Where are You Going?

<h3><span style="color: #008080;">Where love is, there God is.</span></h3> <p>Where are you today?<br /> Where are you going?</p> <p>In my life I have been a few places that made me think, “God is nowhere near here?”</p> <p>But God <span style="color: #008080;"><strong>CAN</strong></span> be everywhere and anywhere.</p> <h3><span style="color: #008080;">Where love is, there God is.</span></h3> <p>In other words, if you commit to being loving, God commits to being present. <span style="color: #008080;"><strong>God is love</strong></span> (1 John 4:8), after all.</p> <p>So, where are you going today? Everywhere you step, take love with you.</p> <p>Take God to work. Love your coworkers.<br /> Take God to the hospitals. Love the sick.<br /> Take God home. Love your family.<br /> Take God on the highway. Drive lovingly.<br /> Take God to lunch. Love your friends.<br /> Take God to the streets. Love a stranger.<br /> Take God in. LOVE YOURSELF.</p> <h3><span style="color: #008080;">Where will take God today?!</span></h3>

Where are You Going?

Where love is, there God is. Where are you today? Where are you going? In my life I have been a few places that made me think, “God is no...

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How I Turn a Pain into a Party – Tough Teaming

<p>Are you a part of a team? In one way or another – unless you are living under a rock – <span style="color: #003366;"><strong>you are probably teaming.</strong></span></p> <p>Co-parenting is teaming.<br /> Marriage is teaming.<br /> Growing a business is teaming.<br /> Christianity is teaming.</p> <p>A good team is comprised of various styles, preferences and skills. The most challenging part of teaming is <span style="color: #003366;"><strong>deal with different personalities</strong></span>. Differences in opinions can cause a team to quickly crumble.</p> <h3><span style="color: #003366;">There is a secret glue which will hold the toughest tempers together – CELEBRATION.</span></h3> <p>Whether you’re leading the team or an invaluable contributor, <span style="color: #003366;"><strong>learn to celebrate your teammates</strong></span>.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #003366;">There is something to celebrate in everyone</span></strong> – even the most antagonistic or arrogant of individuals. If someone on your team appears to be a trouble-maker, maybe just have to find the winning formula to glorify their strengths. Throwing them their own personal party can create the atmosphere of comfort their need to truly thrive versus being a threat.</p> <p><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Celebrate different personalities:</strong></span><br /> Lionize the introvert.<br /> Laud the loud-mouth.<br /> Exalt the over-analyzer.<br /> Carouse the aggressor.<br /> Bless the leader.<br /> Revere the researcher.<br /> Commend the know-it-all.</p> <p><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>We all deserve to be celebrated – for our strengthens <span style="text-decoration: underline;">and our weaknesse</span>s.</strong></span></p> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #003366;">How do you solve your biggest problems when teaming?</span></h4>

How I Turn a Pain into a Party – Tough Teaming

Are you a part of a team? In one way or another – unless you are living under a rock – you are probably teaming. Co-parenting is teaming. ...

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I Had to Go Away

<p>Some of you may know but many of you don’t… <strong>I have been on sabbatical</strong> from my pastoral duties for the past couple of months.</p> <p>Many of you have reached in concern for me. I truly appreciate that. Your prayers and presence are felt.</p> <p>Well, I am glad to announce that I am slowly reentering the pasture (which will include more of these wonderful blog posts!)</p> <h3>What’s a Sabbatical, Anyway?</h3> <p>Just in case you aren’t familiar with the idea of take a sabbatical, let me help you understand…</p> <p><strong>It’s a leave of absence</strong><br /> <strong>Time off</strong><br /> <strong>A break</strong></p> <p>In adult world, it’s like taking <strong>an extended recess</strong> (minus the kick ball). Or think of it as summer vacation.</p> <p>It’s fun to use <a href="http://ift.tt/mGSzss" target="_blank">Uban Dictionary</a> for definitions from time to time. They’re so… let’s say, colorful. But their definition of “<a href="http://ift.tt/1SvGjZr" target="_blank">sabbatical</a>” is actually quite tame. They describe it as <strong>a prolonged hiatus in the career of an otherwise successful individual taken in order to fulfill some dream</strong>.</p> <p>I like this explanation because it shines light on the purpose of taking time off – to <strong>be filled full</strong>.</p> <h3>Why a Sabbatical is so Important?</h3> <p>A sabbatical can quickly turn in to a meaningless holiday without achieving some sense of accomplishment, receiving the answer to some deep, internal conundrum or discharging mounds of toxic thinking or external threats. After the time away, one should <strong>feel refreshed, enlightened and ready to continue running the race</strong>.</p> <p>When a pastor takes a sabbatical, we <strong>spend time in prayer and study</strong>. It’s a period of <strong>communion with God, family and one’s self</strong>.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sabbaticals are important</span> – especially in ministry leadership. It is wise to do so, even above a regular vacation. This is truly been one of best times.</p> <h3>Why Did I Go on Sabbatical?</h3> <p>When God told me to take a break; I can honestly say <strong>I wanted to rebel</strong>, fall on the ground and kick/scream like a three-year-old. But after I got over myself; <strong>I sought Spiritual advice</strong>, talked to my wife and announced the news to Manifestation Team Members. <strong>Everyone one was supportive</strong> – even if they didn’t fully understand. But the reality is that I didn’t fully understand myself. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">I was walking in faith.</span></p> <p>Now, one the other side of the experience, I have more <strong>revelation about MY sabbatical’s purpose</strong>. Allow me to share:</p> <h4>Being a shepherd is like riding a roller coaster.</h4> <p>Pastoring is physically, mentally and emotionally draining. There many great rewards, but no other occupation is more holistically demanding. We can go from long nights with a couple in crisis to early mornings immersed in meditation.</p> <p>My sabbatical is allowing me to get off the roller coaster to enjoy other attractions in the amusement park called life without distractions. While here, I can share a funnel cake with my wife and relish the laughter of my first grader.</p> <h4>Being a minister is like being an ER doctor.</h4> <p>When duty calls, we go. Although I am not slave to my cell phone (yet) I do try to quickly be responsive to the needs of others. As an entrepreneurial minister, my tasks are extensive. I am the pastor, secretary, visionary, janitor, bus driver, cook, counselor, mentor, worship leader, community activist, YouTube personality, brand ambassador, IT guy and Sunday school teacher. This is all necessary to get a healthy ministry up and running.</p> <p>My sabbatical is allowing me to leave the fast pace of the proverbial operating room to taking flowers to a loved one in hospice. This is an analogy of course… I simply mean I get to shift pace and focus.</p> <h4>Being ecclesiastic is like getting a doctorate degree.</h4> <p>Sometimes we spend so much time studying the Bible we don’t get to enjoy it or apply it. I am constantly reading for sermon prep and leadership development. Sometimes this takes a front seat to personal develop and reading my children a bedtime story.</p> <p>My sabbatical is allowing me to fall asleep while reading a good book for leisure and see the <a href="http://ift.tt/1DXrqYA" target="_blank">Minions Movie</a> with my kids. And reading has become like eating cold piece of fruit on a summer day rather than forcing down a salad while on a diet.</p> <h4>Being a pastor is like burning a candle at both ends.</h4> <p>Burnout is a real issue in church work. It is possibly why so many pastors get divorced, have chronic illnesses, commit suicide and are distant from their children. There is only so much a single person can take. So prevention is key.</p> <p>My sabbatical is allowing me to change a potential wild fire into an <a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/LFMRV0" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Independence Day (United States)">Independence Day</a> sparkler. Which would you prefer? I’m sure my toddler, Triniti, would a fireworks display over a consuming blaze.</p> <h3>Family First</h3> <p>You may have noticed that every benefit of <strong>my sabbatical also profited my family</strong>. Connecting with them makes it all worthwhile. My ministry involves my family 100%. Therefore, we all needed some time away to grow closer to each other and to God.</p> <p>During this time, the Lord has exceed my expectations. I started a new job, we are living in a new house, the kids are starting new schools and we are getting a new car. With so much transition all at once, I need time to concentrate on what matters most – family.</p> <p>The material benefits pale in comparison to the emotional and spiritual ones. My wife and I are closer than ever, my kids are happier and our time in prayer and with one another has increased exponentially.</p> <h3>What’s Next?</h3> <p>Sabbaticals should be purposeful. And I can honestly say this one was. God has given me greater clarity and strategy for managing every aspect of my life – marriage, parenting, business, ministry and person health.</p> <p><strong>Now it’s time to get back to work.</strong> The hiatus ends next month. But I won’t be jumping into the deep end of the pool quite yet. Initially I will wade a little, get used to temperature then take a few strokes. In no time we will be full speed ahead.</p> <p>Thank you to everyone for all of your support, prayers and gestures of care. This weekend Latrese and I are at the <a href="http://ift.tt/1KeTuyB" target="_blank">General Assembly</a> for the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/1McNx2V" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)">Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)</a> to learn more about the work of the Kingdom. Pray for us during our time away and be ready for action when we return.</p> <h3>Are you ready to continue the journey with me?</h3> <p>Love (still Pastor) Terrell L</p> <h3 class="zemanta-related-title" style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; clear: both;">Related articles across the web</h3> <ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; overflow: hidden;"> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 104px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0 5px 10px 0;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1KeTuyC" style="padding: 2px; display: block; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1SvGm7z" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 100px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><a href="http://ift.tt/1KeTuyC" style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;" target="_blank">Gathering as Church: The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).</a></li> </ul>

I Had to Go Away

Some of you may know but many of you don’t… I have been on sabbatical from my pastoral duties for the past couple of months. Many of you h...

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I’m Stressed Out! What Should I Do?

<div class="pdfprnt-top-right"><a href="http://ift.tt/1bImoI6" target="_blank"><img alt="image_pdf" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1AxaMgC" title="View PDF" /></a><a href="http://ift.tt/1bImr6H" target="_blank"><img alt="image_print" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1AxaLZW" title="Print Content" /></a></div> <p>Most psychologists would say that <span style="color: #666699;"><strong><a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/OB8ZDc" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Anxiety">anxiety</a> is a normal part of life</strong></span>. <em>Do you agree?</em></p> <p>I’m sure most of you don’t. Matter of fact, most people wouldn’t consider themselves a worrier and would deny the idea of being plagued with fear.</p> <h3><span style="color: #666699;">The reality is that the everyday pressures of life can be emotionally and mentally exhausting.</span></h3> <p>Do I have enough money?<br /> How can I make my relationship better?<br /> What if my health gets worst?<br /> Am I capable to succeed in school?</p> <p>These concerns may just be <strong><span style="color: #666699;">NORMAL</span></strong>. Maybe you don’t struggle in this area. But there are those who find life a little tougher than others.</p> <p>Do you know anyone with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/14xQTbp" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Obsessive–compulsive disorder">OCD</a>? For the record, obsessive-compulsive disorder may appear laughable when we enjoy a rerun of the TV show Monk. But the people who are truly consumed with a need for symmetry or surgical cleanliness know how deeply debilitating the situation can be.</p> <p>The point is: <span style="color: #666699;"><strong>Whether you are stressed out over a new job, needy children or the towels being folded wrong, we all worry about something.</strong></span></p> <p>The good news is that stress can be managed. You CAN live a life of minimal anxiety. Living the abundant life Jesus can to give us <a href="http://ift.tt/YF2RSs" target="_blank" title="A Path of PURPOSE Not Pleasure">does not have to mean a lifetime of burden and agony</a>.</p> <h3><span style="color: #666699;">What does the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/11nOmkn" rel="amazon" target="_blank" title="Holy Bible: 10th Anniversary Edition">Bible</a> say about stress, worry and anxiety?</span></h3> <blockquote> <p><strong><span style="color: #666699;">Philippians 4:6</span></strong> Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.</p> </blockquote> <p>1. The remedy for anxiety is <span style="color: #666699;"><strong>constant prayer</strong></span>. I’m referring to gathering the Saints together for a service or going a 40 week fast, but truly staying prayerful at all times and about all things.<br /> 2. When you get tired of praying for yourself, <span style="color: #666699;"><strong>go into thanksgiving</strong></span>. Start thanking God for at all times and for all things.<br /> 3. Then after that, increase your supplication – <span style="color: #666699;"><strong>beg and plead for relief</strong></span> from God.<br /> 4. Actually, God knows our wants or desires without us telling Him and He knows we need for better than we do; but He wants us to demonstrate that we <strong><span style="color: #666699;">value the mercy</span></strong> and <span style="color: #666699;"><strong>full dependence on Him</strong></span>.</p> <p>Here are other scriptures that may help you:</p> <blockquote> <p>Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.</p> <p>Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?</p> <p>Psalm 118:5-6 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?</p> <p>Proverbs 12:25 <a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/WgFp9R" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Anxiety disorder">Anxiety</a> in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.</p> </blockquote> <h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666699;">In what ways do you release yourself from stress?</span></h4> <h3 class="zemanta-related-title" style="margin: 0 0 10px 0; padding: 0; clear: both;">Related articles across the web</h3> <ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; overflow: hidden;"> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 104px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0 5px 10px 0;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1K6vdHt" style="padding: 2px; display: block; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1bImr6L" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 100px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><a href="http://ift.tt/1K6vdHt" style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;" target="_blank">Two Steps to Overcoming Anxiety</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 104px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0 5px 10px 0;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1zwJKMf" style="padding: 2px; display: block; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1zwJL2s" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 100px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><a href="http://ift.tt/1zwJKMf" style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;" target="_blank">Exercise Helps Lena Dunham Beat Anxiety And Depression</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 104px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0 5px 10px 0;"><a href="http://ift.tt/1zwJIUw" style="padding: 2px; display: block; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1bImr6N" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 100px; max-width: 100%;" /></a><a href="http://ift.tt/1zwJIUw" style="display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;" target="_blank">Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder</a></li> </ul> <p>The post <a href="http://ift.tt/1zwJIUy" rel="nofollow">I’m Stressed Out! What Should I Do?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://ift.tt/1AxaMgG" rel="nofollow">Pastor Terrell L</a>.</p>

I’m Stressed Out! What Should I Do?

Most psychologists would say that anxiety is a normal part of life . Do you agree? I’m sure most of you don’t. Matter of fact, most peopl...

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Pray for the Musicians

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div class='pdfprnt-top-right'><a href="http://ift.tt/19H3mS7" target="_blank"><img alt="image_pdf" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1AxaMgC" title="View PDF"/> </a><a href="http://ift.tt/19H3pgA" target="_blank"><img alt="image_print" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1AxaLZW" title="Print Content"/> </a> </div><br /><p>When you go to <a href="manifestationcenter.com" target="_blank">church</a>, what do you pray?<br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1xvWMBM" title="Is Everyone Around Simply For Your Personal Fulfillment?">Who do you pray for?</a> </p><br /><p>Do you pray for your family?<br/><br />Do you pray for your children?<br/><br />Do you pray for your pastor and leaders?</p><br /><p>How about the musicians and media team?</p><br /><p>Its super easy to go to church each week and have zero stress about if the video presentation will cue up. Or what will happen if you hit a bad chord during communion.</p><br /><p>Well, musicians have a lot to think about. Many talented individuals can often run through a service on autopilot. But the very best are staying prayerful to discern and calculate every beat, note and cadence.</p><br /><p>So here is my charge to each of us…</p><br /><h2><span style='color: #008080;'>Pray for the musicians.</span> </h2><br /><p>Ask the Spirit to guide them in every way. Music and media are important parts of a worship service. Can you imagine showing up with nothing to look at, no one to lead you in song or no music?</p><br /><p>Musicians often feel judged, unappreciated and misunderstood. Pleasing the pastor is never ending battle. And God forbid if they ask for a paycheck. Rather than make things more difficult, let’s rally together to call on the Holy Spirit to fully endow our men and women minstrels.</p><br /><p>I recently read a great article called 3 Ways To Serve The Church As a Drummer. It offered some great ideas for how we can minister to those who minister to use week after week:</p><br /><h4><span style='color: #008080;'>Pray for your musicians.</span><br/><br /><span style='color: #008080;'>Pray that God would continually mold them into the kind of leaders that God wants to use.</span><br/><br /><span style='color: #008080;'>Pray that God would bless their children and marriages as they lead us.</span><br/><br /><span style='color: #008080;'>Pray that God would give them vision for the churches music ministry.</span><br/><br /><span style='color: #008080;'>Pray that God would persevere them in the faith.</span> </h4><br /><p>Okay, I’m done writing. Stop now and put this into action. PRAY.</p><br /><p>The post <a href="http://ift.tt/1xMeySq" rel="nofollow">Pray for the Musicians</a> appeared first on <a href="http://ift.tt/1AxaMgG" rel="nofollow">Pastor Terrell L</a>.</p><br /></div>

Pray for the Musicians

When you go to church , what do you pray? Who do you pray for? Do you pray for your family? Do you pray for your children? Do you pray f...

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Stand for Social Justice, Divine Justice or Just Stand There?

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div class='pdfprnt-top-right'><a href="http://ift.tt/1LYQpia" target="_blank"><img alt="image_pdf" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1AxaMgC" title="View PDF"/> </a><a href="http://ift.tt/1LYQr9I" target="_blank"><img alt="image_print" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1AxaLZW" title="Print Content"/> </a> </div><br /><p>Today <span style='color: #3366ff;'><strong><a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/KyNzWp" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Social justice">social justice</a> </strong> </span> is a trending movement among millennials and many in the church.</p><br /><h4><span style='color: #3366ff;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1pKQkZe" style="color: #3366ff;" target="_blank">I believe</a> in social justice.</span><br/><br /><span style='color: #3366ff;'>I advocate social justice.</span><br/><br /><span style='color: #3366ff;'>I participate in social justice.</span> </h4><br /><p>While boycotts and petitions may be effective at times, we must keep in mind something that’s more powerful than a picket sign – <strong><span style='color: #3366ff;'>DIVINE JUSTICE</span>.</strong> </p><br /><p>Corrupt cops and greedy governmental officials are not easy systems to change overnight. As a people, some levels of violence and oppression leave us feeling powerless and defeated. Adversely the Word tells us <span style='color: #3366ff;'><strong>we don’t have to be influence by a spirit of fear because the Lord has empowered us with love</strong> </span>.</p><br /><h2><span style='color: #3366ff;'>We need to <a href="http://ift.tt/1wLsSNe" style="color: #3366ff;" target="_blank" title="Love Gooder!">love</a> our way to divine justice.</span> </h2><br /><p>God has given us a special gift of ministry that we must keep blazed! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. <strong><span style='color: #3366ff;'>That gift is called faith</span>.</strong> </p><br /><h2><span style='color: #3366ff;'>We need to faith our way to freedom.</span> </h2><br /><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1BrCAr8"><img alt="fight injustices with love and faith" class="alignright wp-image-1429 size-medium" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1LYQrq4"/> </a>If we <span style='text-decoration: underline; color: #3366ff;'><strong>fight injustices with love and faith</strong> </span> rather than loud arguing and <a href="http://ift.tt/1BrCyj9" target="_blank">Facebook</a> beef, we are less like to add fuel to the fire. Paul writes in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/129qH7H" rel="wikipedia" target="_blank" title="Epistle to the Romans">Romans</a> 12:19-21:</p><br /><blockquote><br /><p>Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.</p><br /></blockquote><br /><p><span style='color: #3366ff;'><strong>In what way should we live out this scripture today?</strong> </span><br/><br /><span style='color: #3366ff;'><strong>As Christians, are we to passively wait while the Lord fights our battles?</strong> </span><br/><br /><span style='color: #3366ff;'><strong>Is prayer too passive or do today’s issue necessitate radical action?</strong> </span> </p><br /><h3 style='text-align: center;'><span style='color: #3366ff;'>What are your thoughts? Do you personally enact social justice, divine justice or (quite honestly) nothing at all?</span> </h3><br /><p>The post <a href="http://ift.tt/1BrCArf" rel="nofollow">Stand for Social Justice, Divine Justice or Just Stand There?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://ift.tt/1AxaMgG" rel="nofollow">Pastor Terrell L</a>.</p><br /></div>

Stand for Social Justice, Divine Justice or Just Stand There?

Today social justice is a trending movement among millennials and many in the church. I believe in social justice. I advocate social ...

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Is Everyone Around Simply For Your Personal Fulfillment?

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div class='pdfprnt-top-right'><a href="http://ift.tt/1xvWMBE" target="_blank"><img alt="image_pdf" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1AxaMgC" title="View PDF"/> </a><a href="http://ift.tt/1xvWNW8" target="_blank"><img alt="image_print" data-recalc-dims="1" src="http://ift.tt/1AxaLZW" title="Print Content"/> </a> </div><br /><p>Why do you go to work every day? To get a paycheck?<br/><br />Why do you go to church on Sundays? To get inspired?<br/><br />Why are you in a romantic relationship? For entertainment and happiness?<br/><br />Why do you have friends? To have someone to vent to?</p><br /><h3><span style='color: #800080;'>Is everything and everyone around you simply for your self-serving, self-amusing, self-gratifying personal fulfillment?</span> </h3><br /><p>I know. I know. When I word it like that, I make you sound like a narcissist. And you are far from “a person who is overly self-involved, and often vain and selfish” (Dictionary.com). Right?</p><br /><p>Well, maybe not… Let’s take the test over again:</p><br /><p>Why do you go to work every day? To build the company to make it advance?<br/><br />Why do you go to church on Sundays? To serve my brother and pour out to God?<br/><br />Why are you in a romantic relationship? To demonstrate respect and love?<br/><br />Why do you have friends? To give away and share all that I have?</p><br /><p>How did you do this time?</p><br /><p>Here is the point… <span style='color: #800080;'><strong>When you take genuine inventory of your life, do you spend more energy giving or receiving?</strong> </span> </p><br /><h3><span style='color: #800080;'>Challenge: Make a commitment to add <a href="http://ift.tt/1wnEjMP" title="Do You Value (Fill in the Blank)?">value</a> to people in a very real way.</span> </h3><br /><blockquote><br /><p>Last weekend, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://ift.tt/1eHa3A7%20(Kansas%20City%2C%20Missouri)&t=h" rel="geolocation" target="_blank" title="Kansas City, Missouri">Kansas City</a> sadly memorialized our beloved brother, Pastor James T Madry. Everyone share a similar sentiment – James added value to everyone in his life. He never seemed to be self-serving. Whether he was cooking a simple meal in his family restaurant or singing a soul rendition of your family hymns. He’s present with the Lord now. But he was a present to us all for 50 years. From him we can learn a lesson on how to add value to others.</p><br /></blockquote><br /><h3 style='text-align: center;'><span style='color: #800080;'>How will you add value to your relationships starting today?</span> </h3><br /><p>The post <a href="http://ift.tt/1xvWMBM" rel="nofollow">Is Everyone Around Simply For Your Personal Fulfillment?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://ift.tt/1AxaMgG" rel="nofollow">Pastor Terrell L</a>.</p><br /></div>

Is Everyone Around Simply For Your Personal Fulfillment?

Why do you go to work every day? To get a paycheck? Why do you go to church on Sundays? To get inspired? Why are you in a romantic relati...

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