Oh y'all... I can't even remember what I was doing last Thursday night... surely it was important, because it caused me to miss the #fmfparty and life right now is over-filled and bossy... mostly in the best ways though, so that helps (tremendously!) Still - this word prompt? Yeah... right about now, we are all about team!
This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is:TEAM
{GO}
So listen...
Y'all know we helped to start a new church a little over a year ago. I try not to turn this blog into the church planting blog... (#NotThatTheresAnythingWrongWithThat.)
Still... I have found myself saying over and over lately this one phrase --and truly meaning it:
We really are!
Because we were MADE to be that way!
We were made for community and for living life out loud, side by side. We were made to love like we are loved and oh my goodness, there are THREE of them, right?
We are in a new season in our church. We are walking along a new path and it is uncharted, but it is good and it is leading us to wide open spaces where His Presence dwells.
We follow His lead and enjoy the views...
It is summer and we are growing.
Wait, what? If you know anything about church growth, you know that there is no growing in the summer months.
And yet... we are.
We have new people stopping in every week to check us out and they just keep coming back.
We are also in a rare season where we truly need a team. We can't do it on our own and from day one, we said that even if we could - we weren't interested in doing it like that.
God has surrounded us with an amazing team... I mean - hands down - A-MAY-Zing!
Because here is the thing: When you know that you are family... when you are All In and you are All In together... everyone picks up the slack. Everyone comes alongside, lifts up, prays for, encourages, and helps out everyone else, however they can!
We have said it a thousand times already, we are not interested in building a church.
We are interested in building up people who will go out and BE the church.
We are wanting to raise up Kingdom dwellers who release more and more of the King's domain wherever they go!
And it is happening!
From Sunday morning worship to after service prayer... from the homeless encampment to the grocery store to council meetings to the tearing down of equipment and putting things back in storage each Sunday... From small group meetings over shared meals to coffee dates to water park trips and hikes in the hills... God is growing a family and any pressure the enemy tries to put on us to carry this thing uphill, around blind corners, and rocky trails, on our own... well, Jesus reminds us that we are yoked to Him and His yoke is easy, His burden is light...
Jesus reminds us of all the people who have been drawn to our side and knitted in to our hearts and we look around shocked and awed at how incredible the Body is when we live and love and serve, side by side, being for each other, with each other!
We really ARE better together...
And besides, He's already set us up on a hill!
He's already done all the heavy lifting!
Y'all know we helped to start a new church a little over a year ago. I try not to turn this blog into the church planting blog... (#NotThatTheresAnythingWrongWithThat.)
Still... I have found myself saying over and over lately this one phrase --and truly meaning it:
"We are better together!"
And we are. We really are!
Because we were MADE to be that way!
We were made for community and for living life out loud, side by side. We were made to love like we are loved and oh my goodness, there are THREE of them, right?
We are in a new season in our church. We are walking along a new path and it is uncharted, but it is good and it is leading us to wide open spaces where His Presence dwells.
We follow His lead and enjoy the views...
It is summer and we are growing.
Wait, what? If you know anything about church growth, you know that there is no growing in the summer months.
And yet... we are.
We have new people stopping in every week to check us out and they just keep coming back.
We are also in a rare season where we truly need a team. We can't do it on our own and from day one, we said that even if we could - we weren't interested in doing it like that.
God has surrounded us with an amazing team... I mean - hands down - A-MAY-Zing!
Because here is the thing: When you know that you are family... when you are All In and you are All In together... everyone picks up the slack. Everyone comes alongside, lifts up, prays for, encourages, and helps out everyone else, however they can!
We have said it a thousand times already, we are not interested in building a church.
We are interested in building up people who will go out and BE the church.
We are wanting to raise up Kingdom dwellers who release more and more of the King's domain wherever they go!
And it is happening!
Jesus reminds us of all the people who have been drawn to our side and knitted in to our hearts and we look around shocked and awed at how incredible the Body is when we live and love and serve, side by side, being for each other, with each other!
We really ARE better together...
And besides, He's already set us up on a hill!
He's already done all the heavy lifting!
{STOP}
Well, as you can see I went on a hike with a couple of friends on Friday (which is why I didn't write then!) and oh my stars... breathtaking!
It was a fairly 'easy' hike, but I was oh so thankful for friends who knew when to push me to keep going and when to offer grace and a spot of shade to catch our breath! I was thankful for the strength and encouragement that came from teamwork... each of us speaking life and grace and joy as we followed the path laid out ahead of us!
It was a fairly 'easy' hike, but I was oh so thankful for friends who knew when to push me to keep going and when to offer grace and a spot of shade to catch our breath! I was thankful for the strength and encouragement that came from teamwork... each of us speaking life and grace and joy as we followed the path laid out ahead of us!
And isn't that just how it is supposed to be anyway? Isn't that what TEAM really should look like?
Linking up with Kate Motaung and the #fmfparty Community today. Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click HERE to read what others have to say about: "TEAM"
I'm also linking up with the lovely writer community linked below:
#FreshMarketFriday... how adorable is that?
Kelly Chripczuk for #SmallWonders
Holly Barrett for #TestimonyTuesday
Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp
Lori Schumaker for #MomentsofHope
P.S. I have been reading through this new ebook, available on Amazon, that is formatted to be a month long Devotional Read entitled 31 Days of Resting in God ...it's easier/harder than you think! You can purchase it by clicking here or grabbing it from the side bar to the right.
The funny thing is that I wrote it. It originated right here on this blog a couple of years ago now and oh my goodness, don't you love how God will often use your own words to minister to your soul? My hope and prayer is that this book will do that for you, too!
Kelly Balarie for #RaRaLinkUp
The funny thing is that I wrote it. It originated right here on this blog a couple of years ago now and oh my goodness, don't you love how God will often use your own words to minister to your soul? My hope and prayer is that this book will do that for you, too!
Oh friend, I've missed you! And this: "We were made for community and for living life out loud, side by side." YES!! Oh and yes indeed, let's be the church...,more than a building but the hands and feet of Christ outside those walls. I'm glad you had a nice hike. I'm working my way to be able to climb a mountain next summer in Colorado. I know I'll have people who will cheer me on. Love you friend! I'm in the #8 spot this week.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness... I am so excited for you to climb a mountain! Wow! That is a great goal! I'm not quite that ambitious, but I will cheer you on the whole way! (I like my little hikes that I can do it a day so I can, you know... go home to a bed and a shower!) ;)
DeleteSoooo great, Karrilee! I love your heart to build a community that will be the church. We are finding that at the church that we have been at for about 2 years now (after being at the last one for 20+). In fact, I just had coffee with a new friend last night and I was so delighted to see the community that is preached on Sunday's lived out on a regular Monday! ;) Its a beautiful thing and precisely what Jesus would want us to do. So glad I was blessed to be your neighbor at #testimonytuesday today.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it such a relief and a great find to realize that what is being said on Sundays is actually being lived out through the rest of the week, too? LOVE that! So glad we were neighbors this week, my friend! xoxo
DeleteKarrilee, I rejoice with you from over here on the 'other' side of the mountains at God's great work in Yakima. Yay!
ReplyDelete(our pastor has a phrase he uses all the time 'doan goda cherch, beda cherch'. (Don't go to church, BE the church).
Sounds like you are living out that mission well.
A beautiful post.
Amen and Amen! Thanks so much, friend! It's sad that we are so close and yet - still so far away!
DeleteI think every church building needs this printed and posted at the coffee station. xo
ReplyDeleteLOL! And you're not biased at ALL! xoxo
DeleteLove the way your church is growing. Sounds like a wonderful community, Karrilee! Loved reading your post and seeing the beautiful pictures! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a wonderful community... we look around each week and marvel at the family that God is growing there! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying Hi, Gayl! xoxo
DeleteYes, we are so much better together on all fronts!! It is sometimes a difficult lesson to learn but such truth. And these pictures are gorgeous! Your summer is so much more colorful that mine in the hot south:)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I was pleasantly surprised to still find so much lupine and Indian paint brush (wildflowers) up there! And there was a bit of orange blossom or jasmine too... something sweet in the air! Of course - for color... I am a sucker for Fall! He's my favorite!
DeleteHey Karrilee I've sat out of the FMF world for 2 years (I'm thinking I'll change that in the next week or so) and I've not visited anyone from that group but it made me smile to see you're church planting! What a wonderful thing! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHeather, it's so nice to see you! I hope you jump back in to FMF! Some of the players have changed, but the game is still the same and the community is still overflowing with encouragement and support! Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteThat is awesome news, Karrilee! Church growth in the summer never happens! Only God :-) And these pictures? Umm .... G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S! I love that I smile every time I stop by here! Thanks, friend, for sharing hope with me at #MomentsofHope!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lori
Aw - what a sweet thing to say! I love that you smile every time you stop by, too!
DeleteKarriLee. Stunning pictures you took on your hike! I absolutely love them! I am so inspired as I read your post about building a church. I know God is pleased as you seek to grow His flock while uplifting, growing, and, blessing them. Praying God's wisdom in all your endeavors. Have a fantastic week and may God richly bless you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Horace! I so appreciate your prayers, friend!
Delete