Mcdowell Church

As the season of Christmas approaches, there are many perspectives on what Christmas is and what makes Christmas great. Some of us love giving gifts. Others of us love the ‘feel’ of the season. Some of us love the music (and we begin listening to it in July). Others of us love the food. And let’s be honest—all of us love RECEIVING gifts. When the authors of the Gospels (the four recorded compilations about Jesus in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) wrote about Christmas, each had a little bit of a different perspective. There is much we can gain by digging into the differences and the pictures they present of the Christmas story. This Advent, we’ll jump into the history, the preparations, the music and the invitation of the Christmas story.

As the season of Christmas approaches, there are many perspectives on what Christmas is and what makes Christmas great. Some of us love giving gifts. Others of us love the ‘feel’ of the season. Some of us love the music (and we begin listening to it in July). Others of us love the food. And let’s be honest—all of us love RECEIVING gifts. When the authors of the Gospels (the four recorded compilations about Jesus in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) wrote about Christmas, each had a little bit of a different perspective. There is much we can gain by digging into the differences and the pictures they present of the Christmas story. This Advent, we’ll jump into the history, the preparations, the music and the invitation of the Christmas story.

As the season of Christmas approaches, there are many perspectives on what Christmas is and what makes Christmas great. Some of us love giving gifts. Others of us love the ‘feel’ of the season. Some of us love the music (and we begin listening to it in July). Others of us love the food. And let’s be honest—all of us love RECEIVING gifts. When the authors of the Gospels (the four recorded compilations about Jesus in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) wrote about Christmas, each had a little bit of a different perspective. There is much we can gain by digging into the differences and the pictures they present of the Christmas story. This Advent, we’ll jump into the history, the preparations, the music and the invitation of the Christmas story.

From the time most of us are young, we’ve seen and been attuned to what we don’t have. We’re inundated with messages of those things or experiences that could make us happier. We want to BE RICH. This simple passage of scripture in 1 Timothy uses this phrase not as a state of being, but rather as a way to live. The concept moves beyond what we have to how we live with what we have. That simple perspective shift is a game changer. God has entrusted to us time, abilities and financial resources. In the next two weeks, we'll explore how we can BE RICH in our deeds and with our resources, no matter how much we have.

Road rage. It seems like such a childish response. Until someone cuts us off or pulls in front of us or slows us down because they are texting. Then, it's our responsibility to let him/her know of their wrongdoing. When it comes to us, it's not road rage - it's helping others know how to drive. It's often no different in our relationships. When we are hurt, we feel the need to get even. Then s/he feels the need to get even with us. Pretty soon, we're locked in a cesspool of hatred and revenge. Scripture gives us some examples of how hatred and revenge can eventually lead to death. But forgiveness, a recurring theme throughout the scriptures, is a pathway to freedom. There is a flow to forgiveness—from God, to us, to others. In the next couple of weeks, we're going to explore the pain and destruction found in revenge and the freedom that flows out of forgiveness.

Road rage. It seems like such a childish response. Until someone cuts us off or pulls in front of us or slows us down because they are texting. Then, it's our responsibility to let him/her know of their wrongdoing. When it comes to us, it's not road rage - it's helping others know how to drive. It's often no different in our relationships. When we are hurt, we feel the need to get even. Then s/he feels the need to get even with us. Pretty soon, we're locked in a cesspool of hatred and revenge. Scripture gives us some examples of how hatred and revenge can eventually lead to death. But forgiveness, a recurring theme throughout the scriptures, is a pathway to freedom. There is a flow to forgiveness—from God, to us, to others. In the next couple of weeks, we're going to explore the pain and destruction found in revenge and the freedom that flows out of forgiveness.

Books and speeches are full of ideas on how to make our lives better. Self-help - we eat it up. Advertisements are placed so that we're reminded of those things or experiences that we need in order to find joy and meaning in life. It seems that our world is full of ideas about how to build a great life. Paul had some ideas about building a great life — but rather than looking at the world around us, he insisted that centering on Jesus was the key. He wrote this short letter to remind these believers that Jesus' reign covered every aspect of their lives, and ew too could choose to build our lives around this reality. We open this ancient letter to find some encouragement and direction for how to build a life.

Books and speeches are full of ideas on how to make our lives better. Self-help - we eat it up. Advertisements are placed so that we're reminded of those things or experiences that we need in order to find joy and meaning in life. It seems that our world is full of ideas about how to build a great life. Paul had some ideas about building a great life — but rather than looking at the world around us, he insisted that centering on Jesus was the key. He wrote this short letter to remind these believers that Jesus' reign covered every aspect of their lives, and ew too could choose to build our lives around this reality. We open this ancient letter to find some encouragement and direction for how to build a life.

Books and speeches are full of ideas on how to make our lives better. Self-help - we eat it up. Advertisements are placed so that we're reminded of those things or experiences that we need in order to find joy and meaning in life. It seems that our world is full of ideas about how to build a great life. Paul had some ideas about building a great life — but rather than looking at the world around us, he insisted that centering on Jesus was the key. He wrote this short letter to remind these believers that Jesus' reign covered every aspect of their lives, and ew too could choose to build our lives around this reality. We open this ancient letter to find some encouragement and direction for how to build a life.

Books and speeches are full of ideas on how to make our lives better. Self-help - we eat it up. Advertisements are placed so that we're reminded of those things or experiences that we need in order to find joy and meaning in life. It seems that our world is full of ideas about how to build a great life. Paul had some ideas about building a great life — but rather than looking at the world around us, he insisted that centering on Jesus was the key. He wrote this short letter to remind these believers that Jesus' reign covered every aspect of their lives, and ew too could choose to build our lives around this reality. We open this ancient letter to find some encouragement and direction for how to build a life.

No matter where we are in life, there are relationships that could benefit from being reset, making a new commitment or moving in a new direction. We’re going to spend the next few weeks talking about some Biblical perspectives on these relationships. It’s a great series to invite a friend, neighbor, coworker, classmate, or even an enemy. And don’t forget to pick up a journal as we journey together this fall.

No matter where we are in life, there are relationships that could benefit from being reset, making a new commitment or moving in a new direction. We’re going to spend the next few weeks talking about some Biblical perspectives on these relationships. It’s a great series to invite a friend, neighbor, coworker, classmate, or even an enemy. And don’t forget to pick up a journal as we journey together this fall.

No matter where we are in life, there are relationships that could benefit from being reset, making a new commitment or moving in a new direction. We’re going to spend the next few weeks talking about some Biblical perspectives on these relationships. It’s a great series to invite a friend, neighbor, coworker, classmate, or even an enemy. And don’t forget to pick up a journal as we journey together this fall.

No matter where we are in life, there are relationships that could benefit from being reset, making a new commitment or moving in a new direction. We’re going to spend the next few weeks talking about some Biblical perspectives on these relationships. It’s a great series to invite a friend, neighbor, coworker, classmate, or even an enemy. And don’t forget to pick up a journal as we journey together this fall.

Over 2000 years ago, a grassroots plan to change the world began in the Middle East, with a group of men and women committed to living a different kind of life. That small group began to multiply in villages and towns throughout the ancient world. Our roots can be traced back to those early followers of Jesus. We join in with that same movement — to change the world through the ways we live, the commitments we make each and every day. We can change the world.

Over 2000 years ago, a grassroots plan to change the world began in the Middle East, with a group of men and women committed to living a different kind of life. That small group began to multiply in villages and towns throughout the ancient world. Our roots can be traced back to those early followers of Jesus. We join in with that same movement — to change the world through the ways we live, the commitments we make each and every day. We can change the world.

Over 2000 years ago, a grassroots plan to change the world began in the Middle East, with a group of men and women committed to living a different kind of life. That small group began to multiply in villages and towns throughout the ancient world. Our roots can be traced back to those early followers of Jesus. We join in with that same movement — to change the world through the ways we live, the commitments we make each and every day. We can change the world.

Over 2000 years ago, a grassroots plan to change the world began in the Middle East, with a group of men and women committed to living a different kind of life. That small group began to multiply in villages and towns throughout the ancient world. Our roots can be traced back to those early followers of Jesus. We join in with that same movement — to change the world through the ways we live, the commitments we make each and every day. We can change the world.

As summer winds down Lead Pastor Matt Anderson talks about what it really means to rest. Set aside time this week to practice rest - unplug and be still.

McDowell. A community following Jesus, learning to love. A community is held together by some shared activity or beliefs or, at the least, proximity. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to look at some of the core beliefs that hold us together as a community.