Monday, March 16, 2009

"Family" March Update

3-16-09

In trying to define what our Monday Night Fellowship is like to someone, we sometimes find it difficult to convey exactly what is going on! To some it may seem that no pre scheduled event is pretty much chaos; however, community is not sanctioned by itenararies.

Chaos defined is = a state of utter confusion.

On Monday nights we have several families who enter the door at "The Place" and enjoy a time of unorganized fellowship. One of the beautiful things about our meeting is that we all have small children 5 years and younger.


Chaos breaks out at some point in each meeting because kids will be kids...It is a wonderful sight to see our kids enjoying themselves amongst the conversations in the room, amongst the songs being sung, and the scripture being read because we know that the words are being heard and the influence of family is being seen.

How would we describe Monday Night Fellowship in one word, it's "family." Monday Nights are about being family and focusing on the body, in turn that is what makes Christ happy, we are accomplishing His purpose for us each Monday night by doing exactly what He is leading us to do, whether through conversation, communion, worshiping God through music, scripture, or enjoying Him through choas. It is about the Body coming together and being the body and being yourself.



3-29-09


As I left the house this morning in my truck driving to town for breakfast, I realized that God was ready to share some things with me that have been question marks in my mind. The previous evening I sat down on the couch next to Kathy and began to share with her some things that God has been bringing up in my mind, namely, the fact that He has led me to do several things and each one of these several things are left unfinished or not carried out.

In my flesh, that bothers me enough to question if I’ve done anything whole heartedly after God to completion. In my spirit, that does not bother me because I know God is completing the work that He has begun in me.

God began to speak to my spirit this morning of his love over me and his joy over me as his child, He told me that he will accomplish the work that he has sat out for me to do. This is not a work to be pleasing, this is not a work to be satisfied, not a work to clear a guilty conscience, it is however, a work by His hands that he will complete.

Paul wrote, he who began a good work in you will complete it…. Do I believe that God will do that? Honestly I question it sometimes as if I have some authority over his decision. I know that’s not true and so do you. I write only to say this that God met me on the way to town in my truck this morning because He wanted to tell me that He loves, He’s crazy about me, and that He is going to do His will in me.

My desires are to become a more well rounded writer, to travel the country side with my family in tow singing songs that God has given me to sing, telling the truths that God has given me to tell, to build community within the city we live in amongst all backgrounds including the church I grew up in, to point students to Christ as their life, to point adults to Christ as their life, and to point my family to Christ that my children would love God for free with the same love that he has loved them with and towards me.

If God chooses to do these things in me, then so be it; however, if God does not do any of these He is still God and is still in control.

The battle is not so much with what he is going to do, but with how He will do it. I wanted to share with you these thoughts because I know I’m not the only one who dig’s through these questions. I just want to live and let God be Himself in me and that others would see His presence manifested in my life whether through writing, singing, sharing, community, or family… God, thank you for meeting with me and loving me just the way I am.

3-31-09

Wanted to write a quick update on "Joe" she is still in ICU and being monitored and I wanted to say thanks to all of you who are praying for her and her family. As you remember to pray, please continue to do so.

Also, we've really enjoyed having John Cordova here to lead our ACE at The Place on Tuesday Nights. God has gifted John to teach and to have an understanding of God's Grace and He does a great job of relating to people involved at Teleo Ridge. Pray for John as he prepares to go back to LFR (Lake Forest Ranch) for the summer, we look forward to having him back in August.

Pray for us as we continue to build community with our local folks, it is fun to watch God work.

Jason







Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Permission to Hug the Father

It's funny how God so often speaks through simple everyday happenings. For this to make sense I will have to tell you a little bit about Jason's two daughters, Zoe and Lucy. Zoe is four and Lucy is about 18 months. Now these two have quite different personalities as is usual with first and second born and this difference is what God used today to remind me of who He is. Zoe is a little shy and reserved but very loving when you get to know her, or rather when she gets to know you. Lucy on the other hand is very out going and looking for someone to play with most of the time. This story started Saturday night while I was standing talking with some people at the Place during our Saturday night game time. Kathy came in with Zoe and Lucy, she set Lucy down and I squatted down and called Lucy's name. She hesitated for a moment so I spread out my arms and she came running with her arms out to hug me. Now Lucy may come running to you whether you call her name or not but Zoe is a different story. As Lucy came over I noticed the look on Zoe's face. It was not a look of jealousy but more of a “I wish I could do that” so I spread out one arm and called her name and she came running and gave me a hug and then was off about her business of curing Tigger of some make believe ailment or arranging all the stuffed animals for a party. All those important things that us adults miss out on to often because we are to busy with other stuff. We should make it a priority to heal Tiggers of make believe ailments every chance we get or at least that is what I think. Just be careful, they are bouncy, pouncy and fun fun fun. I didn't think about this much more other than how Zoe's countenance had changed after the look on her face to start with. I've seen that face and felt myself making it on numerous occasions as a child. Wanting to do something but a little to timid to ask permission and hoping for an invitation. The memory of Saturday came rushing back this afternoon as I was sitting in the coffee shop. Kathy came walking by with Jason's sisters family and as they passed Lucy turned to come in the coffee shop. She really likes it so she could not be deterred from a visit so as she stuck her head in the door I called her name. She wasn't paying much attention but what happened then surprised me. Zoe came running in past Lucy and came and gave me a big hug. What struck me was that she had taken the invitation on Saturday night not as a one time thing but as open and ongoing. It made me smile to think that she knows me well enough to know that she can do that and it's a safe thing and that I would never refuse her a hug. I little later as I was telling Jason about it God brought a thought to my mind that I often forget. He reminded me that I have an open invitation to run and hug Him. He has given me permission to hug Him at any time no matter what is going on and that is absolutely nothing that can keep me from Him and I can stay as long as I want. His love is so great for me that that permission has no conditions on it what so ever and nothing I do or can do can change that. He simply says come and let me love on you no matter your condition at the moment.

Today was one of those days when God came to me and loved on me through a hug and smile from a little girl named Zoe and reminded me of those things I should not forget.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

I hope that you have loved on God today or let Him love on you.

In Christ,
Johnny

Monday, March 2, 2009

February Update



February Update

Greetings family and friends of Teleo Ridge

I wanted to share a few updates and some thoughts with you all. I would like to ask you all to pray for a friend here who is an intrigal part of our ministry here in mineola, Bobby and Amanda Simmons whom just gave birth to their second son (Oliver Thaddeus Simmons). They are precious to us. We also ask that you remember their first son Trey who will have to adjust to not being the center of attention. Bobby leads are Music program on Saturday Nights and the kids love what he is showing them musically. Bobby has an excellent teaching style that is easy for the kids to learn and respond to how music feels. Pray for Bobby and Amanda that they would allow God to direct them in raising these two good looking dudes.



Also we are inching closer to Non Profit Status, and we are in the process of finishing the articles of incorporation and meeting all that the government requires. Please pray for a steady and easy process in establishing this status to help us in moving forward impacting the lives of students and our community.

Pray for Kathy and I, I am going back in for my 3 month check up soon for the Melanoma and we are walking in the fact that God has taken care of this, yet my mind always waivers to the unknown and what’s ahead. Pray that I would just continue to rest in the finished work of Christ on the Cross.

If you haven’t had a chance to read the Teleo Ridge blog please take some time and read, you will find out some interesting details about Teleo Ridge and the people involved and ultimately we hope to encourage you with the words that God is giving us to share. I would ask that you become a follower and leave us your comments and thoughts and how we can help, pray, and encourage you in this journey of living life.

thanks to you all,

Jason

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