ABOUT THIS SUNDAY,
JUNE 22...        

     This week I will begin a summer series entitled, "Cultivating Character." Character is a word seldom used in the Bible and we don't see it very often in the media. But we know what it means and immediately recognize its absence.   

     We live in an instant world. But character will never be produced instantly. It takes time... it is built over years... it is built carefully... it is built intentionally.   

     Character is NOT the same as reputation -- what other people think of us. It is NOT the same as success or achievement. Character is NOT what we have done, but who we are.   

     When we put it all together, here's the working definition for character that I will be using in this series... "Character is what we do when no one is looking... character is who we are." 

     I want to explore what the Bible says about character by exploring the different qualities that appear as character is built. On Sunday we begin with a message entitled, "The Place of Courage."     

     Courage is not just something we see on the battlefield. It also takes a great deal of courage to face life's ordinary, everyday challenges. Everyday we make choices that show whether we are courageous or cowardly.   

     We choose between the right thing and the convenient thing, sticking to a conviction or caving in for the sake of comfort, greed or approval. We choose either to take a carefully thought-out risk or to crawl into a shrinking shell of safety, security and inactivity.   

     We choose either to believe in God and trust Him, even though we do not always understand His ways, or to second-guess Him and cower in corners of doubt and fear. 

     Paul was talking about courage when he said to Timothy, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."  2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT). 

     Join us on Sunday as we look at the many faces of courage and how to develop it as a character quality in our lives. On Sunday, we will be celebrating Communion in both services. 

     I am teaching the 101 Discovering Highland class this Sunday at 3:00 pm in the Youth and Community Room. If you are interested in learning more about Highland's beliefs and practices, let me know you are attending at johnwatkin@highlandave.org. 

     We are close to completing the patio, but it remains safer to enter via the west side. Hopefully, this is the last week. Thank you for your patience and your generosity in giving to the patio project! 

     I look forward to worshiping with you in the 9:30 and 11:00 am services on Sunday.