Simple Church Questions - March 8th

Sharing: How did the Holy Spirit speak to you this last CWG concerning Shalom? Anything else you want to add or share?

Darcy gave a brief summary of what it means to be people of peace/shalom. He reminded us again about the definition of sin: Culpable Disturbance of Shalom.

Before he opened up the floor to hear from everyone how planting seeds of peace has looked this last week, he shared the reality that really the Church in Squamish lacks Shalom. And how he has a sense that God is asking him to pursue shalom among the churches in Squamish - and that the first of these meetings will be happening next week. He invited the River Church family to pray. Darcy said he is going to this meeting with "seeds of peace in his pocket".

Darcy then made the connection that it is no coincidence that we the River have made a Seamless Covenant with Gaileen who is an international worker in a region where God has used the C&MA to see God unite the churches through prayer. In fact there are over 40 denominations present at every prayer event!

And at such a time of this, as we talk and pray into what it means what it means to be a church that promotes Shalom in Squamish, Gaileen is here! After she spoke on how God is using her to promote Christ's Shalom in the region, we all got into a circle, on our knees, and humbly asked Gaileen to stand in th centre of the circle and pray that Christ would do this in us. That Christ's Kingdom would come to Squamish, much like it has in her region. We essentially invited the Spirit to impart this same work of God's Spirit onto us. It was a powerful moment. Many sensed this was some kind of break-through moment for the River and the community.

Following the prayer Samantha came up, sharing with us the picture God gave her at the last CWG. She held onto it, allowing it to purcolate, and then proceeded to share it with everyone.

At the prvious CWG Samantha, during worship received this picture, of a circle of green and yellow, with a circle of people hold hands around the circle.

What just happened that morning was clearly a fulfillment of the picture Jesus gave Sam two weeks before.

Beautiful.

Here are a few excerpts of how Sam describes the colours and her thoughts on what went on Sunday. Thanks Sam!

"All color psychology interpretations vary, but the general idea is the same in all, for example instead of saying a natural peacemaker, it may say maintaining equilibrium or something like that. However I love that the Holy Spirit directed me right to these interpretations. So cool. And man, was Sunday powerful! The conversations and prayers I had with people following the service was awesome, the Holy Spirit was doing a new thing on Sunday. People were really excited. I am so glad that you were able to step out and ask us to do something that feels uncomfortable that the Holy Spirit had spoken to you about.

Green - Green is an emotionally positive color, giving us the ability to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally. A natural peacemaker.

Yellow - Yellow is creative from a mental aspect, the color of new ideas, helping us to find new ways of doing things. It is the practical thinker, not the dreamer."

1. What do you sense God saying to you in all of this? How about our church?

2. Where do you see a disturbance of Shalom here in Squamish?

3.  Where are the churches at as a whole concerning Christ's Shalom? 

4. What might God be saying to us as a church concerning this?