Ready for marriage...

I had a discussion with a good friend over breakfast this morning. He and I kind of believe the same thing: Dating is a precursor to marriage. Not everyone agrees with us, but it's important that our kids consider that someone that they may go out with (date) might be the kind of person (or THE person) that they might marry.

Two of my friend's kids are in college and the other has a couple of years left in high school. I suppose that some believe that dating should simply be a testing field to learn how to navigate the perils of relating to the opposite sex, but we believe it's a serious thing. What if this casual stance leads to the issue of an incompatible future?

So...this past week we have our first potential in-law. (One of my sons got his first phone number slipped to him on a piece of paper.) I know this girl is only 10, but my son and I are discussing the meaning of "dowry" this week.

-Blessings,

-J

The "real" Reeds

It's been a BIG debate in the Reed house. Katherine wants to use a traditional picture of the kids...ya know...the one with all four kids smiling...the one that, if you're lucky, you're able to capture in the midst of a hundred re-takes.

One year, I want to send out the REAL snapshot; Addison, don't put rabbit ears behind Owen! Owen, don't overdo the smile. Maddox!...the camera is over here! Ella, yes, you look beautiful, that dress is pretty, don't worry about what Maddox just said. Smile. Now, everyone smile AT THE SAME TIME!

OK, you get the picture. Is the smiley family Christmas Card photo the TRUTH? Probably not, if you REALLY wanted to get a glimpse into the REAL family portrait, you'd probably have one of the kids with a band-aid on his forehead. You'd probably see one of them on the verge of tears, or perhaps one who just finished a good cry. You'd get the deer-in-the headlights face on the dad, or an "I'll take you down!" evil eye from mom.

Now THAT stuff is real...but why don't we send THAT out on our Christmas cards? Because EVERYONE knows what it's really like, but we all appreciate and desire HOPE.

That's what Christmas is...HOPE.

We wish for and HOPE that our family would ALWAYS be like that one moment frozen in time on the family-photo Christmas card. It's not. But that's what we WANT to remember when we think of our family.

That's the bottom line with God. Do you think He really wanted us to remember the turmoil that was (and is) going on the middle east. Do you think he wanted us to think about the anxiety that the two young parents were feeling as the journeyed to Bethlehem and realized they'd have less-than-ideal sleeping arrangements. Can you just imagine the SMELL of the manger. Do you think that THAT stuff is the important stuff? Although it WAS the reality and it makes the Christmas story more beautiful, what does God want us to remember the most?

HOPE.

It's a glimpse of what it CAN be like. It's not actually the WHOLE picture, but it is the ideal that we should embrace. An infant child...soon to become an adult carpenter...embodying the spirit of the Creator...serving man and saving those that might accept Him. That's HOPE.

Merry Christmas from the REAL REED family, with the HOPE that we can always become MORE than we really are.

-Jeffrey

What's Important.

Wow!

Here's my last four weeks.

Good Friday Service. It worked, but not sure if we'll do it next year. 50 attended.

Easter Services. Worked WELL. We had more guests and regular attenders that we've had since Christmas Candlelights Services. (We had over 300 during the Christmas services.)

The Orange Conference. I took a small team of folks to a conference of 6,000+ children/student leaders from across the country. GREAT TIME. I took three days after to reflect and recoup.

Catalyst Dallas. This conference was GREAT. I ran a camera backstage and spent some time with some AMAZING leaders and thinkers.

STILL...Here's what's REALLY important. A young woman came to my office today needing counseling about the end to her engagement. A worried husband called me today because his wife is missing. A leader in our church is renewing his wedding vows next week. Our church is in the midst of something radical. Three young-adults begin a paid internship with me for the summer. (start tomorrow) My youngest son (Maddox - 7 yrs) tells me that he wants to "experience God in a deeper way."

Bottom Line...THAT'S that important stuff. BUSY-NESS should never supercede God's BUSINESS.

Can't wait to see what God brings this summer.

-jeffrey

Aniticipation

 

An exciting weekend of worship is ahead. I've been praying for months for this Sunday to approach.

We have a very important rehearsal for the worship band on Wednesday night. They are trying to make sure that the notes are right and that the worship is so good that there are no distractions from God. Some of our members have cleaned up the building in anticipation for the guests who will walk in our doors. Some of us walked around the block last week and met some of our neighbors...not just to invite them to church...but just to meet them. I prayed for many of the families in those homes.

We're fixing a few things in the building to make sure that a guest wouldn't walk in and see a building that we don't care about...which might lead them to the conclusion that we couldn't possibly care about their life. (If we can't fix a stained ceiling tile, how can we help them mend their hearts?)

Some of the leaders are a little nervous because we want for all who come this weekend to clearly hear AND see the gospel presented clearly and with little distraction. Many of our members are inviting people to church this weekend. In some cases, they are inviting people that haven't walked in a church door in years.

Yes, this Sunday is one of the most exciting Sundays of the year.

Now...

What If I told you...

That I wrote this BLOG back in August?...

or February?...

...and that everything embodied in this blog is something we should do every week? These are things we should feel, think, and do EVERY week.

Yeah, this Sunday is earmarked by the church. But, shouldn't EVERY Sunday be anticipated like EASTER Sunday?! Go back and read this again. Read it next week...and the next. Make it part of the church DNA. (Directed by Needs Always)

Moving towards God,

Jeffrey

Martyred for Christ

Here's the video I shared in my message this weekend. What price are you williing to pay for the sake of the gospel? It's unlikely that you will be asked to sacrifice your own life...but would you REALLY be willing to if it was required. Are you sacrificing enough?

This man was assasinated last week. He paid the price simply for following Christ. He's in a REAL good place right now.

Are you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBTBqUJomRE