The first weekend in October (1-3) we will be hosting a men's weekend at the Lodge in NY. We plan on being together from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. During the weekend, we plan on watching The Band of Brothers together. The Band of Brothers is the documentary of Easy Company during World War II.
There will be time for other "guy activities" as well. Kayaks and a sixteen foot aluminum boat with an outboard motor are available. The fishing is normally good that time of year. A woodpile begs to be cut and stacked. Or one can simply do nothing!
We will provide two meals per day. You will need to bring your bedding and any snacks and drinks you want. The cost for the weekend is $75. If finances are a problem for you, please let me know. There are a few scholarships available to help out.
The weekend will be a great time to both relax and grow personally. Sorry ladies - it's guys only! However, it would make a great gift for a man in your life!
If you want more details, email me directly at glenpeachey@embarqmail.com
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
between the calling and the choosing
Lately I’ve been thinking about something Jesus said. In the Gospels, twice we find Jesus making the following statement – For many are called and few chosen. Both instances follow a story, a story of invitation and offense.
And so it is today as well; Jesus’ words still ring true. I am frequently saddened by the reality of the words. Far too frequently people hear the call and excitedly respond. Somewhere between the calling and the choosing we always encounter a test. Our response to the test either qualifies or disqualifies us. It determines whether we are chosen.
Even Jesus experienced the testing that either qualifies or disqualifies. Before He ever began His public ministry, he yielded to the plan of the Father and submitted Himself to baptism. That however, led to a more intense testing. The Holy Spirit compelled Him to go to the desert for more intense testing. Each test dealt with a specific realm of temptation. The first test revealed whether He would use His power to do things beyond the desires of the Father. The second test was directed at the need for self-validation. The third test offered a shortcut to glory that avoided sacrifice.
That point of trial instigated by the Holy Spirit reveals the condition of the heart. For Jesus, His devotion to the Father and His purposes shone through. His heart was revealed. I believe that not only was His heart revealed, but His resolve to do the will of the Father was strengthened.
One of my greatest disappointments has to do with people who hear the call but then disqualify themselves from being chosen by their response to the testing. So many people, at the verge of being significant in the Kingdom of God, disqualify themselves. They choose the way of human wisdom and understanding instead of embracing the ways and purposes of God. The ways of God seem too difficult.
So they settle for something less. They may become busy in church or ministry activities. However, everything they do is a faint shadow of what could be. They heard the call but were never chosen.
And so it is today as well; Jesus’ words still ring true. I am frequently saddened by the reality of the words. Far too frequently people hear the call and excitedly respond. Somewhere between the calling and the choosing we always encounter a test. Our response to the test either qualifies or disqualifies us. It determines whether we are chosen.
Even Jesus experienced the testing that either qualifies or disqualifies. Before He ever began His public ministry, he yielded to the plan of the Father and submitted Himself to baptism. That however, led to a more intense testing. The Holy Spirit compelled Him to go to the desert for more intense testing. Each test dealt with a specific realm of temptation. The first test revealed whether He would use His power to do things beyond the desires of the Father. The second test was directed at the need for self-validation. The third test offered a shortcut to glory that avoided sacrifice.
That point of trial instigated by the Holy Spirit reveals the condition of the heart. For Jesus, His devotion to the Father and His purposes shone through. His heart was revealed. I believe that not only was His heart revealed, but His resolve to do the will of the Father was strengthened.
One of my greatest disappointments has to do with people who hear the call but then disqualify themselves from being chosen by their response to the testing. So many people, at the verge of being significant in the Kingdom of God, disqualify themselves. They choose the way of human wisdom and understanding instead of embracing the ways and purposes of God. The ways of God seem too difficult.
So they settle for something less. They may become busy in church or ministry activities. However, everything they do is a faint shadow of what could be. They heard the call but were never chosen.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
the realization of a dream
It was in February of 2004 at a Spirit2spirit retreat that I first saw it. During a time of worship and reflection, I saw a log cabin in my mind. I dismissed the picture as a self-centered desire and put it out of my mind. I never mentioned it to anyone. Three months later at another Spirit2spirit, the music had barely started to play when I saw it again. Once again I was about to dismiss it when I sensed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to allow the vision to take root.
I shared the idea/vision with Bev later and she immediately affirmed the validity of it. Throughout the summer we began the process of clarifying the vision. We wanted to build a place where we and others could connect with God in a tangible way. Because of our own experiences of connecting with God through nature's revelation of Him, we felt like we needed to build on a lake, somewhere among the trees. We prayed about it, waiting for God to do something to make it happen. As summer turned to early fall, we realized that instead of us waiting for God to do something, God was waiting for us to do something. We put a "for sale" sign at the end of our lane, having decided to downsize and take the equity from our spacious home to purchase land on which to build a cabin.
By the end of 2005, we had purchased 4 acres in Upstate NY on Black Lake. It was an area with which we were a bit familiar, having spent our summer vacations on the lake for the previous ten years. In our finite understanding of reality, we assumed that we would build the cabin in 2006. It turned out to be a much longer process than we anticipated.
In 2006, we purchased a camper, cleared brush, and put the lane in off the right of way. With the help of family and friends, we built a pathway and steps down to the lake. One night as I sat by the fire outside of the camper, I felt the temptation to relinquish the dream of building the cabin, choosing instead to stay at what felt like a safe place on the journey. We had the camper, we had a place from which to enjoy the lake. Why should I risk financial failure by pushing ahead? However, deep in my heart I knew that I would be trading the God-birthed dream for my selfish desire for safety. And so we forged ahead.
During the summer of 2007, we installed a septic system, and drilled a well. Finally we no long had to haul water from across the lake! We cleared more brush and seeded some grass. We also began to realize that the process was going to take longer and cost more than we ever imagined. When confronted with the normal fears that occur in the unfolding of a vision, we realized that we had come too far to turn back.
In 2008 we installed the electrical service. We cleared more land, preparing the actual site where the cabin would be built. It was in 2008 when suddenly the final design came together for us. Up to that point we had difficulty incorporating everything we felt need to be in it into our design. By the fall of 2008, we had the strong sense that the only thing left to do was to build. At that point fear began to confront me regularly. How would we ever get financing for the project; who would give us the needed funds? And believe me, the estimated final cost was rapidly growing. To make matters worse, the economy took a massive downturn. To keep myself afloat mentally, I continually reminded myself of how up to this point, at every crisis in the process, it seemed as if God had arrived before we even got there.
By late winter of 2009, I knew I had to contact some banks in NY. (Our local banks in PA could not use a property in NY as security.) In late March, Bev and I made a one day trip to Upstate NY to share the vision and plan with several banks. I had spent a good deal of time drawing up a plan to present to the banks. Much to my surprise, the banks were very receptive to the plan. Within six weeks we had our funding.
Our good friends, Jim and Deb Dressler, had plans to be in the USA for the summer of 2009. (For the past number of years they have lived in the mountain regions of India, partnering with God in His work there.) They agreed to help with the construction. In late June we dug the footers and basement. By the middle of July the basement walls were completed. (One advantage of the poor economy was that it was easy to find contractors to do work immediately.) The log cabin kit arrived on site in late July. The following weekend a group of us began building. And it rained...and rained. We would have several sunny days that were always followed by the rain. By October when Jim and Deb left for India, the cabin was weather tight. In November we brought the camper back to PA. We no longer had a need for it in NY.
Throughout the fall, winter and into early spring, Bev and I made numerous weekend trips to work on the interior. Once again, friends volunteered to help, doing the things about which I had no clue.
We celebrated Easter of 2010, with Bev's parents in NY. What we saw that weekend was a foretaste of what we believe will occur on a regular basis. A month later, my parents and my siblings spent a weekend at the lake. Once again, the restorative work of God touched me to the point of tears.
I shared the idea/vision with Bev later and she immediately affirmed the validity of it. Throughout the summer we began the process of clarifying the vision. We wanted to build a place where we and others could connect with God in a tangible way. Because of our own experiences of connecting with God through nature's revelation of Him, we felt like we needed to build on a lake, somewhere among the trees. We prayed about it, waiting for God to do something to make it happen. As summer turned to early fall, we realized that instead of us waiting for God to do something, God was waiting for us to do something. We put a "for sale" sign at the end of our lane, having decided to downsize and take the equity from our spacious home to purchase land on which to build a cabin.
By the end of 2005, we had purchased 4 acres in Upstate NY on Black Lake. It was an area with which we were a bit familiar, having spent our summer vacations on the lake for the previous ten years. In our finite understanding of reality, we assumed that we would build the cabin in 2006. It turned out to be a much longer process than we anticipated.
In 2006, we purchased a camper, cleared brush, and put the lane in off the right of way. With the help of family and friends, we built a pathway and steps down to the lake. One night as I sat by the fire outside of the camper, I felt the temptation to relinquish the dream of building the cabin, choosing instead to stay at what felt like a safe place on the journey. We had the camper, we had a place from which to enjoy the lake. Why should I risk financial failure by pushing ahead? However, deep in my heart I knew that I would be trading the God-birthed dream for my selfish desire for safety. And so we forged ahead.
During the summer of 2007, we installed a septic system, and drilled a well. Finally we no long had to haul water from across the lake! We cleared more brush and seeded some grass. We also began to realize that the process was going to take longer and cost more than we ever imagined. When confronted with the normal fears that occur in the unfolding of a vision, we realized that we had come too far to turn back.
In 2008 we installed the electrical service. We cleared more land, preparing the actual site where the cabin would be built. It was in 2008 when suddenly the final design came together for us. Up to that point we had difficulty incorporating everything we felt need to be in it into our design. By the fall of 2008, we had the strong sense that the only thing left to do was to build. At that point fear began to confront me regularly. How would we ever get financing for the project; who would give us the needed funds? And believe me, the estimated final cost was rapidly growing. To make matters worse, the economy took a massive downturn. To keep myself afloat mentally, I continually reminded myself of how up to this point, at every crisis in the process, it seemed as if God had arrived before we even got there.
By late winter of 2009, I knew I had to contact some banks in NY. (Our local banks in PA could not use a property in NY as security.) In late March, Bev and I made a one day trip to Upstate NY to share the vision and plan with several banks. I had spent a good deal of time drawing up a plan to present to the banks. Much to my surprise, the banks were very receptive to the plan. Within six weeks we had our funding.
Our good friends, Jim and Deb Dressler, had plans to be in the USA for the summer of 2009. (For the past number of years they have lived in the mountain regions of India, partnering with God in His work there.) They agreed to help with the construction. In late June we dug the footers and basement. By the middle of July the basement walls were completed. (One advantage of the poor economy was that it was easy to find contractors to do work immediately.) The log cabin kit arrived on site in late July. The following weekend a group of us began building. And it rained...and rained. We would have several sunny days that were always followed by the rain. By October when Jim and Deb left for India, the cabin was weather tight. In November we brought the camper back to PA. We no longer had a need for it in NY.
Throughout the fall, winter and into early spring, Bev and I made numerous weekend trips to work on the interior. Once again, friends volunteered to help, doing the things about which I had no clue.
We celebrated Easter of 2010, with Bev's parents in NY. What we saw that weekend was a foretaste of what we believe will occur on a regular basis. A month later, my parents and my siblings spent a weekend at the lake. Once again, the restorative work of God touched me to the point of tears.
And here we are, five and a half years after the initial picture in my mind. We made mistakes, we didn't always follow God's leading, we struggled with fear, and we continually felt completely overwhelmed. It took longer than we thought. It cost more than we imagined. It took perseverance, pain (literally), and an incredible amount of labor. We've mortgaged everything we have for the realization of the dream. Yet God provided continually, and I might add, in miraculous ways. The actual lodge (my father-in-law insists that it is not a cabin but a lodge and so that is what we will call it.) has turned out much more glorious than I could imagine. We built it, not just for us, but for others. We desire people to experience the re-creative power of God through creation, to join the water, the rocks, and the trees in the declaration of His goodness.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
community
Earlier this summer, Bev and I spent an evening with several friends, celebrating a birthday at JP Edwards in Burnham. The evening deeply imprinted itself on my heart and mind. I don't think about it in a nostalgic wistful way but more in a grateful overwhelming way. The evening helped me realize what a special thing our relationships are.
The evening was not made special by the food - although it was great. The conversation was great, not just surface "weather" kind of conversation but heart to heart conversation. We ate outside on the patio; the weather was delightful. (Other than the flying umbrella!) However, the beautiful weather is not what made the evening special.
The six of us come from diverse situations. There is a 20 year difference in age. One couple has grandchildren, one couple has young children at home. Our life experiences vary greatly. There have been times in our life when we all lived in different communities, scattered across the country and the world.
Our diversity does not divide us. Neither are we bound together by membership in an organization.
We drew our waitress, young enough to be my daughter, into the conversation to the point that when she finished her shift she came to the table and talked for a while. She talked about her life, about her struggles and about the uncertainty of her future.
What embedded the evening indelibly on my mind? It was the realization that I am part of something really special. Close relationships, the kind where there is no reason to pose and posture, are rare today. Sharing deeply and actively in another's failures and successes seems to be uncommon. Yet God's way is one of close community, life done together. The practical reality of the transformational work of Jesus emerges as we do life together - It is church!
The evening was not made special by the food - although it was great. The conversation was great, not just surface "weather" kind of conversation but heart to heart conversation. We ate outside on the patio; the weather was delightful. (Other than the flying umbrella!) However, the beautiful weather is not what made the evening special.
The six of us come from diverse situations. There is a 20 year difference in age. One couple has grandchildren, one couple has young children at home. Our life experiences vary greatly. There have been times in our life when we all lived in different communities, scattered across the country and the world.
Our diversity does not divide us. Neither are we bound together by membership in an organization.
We drew our waitress, young enough to be my daughter, into the conversation to the point that when she finished her shift she came to the table and talked for a while. She talked about her life, about her struggles and about the uncertainty of her future.
What embedded the evening indelibly on my mind? It was the realization that I am part of something really special. Close relationships, the kind where there is no reason to pose and posture, are rare today. Sharing deeply and actively in another's failures and successes seems to be uncommon. Yet God's way is one of close community, life done together. The practical reality of the transformational work of Jesus emerges as we do life together - It is church!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
underground and out of sight
“Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. “And now about prayer. When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. (From Matthew 6)
I am fascinated by these words. When I read them, I am reminded once again how the kingdom of God differs dramatically from the ways of man. Our insecurities cause us to search for validity. As a result we frequently "advertise" our ministries.
On the other hand, the way of the kingdom is not as much about public activity as it is about the hidden work of God. For 300 years the church expanded and grew in the midst of persecution and resistance. It was primarily a hidden work, hidden in order to survive. More recently, the explosive growth of the church in China occurred almost entirely underground, out of sight of the general public.
I have been involved in church planting for most of my adult life. For years we would advertise heavily when we started a new church. As I reflect on our past strategy, I conclude that our strategy was born more from the ways of man than from the ways of God. In my experience, the most transformational ministry occurs not in a public meeting but in relational interaction. The relational interaction usually occurs out of sight, hidden from the general public.
Unfortunately the hidden, relational ministry usually does little to satisfy our need for validation. I suspect God designed it this way. True ministry is not about fulfilling our need for validation.
I am fascinated by these words. When I read them, I am reminded once again how the kingdom of God differs dramatically from the ways of man. Our insecurities cause us to search for validity. As a result we frequently "advertise" our ministries.
On the other hand, the way of the kingdom is not as much about public activity as it is about the hidden work of God. For 300 years the church expanded and grew in the midst of persecution and resistance. It was primarily a hidden work, hidden in order to survive. More recently, the explosive growth of the church in China occurred almost entirely underground, out of sight of the general public.
I have been involved in church planting for most of my adult life. For years we would advertise heavily when we started a new church. As I reflect on our past strategy, I conclude that our strategy was born more from the ways of man than from the ways of God. In my experience, the most transformational ministry occurs not in a public meeting but in relational interaction. The relational interaction usually occurs out of sight, hidden from the general public.
Unfortunately the hidden, relational ministry usually does little to satisfy our need for validation. I suspect God designed it this way. True ministry is not about fulfilling our need for validation.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
the underground kingdom
Some time ago, Beverly had a conversation with a client. In the conversation, the client mentioned that a mutual acquaintance had felt that God desired to establish "safe houses" in Juniata County for people who lost their way.
As Bev and I discussed what could be called a prophetic word, we began to realize the truth of word. We know of three different situations where followers of Jesus ( incidentally with no relational connection with each other) have opened their home to people who have lost their way. In all three situations, people felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit to utilize their home for the establishment of a place where restoration could occur.
This is an example of the kingdom of God being established like yeast in dough or like seed in the soil. So often when we hear the prophetic word outlining God's desire, we quickly establish a program or a ministry to accomplish the word. We advertise our ministry so people will know what we are attempting to accomplish. Perhaps the most effective ministry occurs in secret. Jesus said the following - Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
The three "safe houses" (and for all I know, there are many more in the area) were established, not by people seeking the glory of ministry, but by followers of Jesus who were moved by the leading of Holy Spirit. They did not wait for a pastor's permission, they did no seek to be sanctioned by "the board". They were not even aware of the larger work of God in the area. They simply acted on what they knew.
As a result the kingdom of God expands like yeast in the dough, like seed in the soil.
As Bev and I discussed what could be called a prophetic word, we began to realize the truth of word. We know of three different situations where followers of Jesus ( incidentally with no relational connection with each other) have opened their home to people who have lost their way. In all three situations, people felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit to utilize their home for the establishment of a place where restoration could occur.
This is an example of the kingdom of God being established like yeast in dough or like seed in the soil. So often when we hear the prophetic word outlining God's desire, we quickly establish a program or a ministry to accomplish the word. We advertise our ministry so people will know what we are attempting to accomplish. Perhaps the most effective ministry occurs in secret. Jesus said the following - Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
The three "safe houses" (and for all I know, there are many more in the area) were established, not by people seeking the glory of ministry, but by followers of Jesus who were moved by the leading of Holy Spirit. They did not wait for a pastor's permission, they did no seek to be sanctioned by "the board". They were not even aware of the larger work of God in the area. They simply acted on what they knew.
As a result the kingdom of God expands like yeast in the dough, like seed in the soil.
Friday, July 2, 2010
disoriented
I had a rather disconcerting moment this week. I was driving on a rather narrow road on which I had never travelled before. The road wound around the hills through some valleys. There was enough cloud cover that I could not see the sun. I realized that I was in a place with no familiar landmarks to guide me. Since the sun was hidden behind the cloud cover, I had absolutely no point of reference. I could not see beyond the tree lined road! The lack of landmarks and familiar reference points suddenly caused me to feel rather uncomfortable. I wasn't lost; I just didn't know where I was at in relation to the river and the highway.
Later in the day as I reflected on the whole experience, I realized the parallels between walking with God and my driving by faith. There are times in our life experience when God invites us to walk in place where there are no familiar landmarks. All the usual points of reference seem to be obscured. At that point, trust becomes an issue.
Any time God begins a transformative work in me, it is accompanied by a sense of disorientation. The familiar pathways have vanished from the rear view mirror. I feel unsettled by the lack of familiarity. Everything seems vague. In that place of disorientation, I am faced with the choice - Will I trust the invitation of God, leaving the security of the familiar to embrace the adventure of the unknown or will I make a hasty retreat to the last known landmark?
Oh...and by the way, I found my way. I am no longer wandering the back roads of Perry County!
Later in the day as I reflected on the whole experience, I realized the parallels between walking with God and my driving by faith. There are times in our life experience when God invites us to walk in place where there are no familiar landmarks. All the usual points of reference seem to be obscured. At that point, trust becomes an issue.
Any time God begins a transformative work in me, it is accompanied by a sense of disorientation. The familiar pathways have vanished from the rear view mirror. I feel unsettled by the lack of familiarity. Everything seems vague. In that place of disorientation, I am faced with the choice - Will I trust the invitation of God, leaving the security of the familiar to embrace the adventure of the unknown or will I make a hasty retreat to the last known landmark?
Oh...and by the way, I found my way. I am no longer wandering the back roads of Perry County!
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