Choosing Your Line

It's not hard to understand that looking forward is important if we charge down a mountain on a bicycle. There are obstacles and pitfalls along mountain trails that could cause us to crash. The most notable obstacles are rocks and trees. In mountain biking, choosing your line, refers to a bikers attentiveness to the trail ahead as he mentally plots a course to stay on the trail and navigate around obstacles. It also refers to the process a person takes in designing a mountain biking trail to flow with the features of the mountain yet avoid the obstacles. Looking forward to evaluate the paths we are on in the important arenas of life requires just as much attentiveness and prudence, but sometimes we just don't evaluate and plan our paths as we should.

• The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (Proverbs 27:12)

In part one of Destinations,we were introduced to the principle of the path; direction, not intention, determines destination. In part two, we discussed how looking forward is the answer towards staying the course and directing our lives to the place we want to be relationally, financially, spiritually, etc. Proverbs 27:12 teaches us that to stay on course, we can't ignore the warning signs. It takes courage to take the first steps to right our course, but relief will follow. One of the best ways to maintain personal guard rails in our lives is to connect ourselves to a small group. Another is to seek input from the people around you that care and have the courage to encourage you.

We can't wait for the next Longleaf LIVE and Part 3 of Destinations on March 14. We're excited about our new venue and the direction of our church! We are certainly applying the principle of the path as we plot the course of Longleaf Church. See you on March 14!

Destinations

The Destinations message series is one of the most penetrating and relevant that you'll ever hear. The Principle of The Path that Andy introduces in Part 1 of this series is an intuitive truth. Direction, NOT intention, determines destination. We know this. We just struggle to apply it sometimes. There is often a disconnect between where we want to end up and the path we choose. We all need to course correct sometimes and persevere through circumstances to get where we want to be.

Because grace and truth can set us free, we can focus on course correcting today rather than allowing the the past to hold us captive. Here are two important questions to process:

1. If you continue on your current course, where will you end up?
2. Has anyone tried to warn you lately? Your conscience? Do you know anyone who has walked your path and ended up where you want to be relationally?

Everyone around Longleaf Church that knows me well will not be surprised to hear me say that connecting yourself to a Community Group is one of the best ways to create guard rails in your life that will help you (and me) stay the course. If you're not connected, contact us about getting connected. Over the next couple of weeks, let's ask ourselves the two questions above, read through Proverbs 7:6-27 and process The Principle of The Path in our lives.

I can't wait to see everyone on 2/28! Stay tuned for details...

You Know It...

You Know It...

• Bible Passage - James 1:1-18
• Principle - Perseverance
  
• Bottom Line - Perseverance will make you wiser.
  

My Small Group recently started a discussion of The Book of James. Our discussion was super relevant to everyone, so I wanted to share it.

James is a book of the New Testament and most scholars agree that it was written by the earthly brother of Jesus by the same name. James was a leader in the early church. The letter of James is addressed to "The 12 Tribes" or the early Jewish Christians. However, it's profoundly applicable to all of us.

In the first few verses, James introduces the notion that trials of many kinds test our faith and produce perseverance (James 1:2-3). He reminds his readers that they know this to be true. Persecution was a part of life for the early church. Whether one believes in the gospel of Jesus or not, he knows he will face trials of many kinds. James further states that these trials will come internally as well (James 1:14). We call these internal trials temptation. As we individually deal with our inevitable trials and temptations, James reminds us that our response should be to seek wisdom from God AND have the faith to know that He will provide it.

Sometimes, it's tough to persevere and develop our patience. It seems that the internal and external challenges of life come at us in waves. The thing to remember is that all good things come from God and He will provide unique insight and revelation to us in the midst of difficulties if we will seek it in earnest.

I pray that you will have a a great week and that each one of us will grow in patience and wisdom.

empty chair

It's amazing how responsive people have been with the mission and vision of Longleaf Church. It's fun to watch our community grow and see people engage the 4 Things that allow us to become Longleaf Church together:

• give
• serve
• connect
• invite

Check out the Next Steps section of our website to review these 4 Things that get people involved in becoming Longleaf Church. As one might imagine, the giving piece plays a vital role during the church planting process that we are currently in. To learn more about how you can help fund the mission and vision of Longleaf Church, please go to our Empty Chair Page.

Thanks! We hope you'll join us for the next Longleaf LIVE on February 14.