Worth The Wait

Pastor Ron asked us this morning if we had seen Jesus's face. He encouraged us to nourish sensitivity to His appearing so that we will be aware of His visits. Waiting for Him to show up is worth the waiting time. I hope that I, as Pastor Ron said, will recognize Him when He shows up. I want to be more like Mary who opted to sit at Jesus's feet, "rapt in His Words and His Holy Presence"(Gall 5). How exciting this adventure is with a God so amazing and so divine!

Posted by Sue Sanders

"Finding Our Way Again"

I just started reading a great book by one of my favorite authors, Brian McLaren. The book is entitled, "Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices."

There are ancient ways that can teach us to practice peace, joy, self-mastery, and justice. The old disciplines--fasting, contemplative prayer, simplicity, meditation, solitude, silence, observing the holy days--do for our souls what exercise does for our bodies or study does for our minds.

These ancient practices are the means by which we prepare for grace to surprise us. They are the habits by which our souls grow strong; actions of the mind, body, and will that close the gap between the character we want to possess and the character we currently have.

I'll post more as I continue reading...

Go Beyond Religion To See The World Be Changed

I bought Lincoln Brewster's new CD today. I am a huge fan of Lincoln because of his "blistering" guitar chops and his dymanic guitar solos (he's sick). Better put, I am very influenced by him musically. Anyway, there is a song on this CD that is influencing me "lyrcially." I found this song in a video that someone posted on youtube.
We all need to hear this song and embrace the message. The song is entitled "Power Of Your Name." Read the lyrics below first. Then, click on the picture to your left to hear the song and watch the video.
(Click here to buy the CD.)
(Here is another link to hear Lincoln tell the story behind the song. )

Surely children weren't made for the streets
And fathers were not made to leave
Surely this isn't how it should be
Let Your Kingdom come
Surely nations were not made for war
Or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just can't be what You saw
Let Your Kingdom come
Here in my heart

(Chorus)
I will live To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart

Your Name Is a shelter for the hurting
Jesus Your Name Is a refuge for the weak
Only Your Name Can redeem the undeserving
Jesus Your Name Holds everything I need

This song should be our dream as the church, living in the Kingdom of God--here and now--changing our world, through the power of Jesus name.

"God Is Not Mad At Us But Mad For Us"

Pastor Ron made an awesome statement this morning: "God is not mad with us but mad for us." How astounding to know that God desires a relationship with us! Pastor Ron encouraged us to give our hearts to Jesus as Christmas presents. The closing song reiterated the powerful call to give Him our hearts:
Lord, I give You my heart.
I give You my soul.
I live for You alone.
Every breath that I take.
Every moment I'm awake.
Lord, have Your way in me.

Today, Lord, I give You my heart.
(Posted by Sue Sanders)

More on "Wonder" (related to a previous post)

How easy it is to lose the wonder! I constantly have to repent of this and seek to hunger and thirst after Him. I long to know Him more and more intimately. The words of the chorus for "Holy Spirit, Rain Down," express my heart's longing:
Holy Spirit, rain down
Let Your power fall
Let Your voice be heard
Come and change our hearts
As we stand on Your Word
Holy Spirit, rain dowon.
Holy Spirit, rain down rain down
O Comforter and Friend
How we need Your touch again.
I long for His touch again.

Posted by Sue Sanders

What A Mess!

The loss of mystery has led to the loss of majesty.
The more we know, the less we believe.

No wonder there is no wonder.

We think we've figured it all out.

Strange, don't you think?

Knowledge of the workings shouldn't negate wonder.

Knowledge of the workings should stir wonder.

Who has more reason to worship than the astronomer who has seen the stars?

Than the surgeon who has held a heart?

Than the oceanographer who has pondered the depths?

(Max Lucado)

"Let Love Reach To The Other Side"

The new song we sang on Sunday, November 30 is called "A New Hallelujah." This song is probably my favorite praise song right now. It has literally brought me to tears. I can't get enough of this song. The melody line and chordal progressions are emotionally captivating. More importantly, the message of the lyrics are in-line with the very message of Jesus Christ. Do yourself a favor and take time to listen to this song. Click on the picture to listen. This is a live video performed by Michael W. Smith. In my opinion, Michael W. Smith's live songs are some of the most worshipful and anoited music that I have EVER heard. (The song is on Michael W. Smith's newest live album titled "A New Hallelujah." Purchase here on sale.)


Here are the lyrics:

Can you hear, there's a new song
Breaking out from the children of freedom
Every race and every nation
Sing it out sing a new Hallelujah

Let us sing love to the nations
Bringing hope of the grace that has freed us
Make Him known and make Him famous
Sing it out sing the new Hallelujah

Arise, let the church Arise
Let love reach to the other side
Alive, come alive Let the song Arise

(All the church) sings a new song
reaching out with the new Hallelujah
Every son and every daughter
everyone sing a new Hallelujah
Arise let the song Arise
Let love reach to the other side
Alive, come alive Let the song Arise

My favorite line is "let love reach to the other side." Change, hope, joy, and peace will not come through litigation, political manipulation, or governmental programs, it will come when we rise up as the church God has called and empowered us to be--where his reign, power, salvation, and mission are experienced, lived and reflected by us. We are made new, given a new song and entrusted with the new mission of hope, peace, and joy in Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Arise, let the church arise!!!

Belong:Conversation

One thing that seems to be in short supply these days is space for people to have conversation. Conversation is an art that the broader culture has lost, and the church has likewise been affected. Conversation is defined as informal talk between people. In order to have healthy conversations the following two components (at least) need to be present: space and posture.We seek to create space where people who might not ordinarily interact with each other can gather and engage each other in areas related to theology, practices, culture and how churches and organizations engage missionally for the sake of the world. In order to do this we must assume a posture of openness, humility and desire. We must believe the best of one another. It's not that we won't or don't disagree (often vigorously) but rather we maintain the Spirit of Christ as we do so.We are passionate about the conversation that has begun and hope you will engage it with us and others we do not yet know.

Chris Tomlin's New Album

Chris Tomlin is a popular name in our churches. Probably because his songs are a big part of our musical selection week after week. Tomlin has written the well known songs "We Fall Down," "How Great is Our God," "Here I am to Worship,"and the list goes on.

His most recent single, "Jesus Messiah," is a debut hit from his new album, "Hello Love." Listen to Chris Tomlin on GodTube and see his new release "Hello Love".

Click here: www.Godtube.com/ChrisTomlin

Click here to buy the album.

Our World Decreased To 100 People

If the world was reduced to a village of 100 people, it would look a lot like this.

Awesome Questions to Consider

1. If the invitation of Jesus to "come, follow me" isn't about safety and personal comfort, but rather about giving my life away for others, why is my priority of safety so high and my experience of personal comfort so well protected?
2. If Jesus, who "is the same - yesterday , today and forever" is leading us both from and into the future, what is it for me to effectively lead others who seek him into a future yet to be discovered?
3. If God's love is only understood in the context of relationships because he says "people matter" why is loving God more important to me than loving people? Can there be any separation of the two?
4. If Jesus called people to himself, not Christianity, why am I so quick to defend the traditions of the Christian faith, rather than introduce people to Jesus?
5. If Jesus was both God and man, then he was not only the ultimate God, but also the ultimate human being. Is not the call to Christ, then, the call to be the best humans God made us to be? Maybe the call is not to be fully Christian, but to be fully human. Doesn't God see "human" as sacred, beautiful and bearing God's image?
6.How do I better teach values that point people to the mystical power of God's Spirit, rather than teach "how to" mechanics that point people to the works of their own effort?In my efforts to be "relevant", is my first commitment to be relevant to Christ?
7. Does my culture need me because I am connected to the God of the future - the Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life? Does my living reflect this?
8. If today is a good day to live, is it also a good day to die? What risk will I take, what experience will I embrace, what call will I obey to be true to God and the "me" he created me to be - in this time, in this place... where I am?

Mercy's Well with Donny Henderson

The gospel group, Mercy's Well, blessed our hearts in our friend day service. These guys are extremely talented and the Spirit of God comes alive when they sing. We will be having them back again sometime. Check out their website.

Donny Henderson, from Nashville Tennessee, is a traveling singer/songwriter that is temporarily singing with Mercy's Well. This guy has written some great music and has made a name for himself within the gospel music spectrum. It was great to have him in Sumter.

Caring Bridge

There is no doubt that when you have a loved one in the hospital, life gets put on hold. Also on the forefront of your mind are those hefty medial bills that add up. CaringBridge attempts to help alleviate some of these concerns by offering a free tool for families to keep in touch when a relative is in the hospital. With over 61,000 sites, this is a resource for millions of virtual visitors to send get well wishes and extend sympathy to those hurting. CaringBridge makes the traumatic experience of a hospital stay a little easier for everyone.

http://www.coolpeoplecare.com/

A Place For You

This is a section where you can write "whatever:"Questions, stories, comments, disagreements, poetry, scripture, song lyrics, an inspiring text, etc. Click here to get stared.

C.S Lewis Quotes

:: Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.

:: Every poem can be considered in two ways--as what the poet has to say, and as a thing which he makes.

:: Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.

:: Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.

http://www.cslewis.com/

Free Literature

I discovered a website that will mail books and other literature to your address for free: http://www.gnmagazine.org/litreq/I requested a booklet titled, The Church Jesus Built."This book will guide one to examine the modern christian church with all of the various branches and denominations. The book observes the fruits that Jesus and His apostles said would identify His Church. It also looks at the contrasting fruits that identify those who are influenced by a different spirit and preach a different gospel. It teaches us to learn, not from human tradition or opinion but directly from God's Word, how we can distinguish "the church of the living God" (1 Timothy 3:15) from those who follow "false prophets" in sheep's clothing."