The Family – ReMiX

Yesterday we talked about how the local church family needs to care about those around them, share what they don’t own (God owns everything), and come along side people when they are going through hard times.

Kerry and I were talking about the message on the way home and how many people don’t take the next step from seeing the person beside them in church as ‘actually’ part of their family.

Well let’s be realistic, they aren’t right? (unless they ‘actually’ are) People come from all walks of life and sit beside you in church. They aren’t REALLY your family right?

Well what about that old adage… “Blood’s thicker than water.” Basically, you are going to be more loyal with your family than your friendships / acquaintances. But my question to you is this… “Whose ‘blood’ are we talking about?”

The truth is that if we have chosen to give our lives to Jesus Christ, then it is HIS blood that has taken care of our sin. So… in essence, because of grace and mercy, we ALL become part of HIS bloodline. None of us therefore have more importance with God OR each other because we are now part of the same family.

How do you view the ones around you? Are they just bodies in the seats next to you or should not Sunday morning be a weekly Family Reunion!!!

At least that’s how I see it,

C

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The Body – ReMiX

On Sunday we looked at the fact that we all MATTER, we all DIFFER, but we also all BELONG.

The truth is that, at some level of comfort, each and everyone of us want to belong. I still remember in high school all of those who didn’t want to be a part of a clique… had their own clique.

I believe that God places that desire in our hearts in order for us not to want to be ‘lonely’. 25-35% of Canadians say that they are ‘extremely lonely’. That’s at least one in four!

God said in the book of Genesis that it was not good for man to be alone.

It’s not good to be lonely. Solitude and some quiet time by yourself… maybe. We all need that ‘period’ of alone time so that we can be refreshed. But loneliness? No.

God made the church His figurative ‘body’ so that we could all be connected, all be a part of something bigger than ourselves, all belong.

At least that’s how I see it.

C

Build An Altar – REMIX

Just thought I would add an addendum to the message that I gave on Sunday morning.

I was talking about Joshua 22 and how the two-and-a-half tribes of Israel made an altar before going further into the Promised Land so that they didn’t forget where they had come from.

My question to you is this… When was the last time that you stopped and thanked someone who made an indelible mark on your life? It may have been a Sunday School teacher, parent, pastor, board member, or just someone from your church that made a real difference in how you are today.

This weekend coming up we are celebrating the lives of Ps. and Pat Schwindt as they have poured themselves into our lives over the last quarter century. It’s important to acknowledge and thank God for the past before stepping forward into what He has in store for each and every one of us.

Since November I’ve had Monday, May 25 marked on my calendar with the big words, DAY ONE… I don’t want to go one day into the future as Evangel’s Lead Pastor without first acknowledging God’s goodness in my life while here at Evangel.

I believe that the days ahead are going to be AMAZING and I can’t wait for them. But I must admit that I have enjoyed His goodness and faithfulness while serving here at Evangel up until now.

At least that’s how I see it,

Craig

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