The Extended Church
Over the last week and a half, we had the privilege of hosting a wonderful family in our home. The Frantz family is Scott, Darla, Trina and Derek. The Frantz’s are from Pennsylvania. We met through the blogging community. Until the day they walked up our front step, we had never met in person.
Over the 9 days they were here, we soaked in every minute of getting to know a family from a completely different place. They’re from the East coast, we are from the West. The words and accents, the schedules and daily habits. We talked and joked about all of it.
The most eye opening thing through all of it was this. They love the same God I love. They serve the same God I serve. They are being lead by and transformed by the same God I am being lead by and transformed by. Being around the ministry 24/7 I see how we as Christians can get very territorial and competitive. We think that something we are doing in our little sphere of influence is greater or more important or inevitably more progressive than something going on somewhere else. What we may fail to realize is that God’s work is done through us, but only by Him. It is the same God that empowers and directs the Frantz’s as well as me and my family.
Now that the Frantz’s are gone, there is a void. Something’s missing. But I know that someday, that void will be filled when we share life together again. Either on earth or in eternity. Maybe we should recognize that void? We are not the church in our little corner of Oregon. We are but one small part.God’s church is huge and all who call Him Lord are a part of it. Now that I have experienced more of it, I am thankful for it.
Maybe we should seek to fill that void.
Great post man, it is incredibly cool to all have the same Dad and share the same passion for a life with Him.
ScottMocha’s last blog post…Positive Post Tuesday – Pastor Mike
Well said!
annie’s last blog post…Postitive Post Tuesday
Right on man. I think this little bit of loneliness and disconnect we feel when we leave church or friends leave our house is a reminder that one day we will be together in perfect unity with God and believers forever. What an awesome thought!
Brad Ruggles’s last blog post…Smoking Hot Music Mixtape
Excellent post B. This is one of the biggest things that Jer and I are recognizing as we have begun to go out and see just how vast the “church” really is. The attitude of wherever and whenever is so important, knowing that complete submission to the point of allowing Him to set the boundries and knock down the walls is the only way. It is ALWAYS for and about Him alone. It is only our own limitations that we place on ourselves that will keep us from being all He created us to be. Every part of the body is needed and purposeful. Every part is lifted high in the eyes of the Lord, and should be in our eyes as well. I used to think the sky is the limit, but with Him, it’s only the beginning. Thank you for this, it’s excellent.
Debs’s last blog post…Allow me to gush a bit….
Void? did you say void? we are feeling it too. I think this is just the beginning of what God plans to do…not sure what that is, but believing HE is using the internet for HIS good inspite of what the world may think. Opening our minds to the hugeness of God is more than a human mind can grasp, but its fun trying. HE is doing HIS work all over the world and through so many different kinds of people, and really sweet that HE allows us to taste it…HE is good all the time, all over the world! Wow!
somethings are the same no matter what coast I am on! 
Well written and of course I have a soft spot for the Frantz’s and also for the Hodges…now that we have experienced this..we are praying for God to show us what to do with it! Yes there is a void, and at the same time, I know we are to use this gift…well you did by blogging about it…
darla’s last blog post…Walking Partners
you think if i pout they’ll come back?
tam’s last blog post…Search Terms – How do people find me???
its working..at least to cause us to pray harder as to what or who is doing the prompting inside…just want to be sure! love you Tam!
darla’s last blog post…Walking Partners
Thanks again, I can’t say it enough. This trip has done wonders for me spiritually and emotionally. God is truly in control of something big here and I can’t wait to see how all this plays out. Love you guys. Anybody want to buy a house in Pennsylvania?
scott’s last blog post…Leaving Left (or the left is right)
we’re looking to move to PA
so we’ll buy!
tam’s last blog post…I Cursed Today…
no.
not really.
tam’s last blog post…I Cursed Today…
God is Gathering his Church for something big. I can feel it. This whole community of believers out here in blog world… I can’t completely explain it. I just know that God is preparing us.
ckroboth’s last blog post…Blogged Bible Study…
Thanks for the great comments everyone!
Let’s truly commit to taking advantage of the amazing body God has blessed us with!
agreeiing with CK it is truly amazing how much of the body is on blogs, and a true picture of edifying and encouraging one another. I also believe God is preparing us for something.
darla’s last blog post…Walking Partners
very cool experience. we enjoy similar brief visits with our friends at Cornerstone. It had been 3 years since we’d seen many of them, and it was great to reconnect.
All this to say – you guys need to come East! If not all the way to the East Coast, at least to Illinois (next June 29th – July 4th) <nudge, nudge, wink, wink).
badguy’s last blog post…I’m Back
{seesmic_video:{“url_thumbnail”:{“value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/qjhlhzLBDg_th1.jpg”}”title”:{“value”:” ”}”videoUri”:{“value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/a543hXk8Fx”}}}
Indian Lake Papa’s last blog post…Precious II doing her job!
Darla, God is in control…
Bad, We would love to come East. I think we are going to make it as far as Nashville next Winter, but we definitely want to come farther someday soon.
Papa, thanks for the video comment, I can always count on you! We are looking forward to October. I am sure it will be an amazing time.
Heaven is lookin’ better every day!!
Sometimes I can feel quite alone in my bed, blogging the day away, and then someone will spark something within – I think it’s the Spirit within us agreeing and loving one another. If He can do this via technology, it’s exciting to imagine what He has in store for us when we all get together with Him in glory. Gives me goosebumps.
Michelle’s last blog post…Boot Camp
michelle – i am totally with you on that sister! i cant wait either!
tam’s last blog post…I Cursed Today…
HE is infact in control! YAY!!! I am so off the hook!
darla’s last blog post…Walking Partners
Michelle, it truly excites me as well.
Darla, your good to go