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Friday, November 13, 2009
Saying Grace
In those quiet moments when we’re most honest with ourselves, it’s easy for us to feel the weight of guilt. We say things like, “You’re a spiritual loser” or “God would never use you” or “You don’t deserve to be blessed.” “Saying guilt” to ourselves becomes common.
So what if we heard God “saying grace” to us? And what if we could start “saying grace” to ourselves? We could start lavishing grace on others in a world that knows far more about unforgiveness than it does of mercy.
Grace is God’s love for the undeserving. We can drop the burden of never measuring up and instead revel in the comfort of a God who loves us for who we are - not for who we think we should be.
God “saying grace” gives life-changing power. It’s free. It’s unrelenting.
As we consider the challenges in our world today and the role that government plays in solving or even creating problems, many people are angry. It seems that the two party system in America leaves us choosing between limited options.
Who stands for Biblical truth when it comes to issues like the poor, the value of life, the environment, and sexuality? When no one speaks up, at times even ourselves, we should be ticked!
In this series, we’ll look at the difficulties faced when it comes to faith and politics. As we sift through the political rhetoric, we’ll seek to understand what God’s Word has to say about several “hot button” issues. Let’s get to the truth behind—or above—it all.
Family life can be fulfilling. And challenging. And difficult. For singles. For parents. For kids. For spouses.
Most of us would say that our family life is less than perfect. The “happily ever after” that was promised in childhood fairy tales can seem a distant dream.
But there is a way to thrive in the midst of the challenges family life can have. Even in a less-than-perfect family, the Bible teaches that you can still experience meaning, purpose, endurance, and joy.
This series at CVC is designed to offer you hope. You can truly “thrive”.
Most people have a deep desire to connect. With family. With friends. With God.
At times, busy schedules, longer working hours, and the fast pace of life can leave us feeling disconnected. So when life’s problems inevitably arise, there can be few places to turn. Questions come to mind, like “Who can give me some solid advice? Is there someone who can give me guidance? Who will understand me? Who will encourage and challenge me?” Then we often ask ourselves, “Am I truly contributing to someone else’s life so that this world is a better place?”
Romans 12, a chapter in the Bible, is full of insights about what it really means to connect. This series will help us learn how to belong to a true community.
Looking to belong? Join us for this August series at CVC.
A Good Church?: You hear it all the time and may even have said it yourself: “Churches are irrelevant, judgmental, and hypocritical. Churches talk, but don’t walk. If I could ever find ‘a good church’, I might get involved.” Too often, criticism of the church is justified. So, just what makes for “a good church” anyway? Tucked away in the pages of the Bible is a brief letter to a church leader, Titus. In it, one seasoned leader mentors another and describes what “a good church” is and does. This series can help raise the level of “good” in your life, church, community, and world. Join us this summer, and let’s talk about how we can be better at being “a good church.”
GODISNOWHERE
Many people would say that God is distant and then wonder why. We ask questions like, “How can I connect with God?” and “Where is God when life hurts?” According to the Bible, God is everywhere. He is not distant or hiding, and He wants to be known. Feeling far from God and desire to better connect? Let’s learn where we can find Him.
Join us as we draw near to God because GODISNOWHERE. Yes, GOD IS NOW HERE!
Life is full of big questions. Why? Why are we here? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why should I believe the Bible? All are tough questions. Why is the world so messed up? Why trust in God? Why does the resurrection of Jesus matter? We’re grappling with some of life’s most difficult questions in a world that doesn’t seem to provide many answers. We know we don’t have all of the answers. Let’s go on a journey of discovery in pursuit of real answers. No question is too tough.
Too many people take their cues from the news. And these days, the news feeds fear. What we hear is more and more bad news about job losses, cuts in pay, stock market downturns. Sadly, God’s people can conform to the world and allow fear to limit what God wants to do in, through, with and for them. But God is calling us to live in faith, not fear. In this series, we will learn more of what it means to obey the command “fear not” even in light of a shaky economy.
The verdict? Guilty. Why? We do many things we shouldn’t, and don’t do things we should. We all live with this sense that we just don’t measure up… we aren’t good enough. But God does not want us to be weighed down with guilt. Few things in this life are as destructive to relationships as unresolved guilt. But guilt handled God’s way can be a force for powerful, positive change. Psalm 51 shows us how God frees His people from guilt. His desire for us is to know mercy, hope, and healing. There is nothing about you or your past that cannot be redeemed.
If we’re honest, most of us feel uneasy talking to others about Jesus. But God is the One who changes lives. Our privilege is to develop friendships with others as we listen to, then tell stories that will guide them into a relationship with the God who transforms them. Aren’t we all intrigued by stories? Let’s discover the stories of people around us, connecting our story with theirs, then sharing the story of Jesus in a way that leaves them wanting to know more. Stories – What is theirs? What’s yours? How about the story of Jesus? Woven together, they change eternal destinies.
One month can make a big difference. If you knew you only had one month to live,
how would you live it? For most of us, knowing we only had one month to live would have us living differently. We’d invest in what matters most. Our relationships with God and with others. We’d love more. If we knew we had just one more month, we would be more intentional about how we spend the time we have. So, what keeps us from living this way now? One Month to Love: Take up the challenge with us.
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