It has been almost a year since anyone has posted anything on here. It has been over a year since the group of men that started this stopped meeting regularly. However, God is still leading this group. From Godly new marriages to Godly anniversaries to Godly engagements to Godly relationships to Godly professional lives. From this point I can look back and say that Man Group was not only a success but a blessing to not only me but, I believe, to each involved as well.
Good to know God never gave up or will give up on us. Keep Him at the front and you will be blessed with something you may never have imagined.
-Pew
July 13, 2012
August 22, 2011
Something New
For the last couple of years my church has been moving from place to place and renting space for us to meet in every week. Back in May we opened our own building. Last night my pastor was talked a little about how he believes our building is a big picture of what Christ can do in someone.
Two years ago our building was a PGA Superstore and before that a Home Depot Expo Design Center and something else before that. Recently though it had been abandoned, stripped down, graffitied and had a thin fence put around it and stamped as an eyesore. My pastor mentioned that they when they were looking for a permanent place that they were not necessarily looking for a plot of land to raise a new building but to simply look for what God wanted. He said when they saw it they knew that is where God was calling us. However, the building had to be completely reworked on the inside and reconfigured and rezoned and recreated which took a very long time and effort among many people.
Our new church building is just like every person. It used to be something cool and then hard times hit, we hit a wall, we made a wrong turn or decision and all that's left is still a building but empty, cold and a shadow of what it used to be. When Christ comes into our lives though we are reworked. It starts in the inside and we are recreated and made into something new and the best part is is that it doesn't take a long time, it's instant. We become a light to the world and a beacon for what Christ can do in each of us. No matter where we are or what shape we are in God can take us, make us new and create something bigger, better, stronger and for Him.
Two years ago our building was a PGA Superstore and before that a Home Depot Expo Design Center and something else before that. Recently though it had been abandoned, stripped down, graffitied and had a thin fence put around it and stamped as an eyesore. My pastor mentioned that they when they were looking for a permanent place that they were not necessarily looking for a plot of land to raise a new building but to simply look for what God wanted. He said when they saw it they knew that is where God was calling us. However, the building had to be completely reworked on the inside and reconfigured and rezoned and recreated which took a very long time and effort among many people.
Our new church building is just like every person. It used to be something cool and then hard times hit, we hit a wall, we made a wrong turn or decision and all that's left is still a building but empty, cold and a shadow of what it used to be. When Christ comes into our lives though we are reworked. It starts in the inside and we are recreated and made into something new and the best part is is that it doesn't take a long time, it's instant. We become a light to the world and a beacon for what Christ can do in each of us. No matter where we are or what shape we are in God can take us, make us new and create something bigger, better, stronger and for Him.
August 8, 2011
"God is Able"
These are the lyrics to a new Hillsong Live song that we sang at Passion yesterday. This song is hope. This song is power. This song is about how He will always be what you need. It's a great way to worship the Lord.
God is able
He will never fail
He is almighty God
Greater than all we seek
Greater than all we ask
He has done great things
Lifted up
Defeated the grave
Raised to life
Our God is able
In His name we overcome
For the Lord
Our God is able
God is with us
God is on our side
He will make a way
Far above all we know
Far above all we hope
He has done great things
Lifted up
Defeated the grave
Raised to life
Our God is able
In His name we overcome
For the Lord
Our God is able
God is with us
He will go before
He will never leave us
He will never leave us
God is for us
He has open arms
He will never fail us
He will never fail us
Lifted up
Defeated the grave
Raised to life
Our God is able
In His name we overcome
For the Lord
Our God is able
For the Lord
Our God is able
For the Lord
Our God is able
be for God because He is for you!
-Pew
August 1, 2011
"You Are More"
God is good - He has done so much. Isn't it an honor that we get to be part of His bride? I'm so glad we have the opportunity to honor Him with our words.
"There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, how did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love
But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes
You are more than the problems you create
You've been remade.
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
"There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, how did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love
But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes
You are more than the problems you create
You've been remade.
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes
You are more than the problems you create
You've been remade.
Powell
May 24, 2011
Thoughts on Forgiveness
Hey guys,
I know nobody's checked the blog in a while, but I wanted to post a thought I had during church the other day to garner some comments if you do happen to log on.
We were talking about forgiveness in church, and how it is freeing to forgive people for wrongs they've committed against you. I notice that of all people, I have the hardest time forgiving myself. In fact, I find myself repeating in my mind regrettable decisions I've made, encounters I've had, and other experiences that have done damage to me. I'm coming to realize that although it sounds like humility in my head, it is really a form of ingratitude for and inacceptance of the Lord Jesus' sacrifice for me, and a lie I've been told.
I'm having a hard time reconciling my automatic thoughts with my belief that I am also forgiven.
I wonder if you struggle with this too?
Powell
I know nobody's checked the blog in a while, but I wanted to post a thought I had during church the other day to garner some comments if you do happen to log on.
We were talking about forgiveness in church, and how it is freeing to forgive people for wrongs they've committed against you. I notice that of all people, I have the hardest time forgiving myself. In fact, I find myself repeating in my mind regrettable decisions I've made, encounters I've had, and other experiences that have done damage to me. I'm coming to realize that although it sounds like humility in my head, it is really a form of ingratitude for and inacceptance of the Lord Jesus' sacrifice for me, and a lie I've been told.
I'm having a hard time reconciling my automatic thoughts with my belief that I am also forgiven.
I wonder if you struggle with this too?
Powell
March 6, 2011
Lord, I Need You
Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart
Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need you
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
AND WHERE YOU ARE, LORD, I AM FREE
Holiness is Christ in me
Teach my song to rise to you
When temptation comes my way
AND WHEN I CANNOT STAND I'LL FALL ON YOU
JESUS, YOU'RE MY HOPE AND STAY
-"Lord, I Need You" by Passion
February 23, 2011
Abba, Father
After taking a couple days to think of what title for the Lord I connect with the most it would have to be Abba. A little background, the word Abba is derived for Aramaic and is "baby-talk" for daddy, like dada or moma would be. It used often in the New Testament, Mark 14:36 for example.
The thought of God being our Heavenly Father is something that is hard to grasp. I have heard many of sermons talking about such a subject. To quote A.W. Tozer, "What I believe about God is the most important thing about me." I look at God as a big guy in the sky who I can always run to whenever I'm in need and who will comfort me, as my earthly father would. The Lord is always looking out for me and truly wants what is best for me. He wants my love and He wants me to show Him love and respect.
There have been times when I have been on the brink and seriously in distress when all I want is my father or mother because I know that whatever is happening to me they will show me the love that I crave. I desire, excuse me, I want the desire to feel that way toward my God all the time. In our times of pain He can make it better. He can provide everything we need. He can give us that hug that we always need when we have screwed up and are ashamed to even talk to Him. He will discipline us when we get out of line, only because He loves us (Hebrews 12:6). He will guide us to the way of righteousness. We are undeserving as sons and have spoiled the rights as sons, much like the prodigal son, but yet as we return bloody, ashamed, full of sin and discouraged our God is there to hug us, love on us and show us the way. Our Abba. My Father.
The thought of God being our Heavenly Father is something that is hard to grasp. I have heard many of sermons talking about such a subject. To quote A.W. Tozer, "What I believe about God is the most important thing about me." I look at God as a big guy in the sky who I can always run to whenever I'm in need and who will comfort me, as my earthly father would. The Lord is always looking out for me and truly wants what is best for me. He wants my love and He wants me to show Him love and respect.
There have been times when I have been on the brink and seriously in distress when all I want is my father or mother because I know that whatever is happening to me they will show me the love that I crave. I desire, excuse me, I want the desire to feel that way toward my God all the time. In our times of pain He can make it better. He can provide everything we need. He can give us that hug that we always need when we have screwed up and are ashamed to even talk to Him. He will discipline us when we get out of line, only because He loves us (Hebrews 12:6). He will guide us to the way of righteousness. We are undeserving as sons and have spoiled the rights as sons, much like the prodigal son, but yet as we return bloody, ashamed, full of sin and discouraged our God is there to hug us, love on us and show us the way. Our Abba. My Father.
"Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." - Galatians 4:7-8
Pew
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