In September of 2013 we jumped into something we have been looking for ever since moving to Minneapolis almost 6 years ago...a small, local group of people to live and learn with. Summer 2013 we prayed and asked God to show us what people we could invite to join us on a journey of learning to follow Jesus more closely. We called it a Disciplemaking Learning Community because really that is what we are aiming to be about together. The name doesn't matter all that much except that it gives us purpose. We've been coming together twice a month on Sundays, sharing a meal and then discussing/wrestling over the truth we read in God's Word and seeking to apply it to our lives in real and practical ways. We're getting to know one another so we can pray for, encourage and be truth-speakers in each other's lives. It's a beautiful, imperfect work in progress and on Easter Sunday we just had a whole lot of fun celebrating our Risen King together.
There are a handful of littles, our kids being the oldest. It's such a great opportunity for them to love on ones younger than themselves and serve in ways that leaves room for Jesus to shape their hearts to love like He does. It's been a pleasure for me to watch them play with, laugh with, hug and care for the smaller people that walk through our door.
I'm just really thankful that God answered our prayers for a local community of believers to grow with and we are continuing to pray that God will keep our hearts soft to His ways and His heart. Our prayer is that we won't turn inward and stay nice and comfy in our little group but that God will stretch our hearts and make room for those in each of our lives that He has already placed there for His purposes. Those people that need the hope and light of Jesus and who need to see it in us. Personally I know that requires an unselfishness and compassion that I will not manufacture on my own by any measure. I'm praying for God's transforming work to be the change factor for me and for this special group of people we have come to love.
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