A FISH

by Jerry Dingmore
Lead Pastor Piedmont Church, Macon Jerrydingmore.blogspots.com

This morning while I was praying and reading, I went to a verse that a friend mentioned to me last week. It centers around the story of Jonah. Remember how God wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh to be God's man there for a season, but Jonah hated the people of Nineveh and said no and took off? God wasn't going to let Jonah get way that easy. So in Jonah 1:17 it says, "But the Lord provided a great fish. " It didn't say that God sent, caused, or even ordered a great fish to go swallow Jonah. It said that God provided. I love that. Even when Jonah was walking away from God, God was not going to walk way from providing for Jonah exactly what he needed. God is committed to being the provider of those who are his, to those who have said yes to his grace. I am sure that what Jonah wanted in this case was a piece of wood floating by so that he could grab it, float to shore, and continue with life as he planned it. God was committed to helping Jonah, but was committed to provide Jonah what he needed and not what he may have wanted. Sometimes what we need is not in line with want we want, and in those times, God will still provide. He will, however, provide what we need and hope it will soon become what we want. So I am encouraged because I need God to provide some big things this week, and today I was reminded of His relentless commitment to do just that. Now I hope that what I want is in line with what I need.

remembering . . .
by Dan Waits Followingchristwithoutabox.blogspot.com

Psalm 57:1b "I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past."

I write in my Bible. I underline a lot. I circle words sometime. Rarely I'll write a comment in the margin.

Sometimes I write the date next to a verse, so I'll remember when it really spoke to me. My Bible is littered with dates when something was particularly important to me.

I read Psalm 57 this morning. There's a date next to the verse. I remember that time in my life. There was a violent storm in my life at that time.

I remember resting in the gentle strength of our Abba as I just walked through it.

I remember how He just kept me.

I believe it's good to write in Bibles. I'm glad I did that day, so I could remember how God walked so closely through that storm with me.

You Can Change the World
by Brian Bowen
Pastor for College Students and Young Adults Harvest Cathedral, Macon
brianbowen.com

Jesus told us to go into all the world and make disciples. GOD the Spirit indwells us, empowering us, teaching us, leading us. We have been given Authority by Jesus to do the things he did. YOU a simple person, one individual, you CAN change the world. Simply step into the flow of what God is doing. If you have ears, listen. If you have eyes, see. God is prodding you to service. In fact he has already prepared in advance everything you will need to take part in what he is doing. You may not realize it, but a simple act of love or kindness, the simple act of allowing Gods love to flow through you can change a life.

We are in the process of "adopting" an orphanage in Ethiopia. This isn't like an adoption center here in the States with young couples waiting in line to adopt the children. These are kids whose parents have died of AIDS, starvation, malaria or one of many other diseases. There are no young couples waiting in line to adopt them. They struggle each day to find enough food to sustain life. Imagine being ten years old, both parents die, and you are left as head of your household with three younger siblings, in a country already overwhelmed with orphans. What do you do? Anything it takes to survive. Many times the thing it takes to survive is the very thing that leads to death as young girls sell themselves as sexual toys to get enough food to eat, only to eventually contract the diseases that took their parents in the first place.

But you CAN do something. You CAN change the world. As we step into this God thing and begin to touch the lives of these young boys and girls, we can effect the future of Africa. Touching one life, bringing the unconditional love of God, introducing Jesus Christ as savior can dramatically change life. Not only that one person but everyone around them.

So I'm asking you, do something. Anything. Even if its in your own neighborhood and not in Ethiopia. The church can no long sit back and wait for the world to become a better place. We are the light. It's our responsibility to carry it into the darkness. If you will just be the church, be the person God is calling you to be, the world WILL be changed. If you don't know what to do or where to begin, feel free to email me. Tell someone about your desire. Maybe you can begin with Childrens Hope Chest. This is the organization we are partnering with to go to Ethiopia. Just begin moving. God will show you as you go.

Financial Goals

by Joe Tessin
Pastor LifePoint Church, Byron www.ourlifepoint.net/joeblog.htm

I think in every arena of life we need to have goals. My financial goals are a little bit different than what many financial people might suggest. They may be more based on life experiences that I desire than on an amount of money in the bank.

Over the last year a lot of people who had put their hope in their funds and 401k's have awakened to quite a bit of disappointment. I wonder if we focused more on experiences and storing up memories than storing up funds. Don't get me wrong, we should store up funds for a rainy day (the Bible challenges us to that) but it also says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. ."We live in a world that is all about accumulating stuff and more stuff, and I think maybe we would be better suited if we focused on giving to others and on making memories.

Teen Culture is Crying to figure it out
by Jason Mangrum
Associate/Youth Pastor
Cross Point Baptist Church, Perry www.discovercrosspoint.net/blog

Do your kids listen to mainstream music? In an attempt to understand teenagers better, Katie and I watch the weekly Top 20 that VH1 releases on Saturday mornings. . We have come to realize that half of the videos are really selling a worldview to our teenagers. The neat thing about the whole deal is this; we are often able to pick apart music videos and song lyrics to encourage kids in their walk with Jesus in a way that impacts their lifestyle. (Parent disclaimer. . I am not advocating pop-music or hip-hop culture!If your child does not listen to secular music then you have done well, just realize that they are a very small part of youth culture in not listening to top 40 songs. . I feel that part of my job is being culturally relevant as I interact with teenagers and their friends) Take the following songs and look into their messages through their videos.

Katy Perry - "Hot and Cold" - Katy Perry's video depicts a young girl pursuing a young man and beating him into submissive committment. The song shows everything wrong with guy/girl relationships in adolescence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY3CehyfUko

Natasha Bedingfield - "Soulmate" - Bedingfield, a former member of Hillsong London, creates a video of where women should look for their "soulmates." The video has many elements of crosses and hearts, and ends with Bedingfield looking up to a bright light where she has possibly has found her true soulmate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEzbkGj7EaQ

Kanye West - "Heartless" - Do not necessarily spend as much time youtubing the video for this one, spend your time on the lyrics. . I will actually conclude our youth study on Samson with "Heartless" as a brief illustration(don't worry, I'm not playing the song, just making reference to the lyrics). The song is about a man who "lost his soul to a woman so heartless". . pretty interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAVXjzNu-Yg

Look over the videos and talk about dating relationships with your sons and daughters. . talk about what the world offers through dating and what the Lord offers through Christ centered relationships. .

The Swine Line
by Bob Setzer
Jr. Pastor
First Baptist Church of Christ, Macon firstbaptistmacon.blogspot.com

When I was a child, my mother didn't teach me to live in mortal fear of airborne diseases that might do me harm. Instead, she taught me to wash my hands after going to the potty and before meals. She taught me to cover my mouth when I sneezed. She taught me to eat right and get a good night's sleep, then throw myself into the joys and challenges of the day without fear or foreboding: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might!" (Ecc. 9:10). ? ?

When I was a child, my mother didn't teach me to be afraid of strangers. She taught me to be cautious about people I didn't know who approached me with unusual requests and certainly not to get in a car with someone I didn't know. But she also taught me the world is full of fascinating people, most of whom are a delight: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb. 13:2).

When I was a child, my mother didn't teach me to shrink from people who showed up at the door trying to peddle strange religious ideas. Instead, she taught me to greet them with both Christian civility and candor, with an open Bible in hand, ever ready to "give a reason for the hope that is within you" (1 Peter 3:15).

When I was a child, my mother didn't teach me to fret unduly about financial pressures. Instead, she taught me to put my extra money in a piggy bank, to give ten cents of every dollar to Jesus and the church, and to trust God to "supply all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

In short, my mother taught me I was not alone in the world. Yes, there would come a time when she could no longer guide and protect me, but my life was in stronger, more able hands than hers. Yes, there were real perils and threats to be faced, but such challenges could be met in the confidence there was nothing Jesus and I couldn't handle together: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Phil 4:13).

From the recent swine flu hysteria to the next alarmist news buzz of the week, I grow weary of people–even the well-intentioned–trying to scare me into buying their product, join their movement, or share their jaded view of the world.

Instead of cowering in fear, my mama taught me to trust and live Jesus' promise: "In the world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world!" (John 13:33).

Children don't need to grow up scared to death. They need to grow up with the faith to live their dreams. My mama taught me that.

Thoughts on Acts 25
by Matt Walls
Southside Baptist Church, WR
www.southsidereflections.com

(Read Acts 25. ) Where in Scripture does God give anyone an easy job? Abraham had to make some tough decisions over the course of his life. Joseph experienced more than his fair share of trials. Moses found himself in some difficult situations. Gideon, David, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, and Daniel didn't exactly live the easy life either. Christianity may be simple, but I don't think anyone can argue that it's easy.

Paul certainly didn't seem to have an easy life either, did he? Traveling all over the world, facing persecution of every kind, being falsely accused, and enduring imprisonment are hardly evidence of the "good" life. And yet, he continued to love and serve his Master, Jesus.

So, the next time life gets a little difficult, remember that it could be worse and that God sometimes gives His children difficult assignments. Paul accepted his. Are you willing to do that too?

Salt Thoughts (Matthew 5:23)
by Keith Watson
Teaching Pastor
New City Church, Macon
http://keithwatson.blogspot.com

I have been thinking all week about just how it is that salt is effective. In order for salt to be effective (in preserving or in seasoning) it has to be applied to the thing seasoned or preserved. When you preserve meat with salt, the salt is rubbed all over and into the meat. The salt penetrates the meat. When you season with salt, say in a big pot of beans, the salt goes into the water and the salty water cooks the beans. So, the salt via the water, surrounds and penetrates the beans.

In either case, it isn't enough for the salt to be near. It has to cover, surround - penetrate. The salt has to leave its container and come into contact with what it is seasoning or preserving. Leave it in the shaker and it is useless. Spill it near but not on and you have done nothing.

If we (followers of Christ) are the salt of the earth, then do these images of preserving and seasoning not apply to us? How can we act as the salt of the earth (to season and preserve) if we separate ourselves from the thing that needs salt?

In order for the Gospel to penetrate our culture and transform our city, it must be seen and heard in our culture and city. The only way that it can be seen and heard in our culture and city is if WE take it there. And like salt, we are not effective carriers of the gospel by simply being ‘near' our culture/city; it does no good for us to stay in the safety and comfort of our ‘shaker.' Like salt we have to be poured out and mixed up with those who need saltiness.

Rather than fleeing - or even staying distant from those who live lives apart from the Gospel - we are called to mix it up with them! To be In the world, but not Of the world. Jesus is interceding on our behalf. In fact, here is his prayer for us in John 17:15 "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one." Do you think that the Father hears the Son? Do you think that He is able? Yes?

Then get out of the shaker and mix it up! Live for the sake of the gospel!