by Craig McAndrews | Nov 23, 2015 | Articles, Testimonies
I recently took a trip to Haiti where I had the opportunity to participate in my first international mission trip. I was hesitant to go and nervous about what to expect, but the work God did in me during that trip made me grateful for the opportunity. The experience taught me a number of things including what it means to live with boldness and courage despite my tendency to live with prejudice and fear. During the trip, there were so many uncomfortable moments for me that ultimately, I just let go and leaned in to whatever was happening. This was never more true than when I spent time in an orphanage. Don’t get me wrong, I love kids, but I am most comfortable with kids who look the same way my kids look, which is not what you get in Haiti. The first time I stepped through the doors of the Creche (means Cradle in Haitian), I was bumrushed by little boys. They ran up to us, and held up their arms which every parent knows is the international signal for “hold me”. I knew what it meant, but I didn’t know these boys at all, so it was really awkward. However, they didn’t care, and I didn’t have enough time to process the situation. The only response was to pick them up, or get knocked down in the process. So I scooped a couple to them up, and after a few minutes, I knew this was what I should be doing. The children in that orphanage were energetic, loving, kind, playful and curious. The boys just wanted...
by Gayle Jackson | Nov 15, 2015 | Articles, Mentors Corner
My brother once said to me when I ask if he was satisfied where he was in his life, he said, “I am satisfied with my dissatisfaction”. We are a driven people out of our unrest and drive for more. Contentment is considered a weakness and an anti-virtue of an American. Yet the bible teaches us that contentment is a requirement to live an effective life for Christ. Can we live with the call for contentment? Especially in business and on the job. Does this mind set work in your life? 2 Peter 3:11-14 ” Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning and the elements will melt with intense heat. But according to His promise we are looking for a new heaven and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless”, From this we can say that an aim of man is his preparation for the return of Christ and to be ready to enjoy Him for eternity. Philippians 4:10-13 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. (Ref 1 Tim...
by Ed Allen | Nov 9, 2015 | Articles, What Do You Think?
Matthew 14: 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17 They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. (Observation) The disciples ask Jesus to execute on their own proposed solution to the problem. Instead Jesus tells them to perform the impossible. Jesus asks for the food they have and feeds everyone. Each disciple picks up more food than Jesus started with. (Interpretation) God is able to make provision for the work he commands His disciples to do. (Cross- Reference) Ephesians 3: 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to...
by Walt Henrichsen | Nov 2, 2015 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35 Let us once again review the three most common Greek words for love: Agape – This word is the least used of the three in Greek literature and the most used in Biblical literature. It is as though the New Testament writers took an obscure Greek word and gave it a biblical definition. Agape seeks the best interest of others rather than self. On occasion, but not always, it requires self-sacrifice. It is an attribute that God uses to define Himself: “God is love.”1 God requires that the believer agape all people, including his enemies. Eros – This word is the most used of the three in Greek literature and is absent in Biblical literature. It seeks to use others for the benefit of self. It is a consuming, almost irrational passion that satisfies human appetites. It is antithetical to everything the Bible teaches. Phileo – This word is common in both Greek and Biblical literature and has the idea of treating others as your own family, brotherly love. Thus the city of Philadelphia. Agape seeks what is best for others and requires exercising the will. I may not feel like seeking another’s best, but I exercise my will in the direction of doing it. Eros seeks what is best for self and requires surrendering the will to passion. Agape is...
by Craig McAndrews | Oct 26, 2015 | Articles, Testimonies
I heard a radio station share a story that really caught my attention. The host was discussing a study done by a prominent institution that revealed three characteristics of children who grew up in the church and continued to grow in their faith long after they went out on their own. I was super interested in the article because I have two boys at home who are involved in our church, have professed faith in Christ, periodically read their Bible and aren’t afraid to pray. However, I also know that they are young (15 and 11), and a good bit of their faith is still connected to my wife and I. The research suggested that the most important skills adopted were: (1) They learned how to read and study the Bible (2) They were taught how to share the gospel (3) They actively participated in discipling other believers. For anyone that is a follower of Christ and has studied the calling of Jesus this list may seem like Christ-follower 101. However, I realized that no one is going to teach these skills to my boys except for me; it is what God has called me to do! So to that end, I set out on a mission to equip my boys to do each of these. I would love to share with you the great success I am having by highlighting the progress of our work by listing the verses they have memorized, the number of people they have led to Christ, or the number of friends they are actively discipling. Unfortunately, none of that is really happening. The...
by Gayle Jackson | Oct 12, 2015 | Articles, Mentors Corner
The value of being a Zealot Words We learn and discuss and think with words. And yet we tend to be sloppy in our understanding and definition of words. This is especially true in matters of our faith. Remember the old saying “he who defines the words wins the argument”. Some words that are in much debate in the body are: 1. Salvation 4. Imputed vs Actual 2. Sanctification 5. Accountability 3. Legalism 6. Fear of God Your view of the commandments of the bible and their meaning and authority will bring you into conflict with the body. For instance, thoughts on obedience: if I said that we are called to live a zealous obedient life in God’s Word, and if I said that the number one expression of Grace in our lives is our obedience to God’s Word and if I said to be Holy, my life must be directed by obedience to God’s Word, most would classify me either as a legalist or a nut. In today’s church the committed man of obedience is looked down on in Christianity as legalistic. And a legalistic person is to be shunned and criticized. What does that word legalistic mean? It is not used in the Bible but is clearly in the lexicon of Christianity. There are 3 definitions that I know of that are commonly associated with being legalistic. One who thinks obedient behavior is a key to their salivation or favor with God (of course this is wrong). One who imposes their convictions, (convictions not commands) or standards on someone else as a requirement for an association...
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