Connect 09.23.10

Here's my email today to the list of men on Thursday Morning Men's Study list. . . . Consider it an invite for all men at GraceSLO. I'm dying to see some older men join me in investing their lives in some younger men. Now is the time for men to step up into the roles to which God calls them! . . . .

Hey Men,

I'm looking forward to being with you Thursday morning.

Its a transitional morning, as we both wrap up our "Spiritual Leadership" study and lean into our new book, "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller. If you took the summer off and you're still getting these emails, I want to encourage you to jump back in for the spiritual encouragement, the accountability and the leadership challenge. I need it and so do you.

A reminder for the consistent crew: Finish those remaining Spiritual Leadership chapters and come ready to share 3 crisp takeaways from the those chapters or the book as a whole. We'll spend the first half sharing what we've learned and capping off Spiritual Leadership and spend the second half reading the intro to The Reason for God.

I know of at least one new guy who will be there. I hope there will be others. If you think of others who need the fellowship of men (who doesn't?) forward this email or give them a call and invite them.

See you tomorrow. . . . Tim

it's on

Hey Men,

The new year is upon us. So let's jump into this men's study I've been talking about this Thursday, January 7th at 6:00 AM here at my office. Since it's such late notice, we'll call this is a "soft start" and give guys a chance to also jump in next Thursday.

We'll be reading and discussing John Piper's "The Pleasures of God" together, but don't worry if you haven't picked up the book yet. This first week, we'll take care of some introductory logistics and I'll bring some copies of the introduction that we can read together. If it would be helpful, I can order a case of the books for the following Thursday.

Not sure how many guys we'll have, but I'd love to have you. Tell a friend.

See you Thursday. . . Tim

join me, men

March 1st, 2010 will mark 7 years as the lead pastor of GraceSLO. What a blessing those years have been in my life and in the life of our family.

Along the way, there are so many fruitful ministry opportunities that I've resisted and refused, in order to commit myself to first things and especially my family. While it's been hard to say "no", I have no regrets.

One of the things I've longed to do, but have resisted to this point, is a focused men's study. I led a group in So Cal for 7 years that involved the reading of great books, both old and new. I've missed that interaction with and investment in the lives of men. It was a great time.

Its time again. Susie has given her blessing on my leading a men's study beginning in January. I can't wait. At this point the plan is . . .

Thursday Mornings
EARLY for an hour(6:00 AM or maybe in 5:30 if necessary)
with a focus on the knowledge of God and spiritual leadership

Our first book will be John Piper's "The Pleasures of God," one of my "Top 10."

So men, step up, commit, and join me. Let's seek the Lord together. You've got 3 mos to plan, arrange your schedules, and find your mojo.

You can RSVP right here by leaving a comment or email at tim@graceslo.org.

Hope to see you. . . .

09 Men's Getaway

Great spirit of fellowship at the 09 Men's Getaway last weekend. I was there Friday and most of the day on Saturday and had an opportunity to open God's Word and what it means to be a man after God's own heart. P. Ken took over and continued the theme on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

I suggested that David was a man after God's own heart because . . .

1. He had a heart that believed God
   (we see it in his faceoff with Goliath, in his relationship with Saul and later with Absolom
   
   
2. He had a heart that beat after the things of God
   (Gods name, God's fame, God's ark, God's temple, God's praise)
   
   
3. He had a heart that broke before God.
   (we see it throughout the Psalms and especially in Psalm 51 after confronted in his sin)

I enjoyed seeing some less involved guys join us and having a great time and, as last year, got in some great MTB riding. If you missed it, you missed out. Its so hard to get away, but so worth it.

Here's a great pic of a big group ride . . .

preaching at sycamore

see the flipflops?


see the flipflops?