Margins

One of the challenges many of us have to deal with is creating margins in our life.  The 'routine' of our life is to fill every waking moment in motion.  So as day 3 of our 90 day challenge begins - there is an internal tug from my 'very full life' when I attempt to 'cram' another thing in.

The solution for me...Intentional Exchanges.  I trade doing one thing in order that I might do something else. In this case I will daily need to make a 45 minutes trade.

Will power is not enough.  We need a plan (preferrably not 'I will do that later...') and we need a person who can lovingly encourage us.  Remember, the reading the story of God is a RELATIONAL, not just INFORMATIONAL matter.  (Day 3 - Genesis 28-40)

The 90 Day Challenge - through the BIBLE starts January 9th.

For anyone interested in listening while they read the Old and New Testament this year....keep these handy.

For Dramatic Readings in NIV...check out
www.biblegateway.com you will need to enter the passage you'd like to listen to and select NIV.  When the passge appears...look for the button that looks like  a SPEAKER...click and enjoy.

For 'just the facts' reading  -NIV
 go to http://jcsm.org/1on1/OTBibleonMP3.htm for Old Testament and http://jcsm.org/1on1/NTBibleonMP3.htm for New Testament.

If you're reading from the New Living Translation - the Dramatic Reading in NLT...check out http://www.mp3bible.org/mp3bibleplayer/

For 'just the facts' reading - NLT go to http://bible.cbn.com/ContentView.aspx?book=2&sc=10

Biblegateway also provides FREE APPS for listening on your Android or Droid Devices.

TRUE TREASURES (The Majesty of God Revealed)

I have been overwhelmed with gratitude!  I can see how God has placed 'treasures all around my life.'  These gracious gifts aren't material possessions, they're PEOPLE!  This was what I sensed God stirring up within my soul as I began this weeks 31 Day Readings.  We have some remarkable individuals at SACC!  Thank you Bryan, Vern and Mim...(the week has just begun so well)!  

Through these first few days of reading God has clearly impressed a simple message in my heart:  "TREASURE the PEOPLE that JESUS brings into your life!"  If I am going to do this it will take more than  wiill power...count on it and check out Colossians 1:3,9-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Thess. 1:12.

Pastor John

31 Days of Prayer

From the evening prior to Thanksgiving to the evening prior to Christmas Day our church will be sharing in a devotional project reflecting on the testimonies of God's Majesty Revealed within the lives of those who worship together at South Albany Community Church. You will be invited to post fresh testimonies of how God is revealing Himself in your life as we SEEK THE LORD in prayer let's also be careful to SEE THE LORD as well.

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone.  Black Friday is drawing to a close (I can't believe how many of you went shopping at midnight).  Christmas lists are being shared...so let's also share our stories of God's Majesty Revealed.

On that sacred night in Bethlehem when God's indescribable gift arrived (2 Corinthians 9:15) the majority of people missed it.  We want to rejoice with those who did not miss seeing what God had done.

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed to this project!

(To request an daily email for the 31 Days of Prayer contact debbie@sacchurch.org)

Under Authority

A great story that captured my attention last week deals with Naaman in 2 Kings 5.  He was a successful military commander that had to deal with the horrible disease of leperosy.  What made his story so compelling for me was the means by which God gave him a second chance at life.  It required that he come under the authority of a prophet named Elisha.  He was told to dip in the Jordan River seven times in order to experience healing.  At first he was furious with Elisha's demand.  But his servants convinced him to give it a try.  I wonder - what it must have been like to come up from the water the sixth time and the moment he came up from the water the seventh time.  That seventh time - his skin was cleansed completely.  What a great reward for sticking with something that demanded persistence and humility. 

I would hope that we could recongize how transforming humility and persistence is. 

God's Surprises

I am leading a Men's Group that meets Wednesday Nights. If you were sitting in on our discussion tonight you might be wondering if God's surprises are as much for Him to unfold as it was for me to recieve.

The PRE-Story:  Eight days ago I recieved a call from a soldier on leave by the name of Tyler.  During his last tour he tells of a 'come to Jesus moment' that transformed his life and while on leave asked if he could be baptized.  The only time he could be baptized would be this Sunday.  We arranged - thanks to our Trustee Duane - to celebrate this weekend. 

The WOW Moment:  So  at our Men's Group - one of the great young men shared that he had a 'come to Jesus moment'.  He decided to take a shower and get things right the Lord.  But the moment he stepped into the shower he heard God tell him two words...BE BAPTIZED.  There was no way for this young man to know that I had set up a Baptism Service so when he told our group this story I was shocked.  I shared with him that I had set up a baptism - the look on his face, PRICELESS. 

I left out a lot of details...but it serves to remind me how much fun it is to follow Jesus!
 

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