Don’t get back hair in your eyes. Come to The Connection, Sunday, May 20^th at 9:30 or 11:00 and learn how to get connected at Avalon Church.

Dates: June 18, 2012 – June 22, 2012

Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm

Location: 1467 Highway 20 West 1467 Hwy 20 W, McDonough, GA, 30253

Registration Deadline: June 18, 2012

Contact Information: (770) 320-7008

What it means is that we are talking about the subject of creation at Theology Unplugged. Thousands want to know about dinosaurs, whether the chicken or the egg came first, and whether or not Adam and Eve had belly buttons. No, I will not be answering those questions but I will take about the doctrine of creation and how you can interpret the Scriptures faithfully and still not look like an idiot when discussing science. We will have communion, worship, and will take an offering for HOPE, so don’t miss Theology Unplugged This Sunday, May 20^th, at 5:30 PM.

Remember, what you believe about God is the most important thing about you. It will determine how you live, how you treat others, how you handle money, and how you spend your time. Theology Unplugged is designed to help you know more about God and the Bible, to grow in your faith, and to find real answers to life’s most important questions. See you at Theology Unplugged!

So what is the one key to having a positive outlook on life, work, family, money, or whatever it is that you are dealing with?

Worship.

That’s it. It is the big deal, the panacea, the cure, the game changer. I could give you lots of verses but then this blog would be too long. Although worship is about focusing on God it has an amazing effect on us. I really believe it is the greatest gift God gives to us and that is why he makes such a big deal out of worshipping only him and nothing or no one else. Think about some of the things worship does for you.

• Gives perspective
• Lifts your spirit
• Lifts your attitude
• Makes you thankful
• Makes God bigger in your life which makes your problems smaller
• Changes your belief about why things happen
• Helps you encourage yourself – David “encouraged himself in the Lord.”
• Helps you understand God’s purpose for things
• Helps you deal with difficult people because you realize that God loves them too
• Changes your view of God

I have often said what you believe about God is the most important thing about you. Hebrews 11:6 states, “And without faith it is impossible to please him (God), for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” It all works together. The more you worship him the more you believe in him and the more positive your outlook is because you know that God is great and he is in charge of things.

So to avoid that glass-half-empty feeling today, focus on God and worship Jesus Christ. Take some time to worship today. It will make everything better.

Ritchie

 You are facing an identity crisis. You may not realize it but everyone faces this crisis. God created you on purpose. You are not an accident. God did not mess up when he made you but he created you for a very specific reason. He knows you. He planned you. He created you with an identity that fits his plan. He chose when you were born, where you were born, and to whom you were born. He chose the color of your eyes and hair, how tall you were going to be, and what you would look like. He gave you specific talents, intelligence, and abilities. He even decided what kind of personality and experiences you would have. He created you because he loves you and wants to have an eternal relationship with you. The Psalmist, King David of Israel, wrote that he knew you before you were ever born and he thought about you. In fact, he said that God thinks more thoughts about you than the grains of sand on the seashore. That sounds like to me that God knew what he was doing and put a lot of thought into making you who you are.

Satan will try to steal your identity in Christ. He will sabotage the person God made you to be if you let him. One of the ways he does this is to trick us into thinking that God does not want to experience pleasure or happiness but that he is a colossal kill-joy waiting to whack you with a stick. Although the right kind of pleasure bring =s happiness and fulfillment what happens when we identify ourselves by things that really do not fully tell who we are? We tend to identify ourselves by our job, our possessions, our experiences, and our relationships. The problem with this is that these things can be taken away from us. They can really deceive us about who we are!

Don’t miss my message this Sunday as I talk about the problem with pleasure. Learn how to find happiness, pleasure, contentment, and peace by learning who you are in Christ.

Ritchie

When you are not connected at Avalon Church you feel lonely. When you feel lonely you accept friend requests from people you do not know on Face Book. When you accept friend requests from people you don’t know on Face Book you agree to meet a pretty dental hygienist for coffee. When you agree to meet a pretty dental hygienist for coffee you are really meeting a 300-pound biker. When you meet a 300-pound biker he takes you for a ride on his Harley. When you ride a Harley with a 300-pound biker you get back hair in your eyes.

Don’t get back hair in your eyes. Come to The Connection, Sunday, May 20^th at 9:30 or 11:00 and learn how to get connected at Avalon Church.

Come on! Admit it. You have lied to a new mom and told her that her baby was beautiful even though you thought the child looked like ET spawned it. When my only son, Brandon, was born I thought they had mixed up our baby with some ugly people’s baby. He looked like a lizard. I am not lying. The boy was hideous. The sad thing is that I have always been told that he looks like me. That hurts, people. It just hurts.

Anyway, I am sure there will be nothing but beautiful babies dedicated this Sunday at Avalon Church. It is going to be fun. Lots of beautiful babies. Lots of families. Lots of moms. Lots of Kodak moments. You don’t want to miss it. Seriously, what if some proud parents carry an alien baby across the stage and you are not there? Are you going to chance not being able to feel better about your kid? “Honey, I realize our boy is in fifth grade and still eats play dough and tries to lick the outlet, but did you see that kid?”

I bet you’ll get out of bed and come to church now, won’t you?

Ritchie

I am not sure what the food in Heaven will taste like but I am fairly certain that Krispy Kreme donuts will be served. Hot. With milk so cold that it hurts your teeth. If you have never tasted – nay, experienced – a hot Krispy Kreme donut with ice-cold milk then… I’m sorry… what was I saying? I was thinking about how awesome it would be to have one right now. One? Who am I kidding? It is impossible to eat just one. I have tried many times and failed wonderfully. Dunking one can almost stop wars, pay off the national debt, and even make a man willing to watch a Twilight movie. I said almost. Would somebody please explain to me why the werewolves run around with their shirts off in that movie? Kim and Brooke have tried repeatedly. Each time I come closer to a brain aneurism.

Anyway, speaking of things that are awesome when dunked, you need to plan on getting dunked at Avalon Church this Sunday. We will have baptism in each service. It is Mother’s Day and I can’t think of a better present for mom than your following Christ in believer’s baptism.  See you Sunday. I think I will drive to Krispy Kreme now.

Ritchie