The roar of love

Fierce Conversations

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:41:00 +0000

"A fierce conversation is one in which we come out from behind ourselves into the conversation and make it real--" that's how Susan Scott defines authentic communication in her book "Fierce Conversations."

She also writes, "The goals of fierce conversation are to . . . *Interrogate reality *Provoke learning *Tackle tough issues *Enrich relationships."

Scott gives some great insights into why our conversations tend to stay at a surface (and thus often meaningless) level. For example, "While we tell ourselves we are softening the message so as not to hurt someone else's feelings, we are really trying to protect ourselves."

She concludes that, "The best leaders talk 'with' people not 'at' them."

If you want to sharpen your communication skills then this is an important read.

Most miserable

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:20:00 +0000

Yesterday, Forbes.com listed the top 20 cities in America that are the "most miserable" to live in. And you guessed it . . . we're right in the armpit of it all. Cleveland topped the list at number 1. Canton is ranked number 9. And Akron made it in at number 12!

The rankings were assigned from a compilation of highest unemployment, high taxes, lousy weather, corruption by public officials and crummy sports teams (among other things).

I have to admit . . . this one hurt.

So, I started doing my own list: Why I love living in Northern Ohio.

1. Loyal sports fans. Let's face it, for those of us who have spent a lot of time in Northern Ohio, we have learned what it means to be loyal to our teams. We are NOT fair-weather fans. The Browns just might win the Superbowl this year!

2. Out of darkness shines the brightest light. A lot of eyes are on Northern Ohio. I believe with all my heart that God is doing a great thing here. There will come a time when people will ask, "What happened to turn Northern Ohio around?" And the only answer that will be given is simply: "Jesus."

3. When things are at their worst, the church is at its best. Misery is one of the greatest opportunities for the church to shine. I love being part of a church like RiverTree--A church that offers hope and healing in times of greatest need.

How about you?

This morning I saw Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:34:00 +0000

Early this morning I was with my friend Gary. We ran into a homeless man who had been standing outside since midnight waiting for a soup kitchen to open. Snowing all night and frigid temperatures.

Gary invited this man to have a cup of coffee. The guy was quite literally almost frozen. Gary rubbed his hands together to warm them--it was the only way the homeless guy could hold a cup of coffee. Gary then proceeded to take the guy's tennis shoes off--they were soaked. The homeless guy didn't have any socks on. Gary got a towel and dried the man's bare feet.

This was the amazing part . . . Next, Gary took off his own shoes and socks and put his socks on the homeless man's feet.

This morning I saw Jesus . . . in the homeless man . . . and in Gary.

Find another church . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:33:00 +0000

Here's the deal on what I said this past weekend about encouraging people to find another church if they just want to sit on the sidelines, be fed week in and week out, and be consumer "Christians."

Far too many people in the USA attend a church rather than "be" the church. And the church can never be what God wants it to be if we're not all participating in the Body of Christ.

Now, if you are healing or still trying to decide if you want to be a Jesus-follower, that's a different story. At times we're wounded and need time to recoup. At times we need to figure things out.

All I'm saying is that being a follower of Jesus (which implies you are part of the church) means an active faith. It means we don't "come" to church to be entertained. We "go out" as the church to bring God's Kingdom now and forever. If you're attending a RiverTree Campus to "fill up," and you never "go out," then you'll just be a fat Christian. You'll be continually uncomfortable at RiverTree because that's not what we're about. It would probably be best if you found another church. BUT, if you want to join us on this journey, partnering together to change the world in Jesus' name, then let's go--let's encourage one another along the way--let's be a movement of people with the DNA of Jesus, inhabiting and influencing every nook and cranny of society and culture!

I see you

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:51:00 +0000

Among the tribes of northern Natal in South Africa, the most common greeting, equivalent to "hello" in English, is the expression: "sawu bona." It literally means, "I see you." If you are a member of the tribe, you would probably reply by saying "sikhona" or "I am here." The order of the exchange is important: until you see me, I do not exist. It's as if, when you see me, you bring me into existence.

My two year old son will stand in front of me and clap his hands when I'm watching television. I'll say, "I see you Elijah." But he'll continue to clap and to watch me. He wants to know if I really see him or if my attention has quickly returned to the TV. "Daddy, do you really know that "I am here?" Sometimes I'll mute the TV so that I can place my full attention on him, or I'll take him into my lap. I want him to know that I really do see him. That he matters.

How many times throughout a day does someone stand in front of me and wonder if I really see them? If I am really present with them.

God, this day, help me to see people. To affirm that they are really here. That they matter.

Had a blast

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:03:00 +0000

Yesterday, I spent the day shooting . . . literally. I was at an all day fundraiser that was built around trap-shooting. Had a blast(so to speak).

Several months ago I began practicing for this event and quickly became enthralled with the idea of shooting clay pigeons(sporting clays, if you want to be politically correct). As the gentleman who put the event together said, "Guns, cigars, alcohol and raising money for young people . . . it doesn't get any better than this." Ummm, I'll skip the alcohol (as should most of the other guys--at least until they finish shooting), but I have to agree with him.

Despite the single digit temperature(we were outside for about 6 hours) more than $30,000 was raised to help college campus ministries.

What happened in Cleveland?

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:41:00 +0000

I had dinner with Rich and Dori Gorman this week. They're a young couple who is praying through leading our next church plant in Cleveland, Ohio. Really amazing couple.

I am convinced that Cleveland is going to become a great light for Jesus. That a few years from now people will ask the question, "What happened in Cleveland?" And that the only answer that will be able to be given is, "Jesus."

It's great to have Lebron, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and we all know that "Cleveland rocks!" But at the end of it all, Jesus--through the local church--is what will make the difference.

Why children?

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:00:00 +0000

We had a really good weekend with the 14 year old girl who came to stay with us. I have to admit that it was a little strange . . . at 14 she is really a young woman.

It didn't take long for her to warm up to us and for us to warm up to her. I pray she may have experienced God's love through our family.

On Sunday evening, after she returned to her permanent foster family, I asked Tabitha (11) if she knew why we brought children into our home? She responded, "It's what Jesus would do." Mmmm, it's all worthwhile.

Divine appointment

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:57:00 +0000

This weekend Julie and I are providing a home for a 14 year old girl in foster/respite care.

Wess Stafford has encouraged me to view every interaction with a child as a "divine appointment." My prayer is that this little girl will experience the love of God through our family.

One of the things that is so good about all of this is that God's heart in our family is growing . . .

Daddy, daughter, Disney

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:10:00 +0000

Last night I took my daughter, Tabitha, to Cleveland to see Disney On Ice. Actually, three of the dads from my Thrive Group took their daughters.

The show was horrible (the skating was even low quality). BUT, I would do it all again in a heartbeat to spend a memorable night with my 11 year old daughter.

When I was in Ecuador with Fernando Puga (the Compassion Director of the country) last week, he made the statement to me that 80% of the problems in the Ecuadorian families could be solved if dads would start being fathers. I'm not sure it's so different here in the U.S.A.

It's easy for me to come up with excuses . . . I'm too busy, work is too demanding, I just want to chill at the end of a long day . . .

I suppose that if I don't make the time to be a "father," I'll find my relationship with my daughter is skating on very thin ice.

Haiti every day

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:23:00 +0000

I think we're all horrified at the images coming to us from the devastation in Haiti. And we should be. We are called to respond with prayer and sharing our resources.

The thing that has struck me as I return from amidst the devastating effects of poverty in Ecuador is this . . .

28,000 children under the age of 5 die from poverty or preventable poverty related diseases EVERY SINGLE DAY around the globe. In other words, the horror of Haiti, in reality, is being repeated every moment of our lives.

What will we do? How will we live? When will we respond?

Like Albita

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:36:00 +0000

Spent the day at a Compassion project yesterday. The highlight for me was the in-home visit. We walked through the dust up a hillside to a one room, dirt-floor home, where 7 year old Jonathon and his family live. (Jonathon is enrolled in the Compassion Project.)

One of Compassion's Leadership Development Program students, Albita, was with us and told her story. She has been in Compassion since she was five years old. She is now in her second year of university studying electrical engineering. She is completely sold out to Jesus and transforming her local community for God's Kingdom.

Jason Lantz was in the home with me. His daughter is five years old-the same age Albita began the Compassion program. Jason looked at her and said, "I hope my daughter grows up to be like you." I fell apart. I want my daughter, Tabitha, to grow up with a deep commitment to Jesus like Albita as well.

So here we are in the midst of poverty watching God transform lives. In this world there is both material poverty and spiritual poverty. In Ecuador we are working with material poverty but seeing people rich in spirit. In America we are rich in material things but so often living in spiritual poverty.

Guyaquil to Quito

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:30:00 +0000

We traveled from Quyaquil to Quito yesterday. Cities where millions of people make their home and 60% of the children live in extreme poverty. Wess Stafford, the CEO of Compassion International, was traveling with us. As a result of the horrific earthquake in Haiti he had to immediately fly back to the States.

Last evening, Fernando Pugo, the Ecuador country director of Compassion told us that the South American Compassion projects will be sending 1 million dollars to Haitian relief efforts. There are more than 45,000 Compassion sponsored children in Haiti--most of them in Port-Au-Prince. For more info and how to help, go to www.compassion.com.

Guyaquil

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:52:00 +0000

I flew to Guyaquil, Ecuador yesterday. Long day. Left the house at 8:45 A.M. and got to our hotel at close to midnight.

I'm with about 30 other Pastors who are largely church planters. We're hoping to implant the DNA for caring for children at risk in the early stages of their new churches.

We visited a Compassion Project this morning and then visited in the homes of some of the Compassion children this afternoon. Heart-breaking. The home I visited was the size of my walk-in closet only it's a family of eight living there. They spend $30 a week on groceries for 8--ummm, I often spend that on a single meal.

It is good to have my heart wrecked.

In spite of the poverty . . . there is hope. Hope for the families here and hope for my ailing heart.

A Million Miles In A Thousand Years

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:33:00 +0000

"A Million Miles In A Thousand Years" is Donald Miller's most recent book release. You might remember him from "Blue Like Jazz" and "Searching For God Knows What," among others.

I have to tell you that I did not have high hopes for this book. A friend recommended it and so I picked it up. And much to my pleasant surprise . . .

I don't remember the last time . . . Actually, I don't ever remember this happening before . . . but when I finished "Miles," I wanted to start reading it again immediately. It affected me that deeply.

Miller's premise is simple but profound: We are all living a story--will it be a boring story, a good story, a great story?

I WANT TO LIVE AN EPIC STORY!!!

Miller's authenticity, word-smithing and downright great story-telling make this a must read.

Live Your Life For Half The Price

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:35:00 +0000

Mary Hunt's book, "Live Your Life For Half The Price," is full of helpful, practical tips on how to save money.

It seemed appropriate at the close of a year and the start of a new one to take a look at our financial standing. A friend gave me this book so I picked it up.

Mary lists numerous web-sites that can help us all cut costs.

If you're interested in being frugal but not cheap, this is a good resource.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:13:00 +0000

2009 has come and gone. In fact, an entire decade has now come to a close . . .

2010, with all of its hopes, new beginnings, fresh starts, do-overs--you've got to love a new year.

My one prayer for this coming new year? I want to know Jesus.

"Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." --Philippians 3:8

In the coming year we'll be teaching straight through the book of Matthew at RiverTree ("a record of Jesus" --Matthew 1:1). We'll take as long as it takes. Each week we want people to ask three questions:

1. What is God saying in this text?

2. What is God saying to me personally?

3. What am I going to do about it?

Start reading Matthew chapter one today. Read it once a day all this week. Ask the three questions. Life changing!

Each month we'll have a verse to memorize from Matthew. So here's January's: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” --Matthew 5:16 Memorize with family, with friends, with your children, grandchildren . . . just memorize. Internalizing Scripture will transform our lives.

Join me on the journey. Make it your number one priority in 2010: I WANT TO KNOW JESUS!

The aftermath of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Well, Christmas has once again come and gone.

We held 11 Christmas Eve services at RiverTree which nearly 5,500 people attended. We collected a special gift offering for the Christian Children's Home of Ohio. More than $100,000 was given!!! That will enable the Children's Home to open a new cottage to care for children who are even at greater risk. Yeah God!

If you missed the Christmas Eve teaching or would like to watch it one more time . . . here's a video link: www.vimeo.com/8443521.

Since Christmas, the stomach flu has ravaged our household. It began with me in the wee hours of Monday morning, moved to Elijah a few hours later and then Tabitha on Tuesday. Run, Julie, run!

Two of my favorite Christmas gifts? A family in church found a "Grateful Dead" Christmas bulb for me. I love it! Because I am dead and Christ now lives in me. My friend Tom gave our son Elijah an amazing gift. Tom climbed mount Kilimanjaro with me. When we came down off the mountain our guides gave Tom a traditional Masai blanket wrap that an honored elder would wear. It would only be given to "Babu"--the honored one. Tom graciously gave his wrap to Elijah after he had it embroidered: "To Elijah, love Babu."

I pray you will have a very blessed close to 2009 and that you will walk with God into 2010.

Christmas Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Well, we kicked off the rush of Christmas Eve services last night. We'll be doing 11 this year at our three campuses. I'll be teaching live at 7 of them. Julie is singing at the Portage Campus as well. It's good to have one under our belt.

I feel really good about the service--faithful to God.

In the midst of it all . . . check out this quote by Augustine. He's referencing the fact that "there was no room in the inn for Jesus."

“The house of my soul is too narrow for Thee to come in; let it be enlarged by Thee. It is in ruins. Do Thou restore it.”

God, may You find room in my heart throughout this Christmas season. May You find a welcome and warm place to dwell. Amen.

The Art Of Woo

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:53:00 +0000

My friend, Mike Foster, recommended this book. The Art Of Woo is subtitled, using strategic persuasion to sell your ideas.

Fascinating read.

For me, the biggest take away was to be aware of the needs of others as I convey mission and vision (the needs that I am advocating).

A couple of meaningful thoughts:

"Acquire the ability to get outside of your own frame of reference and see situations from other people's standpoints."

"Try to feel what others feel and see what others see."

"Credibility comes down to audience perceptions of three key things: competence, expertise, and trustworthiness."

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."

If you are involved in any way in moving ideas forward, then this is a very important read.

Three answer

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:02:00 +0000

1. My biggest joy of the past year: Baptizing my daughter, Tabitha!

2. My biggest challenge of the past year: We drove to Hilton Head for our summer break. Received a call that my mother-in-law had a major heart problem. We turned around three hours later and drove home. The next few weeks were really tough. (Mom Rex is doing great now!)

3. What I'm most looking forward to in 2010: Teaching through the book of Matthew in our weekend services.

How about you?

Elders' gathering

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:47:00 +0000

Last night we had our Elders and spouses to our house for our annual Christmas gathering. 22 people for dinner!

It was an amazing evening. Each year as we gather we review the highlights of where we've watched God working throughout the past year. We talk about where we anticipate God leading us in the coming year. And, we each respond to three questions:

1. What was your deepest experience of joy this past year?

2. What was your biggest challenge this past year?

3. What are you most looking forward to in the coming year?

It always amazes me at the authentic depth to which people are willing to respond to these three simple questions. As we close out this year I'll use this formula in several gatherings. If you're having a Christmas party or simply on your own, I would encourage you to take time to reflect with others about your responses.

Christmas cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:26:00 +0000

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my family baking Christmas cookies. Included the in-laws, Grandma and a few cousins. Doesn't sound like the most exciting way to spend a day, but . . . it was good . . . really good.

For the past five years we've been setting aside an afternoon for what has become our Christmas cookie baking tradition. Lots of banter, coffee and actual conversation (found out my 89 year old grandmother wants to get a facelift!).

48 dozen cookies later we called it a day.

So here's one of my favorite recipes:

Sour Cream Cookies

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream

*Cream the above together.

3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla

*Add to the mixture and bake on greased cookie sheet 8-10 minutes.

Ice.

Have a favorite recipe?

The Blind Side--the movie

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Go see this one!

I was pleasantly surprised to see how accurately the movie portrayed the book--a rare thing these days. Sandra Bullock carries the show.

I was wrecked by the end of it. Not because it doesn't have a wondrous ending but because of the incredible need for care in our culture.

The Blind Side

noreply@blogger.com (Greg Nettle) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:25:00 +0000

Finished reading "The Blind Side" yesterday. "Blind Side" is one I probably wouldn't have been aware of if not for the motion picture release that's receiving such acclaim--which our family is going to see tonight.

It's the true account of a wealthy white family in Memphis adopting a giant of a black kid at age 16 named Michael Oher (pronounced "oar"). Turns out that Michael has an amazing aptitude for football-- his adoptive family didn't know that when they fell in love with him. Oher begins playing his Jr. year of high school and then becomes the single most recruited young man to major colleges. Eventually he is drafted by the Baltimore Ravens (boo, hiss), and becomes one of the highest paid players in the NFL.

The book contains great insights into adoption, mixed socioeconomic cultures, and the transforming power of love.

An amazing book with one caveat--there's a lot of football in it.