Holiday Generosity

I had a conversation with Naomi the other day:

...she was sitting at a local tire store recently getting some work done on her van. Sitting next to her was an old friend that she used to babysit for when his children were young. He now lives in Canada and they both just "happened" to be at the same place. As they reconnected, Naomi and her friend shared stories of their life as it is and the friend learned that her husband had been unemployed for many months and things were difficult at best. Soon the tire store rep came and told Naomi that not only did her van need the work done that she came in for but her tires were badly worn and needed to be replaced...but that they had some good used ones they would sell her instead of installing new ones. Naomi, clearly frustrated, said unfortunately, while she appreciated the gesture, she simply didn't have the money for tires...that's when her friend said, Naomi, I was sitting here before you got here and felt that God was asking me to stay, but my car was finished...so I had them flush my transmission though it didn't really need it yet...now I know why I was to stay. I believe God is asking me to pay for your tires and for the other work that is being done on your vehicle. Yes, I would like to do that, will you allow me to do so?

Gifts are sometimes difficult to accept, especially when you want to "do for yourself" but Naomi accepted, with gratefulness.

A chance meeting? Hardly. Generosity? Obedience? YES!

Note: the tire store also changed the oil for Naomi...no charge. Blessings.

Just Come Home

Here's a video from New Spring Church in SC from their Christmas Eve service...powerful!

Christmas Opener: Just Come Home from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

I Got Your Back

Check out a really great post important to any setting where you work closely with other people. I know it's hard to get past the red monkey butts.

Big Give Sunday!

Generosity by Command. Wow, waytocomethru MCCher's! Our Christmas Big Give offering exceeded our expectations. We're going to bring you a final number later this week. But a big, huge thanks for embracing the country of Kenya and particularly the Agape Christian School and The Water Project. Christmas is coming to Kenya ~

MCCh - Generosity by Command

6 yr old artist Leah Miller, is excited about good, clean drinking water for the people of Kenya and is joining us in our quest to raise $10,ooo to dig a well and put a roof on the Agape Christian School. We're getting other stories of kids getting really focused on collecting change preparing for BIG GIVE Sunday on December 20. What an exciting time to consider the generosity of Jesus to us as we give to others. If you want to give before the 20th please visit firstgiving.com/mcch. Additional information can be found at maplecitychapel.org or at The Water Project.

Soul Purpose Reunion Concerts

Hey everybody if you haven't heard already, after a 4 year hiatus, we're getting back together for a two night gig at LVD's concert hall at the Old Bag Factory in Goshen, In. It's gonna be a fun time, especially if you're there. If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about...we're a group of people that love music and have played together off and on over the past 13 years doing a wide repertoire of music that you'll love. LVD's is charging $10 per tickets plus we hope to restock a local food pantry, so bring a non-perishable food item. Additionally, the tradition at LVD's is that there is a finger food potluck at intermission, so be advised and eat well. Tickets: 574.825.7785

2009 Leadership Summit notes:

Session 7 – Chip and Dan Heath ~ To bring about change, one must appeal to the emotions. Big problem, small solution. In our quest for success, failure is a necessity. Is it a people problem or a situation problem? Bono is up next, then Tony Blair. It's an amazing day.

Session 5 – Dave Gibbons, executive coach; pastor: Our pain and suffering are our connection to humanity. Walk slowly, see the people. Failure is success. Our weaknesses guide us. Relationships trump vision. Best discipleship happens in life on life.... Hang out with people unlike myself. Read authors I disagree with. Understand that obedience is more important than passion

Session 2. Gary Hamel - Atheism has quadrupled since 1990. We should feel grateful that so many people are no longer pretending to be Christian. Church needs to be the most vibrant, adaptable, flexible institution in the world.

The kindest form of management is the truth but in the church world we tend to twist that into avoidance.

1st session Leadership Summit - Bill Hybels: The old “normal” may never return. Rough patches force new levels of courage and commitment. Leaders know that these type of conditions draw out of us elements of leadership that otherwise may remain hidden. Nobody is coming to church for a mild dose of God. All killer no filler! People will still give to a white hot vision. Are we having honest conversation?