Simple Thoughts about Community

This is a picture of our team down in Greenville, South Carolina with my dear friend Ian Finlay on the far right. He was one of my first friends in YWAM and became a brother despite our distance and going separate ways. It was such a privilege to get to see him for a short period of time and it was definitely worth it. We try to pray about every decision we make on this trip as a team and some of our stops have been specifically to visit friends/fellow YWAM brothers and sisters. Being able to encourage them and pray for them as well as receive from them is only creating a deeper friendship and connection that is able to last no matter what the distance is.

I am seeing how there are different levels of community and that they are all valuable. I would define community as a unified body that shares common interests. Would my friends that I rarely see but still have a connection to be considered part of my community? I would say yes and it is very important to build into those relationships. I would like to be way more connected to my friends and family than I am now but I am learning and seeing how valuable these relationships are. I am seeing how much God wants friendship with us and for us to have friendship with each other. Building stronger relationships can only create deeper stronger unity which in the end is better for everyone.

These are obviously very simple observations that I am stating and I in no way consider myself an expert in community. I only desire to learn about community and see the desire of so many people to have community become a reality rather than a hopeless discouraging effort. My prayer is that God will stir my heart and the hearts of others to value friendship and go deeper together. Then community wont be something that we have to create, but will be what God creates out of our love for one another.

Please pray:
-For us to be available these next few days as we take time to process. I am expecting there to be some time to just go out and do ministry. We are heading to Memphis today and will be staying right next to a park where we should be able to meet some people.
-For us to be able to process what we have learned so far and allow God to do in our hearts what He wants. We have listened to so many influential peoples wisdom and definitely some time to see what God has been saying to us.

Check out http://www.awakennations.com/ for more details on the trip and pictures!!!! It's worth the visit!!!!