Dreams and Dreamers

Do you have a 2012 dream? January and early February are the times of the year when I think about and listen to others’ dreams for the year.The bible is a dreamer’s book. One of its biggest themes is a people looking for what is "not yet" a reality. We are a dreaming people.This year already we have dreamt about a new evening prayer service where people who are keen for God can receive love and spiritual nourishment but can also learn and practise safely their own spiritual gifts.Liz is dreaming about other ways for families to worship together. Excitingly, she is sharing her dream with others who are joining in.  Ask her about it.Another person's dream  for 2012 is simply to "come closer to God". Simple maybe, but hard to do. This person is dreaming about how to do this  because they know everything that matters comes out of the level to which they are successful in coming closer to God.Someone else shared a dream about encouraging the spiritual growth of women in our community. The way groups of men and women come together to learn and pray and support one another through life is really something and encourages me greatly.One woman even shared a dream of converting a section of the hall to become much more like a lounge room but still maintain its flexibility. What a great dream to make sharing life and faith easier.Another dreamer is thinking about how to engage more with the wider Cottesloe community. They call it "joining our dots".Another person's dream challenged me recently. Their dream is of the church as a truly supportive family. What is the difference  between the church as a community and a family. Which is it? Which should it be and why?I constantly dream about every person being empowered and equipped in their faith to be released confidently to be everything God would have you be. Now there's a dream!Most people's dreams are of more concrete stuff - jobs, kids, finances, health. Bless your dreams.Whatever your dream is for 2012, I pray for your prosperity and blessing in it. In my performance review recently (I just scraped through) it was suggested I make a night a month where I hold "Office Hours" between 7:30pm and 9:00pm for people to share what God is doing, wrestles and joys and DREAMS.What do you think about that idea?With you in your adventure with Jesus. Malcolm