It seems like I start a lot of my notes talking about the weather.  We start a lot of our conversations this way.  It seems to be the thing we can talk about when we have nothing else to talk about.  It could be because its one thing we all have in common.  If it's raining, we all have to deal with it.  If its sunny, we all enjoy the sunshine.  If its cold, we all feel it.  And if its hot, we all sweat.  

But there's a lot of other things we have in common.  The troubles in this world, the troubles in our own personal life, the troubles that result from the sin in our world and our personal lives.  Struggles. Temptations. Failures. Questions. Concerns. Loneliness.  Its a lot harder for us to talk about these things!  But the truth of our life following Christ is that growth will happen when we begin to take our conversation beyond the weather, beyond sports, beyond our favorite TV show. 

Galations 6:2 tells us, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."  We are to carry each others burdens, and we're often ready and willing to help each other.  However, we are slow to get help with our own burdens.  When we don't share our burdens - our struggles, our temptations, our failures, our questions, our concerns, our loneliness - with Christ-centered friends (the church), not only are we preventing ourselves from getting the help we need, but we hinder the purpose that Christ died for - he died to change your life! 

Do you have any authentic, Christ-honoring relationships?  The kind filled with grace and truth, the kind that ease your burdens in love and confront your problems with God's Word? 

Authentic relationships don't just happen.  We need to take intentional steps towards people filled with grace and truth, the kind of people following Jesus Christ.  I pray that Discovery would be a place filled with such relationships.  I pray you will find life-changing relationships here with us.  I pray that you will connect this week.  Please let me know if I can help you take a step forward today.

Perhaps soon you'll be having a conversation with a trusted, Christ-centered friend about something more than the weather... perhaps one that will change your life. 

Authentically yours,

John