Join us this week for a look into the life of David in hopes of not only learning how to respond when sin jacks up our world but also in learning about Whom we can trust in…even in our darkest moments.  Come find out, as David did, that no matter how great the sin, God’s grace is greater.

justin

Drew

But here’s the rub: the down time, the waiting period between “dream” and “reality” is a killer, isn’t it?  That impregnated pause of months and often years between a God-given dream and the actualization of that dream is a dry season of questioning, of self-motivating pep talks, revving your motor, and impatiently pawing the dirt. 

None of us likes to wait.  In fact, we hate to wait.

Tonight we will pause to consider how Real Men and Women of Genesis responded to seasons of waiting.  We welcome all you dreamers who have been jolted out of your sleep – those of you shaken from a pleasant slumber and rudely awakened to a world devoid of instant results and immediate satisfaction.

We start at 7:30 PM.  I pray it’s worth the wait.

gary

Here is my promise: as a single man or single woman, you will be able to relate to the ENTIRE story of this couple.  Yes… the entire story.

gary

Tonight would be a great night to bring a friend (but maybe a weird night to invite your cousin).  See you at 7:30.

This particular episode of Springer, let’s say, is one in which a 70 year old man is married to two sisters at the same time.  And these two sisters also encouraged their husband to sleep with their two good friends.  One by one, Jerry calls out his guests to take a seat on the stage.  The crowd jeers as the gigolo sits down between the warring sisters and his two mistresses.  Eventually, all 13 of their children stand on stage with their respective mothers.  Jerry Springer’s show was outlandish, disgusting, and bizarre.  

Tonight we continue in our series, “Real Men of Genesis.”  Moses wrote the book of Genesis, recording in detail the realness and rawness of humanity.  Moses was so brutally honest in telling you and me the stories of Real Men and Real Women in Genesis that I wonder if Springer was in his ancestral line. 

The Springer episode I described above is true. No, it didn’t happen on national television, but it did take place in Genesis.  Tonight we will look equally at both the men and women in this story as we consider the outcome of this strange, sad, yet surprisingly grace-filled story.

gary

We have been speaking about Authenticity in manhood and being a real man from a wide angle perspective. Tonight it is more about a tight focus on what I’ve experienced and where God brought me from.

What is Authenticity and how does one get there? The first step is, accepting the truth that is Christ, and looking at your life honestly and truthfully and understanding that our family life shapes how we see manhood.

The reason looking back is good is A: Many men have yet to reckon with their past or close out the unfinished business that still lives there. B: Until a man unpacks his past and deals with the themes and pain that reside there he can never be an authentic man. and C: You cannot become a man without help. There is no such thing as a “Self-made man.”

Tonight, I will first talk about the circumstances and some events that helped misshape and misguide my life that led to my flawed way of thinking. Then, I will tell you about my experience of coming to know my Lord and Savior, and how He has radically changed my life and transformed me from the inside out. Finally, I will also give you some insight of how I now relate to God, myself and others, especially women, and how I deal with circumstances and issues much more differently as a result of this transformation.

In 2nd Timothy the Bible tells us that “All scripture is God-breathed, it is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” I knew that nothing short of a miracle could change me,

I am sure most of you will relate to some part of my life and my struggles. I hope that through my story you will see how Christ can truly transform a life.

See you at 7:30,

Jesse

Here is the award winning pattern for breathing that I have developed: Inhale…Exhale…Repeat.  I think it’s catching on – I’ve met a lot of other people who are breathers just like me.  I’m a trend setter.  Mark my words: Breathing is the next big thing.  Anticipate seeing Breathing Groups on Facebook.  (You may want to consider joining…) 

Pardon my arrogance, but I am so good at breathing that I can even breathe without having to think about it.  I like to think of it as a “gift.”  When it comes to breathing, I’m special.  I owe my success to nonstop practice – without fail, I have been breathing for 42 years, 4 months and 16 days.  And still counting.

Tonight at 97West we study a guy who had his own mad skills.  This guy – Enoch – “walked with God.”  Get this: He walked with God consistently, everyday for 300 years(!). 

Like I said, I’m great at breathing every single day, all day.  But walking with God is an area of inconsistency, one of those things that I could use some help.  I want to be just as consistent in my walk with God as I am with breathing.  How ‘bout you?

gary

I’ve talked to many boys who left me thinking that the measure of manliness was based on biceps and bank accounts rather than Bible.  Tonight we start a new summer series – “Real Men of Genesis.”  Over the remainder of this summer we will look at what various characters of Genesis teach us about both Biblical manhood and also womanhood. 

I figured we should start with the first man – Adam – who was created by none other than the perfect man – God.

Tonight’s talk will not be just for the guys… it’s an ideal night for you girls to bring your boyfriend (and watch him squirm).  See ya at 7:30.

gary

That same word – “broke” – may mean being in a state of not performing as intended, or fractured into parts.  Let me use this form of the word, again as it might be used on a typical Tuesday at 97West: “Hi.  It’s nice to meet you.  I would like to take you out for a really nice meal, but my car is broke.”

The psalmist has some encouraging words for all of us who are broken (and by the way, we all are broken): “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” – Psalm 34:18

David is the guy who wrote that psalm, and many others.  There is another David who will be the lead worshipper with us tonight.  Our David was with us a few months ago and we are thrilled to have him back, this time backed by some of our 97West band.  Join us tonight as we go for broke, laying it all on the line for a King who loves us.

gary

There are times when proceeding through an intersection is safe, even ideal.  But there are also times when you gotta stop.  Stopping is the best thing for you and for those around you.

God, in His sovereignty, knows that we want to keep going and maintain momentum.  He knows that we have this driven side that thrives off of being productive, that wants to speed up on yellow lights, and even take risks by running red lights.

So God, in His sovereignty, created a Stop Day.  Stop Day may still be a busy intersection, but we have God’s permission to sit there letting our souls idle, waiting for His signal to move forward. 

For a couple Tuesday nights now we have been talking about how to glorify God in our work.  Tonight we consider what it looks like to bring glory to God when we play, when we Sabbath, when we celebrate Stop Day.

gary