Get real... and then get going!

  Recently I decided to start working out for the first time in a long time. I can tell you that I am WAY outta shape. It was a hard fact for me to swallow, but I am not the athlete I used to be when I was 20. 

Basically I had to come to grips with the fact that I cant run 7 minute miles, I can't bench 245lbs 8 times, I can't be 20 year old Norm anymore. I Can't... So I had to reprogram my brain to honestly appraise my physical situation to 30 year old Norm...

In the book Good to Great I discovered that in order for companies, people, anything really to get from "good" to "great" there first needs to be an honest appraisal of where you are at now. This idea is applicable on so many levels. I started to think about this in my spiritual life. How many times do I think I should be like Paul, or for a more recent example, Francis Chan, Shane Claiborne or Steven Furtick, etc? 

I really believe that God is teaching me that I need to take MY next step. Just like in working out, there is no way you can go from a level one cardio class to a 3hour spinning class in two days. *(Now let me make a quick remark here. God may choose to catapult you into the next level in one day because He can do what He wants, but in my personal experience we have to take one step at a time, day after day. i.e. being faithful in the small/everyday things b4 the big) 

So in the working out thing I am basically starting from square one. But, realizing this was the best thing that ever happened. I am not kicking myself every second for not being 20yr old Norm. As far as I am concerned that guy never existed. I need to focus on where I am at now and where I need to go. 

Same thing with Christ. I just want to take one step closer to Him today. I want to be faithful with today and press on to the goal. Will you ask God to help you have an honest appraisal today? 

The big think tank!!!

I am really excited about the opportunity to be involved in a web-conversation about Seth Godin's latest book Tribes. There are going to be almost 30 contributing authors discussing this on all of their personal blogs. (You can find a list of them here!) 

Personally, I am amazed (and humbled) at the great thinkers/bloggers that are out there that are participating in this project. I hope I can keep up with them, y'know since my vernacular of choice is middle-school speak ;)! 

I'll be blogging this Friday (4/17) about pages 21-26. I encourage those of you who follow the blog to check out other blogs in the list above during this time to check out what others have to say. Plus I hope you might find some blogs you would like to follow in the future. I always find it is such a cool way to feel connected with people all around the globe!

Anyways thanks for reading, if you are so compelled to start reading about this project with me, the first post is today on churchcrunch.com!

its Monday... now what?!?

Easter at Eola was quite an amazing event. We really got to see the power of God moving among all the people involved. For many people that came, this Sunday was the first time, in a long time, that they had the opportunity to come to worship. Many people got much needed assistance from the Destiny Foundation and many people enjoyed a small taste of what it will be like when people take a step to serve their community. It was a great day.

So today is Monday.... Now what?!? Christ has still defeated death. Christ still is Lord of the Universe. Christ is still the center of our affection. It's time to take our next step toward Him. Even if you took your first step yesterday, it is a new day! ...and with that new day it is time to take a next step.

I encourage you to take a next step. Pray to God in the next few moments and ask Him what that may be. You might be surprised! He is risen! Go and be the Church!

If you are stumped, here is a place you can start: NEXT STEP (http://www.gogracefellowship.com/easternextstep.html)

Praying for this Easter!

This Easter we have a great opportunity to serve and share the good news of Christ with central Florida. I know that this will be an awesome chance for Grace to be hope and share love with people in Orlando. Will you join us in prayer for this upcoming weekend? Even if you are a student, your prayers can make a big difference.

You might be asking, "What can I pray for?" Good question, I'll give you a few things.

1. Pray for the Grace staff and volunteers for this event. There is so much behind-the-scenes stuff going on, even before this weekend.

2. Pray for the Destiny Foundation of Central Florida. We are coordinating with them to help feed the working poor on Easter sunday. Pray that this goes smoothly and many people can get the help they need.

3. Pray for the many people who do not know Christ this weekend to take their next step toward Christ.

4. Pray for the weather to cooperate and for it to be a great Sunday for all the events going on Easter sunday.

5. Pray for the Easter Egg Hunt that GraceKids is having after the service. That it goes well and the kids have a safe and fun time.

6. Pray for anything else that you can think of. Plus give thanks to God for being a sovereign and holy God who loves you and me very much!

Can't wait to see YOU there!