Tomorrow from 3-5pm at The Connection Church Offices, I will be teaching Connection 201. Connection 201 is a fresh new look at the process of our spiritual growth as Christians. During the 2 hours class we take a look at 4 basic spiritual habits that every Christian MUST learn to become a mature believer.At The Connection Church, we have a goal of becoming the most spiritually mature church in the state of Texas. Contrary to popular belief, spiritual maturity is far more than merely having Bible knowledge. It’s a way of life!I encourage you to come out as we learn how to develop habits of spiritual discipline in our lives which build our faith and prayer life, increase our understanding of God’s word, and get us connected with other Christians. Whether you are a brand new believer or have been a Christian for years, this class is for you!See you there tomorrow! Here are directions to the office!
Dead and Starving for a RELATIONSHIP
I read the news a lot. CNN.com several times per day. I am a news addict. Sometimes, its depressing, sometimes enlightening, and sometime just NOTHING. Check out this NEWS ARTICLE.DEPRESSING. Even ALARMING.It reminded me of the importance of our Connection Groups. I can’t imagine doing life ALONE for so long that you could actually die and have over a year go by without anyone noticing you were gone. These are the people my heart breaks for, the lonely.More and more Americans are starving for significant relationships.
As of 2004, the average American had just two close friends, compared with three in 1985. Those reporting no confidants at all jumped from 10 percent to 25 percent. Even the share of Americans reporting a healthy circle of four or five friends had plunged from 33 percent to just over 15 percent.Increasingly, those whom we consider close friends—if we have any—are household members, not people who “bind us to community and neighborhood.” Our wider social connections seem to be shriveling like a turkey left too long in the oven. (Christianity Today)
I wonder what it would take for us, the church, to become the solution to this problem. I don’t think anyone should die sitting in front of their TV and go un-noticed for over a year.I think the answer is right in one of our mantras at TCC: “Connect with God, Connect with OTHERS, and Connect OTHERS with GOD.”
A New Manifesto
Just finished reading the new Mark Batterson book, “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.” It is an incredible book, all about how we are called to “chase the lion” we have in our lives. Here is the basic premise of the book: “What if the life you really want, and the future God wants for you, is hiding right now in your biggest problem, your worst failure…your greatest fear?” I finished the book in a few days thinking that the greatest regret in my life will be the lions I don’t chase.
Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Grab life by the mane. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshipping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.Chase the lion.
-Mark BattersonGet it. Read it. It will change the way you think about your dreams…Check out Mark’s Blog.
I LOVE to…
I love to take complex issues that everyone deals with in life and present them in user-friendly ways. Sharing the life-changing message of the Bible in creative, practical ways with humor, relevance, and enthusiasm is my passion. My life and role are all about people. More specifically helping them connect with each other, and ultimately with God.THAT is why I do what I do each day…
