I believe it is important to check yourself from time to time. Is there any part of you that likes to be recognized, that likes to be the one calling the shots. This can creep into our hearts in seemingly innocent ways. Some eternal perspective is always helpful. Remember...
The culmination of your life, the final resting place of your spirit will be in a vast, numberless throng who, in complete unison, proclaim the Worthiness of the One who is the center. No one leads. No one follows. There are no ranks. No one is thinking about anything but YHWH. (Rev. 5:11-12)
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
StreetLevel Dedication
A few weekends ago, StreetLevel was dedicated and blessed by the presence of many who came to pray our ministry into full force.
If you would like to pray for us... our prayer needs are below.
That we would be, in word and action, an extension of God’s mercy to those in our neighborhood.
That the sacrifice of service would be a sacrifice of LOVING COMMITMENT to see our neighbors and our neighborhood changed. May our actions be WROUGHT in love.
That we would truly desire to do justice and show mercy as opposed to doing works and doing good.
That we would be humble and broken before the lost every day. We too were once lost. It is only by his grace that we have been saved.
That we would persist in an effort to truly know our neighbors, endeavoring to enter into real relationships with them.
That God would increase our faith. Just as he has been faithful in calling us, pray that we would trust him in completing the work he has begun in us.
That we would continue to build relationships with the existing social service and outreach groups in our neighborhood. That we would “use” each other, support each other, and work together with one purpose.
That God would bring the right workers to minister in this community.
Please pray for Cosmas and Memory, two natives of Zimbabwe, who are in the process of joining the StreetLevel ministry. Pray that the VISA process would move quickly so they may join in what God has called them to do.
That we would look on our neighborhood with eyes of faith, saying, “If God is with us, surely we can take the land.”
Pray against a spirit of apathy and insincerity in our actions.
That we would be faithful in sharing the Word with boldness and passion.
Pray that the Seattle Temple Corps, and Army as a whole, would offer their support through earnest participation.
Just as God has crafted each of us as unique creatures, pray that we would identify and use the gifts and talents he has given us for his glory.
Pray for more revelation and anointing.
Blessings!
-Erin
If you would like to pray for us... our prayer needs are below.
That we would be, in word and action, an extension of God’s mercy to those in our neighborhood.
That the sacrifice of service would be a sacrifice of LOVING COMMITMENT to see our neighbors and our neighborhood changed. May our actions be WROUGHT in love.
That we would truly desire to do justice and show mercy as opposed to doing works and doing good.
That we would be humble and broken before the lost every day. We too were once lost. It is only by his grace that we have been saved.
That we would persist in an effort to truly know our neighbors, endeavoring to enter into real relationships with them.
That God would increase our faith. Just as he has been faithful in calling us, pray that we would trust him in completing the work he has begun in us.
That we would continue to build relationships with the existing social service and outreach groups in our neighborhood. That we would “use” each other, support each other, and work together with one purpose.
That God would bring the right workers to minister in this community.
Please pray for Cosmas and Memory, two natives of Zimbabwe, who are in the process of joining the StreetLevel ministry. Pray that the VISA process would move quickly so they may join in what God has called them to do.
That we would look on our neighborhood with eyes of faith, saying, “If God is with us, surely we can take the land.”
Pray against a spirit of apathy and insincerity in our actions.
That we would be faithful in sharing the Word with boldness and passion.
Pray that the Seattle Temple Corps, and Army as a whole, would offer their support through earnest participation.
Just as God has crafted each of us as unique creatures, pray that we would identify and use the gifts and talents he has given us for his glory.
Pray for more revelation and anointing.
Blessings!
-Erin
Monday, November 27, 2006
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
I’ve realized something about the way I come to God recently. When I am lax in my prayer life and realize it (often after some more tangible consequence has shown itself - sin) I act differently when I go before the LORD. Even after repentance, accepting forgiveness and rejecting condemnation I have a more acute sense that I don’t deserve what I am getting – that I haven’t earned my position with the Almighty. Also, I find I am hanging onto His Words with a new dependence… almost like I was closer to death and am armed with the knowledge that His Words bring about life.
What a great place to be! We are blessed when we are in that spiritual position of poverty –lacking in and of ourselves.
The thing is, we can have that position before the Lord without the rebellion. You don’t have to fall into sin to understand the depths of His grace. Don’t lose sight of the fact that your very best day put you no closer to the Holy, Holy, Holy God – it was grace that He gave you the time of day in your most righteous moment. The LORD rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble.
What a great place to be! We are blessed when we are in that spiritual position of poverty –lacking in and of ourselves.
The thing is, we can have that position before the Lord without the rebellion. You don’t have to fall into sin to understand the depths of His grace. Don’t lose sight of the fact that your very best day put you no closer to the Holy, Holy, Holy God – it was grace that He gave you the time of day in your most righteous moment. The LORD rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Calling for Urban Missionaries
It can be hard to find God on the streets of downtown Seattle. In these few blocks where the majority of King County’s 8000 homeless congregate, it is hard to see anything but hopelessness.
StreetLevel, which opens October 2, will bring hope into hopeless situations. This ministry of the Seattle Temple Corps will be a new expression of the Christian church in one of the least-churched regions in the country. While the form is relatively new, the principle is roughly 2000 years old.
The Form
StreetLevel will function as a cell-based ministry. Groups of 5 to 12 people will meet in homes, parks, and social service centers in the historic Pioneer Square and International Districts. Individuals will grow in close community within their cell, praying, studying the Bible and learning to lead. When a cell grows to 12, it multiplies into two cells and repeats the growing process.
The Principle
The guiding principle of StreetLevel is incarnational ministry. This was embodied in Jesus’ earthly ministry and was summarized in John 1:14; The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus did not serve the people at arms’ length but lived with them. Jesus did not go around saying, “The Kingdom of God is over there with the respectable people.” No, the Kingdom of God is at hand. StreetLevel strives to be a vibrant, constant expression of God’s love in its area. Rather than dividing our ministry from the rest of our lives, we seek to make ministry our life, and our lives ministry.
The Call
This ministry needs people who are willing to pick up and move into the International District of downtown Seattle. You will live and work in your neighborhood, making friends, inviting people to cell group. You will love people in Jesus’ Name. You will be united in prayer and fellowship and receive leadership training. Are you willing to commit to this ministry for one year?
It is asking a lot. It is inconvenient and slightly risky. When Jesus turned to His disciples after the multitudes deserted Him, largely for asking them to take risks and be inconvenienced, He asked them if they were going to desert Him as well. Peter spoke up for the faithful, “Where else would we go, Lord? You alone have the words that bring eternal life.”
StreetLevel, which opens October 2, will bring hope into hopeless situations. This ministry of the Seattle Temple Corps will be a new expression of the Christian church in one of the least-churched regions in the country. While the form is relatively new, the principle is roughly 2000 years old.
The Form
StreetLevel will function as a cell-based ministry. Groups of 5 to 12 people will meet in homes, parks, and social service centers in the historic Pioneer Square and International Districts. Individuals will grow in close community within their cell, praying, studying the Bible and learning to lead. When a cell grows to 12, it multiplies into two cells and repeats the growing process.
The Principle
The guiding principle of StreetLevel is incarnational ministry. This was embodied in Jesus’ earthly ministry and was summarized in John 1:14; The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus did not serve the people at arms’ length but lived with them. Jesus did not go around saying, “The Kingdom of God is over there with the respectable people.” No, the Kingdom of God is at hand. StreetLevel strives to be a vibrant, constant expression of God’s love in its area. Rather than dividing our ministry from the rest of our lives, we seek to make ministry our life, and our lives ministry.
The Call
This ministry needs people who are willing to pick up and move into the International District of downtown Seattle. You will live and work in your neighborhood, making friends, inviting people to cell group. You will love people in Jesus’ Name. You will be united in prayer and fellowship and receive leadership training. Are you willing to commit to this ministry for one year?
It is asking a lot. It is inconvenient and slightly risky. When Jesus turned to His disciples after the multitudes deserted Him, largely for asking them to take risks and be inconvenienced, He asked them if they were going to desert Him as well. Peter spoke up for the faithful, “Where else would we go, Lord? You alone have the words that bring eternal life.”
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