Dr. Larry W. Leonard District Superintendent [email protected]December 2013 BELIEVING THE UNCONVENTIONAL Conventional wisdom paralyzes our imagination. We have been taught so many stereotypes that when an opposite situation arises that doesn’t fit nicely into the “normal” mold, we have trouble believing. e day before I wrote this article, I was driving down the city streets of Nashville. I saw a man walking a rather large white dog. e only reason I paid any attention to this “normal” occurrence was that they were dangerously close to the road. Before I got to them, I noticed that the dog firmly placed all four feet in the ground and refused to move, lowering its head as if getting something off the ground to eat. Four feet straining against the leash is not the “normal” behavior of a trained dog. As I got up beside them, I realized that the dog was no dog at all. It was a goat! Yes, a man was walking a goat on a dog leash in the heart of Nashville! e goat was decked out with an orange bandanna around its neck and a scarf neatly wrapped around its ears to protect them from the wind! I couldn’t believe my eyes, but it was true: the conventional dog on a leash turned out to be an unconventional goat on a leash! When the “baby” Jesus came to the world as the long-awaited Messiah, few believed because He did not fit into the conventional wisdom of the “adult” king whom they believed would conquer people and systems adverse to the nation of Israel. Jesus was the true King predicted by Isaiah, but the human imagination was frozen into large blocks of impenetrable disbelief. e very Savior of a nation, of a people, of all humanity was abused, reviled, and crucified, simply because people weren’t willing to believe something unconventional. Like many of us, they did not want to know what they did not already know. It is easy for us to criticize the people of Israel these many years later. However, do we do the same thing with our conventional wisdom? When God doesn’t “behave” the way we think He should, do we receive Him as the Sovereign One who is always proving Romans 8:28: “For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”? Do we become bitter and blaming, even to the infinite Creator God? At this Christmas season we must allow our God to be whatever He decides is best for Him to be in our circumstances. Even if our life situations are as improbable as a goat on a leash wearing a bandanna and scarf, do you still trust and embrace the Savior of the universe to do all things well? Believe the unconventional God who says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). Make this Christmas season one where God can do the unconventional in your life.
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Conventional wisdom paralyzes our imagination. We have been taught so many stereotypes that when an opposite situation arises that doesn’t fit nicely into the “normal” mold, we have trouble believing.
The day before I wrote this article, I was driving down the city streets of Nashville. I saw a man walkinga rather large white dog. The only reason I paid any attention to this “normal” occurrence was that they were dangerously close to the road. Before I got to them, I noticed that the dog firmly placed all four feet in the ground and refused to move, lowering its head as if getting something offthe ground to eat. Four feet straining against the leash is not the “normal” behavior of a trained dog.As I got up beside them, I realized that the dog was no dog at all. It was a goat! Yes, a man waswalking a goat on a dog leash in the heart of Nashville! The goat was decked out with an orangebandanna around its neck and a scarf neatly wrapped around its ears to protect them from the wind! Icouldn’t believe my eyes, but it was true: the conventional dog on a leash turned out to be anunconventional goat on a leash!
When the “baby” Jesus came to the world as the long-awaited Messiah, few believed because He did notfit into the conventional wisdom of the “adult” king whom they believed would conquer people andsystems adverse to the nation of Israel. Jesus was the true King predicted by Isaiah, but the humanimagination was frozen into large blocks of impenetrable disbelief. The very Savior of a nation, of a people, of all humanity was abused, reviled, and crucified, simply because people weren’twilling to believe something unconventional. Like many of us, they did not want to knowwhat they did not already know.
It is easy for us to criticize the people of Israel these many years later. However, do we do the samething with our conventional wisdom? When God doesn’t “behave” the way we think He should,do we receive Him as the Sovereign One who is always proving Romans 8:28: “Forwe know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”? Do we become bitter and blaming, even to theinfinite Creator God?
At this Christmas season we must allow our God to be whatever He decides is best for Him to bein our circumstances. Even if our life situations are as improbable as a goat on a leash wearing abandanna and scarf, do you still trust and embrace the Savior of the universe to doall things well? Believe the unconventional God who says, “As the heavens are higherthan the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). Make this Christmas season one where God can do theunconventional in your life.
SDMI: SunDay School DIScIpleShIp MInIStrIeS InternatIonal
Rev. David Hill, SDMI Chairman403 Page PlaceMt. Juliet, TN 37122E-mail: [email protected]
Sunday SchoolMake the Connection
People of Prayer • Engaged in the Word • Making Christlike Disciples Christmas Greetings from the Tennessee District
Sunday School Discipleship Ministries Team.God bless you during this celebration of Advent!
God with us!
ANNUAL AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY OFFERINGEach church will receive an offering of gratitude for God’s Word which will help the ABS spread the Word. Please designatethe offering with AOT1002 through fundingthemission.orgor mark and send your offering to the General Treasurer.
Mark your calendars and promote…MARCH 1, 2014IMPROVE YOUR SERVEFirst Church of the NazareneNashville, TennesseeA beneficial day of training for church leaders, ministrydirectors, teachers, and all God’s servants.
District Men’s Retreat“I Am A Warrior”
Evening March 7 – Lunch March 8Camp Garner Creek
Great line-up of speakers including Ron Gilbert, RandyDurien, Steve Estep and special guest Col. Jeff Hawkins.
For more information, contact Pastor Nick Deford at (615)483-4356or [email protected].
"We know that indeed this is the Christ, the Savior of the world." John 4:42
Ah, sweet December! The time to love as God loved us! NMI designates this as "Compassion” month and most of you add compassionate ministries to your local church Christmas activities. God is glorified in this and we are blessed. Don't forget the Disaster Relief needs in our world as well and give through NCM.
I was agreeing with the prayer this week in the devotional book, "Reflecting God'" asking God "foryoung people to be involved in ministries to the poor, homeless and needy in the U.S. Our children and teens want that opportunity so why not provide a way for them to do that.
Our Work and Witness team is in Cuba! In Februaryanother team is going. Many of you had the privilegeof meeting Rev. Bob Prescott on his recent district tour. He has challenged us to continue our partnershipwith the church at Camaguey as he coordinates theteams going to this country. Our partner church therehas poured the third and final section of theroof and is ready to begin the finishing toucheson the building. Pray for our teams as they go and then share the news with your local congregations.
Making Crisis Care Kits is a great way! We will be collecting these kits as a district at Improve Your Serve in March and saving your church some shipping costs.
God is calling many to serve as volunteers. One of our own has feltthe call to a creative access area. Amy Murphy, our pastor at Joelton,has begun preparations to go in February. Tennesseans have blessedothers who have made this commitment. I know you will do the same for Amy. Be ready to host her and bless her with your generosity.
May you find joy in this holy season as you celebrate the Christ, the Savior of the World!
nyI: nazarene youth InternatIonalnyI: nazarene youth InternatIonalnyI: nazarene youth InternatIonal
Rev. Jason Underwood, NYI President584 Franklin RoadFranklin, TN 37069 E-mail: [email protected]
With all of us gearing up forExtravaganza we can’t forget that
TNT@TNU will sneak upon us quickly.
The dates are April 3 -6.
We want as many students there as possibleas we prepare to defend our title of
grand champion!
December is here, the lights are hung, the tree is being trimmed, and the stores are slammed with peoplesinging Christmas music or at least making a “joyful noise”. The celebration of advent and the new year on the horizon bring excitement and reflection of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The TNYI has been blessed to see God at work this year and we look forward to what is in store for our students as we look ahead.
This years event was once again held at Hermitage church. The church was anamazing host to this record-breaking event. We had 546 in attendance asstudents competed in athletic events displaying their gifts “from God, for God”. DanielMeadow and his team did a fantastic job of leading us through a trulymemorable weekend.
Our quiz teams are preparing for the final stretch of the season. If you would like to seethe full quiz results so far go to www.tennessee.nazquizzing.org. We are proud of ourquizzers for their passion for the Word.
Mark your calendars now for our nearly new years lock-in. This year’s event will begin at Christ Church onFRIDAY JANURY 3. Laser tag, bowling, dodgeball, ice skating, Let It Shine gymnastics andMORE are planned for this great night. More information will be available on our websitewww.tnnyi.com or contact Pastor Jon Allen ([email protected]) for more details.
Extravaganza is not over yet! Extravaganza Arts will be held January 17–18 at Trevecca Community Church. Jamin Wentworth ([email protected])will lead the arts portion of Extravaganza. Look for forms andmore information at tnnyi.com.
Clarksville Mission Area SS AMClarksville First ........................ 168 .........................469Clarksville Grace ..................... 254 .........................504Clarksville Korean...................... 35 ...........................65Clarksville Park Lane ................. 97 .........................150Dover ......................................... 70 ...........................90Gray’s Chapel ............................ 63 ...........................63Long Creek ................................ 28 ...........................28Woodlawn Community............... 92 .........................150
Columbia Mission AreaBrentwood Concord Comm. .... 168 .........................222Columbia First ........................... 38 ...........................70Columbia Grace....................... 451 .........................735Franklin Community................... 73 .........................171Gateway Community ............... 145 .........................288Lawrenceburg Grace ................. 37 ...........................48Lawrenceburg Vaughan ............ 14 ...........................21Lewisburg .................................. 32 ...........................45Nashville New Life Korean .......... 28 ...........................29Pleasant Point ........................... 23 ...........................23Spring Hill Restoration Comm ... 85 .........................201