How Are You Celebrating?

Do you get a sense that you are never prepared for a holiday no matter how prepared you’ve tried to be? The race of our social norm is that we get busy and miss the important. I know because I’m the king of that rat-race. If I don’t schedule a date for my wife and me, we stay home. If we don’t schedule to go grocery shopping, we run out of deodorant. And if we don’t plan out how to be intentional with the holidays, we simply do the things that are required to follow social norms. We have to be intentional and plan.

This Easter I hope that you will do more than hide eggs, eat giant meals, and catch up with your family who will be arrayed in all their pastel apparel. Be intentional in personal celebration and what you teach your children in how you plan family celebrations.

For the Family: Here is a link to a great activity that may become a favorite tradition in your family. It requires a little planning and patience, but I think it will provide great opportunities for you to talk with your kids about what Easter is really about. It will also give your kids something sweet to look forward to on Easter morning. And since you’re going to make the recipe anyway, why not invite some neighbors over? Sure your kitchen may be a disaster after it’s all said and done, but your kids (and maybe your neighbors) will have gotten to hear about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus in a memorable, hands-on way.

EGG DROPOLOGY

EGG DROPOLOGY

the city, the church, and the ability to see

The decision was made to move forward with dropping 15,000 plastic Easter eggs, by helicopter, in a prominent location in our city as our first Bridge Project of 2011 and we’re not backing off in the slightest. The church has responded beautifully and there is an excitement that is circulating throughout much of the city of Petal. Although this is an exciting time for us, “Turning Pointe Church”, there is a steady question that digs into the theology behind the egg drop that I’d love to answer for ALL who inquire! BTW, we SHOULD be able to answer “Why do we do what we do?” every time we DO something. So, I’ve titled this thesis:

EGG DROPOLOGY the city, the church, and the ability to see. This is my attempt to answer the question “Why would you spend the churches resources on an event, which is also a pagan tradition, that lasts no more than a couple of hours?” A valid question, honest question, and revealing question that warrants a response.

The hope of Christ (which is the absolute surrender to Christ as God in the flesh, the risen Savior, and the triumphant Lord over sin) is why the church exists. We are called to carry that hope into the world of "pagans" with great expectations that the God who created them will use the righteous to reach them. Our attempts of Turning People to Christ are strategic, fun, relational, creative, risk taking, but overall, DEPENDANT. We want the City of Petal to see the church as God has intended for her to be seen: full of life, love, compassion, and determination. We will always fight to put ourselves in position to see God move on our behalf, because it’s not in our (the church) DNA to be inactive, passive, or predictable. Our prayer is for God to transform this city through the gospel of Jesus Christ and, therefore, we are doing all that we can to connect the church with the city so the blind will come in contact with the ONLY message that will open their eyes. Every penny we have as a church, every person who makes up the church, and every ounce of faith we live by as the church is worth pouring out to the pagan world with the hope of turning them to Christ. Our methodology may not be your cup of tea, but I’m tired of that boring tea and I’m ready for the people of God to be the dynamic, Spirit filled, unified, followers of Christ who believe that God has them here for a dynamic purpose which exceeds this temporary world and pierces the depths of eternity.

So let's have fun connecting with people we love and watch the God that we boast in move in mighty ways!

Ownership

Acts 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” The two words in bold print create an energy in believers that’s created by taking a risk. When Christ comes in and secures your final destiny, satisfies your search for what’s missing, changes your heart, calls you a joint heir with Him of the Grace of God, gives you a craving for more of Him, then we get all out of whack wondering what huge undertaking has to be done just to know Him more. Well relax! All of us need to take a defined risk that is the most significant step in your faith journey. Devote yourself. Without this step of action there is really, in my opinion, no step of faith. Instead of going theological in deep realms here let’s talk about how a simple risk of devotion plays out in your life practically.

1. Get up and get to church. You can always be sure that we’ll be teaching God’s Word on Sundays and that’s one simple way to devote yourself.

2. Take notes on the teaching! God is not going to give His pearls to those who do not value them. Listen intently and take notes that you can spend the next 6 days ripping through them.

3. Apply what you learn. I know you all have no problem with making significant changes that make significant differences in the outcome of your life, but if you do, this is good practice and a massive way of devoting yourself.

4. Get in a small group. Why? Acts 2:42 “…and the fellowship…” You can’t make it own your on, you can’t grow on your own, and you weren’t created to be on your own! It’s a risk, so take it!

5. Serve in some capacity! Another risk, but this step is about being who Christ has redeemed you to be.

Without risk taking there is no faith testing! If your faith is always in limbo, so will your spiritual journey be. If you begin to take risk, even seemingly small ones, you’re making it clear that you Trust in the God who rescued your soul and gave you life and now you want Him to act on your behalf, for His Great Glory! Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.”

The best results for “Turning People to Christ” happen only when you are devoted to turning to Him regardless the risk.