One Year Later

One Year Later

Its hard to believe that one year ago this month a merge between to different congregations happened. Much fear was expressed as to what LifeSong Lyman would look like when it was all done. Of the new changes that were experienced was the idea of LifeGroups. I have to admit, some fear entered into my heart because I just wasn’t sure that I could communicate clearly, what I knew as to what God was doing in my heart in terms of growing relationships and learning God’s word, verses something that we all have been use to… Sunday School.

In October of 2007 we began training LifeGroup leaders in our home. During those amazing 6 weeks, God conquered our fears as we trained, practiced, and prayed. January 2008 God started 5 LifeGroups. Today God has to be given the Glory and Praise, because of His guidance, LifeGroups have grown from 5 groups in January to 12 in October 2008. I expect to see even more in 2009.

It has been difficult thing for me personally, to move people out of their current group in order to start new groups, but with the explosive growth that we are experiencing at LifeSong, it is simply necessary. I am beginning the process for the next Host (leader) training as we continue to move forward. More Hosts and Host Homes are needed.

Please know my heart; my passion is not to simply multiply groups, but help create an environment where three relationships can thrive. The 3 relationships that I speak of, is with God, Christ followers, and the ones that don’t have a relationship with God yet. In order for Iron to Sharpen Iron, there has to be more than just a few rubbings. Personal & Spiritual growth will take place in LifeGroups the longer the group stays active. Current groups will end at the end of the school year.

Thank you LifeSong family for your Love, Support, and Prayers. I am truly blessed to be with you!
Pastor Tim

We have room for you if are not currently in a LifeGroup. See List

Who - Where - Day
Matthew Christopher - LifeSong Church (SINGLES) - Sunday night

Troy & Brandi Cole - Reidville - Sunday night

Jon & Kim Adam Adam - Duncan - Wednesday night

Brian Christopher - Lyman/Inman - Wednesday night

A Note About Communication

Text messaging is one of the simplest and most useful means of mobile communication. No one can doubt the popularity of text messaging, but is it really communication when there is no voice, and no body language?

Is texting addictive? I don’t know, but do you ever have feelings of anger or tension when you are separated from your texting tool? Do you long for a better texting phone? Do you need an extra set of hands when you thumb through you cell phone bill?

Top 10 list of texting guidelines.
1. Common courtesy still rules. Contrary to popular belief, composing a text message while you're in a face-to-face conversation with someone is just about as rude as taking a homeless person’s biscuit. It says to people around you that they are less important to talk to than the person being texted.

2. Remember that texting is informal. Texting shouldn't be used for formal invitations. The casualness of texting diminishes the strength and meaning of the message.

3. Don't get upset if you don't get a reply. If it's immediate, make a voice call. If you can't get through and your text message is ignored, there's probably a good reason. If you live at the Lyda house, you don’t have “texting” anyway.

4. Be aware of your tone. It is extremely difficult to discern tone in text messages, just as in e-mail. What seems to you to be a completely innocent message may be grossly misinterpreted by the recipient, causing certain discomfort if not irreparable harm.

5. Don't text while you're driving. You won't know what hit you - or what you hit.

6. Leave the slang to the kids. Don't expect people you know to be hip to the lingo of the “texting” streets. And don't expect to win points with your kids by trying to be cool, either.

7. I’m tired of looking at the tops of people’s heads. I sometimes misinterpret a bowed head for someone praying, and I tend to get a little “gnashing of the teeth” attitude, when … well you know.

8. Before you hit the send button, ask yourself “am I gossiping?” I have this feeling in my stomach that more gossip and less glorifying is being texted, but hey that’s just me.

9. Remember that your phone does have an off button. There are very, very few things in the world that absolutely cannot wait.

10. In short, when we think of relationships, don’t settle for Twinkies when you can have Pecan Pie. If you don’t know what that means, come see me.

In His Love
Pastor Tim

Adjustments

Nothing can change us more than the Application of scripture. No matter how much we hear the word of God through preaching often times it fails to bear fruit. Why? Scripture was not applied.

James 1:22-24
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Wouldn’t you be just a little concerned with someone that got up in the morning, looked in the mirror, and walked away without making adjustments? That is exactly what happens when we encounter scripture and walk away without making changes in our lives.

A person, who looks in the mirror and makes no changes, does not understand the purpose of the mirror. The person that routinely listens to God’s word but fails to apply it, will experience self deception and no growth toward Christ.

As a Christ follower you should be making adjustments every time you are encountering God’s word. Wouldn’t be great to look back in the past 12 months and identify distinct areas of your life in which you have changed based on what has been reflected back to you from God’ word? This is another reason you hear me say so much about LifeGroups. LifeGroups are designed for Application.

See you at LifeGroup!

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim

Sanctification / Justification

Sanctification
Theologian Wayne Grudem defines Sanctification this way:
Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives.

I believe that LifeGroups are an ideal environment for this process to take place. Not all small groups have sanctification in mind as a goal. In fact sometimes small groups can do more harm than good if the group is more of a social time and not focused on it intended purpose which is to fellowship in God’s love, study His word and apply it to our lives, then hold each other up in prayer. “to strengthen each others hand in God”. LifeGroups meet for a purpose, which is sanctification.

Justification
Is an instantaneous legal act of God in which he thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and declares us to be righteous in His sight.

Justification refers to a Christian’s position before God. The moment you were born again, God justified you.

Sanctification refers to our practice before God. It is the ongoing process of battling sin and becoming more like Jesus.

Question:
If someone in your group pointed out what he/she thought was sin in your life, how would you respond?

1. Become offended and internalize it
2. Become offended and express it
3. Dissolve into tears
4. Point out sins in their lives
5. Thank him/he for care and concern

Read Romans 5:1-2
Meditate and be thankful

Gather, Grow, & Go
Pastor Tim