What Living Psalm 37: 1-7 does with Worry

Here is a question to think about...

Have you ever worried about how other's are becoming successful?  Maybe it is that coworker who became manager on not so ethical terms.  What about worrying about people or are just evil.  People that insult you or make it their goal to create as much hardship in your life as possible.  Anyone coming to mind yet...

If so, you are not alone and God's word has something to say about this:
  
Psalm 37:1-7 NIV

¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

These scriptures are very direct with what God has to say about the topic of worry.  They are direct also about what is excepted when having a relationship with Him and how this relationship unfolds when it is pertaining to worry.

So what does God want from us:

1)  Do not worry about or be envious of evil people
2)  Trust in God
3)  Do good
4)  Delight in God
5)  Commit your life to God
6)  Be still and wait on God (the KJV says "rest in the Lord")
7)  And again, just in case we forgot....do not worry about evil people succeeding.

Let's trust God.

Let's believe that God will do everything that are in these scriptures.

Let's focus on what we have been asked to do instead of worrying.

Editor's Note:  The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today.  If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121.  You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Spring Community Care Groups Starting!

Spring Community Care Groups

Starting!

We are so excited that our Community Care groups are starting the end of this month! 
See below for the upcoming schedule:

Celebrate Recovery 

(every Wednesday night!)

Compassionate Ministries Meeting 

(February 19th)

Life's Healing Choices 

 (February 20th)

Sacred Marriage 

(February 20th)

DivorceCare 

(February 21st)

DivorceCare for Kids  

(February 21st)

Marriage Prep Class   

(February 21st)

Surrendering the Secret   

(February 21st)

One Thousand Gifts

(February 27th)

Prayer Team

(every Saturday!)

Editor's Note:  The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today.  If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121.  You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Community Care Video!

Check out this great video going over many of the offerings in Community Care!

Editor's Note:  The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today.  If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121.  You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

What to do with Suffering

 I have permission to share this story, read below:

I recently experienced some of the worst suffering I had ever experienced before in my life.  It was so bad, at one time I was crying so hard someone had to help me to set down so I would not fall.  I do not believe I could even put into words the thoughts and feelings I experienced so I will not even try.  Through this suffering a very interesting thing happened.  Many prayers I have prayed (some for years and some only for months) were answered.  Some of these included a restored relationship and a person growing closer to Christ.  This experience was the most painful and amazing experience.

This person saw before their eyes the story of the cross coming to life.  They saw deep suffering, death and destruction and then resurrection and a new life.  Someone may ask, "So God allowed this person to go through so much suffering to answer their prayers?".  Some may say, "Why would God allow such things?".

The truth is the same truth as with the story of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.  The death and destruction was caused by sin by humans and the resurrection and new life was from God's miraculous power of grace, healing and salvation.  Pay attention to your life.  Give God your sufferings and God will show you and allow you to experience the grace, healing and wonder of a new life.   

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  Romans 8:1, NIV

Give God Your Story

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to give God your story.

To give God your past, present and future.

To do this many times we have to look at things we want to ignore and trust God with all the hurts.....

with all the questions...

with what we want for ourselves...

and make peace with knowing God's path may be different.

For a Christ follower that may be having a difficult time with this I would remind them that it is not about you...it is all about Christ.  We truly find ourselves when we give ourselves completely to Christ. 

We find the greatest joy and longest lasting peace.

For a person still trying to decide whether to be a Christ follower or not I would say give your story to Christ.  I promise you will not regret the decision. 

God always does amazing things with what we give to Him.  Turns mourning into joy, heartache into peace, boredom into excitement, hopelessness into a life time of purpose.


Editor's Note:  The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today.  If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121.  You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Fall 2012 Community Care Resources

We are all so excited about this fall season and the wonderful groups being offered through Community Care!  

Look at all the great offerings and register today!

For dates and times look here!

Family Resources

DivorceCare

Single & Parenting

 

Marriage Resources

Marriage Prep

Marriage Mentor Training

 

Spiritual Resources

Prayer Team

Spiritual Mentoring Program

 

Healing Resources

GriefShare

Surrendering the Secret

Life's Healing Choices

Celebrate Recovery  

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Tragedy and Praise

Wow….

Within the past 24 hours I have heard about the following:

*A family being torn apart by generation abuse

*Teenager being suicidal

*Parents fighting for custody over a child

*A woman fighting to maintain reality (experiencing hallucinations)

*A couple trying to maintain their marriage from the stress of sick family members

*A sick child spending time in the hospital and not knowing what is wrong

*Three eviction notices

*A person that may go to jail

*Two people who found out they have cancer and 1 person that may have cancer

*A person that may be laid off by their job by the end of the year

And I remind you that this has been within the past 24 hours.
Tragedy is alive and well and shows itself daily.

When I get overwhelmed from this tragedy I think of certain scripture within God’s word:

Acts 16:16-40

There is no way I can give this portion of scripture justice. There is so much in it so I encourage you to hit on the scripture reference and read it….

After you have I just want to bring your attention to the fact after they had been stripped, beaten and put in prison they were singing praises to God at Midnight…..is anyone else amazed by that….and then God brought so much good out of this. It is amazing how it all ends.

I keep praise music on a lot. It helps remind me that God is bigger than everything that has happened in the past 24 hours and he brings so much good from all the situations he touches. That is why, I have invited him to touch each one of those situations in that list.

I challenge you to praise Jesus more. Look at the Jesus more than the problem.

 

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Learn about Joy

I know a person who has struggles, hardships and sicknesses and yet this person is known to be optimistic, does not complain and finds a way to enjoy the day.

I know another person who has struggles, hardships and sicknesses and this person is pessimistic and complains daily.

I find these two people very fascinating and I have learned a lot from them both.

Which would you say you are more like?
Maybe even ask a few people that are the closest to you for some additional feedback.  The people that REALLY know you and will tell you the TRUTH.  

If you are interested in becoming more like the first person I have an idea for you.

Focus on Joy instead of Happiness. 

There is a difference.

Joy is what sustains and happiness is what flows in and out.  It sounds simple but it really is something that must be practiced and become a discipline.  Here is some information from the greatest source (and expert) on joy that will help if you decide to practice this:

Psalm 16: 9

Psalm 90:14

Psalm 4:7

Philippians 4:4

Psalm 122:1

Psalm 126:3

Psalm 5:11

1 Chronicles 16: 27

1 Chronicles 16: 31

Zephaniah 3: 17

1 Thessalonians 5: 16

Psalm 16: 11

Psalm 33: 1

Psalm 33: 3

Romans 5: 3

Isaiah 12: 3

Isaiah 51: 11

Romans 15: 13

Psalm 37: 4

Psalm 32: 11

Habakkuk 3: 18

Proverbs 15: 13

John 15: 11

Nehemiah 8: 10

Psalm 118: 24

To read all of these click here!

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page. 

Spiritual Mentoring: Guest Post

 

Below is a guest post from our Spiritual Mentoring leader Curtis Preik. This will give you some of the information that will be shared during our next Spiritual Mentoring seminar.

We hope to see you there! 

Things We Believe . . . About People

People were created by God after God's own spiritual image. People are the highest work of God's creation. Being made in the image of God, people have enormous potential for good, but have freely chosen to disobey God and go against God's will for their life. This disobedience and rebellion is called sin, and is an attitude and lifestyle that separates people from God. All individuals suffer from this corruption and are in need of the saving grace of God. People were created to exist forever. They will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. 

What would it be like to have no shame or regrets, to have nothing to hide? To be innocent like Adam and Eve after their creation in the Garden of Eden?

What would it mean for our families, churches, communities, and nations if it were possible to return to this innocence once again?

What is the primary hurdle preventing us from healing broken relationships?

How do we get beyond this hurdle?

Event

Spiritual Mentor/Mentee August Meeting

Saturday, Aug 11, 2012

http://www.mecklenburg.org/upcoming.asp

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Twitter Rewind

Time for Twitter Rewind!

A chance for you to get a taste of the tweets that are sent out daily!  A chance to see some of the best information sent out daily from Community Care!  To learn more about this follow us @kelly_saylor

Follow the links to find out more:

• Great Quick Stress Relief tips: http://bit.ly/MTROcr

• Some Good tips for Divorced Parents: http://bit.ly/dltUJ7 

• Pray with eyes on Christ and not on the crisis. - Voskamp 

• Job interview tips for those currently looking for employment http://bit.ly/NuNiVh

• Compassion to Cope with Anxiety http://bit.ly/MAkSUT

• Has God ever spoken to you this clearly: http://youtu.be/Xtk5WgzZcYA 

View video Hide video

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Fear: A New Day

Fear is something that plagues many of us. Whether it is how we are going to make the next bill, will my child make the right choices or will my loved one be healed fear can creep in and take hold of our lives.

Recently I have been praying about a situation that I felt REALLY needed to be answered in a certain way and it was answered in the OPPOSITE way.  You got to love moments like that!  At first peace came and then fear started to creep in and take up residence in my mind.  

There have been times in my life where fear has been firmly conquered by Christ’s power and other times where I have, in the words of Beth Moore, allowed a “past fear to project on a new day”.  Time after time I am brought back to one scripture:

 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Tim. 1:7 (KJV)

Don’t misunderstand me.  There is such a thing as healthy fear (i.e. the type that keeps us from dangerous situations).  Although the type I am talking about does nothing helpful.  This scripture has released me so many times and continues to do so when that unhealthy fear would want to control.

So I encourage you to ask yourself a few questions:

Is fear taking up residence in my mind?

Am I allowing a “past fear to project on a new day”?  Many of our fears come from past dangerous situations we are no longer experiencing.   

Do I have a scripture that has spoken to me?  Remember, God’s word is alive, active and powerful (Heb. 4:12)!

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page. 

One in Ten: Living a Life of Gratitude

Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Philippians 4: 6 – 8 (KJV)
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

I recently have been immersing myself into the topic of gratitude. I have been looking at research studies, scripture, reading from authors that concentrate on this topic and have been implementing some changes in my own life.

All to say, I am a firm believer in gratitude being a vehicle to experience healing and experience a deep peace and clear joy. Although, it does matter who you say thank you to…

Challenge yourself this week to pay attention to the gifts all around you (cool breeze, sunlight, favorite song on radio, healing, relationships, etc.).

For those of you that are Christ followers challenge yourself to really contemplate the following verse:

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16

Do you have anything to thank Christ for, showing gratitude to this extent?

I know I do…

Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Safe People: Celebrate Recovery [Guest Post]

This is a guest post from one of our Celebrate Recovery Leaders. 

If I had to name just a few things that I love about Celebrate Recovery, it would be that I can be honest without being judged, fixed or told what to do. I have to say that although it is only Tuesday, the past several days have been challenging for me personally.

As I have been praying and reflecting on how I can respond to conflict in my life in a healthier way, I remembered a series that our pastor had about "safe people." He spent some time giving us some tips on how to know who to invest in when it comes to friendships and relationships. Every now and then I have had to clean house with people in my life that weigh me down. This doesn't mean that I write them off completely, I delicately distance myself in order to have time to invest in the people that love me for who I am. The people that are quietly waiting for me to come to my senses and discover and embrace their gift of friendship and love for me.

When I am caught up in pleasing people, I get caught up in the feeling that I need to earn their love and acceptance. This is distorted thinking. Due to this distorted thinking, I overlook the people that are there for me always. The friends that I need more of in my life. The people that do not care if I do anything perfectly, that don't "want something from me" but they just want to be in my company and do life with me. This has been a challenge for me for as long as I can remember. My need for approval and acceptance has had some very high costs in my life. I continue to struggle with this and just when I feel that I have this issue all figured out, a challenge is presented.

The last week of the Safe People series, Jim asked the very poignant question "are YOU a safe person?"

So with that, I leave you with this thought from our pastor on the way you can become a "safe person" for your friends and the people you love.

When faced with a problem and caught up in the emotions of the moment, before I begin to speak the harsh words that so easily come out of my mouth (that might take me years and many good deeds to try to reverse the pain I can cause) here is what I need to remember:

• Is it true?

• Is it kind?

• Does it need to be said?

• Does it need to be said right now?

• Does it need to be said by me?

Thank you for your gift of friendship in Celebrate Recovery and being a safe place for all to share.


Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Preparing for Easter: Looking at Repentance

For the past few weeks we have been dedicating each week to a topic that will help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for Easter. This past week on Twitter we explored the topic of Repentance. In case you missed the tweets here they are (hit the scripture links to read the scripture in its entirety):

• Repentance: Godly sorrow of sin leads to salvation 2 Cor. 7: 10 – 11

• Repentance: to repent means to turn away from sin and turn completely to God Isa. 55: 6-7

• Repentance: the result of repentance is LIFE the result of no repentance is DEATH Ezek. 18: 21-22 

• Repentance: God’s kindness is what leads to repentance Rom. 2:4

• Repentance: God’s wrath will be turned to those who do not repent Rom. 2:5 – 6

• Repentance: If we seek God and turn from sin God with forgive and heal 2 Chron. 7:14   

Application

When reflecting on these reminders about the topic of repentance we are taught the following:

• There is a difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow.  Godly sorrow leaves no regrets.
• When we turn to God, God has mercy on us.
• When turning to God and away from sin we are told that NONE of the sin will be remembered by God.  God forgives completely.
• The purpose of God's kindness is to lead us to repentance.  God wants a relationship with you!
• Each person who does not repent will see and feel the wrath of God.  God will repay each person for what they have done.
• Humble yourself, seek after God, turn from sin and pray.  God will forgive and heal! 

Next week we will explore the topic of Salvation.

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration!


Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Preparing for Easter: Jesus' Life

For the next few weeks until Easter we are dedicating each week to a topic that will help prepare us emotionally and spiritually for Easter. This past week on Twitter we explored Jesus' Life. In case you missed the tweets here they are:

Jesus’ Life: How did his birth come to be? Matthew 1:18 (NIV)

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ Life: What did Jesus say to Satan? Matthew 16:23 (NIV)

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Jesus’ Life: What did Jesus say about the impossible? Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Jesus’ Life: What did the demons beg Jesus for? Mark 5:1-13 (NIV)

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”  For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Jesus’ Life: How did Jesus spend his time on earth? Matthew 9:35 (NIV)

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Jesus’ Life: Who did Jesus come for? Mark 2:17 (NIV)

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Application

When reflecting on these reminders of who Jesus was here on this earth we are taught the following:
*Jesus was all man and all God.  The only birth of this kind. 
*Jesus told Satan to get away.  Jesus knew nothing good comes from Satan.
*Jesus reminded us what it is like looking at situations with God - Nothing is Impossible!
*Jesus was begged by demons.  We know who is in complete control!
*Jesus dedicated his life to teaching, pointing people to God and repentance and healing people.
*Jesus came for sinners, he came for all of us.


Next week will explore Jesus' Death.

You can follow these topics throughout the week through Twitter @kelly_saylor also!

We hope that throughout this Easter season you gain a better understanding of the meaning and are truly able to be a part of this wonderful celebration!


Editor's Note: The Community Care ministry provides emotional and spiritual support. There is a pastor or community care leader available to speak with you today. If you have questions regarding the Community Care ministries please contact communitycare@mecklenburg.org or 704.598.9800 x 121. You may also learn more at the Community Care website and our upcoming events page.

Thanksgiving Woes?

The basic principle of Thanksgiving is to have quality time with family and friends while taking time to give thanks for all of your many blessings. This is the basic principle of this holiday IDEALLY.

In REALITY it can be a time where we are confronted with family and friends from the past and old wounds, hurts, or grudges may come more to the surface. If this describes your Thanksgiving holiday closer consider the following:

How to act and feel:

• Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

                                                           Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)  
 
What responding in love looks like:

• It (*love) does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

                                                          1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Who to give the Hurt to:

• He (*God) heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

                                                          Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

When you forgive, you OUTWIT our Enemy:

• Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

                                                          2 Corinthians 2:10 - 11 (NIV)

 Forgiveness has a direct impact with your relationship with God:

• For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  

                                                         Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

 

We have a WONDERFUL example of Reconciliation to help us:

• All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

                                                         2 Corinthians 5: 18 - 19 (NIV) 

Go ahead and trust God with this hurt!  

Make this Thanksgiving one that pleases God!

Note

Items with * is where a word was added for clarification and is not in the original text

Resources

Having issues with forgiveness?  We would love to talk to you today!  Contact us at 704.598.980 x 121 or at communitycare@mecklenburg.org

Grief During the Holidays

With the fall leaves in the air and the already prominent Christmas decorations displayed in all the major department stores, one knows Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here very soon.  Thoughts of the holidays may bring excitement for the family and friends you will see, anxiety for the decorations and gifts that need to be taken care of, or it may bring incredible sadness.  Holidays have this way of also reminding us what we have lost.  Whether it is another fleeting year of unmet expectations or the reminder of that special person that is no longer living the pain sometimes can take our breath away.

I want to encourage you that you can receive help with this sadness.  Mecklenburg Community Church will be holding a seminar on November 9th at 7:00 pm concerning Grief experienced during the holidays.  Come and learn more about the following:

• Learn how to prepare for surprising emotions that may come to you during the holidays
• Learn how to handle traditions and other changes that may occur
• Learn how to respond and handle holiday parties and invitations
• Learn how to survive awkward moments with other people
• Learn where to find hope, comfort and strength during these difficult times

Also, whatever types of grief or sadness the Holiday season may bring remember this:

• God's Comfort -  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. - 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 (NIV) 
• Does not matter the Need, the Time, or the Situation - God's grace is sufficient - And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.- 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
• The Lord Understands and Knows You - You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  - Psalm 139: 1 -3 (NIV)
• The Same God that Calms and Brings Peace to the Storm can Bring Peace to You - He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.- Mark 4:39 (NIV)

Resources

GriefShare for the Holidays - Surviving the Holidays Seminar at Mecklenburg Community Church on Nov. 9th

Surviving the Holidays GriefShare - National Website

Our Enemy

Let me let you in on some statements that I have
heard recently:

• Love is Love no matter the form

• He came right when I needed him; it was a blessing from God

These statements were by different people and about completely different topics. What was so interesting though is with each of these statements there was a commonality. With each one our Enemy was pretending to be God. These individuals were saying these situations were of God and the truth is they were not.

How do I know it was not of God you may ask?

Because it went directly against God’s word. When I was reflecting on these situations a few thoughts came to me about sin, our enemy and about God:

• Our Enemy will come in whatever package possible to cause temptation and to destroy (1 Peter 5:8)

• This includes packages that look on the outside to be “good”; a “blessing”; even “godly” (i.e. wolves in sheep’s clothing – Matthew 7: 15 - 20)

• We will know something that is Godly by their fruit (do they point to Christ in their behavior, actions, etc.) (Matthew 7: 17 – 19)

• We also need to know scripture so we will not be destroyed and fall into one of our Enemy’s traps (Hosea 4:6)

• Evil is REAL; this is not a fantasy; a war is REALLY going on (Ephesians 6:12)

• If you are in relationship with Christ as your Lord and Leader you have nothing to FEAR! (Romans 8)

If you are a person that wants to learn more about Christ or has questions about Christ please contact us today! Also, if you would like to learn more about these topics and about scripture let us be of help to you!


Resources

Mecklenburg Community Church

Community Care

Meck Institute

Servanthood

Serving Christ through serving others. Do not ask me how many years that phrase has been my life motto. I have no idea. When I was young I thought about the following question a lot:

What is the greatest thing a person could ever be? After a lot of thought and prayer a very interesting answer came.

A servant. I base this on Matthew 20:28 where it states that Christ came to serve and not to be served. Therefore, as a Christ follower, that would mean I am here to serve also. Understanding this spiritually has not been hard for me. Putting this into practical application every day of my life is where the issues have come. I can also say I am not alone with this.

When working with couples, I especially hear phrases such as:

*He/she never does this.
*I do everything.
*What will I get out of this?
*I do not feel cared for or loved.


I bring up those statements not to say as a Christian we become a "doormat". There are Biblical instructions on handling conflict (i.e. Matthew 18: 15-17). Instead, I bring those comments up since many times it is more of a case of the need for a perspective change than anything else. With our sinful tendencies, we drift toward laziness, and a perspective of what "should" be done for "me". Instead, the message of Christ is more like the following in a relationship:

*What can I do for you today?
*How can I love you better?
*I pray that you experience God's best today.

When our focus is on loving and servanthood we are being a picture of Christ. This above all, is what we are called to be a picture of in all of our relationships. This above all, is the most important thing we could ever be!


just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NIV


Resource

Gary Chapman. Learning to Serve.

Mentors: Career (Part 4 of 4)

As we finish this week with our mentor series, we have explored Spiritual, Marriage and Financial mentors.  This week we will explore Career Mentors.  Career mentors help guide individuals through job loss and job transitions.  These are individuals with expertise in their given career, with passion for people who are going through the career loss/transition journey, and who want to encourage and give practical job hunting advice.  Our career mentors also hold career seminars to help give additional practical advice and are available to look over and help with resume writing.   

If you are interested in becoming a career mentor answer the following questions and email them to communitycare@mecklenburg.org :

1. What areas within career mentoring do you believe you are most interested (i.e. coaching, teaching, skill building, etc.)?
2. Why do you want to be a career mentor?
3. Please tell me more about your skills set pertaining to career and about your own career journey.
4. Please tell me anything else you believe would be helpful to know to be able to pair you with others.

If you are interested in receiving a career mentor please email us today and let us know your name, contact information and the reason behind your request for a mentor.  Also, please let us know what field of work you are in and the field you are hoping to transition into during the near future.  Please email communitycare@mecklenburg.org.

We look forward to speaking to you soon!


Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.               Titus 3:14 (NIV)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  
                                                                                     1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)