How great is our God!

She took her first steps today! Where does the time go?
She's walking, Chloe just turned five, and Aaron just started second grade...... 

Interesting Article!

http://housechurch.org/basics/simson_15.html

Blog, Blog, Blog

It's blog, blog it's cool, it's hip, it' fun,
It's blog, blog,
everyone's got one,
your gonna love it blog,
everyone get a blog,
gotta have a blog,
BLOG BY BLAMMO

Wow the blog community tripled in a week! What a blessing! So many blogs, so little time, so much to post, so much to say! I'll be the first to admit I'm hooked, but I hope we don't lose the art of voice to voice, person to person, face to face communication. It's easy to feel like we are connected to each other, when in fact I'm looking into a screen.....

And then we met a "new" friend on the blog "Outside looking in". Amazing name considering all that is going on in our lives, and yet a total coincidence, or is it? Does it matter? And our "loving" reaction (because we are a community breaking away to show love to all, whether they are going to accept it or not, right?)
you're not welcome here unless you say what we want, or at least we know you...

...well folks, welcome to blogland, part of the REAL WORLD. Travel around a bit ~ (adults only, please). You don't need to go far to see some of the crazy thoughts out there. And you are free to snoop in on others, part of "putting yourself out there." So, are we breaking out of the Christian bubble or are we just making another one? Are we making community (including new people) or are we just forming the same one in a different fashion?

I was thinking about Laurence's Raider tickets. There was a time that I would have never entertained going to a Raider game (and I don't like football, so I'm still not interested). But the reason was because I believed that anyone going to a football game was doing evil. Being roudy, drinking beer, cussin', that's all those people did. And if a Christian told me they were going to a game, we'll get out the gavel, the judgement was a comin' ~ skip church for a game, put yourself amongst those heathen? The lost that would never be saved? Spending all that money for THAT? And how deep is your walk if you can attend a game anyway?

NO one's fault but mine, just another way I was in that bubble, unable to reach others, because I was unwilling to see them as people, unable to put down the measuring stick, unable to see past the plank in my eye.....so where did that come from? I'm not sure, but that is what I'm trying to back away from and gain perspective on, what happened to shape that thinking? I don't know ~ but pray for me as I try to change, become more loving, more tolerant, more accessible, more compassionate, more real......

We Moved into our Neighborhood Today

Well, after three years we moved into our neighborhood today. A couple down the street had a BBQ. They have lived here for three years also, and are moving to Apple Hill. They had a BBQ for the couple moving in to be able to meet the neighbors. They want the new family to feel welcome. We all discussed how being neighborly seems to be a thing of the past, yet everyone was longing for it. The couple moving away expressed their sadness for not getting to know everyone before.

That seems to be the theme of the week. Why do we wait until someone is leaving to open up? Why does it take someone nearing death for us to have time to visit? Why do we find it easier to say nice things about someone when they're retiring or moving. Why can't we, today, thank our friend for being there for us; welcome our neighbor to our home; tell somebody we respect that they made a difference in our life; visit Aunt so and so; ____________ (you fill in the blank). I for one, am ready to stop saying "I always meant to __________";

Lets JUST DO IT!

Circle of Friends

The Cheyenne House will be open on Sunday for anyone seeking friendship. Come on over any time. We'll be there in the early afternoon swimming. Figuring most will arrive later on (after 3 p.m.) I think we determined we like to eat, so we should bring food. If you want, post here if you're coming and what you're planning on bringing.....

The door is open

THIS SUNDAY we'll be gathering at the Cheyenne house throughout the day, but shooting for 3:00 pm-ish for something more corporate. What "something" looks like...we'll have to wait and see...3:00 is just for this Sunday...again, continued dialogue about the shape or shapelessness of this is expected. House rules will be posted there as well as information on how to access the house.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday!

Love Conquers All

When I drafted this post a few days ago it was titled Love Stinks (yeah, yeah). Then I contemplated Love Hurts (but we all know that).

So today, I was dancing with my kids to this song. And it hit me. After we had our last meal with the McDaniels and they left for the airport, my heart ached. I didn't think it was ever going to recover, ever. But that night, it got a little better, because other friends gathered and shared their hearts, and their tears, and we loved one another. Love received.

Over the past couple of days, I've read beautiful expressions of love for each other in blog world. Memories and pictures of the McDaniels. These expressions of love for each other have helped me heal a little more. Love witnessed.

Today, I'm feeling quite a bit better, as I dance with my kids and love on them. Today it will be love given that will make it better.

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

So, Love Conquers All. When faith stands tall, and fear grows small, love conquers all.

What is it?

What is a labyrinth?

After choosing the name labyrinth for this blog, I decided to do some searching into the meaning. Interestingly here's something I found:

The labyrinth is a pattern that is actually laid in the floor of most of these great cathedrals. It's 42 feet across, and it's one pattern-- a large circle that has one path that begins and leads all the way through it. So you're not going to miss any inch of the whole labyrinth. You just simply follow the paths. A lot of people confuse this. It's not a maze. It's actually designed to help you find your way. It's not designed for you to lose your way in it. The labyrinth is one path with eleven circuits, which means it goes around the center eleven times. This is the pattern in the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. They are called pavement labyrinths. They are flat to the floor and inlaid in the floor.

Oftentimes people will interchange the word "labyrinth" and "maze," and this is really not correct. The words are confused in our language. A maze has cul-de-sacs, dead-ends, many entrances or exits, and so you're brought out into the outer world, kind of trying to find your way. It's often anxiety-producing. A labyrinth, because it has one path, is really a spiritual exercise--you simply trust the path. Then you realize how much is in the way of just trusting the path, even though your cognitive mind knows that it will take you to the center.