Reflections: September 27-28, 2009

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Youth

Understanding why God does or allows some of the things that we see or experience is something any of us have yet to fully understand. "What do you want to bring out of this?" and "What role do you have for me in this?" are key questions as we wrestle with the "Why are you allowing this to happen?" dilemma.

What are some roles that you have felt God has called you to play in situations in life that you have found difficult? What were the effects of your involvement and faithfulness to do what God was asking of you?

We all grow from each other's experiences, so please feel free to share your own of how you have seen God work in the midst of things you didn't understand.

P.S.
I had several people this weekend share some of their terrifying taxi
experiences. Countries that were included in the unofficial "Scariest Taxis in the World" survey were Thailand, Japan, and France. How about you? Had a scary taxi experience? Share it with us!

Reflections: September 20-21, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Youth

"I am doing something"
                       - God

Is this easy or difficult for you to believe? What are some of the factors that cause you to struggle with this? How do you work through this in your own life?

The "God how could you..." questions are rarely easy, so let's talk about how we handle those wrestling times in our faith. What God has done in and though your life could really make an impact for others who may be struggling the way you have. Let's talk about it!

Reflections: September 13-14, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastof of Teaching & Worship

There are approximately 2,350 verses in the Bible on the topic of money. In these past four weeks Pastor Jeff and I touched on no more than 25 of those verses. In those four weeks we spent our time looking specifically at what God says about how to live as rich people, but it is safe to say that there were many more "money" things we could have talked about as well.

 

For example, on Friday night at the "Money You Get, Budgets & Debt" Seminar, I had the opportunity to talk for a few minutes about stewardship. That's not a word we hear very often in our normal conversations, but it is an important concept in the Bible when it comes to our money. The basic thing to know about stewardship is that all that we have, our money and possessions, are owned by God and we are His stewards. To be a good steward is to be a good manager and caretaker of what God owns.

 

When you add this important Biblical concept to the message from this weekend we find that it also helps us even more to "take hold of life that is truly life." I know that these past four weeks have changed my heart – I hope that it has done the same for you. I'd be interested in knowing how these past four weeks have made a change in your thinking when it comes to money. As you open the case and take a look at what's in your heart what do you see? And how will this make a difference in your life?

Reflections: September 6-7, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Gary Keith, Pastof of Teaching & Worship

I just returned from attending the Invisible Improv event at the church. It was a great evening on many levels. It's been said that laughter adds years to your life. Well, if that is true then I added more than a few years to my life tonight!

 

As I thought about this event tonight, I couldn't help but think of one of the ideas I talked about in the message today. The idea was the one about not giving God our leftovers, but instead pre-deciding how to be rich in good works. Without a doubt this event was an example of our college students living out this principle. They didn't give leftovers, no, they pre-decided and gave of their best, whether it was the students on the stage or the students serving at the ticket table or the students serving ice cream or the students doing other behind-the-scenes work. And what be the result? Be ready to hear stories from our college students of how God was faithful to them and how God opened their eyes to something bigger than themselves.

 

Thank you college ministry for living out 1 Timothy 6:18 with this event. Now, let the stories begin. Let the impact of serving a cause larger than yourself begin. Let the impact of this event reach beyond this country and save the lives of kids in Africa. My bet is that many in our college ministry are feeling rich right now! What do you think?

Reflections: August 30-31, 2008

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastof of Teaching & Youth

So, what is it that makes it so easy to rely on money for satisfaction and security? Is it because it is tangible and something we are so familiar with? Is it because society says that money is really the most important thing and we believe it?

This week write down some of the ways that you intentionally make Jesus the Lord of your life and surrender to him. These practical examples can bless us all and be an encouragement for how we too may be able to give the Lord our whole selves...even our wealth and possessions!