What is going on?!?!?!
If you're my facebook friend then you may have already heard about Levi's "incedent" today at pre-school. He was told by his teacher not to say the word "penis" at school, but to just say that at home. You've got to worry about those preacher kids.
Then, on the way to school this AM, Nathan and Matthew asked Liz what "Jackass" and "Ass" meant. Supposedly, the first word was on Tom and Jerry, and the second word is in C.S. Lewis' The Last Battle (which Nathan and I are reading together). Liz informed them that both words, in those contexts, meant "donkey." But that they usually were bad words and they didn't need to say them.
You know what this means, don't you? It's time for "the talk." It's time for me to sit down with Nathan and go through all the cuss words with him, tell him what they mean, and why he doesn't need to use them.
I know what some of you are thinking, "But you're a pastor. You can't say those words." Where would you rather your kid learn what's the right and wrong thing to say? I'd rather them learn it from me than the kids at school.
Another benefit is that he'll know that I know... and knowing's half the battle.
God wants you happy... NOT
Ok, so that's kind of a harsh title, but it's what we talked about this past Sunday. You can read the transcript here.
But in today's reading from the book of Jeremiah, I see a guy who is clearly depressed. He did exactly what God had called him to do and everybody hated him for it.
Sometimes being obedient to God doesn't lead to where we think it should. You would think that being obedient to God should result in good things, in happiness, in reward. And while that happens sometimes, it's not always the case. I think Jeremiah is a great illustration of that.
But he remained faithful and obedient to what God had told him to do. When things aren't going our way, or when they don't turn out like we think they should turn out, do we press on in obedience? Jeremiah is a great model for all of us.
We have a dream...
At our weekly, Mickey D's staff meeting I asked Josh and Frankie to dream a little... not day dream... but dream-dream. Here's what I asked:
What would you like to see Hub City look like in 6 months? In one year?
Nothing was off limits. Dreams should be big. They should be audacious. They should be God sized.
We shared some pretty big dreams... things that will only happen if God shows up.
Now we're thinking through some plans to partner with God to turn the dreams into reality. But it's going to take some serious divine intervention. And we want to make sure that it's God's will that's done and not ours. Hub City is His church.
Let me ask you, how would you answer that question? I'd love to hear your dreams for Hub City. I'll share some of our dreams over the next few weeks, and I may include some of yours, so comment away. We want to hear from you!
Laughter and food
I had a great time last night with my Hub Group. We did a little pot-luck supper. We ate way too much. It was all good.
But the best part was laughing together.
Something about laughing together brings down walls and fertilizes relationships.
I'm so thankful for the people in my group. I see God at work in each of their lives. I see them growing as disciples.
If you're a part of Hub City, but not in a Hub Group, then what are you waiting on. I promise, you're missing out.
Which do you want to be a part of?
I'm reading this e-book right now on organic disicpleship. You can find it here. I read this quote:
In its earliest expression, the church meant a group of individuals who had come together in the name of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for church is ecclesia, which literally means “the called out ones.” Interestingly enough, the English dictionary describes church as, “A place of public worship.”
So, which do you want to be a part of?
What I want for Christmas
I just found out Switchfoot is coming to Asheville on December 4. It will be a great show. Should I go? Hmmm? Tix are $20.
Just so you know, they are my favorite band. Their new album launches 11/10/09. Holy smokes Batman, that's in three days!
Did you know?
This Sunday is Orphan Sunday. Did you know that there are 143 million orphans in the world. This should not be. We're going to spend a few minute praying about this issue on Sunday. Just wanted to give you a heads up. You can find out more here.
A great reminder
While this post by Tim Stevens isn't a perfect fit with our discipleship process, I think he clearly articulates some important stuff that we forget. He explains what the Sunday worship gathering is all about and that those who just come on Sunday aren't really a part of the church, just a part of the crowd. Being the church, being a part of the church, is more than a Sunday thing.
Sundays are important, but they aren't the most important thing we do. Since our mission is to make disciples who make disciples we place a priority on the environment where this is most likely to happen... which isn't a Sunday worship gathering. The environment where discipleship happens is Hub Groups.
Are you connected to a Hub Group? If not, why not? What are you waiting on? Do you want to be a part of the crowd or a part of our church family?
