A Letter to Sunrise - Joy On The Job

Hello,

I hope your joy quota is increasing as we continue learning from the book of Philippians during this “Surprised By Joy” series. The leaders in Sunrise want your joy quota to be increasing. This doesn’t mean that everything has to be going your way and that you are on an emotional high. It does mean that you are aware that God is with you, He cares for you, and He desires to be a major part of your life. Take some time this week to read through the Book of Philippians and glean some insight to experiencing God’s joy in everyday life.

Scott shared with us that we can experience joy on the job. Work is not a bad word, a bad thing, nor does it have to be a drag. Work can be enjoyed and we can actually be joyful in our work at home, on the job, in our career, and as we serve Jesus Christ together in Sunrise. You and I can even enjoy the commute to and from our place of employment if we will choose to “Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in him at all times.”

When you and I begin to really understand and live in the fact that work will sometimes be fun and sometimes be a pain we can begin to move into enjoying work as we choose to make the most of our time, relationships and resources that help us and others experience joy on the job.

This week as you are keeping up with responsibilities around the house, commuting to and from your job, and praying for and preparing for your service to Jesus Christ take a few minutes to offer a few co-workers to God and ask Him to work in their lives. Thank God for your home, supper, and vacuum cleaners. Ask God to direct you in your service to Him. “Joyful Work”. These words do not seem to go together. But they really do. God has given us the opportunity to build positive relationships on the job, be creative in order to help the organization in which work, and he has given us talents and abilities that we can offer back to him as we serve together in Sunrise to help people we know and do not yet know come to faith in Jesus Christ and begin to see their joy quota increase.

May God’s grace and peace be evident in your life this week as you enjoy work.

Rejoicing,
Steve Nethery

P.S.
This week look at the following verse and give it some thought and begin to experience joy on the job.

“Do all you have to do without grumbling or arguing.” Philippians 2:14

Sick and Tired, yet Hopeful (You Tube Attack)

Watching News. I am sick and tired of seeing the clips of the girls who attacked and the other and filmed it with the intent of placing it on the net for viewing. The whole ordeal is wrong. The whole ordeal is sickening and troubling. I have no desire to see it anymore. I am hopeful because I have spoken to teens, parents, and other leaders who recognize that this is wrong, evil, hurtful and very unhealthy. We also were able to admit that we have hurt people with words and silence. We were able to admit that when we have hurt and hurt people it is wrong. Yet we have learned and are learning to live in Christ. We are learning to move past and away from hurting people and God and live in blessing others as God has blessed us. It is hopeful, encouraging, and a privilege to visit, serve and live with people who are thinkers, learners and who are growing in Jesus Christ.

Sick and Tired, yet Hopeful (Obama & Hillary)

Watching news as I write. I am sick and tired of the hoopla between Hillary and Obama. Obama's words in a closed meeting were wrong and are wrong about the working class. Hillary's stories stretch the truth at times it seems and her comments about faith and guns are patronizing. Yet, It would be nice it they would take off the mouthy boxing gloves and step out of the ring of political verbiage and give speeches about issues that we seemingly need to process and focus on in America. I am not a Republican or Democratic. I am a person who looks at candidates websites, tries to know where they stand on issues of faith, family, values, less gov. or more gov. and make a somewhat healthy decision when voting. I have said things in meetings that were wrong and are wrong about people and I was wrong. There are times I may have stretched the truth and said things that are patronizing. In both cases I was WRONG. So are these candidates. When wrong, say, " I am sorry." There lies the hope. I am sorry. Words that can lead to repentance, correction, restoration and focus on healthy aspects of relationships. May you and I say, "I am sorry", seek to make needed change in our lives through the power of God and live in joy as we seek to honor God and live in Christ's health.

Hillbilly's Ten Commandments

(1) Just one God
(2) Put nothin' before God
(3) Watch yer mouth
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
(5) Honor yer Ma & Pa
(6) No killin'
(7) No foolin' around with another fella's gal
(8) Don't take what ain't yers
(9) No tellin' tales or gossipin'
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Thanks to Steve Gingerich for sending this my way.

Leadership Thought

For most people it's not what they think the are that holds them back. It's what they think they're not. John Maxwell, Becoming A Person of Influence.

As a reader if you are a leader help people become. Good times!!!

How Important Are You?

More than you think. A rooster minus a hen equals no baby chicks. Kellogg minus a farmer means no corn flakes. If the nail factory closes what good is the hammer factory? Paderewski's genius wouldn't have amounted to much if the piano tuner hadn't shown up. A cracker maker will do better if there's a cheesemaker. The most skillful surgeon needs the ambulance driver who delivers the patient. Just as Rodgers needed Hammerstein you need someone and someone needs you.

The above is from Laugh Again, Charles Swindoll. Pages 110-111 in Chapter 7.

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. Philippians 2:19-30

Praying

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:7

I met this morn with some guys for a time of focused prayer. We meet once a month and pray specifically for matters of seeing people come to faith in Jesus, and a renenwal of God in local churches. What a time.

Home

Good to come home. Great time on the river, but greater still to be home.

Time On the River

I spent some time on the Mattaponi River with 5 other pastors Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. We had a good time playing Ping Pong, Pool, watching the basketball game, and sharing with one another how God worked in our lives and moved us to the point of serving Him in the local church. Good stuff. Lots of laughter, a few misty eyes and the presence of God. Sweet. Oh, we also had fresh fried catfish straight out of the river.

For SCC - 4-6-08 Joy In Your Circumstances

This past Sunday SCC continued our series Surprised By Joy and we looked at experiencing joy in our circumstances. Steve Gabe and Salsa did a fine job with the drama and helped us laugh a little. Anita Fritz and GLARE touched our lives with the song "Praise You In The Storm". We looked at a few verses found in the letter of Philippians and sought to glean a nugget of truth from God's Word that will help us live in joy and be more joyous.

The following is a brief of the message.

JOY IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES

1. Look beyond the circumstances and see God's work.

12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Philippians 1:12-18

Paul was able to see beyond his difficult circumstances and see what God was doing. He noted that despite his situation the Good News of Jesus was being spread. God was actually moving in the midst of Paul's difficulties and being glorified.

2. Look beyond the temporary and see the eternal.

21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21

We need to see more than the eye can see. Thee is more to this life than the the physical. Paul lived as we do in the physical and yet also was very aware of the hope that lies ahead in a new realm of life and he desired that others experience that realm. We need to use our "stuff" to impact the eternal and think more often about the hope we have in JC.

3. Look beyond the bad news and see the good news.

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Just do it. An old saying that needs new practice.

Book To Help With Philippians Study

Both of these books are good. Both are written to help the reader gain a better understanding of Philippians and experience joy.

A Letter To SCC - Joy In Your Circumstances

Hello,

I hope you are already sensing and experiencing your joy quota increasing as we continue learning from the book of Philippians during this “Surprised By Joy” series. I hope at various times this past week you were able to “turn that frown upside down” as you gave thanks for people in your life and sought to increase someone else’s joy.

In the book of Philippians it is obvious that Paul isn’t writing from a circumstantial point of view. If he was the letter would have been sour, negative, harsh, and disheartening. Instead, Paul is upbeat, warm, hopeful, positive, and even cheerful despite his circumstances. The letter is full of thanks, joy, and hope. It is clear that Paul is not focused on his circumstances and has been able to see beyond the temporary and focus on the eternal, see past the bad and focus on the good, and to see how the good news of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed despite his difficult situation. This letter is crazy or outrageous if you really think about it, but this is what can happen in our lives if we will choose to see and live life from a new perspective and not focus on circumstances.

Circumstances are much like the weather. They can be good, bad, and sometimes ugly. They can change very quickly. I remember one day not long ago in this area when in one day it was warm, sunny, cloudy, thundering, cold, rainy and then snow followed by a clearing blue sky, all of this in one day. It is not wise or healthy to base our lives on circumstances because they can change in a heartbeat and there are many circumstances that we have no control over. Instead we can choose to allow God to have reign in our lives, in our attitudes and begin experiencing real joy that is crazy, outrageous and contagious. Experiencing joy (peace, calm, anticipation, hope, a positive attitude, encouragement) in the midst of circumstances can be accomplished if we will focus on how God is working in our lives, the good news, and view life from an eternal perspective. I hope that you and I and Sunrise Community Church will continue to, “Delight yourselves in God, yes, find your joy in Him at all times.”, and live with a sense of awe and wonder that will draw others to Jesus Christ.

As I end this letter I want to share some good news, really good news and great news with you. The good news is that you are reading this letter so you are currently alive. The really good news is that life is a gift from God and He really is in control no matter what your circumstances. The great news is that we can live with a deep sense of awe, wonder and joy if we will focus on God’s work in our life’s and those around us, the good around us, and live with an eternal focus.

God’s work is happening. You and I just need to adjust our perspective a little bit to see His wonderful work in our lives. You and I have plenty of good things to dwell on in our daily lives. We just need to choose what we are going to see. I have eternal hope because of my trust in Jesus Christ. If you have trusted Jesus you have that same hope. That is joyful news. This week take a few minutes each day to look at your life and the life of those close to you and begin to discover how God is moving and working. Make a list of all the good things in your life. Think of people, material possessions, and a positive story that you recently heard and write them down at the bottom of this sheet. Take few minutes now and thank God for eternal hope. Ask God to help you discover how you can help others come to know Jesus Christ personally and experience the eternal hope you have. As you act on these three items in your life watch your joy quota increase. Just be careful someone might think you are crazy.

Rejoicing,
Steve Nethery

How God is working or moving:

The good stuff:

How can you help others come to faith in Jesus Christ?

Some of Paul's Hardships

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:23b-28 NIV

Sunrise is 8

Sunrise turned 8 today. Pretty good stuff. Eight years of ups and downs. Eight years of sharing the Gospel with people. Eight years of making disciples. Eight years of laughs. Eight years of some tears. Rejoice. Rejoice. Thanks to those who helped start Sunrise eight years ago with a great deal of prayer, work, planning, giving, serving and teamwork. "3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6 NIV

Stuart

Remember, God works in all things and people like you.

Sunday Morning Rest

Salsman backstage sleeping during the message. He really believes in meditation. JK. This is a planned photo. Just havin' fun.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

Good friends and co-servants of Jesus Christ. People like this help us live in joy and rejoice in life. I thank God for people like Tim and Phro. People who are helpful, encouraging, committed to Christ and who take risk when needed. What a joy and thrill to experience life with Joy Givers. I want to be a Joy Giver.

19-24I plan (according to Jesus' plan) to send Timothy to you very soon so he can bring back all the news of you he can gather. Oh, how that will do my heart good! I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy's the real thing. He's been a devoted son to me as together we've delivered the Message. As soon as I see how things are going to fall out for me here, I plan to send him off. And then I'm hoping and praying to be right on his heels.
25-27But for right now, I'm dispatching Epaphroditus, my good friend and companion in my work. You sent him to help me out; now I'm sending him to help you out. He has been wanting in the worst way to get back with you. Especially since recovering from the illness you heard about, he's been wanting to get back and reassure you that he is just fine. He nearly died, as you know, but God had mercy on him. And not only on him—he had mercy on me, too. His death would have been one huge grief piled on top of all the others.
28-30So you can see why I'm so delighted to send him on to you. When you see him again, hale and hearty, how you'll rejoice and how relieved I'll be. Give him a grand welcome, a joyful embrace! People like him deserve the best you can give. Remember the ministry to me that you started but weren't able to complete? Well, in the process of finishing up that work, he put his life on the line and nearly died doing it.
Philippians 2:19-30 The Message

The Friendship Factor. This is a good book. My suggestion. Order it. Read it. Discuss it. It will help you become a Joy Giver. The links below will take you to info about the book.
http://books.google.com/books?id=vqSa4Ii2LNQC&dq=friendship+factor&pg=PP1&ots=RKI8P_07dF&sig=vWP-wNhKaRhnIAPTCSCs4Ll5SF8&hl=en&prev=http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=HPIB,HPIB:2005-19,HPIB:en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=friendship+factor&spell=1&oi=print&ct=title&cad=one-book-with-thumbnail

http://www.amazon.com/Friendship-Factor-Closer-People-Care/dp/080661711X

Leadership Thought

The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say "I." And that's not because they have trained themselves not to say "I." They don't think "I." They think "we"; they think "team." They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don't sidestep it, but "we" gets the credit. This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done.
Peter Drucker

"Joy is the serious business of heaven." C. S. Lewis

"Joy is like peace dancing." G.K. Chesterton

Joy