Insight for the Journey

This is a strange, but wonderful season for myself, our family, and Grace Fellowship as a whole.  Debbie and I consider ourselves among the most blessed people on the planet.  Truly!  It would take pages even to scratch the surface were I to list the blessings in our lives.  Every day is Thanksgiving Day at the Keeners’ house… minus the turkey!

Yet we also see this blessed time as a season of transition for Grace Fellowship.  Fifteen years ago Grace started with a laser-like focus.  Our desire was to create environments that were highly conducive to life-change.  While this happens in lots of settings, it is most likely to happen in environments where people are vulnerable enough to be known and accountable enough to be challenged.  Usually that means small group settings where brothers and sisters are doing life together. 

We have lead and participated in many small groups like that through the years.  And yes, we can testify to lives that we’ve seen changed, transformed for the glory of God.  Yahoo!  You bet!  God has done marvelous things among us!

Somehow, through the years, we’ve drifted from that simple focus on discipleship.  Nothing malicious, nothing malevolent.  Just drift.  Almost unconsciously and imperceptibly we’ve come to value good things over the best things. 

But this is a new day.  I call you…I challenge you… to get back to basics with us.  Let’s have the courage to recalibrate.  Although painful at times, let’s say “no” to some really good things.  And let’s have the audacity to say “no” to better things.  Why?  Because good and better will never do when the best is waiting.

Where will this journey take us?  I’m not sure…but I think we’ll end up at the feet of Jesus.