Slowing and Slow Rain

Rain is moving in, and apparently, the cold rolls in tonight and tomorrow. I'm sitting in the Franklin Mercantile finishing up prep for staff meeting, and on first glance, it looks a little dreary outside. The rain had started as I left Spring Hill, and my first thought, was, "oh great, a rainy drive." But the funniest thing occurred to me on the drive. When it rains, everything seems to slow down. Yeah, there are crazies who think wet roads translates into faster driving. But most of us tend to slow down and be a little more cautious.

In a season that tends to spin out of control, every opportunity to slow down should be seen as a good thing. My calendar, and really our family calendar, can get jammed. But I think we've made the intentional choice to control what we schedule. Relationships and quality time matter. What is going on in peoples lives around me matter. I'm determined to make time for what is important this Christmas season.

I'm glad its raining. I'm glad for the reminder to slow down. I hope you can slow down a little today and the rest of the Christmas season.

Merry Christmas Eve!

It's a different Christmas for us. We usually travel to Knoxville for a few days before Christmas and stay through till Pam's birthday. That gives us about a week to chill, unwind, see family, etc... etc. Because of a couple of reasons, we are actually traveling twice this year. I wont bore you with the details, so keep reading.

What this has meant for us, and for our families, is change. No one, and I mean, no one, likes change. It always makes us a little uncomfortable. But for me, this change has been good. It's given us more time to think, and be thankful. It's given us a fresh perspective.

Last night, when Pam, Ben and I sat down for our traditional "night before we leave for Knoxville Shrimp dinner" (we've done that for 15 years!), everything seemed a little new. And hey, isn't that the point? Christmas, celebrating the birth of Christ, should make everything feel new. He brings new life, new choices, new opportunities... new birth.

So, whether you find yourself knee deep in Christmas tradition, surrounded by family, laughs, and noise, or maybe in a more quiet, reflective situation... remember, it's Christmas... celebrate the new, and don't be afraid to do it in a new way.

Merry Christmas from Eddie, Pam and Ben!

Taste of community

With the Christmas season in full bloom, it stands to reason that our Life Groups would be enjoying a bounty of sweet and savory.  Who am I to argue with that?  Pam and I were able to visit with two of the groups this past Sunday evening, and we had a great time.  What is really exciting, however, is to see people with varied past and interest come together not just for food, but for legitimate communion and fellowship.  

One of the groups that we visited last night put out a major spread, complete with a cupcake bar...  A what?  Yup, a cupcake bar.  The group laughed, ate, ate and laughed.  They truly enjoy being together.  Another group that we shared the evening with chose to go out for dinner.  Conversation was great, and the food superb.   The night held two very different venues, very different "feels," but with one huge commonality:  Christ followers and Christ seekers enjoying the evening and the season, and learning that we truly are created to do life together.  

I hope each of us can enjoy some time with those special people in our lives during this busy season.  

Christmas: from good to ....

Ok, we are almost through with the first week of December.  Everybody ok?  Everyone still breathing?  

It's almost funny (almost) how we simply get sucked in to this almost carnival craziness that our culture calls christmas.... yes, with a little "c" because it's not the way it should be.  

We've been decorating the house, doing some shopping, making plans for the rest of the month, and trying to keep "normal" life going.  Wow, I'm already exhausted.  

My friend, Kyle Goen, Exec. Pastor at FBC Smyrna, introduced a concept to me several years ago that has been so incredibly helpful since rocking my world originally.  This whole notion of good being the enemy of great can be applied to all areas of life.  I realize this is not really the place to discuss the philosophy of G2G, but I did want to comment on its application to Christmas.  

There are so many things that we can be involved in this time of the year.  And, most of them are good... few of them are great.  The challenge, both for me and for all of us, is to decide what is best.  What is best for us personally?  What is best for our family?  What is best the Kingdom purpose that we've all been called to?  We have to intentionally ask ourselves those questions or we will begin to spin out of control just adding "stuff" to our already busy schedule.  I talked with someone yesterday who sounded absolutely exasperated because of all that "they had to do."  Maybe one of the best things we can do is say "no."  It doesn't sound very "Christmasy"  but it might be best.  

So, I'm going to finish my Americano, take a final look at my "6 by 6" list for the next 10 days (we'll talk about that later), and get busy.  I'm going to say no today... maybe more than once.  I don't want just a good day.

Plans on purpose

I love it when a plan comes together.  Our worship arts crew has been working their tales off for weeks to make this movie, "Here He Comes," come together.  Filming here in the office has been crazy.  Have you seen "The Office?"  If you like that style of production, you'll love the film.  

The important thing to understand is it's not about the movie.  We are working hard to find creative ways to engage the community and culture that we find ourselves living in.   If a staff working together and making fools of themselves so that the Christmas message can be delivered, then, so be it!

There will be tons of advertising in the community beginning the week of Thanksgiving, but we need to start talking about it now.  Seize the opportunity.  And here's a pre-Thanksgiving Merry Christmas.

The creative juices continue to flow around here as we start Day 3 of filming this year's Christmas movie.  Our Creative Arts team is doing an amazing job, and Jameson continues to knock it out of the park with his filming and direction.  So far, Scott's head has not spun off of his shoulders, but the day is just beginning so stay tuned.

I love being a part of a church team that thinks outside of the box.  Why churches are not the most creative organizations on the planet is a mystery to me.  Too often, we just keep doing the same things over and over, and yet expecting different results.  Not around here.  Ridgeview, from day one, has been determined to try (and fail) new things to reach people who are far from God.  Our pastor continues to deliver "conversational" messages that provoke thought, challenge the mind, and encourage conversation.  He makes me proud to be his friend and co-servant.

Here's your challenge... go be creative for the kingdom this week.  Get outside of your comfort zone and do something unexpected.... just like Jesus.