Prayer

Jesus,

Thanks for the health of Fletcher and Terri. You are a God in control of all our lives. I struggle to understand how you hold the world in motion yet you still care about our lives. I really desire to tell of your faithfulness so help me remember what you have done. Make me bold to share your hope and life with others. If I didn't know you I don't know who I could thank for the great life you have given me. I know I don't deserve it. Open my eyes to you in the ordinary things or live and lead me into your way. To you all honor and praise. I love you .

Questions

Matthew Paul Turner-On Questions from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.

The Tough Choice

Here is a funny video that shows that not all choices are pain free. Often people equate coming to Christ like everything will be great and free of all pain. It is really something different, the cost of discipleship is costly and demands your life is not you own. But the one kicker is that, like the video, one choice leads to life and the other certain death. God is good and through the tough choices He promised that he would send a counselor that would guide, direct and assist us thereby helping us if we open our hears to listen. Which do you choose today, both are painful, one leads to life and the other death.

I found this CD that I think anyone should listen to here on Myspace. It is from a church here in Austin. I am not a huge fan of most Christian music and more often find my heart being draw to God through other types of music. But this Cd is worth a listen if nothing else for the lyrics. My favorite song is "In Your Name" and singer has an amazing voice. Make me wish we sang this song at our church. But here are the lyrics

And oh that this city would know your love!
And oh that this city would feel your touch!
And oh ...that this city would live with Hope---!

Give us hands to touch
Give us hearts of love!

We love because you loved
We pray because you prayed
We give because you gave
We live for your fame
We hope because you save
We believe in your name

Flunking Evangelism

Some shifts are going on in my job in the up coming months. Nothing monumental or anything but I am being asked to lead the church in the area of evangelism to our local community of Georgetown. Funny thing, because I am scared like most people about sharing their faith and if I was being graded on in this effort so far I would have flunked the class. Thoughts of rejection, ridicule, and fear dominate my thoughts but God gives His Holy Spirit which overcomes all my shortfalls. I am reading all that I can about practical ways to share this Truth and I ran across this quote. It freed me up remember something I already knew but my fear would let me grasp.

"The Christian call to evangelism is not simply a call to persuade people to make decisions, but rather to proclaim to them the good news of salvation in Christ, to call them to repentance, and to give God the glory for regeneration and conversion.
We do not fail in our evangelism if we faithfully tell the gospel to someone who is not subsequently converted; we fail only if we do not faithfully tell the gospel at all."

Mark Dever

The story

I love all the writing of Donald Miller and Here is an little bit from his new book coming out soon. I love the line about the story is not about arriving at the ending but the development of the character along the way. I know we will never get they spiritually here on earth but I am very concerned about how I develop, or change, here on earth. I hope you enjoy it.

A Motto by Michaelanglo "Criticize by creating."

I know it is the tendency of us all to complain about those things that we don't like. Some thoughts are justified most aren't. Inside the church people always have the idea of how it should go and often time back it with their scriptural interpretation. I am guilty as well so it is great reminder from Michaelanglo that it is best to criticize by creating. I need to begin this process of removing all the time focusing on the negatives and start creating a new future. And most important following God's lead to creating the future He wants.