It's looking like fall!!! Isn't it beautiful!
WELLLLL...
new job! By day- I spend time in a classroom substituting, by evening, I get to be with my neighbors or with friends.
Last night - two girls came down and we wrote letters to their brother, and my friend, in jail. There are ministry opportunities everywhere. And I'm seeing even that - letter writing to the incarcerated - would be an impactful thing! Living closer to them for random times like that is also a blessing.
Praise Report: Almost all of the drug selling flow across the street from MICO has been caught and forced to move. While the neighborhood is quieter, we are happy that it can be rebuilt with more positive things possibly.
We have approved to Paint the outside of the MICO house. It will be Awesome! And something the community can be proud of I'm sure!
If you're reading this... we're gonna need volunteers. So, get your brains churning and see if there is a way you can come, OR - if you have a group of friends that likes to paint, bring them down as well!
I admire teachers.
There can never be too many tutors and teachers' aides in Marion.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The lack of blogging the last couple days is attributed to me partially overwhelmed and lonely. I think it's normal...
Praise God, he's curing that.
When I challenged a friend to trust God because He ALWAYS equips us for what we need, I then realized- I needed to hear that myself!
Friends are good. Good friends who care and have fun and brainstorm together and support one another are awesome. I'm thankful again for the random ones God has brought.
Tomorrow we prepare for another big work day and I am so excited for it! People walking by the house are starting to recognize our faces and ask when we're doing something next. Hopefully some of the neighbors will take part tomorrow in helping us restore this old house and make it Beautiful!!! Shopping freely for supplies we needed and not having to worry about cost (but still trying to be frugal- don't fear) was a BLESSING from God to be thankful for every step of the way.
Pray for discernment and a unified team to move forward with this ministry.
Praise God, he's curing that.
When I challenged a friend to trust God because He ALWAYS equips us for what we need, I then realized- I needed to hear that myself!
Friends are good. Good friends who care and have fun and brainstorm together and support one another are awesome. I'm thankful again for the random ones God has brought.
Tomorrow we prepare for another big work day and I am so excited for it! People walking by the house are starting to recognize our faces and ask when we're doing something next. Hopefully some of the neighbors will take part tomorrow in helping us restore this old house and make it Beautiful!!! Shopping freely for supplies we needed and not having to worry about cost (but still trying to be frugal- don't fear) was a BLESSING from God to be thankful for every step of the way.
Pray for discernment and a unified team to move forward with this ministry.
Monday, September 22, 2008
:)
Almost every day I laugh because God is so awesome. I get to watch a vision from two years ago unfold before my eyes, in the form of a large yellow house, and inspirational and gifted people that seem to come from Nowhere! God also knows about me that I need confirmation of things, because I will question things till I'm blue in the face, scared that it's not REALLY God's will.
If I took one thing from my mentor (but I took many because she's really wise), I would say the biggest one is that You cannot miss God's will!! We are Not that influential. And He will Chase you with His blessing that He has for you! The more I release my grip or stop looking for it and just look for Him, the faster things happen.
God's given a few very good gifts these past two weeks.
1) Friends to get away and spend time with
2) peers who are an example to me by just being content in the Lord, delighting in Him and watching miracles happen out of the overflow of that relationship
3) A gift of 1000 dollars in gift cards for the house raise to a gift of 1850
4) Confirmation of leaving my last job to move onto something different
5) A couple very wise people to come along as advisors in planning, etc.
Number 1 and 4 remind me that He cares about me as an individual always, not JUST as a tool...
My pastor's wife gave a sermon two weeks ago and I loved her remark that we are as wise as the friends we have. As we network and form relationships, we are in a sort of community that can give and ask for advice. Having a friend who is a teacher makes me an expert on education to 1st graders. Having a brother who is a computer guy makes me an expert at computers as soon as I call and ask for advice. It really is the community of believers - we must work together. In that, we are as wise as a whole as God has gifted individuals.
Lastly, this whole Audience of One phrase isn't as overrated as I thought. The bible continually speaks of people ministering to God. and Jesus ministering to His Father. We Are truly ministering to God when we do "ministry" or "out-reach" People just may happen to be listening in to our worship or utilizing the service organization, etc. In that - maybe their reached for Christ which is Key. But truly - in all we do, we are ministers to God. We're using our gifts to please our Dad.
If I took one thing from my mentor (but I took many because she's really wise), I would say the biggest one is that You cannot miss God's will!! We are Not that influential. And He will Chase you with His blessing that He has for you! The more I release my grip or stop looking for it and just look for Him, the faster things happen.
God's given a few very good gifts these past two weeks.
1) Friends to get away and spend time with
2) peers who are an example to me by just being content in the Lord, delighting in Him and watching miracles happen out of the overflow of that relationship
3) A gift of 1000 dollars in gift cards for the house raise to a gift of 1850
4) Confirmation of leaving my last job to move onto something different
5) A couple very wise people to come along as advisors in planning, etc.
Number 1 and 4 remind me that He cares about me as an individual always, not JUST as a tool...
My pastor's wife gave a sermon two weeks ago and I loved her remark that we are as wise as the friends we have. As we network and form relationships, we are in a sort of community that can give and ask for advice. Having a friend who is a teacher makes me an expert on education to 1st graders. Having a brother who is a computer guy makes me an expert at computers as soon as I call and ask for advice. It really is the community of believers - we must work together. In that, we are as wise as a whole as God has gifted individuals.
Lastly, this whole Audience of One phrase isn't as overrated as I thought. The bible continually speaks of people ministering to God. and Jesus ministering to His Father. We Are truly ministering to God when we do "ministry" or "out-reach" People just may happen to be listening in to our worship or utilizing the service organization, etc. In that - maybe their reached for Christ which is Key. But truly - in all we do, we are ministers to God. We're using our gifts to please our Dad.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
response
I will write again soon... God's doing sweet things
And I am done with my current job and excited for the next adventure.
whoever Brian is who wrote last. I'd love to chat. Contact reachmico@gmail.com because I do not know your last name and cannot view your blog.
And I am done with my current job and excited for the next adventure.
whoever Brian is who wrote last. I'd love to chat. Contact reachmico@gmail.com because I do not know your last name and cannot view your blog.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Today's thoughts
1) No matter what measure of trust that God has blessed you with towards kids, don't let them mess with your laptop. (it could be MUCH worse... my issue is not bad - I'm just saying)
2) The Best teaching opportunities come from just doing life together with people.
3) Random thought: What are the chances we could raise 7,000 in two weeks?
2) The Best teaching opportunities come from just doing life together with people.
3) Random thought: What are the chances we could raise 7,000 in two weeks?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
blessed encounters
So... the vision for a sort of community based ministry out of a safe house started about two years ago with a group of people. Some things just don't happen by coincidence:
1) that group from Taylor actually meeting together to brainstorm in 2006 and continuing through 08
2) A perfect house for that sort of thing being offered for partial use and already pretty established
3) The house next door being torn down randomly right after we thought we needed a bigger yard there.
4) Meeting numerous people, when no one was even looking for each other, with like hearts who God has made a way for them to stay and be involved in ministry in Marion
5) Running into a master carpenter/plumber and old friend of my dad's who offered his expertise to help us be more effective in fixing things up.
6) Planning a work day and getting a call the next day to request a worship service to be held there just after when the work would be done. I couldn't ask for better timing for such a thing, but wasn't about to plan one myself.
One step at a time.
More to come...
Psalm 66. Vs. 5 "Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he does for his people!" What a sweet thing that God's heart is totally for his people.
1) that group from Taylor actually meeting together to brainstorm in 2006 and continuing through 08
2) A perfect house for that sort of thing being offered for partial use and already pretty established
3) The house next door being torn down randomly right after we thought we needed a bigger yard there.
4) Meeting numerous people, when no one was even looking for each other, with like hearts who God has made a way for them to stay and be involved in ministry in Marion
5) Running into a master carpenter/plumber and old friend of my dad's who offered his expertise to help us be more effective in fixing things up.
6) Planning a work day and getting a call the next day to request a worship service to be held there just after when the work would be done. I couldn't ask for better timing for such a thing, but wasn't about to plan one myself.
One step at a time.
More to come...
Psalm 66. Vs. 5 "Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he does for his people!" What a sweet thing that God's heart is totally for his people.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The beginning
For my family and friends: you now don't have to be subjected to weekly update e-mails. You can CHOOSE if you want an update.
For friends and future partners: you can now be a part of what's happening in Marion if you want to keep up with it.
This blog is meant to track some sweet things we get to see God do along as we follow the path we feel He's leading us each on individually- and the cool thing is when those paths collide. This is also to specifically track how He is starting to transform one house on the corner of 7th and Boots, the MICO house, to be an even greater place of service and fellowship.
By we, I mean myself and all other Christ followers in the area, friends I have randomly met who live in Marion and surrounding areas and have a desire to see the Kingdom come to our city in full.
My role... be responsive to what God says, watch Him work, take action when necessary, and bring as many people along for the ride as possible. I love to talk with friends and strangers alike. If you have any questions or things you want to talk about, just e-mail me.
Don't be scared to dream big and be bold.
For friends and future partners: you can now be a part of what's happening in Marion if you want to keep up with it.
This blog is meant to track some sweet things we get to see God do along as we follow the path we feel He's leading us each on individually- and the cool thing is when those paths collide. This is also to specifically track how He is starting to transform one house on the corner of 7th and Boots, the MICO house, to be an even greater place of service and fellowship.
By we, I mean myself and all other Christ followers in the area, friends I have randomly met who live in Marion and surrounding areas and have a desire to see the Kingdom come to our city in full.
My role... be responsive to what God says, watch Him work, take action when necessary, and bring as many people along for the ride as possible. I love to talk with friends and strangers alike. If you have any questions or things you want to talk about, just e-mail me.
Don't be scared to dream big and be bold.
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