Imitation

Over the years I have learned how to copy with the best of them. It's interesting that the Apostle Paul asked his readers to imitate his life (1 Corinthians 4:16), but that's how it should be for those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus. We never know who is watching us. Our words or our actions may have a positive or negative on the lives we encounter.

Recently, I joined a gym. By the way, I heard about this place from a church member- this invest and invite thing really works. Going to this gym for the first time reminded me a little of how it must be for someone to leave their comfort zone and visit a church for the first time. It's scary walking in a place when everyone is a stranger. But. the employees were friendly and well trained; the place was clean; there were all kinds of people there- large, small, short, tall. They even had a class to teach the newcomers how to use the equipment.

Of course, I skipped all that stuff and went straight to the task at hand. Only one problem- I didn't know how to work some of the machines. In fact, I'm sure I looked a little geeky. Why am I so hard-headed? It took me two weeks to figure how to use the different stations. But how did I finally learn? Imitation. Watching other people who knew what they were doing and imitating them.

Paul had a point.

Ken Dyal

A Preacher's Greatest Fear...

I think every man of the cloth has some phobia. One of mine is that I might forget a funeral. I haven't, but I have forgotten wedding vows.

Another point of contention is... the zipper. Even in seminary they touched on this profound subject.

A couple Sundays ago was really packed. Membership Commitment Class, baptism, worship, Stewardship Committee meeting... all opportunities for a big blunder.

So, there I am in the back with the three baptism candidates and their families, doing my priestly duties. I start up the stairs to the baptismal pool, happen to look down, and yikes! My zipper is down!

I quickly pull it up, thinking to myself, "That's one seminary lesson I didn't learn well enough" and "I sure hope no one noticed." Just goes to show preachers are human after all.

Ken Dyal

The Story of the Fall...

will be released on Sunday, August 9.

The Story of the Fall is a book about our pastor who lost his memory. Dr. Ken Dyal suffered a severe brain injury in a fall. The damage caused him to lose not only those memories made prior to his accident; he also loses memories made more than four weeks before the present. This book tells how he and his family coped with his crisis. The story is about the grace of God and the emotional investment we put into our loved ones and the human links that bring us – and sometimes keep us – together.

About the author

Adrian Greene grew up in Jacksonville, moving to the First Coast when he was nine years old. He graduated from Stanton College Preparatory School. He then earned a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in English literature from Wake Forest University. Currently, Adrian is teaching and working on his PhD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He lives in High Point with his wife, Melissa Painter, who is the daughter of our Worship Arts Pastor and his wife, Rick and Donna Painter.

The book may be purchased at the close of our Worship Gathering on August 9. Pastor Ken and Adrian Greene will be available to sign your copies.

After August 9, the book may be purchased through our Church Office and online at Amazon.com.

The Cracker Barrel Creed

Recently our entire family decided to meet at Cracker Barrel. Becky and I arrived early to get a table. Most of our members know I have only one hobby, golf. So, when I sat down there was that Bermuda triangle thingie with golf tees. I think it has 16 holes and 15 tees.

Away I went. I had time to play several games. In fact, I scored in all four areas mentioned on the wood block. Leave one and you are a genius, two you're pretty smart, three means you are just plain dumb, and four says you are an ignoramus.

I started thinking about those answers the following weekend and I concluded I do about the same in life as I did that day in Cracker Barrel. I can always remember the ones- "You're a genius!" An example of that kind of day is the day I asked Becky to marry me.

Twos- "You're pretty smart." The days when I actually do what the Bible says to do, I seem pretty smart and seem to land on my feet.

Threes- "You're just plain dumb." Like, when you think you left your cell phone in the golf cart, travel 15 miles from home back to the club only to find you forgot to check one of your pockets.

Fours- "You are just an ignoramus." Like the other day, on I-295, I mentally drifted a bit and actually passed a policeman! Thankfully, he was in a gracious mood.

Card Response...

Last week we asked our people to fill out cards to both update our people database, and to let us know about spiritual decisions they had made.

We had a great response- well over 200 cards were completed. A lot of those were from people who had made spiritual decisions, such as wanting to join the church, wanting to be baptised, or telling us about their salvation decision.

The problem is, we need to talk to all of those people- and there don't seem to be enough hours in the day. If you are one of them, don't get too impatient- we will get to you as soon as possible. If you have a few minutes to spare one weekday, call me in the office between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, and we can take care of things in just a few minutes.

Hal Hunter

Ministry Pastor

Every week...

I watch the video of our Worship Gathering at Argyle to evaluate how things went. Even though I start out watching and listening to check the mix, are we in tune, entrances and cut-offs, can I understand the words, how is the energy level, etc. I always end up moved by the worship experience of a mighty God and appreciative of the faithfulness, passion and skill of our Worship Team (band, singers, tech, dance, drama and visual arts).

Thank you!

Rick Painter
Worship Arts Pastor

Inspired yet?

Okay, so all that talk about reading and inspiration- I'll go first. Here's a note about something I read that inspired me.

I read a book by John Steinbeck recently called "The Pearl". I can't claim to be a fan of his or to have read many of his books that I wasn't required to read in school. I just happened upon this book at the library and decided to give it a try. The Pearl is the retelling of an old Mexican folk tale and plays out the battle between greed and contentment through the desire to rise above your "station" in life and provide a better future/better opportunities for your family than you had growing up. A relevant topic; I could relate. It was sad yet triumphant; a good read.

What actually inspired me more than the story though was something shared at the back of the book about John Steinbeck. It says that "...throughout his life he signed his letters with his personal 'Pigasus logo', symbolizing himself 'a lumbering soul but trying to fly'". There is a picture of a pig with wings and above it there are Latin words that read "Ad Astra Per Alla Porci". The translation is "To the stars on the wings of a pig".

Of course pigs don't fly, so how is this inspiring you ask? It is inspiring to me for someone who was as outwardly successful as any famous person could be, during his life, that he knows the reality that we are never "all that". I'm inspired when people who achieve earthly fame respect the fact that this is all temporary (Matthew 6:19-20), and don't get caught up in all the compliments- empty or genuine- and the attention/money and remember who they really and forever will be. Just a human being.

Staying humble is a gift. As I mentioned in an earlier post, in our weakness He is strong and that works two wonderful ways. One - He can use us in spite of our flaws and mistakes and work through us even in our weakness. Two - we must stay humble and give Him the glory and honor for all the blessings and success to truly be followers of Christ and lead people to know Him. When we start taking the credit for achievements and forgetting to praise and honor the Lord we are not leading people to Him- we are leading them to us, and no matter how "fabulous" we are, we will let them down. We are not perfect. Period. (Need to hear it again, like music? Just listen to the Mary, Mary lyrics in "It's the God in me".)

It is so good to hear our names called as the inventor, the artist, the author, the champion, the award winner, the hero but when we start believing that we achieved it alone then we are being fooled. We are listening to that prideful voice in our heads that says, "Hmmm, I did do that, look at me, Go Me, Go Me!" I can only imagine how hard it is not to buy into the lies people tell you when you are famous. We want to be told and to believe we are special, accepted and liked. We want to believe we are "smarter than the average bear" and in control of our future. In my own life I have learned many times, many ways, I simply and truly do not have the better plan. When I depend on myself and start chasing my ideas and my plans, I end up going in circles or giving up. When I take the time to pray and seek the Lord's will, His paths are straight and have purpose and bear fruit. His plan is always better than mine!

Take the time to ask Him today, what His plan is for the problem you're solving or the future that you dream of. Stay humble, pray without ceasing and stay focused on Christ. Being a "people pleaser" myself, it has taken me all 40 of my years to understand and submit to why following God is more valuable than chasing my own dreams, chasing someone else's or as nice as I desire to be, chasing the approval of others. Even knowing I will never be able to please everyone rarely stops me from trying. With all the praise and criticism readily available here on earth I can honestly tell you the most precious praise I will forever seek is my Father in Heaven's gentle words when I meet Him. "Well done my good and faithful servant".

Because He loved us first,
Amy