Jo Lynne Deaver's Page

Jo Lynne,

welcome to SC.com!

would there be simple church in Stigler?

thank you & blessings!

Marshall Diakon

Hi, Jo Lynne. Welcome to this site!

I read your comments to Marshall Diakon yesterday, and was so grateful for the discernment expressed in your words: " the search is for him and not a form of church. We cannot run to and fro looking for a form and neglect the one it is all about". Indeed, we can get lost in all sorts of pursuits, even very important ones, and become distracted away from Him who, alone, is our life. How easily we can unwittingly put ourselves at the mere fringe of His life, by devoting great energy toward creating a particular strategy around Him.

I'd like to be bold, however, though a stranger to you, to offer encouragement to you to sustain, before God, your desire to be engaged with His people in the dynamics of His Spirit, according to what you have seen in scripture. His redemptive self-sacrifice, His resurrection, His ascension, His sending of the Holy Spirit all set us up, as heaven-born creations in Christ, to live in ways that He has declared as crucial to the building of His church. They are unique ways, distinctive of who He is, and powerful in the promotion of His purposes. Admittedly, there is often a significant sense of loneliness when access to such Body life is seemingly not at hand. But, as my wife and I have experienced, the season of loneliness that we see so many of His people undertake in scripture and elsewhere, is the very season within which His fellowship becomes so precious as they purpose to walk in His ways, trusting Him in His promises. And His claims upon us become wonderfully more clear to us in the process!

I acknowledge the risk that resides in attempting to communicate by text, because tone of voice can be misconstrued. But the tenor of my heart is gentle. I merely wish to present a voice that might give support during a time deferred hope.

I have very much valued what you brought to OCT, a site similar to sc.com, by being such an encouraging welcomer to new members there. You clearly have allowed an embracing spirit to grow within you. God will continue to nurture and use that spirit within you, for His name.

Blessing upon you.

I'm including a link to something I wrote and posted some time ago, just in case it might provide something for your context: http://www.simplechurch.com/profiles/blogs/what-do-we-do-when-there-is-no

Jim