All About Jesus

Okay, I just want to take a moment and tell you if you’re not investing in this new series we are doing you’re missing a great opportunity.  Really, this isn’t a shameless plug as much as it’s just recognizing that during this series we have a huge chance to mulitiply not only our knowledge of Jesus (his life and his ministry), but even more we can walk away with a deeper connection to God than we’ve ever had before.

Think about it like this:

On Sundays we are going to focus on 10 crucial moments in the life of Jesus.  We’re going to teach on them in chronological order.  So, by the time it’s done you’ll have a working timeline of his life.

During the week you can read “All About Jesus” and so by the time you’ve completed your reading you will have walked through Jesus’ entire life and ministry with the complete perspectives of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Alongside of that (Monday — Friday) , if you go to our website (www.fcc-online.org) you can read an insight that will not only give you additional information but it will also seek to apply the reading in such a way that your heart and soul are changed.

Finally, if you want more (and who wouldn’t at this point) you can be a part of the class that meets on Sunday mornings (Room 110 at 9:15).  This class will walk you through even more specifics than what we are able to give you in the messages or the insights.

I hope you will take advantage of this and through it all you’ll see Jesus like you’ve never seen Him before.

 

A Single Life

This weekend we are starting a new series entitled, “All About Jesus.”  It’s going to be a 10 week trek through the life of Jesus.  So, on Sunday’s when we’re together as a church body we’re going to highlight 10 key or pivotal moments in his life and ministry.  Then during the week we are going to encourage each person to read what takes place between that weekend’s event and the next weekend.  It should be a great way to spend the last 70 days before we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.

In taking this path we’re going to utilize a book entitled, “All About Jesus.”  Now, the book is nothing more (and nothing less) than a compilation of all the events of the Gospels put together into one single story that tells about Jesus’ life.  I understand that each of the Gospels was written by a single author and to a specific audience.  So each author chose to include or not include specific events in order to better highlight their particular message.  That’s a great thing!  Because of it we get flavors of writing when we read Matthew that are different from the ones we get when we read John.

But with all of that recognized and said, I think being able to take the 4 Gospels and read them as one single story that helps us to see all the details of Jesus’ one single life is going to be the most eye opening experience of our lives.  I’m praying you’ll choose to do it.  I really think when we are able to see the details of one Gospel combined with another you’ll understand Jesus and his encounters in a new and much more profound way.  Too often, we see Jesus as the life he lived with Matthew, the life he lived with Mark, etc. and we don’t really put all of the different pieces together.  In some ways, it’s like scattering all the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle out on a table but never putting them together to see the full picture.

We’re going to take off this Sunday.  Come and go with us.

P.S.  Alongside of the reading that we hope people will do we will be offering daily insights at our website:  www.lifechange.fcc-online.org.  Check it out!

 

On the lighter side

Most of the time I try to write about something that is taking place around the church or in my life, and my hope is that through those experiences we can gain an insight about God, our faith, or where He would desire for us to be if our faith would be consistent and strong.

Today, that’s not my motive at all.

Instead, I’m just going tell the Top 5 Sandwich locations in town (for those who read regularly you know one of Molly’s and my favorite pasttimes is going out to eat).

So, without further delay:

1. Potbellies — It’s located down on campus and it is great!  Sandwiches are good, milkshakes are available, and if there at the right time you can see live music from atop their loft.  With the students around it’s also a great people watching location.
2. Penn Station — There are now 2 locations.  One is just off of N. Prospect near Meijer and the other is in Campus town.  Great hot sandwiches off of a griddle and homemade, homecut french fries.  It’s a little pricey, but once you bite into the sandwich the extra buck or so is worth it.
3. Jimmy Johns — It’s just a classic sub shop where you get really good food.  No pomp.  No frills.   Just “freaky” good.  One helpful tip:  Don’t go with people and expect to have a conversation.  Grab it and just go to a park.
4. Quizno’s — I would describe this as a good cross between Jimmy John’s and Penn Station but without the really great quality that you’ll find at the previously mentioned locations.
5. McAllister’s Deli — This probably goes out beyond just the sandwich category, but I think they deserve to compete in this category as well.  They have really good food and sandwiches beyond just the typical turkey and ham.  Molly would tell you they have great sweet tea.

Honorable Mention:

Za’s — Once again extends beyond the category of sandwich, but they do have good sandwiches and I like the style of ordering.

You’ll notice 2 likely places were left off my list and I can tell you why.  Here you go:

1. Panera/Atlanta Bread — Overpriced and way too girlie, girl
2. Subway — Despite “Jerod’s” recommendation they just aren’t what they used to be

Well, it’s not spiritual.  It MIGHT be life changing.  I’m sure it’s controversial.  So, how would you rank ‘em?

 

Word of Mouth

I’m sure everyone has heard (usually from experts in marketing) that the very best way to get people involved is to utilize word of mouth.  So, restaurants work in order to get you to tell your friends how great the food and service is at their place.  Movie producers work in order to get you to tell your coworkers, “I saw _______ over the weekend . . . and you just have to go see it!”  Retail stores run specials and sales in order to get you to tell your friends, “So and so is running this great sale, you should go check it out.”   Churches (in some ways) are dependent upon word of mouth as well.  Now, don’t read that as churches are following the path of marketing.  Rather, read it and realize that one of the most common invitations extended in the Gospels is, “Come and see.”  It’s a word of mouth invitation.

Anyway, I say all of that to do 2 things.  First, to let you know what’s coming up and happening.  We have a ton of things launching within the next 3 weeks.

• We have 2 Women’s Studies (Wednesday night at 6:00 and Thursdays at 9:15).
• We have 2 Men’s Studies (Tuesday mornings at 6:15 a.m. @ Coldwell Banker in Champaign and on Wednesday nights at 6:00 @ Jupiter’s)
• We will be starting a personal devotional journey called, “All About Jesus” on Sunday, February 1.  There will be a book to read as well as online daily devotionals.  You’ll get more information this coming Sunday!!!
• Another course of Financial Peace University (13 weeks of 2 hours lessons) will be starting on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:00.
• Plus, 3 new Sunday Morning Studies will start on Sunday, February 1st too.

Second, and here’s how much I believe in you, to ask for your help.  Last week, I was in a meeting and we were realizing how much was starting and how few opportunities we really have left to get information out to people.  That’s when I said, “Well, I’ll tell you what, I bet I can get the folks who read my blog to help us.  They’ll get the word out for us.”  So, I’ve put it out there to others and now I’m putting it out to you.  We need your help!!!  Help us spread the word!

 

97 Days Away

There’s probably all kinds of things wrong with looking this far ahead especially when the year is so new.  It’s probably like starting to advertise Christmas before Halloween.  Or, advertising Back to School specials before the kids have received their final report cards from the Spring.  So, if I’m breaking some type of etiquette I hope you will excuse me.

Here’s why:  We are 97 days away from celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.  Now, you’ve probably not even thought about that, have you?  It’s all right.  It’s just when you work within the leadership of the church you often find yourself moving quickly from planning Christmas to preparing for Easter.  So, while it probably hasn’t crossed your mind I’ve been doing some thinking and here’s what I’ve thought:  Wouldn’t it be great if you and I really started to pray for Easter and all that it encompasses sooner rather than later?  Wouldn’t there be a fairly significant chance that something out of the ordinary would happen during that celebration if you and I would bathe it in prayer?

Here’s some ways we could do that:

1. Start to pray that God would keep it at the forefront of our minds.  There’s probably nothing more appropriate to stay before us consistently than the resurrection of Jesus and the hope of our own resurrection into eternity.
2. Take some time to pray that God would show you who might be willing to join you in this celebration.  I can tell you that we are already planning a great presentation of the Gospel.  Once again, it’s going to be one of the most clear articulations of what happened at the tomb and the potential change it has presented to every soul since.  So, ask God to show you who He already has planned to be your guest.
3. Keep your spiritual eyes peeled.  In other words, as you pray that God would show you . . . keep a watchful eye out for who it might be.
4. Once you know or sense who it is . . . pray for them.  Pray for an opportunity to extend an invitation.  Pray for an openness of mind and heart.  Pray for a “yes.”
5. When they say “yes” pray for them every day.  Put them at the top of your list and every day pray, “God, use this coming moment to reveal yourself and your hope to them.”

I know it probably seems like a long way off, but it’s really not.  In fact, you’re probably considering putting this whole thing off until it’s closer.  DON’T!  Trust me, it’ll come sooner than you think.  It’ll be here before we know it.  And no one wants to be the one who finds themselves saying, “I was going to invite so and so, but I just didn’t get around to it.”  Eternity may hang in the balance!

Anyway, I intend to keep this in front of us and I hope to continue to give some different ways we can be praying and preparing for Easter.