Well, how do you start something like this ... your first blog post?

I suppose I'll just start in, and won't worry too much about making some kind of grand entrance. I'll just say I'm glad you're here reading this, joining our little community that started last fall (2013) with about 40 people in a couple of classrooms at our church. We started a journey together in a course called A Way of Life.  We spent 9 months exploring how to deepen our friendship with God, with each other, and with the world around us. This blog is meant to be a continuation of that community, but I also hope and pray it becomes much more.

This blog is for my friends from the course. But it is also for anyone who wants to join us. Anyone who desires to know God in a deeper way. Anyone who needs a community around them to help them do this.

The purpose of this blog is much more to remind than it is to teach. Don't we all need to be reminded to keep our eyes and ears open for God? To pay attention to our life?  To really see the world and the people in it, rather than just walking around with our eyes glued to screens? So, read these posts as gentle reminders that God is at hand and that He deserves our attention. My hope is that they wake us up to God!

Something to ponder today, and a good way to start:

"We were made for God; not for service for Him, but for Him." (Oswald Chambers)

What do you make of this statement? Do you believe it? And if so, do you live as if this were true? Do you actually believe that even more than your service for him, what God wants is you ... your heart? your mind? your soul? your strength? You.

He made you. He loves you. He redeems you. And he desires a deep and growing friendship with you. One that will last for all eternity.

I hope that makes you smile. And I hope it keeps you awake for his presence around and within you today.

See you soon ...