The Force Is Strong In This One

This guy has some time on his hands.  

YOU Have A Part

Yesterday at Timber Ridge we kicked off a brand new series called A Place For Everyone.  (More info on the series HERE.) It's a series about how the church should be a place where everyone has a part, everyone has a story, and everyone is welcome.  I'm excited about what God is going to do through this series as we lead up to Easter Sunday.

Yesterday's message was called Everyone Has A Part and we talked about why Jesus asks us to serve others and how we all have something to contribute (you can watch the message HERE).  The truth is this:  We were created to serve God and serve others.  In Ephesians 2, the Bible says that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works."  In 1 Peter 4, the Bible says that "each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others."  Simply put:  God created YOU and gifted YOU to serve.

God has given every single one of us gifts, talents, abilities, and experiences that we can use to serve others and help people connect with Jesus.  It's so easy to think we have nothing to add or lack something to contribute.  But that's not the case!  God has given YOU a gift and ability to use to make a lasting impact on those around you.  YOU have something to contribute!  YOU have a part in changing the world!

Diggin' Is Fun!

I spent much of the last week away from home, traveling for various work and ministry related things.  So when I got home last Thursday afternoon, I had dedicated the evening to one thing:  having fun with my son.  I promised Hayden that when Dadda got home we would play in the backyard.  We played bubbles, chasing bubbles all around the yard.  We played catch.  Then I had the bright idea to open up a bag of sand laying in the back yard, create a mound of dirt, and get out two essentials to quality guy time with a two year old: shovels & dump trucks.  The picture below is the result.  In the midst of digging and hauling dirt, Hayden looked up at me and said, "Dadda, Diggin' is FUN!"  Yes.  Yes it is.

Relationship Link Love

Throughout the month of February, we've been in a relationship series at Timber Ridge Church called Smokin' Hot. We've been talking about relationships, love, sex, dating, and everything related to these topics.  (You can check out the messages here.)

Whether we're single, dating, married, or single-again, we all are affected by relationships in one way or another.  Below are some great links that can help take your relationships to a whole new level! 

• Marriage:  Pastor Ron Edmondson shares 7 Tips for Healthy Marriage Communication HERE.
• Dating: Pastor Perry Noble shares some great advice on dating relationships HERE.
• Kids: Rachel Jankovic shares 10 Ways To Love Your Kids HERE.
• Single: Pastor Steven Furtick shares great advice for single people HERE.
• Pornography: Find a phenomenal resource for fighting the addiction of porn HERE.

Bottom line:  In some form or fashion, we all deal with relationships.  And, to make those relationships the best they can be, IT TAKES WORK.  Don't settle for mediocre.  Work at making taking your relationships to the next level - because the reward is worth the work!

Why Talk About Money?

Yesterday we kicked off a brand new series at Timber Ridge Church called Dollars and Sense.  It's all about understanding the practical wisdom God gives us in His Word about money and finances.   I believe that we're going to see changed hearts and changed lives over the next few weeks and that really excites me!

But you may be wondering why a church would talk about money?  Let me give you a few brief reasons:

• God's Word talks about money.  Money and finances are mentioned around 800 times in the Bible.  We're called to teach the full counsel of God's Word.
• Jesus talked about money.  Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus taught about money.
• Our view and use of money reveals our hearts.  Jesus taught that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also.  How we spend and use our money reveals a lot about what we really believe about God.  It's just as the old saying goes: "Show me a man's bank account & I'll show you what's really important in his life."
• We talk about money everywhere else.  We talk about money in our homes, in our jobs, and in our daily lives.  We see commercials and advertisements that tell us how to spend our money.  We are bombarded with messages about money and possessions from our culture.  Why wouldn't we address such a major life issue within the church?

Giving Our Best

I am PUMPED about this Sunday at Timber Ridge Church!  We are participating in our first ever special Christmas offering which we're calling My Best Gift.  We believe that, as Christ followers, God has called us to use everything He's given us to advance the Gospel and message of Jesus.  We're committed to giving God the best of our time, our talents, and our treasure in order to make an eternal impact.

This year 100% of our My Best Gift offering is going toward our mission of reaching the lost, the least, and the lonely through three avenues:

• Church Planting - funding new church plants that will reach those far from God.
• Global Missions - supporting mission work and projects outside of the United States.
• Local Benevolence - helping families in Stephenville & Erath county with practical, physical needs.

You can find out more about the My Best Gift offering by clicking here.  You can also email info[at]timberridgechurch[dot]com with any questions you might have about this special offering.

Whether you attend Timber Ridge regularly, support us from afar, or simply know about what God is doing in and through this new church, I want to ask you to pray for the My Best Gift offering this Sunday.  Pray that God would use it to grow us in our generosity and to advance the Gospel of Jesus through our community, our country, and our world.

At Timber Ridge Church, we believe what the Bible says in Proverbs 11:25, where it reads, "A generous man will prosper.  A man who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."  This Sunday, we have a great opportunity to be generous in a way that will allow us to refresh others and meet real needs throughout the year in 2012...and that PUMPS ME UP!

A Little Christmas Cheer