There are difficulties in any relationship.  As humans, if we are involved there will be bad decisions, mistakes, misunderstandings, and some extraordinarily good times.  It just seems to work that way.  There are ways to improve our relationships and I believe the church needs to be a primary resource for the community.  It's not that we have all the answers, but rather that we live in honesty with reality and seek to grow and improve our relationships at every opportunity. 

We are working to bring my friend Joe Beam to Northern California in early December.  Joe has been a Pastor, motivational speaker, redeemed son of God, father, grandfather, as well as a guy who has given his life to helping couples find life in their marriage.  I am excited to have him come here and share with this community. 

Joe's ministry, Beam Research Center, provides an intensive weekend encounter for couples who are in trouble.  Their success rate is phenomenal.  It isn't magic, but solid, practical, Spirit led, researched, and well delivered help.  As a Pastor, I have sent over a dozen couples to his intensive weekend and they were all positively impacted. 

Joe has been featured on programs like; the Today Show, Good Morning America, Dave Ramsey, and many regional radio shows.  I feel blessed to have a close relationship with Joe and his family and be able to host him here in the Sierras.  I will be posting more information as the schedule firms up.  If you are within driving distance, this will be well worth your time on the road.  Mark your calendar for Saturday December 8.  http://www.JoeBeam.com.

Two years ago yesterday, God spoke two words that at the time I didn't understand, but within twenty four hours would be crystal clear.  While praying from "Iron Point" as I looked down over the Foothills, I distinctly and clearly heard, "Welcome Home".  Unsure what that meant, I kept those words to myself.  The very next day, Jennifer had the burden of planting a church in Northern California laid upon her heart.

Two years later, Jennifer is on the same campground, with the same amazing lady (Alice Higginbotham) by her side, praying for the movement of God in the lives of women.  I shouldn't be surprised that God would put those two back together on the same campground, serving along side each other, on the same weekend two years later.  

I took my five boys up on the mountain yesterday and we praised God for His creation and work in our life as a family.  I am so grateful to talk about God stories with my boys.  We celebrated His work in our life.  So amazing to hear my kids on a mountain thanking God for people and things in their lives.  Two years... can't believe it has been that long, but it doesn't seem that long. 

Yesterday was a "fellowship" day at GCC.  Great worship set, delicious food, people willing to invest in others, and the sweet aroma of friendship made for a fun morning.  We try and do these "fellowship" days often enough to build a safe place for people to connect and not too often so as to lose it's effectiveness. 

I love watching people get to know others and see how their different stories impact each other.  There is a difficulty in being a relationally driven church, but I wouldn't trade it for a program driven church.  Authenticity and care for others are strands of healthy DNA for a church.  Our fellowship days are great reminders that it is about the relationships.