"Tired"

Last week was crazy, and we only have a week and a half left before we visit the family for Christmas. There is so much to get done, but more than that thinking about 2008 is crucially important as well. I had the privelage of spending time with the Boyd and Oneal family last week, and I was simply refreshed at the Joy and Peace that God can bring in times of chaos. In Sundays message we talked about giving "compassion for Christmas." I am thinking daily about ways I can make it happen in my life and my family. What I am learning is the more I think about it the more I realize how bad I am at it. I just thought I would take a minute and share with you my own struggles.

New Release

As you know this Friday a new movie is being released that is directed towards children in which the main character is a child who takes a journey in an amazing fantasy world. The movie, The Golden Compass, is due out this Friday, December 7th. Although this movie looks like another innocent portrayal of a fantasy world where great adventures take place, things become very deceiving. What is disturbing to me is that the movie is actually based on the first of a trilogy of books for children called His Dark Materials written by Philip Pullman of England.
Pullman is a proclaimed atheist who is bent on killing God in the minds of children. His materials and books are very anti-christian or anti-religion. British Columnist Peter Hitchens in 2002 labeled him “the most dangerous author in Britain”. He uses his stories to twist and distort familiar biblical accounts of creation, fall, and redemption, making heroes of those who rebel against religion, and having one of his "good" characters even say, "The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake."
At first glance, you or your children may have seen this preview and thought “Oh, here is another good looking movie” or "Oh man, that looks like an awesome flick". (At least thats what I say when I see a neat preview!) I write all of this to say think twice. Most things in the realm of media and literature have an underlying meaning or theme. Although the Hollywood version of this movie is very watered down, the attempt is to not only get you to see the movie, but to buy the books as well.

For some articles from a Christian perspective regarding this movie visit:
http://www.breakpoint.org/search.asp?keywords=the+golden+compass

For a quick overview of the book series through plot summaries visit:
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/hisdarkmaterials/summary.html

Sharon Boyd Funeral Arrangements

As most of you know, Sharon Boyd past away Monday afternoon following an extensive bout with cancer. Our prayers are with her family and we wanted to inform you of the upcoming arrangements. The viewing will be held from 6-9PM Thursday December 6th at Reiman's Funeral Home on Commission Road in Long Beach. There will also be a viewing at Gulf Coast Worship Center from 10AM-noon Friday December 7th. The funeral will be held at Gulf Coast Worship Center at noon on Friday. If you would like to assist with meals for the family, please contact Pastor Eddie at 228-868-9500.

A Moment Can Make A Difference

As a boy my grandfather was playing by the side of the road, when a couple drove by and invited him to an event at their church. He decided to attend because of the warm and genuine invitation he had received. When he arrived he felt love and acceptance. That day he decided to become a Christ follower. He went on to share this with his ten brothers and sisters, and eventually his parents. Today, generations later, there are countless lives that know who God is because of one invitation.
It only takes a moment to make a difference. Whether you bring friends, serve food, give candy out from the trunk of your car, or make people feel welcome, every part can make a difference at our first ever Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat. On October 31st at Gulf Coast Worship Center, we have the opportunity to show God's love to our community and to let them know we care about their children and families. We have had a wonderful response to our volunteer sign-up, however, we still need you! There are still opportunities to get involved. Picture this, hundreds of people coming to our church with all hands on deck. We are looking to serve, share God's love, and have a great time. Sign-up today and be a part in making the difference!

It was a Blitz

Wow, what an exciting day we had last Sunday......all the colors from the teams, the brunch between services, candy for the Fall Festival, sign up sheets and free shirts, for all practical terms the day was a roaring success. From the moment the doors opened, momentum started to build that culminated in twenty six people signing up to be on a serve team. We believe that God is looking for servants and Gulf Coast Worship Center is built around serving. We serve God by serving His people. Our goal is to have 70 to 80% of our people serving and serve teams are helping us achieve that goal. When people serve, they become joined to each other, friendships are formed, goals are realized, and lives are changed. You can make a difference, you can be the difference, get involved today.

Eddie

Heart Patients Choose Death

Change is a very difficult thing for most people. I was reminded of this twice over the last couple of days when I heard 2 quotes from 2 different sources. First of all 90% of all heart patients when faced with a choice of a change of lifestyle or death, choose death over lifestyle change. Secondly I was listening to an audio teaching when I heard the story of a woman who had an addiction to cigarettes and said that she had read so much about the damages of cigarettes and lung cancer that she decided to stop reading.
These thoughts seem so silly and immature, yet many of us have the same struggles. I don't really like change and if you are honest, you probably don't either. I would much rather keep the waters calm, and not disturb life as we know it, but sometimes God expects more from us. As a community of Christ Followers, what Jesus called the church, it is our responsiblity to always be one step ahead of our ever-changing culture. We cannot always do things the way we have always done them. We cannot expect younger generations and older generations to have the same heart language. Because of this we must learn to share God's love with everyone in a manner in which they will understand. We must be creative enough, and yet sensitive enough to change when change is necessary.
As we move forward with God's plan for Gulf Coast Worship Center, we must be willing to embrace change. Story after story continues to flood our office about the work that God is doing in people's lives, and how he is doing it. I am amazed how much God is doing, and the channels he is chosing to do it through. So my prayer is "God whatever it is that I need to change, the way I view my neighbor, the way I do ministry, the traditions I grew up with, let me be open and sensitive to do so."
Carl

Let the Little Children

Touching the lives of a younger generation can be a difficult thing, especially when we fail to realize that their heartstrings are different than ours. I was looking through a few statistics the other day and I was reminded of why the church has no choice but to step to the plate a swing away. I thought I would share a few of them with you so you can experience the same urgency that we do.

• 1 in 4 girls are physically or sexually abused by the age of 16
• 1 in 5 boys are physically or sexually abused by the age of 16
• 1 in 4 students will graduate high school with a sexually transmitted disease
• The national suicide rate is at an all time high and among the age groups rising fast is that of 9-14 year olds

There are so many other startling statistics about divorce, single moms, and depression among kids and teens, but the point is that I believe when Jesus said "let the little children come unto me," he actually meant it then as well as today! As Christ followers, we must engage in the lives of the younger generation. Our prayer is that God would equip us as a church and as individuals to impact the next generation. If the church does not step up, and statistics remain the same, only 1 out of every 25 of them will come to follow Christ with their life. What if you were born in the 21st century? What if you and I had to face our teenage years today? I would want someone to believe in me.

The Future of Connect Groups

This summer our "Connecting Point" theme was greeted with much excitement. Many are asking what about Connect Groups, will they continue. This is the conclusion that we came to as a staff. We all feel that they are a necessary part of Gulf Coast Worship Center, and if we could find a way we would implement them today. We have discussed bringing them back in 2008, but we here are the issues we face. Is it possible to run them on Sunday Mornings, and if so we must develop a larger and stronger kid's ministry team. As is was this summer, we were unable to provide anything for the kid's during the AM service thus making it difficult on parents. Here is how you can help. Take the survey on this page. Please only vote if you would actually attend. Thanks for your help, and we will keep you updated.

Interest Group Fair a Huge Success

This morning marked our first ever Interest Group Fair. After doing the math, we figured somewhere around 150 people signed up to be involved. That is exciting to me for one reason...If everyone who signed up brings one guest or family to their Interest Group, that is another 150 people that we can express God's love to in a non-threatening way. I can't help but remember Jesus last words to His disciples before he left this earth..."go into all the world and share the good news." This Fall our Interest Groups include Ladies Lunches, Ladies Aerobics, Ladies Cooking, Men's Golf, Co-Ed Game Nights, Couple Meals, and Family Fun Days. If you know someone who may be interested forward them this blog entry. Feel free to contact the office 228-868-9500 if you failed to sign-up or email Pastor Carl at carlnichols@yourfamilyplace.com . Thank you for your partnership as we endeavor to make a difference on the coast.

Road Closing May Affect Sunday Service

We have been informed that the east bound lane of 28th street will be closed this Saturday and Sunday. Please take this into consideration as it may affect your route to church Sunday. We are asking that you forward this to all that may be interested.

"God Moments" with Lenny Kravitz and the Incredible Hulk

Funny how the other day I was scrolling through a few pictures, and this one of me and Lenny Kravitz came across my screen. It reminded me of the feeling I had when I was in New York and Madam Tussauds house of wax, after paying $20 to get in. You look around and you see life size figures of all these celebrities. I remember as we first walked in I saw Beyonce standing there. I was blown away…she was shorter than I had expected. Next there was Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Anniston, and at the top of the stairs was the Incredible Hulk. I was dumbfounded at how real they all looked. Then this thought came to my mind…I see all these people on TV, and I always thought that I would never get to see them face to face, but this was close enough for me. Somehow it became a little "spiritual" for me. I guess it was one of those "God Moments" we often talk about. I was reminded of what 1 Corinthians 13:12 says about one day when we see Jesus face to face. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." It will all make sense. We will see exactly what He and God are like. I mean for those of us who follow Jesus with our life, we sometimes wonder if we will ever fully understand, but His promise to us is that when this life is over, for those who have lived their life for Him, they will see Him face to face. Not a wax figure, but real life, and we never have to leave, we didn't even pay admission, because His death on the cross gave us entry. We aer allowed to enter, by putting our trust and faith in Him. So this year my challenge to you is to live your life everyday as if that may be the day this life is over and you will have the opportunity to see Him.

2 Years Later

We are coming up on the 2 year anniversary of the largest natural disaster in the history of the US. As I ponder, my curiosity is peaked. What would Gulf Coast Worship Center look like if that had never happened? Would you even be a part of Gulf Coast Worship Center today? Would the launching of the "Extreme Church Makeover" that we were involved in at the time of the storm made an impact? The new youth room was being renovated, but a week before 200 students were expected to be in the youth service for the launch of the new identity, it happened. How would that ministry be different? Then their is the staff. Since then some have come and gone, but we believe that Pastor Jeremiah is great addition to the team. What does all this mean?

From our perspective it means that the greatest days are still ahead. We have more going for us today than ever before. The best staff we have ever had. A board of directors that is unified, patient, loving, and has the best interest of all of us at heart. We have a fresh vision as to where God is taking us. Never before have I personally seen more things happening behind the scenes. I just met yesterday with interest group leaders for the fall. Seven interest groups will launch the end of August, and you don't want to miss the "Interest Group Fair." Where you can eat stuff and win stuff. Pastor Jeremiah is working hard at connecting and bonding all of us together in new and creative ways. Our cafe' has been a huge hit. We really are excited.

The one thought we want you to take from today is that you are an important part. Our prayer is that God will bless you today. Make you strong. Bond your family. In hopes that you can make a difference for Him.