"TGIF" Thank God its Friday

It seems like I'm forever asking my wife, "Is it Friday yet?" When it finally arrives all I can say is "Thank God!" We have grown to anticipate what God will do and He never leaves us wanting! He fills us to overflowing every time we gather.

First I have to rave about the cook. Vicky sees it as her ministry to us to cook a feast every Friday. She opens the cookbook and makes something new every week. It's hard to carry on conversation around the table between the ooo's and ahh's. Hospitality including cooking is really a gift to behold! Thanks again Vicky!

As a group we use the dinner time to check on each others marriages. We have experienced miracles simply because we love each other enough to hold each other accountable in this most important relationship. Dinner time is also a time to share our stories of God's amazing adventure in our lives from the past week. We are never short of stories.

After the time around the table we split up and the men head one direction and the women another for our LTG's (Life Transformation Groups) There are three tasks to be accomplished in an LTG. They are...

#1 Sin is confessed in mutual accountability

We need one another (Heb 10:24-25) There is strength in relationships that are built around supporting one another. There are some Character Conversation Questions we use to get us going such as...

• In what ways have you been a testimony to the greatness of Jesus Christy this week in your words and actions?
• How have you experienced God in your life this week?
• How are you responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit?
• Do you have a need to confess any sin?
• How did you do with your reading last week? (Our goal 25 Chapters minimum see below)

It didn't take long for the men or the women to share openly about their struggles. When you have a safe place and trusted friends there is nothing quite like it. Do you have anyone you can be totally transparent with?

#2 Scripture is read repetitively - In context and in community

Each week we pick a Book of the Bible and hold each other accountable for reading at least 25 Chapters. If the book is long like Matthew it will be one read through but if the Book is short like Colossians we'll rwad through at least six times. If you have never read large portions of Scripture like this you do not know what you are missing. You would be suprised what you see when you do this. It really give you a sense of the flow of Scripture. I am thrilled about the new believer in our group. He has read the Book of John, Matthew, Hebrews and Colossians in his first few weeks in Christ. You should see how we're all growing!

#3 Souls are prayed for specifically and regularily

Each of us have people we are reaching out to and each week we can give a report as to what is happening in these relationships. We pray for one another as well as for these people. We've already seen impact through prayer. It's great to work as a team when it comes to evangelism. Prayer goes a long way in preparing hearts for the harvest.

I wouldn't trade these activities on Friday night for anything else. I hope you'll pray and seek out a few people with which you can experience what I'm talking about. You'll understand what I mean when I say "Only one more day until Friday! I can't wait!" Mike

LIFE “ZOE” IN THE HOUSE

I’m not sure when it began but it has everything to do with letting Jesus lead in our times together. When Jesus has the leadership there is no mistake about it. Lives are transformed before our very eyes, questions are answered, unity is experienced, people are edified (built up) and all we can say is “wow!” Sunday evening we were all touched by the presence of Jesus moving in His Church.

Collectively none of us ever want to go back to the old way of gathering where we came with a certain predetermined agenda. We want the leadership of Christ and nothing else. This doesn’t mean there are not some common elements in our times together. We always meet over a full meal, which always includes one cup and one loaf. The main reason the early church gathered was to share in the Table of the Lord. They did not gather to have worship services like we are so accustomed to. We have also moved into a 1 COR 14:26 approach to our times together with Jesus in the midst.

The Word says in 1 COR 14:26 “What shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All these must be done for the strengthening of the church.”

What I’m personally learning about this is that even when I bring something that God is showing me I leave it up to Him as to the timing of it. (As a visionary leader I’m never short for sharing words or vision) Sometimes He is not finished working it in me and to simply bring it to blurt out in the gathering prematurely would be insensitive to His leadership. So I ask Him before I share it, “Is this something that I should share now or is this for a later date?” I’m learning to listen to His voice when it comes to sharing anything in the gathering of Believers.

Sunday's gathering was amazing. We had a guest come and share a message that God has been developing in her since 1999. She talked to us about how God is calling His people to return to Zion. This is the place of His sanctuary. We are his sanctuary! After sharing we gathered around her and her husband to pray and this is when the floodgates opened.

• Another woman got revelation on something she has been trying to figure out since 1999
• A word was spoken over a man and all of a sudden men were weeping and wailing entering into the pain of this man's past
• A wonderful word of edification was then spoken over this man as a warrior fighting a great battle
• A woman gave a word of correction to another woman who received it humbly and through tears

This is just a sampling of what we experienced as we gave Jesus the leadership of the gathering. try it the next time you gather and He will take you on a great adventure and you'll never be the same again! God Bless you til the next time you enter my heart and mind. Mike

A Weekend of Small Beginnings

It was a weekend of small beginnings! Four couples all passionate about the Kingdom got together and hung out for the weekend. Our dream is to see House Churches planted all over the Miami Valley. It is also our desire to see 5-Fold Ministry teams (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds and teachers) functioning to train God's people for the works of ministry.

We stayed at the Farm House in Hocking Hills and had a great time getting to know each other. One of us even floated in the hot tub and is now known as "floatatious." We shared stories of the heart and are excited about our future! Along with talk of the new wineskin we shared food and laughed into the night.

It would be awesome if each of us had a blog. This is a great way to see what God is doing and a great way to share ideas and discoveries! Blessings to all who read here! Mike

Hocking Hills Retreat