Wild Goose Chase

Mark Batterson has done it again! I just finished reviewing a copy of his new book, "Wild Goose Chase" and I feel like I need to grab my backpack, head to North Georgia, and start hiking the Appalachian Trail. That's one of my "life goals"

One of the main thrusts of the book is setting goals and pursuing the things God has put in your heart to do. Most of us sell ourselves short and by doing so we are selling God short.
Mark says that if we are going to experience God's best for our lives then we must learn "to play offense. You've got to play to win!"

Last year I had the privilege of hearing Mark speak and then talking with him for a few minutes at the Catalyst Conference. He's one of those guys that has become a long distance mentor to me through his speaking and writing both from books and his blog.

I would encourage you to make his blog a part of your daily reading! You can connect at: www.markbatterson.com

One of the greatest challenges that I have faced in several years came from Mark's inspiration: sitting down and developing a list of 100 Life Goals. He speaks of this practice in his newest book.

It has been said that "we will all end up somewhere in life so why not end up there on purpose."

Today, I encourage you to purchase a copy of "Wild Goose Chase", read it the minute it lands in your hands, and then spend the rest of your life chasing the Wild Goose.

Find out more at www.chasethegoose.com or go straight to www.amazon.com and order your copy!

Thanks for the challenge Mark!

Spiritual Disciplines and Personal Rhythm's

Today we continued our series, "Pillars" by introducing the need in our lives for spiritual disciplines. I mentioned that the bridge between God's grace that is for forgiveness of sins and God's grace that leads us to a life of obedience is built by spiritual disciplines.
Over the next several weeks we will look in detail at some of the specific practices that allow us to experience spiritual formation. This is the diligence to do the hard things that are part of following Christ. It's one thing to believe in Him but to follow requires paying a price.
One of this biggest part of that price is to focus on some proper and healthy rhythm's for life. As of last week I have engaged a personal coach to help me manage my life's rhythm's. Sometimes we may think that we can do it all on our own and that we don't need a coach but even the greatest enlist the help of others.
Tiger Woods is one of the greatest golfers to ever play the game and yet he has a coach. It's because he understands that even though he has many skills there are still things that he doesn't see in his own game.
As we pursue this life of disciplines I encourage you to surround yourself with people who will help you grow. People who will speak into your life.We all need encourager's and coaches.

Night of Worship

Last night we had one of the most amazing times ever at "Night of Worship". For those of you not familiar we gather the first Wednesday of the month about 8-9 months out of the year for a time of music and communion. Some months I share some brief thoughts as I did last night on suffering. You can get the basics from my post yesterday.
My post today is really not about anything I shared but about the amazing time of worship through song that Chris and our band lead us into. We are so fortunate at LifePoint to have a guy like Chris with his gifts, talents and passions to see people truly experience Christ. That's exactly how I left feeling last night. (I experienced Christ)
We go through life a lot of times knowing about God but to experience Him takes our journey to a new level.
Kudo's to Chris, the band, the guys in the sound/media booth, the ladies who set up the room and anyone else who made last night possible. Today I have been able to continue the experience in my heart because of your efforts and availability.
If you missed last night join us in September for what I know will be another great time!

The Benefits of Suffering

OK, so not my favorite title or subject! However, I think we have to face the reality that suffering has a place in our lives. I will talk briefly about this at Night of Worship this week.
It seems to me that whenever we talk about suffering, especially as followers of Christ, that we have this negative tone in our conversation. What if we could begin to see suffering for what it really is, "An opportunity to see God in unique ways and an opportunity to grow." The Bible doesn't seem to share this negative view we have of suffering.
As a matter of fact James said "Consider it pure joy, my brothers when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3
May I suggest that you go and read the verses that follow for a better grasp on the benefits of suffering in our lives.
Today, no matter what we are facing could we ask God to reveal himself to us in unique ways and allow us the strength and grace to persevere!

Following Christ!

Sorry, but I've been a little out of the blogging world for the past week or so. I've been spending some time being quiet and just listening to the heart of the Father.
Don't miss this Sunday!
We are going to talk about the "Rich Young Ruler", and continue our discussion about what it means and looks like to be a follower of Christ in this world we find ourselves in.
Thanks for all of the great comments about our talks these past few weeks. It is evident to me that we truly are a people that are "Hungry".

"River of Life"

For the third year in a row our teenagers have just finished participating in a ministry in Macon, GA called "River of Life". They basically hang out at a church in Macon and go out into the community during the day and do construction and painting work on the homes of elderly and disabled people that can't afford to have the work done.
This connects with the idea of "communitas" that I have been blogging about the last few days. Here's the idea:
As we serve someone else, together, we become more connected through our service. As we, in community, look not only to our own needs but to the needs of others we become more connected and experience a greater sense of community. I'm always amazed at how the teenagers and adults that participate become closer together even if they weren't really connected before working together.
I'm posting here to give further voice to the idea of "communitas" but this is also a big shout out and kudo's for the teenagers and adults that worked so hard over the last few days.
Thank you to Tracie Lord, our Director of Student ministries and Joe and Robin Booker who love our kids and most importantly love Jesus and the people he loves.
Also, thanks to the group of teens that went above and beyond to serve those in need. You guys really did display the love of Jesus this weekend!
You have experienced something the last few days that many will never experience.
Communitas!

Extreme Community

Yesterday I introduced you to the idea of "communitas". It's community to the extreme degree. Remember this part of the definition:
Communitas is an acute point of community. It takes community to the next level and allows the whole of the community to share a common experience

Communitas happens as a result of several different things:
It can happen when a group of people walk through a trial or difficult time together.
It can happen when they come together to serve someone else inside or outside the community and together combine to accomplish something that couldn't be accomplished apart from the group effort.

This is my desire for the people of LifePoint Church. That we would daily walk together and experience "extreme community". Right now we are walking through a tough time financially but when we shoulder the load together the struggle actually becomes a strengthening of our resolve and commitment to each other.

Coming up:
"How some of our students and a few adults are experiencing communitas this weekend!"