Real Life Fellowship – Richmond, VA

Seems Religious expression is under attack from our schools again. Follow this link in order to see the whole story.  http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-odd/20090427/ODD.Church.Sermons/      Well truthfully I can’t say from our schools because I do not know for sure who is driving this latest attempted form of censorship. To be sure academia has denounced Christian thought and attempted to ridicule it out of existence. This could be the result of years and years of indoctrination by a humanist secular society in our education system. It could even be just a scared bureaucrat who decided that he/she wasn’t going to lay it on the line for something they aren’t a part of regardless. However, the result is the same… Religious, no make that Christian speech seems to be the only unprotected form of expression in America. Strange that this would happen in a school system since so many of our institutions of higher learning were started for the purpose of religious education. It also seems a bit contrived in that we are now in the post-modern era and as such rationality has given way to relativity. I would think that a sermon series of “Great Sex” would be seen today as incredibly relevant! Last time I checked the 1st Amendment was available to ALL Americans – even those with a religious bent to their worldview. Not so sure? Check it out for yourselves… First Amendment – Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause; freedom of speech, of the press, Freedom of Religion, and of assembly; right to petition,

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

The end result here is a veiled attempt to regulate and censor Christian thought and bully churches into only speaking a politically correct version of the Bible.

I seem to remember a story from Scripture about the Apostles Peter and John being arrested and thrown in jail for speaking the truth regarding Jesus. In the end they had to chose whether it was better to obey GOD or man. I for one believe that they made the absolutely right choice.

Preach the WORD… New Hope Church and Pastor Cadle and shame on you Brevard Public Schools for claiming that the series was not appropriate for elementary school children. I don’t know but it seems that when the church is meeting in the facility, school is not in session. Therefore, what is and isn’t appropriate for the elementary aged school children is entirely up to their parents – the same ones bringing them with them to church each weekend. NOT the school system of Brevard County Florida. If parents who received the mailers don’t want their kids hearing Biblical teaching on the subject they don’t have to bring them.

James

Well today was pretty amazing. Had all sorts of wonderful people show up to help us pack and move on Saturday. Honestly I wasn’t sure what the day would be like. We needed to vacate the house we were in but weren’t sure just how long it would take to make it happen. it just goes to show what a committed and determined group of people can accomplish! The entire house got broken down, packed up, moved, loaded in and the bedrooms reassembled in about 8 hours! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And that goes out to all those who helped – in whatever capacity and also to GOD for bringing such incredibly people into our lives. He truly is merciful.

Well here we are getting ready to move for the 3rd time in 9 months. Actually my 4th time but who’s counting? :-> After much diligent searching, and praying and asking GOD for guidance we have located a house for us to rent. You’d think that this being a military town there would be more rentals available – Not So Much! Its been difficult to find rentals, let alone rentals in our target area. So, this one is a little bit further out than we had originally hoped for but not too far that we can’t get connected. We’re excited about getting to settle in finally. This house sits on 1 acre, half of which is wooded. The backyard is level so maybe we’ll be able to afford that trampoline Zachary has always wanted now.

It never fails to make me stop and contemplate what GOD might think of all this stuff we are trying to move. Its amazing how much you can amass, even though you have been steadily downsizing all along! I just remember a verse of Scripture from Matthew that speaks volumes at times like these: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Mt 8:20). Some people believe this this refers only to Jesus poverty. I think that might be over-simplifying it a bit. I think upon reflection, that we certainly see that Jesus is indicating His current state; however, I also think that if we look further we can be reminded of just how much He gave up in order to come here.

Lord, help me to keep my life in perspective. No matter how much I downsize or hold on to – none of it is eternal. Only the things done in you last.

James

Had a great day in the LORD this past Sunday. Got a chance to talk about the “Mystery” as described in the Book of Colossians from the New Testament. Great word on the hope we have because of what the Holy Spirit was able to accomplish after Jesus’ death AND resurrection. Been trying to illustrate the messages each week and this past Sunday was no exception. We were able to utilize some containers to show how we are no longer in sin but are now in Christ and He is in us. Additionally, we illustrated the idea of being transferred or conveyed from a life in bondage to sin to the land of God’s Son, even while we are still here on earth! Cool Stuff to be sure.

Have had one family visiting consistently for the past four weeks. Praising the LORD for them but asking Him to bring us more. Still wanting to figure out how to really communicate the truth of what awaits those who die without a relationship with Christ. I am convinced that if we truly understood that then we would live our lives dramatically differently. We’d be making time for neighbors and friends and family who don’t know Jesus instead of just trying to keep our part of the wheel turning. God help me – to see what you see and to be bold to declare who you are.

Until Next time,

James

Had a great time of celebrating our Heavenly Father this past weekend! 5 guests were in attendance as well as the usual crowd of suspects.  :->  (look at that sideways in case you don’t know what that is).  Everyone’s still excited and working hard. We’re all learning what GOD really expects of us in terms of how Jesus modeled His relationships, especially with respect to those who didn’t know Him yet!  Amazingly, not only were people drawn to Him, but He made time, significant time at that, for those most of us would say aren’t worth ANY time. He “INVESTED” His life in them and then “INVITED” them to experience eternal life through a wonderful relationship with GOD. Over these last three weeks we’ve learned that there’s a party in Heaven every time someone comes to faith and that GOD doesn’t want us being guilted into sharing our faith with others. Rather, we ought to respond out of grateful hearts for all He has done for us and invest in those around us. 

We’re praying for opportunities to get to know folks better and invite them to hear the gospel. We’re excited about this coming Sunday – Easter! Please join with us in asking GOD to allow us to be a part of changed lives in the Metro Richmond area as He calls people to Himself.

Until next time, I’m serving Him with you,

James

I am so excited about Easter this year! Real Life Fellowship has launched and I am anticipating GOD doing incredible things to bring Himself glory in and then through us @ RLF. Next Sunday, April 12th we have something really cool planned and you won’t want to miss it. One of our core values is to be culturally relevant. To do this we need to use language and communication methods that are current to this generation. Next week we take another step in this direction with “Mission Possible.” Why not check us out @ 9:30am and then hang out for “Real Kids” our worship venue especially for elementary aged children. Its all good! Hope to see you here.

Until then,I’m Serving Him with you,

Pastor James

For the past couple of weeks we’ve been discussing the three short stories found in Luke 15. In them we have discovered just how passionate our GOD is regarding restoring a right relationship with His lost creation – us! We’re also learning that because of His great love towards us and the lengths He has gone to restore our relationship with Him, we should be willing to tell others what is available for them. That’s where Invest & Invite comes in. As a staff , Real Life Fellowship, has promised to do what some are uncomfortable doing – sharing the gospel, if you will promise to do what we as a staff cannot do – meet and build relationships with multitudes of people. That’s our strategy. Simple and Straightforward. Make friends and then invite them to hear about Jesus. 

To ensure that individuals have enough time to engage those around them, RLF has determined NOT to over-program itself. People need time to develop friendships, to get to know neighbors, to coach a little league team, etc… Fostering those relationships and ensuring families have the time they need together will result in changed lives: some saved from eternal separation from GOD in hell and others discipled to a deeper level of spiritual maturity.

Why not join us this Sunday morning @ 9:30? Casual, relaxed, culturally relevant, and Biblically based.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Pastor James