The Missional Church Network

Newton Area Ministry Leaders with Wayne Jacobsen

The prayers at the end of our short 2 hours together said it all. "Thanks, Lord, for touching us today!"

Fresh bread is one of Subway's selling mottos and I always smell like that great Subway fresh bread after our meetings there. It lingers for hours ...and, its an appropriate smell for our time: fresh bread.

Someone has said that the Christian life is one beggar telling another where to find fresh bread. Wayne and the others there shared fresh bread - filling, tasty, nourishing...

Topics explored:

Living real. Living relationally. Living in the Love of our heavenly Father. Authentic community. Authentic living, etc.

False expectations. Religious systems that are counterfeits of the real thing, etc.

Wayne's Website:
http://www.lifestream.org/

Podcasts:
http://www.thegodjourney.com/

The Missional Church Network

Blame Israel?

Hezbollah, formed in 1982, has been targeting Israel with terror attacks. Just recently they killed two Israeli soldiers and took others hostage. It is a terrorist organization that has been somehow able to participate in Lebanon's government. Iran and Syria are supporting their activities and they have been supplied thousands of missiles by Iran. At least 300 Americans alone have lost their lives due Hezbollah’s activities.

Israel is under attack by Hezbollah, and is defending herself. She has that fundamental right and responsibility. Think of it, even now, there are holocaust survivors who are in bomb shelters!

Still, many in the media spotlight have found it fashionable to blame Israel. Israel withdrew from Gaza to create the circumstance of peace. Israel withdrew from south Lebanon to create the circumstance of peace. They now have a thousand missiles fired from Gaza, and hundreds fired from south Lebanon. Blame Israel?

The scriptures tell us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and that those who love Israel shall prosper (Psalm 122:6). Petition the Lord for peace. Pray for divine resolution of ancient hatreds as you pray for Israel and her protection. Further, it is impossible to imagine the burden President Bush and Israeli leaders are carrying right now. They need to be prayed for daily. Let us pray that they will seek the Lord’s wisdom and counsel in all their actions on behalf of their country and in their personal and private lives as well. Stop and pray right now while you read this. Pray that our President and the leaders of Israel will not rely solely upon the strength of a nation's weapons and intelligence, but first to turn to the Lord, the source of all wisdom and strength. God, bless our Commander in Chief and God bless Israel.

The Missional Church Network

The Missional Church Network

"This is a really rare thing," and "You guys don't know how much this means to me," and "Its so good to be able to know and work together with you all," are some of the comments alongside "sure, another pepsi would be great!" and "the dip is so good Lisa."

Six pastoral couples gathered at our home last Friday to cook out and eat good in the neighborhood - and get better connected to one another as we share the work of shepherds in our community. What a great evening! One couple even came on their anniversary and celebrated their special day with other shepherds. Blessings abounding.

Networking is a good thing. The food is great too!

On the horizon: coordinated web calendar, and a listing of share-able resources, curriculum, etc.