"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
-Phil 2:4

I had said a week ago that I was done writing on "Risky Business" and our past series, but how do you leave a topic where you have seen so much fruit harvested? I see people that are leaving their zones of comfort to serve others, and I see people laying aside their on concerns to invest with eternity in mind. Over the past several days, we have not only seen people fed, clothed and housed, but we have seen spiritual needs met and lives changed. We have seen the truths of scripture being played out in real life; seeds that have been planted over the past year have begun to be harvested, and we have experienced the blessings in giving.

Thank you Father that You are not a distant God, but You are upfront and personal. May we continue to see and experience Your presence within the family at Heritage Community Church as well as in the overall body of Christ. May we live to impact the world in which we live and leave a legacy of faith.

-Sidney

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

-2 corithians 9:7

The "Risky Business" series has been incredible!!! It was highlighted Sunday as we celebrated some stories of what God has done and is doing within people's lives. I was overwhelmed with emotion hearing your personal stories, and I anticipate hearing more as we learn to be better stewards with what God has entrusted us. It is a great responsibility being your lead pastor, but it is also a very humbling position. We are so encouraged by what we see and hear that God is doing in our midst. This is a special time in the life of Heritage, and one that we will never forget. May the touch of God always be as fresh and evident as it was this Sunday in our services. As we grow together, may we be sensitive to God's direction and be excited about the future. I saw a lot of smiles Sunday morning as we left our services. Isn't it awesome to learn God's principles, apply those principles and then witness the benefits of doing things God's way?

Estimates are that over the past 6 weeks, we have leveraged more than $45,000 for ministry outside of the Heritage family!!!! Praise the Lord!!!

It is a priviledge walking with you in this journey of Faith.


-Sidney, Merideth, Brian and Brooke

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

-Isaiah 9:6

The story was told of a family within the neighborhood who didn't take their lights down after Christmas. The next door neighbor became a little aggravated due to the seemingly lazy attitude. A couple of weeks to leave the lights up is one thing, but to leave them on for more than a month??? One day while out working in the yard, the two neighbors met. A little puzzled by the lack of concern to get his lights down the neighbor questioned him, "Hey Fred, you know, Christmas was over more than a month ago! You ever gonna take those things down?”

His neighbor responded quickly, "well, my wife and I talked about it, and we think we will leave them up anticipating our son's return from Iraq.”

This holiday season as we celebrate Christmas, what a great way to teach your children as well as set an example for your neighbors by turning on your porch light each night leading up to Christmas day to symbolize your anticipation of baby Jesus being born. He is the hope and light of the world.

Let's not hide our lights but let them shine brightly!!!

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

-Romans 10:13-15

One of my friends walked up today after church and asked me if I was trying to put him out of work. He just happens to be a podiatrist. I told them without a doubt I desired that Heritage would be a place where people would be recognized by people having beautiful feet.

Caring is Sharing!!  We don't have to go around the world to find people that are searching for the Hope; they are all around us. They are in our homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. We just need to be attentive to the people around us and be willing to share our story.  For a seed to take root, it must first be planted.  Will you take time this next week to plow the fields and plant some seeds? Check your feet this week. How are they looking?

I woke up early this morning and spent some time giving thanks to the Lord before I ever got out of the bed. In our home with three kids, once a light comes on, the offspring begin to wake and stir so I have learned that sometimes it is good to stay in bed and talk to the Lord before moving around. I have so much to be thankful for as you probably do as well. I was especially thankful for my time yesterday with our two oldest kids. Merideth and I decided that it was a good time to take them to serve those that were less fortunate. It is our desire that they grow up and not be so self centered so we want to give them opportunities to serve those that are less fortunate and see some of the real needs that people around us are facing first hand. It was awesome, and the kids did great. It started off a little scary for them, but as they got accustomed to what they were doing, they really got into serving and sharing with those we were feeding.

Our time together that day lead to some unbelievable conversations on the way home and also around the dinner table that night as we shared stories about what took place. I believe that it is times like these that we are positioning ourselves to leave a legacy of faith. When we actually put our religion to work, the lives of people are changed; both the giver and the receiver. The scripture teaches us that Jesus said "religion that was pure and faultless was taking care of the orphans and the widows.” We could add taking care of the naked, hungry, and homeless as well.

Thank You Father for the lessons learned this week. Thank You that You have given us much so we can be generous.

Desiring to lay up more treasures in heaven!

-Sidney