ADPD

Do you suffer from ADPD? Attention Deficit Prayer Disorder. ADPD is the inability to focus while you are speaking to and listening to God. The speaking to and listening to God, AKA prayer, is vital to living in the power and presence of God, but the vast majority of followers of Christ I know and visit with spend less than 10 minutes a day in prayer. Ouch. There are numerous reasons for this lack of time with the Creator, Savior, and Life Giver, but one that seems very real is ADPD. The mind wanders, the to do list grows, roof brain chatter beckons, silence leads to nodding off, restless leg syndrome kicks in (even as I write), and on and on and on the list goes. To my knowledge their is no drug or pill that can help with ADPD. I sometimes wish someone would discover focustor or prayerdellin so that I could pop the pill and focus as I seek to speak to God and hear from God in my daily life. but not so. So, here are a few suggestions for myself and for others who suffer form ADPD.

1. Know that God does desire to hear form you and speak to you.
2. Plan the time.
3. Pray with some order. Start by thanking God. Then admit your shortcomings and concerns.
Ask for God's guidance. Be willing to change. Offer request.
4. It is okay to move around while praying.
5. Have your to do list in front of you and pray over it.
6. Call a friend on the phone and pray together on the phone.
7. Memorize one verse about prayer and as you start to wander go back to that verse when you
start to wander. This may help you focus. For instance: Call to Me (God), and I will answer
you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

These are some helpful hints to help with ADPD. May your time with God increase as you work through ADPD.

Some of Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights— His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.

Angelia Sanders to Kenya

Since December 2, 2007 Kenya has been undergoing a lot of political instability due to rigged elections in the country. So far, almost 1,000 people have lost their lives and close to 300,000 have been displaced from their homes due to violence and instability. As of now it does not look like things will get better before it gets even worse.

Angelia Sanders will be going to Kenya from February 20th to March 16th to work with those who are HIV+ and living in the make-shift shelters. She lived in Kenya from 2002-2006 and considers it her true home. As she leaves for Kenya, she asks for your support:

She will be taking over a trunk that she would like to fill with colored pencils and crayons. These need to be NEW and SHARPENED please.

Also if you would please consider donating $10, with this small contribution from each member of Sunrise she will be able to do a lot for those in the camps. She is covering her own expenses and so everything you give her will be going to the people she will be working with.

Please place crayons and pencils on the stage Sunday February 17th.
If you are donating with a check please make checks payable to Africa Conservancy.

Finally, above all else, please keep Angelia’s safety and the people of Kenya in your prayers.

Thank you in advance for any support you can offer,
Sunrise Community Church

Some Names of God

Leadership Thought

Dwell on the positive. Do not ignore the negative, but dwell on the positive.

Philippians 2:1-11

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11

Look again at verses 3 and 4 and give some personal thought to humility, the interest of others, and considering others better than yourself. Thank God for the opportunity to live and make a difference in the lives of others.

NOW

"Men have succeeded in accumilating a greater mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown less." Fyodor Dostoyevsky

NOW - Right Now. Take a minute and enjoy. Take a minute and give thanks. Take a minute and smile. Take a minute and ....

Just stop and breath and experience a beginning of joy.

John 3:16 Animation

http://www.gieson.com/Library/projects/animations/walk/index.html

This will take a few minutes for you to view.

For SCC - 2-3-08 Witnessing: Once upon a time...

This past Sunday we ended our series called New Year, New You: Life Changing Resolutions. Steve Gabriele and I shared from Acts 9 and we encouraged you to tell your story, the story of someone else or the story of what is going on in Sunrise. This is one way for you and I to witness to to others so that they might hear about how much God cares for them.

Steve and I started the message by telling some stories and starting the stories with Once upon a time...

We then shared that one way to witness is to tell your story, the story of someone else and the story of what is going on in the church.

Stories are important. Stories are our life. We all have stories from childhood, the teen years, college days and on and on and on... Acts 9 is a chapter in the Bbile that could be called the Buzz Factor because of what happens and how the news of what happened spread through relationships, networks, and households due the the Buzz that was created from stories being told.

Acts 9 - The Buzz Chapter
Acts 9: 19-22 Saul/Paul tells some of his story and speaks about Jesus Christ
Acts 9: 26-28 Barnabas tells some of Pauls story and speaks about Jesus Christ
Acts 9: 36-43, focus on 42 Word spreads of Jesus Christ after a miracle happens in a local church

Three tips for telling your story, the story of someone else or the story of what is happening in the church:
1. What you know
2. What you have
3. Because of God

The benefits of witnessing - telling your story:
You learn and grow
You become acountable
It energizes your spiritual life
Others come to know Jesus Christ

This week think about your story and tell it to someone. Once upon a time....

Leadership Thought

"Leaders do not worry about failure, instead they plan for success."

Rick Warren

John 3: 1-21

1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." 9"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. 10"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Leadership Thought

"What gets rewarded gets done."- Reggie McNeal, Get A Life (Broadman & Holman, 2007)

I received this from Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox Issue #344

TRUST - A somewhat acrostic for praying

T - Thanksgiving. Give thanks
R - Repent. Confess your sins
U - What will U do today. God working in and through you
S - Supply. Asking of God
T - Trust God throughout the day

This is a simple way to help guide you in your personal prayer time. I learned this yesterday from a very intelligent and Godly man. This hit home with me because I really do want to trust God, but so often do not really trust God. This TRUST will help me rely on God and grow in my faith walk.

This dude is funny. Hit the site.

Mmmmm...

These were sent to me via the net. Mmmmm.....

Only in America ......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in America ......do people
order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Only in America ......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Only in America ......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

Only in America ......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.

Only in America ......do we use the word "politics" to describe the process so well: "Poli" in Latin meaning "many" and "tics" meaning "bloodsucking creatures."

Only in America ......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

EVER WONDER ....

Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?

Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery?"

Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice?"

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments
when they are all stuck together?

If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

A Thought Provoking Read

Funny Website

Think and grow

Want to make me laugh, Tell me your plans.
A Billboard signed God

Think about this and it will make you laugh with joy and humility.

Call and Encourage

Pick up your phone and give someone a call today and give them an encouraging word. Tell them something you like about them. Tell them something you think they do well. Tell them a funny joke and then laugh. Tell them.... Just be positive and encouraging. It will be a blessing to them, you and God. Have fun.

For SCC - Fellowship: I'll bring the cookies 1-20-08

The Following story out of the Bible was the text for this past Sundays topic.

1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7"Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Scott Salsman spoke from this passage about the importance of having relationship a and friendships in our lives that are helpful to us. It is also important that in our relationships and friendships that we are helpful to others. We all have our own "mats" and we need to be help and we need to help.

Fellowship is really about relationship and friendship. Fellowship is about sharing, caring, encouraging, assisting, and correcting. Christian fellowship is about these things and more. The more is followers of Christ are to help one another grow close to God and serve others and share God's love with others so they can begin to experience a new and abundant life, and a new kind of fellowship.

I shared the following Fellowship Busters and Boosters.

Fellowship Busters:

The Chronic Canceller (Low commitment)
The Serial Self-Centered (me, myself and I)
The Jealousy Junkie (MINE)
The Walkie Talkie (no confidentiality)
The Bold and the Beautiful (high pride)
False Forgiveness (let it go)

Fellowship Boosters:

Listen
Laugh
Celebrate
Grieve
Exercise your dialing finger and typing fingers
Return calls and emails promptly
No perfect people allowed

Famous Last Words

"I know Bob said it looks like real dynamite."
"Of course it's sturdy"
"What could go wrong?"
"Oops..."
"I think I turned it off."
"What does this button do?"
"Do you smell smoke?"
"All right, sir, I won't tell you the building is on fire."
"It's perfectly safe."
"Welcome [hic] aboard. This is [hic] your, um, captain. [hic]"
"We'll be fine."
"I've done this opperation twice already!"
"Where's my parachute?"
"No! Not THAT button!"
"I can't swim!"
"Where's my pet tarantula?"
"Cut the green wire!"
"Wow, honey... Are you fat or what?!"
"Nice doggie"
"Is that snake poisonous?"
"Relax... I've done this before."
"Watch this..."
"Looks good to me..."
"You wouldn't dare!"
"I have read that this tribe stopped being cannibals a few decades ago"
"What's this thorn on the back of that strange fish?"

Top Ten Reasons You Were Too Busy To Pray Today

1. You wake up feeling rested, then realize your alarm should've gone off an hour ago.
2. Your spouse is away on a two-day business trip that's lasted all week.
3. None of the clean clothes you were able to find match.
4. Your teenager shaved…the left half of his head.
5. Your bills are due, and your toddler hid the checkbook.
6. A strange fluid is dripping from your car.
7. You accidentally delete your quarterly report ten minutes before a meeting with your boss.
8. You're in charge of games for the church youth night tonight.
9. Your dog is throwing up.
10. Your toilet's overflowing, but at least you found the checkbook.
Ten reasons you really should pray today:
(See list above.)

Reliabiblity of the Bible

The link below will take you to downloadable PDF file with a good article about the reliability of the Bible.

http://www.rbc.org/uploadedFiles/Bible_Study/Discovery_Series/PDFs/Can_I_Really_Trust_The_Bible.pdf

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

Matthew 7:7-11

7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

7 practices of effective ministry

#1 Clarify the Win - Define what is important at every level of the organization

#2 Think Steps, Not Programs - Before you start anything, make sure it takes you where you need to go.

#3 Narrow the Focus - Do fewer things in order to make a greater impact

#4 Teach Less for More - Say only what you need to say to the people who need to hear it

#5 Listen to Outsiders - Focus on who you're trying to reach, not who you're trying to keep

#6 Replace Yourself - Learn to hand off what you do

#7 I am not going to write it. Find the book 7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, and Lane Jones

Bible Reading Helps

The Bible Experience (Audio Bible) published by Zondervan
My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers
Grace for the Moment, Max Lucado
Our Daily Bread published by RBC Ministries http://www.rbc.com/
Understanding The Bible, John Stott
How to Read the Bible Book by Book, Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart
A NonChurchgoer’s Guide To The Bible, Michael Gantt
http://www.biblegateway.com/

Have fun. :)

For SCC - 1-13-08 Scripture Reading: Transformational Truths

This past Sunday we continues our series New Year, New You - Life Changing Resolutions as we looked at the importance of Word of God in our lives.

Passage of Scripture:

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

II Timothy 3:16-17 New Living Translation

We looked at the following questions people ask about the Bible.

1. What is the Bible?

The Bible is big, very big. If you were to read the Bible through in one year it would be like reading ten non-fiction books in one year. The Bible contains a great deal of information. It is a collection of many pieces. The Bible is 66 books. 39 books in the Old Testament. 27 books in the New Testament. It is much like a library. The pieces are organized from beginning to end. The Bible is God's Word to us. It is God's revelation.

2. What is the message of the Bible?
In very simple terms, the message of the Bible is the story of creation, the fall of mankind and God's redemption of mankind.

3. What are some benefits of reading the Bible?
It provides a moral compass for life and for making decisions. It provides comfort and hope. The Bible provides stability in life. It builds up your faith. These are by no means the only benefits to reading the Bible and applying it to your daily life, but they are some of the benefits.

4. How do I go about reading the Bible?

• Choose a good translation
• Start Small
• One Year Bible
• Devotional Bibles and books
• Listen to it on tape, CD, MP3
• Bible Helps
• Group studies
• Classes or Seminars

Reading the Bible is not just about reading the Bible. As you and I read the Bible we are to apply it to our lives. Scripture reading is about life transformation. Scripture reading is about GIGO. GIGO = God In, God Out. Christianity is about transformation. God working in our lives and bringing about Christ likeness as we follow Jesus Christ.

SPACE for God

When reading through the bible it is important that we learn how to discover ways we can apply God's Word to our daily lives. The acrostic SPACE is one way to discover how we can incorporate Scripture into the 24/7.

While reading scripture you and I can ask the following questions?
Is there a Sin for me to confess?
Is there a Promise for me to claim?
Is there an Attitude for me to change?
Is there a Command for me to obey?
Is there an Example for me to follow?

18And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in Heaven and on earth. 19Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, 20teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

Goals

Goal = something to accomplish

Goals are important to think about, to set, to write out and to seek to accomplish via a plan that is thought through and doable.

Quotes:

Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. - Anthony Robbins
Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement. - Brian Tracy
Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination. - Fitzhugh Dodson
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. - Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
Goals are dreams with deadlines. - Diana Scharf Hunt
You must have long-term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-term failures. - Charles C. Noble

These were taken form a recent newsletter I receive from http://www.daveramsey.com/

Remember

19 days
2 weeks and 5 days
456 hours
27,360 minutes
REMEMBER

God is near. God is real. God does care. God is involved. Gos is at work. Remember. Live the Spirit of Christmas year round. Give. Forgive. Contact friends. Serve and help the needy. Move beyond yourself and your idea of Christianity into Christmas Christianity. The following is just a little of Christmas Christianity:
Giving
Forgiving
Christ Is the Center
Receiving
God's Presence
Worship
Humility
Obeying God
Weird Decisions
Faith stretching
Gentleness
Others
Relying on God
Moving Past the Tithe
Going All Out
Dangerous
Crazy
Out of the Comfort Zone
Fresh
Serving Others
Pausing to Reflect on God's Wonder
God Centered

Psalm 34

1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34 found in the Bible

For Leaders

The Great Boss Simple Success Formula

1. Only hire top-notch, excellent people.
2. Put the right people in the right job. Weed out the wrong people.
3. Tell the people what needs to be done.
4. Tell the people why it is needed.
5. Leave the job up to the people you've chosen to do it.
6. Train the people.
7. Listen to the people.
8. Remove frustration and fetters that restrain the people.
9. Inspect progress.
10. Say "Thank you" publicly and privately.

Taken from How To Become a Great Boss, Jeffrey J. Fox.

proseuchomai

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come, your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.' "

Matthew 6:9-13

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, Robert Schnase

Radical Hospitality - Move beyond welcoming just those we know or who are like us to welcoming and inviting all people. This takes work and is counter intuitive to most if not all groups of people. The local church is to be a place of relationships and radical hospitality is needed.

Passionate Worship - Worship is to be alive, vibrant, life changing and connect people to God.

Intentional Faith Development - Be purposeful in making disciples. Making disciples is much more than education, Sunday School and even small groups. An intentional plan or strategy is need to help people accept Jesus Christ and begin to live in and by faith.

Risk-taking Mission and Service - Take a risk. Do missions and service. Out of the comfort zone and into joining God in His Kingdom work.

Extravagant Generosity - Give. Give and make a difference. Give not out of your surplus, give because God gives, Christ gives, the Holy Spirit gives, and Christians give. A generous church is a world and Heaven changing church.

Recommended Readings

I just finished reading my first book for the year 2008. I purchased the book in late December '07 with the intent of reading it sometime prior to Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008. This book is worth the purchase and read. It is thought provoking and will help you better grasp God's infinite, power, love and hope.THE DAY I WAS CRUCIFIED as Told by Jesus the Christ by Gene Edwards. The link below will take you to a site where you can read some about the book and purchase it if you so desire. You can also purchase the book at local bookstores or go to http://www.destinyimage.com/

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=422248&netp_id=330150&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=details#curr

I have also read A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards.

Three other books worth purchasing and reading are The Singer, The Song and The Finale by Calvin Miller. These books are a trilogy and are about Jesus, the early church, and the return of Jesus Christ. They are fictional and written in a poetic form. The link below will help you with more information about the three books.

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=0813217&netp_id=125012&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=details#curr

These books will help you think in new ways about God and His love for you. The will warm your soul, cause you to cringe and rejoice, and will lead you to to a deeper relationship with God and others. You will be encouraged in your faith and will seek to discover ways to lead others in your life to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

For SCC: Remember...

This past Sunday, 12-30-07, we ended the year '07 with the topic Remember...

The Lord's Supper/Communion

Take a look

This clip was sent to me via the net by a friend. Good clip to start the year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTcZ9xfFBqQ

"If we fill our hours with regrets of yesterday and with worries of tomorrow, we have no today in which to be thankful."

Pause for a few seconds and be thankful. Happy New Year.

Happy New Year

Have a good one.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. Have a good week.

MOVING: FYI

As Sunrise draws near to the actual move to Lee Memorial and the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service word is getting out and more people are inquiring. The information below has been posted before, but I decided to post it again as we draw near to this exciting venture.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

How did Sunrise find out about this opportunity?
John Robertson, Portsmouth Baptist Association Director, contacted Scott Salsman and Steve Nethery and helped initiate communication between Scott and Steve and the Leaders of Lee Memorial. At the first meeting it was determined by key leaders in both churches to continue to meet together for discussion and planning in regards to a future partnership that would be beneficial to both churches.
Why is Lee Memorial interested in a partnership?
The leaders of Lee Memorial are seeking God’s direction for the church. They are seeking to make the most of the facilities for ministry.
Why are Sunrise leaders interested in the partnership?
Those involved in the process thus far are interested in the partnership for numerous reasons: 1. God placed this in our laps. We did not go looking for this opportunity. 2. The meetings we have had with the leaders of Lee Memorial have been positive and encouraging for Sunrise and Lee Memorial leaders. 3. This opportunity provides Sunrise the chance to have a much more permanent place for meeting on Sunday mornings and at other times. 4. The location is good. 5. The facilities will meet the current needs of Sunrise and allow for some growth. 6. The set up and tear down done by the Music Team and those who help set up and tear down on Sundays will not have to be done anymore except for special occasions. 7. The expense will be $400.00 to $600.00 less per month than what we currently pay for the School and the Office Complex.
Will Sunrise still have the Sunrise style service on Sunday mornings?
Yes. We will continue our service. We will meet from 10:00 – 11:00 AM and have our service in the Family Life Center and the infants, pre-school, school aged children and Middle and High School Students will meet in an area suitable for them.What about those already in Lee Memorial?There will be an 11:15 – 12:00 Noon service that is more traditional in style, music, and setting in the auditorium/sanctuary of Lee Memorial. We will have the opportunity to serve with them in ministry and at special events. We will seek to build a relationship with people in Lee Memorial and they will seek to build a relationship with us.
What about the name?
We will be Sunrise Community Church meeting at Lee Memorial. We keep the name of Sunrise Community Church.
Will this move help us reach more people?
Location is very important in regards to the business world and church world. Lee Memorial is in a good location that is central along the I-664 corridor and is near the Chesapeake Square Mall Business District and provides a good location for Sunrise. Just moving to the facilities of Lee Memorial will not automatically cause Sunrise to grow in numbers even though the leaders of Sunrise think it will help us reach more people. We will need to continue to invite others to our weekend services, share Christ with others, provide relevant ministries, strengthen our Community Groups, and plan ways to reach out to those along the I-664 corridor. Your involvement in the move and in helping Sunrise lead people to accept Jesus Christ and become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ is very important to touching people’s lives with the love of God.
When will we officially start meeting Lee Memorial?
The current plans are to have a Christmas Eve Candle Light Service on Monday, December 24, 2007 from 6:00-7:00 PM at Lee Memorial with the people of Lee Memorial and Sunrise meeting together for this service. We will promote this service and hope and pray for a large attendance and plan for an awesome and powerful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Our first Sunday morning service will be on Sunday, December 30, 2007 from 10:00-11:00 AM at Lee Memorial.
What needs to be done before the partnership begins and Sunrise begins meeting at the Lee Memorial location?
We need to continue to pray. You and I need to plan on attending the Open House and tour the property and meet the people of Lee Memorial. We will have at least two Saturdays scheduled for cleaning and preparing the building for use. We will have some evenings scheduled to do the same. We will have a scheduled times to move items from Jolliff Middle School to Lee Memorial in order to be ready for Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and the first Sunday service on December 30, 2007.
How can I help?Pray for openness because God can do great things through those who are open to Him. Pray for a sense of unity in Sunrise and between Sunrise and Lee Memorial because God can and will accomplish great things through those who seek to live with a sense of purpose. Be willing to help with the move. Plan on giving some of your time on a few evenings and on a few Saturdays to help with the move. Keep up your financial giving. Keep inviting people to attend. Your invites and personal life story are very important to reaching people.
What’s the bottom Line?This seems to be an excellent opportunity. We will need you to be praying and be willing to help on some evenings and on some Saturday mornings or afternoons as we make this transition. Please contact any MLT leader with questions, ideas, or concerns about this opportunity. In making this move we all need to keep in mind that we as a church are to help others come to know Christ, grow in Christ and begin to serve Christ. Sunrise is about Reaching Up (Worship), Reaching Out (Evangelism/Sharing) and Reaching In (Fellowship and Spiritual Growth). Sunrise Community Church exists to lead people to become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ. Since Sunrise began in April 2000 we have made many transitions and tried numerous ways to reach out to people and help them experience God’s love and power. This move will be just one more transition in the life of Sunrise as we seek to continue to touch lives.
How do I get to Lee Memorial Baptist Church?
From I-664 take Portsmouth Blvd. East (Exit 11B) and at the first stop light turn left onto Gum Road. Go 2/10th of a mile and look for the property of Lee Memorial on the left at 2430 Gum Road. From The Churchland, Western Branch, and the Portsmouth City Park area you can get onto Portsmouth Blvd. and go west like you are going to I-664. Turn right onto Gum Road and go to 2/10th of a mile and look for the property of Lee Memorial on the left at 2430 Gum Road. You can also use www.mapquest.com or www.yahoo.com and go to maps for directions and for a map in order to locate Lee Memorial.

MAKE THE MOVE: THE STRATEGY AND PROGRESS

Saturday, November 3, 10:00-12:00 noon
Clean and begin room preparation. Plan on bringing your vacuum and other cleaning items to help do a quick clean of the facilities so that all will be nice and clean for the Open House.THIS WAS A GREAT DAY. WE HAD A GOOD TIME AND A GOOD GROUP OF PEOPLE WORKED TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH A GREAT START.
Saturday, November 10, 10:00-12:00 noon
Open House at Lee Memorial Baptist Church. AN EXCELLENT MORNING. PEOPLE MEETING ONE ANOTHER AND SUNRISE PEOPLE TOURING THE FACILITIES. THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN VERY POSITIVE FROM PEOPLE IN EACH CHURCH.
Saturday, December 1, 10:00-12:00 noon
Clean and continue to prepare rooms and other areas for ministry. Bring cleaning items and be prepared to have fun meeting new people. We will continue to prepare rooms, go through Sunrises large trailer, help with some Christmas decorations and do various other projects as needed. WE MADE GREAT PROGRESS. CLEANING, MAINTENANCE AND DECORATING TOOK PLACE. THE FACILITES ARE LOOKING VERY NICE FOR THE CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE.
Saturday, December 8
GLARE, the Music Team, play at the Chesapeake Square Mall. We will give out promotional material about the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. THE MUSIC WAS SWEEEEET!! GOOD CONTACTS WERE MADE. INVITES TO THE CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE WERE GIVEN OUT.
Saturday, December 15, 9:00-12:00 noon
Meet The Community Day. Meet at Lee Memorial at 9:00 am and go out and hand out flyers/door hangers that promote the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service in the subdivisions around Lee Memorial. OVER 600 DOOR HANGERS WERE PLACED OUT AND SEVERAL POSITIVE PERSONAL CONTACTS WERE MADE.
Sunday, December 16, 4:30-8:30 PM
Christmas Caroling in Subdivisions near Lee Memorial Baptist Church. WE CAROLED, WE FROZE, WELL MAYBE NOT, WE HAD A BLAST SPREADING SOME CHRISTMAS JOY.
Sunday, December 23, 11:00-12:00 noon
Service at Jolliff. Afterward we take all items from Jolliff Middle to Lee Memorial from 1:00-4:00 PM. We will transport items from Jolliff Middle School to Lee Memorial. We will set up items for the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. THE MOVE WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN RECORD TIME. WE HAD FUN AND ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL OF WORK. lOOKING FORWARD TO THE CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE.
Monday, December 24, 6:00-7:00 PM
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at Lee Memorial. Plan on arriving by 5:45 so that you can park, enter the building, and we can start on time. Casual atmosphere. Acoustic music. Infant Care Provided. Gifts given to those who attend.
Saturday, December 29, 10:00-12:00 noon
Final preparation of rooms for ministry.
Sunday, December 30
10:00-11:00 AM
Contemporary Service in Family Life Center. Infant through High School Ministries in the Educational Wing. Adult Bible study in the Fellowship Hall.
11:15-12:00 noon
Traditional-Blended Service in Auditorium.

Christmas Caroling

This past Sunday a group of people from Sunrise and Lee Memorial went Christmas Caroling. We came together for a brief time to go over the songs and then hit the streets with the sounds of music. One of the members of SCC had a large trailer with hay bails for seats and off we went on a country convertible bus. Yee Haw. It was fun. The wind was howling, the trees were swaying and the carolers were caroling songs of hope, joy, peace, and God's nearness. It reminded me of my childhood days of Ringing and Running, or as it is called today, Ding Dong Ditch. Ring the doorbell at a house and then run like crazy. Fun times. This time we were not running, we were singing. We had fun, fun, fun till the trailer took us all away. The children led the way. It was great to see them ring a door bell and wait with expectation for someone to answer so they could sing to them and offer the home dweller a small gift. The people were receptive. Some of them must have been deaf because they actually applauded. Just imagine with me Willy Nelson, Carol Burnett, Bing Crosby, Beyounce, Britney Spears, Steven Tyler, and KISS all singing to a guitar being played by Santana. Awesome. That is what we probably sounded like with the wind blowing at 30 mph and the trees swaying. Good times. Have I mentioned that we had fun. Spreading joy is fun. Sharing the good news of God's love is enjoyable. Working together with like minded people is energizing. Yes, it takes some time and effort but it is time and effort well spent. Telling someone about something good in your life that can happen in their life is a win win situation. That is fun. As a follower of Christ I live a win win life. So do you. Rejoice. Have fun today. Hum several Christmas Carols all day. Whistle while you work. Smile at someone and say, "hello" or "Mele Kalikimaka". Ask God to open the heart and mind of someone you know so that they will accept Jesus Christ and experience Christmas. Maybe today is the day God has planned for you to help someone enter into a whole new realm of life by leading them to accept Christ. FUN. Let's have some. Thanks to Sharon and Janet for putting this event together. It was a good time and lives were touched as joy was spread.

10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas. It's worth saying.

This magnet was given to me by a person in SCC. I recently saw one on her vehicle and inquired. She had a few extra and offered me one. Thanks. Merry Christmas.

Merry:
Text: indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor.

Synonyms: blithesome, festive, gay, gleeful, jocose, jocund, jolly, jovial, laughing, mirthful, sunny Related Wordsamused, beaming, chuckling, giggling, smiling; bright, buoyant, carefree, cheerful, cheery, chipper, lighthearted, lightsome, upbeat; animated, jaunty, lively, perky, sprightly, vivacious; blessed, blissful, delighted, ecstatic, elated, enraptured, entranced, euphoric, exhilarated, exuberant, exultant, gladsome, happy, high, joyful, joyous, jubilant, overjoyed, radiant, rapturous, ravished, thrilled; amusing, facetious, flippant, funny, hilarious, jesting, joking, joshing, playful, witty; careless, cavalier, devil-may-care, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, insouciant, unconcerned; hopeful, optimistic, rosy, sanguine.

Near Antonyms: abject, aggrieved, anguished, blue, brokenhearted, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, disheartened, dispirited, downcast, downhearted, forlorn, heartbroken, heartsick, melancholy, sad, sorrowful, unhappy; crying, groaning, moaning, sobbing, wailing; discontented, disgruntled, moody; doleful, dolorous, joyless, lachrymose, mournful, plaintive, sorry, woeful; black, dark, desolate, gloomy, glum, gray (also grey); miserable, woebegone, wretched; dull, lethargic, listless, sluggish, torpid

I prefer Merry. What about you?

Christ:

Mas = Mass:

Worship, Celebrating Christ, Remembering God

MERRY CHRISTMAS, MELE KALIKIMAKA, FELIZ NAVIDAD, JOYEUX NOEL.

Good News

Isaiah 9
To Us a Child Is Born
1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-
2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Christmas Love - I Corinthians 13 style

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling
lights, and shiny glass balls but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table
at mealtime but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that
I have to charity but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata but
do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving
to those who can't. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

This was sent to me via a SCC member. Thanks

For SCC - 12-9-07 God's Gift of Joy for You

Series Verses:
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Joy Thieves
Guilt, Grudges, Grief, Greed, Gas Prices and the Grinch. You and I need to be aware of the thieves.

How can we experience this gift of joy?

1.Choose to hear the Good News and the good news.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people…
Luke 2:10

2.Choose to do what God says.
When the angel had left them and went into heaven the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has told us about.
Luke 2:15

3.Choose to tell someone else.
When they had seen him they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.
Luke 2:17

Mele Kalikimaka

This postcard is being mailed to people associated with Sunrise and Lee. You can also pick this postcard up on a Sunday morning and mail it or hand to those you want to invite to the service.
Please continue to pray for the service and for those you are inviting. Merry CHRISTmas.

One Step Closer

This sign was placed out on the property of Lee Memorial Baptist Church today. This is just one more step towards the beginning of a healthy and growing ministry partnership between Sunrise and Lee Memorial. May this sign inform many people of the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service and may many attend the service and be drawn closer to CHRISTmas. Please continue to pray for unity, cooperation, and for many people to come to Christ through this partnership.

www - wednesday's wonderful word

23"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Matthew 1:23

An Angel of the Lord delivered this message to Joseph who was struggling with a tough and very important decision prior just prior to the first Christmas. Joseph was giving serious thought to a serious decision. He wanted to honor God, a person who was very important to him and he wanted to keep his good reputation. In the midst of his thoughts, decision making process and desire to make the right choice God reveals the answer that will do much more than honor Himself, Mary and Joseph. God speaks to Joseph a very clear, prophetic, and succinct message that Joseph can deny or obey. Joseph obeys. Merry Christmas.

God will speak to you. As a matter of fact He is speaking to you. His Written Word (The Bible), His Sunrises and Sunsets and the in between (Psalm 19:1). The Nativity scenes you see in yards. The lights on your Christmas tree. He Is. God Is. He is present. He is with us. He is with you. Listen and seek to honor God, others and yourself in your decisions and He will show up. Actually, He already has.

YOU MIGHT BE A SCROOGE IF…
You turn on the lawn sprinklers on Christmas Eve to keep carolers away;
You get your Christmas tree at a rest stop at night;
Your idea of holiday decorations is a rotten pumpkin;
Your favorite Christmas pastime is putting defective bulbs in your neighbor’s string of Christmas lights;
Your favorite Christmas drink is rotten Egg Nog;
Your favorite Christmas song is“Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer;”
Your idea of a staff or company Christmas party is“O, just forget it;”
You like snow only because you know it will mean there will be some cool car accidents;
Your favorite Christmas snack is one-year old fruitcake;
You don’t like the ending to “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34st Street,” “The Grinch,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
You put a laxative in Santa’s cookies,knowing and laughing about the outcome;
And finally, if your three favorite words are“Ba Hum Bug”

A Prayer

The sleigh was was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of his bed,
"Dear Father, " he prayed, "Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.
My sack will hold toys to grant all kids' wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.
I can do all these things, Lord, only through You.
I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.
I do this only to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends, lest Your glory I rob,
Please, Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

Luke 2:8-20

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Another Favorite Christmas Song

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawian Christmas Day

That's the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright

The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawian Christmas day

That's the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright

The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright

The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry Christmas to you

Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say on a bright Hawian Christmas Day

Thats the island greeting that we send to you from the land where palm trees sway

Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright

The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way to say Merry christmas a

very merry christmas , a very, very, merry,merry Christmas to you.

GLARE at the Mall

This past Saturday GLARE (SCC's Music Team) presented Christmas songs at the Chesapeake Square mall in Chesapeake, VA. The music was well done as usual. Thanks Ruth and GLARE for going the extra mile and spreading some Christmas Joy.

I am glad that the members of GLARE are willing to put in the extra practice and spend most of a Saturday afternoon setting up, playing and singing, visiting with people and then tearing down. The time and effort places the message of CHRISTmas in the heart of the modern market place, the Mall. It is a gutsy thing to play in an atmosphere that is not real condusive for the best sound and to play for an audience that is on the move and may be wondering, "What is this?" But this is the place to be. In the public. In the market place with a message of hope presented in a medium that most enjoy, music.

Thanks to all who helped with GLARE at the Mall.

Sunrise and Lee Memorial Update

Progress continues with the ministry partnership between Sunrise and Lee Memorial. Sunrise's first meeting at Lee Memorial is with Lee Memorial on Monday, December 24, 2007 from 6:00 -7:00 PM for a Candlelight Christmas Service. Please be in prayer for this service and begin to invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to the service. As we move towards being ready for the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service and our first Sunday morning service at Lee Memorial on Sunday, December 3o, 2007 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM progress is being made in various areas.

Progress:
Saturday, November 3rd over 40 people gathered at Lee Memorial for the first clean and prep day from 10:00 - 12:00 noon. The transformation begins.
Saturday, November 10th over 100 people gather for an Open House to see the facilities of Lee Memorial and people from Sunrise mingle with those from Lee. A spirit of unity and cooperation are evident.
Wednesday, November 28th Scott and I met with two leaders from Lee and Roy Smith of the Norfolk Area Baptist Association to discuss a the ministry partnership. Positive dialogue.
Saturday, December 1st over 25 people come together at Lee Memorial for the second clean and prep day. The transformation continues and the the facilities are almost ready for ministry on Monday, December 24th. Cleaning, decorating, organizing, and facilities maintenance are completed by people who are having a good time meeting one another and serving together.
The Music Team is rehearsing at Lee Memorial and is preparing for the music presentation at the Mall and for the services that will be held at Lee Memorial. they are working on the lighting and stage setup at Lee. It is looking good. The music team has some pretty sharp people involved and they are all going the extra mile in regards to this move.
Tuesday afternoon, December 4th I met with a Rick Page who is a co-ownwer of ChemDry Carpet Cleaning and Monday, December 17th was booked to have the carpets cleaned and refreshed. There going to look and smell niiiiiiice.
Today, 12-6-07, Scott and I met with a man to discuss projector's, screens, cable's, etc. After a great deal of thought, discussion and previous research it was decided to move forward with a few purchases that will look really good, be very practical and help us continue to create and open, relevant, visual, and celebrative atmosphere for our worship services.
More than the above is being accomplished but I hope the above gave you a better idea of the progress Sunrise is making as we move forward.

Please continue to pray for unity, cooperation, and for people to come to know Christ through this ministry partnership. Your prayers, Sunday morning attendance during the worship services and your personal invites to others are very important as we seek to reach out and touch lives.

For SCC - The Art of Gift Giving 12-2-07

Our new series "God's Gifts for You This Christmas" began this past Sunday with the Sunday morning theme of "The Art of Gift Giving". The Christmas Tree and other lights on the stage set the mode for a Great service. The Christmas songs that GLARE led us in are right on, fun to sing and the lyrics are thought provoking. The DVD clip "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was hilarious. It is so real to what we experience. Anybody plan on throwing a scale out the window this Christmas?

Scott Slasman's message was based on the text found in Matthew 2:1-12. Scott shared with us some truth from the passage in regards to giving gifts. I especially liked how Scott ruined the song "We Three Kings Of Orient Are" by pointing out that there were not 3, they were not Kings, and they were not Orient. That song now has a whole new meaning for me this Christmas. The following are helpful truths we can apply in our lives that Scott shared this past Sunday. The passage of Scripture can be found in a blog I posted on 12-3-07.

The Art of Gift Giving

The Wise Men started with planning. The trip these Kings (not) took had to be planned out and thought through. You and I need to plan our gift giving. Be wise.

The Wise Men personalized their gifts. Think through what you are going to give. Seek to be personal and the gift will have more meaning.

The Wise Men wrestled with the appropriate price for the gift. We need to think through expenses for the Gifts we will give.

The Wise Men got their presentation right. When you give gifts this year realize that even giving the gift in the right spirit and right way matters.

Let It Be Christmas Everywhere

The followong are lyrics to a song by Alan Jackson. This is my favorite Christmas song this year.

Let it be Christmas everywhere

In the hearts of all people both near and afar

Christmas everywhere

Feel the love of the season wherever you are

On the small country roads lined with green mistletoe

Big city streets where a thousand lights glow

Chorus

Let it be Christmas everywhere

Let heavenly music fill the air

Let every heart sing let every bell ring

The story of hope and joy and peace

And let it be Christmas everywhere

Let heavenly music fill the air

Let anger and fear and hate disappear

Let there be love that lasts through the year

And let it be Christmas Christmas everywhere

Let it be Christmas everywhere

With the gold and the silver, the green and the red

Christmas everywhere

In the smiles of all children asleep in their beds

In the eyes of young babies their first fallen snow

Elderlys' memories that never grow old

Chorus

Let it be Christmas everywhere

Let heavenly music fill the air

Let every heart sing let every bell ring

The story of hope and joy and peace

And let it be Christmas everywhere

Let heavenly music fill the air

Let anger and fear and hate disappear

Let there be love that lasts through the year

And let it be Christmas Christmas everywhere

Let it be Christmas everywhere

In the songs that we sing and the gifts that we bring

Christmas everywhere

In what this day means and what we believe

From the sandy white beaches where blue water rolls

Snow covered mountains and valleys below

Chorus

Let it be Christmas everywhere

Let heavenly music fill the air
Let every heart sing let every bell ring

The story of hope and joy and peace

And let it be Christmas everywhere

Let heavenly music fill the air

Let anger and fear and hate disappear

Let there be love that lasts through the year

And let it be Christmas Christmas everywhere

Christmas everywhere Christmas everywhere.

12-1-07 Clean and Prep Day

Progress continues. A good group of people gathered at Lee Memorial Baptist Church from 10:00 - 12:00 noon and continued to clean, do some maintenance, and accomplished some Christmas decorating. Children, students and adults all pitched in as we worked together in different areas of the building. The rooms that Sunrise will use for infants, preschool, school-aged children and the students are looking good and will be ready for ministry. The Family Life Center is being transformed into an auditorium with a nice large stage, theater style seating, lighting for nice effect and a large foyer area for greeting, refreshments and visiting prior to the and after the service. Many thanks (thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks, thanks) to all who helped. I understand how full the month of December is with all of the Christmas things to be done and that makes me even more gracious for all who gave of their time and give of their time to touch the lives of others with the love of God.

Saturday was time well spent. The payoff will be everlasting for some people who accept Christ through Sunrise. The payoff will be children discovering God, accepting Christ and developing and new friends as they enter into a room that was cleaned and prepared for ministry by a group of people who gave of their time in December. The payoff will be people entering into the building who are going through some tough times and discover that God does care and will help them as they sit in a chair that you carefully placed out so that they would feel comfortable in regards to space and so that they had a clear view of the stage and screens. The payoff will be new friendships that you develop because you helped set up the foyer area and made sure the atmosphere was comfortable and open so that people would feel welcomed when they came into the building. The payoff will be Heavenly. Your time this Christmas season will help people experience Jesus Christ. That is time well spent.

Matthew 2:1-12

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I'm Thankful ...

Hi, my name is Brittany Tilley and I’m a junior at Western Branch High School. This week Mr. Steve called me and asked me to do a little survey of what people are thankful for. So I went around and asked random anonymous people that I normally come in contact with throughout my day. The 1st question asked of me when I asked a person what they were thankful for was “what is this for?” So I told them “my church.” In hearing this most of my interviewees would automatically begin giving me the generic “church” answers. I laughed and asked them to tell me what they were really thankful for. The following is a list of answers I got, keep in mind this is a very diverse group of answers in no particular order. (Let’s see how many you agree with)

I’m thankful for my family, music, drums, church, girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, wife, GOOOOD food, guitar hero, good health, dog, football, cat, life, best friend, smart teachers who care, cheering, Harry Potter, shopping, a house to live in, animal print!, mosh pits, cozy bed, a hard working team, parents who care, mail, big trucks, mudding, kids who clean, God, basket ball, heating and air conditioning, grandparents, the leaves changing, soft toilet paper, SHARPIES!, good grades, coffee!, being tan, pie, vacation, advances in cures for cancer, Chick-fil-A, oxygen, the dictionary, pilgrims because they made us a holiday to get out of school for!, shoes, computers, Jesus, vegetables, Google, the trash man, lunch boxes, gloves and hand warmers at a freezing football games, halo, gym, iPods, art, brothers and sisters, a warm smile, Starbucks, fruit, city workers, college, playgrounds, candy, America, books, record player, Vogue, ballet, cell phones, the ocean, surfing, Spiderman, forensics, singing, decorations, a hand to hold, cars, turkey, knee braces, a good coach, a plasma TV, Christmas catalogs, a bus to drive, babies, laughter, our founding fathers, the Children's hospital of Kings Daughters, flowers, mechanical pencils, and for the love that I have for others and that others have for me.

O Lord that lends me life,Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.~William Shakespeare

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T. Purkiser

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Psalm 100
A psalm For giving thanks.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Homilophobia. What is this? I know. I want to see if you will find out.

phobias

http://www.phobialist.com/

Interesting. Be careful.

"Fear not that life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning."
John Cardinal Newman

I am finishing up a book titled In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. Good book about going for it, living with risk, acting in courage and not having to fear if your life had a beginning.

Open House

The Open House this past Saturday, 11-10-07, was a very positve time for Sunrise and Lee Memorial. Both churches had a good number of people in attendance and it was encouraging to see people visiting with one another and introducing themselves to one another. It really is amazing how many relational coonections have already been made as people meet one another and begin discovering the relationships they have in common. Thanks to all who brought food and for those who helped in the kitchen area so we could enjoy the food and drink. Please continue to pray for openess and cooperation. Please begin to spread the word about this partnership and begin to invite your friends to the Candlelight Christmas Eve service that will be held at Lee Memorial on Monday, 12-24-07, from 6:00 - 7:00 PM.

Veterans Day

Armistice Day Becomes Veterans Day
World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, had ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.
In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

November (Thanksgiving)

1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 150 NIV

Weekend Reflections - Clean and Prep Day 11-3-07

Saturday morning was exciting. Without much promotion the first clean up and prep day at Lee Memorial was well attended and everyone worked together to accomplish a great deal of cleaning and room preparation. There was joy in the air as restrooms were cleaned. There were smiles on faces as vacuums were running. There was laughter in the air as furniture was being moved. Teamwork took place. Communication was taking place. Items were moved from here to there and from there to here because we were experimenting and people remained positive and willing to experiment. One of Sunrises foundational principles is partnership. We will work as teams and realize the importance of partnerships. My heart and faith was encouraged as I worked and watched people assist one another, communicate with one another and work in groups to accomplish ministry. People were asking questions. People were introducing themselves to one another. People were meeting people they had never met and then working alongside one another. That is beautiful. That is healthy. That is God honoring and worship. In Philippians 2:1-4 the apostle Paul wrote the following to a young church much like Sunrise and Lee Memorial, "If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." I saw this practiced on Saturday and it was wonderful. I thank God for Saturday. I pray that I will keep in mind and heart Philippians 2:1-4 in my family and as one of the leaders of Sunrise.

Working Worship - Clean and Prep Day on 11-3-07

I had a great time this morning working with people from Sunrise and Lee Memorial. We came together with the purpose of doing some touch up work at the very nice facilities of Lee Memorial. almost 40 people gathered to move furniture, vacuum, dust, clean restrooms, and begin preparing the building for use in late December. I can tell this is going to be fun for both churches and that God is all over this ministry partnership. Joy, peace, cooperation, fun, excitement, planning, work, effort, and purpose are just a few words to describe the mini-miracle that took place this morning. It is obvious that people are praying and seeking to honor God in their personal lives, in Sunrise and Lee Memorial. It is encouraging to serve with people who are seeking to touch lives and make a difference in the Kingdom of God. It is encouraging to form new relationships with people who desire to do the same. Thank you God. Thanks for the opportunity to serve. Thanks for healthy relationships and for the privilege of experiencing your presence this morning in working worship.