Learning from Computer Frustrations

Recently in the church office we had a round of technical difficulties with computers not acting like we as humans expect them to act. Isn’t it amazing how a hunk of plastic and wires can create so much frustration and cause such disruption? Rather than staying mad over our technical challenges, I decided to see if there were some lessons I could learn from computers not acting the way they should.

First of all, from time to time, computers need to have old files cleaned out. Let’s face it, they take up space and make our computers run really S L O W! I recently made room for 40 more gigs of space on my lap top by getting rid of the junk. Here is the application: How much space is junk taking up in your heart and life? You know, past failures, past hurts, present hang-ups. I think you get the idea. Spend some time cleaning things out.

Second, there are times when you just can’t trouble shoot whatever it is that is going on with your computer. At times you need the help of someone else to possibly see what you are not seeing. It is no different in life - we need each other to help us make it. You can’t do life alone. Link up with someone who can make a positive difference in your life, you will be glad you did!

Finally, our computers have this amazing ability to get “out of date.” New ideas and solutions are always being created and thus what has worked in the past, may not work in the present and so you have to upgrade some programs to stay with the flow of life. Guess what? It is the same with us as humans. Our lives are in constant need of an “upgrade.” As great as yesterday was, yesterday won’t get you anywhere today. You need a fresh touch from God and His presence to “upgrade” your life. You may ask, but “how”? Read the word, pray, and surrender your life to the Holy Spirit everyday and your upgrade will happen!

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell

Vision, Pt 3

During the last two weeks I have shared with you some components of our church’s short and long-term vision. Specifically to be a place that reaches the 8,213 non-churched people in Alachua and High Springs. We want to be a place for them! What will it take? Us being a place where real relationships begin. A real relationship with THE Real God, Real People, Real Purpose, and Real Change.

But what about us? What do WE or more specifically YOU need to do to help reach the 8,213 non-churched people in our area? Let me suggest a few things...

1) Pray, pray, pray. I would challenge you and STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to pray everyday that we will reach the 8,213. Pray like eternity matters....because in this case, it does!!!

2) Expect, expect, expect. I would challenge you to really EXPECT our church to make a large dent in the 8,213. Let us not be guilty of saying “well if it happens, it happens.” NO! Let us expect it to happen in Jesus name!

3) Be a person that makes a positive impression on the 8,213. People know if we genuinely care. I would challenge you to be a welcoming, warm individual to those that attend. Help make others feel comfortable being here by showing love to them. Volunteer to serve in a ministry area if you are not doing so already!

4) Change, change, change. I would challenge you to be willing to change so that you are personally experiencing THE real God, real People, and real Purpose in your life! Let’s be willing to let go of what has been so that we can dream about what could be by God’s grace, favor, anointing, and power!

Praying, Expecting, Being, and Changing for the 8,213,

Jeff Powell

Vision, Pt 2

In High Springs and Alachua, there are 8,213 nonchurched people. That is why we are here - to impact that 8,213 as much as we can. How are we going to impact the 8,213? We are a place where real relationships begin. A real relationship with THE Real God, Real People, Real Purpose, and Real Change.

We want people to meet THE real God, primarily through our Sunday morning services. This is the place for THE real God to intersect with the daily issues that people face to provide encouragement, conviction, and principles to apply His word to daily situations.

We will be a place of real people where hurts, habits, and hang ups are not denied, but rather dealt with. The primary venue for this will be our weekly small groups - some will meet in homes and some will meet on the church campus. The same values will be emulated in all. Values of: care (deposit spiritually), connection, consistent, contageous (birthing another group). It is okay to NOT be okay, but it is not okay to stay NOT okay!

Real purpose occurs when we discover our place of service. When we begin to serve other human beings for the purpose of eternity, now we are really living! This will primarily occur through our existing and expanding ministry and mission opportunities.

The result of THE real God being intentionally made known through Sunday services, the result of real people encountering each other in small groups, the result of people plugging into real purpose through serving others will be real change!

Seeing Clearly,
Jeff Powell