Fellowship

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Psalm 133:1

The speaker this week, Graeme, is originally form Australia, but has spent many years living in India and traveling the world. Each night while here, he made chia and invited everybody over to the apartment he was staying in. He is a highly political and intellectual man. He would share stories and pitch challenging thoughts to discuss. Respecting each expressed voice, and fearlessly challenging further.

Thursday evening Graeme planned a large meal. There was four of us in the kitchen at the time cooking, Graeme looked at me and said, "Why don't you fix yourself and I a hot drink, and we can sit down and talk." Hesitantly I put down the knife I was cutting vegetables with and went to make two cups of tea. Our help was needed in the kitchen, I was slightly confused. I brought in our tea, two chairs and we sat in the kitchen. He made himself available to any questions about cooking as needed, but was intentional. He took time to sit down and talk with me.

He took time to care.

Graeme emailed me the recipe for his chia. One of the key ingredients: good company.

Friday we did an outreach called treasure hunting. We pray, sit and listen for God. He may speak to us in song lyrics, pictures, words, anyway. We then take what God has spoken to us and "find it".

My partner, Anna, and I prayed and listened. Anna felt we were to visit our apartment neighbor. I saw a picture of a coffee shop called Two Sisters and the verse Genesis 1:5,6 speaking of God creating light. Anna laughed and said she thought Two Sisters but dismissed the thought thinking it was selfish.

We quickly drove to Two Sisters, purchased coffee and sweets, then visited our neighbor lady. Completely shocked, she answered her door, curlers still in her hair, and invited us in. She kept saying how big of a treat this is, she never buys things like this for herself. She is a single, elderly lady. Her children and grandchildren all live in the lower 48. We spent some time just talking, being light to darkness. She is a Christian, but a lonely Christian. We all prayed together before Anna and I left. It was encouraging, for all of us.

A friend and I get together every Thursday morning to study the book of 1 Samuel. We sit in a coffee shop and have fellowship. We may discuss 1 Samuel, or other things God is teaching us, or things happening in life. This past weekend we took a swim in the ocean to celebrate the first snow, made crepes and had a sleep over. The main thing: being together in fellowship.

It is the part of the story where Samwise Gamgee says, "Come, Mr. Frodo! I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on, Mr. Frodo dear! Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to go, and he'll go."

As Tolkien also writes, "Where there's life there's hope, and need of vittles." Life, hope and food, best enjoyed with good company.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Hebrews 10:24,25