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.

The Fringe Benefits of Discipleship

This summer we were all challenged to get into a discipleship relationship with someone else from our home church network.  The goal was to find someone of the same gender and meet weekly to grow in character, knowledge and faith.  Someone people learned more than they bargained for. Here is Living Stones story in her own words.

When I began my discipleship experience this past summer, I had no idea what to expect, but I made myself one promise, I would be open, honest and transparent with my partner.  I prayed and asked God who I should approach, the person He choose surprised many, even me.  However as we met, I began to see what an amazing symbiotic relationship He was building.  We both brought things to the table that the other needed.  We found strength in knowing that there is someone there that truly has our back.  We have found many commonalities, however opposite our current life situations are.  I am single living with my brother; she is married with a child.  Not only have I experience a new friendship grow, but she keeps me challenged, asks the hard questions and ‘reads me my mail’ when needed, and I know I can do the same in return.  Not only have a gained a great friend, but our families have embraces one another.    I have no doubt when I show up at her house, I will be welcomed in.  Our relationship has grown a great deal, I now volunteer at her work and her daughter spends one afternoon a week with me. 

Since our meetings were never structured, we allowed the Holy Spirit to be our mentor and to guide our conversations.  We would meet at my place, at a restaurant or walk.  Usually we would spend time sharing our week, our pitfalls, successes and areas we need prayer.  If needed encouragement in the Word, in remembering who God is in our life or just some compassion was shared.  When you purpose to be transparent, it is awesome to watch the bonds grow and the trust grow and the judgment disappear.  I learned that I am not alone, that many people face the same things and that people have great capacity for forgiveness love and compassion, when you allow God to do His work through you.

 I have always seen discipleship as a one way street, like a mentorship.  I have found that it is much better as a two way street.  We all have something we can learn from someone if we will just open ourselves up to that.  That lesson has been very present in my life lately.  I have learned that unless you are teaching and being taught, you are not growing to your full potential.  Sometimes it can be with the same person, sometimes it is with many people.  I have been learning so much from 2^nd graders as well as some friends in their 70’s.  Discipleship has taught me that lessons are all around us.  We just have to be open to listening to God, dropping our preconceived ideas and letting Him run the show.  When I do that, He is always on time with the right answer or encouragement or challenge.  He always leads me to the right resources, be it the Bible or a friend.  I never have to face things alone.  This is what discipleship has taught me.