Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together with hundreds of pieces only to get to the end to discover you are missing one piece? The viewing eye is always drawn to the one missing piece. It communicates every piece is important, and every piece has a perfect fit and is designed to be connected.
One of the vital functions of Celebrate Church is to help each person see the value of their connection. That’s why I am writing this blog in parts -- so we can see the word pictures the Bible uses to communicate the need for connecting. These metaphors tell us a lot about why God wants us to connect with one another. They give us a picture of what the church should be.
I told you in Monday's blog that the Bible says that being spiritually connected means we are built like a BUILDING.
The word picture for today is we are joined in a BODY. “Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s Body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others” (Romans 12: 4-5 TLB).
What Jesus Christ did when he was here in his physical body, he wants to do today through the church. We are the body of Christ on Earth. We are his hands. We are his feet. All of us have to play our part. Being part of the body of Christ means we are a part of something bigger than ourselves, and if we don’t play our specific part, the mission of the church is impacted. You can also read another metaphor about connection using the human anatomy to emphasize our need to connect in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
We’re all in this together! I want to help you connect to God and to one another in 2009. There are multiple ways you can connect at Celebrate. Check it out.
When you put God's plan for your life into action, life works.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Is Connecting that Important?
I don’t know if you are like me, but with this current generation, if I could give them a nickname it would be “texting maniacs.” I am like, “Wouldn’t it just be easier to call?” The world has never been more connected. There are millions of miles of fiber optics and satellites shooting into space. Kids all around the world are texting each other on cell phones – even in the midst of jungles – competing in video games with another person on the other side of the world, and yet I talk to people all the time who feel more and more disconnected. They feel like they’re “out of it.”
Did you know that loneliness has reached epidemic proportions in our country? Our fast-moving lives have wreaked havoc on our relationships. We don’t feel nearly as connected to each other as people did just a single generation ago.
Yet we were created for relationships. In fact, the first thing God said was, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” God said that humans were not made for isolation. We were made for connection. Why? We were created in the image of God. The Bible says God is love, and to love, you’ve got to have somebody to love.
One of the crucial purposes of Celebrate is to help solve this sense of disconnection.
Each day this week I will share with you one of four word pictures of the New Testament church. These metaphors tell us a lot about why God wants us to connect with one another. They give us a picture of what the church should be – and how it should solve the plague of disconnection in our society.
The Bible says that being spiritually connected means:
We’re built like a building. “In Christ you are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” (Ephesians 2:22 NRSV). We are meant to fit together like bricks in a new building. It’s essential that the parts of a building fit together. You aren’t safe otherwise because there’s no support. Likewise, those who aren’t connected to a church family in any meaningful way have no support. Life is tough. We all need the support of people who care about us. As a church we want to provide you with community.
We want you to advance in relationships over this next year. Let’s begin now. This is a major focus at Celebrate. We’re going to make every effort to connect people.
Let’s make a connection this year. Begin by connecting with a Life Group...
For more information on how to get connected to a Life Group, please go to http://www.celebratechurch.org/lifegroups.
Did you know that loneliness has reached epidemic proportions in our country? Our fast-moving lives have wreaked havoc on our relationships. We don’t feel nearly as connected to each other as people did just a single generation ago.
Yet we were created for relationships. In fact, the first thing God said was, “It’s not good for man to be alone.” God said that humans were not made for isolation. We were made for connection. Why? We were created in the image of God. The Bible says God is love, and to love, you’ve got to have somebody to love.
One of the crucial purposes of Celebrate is to help solve this sense of disconnection.
Each day this week I will share with you one of four word pictures of the New Testament church. These metaphors tell us a lot about why God wants us to connect with one another. They give us a picture of what the church should be – and how it should solve the plague of disconnection in our society.
The Bible says that being spiritually connected means:
We’re built like a building. “In Christ you are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.” (Ephesians 2:22 NRSV). We are meant to fit together like bricks in a new building. It’s essential that the parts of a building fit together. You aren’t safe otherwise because there’s no support. Likewise, those who aren’t connected to a church family in any meaningful way have no support. Life is tough. We all need the support of people who care about us. As a church we want to provide you with community.
We want you to advance in relationships over this next year. Let’s begin now. This is a major focus at Celebrate. We’re going to make every effort to connect people.
Let’s make a connection this year. Begin by connecting with a Life Group...
For more information on how to get connected to a Life Group, please go to http://www.celebratechurch.org/lifegroups.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Are you Koinonia-ing?
This weekend is an exciting weekend! You are probably saying, “Don’t you mean this past weekend?” No… I’m talking about this upcoming weekend! Of course I, like you, enjoyed the Super Bowl this past weekend, but you know what I really enjoyed was the buzz of conversation and laughing as people were doing life together. One thing I have discovered is that people are lonely. People are tired of superficial relationships. People are looking for someone that genuinely cares that they exist. Problem is where do you find those kinds of relationships? That is why this weekend is one of those times that excites me as pastor of Celebrate… for one very specific reason… This Sunday, February 8th IS THE LAUNCH OF 2009 LIFE GROUPS AT CELEBRATE!
I have one question for you as you read this blog… Are you Koinonia-ing? Now before you think I’ve lost it and started making up words (although I have been known to do that on occasion), just keep reading.
If you desire genuine, authentic relationships and friendships, then you absolutely must be involved in one of our incredible Life Groups… You must be Koinonia-ing! If you desire to know more and grow more mature in your faith, then Life Groups is where that will happen. Koinonia is the Greek word for fellowship in the Bible. It means being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ. That is what real fellowship is all about – being committed to other as we are to Jesus Christ.
Once you become a Believer the Bible emphasizes God wants you to be a Belonger. He wants you to be a part of His family, a part of the church. Doing life together, sharing life together is so important to us around Celebrate we focus each spring and fall season of the year encouraging you to follow God’s design for your life by not going through life alone but by being connected to God’s family… through Life Groups.
Authentic relationships are those relationships that provide deep, satisfying, meaningful fellowship with others. How do you develop and deepen friendships with other believers? At Celebrate we feel we best fulfill this part of God’s design for our life through our small groups we call LIFE GROUPS.
I am sending these thoughts to a majority of you that currently are not connected to a small group. Our goal is that you experience the benefits of during life together. We like the large gatherings but it is in those small group settings that we can encourage, share, shoulder, pray, unload, journey through life together. Below is how we build healthy and solid community.
frequency… authenticity… mutuality… courtesy… sympathy… humility… honesty… mercy… confidentiality… unity
Click the link below to register for a Life Group now or register on Sunday at Celebrate Church! If you have any questions about Life Groups at Celebrate, email Bob Carson at bob@celebratechurch.org.
http://www.celebratechurch.org/formLifeGroups
I have one question for you as you read this blog… Are you Koinonia-ing? Now before you think I’ve lost it and started making up words (although I have been known to do that on occasion), just keep reading.
If you desire genuine, authentic relationships and friendships, then you absolutely must be involved in one of our incredible Life Groups… You must be Koinonia-ing! If you desire to know more and grow more mature in your faith, then Life Groups is where that will happen. Koinonia is the Greek word for fellowship in the Bible. It means being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ. That is what real fellowship is all about – being committed to other as we are to Jesus Christ.
Once you become a Believer the Bible emphasizes God wants you to be a Belonger. He wants you to be a part of His family, a part of the church. Doing life together, sharing life together is so important to us around Celebrate we focus each spring and fall season of the year encouraging you to follow God’s design for your life by not going through life alone but by being connected to God’s family… through Life Groups.
Authentic relationships are those relationships that provide deep, satisfying, meaningful fellowship with others. How do you develop and deepen friendships with other believers? At Celebrate we feel we best fulfill this part of God’s design for our life through our small groups we call LIFE GROUPS.
I am sending these thoughts to a majority of you that currently are not connected to a small group. Our goal is that you experience the benefits of during life together. We like the large gatherings but it is in those small group settings that we can encourage, share, shoulder, pray, unload, journey through life together. Below is how we build healthy and solid community.
frequency… authenticity… mutuality… courtesy… sympathy… humility… honesty… mercy… confidentiality… unity
Click the link below to register for a Life Group now or register on Sunday at Celebrate Church! If you have any questions about Life Groups at Celebrate, email Bob Carson at bob@celebratechurch.org.
http://www.celebratechurch.org/formLifeGroups
Friday, January 30, 2009
Happiness or Joy?
With all of the change that is taking place in our country, I was thinking about the many conversations I have had with people prior to the challenges we now face in our economy. The conversations centered around hurts people have experienced, hang ups people could not seem to move past, and habits that were out of control. Top that off with the economy and “the life” people were longing for seems further away. It always comes down to this… everyone wants to be happy.
Most people have one main ambition in life, “I just want to be happy.” Living near Disney World, we all know that being happy is serious business. We have this idea that we must be happy all the time. I must act happy, talk happy, look happy and if I am not I must fake it, especially at church. Always having to appear happy creates it own stress. The fact is not every day is a homerun. Not everything works out according to the way we planned it. That’s not the end of the world… it’s simply called life.
It is easy to be happy when everything is going your way. But what about the rest of the time? Are you only happy when everything is going your way? If so, you are going to be unhappy for much of your life.
Let’s answer this question without this blog getting to wordy. How can we stay positive and optimistic when it seems everything is falling apart? This is where JOY enters the picture. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. I say it again: REJOICE!”
Happiness depends on what is happening. Circumstances. Luck. “I am happy today because things just happened to turn out right.”
Joy is different. It goes deeper. Joy is an attitude, a choice. Joy is an inside job where happiness is an outside job. Joy does not rely on circumstances. It is not dependent on luck. Joy is what makes life – well – enjoyable. It is your choice to rejoice.
As Christ followers we can be the most positive and joyful people in the world. Why? We have… hope in the leadership of Christ…God has purpose for our lives… God is always with us….
Make a choice to rejoice!
Most people have one main ambition in life, “I just want to be happy.” Living near Disney World, we all know that being happy is serious business. We have this idea that we must be happy all the time. I must act happy, talk happy, look happy and if I am not I must fake it, especially at church. Always having to appear happy creates it own stress. The fact is not every day is a homerun. Not everything works out according to the way we planned it. That’s not the end of the world… it’s simply called life.
It is easy to be happy when everything is going your way. But what about the rest of the time? Are you only happy when everything is going your way? If so, you are going to be unhappy for much of your life.
Let’s answer this question without this blog getting to wordy. How can we stay positive and optimistic when it seems everything is falling apart? This is where JOY enters the picture. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. I say it again: REJOICE!”
Happiness depends on what is happening. Circumstances. Luck. “I am happy today because things just happened to turn out right.”
Joy is different. It goes deeper. Joy is an attitude, a choice. Joy is an inside job where happiness is an outside job. Joy does not rely on circumstances. It is not dependent on luck. Joy is what makes life – well – enjoyable. It is your choice to rejoice.
As Christ followers we can be the most positive and joyful people in the world. Why? We have… hope in the leadership of Christ…God has purpose for our lives… God is always with us….
Make a choice to rejoice!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
NO FEAR LIVING
We are hours into a change in our political leadership, and yet, with the excitement of anticipation of our new leadership leading us hopefully to a prosperous tomorrow, there is the reality of struggle. Will all the changes that have taken place in our government expel our fears?
Just a month ago, we celebrated the excitement of the birth of Jesus Christ. What were the first words the angels told the Shepherds? “Don’t be afraid!” What were the first words Jesus said after He rose from the dead? “Don’t be afraid!” What were the first words the disciples heard when Jesus caught up to them on the raging Sea of Galilee? “Don’t be afraid!” Two thousand years later, in an uncertain economy, He still says, “Don’t be afraid!” America is experiencing a wave of fear. Fear is flowing not just from our TV news reports but from our real life experiences.
If our hearts were being played on a big screen TV, what fears would be playing? What would be on the screen? Some are afraid they’re going to lose their job; some fear losing their dream home; and even some are fearing the repercussions these things will have on their families and on their marriage. Fear is called many different names like worry, tension, anxiety, uptight, pressure and stress. Here is something else about fear -- it’s contagious. We can get it from other people. It’s limiting and it’s draining.
One of the most important things I know is that God doesn’t want us to be afraid. Ephesians 3:12 says, “In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear…We can do this through faith in Jesus Christ.”
Anchoring truths for NO FEAR LIVING... they are simple and brief:
1) Accept God’s love for you... Let God’s love for you serve as the antidote to your fear.
2) Believe that Christ died and rose from the dead for you... It is one thing to believe about a person; it is another to believe in that person. It’s not just that Jesus died and rose from the dead, but that he died and rose from the dead for you.
3) Commit your fears and your life to Christ... It means let Him be the manager and boss of your life. Let God be the God of your life.
4) Let His love fill your life. There is no fear in His love.
Just a month ago, we celebrated the excitement of the birth of Jesus Christ. What were the first words the angels told the Shepherds? “Don’t be afraid!” What were the first words Jesus said after He rose from the dead? “Don’t be afraid!” What were the first words the disciples heard when Jesus caught up to them on the raging Sea of Galilee? “Don’t be afraid!” Two thousand years later, in an uncertain economy, He still says, “Don’t be afraid!” America is experiencing a wave of fear. Fear is flowing not just from our TV news reports but from our real life experiences.
If our hearts were being played on a big screen TV, what fears would be playing? What would be on the screen? Some are afraid they’re going to lose their job; some fear losing their dream home; and even some are fearing the repercussions these things will have on their families and on their marriage. Fear is called many different names like worry, tension, anxiety, uptight, pressure and stress. Here is something else about fear -- it’s contagious. We can get it from other people. It’s limiting and it’s draining.
One of the most important things I know is that God doesn’t want us to be afraid. Ephesians 3:12 says, “In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear…We can do this through faith in Jesus Christ.”
Anchoring truths for NO FEAR LIVING... they are simple and brief:
1) Accept God’s love for you... Let God’s love for you serve as the antidote to your fear.
2) Believe that Christ died and rose from the dead for you... It is one thing to believe about a person; it is another to believe in that person. It’s not just that Jesus died and rose from the dead, but that he died and rose from the dead for you.
3) Commit your fears and your life to Christ... It means let Him be the manager and boss of your life. Let God be the God of your life.
4) Let His love fill your life. There is no fear in His love.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
WIN IN HIM
I am writing this to you today with a heart that is praying for you to win. I listen to the news, I sit in on conversations, and I hear the stories -- the loss of jobs, the decreases in wages, the foreclosures on homes, the marital tensions, and the list continues. In the midst of this uncertain climate in our country, I want to point you in the direction to see what God has instituted for us to anchor into when all around us it seems that everyone is hurting in one way or another.
First, we are Christ followers who make up a spiritual community where when one hurts, we all hurt and where when one rejoices, we all rejoice. God wanted us in His family long before we were born. I believe one of the reasons this is true is for times just like now that we are journeying through where we can pray one for another, give one to another, and encourage one another.
What I want you to know is that you are sure to win in Him! Here is a passage in the Bible that I want you to draw encouragement from:
Ephesians 2:11-13 Don't forget at one time... you were living apart from Christ... you did not know the covenant promises God had made... You lived your life without God and without hope... But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ.
It is in Jesus Christ that our sin is forgiven... It is in Him that we are heir to the promises of God... It is in Him that we are His children and made right in His eyes. You will discover all throughout the Bible that you and I are referenced to being in Christ with words like "with Him"... "in Him"... "through Him." Meditate on those words until the truth of these scriptures reaches deep down into your heart. They will serve as ammunition to be used against your doubts, your fears, and your anxieties.
Let's prepare ourselves and equip ourselves as we journey through these uncertain times in our economic culture.
I want to pray with you, and our staff and the entire Celebrate family wants to pray with you regarding anything at all that you feel comfortable communicating -- a loss of a job, a decrease in pay, a foreclosure or a possible foreclosure on a home, marital tensions -- anything at all. Let's pray together through these tough times...
WIN IN HIM (JESUS CHRIST)
First, we are Christ followers who make up a spiritual community where when one hurts, we all hurt and where when one rejoices, we all rejoice. God wanted us in His family long before we were born. I believe one of the reasons this is true is for times just like now that we are journeying through where we can pray one for another, give one to another, and encourage one another.
What I want you to know is that you are sure to win in Him! Here is a passage in the Bible that I want you to draw encouragement from:
Ephesians 2:11-13 Don't forget at one time... you were living apart from Christ... you did not know the covenant promises God had made... You lived your life without God and without hope... But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ.
It is in Jesus Christ that our sin is forgiven... It is in Him that we are heir to the promises of God... It is in Him that we are His children and made right in His eyes. You will discover all throughout the Bible that you and I are referenced to being in Christ with words like "with Him"... "in Him"... "through Him." Meditate on those words until the truth of these scriptures reaches deep down into your heart. They will serve as ammunition to be used against your doubts, your fears, and your anxieties.
Let's prepare ourselves and equip ourselves as we journey through these uncertain times in our economic culture.
I want to pray with you, and our staff and the entire Celebrate family wants to pray with you regarding anything at all that you feel comfortable communicating -- a loss of a job, a decrease in pay, a foreclosure or a possible foreclosure on a home, marital tensions -- anything at all. Let's pray together through these tough times...
WIN IN HIM (JESUS CHRIST)
Friday, January 9, 2009
God's Promises for 2009
As we enter into this new year, most of us are looking forward to making changes, making improvements, and hoping for a better year, and even a better life. As I follow my reading plan in the Bible, it has me reading in Genesis. There are so many great insights about fresh starts, new beginnings and making changes in God’s Word! I want to share with you a few of my observations from the life of Abraham…
Is anything too difficult or hard for God? It’s a question you will find being asked in Genesis 18:14. And the answer is a resounding “NO!”. This question brings to life much about God. If you make it a regular insert into your daily life of challenges and circumstances you will discover the same answer that Abraham and Sarah experienced. When you are facing a conflict, a challenge, a habit, hurt, or a hang-up, ask yourself, “Is this issue in my life too difficult for God?” Is this habit I am trying to break too hard for the God of the Universe to handle?
Asking this question reminds you that God is and can be personally involved in your daily life. If you listen you will feel His Holy Spirit nudge you to ask for His power in your everyday journey through life.
There is so much we can learn from the life of Abraham and Sarah when it comes to trusting God. As you enter into 2009, one of the changes that we can all benefit from is believing God’s plan when put the right steps into practice. It begins with faith and trust, but is fleshed out by our actions.
God promises us, “nothing is too difficult for Him”... It is our faith that allows us to see the promises of God and experience them in our everyday life. So often we can see God saying, “Do not be afraid, just have faith!”
These last couple of thoughts I want to leave with you… Don’t turn away from the one Person who can take care of and help you. Do what Christ said quite often, “Just have faith.” Your hope and faith can be found in the resurrected Christ, the one with the power over everything. Make your first resolution of 2009 to put your faith in Christ and purpose in your heart to trust Him with every situation this year. You will be amazed at what God can do. Remember… I can’t, but God can!
Is anything too difficult or hard for God? It’s a question you will find being asked in Genesis 18:14. And the answer is a resounding “NO!”. This question brings to life much about God. If you make it a regular insert into your daily life of challenges and circumstances you will discover the same answer that Abraham and Sarah experienced. When you are facing a conflict, a challenge, a habit, hurt, or a hang-up, ask yourself, “Is this issue in my life too difficult for God?” Is this habit I am trying to break too hard for the God of the Universe to handle?
Asking this question reminds you that God is and can be personally involved in your daily life. If you listen you will feel His Holy Spirit nudge you to ask for His power in your everyday journey through life.
There is so much we can learn from the life of Abraham and Sarah when it comes to trusting God. As you enter into 2009, one of the changes that we can all benefit from is believing God’s plan when put the right steps into practice. It begins with faith and trust, but is fleshed out by our actions.
God promises us, “nothing is too difficult for Him”... It is our faith that allows us to see the promises of God and experience them in our everyday life. So often we can see God saying, “Do not be afraid, just have faith!”
These last couple of thoughts I want to leave with you… Don’t turn away from the one Person who can take care of and help you. Do what Christ said quite often, “Just have faith.” Your hope and faith can be found in the resurrected Christ, the one with the power over everything. Make your first resolution of 2009 to put your faith in Christ and purpose in your heart to trust Him with every situation this year. You will be amazed at what God can do. Remember… I can’t, but God can!
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