JOHN: Seems like in just about every group of people I'm with these days, somebody mentions the Relational Intelligence series, and things that are standing out to them. Of course, one of the best ways we learn -- and remember what we learn -- is to interact with others.

So here's a a question for you: What are you getting out of the "Relational Intelligence" series? Which topic or idea has stood out to you? Why? What has been a key point? What have you tried to "do" as a result of this series? Is there anything you've tried to implement? What was it? How'd it go?

Take a second, hit "comment" and interact! I'll start it out with one of my learnings ... (hit "comment" to see).

A Monday morning question after a power packed weekend which included the One Step Vision Event, the kick-off of our expanded kid's emphasis on Saturday nite, part 4 of Relational Intellgence, finishing up with a rowdy and noisy pastor's open house at John and Debbie Reed's:  What attracts you to Terra Nova?

That's a question we've been asking often in this new year.  We've been able to use it a bunch as people have walked into our community wanting to check out us out.  Some have come to Terra Nova after meeting us at a local Albertson's back in the holiday season, as we leaned into feeding needy families.  A few have gotten to know us through this website.   Others were invited by a friend at work.  Still others saw  our sign out in front.  Lot's of different factors play into checking out a church like Terra Nova for the first time, but if you come a second time, and continue to come and explore, well...there's probably a reason for that.

So...what's your reason?  What attracts you to Terra Nova?  I'd love to give a few days for you all to post, and then I'll give you what John and I continue to hear as we ask the question...

JOHN: For a few months now, we've been talking and dreaming and praying about refreshing our SuperNova Saturday Nights -- our kids classes on Saturday nights. So we've recruited a DREAM TEAM of leaders across the board, in all of our classes. Really great, gifted, passionate teachers and leaders.

And we're adding a 3rd – 5th class and a 6th – 8th class. (Woo HOOO!)

And then we're just taking everything up a notch -- from the treats and crafts to the personal attention. Plus, for our older classes, regular off-site trips to Starbucks and "Snow-on-the-Go" (the new local shave-ice place!).

We really want Saturday Nights to be a great place to bring the family, especially for families involved in sports, but also for those who perahps just want a "family day" on Sunday.

And it all kicks off this Saturday night (the 20th) with a PIZZA PARTY for the kids! So come on out this Saturday night and give the NEW SuperNova Saturday Nights a try!

JOHN: A couple of people now have asked me about books related to this Relational Intelligence series. So here's a bibliography for the series, with some of my more highly recommended books toward the top of the list:

The Arbinger Institute, Leadership and Self-Deception.

Steven Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee, Primal Leadership.

Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence.

Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves, Emotional Intelligence 2.0.

Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart.

Paul Meier, Don't Let Jerks Get the Best of You.

John Ortberg, Everybody's Normal Till You Get to Know Them.

Henry Cloud, Changes That Heal.

Steve Sacccone, Relational Intelligence.

Peter Senge, et al. The 5th Disclipline and The 5th Discipline Fieldbook.

LYLE: I was one of the 108.5 million people who watched the Super Bowl last Sunday.  It was the most watched event in the history of television.  And what did we see?  Betty White and Abe Vigoda getting takin' down!  "Casual Friday" taken to the extreme.  Go Daddy.com championing "sex sells" as an advertising theory.   The Who proving that I guess there is a "cap age" where  you shouldn't be allowed to rock. And of course, there was the game, complete with onside kicks and a Peyton "pick."  The 40 or so of us gathered at my house to watch it all unfold were not disappointed.

But for me, the high point of this TV/sports/consummerism/America event was it's bookends.  It began for me with a commercial featuring  Tim Tebow and his mom.  Tim is a Heisman trophy winner, maybe the greatest college player of the modern era, and a serious, serious follower of Jesus.  His mom, we find, is even more courageous than Tim.  The commercial briefly tells her story of her pregnancy:  how she was informed that little Tim had serious problems in her womb, and that bringing this baby to term would be...unwise.  But it seems there was another wisdom (the wisdom that comes from above,  as told in James 3:17) that she was tapping into.  Fast forward, 21 years or so, and see the joy that is captured on both faces;  mother and son, celebrating each other, celebrating victory,  celebrating life.

And then, in the end, the whole experience is concluded with Saints QB Drew Brees,  holding his toddler son (complete with headphones to protect his little ears from the crowd noise) and crying while kissing him on the cheek over and again.  The cameras lock on to this moment, and stay there.  The producer in a production trailer  somewhere outside that staduim allowes us to watch this scene for what seems like...hours.  Perhaps because, when you cut through all the hype and selling and noise and over indulgence that puts the "super" in Super Bowl, our hearts connect with this moment:  father and son celebrating each other, celebrating victory, celebrating life.

Our hearts can lock onto many things during four hours of TV viewing:  funny things and absurd things and raunchy things and inane things.  But then "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable (from Phil 4:5)"  comes rushing in like a mountain stream.  These are the moments we live for, the moments where we connected deeply in relationship with the ones around us, the ones we love.

Do you thirst for moments like these?  In the weeks to come at Terra Nova, we'll continue to explore God's book, the Bible, for Relational Intelligence.  For it's one thing to watch and marvel as we see people caught up in the wholeness of relationships--the power and beauty of it all--but it's another things to experience it for yourself.  And why would God want any less for you?