Thanks to my friend Tim Carley for sharing this. I was/am a huge fan of the NIV 1984 version. Later Zondervan released the TNIV or Today’s NIV which attempted to make the scriptures gender neutral. Later they dropped the T for the TNIV and it became the standard NIV and the NIV 1984 edition was taken out of publication. I’m sorry but I don’t know who created these images.
Five years ago I sensed a call to leave our church of 12 years and relocated to Petal to be a part of the life and ministry of Turning Pointe Church. During this time our kids have grown physically and we all have grown spiritually and emotional. The people of Turning Pointe have taken us in, cared for us, and taught us how to love and serve more fully.
Now we sense God calling us to a new work. There is much that we don’t know. As of now the LORD has put into our hearts, to relocated back to West Hattiesburg (4th Street Area). Once there we hope to start meeting with others in a Missional Community (A Missions Focused Small Group). We are submitted to His will and trust that he will lead us in his time.
First Thessalonians Chapter 2 expresses how Paul felt as he looked back on his time with the Thessalonians Church. In this passage I found verse 8 which summarizes our feelings toward you all; “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” We Love You All.
Never stop “Turning People to Christ”,
Trenidy & JJ Davis
There’s a BIG difference between “believing in God” and “believing God”. This importance cannot be over emphasized!
I’m concerned for those who build a religions image around “believing in God”. I suppose we all begin our spiritual journey with a general idea of “believing in God”; but if we truly believe there is a God ; wouldn’t we desire to know Him more?
A person doesn’t have to read the Bible or go to church to believe in God. But if we do believe in Him; wouldn’t we want to invest our time in things to help us know more about Him? It seems to me that our behaviors confirm our beliefs and if we believe there is a God we will seek him through the church and through the scriptures. And as we grow spiritually we will move from simply “believing in God”, to “believing God”; His word, His character, and His leading in our lives. This is what it really means to have faith IN God.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
I’m finishing up the book “Gospel Centered Discipleship” by Jonathan K. Dodson. I purchased the booking on a whim, not knowing anything about Jonathan, but interested in others thoughts on discipleship. Jonathan introduces the book with a confession of sorts. After reading a few sentences I found his words resonating with me. I too have “made disciples” not fully understanding what that means. Too many times I’ve converted them to be “my” disciples and not those of Christ.
What follows in the book is not an exhaustive view of discipleship, but one that should call us to evaluate our heart and our motives behind our ministry. The book reaffirms what I have learned through Freedom in Christ Ministries about the finished work of Christ in overcoming our personal sin. Namely that we are not fighting to win victory over sin, but that Christ has already done that. Our battle is in the arena of faith; that we would believe the truth that Christ has in-fact already won.
Jonathan shared a quote from Tyler Durden taken from the book/movie “Fight Club”. I love this quote and it should be a rallying cry for our generation
“We are the middle children of history. No purpose or place. We have no Great War, or Great Depression. Our great war is a spiritual war. Our great depression is our lives.”
In encourage you to read this book.
“There is no one else. I just don’t love you anymore.” Over the last several years I’ve heard this from friends whose spouses were giving up on their marriage. IN EVERY CASE, it was discovered later that there WAS “someone else”; even though it was being denied at the time. If you are married you have to be off the market, if you expect your relationship to last. I thought I would repost this blog from August 2008 titled, “Marriage and Divorce: What’s love got to do with it?”
I credited this insightful piece to Dr. Joe McKeever who handed this out in a Seminary class I took at NOBTS a few years back. I’ve taken the liberty to shorten it a bit.
Let’s say the in a world of 6 billion humans, there are 50,000 people you could have met and fallen in love with. Then, let’s say that out of that 50,000, there is an inner group of 500 you could have a far superior marriage with. And a still smaller group of, say, 50 that would be the cream of the crop. And then, there is one of that number with whom you could have the best marriage imaginable. Okay, you’ve got the picture – a lot of concentric circles.
Now, just for the sake of making a point, let’s say here is Fred who gets out of school, takes a job, and one day meets Edna. They are attracted to each other, fall in love, and begin to make wedding plans. They visit the pastor and announce to him, “We want to get married.” And the pastor, being a pretty sharp fellow says, “Why? And they naturally answer (what else?) “We love each other.” To their surprise, the pastor says, “What’s that got to do with it?” “Uh, how’s that?” asks Fred. “Fred and Edna,” the minster says, “There are 49,999 others out there you might have fallen in love with. Just because you love someone does not mean you marry them.” But his point passes right over them and they become Husband Fred and Wife Edna
Then, let’s say within 3-7 years, Fed and Edna have moved to another city and in their neighborhood, Fred meets Louise. Well, spars fly. Fred has just encountered one of his inner circles of 50. (Are you with me now?) He is hooked. Boy, is Louise special. He thinks about her day and night, and soon becomes aware that she feels the same way. Psychologists tell us there is something called ‘the expulsive power of a new affection.’ What that means is that a new love blows the old one out of the water. Compared to the way Fred now swoons over Louise, he is convinced he never did actually love Edna. “At least,” he says to himself, “not in the way a man out to love a woman.” (Remember the roles could be reversed it could be Edna infatuated with another man.”
So eventual, Fred drops in on the pastor and says, “I want to get a divorce.” The minister asks, “Why?” Fred says, “Because I don’t love Edna anymore.” (No one ever admits to the pastor they’ve fallen in love with someone else. No one, ever.) And the pastor still on the ball and to the point, asks, “What’s that got to do with it?” Fred sits there bumfuzzled, wondering why this preacher doesn’t understand simple logic. Doesn’t everybody know you get married when you fall in love and get divorced when you fall out?
“Fred” the pastor continues “You don’t get divorced because you don’t love each other anymore.” “If the two of you are genuine disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, then the only question is, “What is the will of God? That’s it. If you decided that it is God’s will for you to get married, then that takes care of all the people you will be meeting and feeling attracted to in the future. They are not God’s will for you and therefore are ‘off limits’ to you, and you can get on with your life.
The story goes on to point out that marriage is a covenant between God and a Husband and a Wife. It is not based on feelings but on commitment. Love is an act of the will that flows out of the commitment, not the determining factor of the commitment. So remember the vows you’ve spoken before the Lord and do not break the covenant you establish with the spouse of your youth.
The passing of Andy Griffith on Thursday made me reflect on all the things this show has taught me. More specifically all the lessons I have learned from “Sheriff Andy Taylor”; having watch the show my entire life. Here they are in no certain order:
1. You don’t have to use force or intimidation to lead people. Love them, and they will follow you.
2. Help other people win. Even though you are “The Leader” it’s not a position of prestige but of service to others.
3. Always take time to listen closely to what people are saying (Especially your children).
4. Sing Often: music makes life more enjoyable.
5. Don’t take yourself and others so serious: Laugh more.
6. Go to church (I could write pages here, but for now just go.)
7. Encourage people by bragging on their efforts.
8. Learn your history.
9. Sometimes you have to put people in jail (discipline them). They won’t learn any other way.
10. Forgiveness in the key to lasting relationships.
The Legend of the Circle Maker (Taken from the Circle Maker)
Young children danced in the downpour like it was the first rainfall they’d ever seen. And it was. Parents threw back their heads, opened their mouths, and caught raindrops like they were libations. And they were. When it hasn’t rained in more than a year, raindrops are like diamonds falling from the sky.
It would be forever remembered as the day. The day thunderclaps applauded the Almighty. The day puddle jumping became an act of praise. The day the legend of the circle maker was born.
It was the first century BC, and a devastating drought threatened to destroy a generation — the generation before Jesus. The last of the Jewish prophets had died off nearly four centuries before. Miracles were such a distant memory that they seemed like a false memory. And God was nowhere to be heard. But there was one man, an eccentric sage who lived outside the walls of Jerusalem, who dared to pray anyway. His name was Honi. And even if the people could no longer hear God, he believed that God could still hear them.
When rain is plentiful, it’s an afterthought. During a drought, it’s the only thought. And Honi was their only hope. Famous for his ability to pray for rain, it was on this day, the day, that Honi would earn his moniker.
With a six-foot staff in his hand, Honi began to turn like a math compass. His circular movement was rhythmical and methodical. Ninety degrees. One hundred eighty degrees. Two hundred seventy degrees. Three hundred sixty degrees. He never looked up as the crowd looked on. After what seemed like hours but had only been seconds, Honi stood inside the circle he had drawn. Then he dropped to his knees and raised his hands to heaven. With the authority of the prophet Elijah, who called down fire from heaven, Honi called down rain:
“Lord of the universe, I swear before Your great name that I will not move from this circle until You have shown mercy upon Your children.”
The words sent a shudder down the spines of all who were within earshot that day. It wasn’t just the volume of his voice; it was the authority of his tone. Not a hint of doubt. This prayer didn’t originate in the vocal chords. Like water from an artesian well, the words flowed from the depth of his soul. His prayer was resolute yet humble, confident yet meek, expectant yet unassuming.
Then it happened.
As his prayer ascended to the heavens, raindrops descended to the earth. An audible gasp swept across the thousands of congregants who had encircled Honi. Every head turned heavenward as the first raindrops parachuted from the sky, but Honi’s head remained bowed. The people rejoiced over each drop, but Honi wasn’t satisfied with a sprinkle. Still kneeling within the circle, Honi lifted his voice over the sounds of celebration:
“Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain that will fill cisterns, pits, and caverns.”
The sprinkle turned into such a torrential downpour that eyewitnesses said no raindrop was smaller than an egg in size. It rained so heavily and so steadily that the people fled to the Temple Mount to escape the flash floods. Honi stayed and prayed inside his protracted circle. Once more he refined his bold request:
“Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of Your favor, blessing, and graciousness.”
Then, like a well-proportioned sun shower on a hot and humid August afternoon, it began to rain calmly, peacefully. Each raindrop was a tangible token of God’s grace. And they didn’t just soak the skin; they soaked the spirit with faith. It had been difficult to believe the day before the day. The day after the day, it was impossible not to believe.
Eventually, the dirt turned into mud and back into dirt again. After quenching their thirst, the crowd dispersed. And the rainmaker returned to his humble hovel on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Life returned to normal, but the legend of the circle maker had been born.
Honi was celebrated as a hometown hero by the people whose lives he had saved. But some within the Sanhedrin called the circle maker into question. A faction believed that drawing a circle and demanding rain dishonored God. Maybe it was those same members of the Sanhedrin who would criticize Jesus for healing a man’s shriveled hand on the Sabbath a generation later. They threatened Honi with excommunication, but because the miracle could not be repudiated, Honi was ultimately honored for his act of prayerful bravado.
The prayer that saved a generation was deemed one of the most significant prayers in the history of Israel. The circle he drew in the sand became a sacred symbol. And the legend of Honi the circle maker stands forever as a testament to the power of a single prayer to change the course of history.
For more checkout http://www.thecirclemaker.com/ or check out my notes and summary of the book here.
Here is a video I put together from the Turning Pointe egg hunt and block party. I posted it over on the Turning Pointe Blog, but also decided to put it here since freind’s and family may not check the churh’s site. (You can see the Davis kids in a few pictures) We had a great turn out from the church and actually meet people from the community that showed up for Church Easter Morning to hear the “Good News”!
trenidydavis.com 