Die to Self

The past two weeks at Living Word Community Church have had some powerful messages entitled "The Cost of Following".  Last week Pastor Brian challenged us with 'Cost of Following Jesus' and this week Pastor Steve talked about the 'Cost of Love'.  It sure sounded a lot like the Men's Fraternity material "Living At Work and Home".  The theme of 'Die to Self' is a strong one and as a man it is one that I am not always very good at. 

The two items Steve nailed to the cross that I struggle with the most are my time and my convenience.  I want to control the circumstances of my giving and my sacrifice.  I don't want to get stretched beyond what I think is appropriate.  My attitude can go south pretty quickly and I start to feel sorry for myself, I am giving so much, sacrificing all that I am and either they want more than I want to give or don't appreciate the fact that I am giving what I am.  Have you ever had those thoughts?  You work hard to provide for your family and use that to justify the fact that you are tired when you get home and don't want to engage with your wife or kids.  That's when your time and convenience truly become a real sacrifice.  A sacrifice for others like Pastor Brian preached, a sacrifice, an inconvenience, a bother, a pain and yet isn't God calling us to do that for others.  It really isn't about me, it IS about my family, my wife and others around me. 

Think about it.  How are you sacrificing and is it a grudging sacrifice or a willing sacrifice? 

The Storms of Life

Hurricane Irene is pummeling the east coast this weekend.  It has been a long time since we have had a storm of this magnitude and devastation.  Wind and rain are not that uncommon in central Pennsylvania.  They come and go, in some cases do some damage but it is usually isolated and seldom devastating.  But in the case of a hurricane it is widespread and massive.  This storm will likely cost billions of dollars all in a matter of about 48 hours. 

Not unlike our lives.  We go along and have our challenges and difficulties, the struggles that make things hard but we manage to get along.  Occasionally there is the really tough storm that knocks us down and it is pretty hard to get back up.  The Quest for Authentic Manhood helps us recover from the "Irenes" of life.  If you haven't been part of Men's Frat this might be the year to get involved.  Check us out.

Launching Men's Fraternity 2011-2012

This past year has gone by so fast.  We are in the final days of summer with it's vacations at the shore, mountains or other exotic places.  These past few weeks have been highlighted by the first earthquake in York in many years and Hurricane Irene which is bearing down on us as I write this.  All that being said we are about to launch year number four of Men's Fraternity at Living Word Community Church.  This year we will be have the Quest for Authentic Manhood again and introducing the third course in the Men's Fraternity series, The Great Adventure. 

Both courses will be available beginning September 14th at 6 AM and September 15th at 7:00 PM.  The format will be just as it has been with a larger group presentation followed by small group interaction.  The best part of Men's Frat is that we experience that we are not the only one's on the journey.  There are a number of other guys who are experiencing the same life challenges that we are.  Check out the Living Word website for more information and better yet, click on the registration link.  It's going to be another great year.