Incredible Resource for Small Groups

At Grace, we are kind of in a transitional time in our small group ministry. There are so many churches trying to figure out what is the most effective small group model that reaches felt needs, builds community, and yet allows new people ways to connect without waiting to get into a group. Then there's the whole question of curriculum (BTW, I always have to focus on every letter when typing that word). Well, as far as the curriculum, look no further: here is another incredible resource from Northpoint. It's not all Northpoint stuff either, only about half of it is. It's a great start for teens and adults needing something to study!

Interesting Thoughts

You should read this short post and the comments listed there to get a context for my response to one of the commenters:

Lisa, God's Word is timeless, just as relevant today as it was over all the centuries it was written. However, the packaging in which we have been called by God to communicate his Word can be outdated. If you're communicating to an audience whose prime time was 1987, or 1960, and want they want to keep it that way, then your words are right on. An example of this may be Coral Ridge Church of Ft. Lauderdale. Nothing against them, they just have a target audience of people who prefer older avenues of communication. If you're trying to reach today's student, or 20 somethings, the branding and methods of doing church in 1987 may not be the most effective avenue to communicate the timeless word of God.

Mark Driscoll of Seattle is a great example of this...he holds the line on convservative Calvinist theology, and preaches it passionately. But look how he's dressed, look at the stage...because the average person from Seattle is comfortable in that sort of environment, and when they're comfortable in their setting, you earn the right to rustle the feathers of their heart and mind with God's timeless truth. This is what Paul did in Acts 17 when speaking to the Greeks.

NEw Blog of a Friend

The new student pastor (stop using the word 'youth', it's too Christianese), Norm, has started his own blog. Check it out!

A Simple but Profound Prayer

I posted on the Graceology blog tonight and encourage you to check out what I wrote. Also check out the other posts there by my partners in ministry!

Note: There is a built-in delay between my composing and it's posting, so keep checking and it'll show after a few hours.

What God Seems to Be Teaching Me

Lately it seems like God is teaching me to trust Him more. In a season of life where things are changing rapidly for my wife and I--new home and new baby all at once--we've actually been pretty blessed by God. I was able to sell my old Ford Ranger and get into the first vehicle I've had since high school that had working air conditioning AND ran well. I love my work at Grace, I am constantly seeing the evidence of its fruit. Our new home will require some sacrifice in time and money, but its ours HIS.

Not every day feels happy-go-lucky, let's take a skip in the park. And it's in those times of difficult decisions, challenges, sacrifices, and fears that I'm constantly fighting the urge to fear and remembering the Word of the Lord. With all the challenges David faced, his Psalms always end with a statement of trust in God. The song we sing, Faithful, is the cry of so many passages of Scripture. Do you need to trust God more? Do you tend to try to do everything on your own and then get mad at God when it's not going right? Remember that your hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness--he's the rock on which You stand.

Pest Control

The title of Tony Morgan's new book, Killing Cockroaches, reminds me that we have yet to choose a pest control company yet for our home. I certainly have seen cockroaches and other insects needing to be "controlled" in our home. We're happy that at least whatever rodent was up in the ceiling has either died or went away though. Who do you guys recommend for a cheap price that cares about the customer more than sales and knows what they're talking about? Or, what are some methods for DIY pest control? I've had a couple people tell me they liked a certain company because they are environmentally friendly--what does that mean? What does that look like?

I honestly sat here thinking about whether there was an spiritual illustration that I might segue into with "speaking of pest control..." But nothing comes to mind, so a rather mundane post for today. But I still covet your opinion because...hmmm, where have I heard this before?..."I need to make the wise choice."

New House and Today

First of all, I think the staff at Grace is pumped today about the continuing faithfulness of God in blessing our church as we continue to move forward. This morning we started out the service with an awesome cover of "Kryptonite"--not the Spin Doctors song, the one by 3 Doors Down.



It rocked. Our announcements have SERIOUSLY improved since we switched to doing them on video. So then we launched into worship, which was great. Mike killed it with a sermon that was definitely a word from God for men. The stage looked awesome, as you can see.

I downloaded some pictures from my camera tonight so here's a look at our home just before we moved in last weekend.

Mid-renovation in the nursery.



Our bathroom which celebrates the last 50 years...



And our renovated nursery that I still need to put a few finishing touches on.




Off to a good start on our home....and I'm off to a good start on having a double digit amount of blog entries this month!