For the last several weeks I have been asking questions during our services. That's not very different. I mean we have always heard teachers ask questions in churches. However, the questions I have been posing have not been rhetorical questions but ones that I really wanted to hear some feedback.
By the way, thanks to all of the brave ones that have been wiling to shout out in one of our services and give your insight to the subjects we are addressing. I know that this is a very new idea and yet I think it is a very healthy and potentially life changing one.
In the last few days Chris had a great post on relationships where he talked about the importance of really listening. You can read it by clicking here!
I long for the day when we can regular gather as a group and just share openly with each other. Where someone isn't the "Bible answer man" (or women) standing in front of the group but where we can learn in community.
This is the idea behind the internet site know as wikipedia, where the information is shared information. The thought is that one person (source) can't possibly have all the perspectives needed to really bring a full understanding to any subject.
My desire is that at LifePoint we would be a people of God who explore this thought in many ways and I look forward to the journey with you.
I would love to get some feedback from those of you who read this blog about how this whole idea strikes you!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Generosity
This past Sunday we shifted gears on our series and started a mini series on Generosity. Anytime yo hear that word our minds quickly go to money. No doubt money is a tool where we are able to see our generosity or lack of but what we are talking about is much deeper than dollars.
We're talking about the generous life! This Sunday we'll dive into the characteristics of the generous life. If you are going to come and hang out with us I want you to begin thinking about that.
Where have you encountered extreme generosity in a life?
What are/where the characteristics of that life?
Paul told Timothy to teach the people to "be generous and willing to share." (We'll look at this specific passage this week)
There are some amazing things happening in the lives of some of the people who make up LifePoint and over the next few months we will highlight some of the stories and invite others of you to dive in to what is happening.
Kudo's to the community of people that have started going to Macon each Sunday night and feeding and hanging out with the homeless and hurting people up there.
Kudo's to the community of people that are working on houses of those in need and especially this week on the house of one of those who is part of our church family.
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! To all of you who displayed generosity toward my family as Carey has been recovering from back surgery.
I'm so grateful to be part of a community of people who get it and who display the marks of a generous life!
We're talking about the generous life! This Sunday we'll dive into the characteristics of the generous life. If you are going to come and hang out with us I want you to begin thinking about that.
Where have you encountered extreme generosity in a life?
What are/where the characteristics of that life?
Paul told Timothy to teach the people to "be generous and willing to share." (We'll look at this specific passage this week)
There are some amazing things happening in the lives of some of the people who make up LifePoint and over the next few months we will highlight some of the stories and invite others of you to dive in to what is happening.
Kudo's to the community of people that have started going to Macon each Sunday night and feeding and hanging out with the homeless and hurting people up there.
Kudo's to the community of people that are working on houses of those in need and especially this week on the house of one of those who is part of our church family.
Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! To all of you who displayed generosity toward my family as Carey has been recovering from back surgery.
I'm so grateful to be part of a community of people who get it and who display the marks of a generous life!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Ryder Cup 2008
This year USA and Europe square off for the 37th Ryder Cup Golf event. It's a match that is played between the two foes every other year. It happens to be one of my more favorite sporting events to watch. The USA has not done so well in the last several events but its always fun to watch and brings out a great spirit in the competitors and even those like me that just observe.
One of the players for the US, Kenny Perry, has worked very hard to make this team. The top 10 players, based on money (earnings) make the team each year and then the team captain gets to pick two other players. I just listened to an interview with Kenny where he shared all he has done this year to make the team. The event is being played in his home town so he had a little extra desire to participate.
Golf has 4 major championships every year and Kenny qualified to play in each of them. However, he chose to not play in the one outside the US and to play in more tournaments than he ever had in order to reach the earnings needed to make the team.
Now, that's what I'm talking about! Starting off the year with a goal in mind and then making the little decisions necessary to reach that goal.
Right now, at LifePoint, the staff and board are working through our 5 BHAG's (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) for 2009. We are asking God to direct us to five areas where if we grew and worked extra hard we could see our church go to a greater place. We have almost finalized the list and those of you who are part of our church will get to hear about it soon.
Having the goals will be one thing but the real challenge will be making the tough decisions necessary to position ourselves to accomplish the goals. There will be things we are doing that we may need to stop doing and there will be new things to start doing. It should be fun having a goal in mind and then creating a plan to accomplish that goal.
I believe with all of my heart that the greatest days at LifePoint are still ahead of us. I also believe that the greatest ways of doing church have still yet to be discovered. Together I look forward to seeking the things of the future!
One of the players for the US, Kenny Perry, has worked very hard to make this team. The top 10 players, based on money (earnings) make the team each year and then the team captain gets to pick two other players. I just listened to an interview with Kenny where he shared all he has done this year to make the team. The event is being played in his home town so he had a little extra desire to participate.
Golf has 4 major championships every year and Kenny qualified to play in each of them. However, he chose to not play in the one outside the US and to play in more tournaments than he ever had in order to reach the earnings needed to make the team.
Now, that's what I'm talking about! Starting off the year with a goal in mind and then making the little decisions necessary to reach that goal.
Right now, at LifePoint, the staff and board are working through our 5 BHAG's (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) for 2009. We are asking God to direct us to five areas where if we grew and worked extra hard we could see our church go to a greater place. We have almost finalized the list and those of you who are part of our church will get to hear about it soon.
Having the goals will be one thing but the real challenge will be making the tough decisions necessary to position ourselves to accomplish the goals. There will be things we are doing that we may need to stop doing and there will be new things to start doing. It should be fun having a goal in mind and then creating a plan to accomplish that goal.
I believe with all of my heart that the greatest days at LifePoint are still ahead of us. I also believe that the greatest ways of doing church have still yet to be discovered. Together I look forward to seeking the things of the future!
Monday, September 15, 2008
LifeGroups @ LifePoint
One of the greatest environments related to LifePoint Church is our LifeGroup's. You can find out more about them and how to be a part of one here.
Next year a major emphasis of our church will be how we can more effectively "do life together", and how we can connect more people in a small group environment.
For the past several months I have been traveling from group to group to hear from the people who make our church tick and to answer questions. It has been an amazing time and I am more convinced than ever that real life change happens in the context of a small group environment.
Tonight I hung out for several hours with the McCann lifegroup and I just have to give a shout out to Dan McCann! Dan is such a huge part of what takes place at LifePoint and he has really helped us get people connected in groups over the last few years. Thanks Dan! We are better because you are in our lives.
If you are not in a small group yet, Dan would love to find a place for you.
Next year a major emphasis of our church will be how we can more effectively "do life together", and how we can connect more people in a small group environment.
For the past several months I have been traveling from group to group to hear from the people who make our church tick and to answer questions. It has been an amazing time and I am more convinced than ever that real life change happens in the context of a small group environment.
Tonight I hung out for several hours with the McCann lifegroup and I just have to give a shout out to Dan McCann! Dan is such a huge part of what takes place at LifePoint and he has really helped us get people connected in groups over the last few years. Thanks Dan! We are better because you are in our lives.
If you are not in a small group yet, Dan would love to find a place for you.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
9 - 11
I bet 7 years later most of us still remember where we were and what we were doing on that tragic day that has simply become known as 9-11. There have been a lot of tragic days since then.
Many Mom's and Dad's have given their lives in defense of their nation. (This may not be politically correct but I mean Mom's and Dad's on both sides of the conflict)
This morning, in our staff meeting, we prayed for the victims both from that tragic day to the ones that are still loosing their lives today. God help us to hear from Him and God help our leaders to recognize the hugeness of the times we are living in and make the right decisions.
As Americans, I'm afraid we can become a bit arrogant at times and simply pray for our nation and our men and women of uniform and forget the others that face the same things in other parts of the world. Please don't misunderstand me, I am very grateful for the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. I gave 8 years of my life serving in our Armed Forces. However, we seem to have gotten a bit off track somewhere along the way.
God is not an American. (Again I know this isn't politically correct but while Jesus was a lot of things politically correct was not one of them)
As you pray today, pray for our nation and others as well. Pray for all of God's creation, that we could find fresh and innovative ways to come together as one. (Jesus prayed for this in John 17)
Don't forget to read Proverbs 11 today! There's some good stuff in there that we will come back to in the coming days! The NIV has some specific stuff to say about how we treat our neighbor. Remember as you watch the news today and all the people they flash on the screen before you... they are your neighbor too!
Many Mom's and Dad's have given their lives in defense of their nation. (This may not be politically correct but I mean Mom's and Dad's on both sides of the conflict)
This morning, in our staff meeting, we prayed for the victims both from that tragic day to the ones that are still loosing their lives today. God help us to hear from Him and God help our leaders to recognize the hugeness of the times we are living in and make the right decisions.
As Americans, I'm afraid we can become a bit arrogant at times and simply pray for our nation and our men and women of uniform and forget the others that face the same things in other parts of the world. Please don't misunderstand me, I am very grateful for the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. I gave 8 years of my life serving in our Armed Forces. However, we seem to have gotten a bit off track somewhere along the way.
God is not an American. (Again I know this isn't politically correct but while Jesus was a lot of things politically correct was not one of them)
As you pray today, pray for our nation and others as well. Pray for all of God's creation, that we could find fresh and innovative ways to come together as one. (Jesus prayed for this in John 17)
Don't forget to read Proverbs 11 today! There's some good stuff in there that we will come back to in the coming days! The NIV has some specific stuff to say about how we treat our neighbor. Remember as you watch the news today and all the people they flash on the screen before you... they are your neighbor too!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Having Trouble Sleeping
This doesn't happen to me very often but last night I had a little trouble sleeping. I woke up early in the AM and found myself reading and wondering why I couldn't sleep. I decided to check my e-mail, which I never do at the time of the morning, (Oh yeah because I'm never awake) and discovered that a lady in our church had e-mailed with a request to pray for her son and their entire family. I knew right away why I was awake. So I turned off my computer, hit my spot and started hanging out with my Heavenly Father in prayer.
So why am I blogging about this?
Well, we're in this series right now called "Pillars" and we are discussing some of the spiritual disciplines that should be part of the life of a follower of Christ. One of the disciplines we discussed a few weeks ago was prayer and I have been trying to stay more aware and more sensitive to the needs and happenings in my world.
In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches on the importance of prayer. In that teaching He points out to us that our Father knows what we have need of before we even ask. Today was proof of that. God woke me up to pray for somebody who has no idea when I ever get up. They would have never called on me at that time of the morning to get up and pray but God did. That's because He knew what they had need of before they even asked.
Turns out it's what I needed too! In 2 hours this morning I have gotten more done and spent more quality time with God than I usually get in half a day and this is before I am ever normally up. I think this morning will turn out to shape a new direction in my disciplines for the days ahead.
The discipline of prayer is about learning to trust like learning to walk!
Trust today that as you take your needs and issues to your Heavenly Father He knows what you have need of before you even ask. Don't be shy and wonder how to talk to Him. Just talk to Him! He's listening and He cares greatly for you, neighbor!
So why am I blogging about this?
Well, we're in this series right now called "Pillars" and we are discussing some of the spiritual disciplines that should be part of the life of a follower of Christ. One of the disciplines we discussed a few weeks ago was prayer and I have been trying to stay more aware and more sensitive to the needs and happenings in my world.
In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches on the importance of prayer. In that teaching He points out to us that our Father knows what we have need of before we even ask. Today was proof of that. God woke me up to pray for somebody who has no idea when I ever get up. They would have never called on me at that time of the morning to get up and pray but God did. That's because He knew what they had need of before they even asked.
Turns out it's what I needed too! In 2 hours this morning I have gotten more done and spent more quality time with God than I usually get in half a day and this is before I am ever normally up. I think this morning will turn out to shape a new direction in my disciplines for the days ahead.
The discipline of prayer is about learning to trust like learning to walk!
Trust today that as you take your needs and issues to your Heavenly Father He knows what you have need of before you even ask. Don't be shy and wonder how to talk to Him. Just talk to Him! He's listening and He cares greatly for you, neighbor!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Serving
What would our lives look like if we focused on others more than we focused on ourselves? That was the driving question in my heart and mind that lead me to share the message I did yesterday. You can listen to it here.
So this morning I got up and read this post from Jaime and I had to share it with you. I love the verse in Proverbs that she points out to us. Planning is a great thing and God calls us to do it but we must recognize that He has a plan for our lives and only His plans will prevail!
One of the things I am confident of is the reality that His plan for us involves serving others. We will talk more about that here this week as we continue to unpack the ideas I shared Sunday!
Remember the challenge, everyone you see this week is your neighbor! How would my life look different if I embraced that truth?
Have a great week, neighbor!
So this morning I got up and read this post from Jaime and I had to share it with you. I love the verse in Proverbs that she points out to us. Planning is a great thing and God calls us to do it but we must recognize that He has a plan for our lives and only His plans will prevail!
One of the things I am confident of is the reality that His plan for us involves serving others. We will talk more about that here this week as we continue to unpack the ideas I shared Sunday!
Remember the challenge, everyone you see this week is your neighbor! How would my life look different if I embraced that truth?
Have a great week, neighbor!
Friday, September 5, 2008
MARRIED LIFE
One of the things I love about the book of Proverbs is that if you stay with it on a daily or at least regular basis you are going to eventually cover the major areas of life. Today we look at Proverbs 5 and it is full of wise sayings.
One of the things we say around LifePoint often is that, "Great marriages don't just happen!" They take hard work and discipline. We are all bombarded with temptation everyday of our lives and how we walk through these times will determine the level of abundance we experience in this life.
Proverbs 5 is a warning against adultery and those of us who are married should heed the warning. Verse 8 says "Keep to a path far from her." Let me interpret (Don't get near it, run, you are not as strong as you think you are, if you play with fire you will get burned)
The writer of Proverbs concludes this teaching of wisdom in verse 23 by saying, "He will die for lack of discipline."
Wow! Does that connect with what we have been talking about or what? DISCIPLINE! That is what we have been called to. Not in an attempt to gain God's acceptance but because of it. We don't live a disciplined life trying to get God's grace, we live that life because we have received His grace. Check out Romans 11:33 - 12:2 for more study on this thought.
I have had two people in the last few days thank me for the challenge of reading through Proverbs. Both of them discussed how they were reading it each day with their spouse. Now there's a great idea. When you reach a passage like Proverbs 5 you can't just go on without having some discussion. Make this a part of your marriage.
Questions for reflection:
1) Where are you not guarding yourself from temptation?
2) What boundaries do you need to create for relational protection?
3) If I keep reading Proverbs each day will it make me stronger?
One of the things we say around LifePoint often is that, "Great marriages don't just happen!" They take hard work and discipline. We are all bombarded with temptation everyday of our lives and how we walk through these times will determine the level of abundance we experience in this life.
Proverbs 5 is a warning against adultery and those of us who are married should heed the warning. Verse 8 says "Keep to a path far from her." Let me interpret (Don't get near it, run, you are not as strong as you think you are, if you play with fire you will get burned)
The writer of Proverbs concludes this teaching of wisdom in verse 23 by saying, "He will die for lack of discipline."
Wow! Does that connect with what we have been talking about or what? DISCIPLINE! That is what we have been called to. Not in an attempt to gain God's acceptance but because of it. We don't live a disciplined life trying to get God's grace, we live that life because we have received His grace. Check out Romans 11:33 - 12:2 for more study on this thought.
I have had two people in the last few days thank me for the challenge of reading through Proverbs. Both of them discussed how they were reading it each day with their spouse. Now there's a great idea. When you reach a passage like Proverbs 5 you can't just go on without having some discussion. Make this a part of your marriage.
Questions for reflection:
1) Where are you not guarding yourself from temptation?
2) What boundaries do you need to create for relational protection?
3) If I keep reading Proverbs each day will it make me stronger?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Benefits of Wisdom
Today we continue with some thoughts from the book of Proverbs. Chapter three is one of my most favorite chapters in the entire bible.
As a small kid my Grandfather taught me Proverbs 3:5-6 and I have held it close my entire life. Trusting in God leads us to a life of "straight paths". Straight doesn't mean without obstacles but without bends. God will lead us straight to the place where He intends for us to be. Are you trusting in Him today?
Verses 9-10 give us some great insight to God's promise to us when we honor Him with our stuff!
Here's a few questions for you to ponder as you go through this day:
1)Am I really trusting in God or am I trusting in me?
2) If I look at my stuff and how I am using it would others say I am honoring God with it?
If either of these questions challenges you to a place of discomfort then spend a few minutes in Proverb 3:11-12 and be reminded that God's challenge is to those He really loves!
As a small kid my Grandfather taught me Proverbs 3:5-6 and I have held it close my entire life. Trusting in God leads us to a life of "straight paths". Straight doesn't mean without obstacles but without bends. God will lead us straight to the place where He intends for us to be. Are you trusting in Him today?
Verses 9-10 give us some great insight to God's promise to us when we honor Him with our stuff!
Here's a few questions for you to ponder as you go through this day:
1)Am I really trusting in God or am I trusting in me?
2) If I look at my stuff and how I am using it would others say I am honoring God with it?
If either of these questions challenges you to a place of discomfort then spend a few minutes in Proverb 3:11-12 and be reminded that God's challenge is to those He really loves!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Proverbs 1
This is a great book of wisdom to dive into! It is a perfect place to start based on our current series, "Pillars"
So this week we begin our jounrney of discussing different aspects of Study. I challenged you to spend each day this week reading the Proverbs of the day. So we start by pointing out Chapter 1 verses 2-3
The writer begings by giving us an overview of what the purpose of these writings are:
"for attaining wisdom and DISCIPLINE; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.
There is that word again: DISCIPLINE
As we work through these passages this week we will begin to see the value of discipline more and more.
Make it a priority to read Proverbs 1-7 this week and ask God to help you understand it and apply it to your life.
So this week we begin our jounrney of discussing different aspects of Study. I challenged you to spend each day this week reading the Proverbs of the day. So we start by pointing out Chapter 1 verses 2-3
The writer begings by giving us an overview of what the purpose of these writings are:
"for attaining wisdom and DISCIPLINE; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.
There is that word again: DISCIPLINE
As we work through these passages this week we will begin to see the value of discipline more and more.
Make it a priority to read Proverbs 1-7 this week and ask God to help you understand it and apply it to your life.
Monday, September 1, 2008
MAC vs. PC
So my last post was on "Learning to Let Go" and today I may really be practicing this discipline. I got home yesterday to discover that my computer had crashed, again. Not sure yet what the problem is but thinking seriously about stepping into the MAC world.
Any advice or comments? Besides, "What have you been waiting for?"
Any advice or comments? Besides, "What have you been waiting for?"
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