What is God's story in you?

Hey there, Beloved…
 
I have a few core lifetime issues. I imagine you do, too. Some of those issues are points of chronic frustration. Some are nagging, constantly besetting sins. (Some are great, wonderful, life-giving dynamics. But for today’s blog, let’s just own the hard ones so we can gain some victory over them.) In every one of these issues, God is still big. God is not diminished. His potential and His power are not scuttled. How about in your life? Let’s talk in [a shorter] Deeper Thoughts below…
 
But first, some things you need to know:
 
·      Time changes TOMORROW Night! Set your clocks back and get an extra hour of sleep! OR… don’t… and come to church and you’ll be right on time for our weekly 9:15 a.m. prayer meeting!!

 
·      Teens:  Youth Group Sunday, 11:45 – 1:00 p.m., gonna be awesome! Snacks, sharing, and a game. Let Jess know if you need a ride home… [email protected].
 
o   AND… a new and exciting monthly youth ministry event is coming up on Saturday, November 15, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Join us for “Fire”—a worship and social experience at the firepit (or indoors if weather is inclement).
 
·      A few memorials to note for loved ones who have passed:
 
o   TOMORROW, Saturday, November 1, 10:00 a.m. – All are invited to support and love Al and Leigh Villaflor as they celebrate the life of Al’s brother who passed a couple of weeks ago. The service will be at the church; Pastor John Zoller will officiate.
 
o   Priscilla Shi was a beloved friend to many of our congregation who knew and worshipped with her at CFC and Bridge Community Church. Pastor Will Cravens will lead a memorial at Christian Fellowship Church, 44505 Atwater Drive, Ashburn, on Saturday, November 15, at 3:00 p.m. All are welcome.
 
o   Our church family will celebrate the memory of our beloved Gordon Cavallero through a brief segment in one of our upcoming Sunday morning services. No public memorial service has been planned at this time; a private experience has been meaningful for his immediate family. Standby for a date for our church experience.
 
·      Ladies: Join us on Saturday, November 15 for our annual “Friendsgiving” event--11:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the church (note the time change). Join us for food, fellowship, games and fun as we celebrate our many blessings. Turkey and ham are provided; bring a side dish to share… oh, and bring a friend, too! Click here for more info and to RSVP!
 
o   Also… save the date for December 13 for our Christmas cookie exchange. More details to come!
 
·      Join me for “The Daily Six” – six minutes each morning in the Word of God, Monday through Friday, on our YouTube channel. If you’d like to receive daily email reminders and you’re not already getting them, click here to sign up!
 
OK…that’s it today for you email skimmers and you who have already resolved every issue in your life. BUT…
 
 
Some Deeper Thoughts:
 
I’m going to be a tad more succinct today, as we’ve decided to experiment with shortening up this Friday blog a bit—and perhaps even cutting back on the frequency of publishing it. (Let me know if you like it shorter, or if the longer and weekly format we’ve been doing is helpful for you!)
 
Here goes for today:
 
I’ve shared with you all many times about some of the systemic struggles in my life.
 
Perhaps the most obvious to me is a subtle but nagging battle with temper. Hopefully most of you have never seen it—I’ve worked hard for decades at self-discipline to not aim or express that anger towards humans. I truly value the beauty and soul of every person, so it’s my sincere desire to consistently choose respect and gentleness even towards those who in a particular moment frustrate me. And… gentleness and self-control are the evidence (fruit) of the Holy Spirit in my life (see Galatians 5:22-25), so if I am willing to let Him lead, and I am willing to keep in step with Him, victory over anger is entirely possible. I don’t always get it right, but God has helped me tremendously.
 
But where I have not gotten this properly submitted to the Lord is when inanimate objects disobey my commands. I drop something. Something breaks. A piece of furniture bites my toe. A tool does not properly complete its assigned task. Every red light in Loudoun County is timed perfectly and intentionally to stop me at every single intersection. That’s when I lose it. Badly.
 
I know where this comes from. Four generations before me did not get their anger properly submitted to Jesus. For them, the anger was rooted in great hurt and trauma. It started with Pryor Boyd, my great-great grandfather who joined Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson as a 19-year-old to commit horrific atrocities in the American Civil War. He came home with PTSD and abused Robert E. Lee Boyd (catch the namesake?), my great-grandfather, who then raged at Robert E. Lee Boyd II, my grandfather, who then passed it along to my mother… It’s what theologians call a “generational curse,” and it can be found in Deuteronomy 5:9*.
 
* The Hebrew word often translated “punish” in this verse is a tough one. Most scholars agree it’s difficult to properly translate; perhaps “visiting upon the children to the third and fourth generations” being a more accurate rendering. It expresses the idea of something being gathered to someone. It is demonstrating that in the spiritual realities of creation, sins universally echo forward for multiple generations.
 
But in all this struggle that is yet to be successfully given over to God, He still loves me. He still uses me. He still leverages my life for His glory. He still meets me with spiritual power. My life is still a testimony of His power and anointing. And He does precisely the same for you.
 
Why?
 
Well… this Sunday, we’ll explore it through the life of Samson. Get yourself up to speed by digging into Judges 13 – 16 and then let’s meet… 10:00 a.m. Sunday!!
 
Bring your Bibles and a pen!!
 
Much love to you all…
 
Chris Eads
Mt. Hope Pastor
Friend