He is PRESENT, are you?

BE HERE NOW from blaine hogan on Vimeo.

When am I not fully present? When am I not intentional? In what instances do I let my now not become my then?

The Most Powerful Images of 2011 - What is your response?

I recently came across the 45 most powerful images of 2011.  I was blown away at each of these.  I felt something very different as I looked at each of these and you should too.

#'s 6, 7, 11, 16, 22, 24, 25, 31, 34, 35, 39, 42, and 44 all display someone wanting freedom, finally getting freedom or sure fighting hard for something they believe in.  

#'s 2, 3, 8, 10, 13, 15 17, 18, 22, 26, 27, 29, 32, 33 and 43 all display the fury of the earth, destruction and the devastation of pain that people feel when they lose everything.

#1 displays something I hope I never have to feel yet so many parents do.

#4 displays the heart of leaders.  Leadership can be a difficult, energizing, scary, rewarding type of position.  The weight leaders feel is huge.  

#12 intrigues me.

There are so many other pictures.  To see them, look HERE 


This brings up a few questions for each of us to ask ourselves:
1.  What is your role in this world?
2.  How are you responding to others?
3.  What freedoms are you taking for granted?
4.  How do you respond, pray for, respect your leaders?  Whether political, in your organization or at home?  How do you react when you don't agree with them or their leadership?


Christ calls us to be the Salt and the Light; are you?

Matthew 5:13-16

English Standard Version (ESV)

Salt and Light

 ¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.  ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Disciplining My Wayward Nature

We live in a world that is ME-focused and far too often I find myself falling into the trap of inconsistent practicing of some spiritual disciplines. 

Thanks to some books I have recently read including The Next Christians, by Gabe Lyons I was reminded of the following disciplines.  As I began to rank them as to what was my weakest vs best practiced discipline I began to realize how difficult it was to label my "best practiced" discipline.  That was disappointing for me because I know in my heart that consistent practicing of these restores me from my wayward tendencies.

1. Immersed in Scripture (instead of entertainment) - TV, Talk radio, NPR, Facebook, music, film, Internet, iPhone games, video games, social activities, etc
2. Observing the Sabbath (instead of being productive) - Ignoring yesterday and tomorrow to be present in the moment. Disengage from a highly productive culture so God can restore us.
3. Fasting for simplicity (instead of consuming) - Discomfort from not having to give us a more thoughtful way of living that gives others a glimpse of what restoration is all about.
4. Choosing Embodiment (instead of being divided) - "Less is more" concept in giving others our attention.  Mastering the practice of being fully present in your relationships, meetings, one on one conversations and community. 
5. Postured by Prayer (instead of Power) - Prayer by its very nature settles the soul in a me centered world.  Reminds us that we are not in control and that we are not the ones responsible to "make it happen".  

I think we all recognize the importance of these practices.  We(I) need to rank how we are doing with these on a regular basis so was can be on the front edge of living to be the most appropriate examples of restoration.

Honoring Evelyn - a Grace Faithful

This post is in honor to Evelyn, who we lost this week to Heaven.  She was such an example to me.  I wrote this on her birthday in 2009.  

Her Funeral information is HERE


and this is the post from 2009:

I have a confession to make. 15 years ago, I was a teenager who did teenager things. My buddy Benny and I could really give adults some stress. Our actions actually helped originate the phrase, "shock and awe".
As teenagers in the youth group we came to be constant pests to Grace's faithful custodian. She learned to always worry(and rightfully so) when we were around. I am sure she grew to dislike summer when kids were off school because of us.

Some headaches we graced her with:

• racing wheelchairs down the hallway
• shooting water balloons off of the roof of the church
• water fights in the hallway
• food fights in the hallway

I know what you are thinking. What was wrong with me? Good question.

Don't worry, I think I turned out okay. As God would have it, after a long stretch in the business world - He planted me here at Grace as Director of Staff and Ministry Development AND her supervisor. (Not quite sure how she felt about that at first)
I would like to publicly say what an honor it is to learn from her and watch her service and dedication in action.

Some lessons she has graced me with:

• What a servant of God looks like
• What is means to be a dedicated hard worker
• The work you do when no one is watching speaks volumes about your integrity

Happy 74th Birthday Evelyn! You are the heart and soul of Grace. Please thank Evelyn for all she does when you see her in the hallways. Over 30 years of faithful service!“Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others.”

New Vision Initiatives at GRACE - You in?

Hard to believe it has been a year since this transition:

Staffing Structures and Team Updates (part 1 of 5)

And now we are into a year of new Vision Initiatives at Grace.  Derek spoke about these HERE.  Everyone has a chance to be a part of these and help move them to the next level of development.  Which one gets your attention?

Personal Vision - Helping to define your mission, vision and purpose? Check this event out for NOV 1st!

Reaching - Check out the date for these conversations!

• November 8 - Vision Initiative #1 - 3 more multi site locations.  RSVP by 11/7 to join this conversation and be notified of location. 
• November 12 - Vision Initiative #2 - 50 local churches serving the Erie community.  RSVP by 11/11 to join this conversation and be notified of location. 
• November 16 - Vision Initiative #3 - 2 global church to church partnerships.  RSVP by 11/15 to join this conversation and be notified of location.

Family - 936 (# of weeks from birth to 18)

• For more information on how we are partnering with parents for 936 weeks contact Aaron. 
• But check out THIS and THIS 

Discipleship - 212 (#boiling point)

• To be a part of this discussion on how we are bringing the temperature of discipleship to 212 degrees, contact Aaron. 

We are so pumped about where we are being led these next few years and would love any participation you may want to have in helping to get us there. 

For a better understanding of our staff structure over the last year, check out the following

Weekend/Creative Team Update (part 2 of 5)

Operations / Stewardship Team Update (part 3 of 5)

Family Team Update (part 4 of 5)

Next Steps/Elder Team Updates (part 5 of 5)