Waiting… July 9, 2009

Today we went to the Doctor for our weekly appointment (this is Matt writing, so it really wasn’t my appointment, I use the plural personal pronoun only to make myself feel more a part of the process.  At “our” appointments I really only smile politely, shake hands with Dr. Fernandez, and hold Kelley’s purse when she goes to the bathroom). 

It was one of these 10 minute appointments you drive 120 miles roundtrip for.  He asks the basic questions.  He pushes and prods forcefully on Kelley’s belly, and he pronounces everything is ok.  We are definitely thankful that this has been the normative experience! 

SO, all that to say, we are still waiting.  Officially we are 15 days away from D-Day.  In the meantime, I am reaping the rewards of Kelley’s nervous energy.  I came home to bacon and egg sandwiches at lunch Tuesday.  I came home to homemade enchiladas that night.  Our house is wonderfully clean.  Baby H’s nursery looks incredible.  And I Kelley is doing it all!  I love my wife! 

Unfortunately for Kelley, most of my nervous energy is being poured into work.  Sorry Kelley! 

It is an odd experience, this waiting.  Everything is basically “normal” for us in the day-to-day, but you know that at any moment everything is going to change and the change will last the rest of your life.  An odd experience indeed. 

My parents rented a condo in Rockport for the week so Kelley and I are both struggling with our resentment issues that they are fishing, reading, and relaxing by the water and we are not.  To help comfort us in this time my mom has been kind enough to send nice pictures of their visit.  Thanks Joyce! 

Here is an alligator they saw today.  I can’t believe they didn’t get closer! 

Here is a nice beach shot from the beach off the North Jetty in Port Aransas. 

This will be one of the first summers in my life that I haven’t spent some time in Rockport so I am missing it if you can’t tell!

Giving In… July 6, 2009

After years of bugging Matt about the amount of time he spent blogging, I, Kelley, am finally giving in to the world of the blog.  I have to be honest and admit how much I enjoy following our friend’s lives through their blogs.  And since we have a new addition coming soon, I thought a blog would be a good way to share a little window into our new world, if for no other reason than to provide the grandparents with some entertainment and some updated pictures every now and then.  It will be interesting to see how Matt and I share the responsibility of the site.  If you know either of us at all, then you know we both like to be in control so we’ll see!  However, if you’re frequenting the site in hopes of continued sprititually provoking posts, you’ll have to keep counting on Matt for that.  I am happy to leave that responsibility to him! 

We are now less than three weeks away from the due date of Baby Boy Homeyer.  We have been working hard to get prepared.  If he decides to come now, I think we have a nice little space ready for him in our home.  I’m still working on the mental preparations for being a mom…I’m not sure if I’m making much progress in that area!  So, in anticipation of his arrival I’ll share a little glimpse down the road so far through a few pictures!

12 weeks-the belly begins

24 weeks-he's growing!

35 weeks-Almost there and sooo BIG!

Little Baby H's crib

More nursery-the sock monkey was hand made by sweet Ms. Euda Raley

Let’s hope Matt approves of the changes I’ve made to his blog.  I appreciate his willingness to share with me!

A Second Look July 6, 2009

In light of the resurrection of Further Up, Further In, I thought I would re-post my first post on the blog which gave a brief explanation of why I began this venture in the first place.  Even in light of the blog’s recent reinvention I think the post still speaks. 

Well friends, as you can see, I have joined the blogosphere.  I sat this morning (Saturday) at Java Bean and had time to simply “surf” the internet and blogosphere for about an hour.  I read several terrible blogs that are being used to slander and push personal agendas.  I read several good blogs full of good information.  And I read other personal blogs full of some brilliant, ridiculous, and irrelevant thoughts and musings on life, faith, and whatever else seemed to come to the users’ mind.  Somewhere in the midst of this “surfing” of the blogosphere I decided to start my own.   

           

It seems the first crucial step to a good blog is a clever name.  Clever and appropriate names only become so when they are born out of and match up with purpose, so I thought about the purpose of this blog. 

           

The purpose of the blog is this:  I love to write and I communicate most clearly and effectively through writing.  I feel that my calling in life has led me on this amazing adventure of faith where I sometimes feel unhappy, awkward, insecure, immature, evil, maniacal and overall sinful; but, I also am able to live in the reality of hope, grace, mercy, and redemption and feel happy, elated, joyous, peaceful, rested and content.  I am able to live in relationship with a living God.  On a daily basis through worship, prayer, meditation, devotion, and conversation I am able to catch glimpses, moments, and periods of a real and true Kingdom of which most of this life is only a dim reflection.  And the more I faithfully live out this calling the deeper and brighter and more real this life seems to be.  And therefore I go further up and further in with great anticipation and excitement with what my God is leading me towards.  The purpose of this blog is to share this adventure further up and further in with anyone who chooses to join with me.

           

So, why Further Up, Further In?  I am a big fan of C.S. Lewis.  In the last section of the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia, entitled The Last Battle, all the creatures of Narnia find themselves called by Aslan (the character who represents God in the series) to travel further up and further in.  They obey without fully knowing what Aslan means.  Somehow the world they are traveling through looks very familiar, having the same mountains, lakes, forests, and colors.  But, at the same time it is somehow unfamiliar.  Everything seems bigger and there are more colors, and the colors are all deeper and brighter which leads one character to whisper quietly that somehow this world that looks so much like the world they had always lived in and yet looks, “more like the real thing.”  So they traveled further up and further in, where “every rock, and flower and blade of grass looked as if it meant more.”  And so they travel further up and further up and further in. 

           

Suddenly, the Unicorn neighs, “I have come home at last!  This is my real country!  I belong here.  This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now.  The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes it looked a little like this!  Bree-hee-hee!  Come further up, come further in!”

           

Friends, this land Lewis speaks of is the land in which we all belong.  Hopefully it is the land we are headed for and moving for even as we live in Old Narnia.  There are times in this land here and now and in this life where we glimpse the land to come and in those moments, I don’t know about you, but my soul lets loose its own BREE-HEE-HEE! And I am energized to run further up and further in!

           

So this blog will be a chronicle of the journey further up and further in.  Join me if you wish.  I don’t know exactly what it will look like, but I would bet that posts will come from everything from preparing sermons each week to conversations with our Church Secretary’s young daughter Claire (who is teeming with personality and young wisdom) to worship experiences to Paul Harvey to NPR to books I am reading and walks with Kelley and Max to Deacon’s meetings to who knows what else. 

           

In The Last Battle, after the Unicorn urged everyone further up and further in they all began to run.  “not only the Dogs and the humans but even fat little Puzzle and short-legged Poggin the Dwarf.  The air flew in their faces as if they were driving fast in a car without a windscreen.  The country flew past as if they were seeing it from the windows of an express train.  Faster and faster they raced, but no one got hot or tired or out of breath.  If one cold run without getting tired, I don’t think one would often want to do anything else. 

           

If we can run and live and serve and give and love and issue in the Kingdom of God in part in this life why would we ever want to do anything else?  Run with me if you will, Further Up, Further In!

Resurrection July 6, 2009

The title of this post references an utterly non-spiritual, very worldly resurrection:  The resurrection of this blog. 

For almost a year I absolutely loved blogging, but after a while it became more of a burden than an enjoyment and I made the decision that my time was better spent elsewhere. 

BUT, this illustrious (or is it forgettable? ) is being resurrected, albeit in a slightly different format. 

As most of you know Kelley and I are expecting our first child (a little boy) in slightly less than 3 weeks (July 25 to be exact)! 

So many of our friends have created blogs to chronicle their lives and most importantly, to post pictures and news of their little ones.  For a long while Kelley and I thought we weren’t going to create a similar blog, but we finally have realized how much we enjoy (as do others!) keeping up with and getting to know Cambell, Caris, Lydia, Weiss and others through their parents’ blog. 

So, furtherupfurtherin is back in business as a Homeyer family blog!  Oh, occassionally I may post the random musing as it strikes, but mostly it will be filled with pictures, updates, and news of Baby Homeyer, Max, Kelley, and maybe even myself. 

I originally titled the blog, “furtherupfurtherin” after a repeated phrase from the Chronicles of Narnia.  My hope was that through writing I would chronicle my own journey “further up, and further in” to life lived with Christ.  After much debate on what to call our “family blog” we finally came to realize that “further up, further in” is exactly what we will be experiencing as a new family. 

Further up, further the experiences life has to offer.  Further up, further on what it means to be family.  And yes, further up, further in on our journey of faith. 

So, stop by occassionally to check up on what is going on in the life of the Homeyer’s!  We invite you to journey further up, further in with us!

That man went to Disney Land without me! April 12, 2009

When I became a Pastor and resigned as a youth minister I promised myself I would never again take a group to Six Flags and I never again would attend a youth camp unless someone else was in charge. 

Friday we took 36 kids to Six Flags.  It wasn’t as bad as most trips, it actually was pretty fun.  Lots of sponsors, good kids, and good planning by the parents in charge. 

In honor of my trip to Six Flags and because I love Scrubs and think this is hilarious.  I have posted this link my friend Brantley sent me for your enjoyment. 

Funky Fresh Senior Choir April 5, 2009

 

Ok, so I haven’t posted in a while, and blogging has somewhat fallen on the priority list recently.  I apologize to the 3 of you who regularly visit this site.  Graham/Story, Courtney, and Mom, I appreciate your commitment. 

For those who occassionally stop by, here’s the life update.

Kelley and I are having (actually, she’s having, but I was integral in the process) a baby boy due on July 25.  We’re pumped. 

We opened our new church a few weeks ago and it is awesome.  Pics to follow hopefully.

Latest provacative thought:  What is it like to sit before the throne room of God?  How does an active through process of the throne room of God affect the way we pray/live?  Thank you Francis Chan.

Ok, here is a hilarious video I came across this afternoon.  I don’t know if it is serious or a joke, but it is hilarious.  Notice how they follow the song along with the sheet music.  Where do you find sheet music for this stuff?  Hilarious. 

Stages of Life February 4, 2009

Here is the newsletter for the week!  I have a couple other posts up my sleeve later this week.  I’m not preaching Sunday so it affords a little time!

I have thought quite a bit lately about the varying stages of life and the purpose that each stage holds for us.  Even in my 28 years I can look back and see the purpose that each stage of my life held and how it prepared me for where I am today. 

                From birth an through the end of our lives, there is purpose in each stage, whether those stages relate to relationships, career, or faith.  We have purpose in each stage.  There is something for us to learn from each stage.  There is something unique for us to contribute in each stage. 

                That is why I believe any Churches are at their strongest when they actively involve those from the youngest to the oldest into the family of faith and into ministry.                

                One of the great differences it seems between the earlier stages of life as compared with the latter stages of life is that those that are younger want to speed up the stages and race through them to get to the next one, but those in the latter stages have learned much through the earlier stages and know that each stage is to be savored and experienced and want to tap the brakes and take their time through each stage. 

                I have spent the stages of my life very much wanting to rush through each stage and get to the next.  High School is spent preparing for college.  College is spent preparing for Seminary.   Seminary is spent preparing for serving in a church.  Now, at the ripe old age of 28, I am beginning to want to tap the brakes and slow things down a little bit, and not rush through this stage of life. 

                Personally, Kelley and I are at an incredibly exciting point.  Being settled into life in Marble Falls.  Loving our jobs.  Having great friends.  Having family living near.  Baby on the way.  We are blessed to an extent that simply astounds.

                As a family of faith, we are at an equally exciting stage.  This Sunday there was such energy in the air as people visited with one another and worshipped together.  As so much Kingdom work was begun as people filled out Ministry Interest Surveys, signed up for Ministry Teams, signed up to be a Fellowship House, in addition to all of the “normal” ways we minister day in and day out. 

                We are on the cusp, less than a month in fact, from entering our new building and the prospect of that is simply staggeringly wonderful for us all.  There is such hope and expectancy at this stage of the life of Fellowship Baptist Church. 

                 Last week as I was running at the gym I listened to an album that was very meaningful to me in a previous stage of life.  One refrain from that album has stuck in my head ever since then.  It rings out loudly, “This is your life…are you who you want to be?” 

                Now, the measure of life isn’t being who we want to be, but who God desires us to be; but, the question still rings, at this stage of your life, are you who you want to be?  Are you who God desires you to be? 

                For maybe the first time in my life, I can fully say that I am who, where, and what I want to be, and I believe, who, where, and what God wants to me be.  Not that I am without weakness, sin, and frustration, but it is a peaceful point at which to arrive. 

                Are you aware of God’s purpose for you in this stage of life?  Are you who God wants you to be at this stage in your life?  Spend some time reflecting on this question. 

For we, at no point in our life, are too young or too old or too busy to serve God’s Kingdom right where we are at.  And if we don’t realize that, then we miss the whole purpose of that stage in our life and the opportunity is gone. 

                Don’t miss the opportunities to serve God’s kingdom at this wonderful stage!  Live with the hope and expectancy of being used by God RIGHT NOW!

New Things January 28, 2009

So some of you may get annoyed at my newsletter articles, but others have asked that post them each week.  Here it is for this week!

It seems to me that growth always means change.  Although change only sometimes means growth.   We Americans tend to like things continually bigger and better and therefore often hear, “Growth,” and think of rising numbers (Homework assignment for the week – go look at Jesus teaching and parables on the Kingdom of God and contemplate whether bigger really is better).  But “growth,” especially as it relates to the Kingdom of God, takes many different forms and numerical gains are only one of its components.

Fellowship, we are growing.  We are maturing as a community.  It can be quantified in those that have joined and visited and have chosen to be a part of Fellowship and in our building quickly approaching completion.  It can be qualified in the discipleship, service, Bible study, and worship of the members of Fellowship each day and week.

   We are growing and quite necessarily, we are changing.    It is my hope and prayer that the ways in which we are changing will position Fellowship to be good stewards of the different components of growth with which God has blessed us. 

Over the past two Sunday’s I have introduced from the pulpit quite a few “new” ways in which to plug into Fellowship and participate in the Kingdom of God that I believe will help us be good stewards of all that God has blessed us with and called us to.  In short, they are ways in which to help us Love God and Love Neighbor. 

With all things new, we often react like a calf looking at a new gate:  We hesitate, not knowing whether to go forward or retreat.  To help us move forward, I want to give a quick explanation of all the new opportunities we have visited about these past two weeks. 

• 1. Fellowship House Ministry
• a. A new ministry that focuses on families of Fellowship developing intentional relationships with those in their neighborhoods. Those called to be a Fellowship House will commit to develop relationships with 10-15 families in their neighborhood. See last week’s newsletter or the church webpage for more details.
• 2. Ministry Interest Survey
• a. Many of you involved in Fellowship have expressed frustration in being able to get involved in the ministry of Fellowship and in knowing what the Fellowship’s opportunities for service are. This survey will be mailed out this week and will list in detail every possible area of service within Fellowship. We ask that you check those ministries and opportunities that you are interested and are feel led to be involved in. Checking a box is not signing on the dotted line to serve, but is merely an expression of your interest that will help us to plug people in and recruit volunteers. A copy of this can also be printed off the webpage and will be emailed out. Please email your copy back filled out, drop it off at the office, mail it in to the office, or bring it to church on Sunday.
• 3. Ministry Teams
• a. We are forming three ministry teams to help us prepare to serve in the coming months. These will be temporary teams and anyone can volunteer to serve on them.
• i. Neighborhood and Building Ministry Team
• 1. This is not a cleverly named team, but it will be formed for one year and its purpose will be to seek ways to 1) Reach out to the neighborhoods around Mormon Mill Rd. 2) Use our building to bless the neighborhoods around Mormon Mill and the larger community.
• ii. Children’s Ministry Team
• 1. As we get into our building we have the opportunity to expand our Children’s ministry and better meet the needs of our kids, this team will explore the specific ways in which this should happen.
• iii. Mission Trip Ministry Team
• 1. This team will explore options for our summer mission trip, choose a location, and help plan the trip.

Read again through these opportunities and pray about how God is leading you to be involved.  As I shared Sunday, it is my hope and prayer that we would be a family of faith where no one sits on the sidelines of God’s Kingdom, but that we are a family who ALL participate together in ministry. 

There is a place for you to plug-in!  Seek it out!  Dive in! 

You can call or email Kathy or I during the week to volunteer for any of these.  We will have sign-up sheets for each of them at church on Sunday.

The deadline to sign up for each of these will be Sunday, February 8.

Der Aggie Untergang January 23, 2009

I want to apologize upfront if this video offends any of you, but I simply found it hilarious. 

I have no great hatred of A&M and it’s football team, but I certainly have no love for them either.  As my father-in-law and brother-in-law and half of my church are big fans of UT, I have slowly become a fan as well.  And I am one of those ridiculous individuals who tends to take sports rivalries a bit too seriously, and subsequently my love for Baylor and my like for UT led me to laugh heartily at this video. 

Enjoy.

Love God, Love Neighbor January 23, 2009

This is an unedited post from our weekly newsletter.  I thought those of you who may not get our newsletter might like to hear about a new ministry we are beginning at Fellowship.  I got the idea for this type of ministry from a seminar I attended with Community Renewal International in Shreveport, LA and their founder, Mack McCarter. 

Sunday in the State of the Church Address, we discussed Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:34-40 where he says the greatest commandment is to love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and all your mind, and all your soul, and the second greatest was to love your neighbor as yourself. 

Love God, Love Neighbor. 

Jesus said the whole of the law and the prophets hung on these two commands.  I believe Jesus’ life and teaching show us that the whole of the gospel and our life lived in Christ hangs on these two commands as well.

Our life in Christ is to be spent actively Loving God, and Loving neighbor.

Love God, Love Neighbor.

This will be our theme, our mantra, our purpose in everything we do as Fellowship Baptist Church as we move forward in 2009 and beyond. 

Love God, Love Neighbor.

Sunday I introduced a new ministry of Fellowship that will serve as a great opportunity for us to both Love God and Love Neighbor.  It is called our Fellowship House Ministry. 

It is a ministry to those who quite literally are our neighbors in the most narrow interpretation – those who live in the same neighborhood, or on the same street as we do. 

As the average square footage of the American home has grown over the past decades, we have lost much of what it means to be a neighbor to those who live right around us.  Many of us will travel all over the world to share Christ with those in need, but for years will drive by those who live next to us every day and merely wave and say, “hello!”  Loving neighbor certainly extends to those neighbors in need around the world, but it just as certainly begins with those who live right next door. 

For those who feel led to be a Fellowship House in your neighborhood, you will commit to be an intentional neighbor to 10-15 houses near you.  Here are some of the requirements of a Fellowship House

 

• You will commit to meet and, over time, develop friendships with each of these neighbor families.
• You will let them know you desire to help them and be a good neighbor in any way you can if they need one.
• As you meet these neighbors, you will attempt to connect them with one another, and encourage them to be good neighbors to one another.
• Twice a year you will host or organize a neighborhood gathering like a BBQ, or a dinner, or having everyone over for Ice Cream. Community is developed in these times. Neighbors connect, and ministry happens.
• Once every other month, you will gather with other Fellowship Houses and pray for one another, share ideas on how to be reach out to your neighbors, and support one another.

 

This sounds incredibly simple.  Get to know the people living around you.  And it is simple.  As you visit you will meet some who are faithful followers of Christ.  With them, share your mission and your vision and ask for their prayers, and if they are led, their help.  But you will also meet those who need a neighbor.  You will meet those who need help mowing the grass and picking up their mail when they are gone.  You will meet those who need prayer, who need someone to listen to them, and who need Christ. 

Many of you are already faithful neighbors.  If so, then sign up to be a Fellowship House and join this ministry.  Those of us who don’t know our neighbors will need help and ideas and support from you. 

For those of you who are uncomfortable at the thought of this, don’t let your uncomfortability hold you back.  We grow when we fight through such feelings. 

Pray about your involvement.  We will have a signup sheet at Church Sunday.  You can email me or call the office if you want to get involved.  Do the same if you have any questions.  Sunday I will stay after church and answer any questions anyone has as well. 

This sign-up period will last until Sunday, February 8.  When we see who is led to be involved, we will provide some training, and hopefully begin in earnest in mid-late February. 

I am praying for 15 families to commit to be a part of this ministry and be a Fellowship House on their street. 

Can you imagine what God could do in Marble Falls with 15 families each ministering actively to 15 other families?  

Pray about this opportunity to Love God and Love Neighbor.