Gilbert Thurston

James Chapter 1

July 6, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Note: This post is part of the James challenge where I encouraged everyone to read through the book of James (chapter per day) and to summarize each chapter in their own words and then give themselves a personal application step for the day. To follow is what I put. Please feel free to comment with your own summary and application point as well.

7-6-09 James chapter 1:

1. We shouldn’t complain about trials and temptations, but rather accept them as something God is allowing in our lives so that we can grow to become more like Him. Also James says that it’s not enough just to hear the truth, we must act upon it as well…in other words, if you don’t apply God’s Word to your life, then your religion is worthless.

2. James says that we must be quick to listen and slow to speak. Today as I’m in meetings I will attempt to listen much more than I speak.

The Challenge Has Begun

July 5, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

This morning I issued the challenge to read through James and record your thoughts in the notebook we provided. I just got this note from one of the young ladies in United…

I would like to thank you for this mornings service!! I have been struggling digging deeper into Gods word! I want to learn and grow more…. After the challenge you gave us i came home, got my little man down for his nap and started the challenge!!
I could not believe how much i got out of just one chapter of James!! Taking the time to read over a couple of times, digest it and write it out…WOW!
I filled 2 pages of what i felt God was showing me!! Then i broke it down into pointers so it was easier to read!
Just reading it is kinda like the verse that says looking in the mirror and forgetting what you look like when you turn away.. I sometimes read, then right away forget what it was about.. Doing it this was gave me time to really study it, and listen and hear what God is saying!
This was wonderful so thank you thank you thank you! I cant wait to share it!

Inside Today’s Experiences

July 5, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Great to be back preaching again!
After 5 weeks off I had some butterflies this morning.
Thought there was a great energy today and that the team did an awesome job with the music.
Also, Brian and the stage team did an incredible job with the stage set…really love the huge TXT reflective panels.
Pretty good morning from a set-up standpoint so I was relaxed as we got started.
At the conclusion of the 9:15, I remembered I had forgotten part of the message…then I realized oops I forgot about 10 minutes worth.
Can you say rusty?
In any case, for you 9:15’ers I posted the 10:45 Experience so if you want to hear the entire message you can.
I’m super excited about this series…I love God’s Word and hope others will fall in live with it as well.
As a reminder…this week we’re all reading the book of James and answering two questions each day in our notebooks.
- If I had to summarize the chapter I just read in a sentence or two, what would it be.
- Question two is what is one thing I can do today as a result of what I just read.
- After that we’ll all be posting online our answers.
- You can come back to my blog tomorrow for mine and comment there or you can also find it on my Facebook profile.
Even though attendance was down, there was just somethingspecial about today and I think God is about to break loose big-time.
Time for a nap then off to freind’s house for dinner.
“See you” tomorrow online with your answers for James chapter 1.

July 1, 2014?

July 1, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

I was flipping through one of my journals this morning and came across this quote that I had written down years ago, “What you will become in 5 years will be determined by what you read and who you associate with”.

That’s so true. Looking back on my life, I can see greatly how God has changed me through reading His Word and how both ministry and business books have shaped myself and United. In the same way, the people I’ve gotten to meet and hang out with have influenced my thoughts and decisions for today.

The question then becomes for you and I…Who do I want to become and what do I want to accomplish by July 1, 2014? Once that’s determined, you need to see if your reading list and the people your hanging out with are helping you to get closer to those goals or pulling you further away.

For myself, while I am reading more than I have ever read in my life, I’m questioning whether it’s the right stuff so I’ll re-evaluate that. In the same way, there are some relationships that drag me down and drain me more than they lfit me up and encourage me, so I’ll have to do something about that.

So how about you? Number one on your reading list needs to be God’s Word, but after that are the things you’re reading helping you or hindering you? The toughie is the people you hang out with…are they bringing you closer to Jesus and all He wants for you or are they keeping you from growing in your relationship with Him?

Inside Today’s Experiences

June 28, 2009 by Gilbert Leave a Comment

Wrapped up the One Prayer series today with an awesome message from Perry Noble.
I really enjoyed this series again this year…not only does it give me a break but also getting to hear from so many great communicators is inspiring.
Set-up this morning was easy, but we were having power consumption issues throughout the building so lights were flickering that shouldn’t have.
I got the lift out and went up to reset some power buttons which helped a little.
Thought the band did a really great job today.
The 9:45 crowd was really into the message…
It’s amazing being able to sit out in the crowd and see and feel the difference between the two crowds.
At 9:45 I almost forgot to take the offering…ok I did forget but the ushers bailed me out.
As I said, after 5 weeks of not preaching, I’m a bit rusty even to do something as simple as doing announcements.
Loved Perry’s challenge to “run up the score”.
Basically we’re trying to “win” forgetting that Jesus has already won for us…the game is out of reach…now run up the score.
Met some great folks from other churches in our denomination…great to have them with us.
Disappointed that attendance is down for the summer but even with the “summer slump” we just completed our highest attended quarter ever!
Next week we begin a new series called “TXT” in which I’ll be sharing how to be transformed by God’s Word.
Also got some cool announcements coming up in the coming weeks…stay tuned…the best is yet to come!