What's the point?

Read an interesting blog on the purpose of community. Two different approaches to the purpose. Both agree that it is more than just a Bible study, that it is doing life together. One side sees the purpose as a place where people can find out who they are and how they are wired. A place to discover who God has created them to be. Where there is freedom from legalism and religion. The other viewpoint is that community is about spiritual formation meaning to push each other to be more like Jesus. Two ways that community can be done. Is one set up to fail? I think so. In my opinion if your group is based on the first viewpoint, then those hard conversations either won't happen or will destroy the group. The second viewpoint is based on those hard conversations. You know when you meet that you are giving people permission to push in those dark areas of your heart, to challenge you or to encourage you. It is about becoming more like Jesus and not about finding out who I am. I might know who I am and be nothing like Jesus. How does that help me be more like Christ? Uncomfortable? Yeah it can be, but it is a lot more helpful in transforming me than having a nice time together. It is a hard, slow, risky road to forming that type of community but then again it isn't about comfort it is about being more like Jesus. What do you think? Is there another purpose for community to add to the discussion?

Lost in the details

Had several reminders today of how incredibly blessed I am. Loved the following question that Lane asked me today - "What are some/one way(s) you see grace playing out in your life right now?" What an awesome reminder of the grace we have during each moment of our lives. It is constantly there, but I think I get so used to it that I forget to look around and see it. I get so caught up in the details of life and getting things done that I miss one of the most incredible gifts we will ever get. Do I stop and enjoy all that I have? Probably not often enough. More often than not I am like that ungrateful friend, you know what I mean, the one who takes and takes from the friendship but rarely if ever gives to it or says thanks. I've had friends like that before and it drives me crazy. One simple acknowledgement that they appreciate the friendship and I am good to go for quite awhile. Wonder if God feels the same way with me? He, the creator of the universe, desires to spend time with me and I take that for granted. My response should be to be grateful and humbled by that. Are you grateful for those things and people in your life? Let Him know and let those other people know as well. Imagine how that could make their day.

Imprints

What imprint are you leaving on other people's lives? Who is leaving part of their legacy in you? Was reading a blog written by Sheyenne about her "uncle" Bill that died this last week and made me wonder about those things as she described the impact he has had on her life. The big picture things and the little ways we leave our footprints. We are all leaving them, but are we doing it intentionally?

I feel so much of my life is spent focused on me that I miss the important things more often than not. I don't want to miss the chance to impact someone if I have that opportunity because I am so busy worried about the little things. The thing is that most of the time it is a gradual process through the little things that leave the impact. It takes time to invest in someone else. Seems to me that most days that is the thing we have little of - time. We run from one thing to the next hardly stopping to focus on those around us. To learn from those around us and to invest in those we could. Is that my imprint? Busy, without caring about those right in front of me. Like most things, the imprint we leave is our choice. What are you going to do with yours?

Aniticipation

Every get something stuck in your mind that you just can't seem to shake for the day? Usually for me it is something very unimportant like a song or "that's what she said" mentality, but today I read something on Mark Batterson's blog that has been playing on constant loop through my thoughts. Here is the one sentence that has been stuck there all day - "May you be filled with holy anticipation knowing that at any given moment God can invade the reality of your life and change everything." I have thought a lot today about if I live in holy anticipation. Do I wait eagerly and expect the moment God might decide to totally shake everything up and say today is that day? I have been talking with Lisa recently about seeing where God is moving and joining in (she is going through the Experiencing God study again which talks quite a bit about that) and wonder what we might be missing because we just go through our days and don't search for where God is working. That is part of what holy anticipation means to me. Am I constantly ready to allow God to invade my reality or do I have my plans that keep me from seeing those opportunities? I want to be ready because I don't know when, where or how God will decide to change everything, but I know that I might miss it I am not anticipating it. Are you ready for that "one day" moment when God might invade your life?

"Mad Church Disease" wrap up

Finished reading "Mad Church Disease" by Anne Jackson today. Can't say that it was anything really new to me, but it was a good reminder of some steps on keeping your health (mentally, spiritually, relationally and physically) in check especially for those on staff in ministry. I did like some of the questions at the end of the chapters (she calls them the "exam room") that were very practical steps in applying the various topics discussed. If you are on staff, or even if you are just heavily involved as a volunteer, I would recommend it as a good book to read. I have experienced it and seen it many times in people who burnout in ministry. You run full speed ahead without taking notice or often flat out ignoring the warning signs that you may be on the fast track to burnout. The book is a good chance to do a little self evaluation or better yet give those close to you the chance to help you check where you are at currently. I think some of her recommendations and reminders help provide a little preventative care that can be very helpful in keeping you from burning out. A quote from Charles Swindoll in the last chapter called processing through pain - "Don't get older; get better: Live realistically. Give generously. Adapt willingly. Trust fearlessly. Rejoice daily." Sounds like a good plan to me for living out each day.