Be Still

Psalm 46 :10

Be still and know that I am God.

Why do we worry and concern ourselves with things that are completely out of our control.

God has proven himself over and over to be our provider, our comforter, our friend, our healer, our peace, our strength.

Today, make a mental note of these occasions, write them down, do what it takes make sure you don't forget them. So the next time you are tempted to worry or be scared, asking yourself "How will God get me through this?" you can look back and remember all the ways He's been there for you in the past. Then "be still" because God is God.

Micelle Swift

Worship Leader

Favorite Christmas Movie

It has begun! This wonderful season we like to call Christmas. Christmas day of course is not until Dec. 25 but you will not go into any store in the next month and not hear Christmas music. Your neighbors will be putting up their Christmas lights or turning on the Christmas lights that they left hanging from last year. People will on one hand be very generous while on the other hand they will go MMA on a person for that Prize Parking spot at the mall.
I love the Christmas movies that will flood the TV stations over the next month. My favorites are It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story, and Elf.
For the next few weeks we will be using different Christmas movies as illustrations in our services. This morning we used Elf to show how some times the trappings of the holidays can lead to disappointment.
- Are there things about the Christmas season that stress you out?
- What things could you do differently this year that would help you to keep a proper and healthy Christ centered focus this Christmas season?
- What is your favorite Christmas movie of all time? (post a reply here to this question or on my FB page and I will give the results in a couple of weeks)
Jason Whitehurst
Lead Pastor

Thankful

Just wanted to take a quick break from eating (yeah, I start at 6:30 in the morning) and say thank you. Thanks to everyone at MCAG that plays a role in something bigger than all of us. Thanks for being flexible, thanks for being teachable, thanks for being you. Have a great holiday and eat to the point of gluttony (but don't go past it because then you'll be sinning.)

Pastor Craig

Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All

As I said Sunday, I have been really challenged by the Advent Conspiracy "movement".  I encourage you to check out www.adventconspiracy.org and watch their short promo videos.

Imagine what our church could do this Christmas if we all committed to spending less and giving more. By shifting our focus to the poor and needy we can reduce the stress and debt this season of consumerism creates.  We can choose to celebrate Christmas authentically by worshipping Christ and building relationships with others. We have the opportunity to truly take part in the redemptive work of Christ in this world.

While we encourage you to seek out multiple avenues to help those in need, one way you can get involved with our own "Advent Conspiracy" is to participate in the annual Kids Fighting Aids Christmas party.  This party is given to kids in Nashville who are struggling with HIV/AIDS.  Grab an angel off the MCAG angel tree and lets bless these kids with an amazing Christmas.  Our choir will be singing, our kids will be handing out candy canes, and the kids will be blessed with many gifts! It will be an amazing and fun time for everyone involved!

Chad Quarles

Outreach Coordinator  

Thanksgiving Resolution

This year Hannah and I were excited to host a Thanksgiving meal for our life group (shout-out to The Tribe!! woohoo!). Our group has been like a family to us and we are so thankful for the relationships that God has blessed us with through MCAG. We had a SUPER time - lots of good food and laughter that hurt our sides (it's amazing what will come out in a game of Catch Phrase!)

Having great relationships is a priority for me and I'm betting for you too. As cliched as it sounds one of the things I want to be remembered for at the end of my life is my relationships - and really great ones rarely come without a little effort on your part. If you haven't already, I'd really encourage you to get (and stay) connected to a life group. Maybe resolutions shouldn't be just for January 1...you saw it here folks, Thanksgiving resolutions. Resolve to have more to be thankful for!

(we had 15 Tribe members at dinner. Kristen cleaned her plate like a good girl and you'll never be able to tell, but Steve ate too much)

Justin Fratt

Adult Ministries Director

Count Your Many Blessings

We have so much to be thankful for this year.  I encourage you to look back and see the many times God has blessed you.  Sometimes you may not have recognized your blessings because you were going through a time of trial or struggle.  I thank God for trials because it is through those that I have learned and am still learning patience, self control and even how to be slow to anger.  I am also thankful for my family and friends who have gone through these trials with me.  I have so much more I am thankful for and could make a long list as could most of you.  This gratitude compels me to have a giving spirit.  I love giving especially around the holidays because I feel like I am participating in the work Christ is doing in this world!  

As my husband, Chad, explained yesterday we have an awesome opportunity to join with Kids Fighting Aids and give presents to kids who are struggling with HIV/AIDS. During Chad’s announcement his verbal mishap of calling our sweet Jessica Phillips – Jessica Simpson and the following minutes of laughter caused him to forget a few important details that go along with the angel tree.  We will need your angel gifts to be wrapped and labeled with your angel or the number on your angel.   Please place them under the church Christmas tree no later than Wed., Dec., 9^th.  We are also having some of our kids help pass out reindeer candy canes they are making at church to give to the children at the party.  This is a great opportunity to give and love like Jesus this Christmas season. As you recall the blessings God has bestowed upon you let it challenge and encourage you to bless others. 

Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Staci Quarles

Outreach Coordinator

While the food was still in their teeth

In Numbers 11 there is this incredible story of God providing food for the Israelites to eat while on their wilderness journey. It was not just any meal it was a miraculous meal of quail and manna. You would think the obvious response by the Israelites would have been gratitiude and I am sure most of them were grateful but the Bible says that "while the food was still in between their teeth" some were asking for other kinds of food.
Have you ever done something for someone and you got the feeling that they did not think your act of generosity was enough? Has any one ever done any thing for you and rather than being grateful, while the gift was still in your hand you were wishing for something more or something different?
The Grateful Life is not one that does not desire greather things but it always shows contentment and thankfulness in what one is given.
Jason Whitehurst
Lead Pastor

Job's Roller Coaster Ride

This week in my 3rd grade class, we have been studying the life of Job. As we began our discussion on Monday, we talked about the horrible things that began to happen to Job. As he was sitting at his dinner table one after another of his servants dropped in to give another round of bad news to Job. When everything was taken away from him and he lay in ashes to soothe the pain of the boils and sores upon his body, his wonderful friends decided to help explain the reasoning for his misfortune. Job's response to their theories was, "Though he slay (kill) me, yet I will trust in him." Job knew that whatever happened in his life- good or bad- was from God and was a part of God's plan for him. Throughout the week, my students began to discuss what caused Job to have a supernatural trust in the Lord and for him to not have a need to know all of the mysteries of God. One student explained by saying, "It is kind of like riding a roller coaster ride at Disney World. You don't have to know how it all works, you just have to trust that the person working the ride knows what they are doing." I thought this was an amazing view of God's hand upon our lives. We don't have to understand why things happen in our lives, we just have to trust the one that is in control of our lives, God, knows what he is doing.

IS GOD BIG ENOUGH?

This morning at Music City one of the subjects that we covered in our QandA message series was speaking in tongues. We have a church that is made up of people that come from many different traditions as it pertains to issues like the Holy Spirit and in particular speaking in tongues. Some of you believe that tongues is a gift and others believe it is the evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Do you think God is big enough to handle those difference of opinions in the body of Christ? When you think about it one of those beliefs is wrong. Which ever side of this debate you are on you are probably shaking your head having pity on those on the other side of the issue who you know are wrong.
As we finish up this series remember that God has answers to all of the questions of life. Sometimes in our interpretation of those answers we disagree but I think that is okay when our hearts our pure in our pursuit of truth. God is big enough to handle our differences and if we can be Big enough to stand together in the things that unite us rather than the opinions that divide us we will be able to accomplish the mission on this earth for which Christ died.
I encourage you to keep asking questions, because God has answers!

Jason Whitehurst
Lead Pastor

I'm just not that smart...

Sometimes the answers that I come up with...just aren't good enough.

In the middle of this great series that we're doing at MCAG called Questions & Answers - I sometimes find myself thinking that the Bible just does not give a clear enough answer to the question that I have in mind.

Sometimes I think that I look too hard for a specific type of answer. I want details. I want the whole story from start to finish and when I'm left with a gap of information I can feel lost or incomplete.

Just this past week, I've been struggling with what I feel like God has told me in reference to my career. Obviously there isn't going to be step-by-step direction in the Bible for what I should do BUT the Bible does give incredible life advice. During my devotional time this week I was reminded of the passage Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him; and He will make your paths straight."

Lean not on your own understanding - that part seemed to reach out and grab me more than it ever had in the past. Not because God just wants me to forget the details - but rather that many times I couldn't even comprehend the vast system and order that he has in place for our lives.

So...I'm left to rely on the first part of the verse - TRUST. For me, trust is something that I tend to go to when all else fails. Instead God asks us to Trust first. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't worry when you can't connect all the dots. God has your back and wants good things for you.

- Have you ever had the opportunity to look back over your life and see how God's ultimate answer was way better than anything we could have thought of?

- Does seeing God's answers in your life help you gain trust for areas that seem to be left unanswered in the Bible?

Justin Fratt

Adult Ministries Director

His perfect plan

I often wonder why certain things happen.  I recall pastor saying why are some people healed and others not, and why do bad things happen to good people?  When these questions come into my mind as sometimes they do I remember Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you , declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.  My hope and my future is in the one true God who is the beginning and the end and it is awesome to know that He has the perfect plan for me.  Sometimes life here on earth is hard and unexplainable, but when we get to heaven how awesome to see our Jesus and feel no more pain or sadness.  Revel in the thought that God has you in the palm of His hand!!  He loves you so much!!

Staci Quarles

Outreach Coordinator

I DON'T KNOW

A few years ago we were on vacation in Florida and as we were driving Mackenzie our oldest child said, "dad, what are those round basketball looking things on the power lines?" Of course being an all knowing dad I said, "well you know sweetie there is an excellent explanation for why those are there, in fact they begin using this methodology for securing power lines back in the 40's and...." at that point Mackenzie interrupted me and said, "dad, you don't have a clue do you." All I could say was "No, I don't." Tyra and Mackenzie and the other two family members riding with us just laughed and laughed after I got called out by an 8 year old. I wanted my daughter to think I knew everything and than I could answer any question that she had. The truth is the best response that day should have been, I don't know but when we get back to the room I will do some research and find out.
As Christians we are all asked questions at times that we have know idea the answer to. The temptation is to try to give an answer that sounds good even though it is not the correct answer. The truth is that some times the best thing we can say to questions asked is, "I don't know the answer to that, but I will try to find the answer." Two things happen when we do this.
1. We grow because we are forced to find the answer to a question we previously did not know.
2. The person asking the question usually gains respect for us because of our transparency and if and when we find the answer they are given an accurate explanation for the question asked.
So the next time that you are asked a question that you don't know the answer to don't be a know it all, just say, "I DON'T KNOW, BUT I WILL TRY TO FIND THE ANSWER AND GET BACK TO YOU."
Jason Whitehurst
Lead Pastor

Doubts

One of my favorite scriptures in the bible is the one that pastor read on Sunday. "Lord I believe, but help my unbelief." For one, it shows such a human and real quality to the scriptures. Also, it shows the honesty and courage that man had to ask Jesus (saviour of the world, creator of the universe) to help his unbelief.

I remember a couple of years ago I was going through a pretty serious season of doubt. I wondered if the whole Christ follower thing was all made up. And as I was having lunch with a good buddy of mine one day I was telling him about my doubts and how I was wondering about the whole Christian faith. And as I was telling him this I saw a smile break across his face. A little bothered by his smirking at my season of doubting basically EVERY thing I had been raised to believe I ask him (kindly of course) why he was smiling. He began to tell me that this season of doubt that I was going through was exactly where God wanted me to be. What? God wants us to doubt? Is this guy crazy? But the more we talked the more I began to see he was right. My doubting was causing me to search the scripture more, it was causing me to seek his face more. My doubting was actually the Father calling me to the deep things of him.

I share this because all of you will have seasons doubt. I challenge you not to be scared by it, but rather embrace it for it just might be the voice of the Father that is calling you into the deep.

Craig Swift

Youth/Music/fellow skeptic/ Pastor.

A Quick Funny

Had to post this funny cartoon since it related to the Sunday message......

Can we really love a person and hate their sin?

If you have been in any church for any length of time you have definitely heard the phrase, "Love the sinner, not the sin" or it is sometimes said "Love the person, hate the sin". Today I wanted to share a few thoughts on this phrase. First let me put out the disclaimer that I think that God truly loves us and truly hates sin so I understand the underlying intent of the phrase. I think, however, that our (Christians everywhere) application of this phrase can at times be unGodly. Second, lets acknowledge that this phrase wasn't extracted directly from the Bible so we shouldn't be quick to defend it as sacred.

Before I get into the real issues consider using such a phrase on your spouse......

Nothing motivates me more to be a better husband than when my wife tells me, "Honey, I love you but I hate the way you mow the lawn and wash the car." Can't you just feel the love. Would this motivate anyone to alter their behavior?

I think we have all experienced individuals who shout this phrase on the streets and on television while at the same time ostracizing the very individuals whom they claim to love because of their sinful struggles. Typically this phrase is given when discussing those who struggle with very specific and often socially challenging issues.

Have you ever heard this phrase spoken in relation to non-Christians who struggle with pride or gossip?

So I think that by applying this phrase to "certain sins and people" we run the risk of defining the identity of a person by their sin. I think that if we truly love someone, as God does, we recognize that everyone is created in the image of God and that God-image isn't altered because of specific sins we struggle with. The image of God within each of us is hidden by our sin in its broadest sense -- the "stuff" that is wrong in all of us and in all the world.

Can we really love a person if we have pre-defined their identity as someone who struggles with a specific sin or type of sin?

Instead I think we are called and challenged to believe that all people (everyone, everywhere - no matter how much we dislike what they may do or don't do) are created in the image of God. That and that alone should be the basis of our relationship with others. It should be our first thought not an afterthought.

I think this is closer to how Jesus views us. If Jesus were to come up to me prior to my salvation he wouldn't think, here is Chad the Selfish, the Prideful, the Sinner (this could be a long list so I will stop here). I think He would see all that I could be through His salvation and love. He would look through all the sin and see the image of God in me and proclaim that as my true identity. It was His love that first motivated me to seek righteousness and not his hatred for my sin.

Perhaps if we were like Christ and focused all our energy and effort on loving people, God would work through that love to reveal His truth into their lives and set them free from sin. Of course I am not saying we shy away from speaking His truth but we should speak it from a foundation of love.

Rather than saying "love the person, hate the sin", why can't we stop at "Love the Person"? Seriously isn't that hard enough at times! We could spend a lifetime trying to love as Christ loves! If we genuinely love someone we will be compelled to share the good news of Jesus with them. In my humble opinion, the gospel will bring more life and freedom to a person than my hatred of their sin ever could.

Chad Quarles

Outreach Coordinator

and

Selfish, prideful sinner who doesn't know how to mow the lawn or wash cars

The Gift of God

I am so blessed and praise my God for who He is and for what He has given me:  my wonderful family, friends, and church.  Most importantly I praise God for my wonderful Jesus who gave me life and gave it to me abundantly.  I read this incredible blog today and wanted to share it.

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If You Knew The Gift of God Posted: 02 Nov 2009 07:09 AM PST She slipped quietly out the door and  and moved quickly towards the well. The mid-day heat was brutal and the dust swirled around her as she made her way to the water source. She kept her head down low and avoided eye contact with anyone along the way. Life had not gone as she expected. There were things from her past that she hadn’t really dealt with and so the shame, the guilt, the anger, the bitterness- it all still reared up inside her. There were things in her present that kept her from the abundant life too. Circumstances that stole her joy, that imprisoned her heart, that weighed her down. As a little girl she had dreams and desires. She had expectations and hopes. She had felt a happiness that now eluded her and seemed so far in the distant she barely remembered them. She was a Samaritan woman in in a culture and environment that had little appreciation or respect for either. Five failed marriages. A current relationship that was headed nowhere. She felt trapped, isolated, and all alone. Hopeless. Desperate. Tired. Just tired. Always tired. As she approached the well, she was startled to find a stranger sitting there. And even more stunned when he looked right at her and struck up a conversation. They talked for a while. There was something about the man that was captivating. He seemed to be able to see right through her and knew everything that was in her heart. “He told me all that I ever did,” she exclaimed to her friends. But there was one thing Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well that changed her life. He had looked right into her eyes and said, “if you knew the gift of God…” (John 4:10) If you knew the gift of God. That’s really the question for all of us you know. If we knew the gift of God we could be set free from guilt and shame. If we knew the gift of God we could be liberated form bitterness, anger and frustration. If we knew the gift of God we would find freedom from anger, envy, disappointment and despair. If we knew the gift of God, life would never ever be the same. If we knew the gift of God it would truly set us free. Take a moment and remind yourself of the  gift of God. And then let go of what you’re holding that keeps weighing you down.

Staci Quarles

Outreach Coordinator

Heaven

One question I have always wondered was, "Will we be able to see and know our friends and family members in Heaven?" After researching for this answer, I stumbled across a great explanation at www.Gotquestions.org

Answer: Many people say that the first thing they want to do when they arrive in heaven is see all their friends and loved ones who have passed on before them. In eternity, there will be plenty of time to see, know, and spend time with our friends and family members. However, that will not be our primary focus in heaven. We will be far more occupied with worshiping God and enjoying the wonders of heaven. Our reunions with loved ones are more likely to be filled with recounting the grace and glory of God in our lives, His wondrous love, and His mighty works. We will rejoice all the more because we can praise and worship the Lord in the company of other believers, especially those we loved on earth.

What does the Bible say about whether we will be able to recognize people in the afterlife? King Saul recognized Samuel when the witch of Endor summoned Samuel from the realm of the dead (1 Samuel 28:8-17). When David’s infant son died, David declared, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). David assumed that he would be able to recognize his son in heaven, despite the fact that he died as a baby. In Luke 16:19-31, Abraham, Lazarus, and the rich man were all recognizable after death. At the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah were recognizable (Matthew 17:3-4). In these examples, the Bible does seem to indicate that we will be recognizable after death.

The Bible declares that when we arrive in heaven, we will “be like him [Jesus]; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Just as our earthly bodies were of the first man Adam, so will our resurrection bodies be just like Christ’s (1 Corinthians 15:47). “And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:49, 53). Many people recognized Jesus after His resurrection (John 20:16, 20; 21:12; 1 Corinthians 15:4-7). If Jesus was recognizable in His glorified body, we also will be recognizable in our glorified bodies. Being able to see our loved ones is a glorious aspect of heaven, but heaven is far more about God, and far less about us. What a pleasure it will be to be reunited with our loved ones and worship God with them for all eternity.

Tyra Whitehurst
Media Director

THE ONLY DUMB QUESTION....

There is a story in Mark 9 of the Bible about a man who had a son that was demon possessed. Jesus basically told this man that all things (including the healing of his son) was possible to them that believed. The man answered by saying, "Lord, I believe but help me with my unbelief." In other words, Lord, I believe but there are a lot of questions.
We have all heard it said by a teacher or coach at some point in our life, "The only dumb question is the one that is not asked?" Are there questions in the recesses of your heart that you have for God or about God that you feel guilty asking or verbalizing? Or maybe you just feel like they are stupid questions. I would like to bring some encouragement to you in this blog today. God is big enough to handle all your doubts and questions and you will not hurt His feelings by verbalizing those questions in pursuit of answers on your journey of faith.
Jason Whitehurst
Lead Pastor