I have had a few people tell me the past few days that they have been reading my blog. That’s awesome (not the biggest reason I write, but having nobody read would suck too). However, in a couple of these instances I had no idea they were reading.

See…there are spies among us. Sneaky ones too. 

So, how about we play a little “Marco Polo”? I know not everyone like to leave a comment (I don’t understand it myself since I can’t seem to help myself…but I know it’s true). So instead of eliciting comments for their own sake (I tried and failed at that once already)…how about just leaving a “Polo” comment with your name so I can see who all is reading?

No pressure…but it wouldn’t kill you either.

And I’ll start the game with a loud…

 ”Marco!”

Now, your turn. Leave your “Polo” response in the comments…thanks…

I confess up front that this post is largely a free-form of thought…to think through something by writing about it. Hopefully it helps my thought process. And feel free to add to the discussion; I value your feedback, thoughts, and ideas.

For the past few days I have been thinking about the objective for small groups. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely believe in small groups. But what are they all about—really? What’s the purpose of a small group? What’s the goal, the objective? Why do we do small groups?

Most of the groups I’ve been involved in seem topically focused. They are about a specific topic or series the group is working through. This might be a book of the Bible, a marriage series, et al. Relationships are part of the group, but they seem secondary. If “I” don’t  like the study then I sit out a series or two until something comes up that I like…that speaks to me. (Note: I have not actually done that…but I know of others who have and I have certainly done it mentally).

I don’t think that’s what small groups are supposed to be about. They are supposed to be about relationships. Community. Walking through life together…spiritual life and life in general. Which might mean on of two things: 1) The study we do should be secondary (like it or not) or 2) Maybe the study should get tossed out the window and we spend time with each other…getting know one another, learning about each other, sharing God stories, etc. The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle of these two.

In any discussion on this topic I am drawn to the early church. How did they do it? What model(s) do we have in Scripture? The Acts 2 church is our model:

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

They ate together. The learned together. They prayer together. God did great things in their midst. They shared their lives (spiritually and literally). They worshipped together. They grew.

That’s what I call community. And I don’t think they were too worried about what lesson plan they were following. They loved on one another. They walked through life together…and God blessed them for it.

That’s what I want our small group to be. I need to be a better leader and focus on this more and on the other “stuff” less. Maybe we need to put down the lessons and the series and focus on building community. Maybe we just need to be authentic, transparent, and share our God stories (and if we don’t have them figure out why). Just maybe…

My devotions this morning stretched me…it even hurt a little. I even struggled a little bit about writing a post about it, but then I remembered that this is the main point of the blog in the first place: to share my spiritual journey (the good, the bad, and the ugly). And it’s my fault anyway. I’ve been asking God to poke and prod and help me grow…He just gave me what I asked for.

The topic this time around? Faith.

It started with my devotional book reading discussing the topic of faith and our belief in God’s abilities and willingness to work in our lives (I warn you…this stuff is toe stepping material):

“We can believe that God might meet our need without any understanding of whether He wants to. And our suspicion of Him at this point is often the flaw in our belief.

“We know God can do great things on our behalf; we seldom believe that He will.

“We often tacitly acknowledge God’s omnipotence, His ability to intervene in our lives, even in very specific ways. But this is only half of faith. It has nothing to do with our experiences as long as it remains only a theological proposition. The other half of faith is understanding the mercy of God and His great willingness to intervene. This is what brings His glory from the realm of theology into the practicum of our lives. You want mercy and power? Expect mercy and power. And it will be done to you.” 
(At His Feet, page 300)

G-U-I-L-T-Y-!

I have long struggled with my lack of faith. I want to have faith…and I certainly believe that God CAN do some amazing things. What God exposed within my spirit this morning is that I don’t usually think God will, because I don’t trust His heart. I don’t trust God’s motive.

I know that sounds crazy..and it is a little bit. I know where it comes from, but my childhood is only an excuse. God wants to heal this within my spirit. He wants to free me from this lack of faith (or half-faith?). I desperately want to see the miraculous and the supernatural (not just for it’s own sake but to see God revealed and working as a result of my faith).

I do know that I’m not alone here. Even if others today don’t admit to this ailment I know that Jesus saw it plenty of time sin His ministry. He was constantly chastising people, including His disciples, for their lack of faith. And as long as they didn’t walk away from Jesus He was more than willing to help their lack of faith. If they showed an interest in growing and changing then He was there to help.

After my reading and prayer time this morning…after God had done some of His work on me…I felt a lot like the man in Mark 9:14-29 who has brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus for healing (after the disciples couldn’t to it because of their…well, you know):

“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.
He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

It’s that last line that has stuck with me all day (and that God is using it to change my heart and spirit on this topic):

I do believe — in God’s ability and power to do great and wonderful things

…but help me overcome my unbelief! — In God’s heart and motives…His willingness to work in my life.

I think many Christians suffer this particular malady, but God is working on me so that’s my focus right now. I am praying ans asking him to change my heart and restore my faith to fullness. Faith in God’s ability and faith in God’s heart. I’m a work in progress…

Anita finally got to reading last Sunday’s newspaper (yes, that’s how far behind we are) and she cut out this comic for me. I just might give this one a try because it’s how I feel when I drive with the kids most days…

Don’t worry if you feel like this sometimes too…a little humor makes things better.

I voted early yesterday. No lines. Long ballot. I’m done (but I still have to listen to all the stupid commercials…oh well, can’t have everything I guess).

As I have been thinking about voting this week I started thinking about what my own presidential platform might include. Here are a few of my most important “issues” (some serious, some not so much…you figure out which is which):

1. My first act would be to outlaw all pennies!
2. I would repeal the income tax and switch to a consumption tax (see Fair Tax.org).
3. I would outlaw all political ads during election season (like they do anything besides make people angry anyway).
4. I would re-institute prayer in schools (at least the option).
5. I would make the Broncos the official “America’s Team” (who gave Dallas that title anyway?).
6. I would Drill Baby Drill!
7. I would make Chuck Norris my Secretary of Defense (and State, and NSA, CIA, and FBI).
8. I would give every person in America hunting season off (for that matter, let’s do a 3 day work week!).
9. I would outlaw usage of the term “organic” with very few exceptions.
10. I would move Craig Ferguson to time slot I could actually watch.
11. I would give North Dakota to the Palestinians (like we’re really using it anyway…and it’s bigger than the West Bank with more resources).
12. I would cut government spending and programs by at least 1/2 and I’d probably let my kids decide what we should do without (yes, even they could figure this one out!).
13. I would bomb France and give it to the Shiites (mostly because France annoys me).

I think that’s a good start. Anything I missed??

PS: Don’t forget to vote…especially if you want to complain about it later! You can even write my name in if you want.

I got this in an email this week; I don’t care who you are…this is funny!

I haven’t talked much football yet this season, so here are a few musings and thoughts that have been rolling around my brain…feel free to comment on any and all that you like…

1. Will the real Peyton Manning/LaDanian Tomlinson/Terrell Owens please stand up!
   
   Seriously, would you have bet anything that these guys would perform so poorly this year?  In the meantime we have guys like Trent Edwards playing lights out? Something just isn’t quite right with universe right now.
2. How exactly do these guys still have jobs: Romeo Crennel, Marvin Lewis, and Herm Edwards?
   
   This is especially questionable given that the 49ers just fired Mike Nolan. These coaches have had plenty of opportunity with plenty of talent to make stuff happen and they are not getting done.
3. The Denver Defense should be forced to wear pink jerseys until they man-up and start playing “big boy” football. 

   It’s getting downright embarrassing! How many years do we have to put up with this garbage? They have talent (as much as most other NFL teams) so is it coaching or is it simply desire?

4. Jay Cutler needs to shut his mouth about John Elway and Philip Rivers and FOCUS on football. 

   Hopefully he got a little slice of humble pie last night once again and he decides to screw his head back on and do what we’ve seen him do…tear defenses apart. It seems like once he started getting some attention it went straight to his head and then his head exploded.

There ya go…I feel much better now!

Two weekends ago several guys travelled up to the middle of Wyoming for our now annual Antelope hunt. There were four of us on that trip. Two of us had buck and doe tags (Virgil and I), two had doe tags (Justin and Nick). Within our first hour of getting to our area Virgil had his buck and he filled his doe tag the next day.

This was Nick’s first hunt and he filled his doe tag on the second day of the hunt (after having a shot at 150 yards he didn’t take because he couldn’t settle down ). I wasn’t actually there (Virgil was his “guide”) but I hear it was a nice shot and it was a good-sized doe.

Justin wasn’t able to fill either of his doe tags (VERY unusual for this hunting area…just wasn’t his year I guess). I filled my doe tag on the second day. I had a shot on a buck the first day as well as the second day, but missed on both shots!! I could not believe it (and the first one was a very nice buck). We had to leave a little early because of some weather that was moving into the area (they actually got quite a bit of snow so it was a good decision).

However, that left me without a buck (since I couldn’t hit one to save my life). So, I went back this past Saturday to give it one more try. Another buddy of mine (Brett) was up there as well. I hunted alone in the morning with no luck and met up with Brett t about noon. I had one more stalk left so I headed out while Brett packed up his camp (he had shot his buck the morning prior).

Long story short…after a 2 hour stalk on a group of 75 antelope I finally got my first buck ever. The pack-out was brutal but in the end it’s always worth it. I didn’t have a camera with me in the field (couldn’t find it before I left) so here are some shots from home (not the greatest, but you get the idea):

He’s about a 12 inch buck (not great, but not bad either). I dropped him off at the taxidermist yesterday to get mounted (you gotta mount the first right?). The bad news? I get him back in about a YEAR! But the wait should be worth it. We (Justin, Nick and I) head out to Craig in two weeks for our deer hunt so hopefully there is a monster buck in my near future.  And if not, I’m sure there will be plenty of tales to tell.

I know this video isn’t going to win me any “nice points” but I dare you not too laugh. Hey, at least it isn’t your kid! This HAD to hurt!

Bike Pole

Happy Friday!!

PS: I did not get a buck last weekend (missed on two of them…doh!) so I am heading back up for one more try on Saturday. Wish me luck! (I did get a doe so it wasn’t a total disaster).