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. Lord knows.