Sometimes You Have to Say “Whatever!”

The GenX Generation coined a one word phrase that summarized reluctant agreement and indifference…WHATEVER! If you were born between 1965 and 1980, you know like me the subtle difference between the valley girl “What-EVer!” and the under the breath begrudging compliance “whatever”.

Paul must have been a GenXer, because right between his teaching in Philippians 4 on how to have real peace and real contentment, he says “whatever” six times. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

What was his point? In the middle of any challenging situation, the real question is where are you focused. Are you focused on what what’s wrong or what’s right? Are you focused on what you don’t have or what you do have? Are you focused on your complaints or what Christ has given you?

God is still good. I will be thankful. I will focus on “the whatevers.”

On Your Mark: March 13

Epic Volunteers realize that being courageous in our calling is a defining element of our ability to impact the community. Now, it’s your opportunity to lead the change in our world; giving more, doing more and living more on purpose. On Your Mark.

Mark your calendar for the “On Your Mark” Seminar on Saturday, March 13 from 8:45 to 12:00.  Everyone at Epic is invited.  For those who have been volunteering for a while, this day will be like a Velocity Night on steroids! So you don’t want to miss it.  Great breakfast, transformational teaching, team planning and as always, crazy stuff.

Session 1: Two Spiritual Essentials: Go. Come.
Session 2: Building a Great Team
Session 3: Epic 2010: Go Deep. Go Far.

Location: St. Paul’s, Pontiac.

New Series @ Epic: Mythbusters

Pop Culture Myths – March 7
Relationship Myths – March 14
Science Myths – March 21
Faith Myths – March 28

Lent: Being Religious vs. Being Real

A lot of people are talking about giving up things for Lent…meat, sweets, Paczki, etc. I’m a big believer in Biblical fasting and spiritual disciplines, but the goal is to grow closer to God, not play some “religious game.” God doesn’t care about your eating habits, He cares about your life habits…what’s on the inside. In Matthew 15:11, Jesus was trying to drive this point home, “Listen, and take this to heart. It’s not what you swallow that pollutes your life, but what you vomit up.”

Jesus was trying to get across to group of people who were content to play games with God, He was wasn’t looking for that kind of religion. He came to offer us something that was so much better, a personal, real relationship with us. Christ didn’t die on the cross to give you and I a long list of outside rules to keep, He came because wanted to give us something deeper…a real relationship with our creator that would change us from the inside out.

So maybe it’s time for a faith upgrade from being religious to being real.

I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness. Philippians 3:7-9

Ugly Jar Challenge

A One Week Fast From Complaining.

Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:1

That is one of the most challenging verses in the Bible. Before we dismiss it as impossible, we need to know who wrote it and where he wrote it from. The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians while imprisoned in a Roman jail, chained to in a Roman solder 24 hours a day and facing a possible execution for preaching Christ. And in that middle of that circumstances, he says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.”

Paul knew complaining robs us of the Joy that Christ wants to build in our life and keeps us from growing spiritually. He knew that complaining insults the God we serve and is ultimately sin before Him. My joy is not determined by what happens to me, but what Christ is doing in me and through me.

Together at Epic Church, we are taking The Ugly Jar Challenge: A One Week Fast From Complaining.

Yesterday, we passed out an Ugly Jar to everyone and EVERY time we complain over the next seven days, we’ll put a $1 in the Jar. The money will be collected this Sunday and sent to a African Mission in Ghana.

Are you brave enough to take the Challenge? Are you ready to move from Complaining to Joy?

New Series@Epic: The JOY Genome

Are you struggling to find Joy?

After weeks of research, some trial and error and countless experiments, we are excited to share with you the origins of the most elusive element – JOY. Join us as we explore the catalyst of true joy through the most unlikely of sources – The Joy Genome.

Feb 7: Joyful No Matter What
Feb 14: Ugly Jar
Feb 21: Profit and Loss
Feb 28: Joy Replication