Here's what's on my mind today:

1. The majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range -- that's where I've broken away to spend a few days with the Lord, and do some hiking.  It snowed here yesterday, but the weather man says it'll stay clear through the weekend.  I've been looking forward to this for months.
2. We recently found out that my mother-in-law has cancer throughout her body.  She's undergoing chemo and radiation treatments.  Please pray for her (and the family) if you would.
3. I spent the past two days with my fellow Free Methodist pastors from Southern California for what we simply refer to as our annual "Learning Community."  It was a powerful time of hearing -- not from "Christian celebrities", but from our own family of faith.  God moved among us in a powerful way. When our superintendent and bishop-emeritus finally spoke and encouraged us, it was very affirming and even confirmed that much of our own congregation's direction and vision has been on-target.
4. I'm still giving a lot of thought to the ways in which radical egalitarianism has messed with the Church (and continues to).  Be looking for a post in the coming days.
5. I'm thinking that all which is claimed to be the "organic multiplication" of small groups just isn't. My fear is that our desire to see small groups multiply ends up getting corrupted by a misunderstanding of how to administrate our small groups. Where is the balance between encouraging an expectancy within small groups for organic growth and multiplication which eventually takes place, and the need to administrate so as to avoid in-grown unhealthy groups that never seem to produce disciples, leaders, or other groups?

Hoping that your week has been blessed thus far,

- Chris

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image credit: © Nicola Vernizzi, iStockphoto.com