Simple Church Follow-Up:
Nov 4th - Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church / consider taking some time to pray for the followers of Jesus around the globe who are presently being persecuted for their faith.
Look at list of points and discussion questions that serve as a follow-up to this message on Perseverance. https://www.intheriver.ca/blog/10-things-to-do-to-perseverance
Encourage people if they want to go deeper, to click on the pdf and do the homework for this teaching/ see below.
Opening Tribute to Eugene Peterson
Eugene Peterson died this week, The Presbyterian pastor, best known for authoring The Message Bible, died today at age 85.
This is how a family member described his father’s final days.
“During the previous days, it was apparent that he was navigating the thin and sacred space between earth and heaven,” they stated. “We overheard him speaking to people we can only presume were welcoming him into paradise. There may have even been a time or two when he accessed his Pentecostal roots and spoke in tongues as well. “Among his final words were, ‘Let’s go.’
Eric Peterson, Eugene’s son went on to say.
“It feels fitting that his death came on a Monday, the day of the week he always honored as a Sabbath during his years as a pastor,” the family stated today. “After a lifetime of faithful service to the church—running the race with gusto—it is reassuring to know that Eugene has now entered into the fullness of the Kingdom of God and has been embraced by eternal Sabbath.”
There’s so much I can say about the impact Eugene had on my life as a pastor, but I find this quote especially meaningful in these days. It says so much to us, as individuals and as a community of Jesus Followers; in this age where delayed gratification seems to be a lost art.
“The person … who looks for quick results in the seed planting of well-doing will be disappointed. If I want potatoes for dinner tomorrow, it will do me little good to go out and plant potatoes in my garden tonight. There are long stretches of darkness and invisibility and silence that separate planting and reaping. During the stretches of waiting there is cultivating and weeding and nurturing and planting still other seeds - Eugene Peterson (Traveling Light).”
At this time in our service we played a 1:10 minute clip where Lorna Dueck interviewed Eugene, teaching on the hebrew meaning of the word Saved, which means Space / Psalm 18:19 "He brought me into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me."
Prayer: Lord, give us space...all fences and barriers down; windows and doors flung wide open (even open a crack will be a good start - we want to enter into your largeness.
Overview of this parallel series which will run every 2nd CWG of the month.
1st CWG of the month will be devoted to the Galatians Series. Following the series through Galatians we will dive into a mini series called Redeeeming Sex.
2nd CWG of the month we as a church will be diving into a growth series called Space, where we want to press into what it means to enter into God's Largeness. All fences down...barriers removed.
As you know I have been mentored these last 13 months for the purpose of giving it away. So, I want to set aside the 2nd CWG per month for this. Let me say this, I want you here. These teachings build on one another. And if you miss, I would encourage you to listen to it online. As well, if you want to go deeper, I will make my mentors notes available on line each week. Which I encourage simple church leaders and men’s group leaders to access this; make it part of our conversation.
Part of our DNA as a church; that we become a mentoring community.
Our Vision is Jesus. Apprentices of Jesus, creating apprentices of Jesus who live by faith, are known by love, and a voice of hope.
Now the temptation is to take it or leave it. Not dig in.
But I encourage all of us to do the opposite. To press into God and what He has for us as a church family.
So as you consider this, here's a few things I invite you to process:
1st. Consider where you’re at, and the space of grace in your life. Where is God at work, creating longing for more, and simply join Him in where's working. Don't try to blaze your own trail; follow His lead.
2nd . Consider your family…what do you long to model for them. Can’t lead others where we don’t dare to travel ourselves.
3rd What sort of church do you long for? What sort of Kingdom presence do you long to see in Squamish. We play a part in what that looks like.
4th The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out.
So, there’s tension. Come as you are; look for the space of grace in your life, which doesn't necessrily mean it will be a cake-walk, in fact it very well might mean a real stretch. Which just might mean what you truly long for in this season of your faith journey.