Cameleon (I Cor. 9:22)

"I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (NIV)


Chameleons change color in their environment for their protection...that is their ultimate goal. There purpose is survival. Saving their own lives, self-preserving to live another day. Paul speaks of his ministry as if he were a chameleon in vs. 22. Yet his purpose is different. His goal is much different. Paul changes in groups, not for his own comfort or preservation. Not for popularity or acceptance. His goal is clear in this passage...to "save some". He will be a Jew when with Jews, he will be Greek when with Greeks....He will do anything by all means to make the people around him see the love of God through Jesus Christ. He will lose all freedoms he has so he won't cause those around him to stumble, he will enjoy freedoms around those who enjoy them yet do not know Christ. Sounds like a poser...sounds like a man who lost himself...sounds like a man who doesn't even know who he is anymore..........Your right, but before we snicker at a man with a seemingly serious identity crisis let's realize that this crisis was in fact his greatest level of obedience. You see Paul ceased being Paul, for the sake of the Gospel. In a day in age when social chameleons lose themselves for the sake of "surviving" socially, may we see the example of Paul and see that He lost himself for a cause that was worth it. Paul died to himself for the sake of saving others. What a difference! May my goal today be the eternal survival of others and not the temporary survival of my reputation found in the approval of others.

Change of Plans for Sunday

In lieu of meeting for small group at Steve and Farrah's we will be meeting at Papito's in Madison for dinner (5:30pm). Kids are welcome. Please continue to pray for Steve and Farrah's niece Lily who is very ill in the hospital in Birmingham. See you soon!

A Valley, A Storm, and the Prosperity Gospel

I met a lady last night that was in a tough spot.....She had asked God for a Mercedes Benz for everyday of the week, yet God hadn't answered her request.....He had only given her 6. I wish I was kidding but I am not. This was a real person, a real lady, a real Christian..... How does this happen? How do believers get so confused about who God is and what He really sees as valuable? She, a sweet lady who serves the poor all over Jackson, believes that God should stand by His Word and give her a 7th Mercedes....

In my reading today I find two men, David and Paul, both in the center of God's will but both in the middle of extreme turmoil. David speaks of the darkest valley and Paul is on boat in the middle of a hurricane. These men are doing nothing wrong...yet they find themselves surrounded by danger and harm. If we believe the "prosperity Gospel", that is the gospel that promises that we will be happy, healthy and wealthy, I guess Paul and David were missing out. I guess they were missing God....David- a man after God's own heart and Paul- the man used to tell the Gentile world about Jesus, must have been wrong. They must not of been blessed.
After driving away last night in my Hyundai Accent I thought to myself, maybe I am missing out, maybe I am not being blessed. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Maybe I should have a Mercedes for everyday of the week. God why am I not blessed? God spoke so gentle in my ear and reminded me who is blessed in His eyes. Matthew 5: 3-12. Then to top it off this morning He directed me to His Word yet again...

Lord, Thank you! I love you! Thank you for blessing me by allowing me to be your child, your son. Thank you for allowing me to serve, for giving me a family, and a great group of people to share life with. Thank you for a great church to work at and a lost city to reach. Thank you for a great group of students that will be used to change the World! I am way beyond blessed!

Directions to Steve and Farrah's

Go thru downtown Madison, take a RIGHT on old canton, then LEFT on Madison Ave, down to St .Ives, turn in to Hood, take immediate RIGHT and follow the curve around to our place -- 344 St. Ives Dr., White Brick next to vacant lot.

601 -707 -7303

See you there!

Awesome Small Group!

We had an awesome time last night over at Brad and Laura's Thanks so much for opening up your home to us! We missed Chad and Missy, Steve and Farrah, Derick, and Beth! We look forward to having everybody back next week.


I pray that we as a group continue to move forward through this sermon series
"I Quit" (Breaking free of the habits that hold you back).
Next week we will be discussing how to Find the Freedom that is already ours through Christ.

Here are the some of the verses we went over last night...I pray they will continue to encourage you throughout your week.

Psalm 103:1-5
Col. 1:12-14
Romans 8:31-39
I Tim. 1:12-17

See you on Sunday!

Appeal to Caesar! (Acts 25:11)

How amazing is it that the Gospel that Paul stood for was worthy enough for even the highest of ears in the world. Paul believed so much in His cause that he was not ashamed of it (Rom. 1:16) even before the most powerful man in the world.

In my life, internally, I struggle somedays with this. I tend to shy away from the truth, the cause, because I believe it might not be applicable or necessary or appropriate for a particular audience. I sometimes get intimidated and believe that the Gospel might not fit into a certain person's life...especially someone as important as Caesar....I mean the guys face was on every piece of currency in the world!

Lord, Break me of this..... Help me see the strength, the power (Rom 1:16) of your Gospel. May I realize as Paul did that it is not only a great story, but it is Your Story, Your life changing, World shaping story that is nothing short of the most important story ever told.....no matter who is listening.

Small Group at Brad and Laura's

This Sunday Feb 17th

5:30-7:00pm

Brad and Laura's

Life Journal and I Quit Session 3 (Dealing with Guilt)

From I-55: Take County Line Road exit. Take a R on Pear Orchard. Go through 2 stop signs. Take next R, which is the 1st Lake Trace entrance on R. We are 1805 Lake Trace Dr. Down on Left, only house with Brown Garage door.


From Rez: Cross Rez, take left on Old Canton, take R on Pear Orchard. 2nd lake trace entrance on L. We are down on L. 1805