MondaySunday Recap: The Jesus Experiment

Brian kicked off a new series: The Jesus Experiment.  He left us with a challenge for the rest of January to help us live more like Jesus.  (1) Spend a little more time with the Lord. (Start from where you are and add a little more)  (2) Take every opportunity to serve people in your life.   (3) Before making tough decisions; stop and ask what would Jesus do.  I love the simplicity and practicality of this message.  To be more like Jesus, we can start by doing the things that Jesus did. 

MondaySunday Recap: Colossians

Key Verses: Colossians 3:12-13

"Forgiveness kills bitterness at its roots."  -Craig Groeschel

Last week my hubs taught about forgiveness.  He also taught the basics of what forgiveness is and is not...

Forgiveness is NOT...
-pretending it didn't happen
-enabling the offender
-responding to an apology
-forgetting
-trusting
-reconciliation

Forgiveness is...

-releasing someone of a debt

-a gift to you and gift to the offender

-an act of grace

-leaving ultimate justice to God

-a decision and a process

-genuinely wanting good for the offender

What "forgiveness is/is not" helped me gain a fresh view of the reality of forgiveness and it diffused a few urban legends (refer to sermon for Pop Rocks + Coca-Cola experiment).  

We choose to be more like Jesus when we choose to forgive.  He forgave us.  He tells us to forgive.  It's clear He wants us to forgive.  Check out the parable of the unmerciful servant.  Thankful Jesus gives us motivation and grace to forgive. 

Note: Thanks to technology and our awesome video crew (the Handy fam) -- I watched this sermon (from Aug 26) on my iPhone!  Check it out here! 

MondaySunday Recap: Vice Verses

image from Amazon

My hubs continued in the Colossians series with a look at Colossians 3:8-11

Paul instructs the believers to deal with sin as seriously and as soon as possible...these vices include: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, lying.

• Anger - simmering, long-lasting anger that leads to hatred 
• Wrath/Rage - quick, outbursts of rage
• Malice - wishing evil to others, especially when it makes us feel good about ourselves
• Slander - talk about others meant to tear down and ruin their reputation
• Obscene Talk - filthy language, unholy talk
• Lying - dishonesty {bold face lie and breaking commitments}   

When Brian defined these vices, it helped me understand the difference between malice, wrath, and anger. At some point in your life, these vices will try to creep in and stay for a while.  Brian reminded us with sin it's, kill or be killed.  We have to be serious about being sin killers.  Only through the grace and power of God can we grow to be Spirit-controlled, trust Him with justice, and take our thoughts captive.  The world/media/people say it's okay to be mad, get revenge, start drama...but when our aim is to please the Lord we can't settle for the easy way out.

You can view this sermon from the Vice Verses series here... 

MondaySunday Recap: Look Up!

image from Amazon

My hubs continued in the Colossians series with a look at Colossians 3:1-4

He kicked off the sermon with this verse:

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. ¹² Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:11-12)

This world is not my home. I'm an alien. My life is a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.

One of my favorite points from the sermon:

You are what you think about. (Colossians 3:2).  

Brian mentioned some good things to think about...God's greatness, God's goodness, God's grace, God's blessings, God's mission for our life...instead of sin, hate, gossip, and worry.

Brian reminded us that our JOY is at stake when we consider our thoughts.

Lately I have been consumed with filling up my cup with the Scriptures, good teaching, purposeful conversations, and encouragement...thankful for the joy that God produces in my life when I think about these things.  Although everything around me is far from always "good" --- I still find my hope and JOY in Christ.

Check out the sermon "Look Up" from the Vice Verses series here...

MondaySunday Recap: Identity Crisis

My husband, Brian, continued teaching from Colossians in the series, Identity Crisis.  Brian has been reminding us that the most important and the truest thing about us is what God says about us.  We can find our identity in Christ and walk in that identity.  

His first point from Colossians 1:13 was that - We have been rescued from darkness.  Brian described the darkness and hopelessness of a life and eternity in darkness.  I will never have to know what life is like without knowing Christ.  I sometimes think about what and where my life would be without Him.   Since I have been rescued, I can live out my purpose to bring glory to God with my life.  I no longer have to live in fear of the future or search for the meaning of life.

The second point: We have been relocated from darkness to the kingdom of light.  Brian described it with basketball teams and jerseys.  I got traded/relocated/transferred from the worst team to the best team. Thankfully it does not depend on my talents, works, or goodness.  Jesus did all the work.  I was an enemy of God and now He considers me friend, daughter, and forever family.

And the final point was both a truth and challenge: We are the LIGHT of the world. Brian challenged us to to be a BRIGHT light to reflect our Savior to the world around us.  Cue the kids song, This Little Light of Mine, it's definitely easier said than done.  It doesn't take very long to see the world is dark and desperate for hope.  We know Hope if we have faith in Jesus.  This sermon encouraged me to put it into perspective that since Christ did ALL that for me, I can joyfully strive to be LIGHT for Him.

Check out the sermon online here.

[MondaySunday Recap] Identity Crisis

We continued our summer of Colossians with a series specifically called: Identity Crisis.  This was one of my favorite messages that my hubs preached!  It's normally my weekend to work, so I was extra thankful to be at church.  A lot of times we wrongly find our identity in what people may believe or say about us, but Brian reminded us as believers we can find our identity in what God says about us.

The most important and the most true thing about us is what God says about us.   

Colossians 1:12 says that we can be thankful that God the Father has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  We are qualified for salvation because of Jesus.

Brian specifically communicated that we can find our identity as a child of God.

We are sons and daughters adopted into God's family.  

I really enjoyed learning about Brian's research of adoption in Roman times.  (1) The adopted family chose the child (2) It was very costly and difficult to adopt (3) It was almost impossible to disown an adopted child.  What a beautiful picture that the audience of Paul's day might understand in such a way when he wrote about our adoption in Romans 8:14-16.

As God's children our inheritance is the kingdom of God, eternal life, the promises of God, the protection of God's promises.  Brian put the awesomeness of our inheritance as adopted children of God a little something like this...

Our inheritance in Christ makes a billion dollars or anything that the world offers look like getting a dirty sock for Christmas. (paraphrased)

Our acceptance into God's family is a story of adoption, grace, and true identity.

Check out the sermon online here.

MondaySunday Recap | God's will for my life is ___.

[God's will for my life is ______.] -  Colossians Pt. 3

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. Colossians 1:9-11 ESV

Brian shared that God's will/desire for our life is to live a holy life and to bear fruit.

How?
1. Choose to always be learning. (Col 3:16, James 1:22)
2. Choose to live with the power God has given you. (Col 1:11)

I think that a "holy life that bears fruit" is a life that is obsessed with pleasing God and not people.  A holy life does not mean a perfect goody goody two shoes life that never makes mistakes and always knows all the right answers.

As believers, we will spend a lifetime growing in the knowledge of Christ and learning what pleases the Lord with endurance and patience with joy.

I really liked how Brian defined endurance and patience with joy:
-endurance: "strength to finish the race and finish strong"
-patience with joy: "endurance when we face evil and suffering"

When Paul wrote to the church in Colosse he must have known that they would need endurance and patience with joy to live the life. He sure displayed it!

You can check here the message here...

MondaySunday Recap: Real Questions

Week 2 

Brian continued the series "Real Questions" and taught us that the Bible teaches that we can know that we are really saved.  A lot of world religions leave you wondering at the end of your life.  But as followers of Christ...we can have hope in God's word. 

Why? How? What? (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Why: Our foundation is grace. Because of God's grace he saves us and adopts us into his family.

How: Through faith in the One, Jesus Christ, that can alone save us --- trusting in all He says He is

What: It looks like this...repent and believe...turn away from sin and turn to God through Jesus

Next.

In Christ our heart changes and we become more like Christ. We don't have to fix our lives or try to clean everything...we bring it all to Him.  We grow in the process of becoming more like Jesus...we inherit characteristics and a heart and desire to be more like our Father.  We are His children.

I love when Brian reminded us that...

'Everything we inherit from our Heavenly Father is good.' 

Brian did a great job communicating the simple and clear words of the Good News that we can know we are really saved.  This is still pretty amazing to think/hear about time and time again.  We are accepted and adopted by the Creator of the universe when we place our faith into His offer of salvation.  

MondaySunday Recap: Proverbs Pt. 5

MondaySunday Recap: Proverbs Pt. 5

My husband wrapped up the Proverbs series with an awesome message from one of my favorite memory verses.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

It's hard to read these verses without the melody of a middle school VBS song playing in my head..."and he will make your paaaaa-ths....straight!" Basically in sing-song.

Brian reminded us to trust in the Lord because the Lord is trustworthy.  He also described the heart as the center of our mind and emotions.  We are instructed to trust God with ALL of our heart.

And my favorite part was when Brian gave an example of leaning on the wisdom of God instead of trusting our own understanding.   He made a great point that it should make more sense to lean on
the understanding of a perfect, Creator, sustainer, all-knowing God than to lean our own understanding.

I thought of things I'm guilty of leaning on instead of God...
...the understanding of others,
...the understanding of Hannah,
...the understanding of what people think,
...the understanding of the world,
...the understanding of what is comfortable,
...the understanding of expectations.
I'm sure that's just me, but maybe you can relate. Anyone?

I was also reminded of how much I love that God's word can speak a fresh perspective into my life.  In college I really grew to love that God's plans are truly best for my life.  Plain and simple. God plans are greater than my plans!  It is always best for us to cling to Jesus and to lean on His wisdom and truth.

You can watch the sermon online here.

MondaySunday Recap: Easter 2012

Last week's message recap...
Brian shared some awesome things that Jesus said about himself.  He did a great job communicating these awesome truths about Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  God forgives, gives grace upon grace, and gives us a hope and a future...thank you Jesus. 

Easter Sunday: It's All About Jesus.

1. Jesus came down from heaven. 

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. John 6:38 

2. Jesus is sinless. 

And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. John 8:29

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

3. Jesus said He was God.

I and the Father are one. The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”          John 10:30-33 

4. Jesus said He could forgive sin. 

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2:5-7

5. Jesus said He was the only way to be saved. 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6

6. Jesus invites all to be saved. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

7. Jesus died...and He died for you. 

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.John 19:28-30

8. Jesus claimed He would rise from the dead...and He did! 

And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”Matthew 20:17-19

Check it out online here.

MondaySunday Recap: Proverbs

Proverbs Part 2:
What We Say Matters

"Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." Prov 13:3

Brian walked us through a lot of great verses pertaining to the power of our words.  He organized the sermon into two cleverly alliterated parts: Ways Our Words Can Wreck Our Witness and Ways Our Words Can Work Wonders.

One of my favorite quotes from the sermon is. "We should be careful that our tone/words communicate the joy and self-control we have in Christ."  

My favorite part of the sermon was about the ways our words can work wonders. Encouraging cards, text messages, conversations---words fitly spoken at the right time to the right person (led by the Spirit at work in our life!)   Brian used an example of a time when I encouraged him last week.  I can truthfully say that there are countless times that my husband encourages me and says the right thing at the right time, just when I need to hear it! (Oh and for that I'm so thankful!)

Also I love how Brian said that with our words we can speak potential into someone, so that they might want to walk in that encouragement.  Potential is seeing something in someone that they might not even know is in them --- and God can use it for His glory!  The potential spoke into my life by Brian and a ton of great spiritual mentors/influencers from college has made such a huge difference in my life as I walk day to day with the Lord taking on challenges and new experiences.

I thought you might enjoy reading these powerful verses from the sermon...(click on the picture below for a better view)

And don't forget you can check out the website to watch the sermon here.

MondaySunday Recap: Thrive

Brian continued the third week of the series THRIVE by looking at the Biblical community from the church that thrived in Acts.  Click here  and here to check out week one and week two. 

Our big thought this week: 
{You are more likely to grow in Christ and less likely to have your faith derailed, if you are in Biblical community}

Brian taught about the Biblical community demonstrated by the early church in Acts 2:42.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [Act 2:42]

1. Devotion to the teaching: Preparing for worship and participating in worship  

2. Fellowship: Community of believers with the same mission, encouragement, accountability, and doing life together 

3. Breaking bread: Participating in the Lord's Supper and remembering what Christ did for us and all the believers along the way

4. Prayer: Praying for each other and with each other 

I was greatly reminded that it is essential to our spiritual life/health to have a community of believers to walk through life and share life's ups and downs.

MondaySunday Recap: Thrive

Brian continued the second week of the series THRIVE by looking at the church in Acts 2 that thrived through knowing and sharing the gospel.  Click here to check out the recap from week one.

Our big thought this week: {A church that thrives, KNOWS and SHARES the GOOD NEWS}

Brian shared four thoughts from the early church in Acts 2:21-36. 
1.       The GOOD NEWS is for EVERYONE. (Acts 2:21)
2.       We are the reason HE died. (Acts 2:22-23)
3.       HE isn’t dead; HE is ALIVE. (Acts 2:24)
4.       God has made Jesus both LORD and SAVIOR (Acts 2:36)

I especially liked when he described that the GOOD NEWS is for EVERYONE.  He shared a funny story about when you board a plane, they usually call to board the platinum members, gold members, etc. and then everybody else (aka coach, cheapest seats).   It's like a class system of travelers.  He shared that God doesn't have a class system.  Either ---- we are sinners that need saving or sinners who have experienced the GRACE of God.  The hope we find in Jesus is for EVERYONE – not just for the platinum club members, the ones that have it all together, talk eloquently, do a lot of good things, know a lot of church stuff – but it’s for the weak, the desperate, the broken, the ones that are trying, and the ones that don't quite have their life in order.

Brian brought out a bicycle for a newspaper boy illustration.  He threw out some newspapers with the plain and clear words that JESUS SAVES.   He did this simple illustration to visually remind us that "The local church is God's chosen vehicle to share the good news to the world" --- no one is going to do our job for us.

---

Due to technical difficulty, this week's message is unavailable but we should be up and running again next week!  You can watch last week's sermon online at www.fbckopperl.org or click here. 

MondaySunday Recap: Thrive

Brian kicked off a new series, THRIVE.  Over the next few weeks we will look at the early church in Acts.   The early church didn't just survive...they knew what it meant to thrive. They shared their lives, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and experienced God in incredible ways!

Brian reminded us that we have received the Holy Spirit when we invite Christ into our lives.  And when we accept Christ into our lives, we receive the same power from the Holy Spirit that was with the early believers that lived and died to accomplish God's work and bring Him glory in the early church.

Brian shared a few characteristics of the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit:
1. Illuminates God's Word to teach us: Helps us to understand what we read in God's Word and process what we learn when we hear the Word taught, or during praise and worship through song
2. Convicts and guides us: Helps us decipher when we sin and motivates us to change, He guides us through the decisions and actions of everyday life
3. Helps us to pray: Even when we don't know how or what to pray about, Romans 8:26-27 (Powerful stuff!)

I especially liked the practical points that Brian shared about how to hear from God.
1. Ask God to speak to you (through His Word and prayer)
2. Consistently confess sin and turn away from sin
3. Consistently spend time with God, in God's Word, with God's people
4. Create a margin of time in your schedule (It's hard to hear from God when your running in every direction)

When I have been thinking and reading God's Word this week, I have especially taken note of any mention of the Holy Spirit.  I am thankful that the Holy Spirit dwells in me.  I need all the help I can get to love God more and love people more.  I need the Holy Spirit to help me to pray when I don't know how to pray.  I need the Holy Spirit to remind me that in all situations (especially dark times) that there is hope.  I need the Holy Spirit to give me joy and peace that passes all understanding.  I need the Holy Spirit to remind me and convict me when I'm being stubborn or dumb.  I need the Holy Spirit to help me forgive.  I need the comfort of the Holy Spirit in all my days.

This Sunday I listened to the sermon on my drive home from work.  

You can watch this week's sermon online at www.fbckopperl.org or click here.

MondaySunday Recap: Love God. Love People.

Brian and I had an awesome weekend serving with amazing leaders at our student ministry's first disciple now weekend, Hub Weekend. Brian and Joe assembled an outstanding team of leaders and host homes to ultimately help our students move forward in their relationship with Jesus! We had the joy of serving with some of our dear Louisiana friends in our little town in Texas.  I was challenged, inspired, encouraged, and refreshed to spend time with God, God's Word and God's people!

Sunday, Brian wrapped up the weekend, "Love God, Love People" in such a powerful way! I know I'm biased but I love my pastor and his heart for Jesus.  Teaching from Mark 12 when Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, Brian's message clearly communicated the incredible love of God.

He answered the question - Why should I love God with everything when everything around me doesn't make sense?  Here are a few points I wrote down in my notes:

1. God is alot better than us.

-Consider His character, understanding, and power: 

God's character (holy, blameless, sinless, perfect)  vs. man character (sinful, broken, messed up)

God's understanding (wisdom, higher thoughts, all knowledge)  vs man (life doesn't make sense, can't figure it all out)

God's power (he spoke/thought the world into existence) vs man ("we haven't even built a star")

 2. And yet, God loves us.

He loved us first ("he loved us before our parents named us or picked out what we'd wear on the first day of school")

 He proved His love for us   (He sent His son, Jesus to die for us)

And just like any relationship, we have to work to stay in love and stir our affections for Christ. This comes through spending time with God, God's Word, and God's people.  As we love God and walk in obedience, we will love people---we will begin to love the things that God loves and care about the things that God cares about.

You can watch this week's sermon online at www.fbckopperl.org or click here.

MondaySunday Recap: Glimpses of Glory

Glimpses of Glory

Matthew 2:1-12

We started a new Christmas series called Glimpses of Glory.  We looked at the story of King Herod and the wise men.  From their perspectives we can catch a glimpse of how the birth of Jesus and His Kingdom can impact our lives.

King Herod was threatened and disturbed by the birth of Jesus and later wanted to kill him.  He sees Jesus as a threat to his kingdom.  When obedience to Him calls us to respond, we can be like King Herod and view God's kingdom and Christ's purposes as a threat to our kingdoms (our wants, our desires, our hopes, our treasures, our plans).  Brian reminded us that living for the Lord and making an impact for His Kingdom with our time, resources, and devoting our lives to follow after Jesus are the kind of things that will last.  (i.e. The eternal value of leading someone to know Jesus will last forever.)  If we live to build up ourselves and build temporary kingdoms---in the end it will fade and be destroyed (just like a lego house is easily torn down - see sermon for illustration).  Bottom line: God's Kingdom never fades.  We can live to build up our name or build up His name.

King Herod sent the wise men to find Jesus.  And it says in Matthew that, "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him." They were sent to find him, but when they arrived they worshipped.  Normally you don't visit a new baby and spontaneously start worshipping.  That would be weird.  But they recognized that Jesus was different. We see that Jesus, the Son of God was born to be our Savior. And He is worthy to be worshipped.  

You can watch this week's sermon online at www.fbckopperl.org or click here.

MondaySunday Recap: Parable of the Ten Minas

Parable of the Ten Minas
Luke 19:11-26

My husband Brian continued the Storytellers series with the parable of the ten minas (also known as the parable of the ten talents).  In this parable, Jesus talked about a king that gave ten minas (about 3 months wages) to ten servants.  While he was away, the servants were instructed to use their mina to make a profit.  When the king returned, the first servant had earned 10x more, the second servant earned 5x more, and the other one earned nothing b/c he hid his mina in a handkerchief.

Brian explained that this parable from Jesus teaches that as believers and followers of Christ that we have been given time, talents, and treasures (resources) to invest in God's kingdom for His glory.  As we are called to invest our lives and everything God has given us, we are investing in something that will not fade or decay.

I always like how he gives us practical ways to carry this out --- like how to invest our time by spending time with things eternal:

1. God (prayer)
2. God's Word
3. God's People

I love how he closed with an encouraging and challenging message to be a good investor of everything that comes from God.   It was especially hopeful to hear that it's not too late to start today.  Even if you've spent your last week, month, or years without investing your lives for something greater (God's Kingdom) --- if you still have a breath ---- you can make a difference.  God can still use you.

You can watch this week's sermon online at www.fbckopperl.org or click here.

MondaySunday Recap: Fighting Words

Fighting Words Pt. 1 (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Yesterday, we kicked off a new series, "Fighting Words" In this series we will study how to fight for the life God has for us. We are called to be "strong IN the Lord" Brian reminded us that our strength comes from who we are connected to - not our own abilities/strength. We must recognize that there is an enemy that wants to destroy us, but we have access to ALL the weapons for victory IN Christ!

I liked the clever way that Brian put it, "We must choose to use God's armor." In this battle we daily face, we have to choose to trust in God's Word and His promises to give us everything we need. Brian said we are are faced with the choice to live good or great lives for Christ. I wrote down this statement he said "It's like we are standing in the shadow of God's intent for our life" I had to think about it later when I was reading my sermon notes, it really made me think/ponder/reflect on my heart and desires to live a life of greatness instead of settling for good enough.

And this made me think about my walk with the Lord. I have found that it is easier to choose to --- stand in the shadow of God's intent, live a defeated life, play it safe and be comfortable. But when I choose to fight for the life God has for me, it may be more difficult but He will provide me with everything I need. And the richness of God's blessing and joy in my life have come from the times I choose to stand strong in the Lord, trust in His great promises and dive into the unknown and adventure of following Him. When I strive for great instead of good. The Switchfoot song More Than Fine says it like this, "more than fine, more than bent on getting by, more than fine, more than just okay"

My husband's sermon reminded me that I'd rather fight for God's best in my life than settle for okay.

The whole day was great! We celebrated the baptism of five students, ate hotdogs for Superbowl Sunday dinner, participated in an afternoon youth vs adult football game, and hosted our D-Group friends for a Superbowl party.

(Fighting Words, Feb 6, 2011)

MondaySunday Recap: More Power

Our pastor, also known as my cute husband, wrapped up a three part series called "MORE POWER." This series focused on how to live a POWERFUL life! I am just back to blogging so I will start with the most recent sermon from yesterday!

Week One: Powerful people have a powerful God. (1 Kings 18:16-37)
Week Two: Powerful people are courageous people. (Nehemiah)
Week Three: Powerful people have a powerful mission. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Week Three: We are the LIGHT of the world. My husband highlighted that our light should be attractive (Titus 2:9-10) and that we should be bright lights for the world to see the evidence of God in our lives. During our D-group time on Sunday afternoon, we thought of people that we know live bright attractive lives for Christ - meaning that they make the Gospel of Christ appealing and their lives are full of joy and grace to the world around them! I thought about my best friend, Lori Grundy, she radiates the joy of Christ in her life and to the people she takes care of at the clinics, her church family, family, & husband, Blake. She constantly encourages me to continue my pursuit of Christ and to live a life pleasing to Him!

We are a CITY ON A HILL. My husband made us think about a few known cities and what they are known for --- like New Orleans: the Saints Superbowl Champions :), great food, and Mardi Gras. Brian expressed that his desire for our church at FBC Kopperl is to be a city known for our love and hope! Brian challenged us with a 'Community Missional Challenge' --- to spend time with things eternal (God, God's Word and God's People), to share Christ and pray for those far from God, and encourage fellow believers in our life.

We had a great day worshiping together & spending time with one another!

(More Power, Jan 23, 2011)