Larry Crabb's Blog

Becoming Me Without You 

by Rachael Crabb and Friends

 

We’ve been on a thinking and writing hiatus for several months, and we are working on producing a blog at least six times a year. The article for today, How A Zoom Breakout Group became a Lifeline of Friendship, isn’t about grief, but it is about community. I find it relevant to a community that helped me in the grief process of Larry’s Home going and is still a big part of my life.

 

A note of thanks to the 3rd Saturday Zoom group and their stenographer, Nancy Little, for honoring my request to write and share about community life via Zoom after 3 years and counting. As always, thank you for joining me on this journey of becoming me without Larry. 

 

-Rachael

 

…

 

How a Zoom Breakout Group Became a Lifeline of Friendship

 

In February 2022, we joined The Larger Story Summit (a gathering to commemorate the ministry of Larry Crabb at the first anniversary of his HOME going). This summit was held at the Cove in Asheville, NC, and was originally planned to be an in-person-only event. Thankfully, the conveners opened a virtual option, including breakout sessions with discussion groups. This made it possible for those of us who couldn’t make the trip due to COVID regulations, various health concerns, and distance. Little did we know that small decision would lead to something deeply meaningful. Our breakout group was about a dozen people, strangers at first, but over the weekend, something started to click. The discussions were rich and honest; it felt like more than just another Zoom call, it was a community. One member asked if we could keep meeting, another had a Zoom account and offered to be the host. Soon, nine of us were meeting on the third Saturday of every month. Norman Backhouse, from Canada, stepped up to lead, drawing on his training in Spiritual Direction with Larry Crabb.

 

Life Happened and We Walked Through It Together

 

Over the past three years, our group has shared some of life’s most tender and powerful moments: major life changes, moves, retirement, aging struggles, cancer diagnosis, and we even said goodbye to one of our dear friends as he passed into eternity. Despite being in different time zones, spanning 16 hours, our little online circle has stayed strong. We’ve prayed, laughed, cried, and held space for one another in ways that only true community can offer.

 

Our Studies – and What Really Mattered

 

At first, our conversations centered around books by Larry Crabb, The Pressure’s Off, and The

Papa Prayer. These studies, so graciously led by Norm, gave us structure, wisdom, and spiritual

insight, a foundation on which to continue forming more like Christ. Our monthly calls became more than a meeting; they became a refuge.

 

More Than a Zoom Group

 

Rachael asked us to write about our group, and as we looked back, none of us could have predicted how a Zoom breakout session would turn into such a lifeline. What started as a workaround for a missed in-person event has become a source of deep connection and Spiritual growth. In a world that often feels so disconnected, we found something rare: friendship rooted in our relationship with the Trinity and each other: faith, hope, love, honesty, caring, and companionship. If you ask, “Have you met in person?” the answer is NO! But we have HOPE that one day we will be rejoicing around the throne together. And that’s something we’ll never take for granted.

 

Norman and Vaila Backhouse

Peter Fenwick

Delphine McCoy

Lylia Aana

Bob (in Glory) and Nancy Little

Syd McCrorey

Sachiko Nagao

 

The Freedom Series Ep. 4 | The Message with Larry Crabb | Larger Story

The Freedom Series Ep. 3 | The Message with Larry Crabb | Larger Story

Part 2 of Larry Crabb’s Freedom Series conversation. Head to largerstory.com for more information and content from Larry Crabb.

Part 1 of Larry Crabb’s Freedom Series conversation. Head to largerstory.com for more information and content from Larry Crabb.

The battle within:

1. Are we aware of the battle happening inside of us – not just the battle in someone else? Put off your old self, released from the old way to live in a new way.2. The mystery – Christ in you, the hope of GLORY!3.  How do we think “vision” outside of the Holy Spirit’s guidance – the love of Jesus on display?4.  The relational glory of God that is put on display through the guidance of the Spirit in us.

1.  What’s going on in us as we have a conversation that matters?

2.  How do you get out of yourself to think passionately?

3.  How do we recognize the pressure in us as we talk with others?

4.  Where and what is the real battle going on in us?

The 5 categories to think about when you’re talking to someone one-on-one.

What does it look like to follow the Spirit into someone’s life?  The 5 Dance Steps for Dancing with the Trinity.1. Think Beneath – God Obsession vs. Self Obsession – always a battle going on in us.2. Think Passion – What is your ruling passion – what battle is going on in you?  Your self-protected persona.3. Think Vision – What is the Trinity’s vision for that person – supernatural imagination!4.  Think Story – Learn to listen well – we all have a story, learning to share that story as part of God’s Larger Story.5.  Think Movement – Follow the Spirit as He moves in another’s life.

How can we follow the rhythm of the Spirit as we move into another’s life?

Listen to an Introduction to the 5 Steps for Dancing with the Trinity.

The categories of thinking:1. Think Beneath – the battle between flesh and Spirit – self-obsession vs God obsession2. Think Passion – what rules me as I’m aware of the battle in others and you.3.  Think Vision – what can someone be as a God-obsessed person – a supernatural imagination.4. Think Story – Learn to listen well and how to tell your story.5. Think Movement – How does the Spirit move in someone’s life?Join Kep and Duncan as we explore these dance steps to join in the dance of the Trinity.

We are excited to announce our next podcast series titled, Dancing With The Trinity. Our hosts Kep Crabb and Duncan Sprague will discuss topics centered around relational spirituality, and ponder what it looks like to dance with the Trinity.