we have to fight for it.

You know when you’re reading something that you know will change your life, our outlook, your paradigm forever? I just finished one of those chapters. It was a call to community, to fellowship, to battle, to hearts entwined, even when it hurts. It made my inner being just long for relationships like that. That’s the way its supposed to be, you know. “It’s normal” says Mr. Eldredge.

I’ve been re-reading Waking the Dead for a few months now. Other books have been read in this period, but this one shouldn’t be read all at once…or if you should you should follow a little pattern I first read in “Spiritual Leadership” by J. Oswald Sander. Read it first to get an overview, a second time to really grasp what he is saying, then a third to let it penetrate your heart. Or something like that.

No wonder our churches are in shambles. The way we’re doing things remains status quo. Lives aren’t changed because hearts aren’t being touched. I’m not talking about the “wow, that was a great sermon”…or song…or whatever. I’m talking about the ability of a community to go in and see someone’s heart over a period of time. One time experiences don’t change people (well sometimes, but its rare). People are living organisms, we grow, we change over time. For the most part the only quick change living things experience is death.

What we need is a group of people, joined together over time. Knowing each others crap, seeing it, loving it, and knowing that there is something so much better there, under the surface. Fighting for each others’ glory. That’s what I want. And I’m willing to fight for it.

My writing abilities don’t do justice to my heart right now. Words just don’t seem to do it.