God's Adventure

"Invite all to Get in the Loop of God's Endless Love Story, then Live God's Story, Celebrate God's Story, and Share God's Story together."

That's where I left you in the last post.  Working on our "story theme" for The Loop.  But this week we've gone from using the phrase "God's Endless Love Story" to using "God's Amazing Adventure."

I really do believe that our journey with God is and can be an "amazing adventure"... if we have the eyes to see it.  But I have to say I debated on the word "adventure."  I have plenty of friends who have no desire to go on any kind of adventure.  They'd rather sit safely at home.  Does this mean The Loop isn't for them?

I wanted The Loop to be open to everyone.  That's why I hesitated on using the word "adventure."  But then it dawned on me:  are my non adventurous friends the ones who are most likely to go to a church that meets in a home, & doesn't do many "church" types of things?  No.  So then it dawned on me (again).  

The Loop really isn't for everyone.  It can't be.  But it IS for adventurers who would like to see more of how God fits into their daily lives.  It IS for adventurers who, in the past, have thought that church and God wasn't for them, but who are now open to God.  It IS for people who want to be used by God in ways they didn't think possible before.  It IS for adventurers, who aren't put off by a friend who says:  "what kind of church meets in a home, during the week?"  

Welcome to the adventure...

Welcome to Our Story

I confess, it started with envy.  I'd gone to a friend's new church website, and I was jealous of how all the elements of the church - names for the church, small groups, kids ministry, vision statement - fit so nicely together.  

And so I whined to God.  

You see, for the past few years I've been looking for a simple way to explain what we (at The Loop) are doing.  We've tried different vision statements, but none of them were as simple as I'd like.   And I've tried over, and over, to come up with snappy little statements or visuals, but they simply weren't... easy.

That's hard for someone who feels that both words and simplicity are strengths.  Hence, my whining to God.  After I whined, I sat down to try, one more time, to come up with an easy way to explain The Loop.  Once again, it wasn't working.   Until...

I felt God's Spirit whisper something in my ear.  He asked a simple question:  As you meet with people from The Loop, what themes keeping popping up?

Once that question hit my brain, I knew the answer:  THE STORY.  

God's Story.  Our stories interweaving with God's Story.  

Further discussion with our group confirmed what I was feeling.  This is who we are, and what we are called to do:

Invite all to Get in the Loop of God's Endless Love Story, then Live God's Story, Celebrate God's Story, and Share God's Story together.

I'll explain more in days to come...

No Limit

I just sent off invitations (via Facebook and email "evites") for our next Alpha class (this coming Wednesday, and yes, you are welcome to come!).  On "evites" you can allow those you are inviting to invite others.  Of course I always choose that option!  And once I do, then evites gives me another choice: What's the number limit of this event?  I always smile when I hit the "no limit" button.

Why do I smile?  Because even though "evites" is a secular website that specializes in sending invitations, that "no limit" button reminds me of the nature of God.  There is "no limit" to what He can do.  And there is "no limit" when it comes to who and how many people He draws to Himself.

Perhaps some day I'll have to limit an event due to space (may we have so many that we face that challenge!).  But it's good to remember that God lives in the "no limit" zone.

Angel, Shepherds, Wisemen Along the Way

I continue to ponder the Christmas story from Mary's perspective.  When the angel appears to tell her of God's plans, she readily agrees to be God's servant, and bear the Messiah.  “I am the Lord’s servant.  May your word to me be fulfilled" is her quick response.

Still.... it had to be challenging from that point forward.  How do you explain the pregnancy to parents?  The community?  The man you are engaged to?  And then, once he (Joseph) understands (through an angel's visitation as well), there's still the long journey to Bethlehem.  And then there is no welcome in any of the guest rooms of Bethlehem... only an offer to sleep in the hay with the animals.  Months later, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus are on the run to Egypt to escape a leader who wants Jesus dead.

There had to be moments when Mary wondered if she was a bit crazy.  And there had to be moments when she prayed:  "Lord?  Can you please explain to me how THIS is going to work?"

But then... there are moments along the journey when God shows up and let her know that she is, in fact, on the right journey.  And He, the God of the Universe, is leading and guiding and protecting this whole crazy adventure.  An angel comes to Joseph.  Shepherd's arrive at the manger with news of angels lighting up the night sky.  Wisemen show up (probably months later) with the story of the star, and with gifts that will fund a flight to Egypt.  God shows up.  God affirms.  God provides.

I've found in my own journey of faith this pattern as well.  When I start off on a faith journey, heading in a direction that God seems clear on, but that other people think is crazy... there are moments that I say:  "Lord?  Can you please explain to me how THIS is going to work?"  And then... God shows up in unexpected ways, affirming me that I'm on the right road.  It's often through "angels, shepherds & wisemen"... people who enter my life for a brief time and let me know I'm not crazy!

Today I got to be a "shepherd" to someone else.  I had a meeting scheduled with a woman who I barely knew to discuss a ministry I'm connected to.  But in the course of conversation, I learned that just this past week, she and her husband launched into a faith journey of home-church planting, similar to the journey that we began a few years ago.

A strange coincidence?  No.  For a moment in that coffee shop, angels were lighting up our sky, letting us know we are both on the right road.  The right journey.


"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'”


Here's praying that at this Christmas time, as you step out in faith, the Lord will light up your night sky, and bring you shepherds and wisemen along the way...