Co n t1st 2012t s en November

God Moves In MysterIous Ways Joe Grimaud ..............................................................................................Page 5 Prayers that Break aLL BarrIers Gladys Grimaud ....................................................................................... Page 5 the hIGh CaLLInG of a kInGdoM Man Tony Evans .............................................................................................. Page 6 In The steps of Christ Central Ministries ............................................................................................................. Page 8 MIraCLe In a head on CoLLIsIon Luella Redfern.......................................................................................... Page 9 Jesus Pusher Stephen Manley ...................................................................................... Page 15 arts & entertaInMent ............................................................................................................Page 14 hoW to start a CItyLIGht Prayer GrouP ............................................................................................................Page 16 BeInG a ChrIstIan frIend Bonita Britt .......................................................................................... Page 18 Love Is My ChoICe Sylvia Mickens ........................................................................................Page 28 neWtons LaWs of InfLuenCe Chakisse Newton.......................................................................................Page 32 heBreW tIdBIts Debra Galloway........................................................................................Page 33 CertaInLy CoMInG! soon CoMInG? Jed N. Snyder, D. Min............................................................................... Page 35 food for thouGht Debra Galloway ..................................................................................... Page 41 Ben & Jerry s, ChICk-f IL-a, & PoLItICaL CorreCtness Perry Nobel ............................................................................................Page 42 heLPInG your ChurCh WIn By heLPInG your Pastor WIn Daniel Henderson .....................................................................................Page 44

ArtICles

LoCaL events & PoInts of Interest

FeAtures

.............................................................................................................Page 4

CItyLIGht Prayer Breakfast Order of Service.........................................................................................Page 13 taBLe sPonsors ............................................................................................................Page 14 MIdLands Prayer oPPortunItIes ........................................................................................................... Page 34 Prayer needs & voLunteer oPPortunItIes ........................................................................................................... Page 40 november 2012 CityLight.org 3

Local Events & Points of Interest FRI NOVEMBER 2nd

Fall Carnival
Horrell Hill elementary ScHool 517 Horrell Hill road HopkinS, Sc 29061 5:30pm-8:30pm featuring free entertainment (cake walk, face painting, exciting games, karaoke, bounce house, costume contest, 3-point, and Horrell Hill Band). For information 803-783-5545

noveMBer 2012
Publisher: Redfern II CityLight Founders: Joe & Gladys Grimaud Editor: Casey Lowe Creative Director: Gabe Lowe Director: Sylvia Mickens Logistics: Casting: Luella Redfern Photographer Videographer: Zoe Warren Sponsorship Manager: Sam Perry Contributors: H.L. Allen, Bonita Britt, Debra Galloway Joe Grimaud, Gladys Grimaud, Daniel Henderson, Stephen Koehn, Stephen Manley, Sylvia Mickens, Chakisse Newton, Luella Redfern, Jed Snyder For information about sponsorship opportunities and rates, please contact: Catalyst@CityLight.org Ph: 803.200.1940 CityLight P.O. Box 8642 | Columbia, SC 29202 CityLight.org

FRI NOVEMBER 2nd

605 polo road columbia, Sc Friday 7pm Saturday 5pm featuring live auction, car show, crafts, baked goods, soups, quilts, cookbooks, the Coffee shop, childrens activities and more! info 803-736-0866 admin@stDavidsColumbia.org www.stDavidsColumbia.org

Fall Festival st. DaviDs

SAT NOVEMBER 3rd

ben lippen ScHool St. andrewS road 500 Saint andrewS road columbia, Sc 9am-2pm info 803-807-5359 www.Benlippen.com

Fall Bazaar

SAT NOVEMBER 10th

CHris tomlin
7:00 pm-10:00 pm Florence civic center 3300 weSt radio drive, Florence, Sc
--------------------------------------------------For a Full liSt oF local eventS viSit:

Check Out The Catalyst Online Publication at CityLight.org!

Copyright 2012 CityLight Coalition Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. november 2012

wmHk.com/concertsevents
4 CityLight.org

God Moves In MysterIous WAys

Joe Grimaud
(Sixth in a series of articles describing the situation and events leading up to the formation of City Light Coalition, Inc., and the 1997 Tony Evans Crusade.)

PrAyers thAt BreAk All BArrIers

Gladys Grimaud
skydiver and former military parachutist, leaped out of a space capsule from the edge of space this week as eight million people watched on You Tube. Baumgartners 26-mile ascent in the capsule lifted by a helium-filled balloon took two hours; the free fall descent to earth took only nine minutes. Baumgartner set a new record by being the first man to break the sound barrier, going even faster than the speed of sound, and wearing only a high-tech suit. The speed of sound varies between 742 mph to 761 mph depending on the altitude, and Fearless Felix reached a maximum speed of 833.9 mph or Mach 1.24. When commenting to reporters after landing on his feet, Baumgartner said that his eyes filled with tears several times from the emotion during his descent. He further commented to reporters, Traveling faster than sound is hard to describe. It was humbling. I thought about my mortality on the way down. Although he did not specifically say that he was praying during the descent, I imagine that his prayers were traveling faster than the speed of sound. What would you be doing in a situation, if you knew there only two possible outcomes and one did not have a happy ending? Even though there had e a e s Fe l i x FyearruloldsgAustrian B a m a r t n e r, 43

been our busiIhave and thedescribing events inYou might ness in Washington DC. ask how in world this could be related to the Tony Evans Crusade and the formation of City Light. Well, its relationship was the effect it had on our own lives. We are convinced God was working on us and influencing our lives for what was to follow.

I mentioned the desire of Mark Eldridge, the Limo owner, to be involved with what was going on. And I mentioned that Dr. Linda Moody had gotten Frederick Douglas Junior High reopened as an alternative school, with a focus on making a difference in the lives of its students. They included the Values Curriculum, supplied by Gladys and her friend Norma Swanson. At the end of the first semester of the reopened school, the principle, Louise Buckner, and Dr. Moody had a large graduation ceremony. Gladys and I were there and, without any warning, Dr. Moody asked me to come up and speak to the student body and to the attending parents and guests. With Gods help, I did it!

Continued on pg 39

Continued on pg 12 5

november 2012

CityLight.org

the hIGh CAllInG oF A kInGdoM MAn

By Tony Evans

ne of the critical elements in advancing Gods kingdom is in understanding that as a man, you are responsible for that which falls within the realm of your personal influence. A man who neglects this responsibility prevents himself from remedying it. I pastor a church with over 200 employees. We have such a large staff because our focus is not merely internal, but includes community impact. Most of the time the church runs smoothly and Im not involved in the day-to-day logistics. Yet occasionally I get a phone call from someone in the congregation who sounds very upset, telling me something he or she doesnt like. Ill never forget the time a woman called to tell me that shed phoned the church five times the day before and could never get through to the operator. All her calls had gone to voicemail. I could have told the caller the parable of the persistent widow and encouraged her to try a sixth time. I could have asked her why she wasnt giving her complaint to the operator, and why she was giving it to the senior

pastor of a large church, Christian school, and outreach center. How was I supposed to know why the operator wasnt available? Yet, even though thats what I felt like saying, thats not what I actually said. The caller was right. She had contacted the correct person with her complaint. I may not be directly to blame for the missed phone call, but my position makes me ultimately responsible. When I get a call or complaint, I seek to handle it immediately so that it doesnt happen again. Why? Because Im ultimately responsible. A similar complaint was brought to Adam. Not about a phone call, but about a piece of fruit. Even though it was Eve whom the serpent tempted to eat the fruit that had been forbidden in the Garden of Eden, it was Adam that God went looking for. After all, Adam was responsible. Men, I want to challenge you today to accept the responsibility that God has given to you, and live up to the calling He has placed on you to be a kingdom man. november 2012

CityLight.org

Men, I want to challenge you today to accept the responsibility that God has given to you, and live up to the calling He has placed on you to be a kingdom man. -Tony Evans

november 2012

CityLight.org

Christ Central
MINISTRIES

In the Steps of

his 15th Anniversary year of Christ Central Ministries has culminated with over 40 mission stations, three college campuses and an army of volunteers who have chosen to join the Lord where He is working across the state of South Carolina and beyond. Pastor Jimmy Jones, founder and CEO of Christ Central Ministries, Inc. started humbly with prayer meetings held in the basement of a church in downtown Columbia, S.C. for 96 weeks. In June of 1994, a man came asking for food. The following week five men came and the numbers continued to grow. This food ministry became the first Mission Station founded by Christ Central Ministries and continues today under the Direction of Pastor Sylvia Mickens feeding 125 to 150 homeless and needy people daily in downtown Columbia, S.C. Christ Central Ministries continued to grow, to include Women, Children, and Mens Transitional Housing, Veterans Transitional Housing, Clothing and Food Distribution, After School Programs, GED Fast Track, Men and Womens Recovery Programs and much more. With this fast growth came the need to establish a way to identify, document and disseminate Best Practices in how to establish a Mission Station, how to acquire and train volunteers, and how to establish Boards of Advisors. In 2002, Rev. Jimmy Jones and Jason Conrad co-founded Christ Central Institute (CCI) in Wagener, SC. Jason Conrad had been an intern with Christ Central Ministry and moved to South Carolina to imple-

ment educational programming to touch the hearts and minds of Christians with the Christ Central philosophy of charity and unity. CCI exemplifies in education what Christ Central Ministries practices in its various mission stations and seeks to offer the hope of the Christian religion and the help of Christian charity to all in need. It seemed like God tested CCI from the very beginning to see if it would live up to its own teaching principles. The first semester of study in the fall of 2002 revolved around helping one poor family in the town of Wagener, SC . With few students and fewer faculty, CCI answered the call to get involved in the homeless situation of Leonard and Carolyn. Truly, CCIs entire future depended upon its response to this situation. After helping this couple, CCI transitioned from a fledgling organization into something quite different. Since that opening semester, great favor has been bestowed upon CCI as evidenced by its growing staff and faculty, its Board of Directors, its numerous facilities and its continued growth into a large campus capable of facilitating the education of hundreds of students. Evidencing that favor is the Research Library, a Christian History and Rare Book Library and a Coffee Shop along with the Community Missions Research Facility which hosts classes, Board of Directors Meetings and community think tank sessions. CCI scholarships all students with their room and board, and tuition while requiring a twenty hour work week in return. Continued on pg 20 november 2012

CityLight.org

Miracle In A Head On Collision

by: Luella Redfern
o you believe in miracles? Life itself is a miracle. As we embark on this miraculous journey called life, we will experience many miracles. Some people call things like a babys giggle, sunshine on a rainy day, or even friendship miracles. Not to downplay the significance of these things, but are they really miracles? Every day God does wonderful things that reveal his character to us. Miracles are very special. They are preternatural occurrences that are viewed as the expression of a divine will. Its awe and wonders lie in the fact that the cause is usually unknown. The

Realizing that I was not there, they prayed for me anyway. God is so good. Even when I was disobedient he had an intercessor a Ram in the bush just for me. Like in the Book of Esther, God was working behind the scene to do things that I was not aware of. I am thankful that God is the miracle worker, not me. And when you look in the Bible, you will find cases where miracles come in spite of faithlessness, and many cases where faith is not rewarded by miracles. On Monday morning Redfern rushed to get gas for the Chrysler 300 so Shelton

Jesus said, I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full. So what keeps us from experiencing that abundant life that we all long for?
week of November 22, 2010 was certainly a miracle week for me. Sunday started out like just another Sunday. During our 2nd morning worship service, I got the urge to go to the altar to pray. I didnt go. Little did I know what tomorrow would bring. However, later I learned that at the House of Praise, a young lady was obedient to God. The Lord put into her spirit to pray for me. I was amazed a week later when I heard how she stopped Sunday morning service to ask her Pastor if the church could pray for a women name Luella. She didnt know me but she was sure of what God had asked her to do. Her Pastor thought perhaps I was a visitor and called for me to come forth. november 2012 could drive it to school. I didnt care if he drove or not because we overslept. This car was a powerful car with a V8 engine and a huge frame. Shelton could not get ready. He kept going out and back into the house several times. He ate breakfast. He took some with him. I said, you need to hurry or you will be late. Dont leave here rushing and get into a wreck. Then I said, You are already late, dont rush, it was already after 8:00 am when they left. Normally I pray before they leave and after they have left. I got busy and didnt feel the need to pray. I went about my business not getting dressed myself. I was confused and just couldnt get it together. My cell phone rang, it was Shelton. His voice was in a panic. He said, Mama I had Continued on next page CityLight.org 9

Miracle in a head on Collision

By: Luella Redfern | Continued from page 9

a wreck on Beltline! Come quickly! Im not joking mama, I had a wreck. He was crying, now I was in a panic. I dont know what I said afterwards. I dressed quickly, putting clothes over my pjs, and running out of the house. I had no idea how serious the accident was. I called Shelton back because he didnt give me any details. I needed to know if Jasmine was all right. He didnt answer. I called my husband, Redfern, to tell him about the accident. I knew he was in Orangeburg, at a United Way meeting, but I needed to talk. I needed someone to help me remain calm. I called my sister, but she was out of town and could not come. I prayed all the way to the place of the accident. When I got to the scene of the accident, it was awful. Shelton and Jasmine had been traveling on south Beltline Blvd. headed to school. The Chrysler 300 looked like it had been crushed several times and by Gods grace the vehicle, driven by my 17-year-old son, landed upright, sideways in the wronglane facing north. The other car involved landed on its side on a patch of grass near the shoulder of the roadway next to a ditch. A lady had taken Jasmine and her car seat out of the car and was holding her. I didnt see Shelton anywhere. I asked if Jasmine was all right. The lady said yes. Several people were standing there. I asked, where is Shelton, no one said a word. I realized that he was trapped in the car. I got weak and was at the point of panic. I started toward the car nervous and fearful. I heard a voice calling, Mrs. Redfern, Mrs. Redfern, I know you. Youre that praying lady. You have a relationship with Christ, I need for you to listen to me. I said, Where is my son. He said, We are taking good care of him. We are get10 CityLight.org

ting him out of the car. I need for you to take Jasmine and wait for us in the truck. When I came to my right mind, it was George standing in front of me. George was a paramedic I met at Christ Central several weeks earlier. He repeated himself. I said, Where is my son. He said again, We are getting him out of the car. He will be okay. Georges voice was like the voice of God saying I will bring him to you. I looked in his eyes, they calmed my spirit, and I said, If you say hes all right then I will believe you. I will go and I will wait.

As volunteer coordinator at Christ Central Columbia Mission Station, I meet very interesting people daily. However, a month prior to the accident, a fairly large soft-spoken gentleman entered my office saying, I was sent here to volunteer my services and your husband directed me to you. The gentleman was George. While he completed the volunteer application, he and I had a great conversation. We talked like we had known each other for a long time. He shared his faith and his love for the Lord. He wanted me to know that he november 2012

and his bible study class volunteer regularly at another Christ Central location but He was prompted to come and volunteer with us. He talked about the servant leadership of his Sunday school and bible study classes at a local church. The spirit of God was flowing through George. He shared about his work as a City of Columbia EMS paramedic. He said, I know I have been called into this professions by God because I could not do it without Him. He said, I experience some awful things every day, however, I

seat, still a little frightened. Maybe even a little in shock. When we got to Palmetto Richland emergency room, Shelton was thoroughly checked out. He was given all kinds of test and examinations, X Rays and CT scans for head injuries and every other trauma that may have occurred to the body; he was found with not a scratch on him. Mentally he was traumatized and could hardly remember what happened. The police said it was a head on collision andboth cars flipped over multiple times. Its a miracle that anyone survived. He also told me that there were no fatal injuries. The occupants of the other car were two elderly ladies and one suffered a broken leg that will require surgery. Shelton was released without a scratch. Jasmine was examined as a courtesy because she appeared to be fine. She began to complain about her tummy. The ER nurse asked if she had eaten anything. She thought that Jasmine might be hungry. She wasnt. It turned out that she was seriously hurt. She had several lacerations to her liver. One was very close to the spleen, after being tossed around in the back seat of the rolling car. We thank God that Shelton had properly restrained Jasmine in her car seat. She was admitted to pediatric ICU. Our Heathwood Hall School community was shocked to learn about the catastrophe, but rejoiced when they heard of Shelton and Jasmines relatively good fortune. They were especially relieved given that it was holiday season, Thanksgiving week. The school was buzzing. Many students, teachers and parents had driven by the accident scene and, from the look of the cars, it appeared that there would not be any survivors. At morning meeting, word got around that it was Shelton and Jasmine in the car accident. Many were distraught. They formed a prayer chain. Everyone prayed for Shelton and Jasmine. Continued on pg 19 CityLight.org 11

also experience so many miracles. I could see that the spirit of Christ, in George, was what made him special. Keep in mind, George has never volunteered at our location. At the time, I didnt realize that God had sent him just to introduce himself to me, making preparations for our future meeting. The ride to the hospital was uneventful. Shelton was strapped down on a board, with his neck in a brace for support. He was not in any pain. Jasmine was in her car november 2012

Prayers
By Gladys Grimaud

That Break ALL Barriers

been months of preparation in developing the right equipment to accomplish the feat, besides years of skydiving practice, there remained the possibility of equipment malfunction or new knowledge not calculated into the experience that would change the equation. One could say that he took a leap of faith, perhaps not faith in God, but perhaps faith in humanistic reasoning. Whatever the case Congratulations, Fearless heaven to earth clearly shows how high, how broad, how deep His love flows for me and the Bible gives me clear instruction to take on the same mind of Christ. His descent from heaven: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form

The speed of sound varies between 742 mph to 761 mph... Fearless Felix reached a maximum speed of 833.9 mph or Mach 1.24
Felix! You deserve much kudos for a job well done and the courage you exhibited that puts you in a class all your own. I sincerely hope that Fearless Felix prays on a regular basis to the One who can teach him to fear God and have a relationship with Gods Son so that when he prays, his prayers will break all barriersnot just the sound barrier. Jesus Christ made this possible for every human beingrich or poorheroes or cowards. And, I dont have to go to a company with boatloads of money to plead with them to sponsor me. The price has already been paid. Jesus Christ Himself has sponsored me. How did Hewhy did He? The answer can only be found in the simple fact that He loves me. The descent of Christ from 12 CityLight.org of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even, the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8) His ascent back to heaven: Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11) Fearless Felix found glory in ascending to the edge of space and descending to earth. Jesus Christ found glory in descending to earth and ascending back to

Continued on page 36

november 2012

Columbia Prayer Breakfast

November 1st 2012

CityLight
Missions: Local and Abroad

Praise and worship .............................................................. Pastor Sam Perry Welcome & Prayer ............................................................. Gladys Grimaud Song Selection ................................................................. Pastor Sam Perry

God Bless America .................................................. Pastor Sylvia Mickens

~Prayer Time Leaders~

Pastor Sylvia Mickens: Dale Scaglione H. L. Allen Prayer for the speaker: Joe Grimaud

Introduction of Speaker .............................................................................. Speaker ........................................................................ Pastor Jimmy Jones Appeal ............................................................................... Ramn Balaguer

Benediction ............................................................................ Rev. Redfern

november 2012 CityLight.org 13

ARTS &
ENTERTAINMENT
Y
acov is the Hebrew name meaning Jacob or James. Yaacov named themselves James because the group comes from the loins of Deacon James and Pastor Hattie Mae Mickens. Calling themselves Yaacov is the way the group honors Deacon James Mickens, who they affectionately call MaDaddy (MaDaddy is the country way of saying My Daddy). During his life, Deacon James taught Yaacov music as well as how to live. Yaacov has learned the life lessons portrayed on this album from him.

yaCov - Carry on

when you need Him the most. When problems arise, Let It Go and Let Him fix it for you. Hold On to His Hand when you are going through your storm. Dont give up. When things are tough, its Time To Pray and give thanks to Yahveh because He made a way. Yahveh will come to your rescue when you are ready to get rid of your Heavy Load. He will Move on your behalf because He is your Savior and he wants you to be Ready When He Comes. We are so grateful that Mama prayed for us and so we offer a Tribute to our founding father, MaDaddy, who taught us Who to call on when we need help. Contact Information: Yaacov Attn: Mayetta Maya Anderson-Davis, Manager 15 Anderway Columbia, South Carolina 29203 Phone: (803) 466-4649 www.holylighttabernacle.com november 2012

The message of Carry On reflects the many lessons taught to us by our Founder, Deacon James MaDaddy Mickens. In those times when you are feeling low, you can know that Yahshua, who sits high, is looking low. He Steps Right In when you need Him the most. When He does step in, you will be able to Rest in Yahshua. And oh, what a sweet rest! No matter what problems life presents you with, know that you can Rest in Yahshua, and Rest in Yahveh. Why, because He steps right in 14 CityLight.org

am a Jesus pusher!!! Luke lists four conditions of the early church (Acts 2:42). They are not just activities but each is a state of being. One of these is in the breaking of bread. This refers to having a meal together including communion at the Lords table. Eating a meal together in light of Jesus cross determines my relationship with you. It must involve PROVISION. I must meet your needs in the same manner He has met my needs. Paul wrote, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:9-10

Such thoughts nearly take ones breath away. The description of the provision is found in the words every and complete. In fact, He is the provision. There is absolutely nothing I need outside of Him. I must meet your needs in the same manner He has met my needs. I am an extension of His presence in your life. I am the visible image of His invisible presence. He wants to flow through me that He might meet the needs of your life. I must abide in your presence with the same attitude He has because He is my attitude. I must view you in the same manner in which He views.I am a Jesus pusher!!!

Sam s Home Repair & Custom Cabinetry CityLight Prayer Group # 1 First Ecumenical Church Christ Central/ Holy Light Chapin Furniture Rev. Ramn Balaguer Precision Tune Esther Women of Influence James P. LaRose Adrian Moldovan Ministries Elder Maurice Webber

tABle sPonsors

Anointed Touch Dr. Dean M. Floyd MD. Morning Glory Prayer Group Jesus Everyday Ministries Daniel Circle Chapel Men Revealing The Glory Ministries Deacon Milton McGee Dr. Augustus Rodgers New Gloryland Baptist Church Brother Lane

november 2012

CityLight.org

15

How To Start a

Citylight Prayer Group

ityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land. II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called - CityLight. As Christians we are committed to bringing Light to the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the Two Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from, but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ. Our members are individuals, churches, ministers, and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community. This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism.

2 ChronICLes 7:14 (nIv) 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. the tWo Great CoMMandMents: Mt 22:36 [ Jesus], which is the great commandment in the law? And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. the Great CoMMIssIon: Mt 28:16 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (NIV ) CItyLIGht vIsIon: To bring light to the world by responding november 2012

16

CityLight.org

to the prayer of Christ for complete unity with God and other believers. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. ( John 17:22-23) CItyLIGht MIssIon stateMent: CityLight is a catalyst connecting Christ to the culture for community change. CItyLIGht sLoGan: The light of the world is Jesus. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

City Light and its leaders. Share your passion and love for the Lord Jesus and this mission of prayer with your fellow believers. Allow the call of II Chronicles 7:14 to resonate in your community and the spirit. Examine your life, the lives of those in your community and the spirit and values by which you live. As you discover the will of God for this generation, we pray that you will join us as we join with Him in complete obedience and submission. Knock on the door to your heart and the heart of this generation to live The Great Commission. Allow the door of prayer to open the hearts of a dying generation and give hope anew to those who have not heard the Good news. E the members of the CityLight group hereby solemnly pledge our lives, hopes, and dreams to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We promise to uphold, honor and promote the core values of our Christian heritage.
Continued on page 30

How To Start A Prayer Group

WorshIP 1 The first step in starting a CityLight Prayer Group is to enter into a spirit of Worship... a spirit of unrelenting, unceasing prayer. Taking time to seek the face of God and experience His presence from the very depths of your soul. It is by the will of God and only by the will of God that you can be an instrument of this work. Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life. The purpose for the entirety of your being. Study the Word of God - the Bible. Pray for the manifold wisdom of God to be made manifest in your every endeavor. View the 5 twenty minute video sessions of Stephen Manleys study on prayer and the Book of Ephesians. Seek the advise, counsel and prayers of your pastor, deacons and church leaders. Learn more about november 2012

CityLight.org

17

BeInG a ChrIstIan frIend

Founder of Resurrection, Redemption & Restoration Ministries, International

By Bonita Britt

here are two questions to ask regarding Being A Christian Friend: 1) What does it mean to be a friend? 2) Does everybody want friends? Well, actually, there are some people that really dont want friends. What they really want are people who will tell them what they want to hear. Others may want people that will only provide something for them. But are these people really friends? To me friends are people who are going to be there in good and bad times. They will seek to make you better by being honest with you.

an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you [from us], so that you may be zealous for them. Its fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! The First thing we see is that A Christian Friend will seek to ease the restoring of relationships (Galatians 4:12-14). When relationships get strained, a true friend is going to strive to make it easy for that relationship to be restored. If a relationship has been strained by something, make it easy for a brother or sister to be restored into relationship with you. This is a sign of a True Christian. Sometimes its going to be issues of maturity on some non-essential of the faith. In those cases we need to let the Spirit of God grow a person so they can continue to mature. A second thing we see is that A Christian Friend will remind others of who they are in Christ.
Continued on page 38

They will challenge you when you are wrong. They will support you when you are right, even if everyone else thinks you are wrong. A True Friend is there for all of that. We are going to be looking more at what a Christian Friend is today as we go into the book of Galatians. These verses in Galatians 4:12-20 show us how we can be True Christian Friends to those around us, like Paul was to the Galatians. I plead with you, brother, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you didnt treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were 18 CityLight.org

november 2012

Miracle in a head on Collision

By: Luella Redfern | Continued from page 11

Calls flooded the hospital ER. Friends and strangers were inquiring. Doctors and Nurses from other areas of the hospital were inquiring because they were receiving calls from friends and family members. The school was in such an uproar of concern; the resource officer visited the ER for an update. We learned through this experience, how much we are loved. Above all by God, understanding that He has a purpose for Shelton and Jasmine here on earth, Its by Gods grace and prayers that His children are still here today. We have so much for which we are thankful. Jasmine remained in the hospital for six days. We spent Thanksgiving Day in the hospital. Our Heathwood family and friends brought food. Our church family brought food. We had three different family friends to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for us. We received so many blessing. The love shown by our friends and family was more than we could ever imagine. The love we received from people we barely knew was overwhelming. In the quiet moments of my day, I thank God for His grace and mercy, understanding how precious life is. I have so much to be thankful for, most of all I am thankful for His children, Shelton and Jasmine. He entrusted them to Redfern and me to raise and nurture for His glory. Again, He watched over them, protecting them from harm and danger. Thanks to God! In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears. Psalm 18:6 (NIV)

LueLLa redfern
Executive Director Esther Women

november 2012

CityLight.org

19

In the steps of Christ Central Ministries

Continued from pg 8 Today Christ Central Ministries, our parent organization, is organized into two Groups, the Education Group: Christ Central Institute headed by President Ken Clark with campuses in rural, mega and metro communities and the Missions Group: Christ Central Missions served by President Barbara Franklin with over forty missions sprinkled across the state and into North Carolina. Both Groups operate under the authority of their own Board of Directors as well as under the authority of the Christ Central Ministries Executive Board of Directors. The key to success in mission ministry is the person with the burden to minister in their community. When the call of God is placed on a persons life nothing will keep

Each mission station has a Director and Assistant or Co-Director. They are supported with a Board of Advisors who proxy value to the work which is being directed to care for hurting folks. We believe Help in our hands and Hope in our words are key to building relationships. These relationships take time to build and are built when the mission meets a real need that a person struggles with such as food, clothing, house wares and furniture. As time marches on and the level of trust has been built through the love of Christ, the Director and volunteers begin to earn the right to speak Life and Hope into the soul of one living in anxiety and turmoil. The faithful support of volunteers coming out of the local business, local church, and local government within the community are strategic in the mission of ministry as they continue to encourage and support those facing heartache, loss, and difficult days. The value of ministering to the people placed on our path is to engage with them and mentor them through their continual efforts to make one good choice after another. No one can move forward while they are in bondage to addiction and continual poor choices in life. When people recognize their own value and begin to respect themselves, they begin to bloom into the person God created them to be. When they have a mentor to encourage them and walk beside them, they blossom as stronger more self assured people mak-

CCM - Interns

them from going the extra mile to serve the least, the last, and the lost people in their community. The directors serve in a volunteer capacity that truly testifies to Gods call that no employers could ever afford since these Directors serve daily, every day, all day long. A definite testimony to the Glory of God! 20 CityLight.org

CCM - Concessions of Hope Juanita Walker-ross, Annette Balaguer

november 2012

ing right choices. This is evident through both our Recovery and GED programs. It is astounding how damaging addiction and the lack of education is to a persons life and well being; however, once these two issues are dealt with, the barriers begin to fall and the world of opportunity begins to shine brighter. Christ Central has the only faith based certified Recovery program in South Carolina. Pastor Kerry Breen and his wife Kim oversee the men and womens recovery programs. A fifty-eight bed mens facility located in northeast Columbia, a sixteen bed mens facility in Allendale, a ten bed facility in Walhalla and a twenty-four bed womens facility in West Columbia, are meeting the recovery needs of those who are willing to get help. Governor Nikki Haley, General Nick Zais, Superintendent of the South Carolina Department of Education, and Dr. Sonny White, President of Midlands Technical College each support and endorse the Christ Central Mission GED Fast Track Program headed by State Director Roger Floyd. West Columbia Mayor Joe Owen announced that they are the first South Carolina Municipality to partner with Christ Central to raise the bar for the ennovember 2012

tire towns citizenship to gain their GED so that the population will be more employable and qualify for other higher education possibilities. The CCM GED Fast Track Mission is producing student graduates with an average score of one hundred points higher than both the state and national averages. Thus far this year, the state wide program has advanced from Aiken and New Ellenton to Wagener, West Columbia, Columbia, Walhalla, and Chester, S.C. Scooter Scott, Christ Central Mission Director of the Nehemiah National Pilot Program located at Airport High School, is the Director of West Columbias GED program that the community wholeheartedly supports. The Statewide GED Program partners with the local Mission Station to pay for all GED expenses. The Missions Office works closely with Pastor Jimmy Jones to host communities who seek out Christ Central and we respond to their invitation by inviting them to strategy meetings where they participate in think tank sessions as to their top twenty-five needs in their community. We work to help them implement programs that exemplify a Christian response to those in need while improving their communitys skyline through renovaContinued on pg 22 CityLight.org 21

In the steps of Christ Central Ministries

Continued from pg 21 tions and communications through large LED billboards that speak directly to the citizenry. This year we worked closely with the Allendale Community and Governor Nikki Haleys Original Six Foundation to facilitate a mens recovery program, a first class resale shop thanks to Walmart, food distribution to the community and Christ Central Missions secured the All House property for the purpose of teaching, train

ing and equipping those seeking greater quality and productivity in their lives. Judy Floyd of the CCM Aiken Mission was the catalyst to bring the Jobs for Life Program to South Carolina. This program which began in Raleigh, North Carolina is now represented in thirty-nine states. It is a valuable program that centers around Gods word and has the future employee equipped with skills in writing resumes, strengthening job interview skills, and basic job skill training. Each candidate has a personal mentor who partners with them for success. The business community brings critical information for the candidate as to what a good employer looks for while interviewing a prospective employee. After eight weeks of study and accountability, the candidates are honored with a graduation that sends them forth into the work force where competition continues to grow stronger. CCM-Chester, through the leadership of Kathi Gaddy, will be offering a Jobs For Life Program once her building is refurbished through a $25,000 gift received by State Farm Insurance. While working with moms and dads who find themselves in the pit of poor choices and helping them move forward in life, we work diligently with the youngest of children to break the cycle of generational poverty. Trinity Academy is a Christ Central School in the Graniteville Community. After a train wreck devastated the town in 2005, Judy Floyd bought and restored the worst two buildings damaged by chlorine and opened the school for three year olds up to third grade. Believing the importance of building a strong educational foundation, these children are well on their way to read and write, while growing in computer skills and math. The Hope Center, a 15,000 square foot facility still undergoing renovation, will open in spring of 2013 with a Commercial Kitchen, Job Training, Catering, GED Training and Equipping parents and singles for a brighter tomorrow. Children and youth will benefit with a facility november 2012

Judy Floyd - CCM Aiken

Ross McMillan - CCM Allendale

Kerry Breen - CCM Bethel House

Al Kulp - CCM Central Midlands Transitional Retreat 22 CityLight.org

filled with loving mentors and programs that will prove to be invaluable to their growth educationally, physically, mentally, and spiritually to meet lifes challenges. Scooter Scott, a professional educator and pastor, has met the challenge of identifying eight grade students who are potential drop outs entering the ninth grade. These students are targeted for an invitation to Christ Central Nehemiah National Pilot Project. With a well discipline program and a highly valued team of volunteers Scooter has found a great level of success. Pastor Sonya Mazzell, Rachael Davenport, Sarah and Alex Osbon pioneered Christ Central New Ellentons childrens after school program and summer camping experience. Children who have been loved by this team of missionaries grow to be strong students with a strong foundation that testify to Gods faithfulness. They mentor other missions growing in their after school programs and children and youth programs. Teaching respect and discipline the old fashion way has produced more focused students who are choosing to live in their future. This team of missionaries works closely with the CCM-GED Fast Track as instructors in math and language arts as well as training volunteers in new CCM-GED sites. Pastor James Rhett of Friendship Baptist Church in Columbia, SC noticed the work of Michelle James through her Christ

Central Prosperity Project located in Gonzales Gardens. Pastor Rhett saw the value of the churchs role in the community and offers facilities to meet the overflow of programming taking place through Prosperity Project. The extension of the church in the public housing has proven a worthy partnership for all involved. Ms. Michelle is directing her ministry toward a Charter School that establishes a future for the children. Preventive Need ministry is being sowed into mission ministry wherever babies, children and youth are found. U.S. Attorney to South Carolina, Mr. Bill Nettles supports Ms. Michelles work realizing the potential to diminish the crime rate throughout public housing arenas. Director Al Hueble with Assistants Regina and Rudy Taegar are working closely with the children in Joanna hosting an after school program along with feeding and clothing families. Many outreaches are made both to CCM-Joanna as well as through CCM-Joanna to the community of men, women and children. Angela and Morris Cantrell are progressing forward as Directors of CCMC.O.O.L. reaching youth and young adults ages 14-24 overcome obstacles in life that have potential to harm them. The challenges of children caught in their parents choices are surfacing close Continued on pg 24

CCM - Harvest Field Farms

november 2012 CityLight.org 23

In the steps of Christ Central Ministries

Continued from pg 23 to Southern Pines, North Carolina where CCM-Youth Central welcomes the Hispanic Community in need of a place of refuge. Showing unconditional love, Director Beth Dent and her volunteers are making huge steps to stabilize the lives of these students. Students who are choosing Youth Central over gangs because they have found a stabilizing family who is consistently there for them. These students are working hard toward graduation and being on guard to their siblings and parents poor choices that are reaping a whirlwind. Other Hispanic students have both parents who are working and legal in their state and nation. These students are seeking the stability of true friendship and the comfort of walking in acceptance for who they are created to be. Youth Central is a haven of rest and a place of refreshment for both the students and mentors. CCM-the Family Autism Center Directed by Bruce Braswell gives help and hope to families dealing with a family member who has been identified on the Autistic Spectrum. The need for these family members to find time and rest from a twenty-four-seven environment are huge. For the church body to reach out and help a family for one hour a week would prove a real gift from God to the family. Come and learn about Autism and equip yourself and your church to be a better neighbor to a family in need. Suzanne Hacket of CCM-Hannah House, Jeannie McDowell of CCM-Samaritans Well, Robin and Al Kulp of CCM-Central Midlands Transitional Retreat Center, June Fusco of CCM-Chris Meyers Childrens Place, Jimmy Burrough of CCM-Samaritans House, Jackie Chavers of CCMRidgeland and Ross McMillan of CCMAllendale along with Tiffany and Ashley Williams of CCM-Walhalla, and Pastor and Mrs Kerry Breen of CCM-Bethel House and The Oaks, are all host to those in transi24 CityLight.org

tion and recovery housing. They bring great stability to those who have lost their homes, left by a spouse, abused, been disenfranchised in some way or are in the throws of addiction. Until a life is stabilized, one is in a continued state of crisis. Joanne Clark, Director of CCM-Life Hope Center, helps to stabilize those moving out of transition into independent living as she provides help with bedding and furniture. With thirteen feet of corn stalks being produced across our Harvest Field Farm corn fields, we are in awe of the Lords blessing upon the land and this ministry. Wagener Womens Well led by Dianne Lemacks hosts all women in the community of Wagener to come and fellowship through Bible Studies, lunch and sewing activities inclusive of quilting, crocheting, and sewing dresses for children in Africa and blankets for children with cancer. Canning is a favorite activity at harvest time. Director Virginia Reagan ministers through CCM-Wagener/Windsor/Oakwood serving those in need of transportation, food, clothing and helps with the GED Fast Track testing program. She, like all the mission directors, find themselves helping wherever they are needed. Hope Plaza in downtown Columbia is a hub of mission work as CCM CEO-Founder Pastor Jimmy Jones works with community leaders, church leaders, and government leaders across the state of South Carolina and beyond. While inside the office teams are being formed to carry out the strategies to bring transformation opportunities to every individual soul, community, and beyond; the homeless are being offered coffee by CCM-Concession of Hope Director Jim Sampson. A gathering of the homeless for social engagement is fascinating to behold. As they minister and menacester to one another, we notice the large number of people who are mentally ill and left alone on the street because their last caregiver died. november 2012

The current strategies unfolding and team building taking place are for our newest mission station start ups and projects. CCM-Saluda opened a couple of months ago under the direction of Director Glenn Corley and Joy Antely. November 1, 2012 Christ Central Ministries will partner with the City of Columbia as we run the Winter Shelter under the leadership of Pastor Kerry Breen and Dianna Holland. This brings a huge opportunity for us to triage the needs of the homeless. November 16, 2012 will see the opening of CCM-Free Medical Care Clinic with Dr. Jimmy Stands as the Director. The Clinic will provide scheduled appointments for either physical, dental, optometry, podiatry and pharmaceutical evaluations. Services will be provided for adults eighteen years and older. Check out our website for more information www. CCMedicalCare.org . We are also working to open our CCMClinton property under the direction of Belinda Guerrero who has the heart and passion of one called by the Lord. She will minister to the women coming out of prison with a transition facility. The joy and excitement of walking with and working for the town of Winnsboro, SC to Enrich their Community is an honor and privilege. The Hope that has been instilled in the hearts of those living in a community that is dying is well worth the struggle to fight for a brighter tomorrow for the next generation. Director Jimmy Burroughs champions the work being done by those involved in six committees: transition, commerce, facility, golf, campus, and education. Christ Central Ministries is humbled to be included in what the Lord is doing on a daily basis. We are called to serve our fellow sojourner out of our love relationship with Christ. When this is done for a person, a family, a community, a state and a nation... there is Hope for a Generation. november 2012

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and in truth. I John 3:18 (NIV) Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Isaiah 58:12

Betty Bagley - CCM Chester

June Fusco - CCM Chris Myers Childrens Place and Family Campus

Sylvia Mickens - CCM Columbia

Larry Johnson - CCM Concessions of Hope CityLight.org 25

Christ Central Ministries

Roger Floyd - CCM GED

Scooter Scott - CCM Nehemiah Project

Kevin Hopper - CCM Expressions Coffee Co.

Jimmy Burroughs - CCM Good Samaritan House Campus

Suzanne Hackett - CCM Hannah House

Michelle James - CCM Prosperity Proj

Al Hueble - CCM Joanna

Jackie Chavers - CCM Ridgeland

Angela Cantrell, Morris Cantrell, and Mother Ella - CCM C.O.O.L. Youth 26 CityLight.org

Jeannie McDowell - CCM Samaritans Well november 2012

Christ Central Ministries

Kim Breen - CCM The Oaks

Joanne Clark - CCM Lifes Hope Center

Kevin Hopper - CCM Family Autism Center

Tiffany and Ashley Williams - CCM Walhalla: AshTree Recovery Center

Virginia Reagan - CCM Wagener

Laurie & Hector Pineda - CCM Pure Light

Dianne Lemacks - CCM Womens Well

Glenn Corley - Saluda

Beth Barnes - CCM Youth Institute of the Midlands november 2012

Rachel, Pastor Sonya, Sarah, Alex CCM New CityLight.org 27

Love is my Choice
By Pastor Sylvia Mickens ride, stubborn self-will and sin must be placed on the altar. We all want to be right and want to look like we are right but sometimes we must be willing to be wrong to be right. We must at times be willing to give in and submit to win, according to Yahwehs standards. We must let go of control and allow the Holy Spirit to steer. Search me, O Yahweh, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the Way everlasting. Ps 139: 23-24 The last thing any of us need in our homes is negativity, running each other down and moodiness. This will infest homes like termites and eat away the studs and

tions plans] in a mans heart; nevertheless the counsel of The Master, that shall stand. If we get hurt or ticked off, our natural reaction (most of the time) is usually to counter attack. But instead of reacting immediately, stop for a few moments before you respond. There is a mature and wise way to handle situations that arise. Think and measure what you are going to say or do. Instead of responding with anger and chaos, we should respond with pleasing Yahweh in our minds. 1John 3:18-19 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

Many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot wash it away. Song of Solomon 8:7
It takes a lot of practice to respond with love in every situation. As matter of fact, it is a choice and can only be done by one who is walking in the spiritual things of Yahweh and refuses to fulfill the desires of the flesh. 1 Corinthians 13 can help us if we truly desire to walk in love. 1. Love is patient. It is the word used of the person who is wronged and has the power Juanita Walker-ross, Annette Balaguer november 2012

pillars that hold up our families. We need to exterminate these bugs. Starve moodiness with wisdom. Knowing that the enemy loves to use our own emotions against us, we must bring them under subjection to the Holy Spirit. Regardless of how we feel, we should be polite to one another especially those in our homes. Pro 19:21 There are many devices [inten28 CityLight.org

to avenge himself but will not. It describes the one who is slow to anger and it is used of Yahweh himself in his relationship with men. Such patience is not the sign of weakness but the sign of strength. 2. Love is kind. The origin means that love is sweet to all. So much Christianity is good but unkind. In many good people, there tends to be an attitude of criticism. So many good Church people would have sided with the rulers and not with Christ, if they had had to deal with the woman caught in adultery. 3. Love knows no envy. There are two kinds of envy. The one covets the possessions of other people. The other is worse. This is when someone grudges the very fact that others have what he has not. It isnt that he wants things for himself; he just wishes that others didnt have things at all. 4. Love is not boastful. True love will always be far more impressed with its own unworthiness than its own merit. Some people are in love with the idea that they are doing somebody a favor. But the real lover cannot ever get over the wonder that he is loved. Love is kept humble. 5. Love is not proud. The really great people of Yahweh never think of their own importance. They always give the glory to

Yahweh alone. 6. Love is not rude. It is a fact that in Greek the words for grace and for charm are the same. There is a kind of Christianity, which takes a delight in being blunt and almost brutal. There is graciousness in Christian love, which never forgets that courtesy and tact and politeness are lovely things. 7. Love is not self-seeking. There are those in this world who are always thinking of what life owes them, and then there are those who never forget what they owe to life. Most of our problems, which surround us today, could be avoided if we would think less of our rights and more of our duties. Whenever we start thinking about ourselves and our place we are drifting away from Christian love. 8. Love is not easily angered. Christian love never becomes exasperated with people. Exasperation is always a sign of defeat. When we lose our tempers, we lose everything. The man who is master of his temper can be master of anything. 9. Love keeps no record of wrongs. One of the greatest talents in life is to learn what to forget. Many people nurse their wrath to keep it warm; they brood over their wrongs until it is impos-

Continued on page 46

november 2012

CityLight.org

29

How To Start a

Citylight Prayer Group

Continued from page 17

GentLeness, also known as mildness, is the tendency to allow provocations to go unanswered. faIthfuLness is standing strong in faith, and strength against diversion away from faith and virtue. Modesty refers to purity in appearance and self-image. seLf-ControL, also known as continence, refers to purity in words as well as the tendency to avoid temptations. ChastIty refers to purity in actions, especially sexual purity. Chastity should not be confused with celibacy, which is the avoidance of marriage and marital acts.

The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity. These fruits are the result of growth in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These fruits are tendencies rather than mere willingness, because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. In the person who possesses a Fruit of the Spirit, this willingness bears fruit in the life and behavior of the person. CharIty is love, both of God and of neighbor. It is our love for God above all things for his own sake and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Joy is the happiness found in union with the Lord. It is a glimpse of the perfect happiness of heaven that leads us to desire heaven. PeaCe refers to dealing justly with the world, as well as remaining in good conscience before God. PatIenCe, also known as long-suffering, refers to the tendency to endure both temptation and suffering without it leading to sin. kIndness, also known as Benignity, is the tendency toward acting kindly and doing good. Goodness is the tendency to avoid sin and do good. GenerosIty is an openness to sharing ones own gifts and goods with others. It is the opposite of both gluttony and envy. 30 CityLight.org

Positions in your CityLight Prayer Group

Chairman Vice Chairman (Discipleship) Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Fellowship Coordinator Ministry Coordinator Photographer Internet Manager 2nd Generation Prayer Group (Evangelism) Chaplain (Worship Leader) Assistant Chaplain CoLuMBIa Prayer GrouP no. The members of CityLight Prayer Groups are individuals who are guided by II Chronicles 7:14 to save a generation and fit it for Worship and Kingdom Service. We pursue the Face of God in all that we do. We pray that our lives may be vessels of Holiness and Fruit of the spirit. In every area of life we offer our Utmost to his Highest. We are shaped and formed in groups with a leader and 12 disciples. Our Fellowship november 2012

is for Worship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism. Prayer is the cornerstone of our assembly each month. Each disciple in every group will grow and mature to start another group of 12 so that we may reach every heart with the Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ. We are a Chapter of CityLight Inc., a nonprofit 50 1(c)3 organization. We have purposely intentioned to find, recruit, develop, equip, and disciple Christians to be todays leaders with a new standard of Holiness. We are committed to God, our families, our children, our extended families and our church. We offer our lives in keeping the Two Great Commandments and the Great Commission. By the Seal of our Hands with our commitment to God, we commission CityLight Prayer Group No. Columbia as a new Chapter of CityLight on the___ day of the month of ___ in the year of our Lord ___.

Light to the world through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. CityLight is a movement of believers who have committed to living the The Great Commandments and carrying out the Great Commission. We are not separate from but active members in our local Christian Church. We are from many different cultures, countries, races, communities, societies and denominations, but we are united as one body in Christ. Our members are individuals, churches, ministries and businesses who have come together in prayer asking God to guide us as we respond to the needs of our community. This response is in our Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism. For more information, visit:

Recruit 12 People to Join You In Prayer one hour each month...

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and PRAY and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14 CityLight is a Catalyst Connecting Christ to the Culture for Community Change. Our main focus is prayer; seeking the face of God, turning from our wicked ways, receiving forgiveness and the healing of our land. II Chronicles 7:14 We invite you to join us in this great enterprise called- CityLight. As Christians we are committed to bringing november 2012

Citylight.org

CityLight.org

31

Tools and Tips to Improve Professional and Personal Success

newtons laws of influence

chakisse newtons

etworking success comes when you actually make a great contact, and they tell you to stay in touch. What does that really mean and how do you do it?

Making it Easy to Stay in Touch N

netWorkInG tIPs

Believe your contacts Poet Maya Angelou said, When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. This can be said of networking as well. When people say, lets stay in touch you should believe them. Dont waste time trying to second-guess their intentions. Even if the person was just being nice you can trust that they will continue to be nice when you reach out. Confirm your intention Grab the bull by the horns and tell your contact exactly how you will follow up: That sounds great. Ill reach out to you in a few days/weeks/months. Ask how they want to be reached Find out how they prefer to be contacted: by phone calls, emails, texts? You may also want to ask before you reach out on social media. Some people connect on Facebook with everyone they pass in the grocery store, while others only want to connect on LinkedIn. Find out first and prevent an embarrassing situation. Offer value, information or resources 32 CityLight.org

Try to share something of value with your contacts. Can you send a link to an interesting article? Is there information about a mutual interest that you can share? You may just want to thank them for their insight during your previous conversation and tell them how you are using the information they gave to you. Thats valuable too. Be direct and ask for help Sometimes the thought of reaching out makes you feel uncomfortable. When that happens, remember step one: believe they want you to contact them and then do it. Update them on what youre doing, then ask for suggestions on others you should connect with. Youll feel most confident if you think of what you plan to say in advance. Final thought Networking is about building relationships. You cant have a relationship if you dont spend some time relating. No matter where you are in your career, staying in touch with your contacts is a formula for success. Chakisse Newton
Cardinal Consulting 803.753.1311 | CardinalConsulting.net

november 2012

n Beresheet (Genesis) 12:1, Yahveh told Abraham plainly to leave all that was familiar. Now Yahveh said to Abram, Get out of your country, and from your mishpacha (family), and from your abbas (fathers) bayit (house), to a land that I will show you. The Hebrew word for land is eretz, which is the root word found in the Hebrew word rtzon, meaning, will. This teaches us that the land comes from, comes out of, thy will. When Yahveh told Abraham to go into the land that He would show him, Yahveh was showing us a metaphor for Abrahams

heBreW tIdBIts
by Debra C. Galloway
Debra C. Galloway is co-author of the Book, Take Me Back to the Truth Available at www.EshNaga.com

will becoming Yahvehs will. The covenant promise of a spiritual and physical land, filled with milk and honey, was bestowed upon Abraham and his descendants through Yahshua. It was bestowed upon us because Abraham accepted Yahvehs will as his will. When Yahshua taught the disciples how to pray, He said to pray, Yahvehs will be done. Our blessing comes when we walk out the prayer, Thy will be done. We should desire that Yahvehs will, not our own will, be done in our lives.

november 2012

CityLight.org

33

Prayer Opportunities
Greater CoLuMBIa CaLL to Prayer
9:30 11:30 am Columbia International University 7435 Monticello Road Columbia, SC November 10, December 8 Information: H. L. Allen 803-513-2003 - allenhl@windstream.net

midlands

Prayer for MedIa & InfLuenCers:

Ongoing - For more information go to www.mastermediaintl.org.

Prayer for our natIon:

Ongoing For more information go to www.presidentialprayerteam.org

CItyLIGht Prayer Breakfast CoLuMBIa, sC

1st Thursday each Month 7:00 8:30am Brookland Banquet & Conference Center 1066 Sunset Blvd. (US 378) W. Columbia, SC Information visit www.citylight.org

InternatIonaL day of Prayer for the PerseCuted ChurCh

november 11, 2012 For More Information Contact: Sam Elisha 803-754-4030 - semintinc@cs.com Gene Lewis 803-788-9433 - lewisgkm@hotmail.com H. L. Allen 803-513-2003 - allenhl@windstream.net Visit www.persecutedchurch.org www.persecution.com/IDOP or www.idop.org

WaLk the LaByrInth & Pray

First Friday every month 10 am 8pm Wesley Hall at Lexington United Methodist 309 East Main Street, Lexington, SC www.lexumc.com | 803-359-6838

f Irst frIday Prayer foCus

A day of fasting and prayer each month for revival and for those in authority 1 Tim For information visit www.ifapray.org.

CaLL to Prayer for the Poor & sufferInG

f Irst natIons Monday

For info visit www.firstnationsmonday.com Or Jeny Covill at jcovill@cyberport.com 34 CityLight.org

december 12, 2011 - 12:00 PM House of Prayer, Kansas City, MO. For information, visit www.prayforhope.com november 2012

CertaInLy CoMInG! soon CoMInG?

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
Jed n. snyder, d. MIn. Founder/President Jesus Every Day Ministries, Inc. | www.jedministries.com

s we how are livALordthink ofwe bewehappyand ing, would if the would come today snatch us away to be with him? It is certain that he will come. It is looking to many like he will come soon. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 Teachers, who have done the research, are pointing us to the likenovember 2012

lihood of the rapture of the church at any time. Much has transpired in the Middle East to make it likely that the events predicted to take place in the Tribulation (seven years when the Anti-Christ has power) might begin soon. The Israelis seem to be preparing for temple worship, by having bred lambs, trained priests, cut stones, reproduced temple altars and utensils among other things. For us who are ready, the largest challenge may be to share the news of Christ so our family and friends can be ready as well. Our prayer, personal holiness and witnessing will be more effective as well in view of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Are you intensifying your lifestyle and preparing for his return? May you happily be ready while helping others.
CityLight.org 35

Prayers That Break All Barriers

By Gladys Grimaud | Continued from pg 12

Heaven. It took Fearless Felix two hours to ascend to the edge of space and nine minutes to descend back to earth. It took Jesus Christ nine months to descend to earth and an instant to ascend back to Heaven. There were no barriers when Jesus prayed because Have we planned our life so cautiously He was living in complete obedience to the that were not attempting soul-sized chalwill of His Father, and because of that, every lenges, which only His power could help prayer Jesus prayed was answered immedius achieve? The Lord of life is not only ately. Why? He had the mind of the Father available for life, but He is inescapable. and the Father was shaping Jesus prayer life. And in each moment He is calling us into Whatever prayers the prayer so that His Holy Spirit inspires, best can be given, not He will be sure to anonly to us but also swer. Do you suppose the people around us. that we could live so close to Jesus that Last week, my Joe every prayer that we went to furniture prayed could be immarket for a few mediately answered? days to shop for As breathing is to the new inventory for physical body, prayer our furniture store. is to the spiritual life. Joe took his iPhone When I breathe in power charger with the Holy Spirit, He him and I could not will expel the poifind the charger for sonous attitudes that my iPhonealmost prevent my prayers Fearless Felix Falls 24 Miles To Earth out of battery power. from getting through During the day, this those barriers. All through the day, I breathe was all right, but toward evening, I began out the prayer, Lord, I need You! and then to worry that I would be uncomfortable breathe in with the prayer of receptive gratiwith no phone available to me during the tude, Lord, I receive You! Listen to what night. The search was on and I looked and the Lord Himself tells us about prayer. It looked and looked and looked some more, shall come to pass that before they call, I will praying as I went. With unfruitful efforts answer; and while they are still speaking, I and a weary mind and body, I decided to will hear. (Isaiah 65:24) That tells us that let it go. After all, the power was not yet the answer to our prayers is prepared before in the red zone, just getting close. I went we pray. The desire to talk to the Lord about on to other projects and concerns until our needs comes from Him. Prayer begins about 2 AM when I decided to go to bed, in the mind of God, invades our minds, is when once more the wearisome thoughts formulated into a clarification of what He of having an emergency and no available wants to do or give, and then is articulated phone began to resurface. Where could in our words. He is more ready to hear than that phone charger be? I had looked in we are to pray! every feasible place and some quirky places 36 CityLight.org november 2012

Perhaps now is a good time to check our spiritual temperatures. Are we spending our hours in which wed be embarrassed to include the Lord? Then weve lived the illusion that we have the power to exclude Him. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 6:8)

as well, to no avail. Around 3 AM, I went to bed and laying my head on the pillow, I said, Lord, I know You will take care of me during the night. The Bible says that You give your beloved sleep and I trust You, but if it would be all right, just to put my mind at ease, will You show me where the phone charger is, if it is in this house? No sooner had I said those words than a strong impression came to me to look in the nightstand right beside my bed. Even though I had already looked in that drawer, the impression would not go away and was very specificthe nightstand on the right side of the bed. I turned the light on, walked around the foot of the bed, opened the drawer to the nightstand and saw the extra iPhone battery charger that was black, not even the white one I had been looking for. This was a prayer of desperation for deliverance, but when the Lord shapes my prayer, it is mostly for the benefit of others. We all want the 3 Es of abundant living: Energy, Efficiency, and Endurance. We long to receive the energy of the Holy Spirit for our needs, we want to use the energies efficiently for His Glory and our growth as persons; and we want to endure when the going gets tough. When we respond and pray the prayers that God shapes, we will soar to new heights of spiritual growth and reach another stratosphere. Now thats prayer that breaks all barriers!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

INGREDIENTS: 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes 1/2 teaspoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth 1 cup frozen corn kernels 1 cup chopped onion 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 cup chunky salsa 1 Avocado (diced) 8 ounces corn tortilla chips 1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese (optional) DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook and stir chicken in the oil for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and mix well. Then add the broth, corn, onion, chili powder, lemon juice, avocado and salsa. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes. 2. Break up some tortilla chips into individual bowls and pour soup over chips. Top with the Monterrey Jack cheese and a little sour cream. CityLight.org 37

november 2012

Being A Christian Friend

By: Bonita Britt | Continued from pg 18 In Galatians 4:15 Paul is saying the you are a child of God. You were experiencing incredible fruit and joy in this life as His child. You arent anymore. Have you forgotten who you were? There are times, when we get deceived or beaten down by the devil using the circumstances of our life to distract us away from being who we really are, a child of the King. When that happens, we begin losing the joy of living a Christian life. That is when we need friends to come along side of us and remind us of who we are. The Third thing we see is that A Christian Friend will speak the truth (Galatians 4:16). Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Paul told the Galatians they were going in the wrong direction. There are going to be times when its difficult to be truthful because we think it will damage the relationship. There are times when the truth can be hard to hear. The key is to speak the Truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15). Throughout the epistle, Paul has been tough but, as evidenced in this section, he is also loving in his relationship with them. This is not only seen in this section but throughout their entire relationship. And that is the important thing for all of us to know. Loving people isnt a One Time Event. Its lived out each day. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18). Paul loved the Galatians with actions and the Galatians loved Paul with their actions. 38 CityLight.org

They had had a good relationship while he was there. However, now some were thinking Paul was their enemy because he told them the truth. Paul is still willing to risk them being an enemy because the truth is too important. It would be an awful thing to go through this life with friends and then they wind up in hell because we didnt want to share with them the truth of the Gospel, for fear of hurting your friendship. What kind of friendship is that? Dont let this happen. The Fourth thing we see is A Christian Friend will not seek to use you (Galatians 4:17-18). Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you [from us], so that you may be zealous for them. Its fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. Paul is telling the Galatians that the Judaizers are seeking just to use the Galatians for their own purpose, without any concern for whats best for the Galatians. Paul told the Romans the same thing when he wrote in Romans 16:17-18. I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of nave people. And for those who havent been the Christian Friend, they need to ask for Gods help in being that friend. Ask for his help in: Acknowledging and Overcoming Pride Sacrificing where you need to Being A Christian Friend! november 2012

God Moves In MysterIous Ways

By Joe Grimaud
Continued from page 5

After the semester, five students who had made unusual improvement in grades or attendance, were identified. They were picked up in front of the school in Mark Eldridges big black limousine and driven out to our headquarters in Leesburg, Virginia. At Leesburg they were treated as dignitaries and given a tour of our headquarters. A picture was made of each student sitting at my desk and advised that they could also be president of a company by continuing their efforts. They were then taken to the nearby Leesburg Airport, where each was given an airplane ride in my amphibious aircraft, including making a touch and go on the Potomac River. In our desire to introduce good Bible instruction to the situation, we made contact with Dr. Tony Evans and told him what we were doing. We flew Dr. Moody and Principal Buckner to New York and met with Dr. Evans at the Lake of the Woods, where he was escorting a group of his own church teens to a religious retreat. That meeting resulted in helping Dr. Evans to get his messages on a strong Christian radio station in the DC area. Without seeking it, I became the keynote speaker at each school graduation ceremony after the above. While a lot of news was being made around the country about keeping God out of the public schools, at Frederick Douglas Junior High, the school choir was singing nothing but religious songs. Public prayer was being offered before student body gatherings, and students were responding with positive impacts on their lives. We were told there had been numerous pregnancies in the previous school year, but in the first year as an alternative school, there were only two. We continued these activities for a couple of years, with great results and great impact on our own lives. But then, due to differences in

opinions with the Board of Directors of our company, I felt the need to resign and return to Columbia. We couldnt understand it. We felt God had been leading in our activities and He was having great impact on a situation that greatly needed His intervention. Now we found ourselves back in Columbia asking each other and asking God where we had gone wrong. God, we felt we were in the center of your will, we pleaded. We were helping to make an impact on our nations capitol, and possibly even setting an example for our entire country, and now we are back in Columbia. Where have we gone wrong? It had been only a couple of weeks after our return to Columbia, and even while we were having these conversations with God, our phone rang. It was Linda White, the manager of WMHK Christian Radio in Columbia inviting us to have breakfast with her the following morning. We had no idea why we were getting the invitation. Gladys had worked with Linda in promoting some Womens Conferences in the past, so we were elated at the invitation and the chance to renew our contact. We met Linda at a restaurant on Harbison Boulevard. It soon became obvious why we had received the invitation. WMHK was coming up on its celebration of 20 years as a Christian radio station in Columbia. Linda wanted to know if we had any suggestions on whom she might invite as a guest speaker for a big celebration event in the Township Auditorium. We almost talked over each other as we responded, Of Course, get Dr. Tony Evans. Hes the best thing on your station and he has just the message our country needs. As we drove home we couldnt help but wonder, God, are you up to something?

november 2012

CityLight.org

39

Christ Centrals # 1 Commitment is serving everyone in a spirit of love and respect. Our devoted volunteers are dedicated to serve in excellence, regardless of how great or small the need. We are inviting churches, community organizations, and families to join us in showing the impact that love, caring, and sharing can have in the lives of the underprivileged. You can help by simply volunteering your time or resources to bring hope to enhance the lives of others. Some of the ways to volunteer are: Your organizations can sponsor a day during the month to come out to Christ Central Columbia and provide the lunch meal to our patrons. Providing the lunch meal includes any or all of the following: Providing the volunteers to cook and serve the meal for the day Providing and/or preparing the meal and/ or groceries Providing the entertainment and inspirational message for our patrons to enjoy during the meal. Sponsoring a Paper Drive to collect items we use on a daily basis in the center. Sponsor a Winter Coat/Blanket Drive.

voLunteer oPPortunItIes

Supply baby items such as pampers, wipes, clothes etc. Monetary donations and contributions toward a cause that will change someones life in a positive way. All donations are tax deductible. Those are just some ways to volunteer toward a good cause. Any other means or methods of volunteering your time and services are greatly appreciated. I Corinthians 13: 1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a thinking cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 13: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity. How else can you help? If you and/or your organization are looking for volunteer opportunities or a place to donate goods and services, please consider Christ Central Columbia. Contact Info: luella redfern volunteer Coordinator at 803-765-1998, Pastor sylvia Mickens 803-237-2547

Faith, and hope, and patience and all the strong, beautiful, vital forces of piety are withered and dead in a prayerless life. The life of the individual believer, his personal salvation, and personal Christian graces have their being, bloom, and fruitage in prayer. - E. M. Bounds
40 CityLight.org november 2012

Food For Thought

Debra C. Galloway
ollowing is a list of encouraging thoughts, which have taught me valuable lessons in life and which have helped to encourage me during my times of trouble. I pray that these words will prompt your spirit into thought and reflection. The shalom (peace) of Yahshua means nothing missing, nothing broken, nothing lacking. One of the most powerful forces in existence is love. Yahveh so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son so that we could have life and have life more abundantly. When you forgive, as Yahveh has forgiven you, you will have better health. If you are bitter and unforgiving, those negative emotions are quite literally destructive. To be healthy spiritually, you must eat the manna your spiritual body needs to live. Praising Yahveh sends weapons of warfare into the atmosphere on your behalf. Praise builds positive energy. No weapon formed against you shall november 2012

prosper. It may form, but it will not succeed. Yahveh was and is personally involved in our creation. He formed us with His Hands. He made us in His Image and Likeness. So, yes He does care about everything that concerns you. Purpose yourself to get in the Presence of Yahveh. The love of Yahveh has the face of Yahshua. Debra C. Galloway is co-author of the Book, Take Me Back to the Truth Available at www.EshNaga.com This Article uses some Hebrew terms in an effort to convey the truest meaning of words. Rather than use the term God or Lord when referring to the Master and Maker of the universe, out of reverence to Him, the author has chosen to use Yahveh, the proper Name of our Creator as He gave to Mosheh (Moses). The same is true when rendering the Hebrew Name of our Savior. The author uses the Hebrew Name Yahshua, which was given by the angel rather than the Greek/Latin name Jesus. The usage of Hebrew terminology is not intended to offend the reader, but rather to reflect the knowledge of emet (truth) given to the author. CityLight.org 41

Ben & Jerrys, ChICk-fIL-a, & PoLItICaL CorreCtness

By Perry Noble
absolutely LOVE Let me&begin byicesaying I Cookie Chunk is Ben Jerrys cream. (Gonna go ahead and tell you that Oatmeal THE BEST flavor Ive EVER had!!) A few years ago I went to Wal Mart (the closest thing to hell I can imaginethat and the DMV), found my favorite flavor and decided to tweet that I was purchasing some Ben & Jerrys ice creamand doing so unleashed the hounds in a sense. Honestly, Ive never experienced anything like it, Christians began @ replying me on twitter condemning me and scolding me for buying this product because apparently Ben & Jerrys supported gay rights/same sex marriage. Honestly, it bothered me. Because, first of all I wasnt trying to make a political statement I was simply trying to get some chunky monkey and some oatmeal cookie crunch. I like ice creamI believe it will be served in heaven (with ZERO calories)! And second, it has broken my heart the way that many who claim to follow Christ have treated those who are homosexuals. Weve yelled at them, ignored them and in some cases damned them to hell without EVER sitting down and actually having a conversation with someone who is gay. But Perry, you say, the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin. Let me put my cards on the table and say that I agree; however, for too long the church has seemed to be obsessed with the sins that we do not struggle with; after all, if I am pointing out the sins of others I dont have to deal with my own. People have taken me to I Corinthians 6:911 before and said, look, the Bible says that homosexuals will NOT inherit the kingdom of God. I always try my best to point out that also included in that list are Thesexuallyimmoral (anyone been watching porn?) Idolaters (anyone love anyone or anything more than Jesus?) Adulterers (see Matthew 5:27-28) Thieves The greedy (uh oh!) Drunkards (tailgating season is here) Slanderers (uh oh, a lot of bloggers and womens Bible studies are in trouble!) After looking at this list I would say we are all pretty much screwed unless Jesus intervenes. Andwhile I am at it why dont I just go ahead and throw out that gluttony is way more of a problem in the church today than homosexuality!!! (Please see Proverbs 23:2 pretty intense!!! ONLY in the church can people that are huge condemn people who are homosexual and somehow feel like that they are spiritually superior!) Do I hate homosexuals or have a homophobia? Absolutely not! (And, let me be VERY clear that as a child I was molested TWICEby men who were older than me. I have no idea if they were or are practicing homosexualsbut I can honestly say that I have forgiven them and do not think that because of what they did to me that homosexuals are bad people!) So, if a company or an organization wants to support gay rights/same sex marriage I dont

42

CityLight.org

november 2012

believe that Christians should boycott and/ or protest them (come on people, has that REALLY worked for us in the past?) Jesus went after the hearts of people far from Him through conversation, not condemnation. Yes, sin must be called what it is, even at the risk of offending people: however, when it is done so with a hateful spirit then Jesus is NOT exalted, thus making the confrontation of sin sinful! We live in Americaand people have the right to say what they want to say Which brings me to Chick-fil-A I love Chick-fil-A I probably eat there no less than five times a week (no, I am not making that up!) The fact that Truett Cathy has built a business from the ground up and has sought to honor Jesus every step of the way is an inspiration to me. Every Chick-fil-A Ive ever been in has excellent food and excellent customer serviceand I believe I read the other day that they made 4.1 billion dollars last year (not bad!) Recently Dan Cathy (the current CEO) was asked about his stance on same sex marriage. He did not issue anyinflammatoryremarks. He did not attempt to call anyone by any derogatory names. He was not hateful in his comments. He did not say that people who are gay would not be hired and/or served at Chick-Fil-A restaurants. He simply stated that he holds to the traditional/biblical view of marriage (which is his right as an American citizen.) And it seemed the world lost its mind. Its quite sad really that those who scream for tolerance seem to beintolerantof anyone who does not hold to their particular view. No one in the media screamed foul when corporations came out in support of same sex marriage; however, when one company spoke out against it in a non condemning tone people were calling for a boycotteven provoking the mayor of the city of Boston to say that Chick-Fil-A was not welcome in the city. (Uhwow, talk about tolerance! Honestly, I believe the city of Boston needs Chick-fil-A way more than Chick-filA needs the city of Boston!)

All I am saying is thisI believe as an American everyone has the right to free speech. I also believe as a Christian we have the right to speak the truth in love as it applies to the Scriptures and should not fear doing so because we may be perceived as politically incorrect. Biblical truth (IN LOVE) always trumps political correctness. Honestly, I respect and admire Mr. Cathy as he took a very unpopular stand on one of the most controversial matters of our day. ANDas Ive stated before, he did it with a non-condemning attitude. It simply needs to be pointed out that people on both sides of this argument have been way less than civil with each otherwhich does nothing more than proves the insecurity in us if we feel like we have to lower the boom on people who do not see exactly as we see. Honestly, it is my prayer that people on both sides of the argument would stop yelling at each other and talking about one another and actually sit down and talk to one another understanding that just because two people do not agree on an issue does not mean they have the right to hate one another for it. Conversation is NOT compromiseits actually Christ like! And our world would be a MUCH better place if those who called themselves Christians would step up and lead the way in this, understanding John 3:17 is the attitude that we are called to have! Perry Noble is the founding and senior pastor of NewSpring Church in South Carolina. The church averages 16,000 people during weekend services at multiple campuses throughout the state. Perry is a gifted communicator and teacher, convicted about speaking the truth as plainly as possible. God has given him a vision and a passion for helping people meet Jesus, and each week he shares Gods word and its practical application in our daily lives. Perry, his wife Lucretia and their daughter, Charisse, live in Anderson, South Carolina. You can read all of Perrys unfiltered thoughts about life and leadership here on the site. Dont worry, he holds nothing back.

november 2012

CityLight.org

43

heLPInG your ChurCh WIn By heLPInG your Pastor WIn

n a recent interview with Leith Anderson, a pastoral colleague and current President of the National Association of Evangelicals, he made a statement to me that Ive not been able to shake. He said, Churches do more to help pastors succeed than pastors do to help churches succeed. In our American culture, which tends to idolize the ideal of the dynamic type A leader, it seems weve lost our way as it relates to the proper relationship between shepherds and sheep. Much could be said about the responsibilities of shepherds. The call to integrity must sound loud today in a society that defines leaders by their appearance, smile, hairstyle, and entertainment quotient. The passion for sacrifice must be cultivated anew in the face of many temptations to use the people in the name of God rather then be used of God for the good of the people. But this devotional is focused on the sheep. The sheep that sometimes bite. The flock that sometimes misbehaves. The sheep that keep shepherds so distracted with their wanderings that the shepherd loses the energy to care for himself, let alone the other, many overwhelming, needs of the flock. In a recent gathering with leaders at a local church where I was conducting a weekend of ministry, the question was asked, What can people do to support their lead44 CityLight.org

ers? With no script or outline, I simply answered from my heart with three ideas. Maybe they will help you as well.

stoP the CoMParIsons!

I often say that comparison is an ugly game that no one ever wins. If you are compared favorably, it results in pride. If you are compared unfavorably, it causes self-doubt, even self-pity. Current pastors are often compared to previous pastors and to other successful clergy across town. In the same interview, Leith Anderson noted, Fifty years ago, the only way someone would compare their pastor with another is when they went on vacation. Today, because of radio teachers, TV preachers, and celebrity authors, pastors are compared everyday to an unrealistic and unfair standard. It is true but so unnecessary, unhealthy, and debilitating. Discontented sheep are marked by unrealistic standards and unfair comparisons. Yet, if God is sovereign (and He is) and your pastor is a man of integrity and dedication (and he probably is), then he deserves your support for who he is, knowing that God in His goodness and wisdom called him to your church. He did not call Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Joel Osteen, Max Lucado, Tony Evans, Andy Stanley, or John MacArthur to be your pastor. He could have but He didnt. So be grateful for the gift of your God-assigned spiritual leader. november 2012

Guard your tonGues!

The tongue is a fire. In some cases it is a flamethrower and in other cases an initiating spark. In any case, the tongue can ignite a destructive blaze. Many years ago, I sat with Al Broom, former Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church of Modesto, CA. He offered profound insight when he stated, The number one problem of the local church is the toleration of known sin. He then added, The number one sin of the church is a critical spirit. A critical spirit is at the source of caustic and condemning speech. When it is targeted at pastors, it is especially damaging to the health of a congregation.

Youve probably heard Rick Warren speak of the extensive survey he did of successful churches prior to launching Saddleback. After much travel and many conversations he discovered profound differences between the congregations. The primary positive common denominator among all was that the pastor of each church had been there a long time.

everyone Can WIn!

hIt your knees!

Of course, it is near impossible to be an intercessor and a critic at the same time. Prayer can stop a negative tongue and unleash a positive movement of support. The Apostle Paul was bold in his requests for supportive prayer (2 Corinthians 1:8-11; Ephesians 6:18&19; Colossians 4:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). I like to remind Christians that if they are not happy with their pastor, dont fire him at a business meeting; instead, fire him up in a prayer meeting.

Saints who think the pastor is supposed to make the church succeed, but who are not entirely determined to make their pastor succeed, suffer from myopia and strategic confusion. No church can succeed without stable leadership. No leader can succeed without determined and supportive people. If the leaders fail, the church will eventually fail. But if the leader thrives, everyone wins. Help your church win by overtly and enthusiastically helping your pastor win. The kingdom will advance, the community will be blessed, and Christ will be honored. Copyright 2012 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.

november 2012

CityLight.org

45

Love Is My ChoICe
Continued from pg 29

By Pastor Sylvia Mickens

sible to forget them. Christian love has learned the great lesson of forgetting. 10. Love does not delight in evil. It is not so much delight in doing the wrong thing that is meant, as the pleasure, which comes to most of us when we hear something derogatory about someone else. It is one of the traits of human nature that we prefer to hear the misfortune of others rather than their good fortune. It is much easier to weep with them than to rejoice with those who rejoice. Christian love finds no pleasure in bad reports. 11. Love rejoices with the truth. That is not as easy as it sounds. There are times when we definitely do not want the truth to prevail; and still more times when it is the last thing we want to hear. Christian love has no desire to veil the truth; it has nothing to hide and so is glad when the truth is revealed. 12. Love always protects. Meaning it will never drag into the light of day the faults and mistakes of others. Love would rather mend things than publicly displaying them. It can also mean that love can bear any insult, any injury, and disappointment. 13. Love always trusts. This characteristic has a twofold meaning. (1) In relation to Yahweh, it means that love takes Him at His word. (2) In relation to our fellow men, it means that love always believes the best about other people. We make people what we believe them to be. If we show that we do not trust people, we may make them untrustworthy. If we show people that we trust them, we may make them trustworthy. 14. Love always hopes. Hope here means to expect to know! Love knows that 46 CityLight.org

Yahweh has everything under his control and rests in that promise. (Psalms 25) 15. Love always perseveres. This word is a verb meaning to bear or to endure. What it really describes is not the spirit in which we can passively bear things, but the spirit with which we can conquer. (Philippians 4) 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. Three final things to say of Christian love. 1. Love never fails. When all the things that men glorify have passed away, love will still stand. The Song of Solomon 8:7 says Many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot wash it away. The one unconquerable thing is love. Barclay says When love is entered into, there comes into life a relationship against which the assaults of time are helpless and which transcends death. 2. Love perfects us. Love makes us complete. (I John 4:12-18) Love matures us; it allows us to see Yahweh for who he truly is, as well as allowing us to see ourselves as we truly are. Love grows us: it keeps us from acting like children only concerned for our own desires. It is a process, which will not be complete until Christs return. 3. Love is supreme. As great as faith and hope are, love is still greater. Faith without love is cold, and hope without love is grim. Love is the fire that kindles faith; it is the light that turns hope into certainty. LOVE IS MY CHOICE!

Pastor syLvIa MICkens

ssilva@citylight.org

november 2012

FIrst eCuMenICAl ChurCh

2401 Main Street Columbia, SC

saM and PauLa Perry

Your Name & Info Here!

Call 803.200.1940
for Sponsorship Info

CityLight Prayer Group Structure

One person starts a prayer group of 12.

Each person in that group starts a new group of 12

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Psalm 89:7 (KJV)

For more information, visit CityLight.org CityLight worldwide on Facebook

CItyLIGht 2401 Main Street | P.O. Box 8642 Columbia, SC | CityLight.org