Day of Community

I am so thankful our pastoral staff encouraged our congregants to join a small group for a 5-week exploration into discipling (check out https://multiplymovement.com/vision to see how you can embrace Jesus call to make disciples). In the midst of what seemed like a chaotic schedule last week, I felt ill-prepared to guide our group through last week's discussion of the importance of reading the Bible. I was already feeling at a disadvantage in this area as I'm probably the least knowledgeable of our group in terms of biblical facts, so to be unprepared to guide the discussion on "God's autobiography" was quite disheartening.

The beauty of these community groups is  they are indeed collaborative. We're learning not only from the text and the Francis Chan/David Platt video clips, but also (and in my opinion, more importantly), from each other. When I was feeling inadequate discussing the material and unprepared to guide the discussion, we each offered independent views from our own experiences, offered support and guidance for confusing concepts, and shared our personal journeys with the Word! When we build community within our church family, these relationships and experiences can foster lasting impact beyond the doors of our church building.

Day 84: Heavenly Father, thank you for humbling me last week by learning more from my community group than they probably learned from me. Thank you for bestowing wisdom on Pastors Chan and Platt as they share the simple, yet effective concepts of making disciples. 

Lord, I have many faults and can only thank you for your grace. I've never thought of myself as proud. Last week after our gathering, I felt disappointed in myself for not carving out the necessary time to better prepare for our weekly discussion. I let pride and jealousy get the best of me that night. I want to glorify your name, Father, but I felt at the time I fell so short. In hindsight, were you teaching me a lesson about the church? After learning and leaning so much on my fellow group members' experiences and understanding of the intent of your Word, I realized the lesson of NEEDING the church. I am grateful for not being rescued from my uncomfortable state for it makes me appreciate even more the importance of surrounding myself with friends in Christ who can help build me as I help build them.

Father God, I pray this Multiply experience has sparked a fire within my friends to continue learning and leaning on one another. This world can pull you down with pride and jealousy and keep you from seeing the lessons in front of us. Thank you for revealing them to me in your timing, the perfect timing!

I love you.

Source: http://www.carmelumc.org

Day of Math

Did you learn addition or multiplication first? Addition, of course. Why? I assume because it's easier with lower numbers and adding on fingers...clearly my scientific explanation. Of course, you have to walk before you can run. So, why even learn multiplication? To add exponentially?? Heck, I think my explanations are as good as any.

With multiplication, you can reach higher numbers faster. Think about it. Let's say you wanted to share with 100 people the cool facts about being a follower of Jesus Christ. You spoke to each person individually. After 100 conversations and a hoarse voice, you completed you're journey. What if you shared the facts with 5 people and those 5 people shared with 5 people. You would multiply your recipients in fewer conversations and create a domino effect through just a few directed conversations. Think of the impact multiplying could have in expanding the body of Christ! 

Day 68: Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing the true benefit of math...to reach your people exponentially. Thank you for Pastor Scott's vision to multiply your disciples via our community groups. Thank you for the honor of participating in this heavenly transformation in our community.

Lord, despite my nervousness, the honor to serve you in such a capacity warms my heart immensely. I will make mistakes. I will embarrass myself. (I won't clean my house well enough.) But, I will be transformed. I ask for your wisdom and clarity as we embark on this 5-week journey and beyond. 

Father God, I want to thank you for your relentless presence in my life. Even in the past when I have taken your presence for granted or distanced myself for selfish reasons, you always protected me patiently awaiting my return to you. Thank you for your warm embrace and faithful welcoming! 

I love you.