Memorial Day Run

Went for my first official 3-mile run of the year today. I've been running for specific amounts of time - 20-30 minutes - rather than distance to build up endurance. The weather certainly cooperated. It was clear, sunny, a slight breeze and in the low 70"s.

Ran it in 26:05. I was pleasantly surprised. WOOHOO!!! Of course I didn't run alone. Took the boys from Boston with me. They still provide a great running tempo to help with the pace.

Still have room for improvement. And if the weather continues to cooperate, I'm looking forward to better times.

Run on,
Mike
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Something Even Newer!

OK...so I'm just getting caught up, but I'm trying out another new way of posting to my blog...via email.

Just another way to let you know what's going on!

Mike
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Oasis

Cindy and I are attending Oasis, a conference/retreat for church staff and their spouses in Seaside, OR. Seaside is on the northern Oregon coast.

This morning I went for a run on the beach. I love running on the beach. There's something about running on the sand with the waves crashing and lapping up the shoreline that I find tranquil. Besides that the sand is great on my aging and abused knees.

As I was running I was thinking about the concept of oasis - a place where one finds refreshment in the midst of a desert. I began thinking about MY oasis. It finally hit me that I have two places of refreshment:

1. Running - when I run it's just me...and my watch and my surroundings. It's what charges me up. Always has, always will.
2. Quiet Time - I love getting up early in the morning and sitting with God. Sometimes I read, sometimes I write, and sometime I just sit and listen.

What's your oasis?
Mike

The Weekend Update

Hanging out at the house this morning. Just kinda vegging. It's a beautiful day to just hang. This week's been pretty busy...good, but busy.

Cindy's been busy subbing at a couple of the area schools. She's also been working on getting last minute items together for her Africa mission trip. She leaves in just three weeks! She's getting excited.

Tomorrow we host Greater Gresham's Membership Workshop. I'm excited about getting to help with it. It's my first workshop where I'm getting to help at GGBC. I love helping people get connected with what God's doing at Greater Gresham.

Next week Cindy and I head to Seaside, OR for NWBC's Oasis Retreat. Cindy can't wait to see the ocean again. I have to admit...I'm looking forward to seeing the ocean as well. OK, I really look forward to seeing my wife seeing the ocean.

Enjoy the weekend! Make the most of what you have.
Mike

Trying Something New

Trying something new...at least it's new to me. I'm posting to my blog from me phone.

This means I don't always have to be at my computer to post to my blog. Probly won't be very long, but that's ok.

Mike

Connecting in Real Relationships

Continuing my reading of David Putman's (@davidputman on twitter) book, Breaking the Discipleship Code. This morning I'm reading about the value of connecting and providing a place where people can connect - those who are searching and those who have already become and started the discipleship process.





In one paragraph David writes. . .

"As I've said over and over again, to love God and love people is to live and love like Jesus. That's the point of the gospel. It's not about what we consume, or what we learn, or how much knowledge we have. It's not about how spiritually involved we are or how closely we follow a moral code of conduct. Living and loving like Jesus is about loving God and loving people and belonging in healthy relationships with both."

I'm not sure you caught what he was saying. But having classrooms or homes full of people who are checking off the next Bible study is not what the gospel is about. It's about people. . .people connecting with God and with each other. It's not about what book of the Bible we're going to study next, or our knowledge of apologetics, or our understanding of the end times or prophecy. It's not about how eloquently we can proclaim the Word of God. We can have the greatest knowledge of the Bible and die lonely. Sorry guys. And to be honest, I've been that guy.

But somewhere along the way, and I don't know where or when, I realized it's about people. It's a lesson that I've had a hard time learning, but you will never convince me other ways now. The gospel is about connecting with people. It's about reaching out and building relationships. . .sometimes with people we don't like or whose lifestyle we don't agree with. Peter protected himself from the Gentiles, until God told him to go to Cornelius' house - a Roman Centurian. He went, entered his home and befriended a Gentile. In doing so the gospel was intentionally spread to the Gentiles (see Acts 10). I told God this morning that I'm very thankful He sent Peter to Cornelius. I'm a gentile and now I get to participate in the blessing so of forgiveness.

We also have to realize that some of the loneliest people in your church are sitting in your Bible study class or small group. We assume that because they're there, they are connected to others. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Don't be fooled by participation, for some it's just a facade.

Greater Greshamites - that sounds funny to me, like we should be in the Old Testament or something - some of you have had long relationships with people in our church. But our worship and ABFs are filled with people longing to connect with another human being in authentic relationsihps with people they can trust. They are searching for someone to invite them to a cup of coffee, a game night, to dinner, or just someone to listen. Don't assume that because they are in an ABF that they are connected to another believer. Lets provide safe places for peoople to connect wtih God and with others. Let's help those who are searching find the truth in Jesus Christ through our willingness to walk through this process with them. Don't take the gospel for granted.

Remember it's about connecting to God and to others.
Mike

Becoming Personally Missional

I've started reading David Putnam's book, Breaking the Discipleship Code. I love this line about becoming personally missional - we've got to live like Jesus, love like Jesus, and leave behind what Jesus left behind. I think that sums it up pretty well in a nut shell what it means to become a disciple of Jesus.

Near the end of the last chapter he states that "we have to say no to religioun in order to say yes to Jesus." I love that line. I grew up, for the most part, in the church. I was there every time the doors opened - or so it seemed. I thought the church was where things happened - ministry, relationships, worship, discipleship. I've learned, and am still learning, that WE are the church and things like relationships, worship, discipleship, and leadership training doesn't always take place at the "temple." Often it takes place at Starbucks, over lunch, serving our communities, on game nights, and date nights, or at the playground or ball park.

I find it funny. . .strange funny, not haha funny. . .that somehow we've missed that; not all of us mind you. There's a lot of churches living like Jesus in their communty and their church's culture reflects it. But where does your church meet to live like Jesus? Does it happen at the temple or as you interact with people. . .like Jesus did.

David asks a couple of great question that I've been rolling around in my head for the last week. . .

1. What religious baggage do you needs to be eliminated from your life?
2. What does it mean for you to live as Jesus lived?

Ooops, I'm on the bottom. . .there's the whistle. . .and I've got to get a reversal and back on my feet. . .gotta go!
Mike