Mstones 8.20.06 "Here's the church..Here's the steeple..Open the doors.. and See all the people."

See all the people.

or our guest-Mstone teachers might pose..."Where's all the people?

hmmm. Guess there are always tons of people worshiping in this place pictured above.

And there was an extremely enormous crowd of Mstones in attendance in our place -- Mad FUMC.

Lots and Lots of visitors on hand as well.

In fact, the gathered had the great pleasure of our class discussion being led by visitors.. imagine that!

i wonder what church they belong to -- oh most confident and brave of Christian souls -- willing to face the large Millstone crowd.

Well, Natalie and Mark (opps, i mean Bill) Bhame were on hand to most ably lead us in a discussion geared to get us to think outside the box -- or outside the church, as in church building or that dreaded word......the institution of church.

Personally, i often feel institutions can be comforting entities. Yes, there are the institutions of ...... marriage, mental health, higher learning and government. Structure, structure, structure. i love structure!

and really i am being silly.

Think the way new Mgal Natalie started class discussion it was something like...."We are here to talk about ways to attend church not affiliated with any organized group or denomination."

Which sounded totally interesting and totally cool. Very undeserving of the introduction Pete gave his friends..hmm.. let's see it went something like, "The topic of discussion today will be an opinion that no one here agrees with."

What do they say... with friends like that?

Seems like our president had forgotten one small fact..........we are Methodists. All that Open Hearts Open Door stuff totally applies to the Mad Mcrowd as well. We are a pretty easy Mflock. Not much gets us ruffled or our wool fluffed, except maybe the occasional shearing that nicks a little too close to our skin.

But not attending church, offensive? Lots of us do that lots of the time........

So Natalie opened class with the thought that God leads us in different directions, into all different areas, during all different times of life.

She stated statistics that supported the notion that a lot of strong believers and lovers of God really aren't happy in traditional church/worship settings. Then there are also the many, many of the unchurched who feel intimidated by a building... and by all the people that parade into these buildings called churches every week.

Those outside who look in and see everyone dressed up in nice clothes, those who know all the words to say, and where the heck to drop their children off.

i must admit, God has such sense of humor. All those funky architectural renderings of our new church space lined up again our mega-classroom wall, and there we were discussing that maybe we are placing too much emphasis on a place, on a building, on a day or on a time.

btw -- i think we did begin class around 10:10:12 a.m. Not that it matters, or is in anyway important, but really is anything i write in these things?

So what is important? and what is "church?"

Of course the very traditional view of church points to a building. A place with four walls where we go to worship. Guess back in Jesus' day that was the Temple.

Natalie reminded all that at the moment of Jesus' death -- the veil to the Holiest of Holies was ripped into from bottom to top. Matt. 27:51.

This was a dramatic representation of our free access to the Father. An Intimacy that is now and forever because of Jesus' sacrifice.

With that closeness comes knowledge -- or at least the availability of it -- if we so choose.

The lesson then turned to the person of the Holy Spirit -- the believer's teacher, guide and source of wisdom. "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth..." John 16:13

Natalie then challenged us Stones not just to sit there... .to open our bibles and spend quiet time alone with the Father.... to be teachable, learning in the presence of the Holy Spirit -- not just waiting to come to a building on Sunday to be fed great bible I.Q. or great chicken BBQ.

(btw -- the latter is totally delicious, and comment is in no way meant to infer i in anyway don't want those Mad Methodist Men to keep char-cooking those birds to perfection. i live for those Sundays, but then i don't get out much.)

The Bhames reminded all Mrocks that we are continually receiving promptings from the Holy Spirit. Moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day -- not just on Sunday or Wednesday night.

As a family, they decided to make a conscious change to leave organized, institutional religion and live each day in worship -- in study of the Word of God and trying to be so in tune with the Lord that when He calls they go....... fyi: go to http://lifestream.org .

All of their energy is not directed toward an organized program, but to where they feel the Lord wants them at present.

Ok -- that sounds hard and difficult. All that centering on God stuff all the time. Then "going when Called."

Who could do that? Would have to be someone with Superduper God power.

Margaret mentioned that she is first hand witness to this "going when Called" stuff. See, the Ligons are neighbors of the Bhame family. She can testify to their commitment to keep their lives and schedules open to be teachable and used by God.

Must say we Miles also have been personal beneficiaries. A few years ago, when one of those storms blew through Mad... the might of Mother Nature took down many large trees. One of these unfortunate beasts, was a large pecan on our lot. After the excitement of "the event" had passed, we were left with a large tree and no way to remove it.

ok -- it costs a lot to move those things. Who would have guessed it? i mean the poor huge thing was already on the ground. We had no money. I mean really no money. i just hate it when large trees fall and there is no money.

Well, Bill and Pete took care of the tree, and i still am embarrassed for the little pittance we gave them. But it really was all we had at the time.

i noticed lots of fallen giants disappearing around town -- some from yards where i can only guess they had even less ability to compensate the duo than us Miles.

Then know of very large scale things http://aidexchange.org that Bill and Jeff are involved. An organization they founded after spending time down in New Orleans immediately after Katrina hit. You guys need to bring Bobbert Jones along and tell us about that amazing adventure.

You were called and you went. You are most excellent and responsible -- poster children really -- for the "unchurched" or relational church.

who would i, who could i be on placard for?

the hobbits. i would be perfect hobbit.

Yes, i am the perfect hobbit -- well, totally discounting fact that i am at least 3 feet taller and not as furry -- i do have the most horribly ugly feet!

i would love to eat all those meals they do. They really are homebodies. They detest idea of adventure or heaven forbid being called to do anything. Yes, i would be great hobbit.

Here i would sit. Yes, this would be my view of the world.

I could have great quiet times with the Lord. Look at that perfect little cozy nook. i can already spy me, cup of coffee and bible -- probably some study aid written by Beth Moore. If she was a hobbit -- that is.

If i was really a rich hobbit, i could send off many of my tiny checks written in large amounts all throughout Middle-Earth doing lots of good. It would be great -- God, me and my safe hobbit hole in the Shire.

Then one day, some day -- you know it would happen -- somebody would appear at my wee door with something. A need. A Call. -- i hate it when that happens.

God would be needing me to do something -- and i would be so removed from it all -- Would i go? Could i go? For i really am so weak and timid.

What would i do?
i would have to call on all my Mad fellow Mstone MHobbits.

After making the call, would most definitely have to hand off main MResponsibility of Call to another. Ruth, Rick -- Bob? Don't know, but someone else would most MAbsolutely have to be the MRingbearer.

But all i know is i would leave the safety of my hole and The Shire only if:

a. He Called,
b. you MHobbits were with me........

ok -- last point, was just for drama effect. i guess ultimately i would go it alone if He called -- but i would be terrified and i know it wouldn't nearly be as much fun.

Will do something novel and end on a scripture....

"Come to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house , a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2: 4-6

See, here we are. the wall.

i see Julie and Steve. Stephanie and Laree. Poor Krisitie is getting squished by Joe Cardwell. There's Susan peeking through-- if look quick you can see her -- every now and then. Mark and David. Jeff -- you are there too -- think have to have Chanin sit on you to keep you still.

Some are big, some are small -- some are misshapen, troy ( luv u -- totally kidding!)

i'm one of those really, really flat ones.

But all together -- whether MHobbits or MStones -- we rock! and are really, really strong.

Ruth said it all so eloquently -- so i had to get silly with my commentary. like i really needed an excuse.

But i think our little Mad MShire is tops!

Would hate to think of going it alone without you.

the bottom line:

Church is very, very important in my life. ( now that Ruth made me think about it.)

It is so much larger than life -- Big Time/Peter Gaberial -- is on my iPod right now.

In the chaos that we all live, it is increasingly more important to bond with believers. We need each other. We were re-made in Him to serve and help each other. We need the wisdom and stability found in something so much larger than us as individuals.

The church does ask commitment. eek! We vow to support her with our Prayers, our Presence, our Gifts and our Service. But guess nothing ever worthwhile in life didn't require our best -- not what would best fit into our weekend plans.

and that is about as bottom-line as a hobbit can get.

"and i will pray to a big God, as i kneel in a big church........."

thank you Bill and Natalie. if you ever decide to join a "big" church, we are very fun group.

and you might conclude we are ( or someone is) in need of some help if you ever read this.

Prayer Requests and Annoucements

Please keep Alleyne Womack in your prayers. We are so thankful that all the treatments of her doctors are working. Master Healer please continue to work an amazing miracle in her life.

Please remember the family of Grace Gnehm as she recently passed away. We especially keep her husband Don in our prayers.

Let us all keep Savannah Angel in our prayers. Her surgery is scheduled for September 1. We pray everything goes perfectly with the procedure. Please give parents Alisa and Larry peace.

SURPRISE! we love you -- Alisa.


God Bless. Good Week.

and Good Grief! got so busy, think i must have missed 3 rd breakfast! bummer!