Hello my friends, Jimmy Greene writing to let you know some of the things that have been on my heart and mind these past few weeks. I recently returned from a much needed vacation with the family and sabbaticaling (if thats a word) father. The combination of the waves, sun and sporadic 10-12 mile runs on winding canal roads culminated in quite a relaxing atmosphere. My heart is filled with joy to be back in Frederick and to continue my work here with the adult and youth praise teams.
Some exciting things are coming your way to a Grace Community Church (of Frederick) near you...Saturday the 14th will feature another Toast and Jam opportunity for musicians in the church. See the bulletin for more info. In addition, August 14th will also feature a worship night from 7-9. The praise team will be worshipping in the FLC, come and join us! This will not be a structured "by the book" service. Our only agenda will be to praise and worship the living God. Amen!
To my shame, I recently watched Iron Man 2. I cant honestly say the film was worthy of the $3.25 ticket price at the Holiday Cinema theatre (one of the best kept secrets of Fredrick). As I frantically searched to take something away from this action packed, melodramatic film, my efforts were continually thwarted by Robert Downey Jr.'s over-inflated ego.
Then, redemption...One line in the movie caught my unwavering attention (and ensuing scrutiny). The Russian antagonist exclaimed after a "thwarted" attempt at taking Iron Man's life that, "If we can make God bleed, people will stop believing in him." This struck me as odd because our God DID bleed and that is why we believe in Him. One of the many mysteries of the gospel involves what has been often called the God-Man. How could God, a fully perfect, omnipotent, omnipresent being inhabit and dwell inside man who is temporal and finite. Although some questions require faith, as the answers may not be readily accessible, I am reminded of God's tremendous love, compassion and humility to undertake such a feat. Why didn't God summoned a great host of angels to protect Him while the Romans proceeded to torture and crucify submit to death?
This question of a fully competent/powerful and equally submissive, compassionate, loving God has eluded philosophers like Nietzsche and Marx who argued that passivity in this regard would be a sign of weakness. In the world of Nietzsche and Marx, the "real" men are completely self-referential and only concerned with their personal gain. On their account, the mere thought of a God who would humble Himself to the cross, to die for sinners and enemies is not only baffling, it is lunacy.
However, Jesus' actions were not for the benefit of the Son. What these thinkers fail to see is that Christ was operating out of His tremendous love and compassion for us. The chasm that man had created between himself and God was only rectified by the sacrifice of a truly perfect Lamb...Jesus. My friends, although God was completely powerful on the cross, He was perfectly submissive to the will of the Father. He did this for us.
Stay strong in the faith my friends.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Who Are You Investing Your Life In?
By Adam Forsberg
Luke 12:48b: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Usually when we read this verse our mind jumps right to money and the financial aspect of our Christian life. While this verse does pertain to our finances, I also believe that it applies to our knowledge of God, and the growth in our relationship with Him. The more that we know about God, the more that we need to be passing on to others. This is a biblical concept know as discipleship.
A discipleship relationship is when a Christian who has been growing in their relationship with Christ comes alongside of a younger believer to help them grow in their faith. The main goals of discipleship are for the younger believer to develop Christ-like character, and for Spiritual maturity in Christ to be taking place. This is more than just sitting down and having a Bible study, it’s being a part of their life. There are two ways that the discipler impacts the person he’s discipling- transmission of information, and transmission of example. Paul is a great example of this. In 2 Timothy 2:1-16 we see him doing this with Timothy. Paul talks about the experiences that they shared together in ministry (vs. 2 “and the things you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses…”), and then goes on to give Timothy information about God and how to apply it. Paul teaches Timothy by example and by passing on information. It is also crucial to remember that God’s promise, working, Spirit, grace, and Word are ultimately what is changing people’s lives.
My challenge to the church is to find somebody to invest your life in. This past year I had the privilege to disciple two guys in the youth group, and it has been an amazing experience. It’s been awesome to see them grow in their faith throughout this past year. I get so excited when I think about how much spiritual grow can take place in our church if discipleship became a part of everybody’s life. I’m in still in college and am very new at discipleship, and I still saw God work in big ways, so I get so pumped to think about people who are way more spiritually mature than me discipling others.
It can be hard to start discipling another person, but it is definitely a worthwhile experience that helps you grow in your faith as well. In the fall the Grace Community Church will be having a discipleship class that teaches people how to be involved in a discipleship relationship. Please consider taking this class, and then start pouring your life into others, helping them grow closer to Christ.
Luke 12:48b: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Usually when we read this verse our mind jumps right to money and the financial aspect of our Christian life. While this verse does pertain to our finances, I also believe that it applies to our knowledge of God, and the growth in our relationship with Him. The more that we know about God, the more that we need to be passing on to others. This is a biblical concept know as discipleship.
A discipleship relationship is when a Christian who has been growing in their relationship with Christ comes alongside of a younger believer to help them grow in their faith. The main goals of discipleship are for the younger believer to develop Christ-like character, and for Spiritual maturity in Christ to be taking place. This is more than just sitting down and having a Bible study, it’s being a part of their life. There are two ways that the discipler impacts the person he’s discipling- transmission of information, and transmission of example. Paul is a great example of this. In 2 Timothy 2:1-16 we see him doing this with Timothy. Paul talks about the experiences that they shared together in ministry (vs. 2 “and the things you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses…”), and then goes on to give Timothy information about God and how to apply it. Paul teaches Timothy by example and by passing on information. It is also crucial to remember that God’s promise, working, Spirit, grace, and Word are ultimately what is changing people’s lives.
My challenge to the church is to find somebody to invest your life in. This past year I had the privilege to disciple two guys in the youth group, and it has been an amazing experience. It’s been awesome to see them grow in their faith throughout this past year. I get so excited when I think about how much spiritual grow can take place in our church if discipleship became a part of everybody’s life. I’m in still in college and am very new at discipleship, and I still saw God work in big ways, so I get so pumped to think about people who are way more spiritually mature than me discipling others.
It can be hard to start discipling another person, but it is definitely a worthwhile experience that helps you grow in your faith as well. In the fall the Grace Community Church will be having a discipleship class that teaches people how to be involved in a discipleship relationship. Please consider taking this class, and then start pouring your life into others, helping them grow closer to Christ.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
My Journey Continues
By Susan Greeves
So now, I've been wondering and praying about what this submissive life really looks like in a practical way. Does it mean that I have to wait to be told what to do-and there's only certain things I'm allowed to do? Or does it mean that I let Him live through me and He (through me) will respond to the circumstances that He engineers for me from my free will choices. I think this later one! When I make choices I should consider these questions: is it loving to God? Am I showing that I love him with all my heart, strength, and mind? And next, is it loving to others? And if it isn't what He wants me to do, it won't happen, or if He does allow it, no matter the outcome , the outcome is to serve his PURPOSE of His will. (Eph 1:11 according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will). And for those times that we are selfish and/or make mistakes Romans 8:28 is a wonderful verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. So my thinking is that 'a life submissive' simply summed up is; we are to love Him, and out of our love we will make choices that are honoring to Him (some or hopefully most of the time), and will bless those around us, no matter what our circumstances are.
I came across this excerpt (yes, it's from O. Chambers from My Utmost for His Highest-it seems the Holy Spirit really uses this book to touch me!): "Ministering as opportunity surrounds us does not mean selecting our surroundings, it means being very selectly God's in ANY haphazard surroundings He engineers for us. We do not need to care what our circumstances are, Jesus is amply sufficient."
And another from O. Chambers..."The sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on Jesus Christ's errands, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus, says, in effect, Do not be bothered with whether you are being justly dealt with or not. To look for justice is a sign of deflection from devotion to Him. Never look for justice in the world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will begin to grouse and to indulge in the discontent of self pity- Why should I be treated like this? If we are devoted to Jesus Christ we have nothing to do with what we meet, whether it is just or unjust. Jesus says- Go steadily on with what I have told you to do and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance. The most devout among us become atheistic in this connection; we do not believe God, we enthrone common sense and tack the name of God on to it. We do lean to our own understanding, in stead of trusting God with all our hearts."
If Jesus is allowing us to do whatever it is that we've chosen at that moment, the outcome is all for His glory, we need to just submit to Him and once we've made the choice, the circumstances are an opportunity to show Jesus in our every day life. No matter how you look at it, no matter how our choices turn out (and again, the above mentioned questions should be considered every time we make a decision) it's all for the glory of our Great God!
...and all God's children singing glory glory, He reigns, He reigns....
So now, I've been wondering and praying about what this submissive life really looks like in a practical way. Does it mean that I have to wait to be told what to do-and there's only certain things I'm allowed to do? Or does it mean that I let Him live through me and He (through me) will respond to the circumstances that He engineers for me from my free will choices. I think this later one! When I make choices I should consider these questions: is it loving to God? Am I showing that I love him with all my heart, strength, and mind? And next, is it loving to others? And if it isn't what He wants me to do, it won't happen, or if He does allow it, no matter the outcome , the outcome is to serve his PURPOSE of His will. (Eph 1:11 according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will). And for those times that we are selfish and/or make mistakes Romans 8:28 is a wonderful verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. So my thinking is that 'a life submissive' simply summed up is; we are to love Him, and out of our love we will make choices that are honoring to Him (some or hopefully most of the time), and will bless those around us, no matter what our circumstances are.
I came across this excerpt (yes, it's from O. Chambers from My Utmost for His Highest-it seems the Holy Spirit really uses this book to touch me!): "Ministering as opportunity surrounds us does not mean selecting our surroundings, it means being very selectly God's in ANY haphazard surroundings He engineers for us. We do not need to care what our circumstances are, Jesus is amply sufficient."
And another from O. Chambers..."The sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on Jesus Christ's errands, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus, says, in effect, Do not be bothered with whether you are being justly dealt with or not. To look for justice is a sign of deflection from devotion to Him. Never look for justice in the world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will begin to grouse and to indulge in the discontent of self pity- Why should I be treated like this? If we are devoted to Jesus Christ we have nothing to do with what we meet, whether it is just or unjust. Jesus says- Go steadily on with what I have told you to do and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance. The most devout among us become atheistic in this connection; we do not believe God, we enthrone common sense and tack the name of God on to it. We do lean to our own understanding, in stead of trusting God with all our hearts."
If Jesus is allowing us to do whatever it is that we've chosen at that moment, the outcome is all for His glory, we need to just submit to Him and once we've made the choice, the circumstances are an opportunity to show Jesus in our every day life. No matter how you look at it, no matter how our choices turn out (and again, the above mentioned questions should be considered every time we make a decision) it's all for the glory of our Great God!
...and all God's children singing glory glory, He reigns, He reigns....
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Momentum 2010
By Pam Work
We have a saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. I think these pictures will generate more than a thousand words! Our Lighthouse Youth Group had a powerful week together with other youth groups from across the country as we gathered to worship God, pray for each other and listened to great speakers who spoke from the Bible to teach us valuable lessons from God. This event took place at Cedarville University in Ohio and there was as estimated 1,600 teens and adults gathered there. 
The focus was “pursuit”…to pursue after God…to be a God chaser. Everyone was given the opportunity to look at themselves as either someone who wanted to be a servant for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or someone who wanted to remain in their present state of heart. Teens and adults had opportunities to learn about ways to serve and then to actually serve the community around the university campus.Our group chose to volunteer our time to work with an organization called Feed My Starving Children. We packed food to send to the orphaned children in Haiti. We packed enough nutrition to feed approximately 300 plus children one meal a day for an entire year!
As in the past years, we all came back to Frederick exhausted, re-focused, and energized to serve. God was present; the Holy Spirit was present and I believe not one person left Momentum 2010 unchanged.
Thank you to the GCC family for your continued support and love that you shower on the teens of our Lighthouse Youth Ministry.
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