The Gathering

Today we celebrate the single most impactive pivotal event in the history of the world/universe. No one has affected life more than the presence of God in this world than His Son Jesus Christ coming as a man to give His life for us! May we grasp in our heart the eternal impact this can have on us individually, as we accept His love for us!

The Kingdom of God is greater than any one church or denomination. While the culture of an individual church is its homogeneous way of reaching like people to their like expression of worship and faith; judgement, criticism and divisiveness can be an unfortunate byproduct. The common goal of lifting up Christ should be what brings us together inspite of our differences!

The Bible is not a book with rules of does and don't, rather a handbook to life from the Creator providing us with an operating manual to our relationship with the manufacturer and procedures for safe and successful life and eternity! Terry Neven, 2018

Gossip/Destructive Social Chatter Social chatter usually helps an individual or group of people (family, church, workplace) understand each other and accomplish a common goal (personal network, family unit, church mission, work objectives). Social chatter falls under the category of gossip, in that it usually involves personal opinion and limited empirical facts (ie., Did you hear that Bill left his wife for a younger woman?). Christians as imperfect humans can error in jud...gement and purpetrate destructive gossip they believe as truth. These truths can destroy individuals, families, church and businesses, and gone unchecked, become the misguided basis of decision making. When one participates in gossip, there can be the false satisfaction of thinking you are sharing something others don't know, or that somehow you are helping to warn or protect others. One is also failing to realize they are promoting a lie, creating wickedness, running to evil and spreading anxiety, fear and distrust among others. Many innocent people have had their lives challenged or even ruined by false accusations through gossip. Others don’t even know why they are treated unfairly through the result of gossip. The Bible tells us, These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV So, what should we do? First, know the best thing to say is nothing at all! Be smart to conclude hearsay, gossip, third party stories or our own lack of objectivity can draw us into hurtful, destructive conversations. Sometimes these situations actually raise unresolved issues from one’s own life. Taking prayerful time to clarify what you are thinking and feeling, and discover what might be personally behind our reactions, can help us to grow and change to become more Christlike. Then we can pray for others and become part of a solution (if needed, but not always), allowing God to work in others what He desires to accomplish without our misguided interference. Finally remember, things might not be as you think they are or according to our limited perception! We are not all knowing and are not called by God to fix others. Be supportive, even when you don't understand, and discourage the spread of social chatter which might truly be nothing more than gossip. Pastor Terry