Jul 2008
Preparation
Monday 07/21/2008
Let me
start this by saying I believe in God’s power to do
whatever He wants, whenever He wants and however He
wants. Yet, having said that, I think there is often
a time of preparation that God wants us to experience
before He acts.
In the Old Testament, we read that the Israelites were in Egypt for 400 years before they were freed to go home! But it wasn’t enough. God then allowed them to wander in the desert for forty more years! But that still wasn’t enough…
Just as they were on the banks of the Jordan, FINALLY ready to experience all that God had for them, they heard these words…
“Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5)
There was one last thing to do. Hard work? Check. (400 years worth) Lessons learned? Check. (40 years worth)
What else is there? Spiritual Preparation.
Our desire is to see God do something for which there is no explanation that will forever change our community (i.e. “great wonders”) as we develop Christ followers (i.e. “among you”) to love, grow, and serve.
If you are like me and have a desire to see God do amazing things, the listen to the words of Joshua: “Purify yourselves…”
Let’s be sure we are in the proper spiritual condition for God to work IN and THROUGH us to accomplish His will on earth. Ask God how you can be in tune with Him spiritually.
THEN, “…the Lord will do great wonders among (us)…”
In the Old Testament, we read that the Israelites were in Egypt for 400 years before they were freed to go home! But it wasn’t enough. God then allowed them to wander in the desert for forty more years! But that still wasn’t enough…
Just as they were on the banks of the Jordan, FINALLY ready to experience all that God had for them, they heard these words…
“Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5)
There was one last thing to do. Hard work? Check. (400 years worth) Lessons learned? Check. (40 years worth)
What else is there? Spiritual Preparation.
Our desire is to see God do something for which there is no explanation that will forever change our community (i.e. “great wonders”) as we develop Christ followers (i.e. “among you”) to love, grow, and serve.
If you are like me and have a desire to see God do amazing things, the listen to the words of Joshua: “Purify yourselves…”
Let’s be sure we are in the proper spiritual condition for God to work IN and THROUGH us to accomplish His will on earth. Ask God how you can be in tune with Him spiritually.
THEN, “…the Lord will do great wonders among (us)…”
Leadership Summit
Monday 07/14/2008
Are you
involved as a volunteer in the life of our church? I
mean in any area at all – preschool, choir, Thursday
lunches – anything?
If so, then I need you to MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Saturday, August 2 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
What is a Leadership Summit?
It’s been said that “leadership is influence.” And God has called us to influence the world around us with the Gospel message – so technically we’re all supposed to be leaders. And a summit is the highest point of a hill or travel. So this meeting is a high point for us in our journey as leaders – an opportunity to survey the situation and go together in the same (and right) direction.
We are going to gather together as a Leadership Team for the purpose of praying together, and being challenged, equipped, and motivated to impact our community. We are inviting ALL current leadership and anyone else who is interested in becoming a part of our leadership team to be there on that day.
Dr. Richard Lee, Pastor at First Baptist Church of Sugar Hill (GA) will be leading our time on that day. Dr. Lee became Pastor at “The Family Church” in October of 2001 and has led his church to change the landscape of their Northeast Atlanta area over the course of the last seven years.
The day will start at 9:00 AM with a morning session from Dr. Lee (breakfast will be provided). We will then break into leadership areas and have “hands-on” discussion and training. We’ll gather back together for lunch. And follow that up with an afternoon session with Dr. Lee. We’ll dismiss at 3:00 PM.
FYI – our staff team will be meeting with Dr. Lee Friday during the day and he’ll be preaching on Sunday, August 3.
If so, then I need you to MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Saturday, August 2 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
What is a Leadership Summit?
It’s been said that “leadership is influence.” And God has called us to influence the world around us with the Gospel message – so technically we’re all supposed to be leaders. And a summit is the highest point of a hill or travel. So this meeting is a high point for us in our journey as leaders – an opportunity to survey the situation and go together in the same (and right) direction.
We are going to gather together as a Leadership Team for the purpose of praying together, and being challenged, equipped, and motivated to impact our community. We are inviting ALL current leadership and anyone else who is interested in becoming a part of our leadership team to be there on that day.
Dr. Richard Lee, Pastor at First Baptist Church of Sugar Hill (GA) will be leading our time on that day. Dr. Lee became Pastor at “The Family Church” in October of 2001 and has led his church to change the landscape of their Northeast Atlanta area over the course of the last seven years.
The day will start at 9:00 AM with a morning session from Dr. Lee (breakfast will be provided). We will then break into leadership areas and have “hands-on” discussion and training. We’ll gather back together for lunch. And follow that up with an afternoon session with Dr. Lee. We’ll dismiss at 3:00 PM.
FYI – our staff team will be meeting with Dr. Lee Friday during the day and he’ll be preaching on Sunday, August 3.
Summer Fly By
Monday 07/07/2008
Is it
just me or is this Summer flying by at light speed?
It’s almost the middle of August! By the time most of
you read this, teachers will have to be back to work
in less than a month (sorry).
July is going to be just as fast as June. Between Summer Camp, the Puppet Ministry’s trip to Chicago, Deacon Work Day, VBS, and our exciting line-up of Wednesday nights, it’s going to be a sprint back to the start of another school year.
But even in the midst of the craziness, I want to remind you of three things…
First, get some down time. I know it’s hard, but for you health (and the health of those around you) take some time to relax – be still. God Himself rested on the seventh day, and I don’t think any of us are getting done in six days what He accomplished.
Second, get ready. This fall we are going to see some new things and some different ways to reach our community – so be ready. It’s been a great start of the 2008 year, and my desire is to see us finish even stronger. So be “prayed up” and rested up to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Finally, be faithful. Continue to be faithful in being salt and light in your areas of influence – where you live, shop, work, etc. All the programs in the world shouldn’t replace our individual need to be sharing the love and hope that is found in Jesus Christ to those around us. Also, be faithful in your Sunday school and church attendance. Hebrews teaches us to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together”. And also be faithful in your giving. God has blessed us SO much! I know the economy is tough and it’s hard with Summer activities, but we cannot afford to rob God during this time.
So there it is – the Summer plan: get rest, get ready, be faithful.
Well, I’ve got to go and start planning for January… (you know it’s just around the corner.)
July is going to be just as fast as June. Between Summer Camp, the Puppet Ministry’s trip to Chicago, Deacon Work Day, VBS, and our exciting line-up of Wednesday nights, it’s going to be a sprint back to the start of another school year.
But even in the midst of the craziness, I want to remind you of three things…
First, get some down time. I know it’s hard, but for you health (and the health of those around you) take some time to relax – be still. God Himself rested on the seventh day, and I don’t think any of us are getting done in six days what He accomplished.
Second, get ready. This fall we are going to see some new things and some different ways to reach our community – so be ready. It’s been a great start of the 2008 year, and my desire is to see us finish even stronger. So be “prayed up” and rested up to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Finally, be faithful. Continue to be faithful in being salt and light in your areas of influence – where you live, shop, work, etc. All the programs in the world shouldn’t replace our individual need to be sharing the love and hope that is found in Jesus Christ to those around us. Also, be faithful in your Sunday school and church attendance. Hebrews teaches us to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together”. And also be faithful in your giving. God has blessed us SO much! I know the economy is tough and it’s hard with Summer activities, but we cannot afford to rob God during this time.
So there it is – the Summer plan: get rest, get ready, be faithful.
Well, I’ve got to go and start planning for January… (you know it’s just around the corner.)
Freedom
Tuesday 07/01/2008
“Give me
liberty or give me death.” Patrick
Henry
As we celebrate the birth of our country on this Independence Day, we have an opportunity to reflect on the idea of ‘freedom’. We are blessed to live in a country that was founded on the principles of freedom. And even more blessed by the men and women who fight to protect our freedom and the freedom of others around the world.
Freedom is a delicate thing, though. If not appreciated, it can be lost in a moment. If not respected, it can be abused by others. If not practiced, it can become stale.
Growing as Christ followers is like that, too. Paul writes, “ So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law…For you, dear friends, have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:1, 13)
You see as a nation we have freedom because of the price that was paid by others. And as individuals – those who have a relationship with Christ – we have freedom, too, because of the price that was paid by Jesus Christ.
But with freedom comes responsibility. We have a responsibility as a nation to help those in need – our own here and those around the world. We have a responsibility as Christians to love others, fulfill God’s plan for our lives, and be salt and light to our community.
Be free and live!
As we celebrate the birth of our country on this Independence Day, we have an opportunity to reflect on the idea of ‘freedom’. We are blessed to live in a country that was founded on the principles of freedom. And even more blessed by the men and women who fight to protect our freedom and the freedom of others around the world.
Freedom is a delicate thing, though. If not appreciated, it can be lost in a moment. If not respected, it can be abused by others. If not practiced, it can become stale.
Growing as Christ followers is like that, too. Paul writes, “ So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law…For you, dear friends, have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:1, 13)
You see as a nation we have freedom because of the price that was paid by others. And as individuals – those who have a relationship with Christ – we have freedom, too, because of the price that was paid by Jesus Christ.
But with freedom comes responsibility. We have a responsibility as a nation to help those in need – our own here and those around the world. We have a responsibility as Christians to love others, fulfill God’s plan for our lives, and be salt and light to our community.
Be free and live!
