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A Life of Balance
Sep. 26, 2006
Worship Gathering last 2 weeks
We have finished going through Philipians and we are going through some parables. MJ is wanting to practice narrative style preaching, something he feels he needs to grow in, and though he wants to do Romans, God said parables!! And that makes a lot of sense for that style of teaching...
Last week we did the story from Luke 16: 1-13... with two main points... being wise with our resources for the future, and integrity. It was a good time of worship. We did a rather corny thing at the end, that made a point, silly as it was. At the beginning we gave out little cups with 10 skittles each in them. The instructions were to keep most of them but it would be ok to eat a few, because MJ wanted them back at the end. And if you had 8 left at the end of the service, he gave you a whole bag... delayed gratification! :) Its fun to experiment... in this case, it was good to have a little sugar, but other than that, it probably didn't REALLY have some lasting impact! 
Following is our order of service
Church Prayer /
city prayer
- Holy (Jason Morant - new to us - AWESOME song of heaven!!)
Scripture
Romans
9:22 26
Responsive
Reading: Have Mercy on Us.
Teaching
- I Surrender All (yes, the hymn - we do those too!
 ) - Take My Life (the not hymn one)
Closing Prayer
- We Will Dance another awesome FAVORITE song of heaven... us the bride, meeting the Groom!!! We will dance on the streets that are golden, the glorious bride and the great Son of Man!!
Two weeks ago was the parable where the widow kept bugging the judge over and over and over, and didn't leave him alone, and he finally gave her what she wanted... For our experiential time we got the kids to ask all the prep team, and worship team and anyone else who was there for the worship gathering forthem to read a book, or play a game or whatever... to keep asking every few minutes until they got what they were asking for... It was kind of fun to look back at the reactions at the other end of the service!!  Please note, we are all like family... they weren't asking visitors or anything like that!!
One of the neat things about that week, was that it followed our prayer on the mountain, and we had another time of intense prayer for our city, and for our church, and for His Kingdom... good stuff!!
I am excited about next week... we have a neat "flow" to the service, and I think it will be very... good... God is good, right? so good isn't a mild word!!
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Sep. 18, 2006
Prayer over our city
Saturday afternoon, in the BEYOND blustery wind and sideways rain, at 40 degrees, not counting the wind chill... at the edge of the lookout, overlooking over the city of Anchorage and the inlet... (just want you to get the picture of our little church huddled together)
We prayed... LOUD and passionately and with all our hearts. Prayed for God to break our hearts for the lost. To break strongholds. That God would pour out His Spirit over Anchorage. We prayed for the other pockets of people that desire for more of GOD in this city, and are willing to let God change them to make that happen. We prayed for unity among God's body of believers.
If my people will humble themselves (not be focused on denomination, not have to be right, not have to be first, not have to be visible, will see themselves in the light of GOD and His holiness and righteousness, justice and mercy, will love others as God as loved them)
If my people will humble themselves and pray!!! (daily, hourly, minutely, privately, and corporately, truthfully, sincerely, passionately)
If my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face (at night, when I go to sleep, in the morning when I wake, together with my children and husband, together with the body of Christ in my living room, when I don't know how to love my neighbor, when I don't know how to confront in love, when I don't know the right words to say or the way to go... when I don't know!)
If my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways (from my pride, from my self centeredness, from my self-righteousness, from the hidden sins we don't talk about and think no one knows, but God does, and it is preventing Him from working through us to the capacity He would like! from my selfishness and laziness, from my bitterness and unforgiveness.)
THEN I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will HEAL THEIR LAND!!
Our Saturday prayer time carried into our worship gathering last night... It was a good service. Even with some personal things going on, lifting my eyes to Jesus, He erased it away and filled it with Him. God is GOOD!!
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Sep. 12, 2006
Worship Gathering Sept 3 and 10th
We had a really neat "set" of worship gatherings.
We are finishing up Philippians... last week MJ started the service by handing out everyone a dollar. (yeah, I know... but we are a poor church!!)
Did it make our lives better? Is money important... and we talked about contentment.
This week, MJ handed us a dollar again... (you want to come to our church?? - we pay people just to come!! just kidding) This dollar is not ours... it is to be given away... we talked about generosity... how you don't have to be rich to be generous.
SO the dollar sits in my Bible... to be transferred to my wallet soon, and I will pray about who the Lord will have me use that dollar on... and if I will add some more dollars, or a 10 or a 20... or a 100. Generosity. Its a heart thing... the money isn't ours. The money Bryan makes, and I make piano teaching. Its not ours to hoard and spend. With a heart willing, God can use it to do amazing things, and to bless so many lives and to show Himself to them.
SO... I'll let you know who my dollar goes to! 
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Aug. 26, 2006
last sunday's worship gathering
I really liked how we began last week.
we STARTED with communion.... talked about how one went into the temple, and their temple worship began with preparing and cleansing one self... it was great!!!
Its nice not to feel the pressure to start with a "wake up" song (it has to be celebratory and up beat in nature, so to speak) - also, since its an evening service, you don't have to wake up so many people !
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Aug. 16, 2006
Worship Gathering August 13
I just deleted my blog!?!?! I don't know what I pressed, but it was with my left pinky... stinker!! oh well, I will write it again.
I was going to tell about my Sunday, very exhausted, because of a no sleep late night... hmmm. Maybe God had me delete it so that I wouldn't share the details. OK. So no details. Apparently that must have been gossiping. :)
SO, I did what I am sure they DON'T recommend in the worshipleader books and magazines... "Good evening. I do not want to be here! How are you? great. Well, lets pray and ask God to bless our time together... lets be thirsty for and drink from His living water!!! " And we proceeded to pray and sing and read psalms and songs that helped us lay our hearts bare before God...
By the time the set was over and the teaching finished, my heart was renewed by Him - YEAH GOD!! - it never fails I tell ya!! In fact, during the last 4 songs, in which we were supposed to go take communion whenever you wanted to, in a Spirit of joy and victory, I had to leave and go take communion!! (or receive communion :) ) There was silence as the rest of the band shrugged, and joined me.../ and you know the coolest thing?
It wasn't this big akward pause... well, now we just wait... it was a pause of music... alive with electricity and joy and giggles - well a few giggles, mostly there were guys there! ... and I came back and led the last song, with communion bread in my mouth :)... that was a little weird!! (I was asking God to not let me choke or spit or drool )
OH the JOY that God pours out on us!! the excitement and life that filled my tired "blah" body and spirit!!!
SO that was our Sunday!! Its good to have some of our fishing friends back... they have been down fishing South in Kasilof. Cell church went till 12am... yup... its good to be a body of believers for each other... sometimes when it gets late, its when the walls come down and things are shared after they are SURE , or at least willing to risk, that its safe. I PRAISE GOD that we felt safe Monday night. that we didn't hurry anyone out. that we God's grace and love filled our hearts, and we saw with God's eyes... God is GOOD!!!
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Aug. 7, 2006
Worship Gathering August 6
We had a very different worship gathering. It doesn't really make sense to just put the order up, because its hard to see what really happened. But I will, and put a few extra explanations. It may not minister at all. But you'll see the general flow, if that is something you are interested in.
The directed prayer referrs to the pastor talking a little about something, and either from a Scripture passage, and image or something, telling us to ask God to show us something, or reveal His heart, etc. Those types of things.
Songs: Open the Eyes of My Heart
River
Section One: This section focused on the Philippians passage, what are reaction to it was, what we wanted to get out of this prayer time, and how we wanted God to meet us.
ONE Philippians 2:5-11 - Renee
Directed prayer -
MJ
piano MUSIC 2-3 min
Directed prayer -
MJ
Philippians 2: 5-11 - Renee
Directed Prayer -
MJ
piano MUSIC 2-3 min
Song: More of You Jesus
Section Two: This section focused on the world... the images that come to mind of depravity, sorrow, brokenness, sin, war, violence... the reality of the world we live in but that we tend to shelter ourselves and our minds from dwelling on.
TWO Directed
Prayer - MJ
LACRIMOSA from Mozart's Requiem
Quote intro - MJ
QUOTE (cont. music) -
Michael
Directed Prayer - MJ
QUOTE (cont. music) -
Michael
Directed Prayer -
MJ
piano MUSIC 2-3 min
Section Three: This section focused on seeing God's heart for the world. for creation, for Israel, for us. What do God's eyes see, what does God's heart feel, what is His vision for... it all. The depth of His love
THREE Intro - MJ
piano MUSIC 2-3 min
Directed
Prayer - MJ
Isaiah 40:
28-31 - Renee
piano MUSIC 2-3 min PIANO
Directed
Prayer - MJ
Jeremiah 31: 1-5 - Renee
piano MUSIC 2-3 min PIANO
Directed Prayer -
MJ
piano MUSIC 2-3 min PIANO
SONG: Only Your Love
Section Four: This section focused on our role, with Chirst in us, around us, behind and before, to our left and right, day and night... us bringing His Kingdom... His love... rereading the Phillipians passage and noting the different way our hearts responsded to it, maybe.
FOUR Intro - MJ
MUSIC cue Christ before me
by Keith Duke
Directed Prayer -
MJ
piano MUSIC 2-3 min PIANO
Directed Prayer -
MJ
piano MUSIC 2-3 min PIANO
Directed Prayer - MJ
Philippians
2: 5-11 - Renee
Directed Prayer - MJ
piano MUSIC 2-3 min PIANO
MUSIC cue Are You Small
Enough by Nicole Nordeman
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Jul. 25, 2006
oops - not catholic like some are wondering
From my previous post I may have given some the wrong idea. There is no faith in the prayer rope. It does nothing for you but keep you focused (like doodling, tapping your fingers or squeezing a cush (sp?) ball. And keep track of the number, if you have a goal. Which you can keep track of however.
The point is the prayer. I would imagine you could use any prayer that pointed you to Christ. The simplicity and depth of the one sentence gives a person much to meditate and ponder. And it isn't for everyone. I will probably not find myself repeating 1000 a day :) .
anyway.
one of my lovely commenter's, Apple, has this on her blog Process
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Jul. 22, 2006
Worship Gathering for last week (July 16)
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The Jesus Prayer
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
Healing
When Jesus was coming close to Jericho, a blind man sat begging
beside the road. The man heard the crowd walking by and asked what
was happening. Some people told him that Jesus from Nazareth was
passing by. So the blind man shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have
mercy on me!" The people who were going along with Jesus told the
man to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, "Son of David, have
mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and told some people to bring the blind
man over to him. When the blind man was getting near, Jesus asked,
"What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see!" he
answered. Jesus replied, "Look and you will see! Your eyes are
healed because of your faith." Right away the man could see, and he
went with Jesus and started thanking God. When the crowds saw what
happened, they praised God. Luke 18:35-43
Attitude
Two men went into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the
other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood over by himself and
prayed, "God, I thank you that I am not greedy, dishonest, and
unfaithful in marriage like other people. And I am really glad that
I am not like that tax collector over there. I go without eating
for two days a week, and I give you one tenth of all I earn." The
tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good
enough even to look up toward heaven. He was so sorry for what he
had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, "God, have pity on
me! I am such a sinner." Then Jesus said, "When the two men went
home, it was the tax collector and not the Pharisee who was
pleasing to God. If you put yourself above others, you will be put
down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honoured." Luke 18:13
What are tools that you use to help you in your walk with Jesus? There are different tools for different people, some we pull out regularly, even daily, some every now and then, or just for a season. Here is one we learned and practiced last week... One that has become a regular part of my day the last couple weeks since MJ first shared it with me.
The Jesus Prayer... seated comfortably with your head bowed, attend to your breathing, then begin the prayer in rhythm with your breathing. Breathe in: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God," Breathe out: "have mercy on me, a sinner."
Guarding the mind against all distractions, the prayer focuses during every repetition on the meaning of the words, praying them from the heart and in the heart.
(This is usually done with the help of a prayer rope which has 100 knots in it to help keep track of your repetitions. Instead of a rope, we used a set of 100 boxes to tick... great for the kinisthetic in us that eagerly looks for something tangible to help our minds focused!! Click Here: prayer ropes. for a good web site for ordering. I will just stick to the boxes or incorporate it into my day.)
I have used it through out the day recently... whenever I sense flesh taking over the Spirit! It has been incredibly "refocusing" (is that a word?) I said it working out today... I felt so light and free and Spirit controlled when I was through.
There is a wonderful story of a Russian guy wandering the country side searching for a way to pray without ceasing... and this is what he was told by a...? some leader in a church... its an incredible story, and if I could find it on the internet, I would direct you to it, but I can't. Someone let me know if you find it! Here is a book you could purchase or borrow from a library: The Way of a Pilgrim
This isn't a convincing argument of why you should :) I am not too good in that way. But, if you would like another tool in your walk. Maybe try this one.
p.s. Kevin Hardwick... to what was your comment referring? - I am assuming it wasn't referring to us moving house. There is much nonsense in moving, but not the kind you were referring to I am sure.
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Jul. 21, 2006
Worship Gathering (for long ago July 9)
We had some neat things going on at the last couple gatherings.
two Sunday's ago, I led worship from the piano, with no other instruments. As much as I enjoy all the extras, there are times when simplicity is the way to go. If for no other reason, because there is no other option!! LOL
MJ (pastor) was speaking on the power of God... from Phillipians 3 when Paul says ..."that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, ..." It was truly an anointed teaching. I have not heard MJ sound more clear and focused since I have known him. One of the main points (Molly might be interested in bringing this one up in her posts sometime!!) was that Jesus did all that He did, signs, wonders, teaching, etc. through the power of the Holy Spirit, not out of His "God-ness". (PLEASE NOTE, this is NOT taking away His divinity... Jesus is God... I absolutely believe it) but his minsitry was done through the power of the Holy Spirit, not through the power of His Godness. And that Holy Spirit is the same Spirit that dwells in each believer.... more on all this later.
After the sermon, during the response time, I played for a while, then we sang "Breathe on Me" - (hillsongs) and I sensed the Spirit leading me to just sing... "Tehilla" - it was awesome. There were some that joined in, I even RHYMED!! - ok, the Spirit rhymed. It was incredible. It made me think of "prophetic worship" - like God had things he wanted to say through me, using the words that were coming out of my mouth. Words of confession and repentance, cries of mercy and a desire for BELIEF in God. They were unplanned and unrehearsed, usually I didn't know what would come out, melodically or wordwise, until I opened my mouth and it exited! It was awesome. My heart was so burdened for our church. The love and compassion in my heart was no longer mine, but magnified to the Spirit's proportions. That is what it felt like anyway.
I just wanted to share this, as it is the first time that we have had true "spontaneous worship" in a Souljourn worship gathering. (only in home church) I love how God is growing us, expanding our view to include more of Him.
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Jul. 6, 2006
Worship Gathering July 2
Oh what a wonderful service today!!!
That cool part, is that the music aspect of the worship was less than average, to be honest... we were weak today. Just the two of us, piano and voice. And I chose songs that really don't work well for that. My bad. But its proof that you don't need amazing music for God to move and work in our hearts!!
So as we walked into the service we all got our hands dirty. Literally. Rubbed in mud. (except the piano player waited until after he finished playing our three songs). We also kept Keenan (6) and Alexis (7) in for the whole service this time.
We delved into the richness of God's grace and the stinkiness of our sin and our own attempt at righteousness. At the end of the service, in our response time, we reviewed how each of us dealt differently with the dirt on our hands. Some of us rubbed it away, so we couldn't even tell it was there (without a magnifying glass, anyway) and some of us it bothered for a while, then we just ignored it and got used to our dirty hands. Some of were bothered to distraction and could focus on nothing but the dirt on our hands, and tried not to touch anything or anyone, and hid it from others. Some gloated and loved it... showing off their pile of dirt, and making a show of it...
I'm sure you have figured out by now that the dirt is sin. and as Scripture was read
Psalm 51
James 4:6-10
We washed our hands... allowed our hearts and spirits to be washed in His grace.
His grace is a BEAUTIFUL thing!!
We then each had communion in our own timing and sang
"Grace Flows Down"
"Grace Like Rain" (Amazing Grace to different tune, and adding a chorus)
our new space is wonderful. Its so much more intimate!! I can HEAR the church body worshiping, instead of only hearing me!!! Most wonderful, was hearing Alexis and Keenan sing their hearts out to their Father God...
It was a great service.
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