"...Around the corner..."

Our (GCF) Mission: To lead people to love God and to love people in Jesus' name around the corner and around the world.

"Around the corner" is how we describe someone who lives close by. They are our neighbors. Those we carpool with and see in the grocery store. Our kids play on the same YMCA teams and dance in the same studios.

We cross paths at the Flowertown festival and at Pizza Inn. We work together, go to school together and have cookouts together. We are strangers and dear friends.

They are the people of our community that Jesus has placed in our path. Part of our mission is to love them as Jesus would if he were in your shoes.

It's our mission. That makes it your mission.

This week pray that God will help you see each person who crosses your path as someone he wants you to love. Then be the answer to your own prayer and love them in a practical way.

Love God. Love People...in practical ways,

Darien

Wild Goose Chase song by Micah Hasty FREE

DarienGabrielCheck out this FREE music from The Great Rescue @NoiseTrade! http://tinyurl.com/44nbf9

WILD GOOSE CHASE
CAPO 6

by Micah Hasty

F, C, G
There’s so much to discover when it comes to knowing You

There’s so much to uncover, my God I’m chasing You

F, C, G

Feel like I’m on a wild goose chase

Every decisions has me turning another way

And when I feel like You’re just within my reach

There’s something more of You for me to see

F, C, G

Sometimes it takes all I am, just to believe

More often than not in this life, I find myself looking for the holes in Your hands

F, C, G

Feel like I’m on a wild goose chase

Every decisions has me turning another way

And when I feel like You’re just within my reach

There’s something more of You for me to see

Break, F, C

F, C, G

Feel like I’m on a wild goose chase

Every decisions has me turning another way

And when I feel like You’re just within my reach

There’s something more of You for me to see

F, C, G

Feel like I’m on a wild goose chase

Every decisions has me turning another way

And when I feel like You’re just within my reach

There’s something more of You for me to see

"In Jesus' Name"

Our Mission: To lead people to love God and to love people in Jesus' name around the corner and around the world.

"In Jesus' name" reminds us who we're following: Jesus Christ. The Church is here because of Him. We want to keep that front and center. "Apart from Him we can do nothing."

In our pluralistic culture, it's easy to talk about God without even believing Jesus is in the mix. So we want to be very clear by including Jesus in our mission statement.

"Jesus is Lord" was probably the earliest "creed", if you will, in the Church. And it says a lot. He rules. He's in control. We follow Him. We love Him.

So to say we do all this "in Jesus' name" is to say that we live for this mission as a church. We follow Jesus because it's His mission and we love Him. We just get to be in on it.

Free e-Magazine

Gospel for Asia is excited to announce a new, interactive version of our SEND!magazine, and you can see it right now by clicking this link!

As you'll see, the online SEND! allows you to explore its high-resolution pages and read incredible stories of what God is doing on the mission fields of Asia. You can also take a closer look at the photos, have access to additional content and soon even watch videos!

We hope you find GFA's online SEND! a blessing to you personally and a great help as you pray for your Christian brothers and sisters on the other side of the world. And be sure to watch your inbox each quarter as we notify you of your next issue ofSEND!, the voice of native missions.

Yours for the lost of Asia,

K.P. Yohannan
Executive Editor
SEND! Magazine

If God is Good by Randy Alcorn

I love everything I've ever read by Randy Alcorn. I can't wait to read this one too! I'll post my review after I do. Darien

Summary:

Every one of us will experience suffering. Many of us are experiencing it now. As we have seen in recent years, evil is real in our world, present and close to each one of us.

In such difficult times, suffering and evil beg questions about God--Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? And then, how can there be a God if suffering and evil exist?

These are ancient questions, but also modern ones as well. Atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and even former believers like Bart Ehrman answer the question simply: The existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God.

In this captivating new book, best-selling author Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief, and brings a fresh, realistic, and thoroughly biblical insight to the issues these important questions raise.

Alcorn offers insights from his conversations with men and women whose lives have been torn apart by suffering, and yet whose faith in God burns brighter than ever. He reveals the big picture of who God is and what God is doing in the world–now and forever. And he equips you to share your faith more clearly and genuinely in this world of pain and fear.

As he did in his best-selling book, Heaven, Randy Alcorn delves deep into a profound subject, and through compelling stories, provocative questions and answers, and keen biblical understanding, he brings assurance and hope to all.

You Were Born for This by Bruce Wilkerson

His New York Times phenomenon The Prayer of Jabez changed how millions pray. Now Bruce Wilkinson wants to change what they do next.

Anyone can do a good deed, but some good works can only happen by a direct intervention from God. Around the world these acts are called miracles—not that even religious people expect to see one any time soon. But what would happen if millions of ordinary people walked out each morning expecting God to deliver a miracle through them to a person in need? You Were Born for This starts with the dramatic premise that everyone at all times is in need of a miracle, and that God is ready to meet those needs supernaturally through ordinary people who are willing to learn the “protocol of heaven.”

In the straightforward, story-driven, highly motivating style for which he is known, Wilkinson describes how anyone can be a “Delivery Guy” from heaven in such universally significant arenas of life as finances, practical help, relationships, purpose, and spiritual growth.

Happy Grandparents Day

From GCF Newsletter 9/13/09. Subscribe to email at info@gracetoday.net

I can still remember Grandma Johnson at the table whenever we'd pray before eating. No matter who was praying, she prayed too. Not too loud, but loud enough that everyone at the table knew it. Kind of a wispy, under-your-breath prayer.

I remember thinking a couple of things whenever that would happen. First, how it annoyed me that she wasn't listening to the person praying. And second, that she seemed to cover a lot more territory than we did. I'll admit, I was more than a little curious as to what she was praying.

Today I wonder if she just got tired of our shallow, rote prayers. Prayers without much faith. She lived by faith. She had little to no income at all. She had no home to call her own. You could put everything she owned in a suitcase and hangup bag. She lived with one of her 4 daughters at any given time, unless she was visiting her sisters.

Today, I am inspired by her legacy. Mostly by how she lived in my presence. I believe that she incarnated (fleshed-out) the Gospel when she stayed with us. She displayed God's love as a humble grandmother to my brother and me. So today I thank God for grandparents and the power of presence they can bring to the lives of their grandchildren. They are the grace of God to us.

Happy Grandparents Day,

Darien

...Love People...

Our Mission at Grace Christian Fellowship: To lead people to love God and to love people in Jesus' name around the corner and around the world.

It's a little dangerous to try and separate loving God and people. The two really are inseparable.

Loving God really can't happen apart from loving people. And to truly love people you must love God so his love flows through you.

I think in the church today we think we've loved God if we show up for a church service on Sun. and give ten bucks. Loving God requires a relationship. Otherwise, all you have is religion. It was a religion of hate that brought down the World Trade Center.

What does loving people look like? John said it well when he wrote,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." -1 John 3:16-18

Loving people = Loving God so much that you treat people he created like he would if he were in your place

So are you loving people throughout the week? Neighbors? Co-workers? Classmates? Family? Strangers? What grade would you give yourself for how you loved people last week? (write it down)

"Father, help us as a church family learn to truly love people motivated by our love for You which is motivated by your incredible love for us. Move us to act selflessly, generously and lovingly this week. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."

NYC as seen from space on 9/11 2001

NYC as seen from space on 9/11 2001http://bit.ly/3u4Lba (via @NASA)

As I look at this image and reflect on that day 8 years ago, I am reminded that many lives were not only lost but radically changed that day. For some, the change was one that impacted eternity.

As a result of this terrorist attacks, I have a greater view of what evil really looks like. It destroys. It deceives. It opposes all that is good. It is deadly. It is real. And people are still capable of such evil acts, words and thoughts today.

At the same time, I see the grace and mercy of God in the countless acts of courage, compassion and kindness portrayed by Americans great and small.

Many lives are stronger today as a result of a healthy response to the attacks. The future of many adults, children and grandchildren has been eternally changed. There was a high price to pay to get our attention. Too high a price? It probably depends on who you ask.

God the Father paid a great price too. He sent his Son Jesus to die a death he didn't deserve. He did it to make it possible for us to be forgiven and freed from sin and death. Jesus suffered torture for most of the day before--and then on--the cross. He went obediently and willingly out of love--for God his Father first, and then, for us.

Too high a price? Depends on who you ask. But as for me--definitely too high a price to pay. I wasn't worth it--at least in my eyes.

But I'm so grateful that God sees things differently. That while I was a traitor and enemy of God (terrorist?), God paid the ultimate price to demonstrate his great love for me and that "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8)

I am grateful that Jesus died on the cross in my place for my sins so that I could live in his place. You are great, Lord!

Today I lift up those who still hurt for the lives lost during the attacks on 9/11/01 and the rescue and recovery efforts that followed. I pray for those families that will forever have to deal with the void left because the loss of a loved one.

Today I pray for the nation--for the Way, the Truth and the Life to become clear to us. For the love of God to be fleshed out in our nation through God's people.

Today I pray for our leaders. That they would be humble, honest and wise. That they would truly love and serve their nation.

"Jesus said, 'The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News." (Mark 1:16)

A Thousand Questions

Powerfully moving short film about where we've come from and whether there's any hope.

Twitter feeds

Check out our new twitter feeds at Grace Christian Fellowship:

www.twitter.com/gracetwitt - Latest news, thoughts and questions.

www.twitter.com/graceprays - Church-wide prayer requests.

www.twitter.com/dariengabriel - My tweets

Facebook Group Page at www.facebook.com

Search "Grace Christian Fellowship Summerville"

Giving the Ability to Give

When we give, we bless others because we are giving them the ability to give. And "It's more blessed to give than to receive." (Jesus said that last part)

"Green" The Debate is on!

I can't wait to read this pre-quel/sequel. Book 0. Green. Darien

Green is now on shelves everywhere. This story is truly a first of its kind--a pre-quel and a sequel, a beginning and an end, all at the same. If the early reviews are any indication, Green will not only capture the imaginations of existing fans, but will pull new readers into the world of Thomas Hunter. If you've ever wanted to introduce Ted's stories to a friend, now's a good time to start.

“Green takes readers on an epic adventure of two worlds connected by one man named Thomas Hunter. … Moving at breakneck speeds...the resulting saga is one that draws readers deep into another realm, causing them to forget they’re actually reading a book.” —CBA Retailers + Resources

“[Green] is an apocalyptic, spellbinding thriller...Verdict: Dekker continues to write shocking stories that revolve around the war between good and evil in our hearts. His myriad fans will want this suspenseful, larger-than-life visionary novel, which will also appeal to readers who enjoy Dean Koontz and Stephen King.” -Library Journal

VISIT THE OFFICIAL GREEN WEBSITE FOR EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS AND OFFERS.

THE GREEN DEBATE HAS BEGUN

By: Ted Dekker

Asking readers what they think about reading a novel that both begins and ends a series, such as Green, is a bit like asking someone what they think about being thrown out of an airplane with a parachute strapped on.

Until you’ve done it, you can only guess.

Those who've read the Circle Series thus far will likely say it's not wise to start with Green. But then, they have never done that, so can’t really know.

It’s also a bit like the Star Wars Saga. Many debate whether it’s better to start with the ending of Star Wars movies, as they were released, or to start with Phantom Menace. Do you start at the beginning or at the end? For new viewers, most agree that it's better to start with the end of Star Wars even though it spoils how the series ends.

Still, it's up for debate. Just remember that if you've read Black, Red and White, you are debating what someone else will experience, not you. You are guessing that certain spoilers will create less of an impulse to discover or that they will ruin the experience of those discoveries.

This was at the forefront of my mind as I wrote. So, having finished the first draft, I gave the manuscript to a whole cast of readers who'd read the series and another whole cast who hadn't read anything. We gave them all an extensive questionnaire and then poured over the responses.

The result was exactly as I had hoped. All who had read Black, Red and White thought Green made for a strong conclusion. Yet they weren't sure it would make for a strong beginning. How could they know, being forever stamped by their own experience?

And all, to a person, who read Green without any prior knowledge of the series thought it made a perfect beginning and would immediately pick up Black. I quizzed them in great detail and made some small adjustments. Nowhere did they feel lost for lack of knowing, and instead were eager to learn more about the backstory alluded to throughout. All of those things you think of as spoilers, were story questions for the virgin reader. Indeed, many things you think are spoilers actually aren't apparent UNLESS you've read the other books. Knowing the dot is on the wall, you see it every time you enter the room, even though others do not.

I gave all of this much thought as I crafted this most unusual novel. You really have to ask someone who reads the series starting with Green and ending with White how the experience was if you want to know.

Bottom line: Don't assume that the KNOWLEDGE others acquire in Green will lessen rather than add to the EXPERIENCE of reading the other novels. Take a new reader's word for it. That's what I did, and that's why I called Green Book Zero.

Now debate away ;-)

HAVE YOU READ GREEN ALREADY?

Post a review on your favorite book site then let us know where we can read it. Good, bad, ugly, we want to know what you think of it. You can send the web address of your review to fanmail@teddekker.com or by dropping us a line HERE.

Thanks for reading. Dive deep.

Kevin Kaiser | Creative Trust | Www | Fb | Tw