INHERITANCE-it's not just money!

Inheritance is normally a word culture attaches to money. That may be true in some instances, but the original meaning referred to "a transfer of something of great value, as a legacy or promise." We have seen people in our lifetime inherit things: genes, looks, money, reputation, family related personal items, business, or land. Have you ever stopped to think about what you have inherited? God gives us a word in scripture that tells us that we will be on the receiving end of a transfer of something of great value, as in our legacy and promise for our life. Here are some passages of scripture that are worth reading regarding the inheritance we can claim: Psalm 16:5, Psalm 37:18, Proverbs 3:35, Proverbs 13:22, Ephesians 1:14, and Colossians 3:24-25.
My prayer for today is that I can pause in the midst of my day and claim God's promise for my life. I choose to walk in God's peace & provision through whatever difficult time may come my way, and walk with faith as I keep my eyes on you, God.
As you think about the word inheritance, what does it mean to you? Are you in a position to pass an inheritance of a lifetime to someone else that revolves around the promise of God's Word? As I hear the word, I look at the opportunity to leave an inheritance that revolves around legacy, and am less worried about receiving one of things.

FRAMEWORK for DISCIPLING

Jesus was the master of many things, and one that stands out is that of discipling. After all, He was such a master at this, that the ones closest to Him, who followed Him, were in fact called disciples. (understudies, mentees, coachees, etc...) Jesus framed those who followed Him with a model that we, as leaders, should follow. In every encounter Jesus had with people He had one of the following: Discipleship Discussions, Equipping Exchanges, Corrective Conversations, and Encouraging Encounters. As framers we should be active in pursuing one of these in every conversation we have. The frame we are building with these practices, is helping frame a masterpiece created by God, that He has put in our path for a time to lead. The images in the gallery that we hang in our mind need to be viewed as the names that we are helping frame. So, who are they and where do you intersect with them? Teams, neighborhood, small group, committees/boards, family...the list of possibilities is long. We need to get in our mind the ALONGSIDER mindset. We have to come alongside people and encounter, engage, equip, and empower them to live out their faith in the way God designed them too. As an alongsider we are walking alongside these friends as life happens. Whether it is messy or whether it has the appearance of cleanliness, we are in a position to speak into the life of others. A part of that ability to speak into the life of others comes through relationship. I have people that have that permission to speak into my life, because they have relationship. Those who speak into my life with no relationship, well there message falls to ears that don't understand the words coming out of their mouth. As framers, we are key in making sure they have an understanding of God's Word. In His Word, we have a great example of Jesus framing disciples. Let's us also make it our habit to start building frames. In the days to come I'll break down the 4 sides to the framework.

STAND FIRM

Stand Firm is a phrase found in the Bible that is spoken from some of the most recognizable names: Moses, David, Isaiah, and Paul to name a few. This phrase carries the same meaning in English as it does in Greek. It is the ability to offer resistance to someone or somebody, or refuse to abandon one's belief or opinion. Throughout the Bible the phrase STAND FIRM is used to remind the people of the Lord's promises, the warriors position in battle, and the Christ followers stance in their faith. I have this image in my head of what it looks like to stand firm. The image comes from one of my all time fave movies BRAVEHEART. In the scene William Wallace has picked a fight, and the English are waging war. There comes a point on the battle field when the ENGLISH lead an attack, William Wallace and the Scots, take a place in the field and literally stand there as an army is rushing them. They do not move, they hold their spot, they STAND FIRM. Just as the English are about to unleash hell on them in battle, the Scots still holding their strong stance and position reach behind them and lift up spears made of trees. As they raise them, there is a little push back but the line holds strong. This illustration is what it is like when we are attacked by life's circumstances, or the enemy attacks us. Although fast moving, deceptive, and intimidating, when we STAND FIRM in our faith in Christ, we will not be pushed back, but we will be the VICTOR. So today in whatever may come your way, I encourage you to STAND FIRM, because when your feet are placed on THE ROCK (Jesus Christ), you will be able to hold your ground.

RE:GROUP LEADERSHIP EVENT @ ECC

RE:GROUP
I am stoked for our Small Group Life Leadership night on Sunday, March 21, 2010. This is a night where we RE:GROUP as small group ministry leaders and are reminded of our role of being: engaged, encouraged, equiped, and empowered to come alongside the many people looking to connect in community.

This year includes breakout sessions led by some of our SGL coaching team. These sessions include:

• Getting out of the Weekly Funk of Small Group Life
• Leadership Development
• The Art of the Ask-Facilitating Discussion
• Transformation & Discipleship Tools to Gage Group Growth
  

Incorporated into the night will be a progressive dinner as we move sessions, and as you rotate it will move you toward a selection of different menu items.

The night will include a talk about the importance of Small Group Life Leaders and vision in this time of church transition, dinner, breakout sessions, and conclude with a time of corporate prayer.

Here are the details:

Sunday, March 21, 2010
North Auditorium
Evergreen Christian Community (Oly Campus)
5p
RSVP to Kathy Staff kathy@ecconline.cc

Childcare provided up to age 10 (dinner included)
RSVP for childcare to Kathy at kathy@ecconline.cc

Living Intentionally in God's Will

SHHHHH......do you hear that voice? Do you sense that someone has something special for you? Do you even realize that you were created to live an intentional life? There are many words that can be used to describe when you live out God's Will for your life: rewarding, joyous, promising, confident, and even confusing. I understand that God has a plan for my life. At every juncture in my walk with God, He has revealed the personal and perfect plan He has for me. I will be honest, I have not always understood it, I have been mad about on a few occasions, and even confused at times; however, I will never question it or fight it. I have found when I am living in God's will for my life that it is challenging, rewarding, and better than I could have expected. At times I can be frustrated with circumstances, people, things, and life. I have also found that God has put me in places to grow, be challenged, comfort someone else, be stretched, and even be reminded of God's will for my life. If I had chosen the will for my life, certain things would have been different, and the fact is, probably very chaotic. What I have seen is people who try and make their own life happen and try and impose their will(often selfish in nature) into life and circumstances-chaos occurs. I know that God set me up to succeed, persevere, expand my territory, and yes-be challenged. While following God's Will for my life I have found comfort, and found when I live my life intentionally the way He desires me to live, then the benefits are much more beneficial. I would rather live intentionally than a life of chaos and dysfunction. I have chosen to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, rather than conforming to the patterns of the world and for this reason I have been able to determine what God's will is for my life. When I hunker down and really remove myself from all the noise in this world-I will find a still small voice whispering to me that there are promises, protection, and compassion to follow the direction He leads me. How about you? How are you doing in regards to living an intentional life that God designed for you? What actions do you need to take to help you hear God's Will for YOU?!!!

HUMILITY- Its pretty black and white

Have you ever been humbled in a way that made you feel embarrassed or extremely insecure? Sometimes being humbled can be a good thing. I remember as a freshmen in high school being put in my place a time or two by older junior and seniors. The circumstances were all different, but they all took the wind that was in my sails(or ego) and caused the sail to fall flat. It also caused me to really evaluate what I was saying and the peoples perception of me. As an older high school student I had a peers tell me I was conceited, and I always shot back their is a difference between conceit and confidence. The fact is I lived a life in humility in some areas, and probably not so in other areas. Every once in a while it is great to reflect on things. I often reflect on terms associated with me by the roles I take on. In leadership I think it is important to have the confidence, but also to have a fine balance of humility. I can be wrong and I have people in my life that have permission to tell me when, or point out areas I need help with. With that comes the responsibility to let me know if my "humility factor" is wavering. If people who don't have permission try and speak up I liken it to the saying that says "rules without relationship, will lead to rebellion." I'll flat out ignore those who try and speak up. I can handle criticism...I better be able to because I am human. In leadership it is important to step back and reflect on the word Humility every now and then. Humility in both life and the context of the scripture is a winning spirit of submission and commitment- the absence of arrogance or conceit. I don't like to be around people who have an arrogance about them. Flat out can't stand being around people like that. In life I have encountered them in various places. As leaders, whether small group or a position within a business, I think it is important to have a winning spirit of submission. As a part of my submission I train to find myself HUMBLE in the sight of the Lord. As you lead, may you find this prayer as one of comfort when it comes to HUMILITY:
Lord, I come before you knowing how majestic you are. I come before you with a humble heart knowing how much I need you to get through this day, week, and month. I believe I will move through this day with you giving me strength to listen when I need too, moving when you want me to, and leading when you provide me too. I am believing as I humble myself before you, that you will lead me to success and victory.
Psalm 25:9, 147:6, Ephesians 4:2, James 4:10, and I Peter 5:6 are some of a few great verses to study more to expand your daily devotion with God and help you take on a countenance of humility. Take action and live today in humility to God as you lead.