Christmas is coming

So, Christmas is getting close, so lets find time to be with those we love, time to step off the treadmill, time to simply be together and stop to "smell the roses of life", a time to en-JOY the good things that God gives to us. May we all have time to stop and wonder (here is where children help us so much), to wonder at God's extravagant love and wonder at the mystery once hidden but now revealed ... Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Here's a photo of our growing home church as we took time to eat and have fun together. You can see that we take the 'head coverings' teaching really seriously! This month Connard, Sheridan and Carly came to join us for the first time - we are also adding two other young couples this month, one of whom is from Japan, here to study for his doctorate at UT. We praise God for new growth and new relationships.

As we look towards 2007, here are some of our hopes and dreams for which we ask your prayers;

(i) God's visitation and anointing upon all that we do - we are sensing a renewed call to prayer for without Him we can do nothing

(ii) Workers for the harvest - there are increasing opportunities being presented, we feel the need to focus upon developing leadership, spiritual mothers and fathers who will nurture new believers

(iii) Networking in Central Texas - Carol and I have been building relationships with other network leaders in Central Texas through a small group we attend every other week. We hope to see how the Lord would lead us to work and celebrate together to facilitate more house churches being started

(iv) Networking in our neighborhood - we feel a growing call to somehow see the believers mobilized in Great Hills (the name of our neighborhood - what a great name!) We long to see denominational walls come down as we fellowship, pray and worship together so that we could serve our neighbors

(v) Becoming a people who love God and love one another - we want to be marked by sacrificial , practical love. We need to learn how to open our hearts and lives to one another and to the Lord. Our hope is to partner with Intimate Life Ministries here in Austin, to that end

We look forward with eager anticipation to what the Lord might do among us (and you) in 2007. We so appreciate those who partner with us - locally, nationally and internationally. We value your interest, your support and your prayers. We pray for God's grace and peace to fill your lives.

Mike & Carol
Dec 19th, 2006