Bestset Gift Ever!

So It's Christmas Eve and there is so much anticipation going on right. What's for dinner, what time do we need to be where, and the all important what gift do you want the most? Can you remember being a child so full of hope for that one thing? Can you remember what it was for you? What year was it? Did you get it? I can remember two that were huge for me; one was getting a hot wheels track that went up the wall, when I woke up it was all set up and everything just had to jump in and start playing. The other was a 'Bunny Shot', not sure if that was regional or popular, it was an indoor basketball goal not like a nerf one though. Oh no no, it was a glass backboard and a metal rim, sweet, the catch was though that it would only hold a racquetball sized ball not some huge nerf ball. I was the man in my neighborhood on the Bunny Shot.

What is this Christmas time about for you this year? What is on the front burner of your mind? Decorations, food, parties, gifts, snow.......we seem to be getting quite a bit of that lately. Is it your family, friends, coworkers, church.......all of the above? I will go ahead and state the obvious and say that I hope that Jesus' birth is making it into your celebration somehow. Some may have a birthday cake for Jesus, some may read the scriptural account as a family (that's what we will do), some may choose another route but whatever it is make sure you take some time out of your busy schedule for Jesus this Christmas.

Have you spent any time with your groups over the holiday? Have a Christmas party or go caroling? We had ours this week at Malones, YUM! We planned it out real good, no kids, dressed up, nice restaurant and good friends. Err at least that is what we planned; the night before, we found out that Cara had the flu and that Cooper was still getting over the flu, YIKES! So out of respect for all involved we did not attend, did not want to share that gift with my parents who would have watched the kids or with our group either. About 8:30 that night on Wednesday I got a text to look outside. I came to the door to see out group there all dressed nice with a gift on our doorstep as the commenced in singing 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'. Having a baby soon I guess we had talked before about the only thing that we needed to get was a new stroller since we had sold our previous one. They had gone out and purchased the one that Jenny had mentioned that she liked and given it to us that night. Wow! Totally unexpected and appreciated. The love that our group has had for each other is amazing! I hope to hear these kinds of stories all the time from our groups, I hope to share these kinds of stories that go on in mine.

Are you ready for the new season of groups....they are right around the corner. This is just one of the many stories I could share that make having a group so important. Through fellowship, prayer, love, kindness and many other words that could express, we were able to receive the 'Bestest Gift Ever'.

Thinking on Giving Thanks

One week away from Thanksgiving. One week away from extended amounts of time with family. One week away from the stress of cooking in large amounts for the company that is coming. One week away from the house that you are traveling to. One week away from eating excessive amount of foods of all kinds. One week away from being in the triptophan haze and watching football. Have you given any thought as to what you are thankful for?

Had to share this story with you all, mostly as a proud father, but also to get you thinking about the subject. We had a project to do for Cara; have each family member write on a paper feather what they are most thankful for, and the feathers will then be placed on a turkey she had made. So this was our family, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles all to answer the same question. We got an almost unanimous response from all that they are thankful for family! Each with a little different distinction but still the same response. The close second was thankfulness of health; my parents especially have been concerned about that in the past couple of years. So we ask Cooper what would you thank God for right now? He says, "For dying on the cross for us", I almost cried instantly. I was expecting about anything else from him; he has been living and breathing basketball right now so I was thinking something about that. I have to say that he learned that through our group. He has had that conversation with other kids in the group and thought about it on his own. God, I am thankful for our groups!!

What are you thankful for? Can you answer instantly or do you need to think about it? Really I would love for you to reply below and let everyone know what is on your mind.

I am also thankful for missionaries that sacrifice so much to spread the Gospel. I hope that you are planning on attending the Missionary Convention this weekend; Please get involved. We also have in town the missionaries that we support as a church in town beginning this coming week. Liz and Habacuc Diaz-Ramos will be in Lexington and are looking for ways to engage with the body of Centerpointe. If you are meeting with your group this week would you consider them coming and sharing what they are doing in Chile? If so please contact Stephanie McDowell or me and we can figure out how to get that scheduled. This would be a good opportunity to get to know them better and to get a feel of what their ministry looks like.

Let's hear It! What are you thankful for?

What U Talkin' 'Bout??

Yes those of you over 30 are realizing that I left off the Willis right? Oh man I remember those days when everything was so easy; not a care in the world except for playing baseball and going swimming. Do you remember those kind of days? Do you remember watching those kind of shows? I can remember the stories from Different Strokes, Family Ties, Silver Spoons and Saved by the Bell....you know you watched it. Can you remember caring about what was going on in their lives; remember what was going on in your friends lives at the same time? Movie producer Rob Reiner has been quoted as saying "you never make friends like when you are 12 years old" and that was the premise for 'Stand By Me' and another movie he has coming out in the near future. I can agree with that; some of the best friends that I have today are the ones that I had when I was 12. We played baseball together, went swimming together and watched shows together. We lived life together!

So what are you talking about this fall? Do you know? Have any thoughts? I think that I have said it to everyone but it bears repeating..if you need help with anything please ask me!! If you don't ask for help I will have a hard time giving it to you. There are tons of resources and lessons out there for groups and I have spent a ton of time looking over them in the past few months, please don't feel like you are alone out there. We at CP try and use a bit of a 'handsoff' approach so to speak as far a curriculum goes. You are all ministers and have the freedom and capacity to teach what you feel God is leading you to. Let me assure you though if you feel like you're stuck, confused or just plain old need some guidance I am here for you. We are not doing anything church wide like we did in the earlier semester so there will be no guides that match along with sermon, please reply and let me know what you might have in mind. I will be contacting each of you leaders in the next week just to touch base and see where you will be heading with you topics.

The absolute most important thing for you to keep in mind the entire time that you lead as a group is this...are you ready? If you don't remember anything else remember this..."Ministry is Relational!!" The important thing to do is to build relationships with the people in your group. Get to know them, get to know the stupid stuff along with the stuff that matters. Know when their birthday is and their kids birthdays, get involved...do life together. Life is about stories, find out everyones story, care about their story...share your story. Now think again about the days when you did not have a care in the world, what was it for you? How can you share that same feeling of life with your group? This fall get out there and make some friends like you are 12 years old!!

And They're Off!!

This is the beginning of the fall semester for our groups, are you excited? Are you nervous or scared? Are you unsure of what to expect? I could answer yes to all of those myself. I think you could almost always answer yes to those when leading a group it is full of unexpected's and twists. That's what makes it fun though. Who wants to get on a roller coaster that goes straight down one singular path, no turns, no loops, no big ups or downs; sounds boring.

This is the time to be getting excited if you are not already. This is the time to be thinking about what is going to take place over the next few months in your home. This is the time to be thinking about your topics of discussion. Most of all this is the time to be thinking about relationships.

Is your group already full? I doubt it. Your definition of full may differ from mine though. Jenny and I decided a while back that our group would never be 'full', if there is someone out there that is not involved and can handle all that goes on in our group they are welcome in our home! That kinda stuff does not bother us at all, God gave us this house and we will use it to the best of our abilities to reach people any day of the week. Think about your group and who will be in it this fall. Now think about some of the new faces that you have seen on a Sunday. Those new people need to be plugged in to a group and maybe yours is the perfect fit.

Now is the time to invite. You have three weeks left until groups officially start so get out there and make some contacts with people you may not know. Yes you may all wind up inviting the same person to your group...GREAT!! They will know that all of the group leaders care about them. All kidding aside; look for some people this Sunday to invite to your group and encourage them to sign up. Trust me you will not regret it.

Groups Vs. Reality

The new season has begun; school has started, Labor day is coming and so is 10.10.10! (If you are not sure what that means please check out www.mycpointe.com)Are you planning on joining a group this fall? The sign up's for all groups will begin in a couple of weeks so it's time to get back in the swing of things. Or maybe this is your first shot at group life, this is your chance to meet with others who are in the same place you are right now and ready to build real authentic friendships. Either way now is the time to start thinking about your plans for the coming months.

This is a link to a brief article that compares group life with reality tv. Do you pick favorites when you watch a reality show? Do pick the one that everyone loves to hate? Do you subscribe to the philosophy that 'I have to play the game?' What intrigues you about Reality TV? Why do I like to watch Ice Road Truckers? All good questions with maybe some good answers; but what does God have in store for you in the coming months? That is the best one.

http://www.smallgroups.com/articles/2010/smallgroupsrealitytv.html?start=1

Break the Ice

Hey GroupLife Leaders,

I have been reading and reading and trying to learn everything I can from others out there on the same journey and mission that we are. Brian and I are busy making plans and getting ready for what is next. We hope to see each of you this Saturday for some discussion and encouragement.

As I was reading today I had a thought that I don't think we talked about; at least I have not had these discussions with any of you guys, icebreakers. You know, the goofy stuff like catching your neighbors finger while trying to pull your own away? I probably did not mention it because the people in my group were returning and some of them have been with us for a couple of years so for us icebreakers are not something that we need each week. Icebreakers can be very important and necessary for groups that are new; people don't know each other and are looking for ways to feel more comfortable to share what is on their minds. I know even for the new groups you are 7 weeks in and may have gotten over some of the jitters that come along with that, but for you and for everyone, it can still be a vital point of your night. Take Saturday night for instance, most of us have known each other for quite some time and yet it was helpful to have something to get things going.

You may have something in mind to use for this kind of thing, you may not need it and that is ok too. Here is a link to a site with a ton of suggestions for icebreakers, also this site is great for many other tools you can use as a leader.

http://www.smallgroups.com/departments/icebreakers/

When Reading the Bible is a Waste of Time

So it's day 31 of the New Testament Challenge; are feeling encouraged or are you feeling like 'what am I doing'? Are there times when you feel like it's not making sense to you? Are you falling asleep while trying to read? Having trouble putting down the Wii remote?

It is tough, I know, I admit that I am behind on the plan. After the first week of reading I asked my group "why is it so hard to stick with it?" Jeremy Bodager replied with "it's the time when Satan is trying to attack you." Satan does not want you to persevere in reading, but Jesus really does. Check out this link When Reading the Bible is a Waste of Time and see if it helps you remain focused.