Genesis

1 - I've been reading the blog for a while, but figured this was as good a time as any to weigh in. I've always thought church planting was a good thing though I have never been a part of a church that's done it. I don't know if I have any questions. But I will say, it's sad to think of Ben and Brian leaving. I know that if anybody can do it, it will be them. Maybe this is a place we can leave some prayers. Father, I pray that you would bless the new church effort, the leaders you have put this vision on and the people that it will minister to. Amen. (Comment this)

2 - This past summer I sat at my apartment complex's swimming pool and talked to my neighbors for the first time in a long while. The hard luck stories I heard just broke my heart. It takes time to build relationship. Now that the picnic tables are packed away and the pool is drained we are back to doing the "wisconsin wave" at each other in the parking lot. But taking those moments to talk to them at the pool have opened doors to future conversations. I remember some of their names and, even more, their stories are etched on my heart. I sometimes pray for them too - specifically for the woman who's wondering if her ex will pay his child support from wherever he ended up in Arizona and that the boy with the big chip on his shoulder but somehow is always kind to the kids in the pool, that he will figure out a way not to hate his family so much and graduate. What an awesome chance. God has blessed us with much and the lonely and the disenchanted too are equally blessed, they just don't know it yet.

I'm sure there are questions but I don't know what they are. I'm praying that God direct steps to establish genuine relationships and yes, bless the talents of the leaders - support and find ways to encourage them as they wrap their hearts and minds around what this looks like in action.

I know I'm guilty of placing a lot of "comfort" in liking what I like about preaching and music styles instead of thinking about God. I'm guilty of being sad that people I admire are leaving when I should be rejoicing that our neighborhood of believers might eventually be a bit more crowded. To gain some internal perspective I've decided some alliteration is necessary: Pause. Pursue Purpose. Pray. (Comment this)