Books I'm currently reading this Spring 2023

Are You Jesus?

 

 Col.1:27 “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

A group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Christmas night’s dinner. In their rush through the airport, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane, just in time. All but one. He told the others to go on without him and went back to where the apples were all over the floor. He was glad he did.

The little girl, the apple seller, was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks, as she groped for her spilled produce, the crowd swirling about her, rushing to their flights.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped reorganize her display. He set aside the bruised and battered apples in a separate basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, “Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did.

Are you okay?” She nodded through her tears.

He continued, “I hope we didn’t spoil your day too badly.”

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, “Mister….” He paused and turned to look back.

She continued, “Are you Jesus?”

He couldn’t get that question out of his head for days. It was such a simple, small-scale event, but it made him see clearly what following Christ was really all about. “Love one another as I have loved you.” To be a Christian is to be another Christ. It is the little things. It is to be Jesus’ hands and feet to all people. This year as we try to point people to Jesus in 2023 may we show it in our attitudes, actions. Be a living sermon, a sermon in shoes. Who is with me?

See you Sunday.  

In Him,   Gerrard

Currently Reading

 

A Look Back at 2021

 Here's a  look back of 2021. It was an interesting year.

We had just over came Covid 19 at the end of 2020 ..Nov-Dec.  Brian turned 16, worked at Arbys, got a car and a girlfriend ... then later went on to work at Food Lion. He was back in person learning.

Nicole had back in-person for her senior year. Graduated in June ...and went onto Virginia Tech and is loving her first year there.

Kendra was going to Reynolds. Took a few classes. This Fall she took an "Improv" class which she loved. She decided Post-secondary education wasn't for her. She is currently looking for employment.

Valerie is working at Atlee Christian loves it. 

We lost Hope our Cat in the Spring. We made the difficult decision after her battle with a cancerous tumor ..and removed ... it came back ... so we laid her to rest. In the Summer, we've been blessed with 3 kittens - by surprise who changed our lives. Sammie, Luna and Toby. All black cats that we love dearly.

I got my citizenship (After many years) July 4th this year. So exciting, and got to vote in my first election.

In Church news, We've been holding together - in a post-midst Covid Church-  streaming, outreach - Fun Day etc. Some of the highlights include: Camp, Homecoming, Fun Day, missions, ICOM etc.

As I look back, I see a bright future ahead.

To Read in 2022

 Every year I Read several books. Here are ones that I am currently reading and have on my To READ list and are waiting for me to pick up. They include:

When Your Church Feels Stuck - Chris Sonken.

The Art of Dying - Rob Moll.

Winning the War in Your Mind - Craig Groeschel.

Don't Blow Up Your Ministry - Michael MacKenzie.

WE  TOO ME - Mary Demuth

Messy Truth - Caleb K

Rediscover Church - 

Turning Church Members into Disciple Makers - Tim Wallingford

Made to Stick - Chip Heath & Dan Heath

What are you reading? Recommendations for me to read?

Thoughts to Live By

 

Thoughts to Live By:

1.     Life is not fair. No one ever said it was.

2.     Everyone does not have the same talents and gifts.

3.     We are not all equal, but we are all important.

4.     Those who enjoy life have learned to let life work for them.

5.     Character is more important than position.

6.     True friendship is of great value.

7.     Happy people are the best workers.

8.     Negative thinking is stinking thinking.

9.     Happy people tend to live longer than unhappy.

10.                        Money is a poor measuring rod of the worth of a person.

11.                        Those who go the extra mile usually have a smile.

12.                         A good friend is worth all the money in the banks.

13.                        Life becomes easier when we learn we only have one life to live,

14.                        Those who live right leave a good trial for the next generation to follow.

15.                         Attitude and passion are builders of character.

16.                         People who have a servant heart have found the secret to live.

17.                         Your heart will be blessed if you find a need and fill it.

Ten Reasons Why the Church of Christ is Worth Investigating

 1. You can read about it in the Bible. Romans 16:16

2. It has no Creed but Christ, hinds on no name on its members but Christ. Acts 11:26 1 Peter 4:16

3. It speaks where the Bible speaks, is silent where the Bible is silent. 1 Peter 4:11

4. It exalts Christ as the only head of the church. Col. 1:18

5. Its acts of worship are patterned after the New Testament. John 4:24

6. It teaches that spiritual unity can be attained on all disputed doctrinal questions. - 1 Corinthians 1:10

7. The church of Christ pleads for unity of all believers of Christ. John 17:20

8. It is not a denomination nor a group of denominations but the body of Christ. - Col.1:18. Its founder is Christ himself. Matt.16:18

9. Its aim - to save souls by preaching the gospel, teach godly living, and help all those in need. 1 Cor. 15:14

10. Its future - eternal glory with Christ. 1 Thess. 4:17