Story Time - Holy people we know

This week one of the questions in our Life Group Guide was, 'Have you ever known someone you think of as holy, or at least who has a great deal of self control?' While I'm sure that there were many interesting answers to that question shared, I'd like to offer one that I just heard about today.

One of our group leaders stopped by the church offices today, and as we were talking, he brought the aforementioned question to my attention. He asked me to look up an article online about a Christian couple that has been foster parents to 11 children, in addition to their own three. These children had been deemed 'unadoptable' by many others, but this family saw a call God had placed on them and followed it. You can read the article here.

The group leader in my office shared that he knew the father from this family, Daniel Obrien, all the way back in high school, and even before he had a dramatic conversion experience, and that watching his life unfold as he pursued God's will has been a joy and a privilege.

I shared myself at our group on Tuesday night about Jeff Shaffer, a friend and mentor who has inspired me for many years. Jeff currently ministers to 'friends without homes' and other low-income people in Santa Barbara, CA and his e-mail updates often bring me to tears as I read about people struggling to overcome addictions, starvation, exposure and societal apathy. Jeff's chief desire, as I see it, is to be Christ to everyone around him, and like Mother Theresa, to see them as Christ and treat them accordingly. You can read about Jeff's work here.

Who do you know that exemplifies Christ in exceptional ways? How do they inspire you to serve and live a holy life?

Story Time (part 2)

So, apparently when I posted last week about sharing stories about your group experience so far, I didn't realize that there is a problem with our 'comments' area. As a result, I'd like to ask again that you let me know how things are going, but this time do it via e-mail. Just drop me a note at mpatterson@desertspringsfamily.org, and tell me all about it!

Story Time

As we are now two weeks into the session, I hope many of you are enjoying your Life Group experience thus far! Remember that the purpose of these groups is for you to develop significant relationships that will result in spiritual growth in Christ - as this happens, we all have stories to tell about our own growth and development.

One way I am growing right now is in my own realization that I tend to assume that other people look at and think about things exactly the way I do. Our Life Group is diverse and no two people in it are quite the same (surprise!), so the relational dynamics have demonstrated clearly to me that I need to learn how to be sensitive to people's differing personalities, viewpoints and thought processes, while still holding fast to the truths of scripture.

How about you? What kind of growth are you experiencing as a result of connecting with others weekly in this manner? Let us know by clicking 'comments' below and adding your two cents!

What It's All About...

Being part of a Life Group can be challenging, stressful, stretching and tough at times. On the other hand, it can also be remarkably rewarding, fulfilling, life-changing and wonderful! These latter qualities are something I'd like to share with you today...

My own Life Group has been gathering for well over a year now, and we've had some amazing windows of opportunity to experience these times of Christian community. One such time came recently, when a family in our group found themselves quite suddenly without a home.

They called during our group meeting that week to let me know of their need, and several things happened. First, we stopped everything to pray for this family, including their three children. Second, members of our group opened their home to put the family up for a few days while they figured out what's next. Finally, several people went and helped them move to a new home the following weekend.

These actions, not to mention the emotional support needed, were all born of the care and friendship that we've developed as a group. We aren't all 'BFF's' (Best Friends Forever), but we've developed a bond that is stronger than friendship, but could be better described as family.

As you meet together in your Life Groups, you will discover that you may not have everything in common with your fellow group members, or even that you don't like some of them too much! Let me assure you, though, that building relationships with those God has placed there is well worth the effort. You may just find that you end up sharing the kind of support and love Christ gave to his disciples, and THAT is What It's All About...

This is IT!

No, I'm not citing the Michael Jackson film... This is the week we begin our first session of Life Groups! Here's a progress report:


As this eight week session begins, I'll be praying for our leaders and all who have joined Life Groups - it's an exciting time!