Greetings NGL members. 2.16.14
So sorry to hear that a number of you have experienced frustrations trying to post your good thoughts on the blog. Therefore, we will be moving to Facebook as of today. Please login to Facebook.com and find us there at newlifengls. As I've been told, you just need to request to Friend me- and of course I will- and then you will be in and able to post. See you there!

FACING YOUR GREATEST FEAR Feb.9-15

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmf0F7JxxXE

So what is your greatest fear? Sometimes you’ll hear it said that people fear public speaking, even more than death. But think of the controlling emotion, not the event. So it’s not really the fear of public speaking, it’s the fear of possibly being ridiculed and thus, shamed. Ugh! We dread that! Many have a terrible fear of flying. But aren’t they really afraid of the terror of falling to their death? Pause and imagine that- how terrifying! Most of us had or still have a fear of the dark. But isn’t it really a fear of being pained or even  overwhelmed by what may be waiting for you in the dark? Those ice cold hands grabbing for your throat! That could scare you to death! And speaking of death, many admit they have a gnawing fear of death. For lost people, this fear of death haunts them like a scary ghost all their lives.  But don’t you love what Hebrews 2:15 says- Christ came “to free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”

Fear is so controlling isn’t it? It will freeze people up from giving a speech or from getting on a plane, or entering a dark room.  Fear governs our behavior. Perhaps that’s why we are told to fear the Lord. The fear of the Lord is a crucial subject and mentioned well over 100 times from Genesis to Revelation. Yet it’s not often discussed and thus, poorly understood. But I’m convinced it is foundational to knowing God and growing in godliness. That’s why it’s the first of our monthly character traits we’ll be focusing on. The more I’ve studied this theme in Scripture, the more I see great blessings associated with it and great woes for failing to have such. But rather than share my discoveries with you, I’d like to see your discoveries. So this week, for our SOS Bible study, I’d like you to post a favorite verse(s) you found on the fear of the Lord. How? Well, “when I was your age” I had to spend a small fortune on buying Bible commentaries and concordances to study up on such topics. But these days, you have a fortune of such information available at your fingertips. Now, I could give you sites I found via Google listing verses even from the NIV on the fear of the Lord, but I’d rather see what gold you dig up on your own. I look forward to being enriched by you. So share a favorite verse or two and why you liked it. Want more gold? Then discover and share what the fear of the Lord actually means. And may God become our greatest fear!

Announcements & Reminders!

Don’t miss our next Sunday, February 16^th 7:00pm get together at Jack & Janie’s estate- 10749 Cherrywood Dr. Palos Park. Come and enjoy some great fellowship, desserts and discussion. Please email me if you want to be included in this great time together- dgarratt@sbcglobal.net.

Luke! What a great gospel! We are reading a chapter of it a day. Just look at the calendar to know which chapter to read. Use a bookmark and read every day. (Make reading God’s word the most important thing to do in your day. This prompt really works- No Bible no breakfast. or No Scripture no sleep.) Underline favorite verses and put a question mark by things for which you’d like to gain greater understanding. Bring your Bible, questions and wealth catcher to any meetings and to Jack & Janie’s. You’ll glean and preserve so much this way and will have a wealth to share with others. Remember, such sharing is a powerful tool in spiritually influencing others. And leadership is influence- intentional influence.

How are you doing with our M&M passage Eph.2:1-5? Congrats to one person (she wishes to remain anonymous) who already quoted it to me perfectly this past week. Review the passage regularly, using the memory tips you learned from last week’s blog article. You’ll have it down before it's due on our next group meeting- Sunday March 2^nd at Midway from 11:30-12:30. Also, please be ready to share at the meeting the name of the Christian friend you picked to be your wealth partner. See you there!

The NGL program is a work out. It isn’t for everybody. We’ve purposely put more weights on to make you stronger. But your trainers are for you. We want to see you become a strong leader. That’s why we are also measuring your progress. We are recording what work outs you have done. Did he or she post on the blog? Did they meet with their mentor? Did they come to the monthly meeting? Did they bring their Bible and wealth catcher? Did they pick a wealth partner? Did they memorize the assigned verses for the month? These all reveal how determined the NGL is to grow and develop as a responsible leader. Is that what you want to become? I thought so!

How can I memorize Scripture? I’ve got the worst memory!

First of all, you don’t have the worst memory? Want proof? Watch this funny commercial that aired on Super Bowl Sunday a few years ago. (And no, I don’t even like the taste of it.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPOj32jv2ig

I too have a short memory. But I do remember my own name without peaking at my name tag. And you’ve got a better memory than you may give yourself credit. For example, just think of all the thousands of words you’ve memorized, including the ones you’re reading right now. You’ve got a great memory! And you can memorize far more Scripture than you may think. You just need to discover the secrets for success in memorizing.  

Before I share these with you, I need to confess that I really do have a poor memory compared to many. Pastor Mike is quick to learn people’s names. I struggle to do so. So please bear with me. However, when God saved me in 1976 (yeah, I know what you're thinking and you're right) I learned the secrets of memorizing scripture. Over time, this enabled me to memorize over 100 scattered scripture verses. Then I moved on to memorizing chapters, which then led to memorizing a few epistles of scripture. Because I haven’t regularly reviewed those books, I admit I can’t stand up and quote them now. But I’m so glad I did. I can think my way through them rather easily. And they have shaped my life. I’m not bragging, I’m trying to encourage you, because if I can do it, anyone can!

Here’s a great link that will help you memorize Eph.2:1-5 this month. http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2012/06/a-smorgasbord-of-bible-memorization-methods-and-one-way-to-learn-whole-books/

The key for me is to repeatedly read the passage and then memorize a bit at a time. Try reading Eph.2:1-5 every day and then work on memorizing a little bit of it each day. “By the yard it may be hard, but by the inch, it’s a cinch.” Here’s another fitting quote. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” So enjoy feasting on Eph.2:1-5 one small bite at a time. I carry the print out of this passage with me and review it every day. By the way, I learned our passage in a week. Could have done it faster I guess, but was enjoying the meal, one bite at a time. If you follow these suggestions, you’ll be very pleased how much you will glean and you’ll have the passage nailed by our Sunday March 2^nd meeting. (It’s from noon to 1pm in the cafeteria.)

This week our SOS Bible study will conveniently be on Ephesians 2:1-5. Please dig into Eph.2:1-5 and post your reflections on that, not on the memorization article. Please remember to post by each Wednesday night. (You can get started reading and thinking about our passage as early as each Sunday evening which is when I publish this weekly blog for us.) 

Study

Study tips: Read it out loud. Read it slowly. Read it repeatedly. Read it inquisitively. Imagine you get to interview the writer regarding what you’ve just read. Write down what questions you would ask. What did you mean when you said…?

Now seek to discover the answers to your questions.

Use cross references, concordances, commentaries (I like www.Biblehub.org or www.preceptaustin.org) and contemplation. What’s one insight you discovered that you’d like to share with me?

Obey & Share

What did you discover from this passage about-

Knowing God- Did this passage reveal anything about God the Father, Son or Holy Spirit for which to thank or praise Him? If so, try writing it out as a praise to Him.

Growing more godly- What things from this passage do you need to seek God’s help to live out?

Try writing this out as a prayer. 

Oops, “I almost forgot” to remind you that we are all to be reading our way through the gospel of Luke this month, a chapter a day. So just look at the calendar to know which chapter to be grazing in. This can be a rich source of discussion between you and your mentor. I certainly found that to the case in our group. And your mentor can review the monthly memory passage together with you. We usually began our meetings doing so.

Sun. Feb.16th 7:00pm You are cordially invited to a great evening fellowship time at the estate of Jack & Janie Rogers- 10749 Cherrywood Dr. Palos Park. He is a very successful business leader. Come enjoy an unforgettable time together because their house is! We'll enjoy some delicious desserts. I'll ask Jack questions re. leadership and you can too. Plus, you can ask me any questions you wish about the Word and the Christian life. You won't want to miss this. Please RSVP me that you''re coming at dgarratt@sbcglobal.net. Thanx!

Did you notice in Psalm 118 that Pastor Mark preached from today, the mention of the fear of the Lord? It's our character trait of the month. Be on the look out for it. 

PS- We are here to help you succeed, so ask for help when you need it. "If you ask for help and don't quit, you will succeed." You can write that one down in your wealth catcher. Err, you didn't forget that did you? 

The Greatest Advice (1.26.14)

If you could  give another Christian, one piece of advice, what would it be?

I’m sure it wouldn’t be the advice that comedian, Tim Hawkins got from his mom. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IC9O98PybQ

Tim is so funny! But seriously, what would be the best advice you could offer?  My dad once gave me an excellent piece of advice. He recommended the book of Proverbs. What great advice and what a marvelous mentoring book indeed! Chapter 2 of Proverbs may contain one of the most enriching pieces of advice you and I could pass on.  So let’s use our S.O.S. approach to glean the incredible gold within Proverbs 2.

Study

Study tips: Read it out loud. Read it slowly. Read it repeatedly. Read it inquisitively. Imagine you get to interview the writer regarding what you’ve just read. Write down (in your Wealth Catcher or in a computer document you create) what questions you would ask. What did you mean when you said…?

Now seek to discover the answers to your questions.

Use such study tools as cross references, concordances and commentaries (I like www.Biblehub.org or www.preceptaustin.org). If you’re unfamiliar with such study tools, ask your mentor or me. Happy to help. What’s one insight you discovered from one verse that especially grabbed your interest? This is what I want you to post by Wednesday night. Or you could post your praise or prayer from what you might write below under Knowing God or Growing more godly.

Obey & Share

What did you discover from this passage about one or more of the following 3 categories-

1. Knowing God- Did this passage reveal anything about God the Father, Son or Holy Spirit for which to thank or praise Him? If so, try writing it out as a praise to Him.

2. Growing more godly- What things from this passage do you need to seek God’s help to live out?

Try writing this out as a prayer.  

3. Sowing in others- Since I just gave you the assignment of picking a Christian Wealth Partner by next week Sunday, Feb.2^nd, I won’t ask you to do anything more than that now. With next week’s blog, we’ll start sharing the riches we discover with our Wealth Partners via email, phone, Facebook, face to face, etc. This is where we develop and grow in our leadership by intentionally influencing others.  

Our Daily Reading this week Monday-Friday is from Proverbs- Sunday- ch.2/  Monday ch.3/  Tuesday-ch.4/  Wednesday- ch.7/  Thursday- ch.8/  Friday- ch.9/  Be ready to receive so read with a pen in hand.  Underline golden verses and/or write in your wealth catcher things you want to discuss further with your mentor or others.  Be on the lookout for things that would make or break your growth and influence.  Also, did you note any verses on our character trait of “fearing the Lord?”

So again, post re. this- What’s one insight you discovered from one verse that especially grabbed your interest within Proverbs ch.2? (Bonus Question which is not required that you answer- What do you think is the central piece of advice this father is giving his son in ch.2 and why do you think it's such important advice to pass on?)

Deeper and Wider…Ezekiel 47:5    1.18.14

Thanks so much for already enriching me via your friendship and your blog posts. My desire is certainly to grow deeper together. And now it looks as if our influence will be growing wider as well. All our New Life Midway NGLs and mentors will be invited to join us on our blog. Your quality responses you have posted and will post will serve as an example to these newcomers. 

If your schedule permits, please join us for the NGL meeting this coming Saturday, the 25th from 9-10am. It’s now going to be  at New Life Midway for our campus only. Pastor Mike and I will be unveiling some exciting plans for our future and I also want to point you out to the new NGLs.   

Will you be able to make it? Please post and let me know. Thanks much. Get ready to grow deeper and wider!  

In a word or two, Leadership is…

If you had to boil leadership down to one word, what would it be? Dr. John Maxwell, author of several good books on leadership says it’s “influence.” That’s so good! But if you gave me two words, I’d say that leadership is “intentional influence.” Why? Well, anyone can influence another without being a leader. If a stranger gave you driving directions, telling you to turn around to get to where you needed to go, that person would only be exerting what I call, “incidental influence.” You’d never claim that person as a leader in your life, would you? But a true leader is committed to intentional influence.  He’s not waiting around for someone to ask him for directions. Put another way, the godly leader is committed to commissioned influence. For example, when Saul of Tarsus got saved, he was blinded by the light of the glorified Lord Jesus who commissioned him saying, “I am sending you to them (the Gentiles) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God…” Acts 26:18. Paul told many people to turn around (repent), and many claimed him as their spiritual leader. Why? Because Paul was commissioned and committed to an ongoing, intentional role of spiritual influence in their lives. An intentional or focused life is powerful. Think of how powerful focused light is- a laser beam can cut through hardened steel. Let’s get focused.

So most of this year, I want to focus this blog on helping us grow in our leadership- our intentional influence. You may shrink from seeing yourself as a leader, but you already have been an influence in many people’s lives. In my B.C. days, I influenced people, but it wasn’t to the light. Perhaps that was true of you as well. My point is that we already have influenced people. But now God has commissioned us to intentionally influence people to the light, to Him. I’m excited to discuss with you over the next many months how we can be much more effective, intentional influencers.  So please join me on this journey and I guarantee that you will become such.

God has commissioned you and me to be intentional influencers. So please memorize this very short but powerful passage- “I am sending you to them (the Gentiles) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God…” Acts 26:18. Just say in your post, “I got it down,” then I’ll know you’ve memorized the verse. Remember, repetition is the mother of learning. So write it out and review it often. Way to go!

So who was a good influence in turning you from darkness to light? Please reply regarding the following- “What was it about that that person and his/her ways that influenced you to turn to God?

1.3.14 What's the grand theme of the Bible?

Dr. Knife... he was not my favorite prof in seminary. He had a cutting sense of humor.
He taught OTI- Old Testament Introduction- an overview of the books of the OT.
Once I asked him a very important question- "Dr Knife, what is the grand theme of the Bible?"
He gave a sly grin and said, "God."
At the cost of taking his class, I wanted more for my money!
But that got me to thinking...a lot of thinking. What is the grand theme or storyline of the Bible?
Last week we looked at a great video, called "The story of God." How excellent. It's worth sharing.
I also began re-reading, "Epic- The Story God is Telling" by John Eldredge.
So what is the unifying theme or story of the Bible? If you had to condense it into one sentence, what would it be?
Please give this some thought and post your sentence. There's no right or wrong answer.
As the name of this blog reminds us, we want to grow deeper together. So I want you to think deeply and share your thoughts, not just read my words. You'll be enriching, me, yourself and others as well. So thanks in advance.
Until I hear back from you...
phileo,
dave
PS- You are part of this epic story. More on this next week.