Doug Clark, Senior Pastor Old Jacksonville Campus | Grace Community Church

A Fire at Our Athens Campus

Last Evening The Athens Campus of Grace Community Church was the victim of arson.  The building while still standing, is a complete loss.  It appears that someone entered the building after 10:00 and set at least two fires.   These fires smoldered for some time before ignited.   When the fire department arrived smoke was billowing from the building but there were no visible flames.  The flames finally did show themselves, and very quickly became uncontainable.   

 

The hard thing is that people’s sacrifice and hard work is gone. But,  the good thing is that the church is not a building but people.    We are asking that this be a great chance for God to be glorified and for his kingdom to grow because of this unfortunate situation.  We trust in the truth that someone meant this for evil but God will use it for good.

 

Thanks for your prayers.

 

Doug

Straight talk

This morning 220 guys meet for some straight talk about being men who follow Christ. It was a great morning of enthusiasm for knowing articulating and living out being a  Worshiper and having a life that is being more and more transformed into the image of Christ. 

If you missed it here is a quick outline of what we talked about:

I’d like us to stop for a moment and remember:  We are men! We are God’s! We have responsibilities!

 

If we can leave today with commitment to the basics, I believe we will change the world.

 

1. As a man of GCC, commit to know what the church is about:

 

a. Worship— God desires us to worship him.

We were made to give him praise/glory/honor due his name.

 

Not just Sunday but everyday w/ every part of our lives.

 

Rom12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

 

b. Mission--- God desires worship but sin has separated us.

He has provided salvation in Christ.  That is the Gospel.

 

Our mission is to tell others and love them:

 

Acts1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

 

b. Community—We meet and live out loving one another. 

 

It is the place for accountability, camaraderie, and training to be engaged in the mission of the gospel and the worship of God, we come together with others in community.

 

Acts 2:42-48 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. V43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  V44All the believers were together and had everything in common. V45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. V46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, v47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

As a Man at Grace be know, articulate, and live out what GCC is about.

2. As a man of GCC . . . . .

 . . . commit to having your life more transformed into a follower of Christ.

 

a. Transform your personal relationship with God. Matt 6:33

 

--Relationship w/God starts w/Christ. In him forgiven jn 3:16

--Relationship w/God built on time with him in personal study       of his word.  Ps 119:12

-- Relationship w/God has me putting to death the idols that     take God’s place.    Rom 8:13

 

b. Transform your relationship w/your family (especially wife).

Eph 5:25 Husbands love your wives as Christ does the church. 

 

           

 

c. Transform your relationship with other men. Paul/Timothy,             David/Jonathon, Elijah/Elisha, Joshua/Caleb

            Prv 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens             another.

            We must be with others in connection.   Gather in                     groups Study together, grow together, reach the world               together.

 

 

d. Transformed in the way you love the world.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

 

 

Conclusion: Don’t leave her feeling challenged and not do anything:  Clear We brought you together for a purpose: To challenge you to be a man according to GCC standards

 

1) Men of Grace know/are able to articulate what we are about: Worship—mission---community.

 

2) Men of Grace are committed to having their relationships transformed:

            with God

            with our wives

            with other men

            With the world.

3) Men of Grace meet with God  and with other men.

 

Don’t just hear the word do the word.

 

Shamgar --- discipleship training. Two weekends in Nov. Serious but Incredible for your growth as a follower of Christ.

 

Tragic Event at John Tyler

 

        Wednesday we witnessed one more tragic event in a school community, but this time it hit home in Tyler, Texas.   At least I hope it has hit home for us. I pray that we as the people of Tyler all have the sense that John Tyler is our home. It is part of our Tyler community.  We, the people in the community, need to rally together to support and pray for Todd Henry’s family, the students and teachers at John Tyler High School, and the TISD administration. 

            In this tragic loss, we are reminded that we live in a fallen world. The pain people administer to one another is beyond comprehension, but unfortunately it is not surprising.  We see clearly that sin and evil are deeply ingrained in human beings. This clear image screams of our need for God and the healing of the soul that can only be found in his son, Jesus.

            Wednesday’s heartbreaking event has already driven many families in North Tyler to their knees in prayer and desperation.   Yet, it shouldn’t just be North Tyler families who are driven to their knees. Wouldn’t it be great if as one, we the people of both north and south Tyler hit our knees together to cry to God on behalf of people we may not know?  In the midst of this terrible and senseless act of violence, let’s band together as a community to grieve and to pray.  Let’s ask for God’s strength and peace and the resolve to speak love and truth in the lives of people so that senseless violent acts happen less and less.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your Help with the reveal study.

We are currently asking people who call Grace Community their church home to take part in an extensive spiritual life survey.  This survey helps to determine the spiritual health of a congregation.  It has helped hundreds of churches make good directional decisions in ministry. We as Staff and Elders are excited about discovering how we can all grow in Christ more and better. 

The survey takes about 20-30 minutes, but we believe it could be the best way you could help the church right now.    Please take the survey as soon as possible.  There are only about 10 days left.  You can access it at www.gcc.org/reveal.

Thank you so much.  We'll share the results soon.
Doug

Is Song of Solomon Rated?

The Song of Solomon is an in depth study of intimacy in marriage.   It graphically speaks of a married couple's relationship and sex life.  When we began this series one parent asked, and rightly so, "Will this be appropriate for my elementary age kids?" The questions was such a god that  I wanted to give all parents of younger children a heads up and say that we will be very careful in how we speak in the services.  We will use the word sex and talk about God's design for it and how a healthy sex life brings security into our marriages. But in that we will, not be graphic,crude or overly specific.  I guess there may be a moment of very very mild PG but in general it will be palatable for most age groups.  

I hope this helps. Please feel free to contact me and ask any questions. 

Doug

5 Reasons to come to Church this Sunday!

You may be thinking about doing something else Sunday morning, but let me give you some good reasons to make sure you catch one of the 8 services at a GCC campus this Sunday:

1. You'll hear about why sex brings security to marriage.

2. You'll learn the value of words that refresh in marriage.

3. You'll get help in developing a home where peace reigns.

4. If you are single these will all help in the future.

5. You'll get a chance to hear all this as we worship our Great God together.

So come on make plans to attend.  You won't be sorry!

Flying over the Sahara

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We flew over the Sahara Desert today and it is incredible. It is vast sea of dust and sand. It is the size of the United States and covers most of Northern Africa.  It is beneath you for 2-3 hours as you fly.  But just as you think it will never end, the brown meets the blue of the Mediterranean.  The contrast is stark and beautiful. 

As you fly over you have to ask what must it be like to live in a place where the conditions are so harsh, so dry and so rough?  Even as you contemplate the question you see the green in the midst of the harshness.   There is green. As Mr. C said, "you can tell where there is water."  It really gives new meaning to “living water.”  In the cruel and harsh conditions of the desert there is a beautiful place of refreshment and rest.   That is the picture of what Jesus has done for our lives.   He is our living water in the midst of drought, dust and storms of life.   It is the best gift.

Sitting in Kampala after a week deep in Uganda

Here are a few of my toughts as I sit in the hotel on the night before we fly Back to the states:
God is moving people in Africa Towards him.

1)  The Church here is Active and strong and desires to see people come to Christ in Uganda and in the world. As you can see on the Parental Care Blog there are many who are sacrificing everything for the Cause of Christ.

2) There is significant struggle in most of the world event to survive.  If I didn't believe and trust in God's love and

Sovereignty

, I would be tempted to think that God has forgotten some.  But I know his great love extends beyond the way I measure it.

3) There are many people who love to be God's instruments of blessing in the lives of others. I am thankful People Like Mark And Monica and all the others who support kids.

4) I trust God in many big thing, But need to trust him more in the small ones.

Signing off for now.

Follow Along While We're In Uganda

You guys want to track along with me on my trip to Uganda? Then just click below to the Parental Care Ministries Blog.

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Thursday in London Now on to Kampala

Well the team made it to London just in time for a 12 hour layover. The flight over was great. Our Travel Agent just happened to be on our flight and she was able to bump us from economy to 2nd business class which provided us more seat and leg room.  It was so kind of her to do. 

We spent the day in a Yotell which is a mini and I do mini hotel in The Heathrow Airport. The entire room is about 8x9.   Keep praying for us to be aware of the opportunities that God is placing before us.  We are excited about taking advantage of them and committed to praying that you do the same. 

Next Stop Kampala!

Doug

A moment in Proverbs

Proverbs 21:21 rings true everyday you live in it:

HE WHO PURSUES RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LOVE FINDS LIFE, PROSPERITY AND HONOR.

Uganda

Wednesday I get a chance to accompany Mark and Monica Barrett, Jay and Ashley Ferguson, and Miles Cunningham on a trip to Uganda Africa with Parental Care Ministries. We are headed to help lead a Pastor's Conference and doing some teaching in the school there.  We are excited and looking forward to what God will do.  We would covet your prayer.  

Would you pray that God would:

    1) Teach us to trust him and depend on him in the good and the bad.
    2) Help us stay alert and responsive to the 'open doors' He will set before us. 
    3) Make our sessions with the pastors profitable for them and the growth of the kingdom.  
    4) Give Jay and I the ability to connect with the pastors well.
    5) Empower Miles to good teaching and time with the schools teachers.
    6) Provide wisdom to Mark and Monica as they determine direction for Parental Care ministries.
    7) Give Ashley great love/patience as she spends time serving and helping kids in the orphanage. 
    8) Protect and care for our families in our absence.

Thanks for Praying and don't forget to pray for the Guatemala Team as well.  We will be praying for you as you for us.

thanks 

Looking forward to Paul this summer from the book of acts

There are two words  jumping out at me from our upcoming study of the Life of Paul in the Book of Acts.  The first word is boldness and the second is faith.  These two traits seem to describe the life of Paul (and many others in ACTS).   My prayer is that Boldness and Faith would be hallmarks of our lives as well.  Would you pray for that with me for the summer?  Here is to and increase in both.   Check out Acts 7 for an introduction to Stephen.   Wow, was he bold and filled with faith.   See you Sunday!

One day Jesus will make all things new but that doesn't mean we don't....

Feed  the hungry!
Give water to thirsty!
Provide medical attention to the sick!
Come to the aid of the orphan!
Equip and train people in third world countries to boast their economy!
Fight like mad for racial equality!
Intervene on behalf of those caught in injustice and slavery!
Be God’s conduit of Love and Mercy to the world!
Be God’s witness in your neighborhood, networks, community and world!

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Jesus Christ AD 30.

One day Jesus Will make all things new!

I  read about Chen Fuchao on MSNBC.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30896807/) this morning. He was a man heavily in debt who had been contemplating suicide while standing on a bridge in southern China. He had been there  for hours when a passer-by came up, shook his hand — and pushed him off the ledge. Fuchao fell 26 feet onto a partially inflated emergency air cushion laid out by authorities and survived, suffering spine and elbow injuries.

The man who pushed him was arrested and then released on bail. He said he had been fed up with what he called Chen's "selfish activity. " Traffic around the Haizhu bridge in the city of Guangzhou had been backed up for five hours and police had cordoned off the area.  He said "I pushed him off because jumpers like Chen are very selfish. Their action violates a lot of public interest.”

I find two heartbreaking thoughts in this story.  1) that life situations are troubling enough to drive people to want to end their lives.  2) that someone would be willing to end the life of another because he was  being inconvenienced by the desperation. 

In preparation for Preaching the final chapter  of Revelation I am grateful that Jesus is coming again soon and that he is coming to remake a world where tragedies like these are non-existent.