Shelly and I got to travel this week to visit our family.  We had some much needed downtime and quality time. It was a gift!!  I love my family.  I consider myself blessed with extra family in my life in different places.  God has been good to us.  Today, we head back to DC as we kick off our Christmas Theme, The Gift.  I always look forward to this time off year.  It provides great opportunity to influence.  Let's celebrate "the Gift" this season together as we bring back the "real reason for the season":)  

I am really enjoying spending some downtime with my family.  When I was younger, I cannot say that I understood the importance of family.  Now however, I love spending quality time with and investing in our family.  This is how i see it, you only get one shot, so make it count.  Your legacy is left through your family.  So yeah, I am thankful for family, and the many family members that God has blessed me with! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! Now, get off the computer and enjoy this time with your family and friends:) 

I popped in the Christmas playlist this morning as I was getting ready for the day.  Love the christmas season.  It reverberates all kinds of things from family, to peace, to giving, to warmth, to loneliness, depression, and anger.  But overall, what a great season to influence people by giving.  Read carefully, I do not mean the giving that puts people into debt for the year and adds to the number of materials things in your home.  I mean the giving that changes things.  Like serving at a homeless shelter for a holiday meal.  Or sending that letter to a relative you have not heard from in a while.  Perhaps, its getting the family together to sponsor a child overseas this year rather than accumulating more gifts at home.  It's the power of giving that changes a life.  Think about how your life was changed.  Somewhere along the line, someone gave something and you are reaping the benefits.  There is nothing more powerful than the ultimate gift, the one that has the power to change all of our lives....God so loved the world that He GAVE His one and only Son...for you and for me!  So be encouraged, wherever life finds you this Christmas, whether happy or sad, know that you have the power change someone's life by giving.  

Its that time now, when all the Alpha locations get together for a weekend of experiences.  Shelly and I have so much enjoyed leading our Alpha group and connecting with new friends.  It has been such a blessing to our lives.  God has shown himself real in so many different ways.  It is awesome to watch Him orchestrate lives.  Can't wait to see what He does this weekend. 

We had such a great time at our Staff Planning Retreat.  Crazy busy with meeting after meeting but very fun and beneficial.  So great to remove yourself from the norm and dream big for the future.  We are believing greater things for 2009.  On the list for 09 is a fifth location, another coffeehouse, and a dream center.  We have definitely agreed that in our own strength all things are impossible. However, in His strength, all things are possible.  I am so honored, excited, and humbled to be a part of a team and under such great leadership that takes the time to invest, plan, tweak, and play.  This was such a great experience and a must for any organization.  Can't wait to see how God orders our steps for 09.  To be continued.......

This Monday and Tuesday is our staff planning retreat.  Our entire staff packs into vehicles and head to the Inner Harbor for a two day fun filled planning event.  We play hard and we work hard. We will be joined this year by a branding consultant who is helping us rebrand NCC.  As we are growing, we are changing and becoming more complex so its good to have someone come in and help us keep it simple so we can be more effective.  Can't wait, should be a great time.

Hebrews 4:14-16
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (bold & italics added)

This passage has been on my radar the past few weeks. What an encouragement to the body of Christ and to the world. Whatever life brings you today...know this truth.....Jesus understands where you are today, for He is no stranger to the same testings we face each and every day. What's more, He overcame and yet did not sin. So, in your time of need, (which is never ending), find yourself at the feet of Christ where we find grace to help us when we need it most! Amen.