I hope you've stayed warm and safe this week! What a crazy week in the ATL. Glad the weather is warming up and excited about our upcoming series starting this Sunday. We'll be talking about God's plan for marriage and what it means to 'live out' our wedding vows with "The Vows." This is a great time to invite friends and neighbors. I think it's going to be a fun series, and I believe God will change the direction of lives, marriages and families this month.
Also, don't forget to bring "Hot Hands" this week to share with our Random Kindness on Feb. 8.
Thought for the Week
"What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider's web." Job 8:14
This week I couldn't help but think about how fragile we are. Our lives, they're so fragile. Have you ever seen a snow flake? It's nothing. Millions upon millions of them together wreak havoc. You've got ice in your freezer, but when it is somewhere we don't want it to be, we're in trouble. A drop of water is nothing, but we've all stood on the shore at the beach and marveled at the ocean's power. We are fragile, and we we rely upon is so fleeting. This is the testimony of God's presence most important to me. I need something thicker on which to hang. I need something more substantial to set my life on. This week was a reminder that the things we take for granted are so weak. The power of our mighty cars are really nothing. But there is another power. On a week like this, I'm more mindful than ever that I want my life to be aligned with the one who is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. On Him alone will I lay the foundation of my life. What we think is strong, secure and sure is nothing in the face of Almighty God. What we think is so important now is so fleeting and fragile. Careers can be derailed by one employee tearing down the company. Athletic endeavors can be derailed by one injury. Our finances can go under with one disease or surgery. The things that we spend most of our time worrying about and working on are not what make up reality in eternity. There is a more firm foundation. That doesn't mean that we can live in this world where things like careers and money and other endeavors preoccupy our minds. It means we hold them loosely and hold tightly that which matters most.
In Christ,
Carter
First United Methodist Church of Griffin
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Thought for the Week 1.27.14
Thought for the Week
"However, don't rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20
I stumbled across this verse this week studying for some future messages. It stopped me cold. These are Jesus' words to his disciples after the excitedly return from a season of ministry in which they even casted out demons. They were feeling pretty good about themselves. There were getting a little impressed with their own power. Jesus sets them straight. "What you think is power is nothing. The real power gives you eternal life. Casting out demons seems like a big deal to you because you don't understand power. The miracle is that you have a spot in eternity." We are all prone to get a little too enamored with our own accomplishments, even the good ones. Pastors, coaches, students, athletes, salespeople, physicians, teachers, administrators, and even parents. We can all get a little too full of ourselves, thinking God sure is lucky to have us on His side. That's because we underestimate what it took to get our names written in heaven. There's nothing wrong with wanting to accomplish great things on earth. The disciples were even doing it for the Kingdom! Nevertheless, let us never forget that the real power and the real accomplishment was the blood which saved our soul and wrote our names in the Book of Life. That is something we cannot accomplish ourselves. And it's reason to be grateful.
In Christ,
Carter
"However, don't rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20
I stumbled across this verse this week studying for some future messages. It stopped me cold. These are Jesus' words to his disciples after the excitedly return from a season of ministry in which they even casted out demons. They were feeling pretty good about themselves. There were getting a little impressed with their own power. Jesus sets them straight. "What you think is power is nothing. The real power gives you eternal life. Casting out demons seems like a big deal to you because you don't understand power. The miracle is that you have a spot in eternity." We are all prone to get a little too enamored with our own accomplishments, even the good ones. Pastors, coaches, students, athletes, salespeople, physicians, teachers, administrators, and even parents. We can all get a little too full of ourselves, thinking God sure is lucky to have us on His side. That's because we underestimate what it took to get our names written in heaven. There's nothing wrong with wanting to accomplish great things on earth. The disciples were even doing it for the Kingdom! Nevertheless, let us never forget that the real power and the real accomplishment was the blood which saved our soul and wrote our names in the Book of Life. That is something we cannot accomplish ourselves. And it's reason to be grateful.
In Christ,
Carter
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
I Don't Get Richard Sherman
I'll be honest. I don't get Richard Sherman. In case you've been living on Jupiter for the past week. Here are his postgame interview after Sunday's win versus San Francisco.
Sherman went on to disgrace Crabtree in the postgame press conference, pointing out the term 'mediocre' again and again. I get a lot about football, but I don't get this. I kid my friends that I know the most about two things: the Bible and football. I spent five seasons in an SEC locker room. Adrenaline is high in and after a game. I'm glad all I've ever said on a field wasn't recorded. But this was clearly pre-meditated as it was repeated in the press-conference and on twitter and even Monday morning. And I don't get that.
I don't mind brashness and smack-talk. I may or may not have been known to talk a little smack in church-league basketball. I'm sorry, that's entirely inaccurate. I talked a lot of smack. It's not the dreads. I've got a man-crush on Todd Gurley (Running Back for my Dawgs) and his dreadlocks. And I would weep if Jarvis Jones cut his dreads. I love Marshawn Lynch, Sherman's teammate. It's not the cockiness. I wore #2 in high school because of one player: Prime Time -- Deion Sanders. I loved his showmanship. I like a good showman. I loved Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, the two worst trash-talkers in NBA history. Sports calls for a little bravado. Football calls for the most. And some of my favorite things about the NFL are touchdown and, more importantly, sack dances. It's a sport. It's supposed to be fun. Richard Sherman isn't fun. I think he's just a goober. This wasn't his first run-in with the media. He had a very awkward and mean-spirited conversation with Skip Bayless a year and a half ago on ESPN's First Take. Now, Bayless can be annoying himself, but I just don't get it.
I trust if you're reading this you've read enough to know a little about Sherman. He came from a tough neighborhood, but graduated 2nd in his class. He went to Stanford and got his degree. That's pretty much an equivalent of an Ivy League education. Stanford is no joke. They don't just give those degrees away. Richard Sherman is probably smarter than you and me. But he was not wise this past weekend. There's such a big difference in book smarts and wisdom. Sherman also volunteers in the community, going to speak at local schools and such. Is that a great thing for a pro athlete to do? Of course. But that does not define one's character in totality. Our words are also part of our character. And what parent now wants Shermon to come speak at their kid's school? The most important thing, for me, is the lessons to learn through this about ourselves. Moreover, these are important lessons to teach our young people who play sports.
Sherman went on to disgrace Crabtree in the postgame press conference, pointing out the term 'mediocre' again and again. I get a lot about football, but I don't get this. I kid my friends that I know the most about two things: the Bible and football. I spent five seasons in an SEC locker room. Adrenaline is high in and after a game. I'm glad all I've ever said on a field wasn't recorded. But this was clearly pre-meditated as it was repeated in the press-conference and on twitter and even Monday morning. And I don't get that.
I don't mind brashness and smack-talk. I may or may not have been known to talk a little smack in church-league basketball. I'm sorry, that's entirely inaccurate. I talked a lot of smack. It's not the dreads. I've got a man-crush on Todd Gurley (Running Back for my Dawgs) and his dreadlocks. And I would weep if Jarvis Jones cut his dreads. I love Marshawn Lynch, Sherman's teammate. It's not the cockiness. I wore #2 in high school because of one player: Prime Time -- Deion Sanders. I loved his showmanship. I like a good showman. I loved Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, the two worst trash-talkers in NBA history. Sports calls for a little bravado. Football calls for the most. And some of my favorite things about the NFL are touchdown and, more importantly, sack dances. It's a sport. It's supposed to be fun. Richard Sherman isn't fun. I think he's just a goober. This wasn't his first run-in with the media. He had a very awkward and mean-spirited conversation with Skip Bayless a year and a half ago on ESPN's First Take. Now, Bayless can be annoying himself, but I just don't get it.
I trust if you're reading this you've read enough to know a little about Sherman. He came from a tough neighborhood, but graduated 2nd in his class. He went to Stanford and got his degree. That's pretty much an equivalent of an Ivy League education. Stanford is no joke. They don't just give those degrees away. Richard Sherman is probably smarter than you and me. But he was not wise this past weekend. There's such a big difference in book smarts and wisdom. Sherman also volunteers in the community, going to speak at local schools and such. Is that a great thing for a pro athlete to do? Of course. But that does not define one's character in totality. Our words are also part of our character. And what parent now wants Shermon to come speak at their kid's school? The most important thing, for me, is the lessons to learn through this about ourselves. Moreover, these are important lessons to teach our young people who play sports.
- No matter what neighborhood you're from, you don't have permission to be a jerk. Just a hunch that Sherman's upbringing was tougher than mine. Lots of people grow up in tough neighborhoods and are wonderful people. Sherman has chosen this persona. We all get to choose.
- Never pick a fight with the media. The media always gets the last word and always wins.
- It's clear that cultural differences are persistent in America. I'm a white dude, and I can't escape that. I admit I don't understand everything about urban African-American culture, Hispanic culture, or Asian culture, or a thousand other cultures. Heck, I don't understand women (But what man really does?). But I don't think this was about "Oh, you just don't get black people." After watching that, the African-American fathers I know would have said to their sons, "Don't you ever act like that."
- I'm disappointed people turned on Richard Sherman with racial slurs. There's no place for it. I want us to get by and through this as a country. There is no race but the human race. We are all made in God's image. As I said, I think Sherman was just being a jerk, and those come in all shapes and sizes. I'm so grateful to pastor a diverse church with people from many different backgrounds.
- I am grateful that Sherman has apologized and realized he made a mistake. America has a large capacity to forgive, especially celebrities. People make mistakes. Sherman realized he took attention away from an historical game.
- I'm disappointed that in the seminal moment of his career, after making the biggest play he might ever make, he made this about him (and not his team) and turned it into an opportunity to lambaste an opposing player, who left it all on the field just like him. This might be the biggest moment in Seattle sports, and it has turned into a Sherman-fest, for all the wrong reasons. We're not talking about his play. We're talking about his mouth. Furthermoe, no matter what he said to Crabtree, you don't go over and slap the backside of an opponent in a moment like that. There's too much raw emotion, and it's simply rubbing it in. That was the take-away for me that has become clear the more I've thought about it.
You never bring honor to yourself by dishonoring others.
I don't know if Sherman is a Follower of Jesus. For those of us who are or are considering it, this is a crucial lesson. It is so easy to dishonor others. I found it odd this all happened on MLK weekend. This was not the way of Dr. King. Dr. King simply 'got it' when it came to understanding how connected we are has humans. In his book Stride Toward Freedom, King wrote, "Because men are brothers, if you harm me, you harm yourself...When I am commanded to love, I am commanded to restore community, to resist injustice, and to meet the needs of my brothers." That is the way of Jesus. By dishonoring Michael Crabtree, Richard Sherman brought dishonor to himself. Richard Sherman might be on of the top two corners in the game today, but I contrasted his comments and postgame reaction with those of one of the top four or five cornerbacks of all time after the AFC Championship Game:
Champ Bailey. First Ballot Hall of Fame Cornerback. 12 Pro Bowls. 7-time All Pro. All gratitude. All team. All blessing. All appreciation. I had the pleasure of working for UGA Football when Champ was in college. He was a quiet kid from a way-down-South Georgia community. He has always been this gracious and humble. Always. But you hear an old sage from Champ Bailey now. You hear 35 years-old. Champ's body began to break down this year. Age got to him. He is no longer one of the best, but he's helping his team win. Age has a way of humbling the greatest of athletes. Richard Sherman is 25. I suspect those ten years make a big difference. They certainly did in my life. I hope Sherman learns from this. I hope the years offer him wisdom. That wisdom, gratitude, and humility is the difference between being a Champ and a chump.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (1.16.14)
I hope you've had a good week. I'm finishing up class on Friday morning and heading back to Georgia in the afternoon. I'm learning some great stuff, and I can't wait to get back to Gwinnett and see what God has in store for Church of the Way in 2014. I'm ready to be home! I'm excited to see my family and to worship with my church community again on Sunday. I'll be continuing with our series called "Rich People" as we talk about the issue of 'debt.' If you've got friends who need to take a first step in making some changes in their finances, I hope you'll invite them this week.
Also, don't forget we've got LIFE Group and Serve Team Sign-Ups on Sunday. Get connected and grow in your faith through serving and relationships.
Thought for the Week
"He [Moses] was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." Exodus 34:29
Isn't that a great passage? Moses went up on the mountain to be with God and spoke with God, and he came down and his face was glowing. Have you ever known anyone like that? I have. Mrs. Runae was a member of the first church I pastored. Runae was her first name. Emily often stayed with her when she came to visit me before we were married. I never heard Runae say a bad word about anyone. She studied the Bible often and was at every church event we had, even the youth group because she wanted to feed the young people. Runae was also a woman of deep prayer. She prayed for the lost in our community. And she glowed. You felt so good after you'd been with Runae. You'd probably get some vegetables, too. Like Moses, most people that glow with God's love don't really know it. They're unaware. Make no mistake, the source of Moses and Runae's radiance came from the same place: speaking with the Lord. If we are going to glow in our communities, offices, and schools, we need to be people who talk to God. When we pray and when we study God's Word...something happens. If we are going to change the world and make a difference in the lives of others, it won't be because we are always right or 'convince' people to come to church or follow Christ. It will be because we glow.
Can't wait to be with you on Sunday!
Carter
Also, don't forget we've got LIFE Group and Serve Team Sign-Ups on Sunday. Get connected and grow in your faith through serving and relationships.
Thought for the Week
"He [Moses] was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." Exodus 34:29
Isn't that a great passage? Moses went up on the mountain to be with God and spoke with God, and he came down and his face was glowing. Have you ever known anyone like that? I have. Mrs. Runae was a member of the first church I pastored. Runae was her first name. Emily often stayed with her when she came to visit me before we were married. I never heard Runae say a bad word about anyone. She studied the Bible often and was at every church event we had, even the youth group because she wanted to feed the young people. Runae was also a woman of deep prayer. She prayed for the lost in our community. And she glowed. You felt so good after you'd been with Runae. You'd probably get some vegetables, too. Like Moses, most people that glow with God's love don't really know it. They're unaware. Make no mistake, the source of Moses and Runae's radiance came from the same place: speaking with the Lord. If we are going to glow in our communities, offices, and schools, we need to be people who talk to God. When we pray and when we study God's Word...something happens. If we are going to change the world and make a difference in the lives of others, it won't be because we are always right or 'convince' people to come to church or follow Christ. It will be because we glow.
Can't wait to be with you on Sunday!
Carter
Friday, January 10, 2014
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (1.10.14)
Hey there Church of the Way!
I hope you've had a great week (and stayed warm)! This Sunday, we kick off a brand new 3-week series called "Rich People." We're going to look at what it means to be rich and talk about some of the habits of the wealthy. We might just find that some of the financial habits at the gurus say are best today have been around for thousands of years. Perhaps God will even redefine what we think of being 'rich.' This is a great series to invite friends to that are looking to get a handle their finances in the New Year.
Also, remember we've got Family Promise coming up on Jan. 19. We won't host families again until December, so let's take this opportunity to love on those in our community that don't have a home. In the cold months like this, it's especially important how important this ministry is. You can contact Jim Ramsdail or Kim Navarro to sign up
Thought for the Week
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." Acts 1:8
As you know, I've been in Washington, DC all week working on my doctorate at Wesley Theological Seminary. I'm still not quite used to the landscape in DC. It's weird to walk by buildings knowing that decisions are being made in those buildings that will literally impact every person on the planet. I also know that there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes in those buildings that we don't know and wouldn't understand. There are a lot of people with a lot of power there. But it's not really power. It's a limited control. Every politician, military officer, coach, teacher, CEO, or bully that thinks they have power really has a little power. It won't last. They'll die. Things will change. Power is not bad. It can be used for good or bad. It strikes me that we forget the power that God has granted us. We're playing with a stacked deck. The power of the Holy Spirit lives in us. This is the power to defeat death, the power to end addiction, the power to give victory over sin, the power of love to trump evil, the power of forgiveness to win over hurt, the power to heal the brokenhearted. This is true power. And these are the things that matter. Know that as you go through life you are not powerless. The power of the Holy Spirit lives within you. It is the power that rose Jesus from the dead. And...IT. IS. IN. YOU. Tap into it.
In Christ,
Carter
I hope you've had a great week (and stayed warm)! This Sunday, we kick off a brand new 3-week series called "Rich People." We're going to look at what it means to be rich and talk about some of the habits of the wealthy. We might just find that some of the financial habits at the gurus say are best today have been around for thousands of years. Perhaps God will even redefine what we think of being 'rich.' This is a great series to invite friends to that are looking to get a handle their finances in the New Year.
Also, remember we've got Family Promise coming up on Jan. 19. We won't host families again until December, so let's take this opportunity to love on those in our community that don't have a home. In the cold months like this, it's especially important how important this ministry is. You can contact Jim Ramsdail or Kim Navarro to sign up
Thought for the Week
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." Acts 1:8
As you know, I've been in Washington, DC all week working on my doctorate at Wesley Theological Seminary. I'm still not quite used to the landscape in DC. It's weird to walk by buildings knowing that decisions are being made in those buildings that will literally impact every person on the planet. I also know that there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes in those buildings that we don't know and wouldn't understand. There are a lot of people with a lot of power there. But it's not really power. It's a limited control. Every politician, military officer, coach, teacher, CEO, or bully that thinks they have power really has a little power. It won't last. They'll die. Things will change. Power is not bad. It can be used for good or bad. It strikes me that we forget the power that God has granted us. We're playing with a stacked deck. The power of the Holy Spirit lives in us. This is the power to defeat death, the power to end addiction, the power to give victory over sin, the power of love to trump evil, the power of forgiveness to win over hurt, the power to heal the brokenhearted. This is true power. And these are the things that matter. Know that as you go through life you are not powerless. The power of the Holy Spirit lives within you. It is the power that rose Jesus from the dead. And...IT. IS. IN. YOU. Tap into it.
In Christ,
Carter
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Too Famous Jameis
I didn't have a dawg (see what I did there?) in the fight on Monday night as I watched the final BCS National Championship Game. It was a thrilling game. Florida State's brilliant redshirt freshman QB, Jameis Winston, came through in the clutch after struggling for much of the game. The kid is just fun to watch play when he gets rolling. But it was after the game that bothered me.
Now, granted, Jameis just turned 20. I remember being 20. I was pretty stupid. Yet, Jameis has been on a roll for about the last month with foot in mouth statements. Winston was not accused in a sexual assault case that stemmed from 2012. It all came to blows in late November and early December this past year. Winston's attorney claimed for him that the sex was consensual. The accuser had alcohol in her system and Winston's DNA on her underwear. At the Heisman Trophy presentation, where Winston won the award, and on Saturday to the New York Daily News, he proclaimed, “I didn’t do anything wrong." Then, postgame, Winston said that FSU winning the National Championship was 'all God.'
As a pastor and passionate sports fan, this really, really, really, really bothers me. And what bothers me most is that THIS is what non-Christians see out of Christianity over and over again. This is why the American Church is struggling in mainline denominations. At the very least, we know Winston had premarital sex with a girl that was a little tipsy. And he did nothing wrong.
Our student pastor is teaching that THAT's wrong to our teenagers. I teach that's wrong to singles in our church. Youth ministers across the world have been teaching that's wrong. Now, the world outside sees the behavior and hears the proclamation that winning and getting through all the Seminoles went through with the allegations as "All God." And, apparently, God was for FSU winning the game Monday night.
Winston is 20, but who taught him that what he did wasn't wrong? Where is the pastor, coach, parent or spiritual mentor that is in his ear saying, "Jameis, you made a mistake and it almost got you into bigger trouble. It'd be best to admit that and thank God for his forgiveness and the opportunity to keep playing ball." I like Winston's charisma, but I can only imagine what every girl that has had a guy sleep with them when they were a little tipsy to never follow through on the heart promises their body made.
The Florida State Attorney didn't see evidence to press charges, but that doesn't mean Winston didn't do something wrong. Non-Christians see Winston's actions and hear his words and think, "That's why I don't go to church. They don't do what they say they believe in, then they claim God is on their side."
Listen, none of us are perfect. I constantly fight temptations of selfishness, stubbornness, pride and a host of other things. Daily, I ask God to forgive me for those and a myriad of other things. It'd be foolish for me to say, "I didn't do anything wrong." I do stuff wrong all the time. Winston just needs someone in his ear, and I wish a non-believing world could hear something closer to what seems more in line with a heart for God: "You know, I made some mistakes and disappointed God and my family, but I knew I had not broken any laws. I'm thankful for God's forgiveness, and for the opportunity to keep playing football. We played a great team tonight with a lot of good guys on it, too. I'm grateful for healthy bodies to play the game we love." We've got to do better at this. When we're wrong, we've got to admit it. The world doesn't need our brashness or perfection or some kind of persona. The most radical statement to the world is that we are broken and messy and make mistakes, and God's Grace overcomes it all. When we sin and claim to be without sin, the power of God and His grace is muffled:
From one sinner to another, my hope is that Jameis gets some people around him speaking more truth, and less adulation, in his ear. But for the grace of God go I.
Now, granted, Jameis just turned 20. I remember being 20. I was pretty stupid. Yet, Jameis has been on a roll for about the last month with foot in mouth statements. Winston was not accused in a sexual assault case that stemmed from 2012. It all came to blows in late November and early December this past year. Winston's attorney claimed for him that the sex was consensual. The accuser had alcohol in her system and Winston's DNA on her underwear. At the Heisman Trophy presentation, where Winston won the award, and on Saturday to the New York Daily News, he proclaimed, “I didn’t do anything wrong." Then, postgame, Winston said that FSU winning the National Championship was 'all God.'
As a pastor and passionate sports fan, this really, really, really, really bothers me. And what bothers me most is that THIS is what non-Christians see out of Christianity over and over again. This is why the American Church is struggling in mainline denominations. At the very least, we know Winston had premarital sex with a girl that was a little tipsy. And he did nothing wrong.
Our student pastor is teaching that THAT's wrong to our teenagers. I teach that's wrong to singles in our church. Youth ministers across the world have been teaching that's wrong. Now, the world outside sees the behavior and hears the proclamation that winning and getting through all the Seminoles went through with the allegations as "All God." And, apparently, God was for FSU winning the game Monday night.
Winston is 20, but who taught him that what he did wasn't wrong? Where is the pastor, coach, parent or spiritual mentor that is in his ear saying, "Jameis, you made a mistake and it almost got you into bigger trouble. It'd be best to admit that and thank God for his forgiveness and the opportunity to keep playing ball." I like Winston's charisma, but I can only imagine what every girl that has had a guy sleep with them when they were a little tipsy to never follow through on the heart promises their body made.
The Florida State Attorney didn't see evidence to press charges, but that doesn't mean Winston didn't do something wrong. Non-Christians see Winston's actions and hear his words and think, "That's why I don't go to church. They don't do what they say they believe in, then they claim God is on their side."
Listen, none of us are perfect. I constantly fight temptations of selfishness, stubbornness, pride and a host of other things. Daily, I ask God to forgive me for those and a myriad of other things. It'd be foolish for me to say, "I didn't do anything wrong." I do stuff wrong all the time. Winston just needs someone in his ear, and I wish a non-believing world could hear something closer to what seems more in line with a heart for God: "You know, I made some mistakes and disappointed God and my family, but I knew I had not broken any laws. I'm thankful for God's forgiveness, and for the opportunity to keep playing football. We played a great team tonight with a lot of good guys on it, too. I'm grateful for healthy bodies to play the game we love." We've got to do better at this. When we're wrong, we've got to admit it. The world doesn't need our brashness or perfection or some kind of persona. The most radical statement to the world is that we are broken and messy and make mistakes, and God's Grace overcomes it all. When we sin and claim to be without sin, the power of God and His grace is muffled:
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claimed we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1 John 1:8
From one sinner to another, my hope is that Jameis gets some people around him speaking more truth, and less adulation, in his ear. But for the grace of God go I.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (1.2.14)
Happy New Year!
I hope you had a safe holiday. Life will be getting back to normal soon and that includes kicking the year off at Church of the Way. I'm so excited about seeing what God does in the coming year among us. This Sunday, Jan. 5, come get 2014 started off right as we're back in the saddle in worship at 10 a.m and 6 p.m. Also, be inviting friends for our "Rich People" series beginning on Jan. 12 when we'll be talking about how God can teach us to be wise with our money and redefine what it means to be rich. It'll be a great way to get your finances in order for 2014.
Thought for the Week
"Therefore, don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
No doubt you've made a few New Year's resolutions, or better termed "First Week of January To-Do Lists," because they normally last only one week. I read a great article this week about the difference between systems and goals. Most of the time we focus on goals, and they're so hard to reach or attain. Plus, once you reach them, what do you do? In Matthew, Jesus talked about a different way to consider living. What if you worried about today. Goals are about tomorrow. Lose 15 pounds -- what happens when you do? Clean the garage -- what happens when you do? Run a marathon -- what happens when you do? Goals look ahead. Systems look at today, and Jesus told us to focus on today. You can't achieve something today that will take 10 months to accomplish. And accomplishing it can't be the goal anyway, because goals do us no good once they're met. However, we can implement systems that make all the difference. Instead of lose 15 pounds, we choose to make wise eating decisions today (and again tomorrow). Instead of cleaning the garage we choose to clean some spot or corner in the house up today that we've been putting off (and do it every day). Instead of running a marathon, we chose to run every day (and a little farther every day). If we choose to live every day in a way that honors God, don't you think that would string together a life that includes healthy habits, loving & lasting relationships, and integrity. You'd surpass a lot of goals because it wasn't about goals, it was about honoring God every day. Just something to think about heading into a new year.
In Christ,
Carter
I hope you had a safe holiday. Life will be getting back to normal soon and that includes kicking the year off at Church of the Way. I'm so excited about seeing what God does in the coming year among us. This Sunday, Jan. 5, come get 2014 started off right as we're back in the saddle in worship at 10 a.m and 6 p.m. Also, be inviting friends for our "Rich People" series beginning on Jan. 12 when we'll be talking about how God can teach us to be wise with our money and redefine what it means to be rich. It'll be a great way to get your finances in order for 2014.
Thought for the Week
"Therefore, don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
No doubt you've made a few New Year's resolutions, or better termed "First Week of January To-Do Lists," because they normally last only one week. I read a great article this week about the difference between systems and goals. Most of the time we focus on goals, and they're so hard to reach or attain. Plus, once you reach them, what do you do? In Matthew, Jesus talked about a different way to consider living. What if you worried about today. Goals are about tomorrow. Lose 15 pounds -- what happens when you do? Clean the garage -- what happens when you do? Run a marathon -- what happens when you do? Goals look ahead. Systems look at today, and Jesus told us to focus on today. You can't achieve something today that will take 10 months to accomplish. And accomplishing it can't be the goal anyway, because goals do us no good once they're met. However, we can implement systems that make all the difference. Instead of lose 15 pounds, we choose to make wise eating decisions today (and again tomorrow). Instead of cleaning the garage we choose to clean some spot or corner in the house up today that we've been putting off (and do it every day). Instead of running a marathon, we chose to run every day (and a little farther every day). If we choose to live every day in a way that honors God, don't you think that would string together a life that includes healthy habits, loving & lasting relationships, and integrity. You'd surpass a lot of goals because it wasn't about goals, it was about honoring God every day. Just something to think about heading into a new year.
In Christ,
Carter
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