Living Room Encounter

This weekend Melody and I are facilitating another Living Room Marriage Encounter with 2 couples. This intimate gathering will take place in a home where couples will be encouraged to share, pray, and do battle for their relationships. Going into this weekend, I am so open to whatever God wants to say and do. It is a relief that these Encounters don't involved a formula or program. It is not a "show up and let us give you 5 steps to a better marriage". Been down that road before...not much transformation. These Encounters are much more about entering more deeply into your own story and the story of your marriage. It is inviting God to move and speak a fresh message. Each Encounter is unique. This weekend, we are working with 2 couples who are farther down the marriage road. So, it will be interesting to see what God wants to say.

Melody's parents are coming in on friday to help with our children. So, that is a huge blessing to know that they are cared for while we minister and guide. If you are reading this, offer up some prayer for us and the couples we are meeting with. Pray that we truly encounter the living God who desires for marriages to reflect His mercy and love.

Thanks Intercessors...

Thanks for praying and supporting us over the weekend with the men's boot camp. It was a powerful experience with the men. The final session of the boot camp was the most powerful as the men opened up and shared. The pastor was able to open his heart and communicate his need for them to develop as a true brotherhood. The men conveyed their desire to fight for sharing their stories and developing deeper connection. So, it was a door opener, a step in a new direction. Chris and I will continue work with this church and the men.

Thanks friends and allies for supporting us with your prayers...continue to fight on our behalf!

Intercessors Needed...

Allies and Friends...
Tonight, we go into battle for men's hearts. Chris Roe and I are leading a group of men in a Freedom and Life Boot Camp tonight. These men are from a local church that started about 4-5 years ago. The boot camp runs tonight through saturday afternoon. We will be leading sessions on the larger story, the poser, and brotherhood. Key areas in every man's journey.

So, in doing battle, we need people to come alongside us with prayers. This type of heart-work is critical and is opposed. So, we cannot do it alone. If you are reading this right now, STOP and PRAY. Don't wait for a convenient time to pray and intercede for us. Will you pray right now and lift us up...

Father,
Thank you for allies who support and pray for our ministry. We are doing this together. I thank you that ministering alone is not an option. I thank you that battling for hearts is what You have called us to do. So, now as our brothers and sisters uphold, surround, and support us with their prayers. Honor their prayers and bring strength, wisdom, and courage. amen.

Lucky to be Leafless

Eugene Peterson is truly a sage of our time. I love his writings and love his heart on ministry and life. I have recently been reading and rereading a sketch that he wrote on "blessed are the poor in spirit". One of the things God is teaching me right now is to read slowly and soak deeply. I tend to rush through scripture and readings. I seem to "get through a lot" and check it off my reading to-do list. But have I slowed down enough for soul-soaking to happen.
So, here is something to soak on by Peterson...

The Lucky Poor
"blessed are the poor in spirit"

A beech tree in winter, white
Intricacies unconcealed
Against sky blue and billowed
Clouds, carries in his emptiness
Ripeness: sap ready to rise
On signal, buds alert to burst
To leaf. And then after a season
Of summer a lean ring to remember
The lush fulfilled promises.
Empty again in wise poverty
That lets the reaching branches stretch
A millimeter more towards heaven,
The bole expand ever so slightly
And push roots into the firm
Foundation, lucky to be leafless:
Deciduous reminder to let it go.

Lesotho's Crisis: 6 Doctors -- 800,000 Kids

Encounter is hosting a silent auction in October to help raise funds for AIDS orphans and families in Lesotho. Lesotho is located in the southernmost part of Africa. Encounter Humanity, an aspect of our ministry, has formed a partnership in this country to help with families and children.

The following news article came out over the weekend to help explain the medical crisis...
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/GlobalHealth/story?id=3553436&page=1

Just a reminder that our Silent Auction is Thursday, October 4. You can see items that are for sale at www.encounterauction.blogspot.com. Every dollar raised will go toward this ministry effort.

Colorado Boot Camp Pics

I must confess that the pics are out of order. But I am still "blogger-ignorant" of many things. I need to purchase the book "Blogging for Dummies". Until then, enjoy the scenery and comments... (I am still reflecting on the truths that God spoke to my heart...will be blogging on that soon!)

On the hike I took...God spoke and clarified my "name" through this valley experience.

On my visionquest hike...this is at 9500 feet...FREEDOM!!!

Adam's Falls in the Rocky Mountain National Park...FREEDOM!!

Swords...take up your sword and do battle.

Morning Haze...

I actually got about 20 feet from a bull moose...dangerous!!!

The falls...

Crooked Creek Ranch

Canyons...where I stayed and bunked.

The initiated brothers...notice the sign.

Wild at Heart Boot Camp

This week, I leave for a man-adventure taking place in Colorado called Wild at Heart boot camp. This experience will gather men for the purpose of digging deep into their hearts. God has put this whole thing together. We have a group of men from Birmingham who had already registered to go. Within the last two weeks, a spot came available and now my name fills that spot. So, with God's provision in place, I am going to walk more deeply into my own heart. One of the things about pouring into others is that you have to be poured into. I have to take care of my own heart and journey. I have to take time to be away and deal with my own stuff. God cannot use me to touch in others what He is not touching in me. I have to be broken, shaped, and healed. That is what this trip is all about.

So, I would appreciate intercessors who will surround me this weekend with prayer. If you are reading this blog right now...would you just stop and offer up prayer for me. Would you pray for God to do deeper healing in me? Would you pray for me to relax and sabbath? Would you pray for me to be a man among men? Would you pray for honesty, acceptance, and clarity? Thank you friends and allies.

Blog-Note...
To the MEN and WOMEN reading this blog: If you want to know more about a man's heart and journey, I would highly encourage reading "Wild at Heart". John Eldredge is a prophetic voice in our generation and time. All of his books are being used by God to bring freedom and honesty in the church. To husbands, read and interact with this book in the context of masculine community. You need this for your own heart. To wives, read and interact with this book in order to better know your husband's journey. It will provide understanding and insight.

Once I am back and able to process this adventure, you will be seeing some blog reflections. Until then...