TPC Leadernet | 12.30.04 |

NEW SIGN
Our new sign was installed this past weekend. Here's a picture of it lit up at night. It looks impressive from the street!

THE JESUS PLAN FOR A PURPOSEFUL LIFE!
Topic: The Jesus Plan for HOPE.
When: Wednesday, Jan. 5
Time: 7pm
Where: TPC Ministry Center. Note our new meeting location!! Click HERE for directions.

MINISTRY CENTER OPENING
The Ministry Center on Old Humboldt Road is officially "open" for business beginning Monday, Jan. 3 at 9am. The office will be open from 9am - 4pm and we'll have someone there the entire time. We'll offer wifi access and complimentary Starbucks coffee for the whole month of January. Drop by and say hello!

Debra Taylor, my friend from Memphis who owns d'Edge art gallery on S. Main will be placing George Hunt's Art Work at the center on Monday, Jan. 3. Mr. Hunt is a regionally known artist whose artwork is featured on Beale St. in Memphis and at the Horseshoe Casino. He specializes in artwork relating to Delta Blues culture.

PROMOTIONAL HAPPENINGS!
Here are some things to be on the watch for this week!

Billboard Campaign - we have five billboards throughout the Jackson area starting with our "What's in a Promise" teaser.

Dave Ramsey radio ad - we've already had a number of responses to our 101.5 radio ad and the class is filling up nicely. We still have room for more, though. If you or anyone you know would like to attend this great Money Management Seminar, please sign up this week!

Chamber of Commerce Open House - Friday, Jan. 29 @ 10am.

West Area Disciples of Christ Worship and Fellowship Gathering - Sunday, Jan. 30 @ 5pm at TPC Ministry Center.

TPC WORSHIP TEAM
We are looking for folks who possess the spiritual gift of music. Contact Dale Dodd via email at dale@promisechurch.info if you are intersted in auditioning.

REFLECTIONS: Don't Look Back!

1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt." (Numbers 14:1-4, NIV)

One of my favorite rock bands in Junior High was the band Boston. In 1978, they released one of the first LP's (remember those?) I ever purchased - Don't Look Back. Ken Emerson, writing for Rolling Stone magazine wrote of band leader Tom Sholz's purpose behind the album. "Don't Look Back," he wrote in 1978, "is shot through with Scholz' anxieties. The lyrics are preoccupied with failing to measure up, with failing to be a man. "A Man I'll Never Be" wishes, "If only I could find a way/I'd feel like I'm the man you believe I am." Amid its pleasant jingle of acoustic guitars, "Used to Bad News," a charming, rather Beatles-like song written by Delp, protests, "I've been used, but I'm takin' it like a man.""

The lyrics from the title song, Don't Look Back, sound like someone wanting to reassure themselves (in desperation?) that tomorrow is going to be better than today!

Don’t look back
A new day is breakin’
It’s been too long since I felt this way
I don’t mind
where I get taken
The road is callin’
Today is the day!

The Israelites wandered and wandered in the wilderness. Over time, growing tired and disenchanted with the God who had freed them from Egyptian captivity, they grumbled and complained and finally even told Moses that they were ready to go back to slavery rather than wander aimlessly!

How often do we want to re-take control of our lives when we don't see the results we demand right now from our walk with God? Our lives feel like they are continually spinning toward something. What, we do not know. And when we lose sight of the destination, rather than express thanks for being free with our God even as we journey, we long for the "certainty" of the past.

How does the saying go? We long for the devil we know, rather than the devil we don't?

As the poet Dante travels through Hell he encounters the mythic monster, Medusa. He is warned by his guide, the Latin Poet Virgil, not to look into her glowing eyes, "lest you freeze in your steps!" Medusa in Greek Mythology - as in Dante's Inferno - was an symbol for our remorse and regret. Look directly into the face of it - and you'll freeze in your steps.

But here's some good news!

2005 is just around the corner and God wants for us to see a new day dawning.

What's keeping you bound to the past? Isn't it time you named your "Medusa" - that thing that keeps you from moving forward? Isn't it time you stopped being pre-occupied with it, let it go, and move with God out of the wilderness? Isn't it time to stop wishing you were back where you were and instead, confidently allow God to lead you to a new day?

It's the new life we seek. Life where we are no longer bound to be slaves to the past, but are free to walk with God in liberty, maturity, and love. To what new place does God want to take you this year?

The apostle Paul comments, "1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)

Let 2005 be a new day with new life and a new or re-newed walk with God! Enjoy your freedom in Christ... and don't look back!

TPC LeaderNet | 12.21.04 |

MINISTRY CENTER OPENING

The Ministry Center on Old Humboldt Road is officially "open" for business beginning Monday, Jan. 3 at 9am. The office will be open from 9am - 4pm and hopefully we'll have someone there the entire time. Probably myself and/or Susan initially. We'll offer wifi access and complimentary Starbucks coffee for the whole month of January.

Debra Taylor, my friend from Memphis who owns d'Edge art gallery on S. Main will be placing George Hunt's Art Work at the center on Monday, Jan. 3. Mr. Hunt is a regionally known artist whose artwork is featured on Beale St. in Memphis and at the Horseshoe Casino. He specializes in artwork relating to Delta Blues culture. Debra thanks for your leadership and love!

Ernie is checking with a friend of his to see if we could have tables and chairs donated. Hopefully we'll know something this week.

The church chairs have been ordered and will be here mid-late Jan. We've ordered 150 chairs.

Jimmy Hendrix and gang are very nearly finished with the office rehab. We'll be able to play music off my computer (using RealPlayer) in the office through speakers in the ceiling. That way we won't have to worry about changing CD's and the quality coming off the internet connection (fiber optic rocks!) is superb!

Our electric sign will be installed Thur afternoon or Friday (12/23 or 24)

The Chamber of Commerce is scheduled tentatively to do our “ribbon-cutting” Friday, Jan. 28. Thanks Ernie!

We’re on the lookout for a nice banquet style coffee service set.

I’ve spoken with Eddie Smith at Lindenwood about installing a 2^nd computer and network at the center for the reception area. We’re looking at the 2^nd week of Jan for a possible installation.

SMALL GROUPS AND PROGRAMS

Don’t forget to invite your friends to WNBS as we study through the "Jesus Plan for a Purposeful Life." This is the place where we are trying to identify folks to help us with our Feb. Launch. We'll meet through the Christmas Holidays.

We received lots of calls about Dave Ramsey’s FPU even before our radio spot (see below). This should be a great class. We’re going to use the video projector and the overhead sound! This is a great chance to meet people from the community who’ll be using our Ministry Center.

We’re going to offer Divorce Recovery (DivorceCare) beginning in Feb.

MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS

We'll be running a radio spot on NewsTalk 101.5 advertising Financial Peace Univ. at the ministry center. Be on the look out for it for the next couple of weeks!

Kayla at Younger has arranged for us to appear on Charter Mainstreet, a 30 Min Cable Program featuring new businesses in Jackson. The show will be recorded sometime in early to mid Jan.

Be on the lookout in early Jan for our billboard ads. We have five billboards all over Jackson. We’re starting with the “What’s in a Promise” teaser that will lead to our “Love” “Truth” “Hope” “Healing” slogan and logo.

PROMISE JACKSON! TPC’S NOT FOR PROFIT ORG.

I’m working on the details of starting our not for profit outreach arm. I’ve been in conversation with the folks at The Life Church and some others about incorporating and grant writing. Thanks Bob Neal for your help and vision! We’re going to begin offering art ed classes for children at schools where their art ed classes have been “un-funded.” Lindsey Sirocki is very, very passionate about this and will be offering leadership on the project. Keep Promise Jackson in your prayers. I hope to have a mid-week program up and running by March 1.

THANKS!

There are so many people to thank for their help on getting underway. The people at the Life Church of Memphis have been incredible. Our leader team constantly asks the question, “What would the Life Church do?” Thanks to John Siebeling for his singular vision and style. They say that imitation is the highest form of praise. John and his staff should feel much praised. So many folks at Lindenwood have helped out financially. We couldn’t have done it without you. The regional staff of the CCTN has been wonderfully supportive. Glen, Rebecca, Martha, and Virginia have assisted us every step of the way. Glen Stewart – thanks for making the vision become something tangible and real! Finally, to our friends at Younger who I’m beginning to suspect see this “project” as much more than just another “account.” You guys are great.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

P.S. This edition of TPC LeaderNET is obviously much larger than I intended it to be. But we wanted to give you a digest of all the things that are going on!

REFLECTIONS: It's the Relationship!

Ro 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

It’s so easy to love my six year old son, Will. He’s fun, creative, intelligent, inquisitive, and he loves his parents. If Congress were to pass a law that made it mandatory for me to love Will, I’m not sure I could love him any more than I do now!

In fact, if Congress were to pass a law, it wouldn’t make any difference, would it? I’d still love my son. I’d want the very best for him. I’d want for him to grow up to be spiritually and morally strong. I’d want for him to be healthy. I’d want for him to be a good student in school. And, as so many parents, because I love him so much, I would care for Will, not because I HAD to, but because I WANTED to. A law? That would be superfluous.

Imagine if someone told you that you HAD to love God. Would it change how you feel about God? In Paul’s passage here in Romans, Paul’s understanding of “the spirit” is similar to the way we relate to our children. We love them not out of duty. We love them because… well, because they’re our kids!

Our response to God’s love is a response of love to a relationship offered in love. We take joy in that relationship. Not only does that relationship make us feel all warm inside (is if that was all there is to love!), we just simply have this sense that it’s a good relationship, that it’s a “right” relationship. If we were told that we HAD to have that relationship, well, that would take the joy out of it.

Perhaps what Jesus was all about was to demonstrate to us that we weren’t created by a God who then passed divine legal code so He’d have people obey him. Rather, the spirit was, and always has been one of LOVE. God created us because he loved us. God has provided for us families and communities because he loved us. God has given us instructions on the best ways for us to live because, and this is the key… He loves us!

It’s the relationship that God wants!! And, He wants it to be a relationship of love because he wants us to have joy in our hearts as we live and worship together as His people. Sure, God could have thrown down a bunch of rules and regulations and told us – “Obey, or else!” But instead, God offered his son, whom He loved, to show us through Jesus's example of life and death and life again the depths of that love!

It’s a relationship that fills me personally with joy. It shines light in the otherwise dark places of my life. It gives me peace knowing that nothing whatsoever will come between God and His love for us. (Romans 8:36).

Now, imagine a community of believers who live out together the same vision of love…

REFLECTIONS: God Responds to Where You Are in Life!

Do Any of These Things Describe Where You Are?

• Is the love I feel conditional?
• Do I feel like I strive for wealth only to experience loss and emptiness?
• Do many of my relationships seem broken and purposeless and shallow?
• Am I depressed or stressed or fearful about life?
• Do I feel like I’m going in circles and am stuck in a moment?
• Do I feel like I've plateaued?
• Do I feel at times like my life is good at doing day to day stuff but the days don't seem to connect?
• Do I feel as if the work I do with others is just simply an exercise in spinning the wheels of commerce?
• Do you feel as if life all depends on you and you can't do enough?
• Do I feel at times like a collection of broken experiences and unhappy memories?
• Do I feel at times like it's just me against the whole universe?
• Do I feel at times like my schedule and life is out of control?

What God Wants For You...

• God wants you to experience unconditional love.
• God wants you to experience true and lasting abundance.
• God wants you to know trust - to be trusting and to be trustworthy.
• God wants you to enjoy life.
• God wants you to grow.
• God wants you to get out of the rut.
• God wants you to experience meaning and purpose - to have a reason behind your life and existence.
• God wants you to be a part of a family that is centered in him.
• God wants you to experience "providence."
• God wants you to be whole.
• God wants you to have a relationship with Him.
• God wants you to enjoy a life of disciplined love and holiness.

God sent his son Jesus so that you could have the life you were created to live. At the Promise Church we want to encourage you and strengthen you to follow him and live that life!

Just like any change in life requires some new knowledge and some new disciplines, so too the Christian life begins with learning something new and acting upon it.

What we learn is this: God loves us and desires the very best for our lives.

What we practice is this: in the same way As God has loved us, we learn to love ourselves and others. This is hard to do because everything around us from birth to the present time conditions us to self-protect, be suspicious, and look out for our own interests.

But here's the good news! The greatest joy in life, shown in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, comes not when you live to protect yourself, but when you offer yourself up in love to others. God sent Jesus to show us the way and offer us an opportunity to be saved from the thousands of sometimes invisible factors working to keep us entrenched in mistrust, fear, and anxiety. Jesus offers us a new life - completely different from what we've known before now. Yes, it's hard work. But once you begin the journey by simply saying "yes" to God - God is there every step of the way to help you enjoy life with Him through Jesus.