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.

Power Of Prayer

Prayer is the tiny nerve that moves God's mighty hand.

Taking A Break - New Series in Sept.

Hey, I'm going to take a break from blogging this week. Looking forward to a new series in Sept. "MYTHBUSTERS".

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.

Trust

Sunrise Community Church dealt with this word this past Sunday. We encouraged people to offer themselves wholly to God and trust Him with all of their lives. This is an interesting clip. Think about it.

And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. Exodus 40:31

And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh Barnea, he said, "Go up and take possession of the land I have given you." But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You did not trust him or obey him. Deuteronomy 9:23

O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. II Samuel 7:28

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me (Jesus). John 14:1

Good Soil

1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." 10The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" 11He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:" 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 16But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. 18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Ping Pong - Man I'm Good

This is me playing Ping Pong with my friends while in High School. This video was edited and played like it was a big tourney play. Not really. Just me and friend having some Table Tennis fun.

Luke 5:27-32

27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Facing The Giants - Give It Your Best

Fun For The Nethery's

These pics and the brief video spell FUN for the Nethery's this summer.

Good Time

Good time at the Beach Baptism. The baptisms were exciting and it is great to be is a church that celebrates people coming to now Jesus Christ and following up in baptism. Thanks to those in SCC for helping people accept Christ and begin to grow in their faith walk with Jesus. Jesus Christ is Lord.

Praying

The Best Way To Pray

A priest, a minister and a guru sat discussing the best positions for prayer, while a telephone repairman worked nearby. 'Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray,' the priest said. 'No,' said the minister. 'I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven.' 'You're both wrong,' the guru said. 'The most effective prayer position is lying down on the floor.' The repairman could contain himself no longer. 'Hey, fellas,' he interrupted. 'The best prayin' I ever did was when I was hangin' upside down from a telephone pole.'

My King

No Title

The week comes to a close. I will be working some this weekend. Admin stuff. Calendar stuff. Sharing Christ with people and baptizing people is the fun stuff. Thanks God for allowing me to serve You.

1Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. I Timothy 1:15-16

I learned the above verses many years ago and they are a very important part of my life and calling into the ministry. JC is real and He has changed my life. He is working in me and through me to touch the lives of others. Good Stuff.

The Prayer Of Relinquishment

A mother watched her son run into the house clutching his bloody hand. "Let me see!" she said. Backing away he cried, "No, you'll hurt me." When he finally opened his hand, instead of a major injury she saw a tiny scrape that bled a lot. As she marveled at his theatrics, she realized she'd done the same to God. When her husband left her she was so hurt, she refused to pray. God kept saying, "Let me help you," as she clenched her fists and said, "No, you'll hurt me." Once she realized this she gave it to God and her healing began. Catherine Marshall called this "the prayer of relinquishment," which means giving the situation to God, taking your hands off it completely, refusing to discuss it any further, and trusting the One who makes "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28). That's why prayer makes it possible for you to stop struggling with the situation and have peace about it.

Cast you burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain you... Paslam 55:22a

This was taken from the Bob the Blogger link on my blog.

Jesus Christ Is Lord

Praying For Kristen Ellis

Keep praying for Kristen Ellis who is in El Salvador this week sharing Christ with others and helping Compassion International.

Beach Baptism This Sunday

Sunrise is having a Beach Baptism this Sunday. No snorkels needed. We are looking forward to baptizing people who recently made the decision to become followers of Jesus Christ. This is a step for them in faith and obedience towards growing in Christ and becoming totally committed followers of Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 3:1-9

1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? 5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

Leadership Thought From Rick Warren

The seven foundations of Jesus’ leadership by Rick Warren
There are no perfect leaders. I’m not a perfect leader. Neither are you. But Jesus is. There’s no better teacher on leadership than Jesus. What made him such as effective leader? Lots of reasons. In this article I’ll give you seven of them.
1. Identification: I must know who I am. To be a leader you’ve got to know who you are. All great leaders know their strengths and their weaknesses. We’re a bundle of both. Leadership is not ignoring one in favor of the other. It’s being honest about them. Good leaders don’t try to be something they are not. They are self-aware.
Jesus had no doubt about his identity. He said:
I am the light of the world.
I am the Son of God.
I am the way.
I am the truth.
I am the life.
I am the bread of life.
Jesus defines himself 18 times by saying, “I am…” He didn’t let other people define him. He defined himself. If you’re going to be a leader, you must know who you are.
2. Clarification: Know what you want to accomplish. You must clarify what God has called you to do with your life. The direction of your life is your choice. If you don’t like the direction your life is headed right now, change it. Nobody’s holding a gun to your head. Nobody’s making you a victim. Nobody’s forcing you to serve in the manner you’re serving.
Jesus knew exactly what God had called him to do. He was a straightforward leader who established clear-cut goals. In John 8 Jesus says, “I know where I came from and I know where I’m going.” Jesus had a clear purpose. He knew not only who he was, but what was he trying to do with his life. He truly was a purpose-driven leader. God has a purpose for your life and ministry. If you don’t fulfill it, you have wasted your life. You were put on earth to live for the purpose God created you for. A leader knows that purpose and pursues it with passion.
3. Motivation: Know who you’re trying to please. You need to settle the issue of motivation. You can’t please everybody. Just about the time you get one person happy, you’ll tick someone else off. Jesus lived for an audience of One. His whole purpose was to please his heavenly Father. Jesus says this in John 5, “I only try to please the One who sent Me.” Jesus wasn’t trying to win a popularity content; he just wanted to please God.
That’s a lesson we have to learn as leaders. You’ve got to learn not to care about the opinions of others. You’ve got to focus on God’s opinion of what you’re doing. Don’t pay attention to those who cheer you or jeer you. Either one will sidetrack you.
4. Collaboration: Work with a small group. You never lead by yourself. You always do it in context of a team. All great leaders are great team builders. In fact, if you don’t have a team, you’re not a leader. You’re a loner. The test of leadership is whether anyone is following you.
Jesus modeled this kind of ministry. He never did ministry alone. Mark 3:14 says, “He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Jesus enlisted other people to serve the cause with him.
If God gives you a vision for your ministry, he’s going to bring other people with the same idea together with you. If nobody agrees on your idea, guess what? It’s not from God.
5. Concentration: Focus on what’s important. Leaders must focus on what’s important. Life is filled with things that will distract you from what’s important. Sometimes we can be distracted by good things as well. If Satan can’t mess up your life by getting you to do wrong things, he’ll mess up your life by giving you too many good things to do. Jesus was a master of concentration. He focused his life like a laser. He refused to be distracted. Luke 9:51 says, “As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will.” He headed toward Jerusalem to die on the cross for us. He did it with an iron will. He would not let anything distract him from what was important. Your ministry has incredible potential. But that ministry potential won’t be realized until you decide what’s really important. Settle on what’s most important, and God will use your life like you could never imagine.
6. Meditation: Listen to God. Make listening to God a habit of your life. Jesus did. Prayer was a regular part of his life. The Bible tells us in Mark 1:35, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” If Jesus needed to get alone and listen to God, don’t you think that you need to? You need quiet times to reflect, renew, and recharge. You need time to just get alone, be quiet, and listen to God.
7. Relaxation: Take time to recharge. Leadership is draining. It’s hard work. We all need time to just relax. Jesus encouraged his very busy disciples to take some time for relaxation. Mark 6:31 says, “Crowds of people were coming and going so that they did not even have time to eat. He [Jesus] said to them [the disciples], ‘Come away by yourselves, and we’ll go to a lonely place to get some rest.’” Jesus realized the disciples had been busy serving, and they were tired. They needed a break. So he told them to get away and rest. Rest is so important that God put it in the Ten Commandments. The fourth commandment says this: every seventh day you take a day off. Pastor, this applies to you as well. You need a day away from the church.
Years ago I learned a key to lasting in leadership: divert daily, withdraw weekly, and abandon annually. Divert daily means doing something fun every day. Get a hobby. Do something that relaxes you. Withdraw weekly means you take a day off every week for relaxation and restoration. Abandon annually means you get away and forget everything for some time each year.

Your leadership is a key ingredient to helping your church become what God has called it to be. In fact, the Bible says this in Proverbs 11:14, “Without wise leadership a nation is in trouble.” That’s true of every single area of life. Without wise leadership, your church is in trouble. Learn about leadership from Jesus. We have no better guide.

Mighty To Save - Hillsong United

Evolution From A New Perspective

This is funny. At SCC we have created the word "creavolution" for creation and evolution. We believe in God and science. We believe God is the Creator and the Evolver. Helpful Information

Stickey Sayings

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

The Goal

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to lead the 1st - 5th Grade group at Sunrise with a couple of others who serve in Sunrise. It was fun. The children are responsive and enjoy being active and learning about God's love for them. We played THE BALLOON, THE BLOB, THE TARGET, and THE TOUCH. Each game had a specific goal to accomplish and throughout the lesson we would yell out the words "the goal". We learned from the Bible that God's main goal is to have a relationship with us, "Me". I thank God for the adults who serve in the Children's Ministry at SCC. They are helping children become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ. They are helping families walk with God. They are living a lasting legacy.

To El Salvador

This past Saturday, 8-9 08, Kristen Ellis left for El Salvador with a group of others with Compassion International so she could meet a child she sponsors through Compassion and do some various ministry in the area. It is a pleasure to serve with Kristen in SCC. Please pause for a moment and offer up a prayer for Kristen.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

Leadership Thought

The most important quality in a leader is that of being acknowledged as such. - Andre Maurois

C-Kid - They're Back

C-Kidders arrived home this afternoon.

Some Sticky Thoughts

C-Kid - Excited and Thrilled

Just spoke with some Kidders. Awesome week. On the road home. Children had a great time and God touched many lives.

Forgiveness and Forgiving

This little booklet Forgiveness and Forgiving can be read online and is very good. I recommend that you take some time to look this over because this is a very real life issue. This information can lead you to a good start of living in and with forgiveness. I hope it helps you or someone you know. I has been helpful to me over the years.

Here SHE is, the USS New York, made from the World Trade Center. USS New York. It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. It is the fifth in a new class of warships designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft. Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steel workers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.' Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.' The ship's motto? "Never Forget".

C-Kid - On The Way Home

The children and adults who have been a part of C-Kid will begin the trip home at around 11:00 AM this morning after a time of Bible Study, Closing Celebration and goodbyes. Thanks again for your prayers this week. Keep praying.

One Another

'Show mercy and compassion to one another' - Zechariah 7:9
'Love one another' - John 13:34,35
'Be devoted to one another' - Romans 12:10
'Live in harmony with one another' - Romans 12:16, 1 Peter 3:8
'Accept one another' - Romans 15:7
'Instruct one another' - Romans 15:14
'Agree with one another' - 1 Corinthians 1:10
'Greet one another with a holy kiss' - 2 Corinthians 13:12
'Serve one another in love' - Galatians 5:13
'Bearing with one another in love' - Ephesians 4:2
'Be kind and compassionate to one another' - Ephesians 4:32
'Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs' - Ephesians 5:19
'Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ' - Ephesians 5:21
'Admonish one another' - Colossians 3:16
'Encourage one another' - 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25
'Spur one another on toward love and good deeds' - Hebrews 10:24
'Do not slander one another' - James 4:11
'Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling' - 1 Peter 4:9
'Love one another deeply' - 1 Peter 1:22
'Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another' - 1 Peter 5:5
'Have fellowship with one another' - 1 John 1:7

C-Kid - Lots of...

Lots of fun. Lots of learning. Lots of food. Lots of God. Lot of new relationships. Lots of new things being tried. Lots of sun. Lots of growth. Lots of smiles.

C-KId Update and Schedule

All is well. Having fun. Afternoon events going well. Nice weather. Keep praying. Awesome visuals and stage setting for worship service. Visit C-Kid Schedule to be aware of what is happening during the day. Keep praying.

Know That God Is God

A Recent Email From A Friend LOL

TICK WARNING!

I hate it when people forward bogus warnings, and I have even done it myself a couple times, unintentionally...but this one is real, and it's important ! So please send this warning to everyone on your e-mail list. If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to the warm weather and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT ! THIS IS A SCAM ! They only want to see you naked.

I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.

Wide Open @ C-Kid

The group from Sunrise arrived at C-Kid yesterday and "everybody is wide open and having a great time" according to a voicemail that Ray Coleman left for me late last night. Thanks to everyone who gave financially in 2007 and 2008 in order to help with the expense of this week. Thanks for the prayers you are offering this week. Pray for children to learn of God's love for them and for others. Pray that the children will continue to be "wide open and having a blast". Ask God to help all in attendance at C-Kid to have a better understanding and living of CHRISTianity

Fun Day

Below is what I and others experienced on Monday, 8-4-08, at the beach near the Hatteras Lighthouse in NC. We were in the water from 9:00 AM - 2:45 PM. I knew it was time for me to get out of the water when I could no longer push myself on the surfboard and when the 15 year old boys with us were sitting on the beach with the look of exhaustion. Man, this was fun. Thanks to Wally Allen for going for it and teaching my family to enjoy surfing.

For SCC - Simmer Down Now!! 8-3-08

A new weekend series began this past weekend. The series is "From One To Outrageous: Learn and Live One Verse, Expect and Experience Outrageous Results". Sunday, 8-3-08 We looked at Psalm 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Below are some other translations of this verse:

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.

Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

Our God says, "Calm down,
and learn that I am God!
All nations on earth
will honor me."

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.

Be still - stop, cease, quiet down, simmer down, gear down, calm yourself, take a "time out"

and know - understand, comprehend, experience first hand, learn, take a long look, research, examine.

that I am God - God is God, He is in control, He is working, providing, caring, forgiving and renewing.

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth - God will be recognized by all.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:3-11 New Living Translation

Mighty to Save

Psalm 46:10

Leadership Thought

Don't be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. James 3:1 Found in the Bible

Acts 4:31-35

31While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence.
32-33The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn't even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, "That's mine; you can't have it." They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.
34-35And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person's need.

A New Blogger

Jon Trude, a friend of mine, recently started blogging. Good stuff. Visit Jon Trude and enjoy. Way to go Trudey, JT, Mr.T, T, Jon Boy, Trudebager, Okie AKA Jon Trude who is helping people become totally committed followers of JC.

David Did Not Live In The Past

At Sunrise we recently took a look at the life of David found in I and II Samuel. In reading this story you will see that David had some very difficult days in his journey, but he did not dwell on the difficult days or live in these days. David did not live in the past. He learned, grew, owned up to mistakes and LIVED. You and I need not dwell on the past difficulties in our lives. We can learn, grow and LIVE. Count on this, you and I will have difficulties. May we choose not to dwell on the past, but instead dwell on LIFE.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

David Lived With Passion

David the shepherd, the warrior, the artist and the King lived with passion. The account of his life found in I and II Samuel is replete with with passion. David lived life to the fullest most of the time. His writings in the Book of Psalms are passionate. His pain, sorrow, anticipation, joy, and worship recordings are full of passion.

Passion - fervor, intensity, ardor, fervor, desire and excitement

Passion - Boundless enthusiasm

In his work, relationships, worship, sorrow, present, and future David lived with anticipation and enthusiasm.

Some Beach Fun

Today we caught a few pics and short videos of our children catching some small waves. Fun times.

A Great Book About David And Two Others

The Tale Of Three Kings is a thought provoking book based on the story of Saul, David and Absalom. I have this book in my personal library and I am willing to loan it out for a person's August reading.

Psalm 51:10-13

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.

Moving Past The Past and Into Renewal

For the past six weeks SCC took a look at the life of King David found in the Bible. This past week we peered into a very open account of David's life and hopefully walked away with a sense of humility and the need we have for God in our lives. The following video is a brief of a man's life who desires to live for God with a humble heart and experience God's power and goodness in his life so he can help others experience God's power and goodness.

Approaching God

9-12He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.'
13"Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'"
14Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself." Luke 18:9-12

Newcomers Luncheon

This past Sunday, 7-20-07, Sunrise hosted another newcomers Luncheon. It was a great time. Meeting new people, hearing stories and watching people connect through common backgrounds and/or common interest. The luncheon also makes us as leaders think through why we believe what we believe and why we do what we do. We have all of this in writing, but really thinking about it leads to some pretty serious introspection. I am glad that we as a church are seeking to live out our core values, mission, beliefs and work to align ourselves with these things we have thought and prayed about in the life of SCC. Makes for a pretty exciting time. People accepting Jesus Christ, growing in Christ and thinking about life and living in general.

The Grace Of God

A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates and says, 'Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in.' 'Okay,' the man says, 'I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart.' 'That's wonderful,' says St.Peter, 'that's worth two points!' 'Two points?' he says 'Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service.' 'Terrific!' says St.Peter.. 'That's certainly worth a point.''One point!?!! ' 'I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans.' 'Fantastic, that's good for two more points,' he says.'Two points!?!! 'Exasperated, the man cries. 'At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God.' 'Bingo! 100 points ! Come on in!'

Touching Lives and Having Fun

When you and I serve Jesus Christ in and through a local church we make an eternal difference and are blessed as we serve. Just imagine a church where everyone serves in some fashion. People praying, giving, serving, sharing and God's power being expereinced in ways beyond understanding. When we expereince this we will be smiling like the couple in the pic who is making an eternal difference.

Interesting

35James and John, Zebedee's sons, came up to him. "Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us."
36"What is it? I'll see what I can do."
37"Arrange it," they said, "so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left."
38Jesus said, "You have no idea what you're asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I'm about to be plunged into?"
39-40"Sure," they said. "Why not?"
Jesus said, "Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that's not my business. There are other arrangements for that."
41-45When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. "You've observed how godless rulers throw their weight around," he said, "and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage."
Mark 10:35-45 The Message

Nic @ NIght, Friday, 7-18-08

We had some good fun and many children heard the story of Nicodemus and gained some insight into John 3:16. Thanks to Sharon Salsman for leading this wild and crazy event and for the students and adults who helped the children better understand what it means to accept Jesus Christ and have fun.

PROTECTING THE CONTACTS

YUMMY

Nic @ Night - Water, Hi, and a Cheap Shot

Debt Free

Leadership Thought

"The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it."
Theodore Roosevelt

Today

Today, I will ...

Take a moment right now and and think about this statement and finish it out with some positive thoughts about the opportunities before you, your family, your job, your time on the road and in regards to your relationship with God.

“Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ''tomorrow'' on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, ''If I had my life to live over again. ''Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.” Og Mandino

For Leades

In his book, Practicing Greatness, Reggie McNeal discusses how great leaders need to stay very sharp mentally. Reggie gives us several ways that we can keep our brain chemistry healthy. Some are simple. Others take a little more effort:

• Adequate sleep (a sleep-hungry brain is subject to fuzzy thinking and poor judgment)

• Proper Diet (especially a good amount of protein)

• Moderate your use of alcohol, caffeine, nicotine (don’t use these to ‘medicate your anxiety’)

• Adequate exercise (helps physically, but also mentally)

• Daily doses of positive human contact (leaders who are connected are keeping their brains ‘wired’)

• Mental recreation (It helps from making your thoughts dull and tired)

• Muse time (time to ponder, noodle, reflect)

Va Beach Sunrise - 191

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

The Return

The students and adults who were are part of M-Fuge in Charleston have returned. The work of God is evident in their changed lives and because of the results of lives changed in Charleston. Two students with the group accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Three students made the decision to walk closer with God. One student is interested in International Ministry and story after story is being told of God's handiwork. As the students and adults went out during the week many children accepted Jesus Christ through various ministries and due to the Message of God's love found in Jesus Christ being presented in the power of the Holy Spirit. My wife had the opportunity to work with a group that saw eleven older school aged children accept Jesus Christ. Homes were improved, yards were cleaned, Sr. Adults were ministered to through one on one visiting, the message of Jesus went forth in the power of prayer. May it continue.

Post M-Fuge Feeling

M-Fuge - Friday and Saturday Schedule

Friday's Schedule
7:00am Breakfast
8:00am Quiet Time and Bible Study
9:15am Send-Off Celebration
10:00am Vans Pull Out to Site (lunch will occur on site)3:00pm Vans Return From Site/Free Time
5:00pm Dinner
6:30pm Worship
8:00pm Church Group Devotions
9:30pm Night Life
11:00pm In Dorms

Saturday's Schedule
7:00am Breakfast
8:00am Closing Time with Ministry Track Group
9:00am Closing Celebration
10:00am Departure

Psalm 33:1-9

1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

M-Fuge Update - Energy and Enthusiasm

Phone call from Jon Trude yesterday was very positive. He left a brief voice mail and mentioned that the energy and enthusiasm of the students was very high. The students feel like they are making a difference and are learning that they can impact lives for God.

Gator

I spoke with my daughter via the phone today. She was in a restaurant in Charleston and had eaten some Gator. She said it was good. Interesting.

FIG

The group from Sunrise may eat supper at FIG this eveneing.

Good Point

Praying For The Adult Chaperones

Today I am praying throughout the day for the adult chaperones from Sunrise who are helping students from all over the east coast minster to children and Sr. Adults in the Charleston area. Please considering stopping right now and praying for Ruth Nethery, Sara Williams, Chris Fritszinger and Jon Trude.

M-Fuge Thursday Schedule

7:00am Breakfast
8:00am Quiet Time and Bible Study
9:15am Send-Off Celebration
10:00am Vans Pull Out to Site (lunch will occur on site)
3:00pm Vans Return From Site/Free time in the city (dinner off site)
Sunrise Group will spend time in Historic Charleston
9:00pm Worship
10:15pm Church Group Devotions
11:00pm In Dorms

About To Finish A Little Book

The Energy Bus has been a fun and thought provoking read. I will have to look back over the principles in the book several times in July so I can seek to memorize them and live them out in my personal, family and work life. Get on the Bus. Check out Jon Gordon for more info.

Leadership Thought

"Leaders do not worry about the future, instead they plan for success."
Rick Warren of Saddleback Church

Obituaries This Morn

This morning I read the Obituaries section of the paper which for me is a rare reading. Even reading the paper is a rare thing for me. Skimming the paper is reading the paper in my life. The Obituaries section jumped out at me this morn because as of late I have been thinking about eternal life. As I read the Obis (my short for Obituaries) I noted dates, nice people, individuals who will be missed, some organizations in which people belonged, hopes for a good eternity and when and where the services would be held. I did not see anything about when a person accepted Jesus Christ by faith, security of eternal life, how someone else might accept Jesus Christ and have eternal hope, and the hope that is real because of god's love for us. I am aware that the Obis are written in times of grief and that wording an Obi is an important part of honoring the deceased and the family of the deceased. I am aware of this because I have done numerous funerals as a minister and because have had a sister, father, uncle and aunts and grandparents pass away. Loss of a loved one is a time of sorrow, memories and gathering. It can also be a time of hope. Hope in the fact that a loved one is in Heaven because of Jesus Christ and the loved ones decision to accept God's love while living life on earth. Hope because eternity is a beautiful aspect of life in Christ. Hope because the family realizes that life on earth does end, but eternity never does. Hope. I know today that I have eternal hope because of Jesus Christ. You can also know if you will trust Jesus Christ and give your life to Him. A Wonderful Story Of Hope

For SCC A Heart Of Passion 7-6-08

On Sunday, 7-6-08 SCC contnued the series Wild At Heart. The passage used was II Samuel 6. The service was expereinced in Three Acts.
Act One:
Not paying attention, going through the motion, do it your own way worship which is not really worship at all. In II Samuel 6:1-11 Uzzah loses his life because he dishonors God. He is unattentive and misses out on worship and it cost hima dn others dearly.
Act Two:
Passionate. Heartfelt. Focused. Active. Worship. In II Samuel 6:12-19 David leads people in worship that is focused, intense and leads to the blessing of others.
Act Three:
Me centered, bitter, sarcastic, cynical worship which is not really worshi at all. In II Samuel 6:20-23 Michal misses out on a wonderful experience because she misses out on worship due to her self-centeredness and hard heart.

Everyone in attendance was encouraged to live in Act Two:

Worship with a passionate heart. Worship that is focused on glorifying God. Worship that is thoughtful and active.

Student Involved In M- Fuge

The latest as of 2:30 PM today. Students with Sunrise are helping with Children's Ministries in local Day Care, PCY (Paint, Construction and Yard) Ministries, Social Ministries such as visiting the elderly, puppet shows for children and playing Board Games with people, and last but not the least the students are helping with Sports Ministries in the Charleston area. Very upbeat report from Jon Trude. As I write the worship time for the eve is coming to a close and the students will move into a time of sharing with one another in Church Group Devotional/Sharing Time.

Serve

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:45

Fuge Schedule The Next Couple Of Days

Tuesday and Wednesday Schedule
7:00am Breakfast
8:00am Quiet Time and Bible Study
9:15am Send-Off Celebration
10:00am Vans Pull Out to Site (lunch will occur on site)
3:00pm Vans Return From Site/Free Time
5:00pm Dinner
6:30pm Worship
8:00pm Church Group Devotions
9:30pm Night Life
11:00pm In Dorms

Psalm 34:1-3

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.

Moses Caesar

Friends of MoMo in SCC. He is the Camp Pastor at M-fuge in Nashville, TN on the campus of Belmont University. I spoke with him on the phone today. Good decisons are being made in regards to JC. check out www.shineout.org for more info on MoMo Casear.

Fuger's - On Location

Fuger's are in Charleston, SC. Their schedule for today is...

1:00 - 4:00pm Registration
5:00pm Dinner
5:45pm Group Leader and Driver Meeting
6:30pm Opening Celebration
7:30pm Ministry Track Planning
10:15pm Church Group Devotion
11:00pm In Dorms

Charleston or Bust

The group departed this morn at 6:00 AM. Travel is going good. Look to arrive in Charleston at 2:00 PMish.

Passionate Worship

What a 4th

July the 4th was SWEEEEEET. The beach with family and friends. Football, Paddle ball, hanging out, relaxing, watching my son surf as I lurfed (Learning to surf) and caught plenty of waves and stood up on three. Yeah Baby. The trip home we all scarfed down the food in the cooler and took a little snooze. Yummy. No, not me. To the pool we traveled where we played TAG, hung out, visited with friends and worked up another appetite for some Hamburgers, Pasta Salad, Baked Beans and Dr. Pepper. You bet your rear end, I had 3 Dr. Peppers on July 4th. Yummy. We then traveled out a ways anticipating the fireworks show of the evening. Visited with friends, threw the Frisbee, talked about fun times and then CA BOOM. The fireworks started and so did the Lightning Storm. Cool but scary. Thunder and lightning right on top of us. To the car in the rain and then to a friends house for shrimp, corn, potatoes, sausage and coffee. Yummy. Dude, good thing I worked out in January '06.
The Fireworks display was of God and man this year. Pretty cool mixture. Made for some excitement, smiles, laughter, hauling rear to the car and now a good memory. What a 4th.

Happy Independence Day

Money Matters: 8 Helps

This article, 8 Ways Not To Throw Away Your Money, is a good and quick read. Fuel prices, food prices and money seems to be the topic of many conversations these days. This will cause you to think and make for a good conversation piece at work, with your family and with your children. Have fun and be cool.

See You This Weekend

Free

13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Galatians 5:13-15

Free to encourage. Free to inspire. Free to help. Free to serve. Free to do what benefits others. Free to .... Freedom is a wonderful way to live.