Counting on Accountability

The word seems scary, but Christian accountability helps us to be faithful to the next steps of our Christian journey. A lot of times, we already know what to do. God has enlightened us through His Spirit and Scripture as to what next step we need to take to follow Him.

But there is often a disconnect in the transition from conviction to action. Having a relationship with someone else that can help you follow through is key—someone with whom you can share what your next step is going to be and then can encourage you to actually take it! Find another sojourner with whom you can share your God insights, and help each other on the journey.

With whom can you be honest with, and respond positively to their feedback?

How Our Garden Grows: Organically Cultivating Faith in Community

If you have experienced other forms of church, you may be asking about our “programs”. Well, we don’t have programs, but there are many other things that are occurring throughout the week. For example, already happening are groups of 2 or 3 that are meeting for discipleship. Also, some folks have started a community garden for those that don’t have the opportunity to grow their own veggies, and there are weekly Bible studies. These all started within the community of faith. Some new things that are starting in June are: a Wednesday evening Experiencing God study that meets in a home in New Tampa, as well as Summer in Sync—Reading Scripture in Community.

In the right soil, with living water and Son, faith in action grows. What is God germinating in your life that should blossom within your relationships?

Summer in Sync: Spending the Summer in Scripture Together

In the middle of the “lazy days of summer”, our schedules are often cast aside. What a great time to try something new! Summer in Sync. is 85 days of Scripture-reading within community.

We invite you to read the New Testament Epistles and Acts Reading Plan by YouVersion with us from June 7th thru August 30^th.

Sync with God, as you spend daily time in His Word.

Sync with others, as we all focus on the same passages and reflect on them in our relationships, Facebook page, youversion.com and worship gatherings.

Sync with Scripture, as you forge a daily rhythm of Bible reading. You are also encouraged to reflect on the Scripture with journaling.

Summer in Sync starts on Monday, June 7^th with the first chapter of both Romans and Acts. How are you going to make this summer last?

Dashboard Confessions

Like burning embers, the letters shone from my dashboard. MAINT REQ’D. It was at the end of a week during which I drove my 9-year-old car 1,200 miles. I have always had my Honda serviced by the dealer and the little car has been faithful to me. So immediately, I picked up my cell and scheduled an appointment for the following day. But the next day, I cancelled my appointment because something came up. Well, it is almost a month later, and the car has not had a wash much less the oil change and maintenance. The indicator still shines, but somehow, after seeing it day after day, it doesn’t seem as bright anymore. I will address those maintenance needs… someday… when I find time.

On our Christ following journey, there are parts of our lives that need attention. Sin that needs to be addressed, spiritual disciplines that need to be exercised, heart changes that need to be made. But the more we ignore the Spirit’s urging the more distant God appears to be. We realize that these small yet bright indicators need to be prayerfully and quickly addressed. Sometimes we want God to speak new things to us even though we haven’t yet responded to the last things He has shown us.

What spiritual indicator light is emblazoned on your dash? And how are you going to seek the Lord today to address it?

What is your next step on the journey?

"...I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…"

- 2 Timothy 1:6

At times we can be overwhelmed by the life change implications of the call of Jesus…. There is no way around it; the impact of the Gospel is huge. But we are called to faithfully take the next steps.

Whether we are investigating who Jesus is, or have been a Christian for a long time, we are called to ask ourselves (and be asked by others on the journey): "What is your next step?" As we faithfully live out our answer, we ask each other and ourselves again how we can fan the flame anew.

Living Out Love

On February 7^th, during the monthly gathering of both our home churches, we studied how Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 illustrated the care as and compassion of the Good Shepherd.

We discussed ways to show one another God’s love. In this short month we have witnessed Living Stones not only be hearers of the Word but doers of the Word. The month is half over and already great acts of love and compassion have taken place within the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel Home Churches. People have driven 45 minutes to drive a friend’s wife to the ER, a sick USF student was brought food by two different individuals, meals are being given to a family with a new born, foster children are being cared for. People of all ages and demographics are participating in loving one another with Godly actions.

What other acts of God’s love can you show in this month?