December 14

Letter to the Colossians -- Colossians 1:1-14; The Preeminence of Christ -- Colossians 1:15-29, 2:1-15; Carnality and Spirituality -- Colossians 2:16-23, 3:1-17; Christlikeness in Relationships -- Colossians 3:18-4:1; Concluding Thoughts -- 4:2-18; Letter to Philemon -- Philemon 1:1-25

"Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea and to Nympha and the church in her house."  [Colossians 4:15]

"To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home." [Philemon 1:2]

A memory I hold dear is church at my Grandmother Hughes' house.  I remember having church there and then after church the ladies gathering in the kitchen to make lunch.  The whole congregation -- just a handful of people -- sat down together and eat a meal together.  I only have a memory of going once but it is a powerful one.  We should try that North Boulevard -- try dividing up the congregation and have church in various homes.  Because there is something unique about having church at your home.  Not just a service with your family, but having others there.  It gives church less an air of intimacy, of being a part of our lives rather than a ritual that we go to a "church building" to perform.  It makes church feel like we're part of an outpost of Christians rather than the establishment.  

I think our massive church buildings and congregations have a tendency to insulate us from our personal relationship with God and the radical nature of Christianity.  We come together in these huge programmed, churches that have such a staid feel.