Epic Failure!

Epic failure! That is what the bloggers say when something doesn’t turn out right. My wife and her friend are decorating for a Christmas party, but the silver pinecone-cranberry-candle-water feature didn’t work. So it was truly epic failure; or was it? Undaunted, they began a counterattack with a brilliant plan B, using the same materials but in a different way.

Someone told me that the late Zig Zigler used to say “In order to succeed you must fail many, many times.” Yet, we are afraid to fail. Was Peter a failure because he got out of the boat, or was he a failure because he began to sink? I think he was simply showing leadership by taking a risk. So many years later, preachers don’t sermonize on the ones back in the boat; they preach on the one who stepped out!

Somebody has to do something. Somebody has to try. Somebody might fail in the process, but that somebody might be you and your success is just that much closer. You are not an epic failure.

The 3 trees

I have been cutting construction paper Christmas trees for the annual Church Christmas party “make and take” craft game. The trees are about 6” high, and use four different colors of paper to give them contrast, and kind of a 3D look. They remind me of a story I heard about the three trees…

Three beautiful pines were dreaming about what they would eventually become. One had plans for becoming this, while the other had plans for becoming that, still the third tree wanted to become something completely different. One day a logger came and removed the trees from their place in the forest, and each tree went to a different mill. The tallest tree became beams for the temple in Jerusalem. The smallest tree became lumber for furniture, and was eventually fashioned into a baby crib by a carpenter named Joseph. The last tree was cut into rough timber, and was crudely built into a cross upon which the Son of God was crucified.

Three trees with different destinies; two for noble purposes and one destined for the purpose of suffering. Unlike trees, you and I have a choice in how our lives turn out. Yet the lesson from the trees is that no matter what we become, God will use us to fit His unique purposes.

Labor Day

On Labor Day, we naturally think about the life of the American worker, and how much his/her contribution is worth to our society and economy. The church certainly benefits from the tithes and offerings of the wage earners, and our prayer is that God blesses the efforts and productivity of those who are gainfully employed.

Work takes on a different dimension in terms of salvation. The people in Jesus day asked, “What must we do to work the works that God requires?” Jesus relied, “Your work is to believe.” (John 6:29)

Works are not required to be saved; just faith in the One who did all the work already on the cross of Calvary.

Happy Labor Day!

Freedom

Freedom is a wonderful thing to celebrate, and Americans have perfected the July 4^th holiday. And why not? It is the patriotic thing to do, since we love our great country, and count it a privilege to be a citizen of the United States of America. There are several things to keep in mind, this Independence Day, though.

First, remember that freedom is not something to be taken for granted, but something to be protected. Second, freedom is never ‘free’ someone had to pay for it. Finally, with freedom comes responsibility. We are never free to do whatever we want to do, but free to do what we ought to do.

As you celebrate your freedom, be sure to include the Lord Jesus in your remembrance and your thanksgiving. He is the One who purchased our freedom, and it cost Him all!

In the wake of the recent marriage amendment vote, it seems to me that media is trying to shape public opinion instead of reporting public opinion. The majority opinion remains that heterosexual marriage is the ideal, and the people have spoken by supporting the biblical position. God made Adam and Eve to exemplify the fact(s) that a man is best at being a husband and father, while a woman is best at being a wife and mother. This is God’s design, and for North Carolina at least, the people have upheld that ideal.

Gripped by the Greatness of God

Think back to a time when you were gripped by the awesomeness of God.

I remember a time several years ago hiking up into the mountains to a place where I could see out over the mountain range and see God's great creation. The sound of the wind blowing and birds singing was all that I heard. I was miles from anything fake or manufactured. The stuff God made was magnified in all His awesome wonder.

I encourage you to set aside some time in your life to really take in the awesomeness of God that is all around you and be 'gripped by His greatness'!

Pastor Rodney Brittain

I have been thinking about my prayer life, and there is a sobering truth that I want to share: If a person has no regard for God unless and until he gets into trouble, then he prays to God for rescue - do you think that God is inclined to answer the prayer? I think that if God does answer, it is because of His great mercy and grace for sure! But this is what the Bible says; “He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is repulsive.” –Proverbs 28:9

Here’s the thing; if a person refuses to listen to the gospel message and turns away from God, he is cutting himself off from the help of God.

Don’t you think that’s kind of scary?

Encouraging Word

Here is an encouraging word from the Psalms; “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of His servant.” –Psalm 35:27b

Did you get that? God delights in your well-being, your success, your health, in your overall good life! Another version says, “…who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

God is taking pleasure in your prosperity! He is on your side.

Junk or Treasure

You have heard it said, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” My mother in-law recently passed away and in an effort to minimize her belongings the family has been in a quandary determining what is junk and what is treasure. We differ on our opinions, but the truth is, whatever reminds us of her contagious smile, funny laugh and generous spirit suddenly becomes junk turn into treasure.

The bible tells us that we have this treasure, the gift of eternal life stored up in earthen vessels, the vessels being us.  A vessel is fragile, not good for much of anything unless it contains a treasured item.  God has stored up in us His spirit allowing us to become one with Him. 

What does your vessel look like? Have you allowed your treasure to become dusty, moth eaten or worn out? Are you keeping your treasure alive by spending time with the Lord basking in His presence?  Take the time along with me to remind yourself of the precious treasure of eternal life that you have been given and give your treasure a good dusting off.

In his recent book The Cause Within You Matthew Barnett has this very important thing to say:

“…it is incredible how much can be accomplished when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

I really like that, and I am committed to put it into practice. Who gets the recognition in the Kingdom of God? Is it the television evangelist, the mega church pastor, the conference speaker, or the hippest worship band? Actual they do get some credit for answering their own call to kingdom work, but the credit does not go only to them, it goes to their team as well. The way to advance the gospel message is for us ALL to shoulder our own part of the load and work together, regardless who gets the accolades. Remember, it takes ten hands to put a basketball into the net! A common commitment to the cause of Christ (that is shared by a great team) will accomplish great things for the Lord.

Find someone to team up with, and don’t be hesitant to let someone else take the credit for the success of your endeavor. God will be glorified, and He is the One who deserves the credit anyway.

Pastor Mark

I have recently read something that has affected me, I think for the better. It went something like this; "Stop asking the wrong question, 'How do I get more people to come to my ministry, group, gathering, activity, or church?; and start asking, 'How can I make my community a better place?'"

Perhaps I have been pursuing growth instead of service - what do you think? Could this thought change you too? Could it affect your product, service, company, or your performance on the job? Can making the area you are responsible for "better"? Will the end result be a positive one for you, personally?

Let's try it and see!