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The Do’s and Don’ts of Small Groups (Full Version)
My readers provided some very positive feedback about my previous series “The Do’s and Don’ts of Small Groups” so here are all five blog entries in one, single location. The Do’s and Don’ts of Small Groups: DON’T: Share everybody’s personal information. When I friend you on Facebook, it doesn’t mean I want to buy Pampered Chef…
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Do’s And Don’ts of Small Groups (5 of 5)
The Do’s and Don’ts of Small Groups: DON’T: Assume childcare is no big deal. The absolute dumbest thing you can do is claim small groups (or any other meeting for that matter) are essential and vital to your mission, and follow up with the phrase “childcare will not be provided.” Childcare is a really big…
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He Watches Me
My youngest son is almost 6 months old. He smiles most of the time and is in that stage between rolling and crawling around on the floor. I try to get up close with him a lot each day and see how much I can make him laugh. The trick is to look him in…
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Some Resolutions
You went back to work today and realized you never made any New Year’s Resolutions. You’ve listened to the coworkers who dropped money on gym memberships they won’t use, you heard big talk about diets when you know they’re going to hit Mighty Taco or Chik-fil-A next Tuesday, but still you’re wondering if you should have…
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Two Snowflakes
No two snowflakes are alike. Each is a totally unique creation. This morning my wife walked me to my car, handed me my coffee, and kissed me goodbye like she usually does. As I loaded my briefcase into the car, we noticed there was a very light snowfall with tiny snowflakes appearing on my windows.…
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Things That Didn’t Used To Matter But Now Do, Part 3
Here is my third installment of “Things That Didn’t Matter To Me That Now Do (Part 3).” For a complete picture, you also need to see Part 1 and Part 2, as well as my Top 10 List of Things I Don’t Care About Anymore (Part 1 and Part 2). 4. Mercy: I’m so different than I used to be, I really…
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Parenting: My kids do not exist for my benefit
My kids do not exist to make me happy or fill a void in my life. As a parent, I am not looking to my boy to somehow give my life meaning and to my daughter for fulfillment that only God can provide. My role is to help shape him as a man turn him…
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Parenting: Sometimes we see painful reminders
There are some people I just can’t understand. Walk through a store like Wal-Mart some time and you’ll generally see at least one parent shouting insults at their child in front of everyone else. I just don’t get that. Everyone’s home life is different, from schedules to relationships. I totally get that and I realize…
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Parenting: Since becoming a dad, I’ve learned…
Since becoming a dad, I’ve learned even more that I am not the most important person in my life. I’ve learned more about my role in the lives of other people. I cringe when I hear parents talk about the burden their children are, about how their lives have been changed for the worse and…
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Singing Songs While Bullets Fly
I hope that each time my faith is tested, that I come through for Jesus. I read courageous stories about ancient Christians under persecution for their faith and I wonder if many of us can measure up. In the pages of history, Christians persevere through slow, violent deaths. In today’s U.S., churchgoers leave the church…