Comments for Ignite Daily Blog

Comment on Stepping out of our comfort zone by Paul

Paul — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:25:34 +0000

This is a big challenge for me personally. In order to do what Bud suggested it means intentionally putting myself in places where I can interact with and build relationships with people who are not Christians. That takes time. Being receptive to “divine interruptions” – stopping to talk to a neighbor when you’re both rolling out the trash can at the same time or stopping to talk to an acquaintance you run into at the store – takes time too.

Usually I’ve got a full schedule and have to focus – avoid interruptions – to stay on track. And then when I get behind schedule and something has to give, the easiest things to cut back on are the relational things, and in particular the casual acquaintances, my neighbors and unchurched friends. I really have to work hard to build time into my schedule for unchurched people and even harder to leave margins in my schedule for interruptions.

Comment on Acts 2 Living – Part IV by Jen Steinbrueck

Jen Steinbrueck — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:25:24 +0000

Thanks for the reminder about how important our prayer life is in growing our relationship with God. I sometimes focus on bible study as the most important way to grow closer to Him but praying to God (especially before and after reading the bible–asking Him to open my heart to understand His Word) helps to quiet my busy mind and allows me to really focus on His teaching. It makes me more aware of His presence throughout the day as I wait to see His plans for those things that I bring to Him in prayer.

Comment on Lending a Hand to the Larger Community by Kay

Kay — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:25:14 +0000

This is an area God has been calling me to wrestle with. I’ve donated to the Street Ministry in the past, but I finally went in- person to get ‘wrecked’ by the needs of others. I don’t have the gift of mercy, but that doesn’t mean God doesn’t want to teach me to be merciful. Over and over again, the Bible tells us of God’s instructions for us to help the poor, widowed and orphaned. I needed to find out more explicitly what that meant for my journey. I’m only just beginning, but I know I can’t stay at a comfortable distance anymore - I have to get up-close and personal in order for God to change me and teach me how to live out this command as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Comment on A Lesson From Geese by Jacque P

Jacque P — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 12:04:25 +0000

I think Paul’s example of the geese is a great way to explain our need for community. Community is where we love and be loved, know and be known, serve and be served and celebrate and be celebrated. It is also where we ignited and be ignited.

Let’s keep the fire going.

Comment on A Lesson From Geese by Kay

Kay — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:55:07 +0000

Wonderful. I love the scripture at the bottom too - how telling that we too are made to flock together!

Comment on Help in Community by Paul

Paul — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 09:24:25 +0000

That’s a great bit if insight. I know there have been occassions when I knew somebody was in need but I didn’t help because I didn’t know how. It’s easy for me to fall into the trap of thinking I need to come with a solution rather than simply and humbly asking “How can I help?”

Another thing that strikes me from this passage is that the blind men called out for help. Often I think we hide our needs, even from those who are close to us. We live in such a self-reliant culture, that it’s hard to ask for help. It’s true for women, but it’s particularly true for men. We think we can handle it, or we want to appear that we have it all together. Depending on the circumstances it may take considerable trust and humility to ask for help.

That’s one reason why it’s important to get into a next step partnership even if you don’t think you need one. There are lots of other benefits to Next Step Partnerships than just having people there to help when you’re in need. But my point is, if you wait until you really need help from people, you won’t have the trust and the relationship built.

Comment on She “gets” me by Steph A.

Steph A. — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:01:05 +0000

Thanks for sharing your story Deana. It seems that there are very few people in our lives that truly “get us” aren’t there? Your story reminded me of a couple of my “we get each other” friends and how I need to take the time to reach out to them just to say hi. Thanks again…

Comment on Your Smoke Stinks Too by Laura

Laura — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:35:03 +0000

And I think its important to remember that your partnership will hopefully lead to added strength for all involved and everyone learns from each other. After progressing through another wonderful small group, I found the perfect next step partnership for me -though I almost didn’t recognize it because initially I couldn’t see past all the Gator craziness! However, this group has taught me so much over the last year. In return, I hope I’ve helped them and I leave some newly converted Packer fans behind me as my family heads up to the frozen tundra.

Comment on Your Smoke Stinks Too by Kay

Kay — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 17:51:20 +0000

Boy, I know what you mean about the Packers fan. God loves them too so I love them along the lines of hate the sin, love the sinner…hate the team, love the players. Does that work? Just joking, Amen to everything you said Paul. If we were all perfect, perhaps no one would need community or a next step partnership. But then you know what, God is perfect and He lives in community as Father, Son and Holy Spirit - that’s are heavenly model. So perhaps there’s more to learn than we might think about who we are in relating with others and how God uses that. Knowing we are made in God’s image and that Jesus has made a way to enter into that very special community must make being in community a very important part of becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

Comment on Acts 2 Living by Christi

Christi — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:56:13 +0000

I thought about this post for a while and it has been a source for some great discussions in our small group in the past.
Not wanting to play devil’s advocate here but wanting to generate some discussion with this response.
I think there were just as many people back in the day who were not on fire, just as many slackers or those who had to go to donkey riding lessons, stay in shelter because of the sand storm heading their way or take their 10 mile walk for water on Sunday’s. I think there are some great learnings here about priorities and commitment that not matter when you walked this earth you can learn from.
I think Cypress “is” on fire for God and there “are” many people in it who are as well. We have seen so many brought to faith, so many baptized, so many experience true heart and soul transformation. We will always be becoming an Acts 2 church - we will never arrive.
In the meantime God wants us to learn that just as it was back then the lessons he has for us are timeless and worthy of our commitment even though some of our life circumstances have changed.