Opportunity

We have an opportunity before us. This coming Sunday is an unofficial American Holiday - Superbowl Sunday. I would like to offer you some suggestions on how to take advantage of this day as an opportunity:
1) Before the Game.
Before the game is a great opportunity to invite someone to church with you. Since you will be spending time with people in the evening while watching the big game (or just eating and hanging out...), this is a great opportunity to invite some friends to join you in worship before the big game.

2) The Game.
Join is your church Superbowl party. HRC is having an all church party. Some churches are having parties in their small groups... The point is to go to a party - football fan or not. And... WOW! What an opportunity to bring along a friend or neighbor to a Superbowl Party. This is a great opportunity for your church friends and your non-church friends to interact...

3) What no to do.
Do not have your own private viewing or private party. As a football fan, this can be a temptation - since we really want to see the big game. However, a private viewing results in no interaction with others. An, we would miss an opportunity to develop community among believers... and would miss an opportunity to begin or develop a relationship with someone who does not normally worship with you.

So, please consider Superbowl Sunday as an opportunity to reach out to those who are around you. Notice that this is one of the strategies for ministry at HRC - to reach out. So, enjoy the game and fulfill your God-given purpose.
Come and have a great time, eat some good food!!!

For more info about HRC's Superbowl party, please feel free to comment to this posting with a request for more info, and I will be sure to contact you!!!

A SERIOUS COMMITMENT #2

I am sharing more comments on this topic in order to make an investment in "you" friends who read my blog. There has been much discussion and interaction between many people (through facebook, email, this blog, and in times of gathering) about God's blessings.
Yes, we celebrate giving away a van, large amounts of coats (through Agape Partners), financially assisting people, experiencing spiritual growth...
But, this "spiritual life" we live takes commitment and determination. I recently poster (A SERIOUS COMMITMENT) my thoughts around acting on our commitment to the Lord. I recommended that before your facebook and email time... that you spend some time with the Lord... And there is an entire blog post (HAPPY 2009) to offer some tips on spending time with the Lord.
There has been less interaction and discussion upon my thoughts to pray first, and facebook and email second... My other suggestion was to write out some goals...
So, let me pause once more to encourage you to take your life long commitment to the Lord seriously! Make an eternal investment! The Lord's desire is for you to know Him! To walk in His provision and blessing. His desire is for you to live a fulfilled and fruitful life. His desire is that your faith does not waiver like the sea when things are difficult.
So, we must spend time with the Lord! We must know Him!

A SERIOUS COMMITMENT

This blog post is related to my most recent posting... I believe it is a serious commitment to develop a devotional life. In my last blog posting I referred to developing a strategy to fulfill your commitment to develop a devotional life. This is so important... But, part of a strategy includes being prepared...
Preparing to develop a successful devotional life will include prioritizing. May I suggest the following:
1) Before you email and facebook - make it your priority to read the Bible (and or spend a few minutes in prayer). You may want to log your email, facebook activity, and Bible reading to see a clear picture of how you are spending your time. This will help you recognize if you are living out your priorities...
2) Another step of preparation includes writing (or typing) your priorities. I can't tell you what your priorities are... But, I can encourage you with this helpful hint to help you execute your priorities.

Let me know how it is going! Let me know what God is doing in your life!!!

HAPPY 2009

I wanted to take a few minutes and encourage those who read this blog. 2009 brings opportunity. Opportunity to prioritize your relationship with Jesus! It is time to develop your devotional life. A devotional life is the part of you life that is designated as "you and God time."
Here are some helpful hints for developing or improving your devotional life:

1) set aside a time to spend with God.
This is most helpful. Because if it is not scheduled, it will be easy for you to keep making your time with God a lower priority.

2) Designate a place for your devotional time.
The place may change due to your schedule... although is it helpful if you only have 1 or 2 main places for this... I can talk more to this subject upon request. But, the designated place is another tool for you to succeed in developing a devotional life.

3) Choose a strategy for your devotional time.
- This includes a time frame (how long you want to spend with God; and how often - ex. 5 days a week...)
- This includes a method (prayer, Bible reading, journaling, devotional book, etc...) I can also speak more to this topic upon request.

4) Find an accountability partner.
This by far is the most scary and most difficult. But, it is by far one of the most effective ways to develop a devotional life. This accountability partner can be there to just receive update as to whether or not you are meeting your goals. Or you may develop a rather intimate relationship with this person. The choice is yours... But, you need to utilize this tool! AGAIN - I can speak more to this topic of choosing an accountability partner upon request...

I hope this help some of you. Please feel free to comment, and to let me know if this blog was beneficial. And, let me know how your devotional lives are going!