I am not easily impressed. However, I have a deep admiration for people whose walk with God consists of action not just talk, and especially those people whose "doing" is not promoted for the world to see. I am impressed with people who quietly and without fanfare do the work of God in the messy gutter of life.
Conversely, I am not impressed by those who continually have to broadcast the news of their ministry. Jesus spoke about people whose actions were driven by a need to be noticed - they have their reward now. Recently, while on Interstate 81 I saw a large billboard proclaiming - Steamtown Church, a church in the city that loves the city. Now perhaps that billboard was placed there by the leading of the Holy Spirit. If so, then the church needed heed the Spirit's invitation.
However, I could not help but be a bit cynical when I saw it. I mean if we love the city, then we just love the city. There is no need to make any kind of proclamation about loving the city. If we love the city, we do not need to say so since the inhabitants of the city will know they are loved. So then what is the purpose of the proclamation? Or is the proclamation an attempt to convince ourselves that we love as we should?
Love requires us to engage with those being loved, not through a program or an event, but through inviting them into our very lives. I am impressed with the young single man who opens the doors of his home to other young men struggling to find their way. I am impressed with the truck driver who visits those in the nursing homes, bringing his infectious laughter into the grayness of their existence. I am impressed by the businessman who will loan money to employees in need, knowing full well that he probably will never see the money again. These are real people in real situations, people who will never be featured on the front page of the religious section of the newspaper. Furthermore, they have no desire to be noticed and applauded. They simply see "the least of these" with a need and meet the need. They are my heroes!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
north country
Bev and I spent the weekend at the Lodge. There is something intrinsically beautiful about the North Country in mid-winter. The snow, the deep blue sky, the snow dusted trees, and the abundance of wildlife all combine for a wonder-filled experience. The sub zero temperatures only serve to make the warm fire in the fireplace more inviting.
I used the snow blower to clean the lane. As I worked (well maybe it was playing) in the snow, my heart felt like it would burst with worship. The words of the hymn played in my mind and made their way past my lips – Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hand have made…Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art… When no one is around to hear, one can sing loudly and without inhibition!
The air feels clearer when it is this cold. Somehow the mind seems clearer as well. My thought process is no longer clouded by the press of details that swirl around me at home. Dreams of the heart become more vivid. Strategy to fulfill the dreams emerges with clarity. Hope arises after being hidden underneath the pressing weight of the mundane.
Creation reveals God, stirring both praise and inspiration. Somehow this weekend, I have joined in more deeply, felt alive more fully! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art!
I used the snow blower to clean the lane. As I worked (well maybe it was playing) in the snow, my heart felt like it would burst with worship. The words of the hymn played in my mind and made their way past my lips – Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hand have made…Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art… When no one is around to hear, one can sing loudly and without inhibition!
The air feels clearer when it is this cold. Somehow the mind seems clearer as well. My thought process is no longer clouded by the press of details that swirl around me at home. Dreams of the heart become more vivid. Strategy to fulfill the dreams emerges with clarity. Hope arises after being hidden underneath the pressing weight of the mundane.
Creation reveals God, stirring both praise and inspiration. Somehow this weekend, I have joined in more deeply, felt alive more fully! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
crossroads
On of the great things about getting older is that you gain perspective. Life is meant to be lived. If we will allow it, it becomes a great teacher. In my own journey with God, there have been transitional times that deeply shaped the coming years. In the mid to late 80's I discovered God to be real, tangible beyond what I could have imagined. In the mid 90's Bev and I left our dreams to follow the invitation of the Holy Spirit. The next 17 years were deeply transformational for me.
Once again Bev and I find ourselves in transition time. This time is a bit different. 17 years ago we heard the voice of God inviting us to a specific path. In the season in which we find ourselves currently, the question we hear from God is, "what do you want to do in the coming years?" We are learning to walk in harmony with the way He created us, with the dreams He placed within us. I always assumed that the dreams we relinquished 17 years ago were discarded by God in some heavenly trashcan of selfish desires. Little did I know that when I relinquished them into His hands, instead of discarding them, He gently cared for them for me.
A bit over four years ago, I realized that I was deeply stirred by something that I thought was forever gone. I remember asking Bev if she thought that perhaps God was giving my dreams back to me. The past number of years the dreams and the strategies to fulfill them began to re-emerge.
In all my years in leadership in the institutional church, I never felt like I fit. Whenever a group of pastors gathered, it seemed to me that I was the only one who did not have a burning desire to be "in ministry". I never asked for ministry position and never felt the need to grasp for it. For 17 years, I have labored primarily in the institutional church, building structures and systems. Yet for the past five years I have become increasingly aware of the problems of "church".
Today, the rebirth of my God-given dreams leads me away from the institutional church to a place of more organic church. I want to be involved with the work of God, not just in the restoration work in the lives of individuals but in the more mundane work of producing food to feed people. I desire deep relationships that demand transformation but I have no desire to attend church functions unless they facilitate the formation of relationships. I have no stomach for the endless meetings needed to prop up the institutional church. I am tired of the religious control that masquerades as accountability. I can no longer tolerate systems and structures that hinder healing, restoration, and ultimately, the work of God.
And so after 17 years, it's over. I will still blog about my observations on my walk with Jesus. As the Holy Spirit leads, I will still teach and preach...I can't keep my mouth shut when a message burns in my heart. But I will no longer give my time and energy building something that does not harmonize with what God is doing in me.
Once again Bev and I find ourselves in transition time. This time is a bit different. 17 years ago we heard the voice of God inviting us to a specific path. In the season in which we find ourselves currently, the question we hear from God is, "what do you want to do in the coming years?" We are learning to walk in harmony with the way He created us, with the dreams He placed within us. I always assumed that the dreams we relinquished 17 years ago were discarded by God in some heavenly trashcan of selfish desires. Little did I know that when I relinquished them into His hands, instead of discarding them, He gently cared for them for me.
A bit over four years ago, I realized that I was deeply stirred by something that I thought was forever gone. I remember asking Bev if she thought that perhaps God was giving my dreams back to me. The past number of years the dreams and the strategies to fulfill them began to re-emerge.
In all my years in leadership in the institutional church, I never felt like I fit. Whenever a group of pastors gathered, it seemed to me that I was the only one who did not have a burning desire to be "in ministry". I never asked for ministry position and never felt the need to grasp for it. For 17 years, I have labored primarily in the institutional church, building structures and systems. Yet for the past five years I have become increasingly aware of the problems of "church".
Today, the rebirth of my God-given dreams leads me away from the institutional church to a place of more organic church. I want to be involved with the work of God, not just in the restoration work in the lives of individuals but in the more mundane work of producing food to feed people. I desire deep relationships that demand transformation but I have no desire to attend church functions unless they facilitate the formation of relationships. I have no stomach for the endless meetings needed to prop up the institutional church. I am tired of the religious control that masquerades as accountability. I can no longer tolerate systems and structures that hinder healing, restoration, and ultimately, the work of God.
And so after 17 years, it's over. I will still blog about my observations on my walk with Jesus. As the Holy Spirit leads, I will still teach and preach...I can't keep my mouth shut when a message burns in my heart. But I will no longer give my time and energy building something that does not harmonize with what God is doing in me.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sweetheart Weekend
February 11-13, 2011
What is a Sweetheart Weekend?
Life has a way of interfering with the heart to heart relationship that makes a great marriage. From time to time it is advantageous to take some dedicated time away from the busyness of life to reconnect on deep heart to heart and romantic level with your spouse. The Sweetheart Weekend is a great way to spend uninterrupted time with your spouse.
Our goal is for good marriages to be strengthened over the weekend. This retreat is not designed for those whose marriages are troubled at this time.
Where and when is it held?
We (Beverly and I) will be hosting it at El-Quest Lodge in the 1000 Island Region of Upstate NY. El-Quest Lodge is a beautiful four bedroom, three bathroom, log home on the shores of Black Lake. The Sweetheart Weekend will begin with dinner on Friday evening and conclude with Sunday dinner at noon. The GPS location is 307 Black Lake Rd, Hammond, NY
How many couples can come?
We have room for only three couples at a time. Spots will be filled on a first come basis.
What will we do?
We will eat together as well as have some time for group interaction. However, the majority of the time will be reserved for you and your spouse alone. There are small quaint towns to explore. The snow covered landscape makes for beautiful long walks. There will be time for reading by the fireplace or for watching movies in the media room.
What is the cost?
The investment into your marriage is $150 per couple. That price includes all meals and bedding (with the exception of pillows). We do ask that you bring your own towels and washcloths. If funds are a problem, the generosity of some individuals has made some partial scholarships available. Additionally, if you would like to sponsor a couple, please contact us.
How do we reserve our spot?
Please contact Glen and Beverly Peachey either via phone or email.
717-436-2476 or glenpeachey@embarqmail.com
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