Our Church

Memorial Day Sunday at Stockbridge might have been one of the most meaningful services I have experienced in a long time.  They are all beautiful mind you, but the reason we were there was to honor the men and women who died so that we could live.  To watch the video that was a tribute to their sacrifice moved everyone to tears.  To hear the music, stirred everyone’s heart and love of country.  To listen to God’s word that inspires us to not waste our lives, but make something of them, put an extra step in the way our heart beats.  This past Sunday we really honored and celebrated all that we are called to be…a church!

Have you found yours yet?  A church that is.  If not, then come and meet ours.  A place where people care.  A place where people love.  A place where people meet God.  We call it church.  We call it Stockbridge First….a place of Open hearts, Open doors and Open minds.  

I hope you will decide to visit.  You will be glad you came.

Peace to you and yours,

Rev. Jim

Freedom Is Not FREE!

We approach Memorial Day weekend and I think of all who travel to be with friends. Ironic isn’t? We have the freedom to go anywhere in this great nation. Nobody to check our passport going over state lines. Freedom at its best. It is on this weekend we remember, however, that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE! Some might think it was. Some want to say it is. However, history says differently. There was a price paid for it. If you don’t believe me look at WWII. If you don’t believe me look at the Cold War. If you don’t believe me look at the War on Terror. Freedom is not FREE. Men and women died to make it so. It is not something that just fell out of the sky and landed upon the greatest nation in the world. Blood was shed to have it. Lives were lost to keep it.

Stop this weekend and say thank you. Stop this weekend and give thanks to God for letting men and women like that exist so that we might exist too!

Let us never forget them. Let us always honor them with the lives we lead today. For the life you lead today is due, in part, to the life they gave. I hope to see you Sunday to celebrate it!

Peace to you!
Rev. Jim

Career Day

Today was my day off.  My days off are so important, however, I was asked to do something for a school that, when asked, I said OF COURSE!  It was career day for kids in grades 3-5.  I was asked to talk to the kids about my career and how my career has been led by God.  I told them that at a very early age I heard the call of God to be a minister, but I did not listen.  I told them that I decided to do what I wanted to do with my life so I chased after money as the pursuit of happiness.  I explained to them that after I collected all my things and had, by all accounts, a successful life, that I was lonely and unhappy.  I expressed to them that I discovered that the only thing that would make me happy was to be the person God had called me to be.  I told them to be the thing that God had called them to be.  To do the thing God has shaped them to do.  To never let their life go by as something that they merely existed in, but something that would be lived helping and serving others.  

Do you wish you had someone tell you that in third grade?  Do you wish that you could do some things over in your life?  It is not too late.  God is offering you a chance at a new career. He is putting before you a chance, to perhaps, make the one you are in better.  He is offering you a moment to reflect and say to yourself life can be better, all I have to do is seize the moment.  

It was my day off, but a day that might have changed the life of a little one struggling with the world that we see today.  A little one being dragged and pulled by violence and the selfishness of this world.  What a way to spend my day off.  I hope there will be more like them!

Mother’s Day … WOW!!

Sometimes you get nervous on special days.  A lot of planning went into our Mother’s Day service and God blessed us as we were filled with friends and families from all over the place.  We showed a special video that had everyone crying tears of joy.  The choir sent us straight through the roof with a beautiful anthem.  The children sang and that is always a treat.  God’s Word was told and we were reminded of a special invitation by Jesus to be a part of the Vine!

It is just like that at Stockbridge First.  We have  a blast.  We warn you though.  If you don’t like to have fun.  If you don’t like to worship God.  If you don’t like great music.  If you don’t like meeting new people.  We might not be the place for you.  But we have been known to change many a hardened heart.  So come and experience God in this place of worship.  You will be glad you did…I PROMISE!!

Peace,

Rev. Jim

Just Wonderful

Every time I turn on the news I hear gloom, doom and fear. I must say I am tired of it. I think if I was the director of any of the major news networks I would do things a bit differently. I think I would do a story on the RELAY FOR LIFE celebration that occurred in Henry County. Thousands came together and honored those that have fallen victim to cancer. Thousands celebrated survivors and encouraged caregivers. I might even do a story on how one young lady left our church and her family to travel overseas to help and love strangers for a week. I would definitely do a piece on this church and how many people are walking through the doors finding hope and encouragement during a scary year.

How about you? Are you tired of it? Ready for something uplifting? It happens every Sunday at Stockbridge First. It happens every time a small group meets or we gather for a Bible study. It happens when we just take a break and eat a meal together. So many great things happen. So many wonderful people. So much good.

We hope you will be a part of it. We are here.

Peace Always,

Rev. Jim