Saturday, December 20, 2008

whirlwind week

This week seems like a whirlwind--with lots of high-notes and low-notes.

Here are some high-notes:
  • Developed system with Delilah of followup from the Connection Cards--because every person matters to God.
  • Finished Christmas shopping.
  • Christmas lunch with the team I get to be a part of.
  • Discovered a few of my files were backed up--most of them journal entries--God must know what I need. :) (see below for more explanation)
  • Attending a graduation at the Liberty County jail for the CR Inside program and hearing the testimonies of 6 ladies who God got hold of in jail, and they are pursuing recovery.
  • CELEBRATED 16 YEARS WITH MY INCREDIBLE BRIDE. Spent the night and day with her at the Wakulla Springs Lodge--with my cell turned off, no tv, no computer.

Now for the low-notes:

  • Several people were sick this week--my wife, daughter, and administrative assistant. Sickness can sure change plans.
  • On Tuesday, my hard-drive crashed. Amazingly, I got it fixed same day and went to load my backup, only to discover that it was not a good backup. Some glitch with Windows backup program related to the difference between a normal, an incremental, and a differential backup.
  • Crying and praying with a friend whose marriage is struggling. Mad at Satan for tearing up families!
  • Grieving with a co-worker on the death of his grandmother.

As someone said, "The Christian life is like both rails of a train track." God gives us joys and sorrows. Ministry can be the highest of highs and the lowest of lows--both at the same time. God knows what we can handle. Too much success, and I struggle with pride. Too much sorrow, and depression creeps in.

Actually, the story of Christmas shows that. The baby Jesus came announced by an angelic choir and beautiful singing. But he also came in a feedtrough surrounded by smelly animals. It was exactly what God had planned!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Who would Jesus help?

This week, it seems that requests for financial assistance have been very frequent and varied. I have asked the question so often, "Would Jesus help this person?" I believe the obvious answer is "YES". But the bigger question is "How would He help them?"

Some people seem to think that it is a necessity to buy Christmas gifts for their children. A request of a man calling from Kentucky wanting gas money wired to him. Ironically, he was referred to us by a local person to goes to another church in the community. Several people wanting a job referral. One man who beat the bushes for 3 days all over Blountstown on foot looking for a job. Guess what, he got one! Another family who thought it was my emergency that they waited to the last minute to try to pay their electric bill.

How would Jesus help? Obviously, He was God, so he could have divine knowledge of the real solution to their problem. But the thing that stands out to me in the gospels is that he treated each situation differently. He rarely used the same approach but he showed respect to each person.

Some need life coaching. A few need physical help such as food and clothes. All need prayer and an encouraging word.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

What is a LIFE Group?

A friend and I were talking the other day, and he asked, "What is a LIFE Group?" He had heard several people say what a LIFE Group is , and it seemed that their perspective is skewed. It made me realize that we so often resort to "insider" language and can get caught up in assumptions. Our perception is based on our first experiences of something, our cultural background, the perceptions of others around us, and our own personal needs. The longer we are involved in something, the more we succumb to thinking in our own box.

So I know all the pat answers, but what is a LIFE Group? Is it Bible Study, a curriculum, a weekly MEETING, serving together, FOOD?

No, all those things are components, but they do not define what a LIFE Group is. A LIFE Group is RELATIONSHIPS. Intentionally velcro-ing ourselves to individuals for the purpose of life change.