Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Space...



So, Sharon and I were having a conversation rearding the fact that the lease for Soul is ending and we will need a place to gather. So, what about calling everyone to begin to pray? Many times we just take things for granted and expect GOD to just show up. Soul Sanctuary has always been GOD's idea and I believe we need to listen close to His direction.

So this week, be praying for Soul this week. We are looking for property/a building either to purchase or lease. There are always a few options but we need GOD to open a door for us. We are believing GOD will provide us a building that will meet our needs and also that will become a hub to reach out to the community in a more effective way. So, my request my request is that you would make it a matter of prayer that we would lease on property or find a building to purchase and that in this process GOD will move and give us favor.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Confrontation

Sorry for taking so long to post!!!!!

I love this picture because it is so disturbing. I stumbled across an article on confrontation that I will share with you. In the past I have heard people say to me "Gerry, you love confrontation." The fact is I don't, but I am not afraid of it. The reality is that no one really likes confrontation, and if you really like it, you’re a bully more than a person. But the truth is, we do have to confront. So, here are 10 signs it’s time to confront the people you love, care about, work with, or are responsible for.

1. It’s time to confront when things aren’t working out even after you’ve given them sufficient time to do so.

2. When you’re avoiding each other.

3. When your silence is more about fear than the truth.

4. When allowing the contact to go on is hurting the other person.

5. When the contact is hurting other people.

6. When you see there is still time to redeem the relationship, the job, the person, or the potential future.

7. When you’re responsible for the health and well-being of the people involved in the situation. You have the power to do something, therefore you have the obligation.

8. When you’re able to separate the behavior from the person. You love the person always, even though you can’t support the behavior.

9. When your integrity and reputation as a friend, manager, leader, or business owner is on the line, it’s time to confront.

10. When you understand that sometimes love must be tough if it’s truly love. Love that is based on a lie is indulgence. Love that is based on truth and applied with mercy and grace is truly a gift from God.

Are there people in your life that it’s time to confront? Really good things can happen at the other end if done in the right way, at the right time, for the right reason, with the right tone, unlike the picture above...



Monday, April 07, 2008

Adoption


So, this weekend Geoff Moore of famous 80's and 90's 'christian' rock fame was a special guest to our community. He was there on behalf of Compassion International. "Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults." What I didn't know was that it was founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, as they began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training. Today, Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 24 countries. We have been sponsoring a child for quite some time from Uganda.

But I would like to talk about something else...adoption. What are your feelings out there on adoption? Should Christians be more open to adopting children from other countries?
Thoughts?