simple life...simple church... ( p.s. added)

Sometimes what we seek
what we need
what we long for
what we wait for
isn't as complicated
and difficult as we
make it out to be.

I've come to believe:

A person...
a church
who has wisdom
enough to
"build" a porch
and/or "gather"
on the porch
will discover what
they want, need, long for,
wait for.

The porch is a healing place
designed for
sitting, rocking, and talking.
It's just easier to do these things
on a porch.

What would happen
if churches across the
country invested in a
really good porch
with rockers?

What would happen
if people started sitting
on porches again
sharing their stories?

In a place and a time
when we have forgotten
how to sit and be and share...
it is time...

It is time to try something
simple...

So....if you don't have a porch
build one,
find one.

If you have a porch
go sit on it
and
invite others to join you.

And if you think
I'm silly
to suggest such
a simple thing...
that renewed life and ministry
requires more than
a porch and shared stories
that's ok by me.

I'm sitting on the porch
where I have been healed
where I've found hope
and stories
and laughter
and perspective.

When you want to talk...
when you want to find out for yourself...
I'll be waiting for you on the porch.

p.s.
Other people a lot smarter than me
have presented the theory of the porch...
people like Leonard Sweet, and James Howard Kunstler.
I have had the pleasure of living their words and
discovering the truth of their words.