Take time to journal and assess where you are right now— relationally, physically, mentally, and spiritually using the RPMS tool. Not sure what we’re talking about? Click here to watch today’s video as we walk through it together! Spend some time in prayer and meditation, just you and God, processing through where you are right now, and lifting up these next 63 days in prayer.

Today’s challenge will be simple, yet hopefully profound. Our Odd is Good challenge for today is to go for a walk and pray. This challenge is rooted in Ephesians 4:1 where Paul says, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”

Here are a few tips and suggestions, but try not to overcomplicate things!

-Try to walk for at least 15 minutes.
-Try to walk outside. The cooler parts of the day will be more comfortable.
-As you walk, notice your stride. Feel one foot in front of the other.
-As you walk, ask yourself, “what does ‘walk in a manner worthy of my calling’ mean to me?”
-As you walk, pray for God to show you how your walk needs to change. Ask God to help.
-At some point in your walk, (maybe while going uphill) meditate on Jesus carrying His cross up the hill of Calvary to His crucifixion.
-As you’re walking, picture Jesus, walking and talking with His disciples along the beach after his resurrection. Talk to Him like they would’ve talked to Him. Listen to Him like they would’ve listened to Him.

Today’s #ODDISGOOD challenge is to take a less convenient route to work, school, or home and pray along the way. You can do this on your commute TO work/school or FROM work/school. This challenge is rooted in Paul’s encouragement to the Ephesians to walk with “all humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love”. An inconvenience is usually a precursor to an opportunity for patience. Today we’ll intentionally choose inconvenience to intentionally practice patience. Fight the urge to let your soul get hurried with prayer.

Tip and Suggestions:

-Plan to leave early so you still get to work on time. (“My pastor made me late” probably won’t work as an excuse 🙂 )
-Ask Jesus for patience; thank Him for all the times He’s been patient with you.
-Pray for your co-workers, classmates, kids, or even a random stranger in a car beside you.
-Listen to some music that draws you closer to Jesus.
-Don’t worry! We know how bad traffic stinks. We won’t do this challenge again! 🙂

Raise your hand if you’ve ever done one of those dumb online personality tests to figure out what Disney Princess, Sports Car, or The Office Character you are 👋. You probably didn’t discover anything life changing from that did you? Our #ODDISGOOD challenge for today is to take a personality test. No, not to find out which kind of dog breed you are, but to discover really important things like your Spiritual gifts, what your heart beats for, how to use your abilities to serve Jesus, and what your priorities should be. Discovering these things will help you see how God uniquely wired you and how your gifts can lead to more unified diversity within our church family. The link to the test is here.

Tips and Suggestions:

-Be honest, there are no wrong answers.
-The test will take no longer than 15 minutes. If it took longer, you over thought it.
-Consider sharing your results with a pastor or leader at MCC.
-Talk with God about your results.
-If you have some free time and want to know what Disney Princess, Car, or Office Character you are, click here, here, or here\.

FREE DAY FRIDAY!!!!!!! Throughout the #ODDISGOOD Challenge, our Fridays will usually be free days to either catch up on a challenge day you missed, or to dream up your own intentional step toward Spiritual Formation. It may be meditating on a Passage, buying a friend lunch, fasting, or sending 63 people an encouraging text message.

Tips and Suggestions:

-Don’t make it complicated.
-The ODDER, the GOD-ER. (yes we made up a word 😆) God is unique, extravagant, and creative, so don’t be afraid to try stuff on Fridays that are ODD. It may be go over like a led balloon, BUT… it also may end up being one of those hilarious, tears of joy, never forget it in a million years types of moments. Life’s too short to play it safe! Don’t take yourself so seriously; risk a little and love a lot.

Today’s #ODDisGOOD Challenge is to set up a time to talk over phone or meet in person with someone you haven’t talked to in a while. DON’T MISS THIS PART… Before the phone call/meeting ends, pray for the person you met with.

Ephesians 4:2 talks about “bearing with one another in love.” Today, you’ll have an opportunity to show somebody you may not have connected with in a while that you’re (in the best way possible) still bearing with them. And here’s where things get “odd is good”… before you hang up or head out ask, “Hey, is it ok if I pray for you?” Pray a short prayer for them. Listen, depending on the person, this could feel awkward or terrifying. But think about this, how many times have you ever prayed for someone and after you were done praying regretted it? Yup, never. That voice in your head is fear talking. Fear is a liar! Walk by faith. Here’s what is very likely to happen. Once you finish praying, say your goodbyes, and hang up, they’re likely going to think or say “that was odd…” Mission accomplished!

Tips and Suggestions:

-Today is about setting up a time, not necessarily meeting or talking. But if you can, try to talk today. The more you put things off, the greater chances they never happen.
-The conversation doesn’t have to be long or deep. Just check in. If it goes deep, go deep.

Today’s #ODDISGOOD Challenge is a simple one! GATHER AS THE CHURCH!

Tips and Suggestions:

-Make plans the night before. Sunday church is a Saturday decision.
-Pray that God will prepare your heart to worship, receive His preached word, and connect with your church family.
-Pray that God would draw new people into our church family at MCC.
-Get there early and meet someone new!

Take time to journal and assess where you are right now— relationally, physically, mentally, and spiritually using the RPMS tool. Not sure what we’re talking about? Click here to watch the video where we walk through it together! Spend some time in prayer and meditation, just you and God, processing through where you are right now, and lifting up this week in prayer.

Ask 3 people to tell you what you’re gifted at.

In Ephesians 4 and other places in Paul’s writings (Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, and 1 Corinthians 12:28) he lets the church know that each person who is in Christ has been given Spiritual Gifts. Today, our hope is that you can gain some clarity on what your spiritual gifts may actually be. Because evaluating ourselves can sometimes be hard, ask a few people what you’re gifted at, and listen for recurring themes.

Tips and Suggestions:

-Stay humble! You’re about to hear about how awesome you are. Do your best to not get a big head, instead give God glory. Thank Him for what you hear.
-If the person asks why you want to know, share a little about the challenge.
-You may have to get past the root of what people say, (“you’re good at emails”) to the fruit of what God’s trying to show you (“you’re gifted in administration”). Give it some thought and let the Holy Spirit guide you. After all, He’s the one who gave them to you. 🙂

Today, we will practice the spiritual discipline of fasting. While you fast during dinner time tonight you will begin to feel noticeable hunger. As you do remember Jesus’ words that “man does not live on bread alone, but on the very Word of God,” (Matt 4:4) pray that Jesus create a hunger in your heart for the Word of God that is as noticeable and strong as your desire for food. Feast on His Word tonight. Recall Ephesians 4:10 where Paul says Jesus will “fill the whole universe.” Pray that you feel that fullness on the inside tonight.

Tips and Suggestions:

-Actually fast from food. The goal here is to meditate on the feeling of hunger. Notice the ache for consumption. Beg God to make you long like this for time with Him.
-Feel free to skip lunch too.
-Fasting is between you and Jesus. Keep it a secret if you can. Obviously don’t lie about it, but don’t brag about it either.
-“Feast” on Ephesians. If you haven’t yet, read the whole book (6 Chapters) in one sitting.

Meditate on Ephesians 4:11-16.

Tips and Suggestions:

-We’re meditating…Find a quiet place. Remember, the God who spoke the galaxies into existence wants to speak to you through His Word today. Put the phone down. Make time.
-Read the verses slowly 2 times.
-Pray that the Holy Spirit would speak to you through this passage and prepare your heart to lean into this passage with your church family this Sunday.
-Read the verse 2 more times.
-Begin to talk to your Father God. Pray through the verse, word by word.
-End your time meditating on His Words by quieting your mind and asking Him what is the one thing He wants you to hear the most from this verse. Take some deep breaths and simply listen.

FREE DAY FRIDAY!!!!!!! Throughout the #ODDISGOOD Challenge, our Fridays are free days to either catch up on a challenge day you missed, or to dream up your own intentional step toward Spiritual Formation. It may be meditating on a Passage, buying a friend lunch, fasting, or sending 63 people an encouraging text message.

Tips and Suggestions:

-Don’t make it complicated.
-The ODDER, the GOD-ER. (yes we made up a word 😆) God is unique, extravagant, and creative, so don’t be afraid to try stuff on Fridays that are ODD. It may be go over like a led balloon, BUT… it also may end up being one of those hilarious, tears of joy, never forget it in a million years types of moments. Life’s too short to play it safe! Don’t take yourself so seriously; risk a little and love a lot.

If what Paul says in Ephesians 4:7-10 is true then each person who is in Christ has been uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit. These Spiritual gifts are meant to serve the church and glorify the giver of the gifts, Jesus. These Spiritual gifts were given by Jesus to build up His body (The local church). Make plans today on how you will, out of the gift you’ve been given, be a contributor tomorrow when you gather with the body of Christ at MCC, and not a consumer.

Tips and Suggestions:

-Don’t make it complicated.
-Your contribution can be seemingly big or small. The goal is to be intentional— to think of a church gather not as a time where you get, but as a time where you give.
-Contribute a handwritten “thank you” note to someone.
-Contribute your name and a handshake to someone you haven’t met yet.
-Pray with someone you know is going through a hard time.
-Remember, these are just suggestions. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to how He wants you to contribute out of the gift He’s given you.

Today’s #ODDISGOOD Challenge is a simple one! GATHER AS THE CHURCH!

Tips and Suggestions:

-Make plans the night before. Sunday church is a Saturday decision.
-Pray that God will prepare your heart to worship, receive His preached word, and connect with your church family.
-Pray that God would draw new people into our church family at MCC.
-Get there early and meet someone new!

Take time to journal and assess where you are right now— relationally, physically, mentally, and spiritually using the RPMS tool. Not sure what we’re talking about? Click here to watch the video where we walk through it together! Spend some time in prayer and meditation, just you and God, processing through where you are right now, and lifting up this week in prayer.

Intentionally speak truth in love to the people around you every day this week. This may be in conversations you have with the people around you. It may be a text message you need to send to a friend, or a phone call you need to make to a relative.

Ask yourself this week, “Where can I use my words of love to lift someone up?” and “Where can I use my words of truth to be able to help guide someone?”

Tips and Suggestions:

-Write down or journal what you’re going to say.
-Tell someone what you’re planning on doing. In this conversation, ask for help or accountability.