It's On!

Today begins our 2011 Daniel Fast. For some its a new endeavorer, and for others it is almost like a spiritual holiday where we experience a time of consecration, purification, refreshing and preparation for the remainder of the year.

This year we as we enter into the most exciting "holiday" for New Life Temple Church, I invite you to join us here as we share words of encouragement and menu ideas.

If you are able to, please do your best to attend the prayer services. These services will help to prepare our heart and mind as a family/body for what we are believing God to do Sunday, 16 January. The results of that service will not be depend on Bishop Perry, but upon each of us making the sacrifice to come together humbly in a spirit of unity and seek God's face. In the end I believe that if we do that He will hear us and heal "our land".

On the natural side:

The Daniel Fast is a great time to do a physical body cleansing. For a whole year (and for many-all your life) we have filled our body with toxins. As we are "fasting" from those pleasurable foods that are more often bad for us, why not consider adding a detoxing program with that. Visit your community health store (family owned or national chain) and talk to one of their staff persons about doing a 7-14 day cleansing. And if you really want to do some good for your body consider doing a 21-30 day cleanse. Warning- for those of you with special medical conditions, please consult your doctor on the best program for you.

Many blessings to each of you as we move forward to a great moment.

See you tomorrow for some recipe ideas!

Mel

40 Days of Purpose - week 3

Fellowship is probably one of the most rewarding things in a believer can experience with in the church family, but often one of the hardest things to keep alive within the church family.

Every human being craves fellowship. We long to belong to...not just take part in. So why do we fight so hard against the very thing we crave, long for, and enjoy? All of the ugly flaws of human nature get in the way. And unfortunately, those flaws follow us in into our relationships with our spiritual family.

But I love how Rick Warren reminds us that we must LOVE our spiritual family even in those most unlovable moments...one day we too will need love. But we have to keep a key factor in mind, we must do our best never to let our hurts, disappointments, frustrations, and all those painful moments fester into a painful sore. Instead we must deal with the issue, resting on the mercy and grace that has been given to us, and stepping forward to protect the fellowship and unity with our family.

It is impossible to enjoy fellowship alone. But is possible to be alone even in the midst of fellowship. Just because we are surrounded by family does not mean we have entered into fellowship. Step out of the box...its the only way to enjoy few0lloship.

40 Days of Purpose - week 2

There are times when we know a thing, but our busy lives, trials, and many other distractions cause us to loose our focus. We know we have a God ordained purpose that He expects us to live in and out, but we become distracted.

That distraction can hinder our purpose as we serve God, our family, our church and our community. We become so bogged down with LIFE, that we forget how to live. And when this happens in a church...it pollutes the breath of God from flowing freely through the body.

As our church revisits the 40 Days of Purpose in our weekday service, you can feel and hear the breath returning. Of course there are those who will find such refreshing strange, but for those who are open and willing they will be come the opening to filter in His presence.

Each week, I'm moved with the enthusiasm of even the young adults who are coming to the knowledge that God delights in them - He desires that they walk in their purpose, not when they are old enough, but NOW!

There is nothing so wonderful as seeing guest feel apart...when guest know they are welcomed its a sign that fresh breath is blowing.

Having the small groups to meet on sight at the church complex may be a different concept, but it allows for guest and members to enjoy the growth and experience together. Hearing the testimonies each Wednesday when the groups come together is wonderful opportunity to witness the effects of fresh breath flowing back into the body.

It was great hearing that God takes pleasure in me! Now, time to remind ourselves that He wants us to know how to love each other as members of God's family.

Join us next Wednesday at 7:30pm for a great time of fellowship and growth.

Exactly, What Are We Doing?

I know it has been a long while since I have sat down to write...but I'm back. I'll try and make my post short and sweet. Having said that...

There were two point made during Bible Study (3 September, 08) that really stood out. I would like to call them "meat questions". They pack a hard punch when one sits and think about them.
1. If Jesus being the Word (John 1) had to use the Word, how much more should we? Let that just simmer for a moment. How can we as Christians even think to survive without reading, using or saying the Word?
2. "Sometime we don't have victory because we don't want to let go of some things." In other words, sometimes we would rather suffer than to forgive, let go of baggage, change our surrounding, get over forgotten issues, and on and on. What might be the something keeping you from your victory.

I can say that both points were able to find a "spot in my bed". What about you?

What Am I Doing With My Talent

If any of us went to Sunday as a  child we heard the story of the "wicked servant" in  Matthew 25:14-30. As children our understanding was much different than it is as adults. But as we got older the story becomes a message of "God expects everyone to do something with the gifts he gave us". Some are moved to become involved in ministry and some are just moved until the get home.

In this weeks Bible Study Bishop Perry pointed out something that all Christians should consider. First, she said that more than anything we should desire to please God by walking in a true relationship with Him. If we desire to see Him smile at us then we must be in a place of committed service to Him. We will no longer do things just so we can say that we are active or that we are "used by God". Instead we will serve God because our relationship with Him draws us to a place of surrender to Him. Secondly, God will hold us accountable for the use or lack of use of the talents/gifts that He has placed in us. As His workers in the vineyard, we will be judged according to what we produce.

The later point made me think. I don't know what talents others may have or even how many anyone else has. But I know - if we are honest with ourselves we know some of the things that God has placed in us- God has placed many talents within me. I'm not only responsible for using those talents, but using them according to God's will. What I do with those talents will be judged by God.

How many people sit in the church with talent(s), but they either have placed their talent(s) in a bag or they are using them in away that is contrary to what God has planed? Do they know that they will be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof?

Here is a better question. What talents do I know that I have but am not putting to use? Or maybe I'm using them but in low gear. Am I afraid to walkout into the  deep - though I know that God is right there with me - because it's the unknown? Would it be correct to say that I'm more afraid of the uncertain or the small issues than I am of God's judgement?

The floor is open...

 

When is your mission complete?

During this weeks Pastoral Bible Class several questions were asked in regards to Shadow Mission and Mission. As the questions were being raised and answered be various individuals, a thought hit me. Of course it may just be my brain working over time. One of the questions that sort of took me on a brief journey was whether individuals in the Bible, Like Esther, completed their mission in the one act that is recorded in the Bible. The Bible, though a historical book that spans many generations, only gives us brief glimpses into the lives of those who are mentioned. Very seldom are we given "over the years" coverage of lives like Moses, David or Paul. However, if these men are examples of the others mentioned, there is a great possibility that there were continual missions in their life. Often time, one mission lead to the next mission. Maybe, there were small missions that fulfilled a greater mission.

I think many times we think of missions being something big that makes a grand stage. But many times it may take back stage to a someone else's "grand" mission, like Mary the mother of Jesus, Martha, Mary Magdalene, Jonathan, or Eliezer. All of these individuals had a very important mission of being a support to help others fulfill their mission. I mean after Jesus forgave and healed (spiritually) "Evangelist" Magdalene she became a follower of Jesus. We are not told the extend of her support in his ministry - and no we are not going to include the Da Vinci Code's belief- until we see her later at his Resurrection. Do your really think all she did was become the first to declare the gospel? Is it possible that she was apart of Jesus marketing/evangelistic team? Her daily mission may not seem very big, but every mission (no matter how many pats on the back you don't get or if no one writes it in history) is important to God.

I think its like Rick Warren put it in simple term - live everyday of your life on purpose. There is a daily mission, but we have to be sensitive to God to fulfill it. We may never know what it is until after it is done. My mission today may be to call a member who has been going through spiritually or to pray for that person who came to mind for know reason. You see our mission or purpose is not always clear to us at the moment. But I think that is why we pray for God's wisdom and guidance each day. "Lord order my steps in your will today..."

I have to say that I believe that every believer has a continual mission and purpose. There is a our daily mission and then there may be our MISSION. It just may not seem "grand" enough to us to call it a mission. But if that's what God purposed for you today - then its the mission that he gave to you.

The floor is open...

*please refrain from using individuals names (those who may have been seen in the news in a negative light) as this is a public forum meant to encourage believers.

Listening For Our Purpose

During this Wednesday's Pastoral Bible Study Class the Bishop posed a question as she ministered concerning understanding our purpose or mission. The question was "can you hear from the Lord when you are busy with the cares of life?"

Now maybe I should back up for those who were not there. The basic theme of the lesson was being in the position to hear and answer the call of God. Several examples were given, 1. Isaiah (6:8) 2. Paul (his conversion) 3. Judah (in Judges 20), to show that in order to hear the complete Word of the Lord one must be in the proper place to hear from God.

As we desire to know our mission with clarity and certainty, we will only know after we have surrendered ourselves and entered into the place or the positions where God's voice can be heard. One thing I loved that was said, was that we as individuals "must hear from God" and not seek after men to speak to us for God. Being a typical PK, the last thing I want is for someone to walk up to me and tell me "thus saith the Lord," when God has not said anything. I've seen too many people move because people said move. But what did God tell you in the quite place? Others may so go, but God may have said sit and learn. Who do you listen to? In fact are we more moved by people's voice and desired mission for our lives? Are we even concerned about the shipwreck that is due to ensue from following people? How do we even know if we are hearing from God?

This is where I shall open the floor for your discussion.