Canticles of the Unhomed
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Houseness
So I invented a new word: Houseness.
As most of you know, Sunday last we baptized MacKenzie. There was several points throughout the day that I experienced a moment of pure "Houseness." Its a little like a moment of zen, when everything comes together, and everything is just clear, at peace, and exactly as it should be. One of the moments was when Chuck and I worshipped with the McKernan Christian crowd during songs like "I Stand in Awe of You," and "Spring Up a Well" - oldies but goldies.
Another was when the band was practising and Chuck and Paul kicked phat on didge and djimbe during "Come Thou Fount." Ahhhhhh yeah.
Another was when we all, some new faces, some old, gathered in the round and took communion together. Communion has come to carry such heavy, heavy spiritual weight with me. I used to be able to take or leave communion. Once a month was fine. Now, I need it every week.
Another was when Erika spontaneously came and played congas with us.
Another was when we gathered within arm's reach of MacKenzie and together we baptized him. Not from afar, but right there.
Another was when we all gathered around Mack, laid hands on him and conferred God's blessing on him as one body.
Another was when we were hanging in the backyard, tossing balls and frisbees, helping people with their homework, eating burgers and smokies and destroying barbeques.
Another was when the five of us sat in the living room and worshipped to the simple strains of the didge, djimbe and guitar; watching Chuck, eyes closed, hands raised in worship, lost in the didge.
There is a dream that is the House; an ideal, a hope, a fantasy of a quality of life, faith and practise. These moments of "Houseness" represent pure moments when that dream stepped across the threshold and for a few precious moments, became reality.
All of us, in our far-flung communities, whether they be in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Washington DC, Lethbridge or Montreal, need to look for those moments of "Houseness" or "Conversationness" or whatever the case is. God grants us these moments to remind us that "the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." It is easy to be discouraged; to begin to think of failure. Especially leaders. It is the nature of our condition that we suck. But, our Master is good; he takes care of us. When the Master grants us these moments, use them to remind yourself and your community of the path that our Master has called you to.
Check out the House blog for the details of the baptism.
As most of you know, Sunday last we baptized MacKenzie. There was several points throughout the day that I experienced a moment of pure "Houseness." Its a little like a moment of zen, when everything comes together, and everything is just clear, at peace, and exactly as it should be. One of the moments was when Chuck and I worshipped with the McKernan Christian crowd during songs like "I Stand in Awe of You," and "Spring Up a Well" - oldies but goldies.
Another was when the band was practising and Chuck and Paul kicked phat on didge and djimbe during "Come Thou Fount." Ahhhhhh yeah.
Another was when we all, some new faces, some old, gathered in the round and took communion together. Communion has come to carry such heavy, heavy spiritual weight with me. I used to be able to take or leave communion. Once a month was fine. Now, I need it every week.
Another was when Erika spontaneously came and played congas with us.
Another was when we gathered within arm's reach of MacKenzie and together we baptized him. Not from afar, but right there.
Another was when we all gathered around Mack, laid hands on him and conferred God's blessing on him as one body.
Another was when we were hanging in the backyard, tossing balls and frisbees, helping people with their homework, eating burgers and smokies and destroying barbeques.
Another was when the five of us sat in the living room and worshipped to the simple strains of the didge, djimbe and guitar; watching Chuck, eyes closed, hands raised in worship, lost in the didge.
There is a dream that is the House; an ideal, a hope, a fantasy of a quality of life, faith and practise. These moments of "Houseness" represent pure moments when that dream stepped across the threshold and for a few precious moments, became reality.
All of us, in our far-flung communities, whether they be in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Washington DC, Lethbridge or Montreal, need to look for those moments of "Houseness" or "Conversationness" or whatever the case is. God grants us these moments to remind us that "the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." It is easy to be discouraged; to begin to think of failure. Especially leaders. It is the nature of our condition that we suck. But, our Master is good; he takes care of us. When the Master grants us these moments, use them to remind yourself and your community of the path that our Master has called you to.
Check out the House blog for the details of the baptism.
:: written by Matt Thompson, 10:42 AM
2 Comments:
Damn you beat me to it, but I will still blog of this new concept. You did invent the word afterall
mmm, "houseness" bogden like houseness.
check my "adventures and exploration" post. I'm putting charlie to work on that DIDG man!
I;m diggin the Kahlil Gibran Matt: keep it comin baby
check my "adventures and exploration" post. I'm putting charlie to work on that DIDG man!
I;m diggin the Kahlil Gibran Matt: keep it comin baby
