Last Thursday afternoon a man came by the church to share with me that God had instructed him to tell me I was wrong in how I was leading this church.  You would have been proud of me.  I did not kick his tail, I did not throw him out and I was very polite to him.  After several minutes of dialogue I politely told him we'd have to agree to disagree and basically escorted him out of the building.  I can't lie, as he left I was furious.  I am so tired of people dogging me and this church. 

But, as usual, God showed me something through this.  How many times have I disagreed with someone or something and just talked trash about them.  At least he did have the back bone to come and share his heart with me.  Obviously I believe he was wrong.  I do not think God told him to come nor do  I believe he was right in any fashion. 

I learned the following through this event:

1.  Never say God sent you unless your sure God sent you.
2.  Make sure your information is correct when confronting someone.  Half of what he said wasn't even true.
3.  Don't make judgments of someone or something unless you have met, seen or heard for yourself.
Not sure if you believe this or not, but people lie.  In fact they lie on a regular basis.   And sometimes, in their opinion,  it might not be lying, just the truth being stretched.
4.  If you don't want to be talked about, don't talk about others.

Galatians 6:7 
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

5.  Be like Christ when attacked.  I believe a man by the name of Jesus was attacked on a regular basis and he did NOTHING WRONG!  Remember, we're to be like Christ!
6.  People are talking about us.  That is great.  Just today I've received a couple more e-mails and met with a 4 person board (tomorrows blog) and discussed everything being said about us.  The name of 5 Point is getting out there.  I love it!
7.  The only negatives being said about is from church people.  The very ones who have never met me, heard me, worshiped at 5 Point etc. 
8. We must keep loving on people regardless of their attitude.  Let's show the community we truly are different.  Remember our motto, "Experience the Difference"  Let's be different in the right way!

Thank you Jesus for allowing us to grow through the mistakes of others. 

I feel certain people have grown by watching me mess up on occasion.  Just hope I can learn from the mistakes of others as well as my own.