Latest E-news online
Posted by Tom Welch on March 31, 2009 under News | 
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Check out the E-news link for the March 31, 2009 edition.
Finding Joy in Tough Times
Posted by Tom Welch on under Essay | Be the First to Comment
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2) Hmm, “trials” and “all joy”? These two words seem to go together like “military intelligence” or “jumbo shrimp”! How can we possibly be expected to count trials as joyful? And yet this is how the Apostle James begins his letter. Is this a cruel joke or some sort of pumped-up positive thinking? Or is James on to something? Maybe this great man of God knows something we don’t? What exactly would have to be true for us to count trials as “all joy”? What would we have to believe in the core of our being to make this a reality? To find joy in trials we have to know two things about the Lord: 1. God is in control. Only a sovereign God could orchestrate the seemingly chaotic events of life in such a way as to be for our good. If the trials of life are merely random setbacks, them we have cause for despair and frustration. But if a sovereign God has actually sent us the trials, then we can know there is reason and purpose behind suffering. 2. God is good. A demented master might take glee in the sufferings of his subjects, but a benevolent Lord only does what is good for his people. James refers to God as “the giving God” who gives generously to all without reproach (1:5). Because God is good, all the trials that come our way end up in our favor, even if the process is painful. God has a good purpose behind the trials he sovereignly brings to us. And our all-powerful God will cause all things to work for good. So pray for the wisdom to see his hand in all your struggles and watch God develop endurance, maturity, wholeness, purity, hope, and yes, joy in your life! The well wisher of your soul’s happiness, Pastor Tom p.s. Please check out the resources on our website for finding joy in tough times!
Finding Joy in Tough Times
Posted by Ryan Tindall on March 29, 2009 under New Sermons | Be the First to Comment
Pastor Tom started in on the meat of James, with 1:2-12. Download it here.
Receptive People?
Posted by Tom Welch on March 26, 2009 under News | Be the First to Comment
At our most recent board meeting we talked about setting financial and numerical goals for our church. In light of our conversation about goals I thought you all should read this article by Dr. Ed Stetzer. Note the “mileposts” listed at the end – they sound strangely like “Cultivating, Planting, and Reaping” – the CPR idea we have encouraged for years.
Your comments solicited!
http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2009/03/receptive-audiences.html
Latest E-news is online
Posted by Tom Welch on March 24, 2009 under News | Be the First to Comment
Check out the e-news tab for the lastest news, announcements, and prayer concerns.
Radical Restoration
Posted by Tom Welch on under Essay | Be the First to Comment
Did you idolize a big brother or sister when you were growing up? Or was that older sibling just a “pain” to you? How do you think you would feel if your older brother started acting like he was God? What if he started traveling around, preaching and gaining disciples? Well, you probably can imagine how James, the brother of Jesus felt. We have no indication that any members of Jesus’ family had faith in him or even respected his ministry while he was ministering on earth. In fact John 7:5 tells us the “not even his brothers believed in him”. In fact, Jesus’ family thought he was “out of his mind” (Mark 3:20-22)! So how did this skeptical younger sibling become a leader in the early church and write one of the first books of the New Testament? Well, his older brother didn’t give up on him! Jesus got a hold of James, appearing to him after his resurrection (1 Cor 15:7)! And then, in a restoration rivaled only by Peter’s restoration, Jesus raised James up to leadership in the Jerusalem church. So, what’s the lesson here? First, don’t give up on the person you think would be the last person to become a follower of Christ. Jesus has a pretty good track record of making skeptics (along with cynics, atheists, head-bangers, hypocrites, and other sinners) into disciples. Maybe that “long-shot” was you! Or maybe you think you have let Jesus down one too many times. Maybe you think you have used up your allotment of grace. Maybe you think you are out the door, or at least relegated to groveling at the threshold. Just remember, Jesus is in the business of radical restorations. Just ask David, Paul, Peter, and especially, James! The well wisher of your soul’s happiness, Pastor Tom
Practical, Prophetic Wisdom
Posted by Ryan Tindall on March 22, 2009 under New Sermons | Be the First to Comment
And here’s Pastor Tom’s sermon from today, Practical, Prophetic Wisdom.
Lost People Matter to God
Posted by Ryan Tindall on under New Sermons | Be the First to Comment
Here’s Pastor Joe Kong’s sermon from last week’s Missions Conference.
Southeastern District Leadership Link
Posted by Tom Welch on March 21, 2009 under Announcements, News | Be the First to Comment
The Leadership Link is a publication of the Southeastern District of the C&MA. Here’s where you can get the latest on church news in our district. Just click here!
Missions Kids!
Posted by Tom Welch on March 20, 2009 under Pictures | Be the First to Comment
