BillSimmonsLive

Why I am Fasting

I am hearing so many people from SpringWell talk about how our church-wide fast is affecting them.

Several have shared how they are being stretched by the discipline and encouraged by prayers being answered.

During the first week of our fast, I wrote down several things where I am praying for a breakthrough.

• Teddy (our son) to find a job - He lost his in the fall and like many have struggled replacing it.
• Conquered Addictions – I desire every personal impulsive choice I make be disciplined and for our church to reach as many as we can through Celebrate Recovery. We will be launching this ministry in the fall or early 2011.
• Financial Breakthrough for SpringWell – We are seeking God on behalf of those who are not tithing and asking Him to stretch their faith and give them consistency in giving. This would radically influence our effectiveness as a church to reach our community.
• Expand Legacy Coaching – I am asking God to open up doors locally for churches and pastors to partner with our Leadership Coaching and Church Health Consulting ministry. Local clients would help decrease my travel and expand our networking. This would also empower us to give more to the Kingdom.
• Greater Physical Discipline – I have personally struggled with my physical weight and health more over the last 2 years then I ever have. I am learning that I really need God's help to renew this discipline in my life.

If you were at SpringWell on Sunday, you certainly experienced how prayer and fasting produced an incredible sense of expectation during the service. God showed up in a big way. Lives were changed! We also received our biggest weekend offering in over a year.

You tell me….does prayer and fasting work?

This is just the beginning….get ready for your breakthrough!

Why are you fasting?

Internship Announcement

 
I am very excited to announce SpringWell Churchwill begin an Internship starting August 1, 2010.

 

This intentional leadership development program focuses on helping interns discover their own call as a church leader, acquire specific skills relating to ministry, and form habits that will carry them into a lifetime of ministry service.

 

Interns will have the opportunity to receive practical training through one of two different internship tracks: General and Specific. Our hope is to give our interns a 30,000 foot view of the church in the General Track or detailed training in the Specific ministry related Track.

 

Interns will be fully immersed in ministry alongside a staff pastor who leads a specific area. That staff pastor will serve as your immediate supervisor and coach. Mentorship in the areas of spiritual formation and leadership development will be provided by the Executive Pastor. Your involvement will span everything from service tasks that are critical to the running of the ministry, to significant leadership opportunities designed to stretch and grow you, and then everything else in-between. While your focus will likely be on a particular ministry area, you will need to see yourself as a team player who is able to serve wherever needed. 

 

If you sense God calling you to an adventure that requires huge faith, this might be just what you are looking for.

 

Interns will raise funds as a missionary to our community. You will receive training and personal coaching to help develop partners and raise funds.

 Download SpringWell Internship Application

The Daniel Fast

As we prepare for our church-wide 21-day fast, I wanted to share the basic guidelines for a Daniel Fast. This is based the experience of Daniel in the book of Daniel in the Old Testament.

SpringWell is fasting from February 1-21, 2010. Each person is asked to fast something of his or her choice. Some will be fasting food altogether, others will be fasting technology such as TV, texting, internet, or Facebook, while some will do different types of food fasts.

If you choose to do a Daniel Fast, the following will be helpful:

Foods You May Eat

• Whole Grains
  Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
• Beans
  Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas
• Fruits
  Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon
• Vegatables
  Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini. Veggie burgers are also an option if you're not allergic to soy.
• Liquids
  Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices. You may also drink protein drinks.
• Others
  Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

Foods To Avoid

• Meat
• White Rice
• Fried Foods
• Caffeine
• Carbonated Beverages
• Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
• Refined Sugar
• Sugar Substitutes
• White Flour and All Products Using It
• Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

 

The Future of Spiritual Formation

I am so excited to announce that SpringWell Church is partnering with Monvee to be on the forefront of The Future of Spiritual Formation.

We will unveil this exciting web-based tool on Saturday during our CORE Leadership Retreat.

Monvee will assist those who desire to be a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ by developing a handcrafted personalized spiritual growth plan.

John Ortberg says, "Assembly line approaches to discipleship don't work, because everyone is uniquely wired. Monvee will help people own and design the way of life where they can experience maximum growth. People have a crying need to find a way to follow Jesus that is not mechanical or legalistic and that is concrete. Disciples of Jesus cannot be mass produced they have to be handcrafted."

One of our Core Values at SpringWell is Personal Growth. We believe every disciple of Jesus Christ must take personal responsibility for growing in character, emotional wholeness, and relational authenticity. This is why we feel providing such an innovative resource as Monvee meshes with who we are as a church. You are unique and God created you that way. Therefore, a cookie cutter approach to discipleship must be replaced with unique personalized plan, based on how you were created.

Monvee will be the perfect partner with our Growth Groups. Monvee will challenge you as an individual to take personal responsibility and Growth Groups will provide a relational environment for support, encouragement, and accountability. This is a powerful combination.

Monvee will be available to those not attending the retreat for a cost of $40.00. This will give you lifetime access to developing your personalized spiritual growth plan. You will be able to update your plan periodically based on the stages and seasons of your life.

You will hear much more in the coming weeks and months. We are thrilled to be ahead of the curve as we partner with the exciting innovation that is going to take the church and discipleship into a completely new level.

Dominican Republic Mission Trip Announcement

 I am so excited to announce SpringWell will be going to the Dominican Republic October 16-23, 2010 for our foreign mission trip.

We will be partnering with Missionaries Danny and Denise Stone who lovely lead Restoration Ranch. The Ranch is a residential home for abandoned or orphaned children.

We will serve this awesome ministry through a number of servant-evangelism projects. These include:

· Construction Projects

· Prayer Walking

· Children’s Ministry

· And much more

The trip will be open to all those 18 years old and up.

If you are interested in being a part of our team…. Download Dominican Republic Mission Trip Packet 2010

New Orleans Mission Trip Announcement

 
I am so excited to announce SpringWell will be going to New Orleans July 18-24, 2010 for our stateside summer mission trip.

We will be partnering with several ministries to impact the lives of those still devastated by the aftermath of Katrina.

We will serve this great city through a number of servant-evangelism projects. These include:

· Children’s Ministry

· Work a Day Camp

· Music Ministry

· Construction Projects

· And much more

We will be coming alongside Vintage Church (a church plant in the heart of New Orleans) and MissionLab as our primary partners.

The trip will be open to all those 12 years old and up.

If you are interested in being a part of our team….

Download New Orleans Mission Trip Packet 2010

Rest & Reflection

Our office has limited hours this week and next due to the holidays. I was also able to use the last of my vacation days for some extra rest and reflection. I normally use vacation time to disconnect and decompress. I try to avoid emails and phone calls related to ministry to recharge my personal batteries.

Instead of traveling this vacation, we are staying home for the holidays. I am spending these two weeks mixing personal pleasure and ministry preparation. This is a detour from my normal routine of total disconnection. I am excited about resting, reading, and reflecting at a slower pace.

I have learned true rest is not recovery from what we have been through; but preparation for the future.

Here are a few things I believe about the future:

In regards to SpringWell:

• God is up to something at SpringWell. You want to be there when it happens
• Whatever God is up to will require BIG faith!
• Empowering Leaders must be a front burner issue
• Unity around our vision and values cannot be compromised
• Prayer and Fasting will play a major role in tapping into the unexplainable

In regards to my family:

• This will be a year of healing from the pain of the last few years. (Our son's divorce took us through a grief like I've never known)
• Greenville will be cemented in our hearts as we establish this as our home for the long term future
• Renee and I will commit to sharing our marriage (along with its joys and struggles) with others to help them find grace, forgiveness, and health
• We will do everything we can to spoil our grandson, TJ!

In regards to Legacy Coaching:

• Coming along side Pastors and Church Leaders will remain our focus
• We will implement some new and creative ways to influence Church Health
• New doors for networking will open based on relationships (Because…it's all about relationships!)
• We will beat the drum that each church is unique and should focus on its own DNA without apology
• We will free pastors and churches from the frustration of imitating the models of other churches and leaders

Enough reflecting….I need to rest some more….thanks for reading.

What are your thoughts?

SpringWell Retreat

You do not want to miss SpringWell's CORE Leadership Retreat planned for January 22-23, 2010!

You can register here and save $15.00 per person. The current cost is only $60.00. The retreat is for ALL Volunteers and Leaders at SpringWell. However, ANYONE who seeks spiritual growth and is interested in developing a personalized plan is welcome to join us. Friday night will be a time of outstanding worship and a message from Scott. Saturday will include a live simulcast with John Ortberg and Dallas Willard along with a catered lunch. You also get your very own SpringWell T-shirt and registration to a new Web-based Spiritual Growth Tool. Don't forget…we are providing childcare at no cost when you request it during registration. Sign up today and spread the word!

Prayer: You’ve Been Acquitted…Pass It On

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

During week three of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We focused on Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Unforgiveness blocks the effectiveness of our prayers

We all stand in need of forgiveness of our sins and the Good News is WE ARE! Jesus paid the price for our sins and the debt has been cancelled. You've been acquitted.

Once forgiven, we are called to PASS IT ON!

If you have someone in your life with whom you are withholding forgiveness, don't allow this to block the effectiveness of your prayers.

We must use our freedom to free others. Self-centeredness causes short-sightedness. Reconciliation must be our ultimate goal.

I know this is easier said than done. Not everyone you are in conflict with wants to truly reconcile. I have experienced this recently in my life. I have struggled learning to forgive a person who will not take responsibility for their role in the situation. But despite this, Jesus teaches us to forgive over and over if needed. Though the relationship doesn't fully reconcile, your willingness to forgive, removes the blockades between you and God through prayer.

Is Unforgiveness blocking the effectiveness of your prayers?

Who are you harboring bitterness toward?

You are forgiven…Pass it on! Always make relationship the priority.

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about forgiveness and the power of prayer.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Prayer: Your Agenda or His?

Prayer does not change God….Prayer changes us.

During week two of Prayer 101, we continued to investigate the Lord's Prayer as our model to follow.

We looked at two phrases: You kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. AND Give us this day our daily bread.

When we pray, we must learn to pray according to God's agenda not ours.

It is very tempting, when we pray, to come to God with our list of things we want done. This is ineffective and frustrating.

Effective prayer is prayed according to God's agenda. His will and not ours.

What is the focus of your prayers? Is it His agenda or yours?

Are you asking God to make your will happen or His?

Are you seeking His provision or giving Him your list of wants?

Take a listen to our Podcast for more about praying God's agenda.

I would love to hear about the difference prayer is making in your life.

Do You Limp or Strut?

Yesterday, I wrote the following status on my Facebook: When hiring staff.....I'd much rather hire someone with a limp instead of a strut.

I received several comments and thought I would expound more on my blog.

I think the limp represents those who are broken and dependant. Jacob is a great example of this in Genesis 32:22-32. Jacob wrestled with God and walked away with a limp for the rest of his life. He was transformed through his struggle.

When I hire someone, I want those who have been through enough struggle they know they are dependent on God. Broken people are dependent on God. This is much different from those who act like a victim all the time. Brokenness and dependence produces humility.

Those with a strut are quite the opposite. They are self-reliant and have no need for others. They miss the point of team ministry and dependence on God. I often say, "I cannot teach someone who knows it all." The strut represents those who know it all.

To be honest, when I first started out in ministry….I walked with a strut. It took almost 10 years before I was willing to wrestle with God and walk away with a limp. Today, I would never trade my limp in for the strut. I embrace it. I value it. I respect it.

How about you? Do you limp or strut?

Fierce Conversations: Book Review

Fierce Conversations is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The reason is I can put what I have learned to use right away. Many books are inspiring but very few actually cause us to change our behaviors.

There are so many quotes I enjoyed; I would not know where to begin in sharing them with you. I will say this book challenged me in a huge way. I've never been one who enjoys idle conversations that stay focused on the surface. Fierce Conversations opened my eyes to how I can influence each conversation to be a meaningful one. As a result, I was inspired to share with our staff some lessons regarding Confrontational Conversations.

Below are some of the notes. If becoming a more effective leader is important to you, I highly recommend reading this book.

 

Staff Meeting Notes from June 9, 2009

 

How do you have a conversation where you need to confront an issue?

 

What does it mean to confront someone?

 

Fierce = robust, intense, strong, powerful, passionate, eager, unbridled

 

Four Purposes of a Fierce Conversation

 

1. Interrogate Reality
2. Provoke Learning
3. Tackle Tough Issues
4. Enrich Relationships

 

Why do we avoid such conversations?

 

Seven Components to Opening a Fierce Conversation:

 

1. Name The issue
2. Provide specific example that illustrate the behavior or situation you want to change
3. Describe your emotions about this issue
4. Clarify what is at stake
5. Indentify your contribution to the problem
6. Indicate your wish to resolve the issue
7. Invite a response

Core Values: Bonus

Over the last week or so, I've been sharing the core values that drive my ministry life. They are the hills I am willing to die on. These 7 values guide every decision I make as a church leader. Let's review:

 

• Authentic Relationships - People not programs and relationships not religion are built through biblical community.

  Acts 2:44-46; John 15:12

   

• Transformation - Life is a journey and best developed through biblical application and taking responsibility for personal growth. Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:22-25

 

• Reproduction - Church growth is the result of growing people…growing people. Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-13

   

• Team Ministry - Servanthood expressed through shared vision and values produces synergy. Philippians 2:4; Romans 12:5

 

• Cultural Relevance - Creativity and excellence in our forms and methods maximize effectiveness. 1 Chronicles 12:32;

1 Corinthians 9:22-23; Colossians 3:23-24

 

• Simplicity - Church is not meant to be complicated therefore we strive for balance as we live out everyday Christianity.

  Matthew 6:33

   

• Prayer - Private and corporate prayer is relied upon in every area of our lives and this church. Matthew 7:7-8;

  2 Chronicles 7:14

 

How about you? Have you gone through the journey of discovering your core values?

Core Values 7 of 7

 

Prayer - Private and corporate prayer is relied upon in every area of our lives and the church.

 

Ministry is too tough to be accomplished in my own power. This is why prayer is so important. Prayer is a humbling experience. It positions us to a place where we are dependent on God.

 

Prayer is birthed in relationship. It is an act of faith. When we engage in prayer, we are acknowledging our need for God to be involved in our lives.

 

It is my desire for everything I do to be bathed in prayer. It is only then I have confidence to move forward.

 

How about you? Is prayer a value in your life? Are you living out that value or just wishing you were? How has prayer given you confidence?

 

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.        Matthew 7:7-8

 

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.    2 Chronicles 7:14

Core Values 6 of 7

 

Simplicity - Church is not meant to be complicated therefore; we strive for balance as we live out everyday Christianity.

 

The most radical thing in life is balance. We live in a world of extremes. The church has many times fallen into the same trap. This is why I crave simplicity in ministry.

 

As a church leader, I strive for simplicity and balance in all we do. The church has too often complicated things. We create programs to oversee programs and put committees together to develop rules for our rules. All of this is very exhausting.

 

Christianity is about radical balance. The Sermon on the Mount is full of examples. Jesus calls us to find ultimate balance in Him and through the Kingdom of God.

 

How about you? Does life seem complicated? Do you crave simplicity? What needs to be simplified in your life?

 

Here is the scripture I use as a foundation for this value:

 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.     Matthew 6:33

Core Values 4 of 7

 

Team Ministry - Servanthood expressed through shared vision and values produces synergy.

 

I learned many years ago, doing ministry with others is a whole lot more productive and fun. I actually hate to do ministry on my own. I am very intentional about making sure team is a part of everything we do.

 

Team ministry is not always easy but is always worth it. We have to be willing to embrace other personalities, leadership styles, and conflict. We must learn to celebrate diversity. Everyone brings something to table.

 

I also think shared vision and values are key to a team's success. If we all want the same thing for the same reasons, we will sacrifice without question. When I work with a new team, I always take time deal with vision and values.

 

How about you? Are you a lone ranger or team leader? What about team ministry gives you life? What are the challenges you face in developing teams?

 

Here are a couple of scriptures I use to support this value:

 

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

 

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:5

Core Values 3 of 7

 

Reproduction - Church growth is the result of growing people…growing people.

 

Today's core value is the direct result of transformation. We all reproduce what we are. The best church growth strategy is when changed people…change people. When growing people….grow people.

 

What are you reproducing? God has an expectation for each of us to influence the lives around us. What is your influence producing?

 

Here are a couple of scriptures that guide this value in my life:

 

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

 

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;    Ephesians 4:11-13

Core Values 2 of 7

 

Today, I would like to share the second of seven core values I have for ministry.

 

Transformation - Life is a journey and best developed through biblical application and taking responsibility for personal growth.

 

I learned very early in ministry God was the ultimate change agent. Being a fully devoted disciple of Christ meant I could no longer accept the status quo. We are to live life as examples of what transformed people are like.

 

I also found myself frustrated in those early years of ministry when Christians expected the church to do everything for them. This is not God's plan. He expects each of us to take responsibility for our own personal and spiritual growth.

 

Change and transformation are expected when we begin to follow Christ. I want to live a life where I expect the same thing in my life and the life of those who call themselves Disciples.

 

How about you? Are you taking responsibility for your personal and spiritual growth? Are you living a stagnant life or are you being transformed? What needs to change? Here are a couple scriptures that guide this value in my life:

 

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.    Romans 12:1-2

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.    Galatians 5:22-25

 

Core Values 1 of 7

Over the next week or so, I would like to share my personal ministry values. These are the hills I am willing to die on in ministry. I consider them to be clear, constant, and non-negotiable.

This is about the way I am wired and how I believe God has designed me to accomplish the vision He has for my Calling.

This list of Core Values is the result of a journey of discovery I took several years ago. I spent a lot of time reflecting, questioning, and getting input from those around me. Here is my first value:

Authentic Relationships - People not programs and relationships not religion are built through biblical community.

I have discovered relationships are one of the most important things in my life. Not superficial relationships but rather relationships that authentic and biblical.

I have found this to be both my strength and weakness. The strength shows itself in my commitment to those with whom I share community. The weakness demonstrates itself through the wounds I experience when a relationship goes through unresolved conflict.

This commitment to relationship frees me to confront any issue (good or bad) for the sake of open communication.

I've learned God only cares about three things: Relationships, Relationships, and Relationships.

The success of any relationship is dependent on only three things: Communication, Communication, and Communication.

The scriptures that guide this value in my life are as follows:

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.      Acts 2:44-46

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.    John 15:12

Decompression Vacation

Today is my first day back in the office since going on vacation. This past week was great for so many reasons. First, I spent the entire week with Renee. I love getting away when it is just the two of us.

I realized the second day that I was on a Decompression Vacation. Most of this year has been stressful and we really needed some time to blow off some steam.

Life is full of rhythms and I am finding it very important to disconnect from time to time. We need to just get away and focus on other things. It does not always need to be an expensive vacation. Just disrupt the routine.

The Simmons home is like many of yours. We face struggles and trials that bring stress. Some days I feel like we are good examples of how to handle stress and other days, I feel like we fail at it. One thing I do know is we all reach our pressure point. Before you blow….decompress.

I was able to decompress on my vacation by:

• Finishing two books
• Watching Heroes Season Two
• Laying on a tube at the Lazy River
• Hanging out pool side for 3 days
• Sleeping in everyday
• Taking walks with Renee

I felt God bring new energy to me as I decompressed.

How do you decompress? (Click "comments" below to share)

Blogging Break

Renee and I are leaving for vacation early tomorrow morning. I have decided that I will NOT blog or update my Facebook when I am away. In the past, I have stayed connected with status updates or quick pictures of what we are doing.

I think it is important I totally disconnect on this trip. No blogging, no Facebook, and no email. I will be back the week of September 29^th.

See you then.

Legacy Coaching Web Site

I am so excited to announce that Doug Cowburn and I have gone public with our new web site for Legacy Coaching.

My blog is reaching people from several difference audiences.

• As a way connect and communicate with the members of SpringWell.
• To keep my family, friends, and ministry colleagues up to date concerning my life and ministry.
• To challenge and serve church leaders regarding leadership, church health, and change.

Legacy Coaching is just another way to help encourage and support church leaders. I plan to blog more about this in the future.

I would love to get your thoughts regarding the new web site.

Forgiveness Follow-Up

Yesterday I wrote about The Power of Forgiveness. I have reflected on the blog quite a bit since posting it. Here are some other thoughts:

Forgiveness is a choice. When I hear people say they "can't forgive", what they are really saying is "I won't". Jesus Christ gives us the ultimate example of forgiveness. Check out Luke 23:33-35. Jesus made the choice to forgive based on unconditional love. His example empowers us to choose forgiveness.

I mentioned yesterday how I have grieved watching someone not offer forgiveness when it could have radically changed a situation. I know that if I am not careful, I might fall into the trap of not offering forgiveness to the person who will not forgive. Scott and I were talking yesterday and he said that as Christians we often hide behind "Righteous Unforgiveness." This happens when we think we have a "right" to call out someone else's sin or shortcomings, when we are actually doing the same thing.

All this has challenged me to check my heart. I cannot allow myself to become bitter because I am disappointed that someone will not forgive. This would only allow my heart to be hardened. I would be doing the same thing that I do not want the person to do. I would be walking in Unforgiveness.

This leaves me with a choice: Am I willing to forgive someone for not forgiving? YES! I will not allow myself to fall into the trap of Unforgiveness. With the example of Jesus…..I can choose. It's not easy but it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

Yesterday, I gave some scripture references about forgiveness. Here are some books I highly recommend on the topic:

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

The Bait of Satan

Wendy suggested a book in a comment yesterday as well.

The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a powerful thing. It not only has the power to change the way you or I approach the future, it also has the power to transform the life of the person we offer forgiveness to.

Forgiveness has changed the course in my life many times:

• When I was seventeen and could not hide my sin anymore, a pastor's wife named Elizabeth Brummett showed me so much unconditional love that it opened the door for me to move on despite my mistakes.
• On a hot August Friday afternoon in 1986, I kneeled down at the couch of our apartment and asked God to forgive me of my arrogance and sin. That day changed me forever. Ever since, I have been apprehended by Someone who will not let me go. His name is Jesus!
• Renee and I are approaching 25 years of marriage. During these years, her forgiveness has helped mold me as much as anything. I have grown in compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness because she has given it to me. 143!

Forgiveness is powerful. When you receive it, your life is changed. When you give it, you open your life and the life of the one you forgive to deep personal transformation.

In recent months, I have struggled because someone I love very much has not received the forgiveness they seek from someone else. I have watched how the pain of their actions have hurt a person they care about very much. However, I have also seen how the offended person has held back forgiveness. I have grieved watching this. The offended person has the power of forgiveness at their disposal but refuses to use it. As a result, transformation they seek has not taken place.

When we hold on to Unforgiveness, when hinder our own personal/spiritual growth. We also miss the opportunity to help the one who wronged us. Offering them forgiveness might be the best chance they have to change. Do not hold on to bitterness and Unforgiveness. Give forgives away. It is one of the most powerful things you can do. Here are some great scriptures about forgiveness:

Luke 6:37; Matthew 6:15-15; Matthew 18:1-35; 1 John 1:9

How about you? How has receiving forgiveness transformed you? (Click "Comments" below and share your thoughts)

Membership at SpringWell

It has been a great year at SpringWell. So many things have excited me. One of those things is how well our membership workshops have been. We have offered SpringWell 101 three times this year and have received 87 new members as a result. Wow!

If you haven't made the commitment to partner with SpringWell through membership, the next date will be Sunday, November 2^nd from 4:00-7:00 PM.