Hey friends,
If you're in the Phoenix area and would like to hang-out with us, we're getting together this coming Sunday, July 20th at the Schroeder's home in Mesa at 3:30 PM.
We'll be using chapters 2 & 3 of Michael Frost's Exiles: Living Missionally In a Post-Christian Culture as the basis of our discussion. Also, afterwards we'll just be hanging-out getting to know each other better, so plan to stick around if your schedule allows. If you are able to bring some food or drink to share with others, that would be awesome.
Some ideas...
- cheeses & crackers
- wine/beer
- fruits & veggies
- hummus, etc
Can't wait to see returning faces and new-comers as well!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Our Gathering
I was wondering, what was everyone's experience at our last gathering? We took an opportunity to share communion together and sing some worship songs together. To me, it felt like a very normal thing for us to do together. I really appreciated the songs that Adam and Tara picked and their giftedness. When Tara began singing the first song, I found myself very emotionally stirred (choked up). Quite honestly, I was very surprised that I'd felt that.
Now after beginning to read Exiles (yes Joy and I finally got our copy of the book), that meeting seemed like a perfect transitioning into this book. So far I've gotten thru the first and second chapters and it has been very interesting. I really like the perspective of Jesus the Exile in the second chapter. Much of what I've read helps me see the reality and humanness of Jesus that I think I often don't want to look closely enough at. Joy and I were also talking about how we often look at the writers of the New Testament as deities as well. Not really considering how these guys were just as much human and struggled with themselves, relationships, etc as we do. If we thought more from that perspective when reading the Epistles, what would they say to us?
I am really excited about talking about this book at our next gathering. I've been wrestling alot with this concept of being an exile and I'm looking forward to hearing what others get from this idea.
Unfortunately, I have some bad news...the wheat beer is all gone. I poured a glass for a guest yesterday and got the last few drops. The good news however is I've already picked up another batch and started a Honey Brown ale which has a taste similar to New Castle. However, it won't be ready for our next meeting, so we will have to drink something bought from the store. Sorry about that, I need to get my brewing timing down better.
Now after beginning to read Exiles (yes Joy and I finally got our copy of the book), that meeting seemed like a perfect transitioning into this book. So far I've gotten thru the first and second chapters and it has been very interesting. I really like the perspective of Jesus the Exile in the second chapter. Much of what I've read helps me see the reality and humanness of Jesus that I think I often don't want to look closely enough at. Joy and I were also talking about how we often look at the writers of the New Testament as deities as well. Not really considering how these guys were just as much human and struggled with themselves, relationships, etc as we do. If we thought more from that perspective when reading the Epistles, what would they say to us?
I am really excited about talking about this book at our next gathering. I've been wrestling alot with this concept of being an exile and I'm looking forward to hearing what others get from this idea.
Unfortunately, I have some bad news...the wheat beer is all gone. I poured a glass for a guest yesterday and got the last few drops. The good news however is I've already picked up another batch and started a Honey Brown ale which has a taste similar to New Castle. However, it won't be ready for our next meeting, so we will have to drink something bought from the store. Sorry about that, I need to get my brewing timing down better.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Third Place Tuesdays
Hi friends,
So I posted a new blog entry on Monday evening ... and then deleted it on Tuesday with plans to repost. I'm finally getting to it and want to include the first part of my orginal blog:
"Jamie, great recommendation ... I am really enjoying Exiles so far. In fact, it has me all excited and charged up this evening! For the past seven months, I have tried over and over to get involved in our church. I have attempted to join a small group, only for it to dissolve before I ever got a chance to attend. I have tried two women's Bible studies, only to feel restless and dissatisfied during each of the meetings. And I have contacted several leaders in the church in an attempt to get connected, only to receive either no response or a very delayed response.
I'm finally waking up to the fact that God likely does not want me investing my time at that church right now. So for the past few weeks, I've been asking him exactly where he wants me. I'm positive that Emerging Desert is one place, but I need something in addition to our biweekly meetings. As I was reading Chapter 3 in Exiles this evening, I was completely struck by the third places concept, and it has me thinking this might be exactly where God wants me to invest. After all, Jesus had an interest in being in third places, and I am striving to be more like him."
It was at this point in my entry that I declared Third Place Tuesdays in my life and decided on a coffee shop that I would be committing my life to on Tuesday evenings from here on out. I have to admit, though, that I rather hastily wrote my original blog, and after talking to Zac about it Monday night, I decided I should probably meditate on this idea for a bit before permanently etching it into my calendar. So that's where I am at this point ... praying about what exactly God has in mind for Third Place Tuesdays. Is this what He wants me to focus my energies on? Should this be a once-a-week thing? Who are the people that could be impacted by this friendship and conversation? What kind of venue is the best place for this incarnational ministry?
Last year I committed to working with the youth at a local church. I didn't think about it -- let alone pray about it -- for five minutes before I made the decision. And by month two I was counting down the days until my committment would be fulfilled. That's the last thing I want to do with Third Place Tuesdays -- especially because I have extended the invitation to all of you.
Although my post was only online for about 12 hours, I heard from a couple of you who read it -- one in particular who is very interested in talking more about meeting mid-week. I would certainly love to hear your ideas about Third Place Tuesdays as well. And in the mean time, I am going to be praying about it and asking God to lead me into this fellowship and ministry opportunity so that it can be most effective for all involved. Zac and I likely won't be at the meeting on Sunday (unless we speed home from San Diego), but I'd love to hear from you on here!
Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Trish
So I posted a new blog entry on Monday evening ... and then deleted it on Tuesday with plans to repost. I'm finally getting to it and want to include the first part of my orginal blog:
"Jamie, great recommendation ... I am really enjoying Exiles so far. In fact, it has me all excited and charged up this evening! For the past seven months, I have tried over and over to get involved in our church. I have attempted to join a small group, only for it to dissolve before I ever got a chance to attend. I have tried two women's Bible studies, only to feel restless and dissatisfied during each of the meetings. And I have contacted several leaders in the church in an attempt to get connected, only to receive either no response or a very delayed response.
I'm finally waking up to the fact that God likely does not want me investing my time at that church right now. So for the past few weeks, I've been asking him exactly where he wants me. I'm positive that Emerging Desert is one place, but I need something in addition to our biweekly meetings. As I was reading Chapter 3 in Exiles this evening, I was completely struck by the third places concept, and it has me thinking this might be exactly where God wants me to invest. After all, Jesus had an interest in being in third places, and I am striving to be more like him."
It was at this point in my entry that I declared Third Place Tuesdays in my life and decided on a coffee shop that I would be committing my life to on Tuesday evenings from here on out. I have to admit, though, that I rather hastily wrote my original blog, and after talking to Zac about it Monday night, I decided I should probably meditate on this idea for a bit before permanently etching it into my calendar. So that's where I am at this point ... praying about what exactly God has in mind for Third Place Tuesdays. Is this what He wants me to focus my energies on? Should this be a once-a-week thing? Who are the people that could be impacted by this friendship and conversation? What kind of venue is the best place for this incarnational ministry?
Last year I committed to working with the youth at a local church. I didn't think about it -- let alone pray about it -- for five minutes before I made the decision. And by month two I was counting down the days until my committment would be fulfilled. That's the last thing I want to do with Third Place Tuesdays -- especially because I have extended the invitation to all of you.
Although my post was only online for about 12 hours, I heard from a couple of you who read it -- one in particular who is very interested in talking more about meeting mid-week. I would certainly love to hear your ideas about Third Place Tuesdays as well. And in the mean time, I am going to be praying about it and asking God to lead me into this fellowship and ministry opportunity so that it can be most effective for all involved. Zac and I likely won't be at the meeting on Sunday (unless we speed home from San Diego), but I'd love to hear from you on here!
Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!
Trish
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Dinner Sunday (July 6th)
We are thinking Hamburgers and Hotdogs for dinner Sunday night.
We'll provide meat, buns and fix'ns. Please bring a side or desert.
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