An interesting week of media. I finished up The Shack, I'm reading The Faith of Barack Obama, and I put together a second video of small group leaders describing their offerings for this fall. There are so many ways to grow as human beings. From reading to being part of a group of people who want to grow deeper in their spiritual lives to so many different things. The important thing is to take the time to be in relationship with God and with people. Here is the video I just put together. All kinds of groups described here from bible studies to men's and family and teen groups to fantasy sports leagues.
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This week I read The Shack by William P. Young. What an excellent book. I like to read mysteries and action type of books and this had that...and so much more. In the book, a man named Mack is invited to the Shack to spend time with Papa. He has the opportunity to have one-on-one time with God, if only he will go for it. Or is it a hoax, or a trap, or a crazed joke? I enjoyed the book so much. I learned so much about God and spent time thinking about my relationships with people and with God. But if you think it is an over-your-head type of book don't worry, there is something for everyone. Yes, it requires some thinking but the plot and the characters draw you in. Will it stretch your thinking about who God is and what it means to be a Christian? Yep, it sure will but that's a good thing. Will you agree with every thought expressed? Maybe not but that can be OK too. It's a novel, not the final word. It gave me a lot to think about. What else can you hope fo
This past week I got to talk with some terrific people who have a heart for helping others grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus. In order to help that happen, they are going to lead Deeper Life small groups this fall. Rather than just put out a brochure of when the groups are meeting and what the topics will be, I met with these leaders and video taped each of them. Then I put together a video to encourage people to become a part of a small group. I even taped myself. Hope you enjoy watching this and are motivated to join a group and grow deeper in your life with Jesus.
Just this week I found out about a web site that lets me share the music I have written with others and lets me discover other new music that I can use as well. It's called www.ShapingWorship.com I have uploaded a couple of my worship songs so you can listen to them and/or download an mp3 of them. The lyrics/chords are also there for viewing and/or downloading. Just click on the "Search" button and type in "Rich Thornton" and you will see a list of my songs. While you are there check out some of the other songs on the site. There are some really good songs there. It's fun to use them here at Friendship Community Church and I look forward to sharing more of them as time goes by.
For the last couple of months I spent a lot of time with these guys in "The Music Man." From the left are John Marrs, Fred Stabley, myself, and Lee Howard. They are great guys and it was a pleasure to practice our barbershop quartet style songs together. Interesting how spending time together with others can help someone to reach out of themselves and learn so much.