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.

Man's Best Friend & Me

Let me tell you about my life...actually, let me tell you about my dog's life...

We have a Yorkshire Terrier named Reeses. He's nine years old in bone and two years old in heart.

I love him.

My wife dislikes him...leaning towards hate from time to time. She should probably repent.
My kids love him...although testing his patience more often than not.

His bed is soft and warm. His dish is always full. His toys and treats are many. He freely roams and often sleeps. No cares, fears, or worries. A simplistically sweet life. And...he's only my dog.

What's my point? Well...we're beyond blessed. Even our pets live far better than most. Kind of makes me wonder. What about me? Am I a blessing to others besides my dog? What about you?

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:7-11.

So...here's one simple question. Could this passage be a thank you to you? Thank you for showing love. Thank you for cheerfully sharing your home. Thank you for serving one another. Or...is your dog the only recipient?

No judgment here as I wrestle with the above as well. Regardless, an answer is warranted from me and you. So, allow this answer to settle. Allow the Holy Ghost to direct, guide, and lead. Go to it my friends. Until next time. Jed.

Ordinary People

Recently, I went out hunting with...well...strangers. The morning of the hunt was the first we met. This meeting was a good reminder for us both. A reminder for ordinary people of ordinary people.

Prior to this meeting, we exchanged a few emails. With my signature reading All For Christ, the caution flags were raised on their end. You now...me being one of those church folk.

Me? Well...I often huddle with those church folk. Sometimes forgetting and leaving any outside this huddle. So, if it looks like a goose and talks like a goose, it's likely a goose. Guess at times I'm one of those church folk.

Really kind of sad and silly...how I often huddle with onlookers gaping and wondering. The huddle never growing. The onlookers never knowing. Huh?

In the end --- we learned, laughed, and chatted. And...don't forget hunted. They met one of those church folk and found he's ordinary people. And...the flip for me. It was a blast and a good reminder for us both...particularly me.

For 2010, let's break from the huddle as we know an extraordinary God who loves ordinary people. Until next year. Jed.

Can I Get A Witness

You relate?

What's Your Surfboard

Found these stats interesting and thought I'd share them with you. Those visiting this blog use the following surfboards.

- 49.1% use Firefox
- 22.3% use Explorer
- 14.3% use Cell Phones
- 11.6% use Safari
- 2.7% use Chrome

So...Firefox comes out on top and is my surfboard of choice as well. It appears Microsoft has an edge over Apple...although I hate to admit that one and wholeheartedly disagree. :-) And...Google drags up the rear, which doesn't happen very often in the world of everything digital.

So, what's your surfboard?

My Story Of Story

Recently, I attended Story and it was an amazing couple days. With speakers such as Dave Gibbons, Thomas Fluharty, Micheal Hyatt, Don Miller, and Ed Young and worship from The Sycamore Band, I'm not even sure where to begin. So, I don't plan to begin anywhere and will allow Scripture to speak of my experiences and thoughts.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother and sister in need but shows no compassion - how can God's love be in that person? 1 John 3:17.

This a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" - and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies, he is God alone. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:15-17.

...upon this rock I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:18.

It's impossible to say it better. So, let the above soak in.

On a separate note, Thomas Fluharty and his wife Kristi authored and illustrated Fool Moon Rising. It's an amazing book for your children and grandchildren. Get a copy!

Innovate

I'm sitting here at Innovate 09 at Granger Community Church. So far, I've been blown away by a few simple principles.

- Hospitality. Now, I'm all about hospitality and have shaken many a hand while walking through church doors. But, something is different here...permeating and resonating throughout their culture. The annoying part? I can't quite put a finger on it. I believe it relates to being overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by people who will do anything and everything to ensure my visit is simply the best! Overwhelmed by love. And...I love it! After all, aren't we introducing guests to an overwhelming God. Seems to make sense to me.

- Impressions. The entry doors are glass. Glass of course attracts fingerprints. Anyone with kids will attest to this simple truth. I just watched these doors get cleaned...only a couple hours into the day. No need to do so. They looked ok. But, the attention to this minor detail speaks volumes to their heart. And...don't be fooled. Hospitality and impressions are virtually one in the same!

- Innovations. This one shouldn't be a surprise. Innovations at Innovate 09. The world screams innovations in every market place. From cars, computers, homes, or phones. Why should the church get an exemption? I greatly appreciate their creativity...as this creativity clearly reaches out and speaks into their community.

- Questions. From the first session, there are still two questions rattling within my head. Why should people go to church? And...why should people go to my church? Pretty basic. But, these questions will frame and form the foundation of your congregation. Do you know your answers?

Hats off to the folks here at Granger! Thanks for everything and I'm looking forward to the remainder of Innovate 09.

My Love Affair

Typing, sitting, and sipping. Sipping some coffee. Once upon a time, coffee was just not it. Mountain Dew, Snapple, or perhaps YooHoo (the chocolate drink). Those were it. But, coffee has somehow crept in. Persistently, slowly, and steadily. I'm not sure how or even when. An exact memory or moment doesn't jump to mind. Nonetheless, coffee now rules the day. The atmospheres, aromas, beans, conversations, grinds, hugs, and laughs. All over a cup or should I say cups of coffee. Any other addicts out there? Don't forget. The first step to recovery is admittance.

A little plug. Moon Monkey Coffee Company. Love the name. Love the coffee even more.

The What If Of Blogs

Blogs are a funny thing. A mouthpiece of one. A mouthpiece reaching a virtually unlimited audience. Pretty amazing actually and somewhat scary all at the same time. Day after day. Hour after hour. Minute after minute. Blog after blog. Authored, burned, fetched, pinged, posted, and tagged all across the globe. And guess what tomorrow holds? Yep. More of the same.

I have several blogs listed within my reader. Check them each day. Often, a couple times each day. I maintain two and soon to be three blogs. Much like a good book or a good song...I love a good blog.

Here are some of my favorites. Church Marketing Sucks. Dan Kimball. Seth Godin. Tony Morgan. All blogs on church, culture, leadership, and ministry. All good and highly recommended. Perhaps not your cup of tea. Well, there are blogs about anything and everything. Building, designing, driving, flying, gardening, hiking, painting, running, surfing, and so on. If you can name it, there's likely a blog about it.

These blogs probably suck up more energy and time than I'd care to admit or really even want to know. Makes me wonder. What if?

What if the church believed and loved as much as they emailed and followed?

What if the church proclaimed and served as much as they messaged and posted?

What if the church trusted and witnessed as much as they subscribed and tweeted?

Want to get personal...perhaps sting a little. Forget the church. You are the church. We are the church. I am the church.

So. What if you? What if we? What if I?

Death By Twitter

Those of you on Twitter will appreciate this rockumentary from the David Crowder Band. It's a riot! If you're not on Twitter, fly away now, as you'll only be scratching your head. Let's not puzzle your puzzler more than necessary. After all, it's the weekend.

Note. You'll never fully "get" Twitter until you take the plunge. Come on...everybody's doing it. And I don't want to hear any bridge jumping analogies, which you've likely committed to memory thanks to your parents. Despite what you may think...Twitter is not suicide.

So, look me up on Twitter here. Have a great weekend! Tweet twit away.