Doulos

I was up early this morning reading my Bible, and I came across the writer’s description of himself: a slave of Jesus Christ. Now, the Greek word doulos can mean servant. I like the word servant. I like thinking of myself as a servant of Jesus. I like the thought that I am helping Him bring in his Kingdom on earth. I like thinking that I’m choosing to offer some of my time in assisting Him.

Being his slave is a totally different matter. Slaves have no rights. Slaves have no choice.  Slaves are useful only as they offer unquestioned obedience to their master. Saying that I am a slave of Jesus means I understand completely that my work on this earth is to carry out what He says while constantly in His service. Read more »

Intentional for 10: Week 3

So, as a congregation, we’re three weeks into the very challenging Intentional for 10 initiative. Has it been hard? Easy? How have you been more intentional with your time as a result? Are you seeing an effect in your relationship with Christ?

So, here are 10 more ideas to jumpstart your thinking some more:

Attend: Attend your child’s service in CCM or CSM

Tithe: Take 10% of one week’s grocery budget and donate toward the One Body Food Drive on 11/7

Pray:Pray for CSM’s D-Now, discipleship weekend for middle schoolers

Sacrifice:Create a His Heart Our Dream piggy bank and collect spare change

Connect:Be a part of a new Sunday morning discipleship class from Nov 1–Dec 13 at 9:10am

Learn:If you miss a service or are late, listen online at connect2covenant.com/media

Fast:Give up TV 1 day/week and invest in family time

Witness:Get equipped to share your testimony by attending seminar on 11/2 on How To Share Your Story

Serve:Volunteer in a local community agency

Bless: Prepare a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child

A Very Old Challenge

InTENtional for 10 is a brand new challenge from Covenant’s leadership: embrace ten of Jesus’ life disciplines for ten weeks. Sounds new and creative doesn’t it?

This kind of “try it, you’ll like it” strategy is actually as old as the Old Testament. Check out the book of Malachi for one such example. Read more »

Intentional for 10: Week 2

“Everybody’s doing it.” That’s the vibe we hear as people at Covenant talk about Intentional for 10, and that is good news! PLEASE be sure to let us know what you or your family are doing to fully engage this journey with the rest of us. It’s as simple as leaving comments on the blog at the end of an article, or even at the end of this one. In the meantime, here are ten more prompts to jumpstart your thinking. Read more »

Intentional for 10: Week 1

WOW! It was amazing to see all the thumbprints from this past weekend from people who have committed to fully engage our “Intentional for 10″ initiative! If you missed it, don’t worry. You can jump on board this weekend. Be sure to pick up the brochure at the Info Center (or get the online PDF here) as it is full of ideas for each of the 10 disciplines.

Need some more ideas? Here are ten more prompts to jumpstart your thinking:

Attend: Come early and sit in a new section.

Tithe: Set aside your tithe on payday before paying anything else.

Pray: Pray for West Greenville (Redemption Zone) ministry opportunities. Read more »

Totaled

About a month ago, a young woman came weaving up our street and sideswiped our daughter’s black Volkswagen Beetle. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but both cars were rendered undriveable. The police came, filled out a report, and we waited for the other insurance company to contact us.

No one called. The car just sat on the street outside our house for five days. Finally, an adjuster did call and said the company would tow it to the body shop of our choice. I thought to myself, “Good. Now we’re getting somewhere!” Boy, was I wrong! Read more »

Intentional for 10

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.” (Mt. 11:28; Message)

What a great invitation from Jesus; one that rings true in our crazy, confused and chaotic world. And His invitation continues: “Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.” (Mt. 11:29; Message)

Jesus’ life plan for us is anything but passive, casual or lackadaisical. In fact He demonstrates it right before our eyes; it’s a laser-focused, purposeful and highly intentional lifestyle that opens our hearts to His power and grace.

Interested in tasting more of the God life before year end?

The leadership of Covenant Church invites you to embrace ten (10) spiritual disciplines that Jesus practiced for ten (10) weeks—we are calling it InTENtional for Ten.

Accordingly, here are my top ten reasons why you should do this!

Read more »