My "Uber-Private Open Diary"

There's a comedian with a blog entitled, My Secret Public Journal.

It got me thinking that's really what a blog is...well, at least what it can be for me.

In the interest of copyright infringement (or something along those lines...) I think I'll refer to this blog as my "Uber-Private Open Diary."  It's a place for me to share my most private thoughts...with the world wide web.

I'm glad that's out of the way and we can jump into today's blog post and all my openly private thoughts. 

This week I'm continuing to post on what I'm lovingly referring to as "The Christmas Crazies," and how we remember to keep the message simple and focused on Jesus throughout this season.

This morning I heard a story about a home group containing a few brand new Christians.  I was told that only weeks ago, the wife was dragging her husband to home group, now I understand the husband looks forward to group with eager anticipation, taking diligent notes and digging into God's word with excitement and joy- and the home group leaders are truly enjoying the Christmas season with this new couple.

It's a refreshing perspective, watching someone discover the truth of the gospel for the first time.  So many times the newest Christians are the most animated in their sharing, hungry to learn and ready for new experiences.  Every day is like Christmas morning for them!

I thought of that as I read Luke 1, following my own home group last night. Thinking through the moment when Mary, newly pregnant, comes to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  Elizabeth is beside herself, saying, "Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me?  When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.  You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."

I love the imagery of Elizabeth's words, of leaping for joy, simply because of the presence of Jesus.  

That's kind of how I picture so many Christians young in their faith, ones like the young couple mentioned above.  I can't help but wonder how many of us more mature ones are remembering what it's like to simply leap in in the joy of His presence.

I don't know about you, but since this is my "Uber-Private Open Diary," I have to confess I'm pretty wiped out right now.  I'm doing my best to not be stressed with everything on my plate this time of year, and remember "the reason for the season," but seriously...I'm tired.  Just thinking of "leaping for joy" seems to take extra energy I'm not sure I have.

Processing all of this now, I'm thinking that must be why God's put all of this in my path this week.  

He's repeatedly placed excited new Christians smack in the middle of my mundane stride, they are like happy, sweet puppies and I'm tripping all over their excitement to be a part of what God's doing.  I need to remember where they are...and join in with the blessing of joy and excitement just to be in His presence more often.  The idea seems sweet, warm and humble; to be honored by the companionship of our Savior.

It seems more pleasurable to abide in Him, relish in His company, and yes even muster the energy to do a little leaping.

So, in conclusion I'm taking a lesson from Mary and Elizabeth - enjoy the moment, be honored in His presence, puppies, and more...well....leapage.  Who couldn't use more of that?

See you next week, with another post from my "Uber-Private Open Diary."

H =D

"Lights, Please?"

I'm updating this week's blog post as Nat King Cole sings "Good tidings of comfort and joy" to me.  

Do you love Christmas time?  

Some of us can't wait for it to get here (slide me into that camp)...but I've met others who are hurting, and can't wait to turn the page on the calendar and ring in the next year, glad to see the month of December in the rear view mirror.

However you're feeling this time of year, we, here at RLM, all desire to wish you a very Merry Christmas, and to rejoice in the humble birth of our Lord... it's with this reminder I bring you this week's blog, written with heart and sincerity from my bloggin' buddy Kent.  

I'm thinking I'd love to carry Nat's crooning tune with me for a while, feels good to sit in it, and soak up the message of this beloved Christmas carol,  "Remember Christ our Savior, was born on Christmas day, to save us from Satan's power when we were gone astray.  O tidings of comfort and joy..."  

There is joy to be found this Christmas, and I pray each of you finds it through Jesus ...and if a little help from Charlie Brown helps get you there, so be it.  

And with that, I give you Kent's post:

"Lights, Please?"

Normally, Shaping Your Spirit is my forum for writing about all things home group-ish.  However, on reading Heidi’s post last week, and more importantly, seeing the attached Charlie Brown video, these were the thoughts that came to mind...

When I was a kid, and even up to this day, there’s no Christmas special I look forward to quite like A Charlie Brown Christmas.  You can have your “Silent Night’s”, your “Holly Jolly’s” and your “fa la la la la’s”; there’s nothing like the rolling piano beat of Vince Guaraldi’s Linus and Lucy to get me in the mood of the holidays.  

There’s also something about when Linus steps out on that stage and says, “Lights, please?” that just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

It wasn’t until years after I first began watching it, when the story that Linus tells, (Luke 2:8-14), really began to resonate with me.  I slowly began to realize, hey… they’re talking about Jesus here!

Charles Schulz put God smack dab not only into a kid’s holiday special, but smack dab into the middle of Christmas!  Again!  Where He should have been all along!  And the theme of rampant commercialism over the true meaning of Christmas resonates just as loudly today as it did when Mr. Schulz wrote it almost 50 years ago.  (Black Friday slowly becoming Black Thursday?  Not even waiting for the turkey to settle before tempting us with cheap cell phones and 50 inch TV’s??!  Really!!??)

One of the things today that strikes me most about “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is how easily the story of Jesus’ birth fits into the narrative of Schulz’ story.  It seems neither forced nor contrived.  It’s just one kid talking to another kid about what the holiday season has become, and it doesn’t seem like it should really be this way, and it just feels like there should be more to Christmas.   And the other kid simply saying, I can answer that…

“Lights, please?”

It also speaks to me about the whole idea of legacy over legend.  Legends can be as contrived as you want them to be.  Striking! Outlandish!  That’s kind of the point.  The mo’ grand, the mo’ eye-popping, the mo’ betta.

Not so with a legacy.  A legacy never seems forced.  A legacy never seems surprising.  It should have a natural flow, resonating from a place of intimate knowledge to a place of receptive learning; from year to year, age to age, and from generation to generation.  This is why, despite even the controversy surrounding it when it first aired back in 1965, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is even more popular today; becoming one of if not the most anticipated holiday specials of the season.  It’s a simple little story about a boy and his friends, and the search for the true meaning of Christmas.  A story that Linus and Mr. Schulz weren’t afraid to share.

How about you?

If you’re familiar with the story of the birth of Christ, how about making Christ’s story a part of your own family tradition and family legacy?  If you’ve come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, how about sharing your story, your testimony—with family, with friends—over this holiday season. 

Don’t force it: Being bold doesn’t mean being in-your-face.

Don’t fumble your way around it: Being meek doesn’t mean hemming and hawing. 

Just make it a natural part of who you are.  Let it flow out of you; by action and deeds to start with, if by no other means.  Nothing shows the world Jesus like enacting a little love, a little kindness, and a little grace in an engaging, personal relationship with those in your life.  Especially, most especially, during this rushed, hurried, hectic holiday season. 

Somebody may just ask you why you’re able to keep so calm, be so joyful, so . . . nice.  Then maybe, just maybe, you’ll have the opportunity to step forward, clear your throat a little, blanket firmly in hand and say…

“Lights, please?”

We don't call it 'Real Life' for nothin'...

So, we had home group last night.

Our host home couple was sick, (bummer...mostly because I selfishly miss them to bits and pieces) so my husband and I volunteered to lead and host group.  

Now, hear me out, I never want a messy house to get in the way of someone coming to our house...but our living room and kitchen were disastrous this week, so I knew it was going to take a little work to clear some laundry piles and wash a few dishes before people showed up.  Not to mention the fact that our kiddos, much like Linus featured above, are quite attached to a few homemade blankets, most of which were strewn about our living room.

So, with two hours before group, the kids and I set out to pick up the house.  My husband brought home some steaks and veggies to grill and we started a warm fire in the fire place - all in an attempt to create a warm, welcoming, environment.  

Within an hour, laundry had been put away, the fire was crackling, blankets reassembled, my daughter was helping me wash and dry dishes, my son had managed to trade a light saber for the vacuum hose (with attachments) and my husband was busy at the grill working on dinner.  The evening seemed to be heading in the right direction...until it came to a screeching halt.

In the next twenty minutes, children began complaining about their tasks, the BBQ was having issues so my husband brought his grilling project inside, the fire went out in the fireplace...and then smoke alarm went off.

My son dropped his vacuum duty and turned into Fire Marshall Phil, opening doors wide and inviting in the 30 degree night air. My daughter was crying, terrified of the smoke alarm, and cowering underneath a wet dish towel while making a run for the garage, as my husband tried to salvage dinner.

Somewhere in the middle of it, I muttered grumpily, "Happy Home Group Night..."

Believe it or not we hastily recovered both of the children, finished our tasks AND we ate dinner before the first home group member trickled in the door.  

By then the fire had taken light and the coffee was percolating (although someone had to bring creamer, go figure) and my husband started off group by talking through Deuteronomy 4:5-9 concentrating heavily on the last verse, " Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."

Then, keeping that verse in mind, he jumped into a discussion, asking the group about our favorite Christmas memories.  Folks shared everything from their experiences as a child, to experiencing Christmas with a child for the very first time.  The memories were all about the spirit of Christmas, the family, the big meals, the gifts...and the same theme kept appearing.  We began to think about how Christmas time was a big deal - very busy, lots of travel, family, tasks and gifts.

Then we read through Luke 2, the Christmas story.  I've attached Linus' version above (via YouTube), but the reminder of what Christmas is all about was clear - a savior was born in a manger.  Prophecy had been fulfilled through this humble baby, delivered in a manger.  Angels came to shepherds tending their flocks in the field claiming that this good news will be a joy for all the people.  The shepherds came to see the baby, and told everyone about this child, and all who heard were amazed at what the shepherds told them.  

And then there was Mary, who sat and watched it all, and "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

So, as a home group we discussed the simplicity of Christmas...the amazing and magnificent gift God gave us through a savior and when compared to the crazy, busy, extravagant Christmases we have settled for... God's gift only appears more incomparable and unsurpassed.

We concluded group considering the dangers of making Christmas what it isn't...of representing something it doesn't.  God didn't just give us good news with Jesus, he gave us the best possible news ever...and diluting that gift (and flashing back to the opening moments in Deuteronomy) and teaching our children to dilute the true message of Christmas is missing the entire point of this season.

So...you might be wondering about my earlier description of my chaotic night of hosting home group.  In the midst of processing this whole story on Christmas and what we're teaching our children through the holiday season, another thought struck me:  what did I teach my children in the middle of our home group preparation?

I firmly believe my days are filled with "teachable moments" for my children.  They tend to learn far more from how I act, than what I say.  I began to think about the stress I might've put them under in the midst of preparing for our closest friends and church family to come to our home.  

I was wrapped up in making our home presentable and welcome to others, and neglecting the whole point of home group- creating a simple, welcoming, relational environment where we grow together as disciples of Jesus...and I'm not sure I modeled that to my kidlets.

So...in conclusion it looks like Jesus had a pretty good lesson for me this week.  Now I get to ponder and model the concept of not only believing, but walking out the fact that Jesus has given us the best possible gift ever - Him.  

It's not just about the simplicity and message of the Christmas season, it's about the simplicity and message of every season.  

I pray our children will have a heart and desire for Jesus that surpasses my own, that they have relationships so real, humble and joyful, the world around them can't help but want to be a part of it too.  

I get the adventure of being a simple light for Jesus.  I'm praying the good news I have inside of me looks like the best possible news to all around me...but especially my children.

So that's it for this week's bloggin' noggin thoughts, they're pretty raw...it's a good thing we don't call this place 'Real Life' for nothin' folks...catch you next week! =)

H =D
  

Have you ever had the thought?...

My good bloggin' buddy Kent Roberts is back this week guys, give him a read, he's got some great thoughts:

Have you ever had the thought, “I need to feel the Holy Spirit today?”  

Am I the only one?

With me, there have certainly been days where I need something tangible to let me know He is alive and in my life.  To somehow be overwhelmed by His presence.   Today.

Oh sure, I can look back over my life and see where He has been at work; to see that He has had sway and influence over things and events and circumstances.  But too often I don’t think about those times: I usually only think of today: The struggles I am in today that I shouldn’t have to struggle with; the doubts I face today concerning things I shouldn’t doubt; the questions I ask today of things I shouldn’t need to question.   Wondering when this sin, this temptation, this pain, this frustration . . . and this waiting, will end; or at least become tolerable.

Is this what God wants? It seems so counter to everything I read in the Bible, yet seems so real, so necessary.  Today.

Is it true?  Is it the world? 

Is it the enemy?   Is it reality?  

Is it time to move on?  To come back to the real world with all its faults, all its frustrations, and live a life of hope and faith without tangible proof of the One who created us, cares for us, and is the great provider of all our needs.

Oh Holy Spirit of the living God, where is Your hope, and faith, and patience, and peace, and joy, and self-control.  And your love. To live in constant struggle, doubt, questioning, and frustration is not the way a follower of Christ is supposed to live. Not in emptiness, in doubt, in fear.

But in praise.

And it is in praise, in those times where you really, really don’t feel like giving the glory to anyone, let alone God, that praise is exactly what you need; as hard as it is.  As counter as it seems to every fiber of your being—Praise Him. 

God, I give you praise for who you are.   You are the Creator of all things.   I will praise you in this storm.

It is the world that wants you to question.  It is the enemy that wants you to doubt.  It is your flesh that wants you to struggle.  Yet, it is through your flesh, through every fiber of your worldly being, that praise rings the loudest to God’s ears.  And, it is that very praise that He desires to answer.

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Rev. 4:11)

 “You are among us, LORD, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!” (Jer. 14:9)

I am a creation of God. He does not leave or forsake me. In that I will rest my faith. 

So . . .

What happens when you ask to hear, need to hear, from the Holy Spirit . . . and he answers?

Well, in my case, and with those thoughts in mind, after doing some concerted Word—and soul—searching, this is where the Holy Spirit lead me:

John 8: ^28-29 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me.  And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.”

Hebrews 11: ⁶ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Psalm 37: ^3-7 Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.

 Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

 Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
or fret about their wicked schemes.

Romans 8: ^35-37 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”)  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Philippians 4: ^11-20 . . . for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength . . . . .  At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.   Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

And, over those same few days, this is what I heard:

The one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I do what pleases him. And, it is impossible to please God without faith. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Trust him, and he will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No! For I learn how to be content with whatever I have. I can do everything through Christ,who gives me strength. At the moment I have all I need—and more! And this same God who takes care of me will [continue to] supply all [my] needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to [all of] us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.

. . . and Amen! For my part, I simply remember that I have all I need for today, and today is all I need. Does, "he will give you your heart's desires" mean I place my faith in a prosperity-style gospel? By no means. What I believe--what I choose to believe--is that God knows my needs and he will continue to "supply" them in his own good time.

Not my wants, my needs.

Not my time, his time. 

I have all I need for today,

. . . and today is all I need.

Training up a Child...and Thinking Outside the Box

"Direct your children onto the right path,

    and when they are older, they will not leave it."

- Proverbs 22:6

So, the Holy Spirit has been moving this week, challenging me, as He tends to do, and a story (along with an idea) was placed in my lap...  Hang with me as I process this for a second.

I'm only 34, but when I think back on my life there have been a few specific individuals God placed in my path that had tremendous influence in shaping me and "training me up" to be the person I am today.  

Right now, I've got the warm and fuzzy memories for a woman who started out as a "babysitter" for me at two months old and over time developed into a surrogate grandmother.  

Do you have anyone like this in your life?  Can you remember one person?  Do me a favor and think of them as you continue reading...

As I thought on the above passage from Proverbs and the story I'm about to tell you, I got to wondering if, when we are in the moment where God is shaping us...do we recognize it?  See that time, that journey, that relationship, for the gift it really is?  

They say hindsight is 20/20, and so many times we don't understand what God is doing at the time He's doing it...but the story I got this week from a friend got me thinking that it is possible to intentionally see God at work.  To sit up and take notice when the potter is shaping the clay.

Well, I can tell you Mark and Ann know God is at work in their life.  When Miss Kathy invited them and their son Dalton to her home group three and a half years ago.  They attended the new home group excited to build relationships and grow as disciples of Jesus.

A little over a year ago Ann and Mark needed help getting Dalton (age 9 at the time) to and from school for a few days while Mark was working long hours and Ann traveled for her job.  

Jim and Miss Kathy had been an integral part of Mark and Ann's home group for quite a while at this point, and they offered to step up and help.  Since that time, Jim and Miss Kathy have developed a special relationship with Dalton.  

Dalton began spending more time with his new friends, so much that most of this past summer he spent with Miss Kathy working in the shop, digging in the yard, and organizing projects- they even taught him how to drive a four-wheeler.  Dalton has his own set of grandparents, and Jim and Miss Kathy have their own set of grandchildren- and both of them encourage those relationships to flourish, in the midst of developing their own special bond as friends.  

Watching the relationship flourish between Miss Kathy and Dalton has been great for Mark and Ann, and they recognize the connection that is being formed is shaping their son's character.  

Dalton is learning valuable lessons in how he can walk side by side with another person, as they process the bible, and simply talk about how life works.  

Both of them place tremendous value on their relationship, describing each other just this past summer, as "my best friend," and it's helping to shape Dalton into quite the sweet young man.

When I take a look at the passage above, "to train up a child on the right path," it's not easy.  I think God places value on relationship, because He knows we can't do it on our own.

Mark and Ann are great parents, they fully understand their role to disciple their son, to nurture and groom him and to shepherd him in the way he should go.  But what I think makes them even greater parents is their willingness to allow other people into their lives to help them.  Miss Kathy and Dalton are in the middle of a great time of growth and development, and Mark and Ann fully recognize God's work.  

It's not easy to train up a child...but if we think outside the box...think of what could be possible when we come together under God's authority, submit to His movement, and follow His guidance - who knows what is possible.

So, I'm wondering what's your experience?  

Can you think of a person who greatly influenced you in your young life?  Trained you up in the way you should go?  Is there someone God's put in your path, that could use some encouragement and direction...some "training up?"

It's good stuff to pray on...and I'm so grateful we have people around us who are modeling successful relational discipleship all around us.  

Until next week,

Love, H =D

Meet 'em where they're at...

Thanks for your great support of Kent last week, it was fun to have a guy's perspective and I'm sure he'll be back soon.  =D

I've been stewing on what to write for this week's blog post (y'all know how much of a crock-pot thinker I am) and as I processed my week, I started thinking back on what an incredible few days it's been.  

My 8 year old son was baptized last Friday night. It was truly one of the most exciting and celebratory events of my life.  That's him in the picture below, he's a cute little biscuit, isn't he?

The journey with our son has been amazing.  

Yes, he's young and has a lot of maturing to do, but when he continued to come to us repeatedly asking to get baptized, saying, "I want to follow Jesus. I want to do what He says, and He says I should get baptized." We decided he was ready to take the plunge, literally.

It's been quite the journey to walk with our son, he's our oldest child, and our "first crack" at this parenting thing, so I figure we're bound to mess up repeatedly.  But apparently we're doing something right, watching our son's heart change in love and maturity, little bits at a time.

Part of what's so tough about raising up kids is trying to continually meet them where they're at.  Trying to relate and understand the musings of a 3rd grade boy isn't easy.  He is competitive and passionate, stubborn and sweet...full of imagination, promise and endless energy.  And we, as his parents, get the reminder to meet him right where he is, every single day.

The challenge becomes recognizing the stage and maturity he's in...and intentionally helping him take the next step in his journey with Jesus, helping him to "grow up in his faith."

And that's where the title for this week's blog post popped into my head, because "Meeting 'em where they're at," is really what we all want, right?  

Someone to notice us, see us, recognize where we are and come alongside us in our struggles, and stubbornness to move forward in understanding and obedience to God.  

The picture above, my son so small, reminds me that he is young in the faith and my job is to keep joining him in the exact spot God has him.  The silly school yard arguments, the selfish pouts, the sweet excitement over serving someone else for the first time...those are the steps he is taking toward knowing Jesus better.

Really, it's a reminder that we are all, at times, just little boys and girls, trying to make our way in the world.  Hoping for someone to come along and help us take the next step of faith.

You guys, as LIFERS, you continue to meet people in their struggles and addictions, in their wounds and fears.  It really is an honor to be a part of this place, you know that?  

That's all I've got for today...I've hit my "Words with Friends" quota and I'm tapped out.

Love ya LIFERS,

H =D

Welcoming "The New Guy"...

This week I (Heidi) get the opportunity to capture an amazing Historic Faith win story, so my plate has been feeling rather full, and my bloggin' noggin a little depleted.  

I have recently learned of an enthusiastic LIFER who is more than willing to share some of his story on the blog and I'm hoping he'll make periodic visits to "Shaping Your Spirit."   

So, give a warm welcome to the new guy, Kent Roberts, guest blogger extraordinaire.  He's got some great stuff to share.  (Hey, those last two sentences rhyme...I love it when I do that!) =D

 

Hi, I’m the new guy on the block, er . . . blog.  Yeah, that’s right, “guy”.  You see, I’ve been in contact with Heidi about doing some possible writing for her on “Shaping Your Spirit”.  She thought it might be interesting as well: In giving the blogsite another perspective; In giving herself a much needed break.  Still though, as one of her co-workers joked, “It's called 'Shaping Your Spirit'...what guy is going to want to read that?”

The scene: An AA-style meeting hall: rickety folding chairs placed in uneven rows, an old makeshift podium, a dozen people in various states, from mild attentiveness to all-out boredom and the pungent smell of burnt coffee permeates the air.  A man sheepishly approaches the podium, grasping it with white knuckles as he chuckles in awkward apprehension:

Me: “So, umm, Hi, my name’s, uh, Kent.”

Crowd: “Hi, Kent!” (Said as supportively as feigned interest can get.)

Me: “And I’m a, umm, I’m a guy.”

(With growing interest and knowing nods the crowd looks to each other with raised eyebrows and half-smiles of affirmation.)

Me: “A-a-and, I read ‘Shaping Your Spirit.’”

(Amid gasps of surprise, the crowd stands to their feet with spontaneous applause)

Facilitator: (steps to the podium, squeezing my shoulder in brotherly support as I pass by to sit down) “Thank you, Kent.  You’re a brave, brave soul.  I know how hard that must have been for you.”

Okay, not really; and I see I’m not the only guy here.  But I thought I’d take a moment to introduce myself.  To tell you a little about what brought me here in the first place: To the world of blogging: To the world of ministry through writing: To co-leader of our home group and as volunteer at RLM?   
It all started in earnest last January, when I unshackled myself from the wild, untamed jungles of retail customer service. It was ten years of my life. I’m not a fan.  I certainly don’t recommend it for the faint of heart or weak of fortitude.

The internal conflict I’d been battling for over a year came to a head over the last Christmas season.  I was NOT a happy guy: Ask my co-workers; my family; my wife!  Something was missing, I just knew it. How could I call myself a Christian, yet act the way I did towards others within my role in retail customer-service. I was amazed at the stuff I got away with saying. I was tired; mentally, physically and spiritually. I would come home and had nothing left: I didn’t want to play with my kids; I didn’t want to talk to my wife; I wanted only to veg, to do nothing more than zone out.

It was more than a little frustrating.

Then . . . something clicked.

I was driving to work, replaying various conversations with numerous people about where I was in my life and my spiritual journey. It felt like I was being asked to step out in faith, and trust: Just walk away from a secure job and comfortable paycheck and trust God.  The pat answer I used as a response to this prompting was, “I don’t have that much faith.”

All at once, it hit me. A new voice entered the mix, rocking me so much I had to write down the words that were said . . . while I was driving:

Faith—you either have it, or you don’t!
It’s not a question of degree.
You either believe that I will walk with you through this, or you don’t.
You either believe that I will work this out for what’s best for both of us, or you don’t. There’s no degree…no sliding scale…no averages.
It’s a yes, or no.
You either have faith, or you don’t.
You either have hope, or you don’t.
You either believe . . .
or you don’t

I gave my two-week’s notice that weekend.

Where I’m going now, I have no idea. Yet I rest in the confidence that He not only knows the road we’re on, but knows the destination. It may not be where I think we’re going, but it will be where I’m supposed to be. God has a sense of humor that way. 

God began slowly and seriously working on my heart about fifteen years ago. Still, I feel I’ve grown more in my walk with Him within the last year than I have at any other time in my life.  Now, all I know, really know, is that I’m not alone: God, family, friends . . . relationships, and time to grow them all.

So, Hi, my name’s Kent and I read “Shaping Your Spirit” (and quite a few others . . . I can give you a list, they’re all fantastic.)  Someday I hope to do this for a living, but for now, I’m doing it for God.  Oddly, that seems like just enough.

The Discipleship Process...Polly Pocket-Style.

This week, I got schooled by a six year old - I'm referring to it as, "Lessons by Libby."

This is Libby.

She is precious and sweet and missing a few teeth.  She is also my daughter's bestest friend.

Libby loves Polly Pockets.  This week Libby's mom spied her playing a new game.

Libby was playing, "Home Group."

Libby's parents (Josh and Cassidy) are very involved LIFERS, participating in and leading groups since Libby was a year old.  This week Cassidy and I asked Libby what her Polly Pockets were doing in their little group.  Libby said, "They are doing what mommy and daddy do - having Home Group."  

Libby's mom asked who was leading, Libby pointed out John.  (His wife Carol was unavailable for the photo.) 

Libby said John and Carol lead and host this Polly Pocket Home Group - in the backyard of their Polly Pocket home.  

I asked Libby what kinds of things to do they do in Home Group?  Do they watch cartoons together?  Sit and crochet blankets?  "No," giggled Libby, "they get together and talk about Jesus.  They want to make disciples," she smiled.  

Then she pushed her bangs out of her face and continued, "You are supposed to get together - like Jesus got together to make disciples."

And then it clicked for me.  

I'd been schooled by a six-year old.

You see at Real Life, we have entire leadership trainings on our process.  We've identified "keys to making disciples,"...it comes with a whole slide show power point presentation, trust me.

This is what we teach our leaders about the key components (everything a disciple-making group must possess): 

Four Key Elements:
     1. There is a biblical foundation.
     2. An intentional leader is present.
     3. It involves a relational environment.
     4. The process is reproducible.

Those are big fancy words to describe what a six-year old discovered by simple observation. 

Libby has been brought up in a home with parents who participate in this very process.  Libby, in her afternoon playtime, knew instinctively that she needed a leader, a nice, comfy place for people to get together and  to talk about God's word in the same method Jesus modeled.  And clearly, the process is reproducible...even Polly Pocket-Style.

The thing I love most about Libby's little lesson is the reminder that our children are watching.  Every time we choose to fight for relationship, repent and turn to Jesus, and continue to go to Home Group week after week, we are teaching our children something.  It's discipleship at it's finest. 

We get the opportunity to teach the next generation that it's not just about obeying Jesus' words, but following his methods as well.

Nice work Miss Libby.

H =D

This is Where...I Feel Safe.

I just gotta say, my husband does a great job leading our home group.

I'm a bit of an odd-ball, and I tend to get off track easily.  I love Jesus with all my heart, but He did make me a little quirky, so quirky I shall be.  I love to laugh and I can't ever be serious for longer than a half an hour at a time (and that's on a good day.)  So, you can see why my husband might have his hands full when he's leading our home group.

That being said, he does a good job laying down the law week after week.  He recites the guidelines religiously (sometimes I think it's mostly to keep me focused) but here's really why he does it: it actually makes me feel safe.

As much as I'd like to think I'm not a rule follower, and I like things to feel organic, free-spirited and spontaneous - I need those guidelines every week in group.  They might seem like inviting the "no-fun" monster to the party, but really, if the group isn't SAFE...it isn't a place where I'm free to be me anyway, and neither is anyone else.

My husband also doesn't just read off the list of guidelines, he always does it in this really cool way where he has a little conversation, he starts off each week a little something like this:

"I'm so glad you all could make it to group tonight, it's great to have everyone here.  I just want to thank you for making this a safe group, where everyone gets a chance to share.  We all have stuff God is working on, so let's try our best not to fix one another or offer too much advice, but encourage everyone to let the Holy Spirit do his job within us.  I appreciate that what is said here, stays here, we keep everything confidential and if you have an issue with something that's said or with someone in group, let's deal with it biblically and go right to the person, okay?"  

This is where everyone nods.

Then he reaches for his cell phone and says, "and let's turn off our phones, respect everyone in group and try not to cross talk.  So, who's ready to open up and pray and get into God's word?"

( Okay, so maybe that's not verbatim, but if he wants to change it he can start his own blog. =D )

There are times I've been irritated with the guidelines, I worried group would feel stale or get boring; but as he sat and went through the guidelines before group this past week, I thought about how much I've come to really appreciate that little set of rules and boundaries.  

I might joke on how the guidelines feel like the restrictive bar on a roller coaster, preventing me from feeling free to do as I feel.  The guidelines allow me to practice in good listening, in dying to myself and my own selfish desires.  They really allow people to express themselves without feeling judgement or shame or condemnation.  If they are followed appropriately, they allow for a healthy group to grow.  Plus, you gotta admit, relationships can get messy, and it's good to feel safe.


Until next week, H =D




  

Relational Superheroes...No Capes Required.

This is my daughter Katie.


She is six...and she is very good at being six, she's practically a professional.

This is a picture of the day she tried to squeeze herself into a Super Girl costume two sizes too small.  Anyone with kids knows these are things kids do.  


They try to squeeze themselves into things that don't fit because they have imaginations and aspirations bigger than they can ever accomplish.  It's part of the beauty of being a kid, right?

On this day, she wanted to be a superhero.  

She has plenty of moments where she enjoys being a mommy to babies, and bears, and puppies...but this day, this moment, she wanted to be a superhero.

Today's blog post captures the essence of heart-felt desire for relationship.  And while the cape and costume don't fit her...Katie is a Relational Superhero, because she's clothed in Jesus.

You see, Katie loves our home group.  So much she talks about it at school, with her little six year old friends.  

She's talked about it so much, she's invited people in her first grade class to our home group.  

Her little playground chats led to more discussions between kids, which led to a discussion between moms and eventually a formal invitation after school one day.  I gave directions to our host home over the shouts of her friend, a small boy jumping up and down chanting, "I want to go to home group!!"

This week, the new family joined our group, and it was all because of Katie.  

It didn't take much persuasion on her part, just excitement, honesty, compassion, and love.  She knows she has something really great and she can't keep it contained - she has good news to share and she refuses to keep it to herself.  

A new relationship is now blooming, because of one little girl who loves Jesus and her "homie group" and wants the same thing for other people in her life.  

She's just a little warrior, battling for truth, justice and the Jesus way.

This week my six-year old daughter taught me something on how to be a Relational Hero...and no capes are required...because I'm clothed in Jesus too.

Thanks for reading, catch you next week.

H =D