What a timely, relevant, and needed message that Clinton Everitt brought this past Sunday. There are several themes, principles, or truths in the Bible that we need to be reminded of on a routine basis, and Sunday's subject is certainly one of them. If you were not there I hope I have your curiosity up, if you were there, you know what I'm talking about. It's a message that has been played out in the public arena through stars, athletes, and entertainers. The Eagles are one of those bands that have been able to span the generation gap and gather listeners from different age groups. Their weaknesses, failures, successes, and painful relationships have been paraded down the public streets of life, via the media. The lyrics of their songs often betray their attempts at privacy because their songs are replete with the heartfelt emotions of life. Almost like the Psalms of the Bible, their songs seem to decry the circumstances of their current situations. And so, we find in one of their songs the subject that we studied from the Bible this past Sunday. And why wouldn't we, for sooner or later everyone will deal with it. I must point out again, that the purpose of this blog is to help people put some necessary "stuff" in their "Shepherd's Bag". There are certain things that must be in there when we face some of the giants we will face, or we will not be victorious. Sunday's subject is one of those items. The point of the Eagles song is one of those items. The name of the song is, The Heart of The Matter... and what an appropriate title, for that's exactly what this principle, this truth is!... The Heart of The Matter is FORGIVENESS. We learned a good definition for Forgiveness: Let It Go! How do we know if we really let something go?
F - Focus on the good and not the bad that's been done to you
O - Open yourself up to trust again (you have to be willing to be hurt again)
R - Repeat as often as necessary (forgiving that is)
G - Give forgiveness freely (no conditions)
I - Ignore your desire for revenge (we don't know what "even" is)
V - Validate that persons place (recognize what they bring to the relationship)
E - Erase the scoreboard (no "bone digging" : forgiveness means you will not use that against them ever again)
William Arthur Ward said, "We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive." Forgiveness is of God, by God, and because of God! So, let Him help you put some forgiveness in your bag of tools for successful living!!!
Deus Primus
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
New in 2009
We have recently developed (in 2009) a new website for our church. www.come2lifenow.com Since we have developed the site, I want to renew my efforts to blog so that church members and visitors can keep up with my heart and vision. I have deleted most of my old blogs, but will endeavor to blog more faithfully. We will soon add a link to our website that will connect interested people to my blog.
We are also, currently doing two series of study: 1) The Quest for Success on Sunday mornings & 2) God's Will on Wednesday evenings. I encourage you to get the CDs or listen online to these messages because I believe that they will be of great benefit to you, your life, and your relationships in 2009.
This coming Sunday we are having a special "Family Day". We will have as our special guests, Clinton Everitt and his wife T'Shana. T'Shana is a licensed Marriage and Family Conselor. Our church and Oak Grove Baptist Church in Canton refers many of our members, at a discounted rate, to her professional counseling services. The theme this Sunday: Forgiveness
I hope you will check out this blog in the coming days and future. God is still doing some crazy, awesome things and we need to be tuned-in to where He is working. I believe that while we are living in some scary days (economy wise), we are living in the most exciting days (because His return is very near). God has always looked for a people who were willing to walk by faith and join Him in what He wants to do. The "time" we live in, makes Him even more willing to use us, if we will willingly make ourselves available. Or should I say, be willing (most people want it their way, but God wants it His way). So church, this ain't Burger King... As we get ready to face these final days, the vision of our church becomes increasingly more important. Our tagline sums up our philosophy as a church about the Christian life: "It's Not Just Church... It's A Way of Life!"
There are great challenges ahead of us as there are for all God's churches. Will we trust Him in these uncertain times? Will we do what He is doing? Will we be willing to do it His way? Are we ready to face these last days giving it all we got, for the kingdom's sake?
If we are, great things will happen. But, great sacrifices will have to be made. Persecution, misunderstandings, criticism, and even rumors and gossip will be a part of our life. It's one thing to face opposition from without, but a whole different thing to face opposition from within. Let's be united in our goal, our mission, and our vision!!! Very soon I will be preaching a series called, 20/20. It is my prayer and desire to reunite, redirect, and refocus the body of believers as to God's purposes and plans for THE Church and most especially for Our Church!
Let me close by giving you a little motivation to be a part of the 20/20 series: Many things have already been said about us from without and within. In the words of a popular pop song; "Let's give them something to talk about". If the rumors and gossip are out there and they would be effective in the kingdom and honoring to God, then by all means, let's make them true! Let's make honset people out these folks who are talking about how different we are. I think that most of our members and I hope all of our leaders would agree; Our church is not traditional. So, let's not be afraid to break with the traditions of men, so that we can follow the directions of God! I promise there will be some exciting, some scary, and some very non-traditional things to think about! So stay tuned and jump in. The water is fine and God is still on the throne!!!
We are also, currently doing two series of study: 1) The Quest for Success on Sunday mornings & 2) God's Will on Wednesday evenings. I encourage you to get the CDs or listen online to these messages because I believe that they will be of great benefit to you, your life, and your relationships in 2009.
This coming Sunday we are having a special "Family Day". We will have as our special guests, Clinton Everitt and his wife T'Shana. T'Shana is a licensed Marriage and Family Conselor. Our church and Oak Grove Baptist Church in Canton refers many of our members, at a discounted rate, to her professional counseling services. The theme this Sunday: Forgiveness
I hope you will check out this blog in the coming days and future. God is still doing some crazy, awesome things and we need to be tuned-in to where He is working. I believe that while we are living in some scary days (economy wise), we are living in the most exciting days (because His return is very near). God has always looked for a people who were willing to walk by faith and join Him in what He wants to do. The "time" we live in, makes Him even more willing to use us, if we will willingly make ourselves available. Or should I say, be willing (most people want it their way, but God wants it His way). So church, this ain't Burger King... As we get ready to face these final days, the vision of our church becomes increasingly more important. Our tagline sums up our philosophy as a church about the Christian life: "It's Not Just Church... It's A Way of Life!"
There are great challenges ahead of us as there are for all God's churches. Will we trust Him in these uncertain times? Will we do what He is doing? Will we be willing to do it His way? Are we ready to face these last days giving it all we got, for the kingdom's sake?
If we are, great things will happen. But, great sacrifices will have to be made. Persecution, misunderstandings, criticism, and even rumors and gossip will be a part of our life. It's one thing to face opposition from without, but a whole different thing to face opposition from within. Let's be united in our goal, our mission, and our vision!!! Very soon I will be preaching a series called, 20/20. It is my prayer and desire to reunite, redirect, and refocus the body of believers as to God's purposes and plans for THE Church and most especially for Our Church!
Let me close by giving you a little motivation to be a part of the 20/20 series: Many things have already been said about us from without and within. In the words of a popular pop song; "Let's give them something to talk about". If the rumors and gossip are out there and they would be effective in the kingdom and honoring to God, then by all means, let's make them true! Let's make honset people out these folks who are talking about how different we are. I think that most of our members and I hope all of our leaders would agree; Our church is not traditional. So, let's not be afraid to break with the traditions of men, so that we can follow the directions of God! I promise there will be some exciting, some scary, and some very non-traditional things to think about! So stay tuned and jump in. The water is fine and God is still on the throne!!!
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