"Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's Family. Together, we are His house." Eph. 2:18-20
Todd and I, along with our amazing youth leaders, went away with Wildfire on a cabin trip this past weekend. We had a wonderful time eating together, laughing, playing in the snow, worshiping, praying, painting and did I say... eating?!! As we have been focusing more and more on family at Blazing Fire, I am becoming increasingly aware of the family dynamic that God has been cultivating in our culture at Wildfire. We are definitely still in the process of growing together in this but throughout the weekend, Jesus began to show me a little more what a healthy family looks like in the context of love and honor. Here are just a few aspects of that.
ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
During our cabin trips, we often gather in a circle, taking turns asking one another questions to get to know each other better. One girl shared her dream of opening a beautiful orphanage in India. Everyone rallied around her, cheering her on and making declarations over it. Family celebrates and encourages you to go after your dreams. We've also started a tradition of having a talent show on our last night. We're always so blown away by the amazingly unique gifts God has given our teens. The roaring applause could be heard from Heaven whether someone sang an original song or acted out a funny skit. Out of the hidden shadows of insecurity and shut down, emerge the wells of explosive creativity and confidence.
COMMUNICATION AND TRUST
Over the weekend, there were many deep discussions. Depending on the topic of conversation, there can also be disagreement. During our "Family talks" at Wildfire, we talk extensively about good communication and healthy confrontation so I always love to see how the kids are going to apply it to their lives. It's a beautiful thing when you can see two people disagree on something, yet come away with a deeper love and understanding for the other person. There is no disconnect in the relationship. During our spontaneous drumming in worship, several kids were really honest about some hardships they'd been going through. They were met with heartfelt support, sincerity and comfort. Making your needs known can feel really vulnerable but in a loving family, trust is the foundation. It causes the masks to come off and the REAL you gets to show up.
SERVING AND HONOR
We have different crews that will do the cooking and clean-up after meals on our trips. Several of our teens actually battle it out to serve when it is not their time. When honor is present, you consider serving to be a privilege and will jump at the opportunity to help. In the Father's family, it's completely natural for everyone to do their part and it is all equally needed and valuable. Here is an excerpt from the book, The Shack. It's a beautiful display of how this is played out in the Godhead. In case you haven't read it yet, Mack is the main character and the Father is represented as a big beautiful woman.
"Suddenly, a terrible crash broke out from the direction of the kitchen. He was shocked at the scene in front of him. It appeared that Jesus had dropped a large bowl of some sort of batter on the floor and it was everywhere. It must have landed close to Papa because the lower portion of her skirt and bare feet were covered in the gooey mess. They were laughing so hard that Mack didn't think they were breathing. Sarayu (Holy Spirit) said something about humans being clumsy and all three started roaring again. Finally, Jesus brushed past Mack and returned a minute later with a large basin of water and towels. Sarayu had already started wiping the goop from the floor and cupboards, but Jesus went straight to Papa and, kneeling at her feet, began to wipe off the front of her clothes. He gently lifted one foot at a time, which he directed into the basin where he cleaned and massaged it. As Mack watched at the doorway, he thought, so this is God in relationship? It was beautiful and so appealing. He knew that it didn't matter whose fault it was. Obviously, what was truly important here was the love they had for one another and the fullness it brought them."
I understand that many people (myself included) didn't have the most healthy family growing up. It can start to tweak you a bit as we discuss embracing family. I want to encourage you to be kind and patient with yourself. Though some may be able to take that huge leap right away, know that baby steps are just as important. We're all learning how to grow in this. So I bless you with courage, hope and grace upon grace as you step out into this journey of welcoming deeper relationships in the body. You can be assured that Heaven's family is one of love, protection, acceptance and belonging. As Pastor Brent has said, "Family is the Father's Dream." I encourage you to ask Papa for yourself what His idea of family looks like. This is your place of belonging. No one is disqualified or dismissed. His family is all inclusive and nothing could ever separate you from this love!
Much Love Always, Karena Lout
Todd and I, along with our amazing youth leaders, went away with Wildfire on a cabin trip this past weekend. We had a wonderful time eating together, laughing, playing in the snow, worshiping, praying, painting and did I say... eating?!! As we have been focusing more and more on family at Blazing Fire, I am becoming increasingly aware of the family dynamic that God has been cultivating in our culture at Wildfire. We are definitely still in the process of growing together in this but throughout the weekend, Jesus began to show me a little more what a healthy family looks like in the context of love and honor. Here are just a few aspects of that.
ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
During our cabin trips, we often gather in a circle, taking turns asking one another questions to get to know each other better. One girl shared her dream of opening a beautiful orphanage in India. Everyone rallied around her, cheering her on and making declarations over it. Family celebrates and encourages you to go after your dreams. We've also started a tradition of having a talent show on our last night. We're always so blown away by the amazingly unique gifts God has given our teens. The roaring applause could be heard from Heaven whether someone sang an original song or acted out a funny skit. Out of the hidden shadows of insecurity and shut down, emerge the wells of explosive creativity and confidence.
COMMUNICATION AND TRUST
Over the weekend, there were many deep discussions. Depending on the topic of conversation, there can also be disagreement. During our "Family talks" at Wildfire, we talk extensively about good communication and healthy confrontation so I always love to see how the kids are going to apply it to their lives. It's a beautiful thing when you can see two people disagree on something, yet come away with a deeper love and understanding for the other person. There is no disconnect in the relationship. During our spontaneous drumming in worship, several kids were really honest about some hardships they'd been going through. They were met with heartfelt support, sincerity and comfort. Making your needs known can feel really vulnerable but in a loving family, trust is the foundation. It causes the masks to come off and the REAL you gets to show up.
SERVING AND HONOR
We have different crews that will do the cooking and clean-up after meals on our trips. Several of our teens actually battle it out to serve when it is not their time. When honor is present, you consider serving to be a privilege and will jump at the opportunity to help. In the Father's family, it's completely natural for everyone to do their part and it is all equally needed and valuable. Here is an excerpt from the book, The Shack. It's a beautiful display of how this is played out in the Godhead. In case you haven't read it yet, Mack is the main character and the Father is represented as a big beautiful woman.
"Suddenly, a terrible crash broke out from the direction of the kitchen. He was shocked at the scene in front of him. It appeared that Jesus had dropped a large bowl of some sort of batter on the floor and it was everywhere. It must have landed close to Papa because the lower portion of her skirt and bare feet were covered in the gooey mess. They were laughing so hard that Mack didn't think they were breathing. Sarayu (Holy Spirit) said something about humans being clumsy and all three started roaring again. Finally, Jesus brushed past Mack and returned a minute later with a large basin of water and towels. Sarayu had already started wiping the goop from the floor and cupboards, but Jesus went straight to Papa and, kneeling at her feet, began to wipe off the front of her clothes. He gently lifted one foot at a time, which he directed into the basin where he cleaned and massaged it. As Mack watched at the doorway, he thought, so this is God in relationship? It was beautiful and so appealing. He knew that it didn't matter whose fault it was. Obviously, what was truly important here was the love they had for one another and the fullness it brought them."
I understand that many people (myself included) didn't have the most healthy family growing up. It can start to tweak you a bit as we discuss embracing family. I want to encourage you to be kind and patient with yourself. Though some may be able to take that huge leap right away, know that baby steps are just as important. We're all learning how to grow in this. So I bless you with courage, hope and grace upon grace as you step out into this journey of welcoming deeper relationships in the body. You can be assured that Heaven's family is one of love, protection, acceptance and belonging. As Pastor Brent has said, "Family is the Father's Dream." I encourage you to ask Papa for yourself what His idea of family looks like. This is your place of belonging. No one is disqualified or dismissed. His family is all inclusive and nothing could ever separate you from this love!
Much Love Always, Karena Lout
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