Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

by Leave a Comment

Ok, maybe it was only while I was sleeping, but this morning something significant happened…

We launched the new United web-site on 10/4/07…1 year, 5 months and 1 week ago.  Early this morning we received our 100,000 hit on the site!

I probably find that way more fascinating than you do, but I wanted to share it anyway.  I think it’s so cool that we are able to influence people we don’t know and possibly will never know not only in the US but all around the world.

 For example, I know at least 1 hit earlier this week came from Iraq and that whoever it was listened to one of the messages from the Pursuit series.  How cool is that that someone is “chasing lions” in Iraq while at the same time chasing after “bad guys”.

 Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my beautiful bride, Lisa for all the hard work she did in getting the site ready.  Who knows…maybe somebody will come up to you in heaven one day and thank you for helping them get there because this resource was made available because of you.

https://www.gilbertthurston.com/113/

You’re Not Gonna Wanna Miss It

by Leave a Comment

  • I can’t wait until this weekend…the launch of the You Asked For It series is going to be awesome!
  • Make sure you invite your friends…
  • The stage design is going to be sweet…
  • We’ve got a special musical performance planned that you won’t want to miss …
  • I’ll be preaching on is it alright for Christians to watch R rated movies, listen to music that isn’t labeled as “Christian” and in general enjoy the entertainment that society throws our way…
  • And to top it all off I’ll be answering at least 1 question live that gets text messaged in during the Experience.
  • This is such an easy series to invite people to…in other weeks we’ll be looking at the subjects of alcohol, temptation and how to overcome doubts about our faith.
  • In addition on April 5th most of that day’s message will be nothing but text message questions that I’m fielding live.
  • Have you ever wanted to ask me a question…now’s your chance.
  • And the cool part is I’ll have to come up with an answer in front of hundreds.
  • Uhhh yeah I’m a bit nervous.
  • So do whatever it takes short of sin to get people to attend with you…should be a lot of fun.
  • Don’t forget to utilize our new promo video which you can watch here or here.

    • This Weekend

    by Leave a Comment

    This weekend we begin a brand new two-part series called “What If”. After last night’s rehersal, let me just say YOU NEED TO BE THERE!

    The music is going to be awesome, there are some new surprises on the stage, you’re going to see a video testimonial that will floor you and as always I’ve got a couple of things up my sleeve as well.

    Do whatever it takes to be there and make sure you invite someone along as well!

    Wow…Holy Cow…You’ve Got to Come Now

    by Leave a Comment

    Last night Lamont Monford gave an awesome sermon on temptation.  The title for this post is in honor of him because like all good Baptist preachers he’s very fond of alliteration for the illustration of his communication.

    Seriously if you missed it, you missed one heck of a message.  Do whatever it takes to make sure you show up tonight through Wednesday at 7PM to hear him…you won’t regret it.

    In the meantime, here are a few notes that I took last night…these can’t possibly give you the full effect of hearing it live though…Lamont is very funny and will make you laugh as you’re getting hit right between the eyes by God’s Spirit…again do whatever it takes to come hear him.

    • Live spelled backwards is evil.  When you live you’re life backwards from God’s design it is evil.
    • In Matthew chapter 3 we read about the celebration, confirmation and affirmation of Jesus by God the Father.
    • In Matthew 4 we are told that Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the desert to be tempted by Satan.
    • This could have led to frustration because it would appear that there is collaboration between the Spirit and the devil.
    • We often feel he same things in our lives but…
    • The devil brings temptation to destroy us.  The Spirit allows temptation to develop us.  The devil bring temptation to kill you…the Spirit allows it to give you true life.  The devil brings temptation to get you to look inward….the Spirit allows so you’ll look upward.  The devil brings temptation to get you to quit…the Spirit allows to convince you to keep going.
    • The devil tempted Jesus in 3 ways by trying to get him to…be selfish, do the spectacular and to be subversive.
    • The devil doesn’t waster his bullets so he’ll shoot you in an area that he thinks will destroy you.
    • Temptation requires both desirability and availability. 
    • We get in trouble when we try to please “them” instead of “him”.
    • Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.
    • You don’t have to ask for what you already own.
    • Don’t wait to fast and pray until you are in trouble.  Build up a reserve to draw from in bad times.
    • The devil constantly dangles a carrot in front of you to try to get you o ruin the real meal that God has already prepared for you.
    • The devil will always try to get you to deviate from God’s design.

    My First Blog Entry

    by Leave a Comment

    Remember the song that said, “signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs…”  Well blogs are everywhere as well.   So why one more?  Uhhh, because I want to…because I think it will make me cool?  No, really it’s just a chance for me to get my thoughts out of my head and allow anyone else that wants a peek inside my cluttered mind a chance to observe organized chaos.  So sit back, relax, and let’s have the blogging begin.