Isn't This What Christmas is About Anyway?

So, about 5 weeks ago it was time to plan the Emerge Ministries Calendar.  I have to admit, with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there was a big part of me that thought...maybe we just say, "Enjoy your holidays and we'll catch up with you in 2014."  But, as it turns out, God had different plans - and aren't we glad He did.

Over the last 8 weeks, the Holy Spirit has lit a fire in the Emerge Ministries group leading us to spend our spare time building relationships with those living in the neighborhoods closest to the physical location of Centenary's campus in Danville.

On November 3rd, we were blessed with hundreds of coats, blankets, gloves, and scarves from Centenary's church family.  We gave them out to under-resourced families in the Cowan Street area of Danville at a "Fall into Winter" give-away.  We ate, we drank, we laughed, we shopped, and we prayed.  Kids and adults alike had the opportunity to experience the true joy of giving as well as the undeniable miracle of God's free grace and unconditional love.

Then, two weeks later, someone purchased 50 Fazoli's meals at a scouts fundraiser with the hope that they could be given out to people in need of a warm meal.  For some reason, the young adult group was asked if we would like the opportunity to give them out and we said, "Yes!"  So, on November 17th during our Sunday school hour we prayed and prepared for bringing the meals across the street in an attempt to continue to meet our neighbors.  That morning, however, what seemed like a torrential downpour began and only got worse.  We were going to have to change our plans or give up.  We chose to load up our vehicles and head out for deliveries..for better or wetter.  People were overwhelmed and shocked that we would be out in the weather.  Young children, single parents, and elderly Seniors on Walnut Street were blessed with warm food and the rest of us were blessed with the rare opportunity to have a blast running around in the rain while giving out signs of God's grace and love.  Rain makes everything more fun.


Later that week, an idea just dropped into my mind on the way to a church meeting.  Funny how the Holy Spirit can use the monotonous 30-minute commute to a church meeting for divine guidance and conversation. After some collaboration, the Emerge Ministries group decided to host a neighborhood Christmas party at the Cowan Street Park including a visit from Santa with photos, a family craft corner, and a Santa's workshop: a place where kids and parents could shop for one another free of charge-gift wrapping included - all to take place at the neighborhood park.  Word spread and support rained down on us - over $1200 was given toward the cause - tons of donated items for the Santa's Workshop, and enough chili, cookies, and beverages to go around poured in.

We woke up this morning - the big day of our neighborhood party - and there was no hope of sunshine or temperatures to reach above freezing with constant winds blowing at about 15 mph.  Again, it was time to make a choice - either change our plans or give up.  After prayerful conversation, we decided to throw Santa and his elves in the back of a pick up truck - we rang bells, we honked horns, and brought folks to and from the party - now being held inside at the church on the other side of the highway - which can be a long journey for some.  Before we knew it, we were packed with families shopping, wrapping, crafting, eating and fellow-shipping with one another.  By the time it was all over - we had served about 65 people and we had given away over 250 items wrapped and ready to go under Christmas trees.  Over 45 personalized ornaments were made and we took 40 pictures of children with Santa.  And of course, each of us who served were overwhelmed with a sense of fullness that only acts of Christian generosity can give.  Regardless of how many people came today - or what happens to the gifts that were wrapped today or the gifts we may unwrap between now and 2014 - there is one priceless gift of immeasurable worth:  us being used by God as instruments of his comfort, peace, joy, kindness, patience, gentleness, love, and grace.  What an honor!  What a privilege!

From the moment we began ministry with our neighbors, we have been faced with obstacles - but not one challenge has been left unmet by God.  Nothing has turned out how we planned or expected.  Actually, that sounds a lot like the Christmas story.  You think Mary and Joseph dreamed of giving birth in a cave among farm animals?  I wonder if it was always the plan to take a two day journey in order to induce Mary's labor. And don't we all want dirty workman and astrologers we don't know visiting us to meet and welcome our new baby into the world?

I am so glad that God changes our plans.  I am so glad He has always been in the business of changing plans...from the beginning of creation - to the manger scene - to just a few weeks ago when I almost said to everyone - "Enjoy your holiday season with your friends and family and your yummy meals and your holiday parties and your wonderful presents...because isn't this what Christmas is really about anyway?  Isn't the greatest gift being a gift to others.  For me - my Christmas is complete.  Today, I received the best gift I could ever get - a renewal of Christ's spirit in me, a glimpse of Christ alive in others, and living proof that Jesus continues to show up in new places and in new ways when we least expect it.

Here's a few thoughts from those who experienced Christmas in a new way this year...

"I loved being in the craft room because it was really the first time our guests were able to sit down, quiet their minds, and reflect a bit on the activity around them.  I heard lots of families listing off who they got gifts for, chatting with neighbors about how much their children enjoyed seeing Santa, and too many "Thank You's to count.  I was blessed so much by the sweet families who came through.  Everyone was excited to be there...I can't remember even one upset child or parent...joy was everywhere." - Lauren Schrepfer






"Mark absolutely loved being Santa!  He has already asked me if he can do it next year!  Not only did the event put smiles on faces in the community but I noticed the happiness it gave all of us who helped put it on"
-Carson Kreider







"When I got to the church after bringing a family over from the park, and I walked down the hallway and couldn't see the glass doors on the other side of the hallway because there were so many families at the church for the event - I was amazed."
-Jason Harris



"It was great overall just seeing the lil' kids' faces when they had their crafts and gifts in their hands!!! :))"   -Joey Carpenter

"My memorable moment was how truly appreciative people were and how they looked at us like we were walking blessings."  -Katy Neyhouse

Are you a young person looking for ways to be involved in a new way of doing church and life with fellow sojourners?  Or maybe you know someone who is a person in need of friendship and spiritual growth among believers.  Even better, maybe you are passionate about the new and growing generation of millennials discerning God's calling in their lives and figuring out what Christianity looks like contextualized in today's world...Contact us! 

GOD OF MONEY

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.   I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.  -Michelle +

Today

Ponder a few questions:  

Has your attitude toward money moved you to do things you later regretted?

What are your financial goals (whether written or just hopes floating in your mind)?

This Evening

Why do you have the financial dreams that you have?

Objectively - what do you think about your financial dreams?

Write down your thoughts or share with a friend.

Prayer

 God - you know me and yet you love me.  Help me to trust in your love for me as I am right now, so that I can see places where you desire to heal me and grow me in your image.  Reveal to me what you think about my financial decisions.  Tell me what you think about my financial goals and dreams.  Show me and teach me how to interact with money the way you would if you were me.  Amen.

GODS OF PLEASURE: Day 3

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.   I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.  -Michelle +

Today

Ponder:  When you have been stressed, upset, or overwhelmed...how have you experienced God bringing peace, consolation, or pleasure to you?

Search your memory banks throughout the day.  The Apostle Paul claims in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that God comforts us in all our troubles.  Is it possible that God comforting us in our troubles only works if we are open to receive that comfort.  Find ways to take breaks throughout the day and spend some time in silence.  You may need to really think hard about when God has comforted you.  For some it is easy - but for others, it could be as yearly as 4 years old.  Make a note of as many memories come to mind.  It isn't a contest - but don't stop thinking once you find one example.  Let this be what is going on in the background of your mind today.

This Evening

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."  1 Corinthians 1:3-4

Open your mind.  Quiet yourself.  Think about how God might comfort you or bring you the desires of your heart.  Quiet and silence isn't necessary for this to take place.  Consider writing, drawing, or listening to music or white noise.  You might also light a candle and keep your eyes on the flame as you reflect.

What did you notice about how God likes to comfort you?

Scripture and Prayer  

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but shall have eternal life."  John 3:16

Its hard to believe that God loves us as much he does.  What does it mean to you that God so loves you that he came himself and died on a cross so that the two of you might be in relationship together?  Sounds like the best love story that might ever take place in the history of the world...

Do you believe it?  Do you know God loves you?  Do you believe God wants to comfort you - in even the darkest places that you might be afraid of?

God's light shines so bright that darkness cannot hide from God's light.

Do something now - through prayer or rest or art or writing ... anything that will help you remember God's love for you...and when you are finished - pray in your own words that you would accept God's love for you as a gift - a gift that is so steadfast and faithful that there is no earthly comparative.

Gods of Pleasure: Day 2

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.   I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.  -Michelle +

Today

Fasting from Comfort

Think about some of what you identified yesterday and last week regarding ways in which you find comfort.  Today, fast from those things - both the good things (like exercise, cuddling, prayer) and the bad things (food, shopping, screen time, gossip, a drink --  even non-alcoholic, like a diet coke or coffee)

Why?  To become AWARE of the power and manner of your drive for comfort.  Being self aware is the first step in any type of spiritual growth.  See how much power is behind your need to be comfortable and soothed.

When you feel the need for comforting pleasures, try to make mental notes in line with the following questions...

What is the distress I am feeling?
Why would I immediately think of turning to be comforted?
How or when did I learn to desire the particular comfort I would like to have right now?
What is it like to say no to this drive for comfort and just live in the distress?

This Evening

Write a brief description about what you experienced today.  If you can, take a moment to share it with someone, like your mom, brother, or spouse.

Scripture and Prayer  

"Yet even now, says the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." -Joel 2:12

Fasting isn't normally on the Top 10 Most Fun Things to Do list.  It is interesting what can take place during self-denial.  Sometimes, we are awakened to certain feelings within ourselves that we have not had to deal with before.  It is natural for all of us to seek comfort - but it is actually when we are uncomfortable and vulnerable that God has the opportunity to do some of His greatest work in us.  Because God loves us as precious children, He as the perfect parent wants His children to come to Him with their broken hearts, frustrations, burdens, tears, and sadness.  He knows your heart and has compassion for you.  In Christ, there is nothing you experience that God can't understand.  And thankfully in Christ, we have God in a human - in flesh and blood - like us...so that we can enjoy relationship with God freely and easily.

Jesus of the Cross, I am reminded today that you experienced all that I experience and that gives me comfort.  Thank you for being a God who cares so much about me that you would come into my world and become like me so that I can be in relationship with you.

God of the Universe, I am reminded that you - all powerful and ever-living God - have done the most absurd thing...you gave some of that power to me so that I might be able to make choices of my own.  You don't force yourself.  You don't choose for me.  With such power comes great responsibility.  Thank you God for believing in me enough to give me the gift of freedom in my choices.

Holy Spirit, you are the One True Comforter.  You alone can bring me relief from my human experience in a way that satisfies my soul and connects me to the Triune God.

I pray for guidance and strength.  I pray for courage and wisdom.  I pray for awareness and growth.

God have mercy.  Christ have mercy.

Amen.

GODS OF PLEASURE Day 1

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.   I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.  -Michelle +

Today

Ponder:  Where have you learned to turn for comfort?

As a child, what comforted you?  Was is food?  Was it an inanimate object like a teddy bear, blanket, or book?  How about toward an activity like sports or music?  Maybe being around other people or being alone comforted you.  Consider these questions throughout the day.  There is no right or wrong answer.  Just think about the different ways you have been comforted in your life - perhaps as a child, a teen, and an adult.

This Evening

Try to describe or even draw three places, things, or people that brought you comfort as a child.  Sometimes, this kind of activity can trigger deep emotion.  Do not be afraid of that emotion.  Rather than withdrawing from your feelings connected to any memories, go deeper into them trusting God is with you.  If you have an emotional reaction, you might even find it helpful to ask Jesus, "what do you have say to me about this?"


Imagine Jesus watching you as a child.  Look at how he loves you - how he delights in you.  Take notice about how he responds to the way you comfort yourself in different phases of life.  Does he delight in the way you are comforted?  Would he like to comfort you himself?

Scripture and Prayer  

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."  -2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22 makes mention of "fleeing youthful passions."  When we are consumed with the idea of feeling good and experiencing pleasure, we take a less mature and more self-centered disposition in our relationship with God.

This activity and these reflections would be easy to be turned into ways of imposing condemnation and guild upon yourself.  DON'T DO THAT. There is NO SHAME in Christ Jesus.  Nothing you were awakened to today is a surprise to God.  He knows the depths of our hearts and loves us the same.

God, I need you.  My life has taken many turns that have led me away from you, including ways that I attempt to comfort myself in times of stress or discomfort.  But the truth is, nothing but You could possibly satisfy me - only you know how to fill me with your righteousness, faith, love, and peace.  Cleanse my heart oh God.  Help me to release myself completely to you.  Show yourself to me and continue to invite me into relationship with you.  I love you, Lord Jesus.

GODS AT WAR Day 3

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.   I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.  -Michelle +

This Morning

Ponder:  What do you worry about?

What scares you?  What do you obsess about protecting?  What are you terrified of losing?  These are questions to keep in mind today.  Try setting a timer on your phone or watch for every two to three hours.  When it goes off, hit the pause button on life and jot down the things that are stressing you at that moment (or during the last two-three hours).

This Evening

As you prepare to go to bed, reflect on what has kept you up at night recently.  Jot them down.

What dreams or nightmares are common for you?

What distracts you from being able to relax and rest?

Scripture and Prayer  

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your worries on Him because he cares for you"

Cast all your worries on to God - he cares for you.  He cares for you so deeply that he will gladly take your worries and deal with them, if you will let him.  A willing spirit is all that is required.

Can you release these concerns to Jesus before going to sleep?  Why or why not?

Do you want to ask the Holy Spirit into your heart for comfort and relief?


God of the Universe - you are so great that it is sometimes hard to remember that you care for me - even me and my challenges.  I am weak when it comes to the temptation of caring too much about worldly demands.  Send your Holy Spirit, the great comforter to help me rest.  I release my worries to you knowing that you work for the good of those who love you.  I love you, Oh God.  You are my God and I need you.  I want you to guide my life and determine what is most important.  I trust you.  Thank you for loving me, for making me, and for calling me your precious child. Amen.

GODS AT WAR Day 2

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.   I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.  -Michelle +

Today

Ponder:  For what do you sacrifice your time and money?

Think about where your funds and energy flow.  Don't judge yourself.  For now, just let the most genuine and honest answers flow.  It is helpful to write this down so that at the end of the week you might be able to review all of the answers to your questions and think about implications your answers might have.  The most important thing is that you are honest with yourself and God because you know it is safe to be - God knows the true answers to these questions already and He loves you.  Do you know the answers to the questions?  Can you love yourself enough to be kind in hearing the tough answers that may arise?

As you continue through the day - notice how your calendar opens or does not open for certain requests or commitments.  What are they?  Pay attention to when your wallet opens (or card swipes)...jot down a simple list of the ways you spent money today.

Make space for a moment to reflect in what other ways do I use my time and money?  What percentage of my time and money go toward those things?

Objectively think about and journal ways that these concrete answers might be connected to matters of the heart - ways in which your heart is open or closed to certain things - ways in which your heart desires or does not desire certain things.

This Evening

Through sharing with your spouse or friend or in a journal - talk (or write) for about 5-10 minutes about things that stood out to you today.  If you are an artistic soul, you might find it easier to draw pictures or create something that represents the main thing or things that made an impression on you today through these activities

Scripture and Prayer  

Jonah 2:8 "Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love"

Look at the verse from Jonah 2:8.  Read it a few times and then closing your eyes - let it roll around in your mind.  What does this verse mean in your life?  (Really - do that now...don't read on until you do :) )

Looking at the latter half of the verse - have you forsaken hope of the steadfast love God promises you?  Is the way you spend your time and money at all a reflection of being scared?  Of holding on to what is most precious to you in this world in order to feel safe, secure, loved?  If these earthly treasures have the power to bring us any significant earthly hope, security, or feelings of being loved and accepted - how much more with God be able to fulfill those same desires?  God gives the gifts which cannot be given by any other.  Don't sell yourself short by forsaking hope in God's steadfast love.  He conceived you in love and you are his precious child - he is your perfect parent who continues to reach out to you with arms of grace and mercy each moment of each day.  His desire for you is unconditional.  Can you believe it?

Abba Father, I am not perfect.  I am a broken person and yet you love me.  You know the depths of my mistakes and evil thoughts and you still call me your own.  Gratitude for your mercy and forgiveness floods my soul.  Work a new desire in my to worship you and you alone.  Reveal yourself to me anew each day and open my ears to hear your voice - open my eyes to see your loving arms reaching for me throughout the day.  Let me respond to your invitation with praise and thanksgiving.  You are my God and I am your child.  Amen.

"GODS AT WAR" Day 1

Welcome 

to the "gods at war" daily devotional exercises.  Hope they are as powerful for you as they are for me.  Be encouraged - God is with you.  All that follows has been adapted from the "gods at war" combat journal.  Since there is not an electronic version - we've decided to get the questions to you this way.  Please note that this is only inspired by the Combat Journal and not directly copied.  There is much more helpful information in the Combat Journal that will help you go much deeper into these exercises and do inner work which would bear great fruit as you continue on this journey.  I have also added additional questions, a twist to some of the exercises, and an evening scripture reading and prayer.  I am praying for you each day, as well as journeying through these devotional exercises myself.  Enjoy and press on.

Before you can confront the enemy - you first have to know who the enemy is.

Each morning this week I will encourage you to ponder one of Idleman's 7 diagnostic questions from our first session on Sunday morning.

This Morning

Ponder:  What has most disappointed you in life?

While you ponder this throughout your day - do not be ashamed of anything.  Instead bring it into the light knowing you have a God who loves you deeply and desires your heart.  Trust in his grace and mercy is key for this exercise.  Don't judge yourself or back away - temptation to do so is only the enemy.  You have the power of the Holy Spirit that will give you strength to authentically look deep into this question.

So, what has most disappointed you in life?  Why does this circumstance disappoint you?  What implications might your disappointment have?

This Evening

After considering this question earlier today - try writing out your disappointment on paper or expressing it through a drawing.  False gods are able to survive because they often operate under the radar.  Writing it down or expressing it through a drawing, painting, picture, piece of clay (or playdough) - drags this disappointment out into the open where it cannot hide and grow in the darkness.  You might chose to destroy it when you are done so that no one else can see it.  If you have a spouse or intimate friend, you might consider doing the activity together and sharing your answers with one another.

Reflections

What were today's activities like for you?

Scripture and Prayer  

1 John 5:21 - "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."

The disciples were often called "children of God" or "children of the Kingdom" by Jesus himself.  Here now, Jesus calling you a precious child of God - Jesus' own brother or sister in The Kingdom of Heaven.  Place before Him your disappointments and imagine his light shining so bright in that area of darkness that it disintegrates before your eyes.

Abba Father, I am not perfect.  I am a broken person and yet you love me.  You know the depths of my mistakes and evil thoughts and you still call me your own.  Gratitude for your mercy and forgiveness floods my soul.  Work a new desire in my to worship you and you alone.  Reveal yourself to me anew each day and open my ears to hear your voice - open my eyes to see your loving arms reaching for me throughout the day.  Let me respond to your invitation with praise and thanksgiving.  You are my God and I am your child.  Amen.

SYRIA - Thoughts & Prayers

As I watched Pres. Obama address the nation last night, I listened to his plea for understanding and support as He and other world leaders deliberate and discern the best course of action in regards to the Assad regime and Syrian civil war.

I found myself asking, what is justice in this situation? How would justice best be served? 

Those who know me will tell you that politics are not an area where I focus much of my attention. In fact, those who know me very well would say that my faith and relationship with God comes before governments and political parties. 

I have been aware of the Syrian conflict for sometime and as so many of you, I have been getting news updates daily about changes in the situation.  However, for whatever reason I was struck last night with a compelling sense of grief for the families in Syria who have suffered through the most recent attack of chemical warfare. 

As the president spoke, I had flashes of imagery in my mind - what if that were me and my family...what if I were the one watching my child suffocate and begging for them to breathe and survive. It is a heart breaking thought - and most heartbreaking is that these actions are being carried out by their own government. It nearly made me weep aloud for their pain. In that very moment I felt compelled to give thanks to God for allowing me the privilege of being an American, where civil liberties are protected and the value of human life is high - especially in comparison to other nations. I gave thanks for all of those who are living and dying to protect the freedoms we share as Americans.

Only by living in this tension between sorrow and gratitude could we ever authentically reflect on the meaning of justice and how justice would be served in this situation. I hate war and violence, nearly to the point of pacifism (using hyperbole)...but the thought of mass groups of people being targeted, abused, and murdered evokes an almost involuntary response - a desire to stand up for the oppressed, even at the risk of persecution - as Christ did for me, and every other person in the world.

I don't have the answers. I don't know whether it is right or wrong to take action in Syria... All I can do is pray - lift up all those in pain and in grief - all of those who are in leadership positions around the world, and trust in the all powerful God to continue to place His hand over them all. I could sleep soundly last night rejoicing in the knowledge and truth of God - that God is love, that God is good, that God is in the business of redeeming, and that God takes such an interest in the business of humans that he would become one of us in order to conquer death for us all. 

In these unsure times it is easy to get wrapped up in the bad news and the scary "what ifs" of the future - but i am convicted that this is not our (civilians') burden to bear. Perhaps our burden is to pray and trust - to love and help - to come alongside those unlike us - and to be open enough to allow God to change our hearts to being more like his.

Will you join me in prayer?

God - you know the brokenness of humanity and yet you continue to love us and call us into your kingdom. Show us your justice. Give us wisdom to choose the right path. Jesus - I lift up to you our nation's president and leaders who are diligently working on making our country safe and the world as just as they can. I know you, with all of us, are praying for peace - interceding on our behalf, seated at the right hand of God...Light - righteous path for us now. Reveal your way and let all people come trust in you. I lift up Syria - both sides of the conflict there - and pray for reconciliation, comfort, healing, and peace. 

Holy Spirit, move in the world. Cover every crevasse of creation with your grace, mercy, and kindness. Make your presence known throughout the world in a way that all nations would work together to bring about God's kingdom of peace and unity in love on here and now. Remind us all that life is not about dying and going to heaven one day - but about bringing heaven here to earth with the help of you - the One True and Triune God.

What are you seeking?

What are you seeking?  Do you ever wonder if the spiritual journey could be more clear?  Have you ever sat around a dinner table on Wednesday night or in Sunday School class on Sunday morning and wondered, "Will I ever hear God's voice louder than this?"

Most people don't have a solid group of spiritual friends, and that is especially true for men. Intentional relationships with others are an important part of our spiritual journey.  Spiritual friendships help us to connect with the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.  They serve as guides along the path toward Christ-likeness.  Spiritual friends keep us accountable to ourselves and to our faith.  Everyone needs spiritual friendships.  Spiritual friendships are deeper relationships than those you build on the sidelines of the soccer field or upstairs with the moms during dance practice.  In some cases, spiritual friendships become stronger than some familial relationships.  They require trust, commitment, and brotherly love.  These kinds of relationships don't happen overnight or by accident.  Spiritual friendships are intentional and they take time. 

Often, churches overlook this important area of ministry or believe that these kinds of relationships will develop in Sunday School or in a Wednesday night study.  Although this happens sometimes, it is rare because the purpose of such opportunities is not covenant relationship; it is Christian education. 

Life Groups' purpose is spiritual formation through relationship building, prayer, and sharing our Christian journeys with one another.  Groups are forming now based on common life experiences, age, and life-stage.  If you are interested in going deeper into you spiritual journey and sharing that experience with others for the sake of encouragement, prayer, accountability, and transformation - Life Groups are for you.  The Life Group format makes participating simple and although a commitment is necessary, it is not a burdensome one.  To learn more about Life Groups and how you might get involved, click the link below.  If you already know Life Groups are for you, click the second link to get a participation form.

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The Bigger the Better...really?

How well do you really know yourself?

Often, people get so busy going about all of the tasks they have to do in a day, in a week, in a month, in a year...it's easy to get lost in the busyness of the world.  So lost, that beauty, simplicity, and miracles of the moment are missed altogether.

AT&T has been running a marketing campaign with the slogan "More is Better."  The commercials show adorable interactions with children explaining that bigger, faster, and more is always better.  Although the ads are sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, there is a part of me that cringes every time I see one.   The other day I jokingly said to myself that I wanted put together an ad campaign with the solgan "Live Simply" or "Less is More."  AT&T's ad campaign is doing fantastic.  Nearly everyone I have spoken to about the commercials know exactly which commercials I am talking about and even have a favorite.  The commercials connect with a cultural meta-narrative that nearly everyone can relate to:  getting more of what you want is always better.  This idea resonates with so many that it almost seems like the truth.  Why is that?  I am not so sure that more is always better.  In fact, I think it is quite possible that more is often worse.  Is it possible that we have been so programmed by our culture to seek achievement, productivity, effectiveness, success, fame, power, and luxury that we have come to believe that the more we have, the easier life is:  the more we have, the better we are as people.

The interesting thing about God's Kingdom is that it starkly different from the society norms we live by in our world.  Where we say more is better, God says less is more.  Where we divide into groups, God unites into one.  Where we become distracted, God stays focused.  In God's Kingdom, our cultural norms mean nothing.  They are just earthly treasures that will one pass away into meaningless dust.  But still, the masses are confused spending their lives trying to find happiness in all of the wrong places.

God created in every being this deep desire to know Him and for thousands of years humanity has been searching to find the one thing that will finally quench their never-ending thirst.  Things like good grades, good jobs, nice homes, expensive cars, luxury vacations, and brand name clothes have been tried and found wanting.  Money, food, drugs, fitness, and beauty don't seem to quite do the job either.  Even our closest friends and family members can't fill this void.  No matter where we turn we are eventually disappointed and left thirsting for more.  Why?  Because what we are searching for can only be found in God, our maker and the lover of our souls.  I believe this is what Jesus was getting at when he met the Samaritan woman at the well.  After a few minutes of being together, Jesus reveals to her that He knows everything she ever did and understands that she is still thirsty.  Then he tells her what she needs...what we all need:  everlasting water that can only be found in Him.  She is so excited that she goes to her village and tells everyone "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did."  She was so persuasive that the entire town went to meet Jesus and they too believed and received the water that could quench their souls forever.

Now here's a spoiler alert: Our relationship with God isn't always as easy as it reads in the story of the woman at the well.  In fact I think there might be more to that story.  I imagine that after everyone met Christ and accepted Him as the Messiah, they met regularly and worked out their salvation together.  I imagine that they prayed to God and wrestled with all kinds of things they couldn't understand.  I imagine that there was still hardships and toil in their lives, but because of their faith in Christ, they found themselves abundantly full even in the most desolate circumstances.

The truth is, relationships don't happen in an instant.  Relationships are a process and involve work from both sides.  You meet, you get to know one another, trust builds, and over the years you grow closer because of what you journey through together.   Loving God, like loving others, takes time and energy to build a relationship. It takes an openness and willingness to let go and let God be in control.  For most people in the western world giving up control can be the most difficult, but when we finally give in something amazing happens.  God shows us His dreams for us; dreams of a beautiful, abundant, joyful, happy life. The amazing thing about God, is that no matter how long it takes, how hard you fight against Him, God doesn't abandon.  God never gives up.  Since the dawn of creation and until the end of the age God is always seeking our heart.  He will continue to wait for us to slow down enough to be still, to know that He is God, and to say yes to all that He wants to do in our lives. AND, when we finally do surrender to God's love, we begin to be transformed and our lives take a shape we never could have dreamed up for ourselves.

I was talking with a person very dear to me about some struggles she is experiencing in life.  She was struggling with her emotions about a particular issue and finally I asked, "Have you ever told God how you really feel?" After a moment of silence, I followed that question up with "Have you ever taken the time to admit to yourself how you really feel?"  After a few moments, she answered "No."  I don't think she was intentionally hiding anything from herself or from God.  Actually, I think that like so many others, she hadn't set time aside to be intentional about caring for her soul by being in communion with God.

I love that in Italy museums, shops, and churches close during the middle of the day for rest.  It reminds me that we all need time to rest and be still.  What would happen this week if you committed to giving yourself some time to listen and be still?  Better yet, what would happen this week if you responded to God's unending invitation to be with him in the still and quiet places?  You might discover things about yourself you never knew existed.  You might find God at work in all sorts of places in your small world.  If I were a betting person, I would even bet that you too might discover that slower can actually be better than faster and that less really is more.

Attitude is Everything...Application Makes All the Difference

About two years ago, I was at Big Stuf camps with a group of wonderful teenagers, when I heard Andy Stanley talk about how our attitudes and actions our experiences in relationships and life.  His two catch phrases stuck with me:  Attitude is Everything & Application Makes All the Difference

Many of you may know that my family recently took a 24 road trip.  The goal was to re-connect with one another as we visited special people and places in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.  We dreamed dreams and had visions for the entire spring semester as we moved closer and closer to our fantastic family adventure.

Isn't it funny how you always have grand dreams and romanticized visions of what your family vacation will be like?  We see ourselves in one of those cool outdoorsy car commercials where everyone is one with nature and each other, the weather is beautiful, and a new age song plays in the background demanding an emotional response of happiness and contentment.  Maybe for some of you this becomes a reality - but for the Harris family, our adventures never seem to go off without a hitch; and this one was no different.

So, its day one and we are on our way for our first ever family camping experience at Chicisaw State Park in TN.  We are thrilled.  We are prepared.  We are ready to be one with nature and one with each other. We are ready to rediscover our humanity and God's creation.  We are ready to have fun!  And in true Harris fashion, we are about 45 minutes down the road, our kids are melting down in the backseat fighting with one another about some inconsequential disagreement.  All too quickly there was screaming, yelling, and meanness spiraling out of control in the back seat and the before I even realized what was happening, we are pulled over having a time out on the side of the highway.

Application makes all the difference.  What parent really wants to start off their vacation with disciplining one of their children.  Is that fun for anyone?  But when we talk about doing something and never follow through, we create huge problems for ourselves.  This applies to everything in life.

Think about it.
 
How often do you argue with your spouse or parents over things that someone said they would do but never did?

Or how often do you find yourself yelling at your kids because they were supposed to do something but never did.

At work, at home, at school, in relationships - application makes all the difference.

We can talk all day about the kind of people we want to be, our hopes, our dreams, and our principals.  We can even educate ourselves about the best ways to handle the various obstacles in life, but without application, its all worthless.  Until we are willing to make sacrifices to follow through, its nothing but words and ideas.  The action--the application makes our intentions a reality.  

After a short visit from a state trooper and twenty minutes of tears and sweat, the necessary apologies were made and the Harris Family Adventure continued - without additional disciplinary action needed.  The next 5 hours were pretty uneventful.  We listened to music, played the alphabet game, ate, slept, tweeted, Facebooked, and texted until finally we pulled off the interstate.  We stopped at the grocery to get the last few things we needed for dinner that night and made our way to the campsite, which couldn't have been more perfect.  It was beautiful.  A nice flat spot on the lake with a picnic table and a fire ring setting beneath a thick canopy of trees providing lots of shade.  The playground was just a five minute walk up the pavement with a newly renovated bathhouse for restrooms and showers.  All I could think was "It's going to be a great weekend."

To avoid additional chaos, my husband, Jason, decided to take on the tent alone while the kids and I explored our surroundings, gathered wood for a fire, and made our way to the playground and bath house.  After all, we'd been in the car several hours and we all gotta go sometime.  So, ran in to relieve myself in the bath house while the kids played together on the swing set and all of a sudden I heard loud noises outside that are only getting louder by the second.  I made my way outside as quickly as possible.  I was greeted abruptly with strong winds and pouring rain.  By the time we make it back to camp we all look like we climbed out of the lake, including Jason who has been working on the tent in the rain.

When our eyes met, I could see the rage and frustration in Jason's face.  I scanned the scene:  our unloaded belongings are sopping wet, the tent has fallen down and is now mostly submerged in a puddle of water, my oldest child is screaming, and it is still raining, thundering, and lightening.  Jason explained in his angry voice that the tent was almost completely set up when he realized our stuff was on the table.  He ran to get our stuff into the car and the tent fell.  Now all of our stuff is wet - clothes, sleeping bags, food, the inside of the car, and the inside of the tent.  We are completely stuck and seem to have no option but to sit in the rain.  Everyone is aggravated, disappointed, and exhausted, but to my amazement I found myself laughing - belly   laughing - laughing so hard it hurts.  I just couldn't help it.  Being the perfectionist I am, failing so miserably at what ought to have been a fairly simple task is just so ridiculous there was just nothing else I could do but laugh.

Over the next twenty minutes, we figured out a way to get into some dryer clothes, packed up, and got back into the car.  Just as we were about to leave our failed camping trip behind, thinking we had confronted all of the possible mishaps, I roll over Jason's foot with the car.  Yes - you read that correctly.  I rolled over - JASON'S FOOT with THE CAR.

This is not the trendy car commercial vacation we had in mind.  Is this vacation cursed?  I am ashamed to admit that I found myself asking, "Why us?  What did we do to deserve this?" ... but I am also proud to say that my perspective changed quickly.  It had to. That attitude wasn't going to help anyone.

Attitude is everything.  When we start to feel sorry for ourselves, we can drown in our own self pity.  How quickly do things change when we focus on our blessedness rather than our shortcomings.  What about the fact that we had the ability to take a vacation at all?  Or how about the three beautiful people that God brought into my life to help me find abundance, compassion, empathy, love, and beauty in this world?  The very car we were sitting in was a gift from someone - yea, that's right - someone GAVE us a car!  And the car is filled with food, water, clothing, and electronics.  In this moment, we have more than most people in the world, even in our soaking wet mess of a camping trip.  Believe it or not, God has given us all the ability to control our emotions and attitudes.  Choosing to have an attitude of gratitude and contentment can change your entire life experience.  Choosing laughter over anger, breathing over screaming, and giving over taking makes a unbelievable difference.  Have you ever been on a mission trip overseas, where the people are desperately poor, diseased, homeless, or abused, yet they have deeper joy and firmer faith than you could imagine for yourself?  Our attitudes toward one another and toward our circumstances are powerful - attitude is everything.

This was just the beginning of our 24-day Harris Family Adventure.  We recovered from our epic failure at the campground and found our way to Memphis, adding an unexpected stop in our summer journey.  Thankfully, we found lots of free activities in Memphis.  We read books to one another at a phenomenal library, we visited the ducks at The Peabody Hotel and made wishes in the fountain, and we learned about the Mississippi River at Mud Island.  The kids learned how to play Yahtzee.  We boated, sunbathed, visited our loved ones, and shared many more family firsts.  Most importantly, we worked hard to love one another, to keep a positive attitude, and to live our faith together as a family by forgiving one another, serving one another, and laughing with one another.

Attitude is everything.  Application makes all the difference.

Of course we continued to hit bumps in the road on our trip because for the Harris family, the car commercial vacations aren't a reality.  Instead, we tend to do life a tad more authentically and I am beginning to think that our actual vacations are better than those car commercials anyway.