Yesterday we had our very first Men's Night out. In case you missed it, it was awesome! And the journey hasn't even started yet. There will be plenty of surprises along the way.
The Grace of God
Simple. Insightful. Life changing.
What a masterpiece! You will definitely have to take your time reading this book, not because it's a slow reader but because it will invite you into a journey exploring stories about Abraham, Judah, Rahab, Jonah, Levi, Nicodemus, the thief on the cross and more to illustrate God's grace. Andy Stanley invites you to find God's grace in the most unlikely and sometimes obscure circumstances. This book you will show you that God, through his amazing grace, provides you with a label of his own: Forgiven. Accepted. Loved.
I highly recommend this book to those who want to understand more about the grace of God and also to those who have to teach on the word. Andy travels through the Bible right from the beginning showing God’s grace from Genesis to the Gospels. It’s a fascinating and insightful study on a subject that can very often be difficult to understand and to teach.
At the end of this book you will even find that you have a better understanding of why God responded the way He did in many of the Old Testament stories.
3 Thoughts About Happiness
I've found that happiness is the result of three things:
1. Perspective
Happiness does not depend on how your life is arranged. It depends on how your mind is arranged. We create much of our unhappiness, we see what is wrong rather than what’s right. We focus on what we don’t have instead of what we do have. Happiness is the result of your perspective not the product of your circumstance.
2. Attitude
We have what we need to be happy. What we struggle with is our attitude. Have a positive attitude and celebrate each day. Every day is a gift from God! Replace the 'I’ve got to' mindset with the 'I get to' attitude. You don't say, “I’ve got to go to work!” - No, the right attitude is “I get to go to work!”
3. Decision
Happiness is something you decide ahead of time. You can choose to either be merry or miserable. Blessed or depressed. Delighted or dejected. When you wake up in the morning you have to decide what kind of day you want to have. Your happiness is not dependent or your circumstances. It’s dependent on your choices. You are as happy as you decided to be therefore give yourself permission to be happy every day. Don’t wait for a holiday or a special event, Psalm 118:24 says,"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Quickly recognise, reject and eject negative thoughts. Happiness is your right, use it. Choose happiness.
The Most Beautiful Place... Ever!
I absolutely love Cheltenham! Located at the heart of the Cotswolds Cheltenham is such a beautiful place to live. Characterised by intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco façades, line the historic Promenade, squares and terraces. With its award-winning gardens, impressive range of stylish shops and restaurants, and its festivals of music and literature there is always something great to do.
What about you? What is your favourite place?
All Night Prayer
I love our prayer nights, they are just awesome. You cannot help feeling closer to God as we refuse to move until He moves His hand on our behalf.
Please note that at D7 we don't use prayer as an excuse to our apathy and inertia. We will intentionally find opportunities to get our hands dirty! You see without you, God will not do what only you can. That's your duty! Without God you cannot do what only He can. That's His power! We have limits but He doesn't. He can heal that disease that has been plaguing your child, He has the power to turn your marriage around, He can set you free from the addiction that has been slowly eating up your body, He can change our community and He is powerful enough to heal our nation. Without God, you cannot. Without you, God will not. All He needs is a bunch of people that are bold enough to ask!
We believe in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says: "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
What about you? Do you believe that prayer can move mountains? If so refuse to stay home tonight! Talk yourself into it and find excuses not not to turn up. You will not regret it! - There is something powerful about a bunch of people gathering together to seek God.
Join us for a great night of seeking God, praying for our world, our church and our city and nation. For venue details and general information please get in touch.
Join us for a great night of seeking God, praying for our world, our church and our city and nation. For venue details and general information please get in touch.