October 31, 2013
Dear Eastridge Family,
Several people have shared with me already how they have
enjoyed the reading of the book, The Purpose Driven Life. Last week we looked at the first purpose –
Worship. I trust you have enjoyed being
a part of one of the small groups. After
attending one of the groups last week someone told me, “I was so happy to hear
that I was not the only person who feels this way. I really am not alone.”
Keep making the effort to grow spiritually you will never
regret it.
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV) says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of
the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were
called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Verse 3 says we need to “Make every effort…” Community
requires commitment!
Cultivating
Community Takes Honesty. Real fellowship depends on frankness. In
fact, the tunnel of conflict is the passageway to intimacy in any relationship.
Until you care enough to confront and resolve the underlying barriers, you will
never grow close to each other.
Cultivating
Community Takes Humility. Humility is not thinking less of yourself;
it is thinking of yourself less. Humility is thinking more of others. Humble
people are so focused on serving others, they don’t think of themselves.
Cultivating
Community Takes Courtesy. The truth is, we all have quirks and
annoying traits. But community has nothing to do with compatibility. The basis
for our fellowship is our relationship to God: We’re family.
Cultivating
Community Takes Confidentiality. Only in the safe environment of
warm acceptance and trusted confidentiality will people open up and share their
deepest hurts, needs, and mistakes. Confidentiality does not mean keeping
silent while your brother or sister sins. It means that what is shared in your
group needs to stay in your group, and the group needs to deal with it, not
gossip to others about it.
Cultivating
Community Takes Frequency. You must have frequent, regular contact with
your group in order to build genuine fellowship. Relationships take time.
When you look at the list of characteristics, it is obvious
why genuine fellowship is so rare. But the benefits of sharing life together
far outweigh the costs, and it prepares us for Heaven.
Daylight
Savings Ends (Set Your Clocks Back)
Daylight savings ends this Sunday so don’t forget to set your
clocks BACK one hour Saturday night before you go to bed.
Saturday
Morning Prayer Service
Each Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. here at the church Pastor
Daniel will lead our prayer service.
Everyone is invited to attend.
I’m looking forward to seeing you Sunday!
Pastor Andy
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