Redeemed Life Groups

I have the distinct privilege and honor to lead a small group in our home that our church calls, Redeemed Life Group.  It is such a joy to be a part of these groups.  This fall, we are going through the book of Philippians, taking it very slowly as we dig in and discuss this letter. 

Now, I must confess, I am an artist.  I am scatterbrained and have thoughts that come from only God knows where.  I am the king of rabbit trails and left to my own devices would lead everyone under my care off the edge of a cliff in search of something shiny.

Despite my peculiar personality, God is gracious and has blessed me greatly through the members of my group.  There is just nothing quite like sitting with a group of people that you have grown to love while knowing that if it were not for grace, we would not be sitting in that room together. 

When we gathered last night and thought about what sinners we all are and how amazing it is to know the stories of all of our lives, it brought tears to many of our eyes.  We still struggle, we still have problems and temptations, but God has given us all the desire to sit in a room with other Christians who do not judge us, don’t condemn, but love us.  This is not by any means to say that we do not take sin seriously.  We do, in fact, take it very seriously and try to help each other pursue humility and holiness and live out the Redeemed Life.  The beauty of this is that we all know we’ve been freed.  We all know that God has done a work in our hearts and there is simply no denying it. 

Last night we were in Philippians 1:12-18.  Paul was imprisoned in Rome and one of the things that our group took from this is that we do not need for God to change our circumstances in order that we may glorify Him.  He is committed to making us Christians through our circumstances.  He is faithful to do it.

If you’re not a part of a small group at your church, get plugged in.  Pour yourself into your local body.  If you find that the people there are not particularly vulnerable, be the first!  Step out in faith and watch what God will do.

Chasing Genius

Tonight, Danae (my wife) and I were on our date night, talking about how very simple conversation can be exasperating at times. I don't know if it's just us or if every malnourished, sleep deprived, and overworked parent feels this way about conversation.

Today, as I was sitting with two good friends listening to our dialogue, brilliant and earth shattering thoughts were being formulated in my intellect. I'm talking about the really good ones, you know? The thoughts that, if not freed from your lips, will surely take over your entire body and threaten to eat that body alive, or worse, the world may forever be deprived of your inspired wisdom. As I waited for a place to interject, those same glorious thoughts became like sand slipping through my fingers. As I began to grasp tighter, the process only sped up. My thoughts ran from me as I chased them through an imaginary forest of lost thoughts. So, in an effort to recover the thoughts mid sentence, I did what any intelligent person would do. I began to talk more! I was stalling, hoping to land on the magical word that would somehow transport me back to the brilliance that was lost.

This is what my wife astutely named "Chasing Genius" and is the title of my new blog. So, rather than write bestselling books and risk being thought of as a real genius and making loads of cash, I am going to collect my thoughts on this blog. Enjoy!