While the churches in our simple church network meet on a regular basis during the week, we don’t limit our church activity to these set times and days. For us, we don’t “go” to church, we are the church. We practice being the body of Christ in our day to day lives. In these meetings we pretty much follow a 4 W’s format but always with freedom and flexibility and an emphasis on edification.
Our groups also gather for teaching and worship on Sunday and these meetings are marked by participation and sharing. This summer we are encouraging every member to sponsor or host a Sunday gathering of the church.
This hosting or sponsoring may or may not be in their homes. It can be in any location near their house or apartment. It might be in a park, a meeting room in a local restaurant, a parking lot, a back yard, etc. The time of the meeting will depend on the location and choice of activities.
We are doing this for several reasons:
To make disciples by encouraging attendance of friends and family members who might feel more comfortable at a location that a member hosts
To mature the body of Christ
To break the monotony of always meeting at the same location
To share responsibility and give those who regularly host meetings a break
How could hosting meetings such as these make disciples and mature members?
I like to read and pray Celtic prayers. Below is a video of a prayer attributed to St. Patrick set to music. I think you will be blessed with these thoughts so fill up your coffee cup, enjoy the beautiful images and meditate on the words of the prayer.
The Deer’s Cry
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.
I arise to-day
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s eyes to look before me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
From all who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in a multitude.
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ to shield me,
Christ in the heart of every one who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me.
Those of you who know me well, know that I am not a singer by any stretch of the imagination. I’m one of those guys that people turn around and look at when they hear me singing – - and it’s not because of the outstanding quality of my voice. As a matter of fact some would prefer that I were “outstanding” on the sidewalk.
But I love to sing and sometimes I practice the life habit of loving God by singing to him. Many times I have felt hesitation about singing in front of people but never about singing in front of God. I always feel his love when I praise him.
A while back I was spending some time at the beginning of my day loving God by singing to him that little chorus, Father I Adore You. When I left for the day to be on mission with him I caught myself singing it from time to time in my head and sometimes out loud (in my car). The rhythm of that life habit just kept repeating itself throughout the day and it made me aware of his presence and kept me focused on the mission of loving others.
Put your coffee cup down and spend a spend a little time loving the Father, Jesus and the Spirit and sing along with the Maranatha! Singers’ version of Terrye Coelho’s song Father I Adore You. Pay particular attention the images in the video. Do they give you any ideas about how loving God can affect the way you love others today?
Live the Rhythm,
Terry
P.S. Join the conversation. What are some ways you practice the life habit of loving God.
About my blog
Welcome to Coffee Cup Conversation.
I want to help you discover some practical ways to live on mission with Christ on an everyday basis. more...
While the churches in our simple church network meet on a regular basis during the week, we don’t limit our church activity to these set times and days. For us, we don’t “go” to church, we are the church. We practice being the body of Christ in our day to day lives. In these meetings we pretty much follow a 4 W’s format but always with freedom and flexibility and an emphasis on edification.