“During this 10-week period, I have experienced a tremendous amount of spiritual growth. I honestly feel closer to the Lord than I ever have at any time in my 40 years on this Earth. My children and I are taking to heart each of the 10 elements. The blessings and inner peace that we have enjoyed have been nothing short of amazing. We are closer as a family than we have ever been. During this 10 for 10 period, I have felt the Lord call me to fulfill my His Heart, Our Dream commitment made in 2006. Mind you that when this commitment was made, I was in a double income situation. Since that time, I am in a single income situation, and I have taken a 12% pay cut. Honestly, I had rationalized to myself that I could not fulfill the remaining commitment and that given my circumstances, it was OK. But, God had other plans. I went from fulfilling half of the remaining balance to fulfilling all of the remaining balance. I felt that God was using this period in my life to sharpen my faith and my belief. I knew what he wanted me to do. I am happy to say I followed His direction.”

“I have always been a volunteer, but I’d backed off some when we moved to Greenville. Slowly, I cautiously began to enter the volunteer field again. Then, InTENtional for 10 came around. I decided to put myself “out there.” I had doubts about a new volunteer opportunity and my ability to do it. I accepted the challenge in faith, and the result has been amazing! God has given me confidence, and even though it takes a lot of my time, it seems that I am able to get even more done. Through His love, great things can be done!”

“Lord, have I intentionally followed you? Thank you, Jesus, for showing me areas I have held on to myself- I choose to give up those areas of my heart to you. Help me to love all as you love all- Transform my heart like yours! To God be the glory! Absolutely you are ALL there is! Help me to give all as you did – your very life. Praise you, Holy Lord. “All that I am and have comes from God, and it’s out of your hand that I give.”

So, what about you? Please share with us how the Intentional for 10 emphasis has accelerated your faith journey. Comment below.

One of the instructions is to build a Tabernacle, a dwelling for God and a place of worship. Moses announces that anyone who is willing can give to the building of God’s house. Exodus 35 reports that “all who were willing” gave from what they had. People were thrilled to give a gift to the Lord from what they had: gold, silver, jewelry, expensive clothes, gemstones, spices, olive oil, and perfumes. People wanted to thank God for his provision in their lives, and for the journey so far, and mostly, they wanted to bless God with gifts.

The amazing part of the story is that the people gave so much that Moses had to tell them to stop. That’s right; the Bible actually says that Moses had to restrain the people from giving. That is hard to imagine, isn’t it?

My Thursday night Bible Study has spent the whole semester in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) and we’ve learned a lot about worship as we’ve processed through the laws that God instituted through Moses. One thing that God gives many instructions about is offerings. God made it quite plain about what kind of offerings would please him and that offerings should be a regular part of worship. The Israelites were to practice giving offerings for the atonement of sin as well as regular tithes of the first fruits of their livestock, crops, and income. These were the required offerings.

The Book of Leviticus also says that there will be times when people will want to do more. These will be special times when the people will offer gifts to the Lord over and above the regular offerings as a way of saying, “Thanks for a particular blessing in my life,” or, “Thanks, Lord, for your continued provision,” or, “Here’s a gift just because I wanted to come before you to bless you for who you are.” These offerings were not required; they were given because the person simply wanted to do so. They were called freewill offerings.

This kind of offering was also known as a wave offering because the gift was to be lifted up over your head and waved before the Lord. The “waving” was not to draw attention to yourself but to honor the Lord. Wave offerings were always a celebration, for they represented gratitude and joy.

Here at the end of our Intentional for 10 Emphasis, we are planning a freewill offering: a time to celebrate the Lord’s goodness and provision in our lives. This offering is intentional. We want to be people who continually practice extreme generosity. We want to be people who regularly celebrate the goodness of God by blessing him with the waving of extravagant gifts in gratitude for what He has done for us. And there is no better time to give a gift than Christmas! So, I will invite everyone to offer freewill gifts to the Lord this weekend as a part of worship.

The offering will represent different things for different people:

For some people, it will represent the end of three years of sacrificial giving. Many of us made a commitment at the end of 2006 to help build a place of belonging and welcome for people that we did not know yet. I know that my family made a three year commitment that we will complete this weekend. It has been a stretch for us, but we have been glad to be a part of this dream that God put on the hearts of so many people.

For some, the offering will be a response of gratitude to God for providing a new church home in the last three years. You are new to Covenant. You were not here when almost 800 families committed themselves to give sacrificially, but now you want to add your name to the list of those who are building the future for others. Your sacrificial gift is not the fulfillment of a pledge but a new pledge to join the rest of us as we fuel the mission God has given us here at Covenant.

For others, the offering will be a response to God for his provision during what has been a down year economically. When we give an offering out of the gratitude for God’s provision, we proclaim that our trust is not in the stock market, or the value of the dollar, or the government, but in the Lord who always provides for his people.

For still others, the offering will be a response of obedience. You have heard the Holy Spirit speak specifically to you about giving an outrageous gift. Your heart has wanted to do it, but the number is…well…scary. You may well look back on this particular offering later and be amazed at the joy you had when you gave from your heart!

So, I invite you to come and celebrate with others as we all give!

Just remember that this offering is a freewill offering. No one should give unless they want to. Not everyone will be able to give the same amount, but hopefully everyone can come and give something and so participate in a time of great joy!

See you this weekend,

Branson

Having spent the last 48 hours in the Dominican Republic with a team of 10 women (and yes, I still covet your prayers!), I am convinced God has schooled me in a new chapter on what it means to serve others. This is not the first time I’ve been in a third-world nation, nor is it the first time I’ve seen this level of poverty. But it is the first time I’ve recognized the pride and arrogance of my American-culture-driven background like this.

I came here with the team to film and document the story as well as catch images to help cast vision for the DR in the months to come. And I knew that I would be in situations with people here where I could “give” them something or “help” them. After all, since we come from such a blessed nation, surely we have something to offer them. I mean, seriously, don’t we have all the answers?

Slaps in the face hurt.

And when God is the generous giver of said slap, it gets your attention.

At least, He got mine.

Today, I had the chance to literally sit at the feet of a man in his 60s who has had multiple strokes, cannot walk, and has lost most of his hearing and eyesight. He was a very strong and skilled bricklayer. He is no longer able to work, which simply means he is unable to provide for his very large family. He simply sits/lays on a small mattress on their dirt floor. His wife was hit by a bus and has been waiting for six years to have surgery on her knee. Yet, for all that they have suffered, they spoke of a walk with God, a picture of hope and a depth of faith that I have never before seen in my adult life. And he’s only been a Christian for two years!

I could have sat at his feet all day.

There is nothing I could have given him. There is nothing I own or possessions I have that would have increased his faith or given him any more hope.

I didn’t need to give him anything. I needed to listen to him; be inspired by him; serve him with my mouth shut and heart open. He didn’t need me. I needed him! My chance to serve was less about what I could give and more about how God needed to humble me and teach me. Serving at Licienne’s feet was a privilege and an honor that I will never forget.

At our group debriefing session tonight, we read over this passage from 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, where Paul, an apostle, writes, “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

So, who were you today?

Seriously, stop and think about it for a minute.

The people we serve don’t need us. As intentional followers of Christ, we need them. They teach us things about ourselves. They humble us. They inspire us. They challenge us. They remind us that life is bigger than ourselves.

There is an opportunity this coming Sunday for us as an entire church community to serve an entire neighborhood community in West Greenville. The music, the face painting, the food – they’re all just excuses for us to genuinely engage the people of that area – to love on them, listen to them and be inspired by them. Is it possible that we need to become like them so that by all possible means we might save some?

To the many of you who serve others on a regular basis, whether openly or behind the scenes, we commend you for your service and encourage you to keep the motive in check.

So, who will you be tomorrow?

Note: As we passed through the mostly-Haitian barrio, we were told not to take pics or film because of a belief that photos steal their soul. However, Mark Lykins and I are planning to go back to Licienne’s house in hopes that they will let us get photos/video of him and his family since they are Christians and they trust Mark and the church that is planted there. Hopefully, we’ll be able to upload pics of this family for you to see! Stay tuned to the Outreach site.

Initially, I was not surprised as I learned about the specific expectations of the training school. In fact, it reminded me of my own experience in seminary. All the students were expected to be reading the Bible from cover to cover; there were a number of biblical subjects to be mastered; each was expected to be in a discipleship relationship with a mentor and be a leader within an ongoing ministry of the church–nothing too surprising there.

As I learned more, though, I started to get uncomfortable.

Scripture memorization is an important discipline in the school, and participants must be able to recite 78 passages back-to-back on the final week of the program. I regularly memorize the Word, but that’s a lot!

Fasting—last week’s focus in our InTENtional for 10—is another important discipline they expect students to be practicing, and each is expected to fast weekly plus work their way up to a 12-day fast. That would definitely be new territory for me.

And then I learned of their discipline in witnessing: each is expected to share Jesus’ story with no less than 3 people weekly. When I first heard this expectation, it immediately shed light on a problem I have needed to address for some time, namely getting trapped in the “bubble”.

The “bubble” I am referring to is the Christian bubble–a place where the only people I have relationships with are Christians. As a staff member in a busy church, it’s very easy to get trapped in this reality, and I have been caught in it for too long.

It’s not that hanging out with other believers is a bad thing. Fellowship is an important discipline, and we are called to be connected with other disciples (InTENtional for 10 discipline #5). But we are also called to be salt and light to a world filled with darkness. The Gospels are crystal clear: Jesus loved the “lost sheep” and wants all mankind to experience God’s forgiveness and grace.

So what I am doing about it? I’m glad you asked.

First, I am praying to see the unbelieving people around me as Jesus sees them; to notice their needs and to have a heart of compassion as He did. There are unbelievers all around me, but I have not been attentive.

Second, I am focusing on those who are within my sphere of influence. We all have a unique ability to reach certain audiences based on our life experience and attributes. My Texas roots, education, vocational interests and age all impact who I can best reach with the Gospel message. Lord, help me see who I can most effectively reach.

Finally, I am getting ready. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). I have to have my Jesus story ready to share at any time. It details why and how I became a disciple. If you haven’t done this before, I would encourage you to write it out and practice with a Christian friend. It doesn’t need to be lengthy, just authentic.

Have you been in a bubble like me? Consider how you might sharpen your focus and skills in intentionally following Jesus as you witness to His awesome grace and mercy. Someone out there needs you!

Learning from the Master,

Charlie

Here are the next 10 ideas for Intentional for 10:

Attend: Come to church with your family this holiday to stay focused on Him

Tithe: Tithe on the monetary gifts and gift cards you receive

Pray: Pray for the Dominican Republic mission team and the impact they will have and receive from the trip

Sacrifice: Ask for money on your Christmas list to be donated to the His Heart, Our Dream fund

Connect: Connect with a lonely kid, coworker or shut-in

Learn: Learn more about the ministry of our DR mission teams by tracking them this week at connect2covenant.com/go

Fast: Fast from what distracts you from Jesus and reconnect with Him

Witness: Help someone who doesn’t know Jesus to find Christ in Christmas

Serve: Join the Covenant family in serving West Greenville for Christmas fellowship and meal distribution on 12/13

Bless: Purchase a Christmas meal for someone else from the Generosity Tree

At our September meeting, we discussed our concern for our denomination, and we decided to do something about it. One of my friends said, “Hey, on the Fridays that we don’t meet, let’s fast and pray about our concern and petition God to intervene!” That sounded like such a great idea, and we all agreed to do it.

Then came the next Friday…

I was out shopping for groceries (my regular Friday routine), and it was around noon when I got back to my car. I got in, ripped open a snack and was ready to dig in when I remembered we were supposed to be fasting. “Why did I agree to do that?” I thought as I put the snack back in the bag. It turned out to be a terrible Friday. I was so hungry by supper, I hardly knew what to do.

Every Friday has been the same. There was the Friday that Carol’s birthday was being celebrated at the office. I can still hear, “Branson, wouldn’t you like some food?” (breakfast casserole, salad, cake…the whole counter was full of ambrosia-like treats)

“Yes, but I can’t. I’m fasting.” (I’m sure I had a spiritual look on my face and heavenly tone of voice.)

Then, there was the week that we went to the State Fair. There are hardly any tempting things to eat there! I also remember being invited to meet an old friend for lunch one Friday. I remember one week when I was at my desk in our basement working on bills and balancing my checkbook. All I wanted was a smoothie. Just one chocolate blueberry smoothie with banana and peanut butter!

OK. I’m weak and I know it. AND I fast a lot, but I’m still weak. I’m so ashamed that my body has such a grip on me, but it does. Fasting proves it. Fasting shows me I have lots of spiritual work to do.

Fasting also reveals some other things that need work in me:

• I get grumpy when I don’t get what I want
• I don’t want to pray if it inconveniences me
• I’m not invincible and able to operate in my own power

I do believe, though, that the benefits of fasting are many, and they outweigh the hardships. I’ve found that fasting makes my mind and spirit sharper and more attentive to the Spirit’s leading. I’ve found I hear from God more clearly when my body is being held captive by my will and not my stomach. I find I am intentional about listening while fasting. I have also benefitted from the forced time of prayer resulting from every hunger pang.

Ever tried fasting? Maybe as a part of our Intentional for 10 emphasis, you could try a fast. You don’t have to start with a 40-day fast like Moses or Jesus. Start with one meal. Drink some liquids if you need to. Just be intentional about it. This discipline will teach you lots about yourself and energize you in your walk with Jesus.

Maybe you could start by joining me and my friends by fasting on Fridays between breakfast and supper!

Attend: Attend service w/a family member

Tithe: Encourage children to tithe their allowance

Pray: Pray for our Pastor, staff and congregation

Sacrifice: Set aside money for your HHOD contribution from your Christmas budget

Connect: Attend date night w/your spouse on 12/4 – ck w/ Kenny re: registration

Learn: Increase the time you spend in the Word

Fast: Time spent on hobbies and donate that time to serve

Witness: Ask wait staff at restaurants if you can pray for them, and tip well

Serve: Prep food for Celebrate Recovery, contact Jim Carr??

Bless: Take your family and purchase gifts for the Angel Tree

Over the last few weeks I have been repeatedly reminded of how precious freedom is. The anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s collapse reminded me. Talking with a friend who lives in an oppressive region of India reminded me. Reading about Christians who have been jailed for their faith reminded me. Talking with a person who was recently arrested reminded me.

As far as I can tell, everyone wants to be free.

Not surprisingly, Jesus taught on the subject and in the context of his times, it was a hot topic. He himself, as well as the people He lived with, did not enjoy complete freedom under the oppressive rule of the Romans. Jesus, however, doesn’t appear to be too concerned about it. His hot button is spiritual freedom, and He has a clear opinion on the subject.

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

These verses are seldom quoted in their entirety. Usually, you just get the last few words from verse 32, “The truth will set you free.” It’s a great little sound bite and looks really profound when it’s inscribed, say, on the façade of a library. But what an irony: we misquote Jesus in order to define an institution all about reading comprehension.

Jesus understands the reality that freedom is more about what’s happening on the inside than the outside. Freedom is primarily about the heart and soul. It’s about overcoming the power of our thoughts, our longings, our imagination and our appetites to control us.

So how do we experience the internal freedom Jesus talks about? How can we be free from the things that seek to control us?

As Jesus states, teaching, discipleship and truth are clearly the keys. As we continue to read in the gospel of John, the answers to these crucial questions become even clearer: freedom comes as Jesus-followers learn, apply and abide in His teachings (see especially John 13 – 16). It’s all well and good to have fellowship with other followers, pray daily and worship on a regular basis, but if we have not learned and personalized the teaching of the Master, we will not enjoy the freedom He promises.

Learning godly truth is one of the central means by which the Spirit demolishes the stronghold of lies within our lives. And that’s why our sixth InTENtional for 10 discipline of learning is so important. Branson’s knowledge of the Word will not make us free. We have to get our own nose in the Bible, and in so doing, the power of lies begins to erode, and freedom flows like a fresh spring.

How are you doing, Covenant disciples? If you need a place to start—or start again—in this discipline, the gospel of John is a great place. Ask the Lord to teach you about freedom, and dig in each day. You will be amazed at what happens in your life.

With eyes fixed on Jesus,
Charlie

And in true fashion, here are ten more prompts for all the disciplines:

Attend: Get here 5 minutes early and spend the time in prayer for the people who will sit around you.

Tithe: Set aside your tithe on payday before paying anything else

Pray: Intentionally pray with your family regarding individual concerns

Sacrifice: Skip buying coffee out and give savings to the special offering on Dec 19/20

Connect: Bring an unchurched friend to serve w/you on 11/21 Thanksgiving drive at Kearny Park

Learn: Do a word study on Thankfulness

Fast: Fast shopping for the entire week and spend time in prayer

Witness: Share what God means to you with friends and neighbors

Bless: Write notes of encouragement to someone who needs it

Sunday was a special day. I started us with our regular devotion time. We are in the process of naming each one of our golf holes with scripture. This Sunday’s reference for #6 was Genesis 1:31, “God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day.” Our sixth basket is the one that you can see from Old Firetower Road near the gravel road entrance. It’s an average length throw for a right-handed disc golfer. Everyone knows that with a good toss, there is a chance for birdie.

I ended up in the last group this week. Our group of six included a husband and wife team, a couple of newer players, and another guy who has been in our group since we started it last year. When we reached the sixth tee, it was John’s turn to throw first. Most of us were talking and not really paying attention to John’s throw until we heard his disc hit the chains. John yelled, “I think it hit the chains!” You can’t see the basket from the tee on #6; it’s hidden by the pine trees. So, we all ran to look and see where John’s shot landed.

I think Tammy got there first. “It’s in, John. You did it.” Dave gave John a high five and a, “Way to go man.” John began to describe how he threw it, and then told us he had never made a hole-in-one before. Jim and Scott also added that they had never witnessed a hole-in-one, either. It was a grand day!

When we finished all the holes and got back to the parking lot, we came upon the others, who had waited for our group to finish. “Hey, John made a hole-in-one!” Everyone came over and had to hear how he threw it, which hole it was on, etc. We all just stood around and shared the moment. We all had places to go, but no one wanted to leave. What fun!

Of course, our connection is much more than plastic discs. We meet every week, share our stories and pray. This week, I heard one guy’s story of brokenness that God has since redeemed. I had never known how he came to faith in Jesus. We also discovered both of us dreamed about being doctors from an early age. Without the disc golf group, we never would have become friends. Another guy stayed late just to share how much Covenant Church has meant to his family since he started coming. He has a passion to be an Intentional Follower and understands—like never before—the power of a changed life. We’ve become friends through this group, too.

Most of these men and women have worked on the course by installing bridges, cutting brush, and pouring concrete for the basket poles. We are excited about the game, but we are more excited about being together and watching scores of other people come to Covenant to play our course. We hope they connect to our family as well!

Connecting with other believers is powerful. In fact, people who have a connection at Covenant forget we’re a big church because they are known by others and feel like part of a family.

If you’re not a disc golfer, it’s okay. There are lots of places here to connect with other people on purpose. Your intentional effort could be THE difference in your Christian life! There are some awesome people out there!

By the way, tell John Jenkins congratulations on the hole-in-one when you see him this weekend!

Intentionally following Jesus…
Branson