January 11, 2012
STORIES
Last week I was at a Youth Ministry conference. I look forward to this every year. I cannot explain what those few days did for my soul. God used them to pick me up and set my life on an amazing course!
The theme was all about STORY. The idea was that God was, is and always will be writing an AMAZING story. Each of us has the opportunity to be a part of this amazing journey! This is inspiring. Who doesn’t like a great story? We should all want for our life to be considered a great and compelling story when the “credits roll.” And God gives us the opportunity to write something amazing!
Donald Miller in his book, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” says that “the saddest thing about life is that you don’t remember half of it.” We don’t even remember a tiny percentage actually. As I thought of my life, I tried to remember being younger and all I could remember was getting a merit badge in Cub Scouts once. Is that really how I want to answer God when He asks what I did with my life?”
Every life is a story. Whether ours is one worth telling or not is up to us! Write one full of love, adventure, heartbreak and redemption, laughter, peril, loss and victory, and everything in between! I challenge each of us to imagine what it looks like when we choose to live, not just to “get by,” but with the purpose of creating a great story!
This helped me heal. 2011 was a terrible year. It wounded me personally in many ways. I lost too many friends. I saw too many get hurt both physically and spiritually. I watched friends struggle with life, marriage, finances and faith. It was HARD. I let that effect me. I let it put a dark cloud over me. In fact, in many ways I was buying the idea that perhaps this story was going to end a tragedy.
Last week helped me change my perspective! I realized EVERY GREAT story has to have conflict! They HAVE to have pain and loss. These are the things that shape the story and the protagonist into heroes and champions! Think about it…how much would we like Rocky if he came from an easy background and never had to work for anything.
Would it be compelling if Frodos’s journey to Mordor was a breeze? What if Harry Potter never was hurt or lost any loved ones…but simply went to school? NO ONE WOULD CARE ABOUT ANY OF THESE STORIES! What I am coming to grasp is that God uses the dark chapters to build a much more rich and beautiful narrative.
So on the last day of the conference I walked to the ocean. Something came over me and I began to walk into the water. I stood in the Atlantic and I began to talk out loud to God. I cried…a lot. I told Him how much 2011 hurt. I complained. And I let go. I told Him that I knew it was necessary, and asked Him to give me the strength to accept this chapter, and to use it to create something BEAUTIFUL! I have no clue how this plays out, but at that moment, standing in the waves fully dressed, with a tear stained face and arms lifted to the sky I let 2011 and all the pain, bitterness and confusion it brought GO! I chose at that moment to reclaim it not as a disaster, but a necessary chapter of tragedy that is still somehow beautiful in the huge and glorious story of redemption and restoration that my God is still writing! It felt REALLY GOOD.
And now….the rest of my book is empty. I get to join the greatest author ever and write the rest! I am asking you to join me, in making it INCREDIBLE. Let’s write our stories!
-- Pannell
What Does The Bible Say About Money?
Almost everyone agrees that the Bible contains great advice about life, from improving your marriage to getting along with your boss at work. But does the Bible really say much about money? Does it really give us advice that we can apply to our own life in today's world?
The Good News is Yes! Absolutely! We believe the Bible is as relevant and helpful today as when it was written, and God has a lot to say about money. Did you know money is mentioned in the Bible over 800 times? God must be pretty serious about this subject to talk about it that much.
In fact, Jesus says in Luke 16:11, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" It appears from this verse that God uses money as a test of our management and stewardship skills before entrusting us with spiritual things. See more below.
Money in the Bible
1. Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance to his childrens' children" indicating that God wants us to make a difference, financially, in our family tree.
2. Proverbs 21:20 "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." This gives us an idea of how God wants us to save for a rainy day, to set something back for safekeeping.
3. Proverbs 22:7 states that, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Really? The Bible discourages debt? Does God really want me to pay my debts off and avoid debt?
4. Luke 14:28 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it." Does Jesus really want me to save up and pay for the things I buy?
5. Matt. 6:24 "You cannot serve both God and money."
If money is this important to God, why are there so few Sunday school classes on this topic? Why don't we see lots of small group studies on "Managing Your Finances" or "Getting Out of Debt"? Why aren't there more sermons in this area?
There are many reasons, but the top reason is that most people don't realize how much of a problem managing money is for the average family. Look at the statistics below:
Financial Statistics
1. Marital Problems - 37 percent (the highest rate) of marital problems derive from financial situations.
2. Cash Flow - 70 percent of all consumers live paycheck to paycheck, meaning they run out of money before the end of the month.
3. Savings - The average family would have to use a credit card to pay a $1,500 unexpected expense (ex: home or car repair).
4. Retirement - Nearly half of all Americans (46%) have less than $10,000 saved for their retirement.
It is a problem that affects everyone, inside and outside of the church. In fact George Barna says that the fastest growing churches are teaching about marriage, child rearing, finances, and careers. Money is a serious subject, and God is serious about money, which is why we should study closely what he has to tell us.
Finally, there is something to guide us! A study to take God's wisdom about money and help us apply it to our own lives. It is called Financial Peace University.
A Financial Peace University class will begin March 7th and continue on Wednesday evenings for thirteen weeks. There will be a preview class on February 15th to give you a better understanding of what the class is about. The class will begin at 7:00 p.m. and last for one to two hours. A thirty minute video by Dave Ramsey will be the basis for each class followed by a discussion period. The cost of the class is $93.00 for a family. Please set aside the funds to participate in this class. The benefit that you receive will far outweigh the cost. The Elders do have limited funds available to assist those who may be unable to provide the full cost of the class. If you do need assistance, please speak privately with one of the Elders.
NEW SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY CLASSES --
Have you noticed that we have new Bible Study Classes on Sunday morning? Please attend one of our new classes - they are listed here for your convenience:
The Auditorium Class will be studying the book of Ephesians, Dave Thomas will be teaching the class.
A Textual Criticism class is meeting upstairs in the adult classroom and is being taught by Terry.
The Ladies will be studying A History of God’s Power - Return to Me by Liz Pence in the Fireside Room.
Adult Young Men
PARENTING SEMINAR -- Our Parenting Seminar is scheduled for January 13-15. Our Friday and Saturday sessions will be from 7-9:00 p.m. Sunday we will convene in the Fireside Room following our morning worship and the afternoon session will last about one hour. Lunch will be provided. Child care is also provided for the seminar.
MEN’S RETREAT -- Men, please mark your calendars for our Annual Men’s Retreat on January 27-29. We will be going to Little River Christian Camp - more details will follow soon or you may contact Mark Moreno, Charlie Michael or Trevor Denn for more information.
CHILDREN'S WORSHIP -- We are looking for some new leaders to take over the children's worship service. If you are willing to help, please contact Dave or Wyndee Thomas or Trevor or Jennielle Denn.
DIRECTORY PHOTOS -- Please remember to contact Sandra Cummings to get your new photo taken for our 2012 directory. Please give her a call to set up your appointment time.
NURSERY HELP -- If you would like to help with the nursery, please see Diane Liles. She needs helpers NOW.
COFFEE SERVERS -- Coffee servers are needed for 2012. Please sign up on the sheet posted in the hallway by the stairs. All help is greatly appreciated.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan 13-15: Parenting Seminar at the Building
Jan 27-29: Men’s Retreat
Feb 15: Preview night for Financial Seminar; 7:00 p.m. at the Building
Mar 7: Financial Seminar Begins
LOST AND FOUND -- We have had a leather jacket left at the building for over two months. Please call the church office to identify and claim it if it is yours.
