the Covenant Weekly Blog » Prompts+Ideas http://blog.connect2covenant.com Intentionally following Jesus ... Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:10:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Faith Acceleration http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/12/16/faith-acceleration/ http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/12/16/faith-acceleration/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:16:53 +0000 admin http://blog.connect2covenant.com/?p=254 Share with us how God has been using the InTENtional for 10 focus to accelerate your faith:

“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.

]]> http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/12/16/faith-acceleration/feed/ 0 Intentional for 10: Week 8 http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/12/01/intentional-for-10-week-8/ http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/12/01/intentional-for-10-week-8/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:11:33 +0000 admin http://blog.connect2covenant.com/?p=231 We’re almost there! There is much excitement around here as we approach the Dec 19/20 special offering. With stories of personal sacrifice choices people and families have made, it is inspiring and motivating to be part of what God is doing in our hearts and in our congregation.

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

]]> http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/12/01/intentional-for-10-week-8/feed/ 2 Intentional for 10: Week 7 http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/24/intentional-for-10-week-7/ http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/24/intentional-for-10-week-7/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:13:20 +0000 admin http://blog.connect2covenant.com/?p=216 As you’ve probably discovered, some of the disciplines are more challenging than others. Some disciplines, at different times, get right to the gut level of what it means to sacrifice and persevere. Click here to share if this has been the case with you and your journey? But not to be discouraged in any way, God doesn’t waste any genuine effort. Need more inspiration or challenge? Here are ten more prompts for all the disciplines:

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

]]> http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/24/intentional-for-10-week-7/feed/ 0 Intentional for 10: Week 5 http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/11/intentional-for-10-week-5/ http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/11/intentional-for-10-week-5/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:10:19 +0000 admin http://blog.connect2covenant.com/?p=194 Intentional for 10 has meant to you]]> After 4 solid weeks of implementing ten disciplines, do you see any fruit? Do you feel as though you’ve gone deeper with Jesus in a whole new way? Is God’s Word coming alive and fresh? Your journey, even though you may not feel that it’s compelling, can be an inspiration to so many others. Please take a minute to share even just a couple sentences of what Intentional for 10 has meant to your spiritual journey over the last four weeks.

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

]]> http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/11/intentional-for-10-week-5/feed/ 2 Intentional for 10: Week 4 http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/04/intentional-for-10-week-4/ http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/04/intentional-for-10-week-4/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:15:40 +0000 admin http://blog.connect2covenant.com/?p=187 One of the Intentional for 10 disciplines is “sacrifice.” This weekend, Branson will be sharing in detail about the upcoming special offering on Dec 19/20. As part of this segment, Branson would like you to share with us how you and/or your family is engaging this special, yet sometimes difficult, discipline so that we may share it and inspire others in their intentional walk with Christ.

Tell Branson your journey with sacrifice here.

And as expected, here are ten more ideas to assist you in this Intentional for 10 journey:

Attend: Attend the New Leader Orientation on 11/10 and start a group.

Tithe: Give 1% more than you’re currently giving.

Pray: Pray for our Veterans and Military.

Sacrifice: Fast from eating out and donate money to His Heart, Our Dream.

Connect: Sit in a different spot in the worship center and meet new people around you.

Learn: Take notes during the service and share with someone what you learned.

Fast: Give up computer/internet surfing and find an online devotional.

Witness: Pray for an opportunity to share your story and follow up.

Serve: Send cards to military personnel.

Bless: Give blood at the American Red Cross on Red Banks Road.

]]> http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/11/04/intentional-for-10-week-4/feed/ 1 Intentional for 10: Week 3 http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/10/28/intentional-for-10-week-3/ http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/10/28/intentional-for-10-week-3/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:26:22 +0000 admin http://blog.connect2covenant.com/?p=169 So, as a congregation, we’re three weeks into the very challenging Intentional for 10 initiative. Has it been hard? Easy? How have you been more intentional with your time as a result? Are you seeing an effect in your relationship with Christ?

So, here are 10 more ideas to jumpstart your thinking some more:

Attend: Attend your child’s service in CCM or CSM

Tithe: Take 10% of one week’s grocery budget and donate toward the One Body Food Drive on 11/7

Pray:Pray for CSM’s D-Now, discipleship weekend for middle schoolers

Sacrifice:Create a His Heart Our Dream piggy bank and collect spare change

Connect:Be a part of a new Sunday morning discipleship class from Nov 1–Dec 13 at 9:10am

Learn:If you miss a service or are late, listen online at connect2covenant.com/media

Fast:Give up TV 1 day/week and invest in family time

Witness:Get equipped to share your testimony by attending seminar on 11/2 on How To Share Your Story

Serve:Volunteer in a local community agency

Bless: Prepare a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child

]]> http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/10/28/intentional-for-10-week-3/feed/ 0 Intentional for 10: Week 2 http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/10/21/intentional-for-10-week-2/ http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/10/21/intentional-for-10-week-2/#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:05:30 +0000 admin http://blog.connect2covenant.com/?p=156 “Everybody’s doing it.” That’s the vibe we hear as people at Covenant talk about Intentional for 10, and that is good news! PLEASE be sure to let us know what you or your family are doing to fully engage this journey with the rest of us. It’s as simple as leaving comments on the blog at the end of an article, or even at the end of this one. In the meantime, here are ten more prompts to jumpstart your thinking.

Attend: Invite someone to attend with you

Tithe: Keep a tithe journal

Pray: For the downtown scene on Halloween night

Sacrifice: Go on a shopping fast: redirect monies to special Dec 19/20 HHOD offering

Connect: In a new Sunday morning discipleship class Nov 1–Dec 13, 9:10am, WC 102, “ 7 Essential Principles for Following Christ from the Life of Jesus”. Taught by Sid Bradsher, area director of Young Life, and Herb Ormond, long time groups leader at Covenant. Sign up at the table on Main Street THIS WEEKEND!

Learn: Read the “Daily Reading Scriptures” on the back of the sermon notes handout

Fast: Sugar & Halloween Candy for 1 week

Witness: Invite a neighbor or co-worker to church

Serve: Offer to drive the Covenant bus that picks up people.

Bless: Donate non-perishable food to the Canned Food Drive

]]> http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/10/21/intentional-for-10-week-2/feed/ 0 Intentional for 10: Week 1 http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/10/14/intentional-for-10-week-1/ http://blog.connect2covenant.com/2009/10/14/intentional-for-10-week-1/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:58:32 +0000 admin http://blog.connect2covenant.com/?p=141 WOW! It was amazing to see all the thumbprints from this past weekend from people who have committed to fully engage our “Intentional for 10″ initiative! If you missed it, don’t worry. You can jump on board this weekend. Be sure to pick up the brochure at the Info Center (or get the online PDF here) as it is full of ideas for each of the 10 disciplines.

Need some more ideas? Here are ten more prompts to jumpstart your thinking:

Attend: Come early and sit in a new section.

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

Pray: Pray for West Greenville (Redemption Zone) ministry opportunities.

Sacrifice: Clean out closets/garage and donate to God’s Love or Operation InAsMuch.

Connect: Go out of your way to meet someone new at church this weekend.

Learn: Memorize a verse/week from either the sermon notes or the Weekly Scriptures (on the back of the sermon notes).

Fast: Go on a music fast: no iPod, CDs, radio, LPs or even 8-tracks (you know who you are) for 1 week. Spend the time engaging some of the other disciplines.

Witness: Be part of the More Hope House Block Party (in the Redemption Zone) on Sat, Oct 24 and share your faith with some of the neighbors.

Serve: Babysit for free (especially for a single parent).

Bless: Rake/mow/clean up a neighbor’s lawn (include your kids if you have some)

Got any ideas of your own you want to share with us? Post a comment below to let us know.

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