Well...last night was another fun time. Nachos and chili...a hilarious game (the torture chamber...bahahaha!!!!), beautiful worship (Forever Reign, "My heart will sing, no other name, Jesus, Jesus) and a powerful testimony from Marcos.
Last nights message was based on rejecting others. Pastor Wendy shared her story of a lifetime of insecurities and shame that drove her to seek affirmation and worth in the attention of the popular crowd and guys, while rejecting friends and others who stood in her way of that goal. Although not an excuse for her cruel behavior, her experience showed how hurt people often times hurt people in their desperation to fill the empty void they feel in their lives. Her story showed how some of us can't possibly grasp the immense love God has for us without someone demonstration love and forgiveness to us. We can't begin to love ourselves or others in a healthy way until we can somehow wrap our brains around the unconditional love and acceptance that God offers us. We need to forgive those who have rejected us, embrace God's forgiveness and love for us, and learn to see the needs of others around us. Let's make an IMPACT by offering that tangible taste of God's heart for them. Remember, some people are just dying to be loved.
At the end of the night we closed with trying to watch "I Refuse" by Josh Wilson, but it wasn't working...so here is the link to the video.
ANNNNDDDDDDD.....drum roll please....here is this weeks IMPACT CHALLENGE!!!!!
IMPACT CHALLENGE!
What's the point of all this if it actually doesn't change us? God wants to IMPACT us, so each week we will have an IMPACT challenge!
Write down the names of people who you have hurt through rejection
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
etc...
Ask God to forgive you for the way you treated that person.
Ask God to help you do whatever needs done to make that rejection right.
While you are at it, receive God's forgiveness and love and a fresh start, if you haven't already!! He's just waiting for you to ask. Then, tell someone you trust about it.
If you have stories from doing the IMPACT challenge that you would like to share, we would love to hear them!!! Post them in a comment, or even better, post them on the IMPACT facebook page!!! Have an awesome week!!!

