add to the beauty by sara groves

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Just Showed Up For My Own Life by Sara Groves

spending my time sleep walking
moving my mouth but not saying a thing
hoping the changes would take by working their way from the outside in
i was in love with an idea
preoccupied with how a life should appear
spending my time at the surface repairing the holes in the shiny veneer

there are so many ways to hide
there are so many ways not to feel
there are so many ways to deny what is real

and i just showed up for my own life
and i'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

i'm going to live my life inspired
look for the holy in the common place
open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until i'm truly amazed
i'm going to feel all my emotions
i'm going to look you in the eyes
i'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives

there are so many ways to hide
there are so many ways not to feel
there are so many ways to deny what is real

and i just showed up for my own life
and i'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright
oh the glory of God is man fully alive
oh the glory of God is man fully alive

there are so many ways to hide
there are so many ways not to feel
there are so many ways to deny what is real

and i just showed up for my own life
and i'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright 


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Kingdom Comes by Sara Groves


when anger fills your heart
when in you're pain and hurt
you find the strength to stop
you bless instead of curse

when doubting floods your soul
though all things feel unjust
you open up your heart
you find a way to trust

that's a little stone that's a little mortar
that's a little seed that's a little water
in the hearts of the sons and the daughters
the Kingdom's coming

when fear engulfs your mind
says you protect your own
you still extend your hand
you open up your home

when sorrow fills your life
when in your grief and pain
you choose again to rise
you choose to bless the Name

that's a little stone that's a little mortar
that's a little seed that's a little water
in the hearts of the sons and the daughters
the Kingdom's coming

in the mundane tasks of living
in the pouring out and giving
in the waking up and trying
in the laying down and dying

that's a little stone that's a little mortar
that's a little seed that's a little water
in the hearts of the sons and the daughters
the Kingdom's coming

simple house church

simple church – what is it?
What is a simple house church? We are used to thinking of church as a building, but how does the Bible portray the church? Interestingly, the Bible never uses the word “church” to describe a building; instead, it gives us the picture of the church as a family. Like a family, there are spiritual mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers in Christ. The church is called “God’s household” (1 Timothy 3:15). They shared common meals together (Acts 2:46, 1 Corinthians 11:20-21). Lived life together (Acts 2:44-46) and as a family, were to care for and love one another deeply (1 Peter 1:22). Not surprisingly then, the New Testament churches typically met in the homes of believers.

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Here are some biblical examples of New Testament house churches

• Lydia’s House (Acts 16:40)
• An Upper Room (Acts 20:8)
• Priscilla and Aquila’s house (Romans 16:3-5, 1 Corinthians 16:19)
• Nympha’s house in Laodicea (Colossians 4:15)
• Archippa’s house (Philemon 2)

Some in the West see the house church as a new phenomenon when, in reality, house churches have existed since the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:42-47). Many large churches today started because of a small group meeting in the homes of believers. In China, for example, the house church has been one of the vehicles God used to multiply the number of Chinese disciples from a few thousand in the 1930s to, by some estimates, more than 80 million believers today.
house church – the numerous advantages
There are many good reasons to consider starting a house church:

• It is a biblical model.
• It is family oriented; parents and children participate together as appropriate.
• People more easily get to know one another in a small group.
• Smaller groups can lead to increased accountability to each other.
• Everyone participates and ministers so people grow in using their spiritual gifts.
• Highly trained pastors are not required in order to lead large numbers of people.
• There is no need for expensive, time-consuming programs.
• House churches direct their finances toward evangelism, missionaries, community service, or caring for one member’s needs instead of purchasing expensive buildings.
• They are low profile and thus, better able to withstand persecution and oppression.

What do people do in house churches? Acts 2:42-47 gives us an outline of what should happen in house church. Believers devote themselves to. . .

• The Apostle’s teaching – reading, studying, and discussing God’s Word.
• Fellowship – being with each other, enjoying one another, and encouraging one another.
• Breaking of bread - sharing meals together and participating in the Lord’s Supper.
• Prayer – praying for one another’s needs and for advancing God’s kingdom.
• Being together – quality time and communing with one another.
• Giving – providing for one another’s needs and for outreach.
• Worship – praising and glorifying God through word and music

how to do simple church? watch video

believe

“Lord Jesus Christ, let me seek You by desiring You, 


and let me desire You by seeking You; 


let me find You by loving You, and love You in finding You. 


i confess, Lord, with thanksgiving that You have made me in Your image, 


so that i can remember you, think of You, and love You. 


but that image is so worn and blotted out by faults, 


and darkened by the smoke of sin, 


that i cannot do that for which it was made unless You renew and refashion it. 


Lord, i am not trying to make my way to Your height, 


for my understanding is in no way equal to that, 


but i do desire to understand a little of Your truth 


which my heart already believes and loves. 


i do not seek to understand so that i can believe, 


but i believe so that i may understand; 


and what is more, i believe that unless i do believe, 


i shall not understand.” 


(St. Anselm, as quoted in 2000 Years of Prayer,compiled by Michael Counsell)

"Song For the Broken"

I am the comfortable secure

The definition of this western world

And I have perfected deceit

Even I believe I'm above saving

I'll never let You see

I am the broken

I am the bruised

I am the poor ones

I have been used.

It takes me falling to the ground

To admit to fully needing You

Then when I am breathing my last breath

"Come and save me" I will cry to You

'Cause pride has not let me say

I am the broken

I am the bruised

I am the poor ones

I have been used.

Bring me to my knees,

Why does it take so much pain for me to see?

If strength is only found when I am on my knees,

Why is it so hard to show that I am weak?

I am the broken

I am the bruised

I am the poor ones

I have been used

by Barlow Girl from the How Can We Be Silent album