“And Jesus said…”  

Last weekend, on two different flights I sat by some delightful people. One was single, 35, raised in L.A., lives in Jacksonville, FL and commutes back to L.A. as a software designer. The other, a single mother (27), two boys, 3 and 5 who lives near Mansfield and works as a recruiting manager in Addison.

One of them is exploring Buddhism because she likes the idea of balance and in her words, “it is more of a philosophy than a religion.” The 27 year old in her words has no “time for church or religion.” She went to Xavier, a Jesuit College in Ohio.

Yes. They asked what I did for a living? I gently said I was a minister and worked as a leadership consultant. Kind responses from both of them, but that’s it. We continued to talk about life. Jesus Christ came up in conversation in passing, but went no where.

Here’s the point. There’s a whole lot of people just like them. Good, intelligent, hard working people who most likely will not wake up on Sunday morning and say, “I think I’ll go to church this morning.” Religion is personal, private and many times, down right irrelevant.” It’s a long journey from where they are to what matters to me. You are the only Jesus many people will ever know.

The way you treat people, pray for them and serve makes religion relevant.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and your hands ready to serve.

Really want to live into Colossians 4.2-6 and 1 Peter 3.15.

6.00-6.45

WEDNESDAY MEALS: $3 person/$10 family.  

7.00-7.45 PM

• CHILDREN/YOUTH: ACTIVE LEARNING TIME: Various outside activities focused on applying a passage of Scripture through creative games, activities etc. Will gather under east porch each Wednesday for grouping by ages.  Each Wednesday night  a “cool” treat will be provided following the activity and learning.
• ADULTS: Church on Mission: A representative from each of our community service partners will share about their organization and needs.  Common Ground, Lifeline Chaplaincy, Habitat for Humanity, and Community Garden.
• SEWING MINISTRY: Sewing pillows for Lifeline Chaplaincy: Coordinator: Nina Moates

July

4    No activities at the building.  Members encouraged to share fellowship with other members and participate in city activities as the presence of Christ.

11  TBD

18 TBD

25  VBS Concluding night

• VBS is July 22-25, 7-9 PM • Director: Shelley Jones

August

• Children: Bible Character lessons acted out in stations. Age groups to rotate.
• Youth: Various activities/teaching
• Adults: DVD Series: Walking by Faith, Ray Vanderlaan

In addition, there will be some Wednesday night dessert/ice cream/watermelon fellowship.

She couldn’t speak. But she spoke. She couldn’t walk, but she taught us how to walk. Sixteen year old Taylor Jiles is free in body and spirit. Taylor passed away this past Monday morning. Sadness is present at Life Point and in the church office this week.

Taylor’s body was a prisoner to cerebral palsy and everyday was a struggle. Yet, no one could imprison her expressive eyes, smile and spirit came through. Taylor Jiles was a 16 year old student at Life Point School where she was loved and given special attention by her care giver, Lisa Dozier.

She said so much to us without even a word. She’s talking and walking now.

Oh happy day!

Thank God!

Contact Chris Hayes for more information. Registration open soon.

The “Behind Blue Eyes” seminar is a big picture look at the issues facing today’s adolescents.

Informative, interactive, and hard hitting, participants are invited to take a few steps back and consider the realities of youth culture through a systemic lens.  The presentation considers five major changes from the past that influence the current generation and affect our ability to successfully step into their lives.

John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;  put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed for your or laid aside by you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all thing to your pleasure and disposal.  And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it.  And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.  Amen.

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.  We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”  -Rom 6.3-6

United with Christ. Raised. Old self crucified. Freedom from sin.

The most remarkable thing about all of this is that it is connected to God’s grace.   The New Testament assumes that followers of Christ are plunged into his life.

So, why wouldn’t you want to be baptized into Christ?

gradyking@mac.com

Dr. Evertt Huffard is Dean of Harding School of Theology in Memphis, TN. He was raised in Jerusalem as his father was a missionary.  He is invested in Jewish, Christian and Muslim dialog.

In the following article he shares about THE GLOBAL REALITY from the International Bulletin of Missionary Research.

“We are not without resources and opportunities.  Lack of unity, ignorance and strange priorities can be overcome by generational, congregational, cultural and urban bridge builders.”

Read more….Best Case Scenario