The Center of Success

Life can be such a juggling act. We have our faith, family, friends, job, finances, health, and of course fun. All of these are important aspects of a successful life. We strive to stay centered in the midst of it all, and at times we feel pulled in several directions at once. We drop the ball and we feel less than successful in this game of life.

There is a better way. It is the Jesus way. When we include Jesus in that center circle, we experience success in all areas of our lives. We are reminded this week that Christ holds all things together, and that includes our earthly lives. He cares for us, he is the author and finisher if our faith, he works in our families, friends, jobs, finances, health, and yes, even our fun when we make him the center of our lives.

Life becomes sweeter and more successful when we invite Jesus into all aspects of our lives. What areas of your life have you yet to share with Jesus? And are you ready to give it all to Him? Join us Sunday as we seek to learn more about the center of success, or making Jesus the center of it all.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Success - It May Not Be What You Think

Perhaps you've noticed the colors on the altar have changed as we've moved into the season of Dominiontide. Our focus is on bringing God's dominion to our lives, our church, and our world. But much like success, we may have the wrong idea when it comes to God's dominion. The early church sure did. In Romans 14 we are given a snap shot of a church that sought conformity instead of celebrating diversity. The church hasn't changed a lot in all of these years! The dominion of God is not about us all becoming like each other, but about us all becoming more like Jesus.

The dominion of God is within us. It's not about food, or drink, or even the gender of the one we love...it is about living a life of goodness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Now that's success!

Join us Sunday at 10:45 as we seek to learn more about God's dominion and successful living. Success may not be what you think, but it is God's desire for your life. Invite someone to church. They will appreciate the invitation.

• Sept 9 ~ What is Success?
• Sept 21 ~ The Center of Success
• Sept 28 ~ Simple Success
• Oct 5 ~ Deeper Success
• Oct 12 ~ The Bridge of Success

Rev Sandy, Pastor

As God Would Have It

Those words keep reoccurring in my heart and mind today. As God would have it,

• I made it through church Sunday before having to go to the hospital
• key people noticed something was wrong and took action
• Dr Ron was at church; being with him got me special treatment at the hospital!
• Dr Ron saved me from another ambulance ride, the answer to a long standing prayer of mine
• some of the people I love most were able to be by my side (thanks Rev Lee)
• I was showered with love, concern and most importantly, prayers from everywhere
• it was only my blood pressure
• medication is addressing the issue
• after a restless night in MICU, I convinced them to let me go home yesterday (Monday)
• Kent was off work yesterday and he and Jim drove me to Pensacola and then faced holiday traffic in getting back to Mobile. Sorry guys!

As God would have it, I had everything I needed and more. That's why my favorite hymn is Great is Thy Faithfulness - God always provides for my every need! My heart is grateful for the many prayers, calls, texts, emails and expressions of concern for me and Ryan. I will be at church tonight and on Sunday. I have one more "as God would have it" for you. Sara Sills is preaching this week.

Sara has finished her time of internship at MCC Baton Rouge and we are celebrating her reentry into the life and ministry of Cornerstone MCC. Some of you have watched Sara answer and prepare for her call to ordained ministry for years now. Some of you are new and may not even know her. Either way, let's fill God's house this week as we welcome and bless both Sara and Kay as they take this next step on their journey.

We have many reasons to rejoice. We also have many among us who need prayer. The theme of the service tonight is prayer. Join us during our live broadcast at 6:30pm or take 30 minutes to watch it later in our video archives. Again, I thank everyone for their prayers. My heart is full of love and appreciation.

Rev Sandy, Pastor

Growing More and More Like Christ

We'll be wrapping up our Maximizing Ministry series this Sunday as we look at the gifts we have been given to do the work of the church. I can't wait to learn the results from those of you who took the Spiritual Gifts workshop last Saturday! I hope you are ready to put those gifts to good use here at Cornerstone.

If you missed the workshop, we have resources to help you discover your gifts too. Everyone has at least one spiritual gift. Our text this week reminds us that as we begin to use our gifts, we become more and more like Christ. Are you ready to get to work and to grow? I sure hope so because there is much to be done.

I missed being with you last week but I had a good trip to Texas. Many years ago I performed a Holy Union for a couple with an eight year old son. He's all grown up now and I had the honor of performing his marriage to his beautiful bride. He is in the Army and got notice of his deployment so the wedding had to be moved forward. I want to thank Steven, Darrell, and Laurye for their flexibility and willingness to trade weekends with me so I could go.

I am glad to be home and excited to be in worship with you Sunday at 10:45am. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you someone you can invite to church. And when you get the message be sure to tell them......they belong at Cornerstone!

On a personal note, I ask your continued prayers for my dad. Hopefully he will be discharged from the hospital soon and placed in a residential hospice. My prayer is for God to have mercy on him and call him home as that is dad's desire. My heart is heavy as I wait for his home going. Thank God for the hope of the resurrection and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ!

Rev Sandy, Pastor