My Epic Journey

At Grace Point, we thrive as a ministry on our Life Group ministry.  The importance of getting together as a group of peers with a passion to hold each other accountable, breathe life and love to each other and to both cheer and weep with each other cannot be overstated.  I know our students grow deep and are challenged in their respected EPIC Journey (Life) Groups but even more important is Anna and my need for small community interaction.  As our ministry, both Grace Point and EPIC, continues to grow it is necessary to find a place in the Life Group setting.

I was reminded again of this in a reading I was doing for grad work. Clinton and Ohlschlager, in their book, Competent Christian Counseling, state:

Within a community committed to acceptance, education, and appropriate discipline and consequences for conduct unbecoming a disciple of Jesus Christ . . . people are brought to maturity.

The spiritual reparenting required is often best accomplished through cell (life) groups, that assemble for the purpose of Bible study, encouragement, exhortation, worship, and the practice of a series of spiritual disciplines within a circle of accountability (Foster, 1988; Willard, 1998).  In keeping with our giftedness, no member of the believing community is excused from involvement with these groups or the means of personal spiritual growth they seek to establish (Ephesians 4.14-16) (p. 113)

Our Pastor of Discipleship, Tom Houser, does an AMAZING job fostering and training our community of believers on the importance of the Life Group community.  For more information on Tom’s thoughts and guidance check out, http://runinsuchaway.com/.

Recently I have been always focusing on the future and never living in the moment that God has given to me. I am always focusing on the big picture instead of life’s little details. I wanted a way to appreciate what I was gifted with at that time so I decided to make a big book of all the things I love to gain some appreciation for them. This book wound up being a story of my life. (Not going to lie, Benjamin Buttons had a little something to do with this). But it’s still sweet though because when ever I am too focused on, let’s say getting my license, I can look back in the book and say ” That’s too far ahead! Remember how you love chipped nail polish! Looking forward isn’t important right now”. This way i can keep myself in check. No matter what, I can’t control my future and this is a way for me to understand and enjoy what God has given to me.

1 Timothy 6:19 (New International Version)

19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

When I read this verse it really told me that it is important to think about the small things not only to enjoy them, but in order to live the life God has planned for me, I need to do things for him that do not have anything to do with the future but right then in that moment.

I found this video that I think really goes along with the whole theme of living in the moment and appreciating the small things in life, especially during the times that we are in economically as a country.

Hey guys

My name is Eva and I am a student at EPIC Student Ministries. I was so excited when Ryan opened the opportunity to some of the students to blog on his website. I can’t wait to see what God has in store.

I am the youth group photographer so i will try to put up pictures as frequently as possible.

I hope you like to read what I have to say.

Thanks! Eva

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