I've been reading in Exodus this week, especially where instructions are given for the construction of the tabernacle and the ark and the priests' garments, etc.

GOD IS INTO DETAIL.

Somehow that makes me feel better about how much I love all the details to be in place and just so. (It also made me aware that I am no where NEAR as detailed as I could be - that should make all the rest of you who know me feel better!)

I also noticed that all these detailed instructions were given to Moses when he was in the presence of the Lord up on the mountain. Plans and guidance came through intimate time alone with the Lord.

Details are good.
God will take care of them.
Spend time on the mountain.

That about sums it up.......

Here it is - my new favourite picture. Not sure if it's the picture itself or the solid knowledge in my heart that my brother was behind the camera making the EXACT same face.....

:)

OK, I've heard a couple of great quotes in the last couple of days.

First one is this:

"Only in Vancouver do people even know what turbidity is, let alone have the ability to talk about it!"

But the one that takes the cake is this:

"Can you believe that the Christians are even trying to take over Christmas?!?"

I believe this last one is what we call a classic definition of ignorance.

I was reading in The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence (by James W. Goll) today and came across some great - and very concise - advice on having the mind of Christ. It's not necessarily simple - it's discipline. But it's well put, and I thought some of you might be encouraged in it.

He offers seven steps to assist us in having the mind of Christ. (If you get overwhelmed by big lists of "to do's", then just focus on one a time.)

CONFESS our sins

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

FORGIVE others that have wronged us

“The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does no t share its joy.” (Proverbs 14:10)

FORGET the things that are behind - look forward

“Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

REMOVE worldly attitudes, habits and practices

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

COMBAT and WITHSTAND the things put up against us

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

BUILD UP through prayer

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” (Jude 20-21)

PUT ON the character of Christ

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ....” (Romans 13:14a)
“Put on the full armour of God....” (Ephesians 6:11a)
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.... Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” (Colossians 3:12, 14)

So, I haven't posted a story about my crazy cat for a long time. I am often conscious of the opportunity to blog about things that are missional - pertinent to spreading the gospel and encouraging the saints - but there are times that pictures of my niece, Eliana, and stories about the cat are just, well, necessary. I'm proud of Eliana, and about the cat, well, it's good to laugh.

The cat is named Tabitha for anyone who has not met her. It's a Biblical name, too, though it can also be translated "Dorcas" (say it out loud), which seems, somehow, appropriate.

Tabby has always been a window sill sitter. She loves to sit and look outside, especially since about 10 years ago she became an indoor cat. I think at that point it became a favourite pastime for her to sit and look with nostalgia out the window at the life she used to know.

Her window sill sitting and watching has had many exciting experiences (read into that 'mishaps') over the years. When younger and more limber, she would easily jump to the window sill from the floor, no matter the height (occasionally taking out part of the wall with her hind feet in the process - read into that my experience in drywalling). When staring out the window she would sometimes see other cats in her territory, and would growl menacingly at them, not usually scaring them away, but making herself feel better at least. (I remember her once doing this, I think forgetting she was on a window sill and not a ...... small ..... cat. All I heard was "growl.....boom.....splat." She lunged into the corner of the window and then immediately fell OFF the window. The hilarious part about this is she did it twice before I went and scared off the outside cat.)

Needless to say, window-sill-sitting has been a big part of Tabby's life and entertainment for many years. As she is now an old cat (almost 18 years), this apartment has been great, with sliding glass doors and both window sills less than a foot off the floor.

Still, I think that she has become slightly senile in the last few weeks. My beautiful window-sill-loving cat has taken to sitting on the floor staring up at the window, even though it is so low to the ground.

But the part that I find really, REALLY sad is not her lack of ability or energy to get to the window sill.

It is the fact that when she does this the drapes are always closed.

Thanks to everyone who posted a out whether or not you're "in community" with me. I'm not sure I need to post my own thoughts about community, as so many of you did such a great job on it!

The notable exception, which will prove how silly my family can be, is "G" in Coquitlam, who determined that he was not part of my community.

"G" is ..... my brother. I'm not sure if that means he's decided to abdicate the family or what. Hopefully not. Every family needs a little dry wit in it. Thanks, Greg.

If you are part of the Body of Christ - a believer in the resurrection of Jesus - then we are in community. It is really as simple as that. "There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)"

We are ONE. We have different places where we walk out the gifts and service that God has given us, but we are ONE. So, Roro, in London - we are in community, we are one. Kathleen, in Australia - we are in community, we are one. Greg, you nob! We are in community, we are one. :) What the level or manifestation of that community looks like between each of us will probably vary, but it is there, nontheless.

In the Body I have gifts and personality that are unique to anyone else. They should be used to their fullest capacity to bring the greatest glory to God and the most fight to our war. I, like you and every Believer, am a very specific arsensal in the hands of God, and as such I should nolimitit myself to my own congregation or geographical community. Of course I cannot do everything I would wish - that's where wisdom from the Spirit and relying on the leading of God come in. And I would hope and pray that a spiritual arrogance would never enter into my desire to serve others through my gifts. I am simply part of the Body. The ONE Body.

Let the unity of Christ's Bride be manifested.
Let's God's victory and glory arise.


The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" (! Corinthians 12:20-21)

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 3:6)

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8)

Thanks everyone for commenting on the question in the last post - if you haven't yet done it, please do, it's just below. I will likely blog on it in the near future, but it's not yet time. I do want to say that I think April's comment was profound: "Community has many definitions." Interesting.....

On to another topic for now - I have been reading about the exodus from Egypt in, well, the book of Exodus (good place for it - "The Prince of Egypt" isn't quite enough and not perfectly accurate.....). I'm sure you've noticed that when Moses was called by God he made excuses as to why he was a bad choice for the job? God was gracious and gave Moses his brother Aaron to act as a mouthpiece and prophet. If you continue reading through the first few chapters of Exodus, Moses continues to make excuses. And Aaron continues to fill in. God speaks to Moses and then Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and Aaron performs the signs and wonders (throwing the staff to the ground to become a serpent, striking the Nile to have it turn to blood).

And then so subtly that it is almost beyond notice, it is Moses who begins to wield the staff and perform the signs and wonders. And as Moses learns that God hears his intercession for the cessation of certain plagues, he grows in his knowledge of that, too, until he finally declares to Pharaoh that God will stop one of the plagues as soon as Moses leaves and calls out to God.

There is a confidence that Moses grows in (his knowledge of God and His power) and an authority that he learns to step into and accept (his spiritual authority given by God).

I like that God does not make mistakes in whom He calls, as is evidenced by the rest of Moses' life and leadership. But I also like the reminder that Moses himself - this great man of God - had a process that he had to experience and a choice as to whether to finally accept and step into his God-given authority.

I have no doubt that the process was as important as the original call, and indeed was likely an integral part of it.

I'm just wondering - are you part of my community? Are we in community? If you believe we are "in comunity" on some level, please comment and let me know - even short little comments are great to let me know what you think. I'm processing some thoughts on the issue.....

Thanks!