E-ialogue.com

Time for Reflection and Evaluation

Someone once said, "one can be their worst critic."  That sounds a bit negative, but the truth of the matter is a steady dose of self evaluation and introspection is a needed discipline.  That being said I am coming up on my six year anniversary at Unity and have been doing a lot of evaluating and soul searching.

Some questions I am wrestling with have to do with me persoanly as a follower of Christ Jesus, then as the lead/senior pastor of Unity Baptist and discipler of both Unity's staff and leadership.  So, to my faith family at Unity, especially leaders I'll be talking with you and bringing some new things to the table.  I have really been convicted of some areas I and we must intentionally address.

Personally as a follower of Christ Jesus, each of us followers should be asking ourselves, "are we in step with our King Jesus?"  We talk a good game, but being a follower of Christ Jesus has eternal consequences which is NO game.

So I ask myself, 

    Am I living a life of devotion to Jesus?

    Am I living in full obedience?  

    What can I do to improve?

I'm serious about this.  What about you?

 

Reflections on the Weekend

Wow what a weekend!!!   But it is all good.  I have to say that this has been a Easter weekend to remember.

• Friday was a day of preparation for our communty Kidz Eggtravaganza.  All the planning and energy put into making this event happen was WELL worth it.  Jesus had to be smiling.  Why?  I believe it was because this event went well outside the walls of Unity to touch this community with His love.  To everyone who made this event happen, blessings and keep praying for God to continue to use this investment to reach the souls of those who only see Easter as a time for eggs, bunnies and candy.  
• Kudo's has to go out to all our volunteers that stayed up all night smoking over 1600 lbs. of boston butts Friday night into Saturday afternoon.  Again, Jesus had to be smiling seeing His followers working and sacrificing together to see our students grow as His disciples through mission activity.  So thanks again to our grillin' team and let each of us pray for our students as June approaches and they go serve Jesus in Vero Beach Florida.
• Ah, Sunday...Ressurection Sunday was a Jesus proclaiming, resurrection shouting day.  To top it all off we were able to see God at work growing His family and Kingdom in those making professions of faith in Christ Jesus.  Knowing God's Word never returns void, I know that there are many more decisions to be made for Christ, but in the mean time I want to say thanks to all those who participated and prayed with fasting that Resurrection Sunday would be an Easter Sunday to remember.  Prayers were answered!
• I trust everyone had a great time with family and friends the remainder of the day.   Too, despite the busyness of the weekend I pray the attitdue of your heart and soul blessed our Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son, the resurrected Christ Jesus.

This Sunday we wrap up our series on TWILIGHT - Jesus Last Week and should the Lord tarry we will kick off our new series "Skittles" on May 8th.  Yep, Mothers Day!

Easter Bump

We are literally at the midweek point for the week where more people are gearing up for a record crowd on Sunday.  I know, I know that every Sunday is a memorial and celebration of Christ's resurrection, so each Sunday should have a record crowd.  But you can't deny this coming Sunday has a markable difference.  However like everything else over shadowed by commercialism and watered down spirituallity, many have little to no clue of what makes Resurrection Sunday (Easter) so significant for their lives.  And to make a point from Romans 10:14, "How will call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard?..."  You and I have an incredible opportunity to bring "light" to those blinded from the light of the gospel.

You have heard the truth that more are receptive to a personal invitation to join you for a Sunday worship experience than any other form of reaching out, but it bears repeating one more time.  Let's not lose the opportunity to invite as many as we can to come and hear the "Good News,"  Christ Jesus has risen, risen indeed!

Worth the Read

I follow a "cultural apoligists" Blog called "Center for Christ and Culture" by S. Micheal Craven.  With all the government employees in our church family and the tension with the governments budget battles, I thought you might find Micheal's article interesting and something good from all the mess.

He speaks to one of the issues that proved to be a strong item of contention between the powers that be and in my opinion should have never been something our country's taxpayers should be funding.  Anyway, I'm not going to get political, I promised that this blog wouldn't ever be an outlet for my political views.  But this subject is about an issue that strikes at the very core of our value of the sanctity of life.

Check it out here.

Reflections on the Weekend

Great day at Unity yesterday...but I think everyday at Unity is a great day.  But I am a bit biased.

• I can't speak for the other Adult Bible study groups but I can say that my group (Discover) had some great discussion and insights as we fellowshiped over God's Word in the Gospel of Mark.  Again, if you aren't in a Bible study group you're depriving yourself of a vital part of your life.
• Ah, Sunday's spirit of Worship was great...I can never get enough of God's people lifting their voices in unison to say, "thank you Father!"  I was especially blessed to see some new faces on the worship team...God is working.
• We focused on Jesus' High Priestly Prayer of John chapter 17 in our "Twilight" series.  I don't know about you but I am absolutely pumped to know Jesus not only thought about me before Calvary, He prayed for us as well.  Now that's encouraging!
• Again, to all our guests thank you for joining us Sunday.  I trust your experience with Unity was positive and God is ministering to you through your time with us.  Please join us again next Sunday as we gather together again and celebrate the absolute GREATEST gift God ever, I mean ever gave us.  God has a "word" for you!

Blessings....

Worth Repeating

"God never said, 'Find a church where everybody looks like you.' We are to look for a church where everyone looks like Him." Wayne Cordeiro, (Doing Church as a Team, 50) At least where everyone is in the process of become more and more like Christ Jesus.

Sunday's Coming

Last weekend was an incredible time but I am looking forward to this coming Sunday. We are going to continue to see how God does care for us by continuing our walk through Mark's Gospel account of Jesus' earthly ministry.
I am also excited to see how Jesus is going to work through us to see the girls orphanage in Uganda finished. All we need to do is meet out Christmas Mission Offering goal. I pray everyone will seek the Lord's leading in how "we" will meet this need.
Talking about need Second Saturday is coming and we will have a 9volt battery giveaway. So let's all bring 2 or more 9volt batteries between now and them.
God has been so good to us, so let's share and show our love for Him by gathering together Sunday and bless Him with our worship.

See you Sunday,
Pastor Lewis
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry