" Disconnect "

Ever feel like you are just not is touch with reality. Friends seem to be on a different planet. Your husband or wife lives in the house next door. Students, do you feel like your parents don't care about what's going on in your life. Do they think it's all just DRAMA for yo MOMMA, when it's really a real issue. Well, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. That's sounds familiar. Ha. Feeling that DISCONNECT cause emotions to rise and crash. Tears to flow and usually words come of our mouth that cause feeling to get hurt and maybe even loosing the ones we love.
 During these broadcasts of DISCONNECT, Pastor Larry Roy and Leslie Lamb look at what goes on to help pull people back together. But understand Larry doesn't have that magic rope and Leslie can't pull hard enough to bring things back together. Only Christ can do that, but we can pray for you and walk with you as we all journey through these periods of Disconnect.
Peace.

tc

Beyond Easter

Easter means springtime is here, looking for bunnies, hunting Easter eggs, and eating lots and lots of candy, or is it?

 Being a Christian and attending a local church was never intended to be merely a religious and special celebrations a few times a year, aka: Christmas and Easter. The true Christian has a personal and daily walk with the Master. Those who follow Christ do so everyday. Just like when He walked on this earth, Jesus continues pressing forward today. You can keep up with Him as he leads and guides you, or choose to fall far behind or totally reject him and walk away.

A relationship with Jesus is very close to being married to my wife Penny. A healthy marriage requires constant communication, of which I struggle with daily, sharing good times and bad, loving each other, giving our attention away, even when we don't feel like it. Forgiving, encouraging each other, being honesty, and just spending time together. What if we only celebrated our anniversary, but didn't do much else together during the rest of the year? Then my marriage would be what I call PLASTIC. The same thing applies to being a Christian.

The question for us as an individual this Easter season was not whether or not the Lord wanted me to attend a church service even if I rarely attend church the rest of the year. His arms are always open. The question is this: Do I want a "relationship with Him that is like a "marriage" where the couple only celebrates on their anniversary? Or do I want to live an authentic Christian life with Jesus everyday so that He will know that I really do love Him and trust Him? His action on the cross revealed His love for me. My actions reveal whether or not I love Him. I have seen so many over the years walk down an aisle, sign a card, maybe get baptized and NEVER see change. They are in for a rude awakening one day.

Jesus definitely rose from the grave, but has my spirit been raised to new life....or do I remain dead inside regardless of my attending a religious holiday observance? Am I a born again believer through faith in Christ? If I am born again, I will be pulled like a giant magnet to Him daily, which includes Wednesday and Sunday at worship and to have fellowship there with others who believe in Him. If I have little or no interest in growing in my faith every week with other Christians, that is a strong indicator that I may very well not be born again. The Bible says ,“ Examine yourself”. When Jesus truly comes to live within a person, it changes everything. My thinking. My motives. My decisions. My priorities. My relationships. No change equals no new birth.

The fact is that some marriages are on life support. Likewise, some professing Christians are only kidding themselves. It could happen to any of us if we just went through the motions. The minute I begin to neglect my marriage or my relationship with Christ is the minute I begin to drift into "cyberspace”. Minutes of neglect turn into hours and eventually weeks and months of neglect. By the time you wake up to what is going on, the relationship is already nonexistent. We leave Christ, because He NEVER leaves us.

 That doesn't have to happen to you or to me. After all, Easter is a GIANT reminder to us all of what happened 2,000+ years ago..., but it should always be in our daily thoughts, actions and lives. What a perfect time RIGHT NOW to give your life to Christ for the first time, or to rededicate your life to Him and seek to restore my first love with Him....and if you are married, do it with your spouse.

So are Good Friday and Easter just dates on your calendar?

Do they thrill your soul everyday and each week as I worship with my Faith Family?

Those are questions for anyone who checks the "Christian" box on those salvation cards you may be signed.
I ask you today, “ Is your soul secure or have you been led stray but wrong thinking or something else along the way”?
Today is YOUR DAY for Salvation. Jesus is waiting and in return, I expect a phone call, text, email or Facebook message, DEAL ?

Till next time,

March 20, 2012 by lesliealamb

Healing the Blind

My last blog left off with my conversation with God, my desperate call for help to do what He was leading me to do, and His answer that we would heal others. I have to say, I immediately checked that thought, after all, I’m talking to teen girls about how to take their thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ, I have to do the same. Was it a selfish thought? Was it a thought that served myself or others? Was it good, lovely, and pure? Did it perpetuate the Love of God in me and through me? Did it line up with His Word? Yes. It did. I knew my Father spoke it, but what did He mean?

I looked back over what I was reading and listening to when I heard God’s voice as He spoke to Heidi and regardless of where I was and what I was supposed to be doing, I knew God was calling me away to focus, to get what He was saying, to understand. I shut the book, listened to the birds and the bugs (and saws) just outside my window and reached in to hear His voice. It was there, like a breaking wave, “You will heal the blind, cause the lame to dance, and set the captives free.”

Me? Surely I heard wrong. Who was I? I was little old Leslie with a lot of heart but very little power. I had just read Heidi’s story…she had kept her hands up for 3 hours, laid on her face for three days, and was consumed and ignited with the fire of God – of course, she would heal! I understood this. But I was no Heidi! I could barely pray for an hour without losing focus about a million times or fading off to sleep!

Then I heard the same thing He had been saying to me for a while, the very same answer He gave Peter when he wanted to know about John’s fate, “What’s that to you? What does what I do through anyone else, and what anyone else does for me have to do with you?” I was listening. “Leslie, when will you see that there is no prescription for My working power, no set of rules, or secret to unlock? When will you get rid of your box and take hold and trust in My Love?”

I was still struggling to process, but I was beginning to understand…it wasn’t about me at all. It wasn’t about me following a set of rules, or obeying a scheduled pattern of practice. It wasn’t about what I could do to earn His favor and walk in His power, it was about accepting that I had His favor and I was walking in His power by His grace!

A few months ago someone told me, “Leslie, God gave me a word for you.” I was open to receive that word…if it was from God, I was desperate to hear it. Then he said, “If you don’t stop your ego-centrism, it will destroy you!” I admit that I was immediately offended, and even more so deeply hurt. I tested that word, and looked it up in the dictionary…ego centrism- caring about no one but yourself, self-involved and selfish. Really? If God had said this, did He know me? I shared it with my mentor and it didn’t resonate in either of us, in the voice in which it was shared, so I was told to dismiss it. But, it has served to haunt me. Anyone that knows what I have been through in the last couple of years in my life, has seen me struggle to find purpose, and question my life, knows that pride is something that was intentionally plucked out of me, not nicely or with gentleness, but in it’s place came grace and mercy and understanding…for all things but PRIDE. Pride doesn’t sit well with me. I am righteously indignant against it. It rises up my cackles and requires me to settle my spirit before God to control and to calm. I have made that “word” my prayer that I would never truly hear those words from the lips of God…that I would always be humble in my faith and in dealing with others…and that everything I have been given to do, and every gift that He has bestowed upon me would be offered back in love and thankfulness that He might be glorified.

I say all that to say that as time has passed I have come to the conclusion that my friend was both right and wrong. He was wrong because He translated that word as accusation and warning, but it was meant to be (or has come to mean to me) a word of wisdom and advice. It had nothing to do with only caring about myself, or not being willing to get dirty to minister to others, or putting myself on a pedestal. It has everything to do with not thinking that anything that God is doing in me and through me was based on who I am or what others saw in me. Doing God’s work is about being obedient and being open. It isn’t about playing a part, or gaining the favor of man, it is entirely about being pliable in the hands of my Maker, my Creator, my Lord, and my King. Sure others can and will do what I do, and many can and will do it better. It’s not about me being special or an expert, it is about me being obedient to the call He’s placed on my life, without looking to see what He is doing through and in others.

Healer God was pointing out my blindness, opening my eyes to see what had obscured my sight for so long. Healing my vision blinded by my insecurities. This was an important step…because no one gets anywhere when led by a blind person…but when the blind leader begins to see…the journey is clearer, and the passion is stoked to remove everyone’s scales so that we all can see!

It's Only Time

Why are people always in a hurry. Always running behind as usual. Is life supposed to be this way?
People never enjoying the journey to get to where they are going. All the missed opportunities along the way.So that begs the question.
How do we get so busy that we over book ourselves or we just haven't learned to say no?
Many times in life we say yes to some really good things and therefore leaving no time to the better things. Eternal things. Things that have eternal rewards.

I remember back not too too long ago in my student ministry days, I would say yes to EVERYTHING. Can ou come to my ball game? Can ou come see me dance? Can you come to the football and watch the me in the band? Yes Yes Yes.......Wrong move. It seems like I was about to fall off a cliff and I woke up. Since that day, I ask myself, do I have time for this or not. Ya see, even Jesus needed some well deserved " J time aka: Jesus aka Daddy time" when He needed recharging or just clarity on His Fathers wishes. We call that God's will. I have heard thousand of people say, " I want to be safe right in the middle of God's will for my life". If you are doing God's will it is NOT always safe. Several times I have asked, they did they really say that or do they have any idea of what they just said. After I explained it they were like. I had no idea. God's will NOT always a safe place people. You see, God requires SURRENDER and most, if not all of us, are still working on that, I know I am.

So with all this being said said so far, I have to ask you these questions. Because the Bible tells us to examine ourselves and YOU probably have not done that in a very long time. So here we go, and I will go from #5 to the top question of #1.

#5 - Do you read your bible daily, maybe even a devotional? Yes /No

#4 - Are you plugged in to local church? I mean INVOLVED, not just sit on the back row and make a fast exit. Yes / No

#3 - Do you pray at least daily? I mean a no selfish prayer and pray for others? Yes / No

#2 - Have you ever accepted Christ as Lord and Savior? Yes / No

#1 - Do you TRULY love Jesus? Yes / No   He asked Peter that question multiple times and Peter still didn'y get it. Do you ?

If you were honest with your answers, that LIGHT BULB, should have gone off over your head.

So re-evaluate your priorities and give your time and attention to Jesus FIRST and make HIs Misson your mission, then let good works follow that have eternal meaning.And, if you need eternal things to do, email me at tim@lifechurchconnect.com  or tcmlive@gmail.com.  We have plenty of ideas to share.

till next time, peace

tc

Guys - Our Brains & Protecting Our Holiness

Wed, Feb 8, 2012
Guys - Our Brains & Protecting Our Holiness

I clearly remember receiving a book from my Youth Pastor Kevin, that asked and answered many questions about God, sin, and living right. For reasons I will not expound on, I went straight to the questions on sexuality and the human body. (Where else would a 15 year old boy look?!) I remember how the answer to the question about masturbation began to challenge my thoughts about God and legalism and where God really focuses.

As I read how lusting in our hearts after a woman equaled the same as physically committing adultery (Matthew 5:28), it slowly started to register that all the talk of God as someone who sits around only watching and tallying what we actually do does not even come close to the image of a Creator who desperately cares for our holiness and purity in thought as well as deed.

God gives humanity a wonderland of genuine pleasures to enjoy. What God means for the good of a relationship between a man and a woman, humanity certainly corrupts through masturbation and pornography. Young men, these acts change how we treat young women. The brain begins to focus on the act and not the person and God meant for sexual intercourse to be a personal connection between two people who have committed to become one…for life…until death do you part. The nature of how we become aroused, a perfectly natural response to attraction, begins to become warped. Research shows that chronic pre-marital masturbation and pornography use can affect a man’s sexual abilities with his wife…not to mention you rob your marriage of a level of intimacy. Essentially, the God given desires of attraction become corrupted through incorrect application.

How does this break God’s heart for the health of our spirits? God cares about our thoughts and desires. Our character does not consist of the results of our physical deeds alone. What we think and dwell on shapes who we are and who we become. The Apostle Paul encouraged the church at Philippi to consider whatever was true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable…anything worthy of praise and to dwell on those things (Phil. 4:8).

Our spiritual health matters to God…we call this holiness. So when we think about sin, especially when it comes to sexual purity, let us remember that our Father in heaven does not count our mistakes to beat us down with them. Instead, He watches over us hoping we choose the good in life that He meant us to enjoy.

Today’s Posting Contributed by Pastor Shawn Hornsby, First UMC –West Monroe shawn@fumcwm.org

Where have all the knights gone…

Posted on February 7, 2012 by abbiberry

Where have all the knights gone…

I had one of my students at church ask me recently “Abbi Berry… where have all the knights in shining armor gone? Is chilvary really dead? Do all boys act gross or say perverted things?” Those questions started my wheels to turning and I began asking myself some added questions… “Where have all the fair maidens gone? Is lady-like behavior dead?” Hmmmm…
There was a day when boys learned how to behave in front of girls & how to treat girls before they became young men. There was also a day when girls acted like they wanted to be respected & treated like the young ladies they were.
I think society has definitely done each generation a disservice by dumbing down our kids… but I also think Dads & Moms have done their own children a disservice as well by not teaching them appropriate behavior when around the opposite gender. There are some things you should NOT talk about when in front of the opposite gender… but sadly I hear it all the time.
Forget about dressing modestly for a second… what’s the point in personal dress codes if your mouth isn’t modest?
I know, I know. “Lighten up, Mrs Abbi. Gah. We’re just joking around.” Okay. Fine. But I don’t want my daughter going out with some BOY who thinks it’s ok to make flippant remarks about the female body. I want her to date a young man who respects her for the treasure she is, who treats her as valuable, precious & sacred – because young men like that are the ones that will guard not just her heart but her mind.
So I said all of that to say this: Dudes that I have the privilege to know personally & those I don’t… consider every word that leaves your lips. Are they words that are worth listening to? Are they the words from a man of character, a man who is made body, soul, heart & mind in the image of a holy, magnificent God? If you are in a dating relationship, do you treat that young lady like the dwelling place of God that she is? Do you guard her heart & mind with every fiber of your being? That’s who God created you to be. A warrior – not a child. Step up & lead this generation of young men towards their God-ordained destiny.
Ladies… do you see yourself as valuable, treasured & precious. The majority of guys will treat you according to how you see yourself. Do you wanna attract punks? Speak loosely. Act inappropriate. Wear as little clothing as possible. Carry yourself in a provocative manner. They will swarm like flies to a piece of meat… and they will drain you, use you, then toss you out like yesterday’s leftovers. BUT if you want a knight in shining armor… be modest not just in dress but in action & word. Robe yourself in humility & compassion. Wear love for others as your perfume. Live in a way that says “My heart isn’t a plaything for careless little boys. My heart is the future crowning glory for a man after God’s own heart.”
Why is this heavy on my heart? Because guys… you are the example for the small boys that my daughter might date one day. They watch you. They listen to you. They want to be you. Be a hero… show them what a real man is. There are so few of them left in the world today.
Girls… my daughter is watching. One day in the near future, as hard as I try, I just won’t be totally relevant to Layla. She will adopt a mentor closer to her age. Maybe one of you will be that girl. She will watch you. Listen to you. Learn to be you. Show her that virtuous women don’t have to just be gray-haired Mommas or Mamaws. Show her what it means to patiently wait on God’s man.
Why? Because I want my daughter to be able to say that she allowed God to write her love story, thanks to the epic example of a few good men & women.
Peace.
Abbi Berry