In the lion's den

We were talking last night during a family Bible study...ever since we moved to Minnesota we feel like we have been in the lion's den. Its different here, to "do ministry" and "do life".

In Tennessee, people talk about Jesus freely and respect others views. Here, that is not the case, there is a lot more persecution. In Tennessee, people who knew Brian was a pastor would go to him with problems, ask for prayer and treat him respectfully. Here, that is not the case, people use it against him, as a way to attack him.

Now I am not saying it's all supposed to be easy...Jesus never said "follow Me and your life with be worry and hurt-free" He just said "follow Me" So we are. I am just letting you know where we are at and what I have learned.

I think sometimes we as Christians take a very Sunday School approach to the lion's den. Like Daniel was thrown in there and the lions didn't eat him because they all died. Its a lot less messy or complicated to think of it in Veggie Tales terms -- "Let me say goodbye to my new friends. Bye guys, thanks for the pizza!"

We assume that when the Bible says God sent an angel to shut the lion's mouths that he was incapacitating them somehow. Like "fear not, I am protecting you" and then they all just sat down and had tea...Like this

I don't think that. I think it was still very scary. I think there was blood everywhere. I think that the stench of death was unbelievable. I think there was snarling and pacing and roaring and scratching and gnashing of teeth. LIKE A FREAKIN LIONS DEN...like this

That's what we are up against, people. It's not all moonlight and roses, and Jesus is my boyfriend. It's hard, its messy, it smells bad and its scary. But we do it...because He said "Follow Me" MR

An update on our part of the Ekklesia

So, I have almost completely forgotten how to do this, but here goes...

Since I haven't blogged since November (wow, back after Chiara's surgery) I will tell you that we are all doing fine. Schedules and other things have made it difficult for all of our families to meet together, but everyone has found their own way.

The Roberts family is meeting every Monday night - we do Bible study, pray and sing together for sure on that night, and then spontaneously throughout the week. I don't know about you, but since we are all so busy we really have to say "Ok, at the very least we know we are meeting on Monday" and then let the rest fall into place. I would love for it not to be like that, but alas, we are all run ragged.

The Beltons have taken on a new assignment - Interim Pastor of Berean Baptist Church. Yes, for those wondering, that is the church Brian was pastoring up until last May. Doug is an excellent teacher and a great expositor, I know he has been dreaming of this. They are happy to have found a place to serve and we are very happy for them.

The Steiners are very busy with their band, Another Day (they have a fanpage on Facebook). I haven't been able to see them perform yet, but I am sure they are fabulous. Incidentally, they have begun to lead musical worship at Berean from time to time.

So, the big question - Did our experiment fail? NO, not in the least. You could say everyone is "broken up" I guess, but that's the way its supposed to be. When God tells you to go, you go. If you don't move when He prompts you, then what the heck ARE you doing? Too long we spent time spinning our wheels, waiting for something to happen. Once we get out there and DO what God wants, that's when we are really serving Him. I know this paragraph is all grammatically incorrect, sorry it's early.

I am sure there are a lot of people who think, "Good, now everyone is back where they belong" Well that is rubbish. If there is one thing I have learned, it's that only God can tell you where you belong. No man can tell you that, and no amount of trying to please people can put you inside God's will. So this is where we are because this is where He wants us - and I believe the same for the Beltons and Steiners...and if that's not true, then that is ours to deal with, or theirs respectively.

So what are you doing this week to make sure you are serving God in the way HE wants you to? MR