One Month To Live

What would you do differently if you had one month to live? Would your priorities change? Spend more time at the office? Buy that sports car you've always wanted? The truth is you would be radically transformed by the news that 30 days from now you won't be around!

I bet you would spend more time with family and friends; that you would say I love you more often; say I'm sorry to someone (or a bunch of someones); draw closer to your creator!

Why wait til you get the news? Why not start living a no regrets lifestyle?

Starting this Sunday, January 31st, and during the next six weeks, I am going to try my hardest to help friends and family at The Grove to live a life full of life, and to re-order our lives with a Godly perspective. I hope you will join us. Check out this video from the CBS Early Show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxgZLdEFt74

Would You Give Me Your Kidney?

This week I've been confronted with stories where someone has done this.

Good friends through Koinonia, Tom and Marty Stefanek, made this decision just 2 days ago. Tom's brother Dennis was in need so Tom gave him a kidney. I would like to think that if my brother or sister needed a kidney that I would give one up. I mean they are family! But I still think it is a huge decision that is made out of a love and trust of God that anyone could do this.

The second instance was in reading the testimony of a man in California who was talking about his decision to start attending church regularly and then join a small group. He had all the reservations most people have about going to church regularly and even more reservations about attempting to break into the intimate fellowship of a small group. But God impressed on him to go, and he did.

A short time later one of the other guys in the group shared that he needed a kidney. On the way home from the small group, the newbie felt God prompting him to give him one of his kidneys. He shared with his wife what he thought - she was concerned. But she found relief in the fact that the odds were against them being a good match and left it alone. Her husband proceeded to check further without the other man knowing. He was a match - an almost perfect match. So after group several months after first sharing, this man told him his plans to give him a kidney. 3 weeks following the surgery took place - one year later both men are doing great - no complications.

There are two reasons why I chose to write about this today. First, in this ever growing cynical, pessimistic culture we live in, I was moved by such profound love for a fellow human. Second, because I believe that this is what can happen in a small group when people are moved by God. It obviously means we get of the topic of weather and the kids and get down to the real nitty gritty of life.

Would you give me a kidney? I hope I don't have the need in the future - but if I did - my prayer is that life growth groups at The Grove are nurturing people in such a way that we would fulfill the scripture that says, "No greater love has any man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

I can't wait for the next semester of LGG to start - especially with the study we'll be doing - "One Month To Live". I hope you are signed up for one of the many groups being offered.