Guest Blog by Janice Gleason

“Love…keeps no record of wrong…” 1 Corinthians 13:5

I really like lists but when I begin to make lists for others I can get in big trouble…who likes to be handed a list of your personal wrongs?  I can do that frequently in my mind and sometimes recite it out loud…the one for others, I mean. But the other day I realized something new about my husband of 50 years…I am blessed to be married to a man who keeps no lists on me…he “keeps no records of my wrongs”.  What gracious love he extends to me.  Let me illustrate.

We were talking together about our marriage a few weeks ago and how blessed we are in so many ways…both Christians, both of us are responsible [he is much more so than me], both of us share same thoughts about how to relate to each other, etc.  Then he said, “And we don’t fight”.  I was stunned and actually “pulled out the list” I keep on myself!  “Oh, Babe, yes I do…I guess we don’t fight in true sense of the word but I sure lose my temper and recite my list, not of current wrongs but past wrongs.  Don’t you remember what I did just the other day”?  “When did you do that?  You don’t do that”, he replied. And then it hit me…a Holy Spirit punch…this man keeps no record of my wrongs!  How astounding, how fantastic, how other than me, how godly is this man.

Lord, thank you for my husband.  Please help me to stop repeating the “list” I keep on him and others.  Help me to be more like him for he is truly becoming more like Jesus every day. 

What is on your “list” for your Christian husband?  How effective has it been to pull them out on a regular basis?  What if you read down the list of what God’s love is like in 1 Corinthians 13?  How does yours match up?  Will you ask the Holy Spirit to increase your love not your criticism?  We can only do that with His help.

But in the midst of being severely chastised by the Holy Spirit, He still reminded me of His personal love for me…oh, my, what kind of God is this??  I am overwhelmed once again of His love demonstrated for me on the Cross called Calvary.  Read through 1 Corinthians 13, thinking of God’s love for you through His Son Jesus Christ.  It has brought me to worship…genuine worship!

“Anchored to His Throne of Grace”

Janice Gleason

Psalm 119, Stanza 1

Psalm 119:1-8(NLT)

Aleph

1 Joyful are people of integrity,
    who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
    and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
    and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
    to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
    reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
    when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
    I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
    Please don’t give up on me!

It occurred to me when I read these verses how easily "integrity" can be compromised. The integrity spoken of here is grounded in the Lord. I question whether or not true integrity, adherence to moral and ethical principles, can be attained apart from Christ. There is a particular situation in my life in which I desire to maintain Christ-like integrity. Like the Psalmist, I pray that my actions would consistently reflect the Lord's decrees. I know there are times I have faltered. It helps to fix my gaze back on the Word. 

~ People of integrity have joy.

~ They follow the Lord's instructions.

~ They obey His laws.

~ They search for Him with all their hearts.

~ They do not compromise with evil.

~ They walk only in the Lord's paths.

It's in the Psalmist's prayer that I am reminded to slow down...in order to carefully keep His commandments, I must carefully examine each situation, encounter, or trial and then, determine my actions so they match His decrees. I am encouraged by the fact that my Lord knows I am still learning. I have never been in this place before...it is new ground for me. Lord, please don't give up on me. I trust you will continue to reveal your truth to me and I will thank you by living as I should.  

I will come to you.

Struggled with what the blog should be today...so very late post. My aim each day is that the blog be an overflow from my own time with the Lord. Here's the place my Lord met me today. Enjoy...I pray you are met and embraced by His love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJo7GUZJTjo

"No, I will not abandon you as orphans-I will come to you." ~ John 14:18

Honesty in Affliction

Proverbs 20:24 (ESV)

24 A man's steps are from the Lord;
    how then can man understand his way?

I confess to you, dear readers, that I do not always understand the way the Lord has for me. I am tempted to question how this way can be best, how it can work for my good, how it can truly be called righteous. I am prone to wander and want to take matters into my own hands and not allow His plan to work out. My heart revs like a car engine when I am circumstantially forced to wait things out...I am anxious. Yet, my Lord knows my tendencies and He holds me. He endures with me for He more than any other understands the fruit of suffering. He steadies me. I will not understand...His ways are not my ways. I must trust...look straight ahead...remain focused on Him. Oh my soul, do not give in to the temptation to turn to the right or to the left...stay your course. I do not comprehend your way, my Lord, nor am I able to comprehend your reward.

Wedding Clothes

Revelation 19:6-9 (NLT)

6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:

“Praise the Lord!
    For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice,
    and let us give honor to him.
For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb,
    and his bride has prepared herself.
8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.”
    For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”

After 12 months of preparation, on July 20, we finally made it to the BIG day and our daughter, Emily, was joined in Holy matrimony with her true love. I confess, we are all thrilled. In our eyes, they are a perfect match. They radiate love for each other and are so much fun to be around. Forgive me if I have written about this before, but they are ever celebrating some accomplishment. "Baby, you boil the best water!" I've heard him exclaim over a cup of hot tea. 

Several times as we progressed through the different stages of planning for their vintage country picnic wedding, I thought of an even greater marriage ceremony and the preparation of the bride to meet her Bridegroom. The marriage ceremony spoken of in Revelation 19 will culminate with a special supper...a supper planned thousands of years ago for which preparations are still being made. Still too, the bride is being prepared. She is clothed with fine linen. bright, and fair...the righteous deeds of the saints. The deeds spoken of in Eph. 2:10, which He prepared beforehand that we might walk in them, will clothe us. For some, years of surrender and sanctification will be poured into that blessed moment.

 

We spent many hours selecting and adorning our girl in bridal finery for her special day. Will you think of that the next time His Spirit prompts you to serve, surrender, or sacrifice? Your Lord has chosen the deed to which He is calling you as preparation for the most glorious wedding day. Let us celebrate as we serve for our Lord is weaving our wedding clothes! Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast! 

Guest Blog by Michael Eldridge

Special thanks to Michael Eldridge for his blogs over the past couple weeks while I have been in almost full-time wedding mode. This is our last one from him for a while, but we are sure to call on him again when we need a guest blogger. I have certainly been blessed and I know you have been too. ~Christy

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

As many of you know, I am currently between ministry positions, vocational ones anyway. This means I’ve spent much of the last six months either preparing in hope for interviews or, more recently, actually engaging in them. You may feel differently about interviewing for jobs, but I’m absolutely energized by the process. The give-and-take of fielding questions, of communicating personal vision, and of attempting to learn as much as you can about your interviewers can be exhilarating, and there’s no end to the interesting questions themselves.

There is one question that I usually dismiss as fairly insignificant. How often do you read, and which authors tend to be your favorite? Quite a few times I’ve been approached with this question, assuming it was asked purely in an effort to get to know me better. There’s more in importance to this question, though, especially for us as disciples of Jesus. We ever remember that our faith revolves not around a religion but a living relationship, one in which personal growth in faith and depth is expected. Maturity is our Lord’s goal, anyway. He is about the work of actually conforming us into his own image (Romans 8:29), a terrifically humbling truth. This growth doesn’t just happen apart from spiritual disciplines, and one of those disciplines is reading. Along with prayer and walking daily through Scripture, reading is critical to the growth of my mind and spirit and can help me ever rightly handle the word of truth.

Oddly, I’ve confided in Dale numerous times lately that I rarely read for fun. The last book or series of books I read on the level of novels were the Left Behind stories by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. When I read, the content generally falls under the categories of either deeper theology and biblical study or the purpose of the church—more pointedly, the local church rediscovering her purpose. To that end, I find myself gravitating to authors like Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Christian Resources, Matt Chandler (who serves as lead pastor of The Village Church in Dallas), Thom Rainer also of Lifeway Christian Resources, David Platt (who serves as lead pastor of The Church of Brook Hills in Birmingham), and especially Francis Chan. A former church planter and pastor himself, Chan has a testimony of God’s movement that ever moves me. Frequently I’ll return to the pages of Crazy Love, for example, to consider whether at this moment my love for our Father is so real that it would cause others to turn in notice. “Could someone look at your life or look at my life and name me a Christian?” he asks there. Following Christ is certainly about more than public display, of course, but love for Jesus that cannot be noticed and touched or doesn’t demand explanation before people isn’t really love for Jesus.

Anyway, lately I’ve found myself walking through books written by Andy Stanley, who serves as lead pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia (just north of Atlanta). Of all the works I’d recommend, I’d point every disciple, pastor, or church leader to Deep and Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend.  From every possible angle, my personal vision for how to lead and equip for ministry has been either challenged or corrected, for this reason. Far more often than not, the culture created within our local churches actually hinders the unchurched (and de-churched, if you will) from being drawn into believing Christ, catering to ourselves instead. Environment matters, and most of us are tolerating environments in which God is moving in spite of, not because of… how do we cultivate environments that remove all obstacles from unchurched people connecting to us and our message? This ends up being a difficult question for leaders and churches for it absolutely mandates change and sacrifice, the kinds of which many are unwilling to make. They must be made if were to succeed on mission, however, and even if our local churches are to survive.

That’s enough about me. What about you? What have you been reading? Has it been for fun or for supplementing your journey through the Bible? How has what you’re reading been helping you deepen in your faith?

Needy in Every Day

So sorry for not posting the past few days...even though Michael was writing, I got so busy I couldn't even get them posted. Enjoy these next couple days of his blogs and I will be back with you all later this week. ~Christy

1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV)

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.  To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 My Father, another day is upon us, new opportunity dawning with it. I wonder this morning over all you’ve had written in your book from age to age for this day (Psalm 139:16). Waking and leaving my bed sometimes feels like how it must feel to step from the safety of a ledge to a tightrope, exhilarating but terrifying. I feel that way today.

 It’s exhilarating to think about the chance to serve today—the opportunities you’ve planned for serving you by serving others. Of all the evidence I can see and touch, maybe it’s these practical daily doors for ministering that best prove your grace. Each seems to come with its own distinct sign indicating what’ll be needed in walking through, whether love or unselfish hospitality, or another of the great gifts you’ve bestowed in your Son. You have made us stewards to dispense your grace. There is no greater privilege, Father!

 It’s terrifying for me, though, because I know how pathetic my service can be. It isn’t that I don’t know how much is at stake at each doorway. I know how short time is in this age, Father, that Jesus could appear at any moment, and I know well how serving someone today can have spiritual impact on them. I’m just so prone to weak shortsightedness; self-control and sober-mindedness feel so elusive at times, among the first losses when spiritual strength has dried up. There is a strength that only you provide for serving, Father. Without it I am but a religious activist attempting great things all on my own, and I never see how futile this is until too far after the attempt. I don’t want to fail someone I’d attempt to serve, or miss yet another open doorway altogether. Please… I’m desperate to be filled today with your Spirit so I can have eyes to see, faith to walk through what doors you open, giftedness ready to be wielded for your honor, and strength to finish whatever is started.

 Father, today I so want bringing you glory to be all that matters, trusting that on the other side of this you’ll cause all things to fall where they should…

 …I come asking for today’s sufficient grace, and now I go… in Jesus’ name…

 …Amen.

Credit Where It's Due

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)

they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day,  attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32-33 (ESV)

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

There are both tremendous opportunity yet terrifying dangers for a disciple of Jesus in a complement.

The early church of Jerusalem, described for us in the book of Acts, was a gathering known for amazing things. Interestingly, they would have earned “favor with all the people” (2:47) without having the luxuries that local churches typically have today. They won their reputation not by buildings or in programs but by how their behavior changed individually and by how they ministered in smaller groups. The unity of what they believed and consistently proclaimed, not to mention in what they sacrificed daily, impacted those around them and ultimately attracted them to Christ like magnets to a refrigerator. If there was a complement to be offered, more so than at any other time in the history of the church it would’ve been God receiving credit for all that was happening.

Much has changed along these lines. So often we hear complements directed at the disciple or the local church and not to the Head of both. “He is such a good person,” or “She sacrifices so much of her time,” or “That church cares so much for the poor.” Of course, we hear and often deserve our fair share of criticism, and how we handle that is important as well, but I wonder if we don’t create more inherent damage to our ability to fulfill our mission by how we handle complements than how we manage criticism. You see, going back to the early church, the power displayed through the testimony of the apostles, as our example, wasn’t apparent because the apostles were brilliant speakers. Theirs was not powerful testimony because of what personality each brought to the delivery of the message. Their testimony of Jesus’ resurrection was powerful because of the message itself, for one, but especially because “great grace was upon them all,” a working grace bestowed by our Father to add dynamic, Spirit-filled power to their efforts of faithful energy. This is why when the word of the Lord goes forth it does not return fruitlessly without impact (Isaiah 55:11). This is why the devotion and servanthood of the early church produced such awe and good favor. This is why today truly great and powerful things can still be done in the name of Jesus by us who are his. The answer is God’s great, working grace, and if there is credit to be given for power and impact in ministry it better go to him.

Would you be willing to share how you handle complements, beloved, especially as they relate to your service unto our Father? This is a more important subject than others might suspect. It may seem that complements to us are harmless encouragers, and indeed we can use the encouragement in our faith journeys. The line to be crossed in taking credit for things God is actually doing, though, is a pretty fine one. Take caution, for God is zealous about the glory that belongs only to him (Isaiah 42:8).

His Workmanship, by Michael Eldridge

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

My wonderful Father, there is such an important day dawning. I don’t know yet why it will be so important. Oh, I have some idea. I understand a thing or two on my schedule but there must be so much on yours. To think about how you’re at work in life after life, bringing together details from planning you started before the foundation of the world, absolutely boggles my mind. It’s more personal than that, though, Father. I believe today you will be at work in me to will and to work for your good pleasure. Thank you for the attention you give to me, the kind of attention I’ll never fully grasp.

So often I think of myself as the worker, Father. So often I think of myself as busy, and I suppose I am. You have blessed me with such tremendous opportunity to make impact, to help people see and respond to Jesus. To take my own personal salvation in the name of your Son and partner personal energy with it, to see my own faith refined and grown but especially to aim at achievement that glorifies you because of it—this is unspeakable privilege. You’re a perfect worker, though, Father. When you set energy into a life there is no distracting or derailing you. We both know it’s not that way with me. It’s difficult to say this but I actually fear the “Amen.” When this private time with you ends my day will begin, and I’ll have to fight harder to stay on task then I would to actually complete your task. I’m so prone to sin. I’m so prone to wander. So help me today to keep focused on the right effort, to be prayerful throughout, to be given eyes to see what matters most in each passing scenario. Help me do the work you mean me to do, especially to be busy adding to what you’ve already given… virtue and more knowledge and greater self-control and steadfastness in spirit and utter godliness and affection for my brothers and sisters, but especially love—your love.

Most of all, Father, help me remember how near you are. Help me remember that you’re working. I’ll be so undergirded, I just know it, as long as I don’t lose sight of how you’re investing yourself in me. You’ve promised that I am saved by your grace through my faith on Christ Jesus, that with this gift comes the truth that I am your workmanship, one of many created for good works. Help me walk in them today, Father, please… please. If you don’t, I fear you’ll be the only one of us actually working…

…oh Father, I come and now I go in Jesus’ name…

…Amen.

Keep the Fire Burning, by Michael Eldridge

Leviticus 6:12-13 (ESV)

The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out.

Romans 12:12 (ESV)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The disciple of Jesus Christ will never mature beyond the depth of his or her life of prayer.

 Famous pastor and author Charles Spurgeon once made the connection between this altar and the heart as our great altar before God. “Let us give to God our hearts,” he wrote, “all blazing with love, and seek his grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning.” Decade upon decade have passed since Spurgeon challenged with this tremendous truth, the context of life radically changing with each. Without doubt, we live at the busiest cultural point in history, the local church and us as Christians not immune. In this constant movement there is much that we do, and seeking his grace in the activity itself is commonplace. I’m sure you would agree… you are a busy believer in public, but are you a busy believer in private?

 Prayerlessness represents a decay in our relationship with God that we simply cannot afford. Soon enough without frequenting the closet of prayer, wherever it might be hidden, all of this energy mustered for the cause of Christ will eventually slow to a drag. Perhaps you read this today and already notice this drag. The answer lies not in recalculating how you can do more. Get by yourself today. Stoke the fire at the level of your heart’s altar. Rekindle the relationship. Believe it or not, it isn’t primarily working with the Lord for which you were saved, but for relating with him. Come to him today. Savor his welcoming nearness as he will savor yours. Begin simply, focusing on his perfect character and promises. Move to asking his fresh movement in your church gathering and personal ministry, in your family and neighbors,especially in souls you know but also throughout the world. Ask him for reminders of your hope and a recalibration of your humility. Then pause, don’t say anything to our Father for a moment, and just reflect silently on what it means to come in the matchless name of Jesus………

 Keep the fire burning………

 Pray…

 What are some practical ways you make sure the fire of your heart’s altar never burns out?

Sunday Everyday, by Michael Eldridge

Proverbs 8:30 (ESV)

I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

I once had a friend who so loved the church she and her family had discovered that she once rhetorically asked, "Why can't every day be Sunday?!" Often her words come to mind for me. After all, for us as followers of Jesus what's not to love about Sunday?

...the chance to praise our Lord beside other Christians

...sitting under practical teaching from God's Word

...interacting with other believers for the living of life

...eating with your family

...taking a long afternoon nap

Well, admittedly, a few of those are mere options, but you understand what I mean. There is something so special about what we get to experience each Sunday that it often makes weekdays (even while in Christ) seem unappealing. I hope today your experience with your gathered church has you this excited. Does it? Would you be willing to share why?

For many, though, Sunday is not exactly a welcome friend, no more than the dawning of Monday. For them it means gathering with a fragmented, selfish, plateaued, or dying church. It means navigating one's way around relationships that aren't what they could be, all while trying to maintain at least a little communion with Christ. It means enduring preaching or teaching that just doesn't apply well into Twenty-first Century life, or it means plodding through all sorts of other variations of unideal Christian reality. For these (and trust me that I understand the view from these seats), context makes it difficult to be a disciple among other disciples. Waking on Sundays becomes a curse. Greeting becomes a chore. Worshiping becomes a challenge.

If this is you today and you're having trouble welcoming Sunday then I offer this quick reminder from the Proverbs. A wise look at God and his love for you will partner with this reminder and possibly fill your tank with just enough fuel to look heavenward. You are daily the delight of our Father. Your circumstances may tell you something different, but this is true, and it's always been true, even before you were born. A better Sunday can begin by hearing this and looking to him rather than around you, then before you know it, perhaps, the one who makes you his daily delight will soon make everyday yours.

My Response to Yesterday's Blog, by Christy Venable

Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge. Interlude

In yesterday's blog, Michael Eldridge posed this question:  What catalysts can you pinpoint as what God has used to grow your faith in him? Then, we were challenged to consider these 5 dynamics: practical teaching, private disciplines, personal ministry, providential relationships, pivotal circumstances. Here's my humble confession regarding these:

I can see God's hand in each of these dynamics. Several years ago, the Lord brought us as a family into a position in which I was able for the first time to really sink my teeth into in-depth Bible Study. I had always yearned to delve into the truth of God's Word in a deeper way than my personal quiet times seemed to afford. I needed to be taught...truth by truth, principle by principle and be shown how to apply those principles to my own life. God began doing that. Second, God created in me an enormous hunger for His Word. I remember asking a friend to pray with me that God would give more time alone in His Word. God answered that prayer by meeting me daily in my quiet times and feeding my hunger with the richness of His Word. Third, God opened doors for me in ministry that I truly could not have ever imagined. I had dreamed of ministry, but God's plan was more than I could have asked or imagined...Honduras, leading small groups, Women's ministry, blogging. Fourth, God surrounded me with friends who were willing to be transparent about life struggles and triumph, and who allowed me to be real, too. Herein lies "community." Here I pause...it is the 5th dynamic with which I struggle...Sure, I 'm all about pivotal circumstances when the fruit is obviously good and satisfying...for example a situation which we would label "divine appointment." The temptation to cower comes when the situation is obviously hard, obviously going to test me and try me, obviously going to have moments of pain and suffering. The word "pivotal" refers to a point in which a change of direction occurs, a swing in direction. I'm all about changes in directions when the forecast is bright and sunny, but I confess, I struggle when at the point of turning I look up ahead and see dark storm clouds. It is in those moments of unexpected turns and surprise curves that for me, faith is hardest to come by. In those times, I must rely most on His presence being known in the four dynamics listed previously. Help me Lord when the circumstances shift to remain faithful in allowing myself to be taught, in spending time alone in Your Word, in focusing on the needs of others and not just my own, in allowing Godly people to pour into my life...Help me trust You as sovereign and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that "He, who has brought me to it, will bring me through it." The forecast may not look good, but I can trust You are working for my good and for your glory.

Free For All Friday, by Michael Eldridge

While I’m sitting at Christy’s desk these few weeks there will be several ways I’ll creatively try to pull you more intimately into some conversations. One of these ways I’ll be calling “Free-For-All Friday” and it’ll take place, well, each Friday. Free-For-All Friday is about any questions we can address. I’ll commit to offer a first response to questions you might pose and, hopefully, my response will spur your response. Starting today for next week, then, if you have questions from your faith and journey with Jesus then please contact Christy with them. We’ll look forward to seeing what kind of chat we can have.

Let me end our first week together by asking you a question.

What catalysts can you pinpoint as what God has used to grow your faith in him?

I’m referring to dynamics in life for you as a follower of Jesus Christ—dynamics that either you’ve personally welcomed, actively structured into your daily walk, or perhaps passively experienced. Here’s a better look at what I’m asking. Recently I’ve been reading a book called Deep & Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend.  Author and pastor Andy Stanley spends these pages praising the Lord for fruit born within his context in Atlanta and actually puts pen to paper to illustrate how and why they have sought to create the environment they have. There is far more about North Point Community Church’s model  for helping people into growing relationship with Jesus than I’d dare try addressing here, but worth this attempt is a list of five catalysts Stanley and his ministry team identified as faith builders in life. As they interviewed and discipled people within their context, the following dynamics emerged time and again in story after story as those God used to save and grow them in faith.

·         Practical teaching (biblical truth presented for active application)

·         Private disciplines (revolving around your devotional and giving life)

·         Personal ministry (within opportunities to serve in connection to your church or           community)

·         Providential relationships (that God has ordained to undergird your Christian worldview)

·         Pivotal circumstances (that have put your faith to the test and caused reinforcement or      growth in belief)

All of these, whether we realize it or not at times, contribute to whether or not our faith is growing. I’m asking, you then, whether you can pinpoint how God has used these and possibly other catalysts to grow your trust relationship with Christ. Would you be willing to share stories or examples of ways you’ve experienced God within them?

Considering these faith catalysts gives much-needed food for thought to today’s local churches and leaders. Stanley is quick and consistent in pointing out the fact that God is already growing Christians in our churches according to these dynamics. Is he doing this in spite of how we structure church life, though, or are we actively seeking to create environments in which we meet him in this work and, thus, see an explosion of fruitfulness by his hand? I highly recommend this read and look forward to reading your stories.

Michael Eldridge, Day 2

Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

     "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"

My Father, this is one of those days when following You feels harder than it should. It's not Your fault. You're leading and providing, speaking and comforting, closing a door here and opening one there... right there, as a matter of fact. I can see it. I can even feel the excitement over walking to it, then through it... and that's what scares me.

In some moments, Father, I can't tell if my heart is really Yours. I know Your promises, that I'm saved to the uttermost and ever in Your grip, but is my heart really Yours today... later today... over the next thirty minutes?

The last time You opened a new door to me I seemed ready to do something amazing for You, but You know how things turned out. I can't forget it. There was plenty of blame to go around, sure, but I know. I just know... my heart wasn't fully Yours... and this is how I know: in the middle of doing so much "in your name" I found myself wanting more. I caught myself chasing fulfillment and achievement, the thrill of accomplishing something that helped others, and especially the approval of people. My heart was Yours, but then it became so much more mine. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Father!

Hmmmm...

On my best day, in Your holy gaze I must've looked more like someone who doesn't know Your Son at all, who never really did. Others probably never noticed, but You knew. You always do.

Today I want it to be different, Father. Thank You for this new door. The fact that You're opening it says even more about grace than I knew before. This time, though, help me walk in such a  recovered newness and passion that my every reason for serving comes down to a simple disciple savoring the journey with his Master! Help me be satisfied simply finding and enjoying You in the everyday of Your will being done.

Hmmmmmmmm...

Suddenly following You today doesn't seem so hard. Leave it to You, Father, to amaze me all over again. Thank You...

...thank You, my Father...

...it's in Jesus' name that I come...and even in Jesus' name that I go...

 ...Amen.

Guest Blog by Michael Eldridge

Many thanks to Michael Eldridge for his willingness to guest blog for the next couple weeks while I concentrate on being Mother of the Bride and putting the finishing touches on wedding preparations. You can get to know Michael better by reading his bio info after the blog.  Enjoy! ~Christy

Matthew 26:36-37 (ESV)

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

My new friends, quite obviously I am not Christy. I am also decidedly not a woman, which matters given the possibility that most of you who visit this forum are ladies. Some might suggest that I have nothing of practicality to offer you. Aren't I so from Mars—made too much of snips and snails and puppy dog tails—that my best attempt to connect you more deeply to Christ would fall short of perfectly relating? We're as different as night and day, you and I are. You think differently, reason differently, feel differently, plan differently, and fear differently, so there's no way my personal journey with Jesus can truly connect with you in yours...

...except if you bring that assumption into the lamplight, you quickly see how untrue it is. For all of our differences, we are exactly the same. In Jesus Christ, we are saved from the same penalty, saved for the same eternity, and saved into the same reality. We'll always approach how we face this reality uniquely one to another, but the core reality is the same, along with the problems it introduces, the insecurities it exposes, and especially the sorrows it frequently produces. Actually it's your sorrows and troubles I'd like to discuss for one brief moment today, asking you a simple question: within your journey growing with our Savior and Friend, how do you handle them?

Do some snooping in Gethsemane today and you’ll see how Jesus handled his. Amidst those vineyards and presses you’ll find unblemished deity willingly clothed in full humanity, taking atonement’s final steps to the cross in utter anguish over their impact within his relationship with his Father. More so than at any other time in his recorded life, our Redeemer shows here how intimately he understands our core reality. “A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” the prophet labels him (Isaiah 53:3), and notice how God’s Son handled his. Yes, he emptied his heart to his Father in prayer, coming to perfect, trusting surrender to God’s wisdom and will, but he did this in connection with others—just a small group, to be sure, but notice how Jesus took them deeper, how he bared his soul to them, and how he asked them to walk with him into reality’s battle. How interesting that even in Jesus’ perfect relationship with our Father there is a clearly demonstrated need for relating with others.

Resist the temptation to withdraw, you man or woman of God. It is away that your sorrows and discouragement will take you, perhaps persuaded that isolation is better than intimacy. Hear, though, the squeak of this critical hinge on the door of our personal discipleship: walking and growing in him means walking and growing with them. You were saved for a community, not a convent. No season in life proves this like one of pain, and without your community you cannot mature as his disciple.

How have you experienced growth in your relationship with Christ as you walked through the days of your reality in partnership with a small group of other Christians? How would you counsel a fellow believer who seems drifting in the loneliness of sorrows?

Michael and his family find themselves transitioning in their pastoral ministry. Having married in 1996, he and his wife, Dale, began their journey at seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, ultimately making pastoral stops in Alabama, Kentucky, and most recently Knoxville, Tennessee. Now they and their children, Abigail and Daniel, have returned to their hometown of Tullahoma, waiting as God moves them toward a next assignment. Let us partner with them in prayer, asking our father to open for them "a wide door for effective work" (1 Corinthians 16:9), the kind of which He blesses and uses to transform Christians and churches into forces for attracting and impacting the unchurched with the gospel.