Jeff' Blog: The Christmas Story Via Facebook

Social media is a big part of our daily lives. There are a lot of good things about it, connecting with family, friends and loved ones. I can't help but wonder how Jesus and the disciples would have used this tool in ministry and in starting the New Testament Church!? The good news is no one would have been rejected as Jesus "Friend" (Maybe a religious leader or two!)

Here is a great video that considers the Christmas story through the tool of social media:



I want to personally invite you to join me Christmas Eve for one of our 3 Christmas Eve services. I will be talking about The Tradition Of Celebration, we will be doing Candle lighting, a few interactive things for the kids and some favorite carols. 3:30, 5:00 or 6:30. Be sure and invite friends and loved one to join you for this special evening.

Jeff's Blog: Character; It's Who We Are

The word character is found only a few times in the Bible, a key verse speaking of it is Romans Rom 5:3-5 "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." These few verses point out the very unique relationship between tribulations, perseverance and character.

The assumption of this passage is that the person being persecuted would endure, faithfully, and not deny their faith in Jesus. Enduring/persevering is something we do. Character is not something we do, character is who we are. The reality is that those who persevere trails are those with character. In other words our response to what is happening around us is the only evidence of our character.

Character is doing what is right because it's right. Not right because I feel it's right for me, but because the standard that God has set is what is right. Character requires a willingness to and ability to obey.

I have never met anyone who is against character. No one has ever said to me, "what we really need in our society is a little less character." We are all for character, it just that often we are not for going through all that it takes to prove our character, not willing to make it a priority. This is a matter of submitting to God and His principles and committing to obeying.

As I drive through my community, it is amazing to me how many places there are that we can go to improve our looks, out-ward appearances and character. There are so few places geared toward developing character. The church is one of the few places that would still be listed as one of those places.

Let this coming year, 2012, be a year for being committed to character development. Without a plan for character development we will eventually fall in line with the masses. Start by prayerfully listing out several things that you would like to be known for. Imagine that your spouse, friends or children are speaking at your memorial; what would you want them to say about you? Once you have your list, look for practical ways to develop those traits in your life this coming year.

Character is what a man is in the dark. -D. L. Moody

The God-given capacity to lead has two parts: giftedness and character. Integrity is the heart of character. -Dr. J. Robert Clinton

Jeff's Blog: Ton-teen

I've been a MASH fan most of my life. In fact when I was younger and MASH was still a current series (before the days of DVD or VHS recorders for that matter) I would be late for dates, work, just about anything to watch the weekly series. One of my favorite shows was entitled Ton-teen, where character Col. Potter was the last of his buddies living that had made a ton-teen during the war. In the show he toast the final passing of old friends, he was the last one living, thus he received a fine bottle of bourbon that he and his buddies had left unopened and made a ton-teen with. Then he toasted his co-workers, new friends, at the MASH 4077. Well, yesterday Henry Morgan, the actor who played Col Henry Potter, died. I loved his character on MASH, so here's to you Henry Morgan! Rest In Peace! Can't help myself, if I'm channel surfing at night and MASH is on, even though I mostly have them all memorized, I have to watch. Some things are good because they are just good.

Jeff's Blog: What I Like About Alive

During the wrap up this weekend of the talk series called "Why", I asked you to txt me answers to the question: What I like about Alive. Why did I ask the question? Not only did we talk about why we are here as individuals but why we are here as a church. I shared that in 2012 we are going to focus on the vision of creating a preferred environment for people who don't go to church but desire to connect with God - as we live our mission of leading people who are far from God to be followers of Jesus.So, I got some of your feed back about our environment. Here are some of YOUR answers that I didn't have time to read during the talk:

• I was accepted here with no hesitation
  
• The fellowship
• We love the teaching and how it gives us a focus for each week
• Being allowed to text during the service.
• Its the only church I've walked into and felt completely welcomed.
• Succinct, applicable bible studies that don't sound preachy and don't include emotional sappy stories.
• I like that I don't feel I'm being judged, or that my mistakes from the past aren't the topic of here and now rather its an attitude of accepting the Person I am today, instead of constantly dwelling on the sins of my past.
• Biblical & solid Christ-centered teaching & programs that cares 4 people spiritually & personally.
• 1. jesus hangs out here 2. the people 3. the atmosphere
• Alive is comfortable, inviting, warm, and accepting of everyone for who they are and where they are in their walk. Alive teaches straight from the Bible!
• No fluff. Teaches how it is
• Certainty,Accountability,Friendship, My needs are met here beyond my wildest dreams.
• I love everything. And yes I am in church instead of watching the game
• The music. The people. The emphasis on making disciples who make disciple
• A non-judgmental environment! You are patient with where people are which helps them to get to where they need to be. Thank you
• The music, and all of the free pie you are going to be serving on Sundays in 2012
• Pastor Jeff
• It is real
• I love the small, intimate, family-like atmosphere
• I like that the pastor reminds me of Jay Leno... Seriously, i like it that Pastor Jeff gets the message across without being too preachy.
• I like Alive because: They have a Lead Pastor that don't know you have to cook Pumpkin Pies.church online
• The music, and the fact the service feels like you are at a party with close family
• I like that I feel welcome and its not about the clothes we wear!
• It has really helped me understand the difference between a relationship with God and biblical knowledge.
• what i like is the free donuts!!
• That we get to learn about God.. (8 yrs old)
• My children can understand and it makes sense, casual, down to earth, friendly, fun.
• I am here because it feels like home.. The message I get every week just speaks to me. Its hard to describe.
• The church has helped me grow so much closer to God. And I feel so comfortable here.
• The candor

We mentioned that we will be having a Christmas offering starting in a couple of weeks, here are some of the details: Our goal this Christmas is $20,000

Here where we are going to give it:

• Care for the Community - 45% Benevolence and community care utilizing Interfaith Community Services to maximize our impact.
• Save Lives - 25% International Missions (Joe and Averyl Morris) Goal - Feed 4 Widows and their children for a year and an AIDS Training course. All in Africa.
• Reach Out - 15% Big Days / Digital Missions. In other words Evangelism
• 15% Invest in our students and children. Camp scholarships (youth and kids), youth curriculum, etc. Kid's environment and VBS.
  

We will be giving out more details this coming weekend as we begin a new weekend talk series called Christmas Traditions.