a few sundays ago chanida (our 2 year old) woke up and said in a big, happy voice, "church is comin' over today!"
and a few minutes later, "friends are comin' over!"

we've been trying to change not only our language, but our whole thinking about this phrase "going to church". its a statement that perpetuates this thinking that church is a building when in reality the church is a PEOPLE.

we don't go to church
we ARE the church!

~title of blog is taken from shane claibourne's book quoting another guy and i can't find it right now to give credit properly~

1 Corinthains 1
~God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

I wanted to say; that is some upside down stuff.

P.O.
jolie

yesterday someone walked around our house and prayed. a person from our little church was obedient to God's prompt...put on a toque and came and prayed. ok, this was incredibly encouraging and a surprise boost we didn't know we needed.
very soon after they started praying andy and I sensed the spiritual come awake around us....dullness falling off, discouragement fleeing, worship stirring, hopefullness coming up. we had to stop what we were doing and be thankful.

thank you person - thanks for your obedience. for taking the plunge and taking initative....for taking spiritual ground. for us, for our church, for the Kingdom.

hi everybody -

after being away for a few weeks we couldn't wait to get back and see the changes in the prayer room. the wall has really filled up and the retro blog is filled with awesome stuff. i was really encouraged to hear the things God is doing in lives.

i'm going to miss that prayer room. we've done really well! today it says we are 93% of the way there...we are officially done Friday night so take advantage of this last week.

looking forward to retreating with you all....

also, to the church that meets in our house: those pancakes were a fantasitc leftover! and whoever brought the blackberries - deeeeelicious!

thinking of us at this season of prayer....this small verse lept out at me.

Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes
and showers righteousness on you.

Hosea 10:12

hello all -

a cool event in the lives of the church...

my first prayer hour I felt the Lord tell me someone during the 40 days of prayer would receive the gift of tongues in the room. I thought this was neat-o and agreed with the Lord about it, "yes Jesus! good idea! open up every heart to receive this gift and anything else you might have in store for us..."

I assumed I wouldn't know about it if one of you did get the gift. I was wrong because this week one of you pray-ers got the gift of tongues during their prayer time... I "just happened" to meet up with you and hear your excited news....

people,

i am completely inspired by you. by what God is doing. the air is electric in this place.

i heard some worship going on downstairs today, I saw a few of you, I heard some powerful prophetic verses being shared.....

we've almost been at this a week.

my last hour was a bit harder to get going. but i've been reading the sermon on the mount and that was so sweet. i've been just chewing on this in the prayer room. from the wall I can see that others are experiencing some thoughts along the same lines.

goodnight all - - -

jolie

ps i know you are doing it - thanks for praying for our family and house when you're here -

I'm finding my time in the prayer room has been mostly worship, thankfulness and pondering Jesus. When I try to shift into praying outside of that, some sort of intercession, its not happening. I think we are just warming up....I think God loves this adoration from his people. Are other people having that experience too?
I'm encouraging you all to whoop it up in the prayer room - make a joyful noise, yelp, groan, sing, clap.....

ALSO, there is a sign on the outside door indicating if you would welcome someone else to come in and pray when you are signed up, or if you would prefer to be alone. I think Sharon mentioned this in her blog, but I would encourage us to pray and worship with each other if the opportunity presents itself. This is so good....dancing together, laying facedown on the carpet together, crying out to God together, listening together.

hello out there
we're on the air....

i just finished my first hour in the prayer room.

i wish i would write this all in capitals so everyone would know my spirit is YELLING Jesus news.

tell me, what could be better....what could be better....what could be better....

then this Jesus?

friends, you need to RUN, not walk, to an hour of prayer.

come, come as soon and as fast and as often as you can.

Jolie

hey this is my first ever blog!

this weekend is very crazy. some boys have been building the prayer room downstairs and working their tails off. andy's farewell/tribute goodbye thing is happening at NSAC. AND its our first ever HOMECHURCH tomorrow!

so many 'firsts' this last year of my life....

today I asked God to send some people to help us. it seemed like so many things to do and so little time. and sure enough, {He loves us to ask just so He can answer} he sent people my way! whoa. one picked up prayer creative supplies at staples. one changed chanida's poo diaper {THANKYOU}. one made delicious quesadillas. and two more came to help finish the prayer room.....