Starting Friday: Men's Fellowship Through Accountability

I’m nearly through this week’s reading, Chapter 7: Hypocrite or Work in Progress…..and I’m struck by one series of sentences that probably best describe the theme for this week:

“I am eager for my non-Christian friends to see that even for hypocrites, there is hope and beauty that comes through Christ.  I am eager for my non-Christian friends to see that yes, we Christians sometimes live inconsistently with what we believe….and we will continue to do so (albeit, inadvertently) until we die or until Jesus returns and makes everything, including us, new again.”  (pp. 126-127, Jesus Outside the Lines)

As you read this week, you will discover that Mahatma Gandhi once considered becoming a Christian (probably early on in life).  However, he decided against it because, as he said, “I like your Christ.  I do not like your Christians.”

Wow….powerful words from a man who lived a pious life of love, selfless sacrifice and service to others…..much like Christ, himself.

So where do we sit today?  As Christians, are we living out the Godly message or are we only pious in the spotlight?  When I was in Ranger School, we had a name for those individuals who only shined when the instructors were around to grade us.  We called those Ranger students, “spotlight Rangers“.  Needless to say, many had a distaste for those individuals because they certainly weren’t team players when the instructors weren’t around.  As in life, those students tended to wash out in the end.

This week, I’ll lead the discussion on Chapter 7.  The author asks, “Are we hypocrites or simply a work in progress?”  Little soul-searching, perhaps, is required as we prepare for this week’s fellowship!

See you on Friday.  Gather at 7:30 am.  “Buckle-in” by 7:45 am, ready to go!  We’re back at the Cornwell Center this week too!

Peace!

Reminder that we are NOT meeting this coming Friday, May 25th, as many from the Charlotte group will be taking an early start for the Memorial Day weekend.  Also, this annual holiday is certainly about taking some time with family and friends, but the true holiday represents a time to honor our fallen veterans who have served this great nation of ours.  Please take the time to celebrate those individuals in tribute as well.

We’ll gather next on June 1st at the Cornwell Center and tackle Chapter 7: “Hypocrite or Work in Progress?”.  Mike will lead the discussion on that one.

So, relax and remember this week.  Be safe.  Godspeed.  We’ll see you next Friday!

Peace!

Have you seen the new movie that’s out called “The Avengers”?  Sadly, I have not…but both my sons have and they said it was great!  Box office returns back up their comments as well, with record numbers likewise seeing the film.

This week, we’ll need our own set of “avengers” or, better said, “super heroes”, gathered for a double-lesson.  Last week, we had limited attendance due to personal obligations and business commitments, so I asked last Friday’s leader, John Ramey, if he would punt and instead make plans to share the Chapter 5 lesson this coming Friday.  At the same time, Rob Miller is scheduled to lead this week’s lesson, Chapter 6 of our study, “Accountability or Compassion”.  But, since you’re all super heroes, I have no fears that we can take in all the important points from both chapters!  Buckle up, gents! 

This week’s chapter reminds us of the inevitable truth in describing our last day on Earth:

“We will either be welcomed into a life that’s better than we’ve ever dreamed…..or we will be cast into a life that’s worse than we’ve ever dreaded….” (p. 107)

So, if we all agree to that premise, then what’s the best way to remind each other of that and other “truths”?  Is it very bluntly, a choice that I admittedly tend to choose.  Or, is it through love and compassion?

I don’t have the answer to either of those questions and many more.  But I’m hopeful that both John and Rob will shed some light this Friday.  The leaders are asked to capture the high points from their respective chapters, planning on about 20 minutes each.

Gather at 7:30 am at the Cornwell Center.  Our lesson kicks off at 7:45 am.

Peace!

We’re moving into the next phase of our study of Scott Saul’s book, “Jesus Outside the Lines” this week as we tackle Chapter 5: “Affirmation or Critique?”  To some, this chapter may be tricky.  How many of us have realized we need to be critical of one person’s actions, all the while realizing that we too are at fault?

“Hello, pot….this is kettle……!”

To me, one of the more striking dichotomies in this chapter is this belief that as Christians, we are called to be closer to Jesus in order to be further from sin.  But then again, the closer we become to Jesus, the closer we will be to sinners, including ourselves.

Hmmmmm……

I’m so glad John Ramey is leading this week since I’m already planning to go through the chapter twice before Friday!

We’re back at the Cornwell Center this week.  Please gather starting at 7:30 am for fellowship.  John will kick off the lesson at 7:45 am.

Have a great week!

Peace!

Just got a reminder that Queens University of Charlotte has graduation ceremonies this weekend, and includes several graduation related events beginning Friday morning.

So, in order to avoid any parking and traffic congestion, let’s plan to meet at the Lenhart’s backyard treehouse this week only (1609 Sterling Road).  No changes to the meeting times…..just the location!

And next week, we’ll resume back at the Cornwell Center.

See you in the TREEHOUSE this Friday!  Be mindful of the “attack chickens” in the backyard!

Peace!

One of my favorite biblical passages is the story of the Prodigal Son.  We all know the outcome; the son who had become “lost” returns back home to the open arms of  his heart-broken father.  The father runs across the field when he sees him coming from a distance.  They kill the fattened calf and celebrate the son’s return.

Most look at the story from the eyes of the father or from the “other” son….drawing some conclusions about forgiveness.  But is it not also a story about what happened in the first place to put the prodigal son into such a bad spot?  Both sons were given a share of their father’s inheritance, leading one son to invest it wisely while the other put it all to bad use, instead choosing to live in the moment.

The situation about the best and worse use of money is also the focus for this week’s lesson:  Chapter 4: Money Guilt or Money Greed?  It has often been said that if you want to know the true measure of someone’s heart, then look no further than where they are spending their money.  The book of Luke says:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Luke 12:34

It’s a tough call, however.  Jesus lived a life of poverty so that we might be right.  Does our heavenly Father want us also to be “poor”….or, like many of us, does He not want the very best for His children?

Join us this week as we unpack those answers and more….with a lesson on “money”.

Mike is back this week to lead us in Chapter 4 from “Jesus Outside the Lines”.  Gather at 7:30 am at the Cornwell Center.  Fellowship begins at 7:45 am..

Peace!

We’re cruising along with the new study, “Jesus Outside the Lines” by Scott Sauls.  This week, we’ll tackle our third chapter, “Personal Faith or Institutional Church?“.  When I first read the chapter’s title, I was thinking this was all about recent divides within church communities where religious groups at national levels have taken specific stands, and thereby caused division within the faith families at local levels.

However, I learned this this is not necessarily the case with this chapter.  What is true, is that with the ease of technology, for example, church attendance across the nation and across many denominations, is declining as people would rather stream a church sermon over the internet instead of sitting in the pews.  And why not?  I can go up the street to my Starbuck’s, get a grande Pike latte, and return home to watch my digital preacher while still in my pajamas.

The flip side of this, however, is that we’re losing a key element of “church”….and that’s the community of faith, the building of relationships, the tackling of real problems, that flails away.

So what’s the right answer?  Once again, Rev. Sauls offers some perspective.  Rob Miller will lead us this week in what’s sure to be a great debate and discussion!

Join us on Friday beginning at 7:30 am.  Rob kicks things into gear at 7:45 am.

See you in fellowship on Friday!

Peace!

Welcome to a new study that we’ll kick off this Friday, APR 13th.  Our new book is called “Jesus Outside the Lines” by REV. Scott Sauls.  Hopefully, you’ve already picked the book and read Chapter 1 which is our focus for this week.  The chapter is titled, “Red State, Blue State” and guides us in some Christian thoughts around having to choose (or not) between two majority political parties in our country.

What did Jesus have to say about choosing sides in a political debate?  What did he do?  One example we’ll touch on might be familiar from our last study if we look at Judas (Iscariot) and Matthew (Roman tax collector).  Certainly those two disciples represented two opposing viewpoints of the political spectrum of the time.

Jason Schubert will lead this week.  Don’t worry if you haven’t read or purchased the book yet.  Your participation in the dialog is always welcome regardless!

See you in the morning at the Cornwell Center.  Please gather starting at 7:30 am.  Jason kicks off the lesson at 7:45 am.

Peace!

Signups slots are now available for our next study series, “Jesus Outside the Lines”.  This will be a 10-week study plus a Friday off for the Memorial Day weekend.  We’ll kick things off NEXT Friday, April 13th, with Chapter 1: Red State or Blue State?  The series will culminate with a wrap-up discussion and breakfast at The Charlotte Cafe on June 29th.

Here’s the link to sign up —–>  SIGN UP LINK

See you next Friday as Mike introduces the new series, starting with Chapter 1!

Peace!