Purpose Driven Life - Day 17 - A Place to Belong
For those of you who read the blog via the website rather than via email I hope you like the new layout - slightly more contemporary than the old one! I've also added a feed to our Kerith content section on You Tube. So far there's only the 'official' video of the Everything drama done by our youth (as opposed to the previous version recorded on a mobile phone from the balcony!) although I'm sure Jacqui Webber-Gant and the rest of the media team will be posting more of our videos up there as and when they get time.
Irene suggested I let people know how easy it is to leave a comment as she and Sandra are looking for more company on the comments section. Basically you just need to do the following:
1. Click on the 'comments' link at the bottom of the post you'd like to comment on.
2. Write your comment in the box that says "Leave your comment", including your name at the end as we'd all like to know who said what.
3. Under the "Choose an identity" section click on "Anonymous" and then click on "Publish Your Comment".
That's it!
Finally I wanted to mention the Hilltop Sparkly Party which I had the privilege of attending on Friday night before coming over to the prayer meeting. Hilltop is our wonderful ministry to adults with learning difficulties and the Sparkly Party is their slightly delayed Christmas party. There were 110 people sat down for the meal including Hilltop members, their helpers and church people hosting tables. Glynne Novelle and the team she leads did an amazing job organising the evening, along with a huge team of people behind the scenes cooking and serving the food. I'm so proud to be part of a church which is willing to put in such effort serving a group of people who so often are ignored and marginalised - fantastic. A great example of what the family of God can do when it is at its best. If anyone who was there has any photos which we'd be allowed to publish on the web let me know and I'll include them in a future blog.
Hope you have a great time with Rick Warren today learning more about this wonderful family. Don't forget to book your tickets and come and hear his wife Kay speak at the Positive HIV/AIDS Conference in March!
Have a great day,
Simon.
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You are called to belong, not just believe!
“You are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19b (LB)
We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God’s purposes by ourselves. The Bible says we are put together, joined together, built together, members together; heirs together, fitted together, and held together and will be caught up together. You’re not on your own anymore.
While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private. In God’s family you are connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity. The Bible says, “In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5 (NIV)
The Christian life is more than just commitment to Christ; it includes a commitment to other Christians. The Christians in Macedonia understood this. Paul said, “First, they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God’s will, they gave themselves to us as well.” 2 Corinthians 8:5 (TEV)
You become a Christian by committing yourself to Christ, but you become a church member by committing yourself to a specific group of believers. The first decision brings salvation; the second brings fellowship.
Irene suggested I let people know how easy it is to leave a comment as she and Sandra are looking for more company on the comments section. Basically you just need to do the following:
1. Click on the 'comments' link at the bottom of the post you'd like to comment on.
2. Write your comment in the box that says "Leave your comment", including your name at the end as we'd all like to know who said what.
3. Under the "Choose an identity" section click on "Anonymous" and then click on "Publish Your Comment".
That's it!
Finally I wanted to mention the Hilltop Sparkly Party which I had the privilege of attending on Friday night before coming over to the prayer meeting. Hilltop is our wonderful ministry to adults with learning difficulties and the Sparkly Party is their slightly delayed Christmas party. There were 110 people sat down for the meal including Hilltop members, their helpers and church people hosting tables. Glynne Novelle and the team she leads did an amazing job organising the evening, along with a huge team of people behind the scenes cooking and serving the food. I'm so proud to be part of a church which is willing to put in such effort serving a group of people who so often are ignored and marginalised - fantastic. A great example of what the family of God can do when it is at its best. If anyone who was there has any photos which we'd be allowed to publish on the web let me know and I'll include them in a future blog.
Hope you have a great time with Rick Warren today learning more about this wonderful family. Don't forget to book your tickets and come and hear his wife Kay speak at the Positive HIV/AIDS Conference in March!
Have a great day,
Simon.
---------------------------------------------------
You are called to belong, not just believe!
“You are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19b (LB)
We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God’s purposes by ourselves. The Bible says we are put together, joined together, built together, members together; heirs together, fitted together, and held together and will be caught up together. You’re not on your own anymore.
While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private. In God’s family you are connected to every other believer, and we will belong to each other for eternity. The Bible says, “In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5 (NIV)
The Christian life is more than just commitment to Christ; it includes a commitment to other Christians. The Christians in Macedonia understood this. Paul said, “First, they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God’s will, they gave themselves to us as well.” 2 Corinthians 8:5 (TEV)
You become a Christian by committing yourself to Christ, but you become a church member by committing yourself to a specific group of believers. The first decision brings salvation; the second brings fellowship.