FAQ’s of Life Continues
By Stovall Weems
We will conclude our FAQ series this weekend. We will be talking about finances and stress. Things are kind of crazy right now with our economy so I think this is a great time to talk about this. Worry and fear are really gripping people, but God does not want us to be afraid.
Did you know there is a story in the Bible where a very similar thing happened? We will look at that this weekend and I think we will really be encouraged.
So fire away with your questions on finances in the comment section and we will try to answer as many as possible. It is gonna be a great weekend!
Stovall
FAQ’s of Life Continues Tonight
By Stovall Weems
Tonight, at our Wednesday night service, we will be doing some LIVE Q & A on parenting kids and teenagers and also a few on marriage. We have some great questions that have come in on previous blog posts and will be answering several of those tonight. I will also do some recap on a couple of the sex questions from last week. It is gonna be a great night. We will let you text in your questions LIVE during the service, but please submit them on this blog today if you can. See you tonight!
This Song Needs A Tune…
By David Branker
Ever recalled the words to a song but just can’t remember the tune? In Psalm 9 David writes a song and there’s a note that it’s supposed to be sung to the tune “Death of the Son.” Problem- we just don’t know what that song sounded like. Not sure it was a “hit” back in the day, given the name. Even today, scholars debate over the original song this psalm borrowed its melody from. Some say, it’s when Goliath was killed, others say it’s a song about David’s son, Absalom.We may not be able to agree on the original tune, but we know that it is a song of thanksgiving and the words are as powerful today as it was when he wrote it. This is a psalm of gratitude, of thanks to the “Most High,” and it reveals so much about David’s heart. We will just take a look at the first two verses.
He writes:
Psalm 9 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Death of the Son.”
1I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. 2I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.
David begins the song reminding us that real praise must engage our whole heart. It’s not half-hearted. It involves our entire being. Characteristic of many of the other songs he writes, the lyrics prompt us to thank God for what he has done and to be sure to tell others about it. How many times did God come through for us and we fail to give him the “props?”
To be sure, the song isn’t just about a God that does good things, it’s also about who He is – His person, His character, His beauty, His nature, and all that His Name represents. David is grateful for the gifts as well as the giver. No doubt it’s a song about someone he knows on a personal level – someone who fills his heart with joy and who engenders his highest respect and Honor – the Most High.
We may not know the tune, but we can choose to make this song our song. That we, like the Psalmist will develop hearts of gratitude towards God for all that He has done, for who He is, and for His incredibly powerful Name. You too might discover that gratitude is the melody of a joyful heart.
So, go ahead, give this song a tune and make it your song to God. What can you be thankful for?
This Is For You, Moms and Dads!
By Guest Blogger, Jenny Huang
We have tons of single parent families that attend Celebration Church. We know this means that a lot of single dads or single moms are having to juggle kids, meals, schoolwork, soccer practice, jobs, and the home – alone.
We understand the burden of a single parent family and want them to know they are not alone! That’s why we’re excited to kick off a new ministry to reach out to these families beginning this weekend with our first-ever Single Parent Appreciation Day. This church-wide outreach event will be held Saturday, Oct. 25th, 10 am – 2 pm, at the Midtown campus. The day will include free car washes, oil changes, food, and fun activities for the kids.
This event will also launch a new ministry to support single parents through a boys mentorship program. A mini-outing is planned for young boys of single parents during the outreach event and they will be connected with positive male role models.
Single parents and volunteers – sign up to participate or enlist your sons for the mentorship program at www.celebration.org.
Speaking of parent appreciation, our Relationship FAQ series continues this weekend with questions about parenting, teens, and kids. Having trouble with your teenager? Nervous about expecting your first child? Want to know better ways to praise, discipline, and love your children?
Whether you’re a new, soon-to-be, or veteran parent, we want to hear your questions. This one’s for you, moms and dads!
Jenny
More Questions Answered Tonight…
By Stovall Weems
Tonight, at our Midtown and Orange Park Campuses, we’re continuing to answer questions from our Weekend Message Topic: Questions About Men, Women, Dating, Singles, Sex and Porn. This past weekend was really powerful. God moved and impacted a lot of people, and I think the same thing is going to happen tonight.
Just a reminder, that tonight is also a PG-13 type of message.
Service starts at 7:00 p.m. at Midtown Campus and at 6:30 at our Orange Park Campus.
See you there!
Stovall
A Living Offering
By David Branker
What is biblical Christianity? It is certainly more than just making a decision in a church service. It’s continuing to grow toward becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ – a disciple. This type of growth requires that we progressively put God first in our lives. Here is a simple step in living that out – make each day an offering.
Romans 12:1 (The Message)
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
We can start off each day with God with a simple prayer. It doesn’t have to be long but it does have to come from the heart. We get to offer our lives, all of it, as an offering to Him. In this way, we invite God each day to spend us as He pleases for His honor.
When you pray, ask that He will:
- Provide wisdom to do life His way
- Send the people He wants to cross your path
- Give you opportunities to act in love and forgiveness (don’t be surprised when they come)
- Use you for His purposes
- Strengthen you to have a sin-free day
Ask that He will give you the grace to offer (sacrifice) your will and preferences for His. In this simple yet powerful way, you and I can daily put Him first, and pursue a life wholly and holy devoted to Him. What will you ask God today?
David
What’s The Deal With Naked?
By Stovall Weems
This weekend I am talking about men, women, singles, dating, sex and porn. And mainly what is the deal with “naked?”
In Genesis chapter 2 we see that God created sex and that it is powerful, sacred and very good! They were naked and it was on!
We then see sin enter in chapter 3 and all of a sudden there is a different attitude to nakedness. Why is nudity so powerful? Why do men like to see women naked? Seduction, sex and the multi-billion dollar porn industry are now mainstream and it is destroying our culture. Hard core prime time porn is available almost anywhere with the touch of a button. How can we fight it? This weekend may be the most shocking weekend ever at Celebration Church as we take your toughest questions head on. Let me hear from you on this and get your questions in quickly. No sex questions are off limits.
God Is Forever Faithful
By David Branker
When you think of the greatness of God, one of the most attractive characteristics that stand out to me personally, is His unwavering faithfulness. God is forever faithful. When we grow in faithfulness, we honor Him and demonstrate the impact a personal relationship with Jesus Christ has had on our lives.The scriptures have much to say on the topic of faithfulness. Here’s a quick look.
God is faithful.
• God remains faithful even when we are unfaithful. (2 Timothy 2:13)
• God is faithful and unwavering in His love towards us. (1 Corinthians 13:8a)
• God is faithful to His Word and always keeps His promises. (1 Kings 8:56); (Joshua 23:14b)
• God is faithful to ensure we never have to deal with more than we can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
God is faithful and wants us to be faithful. It is said of…
Moses – Numbers 12:7 “God said, “He was faithful in My house.”
Psalmist David -1 Samuel 22:14 “Who is more faithful than David?”
Abraham – Nehemiah 9:8 “Abraham, you found his heart faithful.”
Timothy – 1 Corinthians 4:17 “Timothy, faithful in the Lord.”
Paul -1 Timothy1:12 “God counted me faithful, putting me in the ministry.”
Jesus – Hebrews 3:2 “Christ Jesus, faithful to Him who appointed him.”
God values our faithfulness and rewards it.
Matthew 25:21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
How can we assess our faithfulness? Some questions to consider:
1. Are we faithful in spending time alone with God?
2. Are we faithful in our home or job?
3. Are we faithful to our friends? Boss? Those who serve under us?
4. Are we faithful to our families?
David
Don’t Miss It
By Stovall Weems
Remember – this weekend is going to be Part 2 about Love and Marriage. We rearranged the message series a little bit and are not going to do finances and stress until the first weekend in November. Some of the things that will be discussed this weekened are: how to get past relational pain, and how to talk things out and bring some real resolution to conflict. It is going to be a great weekend!
Stovall
Lost In Translation
By David Branker
Ever been talking to someone and you could tell immediately that you’re just not getting through? Words are coming out of your mouth and getting lost somewhere in the solar system before it gets to the person 2 feet in front of you. That happened to me recently, only to discover that they didn’t speak a “lick of English.” I know what you’re thinking – you don’t either.
But seriously, much gets lost in translation even in the closest of relationships. How about you? What have you tried to communicate to your spouse, friend, co-worker, or boss recently that seemed to have gotten lost in translation? Let’s us know and hopefully sometime in this Relationship FAQ series, we can explore the answers to “Translate this please…”
David
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