Day 37 - We are over 1/2 way there to day 60!

I love to be on the downward side of a challenge.  I can see the end in sight.  I am encourage with a second wind of energy.  I know I can make the finish line.  I won't give up now!

Really though, how is it going?  How is it going in your home?  With your family?  I, as well as the staff, would love to hear your story!   Would you be willing to record your story to encourage others?  How have you seen God working in your and your family's life?  How have you put the 60 Day Challenge into action?  Contact me, Mary Stafford by email mstafford@goblc.org or 262-408-0669 or PM on Facebook to share your story.

In the meantime, Hebrews 10:23-25.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


By Mary Stafford

Let's Hang Out

Have you ever had words leave your mouth only to be followed by the confusing realization that you just uttered the catchphrase of your best friend? It's usually at that moment when I evaluate and rethink my choice in friends. Ok, maybe I don't do that but it does present an interesting commentary about the effect the people we spend time with have on the way we think, the way we act, and even who we are.

Last Sunday, I was blessed with the opportunity to talk with the 5th and 6th grade students at JAM (5th & 6th grade youth group) about this very idea. It didn't take them long to identify the ways their friends influence them. As adults, we might go immediately to peer pressure and the negative behaviors that can stem from that sort of engagement but it was encouraging to hear the good things that happened when these students spent time around friends who were positive influences and how they have been personally transformed because of it.

So who do you hang out with? Your family, your friends, your coworkers, maybe your dog? These are the people who influence you but is God also on that list? Well, how often do you guys hang out? Is he that friend who you randomly run into and inevitably say, "We need to hang out soon! It's been way too long," but somehow never get around to it? What would it take to start seeing God more? Perhaps, with friends, we schedule a regular coffee meeting. What intentional plans can we make with God?

This 60 Day Challenge is a challenge to be with others, yes. It's about worshiping together, studying together, and serving together. This Christian community is important but, even more than that is our time with our Lord. When Jesus is at the center of our worship, study, and service, our relationship with him starts to grow. When we set aside time to be in the Word and in prayer we are allowing that friendship to flourish.

And then, suddenly, words leave your mouth only to be immediately followed by the comforting realization that you just uttered a truth spoken by your Lord and Savior.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,

    to all who call on him in truth.

-Psalm 145:18

Passionate Life

Compassion = Passion + Humility
COMPASSION = Passion + Humility
Compassion = Passion + HUMILITY
Compassion = PASSION + Humility
Compassion = Passion + Humility

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

Day 7 of 60 . . . How is it going?

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
    my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[c];
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:5-8

Just checking in on how your 60 Day Challenge is going.  I was so encouraged this past week to see people sharing their plans and encouraging others to join them.  I loved all the plans many of you shared with me as they reflect the intentional conversations within families.  It is not too late to join the challenge this week!   

We are meant to live in relationship and community with one another.  It isn't anything society dictates.  It is how God designed us from the very beginning. Yet living in community, even a community of believers, can be challenging and difficult.   Don't give up on it though.  As Psalm 62 reminds us our first and foremost relationship is with GOD who is our refuge in times of trouble, anxiety and fear.  Reconnect with your first relationship with God to be recharged to engage in the greater community.

Have a great week!

Reflections by Mary Stafford 

Better (and sometimes harder) together

I hear the account of David and Bathsheba and my hearts sinks.  I'm familiar enough with the events that when I get to the opening line, "In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war..." (New International Version, 2 Samuel 11:1), I know what is coming next.  I want to scream, "David, go to war with your army!  Don't stay home.  This is only going to end badly!"  Of course, David doesn't go with the army.  He stays home, sees Bathsheba bathing, calls her to his room and, well, let's just say it ends in a mess that involves violation of marriage vows, lies, conspiracy with others, murder of a trusted companion, and a baby's death.
David thinks he has covered his tracks, but God knows what the king He chose has done.  Because sin must be addressed, God sends Nathan the prophet to confront David.  Imagine that you were Nathan.  You have to challenge the king, and for doing so you know you could die.  Based on David's reaction to the parable Nathan tells (a man and his beloved sheep), Nathan had good reason to be afraid.  When David acknowledged that he was the guilty party, he could have killed Nathan and eliminated more evidence.  He could have kept his many sins secret.
Thankfully, David received what God said through Nathan.  Nathan helped David see that his sin was destroying him.  Nathan led David to repentance that shaped his reign as king and pointed the people to the loving and forgiving God who had saved them time after time.
When I am on my own, I can often pretend that I'm okay.  I can dismiss or rationalize sin.  I can act like I'm not hurting anyone else.  But in the community of faith, I have friends who can help me see the truth.  I have dear brothers and sisters who point me to Jesus.  I have family that can help me as I follow Jesus.  Sometimes it seems harder, but the truth is, following Jesus is better together with others.
That's why our 60 day challenge is to worship TOGETHER, study TOGETHER, serve TOGETHER.  It is better together.  That is how God designed it.

Inspired by the Martin Luther Art and Reformation Gallery

The 60 Day Challenge began for me at a surprising place-- the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Dee Dee and I were in St. Paul for our niece's wedding on December 30.  We were curious about the Martin Luther Gallery people were talking about.  It was the first time a collection like this was on display outside Germany.  We thought it would be a good way to bring in 2017, the 500th anniversary year of the Lutheran Reformation.

What I didn't expect to see was the overwhelming impact Luther had on the church and culture of his day.  We saw paintings, woodcuts, artifacts, pottery and even Luther's beer mug.  What impressed us most was how Luther treasured the truth of God's word.  Clearly Luther's passion was to get the Bible into the hearts and minds of everyday people.  The bold way he preached and taught God's word still transforms lives today.

The gallery had many paintings by Lucas Cranach.  His paintings and woodcuts documented Luther's teaching.  Law and Grace illustrates Biblical truth from the creation to the resurrection of Christ.

The 60 Day Challenge is a reformation call back to God's word.  My challenge is to keep the Bible refreshed in my heart and mind these 60 days.  In fact 2017 remains a 365 Day Challenge of life transformation.

When everyone is against you

In my personal devotion time yesterday I was listening to 1 Samuel 30.  While David and his men were raiding one area, a group of David's enemies came and raided David's base (the town of Ziklag), destroyed it and captured all of the wives, children and possessions of David and his men.
David's men were so upset that they wanted to kill David.  The English Standard Version says, "And David was distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters.  But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." (1 Samuel 30:6)
There have certainly been times when I felt like everyone was against me.  Often I have wanted (and tried) to change that by trying make people happy, doing what they want; saying what they want to hear.  Other times I have pulled away from people, trying to protect myself from the opinions of others.  Right now, as I focus on future direction for our congregation, it can be very discouraging listening to complaints and seeing people make bad decisions.  At times it makes me want to scrap plans or maybe just escape.
Did you see what David did?  Rather than try to please the people or escape from everything, "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God."  The only approval David needed was God's.  The encouragement David needed came from the Lord.  God provided the direction David needed in His Word.  When everyone else was against David, David found strength in the presence of the God who had never left him.
This 60 day challenge is an opportunity to "strengthen [yourself] in the Lord."  You don't need the approval of others; you have the love and mercy of Almighty God.  He is always faithful and gives us what we need to do what He has given us to do.  So strengthen yourself in the Lord.  Draw near to Him in worship with others.  Dig deeper into His Word in study with others.  Use your time and gifts to serve Him with others.