February 26, 2013

“The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. ³ Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did.” Genesis 39:2-3

Want to be noticed at the workplace?  Are you looking for that edge to set you apart from the others?  The answer is in allowing your faith to make you a valuable asset to your organization or business.  The Bible has amazing things to teach us as we examine the examples we are given.  In the above verse Joseph was such an example.  Last Sunday we saw from his story three tools that he had and we need.  The first is “attitude,” not just trying to keep a bad one out, but bringing one that is abnormal to what so many others are bringing.  We showed you how to get that healthy attitude and keep it.  The second tool is “trust.”  Your employer or managers want to trust you...we showed you how to earn it.  The third tool is “humility,” often overlooked, but actually a game-changer for most...we showed you why.  We have had lots of buzz about these last two weeks messages and what a help they have been.  If you missed it or would like to review it or pass it on, check out the website or our App Bayside 3.0.

This coming Sunday we are closing our series “Abnormal” with “Abnormal: Faith.”  I am very excited about this last installment because it really isn't the end, but the beginning.  Look ahead to Matthew 14:22-36.  What do you see in this passage?  How does it speak to you about faith?  Please don't miss it.

We look so forward to being with you each and every Sunday as we catch up with each other’s lives, celebrate the goodness of God and encourage one another in our faith in Christ.

See you then!

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog

PS:  We had a tremendous showing at our small group meeting Sunday afternoon. It was twice what we expected.  Be watching for news about small groups coming near you.

February 19, 2013

Colossians 3:22-25 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ²⁴ Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

Last Sunday we continued in our series “Abnormal.”  We examined the workplace.  We were guided by this idea: Our faith is on display in the workplace.  Who we are and how we work says something about our faith to the people we work with.  We examined the above verse and found that we are not working for people as much as we are working for Christ our Lord.  I am confident that whatever we do, however mundane we think the task is...we will do it better if we are working for Christ.  We used the story of Joseph in Genesis 39 to gain some insight about our faith being on display in the workplace.

First, we saw that God does have a perspective on our work...He calls us to be a valuable asset to our employers.  I know that one can hurt, but remember we are working for Christ, not people.  Second, we saw that Joseph became valuable because he was responsible.  He did his job and he did it extremely well giving God something to bless richly.  Third, Joseph was guided by integrity.  The bottom line is that Joseph was honest and he could not be persuaded otherwise.  Integrity guided his every decision.  Lastly, we see that Joseph brought something “extra” to the table.  He rose up and set himself apart from the others, not out of arrogance, but out of an amazing work ethic.  Joseph was a valuable asset to his employer...are we?  It’s a simple question.  Make the decision today to be an asset your employer can’t live without.  God will bring your increase in His time.  This message is available on the website and on our church App “Bayside 3.0.”

This coming Sunday we explore “Abnormal: Workplace” tools every employer appreciates.

We look forward to seeing you Sunday as we catch up with friends, celebrate our God and step up to the challenge of God’s words to us.

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog.

You may be interested:

-  We still have room for you in our Marriage Seminar this coming Saturday.  See website.
-  We are excited about our Small Group Facilitator and Host training this Sunday at 12:30.

February 13, 2013

 ^“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”  Acts 2:42

This past week we were challenged to move past the normal church to the abnormal church. Acts 2 reminds us that there was once a people who were completely devoted to the life and teachings of Jesus and each other. They knew what it was to do life together...to reach forward as Christ followers together..as the church. As we enter the fourth year of our young church we can move forward normally settling into patterns that are less than this example given to us, or we can push through to abnormal! I choose to live abnormally...many of you are making that same choice and wow, is God using it!

Small groups are an exciting tool that we are using to help us walk life together. We had such a great response to the offer of people becoming hosts or facilitators for new groups. Please be praying about how you might be part of groups as we move forward. Small groups will shape the future of our young church in these next years and we want you to be part of it.

For this next week we are looking at “Abnormal:Workplace.” Take a look at Colossians 3:23 Genesis 39:1-23. This will be another great, challenging and encouraging week.

We can hardly wait to see you this week as we gather to catch up with friends and celebrate life in Christ.

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog.

PS - Don't forget to sign up for the Marriage seminar coming up on the 23rd. Take a look at the website for more information.

February 7, 2013

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. ¹⁰ If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Last Sunday was refreshing as we mixed the sacred with the fun of being together.  Thanks for being a people who know how to have fun!  I loved the face-paint!

Sunday, we examined friendships.  They are so critical for all of us.  The challenge was clear: (1) Who helps you set pace in life?  (2) Who encourages you?  (3) Who helps you get perspective?

These are people we need in our lives.  Some of us haven't risked friendship for a long while and we feel the loss each day if we are honest with ourselves.   If we are recognizing our lack of friendship, we can ask God to show us who could be the answers to these questions.  If we do have these people in our life, we should thank God for them and take full advantage of the purpose they play for our growth in Christ!  If you missed the message please know we have it on the website and the church App "Bayside 3.0."  I’m sure it will be a help.

This coming Sunday we are continuing in our series with "Abnormal: Church."  Probably not what you’re thinking...most likely... better!  If you want to look ahead, which I hope you will, check out Acts 2:42-47. 

Also, I am interested in hearing how God has been speaking to you through the 30/30 challenge.  I know He made Himself known in many different ways and I would love to hear how, and maybe share some of them (anonymously).  Please email your short story to mystory@baysidech.com.

One last thing, as we come to the weekend services I want to ask if we are physically able, could we park at our new facilities next door and walk through. We have the grass areas open for extra parking which, fortunately, we need.  If we do this, it will allow those who are new to the church to find parking more easily. We do have people unable to find spots and leaving because they don't know about the parking next door.  Thank you in advance!

See you Sunday as we come together to celebrate Jesus, catch up with friends and encourage one another.

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog.

February 1, 2013

Luke 19:1-26 is the story of a man named Zacchaeus. He was a "dirt-ball" to the rest of the Jewish community because he was a tax collector for Rome. Not only that, he was the chief tax collector . . . so he was the "chief dirt-ball." In this account we see that he spent the afternoon with Jesus, and that visit changed his life forever. He gave his heart over to God that day. Something else he discovered that day was that the money he was so fond of before had somehow become different to him after meeting Jesus. He now recognized that money was not just for him, but for God's work. He discovered that money is an earthly resource with an eternal potential. If Zacchaeus would invest it back into God's mission, eternity could be impacted.

This last week we were challenged to look again at the resources God has given us and ask a better question than what we normally would. Instead of asking "Why don't I have more money?" God would challenge us to see His heart and mission and ask an abnormal question of "Why do I have so much?" When God views money he always has eternity in mind . . . do we? Our hearts can change in an afternoon as well, just like Zacchaeus', if we will choose to see God's heart.

Our church is part of God's mission for our city and generation. It is up to us to see God's heart and not look away. Grab hold of God's plan for your finances and invest 10% into the church (God's mission), save 10% for the security of your family, and then let's live within our means on the remaining 80%. Let's live generously, knowing that God's plan is for security in any economy. We need not live in doubt or worry about money. Let's follow God's heart and be led by him to financial freedom. If you missed last week's message please go the website or download our church App "Bayside 3.0" and watch it in HD video. God wants great things FOR us in the area of our finances. The following link is an 11 minute video discussing finances a little further. We answer questions that we did not have time to unpack in the message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K26VXwH3JYA&feature=youtu.be

This coming Sunday we will be continuing our series "Abnormal." It also happens to be Jersey Day! We are going to have a blast!

We love you and can hardly wait to see you this weekend.

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog