5 Traditions to Start This Christmas

As a parent, one of the best things about the holidays is the extra time you get to spend with your children. This is also an incredible opportunity for teaching, giving, and memory making. Maybe you already have some Christmas traditions. If not, think about starting some this year or adding some new ones. Below are a few holiday tradition recommendations.

Pick Out A Tree

Many families do this every year. It’s time to chop down a tree, pick one from the tree farm, or put up the artificial tree. Whatever the case, make sure you make it a family affair. Some of the best memories can be created during this time. Also, if you are choosing a live tree do not go for the perfect tree in your eyes, but maybe let the little ones have a say too. Sure they may choose a tree like Charlie Brown would, but that just may turn into the best memory. Those far outlast any tree.

Decorate Together

Now for the decorating. In the past, everything may have been pristine, precise, and looking like it came out of a catalog. However, you guys are parents and the little ones want to hang the ornament pictures they colored in preschool. Maybe you have two trees for this, but, if you can only choose one, choose the tree that tells a story. With each passing year the story of your Christmas tree unfolds with new and emotional pages.

Buy A Gift for Another Family

This is a great opportunity to teach children about giving and generosity. Break away from the commercialism that surrounds much of the holiday and show your children how much joy one can offer to another through selfless giving. There are some great organizations that can help facilitate this like Angel Tree and Operation Christmas Child.

Read The Christmas Story

This is something my family has done every year since I was young. We would gather together, and before unwrapping gifts we take a moment to read the Christmas Story from Luke 2. The reading was usually done by the patriarch of the family. This tradition was passed on to my father, and recently, I was asked to read the story to our family on Christmas morning. Some of my best Christmas memories usually come out of this time. Family members have cried together, shared together, and even broken into a Christmas carol or two.

Eat A Christmas Breakfast Around the Table

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially life during the holiday season, it becomes increasingly difficult to eat a meal together around the table as a family. Why not enjoy some good eggs and bacon together? Add biscuits, sausage gravy, pancakes, and coffee and it becomes a good old southern style morning feast. Do this before or after opening gifts. This one thing I know: Good food has an amazing way of bringing a family together.

So, do something new this Christmas. Start a tradition. If you have Christmas traditions you love, then share them on our Facebook page. We would love to hear them.

12 Days of Serving Others

During the holiday season, we are reminded of what it means to give. Many times, we are encouraged to give financially, give to nonprofits, give gifts…all things that require giving material goods. But what about serving people? Both giving and serving are great ways to help others and make a huge impact, but I think that we forget to do both during this season.

In the midst of a material-focused society, sometimes we forget what it means to serve others in addition to giving to others. Giving to others is a great thing, but in some situations, people need to be served more than they need a gift. To serve someone shows the depth of how much we care for them.

What do you plan on giving to others this holiday season? If you plan on giving to the church, people in need, or even just gifts for the family, I would encourage you to also think of ways that you can serve those same people in addition to the gifts that you give.

A great way for you and your family to focus on serving others this month is to plan an advent calendar for serving during the 12 days leading up to Christmas! This is a great activity to do for everyone! Whether it’s just you, you and your friend or spouse, or you and the whole family, creating a plan for 12 days of serving will help you intentionally care for others this season.

Creating a “12 Days of Serving” Calendar

Brainstorm

Brainstorm and write down some ways that you could serve others. If you’re doing this with a friend, close family member, or your kids, include them in the brainstorming and see what they come up with as well. During this brainstorming process, don’t be too hard on yourself. Think small at first and then write down what you come up with.

Make a List

Try to make it your own, but if you’re having a hard time coming up with ideas, here are a few to help you start thinking:

• Do the dishes for a family member

• Rake the leaves for a neighbor

• Send a note of encouragement to a friend

• Offer to help carry someone’s groceries

• Invite a neighbor over for a meal

Once you’re finished with your list, condense it down to 12 (or however many days you choose to do). Now you can make your advent calendar!

Create Your Calendar

There are many ways that you can make your calendar of serving, so it’s up to you to decide what’s best and most fun for you!

Here are a few ways that I thought of:

• Write each day and serving activity on a notepad and tear the days off of the notepad as you go

• Write each day’s activity on a notecard and hang them in order on a string with a laundry clip

• Write each day’s activity in a notebook and journal about how each serving opportunity goes

• Write your list on a dry erase board and check them off as you go

• Buy or print a calendar to write down and mark off each day

I hope this is a fun and encouraging activity for you and your friends/family this Christmas! Sometimes serving others is scary and takes boldness, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself struggling to take that step. Just remember why you’re doing it and the positive outcome that it may bring in someone’s life. Be bold and share God’s love this holiday season by serving others!

That You May Know

One of the questions I have had many times in my experience as a Christian is, "Am I sure I will go to heaven?" A little context might help here...see, I grew up in a Christian home, I've been going to church as long as I can remember. I was ‘saved’ and baptized at an early age, went to Sunday school every week, went to Bible College, Seminary, and have been serving in ministry for over half my life. Basically, I feel confident that I 'know' a lot of stuff about faith, church, and the Bible. Even still, there have been times where I wondered, "Am I sure I will go to heaven?"

I am sure the Devil plants seeds of doubt in all of us, and, in these times of uncertainty and since feelings change like the weather, we need to turn to what we 'know' to be true. 

One of the early followers of Jesus, whose life was dramatically changed because of what he saw, heard, felt, and touched, basically 'knew,' as it pertains to the Lord Jesus Christ, wrote a gospel and three letters, which are part of the Bible, for the very reason..."that we may know!” His name was John.

If you were to read his writings, the Gospel of John and the First, Second, and Third Epistles of John, you would notice that he wants us to 'know' because he uses that word two, three and four times as much compared to the other gospel writers and over 30 times in his short letters. He plainly says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."

He tells us many ways we can know, such as our abiding in Christ, our walking in the light vs. darkness, the way we love God and others, and many more, which are worthy of our intent study, but one specifically he mentions is if we 'keep the commands' of God, we can know!  

So, how is your 'obedience factor?' Would you characterize your 'following of Jesus' as obedient or disobedient? Keep in mind there are always areas of our lives that we are growing in obedience. Just because you disobey and commit a sin does not mean you are not saved, just like it does not mean that a child who disobeys his parents is no longer their child! The key is, what is the pattern of your life or what is the overall characteristic?  

A mark of a follower of Jesus is obedience! Jesus himself expectantly asked, "Why do you call me Lord and not do what I say?" Obedience is required as the 'pattern' of our lives. So the next time you are tempted to doubt or wonder if you'll go to heaven, just ask some honest questions about your love for God and others, or your abiding in Christ, or your faithful fight against sin. Turn to John and read his writings. He wrote them from his own experience as one of the 12 disciples so that...you, and me, may know!

How to Battle Sin in Your Life

Sin can be a touchy subject. Confronting sin is inconvenient because it’s much easier to make excuses or ignore it. Calling out sin makes us uncomfortable, but if we don’t confront it, we accept it. 

I was in the grocery store the other day when the holiday candy had just been marked down to 50% off! I grabbed several bags because who can pass up half price chocolate? The packages were so colorful, and the candy looked tasty in my shopping cart. As much as I love candy, I didn’t need it. And honestly, I experienced buyer’s remorse later that day because I’ve been trying to take better care of my temple. It’s hard to have willpower when it comes to chocolate.

Sin can be like that too. Sin’s packaging is often colorful and attractive. Sin beckons us to taste and enjoy. Just like the discount candy, sin says, “I won’t cost much.” Unfortunately, the cost of sin can be high, and it’s payment will come due whether we’re able to pay or not.

If sin was hideous, we wouldn’t struggle to avoid it. We would easily turn and walk away from temptation. However, Satan knows exactly how to draw us in to his trap. We must stay on guard and avoid areas of weakness. We can’t fight sin with our own power. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit on our side.

Matthew 26:41 warns us to be cautious. “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

So what can we do to fight sin’s temptation? Here are three steps to arm you in the battle.

1) Pray for Strength and Change

Christ already defeated sin through his resurrection. As Christians, we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to fight the temptation of sin. Sin’s power over us can be strong, but God is so much stronger! Pray for victories over sin in your life and be encouraged as you grow in the Holy Spirit. 

2) Pour Truth Over Your Life

The Bible is like a shield to reflect the lies of the world, but only if you read it. If you aren’t familiar with Truth, how will you know when you encounter lies? Look up verses that deal directly with your specific sin struggles. Try posting the verses on your bathroom mirror, your dashboard, or some other prominent place. Memorize verses in order to combat temptation’s attacks. Recall the verses when you are feeling tempted.

3) Set Up Strict Boundaries or Avoid the Sin Altogether

It’s no secret to me that I shouldn’t overindulge in candy. I should have recognized my trigger and turned my shopping cart around. When temptation arises, we must already have a plan in place. It sounds so obvious, but do whatever it takes to avoid the area of sin altogether. Delete apps, stop going to those places, end relationships…make the hard choices! If it’s impossible to avoid completely (i.e. a co-worker who entices you to gossip), have boundaries set up, so it doesn’t catch you off guard.

Keep in mind avoiding sin is not about being good enough for God to accept you and love you. He loves you no matter what, and nothing we do will ever be good enough to save ourselves. That’s why Jesus paid our debt on the cross.

Avoiding sin is about following God’s best plan for your life and being a witness to the power of Christ. When we avoid sin, others see the difference Christ has made in our lives and the power of the Holy Spirit at work.

Do You Feel Like It?

A few days ago, I was speaking to our church staff when I made the statement that some people, “feel their way into the grave.” I made the statement without much forethought in the moment, but as I thought about it, I realized how much truth was in it. 

The context for making this statement was regarding spending time with the Lord on a daily basis. I was saying that if we wait until we “feel like it,” we may never make the time to meet with God or read our Bibles. We meet with God and read our Bibles because it is the right thing to do, regardless of how we feel. If we wait until we feel like it, we may never grow spiritually.

There are so many examples of why waiting on your feelings before you act is the wrong thing to do. If you wait until you feel like exercising, you may never workout. If you wait until you feel like attending worship or a small group, you might never make it. If you wait until you feel like giving an offering, you could probably talk yourself out of it. 

The truth is that you can either feel your way into actions, or you can act your way into feelings. The latter is always the better option. When I workout, regardless of how I feel, I always feel good when I am finished. When I read my Bible even if I don’t feel like it, I always feel good that I have done it. After attending church, I feel great even if I initially didn’t feel like going. 

Feelings are great. God created them! However, feelings should always follow the right disciplines in your life – they should never dictate them. As a disciple of Jesus, our goal should be to follow Christ’s example no matter how we feel or don’t feel. No one ever follows Jesus’ example and regrets it. On the other hand, lots of people have decided not to follow Christ’s pattern and wish they had followed it. 

I encourage you to make Jesus the model for your life. Like Paul consistently encouraged us to do, follow the example of Jesus. You will be glad you did.

Championing and Reviving a Spirit of Joy

Have you ever thought, “Church is just boring.” No? Just me? Go ahead then, judge me, I can take it. I have sat through many services criticizing everything going on, imagining how I could do it better, and just wishing the service would end so I could leave. I was bored. It was boring. I wanted more. 

The Holy Spirit began convicting me through this season. He challenged me with the thought, “What would it look like to champion and revive a spirit of joy in you life?” I believe the local gathering of believers should be the most joyful place on earth. But that begins with me. It begins with God calling me to walk in joy through my attitudes, my speech, and my life. 

Let’s look at Psalm 84 (ESV):

“How lovely is your dwelling place,
   O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
   for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
   to the living God.

As we unpack this together, I believe Psalm 84 gives us three ways we can champion and revive a spirit of joy in our lives. 

Loving the Local Gathering of Believers

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s armies.” (NLT)

During the time that this psalm was written, there was a physical temple God had built in Jerusalem. In the temple there was a place called The Holy of Holies. It's where the Ark of the Covenant rested. On the lid of the Ark were two carved cherubim with their wings stretch towards each other. This was God’s dwelling place. This is where His presence rested. 

Today, we carry the very presence of God in us through the Holy Spirit. When we gather as local believers, the Church, God has said that He will be present with us. His presence, in that moment, being made known to everyone there. 

It’s easy for us to go to church and criticize how things are done. We say things like, “I don’t like the music. I don’t like what he’s wearing. He preaches too long. The area could use some work. I didn’t like how they did that…” We find ourselves focusing on the visual things, and we begin to criticize and tear down.

Here is where we need to remember the big picture, God is present. He is there in our midst. Instead of criticizing we should be asking, “God, what do you want to do through me in this moment?” When we ask this we go from criticizing to encouraging. We move past ourselves and see the needs of those around us. We being to love the local gathering of believers.

Having an Eager Expectation and Meeting with God

Let’s check out the first part of verse 2, “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord”

Have you ever thought, “Why we are bored with church?” Like really thought about it. I’ve read this psalm so many times, and every time I’m struck by the language of verse 2. The psalmist cannot wait to be in the very presence of God. Eugene Peterson puts it beautifully in the Message, “I’ve always longed to live in a place like this, always dreamed of a room in Your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!”

I desire for everything in me to feel this way! I ask myself, “Do I have an eager expectation to meet with God? Do I expect to open up God’s Word and that He’ll speak to me? Do I expect that God wants to speak in the moments when I meet with other believers?”

Things in our lives become mundane too easily, and we start to go through the motions. We have moments when reading the Bible feels like a duty instead of an opportunity for God to speak. We have seasons where praying feels like a chore not a conversation. But let’s take a moment to remind ourselves we get to meet with the God of the universe! The one who created us, breathed life into our lungs, knew us before we were formed, and says “I love you, and I’ve adopted you as my son or my daughter.” We are meeting with the God who spoke things into existence. The God who pursues me. The God who pursues you. 

This reminder should change things for me. I should have an eager expectation in my life. I should have a longing to meet with God. 

I’ve changed behaviors and language in my life because of this. My “quiet time” is now “the speaking place” because I believe that God will speak to me in those moments. I step into every service with an expectation to hear from God. I ask myself continually, “Am I going through the motions, or am I longing to meet with God?”

Our Whole Being Praising God

The last part of verse 2 says, “my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”

My heart and my flesh - This one is challenging for me. 

Have you ever had moments where your heart feels it, but your body is not acting with it? Or the opposite, where your body is singing out, but there is little to no joy in your heart? I’ve been there. I still am there. I find myself in the tension of believing in my heart yet feeling nothing outwardly. Or outwardly praising yet feeling empty inside. The psalmist reminds us our whole being needs to be praising God. 

In life, we can’t praise God just when we feel like it. Whatever we do, we do with whole being for God. The reality is that our whole being should be into praising God. We praise Him because of who He is. We praise Him because of what He’s done. We praise Him because of what He will do. We praise God with our heart and body. Everything in us should be shouting His praise.

If we believe in Jesus we have gone from death to life! The church should be the most joyful place on earth. Our hearts should be so full of joy we cannot help but sing to God. 

So why am I bored with church? Why do I leave a gathering feeling empty? I don’t want to anymore. I want to be a person championing a spirit of joy! I want to be known for loving the local church, having an eager expectation to meet with God, and praising God with everything in me.

Are You Limiting Yourself?

I believe God has created individual plans for His followers that are as unique and creative as each one of us. Sadly, I also believe many of us will never even begin to tap into the potential that God has placed within us. What could Christians achieve for God’s Kingdom if each one of us walked in faith following God’s true plan for our lives?

Do you dream of things you would like to do for God but never do anything about it? What is it that keeps us from moving forward and taking that step of faith? Fear? Self-doubt? Laziness? Worry? Busyness?

I love this quote by Francis Chan: “But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.”

Do you trust God that much? I wish I could say I do. There have been times when I felt God nudging me to speak to someone, give something away, or get rid of things in my life. I never regretted the times in which I obeyed; however, I hate to admit that many times I make excuses for ignoring His leading rather than following it.

Many years ago, we moved to a small town. Shortly after our relocation, I went to a local bakery to order a birthday cake for my son who was turning three. The ladies at the bakery informed me that they only put icing flowers on their cakes, no exceptions. Their solution to my son’s birthday cake was “We can do blue flowers.” Needless to say, I went somewhere else to buy his cake.

How often do we do we limit ourselves like this small town bakery? How often do we tell ourselves or others, “I only do flowers.” Or do you say, “But I’ve always done it this way. I’ve never tried that before. People might think I’m strange.” The excuses go on and on. We aren’t only disobeying God when we ignore His direction, but we also restrain and limit our personal spiritual growth.

Have you ever felt God was encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone and take a risk? Maybe learn a new skill that seems impossible? Reach out to a group of people that are your exact opposite? Or use a talent to start a brand new mission?

The possibilities are exciting and terrifying all rolled into one. The good news is when God prompts us to step out, He promises to go with us. If God sends you out of your comfort zone, He will go with you.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

Let’s dream big. Imagine your testimony after accomplishing something radical for God. If God has placed a huge idea or a small act of kindness on your heart, try acting on it today. Our world desperately needs us to follow God’s plans for our lives.

5 Ways to Practice Spiritual Disciplines

As we learn what it means to follow Jesus and how to be more like Him, it can be difficult to know how to put it into practice. It’s usually said that we should read our Bible and pray, but what are some more practical ways to connect with God? 

There are effective spiritual disciplines that we can practice that will help us to become the person God has called us to be. The more ways that we connect with Him, the more that we can understand where He is leading us. Sometimes, it can be difficult to hear from God and know how to pursue Him. 

Richard Foster gives a great guide on spiritual disciplines in his book, Celebration of Discipline. Let’s take a look at some of the disciplines that he suggests. These help me so much when I feel like I’m in a “spiritual rut.”

Prayer

We know that we are supposed to pray, but how can we practice prayer? A great way to start is to dedicate a time each day to pray. Grab a journal or turn on some worship music to get focused. If I pray without writing it out, I get distracted, so I usually use a journal to help.

If it’s difficult for you to remember to stop and set aside 30 minutes or so to prayer, set a reminder on your phone and schedule it into your daily activities! It’s okay to schedule prayer. It’s a discipline!

If you need help knowing what to pray about each day, maybe just choose a topic: friends, family, your community, your church, your country, your world…There are so many things that we can pray about! I personally like to start with just telling God about my day and processing life with Him. He speaks so much when we dedicate that time to Him.

Fasting

These days, fasting sounds old school. Fasting seems like something that was done in the Bible and that shouldn’t be a priority today. But fasting is another discipline that we can learn. Again, we are dedicating our time and needs to God. When we dedicate important parts of our lives to Him, it draws us closer to Him, and He speaks in crazy ways!

Fasting may include many different things. Some people fast from foods, others from social media, and even from certain music. For me, I can’t fast from all foods all day because my blood sugar will get all messed up, but I can fast from some foods or other things that I feel may be keeping me from connecting to God more.

What is something that may be keeping YOU from connecting with God? Think about how you could fast from it. 

Solitude

One of the best experiences that I ever had was a particular time when I was assigned to practice solitude. I was attending a Christian leadership program, and every student was asked to spend five hours of solitude in the middle of the woods. We were on a hiking trip, and each one of us got dropped off at a different place, left in the silence of the woods by ourselves. I didn’t know what to expect, and I was honestly not very excited about it! I couldn’t imagine being confined to a certain spot with one book and one journal for five hours. 

Today, I am so happy that I had the opportunity to do that! It was difficult to figure out what to do at first, but as time went on during those five hours, I learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. When you dedicate your time and your focus to God, He doesn’t let that return void.

You may be thinking, “When in the world am I going to find time to have five hours of solitude?” But you don’t have to do five hours! You can do 30 minutes. Give whatever amount you can to dedicate your time and all of your focus to Him. There are always going to be reasons for us to avoid practicing this spiritual discipline, but we should really be carving out time for it regularly.

Simplicity

Practicing the discipline of simplicity means to first focus on the purity of your heart and then live out a lifestyle of simplicity. Without a change of heart and without knowing your identity in Christ, you will really struggle to live the simple lifestyle. Living in simplicity means living without fear and obsession of status. 

In our culture, everything revolves around living a certain lifestyle and upholding that lifestyle. Without the certain looks and the certain nice things, we are frowned upon. Jesus asked us to give things up for Him. It’s easy to try to live up to the standards of our culture and forget about the standards of the Bible.

Celebration

One of the spiritual disciplines that I think we forget about the most is the discipline of celebration. Celebration basically means joy, according to Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline. Don’t the words “celebration” and “joy” make you smile when you think about them and the things in life associated with them? That’s the kind of feeling in your heart that makes you stronger and energized! Why would we not want to feel this way all of the time? That’s why it’s so important to practice thoughts of joy. 

What are some things that you can celebrate right now? A great way to keep track and remind yourself is to write them down. Look at them daily and come back to them when you’re in need of some celebration. In her book, One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp was dedicated to writing out even the tiniest of things that bring her joy, making a list of 1,000.

Ultimately, when it feels like there’s nothing else to celebrate, as Christians, we always have the celebration of what Jesus has done for us and that God is actively present in our lives! If you’re having trouble seeing that, spend time in one of the other spiritual disciplines to give opportunity for God to speak to you in new ways.

To find all of the spiritual disciplines that Richard Foster talks about, check out his book, Celebration of Discipline! I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who is looking to grow spiritually. It is very helpful and gives a great path on how to connect with God in practical ways.

Choosing to Be Shepherded

Psalm 23 is one of the most famous Bible passages of all time. I read the passage often because it consistently serves as a reminder of who I am, who God is, and how the Lord desires to lead me. As I was reading Psalm 23 one day recently, I begin to consider the fact that for many years in my life, I lived in rebellion to the Lord as my shepherd. Quite honestly, I did not want Him to shepherd or lead me at all.

Though I was a born again believer, my actions indicated that I wanted to be in control of my life. I wanted to choose my own path, call my own shots, and essentially lead myself… and then expect God to come along and bless me. The more I have grown as a disciple of Christ, I have completely realized that God has no interest in submitting to and blessing my plans. Rather, His desire is to shepherd and lead me according to what He knows is best - His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

So many people live constantly under the threat of failure. Why? Because we are sheep, and sheep by nature fail. But being a sheep has an upside: when you have nothing to prove, you have nothing to lose. It’s the shepherd’s reputation and success that are at stake. The good news is that God, our Shepherd, does not lose His sheep. He leads us on the right paths every time.

As you read Psalm 23, you can clearly see three ways God leads us:

He Lead Us to Rest

First, He leads us to rest. He provides all the rest we need. He does this by leading us alongside still waters. If we would just relax and yield to the control of His spirit, we would live resting, obedient lives. God has a powerful and wonderful way of grabbing us by the ears, slowing us down, showing us green pastures and still waters, and calming our anxious thoughts. He’s a master at that and knows just how to do it.

He Leads Us Through Discipline to Restoration

Second, He leads us through discipline to restoration. Sheep are often so determined to go their own way. Isaiah 53:6 says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.” In a flock, some sheep are so stubborn that their shepherd has to break off one of their legs to keep them from wandering off. Then he splints the leg and carries the sheep until it can walk. It learns to stay close and trust the shepherd to lead. God does something similar with us. Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it’s painful!” But through experience, God restores our souls. He changes our inward bent. He administers His rod as an instrument of His love. He does it to guide us in the right paths.

He Leads Us Through Darkness

Third, He leads us through darkness. The shepherd leads his sheep from the wilderness to areas of new grass. The journey is often treacherous, the path winding through deep canyons with unsure footing and gloomy shadows. Our Christian lives, too, are filled with pits and deep valleys as we journey toward the lives God calls us to. However, God’s sheep can walk with confidence, knowing that the Shepherd has never made a mistake and never will.

Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd in the book of John. He told His followers, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus Christ, who died to pay the complete price for our sins on the cross, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He himself is the right path. I hope you will join me in choosing to be shepherded by him each day.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Trying to Decide Where to Serve

Local church ministry requires a lot of hands, and serving is a vital part of the life of a fully trained disciple. Trying to decide where to serve can be tough, but there are a few key questions that can help you decide where to plug in as a part of the body of Christ.

1. Why do I want to serve?

It may sound silly to start with such a simple question, but it is crucial to understand why you are taking the step to look for somewhere to serve. It is a foundational question and needs to be answered if you are going to find the right place to serve and, more importantly, serve with the right heart.

Most Christ followers would say that our motivation (our “why”) is Jesus’ example. Over and over again Jesus showed His disciples the importance of servanthood and told them plainly that he came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). In Luke 22:27 Jesus says, “I am among you as the one who serves.” The kingdom he established is led by servants, and he has invited us to participate.

As you answer this question, remember this—your why may provide details that help lead you to the right what. For example, I was greatly impacted by a volunteer in my youth ministry when I was a student. His ministry impacted me in two major ways. First, he valued me during a time that I was struggling to believe I was valuable. Second, I knew that he was called and equipped to do student ministry, but he had a corporate job and felt stuck because of the pressure to provide for his family. This relationship led to two very distinct answers to the question of “why do I want to serve.” I wanted to serve so that I could make young people who are struggling understand their identity and value in light of the Gospel, AND I wanted to help people discover their callings and find the strength to walk in them. Because of this, I have devoted almost 20 years to student ministry, and I am currently employed with a non-profit that helps young adults discover their callings.

2. Where are the biggest needs?

When we choose to serve, we are making a choice to become “other focused” instead of being focused on ourselves. Asking this question is the first step in that process. God cares deeply about the Church and calls us to be His hands and feet as we serve (inside and outside of the body of Christ).  

This is one of the questions that a lot of people don’t like to ask themselves because sometimes it goes against their personal desires. Here is one common scenario: If a singer asks themselves this question, they may find out that there are already six vocalists but no one to run sound. For a season, they may be a greater blessing to their local church as a sound person than a vocalist. So where is the biggest need? Where will you be the greatest blessing as you serve?

3. What are some of my natural abilities and interests?

God created us all with unique abilities, and when we become believers, we are given spiritual gifts as well. Discovering what those abilities are is a necessary step in discovering where to serve as a part of the local church.  

We also each have unique interests—Activities that resonate with who we are. The problem is, not many people know what their natural abilities and interests are. Do you? Do you know what you are genetically encoded to do well? Or what types of activities you enjoy the most? 

4. What am I passionate about?

Serving in an area that you care about allows you to prioritize ministry and battle excuses that you might have for not fully committing. Passion fuels us as we continue to pour out in our area of ministry. If someone or something has captured your heart, God can use you as you selflessly and joyfully give. What are you passionate about? Who/what do you love? Worship? Students? Biblical truth? Babies? Children with special needs?

5. Where will I become who God wants me to be?

Through the years, I have learned that God is more concerned about who we are becoming than what we are doing. As you search for a place to serve, ask God to show you where you can grow the most. It may not be easy, but sometimes the hardest things are the most transformative. Serving others is challenging, but the more we serve the more we become like Jesus. Where can you serve and grow the most as a disciple?

To find out more about Crossroads’ serving opportunities, click HERE!

Are You Disengaged?

I recently had some trouble with my lawn mower. The blade wasn’t engaging and therefore I wasn’t getting any grass cut. My motor was full throttle, but the blade was not making any progress. 

This problem with my mower is the same problem some church members have: they are disengaged with the Church. Their motor still works, but they are not making any real progress in the mission of Christ. 

Thirty years of ministry has given me the opportunity to see lots of good-hearted folks disengage with God’s Church and His mission. They still love God and love people, but they have lost steam when it comes to God’s Church. At one point, they were monster leaders, and now, they hardly attend, or just don’t attend weekend services at all. As I ponder what has happened to my friends, here are a few observations.

First, you can’t separate Christ’s mission and Christ’s Church! 

Two thousand years ago Jesus decided to accomplish His mission using His Church. This was His decision, not mine. I cannot claim to be fulfilling the mission of Jesus apart from His chosen vehicle. 

The Church is supposed to be “on mission.” If it is, then I am called to be engaged with the church. Jesus did not make the Church optional. It is His chosen plan and His chosen vessel to fulfill His mission in this world. You don’t give up on the plan, and you don’t check out on the Church. 

Second, you must stay a contributor and not become a consumer! 

Oh my goodness! Many of the people I see that become disengaged with the Church have slowly transitioned from a contributor to the cause to a consumer of goods. They subtly lose sight of what the mission is really about. The mission actually becomes more about them than it is about making disciples. 

When the mission is about you and “your needs,” you will develop a “take it or leave it” attitude toward the Church. Mission-minded people are willing to do whatever it takes, and consumer-minded people are driven by what they can take. 

Lastly, you never separate the mission from your stage of life! 

I know a lot of people who have disengaged with the Church because their stage of life has changed. In other words, their kids are now grown, and they don’t feel the need to be as committed as they once were. They are retired and don’t want to be tied down like they used to. Are you kidding me? The world is dying and going to Hell, and you don’t want to be committed? 

Listen, you may change things as life changes, but not being committed to the Great Commission is not acceptable. Jesus did not say, “Make disciples as long as it fits your stage of life.” Fulfilling the Great Commission is for every stage of life! 

Don’t disengage from the Church. The mission is too important, and the world needs the Church more than ever. Be sure that the longer you live, the more engaged you are with the mission of the Church and not less.

To find out how to become more engaged at Crossroads,

check out our Next Steps class!

Do You Need to Unplug?

Have you ever planned a trip to get away, relax, refuel and spend time with family only to find yourself and those you have pulled away to spend time with totally immersed in your devices? Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Netflix…the list goes on and on. It’s crazy to look around and see how drawn to our devices we can be. We are “connecting” with everyone except for the people we intentionally brought together to connect with. This is the case far too many times in our lives. 

Don’t get me wrong. It is not bad to check in on friends to see what is going on in their lives. The question is not about good or bad, but is it the best thing we could be doing?  That is the real question. It happens innocently enough. You pop on social while you are waiting for everyone for a quick check. One post leads to another, and you have to watch that video. The next thing you know, it's an hour later when you look up and see your family has arrived, and everyone is looking at their phones. 

Wow. How did we get here? When did these phones become such an important part of our lives? If you don’t think you're attached to your phone, try leaving it at home while you go to work or just out to dinner. Is it just me? The last time I left mine at home, I felt lost without it. I recently ran across some stats that indicate our culture has developed an unhealthy attachment to our phones.

Did you know?

• 84% of cell phone users claim they could not go a single day without their device.
• 67% of cell phone owners check their phone for messages, alerts, or calls — even when they don’t notice their phone ringing or vibrating.
• Studies indicate some mobile device owners check their devices every 6.5 minutes.
• 88% of U.S. consumers use mobile devices as a second screen even while watching television.
• Almost half of cell owners have slept with their phone next to their bed because they wanted to make sure they didn’t miss any calls.
• Some researchers have begun labeling “cell phone checking” as the new yawn because of its contagious nature." [SOURCE]

Time to Unplug

Recently Tim, my husband, and I decided it was time for a getaway…just the two of us to relax, refuel and spend time together. We were celebrating a milestone in our marriage and wanted to hit the pause button to focus on us. As we started to plan our trip we wanted to get rid of the usual distractions, so we opted for a trip where internet and phone service were scarce. Can I just say that was probably the best decision we made about our trip.  Seriously, more important than where we were going or what we were going to be doing was the decision to completely unplug. We spent five days with no phone. No Facebook, no texts, no emails, no phone calls, no nothing. It was incredible!

Unplug to Reconnect

At first, I would grab my phone to check the weather or google a random question only to find we had no service. Thankfully it didn’t take long to catch on. No one else could demand our attention through a text, phone call or other notification. We were able to focus on our relationship…no interruptions…no distractions…we could simply reconnect, relax and truly unplug. Our relationship is stronger for it.

Even more important than my relationship with Tim is my relationship with God. I need time with God daily that is focused and distraction free. Time when I can read the Bible, pray and reflect. It is a time for God to renew my mind, refocus my priorities, and refuel me spiritually for the day ahead. Our relationship is stronger for it. When is the last time you truly unplugged?

Conversations in a Jar

School is back in session, and it would be difficult to find a family that’s not busy. Work, sports practices, games, rehearsals, lessons, homework, doctor’s appointments, and countless other activities keep our calendars full. Among all of the busyness, I would argue that it would also be difficult to find a family that doesn’t long for closer relationships and connection.

How can we build deeper relationships with our children and spouses in the midst of a hectic schedule? I believe one vital thing we can do is make our family members feel important and valued. We do that by prioritizing time to really listen to each other.

Everyone’s favorite neighbor, Mr. Rogers said, “There’s no person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are.” Every single person wants to feel valued. Even the most introverted person you know needs to be noticed and acknowledged as a valuable creation of God. When I listen, really listen, to someone’s ideas and thoughts, I automatically show that person he or she has value to me.

You say, “All that sounds great, but who has time to listen? All my kids talk about are Fortnite and memes!” Again, I know we’re busy, so I’d like to make it simple. Keep in mind I hesitate to give parenting advice because I’m in the “deep weeds” of parenting myself. However, I found something that has worked to get us talking through the years.

First, we try to have dinner together as a family as many nights a week as possible. Sometimes that’s seven, and sometimes that’s two. Either way, we make an effort to sit down together around the table. Keep in mind, the average family dinner in America lasts 20 to 30 minutes, so we must be intentional about that time.

In order to give each person at the table their time to be heard, we ask a question, and everyone must answer. Other family members must be quiet and listen (no technology!), and no one is allowed to comment negatively on the response. Where do we get the questions? We started with a glass jar filled with strips of paper that I printed from the web. We have since graduated to joke books (take turns reading a few), Would You Rather books (gross but hilarious), and conversation starter cards I bought at a Christian book store. The other night, my youngest asked me to pull out the jar, so we’ve circled back to where we started.

To be honest, we haven’t done this every single time we sit around the dinner table, but we have created a habit to give each person a turn to share. Both of my children tend to “talk over” each other, so it’s been a great way to practice listening skills. By asking random questions, you may also learn things about your children or spouse that you didn’t know.

I encourage you to just give it a try. Grab a notepad, a plastic bowl, or a jar and write down the following questions (or print them). Fold the papers, stick them in the jar, and set it on your table. The next time you have dinner with your family, let someone pull out one question. It’s that easy! Have fun creating questions or searching the internet for new ones when your jar is empty. (I stick the used ones in another jar and “recycle” them for much later. My children’s answers have changed as they’ve gotten older!)

20 Questions to Start Conversations in a Jar

1. What was the worst/best part of your day?

2. If you could have one super power, what would you choose?

3. Who is someone you look up to?

4. If you could only eat one food for a year, what would you eat?

5. If you could be any character in a movie or TV show, who would you be?

6. Which do you like better, the mountains or the beach? Why?

7. Would you rather be really tall like a giant or tiny like a mouse? Why?

8. Would you rather travel to the bottom of the ocean or to space? Why?

9. Share a time you made a good choice with your actions.

10. If you could visit any imaginary place, where would you go? Who would you take with you?

11. Would you rather be really strong or really fast?

12. Do you think your name suits you? If you could change your name, what would you call yourself?

13. What is your favorite exercise?

14. What would you do if you could camp out in your favorite store for one night?

15. Share a time when you were kind to another person. How did it make you feel?

16. What do you think makes someone cool?

17. What three words describe our family?

18. What is your favorite type of weather?

19. What is your favorite toy or keepsake? Why?

20. What is the best vacation or activity we’ve done as a family?

Now go get those conversations started!

Come for a service during Family Weekend for more inspiration on how to connect with your family!

4 Best Ways to Train for a 5K

In life, we often get so wrapped up in day-to-day tasks that we forget to take care of our bodies. Through Scripture, we know that God calls us to value our bodies. Our bodies are said to be temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are called to take care of and honor God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). God's Word leads us to use our bodies and the gifts He has given us to achieve everything else that He's called us to do. What better way to hold us accountable of taking care of our bodies than to train for a 5K? 

Here are the 4 most important ways to train for a 5K:

1. Sign Up for a Race

If you're new to running or you’re simply just wanting to get better, you should find a beginner-friendly race that'll hold you accountable and help you chart your progress. It’s important to always have something you’re working towards!

2. Run with a Friend

God calls us to be in community with fellow believers. Having a running partner is a great way to both stay motivated and build community. Before choosing to run with a friend, it’s important to understand that the partnership works better if both people share the same pace and race goals.

3. Stick to a Schedule

When it comes to training for a 5K, practice makes perfect. Consistency is the art of progression. Of course, you may have some work to do. You may stumble more than once with your goals, but if you stick with it, you will find yourself doing things that you never thought imaginable. By building a schedule and getting into a routine, you can better accomplish any goals you have.

4. Don’t Forget to Rest

Recovery is one of the most important aspects of a successful training regimen, but for some reason, it's commonly overlooked. Your body needs time to repair tissues that have broken down. That's how your muscles change, adapt, and ultimately, get stronger. Include no more than three runs per week and alternate run days with rest or cross-training activities (i.e. cycling, swimming, yoga, etc.) to allow your body to adapt and recover from run to run.

Stick to these ways to train and you will be ready for your 5K in no time! 

If you'd like to walk or run a 5K, register for the Crossroads 5K Trail Run!

The Slow Death of Commitment

Here is an observation from thirty years of ministry. Every member of a church is either growing in his or her commitment to that church, dying in his or her commitment, or maintaining in his or her church commitment. Honestly, maintaining usually doesn’t happen that much. The truth is, most church members are becoming more committed or less committed over time. I’ve literally been watching it happen for over thirty years. 

As I think about my observation, one question continues to surface. How does God feel about my commitment level to His Church? I understand that you would expect a pastor to be writing about local church commitment. You would assume that only a pastor or a church leader would really care about a person’s commitment level. Why would anyone else care about this issue enough to write about it? 

The reality is, God cares about your commitment to His Church even more than your pastor does. The Church is the bride of Christ, and she deserves a commitment. The Church is the Body of believers, and every part needs to be committed. The Church is the flock of God, and belonging means something to the Shepherd. The Church is the Family of God, and family commitments are important. 

If over time your commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ is decreasing rather than increasing, you need to figure out why. In fairness, your involvement level might look different over time, but not your commitment level. As time passes, a person may or may not be able to do all they once did, but that does not mean that they can’t be even more committed. I think God would be incredibly pleased with seeing a person’s commitment to His chosen vehicle deepen rather than weaken as the years pass. 

I want to encourage you to always ask the question- how can I be more committed to my church this year than I was last year? How can I attend more? How can I serve more? How can I give more? How can I support more? How can I encourage more? 

In Acts 20:28 the Bible says, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the Church of God, which He obtained with His own blood.” If the Church cost Jesus His own life, how can our commitment to the flock of God decrease rather than increase? 

If you want to know more about how the Church can be a movement of multiplying disciples, contact impactdisciples.com. If you mention this blog, we will send you a free resource called, “What If Thirty Days Could Change Your Church?”.

Examining Yourself Through God's Word

How do you see the Bible? For many years I saw it as a book filled with great stories, lists of names and lots of rules. I would hear my pastor talk about it being God’s love letter to us, and just kind of shake my head in confusion. I just couldn’t see it. I really wanted to grow, so each night I would pull out my Bible when I went to bed. Needless to say, most nights I would wake up a couple hours later with my Bible still open, waiting for me to dive in, only to find myself too tired to try.  

It wasn’t until I got into my first Bible study that the Bible really began to come alive for me. Each week as I met with a small group to discuss what we’d been reading and how God was working in our lives, I began to see past the surface and really discover the goodness of God’s words. I dug a little deeper and discovered so much that I’d never seen. 

It was incredible! I even began to understand what my pastor meant when he referred to the Bible as God’s love letter to us. It was so much more than a book filled with rule; it was a gift written to help me. There was so much wisdom, truth and practical advice for navigating my life. 

Many people see the book of James as a hard book to read. I know I did early on. I avoided it. It seemed to talk so much about works, and I just saw judgement. Now I realize that my thoughts couldn’t be further from the truth. James' desire was to see men and women have genuine faith. The central truth of James is that genuine faith will inevitably produce good deeds. It’s important to note that it doesn’t work both ways…good deeds don’t inevitably produce genuine faith. The good deeds are the product of genuine faith in God. 

I love James 1:22-25...

"But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only      fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."

I love this whole thought that reading God’s word and not putting it into practice is like looking in the mirror and forgetting what you look like when you walk away. When we stare intently into God’s Word we begin to see the truth about our lives. Attitudes, thoughts and actions are revealed, and we can clearly see changes we need to make. The key to not just hear the word is opening our hearts as we stare intently into it allowing the truth to sink in. James is saying, “Don’t just hear it…do it…be transformed by it…be a reflection of Christ.”

You’ve probably heard the phrase - “Be in the world and not of it.” God has called us to take the message of Christ to the world. To do that, we must be in the world. If we aren’t careful, we allow the world to rub off on us. In time, instead of growing more like Christ, we begin to grow more like the world. What testimony do we have when we are a reflection of the world instead of being a reflection of our Lord and Savior? James knew that our behavior will either reflect the character of God or it won’t. We will either draw people toward God, or we will push them away. His desire was to see men and women live out of genuine faith in Christ.

How do we live in the world and not let it rub off on us? Romans 12:2 has the answer.

"Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

How do we renew our minds? We stare intently into the mirror of God’s Word. We do this by being intentional when we read the Bible. I use the ACTS acrostic I learned through Impact when reading the Bible.

I ask God to show me:

• Attitude I need to change
• Command I need to obey
• Truth I need to believe 
• Sin I need to confess

Psalm 139:23-24 is my daily prayer.  

"Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

I hope you will make this your daily prayer, as well, and open your heart to the truth of God’s Word. May you dive deeper into His Word and be transformed.

Not Okay with Lukewarm

It’s difficult to change. Moving from a place of complacency to a place of radical change is one of the scariest things we can do. It requires lots of effort and determination. If you’re like me, sometimes it seems impossible to muster up enough courage and energy to even try.

But God doesn’t call us to stay in a comfortable place. If we’re comfortable, we’re lukewarm. And here’s what God says about being lukewarm:

"So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:16

Eww. So are you lukewarm? If so, what are you going to do about it?

Looking at my own life, I would say I’m an “average” Christian, I guess. I read my Bible, sometimes with fervor, sometimes not so much. I attend church regularly. I’m part of a small group. I pray (ditto on the Bible reading). We tithe. We give more when asked.

But lately, I have been thinking about more. I really want more out of my “Christianity.” I’m okay with being average in that I’m behind the scenes; I don’t want recognition. But I don’t think I’m okay with having an average faith. I want to be sold out, torn up, and falling out for Christ, not lukewarm.

The older I get, the more frustrated I become with myself for bothering with the petty stuff.  What really matters? When everything is stripped down and raw, what remains?

Wild abandon. That’s what I want. I want to be content with Christ and true to the core. I want to shed social conditioning. I want to grip God so tightly I leave fingerprints. I want people to look at me and see flames because I’m so on fire for Jesus.

Are you there too? Are you tired of settling for lukewarm Christianity?

How do we get from yesterday’s simmering soup of the day to volcano eruption? I really don’t know. But I do know we won’t get there standing still. Let’s budge and start tackling the hard things. What would happen if we make practical changes to move from lukewarm by piling the energy-draining distractions on the burn pile and adding some beneficial things back in our lives?

Here are some ideas we can at least try…

1. Throw it out!

Stuff, junk, clutter…whatever it’s called, it’s gone. The time has come to release material things that smother us. Lately God has been wearing me out about the extra stuff, waste, excess in my life. It’s a distraction from what matters most.

2. Limit Social Media

I am so tired most nights that I’m looking at Facebook and Instagram with my eyes half shut. Why? Who cares what people I knew in high school had for dinner last night? I don’t know about you, but this is a black hole of comparison for me. I already struggle with self worth. Why continue to rub other people’s so-called perfect lives in my own face? That’s a habit that keeps me distracted and lukewarm.

3. Add God’s Word

No more checking off the scripture reading to-do list. The focus is on quality not quantity. Dig deeper like never before. Also leave margin for God to speak through His Word.

4. Pray and Wait

No more praying then moving on. Allow God time to speak. Shut up and really listen. It’s a worthy skill I need to learn. (Ummm…I’m not just talking about prayer there.)

5. No, Not Doing It, Ain’t Gonna Happen

It’s hard to be on fire for God when you are burned out. Lukewarm people run on empty, so we need to consider each new activity, event, or opportunity and honestly assess our time. It’s a scientific fact we must have rest. Personally I wish I could scratch laundry, cleaning bathrooms, cooking, etc. permanently off of my list, but that’s reality. Make a plan, stick to the plan, and quit adding other stuff!

So there it is…some ideas to encourage us to budge and not settle. Maybe these ideas don't fit your situation exactly, but let's agree to stop hiding behind the excuses. No more lukewarm. So what if it’s not time to make a new year’s resolution? I’m done living with status quo faith. You too? We may not move mountains with our efforts, but at least we will move one step away from being lukewarm.

Quality Time During the Summer “Slow-down”

Summer. What does that mean for you?  For some it is a time to rest, getting caught up on that never ending list, and spending quality time with family. Well, at least that is what we all hope for. You know there is something about the summer season when people hope for time to slow down, allow for rest, and things to get reset. Before I became the Elementary Children’s Director at our church, I was a teacher for seven years, and summer was just that, a time for rest while the rest of the year was non-stop. 

Now, I have a glimpse of what working parents deal with during the summer. The pace doesn’t slow down, just the mindset of some people may shift. When I say mindset you know what I am talking about - the vacation mindset, beach mode, I am off. For my family this summer is bringing big changes. We are closing the chapter on being a family of three and starting our new chapter to becoming a family of four. Therefore, this summer I am trying to dedicate quality time with my daughter while I am still a working parent. I don’t have it all figured out, but I do have some key points that are working for us.

Set a Work Schedule and Stick to It

In order to have the quality time that you may want with your children during the summer, you will have to set a work schedule and plan accordingly. Do you have the ability in the summer to work from home on some days? If so, do it! Determine the hours needed to work throughout the week and plan ahead. 

For me, I have set office hours work and then work from home the remainder of the time. For those who may not be able to work from home, you may ask if you can adjust your hours each day for the summer in order to have a little more time at home. Think about this: if you got to work one hour earlier and stayed one hour later four days a week, you would have an extra day. Again if that is an option, try to make it happen. Planning out your schedule is going to ensure that your work will get completed but will also allow for you to focus on family time not during those scheduled hours.  

Be Intentional

Some of you read my first point and probably laughed out loud, “Must be nice to set your own schedule.” This would be where being intentional will come into play. Whether or not you have a schedule set for you or you have some flexibility, being intentional is key. Just like in any situation, being intentional is going to make the plan work for your benefit. Spending quality time with your children this summer must be intentional. Guess what? We all need to tell our time what to do, or it will tell us what to do. In a quick blink, our children are back at school, and we missed out. 

To be intentional means to get off of your phone, close out social media, and be present with your children. Spending intentional quality time with your children doesn’t mean that you need to spend money or be with them every second. Play a board game, play outside in a sprinkler or with water balloons, go to the park, play dress up, make cookies or fruit popsicles together. Allow your children to show you what being young again is like. Being young again brings me to my last point. 

Have Fun!

This is challenging for me. I like to be in control and not let go. I believe it's difficult for most of us adults to use our imaginations and simply have fun. When I think of having fun with my daughter I also think of the mess that will be made. I like order, and, in times of fun, I have to breathe through the mess and find the joy in the moment. 

Seeing my daughter smile and laugh provides me with joy that cannot be explained. Let your children see you smile, let loose, and have fun. Get involved with your children when they play this summer, be a kid again yourself, and truly have fun.  

8 Summer Recipes

One of the best ways to foster community is enjoying a meal together. What better time to come together than summer? Summer nights have a way of bringing people around the table for relaxed conversation and fun. We'd like to help you build community by providing some delicious recipes for your summertime menu.

Whether you're inviting people over, headed to a potluck dinner, or gathering with your small group, we've got some great summer recipes to share!

8 Summer Recipes

1. Pasta Salad

Ingredients: 1 lb. tri-colored spiral pasta, 6TBSP salad seasoning mix, 1 (16 oz) bottle Italian-style salad dressing, 2 cups cherry tomatoes (diced), 1 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 1/2 yellow bell pepper (all bell peppers diced), 1 (2.5 oz) can black olives (chopped)

"In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain. Whisk together the salad spice mix and Italian dressing. In a salad bowl, combine the pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and olives. Pour dressing over salad; toss and refrigerate overnight."

2. Chicken Soup

Ingredients: Rotisserie Chicken (take off the bone and chop small), Jar of salsa verde, 2 cans Cannelloni beans drained, 1.5 cups tomatoes cut into bite-sized pieces, 8 cups fat free chicken stock

Put all ingredients into a crockpot and turn on low in the morning. Soup will be ready to serve for dinner. For a quicker option, cook on the stove top for 30 minutes. Squeeze one lime into the soup as it is cooking and slice lime to squeeze into each bowl. Season to taste.

(You may also add chopped avocado, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream to each bowl when served.)

3. Shrimp Salad Sandwich

Ingredients: 1 pound cooked shrimp (peeled and de-veined), 3 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped, 3 celery stalks, minced, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, Dash onion salt, salt and pepper, seasoning salt, celery salt, 8 slices your choice bread, toasted, lettuce and tomato slices (optional)

Place shrimp in a food processor and pulse until finely minced. Transfer shrimp to a bowl and add eggs, celery, and mayonnaise; mix well. Add seasonings to taste and stir to combine. Spread additional mayonnaise on both sides of bread. Heap shrimp salad onto bread and then cut sandwiches in half. Serve with lettuce and tomato, if desired.

4. Bacon Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2″ – 2″ chunks, salted lightly, 1 1/2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce, 1 lb bacon, cut into 1″- 1 1/2″ segments, fresh pineapple cut into 2″ chunks

"Combine chicken pieces with 1 cup of the BBQ sauce and marinate for 2-3 hours. (This step can be omitted if you’re pressed for time!) Microwave bacon for 2-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon and preferred crispiness. Let bacon cool slightly. Using kabob skewers, thread chicken, bacon pieces and pineapple in a pattern. The larger pieces of pineapple are easier to skewer. Fold thin bacon pieces over in half and arrange next to the chicken, being careful to not put the bacon pieces too close to anything else, so that they have space to heat up properly to cook. Grill kabobs until chicken reaches 155-160 degrees F. Slather remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce on kabobs when they’re nearly cooked. Cover loosely with foil and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

5. Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness, 1 cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite!), 1 15-ounce can pineapple slices (including juice), 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic, ¼ cup oil, fresh cilantro, chopped

"In a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, juice from the can of pineapple slices, soy sauce, and garlic. Pour half of the mixture into a large resealable bag. Add oil and chicken. Seal bag and chill for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. Reserve remaining sauce mixture and chill until ready to use.

Grease and preheat grill to medium heat. Remove chicken from bag, discard bag and marinade, and grill chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Grill pineapple slices along with the chicken, 2-3 minutes on each side til heated through and just beginning to char.

When chicken is finished cooking, brush with reserved sauce, top with chopped cilantro and serve with grilled pineapple slices."

6. Low Country Boil

Ingredients: 1/2 cup concentrated Louisiana-style shrimp and crab boil seasoning (such as Zatarain's), 4 pounds medium red potatoes, 2 to 3 medium sweet onions, such as Vidalia, peeled and quartered if large, 2 1/2 pounds cured, smoked pork sausage links, cut into 3-inch pieces, 8 ears of corn, cut in half, 4 pounds medium shrimp

"Fill a 7-gallon stockpot halfway with water (or use 2 large pots and divide the ingredients between them). Add the seasoning and bring to a rolling boil. Add the whole potatoes to the pot. Allow the water to return to a boil and cook 5 minutes. Add the onions and sausage. Bring the water back to a boil and cook 15 minutes. Add the corn, bring the water back to a boil and cook 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are done.

Add the shrimp, bring the water back to a boil and cook until the shrimp turn pink, about 3 minutes. Drain through a colander; discard the liquid. Serve on newspaper or a platter."

7. Burgers & Brats

Ingredients: ground beef, salt and pepper, Tony Chacherie's seasoning, Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, brats (flavor of your choice), Hawaiian roll buns, veggies of your choice

Mix ground beef with Tony Chacherie's seasoning and salt and pepper. Form hamburger patties and put on the grill. Put the brats on the grill as well. When the burgers are almost done, put some BBQ sauce on the patties. While those are grilling, either grill veggies in foil or bake veggies in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.

8. Orange Jello Salad

Ingredients: 20 oz crushed pineapple, 9 oz cool whip, 1 large orange jello (or any flavor), 1 cup of nuts, 2 cups of buttermilk

Mix pineapple with jello on stove until hot (don't boil). Let it cool, add in other ingredients, and place in fridge.

 

What are some of YOUR favorite summer recipes? Comment below!

Take advantage of the times that you have to join in community. Don't miss out on the opportunity for time with family, lifelong friendships, and connections. We hope you enjoy your summer! 

The Three Disciples

You are probably thinking the title of this blog post has a major typo. It doesn’t. Yes, we typically talk about the disciples in terms of a dozen men Jesus spent the most time with and personally trained to eventually oversee His mission. No question, Jesus did have twelve disciples in whom He strategically invested. However, He also had three disciples that He took to a different level than the twelve. Peter, James and John might well be considered the inner circle of the original twelve disciples. Here are a couple of thoughts to consider regarding Jesus and His three. 

Jesus took the three to places He didn’t take the twelve! 

A quick survey of the Gospels reveals that there were some places that Jesus only took Peter, James, and John. He did not take the twelve everywhere He went. When Jesus went to the Mount of Transfiguration, He only took the three. When Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, He took James and John with Him into Peter’s house. Jesus took only Peter, James, and John when He went to heal the daughter of the Synagogue ruler. While praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a place where He did not take the rest. How and why Jesus took these three to places where he did not take the other nine we will never know. The fact remains that Jesus took Peter, James, and John to places He didn’t take everyone else. 

Only the three are named in Acts! 

If you read the Book of Acts, the only disciples mentioned out of the original twelve are Peter, James, and John. It appears that they took leadership responsibility after Jesus left that the other nine did not take. Peter preaches at Pentecost. Peter and John heal the lame beggar while going into the temple. Peter and John are brought before the Jewish council. Peter and John were sent to the Samaritans when they received the Holy Spirit. James is killed by Herod in Acts chapter twelve. None of the other disciples are mentioned in the Book of Acts, leading us to believe that the fact Jesus spent more time with them was preparing them for more responsibility than the rest.

So, here is the question of the day-who are your three? Who are the individuals you are pouring your life into at a deeper level than anyone else? Who are the individuals you are taking places in ministry that you don’t take anyone else and who are you giving more responsibility? Who is in your inner circle?