Abraham with Mark Batterson

Our crew just wrapped up shooting a 4-session small group DVD with Mark Batterson. Mark is such an encouraging guy and I love hearing about how God is using his church in the Washington DC area. Mark is the pastor at National Community Church and has a great blog about life and leadership called Evotional.

We have already shot four cinematic slices of Abraham’s life that help bring a modern perspective to an ancient story. These new pieces with Mark provide some very practical and very Biblical teaching for each session. I think these will be great for teeing up issues like obedience, following God and patience. We will be cutting the rest of the series together this fall and writing a discussion guide to help facilitate the group time.

I love working with people who are on mission and who love to teach people about God. I hope we get to work on many more projects with Mark.

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Bluefish TV Small Group Studies Live on RELEVANT

RELEVANT magazine is pretty familiar to most of us in Christian publishing today. Relevant first published in 2003 and since then, they’ve had a base of more than 75,000 readers. Relevant’s companion web presence, RelevantMagazine.com was launched before the print publication.

Relevant explores the intersection of faith and pop culture with the tagline "God. Life. Progressive Culture." Their articles feature fresh spiritual voices, often profiling young musicians, authors and entrepreneurs like Paper Route, Donald Miller, Rob Bell, Margaret Feinberg and Sarah Cunningham. Relevant also offers political spotlights, social issues, and reviews of recently released media selections. They’re also reaching women in their twenties and thirties through radiantmag.com.

In the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of working with Relevant as they’ve sponsored our past three events through the RightNow Campaign. They’ve also exchanged ads in our leader magazine for sponsorship. Recently, we’ve partnered with Relevant in a different way and just this week, several of our small group Bible studies are now live on their store.

In the future, Relevant hopes to add video previews for each of our products. We’re really excited to continue building our partnerships with Relevant and being open to how God wants to use more of our resources on their site.

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Seven Years Since Sept. 11

It's hard to believe that on Thursday we're approaching the seven year anniversary since the September 11 attacks on our nation. All of us remember where we were that day. The memory for some is fading and for others, it is still haunting. I remember the courage of everyone who worked together that day (those living and those who've passed away). They'll never be forgotten.

I'll never forget a few lines that President Bush said in response to the attacks:

"A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America." Sept. 11, 2001, address from the Oval Office.

"This battle will take time and resolve. But make no mistake about it: we will win." Sept. 12, 2001, after meeting with national security advisers.

"I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon." Sept. 14, 2001, standing in the rubble of the World Trade Center with police, firemen and rescue workers.

Here at Bluefish, we want to thank those of you who served our country that day. Some of you served in the rubble in NY city. Some of you gathered your congregation together for a time of prayer. Some of you called your family to tell them you loved them.

May we never forget the awesome freedom God has given us in America and may we continue to fight for it and support our troops. May we never forget where God is during tragedy:

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.

Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

- "Meet Me in the Stairwell"- Author Unknown

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Meeting with Alan Danielson, LifeChurch.tv

Last week, Brian Mosley and some of our staff had lunch with Alan Danielson from LifeChurch.tv. Alan oversees their small group ministry in Oklahoma. They have about 750 groups between all their campuses (stretching throughout six states). Alan also brought a Life Groups pastor from one of the Oklahoma City campuses.

Alan came to Dallas so our crew could interview him on-camera for some leadership videos we’re creating for The Small Group Exchange. Brian asked him pressing questions that a small group leader faces like how to deal with conflict in your group, defining the purpose of your small group, and helping your group gel. Alan had a really neat perspective on small group ministry and we’re really excited he is partnering with us to train other leaders across the country.

We’re looking forward to expanding the content and uploading the videos to The Small Group Exchange soon. Be sure to check out Alan Danielson with LifeChurch.tv when you’re on the site and searching for good resources to share with those you lead.

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