What's happening in your life?

Since we returned from Georgia, I have been hit full force it seems like with the reality of life here on planet USA.

First, just the hustle and bustle of life here... schedules, deadlines, events, broken pipes in the house, our dryer even had a huge "arc & spark" moment!

Two young college girls gunned down within a few days of each other. Then my friend has a book thrust upon his young innocent son by his high school english teacher (read about it here). Then we get to watch the mudslinging of American presidential politics, then seeing "Mr Clean" Elliott Spitzer's life meltdown in a very public way.

It's enough to make one want to go back to a semi-developing world where things are simpler.

But then, God didn't place me in that place. He placed me here. So, man-up, get with the program, and press on towards what God has for me... right here!

I can say this, going away then coming back, presses in a new sense of what is important in life. Let's just list them...

God
Family
Others

You know, that list applies wherever you are, in any situation, in any country, at any time. Sure, some places have more distractions than others. Big deal. Our job is to cut through the distractions, and press on towards the high call of Christ.

That even applies to our spiritual lives. In other words, we can get distracted in a spiritual sense in a way that can obscure the things that are really important in our lives. We can become so focused on spiritual matters, that we miss the fact that an entire world around us is hurting and in desperate need of Christ.

We can worry and obsess about our own needs and wants, and miss the guy sitting in the back of the church who is detoxing and needs prayer and a miraculous touch from Jesus to be delivered. Peter said to the lame man outside the temple... "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6 NKJV)

We can get so busy making our yard look perfect for this season, and blow off a Men's Breakfast where men are coming together and bonding, building relationships (OK, that was a little promotion!).

We can come to expect entertainment from our church, and miss the fact that the purpose of the church is...

1. Evangelism: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt 28:19-20 NKJV
2. Growth: And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Eph 4:11-14 NKJV
3. Fellowship: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42 NKJV)

That is where our church desires to be... focused on the things that God says we should be focused on! And in doing so, we encourage the church - the congregation - all who attend - to ENGAGE in that process!

HOW???

1. Come and be a part. Sure, come to church... but be a part of something. not because we need your help, but because you will be CONNECTED to the body when you are an active participant!
2. Give. People have a misconception that "the church wants your money". Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is this: God blesses those who give to His work. We need to learn this simple truth. Ask anyone who regularly gives. You will find that God provides all of their needs, and many of their wants. Ask anyone who does NOT give, you will find that they are always running short.
3. Grow. Our church has a veritable plethora of ways to grow: Bible teaching every Sunday and Wednesday, Men's studies, Women's studies, Foundations classes, Parenting classes... if you are not growing here, then you are not taking advantage of all that we have to offer!
   
4. Reach out. We have an Everyday Evangelism class starting in a few weeks. If you are not comfortable sharing your faith (which is not a sin!), register for the class. What better blessing can you be to others than to share the greatest news in the world with them!

So, where are you at? What is happening in your life? Are you distracted by all the 'fluff & stuff" of life? Perhaps it is time to focus in... what are my priorities? Am I investing my time and energy into those priorities? Only you can answer that question!

Till the world hears...

Pastor Clay