Tomorrow morning kicks off our first ever membership class. I decided to use this quote to kick it off.

“This is the kind of church and kingdom I want to be a part of ‐ a band of people who are messy, have
addictions and shortcomings, make mistakes, get rejected, and are screwed up, but are so fully aware of
the Master’s grace and love for them in spite of who they are or will be someday; people who embrace
discomfort knowing there is so much to be gained for all of us and for all of our churches.”
Dave Gibbons, author “The Monkey and the Fish”

I think that’s a great, no non-sense, approach to why we do church. We can’t ever forget that doing church isn’t so we can sit around and take pride in our numbers but so that we can see people get healed, delivered, changed and loved on. None of that is possible without God’s grace and love.

M

Posted: November 6th, 2009 under Church info.
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I love this blog post by Mark Batterson this morning:

“Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial.”

Your future is found in I Corinthians 10:23. It reveals two options: permissible or beneficial. And your destiny will be determined by which option you choose.

Who we become is determined by whether we settle for what is permissible or strive for what is beneficial. It’s so tempting to live down to what is required. It’s so tempting to live in our comfort zone. It’s so tempting to take the path of least resistance, but the path of least resistance never takes you where you really want to go!

What am I getting at? Well, are you setting for what is permissible? Or are you striving for what is beneficial? Are you giving God leftovers? Or are you seeking first the kingdom of God? Where are you compromising? Where have you become comfortable with what is permissible?

Don’t let short-term comfort short-circuit God’s long-terms plans for your life. Spiritual short-cuts always turn into detours! Take the hard way. Take the high road. Strive for what is beneficial.

Exactly what we were praying for last night at our prayer meeting. So many Christians are content with giving God “just enough”. God gave us EVERYTHING….can’t we at least give him more than “permissible”? Really, what else is more important?

M

Posted: November 5th, 2009 under Leadership.
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Phillies…thanks for giving us a few exciting days. It was nice to see you there two years in a row. Keep it up….and share that winning attitude with your football counterpart please!

Posted: November 5th, 2009 under Sports.
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