Mark Beeson

Prashan D

 

 

I was paying close attention when Prashan asked, "What has God broken your heart for?" 

Good question.

Prashan has given himself to the work of inspiring, connecting and equipping a new generation of peace-builders. (You can watch the TEDx talk he delivered on the topic at Notre Dame here.) 

What gets your heart... gets you. 

 

2 Timothy 1:7  -  God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

  

292 Baptized Palm Sunday Weekend

 

 

Just FYI...

Young people thirsting for Jesus inspire me. 

 

Luke 6:47-48  -  Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

 

What Kind of Person Locks the Door to His Rescue?

 

 

Today’s newsfeeds are filled with talk of a Mystery that’s as old as humankind. When GOD sets before us life and death, why are we so inclined to choose death? Given the opportunity to take the way that leads to life, why don’t we choose it?

When it’s obvious that we’re heading toward destruction, and we’re plummeting toward certain death as HELP knocks on the door and begs to save us, why in the world do we lock SALVATION out?

I have no idea why the 28 year old co-pilot of Germanwings Flight 9525, intentionally crashed his Airbus A320 into a mountainside in the French Alps. What explains the acts of a man who locks his RESCUER out and chooses a path that ends in death and destruction? Can you find the words to explain that kind of behavior?

The person responsible for flying the plane, can intentionally flip the toggle-switch that puts the reinforced cockpit door in override mode. Then, no matter what is done with the code pad outside the door, the door can’t be opened from the outside.

We are perfectly capable of closing the door to our SAVIOR.

That's incredible. It boggles my mind!

When SALVATION is pounding to get in, we must be willing to unlock the door. Our SAVIOR wants to save, but we must open the door and let HIM in.

 

Revelation 3:20  -  Here I am! Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.

 

 

 

Strategically Operationalizing GCC's Mission

 

- Two StratOps Friends: Mark Waltz and Doug Slaybaugh -  

 

I worked with our staff on GCC's mission for the last 2 days... because mission matters. 

Jesus was "on mission," even when he was a young boy. He asked his mother, after her long search for him in Jerusalem, "Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about my father's business?" He was 12 years old and already doing the work his Heavenly Father commanded him to do.

Jesus lived "on mission" every day, devoting his entire life to GOD's mission: 

• Save the world
• Give his life as a ransom for many; lay down his life for his sheep
• Preach Good News to the poor
• Heal the brokenhearted
• Call the "unrighteous" to repentance
• Seek and save those who are lost
• Set people free from the power and consequences of sin
• Raise the dead 
• Give abundant life to his followers
• Finish his Father's work on earth
• Reveal his Father to the world

The way we experience rich, full and abundant lives is by living on GOD's mission. 

Few do, but everyone should. 

 

John 17:18  -  (Jesus prayed for his disciples): "In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world."

 

Facing Adversity

 

 

Whoever said life gets easier must have been very young when they said it. Those who’ve lived a while know the opposite is true.

When you can lift more there’s more to lift. Learn to talk and you’re soon expected to make sense. Spend two or three decades living in your parents’ house and eating their food, and suddenly (because it's a new day) you’re face-to-face with a big new challenge. 

Here's what's true. If you handle today’s challenges correctly, your right responses will produce tremendous benefits in the days ahead. So face today’s adversity.

Climb the mountain ahead, not so you can be done with mountain climbing, but so today’s adversity can strengthen you for all the opportunities you’ll have in the days ahead.

 

James 1:2-4  -  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

  

Little Parts Make a Big Difference

 

Every little part makes a big difference.

I know, because I spent time during our weekend rehearsal trying to figure out the function of a zillion, easy-to-overlook plugs, knobs, buttons and switches. I noticed little things I hadn't previously noticed. 

Every connection had been checked and double-checked, guaranteeing the components were all plugged-in, hooked-up, coupled, locked and properly linked together.

As I pondered all those little doodads, I sensed each was of great importance. I kept telling myself, "I should avoid touching anything."

No doubt about it, when everything is rightly connected, the results are amazing.

When connections are lost... well..., umm..., not so much. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ephesians 4:16  -  Christ has put each part of the church in its right place. Each part helps other parts. This is what is needed to keep the whole body together. In this way, the whole body grows strong in love.