Today someone asked me, “Matt, how are you doing?”. It is a routine question, I know. But, I froze. The person stared at me as I stumbled over what to say. We both laughed as I explained that I was feeling a little bit of emotional whiplash. He asked why? And I just shared all that had happened just in the past 24 hours: I was exhilarated from a meeting with leaders in our church, grieving with a family as I conducted a funeral, received some bad news regarding a friend, and feeling anguished over the violence and disruption in Afghanistan. The person got more than they bargained for by asking that question. But, I received a gift in that moment. There was something helpful about just naming out loud to someone else what I was thinking and feeling.
I need that sometimes. I need other people who ask me how I am doing and actually want to know the answer. It is easy for me to get caught up in my own thoughts or emotions. On top of that, many of us don’t share too much with other people. We rush through life, doing what needs to get done, without ever stopping to reflect on it. Over time, this can lead to a sense of isolation or blind spots that we no longer recognize. Faith can help, but even our faith can be narrow-sighted if we don’t have a chance to talk about it and learn from others. But to do all this, you need some people. You need a place where you have a chance to learn, listen, support others, and even share what is happening in your own life. Having people like this around you in life is a huge gift. And if you don’t have that, I want you to try it!
Right now, CoreGroups are forming at the church. CoreGroups are small groups of people that gather weekly to talk, pray, read scripture, check-in, and discuss what is going on in their life. Some of you have been in groups like this before. For some of you, this sounds strange, and you wouldn’t be alone. But, I want you to try it anyway. I have noticed something in 15 years of ministry. When people find the right CoreGroup, one that they click with, it makes all the difference in their life and in their faith.
CoreGroup sign-ups are currently open. There are groups that meet on any given day of the week, some in the mornings, a lot at night. Some groups are based on commonalities like where you live, what you are going through, or the phase of life you are in. If you have never done a group before and aren’t sure where to start, let us know. Reach out to your site pastor or our CoreGroup Director Denee Bowers, and we can help. It is ok to try several until you find one that is right for you.
I know there are a million reasons why now may not be a good time to join a group. There are also a lot of excuses about why CoreGroups may not work for you (believe me, I have heard most of them). But, trust me on this one. The right group can change your life. So, I hope that you will try it. You can look at the CoreGroups and sign-up for one on The Gathering website or app. I hope you will!
Matt
I need that sometimes. I need other people who ask me how I am doing and actually want to know the answer. It is easy for me to get caught up in my own thoughts or emotions. On top of that, many of us don’t share too much with other people. We rush through life, doing what needs to get done, without ever stopping to reflect on it. Over time, this can lead to a sense of isolation or blind spots that we no longer recognize. Faith can help, but even our faith can be narrow-sighted if we don’t have a chance to talk about it and learn from others. But to do all this, you need some people. You need a place where you have a chance to learn, listen, support others, and even share what is happening in your own life. Having people like this around you in life is a huge gift. And if you don’t have that, I want you to try it!
Right now, CoreGroups are forming at the church. CoreGroups are small groups of people that gather weekly to talk, pray, read scripture, check-in, and discuss what is going on in their life. Some of you have been in groups like this before. For some of you, this sounds strange, and you wouldn’t be alone. But, I want you to try it anyway. I have noticed something in 15 years of ministry. When people find the right CoreGroup, one that they click with, it makes all the difference in their life and in their faith.
CoreGroup sign-ups are currently open. There are groups that meet on any given day of the week, some in the mornings, a lot at night. Some groups are based on commonalities like where you live, what you are going through, or the phase of life you are in. If you have never done a group before and aren’t sure where to start, let us know. Reach out to your site pastor or our CoreGroup Director Denee Bowers, and we can help. It is ok to try several until you find one that is right for you.
I know there are a million reasons why now may not be a good time to join a group. There are also a lot of excuses about why CoreGroups may not work for you (believe me, I have heard most of them). But, trust me on this one. The right group can change your life. So, I hope that you will try it. You can look at the CoreGroups and sign-up for one on The Gathering website or app. I hope you will!
Matt
P.S. This weekend, I will finish my series Fire and Brimstone: The Book of Revelation. I will be talking about John’s vision of heaven, or as it is called in Revelation 21, the new heaven and new earth. It is going to be a hopeful message that I think you will want to hear. Don’t forget that you can always listen to each sermon in this series or share them with a friend by going here or on our app. I will see you Sunday.
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M-Note 3.1.22Lenten Devotional // Day 1Lenten Devotional // Day 2Luke: The Gospel For Rebels Week 5Lenten Devotional // Day 3Lenten Devotional // Day 4Lenten Devotional // First SundayLenten Devotional // Day 5Lenten Devotional // Day 6Lenten Devotional // Day 7Lenten Devotional // Day 8Lenten Devotional // Day 9Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 1Lenten Devotional // Day 10Some Assembly RequiredLenten Devotional // Second SundayLenten Devotional // Day 11Lenten Devotional // Day 12Lenten Devotional // Day 13Lenten Devotional // Day 14Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 2Lenten Devotional // Day 15Lenten Devotional // Day 16M-Note 3.20.22Lenten Devotional // Third SundayLenten Devotional // Day 17Lenten Devotional // Day 185 Benefits to Embracing Your Uncertainty of GodLenten Devotional // Day 19Lenten Devotional // Day 20M-Note 3.24.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 21Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 3Lenten Devotional // Day 22Lenten Devotional // Fourth SundayLenten Devotional // Day 23Lenten Devotional // Day 24Lenten Devotional // Day 25Lenten Devotional // Day 26
April
Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 4M-Note 4.1.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 273 Implications of God's Humanity on YoursLenten Devotional // Day 28Lenten Devotional // Fifth SundayLenten Devotional // Day 29Lenten Devotional // Day 30Lenten Devotional // Day 31Lenten Devotional // Day 32Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 53 Misunderstandings of Easter that Impact YouLenten Devotional // Day 33Lenten Devotional // Day 34Lenten Devotional // Palm SundayLenten Devotional // Day 35Lenten Devotional // Day 36Lenten Devotional // Day 37M-Note 4.14.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 38 Maundy ThusdayLenten Devotional // Day 39 Good FridayLenten Devotional // Day 40 Holy SaturdayLenten Devotional // EasterMysterious You: How your union with God makes you divineM-Note 4.20.2022No Filter: See The Real You – Week 14 Ways Embracing Your Sin Serves the WorldM-Note 4.28.2022No Filter: See The Real You – Week 2
May
3 Reasons You Should Embrace Your WeirdnessM-Note 5.5.22No Filter: See The Real You – Week 3Identify Your Purpose and Empower Your FutureM-Note 5.12.22No Filter: See The Real You – Week 4Confidently Approach Life as a Second ChanceLearning to Enjoy LIFE by Eliminating DistractionsUncomplicating the “God” Question to Simplify Spirituality
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