Have you ever tried on some clothes that don’t fit quite right? After observing the tag, you notice it says “One Size Fits All”! We could all agree that it probably won’t fit “All” after all! Admittedly, this happens to me rather often!

We’ve started a New Year and a new series! This is a year to Grow Up toward God! In order to grow, we have been discussing the importance of walking in relationships of discipleship; both giving to others what we have received and being in a relationship with those who help us to grow. While it is important that all trees continue growing, I find it interesting that not all trees grow the same way, at the same rate, or under the same conditions. They don’t all produce the same fruit or seed either. Similarly, we cannot equate growing in God with a certain way to pray, or amount of Bible to read, or ways to serve as a means of maturity. God calls some of His Body to be hands, head, or feet and function and grow in different ways. He calls us all to grow in different ways ~ the ones we personally need the most.

Just like clothing that doesn’t work well for everyone, I’ve noticed that similar propensity in our spiritual journey when it comes to growing in God. We look for a formula or path that other more experienced Christians have taken to arrive at their place of maturity. There are many ways we can come closer to God. Oftentimes, we crave knowing the details of their personal relationship with God in order that we too would know when we have “arrived” once we manage to do those same things. Some feel closest to God when praying, reading the Bible, serving, worshiping, teaching, or learning. If we were to do it exactly the way they did it, maybe we too could become the perfect believers. Then again, we consider Ephesians 2:

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:8-10

In other words, we truly can’t earn God’s grace and we can’t perfect his work in us either! But what we can do is surrender to His leading in our lives and learn how it is that He has uniquely made us and calls us to live for Him. In his book “The Me I Want to Be”, John Ortberg says something that stands out to me: “Appliances get mass-produced. Masterpieces get handcrafted”. Go ahead, read it again!

You are God’s masterpiece. Created uniquely in Christ for good works. You are not God’s appliance but a masterpiece. God is not limited by your humanity; he longs for relationship with you! He is mindful of you and desires to visit you (Ps. 8:4). God knows what you need. Just as he has known what to do with countless others:  

He had Abraham take a walk, Elijah take a nap,

Joshua take a lap, and Adam take the rap.

He gave Moses a forty-nine-year time out, he gave David a harp and a dance,

and he gave Paul a pen and a scroll.

He wrestled with Jacob, argued with Job, whispered to Elijah,

warned Cain, and comforted Hagar.

He gave Aaron an altar, Miriam a song, Gideon a fleece,

Peter a name, and Elisha a Mantle.

Jesus was stern with the rich young ruler, tender with the woman caught in adultery, patient with the disciples, blistering with the scribes.

God never grows two people the same way.

God is a hand-crafter, not a mass producer.

Now it's your turn (Ortberg, 2010).

What makes you uniquely you? What is the learning style that comes most naturally to you? What helps you to rest? Are you more fully awake in the morning, afternoon, or evening? What things burden your heart and cause you to reach out? What makes you more aware of the presence of God in your life? It may look different than those around you but it is an act of worship every time you respond when Holy Spirit speaks and draws you to himself or encourages you to serve, or moves you to act… and it may be exactly what we need!

God has made you for freedom and he created you completely YOU! He desires to fill you with His Fullness so that you may give him glory and walk with Him in the way that only YOU can!

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:17-18

I pray that you would be encouraged as you seek God, filled with His presence, and at peace in His freedom!

With the recent increase in COVID cases, the City of Minneapolis has reinstated the Mask mandate for masks to be worn at all times except when eating or drinking for adults and children over two years old.

As an Intentional Community, we believe it is important that we continue to meet and strengthen one another in seeking God. As Hebrews 10:23-25 says: Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We understand the difficult times these are for all of us. We want to take important precautions, submit to the authorities, care for all of the members of our community, and continue to pursue God’s purposes together. Therefore, we ask that you please come prepared with a mask for use within the building, remain socially distant, and sanitize as needed. We will have masks available at the Connecting table.

We will continue to monitor the city regulations as well as the closing of public facilities like schools and restaurants. We consider our meeting together as important and will continue offering meals for those who want to participate in a Mealtime at 5:00 PM. For those who would prefer not to participate in a meal during this time, you are still welcome to join us for Worship at 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary. If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick, we ask that you get tested and remain home if tested positive. We will continue to have the Livestream option available.

For those joining in mealtime, we are asking that everyone keep their mask on until they eat and to put it back on after they are done eating in order to follow the guidelines from the City of Minneapolis. Tables will be spread out for social distancing. We encourage everyone to sanitize before and after the meal.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

We thank you for persevering through these difficult times, for your continued prayer for our church, and for pursuing God’s purposes together.

This Christmas season I have been reflecting on the ordinary moments found throughout the Christmas Story. This reflection has caused me to savor the everyday moments I so often take for granted and have realized truly what a gift they are in the day to day. As I reflect on the Christmas story, it seems the ordinary details seem to be what makes it extraordinary.

Ending 2021 for our family has felt anything but ordinary. As most of you know we have had a few unexpected challenges. At the beginning of November I injured my foot in a fantastic display of public embarrassment and have been crutching around ever since. Doctor's have remained perplexed as to the symptoms I am experiencing and are uncertain what type of care to offer. Everyday things have taken more effort and navigating parenting of four terrific, small humans has become a creative daily effort.

On Christmas Eve, we were unexpectedly hit from behind by a speeding car at a four way stop. The back end of our minivan was crushed in and in the few moments after, I remember frantically assessing the situation to make sure our kids in the back were without injury. The driver came a few moments later and was hysterical. The whole situation was unexpected and messy. After we left the site of the accident with kids that were miraculously unharmed, not even a shard of glass was found around them, I found myself savoring the ordinary moments that followed, eating around the dinner table, simple conversations even managing sibling conflict!

God is in the ordinary. He is able to move in big displays of power, but often He chooses to show up in the everyday, unseen, often unnoticed, moments. It's profound. The God of the universe, majestic in all His glory, came in the most ordinary, way. Sure there were a few extraordinary moments peppered throughout the story, but at the end of the day there was a young mother, with her carpenter husband caring for a newborn in a barn, trusting God.

Life is a gift and so often we can miss God in the ordinary. It's easy to lose sight of gratitude when stress is high, tasks are many, waiting feels long or conflict is present. But gratitude is the thing that turns our brain back on in the midst of not being present to the ordinary spaces where God is waiting to meet us. God peppers the ordinary with his extraordinary presence and plans. Just like Mary in the midst, treasured up all those things and pondered them in her heart, where are the spaces where God is inviting us to do the same as we end this year and enter into 2022?

If you need some inspiration check out some testimonies of fellow church family who shared how they encountered God in 2021. You can access the link on our Faithlife page HERE. He is worthy to be treasured!

Seeking to treasure and ponder in the midst with you,

Mishawn