Church

This weekend at Mountainview we wrapped up our Hope Lives series.  During the month of August we explored God's heart for the poor and disadvantaged and what our role in the solution might be.  In addition to our weekend teaching, we encouraged people to read the Hope Lives book and to join a Hope Lives discussion group.  It has been a challenging -- but encouraging -- experience. For the final teaching time, I spoke about the need for hope to have hands and feet if hope is to truly come alive.  Without hands and feet, hope is just a feeling, a sentimentality.  It's one thing to say, "I hope you get what you need."  It's another to walk alongside a person in need, to put a shoulder to the shovel. It's not enough to ask, "How does that make you feel?"  When a normal, decent human being is confronted with…

Found this article on how to poach chicken in a coffee maker.

One small benefit of the settling back into a ministry groove has been the opportunity to read more stuff ... books, blogs, even tweets.  One of the blogs I've been tracking is Leading Smart by Tim Stevens.  Tim is the executive pastor at Granger Community Church and blogs about church leadership.  Here is a post I read this morning -- hope you enjoy it! ********** Yesterday I wrote a post with warning signs for organizations which are in a season of fast growth. When the pace is quick, we sometimes are blind to things that could trip us up. On the other hand, when your organization has stopped growing or is in decline, there are also some traps that are easy to fall into... We forget the mission. We are frustrated by the lack of growth and so we allow the mission to be lost in charts, budgets and forecasts.…

“Spirit filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They serve with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes. They hate sin with fierceness that burns. They rejoice with a joy that radiates. Love is perfected in the fire of God.” Samuel Chadwick

What compels a normal man to get up at 5:30, shower, and go to a Bible study with other men?  I've recently joined a Friday morning group that meets at 6 AM every Friday.  For those of you who don't know what 6 AM looks like ... it's still dark and you drive with your headlights on.  But thank goodness Starbucks had the foresight to open at 5:30! This particular men's group is walking through Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.  At 6 AM, that's no easy task.  Lewis plumbs the deep waters like few other authors can.  And we talk about our experience, blend it with scripture, ask questions, and listen.  And drink more coffee. I go because it's important to have other men in your life that are pursuing the same outcome: a closer walk with Jesus.  The Bible says "iron sharpens iron" and it's true (Proverbs 27:17).  I…