What a great day I had over Mother's Day. My son and his family took me to one of the nicest restaurants in Spartanburg for lunch. We always get great service because Jeremy and Holly know all the waiters and servers and cooks and maitre d's around the area. We ate LOTS of good food and spent about 3 hours over lunch.
Then we went to NewSpring Church on Sunday evening. Several times during the service it was said it's not about being part of a great church but serving a great and extravagant God. But I have never been part of a church that gives so much. A remodeled, furnished house, scholarship money for mom and son; a furnished apt, car and money to pay off debt. I have never seen such generosity!
God is a great God who pours out His love and blessing on the members of NewSpring who give their money to the church so the church can pour out His love and blessing on single moms at Mother's Day. And not just for Mother's Day...don't forget the shoe give away and Christmas gifts and food at Thanksgiving.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
How Can You Not Know
Last Thursday I stopped by Miyako's to see Jeremy for a little while. As I sat at the bar, a nice looking young business man (button up shirt, tie) sat down. After a few minutes he asked Jeremy is this your mother. When I said yes, he introduced himself.
Seems he was Andrew, a guy Jeremy went to public school with and who also grew up in the youth program at FBC. Andrew's mom and I were in the same Sunday school class for many years. We had a really long conversation and some of the things he said made me shake my head.
I brought the conversation around to church and beliefs and listened to him talk about getting into heaven by being good. I wanted to shout at him and ask had he never listened all those years he was in church. I know he heard over and over about Jesus. Yet here was this young, successful man telling me heaven was for good people.
He does feel a void in his life and knows that he should be seeking a church so of course I invited him to NewSpring. I will pray for him to come and to meet Jesus head on. But what amazed me most is how he could not know Jesus is the reason you go to heaven - not being good or bad. Maybe he DOES know but was hesitant to speak Jesus' name. That even happens with active Christ followers.
Seems he was Andrew, a guy Jeremy went to public school with and who also grew up in the youth program at FBC. Andrew's mom and I were in the same Sunday school class for many years. We had a really long conversation and some of the things he said made me shake my head.
I brought the conversation around to church and beliefs and listened to him talk about getting into heaven by being good. I wanted to shout at him and ask had he never listened all those years he was in church. I know he heard over and over about Jesus. Yet here was this young, successful man telling me heaven was for good people.
He does feel a void in his life and knows that he should be seeking a church so of course I invited him to NewSpring. I will pray for him to come and to meet Jesus head on. But what amazed me most is how he could not know Jesus is the reason you go to heaven - not being good or bad. Maybe he DOES know but was hesitant to speak Jesus' name. That even happens with active Christ followers.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Fear of Death
I've been reading about several instances where Jesus raised people from the dead...a young girl, Lazarus, the only son of a widow. And then there is Jesus own miraculous resurrection.
So many people fear death. Even people who are followers of Christ. Why?? Because we don't REALLY know what happens - or at least what it is like. I guess we do know what happens. The Bible says the angels usher us into the presence of God to be seated at His feast table, to live forever in His presence in Heaven where there is no sadness, no grief, no tears, no sorrow. How can we fear that?
Maybe the fear is missing out on something - the kids, or grandkids, growing up; enjoying retirement years; leaving a beloved spouse. If I pray for my family and commit them to God, He can care for them better than I ever could. Maybe it's a fear of being forgotten. But what does it matter. If no one remembers my name 5 years after I'm gone, so what. If God remembers my name because I am in His Lamb's Book of Life, that is all I need.
So many people fear death. Even people who are followers of Christ. Why?? Because we don't REALLY know what happens - or at least what it is like. I guess we do know what happens. The Bible says the angels usher us into the presence of God to be seated at His feast table, to live forever in His presence in Heaven where there is no sadness, no grief, no tears, no sorrow. How can we fear that?
Maybe the fear is missing out on something - the kids, or grandkids, growing up; enjoying retirement years; leaving a beloved spouse. If I pray for my family and commit them to God, He can care for them better than I ever could. Maybe it's a fear of being forgotten. But what does it matter. If no one remembers my name 5 years after I'm gone, so what. If God remembers my name because I am in His Lamb's Book of Life, that is all I need.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Joy Does Not Equal Happiness
One of the things that I find most satisfying about being a follower of Christ is the deep down joy of living. Too many times people want to be happy but happy is based on circumstance - joy is based on a relationship with Jesus.
Joy is that inner dimension that KNOWS that God loves me, that my future is in His hands, that He watches over me, that He wants only HIS best for me. That last one is the rub sometimes - and the difference between joy and happiness. His best is not always the same as what I think is best. I can be unhappy over a circumstance, a job situation, a health issue, family tensions but I can still be filled with the joy of knowing God.
To me this is one of the hardest concepts to explain to non-believers. We tie so much of who we are into our stuff and our position that when those are lost, we are in despair. I guess the biggest issue comes from people who don't understand that this life is NOT all there is. But the abundant life that comes from Jesus begins the moment I ask Him to be my Lord and Savior. Our problem as Americans is that we equate abundance with lots of shiny stuff when actually the abundance of God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Sure, it can mean stuff and "success" too but those things are fleeting. Real abundance is a heart attitude.
Joy is that inner dimension that KNOWS that God loves me, that my future is in His hands, that He watches over me, that He wants only HIS best for me. That last one is the rub sometimes - and the difference between joy and happiness. His best is not always the same as what I think is best. I can be unhappy over a circumstance, a job situation, a health issue, family tensions but I can still be filled with the joy of knowing God.
To me this is one of the hardest concepts to explain to non-believers. We tie so much of who we are into our stuff and our position that when those are lost, we are in despair. I guess the biggest issue comes from people who don't understand that this life is NOT all there is. But the abundant life that comes from Jesus begins the moment I ask Him to be my Lord and Savior. Our problem as Americans is that we equate abundance with lots of shiny stuff when actually the abundance of God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Sure, it can mean stuff and "success" too but those things are fleeting. Real abundance is a heart attitude.
Let Them Thank the Lord
"Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry soul He fills with good things." Psalm 107:8-9.
One of the things I've learned is that NOTHING satisfies like Jesus. Not my stuff, not my family or friends, not my job, not my money, not a vacation. All this is good but I can't find anything to satisfy my SOUL in them. And it is my soul that remains empty without Jesus.
It is only because of the steadfast love of God, that Jesus lives in my heart. God sent His only Son to pay the price for my sins; to be punished in my place. John 3:16, Romans 5:8. Then God sent His Spirit to convict me of my need for this Savior. John 16:7-8
His grace pulled me from the pit of destruction and set me on the path of eternal life - filled with joy and hope.
One of the things I've learned is that NOTHING satisfies like Jesus. Not my stuff, not my family or friends, not my job, not my money, not a vacation. All this is good but I can't find anything to satisfy my SOUL in them. And it is my soul that remains empty without Jesus.
It is only because of the steadfast love of God, that Jesus lives in my heart. God sent His only Son to pay the price for my sins; to be punished in my place. John 3:16, Romans 5:8. Then God sent His Spirit to convict me of my need for this Savior. John 16:7-8
His grace pulled me from the pit of destruction and set me on the path of eternal life - filled with joy and hope.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
WOW!!
Today I do not have a serving responsibility at church. On these Sundays I go to church at 6 PM so that I can enjoy a day of rest. Because we have an online church, I decided to watch NewSpring's 11:15 AM service.
All I can say is WOW! The music was incredible. During the offertory song, an old hymn, I was so stirred by all that Jesus has done for me.
Clayton King, the teaching pastor at NewSpring, who was preaching today, felt the presence of God in a BIG way. So big in fact that he gave an invitation BEFORE he preached! I don't know how many went forward to seek repentance as a first time believer or a prodigal coming home, to break addictions, or heal marriages, or to break the bonds of any sin that weighs us down but there were many. Doesn't matter if it had only been one...Jesus died for EACH ONE of us, separately, individually, knowing me - ME - by name when He hung on the cross.
My God, I am overwhelmed that You love me that much; that You forgive me that much. Help me always to walk in Your ways; to listen to Your voice; to seek to please only You.
All I can say is WOW! The music was incredible. During the offertory song, an old hymn, I was so stirred by all that Jesus has done for me.
Clayton King, the teaching pastor at NewSpring, who was preaching today, felt the presence of God in a BIG way. So big in fact that he gave an invitation BEFORE he preached! I don't know how many went forward to seek repentance as a first time believer or a prodigal coming home, to break addictions, or heal marriages, or to break the bonds of any sin that weighs us down but there were many. Doesn't matter if it had only been one...Jesus died for EACH ONE of us, separately, individually, knowing me - ME - by name when He hung on the cross.
My God, I am overwhelmed that You love me that much; that You forgive me that much. Help me always to walk in Your ways; to listen to Your voice; to seek to please only You.
Home Group
At NewSpring Church we have small groups that meet in homes during the week. I have to say that I love my home group! We are a diverse group of people who have some interesting discussions about Jesus and life.
We've just had a big service week. On Tuesday night, we served at the Membership Class at NewSpring. We have a lot of fun meeting people who are relatively new to NewSpring and encouraging them to take their next steps with Jesus.
On Saturday we participated with 2 other home groups in a Hands on Greenville project. We went to Alexander Elementary School and planted a butterfly garden; cleaned, weeded and mulched the front flower beds; and spread mulch on the playgrounds. The Assistant Principal at the school told us they have 391 students and all but 18 receive free or reduced price lunches. The parents do what they can but just don't have the money to take care of projects that can not be done with school funds during these tight monetary times.
I'm thankful to be part of a group that likes to give back to the church and the community! The Bible says that faith without works is dead. We don't do projects to get God's love but do them out of a heart of love that comes because we already know God's love.
We've just had a big service week. On Tuesday night, we served at the Membership Class at NewSpring. We have a lot of fun meeting people who are relatively new to NewSpring and encouraging them to take their next steps with Jesus.
On Saturday we participated with 2 other home groups in a Hands on Greenville project. We went to Alexander Elementary School and planted a butterfly garden; cleaned, weeded and mulched the front flower beds; and spread mulch on the playgrounds. The Assistant Principal at the school told us they have 391 students and all but 18 receive free or reduced price lunches. The parents do what they can but just don't have the money to take care of projects that can not be done with school funds during these tight monetary times.
I'm thankful to be part of a group that likes to give back to the church and the community! The Bible says that faith without works is dead. We don't do projects to get God's love but do them out of a heart of love that comes because we already know God's love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)