I love Christmas Morning! Wake up early, open a few gifts with the family, eat a little breakfast and then go back to sleep for a morning nap. Just waking up from mine!
So grateful for what this day represents. It is the day that, as Christians, we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This past year, maybe more than ever, I have been overwhelmed with the thought of God coming "here"! I'm asking Him this day not to let me miss the beauty of what this means for us.
In Coming, Jesus said over and over again things like.... "the Kingdom of God is with men".... "the Kingdom is in you"....
I think as followers of Christ we will have been called to be co-creators with Christ and continue to usher in the presence of the Kingdom in the world we live in.
For the balance of 2008 and in all of 2009 may we broker the message of the Kingdom and the Peace of God to all we encounter.
Both friend and foe, those near and far.
Peace on this Christmas Day and in the Year to come!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
What a Year!
What an amazing year this has been! Tomorrow morning I will walk into the doors of LifePoint and onto the stage for the last Sunday service of 2008. Where has the year gone? It has certainly been an up and down ride but one that I will cherish for some time to come. (We always take the last Sunday of the year off so we won't have services on the 28th)
I can't wait for the experience on Sunday! We have been brainstorming this one for several weeks and it finally came together over the last few days.
Speaking of experience: That is the new word for next year. Lifepoint will be all about creating experiences. By now you have probably heard that we are shifting from three services to two and the times are changing. Our new times will be 8:45am and 10:30am, starting on January 4th.
We have some experiences planned for the first few months of 2009 that I don't think will let you down. We are going to look at the issues facing, "Frantic Families" and we are going to talk about the heartbeat of LifePoint Church.
Thanks to all of you who have been such a huge part of our journey this year. Together we have worshipped by singing, teaching, repairing houses, feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, and caring for children just to name a few.
Next year promises to provide many more opportunities for some of the same and many new initiatives as well. I hope you all have a great Christmas and an Amazing start to the New year!
I can't wait for the experience on Sunday! We have been brainstorming this one for several weeks and it finally came together over the last few days.
Speaking of experience: That is the new word for next year. Lifepoint will be all about creating experiences. By now you have probably heard that we are shifting from three services to two and the times are changing. Our new times will be 8:45am and 10:30am, starting on January 4th.
We have some experiences planned for the first few months of 2009 that I don't think will let you down. We are going to look at the issues facing, "Frantic Families" and we are going to talk about the heartbeat of LifePoint Church.
Thanks to all of you who have been such a huge part of our journey this year. Together we have worshipped by singing, teaching, repairing houses, feeding the hungry, clothing those in need, and caring for children just to name a few.
Next year promises to provide many more opportunities for some of the same and many new initiatives as well. I hope you all have a great Christmas and an Amazing start to the New year!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
It's a Beautiful Day
As some of you know one of my favorite bands of all time is U2, and their song, "Beautiful Day" is one of the best. The lyrics go, it's a beautiful day.... don't let it slip away.....
That is what is on my mind as I wake up this morning. (Maybe it's because the song is in my ipod)
What if we said this to ourselves each day before we rushed out the door or began our daily routine. In my office I have a jar of marbles that represent the weeks I have left if I live the normal lifespan of a person in America. I'm fully aware that I am not promised anything and that everyday is a gift and every breath a picture of god's grace. The marbles (I throw one in the trash each week) are a constant reminder to me that life is a gift and is fragile and I have a little bit of time and a little opportunity to make a difference.
How are you using your little bit of time and little bit of opportunity to influence those around you for good?
It's a Beautiful Day..... Don't Let it slip away!!!!
That is what is on my mind as I wake up this morning. (Maybe it's because the song is in my ipod)
What if we said this to ourselves each day before we rushed out the door or began our daily routine. In my office I have a jar of marbles that represent the weeks I have left if I live the normal lifespan of a person in America. I'm fully aware that I am not promised anything and that everyday is a gift and every breath a picture of god's grace. The marbles (I throw one in the trash each week) are a constant reminder to me that life is a gift and is fragile and I have a little bit of time and a little opportunity to make a difference.
How are you using your little bit of time and little bit of opportunity to influence those around you for good?
It's a Beautiful Day..... Don't Let it slip away!!!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
"Frantic Family" Blog Finale
In my post yesterday I wrapped up the questions for the frantic family. I just had to visit this issue one more time. Today I spent some time with a creative planning team talking about the new series we will be launching in January related to this subject. I have 3 words for you. "Don't miss it"!
During this series we are going to experiment with some new forms of learning and it is just going to be a great time. (I wish I could share more of our planning but that would take away from the experience so I have to keep you in suspense) At the end we will open our doors to the public for a one evening session on developing a family plan.
If Frantic is not an adjective that describes your family then you can sleep late in January. However, if like mine, yours is at times frantic, then join us for some amazing environments and conversations!
During this series we are going to experiment with some new forms of learning and it is just going to be a great time. (I wish I could share more of our planning but that would take away from the experience so I have to keep you in suspense) At the end we will open our doors to the public for a one evening session on developing a family plan.
If Frantic is not an adjective that describes your family then you can sleep late in January. However, if like mine, yours is at times frantic, then join us for some amazing environments and conversations!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
SORRY
OK, so I have been away for a few weeks! Life has been a little crazy and I just haven't taken the time to post. I could have found some time but I try to work hard to really prioritise my life and at times I have to let things go.I love writing here so I'm back in the saddle and will try to stay consistent at least for the near future.
When I took my break we were talking about the questions that a "Frantic Family" must ask themselves. The first two questions were challenging but this third one is very simple.
As a family, "How are we going to manage and monitor our decisions?" Once you make the tough decisions you must make as family there has to be a plan to monitor how you are doing.
A few weeks ago Carey and I spent an evening at Atlanta Bread Company talking through the decisions we had recently made. It was a great time to hang out and to make sure that we were doing the things we had committed to doing. As I said in another post, it is one thing to know what you want to do and another thing to be sure you get it done.
I am confident that anyone can sit down and come up with a plan for what their life and their family should look like but I think very few actually accomplish their dreams and desires. We allow our culture and what others say and do to dictate what our life really looks like. This is unfortunate. You and you alone can monitor and manage your life and your family.
Spend some time this week evaluating how you are doing related to your priorities and desires. If you need to make some changes have the courage to do so!
When I took my break we were talking about the questions that a "Frantic Family" must ask themselves. The first two questions were challenging but this third one is very simple.
As a family, "How are we going to manage and monitor our decisions?" Once you make the tough decisions you must make as family there has to be a plan to monitor how you are doing.
A few weeks ago Carey and I spent an evening at Atlanta Bread Company talking through the decisions we had recently made. It was a great time to hang out and to make sure that we were doing the things we had committed to doing. As I said in another post, it is one thing to know what you want to do and another thing to be sure you get it done.
I am confident that anyone can sit down and come up with a plan for what their life and their family should look like but I think very few actually accomplish their dreams and desires. We allow our culture and what others say and do to dictate what our life really looks like. This is unfortunate. You and you alone can monitor and manage your life and your family.
Spend some time this week evaluating how you are doing related to your priorities and desires. If you need to make some changes have the courage to do so!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Narrow it Down
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Ok, now get up off the floor and please keep reading! Of course you do, we all do. Sometimes it seems like I have so much to do that I am almost paralyzed by the magnitude of responsibilities and the things that need my attention.
For the past few days I have been posting about the questions that each family needed to ask in order to live on purpose. If you haven't read the last 2 blogs you may want to back up and catch up.
Today I have another question for you that I hope helps. "What is your families top priority, right now?" If you could answer that question in a sentence then you have just created some direction. I know that we are all busy and have a lot to do but if you want to get somewhere, and get there on purpose then you must learn to prioritize.
If as a family, or even with yourself if you are single, you could sit down and determine what the most important thing is right now then that becomes your marching orders. You simply focus on that and everything else just has to wait until it becomes the most important thing.
Now, before you tell my I'm dreaming listen to a few thoughts:
1) I know that there are daily things that simply must be done. Get them done. They will always have a place in your schedule
2) Before you push back to hard on my plan, how's yours working? If it's going good then read no more. If not, try this one on for a few weeks and see if you get results.
We will look at our final question in a few days! Happy Prioritizing!
For the past few days I have been posting about the questions that each family needed to ask in order to live on purpose. If you haven't read the last 2 blogs you may want to back up and catch up.
Today I have another question for you that I hope helps. "What is your families top priority, right now?" If you could answer that question in a sentence then you have just created some direction. I know that we are all busy and have a lot to do but if you want to get somewhere, and get there on purpose then you must learn to prioritize.
If as a family, or even with yourself if you are single, you could sit down and determine what the most important thing is right now then that becomes your marching orders. You simply focus on that and everything else just has to wait until it becomes the most important thing.
Now, before you tell my I'm dreaming listen to a few thoughts:
1) I know that there are daily things that simply must be done. Get them done. They will always have a place in your schedule
2) Before you push back to hard on my plan, how's yours working? If it's going good then read no more. If not, try this one on for a few weeks and see if you get results.
We will look at our final question in a few days! Happy Prioritizing!
Friday, November 14, 2008
FAMILY PLANNING
So in my last post I shared with you about the book I had just finished reading and how it had inspired Carey and I to sit down and really get intentional about the things we feel strong about. We came away from our discussion with a renewed feeling of needing to simplify. So we came up with some action steps.
This week we have worked very hard to de-clutter, prepare for a yard sale, re-work our personal budget and make some plans for how we will continue this process. See it's one thing to know what you need/want to do but it's another to put feet to your plans. I already feel like a new man after just one week of working hard on the things we decided to do. Our house is less cluttered, we are more on the same page than ever as a family, and I feel like we are really creating space in our lives for God to move!
It all started with the three questions from the book, "3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family". Let me give you the first one and challenge you to think through it. WHAT MAKES YOUR FAMILY UNIQUE?
Now that's a great question. What are the unique gifts, talents, desires, passions, and experiences that make up who you are as a family? Taking some time to reflect on these things will allow you to begin putting together a family mission that will allow you to live your life with great purpose.
We'll continue this discussion and look at the other 2 questions over the next few days!
Live on purpose and choose the course of your life or someone will choose it for you.
Peace!
This week we have worked very hard to de-clutter, prepare for a yard sale, re-work our personal budget and make some plans for how we will continue this process. See it's one thing to know what you need/want to do but it's another to put feet to your plans. I already feel like a new man after just one week of working hard on the things we decided to do. Our house is less cluttered, we are more on the same page than ever as a family, and I feel like we are really creating space in our lives for God to move!
It all started with the three questions from the book, "3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family". Let me give you the first one and challenge you to think through it. WHAT MAKES YOUR FAMILY UNIQUE?
Now that's a great question. What are the unique gifts, talents, desires, passions, and experiences that make up who you are as a family? Taking some time to reflect on these things will allow you to begin putting together a family mission that will allow you to live your life with great purpose.
We'll continue this discussion and look at the other 2 questions over the next few days!
Live on purpose and choose the course of your life or someone will choose it for you.
Peace!
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