What to expect!

As you follow this Blog and plug into "The Upside Down Group" here is one thing you can look forward to.

The Upside Down Group is about encouraging others to become encouragers in their community. One of the tools we use to accomplish this is through our weekly Encouragement assignments. On Sunday of every week we will hand out a new assignment. These assignments are designed to be simple to accomplish yet at times can be extremely challenging to do. This is because while the work is easy the assignment will occasionally push you outside your comfort zone. Let me encourage you to stick with it, push your comfort zone and accomplish the task. As you do you will find you have strength where you thought you were week. As you follow the process you will find some assignments are very easy for you while others incredibly challenging. You will learn more about yourself. Best of all you will have fun (The more challenging the task the more joy you will receive) Then one day not too far away you will be walking down the street, in line at a store, or eating at a restaurant when you notice someone and the thought will come to mind to do something for them. No assignment, no nudge from someone else YOU will choose to bless that person and wonder "Did I just do that" Congratulations! You have begun to renew your mind (Romans 12:2). You have moved a step closer to living how God intended in the first place (A selfless life). Obviously this alone wont help in the transformation but it will be the guiding of the Holy Spirit as you step into the process.

May God be with you and may we all learn to listen to his guidance.

It's a new week.

Hey Gang,

It's that time of the week again and time for a new assignment. Before I go on to the assignment however I need to ask that you be sure to tell your friends we are now here and encourage them to sign up to follow the blog. Tomorrow I am going to post another blog talking about what you can and can't expect from  me as a blogger.

Now on to the assignment. "Prayer" it is a powerful thing. Something that has the power to change the world. But how often do we take advantage of this direct link to God. Me? not nearly enough. When do I choose to attach too and take advantage of this source. Primarily when I, a friend or a family member are in need of something. Rarely do I go to God to just say Hi and even less for someone I don't know. In reading a study this past week "Chasing Daylight" by Erwin McManus I read about a car salesman Erwin had encountered. He had a small conversation with the man trying to sell him a car. It was nothing extraordinary or magical. A car salesman asking him what he had to spend and how much he was willing to borrow to which Erwin explained "I can't borrow and all I have is what someone generously gave me" He explained he was in seminary (I think) and had no source of income.  No witnessing just chatting with a salesman. Next thing we hear is the salesman sought Erwin out and asked him to pray for him. How cool is that? Erwin went on to give us a challenge. He said go test drive a car and then pray for that salesman the rest of the week. I'm not going to give you that challenge so you can relax. But what I did love about it is that he was telling us to seek out a stranger to pray for. What a concept!!! Praying for random people. I do love that idea and it so goes along with our mission of loving others. So here is your assignment.

Seek out someone to pray for! 

On Monday as you go about your day look for the stranger that stands out to you. Your Barista, the guy in the cubicle two rows over, How about the person that cut in front of you, get their name if possible and then spend the rest of the week praying for them. This is not required but if you can work up the nerve go to them introduce yourself and let them know you are going to pray for them everyday this week (Maybe they'll have a request or two) Sound good? Maybe a little out of the ordinary? GOOD! Lets challenge ourselves to take a couple minutes everyday to pray for a stranger.

Here's to a great week! Lets get out there and make a difference.

Mondays Encourager

Hey Gang,

Here's an update on mondays Encourager. Mike & Rhonda (members of our Gang) planned the evening along with a couple more of her friends. Everyone met at Mi Mexico to celebrate Shannon. Mike took all of the notes sent in and put them together along with some nice photo's in an album and presented it to Shannon. It looked like she had a very nice turnout of family and friends and was clearly enjoying herself. I would say it is a very safe assumption that she felt loved and appreciated. The timing could not have been better as a close family friend had just passed away (God knows what he is doing doesn't he). As for the groups involvement we had one person send in a note of encouragement (That didn't know her) and only the couple people that knew her showed up at Mi Mexico. What I have heard about Shannon and knowing the situation with the death in the family I believe Shannon got just what she needed and the extra people may have become slightly overwhelming. 

I don't point that out to guilt anyone. I only point it out so we don't assume that someone else will stand in the gap. It goes that way with anything that God has placed on your heart. Have you ever thought "I should", or "It would be great if" and then said to yourself "I don't have the time" or "Someone else could do it better than I". Let me challenge you with this. If God has placed it on your heart "NOONE" can do it better than you. If God has placed it on your heart he will make sure you have the time. From now on lets make it a point to say In this life "I WILL" do whatever God places on my heart. Making this statement will also set you free from any attempts at guilt that may come your way. If "The Upside Down Group" says here's a project to take part in and Gods not tugging at your heart to participate "Don't do it" If someone is down and out and Gods not tugging at your heart to give or help "Then Don't". God is getting someone else to stand in that gap. But when you do experience that tug Run, Do not pass go, Head straight to the opportunity and do it with joy. You may not even feel the joy when you begin but I guarantee "YOU WILL" feel the joy when you're done.

Here's to turing this world "Upside Down"

NEW ASSIGNMENT - April 20

Hey Gang! It's time for your assignment of the week. This should be a fun and easy one especially after the last couple of weeks.

Think of someone you know that could use some encouragement. (Starting a new project, over worked, tired, etc...) Send them an anonymous gift along with a note of encouragement. For example: A plate of cookies and a note that says "I know you are struggling at work so this is my way of helping you hang in there. Thanks for who you are and your commitment to the job."

There we have it. Since it's an anonymous gift the hardest part of this weeks assignment should be who to do it for. Here's a little help. If you are debating between two people. Send the gift to both of them.

On another note. The Upside Down Group now has a logo and will soon have a blog and website up and running. Thank you Tammy. Want to see the logo head on over to liveupsidedown.com

Here's to another great week,

The Upside Down Group