Month: November 2022

Our struggles in life can become emotional strongholds – things holding us hostage and keeping us from wholeheartedly serving and trusting God. Additionally, it can keep us from experiencing the abundant life He has promised. One of the most damaging strongholds is worry. It is available for every age and is an obstacle to moving forward. When it is a stronghold in our life, it becomes a way of life.

We worry about a variety of things – what do people think about us, do we look fit, are we healthy, and do we have enough money. If we are prone to worry, there is no limit to the possibilities to worry about. 

 In Matthew 6:25, 31-34, Jesus stated three times, “Do not worry!” The Greek word used for “worry” is the concept of being strangled or choked. It leaves us frustrated when we ought to be free and if we are His disciple, then you should stop it. 

Worrying is a sin because it is doubt in the power and goodness of God. Some people don’t like to call worrying a sin – they are just “concerned” about something. How do you distinguish concern from worry? Legitimate concern is when we are in control of our thoughts and feelings and illegitimate worry is when the matter controls our thoughts, actions and emotions.

Jesus said, “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26) The reason we worry is that we are focusing on the wrong authority. If our Father feeds birds that have no soul, how much more will He take care of us since we are worth even more to Him?  We must remember His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us as the first antidote to worry.

Baseball: AL MVP Aaron Judge

Big props for one of my favorite players, Aaron Judge on being selected the American League MVP this season. Well deserved! All rise for the Judge…a “big fly” from Aaron Judge!! Please stay in the Bronx big guy!! We appreciate you and want to see you back in pinstripes!!

Here’s couple baseball hitting terms (Judgeon in Honor of #99 in pin stripes) for your toolbox so to speak. These can be used when talking about certain statistics, situations or actions a hitter may experience while batting in a baseball game.
Barrel it up: Refers to the action of hitting a pitch hard with the sweet spot of the baseball bat.
Batflip: An action typically done by a batter to show off after hitting a home run. The batter will throw, or flip, their bat up in the air in celebration. Sometimes used to taunt the opposing pitcher/team.
Big fly: Another name for a home run.
Bomb: Another word for a home run.

Other Stuff

Breakfast spots to hit in your travels: Revielle Cafe ( Pumpkin Waffle, Nitrogen infused Cold Brews and Aahh-mlets) in Marietta GA and Over Easy (they got blue grits) in Birmingham AL

College Football KUDOS to Them Dawgs of UGA (best team until someone else proves otherwise), Geaux Tigers (beat up on the Blazers, our #2 team to pull for in the fam) and Fear the Spear (FSU- Home cooking from JackR23) Gooo Noles, beat the Gators this coming weekend.

Those with particular gifts in evangelism or public speaking have worked tirelessly at their craft while introverts or just plain ole public speaking challenged-ites like myself had nightmares about the prospect of delivering a word from the traditional stage or pulpit. It became easy to say, “I’m not gifted in that way” and leave ministry to the “professionals.”

So are we all called to evangelize? Yes, we are all called to evangelize, but not In the same way or by the same means. Rather, each part of the body works to support the whole—all with the goal of glorifying God before the eyes of the watching world. This also presents a beautiful view of the church to unbelieving friends, as they get to see the blood-bought unity of God’s people on display, with every person and gift dignified along the way.

What is Evangelism? It is the sharing of the good news of Jesus Christ. At the same time, evangelism isn’t a particular strategy for engaging others. We don’t all need to be street preachers, nor do we need to walk every friend down the “Romans Road.”

Every Member Contributes Every part is necessary to the body. For evangelism to flourish, every member must contribute his or her respective gift. We’re not all called to do the same thing. Not every Christian is a mouth or an ear.