Words on Words

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about our words. As a continuation of our lesson from Sunday, I've highlighted 6 more Proverbial Principles for our words. By following these Proverbial Principles, we’ll be putting more than just air behind what we say.

Proverbial Principle 7: Limit what you say about yourself.

Proverbs 27:2 - Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

(NEWS FLASH: We get tired of constantly hearing you talk about yourself and how good you are.)

Proverbial Principle 8: Words will either leave lasting scars or bring healing.

Proverbs 12:18 - Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

(Words are dangerous because they can never be taken back.)

Proverbial Principle 9: Slow down and consider how to respond.

Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh words stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:28 - The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.

Proverbial Principle 10: Timing is everything.

Proverbs 15:23 - A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!

Proverbs 10:32 - The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

Proverbial Principle 11: Words can be divisive

Proverbs 11:12-13 - A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Proverbial Principle 12: Keep your mouth shut if you don’t know what you’re talking about.

Proverbs 17:28 – Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

Sunday Song List - June 27, 2010

The song list for Sunday, June 27 was...

I Love Your Presence by Darren Clarke and Jessie Lane

We Will Dance by David Ruis

Mourning into Dancing by Jeremy Quillo

All I Have is Yours by Rebecca Elliot and Bobby Gilles

You Give Me Life by Shane Barnard

Summer Stampede

As a pastor, one of the dreaded times of year for me is the summer. It seems that during the summer months everyone takes a vacation from their involvement with church. In the past I’ve called it the Summer Slump.

Not this summer!

We’ve had some great events and Sunday Gatherings already this summer and we are just getting started!

In July we will be having a Baptism Celebration and Pool Party on the 17^th (Saturday afternoon). I LOVE baptisms! Some of you have already signed up to make this very important public proclamation of your faith and desire to follow Jesus. For those who haven't signed up, what are you waiting for? Take the plunge!

At the end of July (July 26-Aug 1) a youth group from a church in Ohio is coming down to spend a week spreading the word about Encounter Church and putting on a 3-day children’s extravaganza (July 28,29,30 – evenings). I’m excited about how God is going to use these teenagers to help us engage the culture with God’s Love and Truth.

Finally, many of you have been inviting your friends and family to the various events and weekly Worship Gatherings. The best part is that some of these new faces have started inviting their friends. Keep inviting! Help us reach our goal of having 130 people in weekly attendance by the end of this year.

God is changing lives in and through Encounter Church.

What used to be a Summer Slump is quickly turning into a Summer Stampede!

Sunday Song List - June 20, 2010

The song list for Sunday, June 20 was...

You are So Good to Me by Don Chaffer, Ben Pasley and Robin Pasley

Your Name by Paul Baloche and Glenn Packiam

We Sing Glory by A Chon Carter, Chris Greely, Gabriel Wilson and Melanie Wilson

Our God Reigns by Martin Smith

Lord Reign in Me by Brenton Brown

A Price You Can't Afford

The second lesson in our current series Listen Up was pretty hard hitting this past Sunday. We studied Proverbs 5 and the topic of adultery and learned that the price of adultery is one you can’t afford. If you haven’t taken the time, be sure to listen to the sermon.

As mentioned, the journey down the path of adultery is a slow fade. The music group Casting Crowns sings of this slow fade in this worth-your-viewing-time video.

For those who desire to provide more accountability for time spent on-line, a highly recommended, free and downloadable internet filter is K9 Web Protection.

As you take seriously your sexual purity, be sure to implement some of the following strategies…

1. Depend on God's power not your own, learning to walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-17)

2. Recognize and affirm that sexuality is a good gift from God. (Genesis 2:24-25)

3. Recognize that God gives us prohibitions not to deny us something good but that we might experience His good and acceptable and perfect will for our lives. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)

4. Recognize that lust weakens our soul and we must fight against it by abstaining. (1 Peter 2:11)

5. Develop a mental grid that views everything in relation to God. (1Corinthians 10:31)

6. Recognize that God designed marriage to be a picture of His commitment to His church. (Ephesians 5:21-32)

7. Zealously guard your eyes, turning from anything that might give a provision to your lust. (Job 31:1)

8. Beware of pride rising up making you think that past success guarantees future victory over lust. (1Corinthians 10:12)

9. Memorize and meditate on many scriptures. (Psalm 119:9-11)

10. Take every thought captive to Christ and replace them with good thoughts. (1 Corinthians 10:3-5)

11. Pray at all times in the Spirit for God's protection and deliverance. (Ephesians 6:18)

(These 11 strategies were originally posted at preceptaustin.com)

Sunday Song List - June 13, 2010

The song list for Sunday, June 13 was...

The Stand by Joel Houston

Those Who Trust by Don Chaffer

Unchanging by Christ Tomlin

Because of Your Love by Phil Wickham

Every Move I Make by David Ruis

Worship Moment #1

Psalm 96:2 tells us to sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

In 1 Peter 2:9 we are told that we have been saved so that [we] may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Daily we should proclaim His salvation, His greatness, what he Has accomplished and all that He has promised, for as long as we live. ~KW

Building Progress Update

Over the past couple of months, Encounter Church has been pursuing an opportunity to lease space in a strip mall along Galene Drive in the Jeffersontown area. After much prayer, thought and effort, a Letter of Intent to lease the space was presented by Encounter Church to the Landlord in mid-May. This Letter of Intent was the beginning step of negotiating a potential lease.

We had received positive feedback from the real estate broker and he felt that our Letter or Intent was reasonable.

Unfortunately the Landlord did not accept our Letter of Intent and instead has asked the real estate broker to continue to pursue a more traditional tenant (i.e. a business) for the available space.

While the Landlord's initial response was not what we were hoping for, the real estate broker does believe that we may still have an opportunity to lease the space. He has asked that we be patient for several weeks while they consider other options.

What does this mean for Encounter Church? It means that we continue to pray for God's leading. It is very clear that Encounter Church needs more space...especially in the children's ministry area. We have great teachers and assistants leading our children's ministry but the space is very limiting. The kids are packed like sardines. While this is a good problem to have, it is still a problem that needs to be resolved for our current situation and future growth.

We would like to be in a new location by the end of this year. Whether that is the Galene Drive location or another venue is still to be determined.

Please pray along with us for God's leading and be sure to let us know of any potential location opportunities that you hear about.

The best days of Encounter Church are yet to come! Get excited about how God is going to continue to use Encounter Church in engaging the culture with His Love and Truth! ~MB

Sunday Song List - June 6, 2010

The song list for Sunday, June 6 was...

I Believe in You by Joel Engle and David Parker

Fairest Lord Jesus by Carrie B. Adams

Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle

What Can I Bring by Jeremy Riddle

Community Picnic Wrap-Up

What a fantastic day it was at the Community Picnic this past Sunday.

There were many people from the community who came to the picnic for the food and festivities. The final attendance count was 150 people!

It was most encouraging to meet those guests who came as the result of a personal invitation by someone from Encounter. Thanks for inviting your neighbors, friends and family. Through our invitations, Encounter Church can grow exponentially!

During the picnic, I took a brief moment to step away and watch all of the volunteers. It was a beautiful picture seeing Encounter Church in action. Thanks to those of you who rolled up your sleeves and got involved through serving.

If you helped assemble or put up door hangers on Saturday morning - Thanks. I spoke with a number of individuals who came because they received a door hanger.

Huge THANKS to Kellie M. for her leadership, time and effort. The picnic was a great success.

What a privilege it is to engage the culture with God’s Love and Truth. I can’t wait for the Root Beer Float Giveaway in just a couple of weeks. ~MB