Central Christian

This “meme” has been catching a lot of airplay recently and has been re-tweeted over a million times! The concept is to help you understand that if you made a mistake today, there are others who made a bigger one! It’s funny, I love the encouragement, there’s just one problem: It’s not true. There is NOT a counter in the Vienna or Salzburg or any other airport in Austria that is for people who intended to be in Australia! The sign you see is an ad for a Communications company…and someone took it and made up this story, and it’s gone “viral”.

It’s funny for a couple of reasons. First, it stuns me that so much stuff is repeatedly shared, that is NEVER checked! That-by definition-is GOSSIP. And God has been fairly clear on how He feels about that particular lifestyle choice: He is NOT in favor! “Gossip separates close friends.” (Prov. 16:28) “A gossip betrays confidence.” (Prov. 11:13)

You might be reading that and saying, “But Don…aren’t you reaching a little there?? It’s just re-sharing a meme…it’s not like I’m talking bad about someone!” Well, that may be true, but Paul was also very clear when he said, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Are your words HELPFUL? Are they BUILDING OTHERS UP? Are they BENEFITTING those who might see your posts or hear your language? If we are going to take this “Anothering” concept seriously, we need to WATCH what comes out of our mouth, our pen, or our keyboard! Let’s be people that are filled with JOY and ENCOURAGEMENT…not gossip and spreading of stuff that may or may not be true!

But another thing I found funny about this post is that someone might ACTUALLY be halfway across the planet because of the letters “A-L”! Just 2 little letters…and you can be 8828 miles away! (Yes I looked up how far apart the 2 countries are!) One has great skiing and the “Hills are alive with the sound of music!” The other has spiders the size of your car, vegemite that tastes like a boiled rubber tire, and “more shrimp on the barbie!” That is an amazing distance and difference!

Some people you know, may feel like they are 8828 miles away from God…honestly, they might feel like God is a MILLION miles away! They’ve ignored Him, they’ve lived the life THEY wanted…and now they think He is too far away. As far as we have wandered from Him, God is still just one step away. The GRACE of God is RIGHT THERE…and has been all the time! All that is needed…is for the wanderer to turn around! Just make ONE STEP in the direction of God…and He will cover all the distance between you immediately!

Let’s be the people that BRING hope…that ENCOURAGE one another…and that point people to Jesus! May our words lift people up, build people up, and help them see HIS GRACE is enough!

Shalom Alachiem-Peace Upon Your Household
Don
 

AMP, Sunday Nights!
at the Campus House, 5 – 6:30 pm (JH and HS)

Feb 4 – AMP
Feb 11 – SuperBowl Party – 4:30 Kick-Off (there will be food)
Feb 18 – NO AMP
Feb 25 – AMP

Parents and Students!
We would like to know who will be graduating this year so we can help celebrate them and their accomplishment.  If you have a student (or are a student) who will be graduating this spring, please let us know!

Seniors on our list:  Olivia Low, Riley Miller, Jazzy Ruiz, Katilyn Schilling, Caden Smith
Spectrum, Tuesday nights!
Meal at 6:30 pm, Bible Study at 7

Join us at the Campus House (223 S Ave K)

Thank you to everyone who signed up to provide meals for our college students!

As a reminder, here are the next few weeks volunteers:
Feb 6 Gaynelle Thomas
Feb 13 Sarah Taylor, Darren Burgin
Feb 20 Sheila Hays
Feb 27 Clint & Amber Hamilton

AMP / Spectrum SuperBowl PARTY, Feb. 11!
Our Annual Football Bash will be at the Campus House on Sunday afternoon Feb. 11 with FOOD, Fun, Laughter…and togetherness! (And there actually MIGHT be a football game there too!) 
Make plans to attend and let Caitlin know if you can help!

MEALS ON WHEELS – PORTALES
The Board of Meals on Wheels has reached out to Central to see if we would help deliver meals. Many of you do this through service clubs and other organizations, and we are VERY GRATEFUL!
Cindy Gentry has volunteered to coordinate that for us here at Central. Please contact Cindy or the Church Office to let us know you would like to be a part of this team!

14 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.    Matthew 5:14

Brené Brown says, “People are hard to hate close up.” I think that’s because when they are close, we see what they are growing through. Empathy is less about saying “I’ve been through it too,” and more of, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through… want to talk about it?”

Hate is a strong word, but bitter and judgmental are right up there too. And just like hate, it’s hard to stay bitter or judgmental when you know the other side of the story. Assumptions take us to all kinds of different places and most of them aren’t worth visiting.

I was holding on to bitterness for the last few weeks. Reached out to someone and expected a response that I didn’t receive. Instead of speaking to my friend, I unfollowed him on social media. If he couldn’t respond to me specifically, then I didn’t need to see his posts.

I saw him the other day and we talked like nothing was wrong. Then Holy Spirit came in like a ton of bricks.

“He doesn’t know he hurt you. He has no idea. You are harboring a bitterness he doesn’t even know exists. You are too CLOSE to let it lie. Just talk to him.”

I sent a text asking with an apology for my heart toward him. He called immediately. We had a great talk, prayed afterward, and I followed him on social media again. Real life. Lighten your load.

“People are hard to judge close up.” Read their body language. Are they defensive or open? Are they hurting or happy? Stop assuming you know their story… ask them.

Are YOU carrying bitterness? Set it down. Lighten your load. Chances are you’ll be tempted to pick it back up again and, if you do, that’s ok. “His mercies are new every morning.” Sometimes life is a process of laying things at the foot of the cross and trying to pick them up again.

People are too precious to be left in the dark. If we’re here to be light, we must meet them where they are… and we do that up close.

May we be aware of His Presence.

Soli Deo Gloria!

F –
L1 – Love God

L2 – Love Others

Our mission – our action plan – our best hope.

We are Central and we’re in this together!

Our mailing address is:

Central Christian Church

1528 South Main

Portales, New Mexico 88130

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