Wow, what an incredible day!
Mars Hill is about to compete against 3 other choirs in Verizon Wireless’ “How Sweet The Sound” Gospel Choir competition. If we win, we will represent Chicago in Atlanta, GA.
We’re already claiming victory in Jesus’ name!
Mars Hill, I’m proud of you!
LEADERSHIP CAN BE EXHAUSTING!
WHEN WE EXPERIENCE UNMET EXPECTATIONS, WE TEND TO BLAME OTHERS.
It's the fault of the congregation. They stopped giving. They stopped inviting their friends. They think they're mature and deep, but they aren't contributing to the cause.They are whining but not helping.
MY RESPONSE: In our frustration, we tend to blame the people. Sometimes we might even design messages with a prophetic tone to get them to be better, stronger and more committed. Rather than lead them through the difficulty, we preach them through it.
Three down…two to go…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW9jk6lEqbE&hl=en&fs=1]
Beginning August 3, 2008, we’ll offer a 3-part series to lay out the changes coming to Mars Hill this fall: It’s called “Trading Candy for Pearls.”
The countdown begins…
I would like for you all to say hello to my guest blogger Chandra Ivy-Oliver. Along with others, she took the challenge to offer practical steps to help others struggling with revenge.
Dr. David Hawkins, author of ‘Dealing With the Crazy Makers in Your Life’ says “People come in all shapes and sizes. I have no problem with that. However, when these people are in my life, and they are bona fide, dyed in the wool, Certifiable Crazy Makers, I’m no longer as friendly or hospitable. Click here to read the how he deals with these people.
Chandra’s Response to What if its family that keeps hurting you?
I believe in giving chances, not just a second chance, but chances. God had given us chance after chance when we hurt or do wrong, because I know he has done it for me. But I would start off by telling the person that is doing the hurt, how they act or react is hurting your relationship. The person doing the hurt will always blame it on you, not because it’s really your fault, but because you are the reasonable and considerate person trying to make thing right or easier.
Ex: It’s just like having a toddler with a tantrum, you keep giving in and he or she will keep acting out. Family can be the same way, there is that one person who keeps hurting you, but they only do it in public where they can front on you, then when your home or on the phone, they apologize and want forgiveness. And you accept the apology, because you want to be like Christ and forgive. If it keeps happening you need to talk to God, remain prayerful, calm, firm and clear. Reading your Bible while dealing with this hurt. Colossians 3: 8-25 helps you clearly understand.
Thanks Chandra, you hit the nail on the head!
I would like for you all to say hello to my guest blogger Falana Coleman-Zamora. Along with others, she took the challenge to offer practical steps to help others struggling with revenge.
The Questions:
What if its family that keeps hurting you?
What should you do when your friends continue to “pull the scab” off a hurt that you have forgiven?
Falana’s Response:
“I believe in healthy confrontation. I thinks it’s perfectly appropriate to communicate to friends and loved ones that their behaviors are negatively impacting us. I have found that more times than not they have no idea that their behavior or repeated remarks about the past hurt others. (It’s amazing how self involved humans have managed to become.) If we openly communicate with one another I believe that true healing can begin for all parties involved.”
Nicely done Falana!
Pastor Stowers
I would like for you all to say hello to my guest blogger Veronica Lewis.
Last Sunday she (and many others) took the challenge and decided join the team to help me
respond to over 25 text messages from the congregation. She hit the nail on the head and I could not have said it better myself. I’m so proud to have members who step up and knock the ball out of the park. She is the first of many who will be featured on this blog.
Check outs Veronica’s response:
Regarding Revenge:
1. What if its family that keeps hurting you?
The Bible says that through love and kindness have i drawn thee. We must show love especially to our love ones. No matter how much they hurt us revenge is never the answer. Jesus told his disciple after they ask him a question about forgiveness that they should forgive their brother 70 times 7 meaning as many times as it take in one day. I remember a friend telling me about his brother treating him so bad he felt like hurting him but because he was a Christian he would always tell himself God would take care of this situation. So he just kept praying for his brother that God would touch his heart and God did just that his and his brother got saved.
2. How do you get rid of the evil that has taken over you?
Prayer is the key to this situation you have to believe that God can and will deliver you from your present evil. A Christian brother of mine had an anger problem so bad that he always got upset over small things. He told me that in his mind he wanted to get revenge on the people that upset him, but, in his spirit he knew it wasn’t right. So he pray every time he felt the presence of evil in him and eventually God delivered him.
3. What should you do when your friends continue to “pull the scab” off a hurt that you have forgiven?
Let your friends know that you have forgiven them and that God has forgiven you and that’s all that matters. A friend and his wife were on the verge of a divorce and her friends told her “child you should take him for every dime he has because of the hurt that he had cause her and their family.” My friend’s wife forgave him and they got back together, but, all her friends kept telling her she was crazy for taking him back and every chance they got they reminded her. She told them that she had forgiving her husband and that’s all that matters!
Again, way to go Veronica – I’m proud of you!!!
Unlock the power of gratitude and transform your life with our FREE gratitude journal!
This journal is designed to help you develop a daily gratitude practice scientifically proven to improve mental and physical health, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase happiness and overall well-being.
With our gratitude journal, you'll have a dedicated space to reflect on the things you're grateful for in your life. By taking just a few minutes each day to focus on the positive, you'll cultivate a more positive outlook, attract more abundance and joy into your life, and enjoy a greater sense of inner peace and contentment.
I hope you find this helpful. Let me know if you have any specific requirements or changes you'd like to make.