In sixth grade I entered my first (and only) science fair.  I had an idea that I knew was a winner… Solar powered ski lift.  I did primitive drawings, calculations, and written explanations.  Everything was going great until I tried to build a working model.

That’s how I feel with this church plant so far.  By this time last year I had been approved by the church planting assessment center, raised support, and quit my job to do this full time.  I had drawings, calculations, and written explanations of how this church was going to work.  Creating a working model has proven a bit more difficult.

Can I just pause and say to our supporters, prayer partners, participants, readers, and leadership team…  Thank you for being on this roller coaster with me.  Thank you for putting up with my weaknesses in leadership, my inadequacies in systems development, and my tendency to focus only on the future.  Thank you for being a valued part of my spiritual journey.  I hope that I’m half as important to you as you are to me.  I love you all very much.

So, after several weeks of experimenting with solar panels, little motors, legos and string, I completed the working model and went on to win the blue ribbon (one of my few success stories).  I pray that you will continue in this experiment of trying to be disciples and make disciples.  By listening to Jesus and doing what He says, I believe we will win the prize God has for us.

Last night our group was discussing again what we should talk about when we gather together.  Should we keep doing the Life Journal, sharing our feelings and thoughts, etc.?  Or do we want to do a small group curriculum, study a topic or character in the Bible, or what?  Well, after much deliberation we came to the conclusion that we’re going to try doing a book study – that’s where you study one particular book in the Bible.  Since the Life Journal has us currently reading 1 Corinthians, we’ll start there.

If you’ve never developed the habit of taking time with God (praying, reading, journaling, etc.), HERE’S A GOOD ARTICLE TO GET YOU STARTED.

If you don’t know how to study the Bible, HERE’S AN EASY WAY TO DO IT.

May God bless you as you read His Word, pray and listen to His voice, and apply what you hear and learn.  Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5