Pause at Anhalt

John Taylor and I went to meet with the Verein on the first Sunday of December. Many of our folks had put together ideas about how we would renovate with simplicity. Our goal was to update with very little impact on the hall itself. Thanks again to Kenny Whistler who is always ready and so faithful. Along with all the other folks who we depend on to tell us if these ideas are doable.

In any event, the Verein met at 2. John and I were present and ready. They let us know we would not be presenting to the Verein as a whole and that a committee had been formed to engage us in the possibility. This committee would meet with John and I at 3. So, Mr. Taylor and I had another opportunity to catch up as we waited for our next little meeting. We waited outside for Mr.Lieneger at Singing Hills, for Mr. Andersen in Dallas, and now for the committee. We always have great conversations in the strange little pauses.

Then at 3, the Vice President of the Vereind surprised us. At the Verien's meeting at 2, Riversides intentions were brought up and spoken about by the larger board and it was decided unanimously that the Verein were not interested in an ongoing relationship with any group. They felt that they needed to stay close to their charter and we did not fit within that. I asked, "Does that mean we're done here?" (I am a little slow.) He said simply, "Yes, I believe it does."

I am not so sure. One of the prayer responses we recieved about Anhalt revealed that it would be paused until Christmas, but that what was for us was larger than what was against us! That word came before I had even brought the possibility up to the larger community. We shall see.

See you all at Christmas. Regardless of any ongoing relationship, once again the Verein have graciously welcomed us to use the hall for our Christmas Eve services.

Finally, I do feel so deeply moved that G-d would spend so much time teaching us so much. John and I both felt that we had been obedient and that was our only real hope and expectation. I wonder how this adventure will unfold next....

As we continue to seek our long term Kingdom Campus, we have realized the need for what the prayer teams have called a "middle place". Initially this didn't make sense, but now with the shift at the 70 acres and the new opportunities that are surfacing, it is becoming more clear.
As we approach the deadline the school district has set for us to be out of SBMS, we know that there is a time difference between the maximum the school district allows and the time needed to settle into a more permanent home. To meet this difference we have begun the search process.
This process has lead us to a possibility at Anhalt Hall. Anhalt Hall is where we have celebrated Christmas the last few years. While this is a well loved and convenient location for worship and family, there are concerns.
These concerns begin with the Verein itself. The Verein are the leadership that have been responsible for the Hall for the duration of its life. Their focus has and will continue to be to care for the heritage and community life for which Anhalt was created. This means caring for the Hall itself, its traditional Fests in May and in October, and the community that call it home.
Our concerns combined with honoring the Vereins include high quality worship space, AC and Heat, upgrades to the structure itself, electrical issues, restroom renovation, a high quality childrens area, family cooking facilities, and the possibility of a more static environment for worship in general.
Last Sunday November 4 Danny Torres and I met with the Verein at their Board meeting. During the meeting I was invited to introduce our idea. While the Verein have concerns about how all of this will come to pass and work with the events already planned, they are interested in seeing a presentation of our renovations and additions. Our offer is to do these renovations instead of paying rent. Our strategy is to use the money we presently pay the school district for the renovations. Our dream then is to leave these renovations as a gift to the heritage of our community.
This week many of our talented team of architects, plumbers, electricians, HVAC designers, and staff will go from church to the site to begin building the written presentation for this dream.
Please pray for this team and for the Verein as we begin our conversations. Also please pray about the initial financial need we will have as we engage this project possibility.
We shall see.

Shema,
Scott

City on a Hill

Dear Scott,
> As I have been praying for Riverside and the land on
> 281/46 the following scripture came to me.
> Matthew 5:14...You are the light of the world. A
> city
> on a hill cannot be hidden.

Seasons

As we move from the summer into the fall our prayerful journey toward a campus home also seems to be shifting.

As you know we have been praying toward the 70 acre tract off 281 between 46 and the river. We have been awaiting a response from the owners of the tract, the Andersen brothers. Now we have that response. Gracefully they have accepted our termination of the contract, and have agreed to return all the money we put down on the land minus legal fees. They did not have to do this. It is very gracious. But, it began to signify the possibility of a season change.

Now there is another contract on the property brought by some investors who intend to develop the land themselves. This even more profoundly seems to clarify that G-d has a different way to achieve His purpose than expected. As I have sought to understand this shift from what seemed so hopeful, the clearest response has been that "Sometimes protection looks like dissapointment." There are some other learning pieces to share if you are up for a little conversation...

While we are clearly dissapointed that this piece of land has not come in the way we have expected, there are now many different possibilities for our future including being a part of this same property's development!

John Taylor continues to prayfully serve the community in our journey toward us our future home. He has uncovered many different opportunities for our prayerful consideration. As soon as these are more distilled, they will be posted here.

Until then, please be in prayer for our continual process of seeking G-d to realize His dreams for our community.

Additionally, it has become clear that we will need to consider a "middle space". As our time in the school is expensive and time sensitive, we are beginning to consider other options for Sunday worship. Please feel free as always to comment here with your thoughts on the process, ideas for a middle space, and any other encouragment for the community!

Shema,
S

Update

We still have not heard from Mr. Andersen, even about the termination of the initial contract. He travels quite a bit and I know this is a small issue for them. So, who knows... There are alternatives beginning to surface for consideration and healthy conversation about all options continue.

Our present situation draws the question of how to pray. Do we continue to pray for the 70 acres or do we let that possibility go believing that G-d has spoken in the terminated contract? There seems so much unknown.

Here is what I know. G-d continually calls us in prayer to "Wait" and that it is "Already Done." There have also been many confirmations around the 70 Acres.

I also know that to this point we have been clearly directed away from asking our community or other friends to give the 2 million dollars that we need. We are trying hard to swim upstream and learn as a community to give biblically instead of putting the money raising thermometer up on stage. While our returning to the Kingdom (tithes and offerings) has been strong, we still have a very churchy financial ebb and flow.

The only person we have clearly been encouraged to speak to about donation was Mr. Andersen.(The 70 acre land owner) He graciously welcomed us into his home and we asked him to consider donating the land to the vision. As we stated before, he has not yet responded.

We also know that our time in Spring Branch Middle School is limited. We have lived through our one year welcome and are now into the first of our three possible six month extentions. We want to honor the school by moving as quickly as we can and we believe that they will be understanding if we are in the middle of building when our time is up.

So, we find ourselves in a wonderful position. Completely dependent on G-d.

My belief is that we are to continue to pray for the 70+ acres. As much as the world would say time is out because the contract is gone, I am not sure we have ever been contract dependent. I still believe that if G-d wants us to have this land then there is nothing that can stop it and if G-d does not want us to have it then it will fade away.

If there is another option or "middle place", or a door is firmly closed, it will make itself clear. But, until then nothing has changed so our choice is made. We pray and expectantly wait.

We shall see.

Loft Prayer Evening

Recently a group gathered at the Loft to continue to seek G-d's direction on our Kingdom Campus. Here is a sample of the prayers from the evening...

Acts 2
Isaiah 40
Psalm 53
Psalm 27

Father you know our heart. We pray you show us yours. Jesus said we should pray your kingdom come. What does that look like? Father it is so hard to be still in this world. So we wait.

Wait on the Lord....For He has done it...constant thanksgiving.

Focus on what He has done thus far before we run ahead.

BE STILL.

Are we suppose to travel around to different schools? Reach out to our regional area?

It is Done! Pinpoint obidience? Are we obedient in the small things, the everyday things...God will trust us with a lot when he knows He can trust us with a little.

Nehemiah 4:16
Is 60:5-6

Is 26:17,18 Did you feel the mountains tremble?

The kingdom campus is a really big vision for a small community like ours but it is like a drop in the bucket (Is 40:15) for our God. If He wants to partner with us, like we believe he does, on this project-we must be faithful in what we dcan do and He will be faithful in what He can do. Its not for us, but all for Him.

.....the land I am bringing you to....posses their land...I will give it to you as an inheritance.

Wait.

Be Patient.

There may be a middle place.

He establishes and in Him there is strength.

Diamonds. The shape of a diamond? Does that mean anything to you?

Catching up.

While there hasn't been much written here in this space, there has been quite a bit going on with our Kingdom Campus prayer and development work. Let me see if I can catch everybody up. Thanks for every one's continued prayers and work. Here are the highlights. If there is something that I miss, please place it in the comments below this post.

After our prayer time on the 70 acre sight we felt great about moving forward in faith. We knew that we needed around 2 million dollars to purchase the property and that it would have to come in a non-traditional way. Even though this seemed like a steep mountain, the prayers had been overwhelmingly positive.

We did have one prayerful "No" and took that seriously. We checked into the concern and decided to continue forward keeping the "No" alternative in mind.

John Taylor and others worked hard to find developers, investors, and ministry possibilities that might be the pieces we needed. Our hope was to discover what God was doing and become a part of it. While there was some interest, which still exists, there was never a solid partner.

The developers spoken to felt like the property was either too big for their company, or too small?! We have ministry born interest in the clinic and will soon have a meeting with an assisted living ministry. We also had an encouraging conversation with Canyon Lake Water Supply, Pyramid Development in Houston, and some other folks who can take part in different ways. But, we still had not found a way to purchase the property.

Then through God's movement we were able to set a meeting with one of the owners of the property, Mr. Michael Andersen. Mr. Andersen welcomed us into his home and we explained to him some of developmental difficulties and our vision. We also felt prayerfully called to ask him to donate the land to the vision. It was exciting but definitely strange.

Since then we extended the contract one time,but as the next extension came around we felt like the money was too steep and we let the contract go. Since then, we have still not heard from the Andersens. We have friendly control of two adjoining pieces and are continuing to pray about what to do next.

I believe that if there was a way this land could be donated, or the money was found, we could begin to give it in partnership to the ministries we believe are called to be a part of this campus vision. With that land as donation the clinic, hope center, assisted living, chapel on the hill, community center, and other ministries would be half way toward realizing their visions and have great momentum toward realizing them. But, to this day we still wait.

"What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied withgetting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God andthe way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how heworks. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'llfind all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid ofmissing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you thevery kingdom itself.Luke 12:29-32The Message

Yesterday the moisture was heavy inthe air and the thick dew on the leaveswas just hanging there almost suspended.I wrote "....hanging in the balance" in myjournal. Today I ended up in Obadiah.I'll leave the interpretation up to ya'll but I felt itmight be relevant to the land and wantedto pass it on. Here are what the footnotesrevealed:Message carries a summons to arms."Arise" is typical of summons to battle.Edom can signify both the geographical area lying to the South of the Dead Seaand the people who occupied that territory.Figuratively Edom represents Zion's foes.The bubble of Edom's inflated pride is about to burst.God's judgement is as good as done.(footnotes taken from The Spirit Filled Life Bible)References:Began at Ez.34-36Mal.1:2-5Jer. 49:16-18 parallels/ and ended at Obadiah 1:1-4

Community Prayer and Impressions

The Following post is a collection of the comments made on the Prayer Response Forms turned in during our two community visits to the property. The bold is scripture, the quotes are notes or impressions written about the previous scripture or in general. We have made every effort to clearly express these responses. If we have misread your handwriting, or you would like to clarify, let us know. The majority of the comments have been verbal , which have been included in the conversation, but are not included here. Please read, pray, and comment. Click comment at the end of the post and you can add you response and thoughts. Scott will post soon with conclusions and next steps.

Thanks to everyone for your time and faithfulness.

We begin...

In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on the very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you [a] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.
9 The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.
10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 He shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on him. Whether man or animal, he shall not be permitted to live.' Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain."
14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, "Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations." - Exodus 19:1-15

"What really struck me was how the people were prepared as a group-unity-how they remember what God had already done-how they were dedicated or consecrated to god-and how they were given boundaries."

"Bueno!"

Where are the stables- FFA for Smithson Valley Students?

"I know this plan is too big for us but it is not too big for God. I closed my eyes & heard laughing and playing - the sounds of community, our community. Like feeding the 5,000 - God wants to start with what we have & will multiply it to what we need."

"The clouds as e walked in - seemed to be ascending to heaven - like smoke of the sacrifice or the prayers of God's people - I was so struck also by the beauty of the meadows of flowers and sunshine. of warmth and coolness - openessand shelter- 70+7 - wonderful numbers...to be baptized out of a living spring coming our of a manger - not bad! God brought living water our of rock - our of rocky containments"

" 13 "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. " - Jeremiah 2:13 (Spring Pond Area)

"Standing Stone. "

"Use what you have."

"And whatsoever we aks, we recieve of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleaseing in his sight." 1 John 3:22

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." - Isaiah 58:10-12

The land is beautiful! Too mnay doors have beenopened. This is not a lucky shot. This is indeed the hand of God, Walk into it!

" 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12

" 1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way." - 1 Corinthians 12

Saw a beautiful bright red cardinal singing loudly & boldly from the highest elevation of the property.


I see the Lord tending a flock, flocks grazing here. I see the mixing of flocks - But Jesus leading them all - I see strays too - Don't know what that means

I feel Psalm 23...

" 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." - Psalm 23

281 is distracting - you could get pulled in by the noise - It reminds me of the world - But I feel God calling us to claim this land, and bring The Kingdom Here - Adjacent to the chaotic world.

Roman Road

My peace i leave you my peace I give unto you.

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

A light to the nations.