Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

How does one deal with loss? Here are a few suggestions: I. Look Back .... look back at the good times and bad. Cherish the memories. Scars may always be there but looking back sometimes helps with the healing and looking ahead. II. Leave. Leave as in grief the loss and leave the past behind. It is ok to dwell on the loss but don't get so caught up that it makes you absorbed and not to move forward. It might be you have to leave certain areas, or items ...because the loss is too painful. It is ok to cry, give things away, to laugh. everyone deals with loss differently. III. Learn from the loss. Sometimes the hardest question is Why? And not always we will have an answer but when we learn it helps us to think what can I do to help others. IV. Love. love each other. So often I have heard people in dealing with loss "Oh, I can't go to church anymore because it is too painful" That's when you need the church the most. to encourage, lean on, love on you .

Flashback Summer 1993 ... I had the honor of working with Teen Haven Camp ..and with Vinnie and the crew there.

this past Sunday I had the honor to partake in a celebration of Delaine Hilborn and her family and have renewing of vowes for her daughter, Coral and her husband, Angel. It was a good time. Continue to pray for Delaine. Thanks.

I spent the summer of 1992 there serving the Day Camp and later 1993 the Teen Haven Camp they had.

Top 10 Things you can give for Minister  Appreciation Month By Gerrard R. Fess October is Minister  Appreciation Month. The following are some suggestions to help show your leadership that you care. As a fellow minister  some of these suggestions were given to me and helped encourage and show that I was valued as a member of the church body. 1. Gift cards – cards from local grocery store, home value places,, I-tunes etc. Be creative.  2. Groceries. Get what their grocery list is or what they usually buy. Some churches in the South I’m told do what is called a “Pounding” and basically what a pounding is a challenge to fill the cupboards and fridge to the brim with stocks of food. Imagine saving $$$ on groceries. Very practical idea. 3. Free babysitting and complimentary funds for a date night. 4. Money – always works. Sometimes you don’t know what the family’s bills, struggles or what they need – it might be they need more clothes for the kids but the budget is tight s

I got thinking about life and what most people want and are excited about: Especially in the Christian life and this journey we call: Faith. So here are 4 things I see that we need in life. 1. Assurance. We need to know that everything is ok. We need to know and have the confidence that what we are trying to achieve is the right thing to do. As someone once told me "If you can't do the right thing; do the next right thing." 2. Affirmation. Everyone wants to be loved, encouraged and told they are doing a good job. Affirmation goes a long way. The little notes, cards, gifts make it all worthwild. I know when "Minister Appreciation" comes in October I look forward to it ...and being told that I'm doing ok. Everyone wants that encouragement. This is one of the primary reasons we get together as a church to "Not forsake the assembly, and to encourage one another." 3. Assessment. We need to be evaluated. How are we doing? Are there any areas we can

This morning I had the opportunity to speak at Piedmont Christian School's Chapel. The age range 3 to 17. Yes, you read that right. So what does one speak to at a Christian school? (Last time I spoke on the Greatest commandment - to love God and love others ...(also I had a Bible Coloring book for an object lesson) I spoke on the importance of what it means to be a Christian. the lessons of: 1. Be Transformed ...be different from Romans 12:1-2 2. Be loving from 1 John 4:7,8 3. Be Courageous - have a heart for Jesus and the lost from Jonah 4. So if you had a platform to speak to Christian kids and children what would you tell them?