Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
They wondered why they or their loved ones were found by the Coronavirus. They did take precautions.
"Coronavirus might spread much farther than 6 feet in the air. CDC says wear a mask in public.
Air contaminated with the COVID-19 virus might travel four times farther than the 6 feet the CDC asks we distance ourselves, according to a recent study.
The study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that under the right conditions, liquid droplets from sneezes, coughs and just exhaling can travel more than 26 feet and linger in the air for minutes.
Findings such as these may have some bearing on the CDC's recommendation on Friday that Americans wear non-surgical face masks in public — especially in places "where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain."
“There is no virtual wall at this 3- to 6-feet distance” says Lydia Bourouiba, the study's author, who specializes in fluid dynamics and is an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These findings suggest the greatest risk is for health care workers working with infected patients, she says.
As seen in this video, shot from different views and posted with Bourouiba's report, the invisible cloud can travel up to 26 feet:
The study focuses on a turbulent gas, the cloud emitted when someone coughs, sneezes or exhales. Liquid droplets of various sizes drop onto surfaces, while others can be trapped in a cloud that can swirl around a room with a payload, in theory, of pathogen-bearing droplets.
How cough and sneeze droplets travel
A lot goes into how far the cloud and its droplets travel: a person's physiology, the environment, humidity and temperature. “The cloud can reach up to 26 feet for sneezes and less than that for coughs — about 16 to 19 feet,” Bourouiba says.
According to a 2009 World Health Organization report, when someone coughs, they can spray up to 3,000 droplets. A sneeze could yield 40,000."
from USA Today, 4 3 2020
Hello Brothers and Sisters.
My Name is Luther Miller, and myself and my Wife Maranda Miller are starting a house church in the Holland Michigan area. we have been part of home based fellowships for several years as well as being involved in more traditional forms of church leadership. we feel that now is the time that the Lord is calling His people back to a more biblical expression of worship and fellowship.
if you would like to connect with us, we would love to hear from you!
Please see our website for more information about us!
ravensvoiceministries.weebly.com
Greetings to all my Brothers and Sisters here in the House Church Network.
My name is Timothy Yeghian. Isn't it tough to introduce yourself. Folks want to know who we are, but it isn't about us; it is about Jesus.
I'll just tell you who I am and if people fall asleep ... well, serves me right?
I am 66 now and came to Christ in ... I am looking up, which means I don't remember. Let's see, ... 1973.
I am not from the Catholic side of the fence or the Protestant sea of denominations. Nope. I am one of the few Christians whom you might meet who comes from the Oriental Orthodox. And the largest of that is the Armenian branch. We kicked Rome to the curb in 451 AD. I don't think we helped them carry there bags either. The first New Testament that was translated from the Hellenistic Koine Greek was called Gabar, or scholars call this "Classical Armenian." If I ever get to meet a group of believers I will sing one of our chants for you from the 3rd century.
1974 the Vietnam War was winding down and after prayer I joined the army and asked for the Chaplain's Corps. I told God to put me anywhere, and He did. Without agreeing to it on paper, lol, God assigned me 2nd / 504 of the 82nd Airborne Infantry. I don't know how many night jumps I made with the men I served. I lost count after "2."
Familiar with the Armenian text, that was when I started to study Greek. Men were coming to me with one version and another with another version and asking me questions I couldn't answer. As not many folks read our scribbles, I started learning Greek in 1974.
I survived the 82nd Airborne and started college as a double major, almost triple major: Greek for one, with minors in Chinese and Japanese, and Ancient History, with minors in Russian and Astrophysics.
The Japanese government hired me right out of college, nobody was hiring veterans in those days, and the Japanese shipped me to Japan where I lived for 17 years, and street witnessed in Japan on the weekends. I used Japan as a base to smuggle Bibles into China.
After 17 years of life in Japan, the UN knocked on my door and offered me a job in the UN in Africa. That put me in reach of Iran and Saudi Arabia. I can't say much more about that. I will say, however, that there are two places where you can see the Holy Spirit setting things on fire: China and Iran
If it is of any help at all to any brother or sister here, I have been reading my New Testament in Greek for almost half a century. I started on extant manuscripts in the handwritten originals about 10 years ago. Yes, I have been to many fancy schools, etc., but never mind that.
I am writing this for this following reason:
If someone wishes to ask a question about the variations in translation, or rabbinic traditions behind Matthew, Mark, or Luke in the original Greek, I will be glad to be your servant on these matters. Moreover, our first translators were bilingual in Koine Greek, so when we peer at the Greek from the view of the Armenian, we get a lot of extra help on what we are looking at.
I especially think about my Christian sisters. I have many friends who are not Christians and they wrestle with Christians because of many of these traditions. Moreover, Christian sisters too have their struggles with many things. Consider me your brother, and you don't even have to bake me a pie.
However, I have a caveat. The Armenian Christian tradition is very, very different from Protestantism. I have visited these "Cruise Ship Churches" and listened. Reading from the Bible in the original language is a traditional form of worship for us. Yes, but, - we don't have "pastors" closing the Bible and then saying that "God thinks this," "God is saying this," or "God is saying the other thing." To us in the Armenian Christian tradition, we can't say "God thinks" anything.
We can share what we feel God is saying to "us," but more than that is considered blasphemy. Our reason is no one can know the mind of God. It is very much a part of why we split from Rome in 451 AD. That was a very big part of it. I have had certain people from certain denonminations go off like a bottle rocket with me on how what they were saying was "The Voice of God." I can share what the language says, within the context of our ancient culture, which was within Greater Greece, both before and after the Age of Alexander, but we can't then "close the Book" and say, "Here is what the mind of God is on this issue." Syrian and Armenian Christians don't do that kind of work, add smile.
I am pleased to be your brother in Christ from here in Alaska, and soon, Redding, CA.
As Paul said, in Romans 15:13
......
ΠΡΟΣ ΡΩΜΑΙΟΥΣ 15:13, Romans 15:13:
Ο ΔΕΘΕΟΣΤΗΣΕΠΙΔΟΣΠΛΗΡΩΣΑΙΥΜΑ
ΣΠΑΣΗΣΧΑΡΑΣΚΑΙΕΙΡΗΝΗΣΕΝΤΩΠΙΣΤΕ
ΥΕΙΝΕΙΣΤΟΠΕΡΙΣΣΕΥΕΙΝΥΜΑΣΕΝΤΗΕΛ
ΠΙΔΙΕΝΔΥΝΑΜΕΙΠΝΕΥΜΑΤΟΣΑΓΙΟΥ
In his name
Brother Yeghian
Redding + Anchorage
Many churches are pushing pause on gathering their congregants for weekly worship services during this season of coronavirus risk, including children’s ministry classes and groups. While many of us might be tempted to enjoy a break from church, that’s the last thing we really need. At times like this, we desperately need God’s Word to reassure us that He is in control; we need to sing songs that remind us of His power; we need worship.
The Bible teaches us to “watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together (emphasis mine), as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, CSB) We know, as Christ followers, that we are called to gather together as the Church—the bride of Christ Himself. However, as we retreat to the safety of our houses under city ordinances and precaution, we should look around and recognize that the very people we live with in our homes are part of that same calling—our family. We should continue (or start) to gather together to worship as a family.
Whether you are a parent, a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or friendly neighbor, you can still gather together for a worship experience. This may sound intimidating to you, like something you are not equipped for, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact now is the perfect time to start doing a family worship time, and to keep doing long after coronavirus leaves us.
If you read the portion of Deuteronomy 6 sometimes referred to as the Shema, it’s easy to see that family discipleship is a scriptural command: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up (emphasis mine).” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7, CSB) So, let’s face it. Many of us will be “sitting in our houses”—with our kids or other family members—for longer periods of time than we are currently used to, as some schools may close and workplaces may go to a temporary remote work model. Chances are, your family might be experiencing some anxiety in this unprecedented situation. Use this extra time wisely and talk about God’s Word—the ultimate soother of our souls and healer of our hearts!
quoted from:
Before there was the church - there was the family. They encompass one another but are separate spheres. For example, those who fail at leading in their own home are not encouraged to lead in the church. Of course all parents fail occasionally but the drift and direction of their role must be positive.
Observe how this young child is cheering on her Mom as she goes into harm's way to help others far away, sick with the Corona Virus. Her Dad is also a doctor and has just learned that his wife has volunteered.
Remember that Jesus, the Great Healer, also came not to be served but to serve. And that He too is cheering us on.
Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and, see, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Matthew 28
Anyone out there aware of any house churches in my area of southwest Stevens County, WA?
When reading what Jesus says, many times it seems his topics are unrelated, so the natural tendency is to grab onto parts that we think we understand while missing the point of his discourse which runs like a thread tying together all the seemingly unrelated topics. The discourse in Matthew 18 is one such example.
But before getting to Matthew 18 a foundation to his discourse begins in Matthew 16. Having traveled to the north of Israel to Caesarea Philippi due west of Tyre in Syria. They stood in front of 3 pagan temples, one specifically was called the Gates of Hades, where the Greeks believed was the entrance to the underworld, where they performed immoral acts of worship. With this background, Jesus asks his disciples who people (and them) thought he was. Peter replied,
Mat 16:16 ...“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Mat 16:17 Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
We see here that Peter received a realization directly from God.
Mat 16:18 I also tell you that you are Peter [petros in Greek meaning “a piece of rock’], and on this rock [petra in Greek meaning “a mass of rock such as a cliff”] I will build my assembly [ekklesia in Greek, not “church” but an assembly of government leaders] , and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
Despite the claim of Catholicism, the rock that Christ builds his assembly upon is the direct revelation from God that believers, like Peter, have particularly after the new birth is given.
The Greek word ekklesia, translated as “church” in most translations, literally means “called out” and is understood to mean an assembly gathered in answer to that call. What has been forgotten about the term is that such assemblies were usually assemblies of government. The ancient Greek culture was a pure democracy with each citizen having a vote in any matter. When a matter needed to be settled, they were all called together to discuss and vote on that matter.
The Gates of Hades in the background of this discussion is a symbol of the governments of the world. What Jesus told Peter and his disciples is that he was establishing his government on Earth as representatives of his government in heaven, whose strength against the powers of darkness would be the direct communication of God to his children in their hearts. Jesus goes on to say:
Mat 16:19 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”
Jesus is saying that the ability to prevail against the powers of darkness governing on behalf of Satan on Earth will be the specific things the Lord tells his disciples on how to win the battles, hence are the keys to victory. We have not been given authority that is willy nilly. In other words, whatever is forbidden in Heaven we can forbid (bind or stop) on Earth. Likewise, whatever is permitted in Heaven we can release (loose or permit) on Earth.
This context of the body of Christ, called “ambassadors” by Paul (2 Cor 5:20), as government servants of Heaven on Earth is what is in mind of the disciples when we open chapter 18.
Mat 18:1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
The disciples are still thinking in terms of a worldly kingdoms. They are thinking they will be lords of creation like the pagan kings of this Earth. Jesus corrects them.
Mat 18:2 Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them,
Mat 18:3 and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The obvious answer, which is the main answer, is that all of us have to be like little children, with simple faith and innocence, to humbly enter the Kingdom of Heaven. And, clearly, we are to continue as such, if we are to be greatly used by the King.
Since the child is sitting on his lap, Jesus makes a point about actual children, not adults being child like, in how much God cares for them.
The abuse of children is as old as mankind. The valley of Hinnom is a deep and narrow ravine, with steep, rocky sides, to the south and west of Jerusalem, separating Mount Zion to the north from the "hill of evil counsel," and the sloping rocky plateau of the "plain of Rephaim" to the south. During the Old Testament days many Israelis worshipped Moloch whose worship required the sacrifice of their children. Their garbage was burned in the valley of Hinnom, so a constant fire raged in that valley. They throw their infants alive into that fire as part of the Moloch worship.
In Satanic Ritual Abuse, children are sexually abused and sacrificed today. News of these abominations are becoming more widely known. Even without the SRA, the rampant pedophilia around the world, within the Catholic Church and Protestant denominations are being exposed even as you read this post.
In this discussion with his disciples about greatness, Jesus gives a grave warning to any who harm innocent children.
Mat 18:5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,
Mat 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble [skandalizō], it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.
Mat 18:7 “Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes!
The Greek word translated as stumble, or offend, is skandalizo, from where we get our English word, “scandal”. It literally means to entrap or ensnare. It could easily refer to kidnapping, as for the purpose of human trafficking. If this meaning is intended, his admonition takes on a darker meaning.
Mat 18:8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.
Mat 18:9 If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.
Could the case be made that since the context of his discourse is harming children, and pedophilia being a serious harm, that cutting things off could also mean it would be better to castrate yourself than ending up in the Lake of Fire?
Mat 18:10 See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 18:11 For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.
Verse 11 is more commonly understood to mean that Jesus has come to save lost souls. And this truly is the case. But our context still refers to children. It is not like Jesus is changing topics. He came to save the children, as well as adults, and especially the lost innocence that was defiled in the previous verses.
Mat 18:12 “What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?
Mat 18:13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
The parable of the lost sheep is a common evangelism verse, but notice he concludes the parable referring to little children again. Yes, those of child like faith, but he still has a child on his lap and he is speaking about children.
If the thread of his point is forgotten, it seems like he suddenly changes topics, but he is not. Saving the lost, as well as the little children, is a matter of reconciliation.
Mat 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.
No description is given of what kind of sin a brother has done is given. But if we stay on topic of the child, the sin might be a father confronting a brother who has molested his daughter, as a possibility.
Mat 18:16 But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Mat 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly [ekklesia] also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.
Jesus outlines his protocols of reconciliation. Speak privately with the offender first, then without repentance and reconciliation, bring two or three witnesses to encourage repentance and reconciliation. But if the offender refuses to repent, then the matter is brought before the body of Christ as the government [ekkelesia] of God on Earth. If still unrepentant, the offender is to be regarded as a pagan, not a follower of Christ.
Mat 18:18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven.
In verse 18 we see the authority of the ekklesia exercised. Forbidding (binding) the offender to participate in the group also means, he gets cut off from the grace of God.
Paul dealt this same way with the Corinthian assembly.
1Co 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife.
This was his direction.
1Co_5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
In other words the offender was forbidden (binding) from being in the group, which meant he was also forbidden from Heaven which is why he was delivered unto Satan. God’s protection was lifted off him and Satan had free reign in his life.
Mat 18:19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
Again, when the point of the discourse is forgotten, verses are commonly used in ways not specifically intended by Christ. That does not mean such use is wrong, just that it was not the primary point. In these two verses of 19 and 20 we often hear that in 19 it is a power of agreement, and in 20 a gathering (as for home congregations) only need to be two or three. That is not the context. The context is still dealing with unrepentance resulting in excommunication. The goal is reconciliation, but we are speaking of failed reconciliation in this context.
So two agreeing in verse 19 is the authority of the ekklesia being exercised in forbidding fellowship with the unrepentant. And verse 20 means that in that small ekklesia exercising their authority Christ is backing up their authority. Please remember, too, that in the beginning when the two brothers are privately discussing, Christ is there, too, trying to help the repentance and reconciliation. Likewise when the offended comes back with 2 or 3 witnesses.
Even with pedophilia, Christ wants repentance followed with reconciliation. Remember the Corinthian scandal [skandalizo] of the believer who slept with his father’s wife? He was excommunicated and later repented. Paul had to remind Corinth that the heart of God is reconciliation, and that the brother should be brought back into fellowship.
2Co 2:6 This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one;
2Co 2:7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.
2Co 2:8 Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.
Peter understood the Lord’s heart, so he asks how often should we forgive?
Mat 18:21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”
Mat 18:22 Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
Jesus then tells the story of the debtor who was forgiven, but did not forgive others himself.
We don’t know when the child came off the Lord’s lap. For all we know the child had remained there the entire time. In light of the news today, re-reading Matthew 18 put a whole new perspective on me. Woe unto those who have abused the little children. God have mercy on them, and grant them repentance for forgiveness.
Appendix
I posted this on a general Christian forum before posting here. Do not think that your house church is a totally safe haven. My wife and I were a part of house church that was mostly just 2 families: one dad was Wycliff Bible translator and the other dad was a realtor. They were good friends and both families had 5-6 children. After a few months I made the comment that I never sensed the Holy Spirit in their gathering and friction developed between me and the Wycliff father. Since it was their fellowship and we were guests, we bowed out and departed.
Three years later, the father who was a realtor contacted me out of the blue to apologize to me. He said I was right. The Wycliff dad had a 16 year old daughter and the she confessed to her mother that her dad and been sexually molesting her. The second father wanted me to talk to the Wycliff dad. I did not want to know any details, and when we met I only encouraged him to hold onto his repentance and the Lord would heal the wounds in his family over time.
Too many believers are unwilling to confront others. I trust that in your gatherings, you can do so.
LIST or FIND house churches, simple churches or organic churches on this new site: www.housechurchconnect.com It’s completely free to use - no cost, no donations, no advertising. It offers: 1) Easy, self-serve listing functionality, 2) The ability to search using Google mapping, and 3) Private, secure communication between those listing a house church and people searching for one. Please consider listing YOUR house church, or a proposed one. God bless you.
As you would consider a church in your home, remember that you are acting upon an ancient Biblical and a historical precedent. A practical one, too. You are acting upon the Word of God - not reacting or overreacting to something or someone else. You are building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, the solid rock.
Do not however expect too much nor too little from your initial endeavors. Thunder and lightning won't occur. Christian meetings, although essential, are not and were not meant to be an end in themselves. Their purpose is to equip, edify, encourage, and excite the saints for something else - ministry or service. The popular view that spirituality is essentially measured by the number of "services" that one attends is quite erroneous. We are recreated in Christ for good works. Ephesians. 2:10, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 10:24. Too many Christians seem to be living for the sole purpose of attending another meeting. This is living to eat instead of eating to live. This is buying an automobile in order to drive back and forth to the filling station.
What about yourself, dear reader? How is your progress in this new direction? Have you yet decided what to call your own meetings as you consider what ministries you will undertake and whom you would invite? Simply call it a Christian meeting, gathering, home fellowship, home church, house church, small group, or just church.
Is someone suggesting that you are being too seperatistic? Simply invite that someone to your meeting! Did someone say that you have insufficient accountability? Invite this person to enter into a personal accountability relationship with you. Do you feel that you're not qualified to initiate a meeting? Wrong. Do you feel uncomfortable to lead in prayer? Pray silently then. Your confidence in this area will come later.
Do you feel that it would be improper to eat the Lord's Supper in your own home or even outdoors? Really? For what reason?
Did you ever notice that Scripture is completely silent about "starting a church". Or "organizing a church"? This is because there is but one church and it has already begun. Thus in Scripture, we read about those who "were added to the church" - not about those who started churches in this place or another.
Objections arise. "But we have no pastor". Maybe not but it is nothing to be ashamed of. Shepherds do not magically appear. It takes time and experience. Surely one would not fault a young couple who were childless. Nor would you accuse them of not having a real family. That would be cruel.
Yes, the New Testament often speaks of leaders and simple organization. And of churches which are incomplete without them. But notice that the churches existed nonetheless.
The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. Titus 1:5.
And notice that the elders were city-wide elders in the above context. Interesting.
Simply said, if you are a Christian, you are a minister-servant of Jesus Christ and a priest unto the Lord God. You are the 'highest' which God has ordained to do the 'lowest'. Mark 9:35, Mark 10:44. Act accordingly and enter into God's glorious liberty. And fail not to accept the accompanying responsibility to spread the mercy and truth of our Risen Savior, as you find, disciple, and join with like-minded friends.
So, begin by beginning. Like skating in order to learn to skate. Like riding a bike to learn to ride a bike. Yes, the hardest part of a task is getting started. That is why we must continue to encourage one another as we enter the future by returning to the past.
I have been wanting to get the results of my life-long study of biblical prophesy into a book form some day. What do y'all think of this title:
Where Do You Think You Are Going?
Is there a real purpose for your life, for humanity, or the planet earth? Is there a reason for our existence?
Does the bible and the teachings of Jesus lead us to despair, or to hope?
I live in Long Island, NY and I'm looking into home churches. Was wondering if anyone knows of any in this area?
We are looking to visit some house church fellowships on the way to Kentucky in August, 2020. We are a homeschooling family of six and will have a pop up trailer as to not inconvenience anyone. We would love to visit some house churches along the way. So, if you’re anywhere between Arizona and Kentucky, can you reach out to us if you are willing to have us visit your house fellowship? Thanks. Elliottk4@gmail.com.
My wife and I are starting a house church in the Murray/Mayfield area of far western Kentucky. We're excited about what the LORD is going to do as we seek Him and follow His Word.
Anyone here in central Pennsylvania?
sellers family
Local church home/church house
I’m looking for a home church/church house in Louisville, Kentucky (Highview area). Please contact me.
A fair and balanced look, in my opinion. I hope it will stimulate good discussion.
The author is an educator and this essay comes to you with his permission. Enjoy.
Does any one know of a house church in Las Vegas, Nevada?😊
Lately I have been thinking about sharing some experiences that might encourage some of you here. From 1995 to 2010 my wife and I met in homes with several families and experienced some wonderful times in the Lord. The core group was not particularly focused on house church but were simply drawn together to share what God was doing in our lives, to pray for one another and to encourage one another to reach out to others in need.
When we found out that this concept was more wide spread, we were excited to find others around the country doing the same things. I found many contacts on the internet and attended retreats and conferences and wondered how we could let others know of the freedom we had found in Christ. From that time I have many life-long friendships in our area and in other states which have made a tremendous impact on my life personally, including my great friend David Anderson who hosts this site.
The one downside for me was when people found us from the House Church movement they often came with expectations of what they read about in the many books they found. Those who had not read the books were puzzled by some of the conversations about the dreaded "IC" (or Institutional Church) and the tension caused the loss of people from both perspectives. It was painful to see so many families come and go when our previous church experience in a traditional setting had people staying together through many difficult times.
Eventually the regular group gradually dispersed due to moving away, health problems, and various life changes. After a failed attempt to start another group, and some time in another small church, we found some families that had a nice group going. They had been using the facilities of a small denominational church about 15 miles from us. That was about five years ago.
For the first time in many years we have a church family again. The home group connected with the main church and our contacts with everyone there has led to a new home group that we meet with on Wednesday evenings. In two years our small group has grown close, in spite of the fact that some go to other churches and others no other church at all. Five of us are connected to the main church but that is not an issue. It is about God's Kingdom.
Several times I have told the people that this is the last place I would have expected the Lord to lead me. I have never been in denominational church in my entire life. Believe it or not, I have freedom and opportunities here. We have discovered that one hour on Sunday morning in a traditional setting where the pastor preaches does not prevent people from fulfilling the "one another" statements in the Bible the remaining 167 hours in the week!
I live 30 miles north of Nashville,TN. and I am looking for a church that meets in someone's home. Does anyone know of such a church?
During the American Civil War, the Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the words to the well-known Christmas Carol that begins with "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." Some time back, I heard about the story behind it, and it encouraged me.
Longfellow is more famous today for the poem, "Paul Revere's Ride," and "Hiawatha." At the time he wrote "Christmas Bells," he had already lost his wife and his son had been wounded in the war.
In the song we see his despair of ever seeing the "Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men" that the church bells and and the Christmas Story presents to us. However, he recovered his faith and hope by the end of the poem much like the Psalmist Asaph in the Bible. The first 2 and last 2 verses are quoted here:
"Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."
When a person encounters Christ and His power and love is revealed, it is only natural to experience great joy and optimism. It is easy to believe in the promises of God and to have great hope for the future not only in heaven but in this life as well. The world around us with its cares and struggles can seriously damper that hope. In some churches despair of seeing any kind of peace on this planet has become codified. Some even cry "heresy" when the suggestion is made that God is presently at work to advance His Kingdom on earth.
When I heard the story of Longfellow I understood the poem better than before, and identified with him very much. I too have difficulty seeing the time to come when the wrong shall fail and the right prevail, when nations shall put an end to war, when the "knowledge of the glory of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea!"
But like Longfellow, the Word of God rises up in my heart again and again to encourage me in His work and in my deep conviction that we can and will see "Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men!"
Jesus, Lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want You to know
I will follow You all my days
No one else in history is like You
And history itself belongs to You
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me and
I will share eternity with You
It's all about You
Jesus and all this is for You
For Your glory and Your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender To Your ways
Jesus, Lover of my soul
All consuming fire is in Your gaze
Jesus, I want You to know
I will follow You all my days
No one else in history is like You
And history itself belongs to You
Alpha and Omega, You have loved me and
I will share eternity with You
It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and Your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender To Your ways
It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and Your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender To Your ways
It's all about You, Jesus
And all this is for You
For Your glory and Your fame
It's not about me
As if You should do things my way
You alone are God and I surrender To Your ways
ZOEgirl was an American Christian teen pop and pop rock band formed in 1999. The group comprised Chrissy Conway-Katina, Alisa Childersand Kristin Swinford-Schweain. They were signed to Sparrow Records from 1999 to 2006 and released their debut single "I Believe" in 2000. This song and their self-titled debut album ZOEgirl helped them become Sparrow's fastest selling artist of all time.
