We Love Jesus, How-bout You?

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I have people ask me so many times the famous question; "What is life all about?" And my answer is usually the same; "It's all about Jesus!"

Now that is easy to say, but much more difficult to actually realize in our lives. And when I say "realize" I mean to live as though that is true. Many people, even well-meaning Christians, say they love Jesus, and they DO... but when you really love someone it should show.

In other words, it doesn't take people long to figure out that I love Jana (my wife) big time when you are around us. We do things that reflect our love - and we aren't "trying"... it just flows naturally. It's the same when you hang around a couple that doesn't have the "love" going on... you can see it, and even feel it when around them, huh?

I believe it is the same thing with those of us who love Jesus... you shouldn't be able to be around us too long before you notice - He/She loves Jesus!

In my opinion if you have to ANNOUCE "I am a Christian", then you messed up! If you are REALLY a Christian people should be able to SEE it and FEEL it when they are around you!

Q: How?

John 13: 34-36 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

A: Love is it my friends!

Q: How Did Jesus Love us?

A: Jesus loved us UNCONDITIONALLY! And He loved us SELF-LESS-LY!

Jesus completely gave Himself to us and FOR US!

So my challenge to you today is TO LOVE God, and LOVE those around you!

In ACTION TOP 10:

1.) Send a note to a friend and tell them how much you appreciate them!

2.) Write a poem to your spouse!

3.) Do something special with adn for your kids.

4.) Send a note to your boss thanking her for giving you a great job! (Praise goes both ways... many times we the employee expect it from our boss... but we never give it!)

5.) Send a note to your employees, thanking them for a job well-done!

6.) Compliment a cashier, or waiter next time you get the chance.

7.) Send your pastor a note of thanks (I just had to throw that one in there! ha!)

8.) Send a note to your machanic and thank him for doing a great job on your car repair.

9.) Send a note to your kid's teacher - thanking them.

10.) Buy someone's latte next time you are at a coffee shop.

Obviously there are a million ways to show love... but do it, and mean it from the heart!

- Timmy

A Fabulous Family Picnic!

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It's Tuesday morning, about 8:30am and I am sitting at my desk behind the computer (not the most exciting place to be... normally I like to study outdoors, or down at Union Station... it's a much cooler look...)... I will make sure to do that later in this week!

I just had to reflect on our annual picnic and outdoor service this past Sunday, May 20th... it was unbelievable! It was our best to date! Not just because we had 500 plus people there, but much more than that... it was just so stinking fun! Brandon and the worship band did outstanding; they always do! The food was great, the games for the kids were just too cool, the petting zoo, the pony rides, the cotton candy, the sand volleyball alll just great, even though the staff team got beat by a team who called themselves "Cool Club" whatever. (ha!) Even down to the CD music that was playing during the picnic was perfect! Oh yea, and the weather couldn't have been better! Flawless!

I met so many new people, and saw even more new faces!

Have a great week! And remember, "LIFE is WHAT you make of IT!"

-Timmy

God Loves Gays

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"GOD LOVES GAYS"
By Timmy Gibson

I just did one of the most controversial sermons I've ever done here at Mercy Church, or anywhere for that matter - called "GOD LOVES GAYS" on Sunday, May 6th.

I recently have been studying both sides of this issue of Homosexuality. I am interviewing homosexuals... Christian God-loving Homosexuals. Now I realize there may be some of you reading this (like the weirdos in Topeka, Kansas) who are hateful, hypocritical Christians who think all homosexuals are going to burn in hell. I am sad for your ignorance and lack of biblical knowledge! Because you of all people should realize that all of us are sinners – even you!

I am a Heterosexual male and have been all my life, so I can not relate to the "struggle" (if you will) of being a Homosexual, or having Homosexual desires. I've just never had them. But I have had several friends who have had these struggles, feelings, adn desires. And my first experience was with a good friend of mine in Bible College back in 1992.

My friend and I were in an evangelical denominational bible college at the time. And it was at that time my friend started coming to grips with his sexuality. He sang in a Gospel quartet as well during this time. At one of the meetings this Gospel Quartet had there was a prayer time where you can mention areas you need prayer, or support or whatever... so my friend mentioned struggling with feelings of homosexuality and wanted prayer, love and support. He got the exact opposite! I am totally embarrassed, frustrated, and saddened at the response he received... are you ready to hear it (it should hack you off)? They kicked him out! The sad thing is I could've guessed that is what would’ve happened by those judgemental un-loving so called "Christians".

Here is what just chaps my hide... why is it that people can mention any struggle they might have... lying, gluttony, lust for heterosexual sex outside the bounds of marriage, gossip; (normally people do not admit this one... because they justify it away like it's nothing but "sharing") gossip is a sin that is so poisonous it can break life long relationships with just a few mere words. The list goes on and on of things EVERY HUMAN on planet EARTH struggles with... why would we "especially those who call themselves Christians" who struggle with something, condemn homosexuals? I think there are several reasons and Jesus talks about it in the gospel account of Matthew.

Matthew 7:3-5 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

I think Jesus nails it here; they are hypocrites! We judge others because we are hypocrites! If I can point out something in someone else that makes me feel better about myself, my own struggle (at least in the eyes of others) then I feel better about ME. I know it’s sick really!
I had someone mention to me to rent the movie SAVED with Mandi Moore thought not my movie of choice I rented it and watched it. Wow, it wasn’t an academy winner BUT it had a powerful message I thought.

Basically the movie was all about these really weird “Christians” at a Christian school all “acting” like perfect little Jesus-loving-people. You then see them judge a homosexual, judge a girl who gets pregnant out of wedlock, and judges a Jewish girl who doesn’t fit into the “Christian Club”. Then the movie actually gets interesting; you later find out that each of those who were judging and pointing their little condemning “Christian” fingers at everyone were having affairs, lying, and hating… so it ended with WE ARE ALL SINNERS and can not JUDGE anyone else! We should LOVE! I am not much of a writer, but that gives enough to get the point.

Q: Aren't we ALL God's creation? YES
Q: Aren’t we all created in God’s image? YES
Q: Does God love EVERYONE? YES, He loves everyone! Period!
Q: What did Jesus say about homosexuality? Nothing! I wish He would have said something, but He didn't. Jesus was silent on this issue. I often wonder why? I have a small suspicion.
Q: Did Jesus die on the cross for only Heterosexual Republicans? NO! Jesus died for EVERYONE!

John 3:16 "for God so loved the WORLD that HE GAVE..."

World - kosmos - in the Greek means "all humanity, or all mankind"

Back to my friend who was kicked out because of his struggle with Homosexuality... He of course was completely rejected, hurt, offended, confused and more by this very un-Christian response to his struggle with homosexuality.

We as Christians SHOULD LOVE EVERYONE regardless of what their sexual orientation may be... whether we understand it or not, whether we struggle with it or not, whether we were raised to believe it's a sin or not, or even whether we believe it is a sin or not. In my opinion none of that matters... what matters is WE SHOULD LOVE and ACCEPT ALL PEOPLE, no matter what!

1 John 4:7-9 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”

The entire law has been summed up with the law of LOVE!

Timmy Gibson
www.mercychurchKC.com