Starting Friday: Men's Fellowship Through Accountability

Hopefully, you’ve heard that passage of scripture from the book of Matthew before.  As I was reading this week’s assignment, Chapter 7 “Living to Prove He is More Precious Than Life”….I was reminded of that line from the apostle Matthew.

Maybe it’s coincidence (or not) that last week we took a break from our book to talk about “mission trips”, specifically Mike Lenhart and Bryan Brooks shared stories and pictures from their recent trip to Uganda.  And this week’s chapter certainly hints on the importance of mission trips.  However, on a broader sense, our author this week discusses how we are demonstrating the value and worth of Jesus Christ.

Here’s a leading question to ponder in advance of this week:

“If someone who did not know that you were a Christian observed the way you spend your money, the kind of clothes you wear, the way you spend your free time, and how your raised your family, would they notice a significant difference between you and the world?”

Mike leads us this week, discussing possible responses to that question and others.  Also, study the following passages in advance:

Mark 10:21, Luke 6:20, 24 and Luke 18:25

We’re back at the front parlor room of The Cornwell Center this Friday.  Please gather starting at 7:30 am.  Lesson starts at 7:45 am.

Peace!

 

I’m excited and a little nervous about heading out to Uganda this week for mission work at the Bududa Learning Center.  Excited about what lies ahead….nervous about a host of things…..but putting all my fears in God’s hands……am going to do my best to “walk the walk”, as this group has taught each other time and time again!

But enough about me……

Sending a reminder for this Friday’s and next Friday’s lessons:

FEB 14:  Read Chapter 5, “Risk is Right…..”  Leader is David Parker

FEB 21:  Read Chapter 6, “The Goal of Life….” Leader is Jason Schubert

Both lessons will be at The Cornwell Center; 7:30 am gather.  7:45 am “show time”!

We still need leaders for Chapters 7, 8, and 9 (FEB 28, MAR 6, and MAR 13 respectively).  Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f084badaa2ea4fb6-fmmf2

Have a great two weeks!  I’ll see you when we gather on FEB 28.

Peace!

Big storms hit Charlotte today, knocking out a lot of electricity for hundreds of folks, including yours truly!  But I’m thankful for a safe home, a dry bed, and many blessings!  (But God, a little electricity so my boys will stop stressing about their homework, please!)

Rob Miller will lead us this week on Chapter 4 of our current study. He promises lots of interesting insights…..you know….”nuggets” in his terms!

So whether you’re reading tonight by candlelight or you’re ahead of the game and already read the chapter, or if neither of those apply, we’ll see you in the morning. Cornwell Center, 7:30 am to chat; 7:45 am for “nuggets”!

Stay safe, Charlotte!

Out of the gate, let me clarify that, this week, by “being single” I am not stating any regrets in my marriage!  Don’t start any rumors…..amen??!!  Keep reading…..

This week, we’re studying Chapter 3 of our study series, “Magnifying Christ through Pain and Death“.  And for once, I’m going to give away the punch line to this week’s message:

Being single….means focusing on the cross, the resurrection; what our author calls, “the burning center of of the glory of God…..”.  Still further, Piper writes:

“…every enjoyment in this life and the next that is not idolatry is a tribute to the infinite value of the cross of Christ….and thus, a cross-centered, cross-exhausting, cross-saturated life is a God-glorifying life–the only God-glorifying life!  All others are wasted….”

Now I’ve given away the punchline….the dead-aim, beady focus on SINGULARITY.  Not in companionship….rather in glorifying our Creator.

Heavy stuff…and if you come on Friday only citing the focus I’ve outlined above, then you’ll miss out on a really, really great chapter!  Luckily, if life and work and family get the best of you before Friday, our leader this week is Jon Paschal.  Boom!  Now there’s a singularly focused dude!  

See you on Friday at The Cornwell Center.  We’re locking the doors at 7:45 am….so don’t be late!   Kidding…..sort of….!

Peace!

Have you ever been banging your head against the wall, time and time again, over something you just can’t figure out?  For me, it’s my golf game.  I remember when I first got into swimming in the Atlanta triathlon community.  My swim coach would say…”hold your hand like this….enter the water like that….now drag your arm and ‘catch’….and don’t forget to breathe bilaterally”…. Back then, I also knew very little about the game of golf, but I found myself saying as I was breathing bilaterally, “This seems more complicated than golf!”.

But eventually, I would find some breakthroughs in my swimming.  And, fast-forwarding to today, there are similar days on the golf course where everything falls into place…..moments of breakthroughs!

This week, we’ll be talking about Chapter 2 of our new study, “Don’t Waste Your Life“.  Similar to my comments above, our author describes times early in his Christian journey where he struggled with key concepts; especially as they related to the Bible.  I won’t give away all the details…hence you need to do some (or all) of the reading!  But you’ll see where Piper finds his breakthroughs and, more importantly, how those discoveries paved the path for years to come.

I’ll be leading us this week in our discussion on chapter 2.  Gather at 7:30 am at The Cornwell Center.  We’ll kick things into gear at 7:45 am.

Peace!

New year.  New study series.  And “new” name!

Friday Morning Men’s Fellowship (FMMF) – Charlotte, will transition over the next few weeks to a new name…”Starting Friday“.

What is “Starting Friday“?  After 3+ great years of alignment with Leadership Ministries (out of Atlanta), we are making the decision to focus on growing our Christian footprint here in the “queen city”, Charlotte.  Much of our focus will remain the same, strategically speaking….aligning men to a relationship with Jesus Christ.  However, from a tactical perspective, “Starting Friday” will focus not only into fellowship, but also service, community, and family.  All aligned back to Charlotte.

More to flush out over the next few weeks….our initial discussions will begin this week….starting Friday!  The website branding and functions will evolve over the next couple weeks.  Please be patient during this transition!

Mike will kick off the new series this week, “Don’t Waste Your Life“.  Homework is to read the intro and chapter 1.  Don’t have the book yet?  No worries….show up anyway!

Again….it’s all …. Starting Friday!

Peace!

Our new series, “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper begins this Friday, JAN 17th.  If you can, please order the book ahead of time through Amazon, etc.  But if you find the week getting ahead of you, and you don’t order the book, STILL COME this Friday!  You will always gain something even if you don’t get the lesson homework done ahead of time.  I promise!

Speaking of homework, this week we’ll tackle the book Introduction (Preface) and Chapter 1 (My Search for a Single Passion to Live By).  Mike Lenhart will lead us this week to kick off the new series.

And, if you’re feeling really adventurous, watch John Piper’s sermon on “Don’t Waste Your Life” from a couple years ago.  It’s a long sermon, but you only need to watch about the first 15 minutes or so.  Buckle in, however!  John is a very animated and firey speaker!  Here’s the YouTube link for to watch:

As you know, we look for men to step up each week and lead the designated lesson for that week.  So, please consider signing up for one or more of the weeks where we need a leader.  Here’s the SignUp Genius link for volunteering to lead:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f084badaa2ea4fb6-fmmf2

Our plan is to study this series over the next 10 weeks; a chapter per week.  Very easy readings!  This schedule will take us up just prior to Palm Sunday.  As a group, we’ll consider some social event and/or speaker prior to taking a break for Easter.

Finally, a new series is a great way to invite a friend, neighbor, co-worker, family member to join us.  Consider reaching out and extending that invitation today!

See you on Friday at the Cornwell Center.  Fellowship begins at 7:30 am.  Mike will kick things off at 7:45 am.

Peace!

This morning, we discussed our next several ideas for book studies and speakers (perhaps).  Here’s the list for the immediate future.  Next Friday, JAN 17th, we’ll launch into “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper.  Please order the book in advance at the link below.

Planned Study Series, Starting Friday (in chronological order):

• “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper
• “Sticky Faith” by Kara Powell
• Speaker series focusing on the differences between Christian denominations/faiths

Looking forward to the start of a great year for Starting Friday!

Peace!

Happy New Year, gents!  We’re back on track this week, after a well-deserved holiday break for the past 2 or 3 weeks.

We’ll gather this Friday at The Cornwell Center.  Here’s the good news…..”no formal homework“!

Can I get an “AMEN“!!??

Instead, please bring your study series ideas to share with the group.  Our goal is to set the course for our next study series by the end of this week’s fellowship, as well as have a good backlog of two or three more to tackle down the road.

Deal?

We’ve had a few brought up already just prior to the holiday break:

-Find a good book of devotionals.  Assign one devotional each week, with someone leading the discussion.

–The Gospel According to God by John MacArthur

–Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Building Lasting Faith in Your Kids (NEW) by Kara Powell

-Pick a book of the Bible to “deep dive” and study

So put on your best selling cap for this Friday…or perhaps come to take it all in.

See you this Friday, ready to go at 7:45 am.  Mike will facilitate this week’s discussions.

Peace!