February 22, 2012
Generations Ministry: Parents & Family
by Nathan A. Cherry, 02/21/2012
Do you have integrity? Wait, don't answer that. Maybe we should let those who know us best answer the question. What would they say? Would they affirm us as a man or woman full of integrity or someone lacking basic ingredients of integrity?
For that matter, how would your kids answer the question? We would all be naïve to think our kids don't know us the best. We think we hide our shortcomings and weaknesses from them, but honestly, we know they are smart enough to notice the issues that we struggle with the most.
I can't think of a single parent that doesn't want to raise kids full of integrity. Sure, we want them to be healthy, happy, talented, successful and well-liked. But to see our kids grow into men and women full of character and integrity is surely at the top of the list for any parent.
Some people struggle to identify what integrity is. Is it simply being honest, faithful, loyal, a person whose word is their bond? Or is it something more? Legendary basketball coach John Wooden says that boiled down to its simplest form, integrity is "purity of intention." Yes, integrity contains other elements such as honesty and loyalty, but broken down to its most basic expression, integrity is having pure intentions.
...Read More
by: Nathan Cherry
| Categories: Generations
February 22, 2012
There is much anticipation for what God is going to do in and through our church as we make the move to go portable on March 25 at Wright Denny Intermediate School. We expect that God will use our first two weeks there to get us ready physically for a lot of guests from the community on Easter Sunday. In light of this upcoming defining moment in the life of our church, we are calling all members and regular attenders to set aside the 40 days before Easter Sunday (February 22-April 7) as a time for focusing on God by praying and fasting for the gospel to spread through us. (You may have notices that there are actually 46 days during this time period. Since Sundays are always a "mini-Easter", a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death, there's no fasting on Sundays).
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by: Jason Smith
| Categories: Gathering
February 14, 2012
Have you ever noticed that it's easier to honor a perfect stranger, or someone you hardly know, than it is the people you love the most? I find this to be not only true in my own life, but very perplexing. How is it so much easier to patient, kind and understanding to people I don't really know that well than it is to be all those things with my wife and kids?
Do I love the people at the gas station more than my own family? Do I prefer the company of the grocery store clerk over my kids? Are my co-workers more deserving of my best than my wife? I doubt we would answer any of these questions in the affirmative and yet, practically speaking, we live life as if we answered "yes" to them all.
I am reminded of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 13: 7 as he teaches on what love looks like in daily life. Paul, speaking of love, says that it:
"Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things."
...Read More
by: Nathan Cherry
| Categories: Generations
February 9, 2012
We're approaching the time of the school year when we'll honor our young people: from high school graduates in their cap-and-gowns and life-will-change-forever speeches to kindergarteners earning ribbons for tying their shoes to "participation trophies" for you name the sport. It's pretty easy to get honored by somebody during this season of accomplishment.
Honor, though, is more than a shelf full of trophies or even a yearbook full of accolades.
True honor comes not because of what someone has done, but because of who someone is.
...Read More
by: Nathan Cherry
| Categories: Generations
January 18, 2012
What a ride this past several months have been as God has been shaping the future of the church! We have brought on a new Generations Director, Nathan Cherry, and seen continued growth in our ministry to children and students. Also, God has been opening up doors in our mission to Andaray, Peru and here in our own backyard through various community outreach opportunities. I believe that this past Sunday, January 15, will go down in the history of Harvest Pointe as a tipping point for all that God has done, is doing, and will do in the life of our church. ...Read More
by: Jason Smith
| Categories: Gathering
December 6, 2011
Do we see people the way Jesus sees people?...Read More
by: Nathan Cherry
| Categories: Devotional Article
November 14, 2011
The fall is in full swing and we are experiencing some exciting times here at Harvest Pointe. So far this year we have been focusing on a solid kick-off of our church-wide goal: That as disciples of Jesus Christ, we will strive to passionately serve in good deeds and share the good news so there is much joy in Jefferson County. We have seen a renewed interest in the people of the church getting out in the community to meet the needs of the least among us and are looking forward to hearing some great testimonies in the coming months from those who have received grants from the church. ...Read More
by: Jason Smith
| Categories: Going
November 4, 2011
Remember to turn back your clocks 1 hour before going to bed on Saturday night. Daylight savings time ends on Sunday morning, November 6 at 2:00 am. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday with an extra hour of sleep! ...Read More
by: Jason Smith
| Categories: Gathering
October 24, 2011
We are excited to welcome Nathan Cherry to the Harvest Pointe family as our new Generations Director. Nathan has been married to his wife, Bonnie, for almost six years. They have two cool kids, Judah and Esther, and another set to arrive in April 2012. Nathan grew up as a pastor's son and has served in two churches over the past ten years under his dad's leadership. ...Read More
by: Jason Smith
| Categories: Generations
October 17, 2011
Join us beginning on Sunday, October 23 as we will pull back the curtains on the first externally focused church in the book of Acts....Read More
by: Jason Smith
| Categories: Gathering
