last weekend...

Last weekend we experienced our first Living Room Marriage Encounter. Hard to find words to describe what took place. Stories were shared. Hearts were mended. Battlelines were drawn. There was a movement from unaware to aware. In the awareness, intimacy and connections were made in couples' lives. Awareness is a beautiful thing. It opens the eyes of our hearts and helps us to see what is backstage. Most of what we see in married couples is their "stage presence". Go to church, have a cookout, go golfing, meet at the park...the actors show up and the stage is set. We go through the motions and play the role. This weekend we moved backstage to see what was happening behind the curtain. Healing does not happen on the stage...it happens when we get behind the curtain...behind the veil. This weekend it happened. When Jesus died, scripture says that the veil in the temple was torn in two...providing direct access to the Father, to healing, and to restoration. Most of us, though, live as if the veil has been sown back together. Instead of entering in...we busy ourselves and remain outside. All the while, Jesus is waiting to set captives free, restore the brokenhearted, and release the oppressed (see Luke 4). This weekend we entered in...we got behind the veil and experienced healing and restoration.

For me personally, this weekend reminded me of why God has called us to this. The glory of God is revealed and shown to the world through a heart alive and restored. The glory of God is revealed through a marriage that is alive and growing. This weekend was not about an agenda as much as the Spirit's leading. It was not about formulas or steps...it was about following the path into our hearts to meet Jesus there. It was not about "getting it right" as much as realizing why we keep "getting it wrong". It was about unearthing our core fears and desires. It was honest. It was real. It was powerful.

Thanks for praying for us and the couples who experienced the weekend. Your prayers were vital to what happened. You helped us battle for hearts and marriages. Thank you for being allies in this very important journey of setting hearts free. Until our next Encounter...