FYI

Random things I wanted to pass along...

*Lance Owens from SSI physical therapy will be sharing some thoughts this Sunday as we finish our series on A Bod For God. It's been a great series to focus us on the importance of taking care of the body God has given us.

*Dunkin Donuts free coffee giveway Thursday morning at Mountain View Elementary went well! Wish I had a picture to share but things were hopping so fast there wasn't a minute to spare. Great touches made!

*Our Bridge with Bread team visited several unchurched families Monday night whose kids attend our Good News Club. One family is allowing us to pick up their daughter for church this Sunday. This child accepted Christ recently at Club. That is so encouraging to me!

*Daylight Savings Time this Sunday which means set your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night. 

See you Sunday!

Pastor Tommy

Wednesday morning several from Ridgeview were able to serve free Dunkin Donuts coffee to midterm exam weary North Greenville University students. It was a great bridge event! As I came home I was reminded of the days when Ridgeview was just a dream God placed in my heart. As God continued to bring that dream to reality and brought a team of people together, I wrote a vision for the church that we now share in the membership class. I'd like to share it with you.

"Ridgeview Church will be a place where people are actively involved in a life-style of personal and corporate worship. It will be a place where Christians actively share the good news of Jesus throughout our community, our state, our nation, and our world. Our sharing will be done through acts of kindness, the development of authentic relationships, and seeking to meet needs in our community. Ridgeview Church will help people develop and cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We will also connect people to their Christian family where they will be valued and accepted and grow closer to one another and Christ through small group Bible studies. Ridgeview Church will be a place of faithfulness. We will be faithful in serving God by serving others. We will be faithful in finding how God has gifted us to serve and put our gifts into action."
Over these last seven years Ridgeview has sought to stay true to our vision. There have been challenges along the way and when one is gone another is right behind it. We also have to remember that this is spiritual work we do with real spiritual enemies who oppose the work of God's Church (Ephesians 4:12). Nevertheless, we press on! We have God's Word. We have God's Spirit. We have God's people. Serving free coffee to North Greenville University students this week was just one of a myriad of ways Ridgeview is seeking to fulfill the divine mandate Jesus has given us to "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19-20). We believe good deeds become the bridge upon which we can share the good news of Jesus. Sometimes it helps me to just step back and be reminded of the vision of our church. I hope it helps you too!

Pastor Tommy

Great To Be Back From Western New York!

Had a great time with our Ridgestudents & Brian Green at Circle C camp in New York! We were able to spend some time with our former worship & student Pastor Milo Wilson, Erin, and the girls. I was able to break away from camp Sunday morning and worship at The Well Church in Buffalo. It was exciting to see what God is doing there! So glad our church is able to partner financially to help this new church be a bridge of God's love to the wonderful people in the Buffalo area.

I want to say a big THANK YOU for the incredible gift I received when I returned. Pictured above is CJ & Shaneki Cauble's van we used for the trip. When I returned their van Tuesday I told CJ I had the oil changed and had his van washed and vacuumed. I was proud of myself. CJ then walked me over to my car and said, "Well, let me tell you what we had done for your car." I was in shock! Thank you for my new tires, my CV axle joints replaced, an oil change, and a good car wash. I understand the Growth Groups took up a collection. I can't thank you enough for your blessing! I serve such a wondeful church!

Again, so glad to be back as we continue our Bod For God series. We have some great worship services lined up in the coming weeks and months. Very excited about what God is doing at Ridgeview!

See you Sunday!

Daryl Hopkins To Speak This Sunday

I'm excited to have Daryl Hopkins, family life minister at Taylors First Baptist Church. Daryl is an expert in the area of health and fitness. He has been helping people in this area for a number of years. The last seven years he has been leading the family life center at TFBC. Most imporantly, Daryl loves the Lord and will share how taking care of our bodies will further enable you to pursue the purpose God has for your life. You will be blessed!

 

I would appreciate your prayers for me, Brian Green, Brice Green, & Spencer King as we head to our student retreat to Circle C Camp near Buffalo, New York this Thursday through Monday. We have a smaller number going but we are looking forward to growing closer to the Lord and to one another.

 

See you soon!

A Super Sunday!

What a wonderful day we had last Sunday! It was a pleasure to have Phil and Amy Parham and hear their weight loss story. They gave us hope that we all can win in the weight loss battle. Much work went into Sunday. Special thanks go to Brian and Kathy Green who provided the smoked chicken for us to enjoy. An employee of Blue Ridge High who ate lunch with us Sunday said the cafeteria never smelled so good! I appreciate the work of those who helped with other capacities of the meal: setting the tables, providing the paper products, and the many of you who brought a side item. It was a great time of fellowship. Our flag football game after lunch was a blast but I confess my legs are still sore

Let me thank all of you who invited family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this event. We had a great crowd of 187 people! Our purpose at Ridgeview is "To be a bridge of God's love to all people so they may experience His purpose for their lives." We want a full house each week at Ridgeview, especially during this series because we know God's purpose is that people take care of their bodies and honor Him in their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20). As I mentioned in my state of the church address two weeks ago we must work hard, pray hard, and ask God shower His growth and His momentum on our church. Let's keep at it! God is blessing!

Special Guest Interview This Sunday
Dr. Ernest Carswell, Former Pastor Of Taylors First Baptist
And Heart Surgery Survivor

I am looking forward to interviewing Sunday my former Pastor, Dr. Ernest Carswell. He pastored Taylors First Baptist for 33 years and has been a model for me in ministry. I am honored that he is available to come this Sunday to Ridgeview to share his story. I could go on and on about what a great man he is, but I wanted him to share his story about how he almost lost his life. He had quadruple bypass surgery in the 1990's and almost died. After his surgery, he implemented changes in his diet and exercise that he still practices today. Lesson for us all; it is never too late! This is a don't miss event! I know his story will help many people!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Tommy

A Bod For God Message Series Begins This Sunday With

Phil & Amy Parham!

You don't want to miss this Sunday as we begin our "A Bod For God" message series. This Sunday we will kick it off with former contestants Phil & Amy Parham from NBC's "The Biggest Loser." Phil & Amy were contestants on the show in 2008. They lost over 250 pounds as a couple setting a record on the show at the time. Their lives since the show have never been the same. They now have devoted their lives to promoting health and wellness. They speak all over the country with a distinct message: God created our bodies; we need to take care of them by healthy eating and exercise choices. You can learn more about them at: www.philandamyfitness.com.

This message series is timely! So many people battle with weight issues and it affects self-esteem, energy, attitude, and it also affects their health. Obesity is becoming a national epidemic, especially among kids. Obesity related health issues range from heart disease, type II diabetes, cancers, hypertension, and stroke. We will take a biblical look at the theology of our bodies in this message series. It will also offer prescriptions for optimal health, fitness, and well-being. We will also have a companion Growth Group offered that will use Phil & Amy's book "The 90 Day Fitness Challenge" along with the corresponding DVD each week.

Let me encourage you to make it a point to be here this Sunday and each week during this series. Let me also highly encourage you to invite someone to come with you. This series can change a person's life not only physically but forever spiritually! It is an incredible opportunity tor us to build a bridge to our community. I'm dreaming that we have to set up chairs in the foyer because the auditorium is packed out. Our goal is 300 people. We can do it! Invite! Invite! Invite!

State of The Church Address This Sunday

This week President Obama gave his annual state of the union address. Millions of people will watch, listen, or read it. When you are the leader of the free world, people listen. This Sunday I will be giving our annual state of the church address. It will not garner much attention outside of our church. It most likely will not even be covered by the Greer Citizen. Nevertheless, I believe it to be important because we serve the Leader of The World, Jesus Christ. We serve in the one institution He established on earth, The Church. One day every President, Prime Minister, despot and dictator will bow the knee to Christ. We are dual citizens; citizens of the United States and citizens of heaven. We must be about our Father's business and He loves His Church! I look forward to sharing with you Sunday where we are as a church, where we're going, and the process we will employ to be about the Master's orders of making disciples who make disciples.

See you Sunday!

Awakening Prayer and Fasting Week 2 Insights

I certainly hope you've made some type of commitment this week to prayer and fasting. Here are some gleanings I've gathered this week concerning prayer and fasting:

*As Jesus began His public ministry and whom He chose it came out of a time of prayer and fasting (Matthew 4:1,17)

*Esther had her people pray and fast for 3 days. She needed the favor of the king. She saw fasting as the release of favor. God opens doors and fasting paves the way for this. He's going to break through circumstances.

*Barnabas and Paul were sent out on the mission field because of a time of prayer and fasting. (Acts 13)

*Don't quit fasting when it gets tough- this is spiritual warfare.

*Through prayer and fasting you bring an extraordinary God into your ordinary circumstances. Prayer changes things. (James 5:16-17)

*D.L. Moody- "Before you see the face of men see the face of God."

*Abraham's servant fasted to find the right mate for Isaac.

*Fast about everything- it will direct your path.

*"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Have an ongoing conversation with God.

*Some things only change through prayer and fasting.

*Prayer connects us to God. Fasting disconnects us from the world.

*Prayer and fasting increase your faith and God responds to faith, not need.

*"No one is a firmer believer in the power of prayer than the Devil and the reason he believes in it is because he suffers from it."

*We must be persistent in our prayers- to ask and keep asking.

*If you pray prayers according to God's word and God's will He's ready to move on your behalf.

*"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)

*The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is available to God's people. (Ephesians 1:17-20)

*There is a connection with fasting and insight. Daniel turned to the Lord with prayer and petition through fasting (Daniel 9:3). What do you need clarity on?

Blessings,

Pastor Tommy

Fasting for spiritual and physical health

This past Sunday I encouraged our church to embark on a 21 day time of prayer and fasting. We are joining hundreds of other churches across our land for what is a national movement known as "Awakening." That is my prayer for my life, our church, our nation; that we would see a spiritual awakening. As I shared last Sunday, fasting gets the "gunk" out. As we live out our lives, the daily grind can wear us down and we lose our passion. God wants us to live our lives for Him with passion. Romans 12:11 states, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." I can't think of a better thing to do than to dedicate the first part of the year to God and drawing near to Him through prayer and fasting. We all need to start out 2011 fully alive and attuned to God's Spirit.

There are not only incredible spiritual benefits to fasting, but there are physical benefits as well. Obviously, losing weight is a natural benefit of fasting. Stoval Weems in his book "Awakening" states that when we fast "our bodies reset themselves." Also, Steve Meyerowitz in his book "Juice Fasting and Detoxification" states, "When you fast, you are on nature's operating table. The body changes hats. Instead of being in the business of receiving, processing, storing, analyzing, assimilating, discriminating, and discarding, it shifts to the job of house cleaning, removal, sanitizing, refurbishing and renewal. It is a big job and it is not without its inconveniences, especially when there is someone living in the house."

Just like our souls, the inside of our bodies needs a good spring cleaning from time to time. Fasting is a simple way of cleaning house. I encourage you if you didn't have a chance this week to pray and fast, to commit yourself to do this before we finish January 30. It will be a wonderful benefit for you spiritually and physically.

Pastor Tommy

Awakening 2011

I am looking forward to our second church wide time of prayer and fasting called Awakening. We will not be alone. Awakening is an incredible event, consisting of churches and ministries all around the world, coming together in a 21 day season of prayer, fasting and personal devotion at the beginning of each year.  Two of the main goals of the national Awakening campaign are:

• For churches and leaders to come together to pray, fast and seek God at the onset of the year .
• To inspire pastors and leaders everywhere to establish or strengthen a culture of prayer and fasting in their church or ministry.

We will officially start our 21 day prayer and fasting time on Monday, January 10 through January 30. This Sunday I will begin a 3 part message series sharing some principles I've learned about fasting. I will also hand out a resource from awake21.org that will give much information on the basics of fasting.

This year I will be embarking on a 21 day juice fast. I did that last year as well. The point is not whether you go 21 days or not; the point is that you set aside a time to renew and refresh yourself in your walk with God. Fasting allows you to clean the gunk out and "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). I look forward to starting the year off again with this time of renewal. I am praying for an awakening!

Pastor Tommy