Life force

Dante Sipp is a gymnastics coach south of Atlanta.  Dante is on the organ donation list for a new kidney.   A healthy kidney will practically ensure another 30 years of productive life.   A stranger named Lauren heard his story and was moved to remarkable action.  She was tested to see if she might be a possible donor for Dante.  It was determined that she was a perfect match, and the organ donation is scheduled for March 15th.  It just so happens that Lauren is the daughter-in-law of one of the members of our ConnectGroup from church.  Please pray for the donation to proceed perfectly and praise God for Lauren and her unselfish willingness to give the gift of life.  Meet Dante and Lauren here.

Making new wine

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the struggle of a vine to grow and bear fruit.   I love the parallel to our life in Jesus.  I heard this familiar song again this morning which feels like chapter 2 of the story, with the fruit being made into wine.  Jesus is crushing and pressing the world out of us to make room for Him.   The wine that is created is unique to the fruit and the methods and circumstances used to produce it.   Take a few minutes to meditate on this with Hillsong.

Be A Pleaser

Last night, we had the first meeting of our ConnectGroup to begin our discussion of Colossians.  We have 16 members in our group and 13 were able to attend last night.  We talked about the first 14 verses of Chapter 1 and focused how we can do to please God.  As Paul is praying for the church in Colossae, he is praying for us as well.  "We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you."  As only Paul can do, he has packed a year's worth of study into 4 verses (9-12).  This week, we will be focusing on doing good works, knowing God more, enduring with patience and being thankful.  That should cover it.  I wonder what next week will bring.

Listening For The Knock

I have been to a couple of art museums in the US and got to go to several when in Italy, but I am no art aficionado.  I enjoy looking at art, but don't understand what makes some classics and others just a side-note.   I saw this article about a painting by English artist William Holman Hunt of Jesus that captures the verse, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,  I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.”  It shows Jesus holding a lantern and standing at a door with no handle, indicating that it is only the person on the other side that can open the door.    This painting went on tour from 1905 to 1907 across several continents.  In Australia, it is estimated that 80% of the residents viewed the painting, and it is thought to be the world's most well-traveled painting.  I can only imagine the number of people that have been moved closer to Jesus through this great work.

Cheering for a Patriot

There is quite a bit of excitement around the upcoming Super Bowl.  I know I plan to be watching.   Patriot's wide receiver, Matthew Slater, is not only a leader on the field, but off the field as well.  He is outspoken about his dependence on Jesus for everything important in his life, and was bold enough to be featured in this video supporting his position.  While it is hard for me to cheer for the Patriots due to their ridiculous dominance of the game, there is one Patriot that I can't help but cheer for.   Thanks for being a stand-up guy, Matthew.

Against the tide

The ConnectGroups at our church are starting up in a  couple of weeks.  I am leading a series called "Against the tide",  and it is based on Paul's letter to the Colossians.   Paul had never been to Colossae, but he had received reports that people in the church were creating and worshiping false Gods.   The purpose of his letter was to hammer home the supremacy of God and the deity of Jesus.  In doing so, he describes the nature of God and the required response from those of us that believe in Him.  Often times, it may feel like we are swimming against the tide, and if the tide is taking us out to sea, that can be a very good thing.   I can't wait to interact with our group to see and hear their perspectives.  I am quite sure I will learn more than I will teach.

Music For Life

We raised our kids in South Gwinnett outside Atlanta.   We were active in our church and were introduced to Ben Smith and Pat Barrett who started a Christian Band called Unhindered.  They gained some local notoriety by playing at Youth Retreats and other events.   That grew into some national touring.  Unhindered is not together anymore, but I have had the joy of watching Ben and Pat continue to make and perform music that honors God.  This week, I was delighted to hear Pat Barrett on SiriusXM with his performance of "Build My Life".  Check out the video here if you haven't seen it yet.