LIFE! groups

As I study up on discipleship and look to see how we as a church can move towards a discipleship driven church I have to currently look at we already have and that has caused me to look at things in a very real and different light. I look at our LIFE! Groups and I wonder are they accomplishing what their intended purpose is. Are they discipleship groups or simply fellowship groups? Are disciples being made or are people going for the fellowship?

Don’t get me wrong, some of both I believe is happening but what is the focus and the goal of our groups. Do our leaders even know that they are called to disciple those who are placed in their groups? Are they discipling others or are the facilitating fellowship? I believe that the answer is that some are discipling and the vast majority is not.

That thought makes me think as a leader how do I help the body move from their present state to that of a disciple maker.

Chasing Lions...

I am reading this pretty good book called "In a pit with a Lion on snowy day" and it has caused me to look at fears and failures (Lions) in a whole new light.

God is usually trying to use what we run from to either 1.) Bring glory to Him or 2.) Teach us something that will mold us into the image of His Son.

There is this part in the book where the author writes about being inoculated and how a little bit of a virus is given to you so that you can build up immunity to that virus.

He went on to say facing our fears and failures is kind of like being spiritually inoculated from whatever situation we find ourselves in. Think about it, how will God grow our trust in Him unless he places us in a situation that will cause us to rely on Him and learn to trust Him.

“The more we grow, the bigger God should get. And the bigger God gets, the smaller our lions get.” - Mark Batteron

The Kids are coming!!!!!

As I sit here I just can't stop thinking that in a few short weeks my home is going to be drastically changed forever. Ana and I have had plenty of time to get ready but I don’t think you will ever be fully ready for the changes that come with adoption. It is overwhelming at times to think that in spite of all my failures God he chosen to use me to bless the lives of three children. My hope and prayer is that I would be able to always show the love of Christ to them and lead them into a saving relationship with our Lord Almighty.

This time of preparation has really given me a fresh look at what the Apostle Paul had to say about adoption. In Romans 8:14-45 Paul says that all who are lead by the Spirit are sons of God by which we cry out “Abba! Father!”. As I look to the kids I realize that it is going to take sometime before the call me “Dad” or “Daddy” and that I am going to have to love on them so that they feel the love and close enough to acknowledge me as their father. It will have to be a choice on their part to allow that love to penetrate their hearts.

This has caused me to question my own relationship with our adoptive father in heaven. Am I choosing to let him love on me and draw me close or am I keeping my distance. My adoptive kids will have the choice to call me “Daddy” or “Tony” and just like them I can chose to cry out “Abba! Father!” or “God”. I am realizing that for me sometimes this is a daily choice.

This is just one of the many thoughts bouncing around in my head as I get ready for the kids to come so thanks for listening.