Wednesday, January 22, 2014

New Wine Listening Day - Jan 2014

The Biblical promise is "when two or three are gathered together in Jesus name" Jesus is in the midst of us. One way is He is more "visible". The Spirit is working making us more like Jesus. So we think like Jesus. So we speak like Jesus. So we act like Jesus. Therefore when Jesus' followers gather together there is a very real sense that we have a better chance to see Jesus manifest in our midst as we see Him in each other.

Saturday January 18 we were gathering in Jesus name. About a dozen of us set aside the morning to pray, worship and listen. We started with using the Morning Prayer liturgy and daily lessons assigned for the day. They were:

Genesis 6:9-22 (God's instructions to Noah)
Psalm 20 (Song of God the Victor)
Hebrews 4:1-13 (God's Rest and God's Word)
John 2:13-22 (Account of Jesus Cleansing the Temple)

We then retreated for quiet reflection and meditation. Upon returning the following thoughts were shared. This is simply one perspective of our time together:

One pervading theme was that we were being reminded that "God was walking with us", just as He walked with Noah and others whose hearts are bent towards God. The image of a small child reaching out to hold the hand of a caring adult reminded us that He loves us better than the best human effort. We are to take comfort in God's hand extended to us.

Later we were reminded by one who pointed us to 1 John 2: 6 which teaches that people will know we are Jesus' disciples if we "walk in the same manner as He walked." He walks with us as someone who knows what it means to be human. Hebrews 4:14-16 says we do not have high priest "who does not sympathize with our weakness". He knows our struggles and challenges, yet He bids us, beckons us, to walk with him. It is a partnership. We can do this by holding to the faith (study and learning the Word) and by holding to each other in the community of faith. Attend to each other.

A second theme seems to be related to a follow up question: "Lord where are we to walk?" Very often we are not given the advantage of seeing down the road, but called to simply keep our eyes on Christ as he leads. We were reminded to "keep in step with the Spirit" based on Galatians 5:25. This means we cannot just sit still, but we must keep moving, mimicing Jesus, which requires our utmost effort and focus.

This idea was reenforced when another person put forth the image of a "blind man" running in a road race. Here it takes a lead runner and the blind man holding on to the elbow to make a functioning team. The toughest steps are the first few when the two need to get in sync. But the team works because of trust if they do not give up too early in the process because it is hard at first.

In a journal this was expressed in this way: "Do not stumble, but run with Me. I will lead your life like a runner who has no sight. The more you trust Me, the more we run together, the freer you will be. Trust Me. Hold My arm. I will lead"

Yet in our listening time there came forth a challenge from someone's meditation on Genesis 6 calling us to "engage the culture". With the patience of Noah we are to be obedient claiming, naming and celebrating art, song, beauty and everything good. While we observe the world on its self-destructive path we are to engage the world with light, a Christian worldview, where we see the good coming from God. As we do we then point people to the source of light. We are not to retreat from the world but to advance out in the world to be like the "Temple", cleansed by the Lord and lifted high as example to those around us. This engagement cannot be primarily intellectual or mental. Our engagement is relational. It is to be done one life at a time. Whether at work, or family, or friends we are called to not just speak of God but to demonstrate the love of God. Kindness, compassion, active listening, all open the doors for us to share about the love of the Father for His children.

This is not an easy or natural process. It is easier to retreat into to the safety of the ark. Engaging the culture may not require a physical battle (though some have been known to "lose their life" or "livelihood" for standing for Kingdom values), but the battle is primarily spiritual. One of our number was drawn to focus on Psalm 20 in which they saw a prescription for spiritual warfare: First we are come before the Lord with praise and prayer. Second we are to remember what He has done to strengthen our faith. Next we are to confess our short comings. Then we are called to exercise grace and forgiveness in the world and to the world. We ask that all these be done in His Spirit, In His character, In His name. Another member noted the Hebrews 4 begins with warnings like "remember your first love", "no hard hearts", "don't be slow to learn", which is complimented by James 1:19-22 "be quick to listen, slow to speak", "be doers and not just hears of the Word." Good counsel for us in 2014.


One last image was shared on Saturday. It was the image of large glass bottle of oil used for healing. It was over flowing down the side and on the table spreading out in every direction. Its smell was pungent, pleasing to the senses, and it was in abundance. The words spoken over the oil were " A Year of Healing and Restoration."

May 2014 be know to us as a Season of Healing and Restoration as we follow the Spirit's lead in our walk individually and as a church. May we engage the culture with boldness if not with words only but in intentional acts of kindness and love. May we see God's healing power touch our lives, our church and our community at a level we have not experienced as of late. Amen.








Thursday, January 2, 2014

New Wine Report - Jan 2014


An update from the vineyard in Flint. This mission of New Wine, like all churches, is to make disciples of Christ. The vision is to do that in different way: not programatically but relationally. This means that we are working hard at building deep, authentic relationships where we care deeply and spend time together growing and serving. What we have found is this is a slow and sometimes difficult process. Here are ways we have been thinking relationally the past month or two:

Hope for America Parties - We hosted two dinner parties in the beginning of November to watch "My Hope America", Billy Graham's final national Gospel presentation. We had over 28 participants who all heard a clear call to follow Christ. Several there had their faith encouraged and one or two who are still seeking were really challenged.

Roxbury Outreach - We hosted 3 craft parties for the residents of Roxbury Senior Apartments where Peggy from New Wine lives. Dave shared a brief explanation of different Christmas symbols each week and then 3 different women from our fellowship prepared a simple Christmas craft to make so we could build relationships with Peggy's neighbors.

Taecken's Terrace Party - We hosted a party for over 40 residents of another Senior Apartment where we hold our Wednesday cell group. Treats and carols was the plan, but catching up with many of the residents who have come to the group from time to time was delightful. Several of the residents comment on how significant our work at Taecken's has been. We are starting a new study next week.

Implosion Sunday - The last Sunday of Advent we gathered before service offering coffee and doughnut holes to people gathered outside Riverside Church where we meet to watch a 19 story building 4 blocks away be imploded. We did have one visitor join us afterward and has expressed interest in returning. It was a ministry of blessing and a great way to start the service off with a "bang"!

Mt. Morris Prayer Team - Sim and Fran Boggs who have come alongside New Wine on several occasions have purposed to make a spiritual difference in the community of Mt. Morris. They are life-long residents and are being lead to organize a group of people who are meeting regularly to pray over their town. This may include prayer walks in 2014, but for now it has started as a Facebook group.


Flushing Cell Outreach - This group plans in 2014 to designate one meeting a month to events or activities that reach beyond our normal prayer and study time. We are starting with inviting one of our group's foreign exchange student to share about Macedonia, her home. We have invited several people who know her from beyond our group to come and hear her story. Then in February we hope to host a movie night, and eventually a blessing party for a local frat house.

2014 Challenges - Due to anticipated revenue changes and expense increases (Healthcare specifically) we are praying the Lord will provide for the estimated $14,000 shortfall in our budget. Dave is exploring other part-time ministry possibilities and Deb is hoping to see her part-time work (which she really likes) grow in weekly hours. It is all about relationships. Building relationships take time. But these challenges could be met with the addition of 6 to 12 new people who join us in this mission and embrace our vision. Join with us now in praying that our work can continue in Flint in 2014.

Donations to help support our work can be made online: www.NewWineMission.com or by sending a donation to : New Wine Mission, PO Box 13608, Flint, MI 48501

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