It's true, He is alive everywhere.
It's really cool when a church becomes life. Not just like "new life" but when a church lives so intentionally that there is no separation between church on Sundays and life Monday through Saturday. The one thing I have noticed most about being here with the Landons and their friends, is that church is a daily life style. Here, the people of SOMA aren't afraid to admit that they are broken, in need, or hurting. The fear of being judged is not looming over every corner. As a church, they have a really good understanding of the grace of God that looks past our brokenness, which in turn leads the congregation to look past it's own brokenness and love each other.
All of this is as an outsider looking in, but even then, I find myself saying "I want that." I want a community that is so intentional, you are not scared to say the word God in public. He should be involved in everything.
This morning, Greg asked me what my goal was to get out of this trip, what did I want to happen inside me. I responded with transformation and a good life experience. After my day at SOMA, working with Terrah, Greg, and Kirstan, some of the SOMA ladies took me to downtown Tacoma. The conversations at dinner, and at Paige's house afterwards were so life focused. There was no shame in the name of the Lord. Just gospel intentions and intentional living. On the ride there, Mary said that it just becomes a habit. That's one good habit I hope to have one day.
I'm sure you didn't want a sermon (above) but this what has been happening. Now I know some of you wonder why did I have to go all the way to Tacoma to learn these lessons, why couldn't I just stay in Danville? Well, it has become very clear to me that SOMA is a way of life. From every aspect of the way I see their church working, I see a whole life picture, not just a place to sing songs on Sundays. It's something I really want to see implemented in my life. Also it was Sunday night as I sat upon a hill in a park in Seattle, looking at the city, the space needle, and the ocean that I began to wonder where He will put us. I began to get this comfort of Seattle. Yes, its a busy city. Yes, there is no corn. Yes, there are TONS of hills. Yes, there are tons os high ways. But my God is bigger than any obstacle man can make and if we are supposed to be in the Seattle area, I say give me the sign Lord! Now the next step is praying and waiting. Just about 2 years until we need to know..
As far as my day went, it was a lovely day overall. What started off as a typical rainy Washington day ended in a sunny & chilly evening.
- good morning!
- errands with Greg
- Starbucks (venti shaken black tea - 1/2 C 1/2 R)
- off to Network
at Network, I worked with Terrah to figure out some stuff for the food pantry that they are trying to mobilize
- Lunch @ Shakabrah's (french dip)
- website & auction work
- errands with Kirstan
- LADIES NIGHT!!!
- bedtime
I know this isn't very detailed but He is good and the lessons I've learned can't really be expressed in words...