Why I Love My Life Group

Let me tell you about my life group. All ages from twenties to fifties. All walks of life from babies to teenagers and from blue collars to white collars. None better than the other. Simply doing life together as fellow friends of God.

Here's what we're up too...

Friday night we're hanging out. Games and homemade pizzas. Mmm.

Sunday morning we're serving together. The smiling faces for all who come through the doors of Harvest Chapel.

Monday night we're digging into Scripture. Applying love and tackling life.

Let's not forget the constants. Friends to count on. Laughter. Minds to pull from. Really really good food. Shoulders to lean on.

So...why do I love my life group? Seems like a silly question after noting the above. Doesn't it? Which only begs the real question. Why struggle and stumble alone? Get plugged in. Do life together. Build support walls.

When the time comes...you'll be glad you did as we're designed to be actively engaged within community. And...we all know life happens and the time always comes sooner or later. Until next time. Jed.

The Magic Of Love

The top three ways, ten best practices, or five golden rules. These numbers and titles generate traffic to blogs everywhere. They're catchy and generally easy to absorb and implement. But, how many top three, ten best, or five golden exist? All together...the three quickly become the three hundred. Kind of hard to absorb and implement the three hundred. Isn't it?

But, we continually cloud the clear and create the complex. Let's face it...we all want to know these numbers and titles. After all, aren't we steps from the peak? Getting ready to ride the wave of glory and success?

A fellow once had similar thoughts. He decided to vocalize these thoughts and ask the Master. What is the most important principle? Forget the top three, ten best, or five golden. Give me the one! The answer? Love God and love people. Huh? Seems too simple.

However, let's set aside the numbers and titles for just a moment. Not to sound like a love song...but, a little love may generate the traffic we're truly seeking. What about your husband, kid, neighbor, or wife? What would happen with love as your guide and partner? There's no need to answer this question. You already know the answer!

From my good friend, Wes Bell, love is spelled SHOW and TIME. Good advice and good truth for us all. Until next time. Jed.

Dirty Laundry

A church and a pub just a few blocks apart. How do these worlds interact and intersect? Better yet...do these or should these worlds interact and intersect?

Let's travel back a few posts. Perhaps it's time for a reverse Jericho...with the church blowing their trumpets and allowing their walls to crumble. Sounds poetic. But, what does it mean? What does it mean for this church and this pub?

For some reason, these questions are craving my attention. Jumping up and down and waving their hands within my mind. So, I'm letting my walls crumble and venturing out into the world of what ifs...

- What if my church eliminated the word orphans throughout my county?
- What if my church opened a coffee house, counseling center, or laundry mat?
- What if my church provided attorneys or physicians to those without means?
- What if my church united with area churches on any of the above?

These what ifs engage the community and reach the lost. Take the simple laundry mat. The relationships and opportunities. The life change through simple soap and water. Potentially, bringing this church and this pub together.

Or...providing the attorney or physician to the struggling dad or mom. Helping preserve families and kids instead of despair and distraught through secondhand tales.

My church functioning and operating downtown next to the flower shop and insurance agent. Joining the Chamber of Commerce. Waving at the barber across the street. Loving every chime of the front door.

How much more does uniting with area churches impact and improve these what ifs?

So, what should my church be doing beyond their walls? These questions will likely jump and wave throughout my life. What I do know? Don't glance over. Rather buckle down. Break the rules. Stretch the thoughts. Who knows where God will lead! Until next time. Jed.

My Top Five This Week

Well...in the spirit of my fellow bloggers and friends, here's my top five this week. After all, my life isn't exciting enough for a top ten. :-)

5) Listening to my three year old sing Christ Has Risen from Matt Maher's latest.
4) The 42" HDTV within my hotel room. Loved that!
3) Hearing and learning of the innovations at Innovate 09. Specifically, the expanding impact from fulfilling a simple need by the folks at Liquid Water. Inspirational innovation!
2) Developing new friendships at Innovate 09 such as @ericsoon, @PastorScott, and @1000HillsCoffee (for you Twitter peeps).
1) Seeing my family after being away from home. Yet to happen...but, I promise it will be great. Thank you Bank of the West. The little bears will make me a homecoming champ with my gals.

Until next week. Be good!