Relationships and Impacting People

      "I learned a long time ago that life isn't always about winning and losing competitions, but it's about relationships, it's about impacting people," he said. These were the words spoken by Kurt Warner, the former NFL quarterback, and MVP (x2), after being eliminated on week 8, from “Dancing with the Stars,” on November 10. As many people know, Kurt is not only a former professional quarterback, and now a dancer, but a Christian, as well. In the final words surrounding his surprise elimination, Kurt was also praised for being a “gentleman” throughout the competition.


      He made the Kingdom look good. He gave a good impression of what it might look like to be a follower of Christ. Judge Bruno Tonioli said before Warner was dismissed. "His attitude has been immaculate…”


      As we approach the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, at what we call “Christmas;” I think about the ever-increasing importance of building and growing relationships in reaching people for Christ. I think about Philippians 2:5-12, and how Jesus gave up everything, how He “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-- even death on a cross!”


      Talk about attitude! Talk about relationships… and impacting people!


      Jesus did all of that, and more, by “emptying Himself” for others.


      How are we doing with that?


      Most of us vaguely remember that the section of Scripture mentioned above, called “the Kenosis,” (for “emptying,”) is (the apostle) Paul's advice to us about “having the same mind as Christ.” But, the astounding fact is that just before those challenging words, Paul writes… “In your relationships with one another…”! Wow. Just like Kurt Warner, Paul encourages us to focus on relationships. First with Christ, then with each other.


      At VBay UMC, our vision/mission/purpose statement is to “Connect…” At Christmas time, this opportunity to invite, and reach out, and connect people (with God's Holy Spirit's working through us), to God, each other, and the communities around us is greater than ever!

      This season, may we all make the effort to reach out and serve at least one neighbor, in some new way that meets a need! May God strengthen all of us with more of the mindset of Christ!                 

Joy!

Pastor Bec!

Philippians 2:5-12 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
 ⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!
 ⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
   and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

 ¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,