Segue Dallas

winter-2009-2010-newsletter.pdf

I had a cool opportunity to talk at New Hope Church this past Sunday. I’ve been learning a LOT over the past few months about how God takes care of us. You can actually watch it at http://www.newhopechristian.org/podcasts/

REALLY cool event this past Sunday! There are some amazing people involved in this movement. Check it out at www.tenthousandhomes.org

Segue Gathering Calendar Oct-Dec 2009

Fall 2009 Newsletter

In praying for you today I had a cool picture. I had just used the machete to make a path into the woods, and I was walking and praying for you all and felt like God said, “go into the woods a little and look around,” so I did.

It was cool because basically there is the cultivated yard and then this little section where you have to get from the yard into the woods (a path through thorns and briers and poison ivy) and then you’re in the woods. Once I was in the woods I looked around and started asking God what kind of settlements he wanted you guys to build there. I kind of got this picture of several small settlements in and among the trees, sort of blending into the scenery, like Robin Hood’s band hideouts.

This wasn’t a strong vision or anything, just a light conversation with God — hopefully it’s encouraging and if it IS God it will make sense and be confirmed in other ways.

The part that I thought was cool was that you’re through that main and challenging transition from being in a mowed yard to being in the forest. Now you get to see what God wants you to build there — how exciting is that? Whatever it is, it will fit you and the culture and have God’s unique stamp all over it, not Saul’s armor.

Love you guys and miss you.

Jonathan

Zachary Scott Pohl, one of the best songwriters in Dallas with a spiritual side and then the jazzy duo, Deb & Aaron. The three of them will be a solid block performance to kick it off for The Meek & Mighty, an indie rock group with lots of originality. Doors at 6:30, concert at 7:00 Sunday July 12 with a $5.00 cover at Space (2814 Main Street). BYOB.

I’ve had several realizations over the past couple of months. Realizations about myself, my community and my spirituality. Sometimes I wonder why significant things seem so sparse in my life but right now I’m thinking, “Wow, this is a lot of significance all at once!” Last night on the ride home from the Rangers baseball game (thank you Hank Blalock for that 2 run homer!) I was talking with my Dad, my brother and a friend about all of this. And we had plenty of time to talk because my brother drove through every neighborhood in Arlington trying to get back to I-30 (if he had only listened to me . . .). Anyway, expressing verbally what I’m sensing, feeling and thinking really helps me process things so here’s what I understand so far.

Because Segue is part of a culture (Deep Ellum) that is consistently transitioning, changing and evolving . . . Segue will consistently be transitioning, changing and evolving. If the Segue community becomes stagnant then we will stop developing and making progress. We will become dull and lifeless. I KNOW I don’t want that and I’m pretty sure the people who make up the Segue community don’t want that either!

Life Coaching is a GREAT fit for me and, I believe, for Segue. Jana, Justin, Kelly and myself are currently going through 8 weeks of training in coaching. It is SO natural, SO organic and SO right! I absolutely love it! You know how every great once in a while you come across someone and they ask just the right question that probes deeply and causes you to think about things in a way you probably never would have otherwise? It’s challenging but so worth it? That’s a part of what coaching is . . . asking people the right questions that help them move forward and become the people they were created to be. Hey! isn’t that Segue’s mission? Why yes it is my friend . . . transitioning from who we are to who we were created to be! I long for the day when coaching is part of our culture because it is a tool God can use to transform us and that’s what we desire isn’t it? Transformation!

The job searching process is a beating! Filling out so many forms and writing and rewriting resumes and being charming even when you don’t feel like it. I’m right in the middle of that at this point in my life. As I’ve written previously, I’ve learned that I don’t have to be on staff to lead Segue. And I’m realizing that securing a full time job not only removes a huge financial burden from the Segue community, it also allows me to be even more a part of the community, the neighborhood and the culture. Those, my friends, are definite positives.

So, enough of my ramblings. I have burgers to eat, swimming in which to partake, and kids to shoot fireworks with . . . it’s the 4th of July!

“David told Saul, “I can’t even move with all this stuff on me. I’m not used to this.” And he took it all off.” (1 Samuel 17:39).

After David removed the armor of his King, Saul, he then was able to move!!! That’s what we need isn’t it? Movement! If we remain still too long moss and algae start to grow. We become like old statues that need a good power washing. So, movement is good but what kind of movement? Running in place seems pointless so in what direction should the movement take us?

So far, we have this:
1. take the armor off that doesn’t fit
2. move

At times the direction we need to move in is clear and we MUST embrace that believing that, regardless of the outcome, we will have followed our trusted friend Jesus and it will all have been worth it. Other times, the direction is unclear but we know that movement is necessary to avoid stagnation. At this point we need perspective. In order to gain that needed perspective we must move to a higher place in order to see the big picture - a bird’s eye view of sorts. This REQUIRES us to step back, disengage from the norms of life, and allow ourselves to see things we have missed due to our tunnel vision.

In my life and in the life of Segue we are in the stage of gaining perspective. It’s VERY refreshing. Things feel new and intriguing. Sure, there’s some pain in leaving certain familiar things behind but when those familiar things don’t fit anymore it’s much less painful to leave them behind than it is to continue dragging them along.

June/July/August 2009 3100 Main Street Dallas, TX 75226 SegueDallas.com

We were recently given a prophetic message from a friend in Iowa. He only gave us 2 words, “Saul’s Armor.” That’s it! Saul’s Armor. Remember how David went to the battlefield and accepted the challenge to fight Goliath? Saul insisted that David wear Saul’s armor so David tried it on but it was awkward, bulky, cumbersome and it just didn’t fit. David took it off knowing he couldn’t fight while wearing all that metal. We’ve been talking and praying about what that means for us. It’s been an interesting process to say the least. There have been a few things we’ve identified from the past that were certainly “Saul’s armor” for us. But that’s the past. What about now?

One thing that has been a BEATING for us recently is how we pay the bills. We’ve talked to experts, prayed, tried many things and it’s all felt awkward, bulky and cumbersome. We quickly and clearly identified this as “Saul’s armor”. We’re not sure what our next step will be, however, we are certain that we will find some stones and a sling that will fit us just right.

For the first time in the 3 year plus history of Segue, we are facing the possibility of not having enough money to make it through the month. I’m not worried. What good would that do? God has ALWAYS taken care of us and I KNOW that he will continue to do so. It seems we’re in a season in which we have 2 options: worry or trust. I choose to trust knowing that God really is faithful. He really does do what he says he will do. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will creatively operate to shift funds to us for the good of the Kingdom. We only need about $5000/month to operate and what’s that to the God who speaks worlds into existence? Thanks for your love and encouragement! Kevin

See our blog for more details about Saul’s Armor and Segue at SegueDallas.com

The Real Me by Marc Traynor

If I strip away my ego, envy and lust-
All the humor that hides my emotion.
If I allow the Lord to refinish and refine myself,
Allow the great carpenter to make me as He created me.
Against the grain I have gone but that does not show the true character of the wood.
When I give up my harsh varnish
My super glossy finish trying to disguise the splintered and rough surface.
When He strips raw, His hand sands down-
Not with wide strides, not with a sander but with the precision of a scalpel mapping out the grain with the attention to detail so small, invisible to everyone else but He knows the layers, He knows the path, and He understands how I have grown. The patterns, the journey and the struggles all tell told in the grain.
When He is done the wood is smooth and soft,
Details glorious and the wood shows its true design. My love becomes His.
I can truly care without expecting anything in return.
My humor is not to mask but to invoke true joy.
The grains and patterns of my life and journey are only the beginning.
Once He applies the stain the colors of my soul reveal the god-given encouragement to inspire others along their journey
Demonstrating the faults that hinder others not to tear them down but to strip out their impurities to reveal the hidden beauty disguised under their glossy finish.
When He seals the finished product the final barrier to prevent the return of my fears-
Fear of not being accepted.
Fear of not being liked.
Fear of knowing I am not worthy.
So in turn, I will accept and guide all those who come into contact to know and to feel God’s Grace and Acceptance.