"it is good"

"One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields; and as the made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, 'Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?' And he said to them, 'Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food? He entered the House of God, then, and ate the Bread of Presence,...and gave it to some of his companions. Then he said to them, 'The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind the sabbath." Mark 2:23-27

I’ve been cleaning house over the past few weeks--making room for community. It's a Tuesday night ritual to sweep the house over and think about who will show up the next night...who will meet another new friend for the first time.

We've had two weeks together. Every Wednesday, we will experience what it is to return back to a more simple way of approaching our spirituality—the movement of the emerging church. A few of you have been asking me what this is all about (www.emergingchurch.info), and all I can say is that it is a return back “to the way things were”—a simpler time in our faith when “being” was just as important is “doing,” and worshipful experiences didn’t stop and begin only in hollowed sanctuary walls.

Those of you who’ve gotten to know me well over these past three months know that I live by two rules: 1) Start the day always with coffee, prayer, a song, and 2) always take Fridays—my Sabbath time off. There is SO MUCH work to do around here, and especially for those of you who have started new jobs, or a new year in school, you know that "lawful" pressure of what we should and shouldn't be doing. I had to learn the hard way--after years of worry and being stiff-lipped--that letting go and doing the seemingly "unlawful" things in life is sometimes the most faithful response to God we can offer. And it can be the most precious gift we can give to ourselves. Going to Starbucks and hanging out with friends, or making my way to the banks of Cypress Lake to catch the view has been a constant practice for me here in Bossier, and (along with getting to know all of you) these rhythms have kept my life joy-filled, surprising, and fresh.

Let us remember the joy of Sabbath as we start our busy lives again—by lighting candles, laughing among friends, singing songs, walking in the grainfields, keeping silence, walking, reading, napping, sharing a meal. As darkness falls each day, as the light of the world fades and disappears, our steps take us home, and the light draws us in.

May you find some comfort here.

Sweet peace to you,

Katie.

ps, don't forget brunch at Nicky's in Bossier on THIS Sunday at 12:15!

Beginning on the road...

Our first YA Ministry night will be SEPTEMBER 5th, 7:30-9pm.

Bring your friends--4855 Airline Drive 26G, Bossier City.

We will have food. ;)

The group will meet every Wednesday night this Fall, so mark your calendars...

Any questions, call KMac at 318.771.5523.

shifting

"...these are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was no one to till the ground; 6but a stream would rise from the earth, and water the whole face of the ground— 7then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being."

-Genesis 2:4-7

Creation is a transitional season. We are, at Asbury, in a time of shifting...realizing and re-envisioning who we are--a period where we're reaching down deep into the mud of our lives together to find new life in unexpected places. This holy time is precious. Think back to when you were young, and try to remember a day when you were playing out in the sprinkler or sitting, creating things in the mud after a good, long rain. I remember my own parents always in a rush to get me cleaned up--wash my feet, my hands, my head, and put me in "proper" clothes, but the squish and feeling of grass and wet dirt beneath my feet, or that feeling that came with mud caked on my face and hands was one of the most unforgettable and joy-filled memories in my life. Maybe for you, the visions those memories offer for you bring about the same joy.

This spiritual life is a messy ordeal--as it should be, if we allow ourselves to become fully emmersed in it. Our Young Adult group will kick up again during the Fall--probably around the middle of August. Until then, I encourage you to dive in, and begin to pray for us. Speak up if and when you become inspired with desires, visions, or ideas about where we should go next. Until we meet, check out the links on the side panel of this site. They have been helpful to me over the years, and I pray that they will be useful and accessible tools for you throughout the summer as you come and go from work, family, friends, sabbath and all other good things in life.

I'll look forward to seeing you soon--until then, peace for the journey.

Yours,

Katie.