I Caught a Glimpse of Heaven

Submitted by Jackie Thatcher:

I caught a glimpse of heaven. The focus of our group in Andrews for quite some time has been to “bind up the injured” and bring healing to many Christian hearts that have been hurt for one reason or another; some offended, some rejected, some just ignored. While making many attempts at this, most were met without success until the beginning of “Better Together”. God in His timing has begun to repair relationships that have been fractured for more than 20 years. He has brought in people whose spirits have been crushed and gave them a safe place to belong.

From the very first night, it has been like a family reunion, outrageous laughter and joy, and also our share of tears. We have bonded and found our community in Jesus again. Each week, we have had someone show up that has not been there the week before and instantly they belong.

The simplest things, like going to a couple’s house where the man has Alzheimer’s and singing hymns or visiting with an elderly sister who is mostly homebound have not only blessed them, but amazingly so, blessed and bonded our group even more.

I don’t know what God has planned for us here but we are off to a great start. We covet your prayers for wisdom and guidance, and that this will continue way past the “40 days”.

LifeGroup Story

The story was submitted by Alecia Nault:

This Sunday a girl walked into our class. As we began to talk to her we learned that she had a very interesting story and was reaching out to us for love. She accompanied several of us to lunch and the first thing she told us was that she was left alone with 3 strange guys last night and it really freaked her out so she left and hasn't answered her phone since. Odd disclosure, since we didn't even know her last name. As the conversation went on, we learned that she moved here 3 years ago from Dallas with her boyfriend (they've been living together for 4 years now) and she finally kicked him out this past week...apparently he goes into fits of rage and throws things.... So now she is alone, and you can just tell by looking at her that she is empty, and she knows it. She said she's been to GCR several times, and when she comes she always sits right in front of Ronnie, around the 4th row. She is bold and very interesting to talk to. When we were all talking about placing membership, she asked if there was a fee. So apparently she isn't afraid to sit near the front, even though she has little concept of our traditions (which is very rare, since most newcomers hang out near the back). She was very interested in returning to class next week and attending our small group (she must have had to work though because she didn't show). God really placed her into our grasp for a reason and my class is excited about encouraging her. We need the knowledge to minister to her. We think she needs friends, so tonight another girl and I are going to buy her a card and maybe flowers, and take them to her at work, just to show her that we aren't going to forget about her. We are so excited to recognize so clearly that God wants us to take action on this. He is really working on us and the fact that we can hear him makes me smile boldly. We can make a difference!

Well, tonight our delivery was a success. We went to her work and took her a card and some oriental lilies with a gorgeous vase and took them in there. She was working and could hardly hold back the tears when she realized that the stuff was for her. Praise God for working through us and teaching us to be bold. I am so proud to be one of his instruments--it keeps a perpetual smile on my face.

40 Days of Community Host TIPS for Week Four

“Tips for Hosts” – Week 4

1. KEEP PRAYING…
…for each member of your group by name before you meet and ask God to use tonight’s lesson on PATIENCE, SPEAKING TRUTH IN LOVE, and FORGIVENESS to touch that person in a special way.
…for the courage to share honestly from your own life
…for a spiritual “breakthrough” for those people who do not believe in Christ.
…for the small groups engaging in ministry and the interactions they will be having with their neighbors in need.

2. WEEK FOUR – SPECIFIC TIPS:
· Listen to Tod's “Help for Hosts” for Week Four. You will be encouraged personally as the host as well as receive some specific insights on how to lead this session more effectively.
· This week’s session focuses on the purpose of discipleship - Growing Together. In the “Connect” section make sure that you include question two which asks about what group members might be learning or experiencing through reading the “Better Together” devotional.
· The “Worship Together” section this week encourages each member to identify and connect with someone based on Ronnie's lesson. Be sure not to skip over this section or rush through it. This section is the APPLICATION that will lead to TRANSFORMATION of the lives of the members of the group if they follow through.

3. MISSIONS PROJECT UPDATE
· [Give update on your project, explain current needs]

4. OTHER HELPS
· Include people who missed this week’s meeting in your prayer time and ask if someone would be willing to call them to tell them they were missed, fill them in, and let them know that they will look forward to seeing them next week.
· If your group has NOT participated in the missions project BUT WANTS TO GET INVOLVED, ask for a volunteer to sign up your group.
· The end of 40 Days of Community is only four weeks away. Is your group continuing? We hope it is. If you are planning on continuing, there will some options available for you to study. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
Blessings,

Let's Go Fishing!, by Ron Rose

This story and lesson is just what we have been learning about.



Hear the Story

My dad was not a perfect father, by any means. He didn't get to spend much time with me as a child—he was either working, sleeping or drinking most of the time. I don't think he knew exactly what a father was supposed to do. But, I will never forget our deep-sea fishing trip. The older I get the more I treasure that day. It continues to shape me and my faith.

I had never been fishing from a boat before, and this boat wasn't just any old boat. It was a party fishing boat docked at Half Moon Bay, near Monterey, California. The morning air was crisp and boat was an adventure waiting to happen. My 9 year-old eyes were capturing every moment.

After riding giant four-foot waves up and down for what seemed like hours, we dropped anchor and began baiting hooks. I was the only boy on a boat filled with serious fishermen.

As I stared at the pail of fresh baby squid, I flashed back to scenes of the giant squid in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

The captain laughed, "They won't hurt you, but their mommy might." "He's just kidding," my dad assured me. Embarrassed and a little peeved, I picked up one of those ugly slimy creatures and with my dad's help threaded it on my hook. I knew exactly what to do next. I had practiced the day before on the pier.

Just as I was about to show my dad the greatest cast in the world, he grabbed the rod. "Whoa," he said, "out here there's no need to cast. We're already in the deep water. Just let the line out and hold on tight." How deep, I wondered?

With sad disappointment, I let the line drop over the edge of the boat. Truth was, I had never been fishing when you actually caught fish, but I really loved to cast.

In less than a minute it felt like a whale had latched onto my hook. I struggled just to hold on. "I think you've got a big one," Dad said." Just keep the line tight, and you'll wear him out."

At the time, my mind was filled with images of a fish too big for the boat. I was having the time of my life. My dad stopped fishing and just watched me.

The fish was only eight pounds, but before the day was over I caught fifteen more about that same size, and I became an expert in undoing backlashes. It was the best day ever.

Dad and I talked about going deep-sea fishing again, but we never did. That one trip has lasted a lifetime. That day has overshadowed all the times when he wasn't there. That day introduced my to a side of my father I had not known or cared to know. I knew he wasn't perfect, but I discovered he really loved me and I loved him.

He didn't know it, but on that day we began a faith exchange that has continued years after his death. How could that be? Find the Story.

Faith is shaped through the years by love, genuine, no strings attached, love. Spending time with people of faith who really love us, who seem to always have our best interest at heart, energizes and shapes our faith muscles. You see we don't have to talk about faith, or be "religious" to tone and develop faith.

Who are the people who have influenced your life? Each one has left a piece of faith with you, whether they knew it or not. And, a few of them continue to mentor and coach you.

How does that happen? It's a mystery. Just let the line out and hold on tight.

Be the Story

OK, get off the couch, out of the house, and spend some "fishing time." Play catch, take a walk, go to the zoo, have some fun. You don't have to say a word about God or faith or church to mentor someone's faith. Just be there.

Sounds simple? Well, it's not rocket science, it's life. Live it! Be what God intended.

Trust him to fill in the blanks, to open the doors, to connect the dots, and to give you the right words when words are needed. Oh, and "don't forget to let the line out (in other words, give God the opportunity to do something unexpected)."

From Ron's Faith Fitnessemail. See FaithFitness.net
--------- (c) 2005 FaithFitness and Ron Rose <ron@faithfitness.net>.

Lean On Me

Submitted by Karen Keller:

There is no doubt at some point in our lives we will need to lean on someone.

Lean on Me

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

--Bill Withers

40 Days of Community Host TIPS for Week Three

"TIPS for Hosts" - Week 3
1. PRAY…
That your group will be more than a meeting but a time of true fellowship and growth.
For each member of your group by name that they would be changed through their participation in the 40 Days of Community.

2. WEEK THREE - SPECIFIC TIPS:
This week's session focuses on the purpose of Fellowship – Belonging Together. You will have the opportunity to discuss how to deepen the relationships within your group and with others outside the group.
Remember that deepening your relationships with one another does not mean that everyone has to go around the group and share their deepest secrets. In your daily readings you saw that it involves admitting your need for others, commitment, respect, support, handling conflict, patience, and honesty. You might want to spend some time talking about the daily readings together. What point stood out most to each person in your group?
In the Grow section, there is a suggestion to break into separate groups of men and women for the discussion time. Depending on the size and make up of your group, this might not be practical. Remember, it is only a suggestion and just another way to build relationships within your group.
The Worship section has a suggestion to have everyone in the group find a spiritual partner who will pray for and check in with each other. It is definitely best to pair men with men and women with women. Let your group know that a spiritual partner is not someone who is there as a task master to make sure you “do your homework.” Rather the person is there to encourage, pray, and check in to make sure you are doing okay. It should be more about relationship than about task.

3. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WE CAN FELLOWSHIP TOGETHER?
Fellowship is best developed by creating the time and space for it to happen. You may want to make sure that you are allowing a good 15 to 30 minutes of time where people can talk together. This could be either before or after the group, but creating the space for relationships to develop will help your group to fellowship together.
Food is a great way to create the space for relationships to form. If you haven’t already done so, take some time to plan who will bring the food to each of your small group meetings. It doesn’t have to be fancy but food is a great way to help people relax and relate to one another.
Plan a barbecue or social together. You may want to talk about getting together outside the group to spend time with one another. One idea would be to go out to dinner or lunch before or after your group participates in the missions project. Or, you may want to have a barbecue for your group and neighbors to invite them to your group. Fellowship is developed by logging time together. Look for ways to do this as a group.

4. OTHER HELPS:
There may be members of your group who have not attended a membership class, which is designed to help people understand what our church is all about and what is required to become a member. If anyone in your group has not attended a membership class, you may want to attend together as a group.
If you happen to have a group that does not have anyone attending or you are in a neighborhood with many groups around you, you may want to consider joining another group and sharing the experience together. If you picked up too many books and key tags, please return these on the weekends so we can distribute them to others.
Missions Project: [explain current needs or announcements].

Thanks for all you are doing to Host this small group. You are a blessing to those in your group and to the church. We will continue to pray for you and for your group as a staff!
Blessings,
your servant

Mississippi Report

Report received from Alan Williams:

The trip to MS was unbelievable. I do believe we all lived what we're preaching as concerns being BETTER TOGETHER. We had a terrific team that went and it was a real pleasure to get to know them better along with the Penningtons. The need in southern Mississippi is beyond description, and is beyond anything I have ever seen.

Alan Williams

40 Days of Community Host TIPS for Week Two

“TIPS for Hosts” - Week 2

1. PRAY…
that each of your group members are able to come to Week 2.
for that those who do not know Christ would come to know Him through this campaign.
for the successful [missions project].

2. WEEK TWO – SPECIFIC TIPS:
This week’s session focuses on the purpose of evangelism – Reaching Out Together. You will have the opportunity to discuss how you can reach out to the community around you as a small group.
We know there are many large groups out there. If that is your group, we encourage you to subgroup into groups of 3-4 for your discussion time and prayer. This allows for more participation. If your group is 3-4 people in size, that’s perfect.
In the Connect section there are four suggested discussion points. Don’t get bogged down here. You’re just checking in on how you applied what you learned last week, and how you are doing with the devotional reading. Just give this section ten minutes of your group time.
The Sharing section this week focuses on reaching out to the community. For this to happen, we need YOU! We encourage you to take inventory of where your group would like to help; and get organized by asking one or more members of your group to coordinate your participation over the next five weeks.

3. HOW YOU CAN HELP WITH THE PROJECT?
[List needs].

4. OTHER HELPS:
Remember that the small group study guide can be found in the back of your 40 Days of Community book (beginning on page 173). The first half contains the daily devotionals; the second half contains the group studies. Don’t miss the many small group resources available following the study guide (beginning on page 226).
You might want to ask someone in your group who has a heart for prayer to be your prayer coordinator, recording prayer requests for your group each week.
Remember to call anyone who is missing from this week’s group. Don’t hound them; just let them know they are missed when they do not attend.

Blessings,

Touched Souls

Karen Keller has this story to share:

I showered and shaved............... I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, "Why
must our soles touch?"
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't
bother him much.
A prayer began: "Our Father"............. I thought, "This
man with the shoes.. has no pride.
They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!"
"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said............... a quiet "Amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were
on his shoes again
Aren't we supposed to look our best.. When walking through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended............ And the songs of praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear.. The shoe man's voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering......... And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled out............ What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft "clink" . as when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored me.......... To tears, and that's no lie
It was the same for the shoe man..... For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the service........ As is the custom here
We must greet new visitors.. And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved somehow............. And wanted to meet the shoe man
So after the closing prayer.......... I reached over and shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess
But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest.
He said, "My names' Charlie.......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend."
There were tears in his eyes......... But he had a large, wide grin
"Let me explain," he said........... Wiping tears from his eyes.
"I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"
"I know that my appearance........."Is not like all the rest
"But I really do try................."To always look my best."
"I always clean and polish my shoes.."Before my very long walk.
"But by the time I get here........."They're dirty and dusty, like chalk."
My heart filled with pain............ and I swallowed to hide my tears
As he continued to apologize......... For daring to sit so near.
He said, "When I get here..........."I know I must look a sight.
"But I thought if I could touch you.."Then maybe our souls might unite."
I was silent for a moment............ Knowing whatever was said
Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.
"Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part;
"That the best of any man............"Is what is found in his heart."
The rest, I thought,................. This shoe man will never know.
Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul

Another Connection Story

This Fall I was fortunate enough to go to the Women of Faith Conference in Dallas. That was awesome in itself. But while traveling on the bus, my friends and I made friends with a sweet sister, one who goes to GCR, but whom we have not met before. After we got back from the conference and met for our Circle of Prayer, we found out that no one had gotten her name or number. After exhausting ways to get her telephone number, so that we could keep up the contact and the building of our friendship, we began to pray that God would open doors so that we could meet again or some way make contact. And He did just that. Of all things, Sunday, in that big auditorium, she sat four rows behind where we were setting and spotted us. What a wonderful reunion it was. And this time we all got numbers! God is Awesome!!!!

Jackie Thatcher

Well, where is your connection story or your LifeGroup Story? I know they are out there, you just need to share them.
your servant,

Connection

Hey, I have a story of "Connection"......
Yesterday in our Ladies' Class, we had two new faces. We went around and introduced ourselves quickly and went through the lesson. As we were getting ready to close and go to worship, One of the new visitors looked at one of the class members and she said, "I just realized why you look so familiar! You were my nurse when I had my son a year ago about this time." She went on to say that she had wanted to know the name of the nurse so she could put it in her son's baby book, because the lady was so nice. She had intended to call the hospital and see if they could figure out which nurse and give her the name, but she never got it done. She was so excited to make the connection that she was almost crying. You could tell that it really made the nurse feel good. We had just been talking about being God's skin and leaving His fingerprints on other's lives by LIVING LOVE, so it was a sweet moment!
Submitted by Sue Luft

So, do you have a "connection" story yet? We would love to hear about it if you do.

40 Days of Community Host TIPS for Week One

We’re finally here! 40 Days of Community kicks off this weekend. Thanks for answering God’s call to open your home to host a group. Please check out the Host Tips below that will help you as you get started. Also, pick up your curriculum at the CommUNITY Table between services this weekend. Remember, three or four in your group is success.

“Host TIPS” for Week 1

1. PRAYER: As you prepare for every 40 Days of Community group meeting, the most important thing you can do is PRAY.
· Pray: that God will bring those to your group that He wants to attend.
· Pray: for each person by name that God will uniquely speak to them through the lesson and the group interaction.
· Pray: for any who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior that the Holy Spirit will use the lesson and the 40 Days of Community series to draw them to Jesus Christ.
2. WEEK ONE - SPECIFIC TIPS:
· Listen to Tod's “Helps for Hosts” at the beginning of the teaching video. This is just for Hosts and will help you get started and direct you to where Group Guidelines and Calendar can be found.
· Plan for your Week One meeting to be a little longer than the rest of the sessions because you will want to show Tod' “Introduction” to your group in addition to showing Session One. The “Introduction” explains and outlines 40 Days of Community for your group. Please be sure to show it the first night. It is12 minutes in length.
· Be sensitive to the unchurched and non-believers who may join your group. 40 Days of Community will be a wonderful opportunity for them to see and understand what is important to God, and to be challenged with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ during your forty days together.
o Don’t rush them to participate.
o Don’t expect them to talk or act like Christians until they are.
o Be sensitive to people who are shy or who may not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
o Don’t force anyone to pray out loud. Always give permission to not pray.
o Model simple prayers.
o Be yourself!!
· God only asks us to prepare, pray and open our door. If we do that, He will do a work through us.

3. HOSPITALITY: Make sure to welcome each person as they arrive. Introduce yourself and introduce them to any others who have arrived.
· Serve a snack and beverage
· Open the meeting with people sharing a short introduction of themselves to the group.
o How long you have been involved at your church? Or, how long in the area?
· Start with Tod's “Introduction” on DVD or Video Cassette
· Distribute the Study Guides and view Session One on DVD or Video Cassette.
· Now you’re started!!
· As you finish, go through the devotional guide/study guide pointing out the daily devotional guide, the journal, the memory verse, and any other items that might help them get the most out of 40 Days of Community.
Congratulations! You are blessed and God will use you to be a blessing to your group! Our entire staff is praying for you and for those who will attend your group.

Tender Blessings,
your servant