My Daughter the Senior

Matthew 7:24-29 The Message

24-25"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
26-27"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."
28-29When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.

Money - Bail Out Comments

Dave Ramsey's Thoughts on the Bail Out

This makes sense to me. I had decided to contact my local congressman before hearing this from Ramsey. I have contacted my congressman via phone and email asking him to think through all options and choose the best for the taxpayers, and small business owners.

Money - A Budget or Financial Plan

A budget is simply a plan – a plan for how to spend the money we have. As Christians, we recognize that everything we have is a gift from God. We are not the owners; we are simply the managers of what He has entrusted to us. Knowing this fact should give us a better perspective on how we handle money. A budget is a great way to make sure we are handling money in the best way.Without a spending plan, it is impossible to know where your money goes each month and whether you will have available funds for the things you need. The “not knowing” can create feelings of anxiety and fear. Financial problems can cause stress in marriages and other relationships. When you create a spending plan, you can have the peace of mind in knowing that your bills can be paid, you have funds available for emergencies, and you know what you can spend for the things you need and want. The Lord blesses us with resources (or money) so that we can use it wisely to fulfill His purposes in our lives and further His kingdom. Without a plan for how to manage our finances, we may never reach our goals and experience true financial freedom.

Read this full article and find many other helpful financial tools at Crown Financial Ministries

I John 4:9-11

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other." - 1 John 4:9-11 (NLT)

Questions For Church Leaders

The following will help eval. and plan as we seek to plan worship experiences in order to reach people.

1. Will my friend feel welcomed?Principle: Hospitality – The atmosphere, nomenclature, and style of service should be inviting and not intimidating to the unchurched.
2. Will my friend fit in?Principle: Comfort and compatibility – Like it or not, invitations and visitor comfort decrease when social or cultural gaps exist.
3. Can I feel confident that I know how the service will turn out?Principle: Consistency – People need to know what to expect, because they will invite accordingly.
4. Will my friend get something out of it?Principle: Relevance – The message should be relevant and powerful for people at all spiritual levels.
5. Will my friend understand it?Principle: Understanding – Jesus taught through practical illustrations. The songs and message should be understandable for people at all spiritual levels.
6. Will everything that could seem strange to the unchurched be explained through Scripture?Principle: Sensitivity – Scriptural actions should be carried out with clarity and considerate explanation.

Having said all this, I am convinced of one thing. If members walk out of your service saying, “I wish my unchurched friend had been here,” they will start to think about inviting their friend. If a member walks out of your service three weeks in a row and says every time, “I wish my unchurched friend would have heard that,” nothing will stop that member from dragging that friend through your doors. The challenging thing is that often, when members walk out of churches, the only thing they can say is, “I wish my other church friends would have heard that.”

This information is adapted from Richard Reising’s book, Church Marketing 101

Leadership Thought

You Know You're Not Leading When...

Praying - Persevering

The great point is to never give up until the answer comes...
The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer...they do not persevere.
If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they get it.
George Mueller

As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night. Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.
But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."
Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come ahead." Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!" Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?" The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!"

Really Good News - All religions are not are the same

I Peter 3:8-12

8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

For SCC - Myths We Believe About Relationships 9-14-08

MUTHBUSTERS continued this past Sunday. Below is a brief of Dr. Scott Salsman's (AKA - Salsa) message.

Myth: All my relationship problems are my spouses fault.
Truth: It takes two to Tango.

Myth: If our marriage takes hard work we must not be right for each other.
Truth: Marriage takes effort and work.

Myth: My spouse owes me (for all I do).
Truth: We are to be humble in our marriage and help one another.

Myth: My spouse can and should meet all my emotional needs.
Truth: That will not and cannot happen.

Myth: I shouldn't have to change the way I am to make our marriage work.
Truth: We all need to be changing and becoming more complete people.

Myth: My spouse should be like me.
Truth: We are different people. Men and Women are different and that is a good thing.

Scott used various Scripture throughout his message. The myths and truths can apply to all relationships not just in marriage. Scott used some thoughts from the following book. It is a fun and good read about marriage. Waffles and Spaghetti is just one resource from this couple.

Another Myth Busted

This comment ws recently left on a 9-7-08 post. I copied as is with a few spelling errors (no big deal) may this encourage you in your faithalk as we bust some myths. Keep going. Thanks for the comment anonymous. It will encourage others and bring hope to others. God Bless.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "For SCC - Myths We Believe About God 9-7-08":

Heres one for your myth buster campaign...."because I am a Christian I will be able to figure things out (smartly, faster, to my advantage) because I have GOD on my side." MYTH ... BUSTED. In my newly, albeit, staggered, diaper riding walk with faith I am learning/accepting that everyday is a challenge and it is the little things that we don't see (immediate) that can and do affect our walk with Jesus. With that said as a new/renewed/wanting to be better Christian, I would be remissed not to admit that being a Christian "ain't easy". I guess that would be another myth. "I am a Christian and it is Easy"....BUSTED. Everyday is a challenge..not because it is a new day but because there is, and will always be, constant temptation/choices that, even though we think better, we submit(sp?), sometimes for the good of all Christianity and within the constraints/boundaries of our faith, but because sometimes the opposite, which then stimulates the guilt that can hinder our ability to rethink and/or revector our need/want/willingness to walk within our faith. I am commenting because I am in search of knowledge and understanding, in hopes that someday, somehow, things will get easier. It is through my faith that I know, because of my foundations (those brought to you courtesy of the Southern Babtist)and newly found faith from SCC, that through my faith, acceptance, want for my children, and myself that I can only/will make things easier by truly understanding what it means to live faithfully and have meaning in my life. I have found something anew in what I feel at SCC. I have found something that has reinvigorated my self-challenge to do better for my family, faith, and in context, what sometimes feels like a big black hole.

Thank you and Thank you....Keep on keeping on...and by that I mean feeding the minds of people like me who question, have doubts, and lack reason for the things that we do but desire to (even though we don't know what we hunger) for the love, sovereignty, acceptance, and forgiveness of Christ.

Pray For Someone - Feelin' Good

PRAY

Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. II Chronicles 6:19

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. II Chronicles 7:14

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:1-3

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.
Jeremiah 42:3

Perfect Church Service

The perfect church service would be one we were almost unaware of. Our attention would have been on God. - C.S. Lewis

What Is God Like?

What do you think God is like?

One More Day

Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.
Joel 1:14

See the earlier blog about praying on Thursday, 9-11.

For SCC - Myths We Believe About God 9-7-08

The following is a brief of the message that started SCC's new series MYTHBUSTERS: Keeping It Real.

Myths We Believe About God

The following are not all the muths we tend to believe about God, but they will lead you to think through some of the core beliefs of Christianity and willhopefully lead you to think through some of your personal beleifs about God that you have just taken for granted and not really researched, studied and prayed through.

Myth: God's love must be earned
Busted: God loves you period. God's love cannot be earned.
John 3:16 I John 3:1 Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 5:8

Myth: God hates the sin and the sinner.
Busted: God does not like sin, but he loves people.
John 8:1-11 I John 1:9

Myth: Because I am a Christian God will protect me from pain and suffering.
Busted: Pain and suffering are a part of life just as joy and hope are a part of life.
John 16:33

Myth: God can't use me unless I am spiritually mature and strong.
Busted: God desires to work in and through you to bring glory to Himself and joy and hope to you and others.
John 4, look close at verses 29 and 39 Philippians 1:6 Ephesians 2:10

God loves you and desires to work in your life. Humble yourself before God, recognize Him and discover and experience His wonderful work in your life. He will bless you and you will bless others. Decide to walk with God. Grow in your relationship with God. Process statements you may think about God or believe about God and test them with the real truth of God's Word. Be a Mythbuster.

Prayer on 9-11

On Thursday, 9-11, you and I have the opp. to join many other people in America to pray for a Jesus Christ Renewal in our country as we remember 9-11. Praying for America is a chance for you and I to make a difference as we talk to God about our lives, our families, our friends and America. By the way, as you and I are talking may we take some time to listen. Plan now to take soome planned and purposeful time in the morning, afternoon or evening to spend some focused time in communication with God about your family, your personal walk with God and for America.

Storm Fun

Having some fun in the storm.

Truth Is Good For The Soul

Serving Is A Good Thing

1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

MYTHBUSTERS - Cockroaches

Sunrise is going to busting some myths this month in our new series, but we will not be talking about cockroaches.

Aim Young

Thoughtful read and blog. Aiming Young seems right on to me. I want to reach all people, but realize I am a limited man and the church I pastor is a limited church. God is not limited and as we focus it seems God helps us reach more people. Visuals, Life Stories, Humor, Celebrative, New Ideas, Relelvant Messages, Music that is real, listened to on the radio and rockin', opportunites to connect, serving Jesus, and always seeking to reach out to the "not yet part of what God is doing". I thank God that the local church and some servants of JC from years ago did this so I had the opp. to become a part of what God is doing.

Truth

A Prayer

15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:15-20

Leadership Thought

"I have discovered one great common denominator in every growing church, regardless of denomination or location: leadership that is not afraid to believe God. Growing churches are led by leaders who expect their congregation to grow. They are people of faith who believe the promises of God, even in discouraging times." - Rick Warren

Erwin McManus - Craving

Labor Day Weekend - New School Year - Looking Forward

For over 12 years now Labor Day Weekend has been the cue for the Nethery's entering into a new school year that begins the Tuesday after Labor Day. Friday Night Football, evening study time, stories of the day on campus over suppertime, some new clothes, new frienships, Dance Team, test, up at a regular time, meeting teachers, PTA stuff, Chorus events, and on and on the list goes. We enjoy the Friday Night Football. The excitement, the friends, the peanuts, the cool evenings turning into cold evenings, and yelling for our team. As I type this eve I am watching the US Open, preparing for a last summer dinner out with the family, watching my daughter make a shirt for her first day as a Senior in High School with a great deal of anticipation, and having personal feelings of "bummer" and "alright" as the Nethery clan transitions into the new school year with a Senior and a Sophomore. We have had a fun summer. The pool, pool parties, a day at Cherrystone Campground, M-Fuge, new friendships, learning about and processing relationships, lake vacations, beach days, Outer Bank days, surfing, tanning, Pro Kadima, Frisbee, lawn mowing, corn hole games, late nights, all nighters, and sleeping till late late morn. Yea Baby! What great summer days. Thank you God. As we look forward we are praying and hoping for a great fall and winter and creating fun and exciting memories. Thank you God.