Hey everyone. I know this week of Thanksgiving break is going to be a mixed expereince for many of you. I want you to know that you are all in our prayers. But I would like us to use this new Blog as a way to keep each other infomed of what is happening, specifics of how we should be praying, praise reports of things God has done or is doing in and through you, and so on.
This could be a very exciting way for our little community to stay intact even though we are all in different places. So please make good use of this blog as a venue for timely communication.
I would also like to use this blog as a way to answer any and all questions you might have about the Bible, about something you are studying, about the relevancy to us today about certain passages, etc. So please feel free to ask.
Love ya, SteveV
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wow this is so cool. I have been waiting for a way for us all to stay connected without having to send a million txt messages.
Just so you know, my sister, my dad and I are praying for you each morning during our coffee time. Please let us know how things are going.
Love ya
Hey everyone, I think this thing is great. I'm so missing everyone who is traveling and out of town and just want you all to know I have been praying specifically for each of you by name. I know that God wants us to continue to grow closer and closer to Him as we experience more of the world that sets us apart from it. The theme that has been resounding in my head for the past several days is that where the spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty. I believe this is total truth and something we need to absolutely cling to as believers. Love to everyone can't wait 'til you get back.
I don't know many of you, but I pray for you all the time. Keep seeking Jesus and bask in His strength. Know that even if you feel alone you never are - He is always with you and He will never leave you or forsake you.
This is neat. I'm interested to watch and see how this evolves and the uses we find for it. But you're right steve, it'll be so good for communicating as well as some good God discussion. Good thinking.
Also, anyone want to put up a quick 411 on where people are this week? Cause i have no idea who's in or not in town. Right now ryan's in erie and i decided to stay here. That's the armstrongs.
Oh, and as far as prayer requests go (quick question, will there be separate posts to comment under that will have the subjects prayer, communication, bible chat, etc?? Or do we just create our own post for each thing we want to say?) could you guys pray for my little cousin? She just moved back into my parents house and it's kind of hard for everyone involved. I think she's a christian but she had a hard home life and she's pretty much into everything that screws you up. Anyways she's hurting and could you guys please pray for her a little bit? Her name's shannon. Also for my parents to know how to handle her. Thanks so much dudes and dudets.
Peace.
PS- for the record, who is tabitha? (and if you're reading this, who are you tabitha? thanks for praying for us.)
Man I miss you guys! First of all, I cannot thank you guys enough for all of the support and love youre sending my way...it really is helping sooo much.
Im excited to see where this thing goes. Were officially "bloggers." Anyway, some of you know this week has been chaos on my end and its only been a day and a half. Please just keep praying that God shows me His will while I am here. Especially with my mom. We actually had a pretty cool talk tonight (after avoiding eachother the whole day) and I am really beginning to see just how confused and self reliant she is in life, even though she thinks she is dependant on God. I left Steve's book with her on the counter after I told her how I was trying to live my life now. Pray that she can focus on it and be open to the things that God is starting to call out in her life. And that I can help her through it to the best of my ability. Please finally pray that I keep focus on God right now...
that is all. BUT i just read something awesome and want to share it with the rest of you who are struggling at home. "So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." Heb 12: 12
I love you all soo much and cant wait to be back in Boulder with you. Im praying for all of you everyday.
hi everyone!!! I miss your faces and despite having only been in the same room with many of you for a very short time, I am living vicariously through online sermons! and loving it : ) I can;t wait to return to Boulder sooooon! I pray you are all doing well and am very excited for this blog. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.
much love,
~the other morgan
I think that is a great verse morgan no. 1, and describes a lot of where people are at during this week. The goal is that those who are weak and lame will not stumble, but be strengthened in the Lord. This requires so much reliance upon the Spirit. Praying for all....
i was encouraged by this verse this morning:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
-Phillipians 4-7
Morgan M, I am so excited you are becoming connected to us and I cant wait to hear stories from Morgan V about what is happening with you and your circle of friends. By the way, MV told me her idea of this summer -- I will be praying.
Eric, I wil definitely be praying for Shannon. Thanks
Hi Y'all,
Miss you all so much!the goth family is currently in florida with my dad, step mom, sister and brother and his family. We're the only believers and boy do we need prayer. My brother and his family are going through a lot as well as my sister. all totally going down the wrong road, yet we look like the weird ones!! Please pray for our protection and wisdom if/when discussions arise. We also need a lot of prayer with Abbey and Stephen. They want all the freedom they see their cousins enjoying (yet the cousins are so disrespectful and messed up)and it's challenging to hold our ground.
Eric, Tabi is an angel from North Carolina who loves Jesus and is an amazing prayer warrior. It will be a privalege for you to one day meet our sweet Tabi!! I'm praying for shannon, keep us posted. Morgan, I'm praying for you and your mom. Morgan M. keep eating truth and can't wait to see you when you come back to Boulder!!
I Tim 1:19 Cling to your faith in Christ...
I love and miss you all,
Lesley
yo yo yo check it and wreck it....tris and toni are about to eject it...we chillen in the hood of san fransico just like we should..makin some pies and readin the word...but even though we here....and none of you are near....we still thinking and praying and holding you dear.....just let it be known....that we love you all and want it to be shown...alright peace out we gonna go eat this turkey bone! Prayers our with you and hope you will send some our way as well. Much love, tris and toni
p.s. Toni says thanks for all the prayers for her....the talk with her dad went well and made her more confident in her faith.
Seriously, you guys are awesome. To feel the love and support you convey is something I never could have imagined I would stumble upon 6 weeks ago in Boulder of all places. The Lord clearly has a better path marked out than the one i've battled most of my life in my mind. I cannot begin to express the love, joy, and peace Christ has revealed to me through Pathway. I am amazed at the undeserving love I have found in this community of followers. I love you guys dearly and am praying for your hearts and minds over this holiday. Thank you for your prayers.
in awe,
~morgan m.
hey guys and gals. im about to leave for chicago in a few hours and wanted to let you know im praying for all of you. God is doing some amazing things here and i know if we cling to him this weekend He will shos himself to us in one way or another. please be praying for me this weekend...that i would be clothed in the full armor of God as i am home, aware of the devils schemes, and able to hear Gods voice and let him speak, love, sit, eat, drink, do whatever all in His Spirit for His glory. I need that badly. My mom needs God badly. she lost her husband (my stepfather) this past summer, and is so lonely. She is explicitily talking about how she neeeds to re-invent her life etc etc etc and i hope to God he is the One she comes to this time around. The first husband left her, and this one was torn from her. I know she is mad at God..but she also believes in him and that there is some kind of reason for it all. pray He just dumps a big bucket of his love on her this weekend. love you guys cant wait to see you sunday
Hi Everyone! Tris, I had no idea you were so talented in the rap mo-jo! Definitely praying for you guys and I'm so blessed to hear that Toni's talk with her dad went well. God is amazing, isn't He? Ian, we're praying for you as well. You are so precious and I know that just being with your mom will be so comforting for her. I pray that the supernatural will touch her through your time together. God is certainly shaking things up all over the place and His plans are perfect. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm so grateful and thankful for all of you! Thank you Jesus for purchasing our freedom and creating new life for all of us!!
Love,
Lesley
Hey all, I am praying for all of you. I pray that your mom would have an experience of God while you are there Ian. I am thankful for how everything sounds like it is going abroad. I definitely need prayer for my whole family. Pray that my brother would have the chance of a relationship with God that breaks through the boundaries that he has set up. Also please pray that my parents would recognize the power of the word and have a chance to immerse themselves in it, and the would be clothed in humility as God desires more and more of them. Pray for me, that I would be entirely in the Spirit in all of my actions and thoughts. I know that I haven't been and it has resulted in damage. Also pray that God would be healing our family. Thank you guys, I love all of you and I am excited to see everyone as we all get home.
Well were basically over the hump now. I just wanted to share with you guys a crazy experience I had this morning. I was leaving my moms house and she was really upset because she had nobody to spend the holiday with because my brother and i had to go to my dads. So I get to coffee and was complaining about holidays and how there is always drama with them, and this random lady butted in told us she hated them. It was weird, from that initial moment all I could think about was the appointments God puts in our lives, and for some reason this lady stuck out to me. I could tell she was in soooo much pain. She was sitting all alone and actually after a few other random comments like "when i get to heaven Im going to ask God why he gave everyone different types of families. Why some people get happy families and why some people get really bad ones," she actually came and sat down with me. She completely opened up herself to me and shared her entire family situation with me. This poor lady comes from a family of "evangelical elitists" who dont invite her to any holidays because they think she is a "horrible sinner." I know this lady is a believer but she is definitly not living in peace or faith. I dont know what else to explain really, but I do definitly belive God had me meet her today. I wrote her a note and told her to read Psalms 139 (thanks Andy) so that she can remember how much God loves her regardless of the bad things he puts us through. Pray that in some way, God worked in her today and that she will feel his love and not be sad that her family is broken because she had a family in Christ.
I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving. Mines been weird already. Pray that i keep my eyes on the Lord ALL DAY. Love you guys.
Hey, it is so cool to see and hear what is going on with everyone this Thanksgiving. I have been praying for you all, and definitely will continue to. I’ve had a great chance to spend a lot of time with God, reading and praying, and I just want to give thanks for that. It's really been a huge opportunity to know God more; like Hebrews says, “make level paths for your feet so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” The passage Steve posted also really reflected last night for me, pretty good timing I’d say. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be in a place to be strengthened and healed this week. I love all you guys so much, have a great week.
P.S.- Tris, your raps are so fly and your beats are so ill, I almost forgot to let the pumpkin pie chill. I’m hopin san fran is keepin its cool. Man knitting is hard when for-get the rules. My rhymes are all spent and my stomach is stuffed, keepin it fresh is tougher than tough.
i have to say i was a skeptic about this whole blog thing. but im actually liking it. im going to go ahead and call andy out on this and tell her she needs to get her blog on. Woomp there it is.
anyways, morgan i wanted to say that is so cool what you experienced today. the craziness of knowing that Godabsolutely wanted us to be there for that moment is just freaking crazy. A simialr thing happend to me on the plane on the way home. i sat next to this woman whowas reading the same book i ws reading the day God told sarah to give me steves book. i mentioned that to this lady and explained how God drew me closer to him through the things i have learned in the past year and a half or so. i dont know if anything will ever come of it but i knew Gods wisdom was pouring out of me. and if nothing else it was a time to praise God for all of the things he has brought me through and how he has set me upon the rock that is truly higher than i. Its neat. psalm 61 is neat. sorry didnt mean to repeat.
aright, aright. I'm on, go ahead and cateorgize me with the technologically (word? not sure) obsessed generation...ian.
These posted words make me feel oddly vunerable,(usually I am fine with this) but its the whole permanace of the current thought-considering most of mine are randomly connected. Thats why I tend to avoid the computer contacts. But damnit, i will jump on the blog-age craze because i love you all. And it is more important to me to engage with you guys that I throw my vunerable self out on a web page... :-)
(I had to initiate this with a rant)
currently I am 'joyfully' listening to Joel's father blair out an old christmas hymanal-on the top of his lungs-about 3 seconds after the recording on his computer- right next to me on the couch...s-m-n
I miss you guys...
I miss yalls little faces.
when yall round there an't no disgraces.
Love is abundant, from all angles and places.
Prayer is protection from inner and outer spaces.
So let Jesus light up the world through his beauty in our faces..
-take that Tris-
Anyway, this week has been a pretty awesome week of prayer. The other day Ian and I were talking about how it kind of feels like everyone went off to war and the minimal contacts are like the updat-letters home..from the fight at the home front. I know, it's a chessy analogy-but it honestly felt like our prayers were just layers among layers of shields-of protection-or strength...or some other really cool aspect of God's love.
Another intresting thing was a couple times while praying or just sitting in a coffe shop- I got totally pulled out of my surroundings and just saw everything as if i was looking down on it and realized how much bigger this whole thing is. This whole thing being this battle we're in. There is an abundant amount of people among people who are just totally lost, hurting, and totally unaware of the fact that God completly adores them and cares for their life; when most people don't really give a shit about any another person when it begins to mess up their "stability." My heart begun to melt when i started to grasp the depth of how much God wants his creations, his beloved(s) to just accept his love and give their lives to him and, and, and.........i could get all riled (in a positive manner that is) about this. But my whole point is, which ties into the kickass story about Morgan's coffeshop experience and Ian's aswell, is to be encouraged by what God has instore for us. He wants to use us! Isn't that totally amazing- and that is the joy in our purpose, the entirety of our purpose-with our families, those rando-s, friends, oh goodness the list could go on...
sorry this is so long, so much for my 'vulnerbility rant'
my conclusion: keep totally drawing near to God so we can learn more about him as he lives through us! As many of you are doing out there wit ya families.
oky,
done-done.
love you guys
What a blessing!!!! Thank you all for your posts. It's awesome to hear how God is working in each of your lives by giving you opportunities to share His love and answer the call when He opens the door...even to random strangers. Remember, these are not coincidental events but rather divine appointments.
I know I've missed many of these appointments over the years as I've been too focused on ME and I'm so thankful to Steve and Pathway Fellowship and to each of you for helping me to shed the garbage of a self-focused life and live in the blessings of a Spirit-led life.
God is performing a wonderful work in each of our lives! Continue to rely on Him and Him alone.
p.s. hey Tabitha, its great to hear from you...
Dude I miss you guys so much. I am so thankful that I have everyone of you in my life right now. Honestly it scares me to think of where my life would be without you all in it. I am stoked that we can all keep in touch through this blog. So much has happened in such a short time and I could use some prayers for clarity and knowledge during this time while I am at home.
First, praise God because I got to have a great conversation with both my parents, Mike and Vicki, at the same time Saturday morning. I shared what has happened this past semester and how my life has changed and they not only respected that but where proud of me. This was the first time we have had a real conversation of our walk with God since I first talked with them in October. This time was different because they opened up to me about their spiritual life. God was definitely talking through me as I explained to them my new views on Christianity and relationship with Christ. My dad kept on asking me questions which has showed me that he is interested to hear what I have to say. He told me that he is really confused with the teachings that he is learning at his church and small group. This past month, his good friend, Steve, who is in his small group, has totally turned away from God. Steve's nephew, Jordan who is only 18, got in a motor cycle accident and has been brain dead and on life support for the past month. What turned Steve away from God was trying to understand why God would use this tragic situation for his will. My dad is having the same questions and the answer to these questions that he is being taught is causing him question whether he believes everything. I think he is beginning to see some of the lies from what he has been learning in church and small group but instead of looking into the truth of the word he is beginning to turn away from Christianity. This situation along with the stress from financial problems and work is bringing him down and filling his mind with so many lies. I need prayers that my dad doesn't give up on Christianity and that he will find comfort and understanding in the truth. Pray that God will be able tear down the structures that are holding back from trusting in Him. I pray that God will make himself real and known in my dad's life and that my dad will understand that he can't do it on his own. I also pray that my dad continues to open up to me and share with me and that God will give me knowledge and wisdom in this complex situation.
I got to visit with my mom, Vicki, for two days before she went back to Seattle to hang out with her mom. Her mom is not doing so well and she is getting a lot of pressure from her sister and brother to be out there to help out. She also just went back to work to help out with our financial situation
and she already has a lot of stress from that. The time that we spent was awesome and basically all we talked about was God and Christianity. I shared everything with her and she is really curious to check out our church and listen to the online MP3 teachings. I also got to share the first chapter of Steve's book with her and she wants to learn more. I pray that the week with her family is good and that God will comfort her. Also I hope that God will continue to dig into her heart and that she continues to want to learn and get to know God more.
Now that my mom is gone I have been spending a lot of time with my brother, Andre. He is defiantly struggling and will barely open up to me about what is going on in his life. He is a junior in high school and he is having a similar high school experience that I had. I don't want him to go through what I did in high school without God's help. All of his friends that he goes to church with and hangs out with stopped going to church and he has had no desire to go to church by himself because he said he feels awkward not knowing anyone. I can defiantly see a change in him and he seems just really defeated and down in the dumps. This is the first time we have ever really had a spiritual conversation and he did not open up to me about his walk with Christ at all. I have been sharing a lot with him about what I went through trying to relate with him, but he keeps on trying to avoid talking about his feelings. Also he has been getting really frustrated with my parents which I can see is damaging his relationship with my mom and dad. I want him to get to know God and have a relationship with him. Please pray that he can find comfort from God in whatever is bringing him down. I pray that God will open up his heart and give him the strength to talk about his life with me or my parents. I am really worried about him because it looks like he is going through the same thing I went through. Those lies destroyed me in high school and I don't want that to happen to him.
Sorry to make this a novel but I could definitely use some prayer. I don't really have that many friends back here and those who are here work all the time. I feel like I will never be able to find fellowship here and it is causing me to give up hope and not want to comeback. The one time where my friends had time to hang out did not help the situation. Long story short, we got to hang out at a bar and I was the DD. Other than that I have just been home by myself doing nothing other than getting in the word, TV and trying to not let the lies bring me down. Its always been hard coming back home because it brings out many lonely feelings of the past. Please pray that I can let God fill my loneliness and not the desires of my flesh wanting friends for comfort. Pray that I will continue to actively believe the truth and not get tricked by the lies of the devil. Thanks so much for everything you guys. Sorry this blog is like an essay. Its so cool that that God has put you all in my life. Can't wait to come home.
Love you all,
Alek
Hey everyone. You don't know me but I'm friends with Steve, Sarah and Lesley (and the girls...hey Jessy and Andrea)and I live in North Carolina. Alek, your blog really touched me and I want you to know I am praying for you. It is so tough being around family, especially when you can see so clearly what (really, Who) they need and how incredible it is to walk with Jesus. I just want to encourage everyone to continue to pray for your families and know that God hears you. My mom was hard core and would not discuss Christ with me at all. Her beliefs were so strongly opposed to Him and she embraced everything passionately, including her aversion to Him. Now, however at 63 years old she is totally in love with Him and following Him with all of her heart. Many other things are happening among the members of my family that I almost believed would never happen. God is good and He is strong. Stronger than anything and He never gives up until He has gathered to Himself all who will come. Bless you all.
"I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." Isaiah 46:4
Hello friends. I thought I would share a verse with a word picture so incredibly uplifting and encouraging--that is of God saying he not only cares for us but CARRIES us. I know the need for God has been weighing heavy in so many of our hearts as well as the desire for others to know him and experience him as we have. This desire often becomes a burden of frustration with the ones we love. I just want everyone to know that I encourage and support you all in prayer and in faith, faith that as you solely depend on him you will find him carrying these 'burdens' for you because he cares for you and wants to carry you when you feel you can no longer stand.
I love you all and very much look forward to seeing you and squeezing i mean hugging you ; )!
p.s Hellooo Linda! and Tabby! it is wonderful to hear from you guys and heartening to know your prayers never cease.
hey everyone, this thing is pretty sweet. I just want to thank everyone for praying for me and my family over the break. I dont think it could have gone any better. I think i was a light to my family and hopefully can continue being a light to others. I hope that everyone had a safe and happy thanksgiving, and i cant wait to see all of you at church!! LOVE YOU!
jessy,
what an awesome verse and explanation. It is mind boggling to wrap my mind around the fact that the God of this universe wants to CARRY us through each moment of each day. Thanks for sharing : )
~morgan
Hi J,what a blessing you are!! thanks for that verse. It was perfect for where I'm at, stuck at the airport, sick and completely frustrated!! that verse has encouraged me so much...thanks sweetie, I love you! Can't wait to see everyone next week.
love ya all,
Lesley
Steve, Lesley, Sarah and Pathway,
Just wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers and support. I hear them, as I know the Lord does also.
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 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 4:1-6
I am amazed by the Lord's promise. That I can be so far away (in CA) and still feel such connection and hope in the body of Christ. Thanks you for demonstrating this oneness of body, spirit, hope, faith, and Christ. It is truly a gift. I pray that each of you would be blessed at this time as the Lord continues to lead you.
can't wait to come visit.
so much love,
morgan m
Morgan M,
Your faith encourages me so much!! I'll keep lifting you up to our precious Lord knowing that He has you right in the palm of His hand. Can't wait to see you again!
Lesley
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