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Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

All they asked was that we should remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. Gal 2:10

Paul and Barnabas were entrusted with the task of carrying the gospel to the Gentiles by Peter, James and John. Their only instruction was to remember the poor. That strikes me as odd and something we wouldn’t say or do in our day. When I was moving to Turkey two years ago no one told me to remember the poor. We say things like, “Be safe” or even something spiritual like, “May God go before you.” But remember the poor didn’t cross my mind or apparently anyone else’s.

Why did the apostles place such an emphasis on the poor? And why do we do very little to help the poor? Maybe they remembered that Jesus was always interested in the poor and needy. Or maybe they recognized that joy comes from taking care of others more than hording for yourself. In Acts 2:45 it says that the believers had everything in common and sold their possessions and goods so they could give to those in need. Now that’s taking care of one another! We may occasionally remember the poor, especially around the holidays, and we may even give a little extra to help them out; but rarely do we ever sell anything, much less everything and give it to those in need. What are we missing? Why do we need more stuff while others around us go without anything?

Father God, Your word is full of commands to help the poor, but we easily overlook those Scriptures. Please forgive us for our selfishness and disobedience. Burden our hearts and open our eyes to see those that you’ve put around us that need our help. You’ve given us an abundance, not to pile on more for ourselves, but to share with others. Help us to eagerly remember the poor and take action. Not just during this giving season, but always.  

 - Jared Yates

The difference is huge! We see the difference even if we don’t fully understand it. We have the option of choosing one or both or neither.

For several years now I’ve thought there is nothing greater than living for Jesus. I mean, He died for us; the least we can do is live for Him. It’s really not that hard. We make it hard because we don’t want to die to ourselves. To our way of life. To living however we want. But once we get over that - we can live for Jesus. And we experience the peace that comes with the Holy Spirit living within us. And we realize a joy in that our lives eternally matter. Before, our life’s purpose was temporary, now it’s eternal.

Awesome! Great! Hoorah!

But lately I’ve started noticing that there might be something more. What could possibly be more than living for Jesus? Nothing - until you start seeing people live like Jesus. You’ve seen these people. They’re weird and different. But when you think about it, wasn’t Jesus was weird and different too?

I only know a few people like this and I’ve read about a few more. People that love others regardless of their race, religion, economic status, problems, baggage, addictions, disease. That’s how Jesus loved. That’s how Jesus lived.

Do you want to live for Jesus or like Jesus? Both are good. One I do, the other I’m a little scared of. Which makes me think - that’s what I’m supposed to do.

 - Jared Yates

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2

When I was a kid, there were nine planets, Pluto being one of them. The big bang theory was thought to be two galaxies colliding and people didn’t know if the universe was expanding or contracting. The pledge of allegiance had the words "under God" in it without controversy. Dinosaurs were extinct, and Atari was the next new big thing! 

Today, Pluto is no longer a planet, some think the universe came from nothing, the pledge of allegiance no longer has the words "under God" in it, dinosaurs are thought to have evolved into birds, and Wii is the next big thing.

Things change. Change in fundamental ideas just shows how very little we truly know. It also shows that what is popular today, won’t necessarily be popular tomorrow and science doesn’t have all the answers. 

The Bible, however, is constant. God has remained true and consistent throughout history; before the Egyptians, before the Romans, before Jesus came to Earth as a man.

Therefore, if we build our foundations on the shifting sand of popular culture we will be sure to loose our footing; we will constantly be changing our fundamental ideas and restructuring our lives. But if we build on the solid ground of Scripture, we will never be led astray. When our fundamentals don’t change, we don’t have to constantly restructure and we can then just continue to grow.

 - Kate Zack 

In the old testament, Jonathan stripped himself of his robe and armor and gave it to David as traditional customs of a covenant because he loved David as himself  (1 Samuel 18:1-5). When a covenant was made in the Old Testament, an alliance was made by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces. Jonathan was making a covenant here by passing his royal robe and armor to David. David was symbolically “putting on Jonathan” becoming one. This is just one example of a covenant made in the old testament. ( and there is much, much more to know about this covenant)

Why am I writing about this?

Well, because it gives much more meaning to the New Testament words in:

Galatians 3:26-29:   “ …for all of you who were baptized in Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ…”

Romans 13:12-14:    “… rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ”

Ephesians 4:22-24: “… you were taught to put off your old self… and put on the new self, created to be like God”

In Christ’s death, there was an exchanging of blood and cutting of flesh, and those who are truly children of God have entered into the New Covenant of Grace with Jesus Christ by “wearing His robe.” And as I was thinking on the instructions given in Ephesians 4 for living like Christ , in verse 30 we are reminded…“Remember, He has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” THAT is Christ’s covenant with us.

 - Heather Roberts

Every morning when I leave for work I am faced with a very difficult decision – which way should I go?  If you live on or anywhere near Old Fannin, you may be faced with the same decision.  If I go to the left I have to take my chances in getting across the traffic that is coming towards me, or pray that some fellow commuter will be kind enough to stop or even just slow down and let me out.  If I go to the right, I can get out fairly easily but then I have to deal with the traffic on Lakeland Drive.  The good thing I have found about either way is this:  if I go to the right I can stop at Seattle drip, if I go to the left I can stop at McDonalds, so either way, I get my coffee!

I love the passage in Isaiah 30 when God is promising his people in Zion, “Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and water of affliction, yet your teacher will not hide himself anymore, but you shall see your teacher.  And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’.”  Many times we are faced with a crossroad in life; when we get to a place where a decision needs to be made and we don’t know which way to go.  How do you know if you are making the right decision?  I believe this promise from our Father helps to make sense of this.

Whether you are faced with a decision as petty as mine first thing in the morning, or faced with a major life decision, I hope that you will stop at that place where God has you and listen for His word behind you.  God went on to promise Zion that they would be blessed beyond measure if they listened to Him and made the right decision – I know He will do the same for us.  “He will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and grain, and produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous.”

 - Jamie Rasberry

Luke 15:1-2  Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him (Jesus). And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

How interesting that the religious leaders saw what Jesus was doing, associating with sinners, as wrong. How pious and arrogant they were. They had their checklist of religous achievements and they didn’t deviate from that.

Am I like a Pharisee? I find myself satisfying my Christian checklist and wondering if God is pleased with my effort. What are the Christ-like things other do and, due to my pride, I am shocked by. Maybe truly loving my neighbor or selling my possessions and giving to the poor. What others?

Father God, Please search me and try me. Reveal to me my pride and arrogance. Show me the areas in my life that I am unwilling to yield to you and most importantly, give me the willingness to lay those at your feet. Bring about life change in me. The Pharisees hearts were hard and they wouldn’t allow you to open their eyes to see as you see. Please refine me so that I see with the eyes of Christ and feel with His heart.  

(see Gallery page for Pump It Up pics)

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven – for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little. Luke 7:47

I’ve recently recognized that I, too often, minimize my sin. I think, “It’s not that bad.” or, “That’s not really a problem.” I don’t claim it for what it is – sin. I think my purpose in doing that is to make me feel better about myself; to convince myself that I’m not really that bad.

But what I am doing by minimizing my sin is minimizing the cost of the cross. By making myself feel better about my sin, I am telling Jesus that He didn’t pay too much for me. I cost less than others whose sin is greater. What an arrogant, idiotic attitude. I am like Simon who said in v. 39, don’t you know this women washing your feet is a sinner. Jesus went on to tell him about a moneylender who forgive two men from their debts. One was forgiven a great debt, the other a smaller debt. The man who was forgiven a greater debt was more grateful and in turn loved the forgiver even more.

I know deep down that my sin is greater than anyone’s but my unwillingess to admit that to myself carries over in my inability to admit that to God. Not only am I minimizing the cross by my prideful, arrogant attitude; but I am less grateful to the Forgiver and less in love with Him than one who truly recognizes how great is his sin. I need to be more like the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears because she recognized how great her need was for forgiveness and salvation. And may Jesus show mercy to me and say as he did to her, "Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

"God of all comfort…who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble…"
2 Corinthians 1:6

Do you ever wonder why we suffer? Do you ever ask God, "Why is this happening to me"? Do you ever wonder why something you’ve been praying for just isn’t working out the way you want? I know I do. I question God’s plan more than I’d like to admit. I want to be richer, smarter, and thinner. I want to be further along in my career and in my relationships. I wish I was more eloquent, more stable, and tougher to handle all that life throws at me. I wish I had been raised in a church where Christ is emphasized as the center of life. I wonder how different my life would have been, the trouble I wouldn’t have gotten into, the sins I wouldn’t have committed, and the lasting scars I wouldn’t have. 

Then I remember 2 Corinthians 1:6. I’m reminded that God has a plan even when we can’t see it. God comforts us in our tribulations. He does it by putting people in our lives that have been though the similar situations. Who better to council broken hearted parents when their child dies, than parents who have also lost a child? Who better to talk to when you’ve lost your career, your house, and your grip on life than someone who’s been there?

I used to be angry at this being people called God. I thought how could such a being, who’s supposed to love, love me when all I see is misery. When I finally accepted Christ into my life, I realized that I NEEDED to be on that journey. Personally, I needed to experience those heartaches to truly appreciate love and my life as a Christian. I’ve since been able to use my experiences to help share the greatness of God.

God has a plan. He knows what we need when we don’t. He loves us just as we are, and He will always be our comfort in the inevitable tribulations of life. There is a reason you’re facing this hardship, this feeling of inadequacy, or this void in your life. God will use it in the future for His glory if you allow Him to work in your life. Let go of yourself, and love the Lord. He is awesome! 

 - Kate Zack

This Friday night we are introducing a new ministry opportunity geared toward 30 something’s. It will provide a way for you to regularly connect with other Singles in our church. The idea is that the 2nd Friday of the month we will come together for food, fellowship and bible study. And then a week or two later meet up again for bowling, movies, road trips, eating out, etc. There has been a gap in the connection between "big church" and small groups and hopefully this will create a bridge as well as give you opportunities to connect and make a big church feel smaller.

The kick-off is this Friday night at 7pm at Loren McCon’s house behind the Flowood Hobby Lobby on 102 Common Pointe. All you need to bring is friends and come enjoy. We won’t be checking ID’s at the door so if you are pushing 30 and want to come check it out feel free. We are hoping to start a LifeGroup for 20s in a few months and there is already a good 40s group. Unfortunately we don’t have room for children nor is there childcare, but  we can work on a solution for that if there is a need.

Spread the word and we’ll see you there!