Seeking the Kingdom ~ thoughts and happenings from life's journey
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Understanding the Holy Spirit . . .
E. Stanley Jones was a missionary to India and a gifted communicator of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The following link is to an audio sermon from 1960 . . . and it is right on target for 2010.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit: The Birthright of All Christians ~ E. Stanley Jones
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Do You Believe in the Resurrection?
Dear Friends & Family,
God continues to bless and confirm our new ministry. I use the word ‘our’ as Eileen and I have always viewed ministry to be a shared calling and privilege. This includes our children as we seek to shepherd them to be faithful followers of Christ today. Thank you for your prayers and support of ‘Life in His Name’, which is now incorporated in the State of Virginia – next step IRS approval as a 501(c)3.
We have reached 60% of our needed financial support! We’re moving along and are thankful. If you are not a financial partner and would like to be, please click here:
Life in His Name Support
If you have questions about this new ministry, please call or email: (757) 289-9555 / gregwest120@gmail.com
We’ll have another update soon with news about an upcoming trip to Nicaragua among other happenings!
In Jesus’ great love,
Greg & Family
Resurrection!
A young woman was struggling in her faith and articulated it to me this way, “You know, the resurrection . . . I just don’t know if it’s true.” She looked afraid, like I might be disappointed by her doubts. “I’m glad you felt comfortable telling me.” I shared with her about the four accounts of the resurrection in the Gospels, encouraging her to read and reread them. Then I walked her through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
We talked about the credibility that Paul has as he appeals to the readers that there were multiple eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection; that more than 500 people that saw Jesus at the same time, risen from the dead. In essence, Paul is saying if you don’t believe me you can ask them! The young woman seemed to have something to hold on to steadying her. When I saw her the next day in a small group setting, she had a big smile and quickly shared with the group of her new confidence . . . that Jesus rose from the dead and so he really can offer us eternal life!
Evangelist! Really?
In October it became official. I am an evangelist within the United Methodist Church. The last person to become an evangelist in the Virginia Conference was my friend, LeRoy Jones. That was 22 years ago. I’m not really big on titles, but when someone asks me what I do, I tell them about my dual role as ‘missionary* evangelist’ and chaplain at Virginia Wesleyan College. I try to break the stereotypical view of evangelist that so many people have. Some have a negative or surprised reaction . . . like really you’re that!?
A good picture of an evangelist in action if found in the amazing story about Philip, in Acts 8. God’s Spirit leads him to an Ethiopian who is reading from the prophet Isaiah, but not understanding. It’s the perfect opportunity to share about Jesus the Christ! As the Ethiopian believes in Jesus, he is baptized by Philip and goes on his way, taking the Good News to Africa! Philip is referred to as an evangelist in Acts 21:8.
*I have added the term missionary to evangelist as God has given me a vision of serving in Latin America as well as in this country.
Small Group Ministry
I have a request in with a group that works with the homeless in downtown Portsmouth. The request is for me to lead a small group among the homeless. The group is bringing the request before their Board this month. They have not given a green light to a ministry like this before. It has been a social ministry providing needed food, shelter and clothing among other needs. I believe in these strongly, but also see that Jesus offered bread to eat and the words of life for the soul. Please pray that there is an opening here and a mutual partnership that results.
Ministry at Virginia Wesleyan College ~ Please Pray . . .
God is opening many doors to share with students. I am working with a couple of small groups and coaching some others. We are working towards gathering all of the different Christian ministries on campus together. In addition to ministries coming out of the Chaplain’s Office, we have: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Inter-Varsity, Young Life, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Newman Center, a Catholic group, which also has a worship gathering led by Jim Parke, a local priest and friend. ‘Generation United’ is going to happen on December 4th. This will be a worship - teaching & fellowship gathering for all of these groups as well as everyone else on campus. The Fuse Band will be playing a lot of Hillsong tunes among others. Their catchphrase is: ‘Created to spark a fire’. Interestingly, Virginia Wesleyan’s catchphrase is: ‘Bring a Spark. Light a Fire.” We are longing to see Jesus’ prayer answered:
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21
Our unity as followers of Christ gives great credibility to our message. The opposite is true as well, and too often disunity, competition or just distance makes the Good News less believable.
UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• Sundays at 4pm at Virginia Wesleyan College’s Monumental Chapel – Norfolk, VA
• November 14 – Jolliff UMC, 8:30am & 11am Worship Gatherings - http://www.jolliffumc.org/
• November 18 & 19 – South Hill UMC Revival, Evening Services - www.meckcom.net/~shumc/
WE WELCOME YOUR PRAYERS . . .
. . . that we would all abide in the Vine and produce fruit. John 15:5
. . . that we would be given words and wisdom to share the message of Jesus. Ephesians 6:19; James 1:5
. . . for people to believe and receive Jesus and experience life in His name. John 1:12, 20:31
. . . for the formation of new small groups where conversion and discipleship take place. Matthew 18:3, 28:19-20
. . . that Eileen and our children would have joy and strength in homeschooling. Psalm 28:7
. . . for the students at Virginia Wesleyan College to be disciples who in turn make other disciples. 2 Timothy 2:2
. . . for our churches to return to their first love. Revelation 2:4
. . . that the LORD would send more laborers to the harvest field. Luke 10:2
God continues to bless and confirm our new ministry. I use the word ‘our’ as Eileen and I have always viewed ministry to be a shared calling and privilege. This includes our children as we seek to shepherd them to be faithful followers of Christ today. Thank you for your prayers and support of ‘Life in His Name’, which is now incorporated in the State of Virginia – next step IRS approval as a 501(c)3.
We have reached 60% of our needed financial support! We’re moving along and are thankful. If you are not a financial partner and would like to be, please click here:
Life in His Name Support
If you have questions about this new ministry, please call or email: (757) 289-9555 / gregwest120@gmail.com
We’ll have another update soon with news about an upcoming trip to Nicaragua among other happenings!
In Jesus’ great love,
Greg & Family
Resurrection!
A young woman was struggling in her faith and articulated it to me this way, “You know, the resurrection . . . I just don’t know if it’s true.” She looked afraid, like I might be disappointed by her doubts. “I’m glad you felt comfortable telling me.” I shared with her about the four accounts of the resurrection in the Gospels, encouraging her to read and reread them. Then I walked her through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)
We talked about the credibility that Paul has as he appeals to the readers that there were multiple eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection; that more than 500 people that saw Jesus at the same time, risen from the dead. In essence, Paul is saying if you don’t believe me you can ask them! The young woman seemed to have something to hold on to steadying her. When I saw her the next day in a small group setting, she had a big smile and quickly shared with the group of her new confidence . . . that Jesus rose from the dead and so he really can offer us eternal life!
Evangelist! Really?
In October it became official. I am an evangelist within the United Methodist Church. The last person to become an evangelist in the Virginia Conference was my friend, LeRoy Jones. That was 22 years ago. I’m not really big on titles, but when someone asks me what I do, I tell them about my dual role as ‘missionary* evangelist’ and chaplain at Virginia Wesleyan College. I try to break the stereotypical view of evangelist that so many people have. Some have a negative or surprised reaction . . . like really you’re that!?
A good picture of an evangelist in action if found in the amazing story about Philip, in Acts 8. God’s Spirit leads him to an Ethiopian who is reading from the prophet Isaiah, but not understanding. It’s the perfect opportunity to share about Jesus the Christ! As the Ethiopian believes in Jesus, he is baptized by Philip and goes on his way, taking the Good News to Africa! Philip is referred to as an evangelist in Acts 21:8.
*I have added the term missionary to evangelist as God has given me a vision of serving in Latin America as well as in this country.
Small Group Ministry
I have a request in with a group that works with the homeless in downtown Portsmouth. The request is for me to lead a small group among the homeless. The group is bringing the request before their Board this month. They have not given a green light to a ministry like this before. It has been a social ministry providing needed food, shelter and clothing among other needs. I believe in these strongly, but also see that Jesus offered bread to eat and the words of life for the soul. Please pray that there is an opening here and a mutual partnership that results.
Ministry at Virginia Wesleyan College ~ Please Pray . . .
God is opening many doors to share with students. I am working with a couple of small groups and coaching some others. We are working towards gathering all of the different Christian ministries on campus together. In addition to ministries coming out of the Chaplain’s Office, we have: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Inter-Varsity, Young Life, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Newman Center, a Catholic group, which also has a worship gathering led by Jim Parke, a local priest and friend. ‘Generation United’ is going to happen on December 4th. This will be a worship - teaching & fellowship gathering for all of these groups as well as everyone else on campus. The Fuse Band will be playing a lot of Hillsong tunes among others. Their catchphrase is: ‘Created to spark a fire’. Interestingly, Virginia Wesleyan’s catchphrase is: ‘Bring a Spark. Light a Fire.” We are longing to see Jesus’ prayer answered:
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21
Our unity as followers of Christ gives great credibility to our message. The opposite is true as well, and too often disunity, competition or just distance makes the Good News less believable.
UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
• Sundays at 4pm at Virginia Wesleyan College’s Monumental Chapel – Norfolk, VA
• November 14 – Jolliff UMC, 8:30am & 11am Worship Gatherings - http://www.jolliffumc.org/
• November 18 & 19 – South Hill UMC Revival, Evening Services - www.meckcom.net/~shumc/
WE WELCOME YOUR PRAYERS . . .
. . . that we would all abide in the Vine and produce fruit. John 15:5
. . . that we would be given words and wisdom to share the message of Jesus. Ephesians 6:19; James 1:5
. . . for people to believe and receive Jesus and experience life in His name. John 1:12, 20:31
. . . for the formation of new small groups where conversion and discipleship take place. Matthew 18:3, 28:19-20
. . . that Eileen and our children would have joy and strength in homeschooling. Psalm 28:7
. . . for the students at Virginia Wesleyan College to be disciples who in turn make other disciples. 2 Timothy 2:2
. . . for our churches to return to their first love. Revelation 2:4
. . . that the LORD would send more laborers to the harvest field. Luke 10:2
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