Grace. That’s what’s on my mind. It’s on my heart, it’s on my agenda. His grace fills me and drives me. It’s why I’m alive and it’s what I’m called to proclaim. Grace restores and revives. It brings freedom & responsibility. It’s a really good thing. Yep, it is a God-thing. Jesus loves us. Jn 3:16 Eph 2:8-9 Jn 20:30-31
Category: GRACE
Who’s waiting to be asked?
I read the other day that 30% of people would go to church with you on Easter if they were just asked. Wow. Think about it. Almost one of three are simply waiting for a personal, thoughtful invitation. In 12 days we celebrate the biggest deal of all time. We like to call it a Resurrection Celebration. Truth is, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus every Sunday. But, I’m glad we set aside one day to remember and share this amazing truth with as many as possible.
Here’s what you do. Make a list of 10 people you’d like to invite. Pray for them. Pray that they’d be open and ready. Be intentional about inviting them. Do it over the back fence, or over the little wall that separates your desks. Maybe send them a “happy Easter’ card now, inviting them to join you for church and lunch. This isn’t complicated. Not necessarily easy either. But really, we have the greatest news on the planet and we have a special day to highlight the central truth of our faith in Jesus as Lord and giver of life. So, whether you attend Grace with me or you’re in a different church, let’s invite someone to come alongside as we follow Jesus!
So my professor is stopping by…
It’s a rare privilege to have a noted theologian as our guest teacher at Grace. That’ll happen this Sunday, March 21st.
I remember on more than one occasion, one of my other seminary profs would say, “Now remember Mark, you’re the theologian for Flagstaff”, as if to say it was my job to keep the theology correct and current throughout Flagstaff. While it may be true that any good pastor also must serve as a resident student of theology, it was a little daunting to think it was my job to protect the doctrines and to clarify the gospel in these ever increasing fuzzy times we live in.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:14-17
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Tim 1:13-14
The truth is, it is my job, as well as any other teaching pastor to teach the scriptures with much study and integrity that leads to life-changing application. This is why it’s a treat to have one of my first seminary professors as our guest this Sunday. Dr. Earl Radmacher will probably never be remembered or referred to as ‘Pastor Mark’s professor’, but to me, he’ll always be that. Dr. Radmacher led the team that put together the Nelson Study Bible. He served as General Editor. Needless to say, it’s my favorite study Bible. He served as President of Western Seminary and was instrumental in the beginnings of what later became Phoenix Seminary. He’s passionate about the accurate and clear interpretation of the Scriptures. He’s enthusiastic about the doctrine of salvation, and he’s pretty clear on his understanding of the church. See why I like him?
So, yes. My professor is stopping by Grace this Sunday. If you can be there, I’d highly recommend it. It’ll be a treat.
Unplugged was Awesome!
“What if we intentionally had a few more Unplugged services throughout the year?”
“It felt a little bit like Grace when we first started, but with more people! It also makes me realize that we don’t need all of that “stuff” to have an incredible Sunday morning.”
“We had to sit close to other people! :)”
“There is no stopping the people of God who desire to gather together to praise and worship God.”
“I don’t usually turn around and look, but I did Sunday, Wow!”
Flagstaff saw 52″ of snow and major closures throughout the city for several days. With no equipment we all spent Sunday morning together. We’ve only done this a few times in our history. It was an amazing time as 500 people squeezed together for a time of acoustic worship and preaching without a mic. I loved it. Snow didn’t hold us back in our worship and service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Thanks to the Grace family for being so flexible. And remember…
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Grace Unplugged
What an amazing week. I’m not clear on the total amounts of snow reported, but let’s just say a lot! Last night we needed to make a visit to the hospital, so while we were out, we drove by Bookmans and saw the fallen roof. We also drove by our Ministry Center and saw a broken street sign and piles and piles of snow that had been shoveled off the roof (thankfully!).
It’s been beautiful and dangerous all at the same time. Our life with Christ is somewhat like that. Beautiful because of His grace and kindness, and dangerous because we bear His light in a dark world. We are called to love God, love one another and love our neighbor. Times like these give us ample opportunities.
Tomorrow will be somewhat unique at Grace. It’s been a few years since our last ‘Grace Unplugged’. We will all be together in the auditorium, no children’s ministry, and we’ll have an acoustic worship set, no equipment set up. Our trailers are buried as I’m sure the loading doors to the school are as well. Our guys will arrive and get the parking lot and sidewalk ready for you.
This will be a unique service for our church family to gather and pray for one another and for our community and hear from God’s precious Word. Come expecting.
Thanks
Okay. Here we go. The week of thanksgiving is upon us. I know, I know, it’s all predictable and everything, but seriously, we have much to be thankful for, and we need to give thanks.
Giving thanks seems a bit different than merely saying thanks. It’s easy to say thanks. Especially right after we’ve somehow been motivated. Someone gives you something, you say thanks. Someone holds the door, say thanks. The last cookie is offered to you, you better say thanks, and maybe break it in half!
But to ‘give’ thanks takes a little more thought. And it shouldn’t be limited by the season. Giving thanks is like going out of your way to ‘say’ thanks. Don’t just say thanks for the obvious right in front of you, the open door, the cookie (half). Think and consider what you have, what you are blessed by and then go out of your way to give the thanks to whom it is due.
I want to give God thanks. For a lot of things. My wife, my family heritage, my faith, my church family, my town, my struggles, my friends, staff, neighbors, my health, my home. I want to especially give Him thanks for bringing 8 people to Himself this week. Eight people that are now in a personal relationship with God all because of His great love for them. Like me, none of the eight deserve this gift they received, they couldn’t buy it, couldn’t work long enough or hard enough to earn it. But because of Jesus, they have it. And so do I. For that I’m most thankful.
Love One Another – An Opportunity
There are various ways we show our love for one another. Here are a couple of opportunities and a reminder for you to consider this week.
Love Others Around the World
Thanks to everyone at Grace for taking shoe boxes to fill for Operation Christmas Child. The boxes are due this Sunday and next. Thanks for sharing God’s love with children around the world.
Love Others in Our Community
We have just learned of a great opportunity to bless our neighbors right here in Flagstaff. The Sunshine Rescue Mission is putting together their annual Thanksgiving food boxes that they will give out the week of Thanksgiving. Here’s how WE can help. Buy a turkey and deliver it to SRM Monday through Friday within the next two weeks.
AMAZING TIP: This week Fry’s has frozen Jenni-o turkeys on sale for 40 cents a pound. I bought mine this morning, for like $7 and saved $24! So NOW is a great time to go get your turkey, keep it in the freezer until next week when you can drop it off at the mission. It might be helpful for us to keep track of how many we can provide, so please comment below that you’re in, or drop me an email. Let’s do this!
Love One Another through your church
This Sunday is an opportunity to worship together at 10 a.m. and then join with us for lunch and our membership class right after church at the ministry center. We love the “one anothers” of our church as we join together for the common mission of Grace Community.
Pay it forward
Yesterday we looked at John 15:12-17 to gain an understanding of Jesus’ command to love each other. In our Grace Group last night the discussion turned to ways we can love those near us that often get passed by in our busyness. Laurie and I shared our recent experience of being so blessed by a couple of meals when we were both sick for a few days.
It is uncommon for us to both have the cruds at the same, but we did, and it wasn’t pretty. Two different families of Grace offered to bring us meals, on the same day. It was awesome! As we retold the story last night, we realized how effective that jesture of love really was for us. We actually began to feel much better physically after this show of love and support was so clearly demonstrated. The food was amazing, homemade soups, desserts, the whole deal. But what made such an impact on us was the generous love. Laurie went on to tell how she almost immediately wanted to go and do the same thing for someone, simply because of what it did for her. And so she did.
As we discuss our intentions to graciously and intentionally demonstrate God’s unconditional love to those nearest us, think of how you have been blessed. How have you seen sacrificial love evidenced in your circle? Whatever that is, it might be a good way to pass it on to someone in your life that is just longing for the same. I’m pretty sure as God prompts you to bless someone, that person has a real need and is open to God’s message of love through you! Remember from yesterday, love is a sacrifice, a willingness to pay the price. I can’t wait to hear more stories of God’s people loving all over each other! Remember, “by this will they know you are my disciples.” That’s the point. We’re His! Let’s do this.
One more quick thought for this Monday. Tonight I’m starting our next class. This one is “How to Study the Bible”. This is a 4-week course on hermeneutics, how we interpret the Bible for clear, accurate understanding. Remember, when God have us the Bible, it was to be understood. It can happen. Come and join me tonight at the Ministry Center at 6:30. The $5 cost covers handouts for the 4 weeks. DO NOT let a mere 5 bucks keep you from learning one of the most important things you’ll need as you follow Christ. If you’re broke, come anyway, I’ll spot you the five. I really want to see a bunch of you get this material!
Arrived in Anderson
I’m grateful for the opportunity to visit my nephew Zac and his family here in Anderson, South Carolina. I’m here for the weekend to explore more about his church NewSpring and spend some time with the family.
This morning Zac gave me a tour of the facilities @ NewSpring. http://www.newspring.cc/
I’ll give a few more updates through the weekend.
I’m excited for what’s happening at Grace this Sunday. Join me in praying even today, for God’s favor as the church meets this week. I’m praying for my bud, Greg Tonkinson, who will be teaching, and I’m praying for all the volunteers that make Grace happen each week. You guys are the greatest.
Headed to Atlanta
I’m currently in the air headed to Atlanta, where tomorrow I’ll begin my 2 hour drive north to Anderson, SC. I’ll be spending the weekend with my nephew Zac and his great family. We secured these plans some time ago. I’m thrilled to be able to enter his world for a few days. Zac serves at NewSpring Church in Anderson. I’m looking forward to seeing where he works and worships.
At Grace this weekend, I’m thrilled to have Greg Tonkinson as our teaching guest. Greg and I went to Phoenix Seminary together. He’s taught at Grace before. You DO NOT want to miss this. Matter of fact, do me a favor, and invite someone to come with you. Seriously, you’ll be blessed. Let’s have more in church when the pastor is out of town. Why not? Everyone expects the opposite. Go ahead, surprise me!
Remember this Sunday is the Children’s Ministry Orientation. It’s not too late to sign up for this amazing opportunity to serve the children of Grace. Call the office Thursday and let them know you’re in!
I’ll be checking in on this blog throughout the weekend with updates on my time with Zac. If you haven’t seen his blog recently, check it out on the side of this page.
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