her and share life with her today even long distance. She is truly a woman that loves God and her family; and spends every moment of her life showing that to me and those that are lucky enough to know her. Recently, my friend and I had the opportunity to pray and support Jessie Joy Reese as she battled cancer that, ultimately, ended in Jessie’s victory over cancer and death. We know that Jessie is resting in Jesus’ presence right now, even though we don’t always understand. To my dear friend, Tammy Vogt, this struggle was something very close to her as a mother living life in similar circumstances. I asked her to share a little bit about her family’s story and her heart as a mother. She honored me by saying yes and she honored God by sharing sincerely and transparently her family’s story. May it bless you in the midst of any discouragement or valleys you are walking through.

It is my honor to share my forever friend, Tammy, with you…..

Just a few short weeks ago I watched a celebration service via live webcast for a 12 year old valiant little girl named Jessie.  Tears ran down my face as I heard stories told of this precious young gal who had lost her fight with a brain tumor but won her prize in life as she crossed from this life to life eternal.  I had never met her.  I don’t know her family.  “Why” you ask did I find myself peering in on what should seem like a private celebration of life? Maybe it is because Jessie’s mother’s story could have been mine…

Three years ago March 16th I took my daughter Brenna into the doctor for what we thought was a virus she just couldn’t kick.  She was 7 years old at the time and was a happy fun loving little gal.  She loved to play sports and even this ‘sickness’ couldn’t rob her of playing outside with her friends, but something wasn’t right.  Her coloring was off and she had some strange dizzy spells that would make her nauseous and vomit.  After explaining this to her doctor he looked me in the eye and told me it was probably nothing but suggested we take some blood tests to rule out the ‘big and scary’.  Later that afternoon when the tests results came back we received the news that would shake us to our core and change the course of our lives.
Brenna had leukemia.

Her blood levels were dangerously low and she was in need of an immediate transfusion.  We were told that they were already waiting for us on the fourth floor of St. Luke’s hospital in Boise, ID.  We were to go home, break the news to our other three kids, pack a bag and get Brenna there as soon as possible. I remember that car ride like it was yesterday.  My eyes went from the shock on my husband’s face to my little girl sitting in the back seat who was absolutely clueless of what the word ‘cancer’ meant.  All she knew is that she was sick and mommy and daddy were taking her to the hospital so she could get better.
I looked out the window of the car that day and my whole spirit cried out to God.  I silently wiped the tears, trying not to let Brenna see them.  I thought about asking the question ‘why’ but I knew better than to go there.  There were no answers.  There will never be any answers on why 7 year olds get leukemia or 12 year olds have brain tumors.  People would try to tell me in the days and years ahead that God causes everything to happen for a reason.  I see two things wrong with this statement.  Number one:  there is no reason in this.  It is horrible, not reasonable. Number two: the God I know has a heart that breaks when a child goes through something so terrible…He doesn’t cause it. No, the whole of the ‘why’ is big and black and deep and I knew I wouldn’t make it through this if I let myself fall into it.  I declared then and there that no matter what I wouldn’t turn on my God. I knew I couldn’t make it through what was ahead, no matter what that was, without Him.
That day began a journey of doctor visits and hospital stays.  I watched as Brenna endured test after test, poke after poke, and chemo treatment after chemo treatment. I sat by her bed countless nights and prayed for fevers to break and critical blood levels to rise.  I held her and we cried when her hair began to fall out.  And though my heart broke, I watched in amazement the strength and sense of peace of this little girl of mine.

I asked Brenna recently how she got through the tough times.  She said she got through it with the help of her family, friends and God.  I asked her specifically how God had helped her.  I just wanted to hear what word she would put to her story.  She said, “God told me everything would be okay”.  Being the very curious sort, I asked her how she knew God had spoken this to her.  She stated in her beautiful child like way…she just knew.
And that is how it was. He never left us.  Not one minute. Just like it says in His word:


Hebrews 13:5-6
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”


I can be honest with you and say that I didn’t always feel His presence.  There were definite times of discouragement.  Definite times where I begged for a sense of peace but just as honestly I can tell you that I never saw Brenna without it.  Isn’t that amazing? Brenna is ten years old now and from looking at her you would never know that she ever endured such a fight.  She still goes back every four weeks for blood checks and won’t be considered ‘cancer free’ for a few more years, yet we can see the healing in her life.
When I heard the news of Jessie’s fight I began to follow her on facebook and prayed for her healing. It wasn’t but a few short days later that she had passed on.  My heart broke for her family.  It just didn’t seem fair that I would get to keep my precious little girl and they would lose theirs.


I still have no answers and it is still not fair. This is a broken world we live in where sickness and disease take lives.  I believe this breaks the heart of my heavenly father and while I still don’t believe He causes such atrocities, I know that He does bring purpose out of them.  This is what He is all about: restoring broken things.  He is a redeemer of life.


Brenna will go on to tell of her story and Jessie’s story will live on to tell of hers.  Both are a story of peace.  Both are a story of trust. Both are a story of two families who know their hope can only lie in one place. And that is with a God who will never leave us and never forsake us.
In Jessie’s short fight against cancer she started an organization called NEGU which stands for Never Ever Give Up.  Her family continues this fight by raising funds for research and encouraging other kids to NEGU.

You can follow Jessie’s story on Facebook and her website.

https://www.facebook.com/jessicajoyrees

http://www.jessie.org/

Words to say.

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Posted by Mel on January 20, 2011 – 6:00 am
Filed under Community, Journey

I have something to say but no words to say it. It is a secret. Words escape me tonight. A part of me doesn’t know how to say it out loud; maybe I don’t really want to say it out loud. It will change things; it will leave me forever changed.  But I was changed a long time ago.  I’m not afraid to tell you I love Jesus with all of my heart. If you’ve read anything I’ve ever written you already know that.

That’s not my secret, but this is:

I will follow Jesus wherever He asks me to go.

Michael and I feel the same on this, of that I’m sure. There have been plenty of conversations over the last ten years as we’ve shared this journey. Ten years of learning what faith is and how it will see you through the darkest times. Ten years of finding out the best and worst parts of loving people. Ten years of figuring out that God desires our complete obedience in all things. I wouldn’t trade a moment of the last ten years. I wouldn’t be who I am right now; I wouldn’t even know what it means to truly glorify God if it weren’t for all those things. Hard lessons taught me how to look to God first in all I do and taught me life is about so much more than I thought.

The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 keeps coming to my mind tonight. Every time I read this passage I think about Jesus saying to the young ruler, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” It’s the word “complete” that jumps out at me. A lot of people will pass right over that scripture without another thought. That scripture holds me captive. I believe what it says. I’m tired of living the “American Dream”. It’s an empty promise. We deserve that “blessing”, right? Just a lie that we placate ourselves with.

Six months ago our ideas about people and life and relationships really changed. They changed the day Michael stepped off a plane in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He would never be the same. Our family would never be the same. God cut our hearts, opened our eyes to the fact that there is much to be done. It’s with those thoughts on our minds we’ll be returning to Haiti this summer.( Michael, Seth, Emilee and I will be spending the month of June in Haiti helping Growing Hope for Haiti.)  I want my children to know more about the world. I want them to grow up loving people more than they love cell phones and iPods. I want them to be willing to give everything up to follow Jesus. I want them to realize loving Jesus and reading their Bible isn’t as complicated as we make it sometimes.

I think it’s pretty simple. God calls us to love and honor Him in all we do; He calls us to love one another and to help those in need. Not complicated!

Michael’s blog will have his thoughts on Haiti and what God’s speaking to his heart. You can read his thoughts here.  He will also have details on how you can partner with us on this part of our journey, whether that is with your prayers or giving financially to help us get to Haiti. We’ll be updating as we get ready for our trip and I hope you’ll check back often. Thank you so much for being present in this moment with us.

The words you need to hear.

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Posted by Mel on November 30, 2010 – 11:26 pm
Filed under Church, Community

There are things that I’ve questioned since becoming a Christian. One of those things is how women fit in the church. What happens if her personality is strong and she’s very passionate about life and ideas and participating inside the church. Is there a place for that? I’ve really spent the last decade trying to figure out how to temper my strong personality. Is that what God wants? Is that what the men that I look to in my life for leadership and advice expect? I have to admit I’ve tried on a lot of different masks to be the “woman” I think the church expects me to be. I’ve probably rode the line of disrespect at times and other times I’ve went too far the opposite direction and bent over backwards to be meek and submissive. It’s been a long road with a lot of mistakes along the way.

One of the things I’ve noticed is nobody inside the church really talks about the role of women. Outside of the classic~spiritual leadership talk that is. I often would wonder if that was brought out to keep us ladies in line! Because that’s all I ever got, very vague ideas. I think that left me even more confused. Did I even have a role or responsibility in the church? I will draw the line right here and say I am very strong willed and have very definite ideas and opinions. I feel deeply and passionately about everything. I don’t fear conflict when appropriate, I don’t go out and pick fights but I will absolutely fight for what is right. (I know you’re feeling bad for Michael right now but he does just fine with “all of me”.) That being said, hear this…I absolutely believe and support Michael as the spiritual leader of this family and in this home. I believe and honor and support the male elders and leaders of my church. I feel deep within me that is correct and what God expects. I believe the bible speaks to that. But very unfortunately I’ve also felt at times that some passages regarding women have been taken out of context and twisted to keep us….I don’t know? Quiet, submissive, ineffective, invisible. I have had the heck beat out of me by some men that don’t believe women have very much value. I’ve also seen that happen to women around me. It makes me sad and angry at the same time.

I was so excited about this past weekend at church, well mostly excited. There was part of me that was also terrified that I wouldn’t agree or understand. See, we were going to be talking about this whole male/female thing. We’ve been working through I Corinthians for many weeks now and we had come to a very specific passage. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 A passage about gender roles and how the church in Corinth was getting it wrong. I’ve heard lots of pastors don’t like to speak on this passage and I can see why it would be difficult. But, maybe we’ve been getting it wrong here in America, too. Maybe it’s something we need to be talking about more often. The world I grew up in was so different from the world my mother grew up in. I have different ideas about the roles of men and women. Some of the things culture has taught me has been really messed up. I needed this to be talked about. I’ve needed to hear this for a long time. I needed to know we had value for who we are. That I had a place. I needed to know what Jesus thinks about me. I really know what Jesus thinks about me but I so desperately needed some godly men to say this is what you mean to Jesus and to us and to the church. I got way more than I bargained for on Sunday! Tim really doesn’t sugar coat much for you. Actually I’ve never known him to sugar coat anything. But that’s okay because I need someone to say the tough stuff so I pay attention and listen and learn. I won’t ever grow and be healthy if someone doesn’t tell me all of it.  It inspires me to search and pray and grow!

As I’ve said I am very passionate about a lot of things. One of those things is praying for and helping and sharing all my numerous mistakes with women younger than me. If there is one thing I’ve desired my whole life it’s good, positive fellowship with other women. What I’ve sometimes experienced has been nothing close to that. But I’ve had those moments that are right. They aren’t based on what the world portrays as “friendship”. They are what the bible shows me relationships are like and I am so very grateful and humbled by those moments. Women should absolutely be empowering one another, but a lot of times we don’t. I want this message to be a gift I can pass on as a positive thing. I’m not sure I portrayed this weekend’s message very well. It was pretty emotional for me and I don’t always get my words out right when something impacts me this strongly. I probably should have let this sink in for a few more days but I really think it might be words you need to hear right now. Oh and guys….you really need to hear them too!

I’m going to leave you with the link for this weekends service which is a little lengthy but I think it will be so worth your time to watch it. So ladies get your comfy clothes on, curl up in your favorite chair with your favorite beverage and spend some time just listening. I promise you won’t be sorry but if you’re really fired up afterward I’ve got Tim’s email!!!

Thanks for reading!

Praying love and blessings for you my dear friends!

Faith without works….dead!

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Posted by Mel on October 22, 2010 – 12:25 pm
Filed under Church, Community, Journey

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? James 2:14-16

Bam!!

(Just needed your attention, thought that might get it.)

Wanted to share some stuff I’ve been sorting through that continue the “be the church” thoughts this week.

I’ve found myself to be a “dead works” kind of girl for many years. I had this feeling that if I was “working” hard inside the church that was sufficient and I didn’t really need to be doing anything outside the doors of the church. But then circumstances come along and you get uprooted, turned upside down and inside out and nothing that used to make sense to you makes sense any longer. You look around at people that you’ve always had things in common with and shared life with and now things seem weird and uncomfortable. Suddenly you find yourself acting crazy and doing things like believing EVERY WORD of the bible. You start seeking out other such “crazy” people. Thoughts of selling everything you own to follow Jesus or giving it all away starts being more than a distant thought. You know those “distant” thoughts that sometimes come out of the blue and give you a little zinger! We normally don’t like those! Those thoughts we run from, hide from, ignore, stuff way down deep….know what I mean?

Well, of late, those thoughts are crowded up in my mind until I can’t get away from them. Then the craziest thing begins to happen~all those thoughts that used to be wacky and bizarre start feeling normal and all those “crazy” thoughts and people actually end up being the ones making the most sense. Go figure! You find the anxiety in your thoughts and the tight feeling in your chest that you’ve lived with a long time start going away to be replaced by crazy things like….well, peace for one; and a lot of joy; and this weird ability to be content. Even being content with the idea that all you may be left with is whatever others share with you and you share with them! Suddenly,  living, truly living and helping in community is the most important thing you will ever do here…on this earth. You realize there are no coincidences, there is no “random”. You start bumping into a lot of people with the same ideas. (I like to think of them as God designed meetings with other people that have those same ideas!)

I have so many things to talk to you about but I can’t put it all in one post. My posts on an average day run about 1100 words. That’s too many! So blogging more frequently and not as long is a must. You don’t need to spend all day reading one post on one blog! I hope you’ll check here frequently, I have a feeling God has some things in store for us. Maybe some things we’re going to help one another with!

Right now I want to leave you with something you could help me with and I would be so grateful! My 42nd birthday is coming up in December and this year I’ve given my birthday away to charitywater.org and you can go HERE to join me in celebrating. I would really love it if the goal I picked was exceeded. Maybe you could skip a breakfast out or your favorite Starbuck’s coffee just once to help me by giving that $5 to a really great organization. (Or more if you like!!) You can even watch them via internet drill wells in villages!! How cool is that?!! I know what you’re thinking~we don’t exchange birthday gifts anyway. Maybe this year could be an exception….and should you choose to do the same with your birthday this year send me a message…..BECAUSE I AM SO GIVING YOU A GIFT THIS YEAR!!!

Be the Church?

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Posted by Mel on October 18, 2010 – 1:20 pm
Filed under Church, Community, Life

I always have the best intentions to write more often! I see it’s been, once again, a month since I last blogged. I’ll have you know that in that time I’ve written some fantastic blog posts…in my mind! I seem to have these thoughts frequently but often have a hard time translating it to written word. I really do enjoy writing, I love the transparency that it allows, I very much enjoy the community involved. I even find myself enjoying a good debate should someone not agree exactly with what I have to say! I’m learning that “tension” is a good thing, it encourages you to stretch and learn and grow! I’ve also come to understand that when I’m “comfortable”…..I’ve become complacent. Not somewhere I want to be anymore, I prefer to live with that tension because it keeps me moving forward! All that being said, I feel very strongly about today’s moment of writing.

I’ve read two different accounts today of people questioning God, Christians, Church~and not in a very positive way! When I read things like that I feel overwhelmed by sadness.In the last few years I’ve read hundreds of those accounts!  I understand those feelings so well and I know the place they come from. It can absolutely swamp you, it can change your opinion, it can make you throw your hands up and walk away. What I’ve noted when reading about the Church on the world wide web is there are really only two places people camp out on “church  & God”…..love it or hate it. (At least those that weigh in on their opinions!) I try very desperately to never enter into a debate about religion….especially when someone has experienced a hurt. You are not going to change their mind by debating them. Usually, once you’ve formed your own opinion you refuse to hear what anybody says that’s on the other side of that issue. I can speak pretty comfortably about this from experience.

I can’t help but be heartbroken! I remember the despair and anguish…the absolute bewilderment that can go along with those experiences! I want so much to encourage them, to scream loudly don’t give up on God-because He never gives up on us. I want to tell them that we are all broken on the inside, that we are all slaves to our deceitful hearts that elevate selfish desires like pride and being right over love and forgiveness. I want to tell them not to give up Hope. Keep moving forward, learn and move on, but never give up! It’s easy to say that today. (I mean it’s easier for me to say that today than it would have been several years ago when it all felt hopeless to me.)

I wondered today why I wasn’t like some of the people that I encounter who hate the Church, hate God, hate anything to do with religion. I could have remained where I was~doubting, scared, empty. That emptiness I felt for 6 months after my experience felt like winter. I look back now and realize it was a season I had to go through to be here now but why doesn’t that translate for some? How do they become lost? Are they forever lost? Do we even care? Does the church even notice? I feel very conflicted and sad today. My very soul cries out to God to comfort those that have been harmed, those that have been marginalized, made invisible, broken by those that would call themselves christians but are really just Pharisees playing games. I want to yell down the house! “That experience is not a reflection of the God that loves you so much that He sent His only son to die a brutal death on a cross… so that you and I might have a way back to Him!!” I want them to know that God is not some “mystical, invisible, magician in the sky” that might not really exist. I want them to know the power and strength of His love! I want them to know what it feels like to be covered in grace! But, I can’t make them see it my way, can I? I can’t bully them or debate them or tell them to get over it.

God! Please, I pray you open people’s hearts, heal their hurts, remind them that the church is not always a reflection of the God who loves them! Connect them with Christian people that are humble and loving, that are willing to listen and who have the right words to say.

I pray desperately today for the Church. That’s all of us, we are the Church. It’s not this little church and this big church and this Methodist church and this Baptist church. WE ARE THE CHURCH! There is no division in that…..there is not one “church” that is better at being the “church” than any other. Careful, careful when you discount all the good things being done by the Church when you want to elevate your “own church” above all others. If you say things like~ “If only people would come here they would never go to another church!” It’s PRIDEFUL! It means your “agenda”, “vision”, “whatever you want to call it” is more important than sharing the gospel!  You should be saying-”How can I partner with the churches around me, become the Church that Jesus started here on earth and actually fulfill the job left to His disciples!

Is it even possible…..can we be the Church? I see a glimmer of that, I see a beginning…I see churches partnering with one another,sharing resources, not participating in the “competitor” mentality, starting ministries in their communities with other churches.  I like what I see! I’m starting to see a little bit of Acts 2:42-47 and it’s really good.

This is what I think “Church” is….

42 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. 46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts,

47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved.  Acts 2:42-47

Plan B by Pete Wilson

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Posted by Mel on September 18, 2010 – 6:00 am
Filed under Books, Community, Reviews

I found Pete Wilson quite by accident two years ago when I was going through a very tough time in my own life. A “plan B” that was quite unexpected and so very painful. It was one of those times when a lot of things weren’t making sense and I was questioning everything in my life including my relationship with God. Little did I know then that Pete would write this fantastic book, “Plan B”, about those times in your life that just don’t make any sense. Those times that we want reconciled, we need a reason, or a conclusion, or a better scenario….but we often don’t get it.

It was one of those weird coincidences that my husband won a copy of Pete’s book on someone’s blog! I had been reading about the book coming out and watching the video on Pete’s blog and suddenly the book shows up in the mail. My husband read it first and passed it on to me. He made the statement that the last two chapters of the book were very powerful. He also shared that what Pete wrote in the book were a lot of the thoughts and feelings we were having about some of the circumstances in our own life. Little did I know!

I’m going to warn you right now that I’m not the type of reviewer that pulls out quotes from the book and dissects it down for you. I figure you can just read the book for yourself! I will tell you two things~ if the book impacted me and whether I recommend it.

I started reading Pete’s book and realized right away that Pete and I were going to agree on a lot of things. I had a lot of the same feelings and thoughts that came about from my previous experiences in life. The stories he share in the book are amazing and heartbreaking and there would be moments I would have to put the book down, cry some tears, compose myself and begin again. Did the book impact me? Beyond description! (I’m not going to try and explain it, those feelings can’t be described with words.) I will tell you that it was like being wrapped in comfort and it made me realize that we do not travel through this life alone. That we can’t travel alone.

Pete is a good writer, it’s not too wordy and it’s not written over anyone’s head. It is very humble and there’s a lot of kindness and comfort in this book….which I would expect reflects the kind of guy Pete is. It couldn’t have been an easy book to write, there are no answers for some of the questions we have about this life!

Pete was kind enough to send me an email two years ago when we were going through our plan B. For awhile I read that email almost every day because it seemed to be the only comfort I had to encourage me to move forward. I’m thankful Pete listens to God and allows God to work through his life. It was a beginning for our family, a different path on this journey. Looking back now I understand why everything happens for a reason. See, if that hadn’t happened then I wouldn’t be here now~feeling the way I do and loving Jesus the way I do.

I don’t exactly know where I’m headed but that’s okay too, but I do know I’m moving forward again! I’ve also experienced several more plan B’s since that pivotal time and will probably experience many more….but I’m not doing it alone!

So, here’s what I think:

If you are experiencing a “plan b” in your life….you…really…need….to….read….this…..book!

(You can also catch up with Pete on his blog. He shares about his relationship with God, his family, his church. Good words! http://withoutwax.tv/ )

I believe.

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Posted by Mel on September 2, 2010 – 2:16 pm
Filed under Church, Community, Grace, Journey

I believe!

For now…..I’m just content to share what’s happening, what I’m thinking, how I’m living, some of the stupid mistakes I make, some of the things I believe in, things that make me smile, things that get me riled up – you get the idea. I’m going to leave you with a few things I believe, this might be a list you want to set down and pound out for yourself and maybe it’ll be something you want to share with someone else.

  • I believe………in grace – not just receiving it but passing it on. I still don’t understand it but I know we all need it and we get it for free. So, I better be extending it freely.
  • I believe………in a God who loves me enough to be tough on me when I need it.
  • I believe………God has a purpose for my life God wants me to glorify him in everything I do.
  • I believe………in following that purpose for my life God, even during the rough moments.
  • I believe………God’s not done with me yet.
  • I believe………in my husband, my kids, my parents, my brothers, their families, my church, my cell family, my friendships.
  • I believe………in learning the most I can from every experience – good or bad.
  • I believe………that iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs 27:17) Still love this one and the people in my life & circumstances that contribute to it.
  • I believe………in the church.
  • I believe………as Christians we should extend love, grace, and compassion to all people & show joy, peace, a longsuffering attitude, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control.
  • I believe………in taking the church to the world and not the opposite-taking the world to church.
  • I believe………as Christians we need to take off the blinders and step out of the bubbles.
  • I believe………that this life will be a journey up mountains and through valleys.
  • I believe………I am never alone.
  • I believe………in a Father who loves me and has great things in store if I will only believe! provides joy even in the midst of some pretty tough circumstances.

I wrote that post what seems like a long time ago. A lot has happened since then! That was May 2009 and it was the beginning of a thaw in my heart. A glimpse of spring and a season of discovery were just around the corner. I didn’t know where I was headed but I knew where I’d been. I’ve learned a lot of things this past year. I’ve learned a lot about forgiveness, both the giving and receiving of it, how to deal with conflict and survive, how to love people and survive! I’m learning a lot about community and how to participate with an open heart. I’m learning to speak into someone’s life in love and NOT with a battering ram! Thank goodness, right? I’m learning where my passions are and things that I really love to do! I’m learning that everything I do has a purpose for His glory.

As I read this list again I realized what I believe has grown stronger as I’ve “grown up” a little. There have been some adjustments in what I believe as I’ve grown. God’s word has a lot to do with what I believe now! It’s funny how things look a little different when you read that book for yourself! I’ve realized that my heart without Jesus is a wicked and deceitful place and that any time I elevate my earthly desires I fall right back into sin.

Some of the circumstances of my life have changed. My attitudes about certain things have changed. My desire to be on mission for God and what that looks like is developing. My willingness to live boldly? Good question! Well it’s coming, and I have a whole lot of learning left to do along the way!! I continue to be a work in progress, but I’m not the same person I was even a year ago. There’s something about grace and faith and taking it all in and then breathing it out that leaves you forever changed!

Did you ever work on your list? Have you pounded out in black and white what you believe? Are you different than you were a year ago? Are you more loving, full of joy, a peacemaker, longsuffering, full of kindness, goodness, & faithfulness? Do you live your life with gentleness and self-control? Where are you on your journey? Are you tired, or bored, or maybe a little sad? Just a friendly little challenge, maybe it’s time…for you to sit down and make that list and spend some time with the one who loves you the most!

A tale of two cities…

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Posted by Mel on August 4, 2010 – 1:56 pm
Filed under Church, Community, Family

There are very important things in life that I ignore by filling up my life with unimportant distractions. I have a hard time sometimes breaking myself of the “routine”. Do you know the one I’m talking about? Work, housework, supper, disconnect time (aka-tv/computer time), sleep…continue this until the weekend. The weekend-cram as much housework and “upkeep” that you couldn’t get done through the week, plus entertainment time & collapsing after 5 days of trying to do it all week. Monday morning-repeat routine!

I often dream of a place where I don’t have to continue the “routine”. I look around at all the “stuff” that we have on display at our home that collects dust but has no function. (Hence, the reason for the routine! Gotta keep the stuff !) I think about the fact we only really use a quarter of the space in our house and we are all usually in the same room together at the same time. God has challenged us strongly of recent on our finances and our inattention to the “important” things of this life. We have made some attempt to decrease our debt. We have no car payment at this time and although we are tempted since Michael’s truck exploded we have not succumbed to that temptation. Having one car sucks, or so we think, since we usually have two. The American dream states that we are entitled to have two working vehicles. Right? Too much focus on the “stuff”! But, then something happened….

July happened and Michael went to Haiti and Seth to Mexico and suddenly none of that matters. This didn’t even matter….

I had recently received a “bid” on getting my teeth fixed. I have a congenital defect where several of my permanent teeth never formed, so I either have empty space or baby teeth. Nine missing teeth to be exact! I’ve always felt like to be a “whole” person I should have perfect teeth and I feel entitled because I’ve waited all these years to get them fixed. Then July happened and the 3300.00 to fix my teeth seemed like a very vain attempt to be pleasing to who?….people, myself, my family, God? My teeth work, I’m able to eat, they aren’t decayed…they function in the manner that God intended them to. So, after talking with Michael, I made the decision that these were the teeth God gave me and I would live out the rest of this life with them. I didn’t need my physical appearance to speak for the person I am inside.  I realized that 3300.00 would be better served to build a structure in Haiti or drill a well for fresh water wherever it’s needed.

I know the next year things are happening for our family that will lead us somewhere else, I don’t really know where, but I know God has been getting us ready for a long time. I think He’s been waiting on us to realize what is important and to know that without Him we can’t accomplish anything. So we are getting ready to step out on faith and go wherever He leads us.  I have a different philosophy about this life that I find is not always very popular with some people in my life. But, I’m 100% sold out that this life is not about our comfort or even about us being comfortable, I believe it’s about living dangerously and helping those that God has always called us to help…the downtrodden, the poor in spirit, the orphans, the widows. I often wonder how different we would be if we fell into one of those groups I mentioned? Would we be full of hope like the people that Michael & Seth met. They had nothing… but they had everything…… because they had Jesus and they had hope.

Michael’s group that went to Haiti has partnered with Growing Hope For Haiti and they will be helping with an orphanage there. 43 kids sleeping on kindergarten mats under an open tent with no sanitation and one meal a day. If you’d like to talk to these guys because you also have a desire in your heart to do something outside the routine you can contact Michael here. Maybe your church wants to get on board, they’ll come talk to your church group, your family, your whatever! These guys are willing to do whatever it takes to change the lives of those kids…because it’s what God asked of them when He sent them to Haiti. But maybe you were like me, filling life up with the routine and unsure of what to do. I never really knew where to start…but this is a beginning, a step in a different direction.

Now, before I get hate comments about new cars and “stuff” know that I’m speaking for this family only. We live in a country of excess, we have way more than we need when most of the world is going without. I can’t know that anymore and ignore it…..but that’s between God and I. What God’s challenging you with is between you and Him. If this post somehow raised your interest in maybe living with  a little less and helping someone else that’s a good thing. If it’s not for you, then it’s not for you…..but you have to admit it’s something to think about! Maybe instead of being overwhelmed by trying to help the world….maybe it’s just about one tiny step of faith? One step taken then another……a beginning…..

Guest Blogger: Audra Hibbs

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Posted by Mel on May 16, 2010 – 9:06 pm
Filed under Community, Journey, Women

Out of life’s storms come….hope! A hope- for better life circumstances, a closer walk with God, a realization of what is truly important! I have this amazing blessing of sharing life with some beautiful, Godly women who have these amazing stories and they live life willing to share their stormy moments in the hopes that it might bring hope to someone’s journey.  My friend Audra is one of those women. She has this amazing story that has had a huge impact on my life and I thought it would be great if she would be willing to share a little of her story here.  When I approached her about writing her story to share on the blog…she was absolutely agreeable.  Audra’s story is a story of hope and relationship with God and a “more excellent way”.  Audra and I had the unique experience of getting to know each other during my years as flag corps sponsor with the FHS band. Audra was in my first flag corps at Fredericktown, which that’s been 11years ago now! We were both much younger! I had just turned 30 and Audra was probably all of 14! She has had a huge impact on my journey with God. It was through her example as a young girl who loved Jesus with all her heart that encouraged me as I started my journey with God. After our paths had gone in different direction for several years God has put Audra and I back in relationship over the last two years….He always knows what we need!! During a very dark time in my journey God sent Audra and her story to give me hope and I don’t even think Audra realizes how important her words were to me at that time. Audra is a lot of things and I could write pages about her amazing character but what I want you to know about her is that she loves Jesus with this fierce and intense passion that is truly contagious to all around her. She is wise beyond her young years and she writes the most amazing, God-inspired words that are honest and raw. I hope when you get done reading her words here you’ll jump over to her blog-incomplete ramblings… and read some of her posts, they will impact your life!

Without any further “ramblings” on my part, Audra’s story………..

Dark Days

I’ve always loved rainy days.  Few things recharge my soul like an afternoon spent curled up under a fuzzy blanket, reading a book and listening to the gentle way rain hits the glass on my window.  And the distinctively green smell of the world after the rain passes.

Much like my affection for rainy days, the Lord has instilled in me over time a love for life-storms.  It seems counter-intuitive, really, and it hasn’t always been that way.  There was a specific period of my life that I refer to as my dark days.  At the time, it felt like every worst-case scenario that could arise arose…all at once.  My long-term relationship ended when the man with whom I’d been planning a life told me that he was homosexual; that moment alone created an epic war in the battleground of my heart in which Jesus and Satan battled it out for control over my perception of my femininity over the course of several years.  My brother and his wife, who had been like a second set of parents to me, separated and filed for divorce.  In the span of one year, three of my close friends passed away.  My childhood friends and I began to grow apart, simply because of the wear and tear of time and distance.  Change lurked around every corner, so much that it disoriented me on every possible level.  It felt as though a part of me was dying; every part of my life that I thought I could count on began to tear away at the seams.  And as that happened, my heart went through the same process of tearing and mending, ripping and healing.

But looking back on my life, my dark days, my great storm…they changed everything.  It took away from me the mediocre and gave me the extraordinary.  It took from me a life that was comfortable and sensible and predictable and gave me a life that is daily unexpected and unpredictable and vulnerable and infinitely more rewarding than anything I could have dreamed up on my own.  I have a career and a ministry and a circle of friendships and a husband that I would never trade for anything; each of them things and people that would have been forsaken had my former life stayed intact.

One of my favorite scriptures is I Corinthians 12:31: “But eagerly desire the greater gifts, and I will show you a still more excellent way.”  This verse has become the most accurate description of the way I view the storms we encounter as believers or, more broadly, as humans.

I believe it’s easy for us to desire the greater gifts and get stuck there.  To dream up the life we desire, and to desire it so much that our brains can’t even comprehend anything more wonderful.  And yet, there’s always a more wonderful adventure to come; we always have a Creator whose nature is more extravagant than we can imagine.  And sometimes, when we become so stuck in those “greater things” we’re desiring, I think the Lord finds that the only way to get us to let go is to tear down those things long enough to show us His “still more excellent way.”

I believe there will always be another storm to come as long as we’re ardently chasing Christ; because as long as we’re chasing Christ, there will always be another level to His more excellent ways, at least until Heaven comes to Earth in completion.

So eagerly desire those greater gifts.  And when the Lord uses the storms of this life to tear them down, live not only in contentment but in hope, knowing that He’s about to reveal to you another of His endless progression of excellent ways.