Overcoming the Challenges

Happy Monday!

Since we had to cancel services @ Destiny Family Center, and I really could not go another day without gathering with other believers to worship God… I decided to visit my dear friend Pastor Don McClure and the good folks of Ridgeview Church!

Everyone was delightfully pleasant, the worship music was beautiful, Pastor Don’s announcements made everyone laugh pretty hard… his sermon was powerful!

Here’s an outline of Pastor Don’s message: “What Kind of Church We Want To Be in 2010?”

• A United Church!
  • Mark 3:25 “A home divided against itself is doomed.”
  • United around the purpose God has given the church… 2010 is not to be a year of bickering over personal preferences. A year of doing great things as a unified TEAM… driving towards a common goal.
  • Funny story: A church took a vote: the clerk read the results to the membership: 40 yes, 7 no, and 1 over my dead body! lol
    • Need far less of this “over my dead body” attitude in 2010.
• A Friendly Church!
  • Churches have personalities: based on the PEOPLE in the church… not the Pastor or the building or the landscape.
  • Some churches are proud, self righteous, stuffy, and judgmental… others are humble, loving, happy, and merciful.
  • 2010 needs to be a year of authentic friendliness… from the HEART of a unified church!
• A Loving Church!
  • A church that loves GOD: worships God, seeks God, serves God… so that everyone can plainly see that God is at the center of everything!
  • A church that loves each other so much that it prays for each other and looks after each other.
    • Told the story about when he moved to the house behind his first house in this region. Said he didn’t know where he would be without the church. Said, in one day, without trucks, the church moved all of his personal belongings to the new house… and unloaded EVERY BOX… IN A SINGLE DAY!
  • And finally, a church that loves the unchurched… a church that loves missions… a church that reaches out in the LOVE of God… for the entire year!

Great message… I was moved with your vision Pastor McClure! Thanks for being so warm, and for honoring me from your platform. It was very nice meeting your family and fellowshiping with your beautiful congregation! From my experience, you guys have already achieved your 2010 goal… and the year is still so young: A unified church, a friendly church, and a loving church… you are all three!

The rest of the day

Watched 4 Law & Orders in a row with my wife and her mom! (felt very lazy, but quite relaxed!)

Since we had to cancel our Super Bowl party, we went to the first place we were invited… and watched the game with our dear friends, Kevin & Debbie Huffer… and their fun and loving family! Was very sad about the New Orleans win. But hey, the world kept spinning and Drew Breeze gave honor to God!

From 10:30pm to 1:30am

Emily and I laid up talking about the current condition of our lives… and all the obstacles we’re trying to overcome in order to remain faithful to Gods calling for our family and ministry. I became teary eyed several times, thinking about the pain of recent battles and the enormity of our current and future challenges. We talked about family and finances and my inability to finish my book due to the unprecedented pressures before me…

Talked about our kids and how much we wanted to help them work on their own character glitches…  the conversation brought up so much pain in my heart. Two Prilosec’s, eight Tums and a few “Oh God” prayers later, I finally fell asleep.

That’s just the reality of life… sometimes, you have to face the pain and talk through the difficulties… and pray until a breakthrough comes or a new plan emerges. Thats my story… we all have one. Life is challenging at times, but we are overcomers!

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

I just finished praying for all my family and friends… hope you all feel the difference. Have a super day.

Dream Big, Live Bold, and Make the Difference!

Chuck

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