I Mean What I Do, Not What I Say
March 31, 2009
We all have deeply ingrained assumptions or generalizations that determine how we understand the world and how we respond and behave. Noted author Peter Senge calls these mental models. He says we quite often are not aware of these mental models or the effect they have on our behavior. We may say we believe one thing, then behave in a contrary fashion based on deeply held beliefs and assumptions we don’t even know exist.
For example, we may profess faith in Jesus Christ who conquered death, hell, and the grave; the One before whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord; the One who forever lives and now stands at the right hand of the Father in heaven constantly interceding on our behalf–and our professions go on and on. Yet we live our lives in constant fear and anxiousness as if Satan will, at any moment, overpower Christ and everything God has planned for us will be totally destroyed. With our mouths we say I don’t really believe Satan can do that, but the way we actually live our lives says we believe it much more than we can ever admit. Where does something like that come from? Why does it happen over and over?
Senge says, The discipline of working with mental models starts with turning the mirror inward; learning to unearth our internal pictures of the world, to bring them to the surface and hold them rigorously to scrutiny. This does not happen in isolation. It takes courage to allow caring friends to point out the inconsistencies we cannot see on our own. It takes courage to admit the lens through which we have viewed life is distorted. It takes courage to trust God as much as we say we do. Together we can find that courage. Let today be the day you allow God to bring all your mental models into alignment with His plans and His purposes for your life.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. –Proverbs 3:5-8
Rescued – Part 4 – Eric Watt
March 29, 2009
inROUTE Paint Your Heart Out
March 26, 2009
It’s time to begin gearing up for the Chesapeake 17th Annual Paint Your Heart Out event. The Greenbrier Church inROUTE crew has been involved in this outreach for the last several years. We meet together, go to a home that has been selected for a mini-makeover (paint and landscape style), and work together showing the love of Christ in our community. We’re hoping to have as many of the 20′s and 30′s crowd as we can. Please strongly consider coming out to join us. Here are the details of the event:
Our Paint Day is April 18th.
Meet at 9 AM at the church. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided, as well as a BBQ afterwards if you wish.
We are usually there till 1 or 2 PM.
Bring yourself, we will provide the rest.
To sign up, email jasonbedogne@gmail.com or jniz77@hotmail.com (Jon Nisbett).
Please sign up by April 12 so we can have an accurate count for tee shirts.
This Week @ Greenbrier Church
March 25, 2009
Water Baptism Class – Sunday March 29, 10:30 am, Room 400.
Water Baptism is Sunday April 5th (Palm Sunday), if you are planning to be baptized join us Sunday morning at 10:30 am for the Water Baptism Class.
Usher Team Meeting – Sunday March 29, 1030 am, Propel Room.
If you are currently serving as an usher or are interested in being on the usher team, join Pastor Curtis for an informational and training meeting.
Rescued – Part 3 – Eric Watt
March 22, 2009
Greenbrier Church Current Events
March 18, 2009
Mission Trip Interest Meeting – Sunday March 22, 10:30am, Propel Room.
If you are interested in going on one of the P.E.A.C.E. trips offered this summer, join Pastor Curtis in the Propel Room Sunday Morning at 10:30 am. This is a brief meeting designed to equip individuals with information needed to prayerfully decide which trip is right for you.
Water Baptism Class – Sunday March 29, 10:30 am, Room 400.
Water Baptism is Sunday April 5th (Palm Sunday), if you are planning to be baptized join us Sunday morning at 10:30 am for the Water Baptism Class.
Usher Team Meeting – Sunday March 29, 1030 am, Propel Room.
If you are currently serving as an usher or are interested in being on the usher team, join Pastor Curtis for an informational and training meeting.
Hold On To The Boat
March 17, 2009
A couple of weeks ago, four friends went on a fishing trip off the coast of south Florida. When they did not return that night, the Coast Guard launched a search. Two days later, one lone survivor was found still clinging to the overturned boat. His story is not clear, since he was in serious condition when rescued, suffering from hypothermia. It appears two of the men simply took off their lifejackets and slipped beneath the surface of the water. Another thought he saw land, removed his lifejacket, and swam away. He was not seen again.
All these men were athletes. Two of them were currently playing football in the NFL. They had all the safety equipment, and the owner of the boat was an experienced boater and fisherman. They all, no doubt, knew their best chance of survival was to stay with the boat. So what happened? It would appear the effects of hypothermia caused confusion that led to fatal decisions.
We may not be in the ocean, but no one would argue that our nation is facing the rough seas of economic turmoil and global conflict. The waves have grown to the point many lives are being upended. The unimaginable has become reality and those who were once comfortable are now struggling to survive.
Guys, we are no match for this storm. The men in the boat that sank off the Florida coast were physically and mentally tough. They were professional athletes in one of the toughest sports in the world, but they were no match for the forces of nature that came against them. On our own, we are no match for the forces coming against us today. We are prone to make the same kind of wrong decisions these men made.
We may have been self-sufficient in the past, but this does not mean being self-sufficient will be enough now or in the future. It is in these times that deceptive forces say let go of the boat; compromise your values and cut a few corners to get through this crisis. Don’t do it! The results can be catastrophic. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25).
This is the time to hold fast to what is good and right, even though everything in you wants to let go. Help is on the way and you will be able to hang on until it arrives. How do I know? Because God said He would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). That means you will be rescued!
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13).
Global PEACE Trips 2009
March 16, 2009
Here’s our trips for 2009:
Nepal
Leader: Pastor Eric
Cost: $2400
Dates: Rescheduled for Fall
Ministry Description: Our team will primarily be equipping local pastors to lead their congregations.
Cuba
Leader: Pastor Curtis
Cost: $1600
Dates: July 17 – 25, 2009
Ministry Description: Our team will work on a construction project, evangelize the community, and equip local leadership. Much of the ministry is serving alongside the local church, its pastors, and the local body. You don’t have to go any farther than 90 miles from Miami to find extreme poverty and need.
Panama Propel Youth Trip
Leader: Pastor Matt
Cost: $1200
Dates: July 6-13, 2009
Ministry Description: We will be partnering with YWAM Panama. We will be working with orphan, doing street evangelism (drama, preaching, music), gospel presentation in area schools, and working with kids in a remote village. YWAM Charlotte will provide training for the group.
US – Greenville, SC
Leader: Jeff and Debbie Carlucci
Cost: $266 + transportation
Dates: July 26 – July31, 2009
Ministry Description: At MFUGE you can roll your sleeves up and get ready to jump right into ministry…our highly tranied FUGE staffers will take care of the details and facilitate the planning for each day. You and your students will get to invest your time and energy into a variety of mission projects (choose between Children’s Ministry, Games & Rec, Social Ministry, Creative Ministry or Painting, Construction, Yardwork . During the day your students will be challenged and stretched as individuals; in the evenings, you’ll have an opportunity to build group unity over dinner, worship, fellowships and Church Group Devotions.
Armenia
Leader: Pastor Eric
Cost: $2800
Dates: September 9 – 18, 2009
Ministry Description: Our team will train pastors from the Persian world.
For more information, please contact Pastor Curtis at (757) 819-1070 or via email curtiswilliams@greenbrierchurch.com.
Rescued – Part 2 – Corné Bekker
March 15, 2009
This Is Not My Rock!
March 10, 2009
A group of men from Greenbrier Church gathered at Camp Silver Beach on Virginia’s Eastern Shore this past weekend for a time of camaraderie, worship, and refreshing. It was a great opportunity to reflect on the goodness of God during these troublesome times of uncertainty. He is giving us peace. He is showing us that we are not in control of our lives. He is asking for our burdens. All these messages came through loud and clear over the short 24 hours we men had together.
Each of us carried a rock representing burdens we have not laid down. I was quickly aware of how that burden got in the way of almost everything I did. It occupied my hands, which meant it occupied my mind and compromised my focus every time I did something. I put it in my pocket, but then I had to hold my pants up when I was running. That rock just held me back. When I laid that rock at the foot of a cross Saturday afternoon to symbolically let go of my burdens, I was keenly aware of how holding on to the enemy’s unnecessary baggage separates us from the liberty we are to live daily in Christ.
If we carry something long enough, we convince ourselves it is part of who we are. We believe the lie and live condemned when God has made provision through Christ for us to be whole and absolutely free. I encourage everyone to seek a new revelation of who you are in Christ. Let Him show you the deceptions that have become so much a part of your life that you are treating them as truth. Let Him set you free to be who He created you to be. Lay your burdens at the foot of the Cross where they belong. They do not belong to you. They have been purchased by the One who is perfect in every way. Exchange gladness for mourning and praise for despair (Isaiah 61:3).