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Are
there “White Elephants” in your life?
Gordon
MacDonald shares the following story: "In
ancient days when the king of Siam had an enemy he wanted to torment and
destroy, he would send that enemy a unique gift, a white elephant, a live,
albino elephant. These animals were considered sacred in the culture of that
day. So the recipient of that elephant had no choice but to intentionally
care for the gift.. This elephant would take an inordinate amount of the
enemy's time, resources, energy, emotions, and finances. Over time the enemy
would destroy himself because of the extremely burdensome process of caring
for the gift."
Our
spiritual enemy uses the same strategy on us. Let's say you buy season
tickets to [your favorite sports team], but because you will have a lot of
games to go to, you no longer have time to serve in some area of ministry.
Or, let's say you buy a summer cottage, but now you miss most weekend worship
services between the beginning of May and the end of September. Or, let's say
you buy a health club membership to get in shape. You used to get up early in
the morning to read your Bible and pray, but now you don't have time because
you're working out before you go to work. Or let's say you buy a spot for one
of your kids on a traveling sports team, and now you're too busy to join our
community impact ministry as we serve the poor.
Are
there white elephants in your life? Are you spending money on things that
take your time away from God? The money isn't the problem; the activities
aren't necessarily the problem; the problem is a white pursuits.elephant
"gift" that has pulled you away from God-honoring.
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God
is at work in NEO!!!
God
has certainly been good to the NEO District in 2013. AWAKENING 2013 was
anointed and used by God in a powerful way. I continue to hear of
breakthroughs in churches as they build on what began in the prayer, fasting
and services of AWAKENING.
This
past weekend we had 58 couples attend the first district-sponsored Marriage
Enrichment Weekend we have had in years. God used Bryce and Beth Fox as
agents of renewal. Investing in our marriages is a spiritual priority. We
praise God for what he is doing, and also express appreciation to Pastor
Steven and Rhonda Lester for planning the retreat and to Central Church for
hosting it.
On
March 2 our ladies will gather for their day of inspiration and challenge.
Gloria is so thrilled with the speaker and worship leader who will be coming.
Ladies, you will be thankful for the “investment” of time you make in this
day with other ladies seeking to know and follow Christ.
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Sympathy
to Carl Ingersol & Family
Many
of you had the pleasure to know Lillian Ingersol, wife of retired elder, Carl
Ingersol. Lillian transitioned from this life on February 14th. What
a great day to enter the loving arms of our Lord! Services for her are
as follows:
Visitation
Moore
Southlawn (9350 E. 51st Street)
Friday,
February 22nd, 6-8pm
Service
Tulsa
Central
Saturday,
February 23rd, 11:00am
Click
for more details
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Positive
Parenting
Monday,
February 25th at 7:00pm
A
misbehaving child is a discouraged child. There are four ways in which
“people” misbehave. Do you have the necessary tools needed to navigate
through those behaviors? Join us as we discover the coded messages
behind misbehavior and empower you with more tools for your tool bag.
This
webinar will be presented by Jayme Lenker, who is currently serving as the
Early Childhood Director at First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena,
California. Click here to register. Once you
register, you will receive an e-mail with all the information you will need
to join the webinar. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at DiscipleshipPlace@nazarene.org.
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Hispanic
Master's Plan Conference
Pastor
Otoniel is hosting a Master's Plan conference on our district, April 12-13.
Nazarene Hispanic Coordinator, Roberto Hodgson is planning 13
such conferences across the country to equip the Hispanic
congregations for the church's mission of "Making Christlike Disciples
in the Nations". Rev. William Alvarado, of the Western Latin American
district will be the presenter. He has planted a new congregation in the last
two years and is now averaging above 100, using the Master's Plan
strategy.
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Largest
Nazarene Church in Haiti Dedicated After Years of Saving, Struggling
About
100 miles north of Port-au-Prince, more than 3,500 people attended the
January 27 dedication service for the largest Nazarene church in Haiti.
General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf called the newly completed Gros-Morne Church of the Nazarene "one of the most beautiful churches in the world." The 1,000-member congregation began saving money in 1991 to build the largest structure in the city, which has a population of more than a quarter million. Construction began in 2003 but was stopped in 2006 after two hurricanes, a flood, a marketplace fire, and the January 2010 earthquake — which destroyed the roof of the Nazarene school where 800 students attended. Middendorf said completion of the church — which seats approximately 2,000 — and repair of the school where more than 900 are now enrolled, is an example of how partnerships work in the Church of the Nazarene. He expressed appreciation to the Southern Florida District under the leadership of District Superintendent David Nixon for discovering the needs of the Gros-Morne church and putting a plan into action.
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