October 2008 Entries
October 31st, 2008
If you are a Christian today, it has a lot to do with the Lord leading Martin Luther to do a little hammering on October 31, 1517! Happy Reformation Day!
Yo, Martin. Sweet hat.
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Filed under Grace Church
October 30th, 2008
In our FAQ section, we recently supplied a response to the frequently asked, "Why do you call it a 'God-centered gospel?'" Thoughts?
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Filed under Grace Church
October 30th, 2008
That's the title of this week's sermon at Grace.
As part of Grace's ongoing church health series, and being
strategically arranged at the end of the gospel of Mark--where we've
seen the Great Disciple-Maker at work--Nathan Sawyer will seek to
unfold from Paul's second letter to Timothy the biblical foundation and
practical application for life-on-life discipleship. Pray for him. Pray
for all who will hear.
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Filed under Grace Church
October 30th, 2008
- "Because your faith is greatly enlarged"
- "Because the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater"
Grace Church, you are such a joy to pastor! Your pastors love you!
Disclaimer: Neither thought original with me.
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Filed under Grace Church
October 29th, 2008
Here's some news and updates about the this Sunday's Community Reformation Service that I received today via email.
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Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
October 28th, 2008
As a follow-up to last Sunday's Sermon: (From FI)
“If you want rest come to Christ in
Gethsemane, to Christ on Calvary, to Christ risen, to Christ ascended.
If you want rest, O weary souls, ye can find it nowhere until ye come
and lay your burdens down at his dear pierced feet, and find life in
looking alone to him.”
- Charles Spurgeon, Rest, Rest
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Filed under Grace Church
October 28th, 2008
For this & this!
- For you procrastinators out there (wink)...that's this coming Sunday evening, and beginning the next Sunday.
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Filed under Grace Church
October 24th, 2008
The cross and tomb of Jesus. The locations where the two most
important events in the history of the world were accomplished. We'll
visit there Sunday, Lord willing. My prayer is that you and I are there
now!
Suggestions to prepare your heart & your family:
- Read the text
- Attend corporate prayer at 9:00
- Sing through the songs that will be part of Sunday's corporate worship
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Filed under Grace Church
October 23rd, 2008
Check it.
Update: Bring your chili in a crockpot (already hot, yo).
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Filed under Grace Church
October 23rd, 2008
Ten highlights from last night's church Member's Meeting:
- Colossians!
- The church together
- Rick Cupples addressing us. Love to hear that brother lead, love, talk.
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Filed under Grace Church
October 22nd, 2008
Received today...
thank you so much for your reply and prayers. by the
grace of god vijay is doing well and good. we are hoping that to day he
will be discharged. and after this we need to take him to heart and
lungs specialist for compleate checkup so please pray for him
continuesly and also pray that god will meet our all needs.
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Filed under Grace Church
October 21st, 2008
Below is a portion of an email I received Sunday morning about two
hours before Grace's prayer meeting. My heart sunk. Strangely, in that moment, I was moved by the Spirit to reaffirm belief in the sovereignty and goodness of God. Vijay is a God-centered missionary to his own people in India. He loves
Jesus. I feel compelled to invite you all to join his team of
intercessors. Please pray...
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Filed under Grace Church
October 21st, 2008
The cross and resurrection of Jesus are the focal events of the entire
Bible (and history of the world!). God has always had this great expression of His glory and our good in
mind.
Lord
willing, this Sunday at Grace we will look deep into the heart of God
through the lens of Mark 15. There, if our eyes are opened, we will see
love that surpasses knowledge. Pray that we will know this unknowable love.
- In the history of the world, lots of people have been crucified.
- Only Jesus had all of the wrath of God for His sinful people dumped on Him while being crucified.
"Here is love, vast as the ocean; lovingkindness as a flood. That
the Prince of Life, our ransom; shed for us His precious blood."
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Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
October 17th, 2008
Just read the sermon text (several times)...
The parrallel accounts would be helpful too:
See you Sunday, Lord willing.
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Filed under Grace Church and Jesus
October 12th, 2008
On behalf of the people of Grace Church, I thank God for you Rick and Jim! Such a sweet time this evening. Wow.
A fellow elder among you...
Jordan
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Filed under Grace Church
October 9th, 2008
Have now been posted to our webstie. Happy devotional reading to all!!!
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Filed under Grace Church
October 9th, 2008
Dan Cruver will be preaching on the theme: "The Beauties of Spiritual Adoption". Be warming your heart at the fire of God's adopting love for us (wow?!?!?!) as you prepare to gather with God's people this Sunday.
Also, pray for Pastor Bryan who will be preaching at New Beginnings Community Church where our friend Sam Murrell pastors. Pray also for Pastor Nathan Sawyer who will be preaching again at Unity Baptist Church.
Finally,
make every effort to be part of Grace's first Elder Ordination and
Installation Service this Sunday evening at 6PM. You may view the
program below...
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Filed under Grace Church
October 8th, 2008
-
Join
us this coming Sunday evening, October 12, at Bridges at 6PM for a
special ordination and installation service for Grace's two newest
elders--Rick Cupples & Jim Suggs. You will not want to miss this
special event in the life of Grace Church. This service is open to all.
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the
Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God,
which he bought with his own blood.- Acts 20:28
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Filed under Grace Church
October 8th, 2008
Jesus wants us to have His joy in us that our joy may be made full. Therefore, we should seek the fullness of our joy in Jesus, in Whose presence is fullness of joy. That's Christian Hedonism 101.
A
question... So, if I want you to have full joy in Jesus, and your joy
in Him comes in part from serving me, then my self-service is not a sinful
thing, right? Whatever the conclusion, I cautiously submit to you this
thought from Thabiti:
Hey, have you prayed for or encouraged your pastor today? At the risk
of sounding self-serving, could I suggest that every Christian church
member consider one of their main ministries the ministry of
encouragement for their pastors and elders. I received an email from
one brother stating that he knew of over 20 pastors leaving the
pastorate in one region of the U.S. I've had opportunity to interact
with at least three pastors experiencing deep struggle. That doesn't
include the normal battles for encouragement, joy, and perseverance
that are just normal to pastoral ministry. So, have you prayed for your
pastor(s) today?
HT:JT
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Filed under Grace Church
October 7th, 2008
I am continuing to rejoice in Sunday's affirmative vote from the
people of Grace Church proving the Lord's will to add Rick & Jim to
the eldership team.
Here's an email I sent to the membership last week as a means of trying to help prepare us for Sunday's vote:
Grace and peace to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
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Filed under Grace Church
October 6th, 2008
From the "events" list (on the left of this page)...
-
Send Needed Materials to Nigeria
Grace's
Fall 2008 Nigeria Mission Team will be gone November 14-24. They will
be taking three tubs full of requested donations along with them.
Between now and November 9th you have the opportunity to consider
donating some of the items that our Nigerian friends have identified as
their greatest material needs.
Pastors in Nigeria are in need of:
- Clothes
- Blankets
- Theological books and helps
- Shoes
- Writing material for their children
Because space is limited, please only bring these requested items. Crates will be set-up at church each week
for people to bring these items. The last Sunday for you to bring these
materials will be Nov. 9th.
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Filed under Grace Church
October 6th, 2008
Our commission as Christians is to commend Jesus--the One we cherish--to the entire world. So...
- How are we doing?
- How are we educating ourselves for this task?
- How are we praying?
It is my privilege to be this evening's guest speaker at a local Perspectives course. I covet your prayers. My assigned topic and the corresponding key qustions are:
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Filed under Jesus
October 3rd, 2008
From the Faith & Ethics Commission website:
The 40/40 Prayer Vigil consists of 40 days of prayer from September 24
to November 2, 2008, culminating in 40 hours of around the clock
intercession during the last 3 days of the Vigil. The Vigil focuses
first on personal spiritual revival. It then covers an expanding circle
of prayer concerns, from the church to the nation.
Instead of joining the thousands of arm-chair pundits lamenting the
state of our nation, join the prayer challenge to seek the face of God
for your own soul, your church, and your nation.
To get involved, check the 40/40 Prayer website for:
- Daily prayer guides
- Daily prayer requests
- An updated blog
- And more...
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and
pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear
from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Filed under Grace Church
October 2nd, 2008
Concerning the potential addition of two new elders in Grace Church--Rick Cupples and Jim Suggs--every
member is urged to continue diligently in prayer for the Lord to
confirm His will through the vote of His people this coming Sunday
morning.
A personal note:
Dear Rick & Jim,
On behalf of the current elder team, and the entire congregation, I want to issue a public "thank you" for the many ways the Lord has used the both of you to shepherd our souls. You have
been "elding" us all apart from the motivation of officially holding
the office of overseer. We would not be hard-pressed to list a
multitude ways that our love for Christ has grown because of your
influence on us. Thank you. We join you in looking upward in
anticipation of receiving the unfading crown. May the Lamb Who was
slain receive the reward of His sufferings!
To the elders among you, I
appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who
also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be
shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as
overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God
wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording
it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory
that will never fade away." - 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NIV)
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Filed under Grace Church
October 1st, 2008
Where
Nathan Sawyer's House (599 Greenlaw Place, 38105).
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Filed under Grace Church
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