Hope

In Romans 5, the Holy Spirit says through Paul: 5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Bill Bouknight shared this story at preaching.org: “A Rabbi wrote about his experience in a Nazi concentration camp. One evening in the winter of 1944, his father, who was also a prisoner there, took him and some of their friends to a corner of the barracks. He told them it was Hanukkah, and began to light a wick placed in his melted margarine ration.

“The son protested this waste of precious food. His father said, ‘We have seen that it is possible to live up to three weeks without food. We lived almost three days without water once. But you cannot live properly for three moments without hope!’

“If one’s hope is based on circumstances, one must always live in fear. Circumstances change as quickly as the weather. But if one’s hope is based on an ever-faithful God, one can smile in the face of the foulest circumstances. God is bigger than any problem one can ever face.”

This week, my prayer for you is that you will enjoy the hope that comes only from an awareness of the presence of God – and that you will share that hope with others as you proclaim God’s Word.

-Mike Johnson

Back to School

Thank you to all who donated so generously to our school supply drive! You are blessing nearly 70 children in the apartment complexes we serve. It was wonderful to see the Bennet family and Ginny and Oliver Dostie helping sort and prepare supplies for yesterday’s first distribution event. And of course, our rockstar, Rita Thompson, organizes this event for us every year.

On Sunday, August 22, we will recognize all our children and school teachers as they begin another school year. On that day, you will have the opportunity to select a child’s name to pray over this school year. Here’s how it will work:

1. Select a name from the display in the church foyer, then write her/his name and your name on one of the sign-in sheets.

2. Contact the parent/guardian of your selected child. Encourage the parent/ guardian to share any prayer requests.

3. Write or call your selected child and invite them to share any prayer requests at any time.

4. Greet the person you are praying for before or after our assemblies.

5. PRAY FOR THE CHILD WHOSE NAME YOU HAVE SELECTED EVERY DAY.

For those of you who are worshipping with us online, we are working on plans where you can participate in praying for a student as well. We’ll have more information about that as soon as possible.

Obviously, you don’t have to wait until August 22 to start praying over the coming school year.

-Mike Johnson

Uncompromised

Meet a man forced to live in a fast-changing and godless society. He faced fears about the future, concern for his safety, and discouragement as the world seemed to be falling apart at warp speed. Sound familiar? His name was Daniel, and with the power of hope, humility and wisdom, he not only thrived, but he also changed an empire. Daniel lived thousands of years ago, but he has so much to teach us today!

So today, we begin a sermon series journey called, “Uncompromised.” Over the next several weeks, we will look at the first few chapters of Daniel. And as we examine his life, we’ll seek answers to some difficult questions:

• What is my role as a Jesus follower in today’s rapidly changing culture?

• How can I stand firm in my faith and still connect with people who seem so different from me?

• How should I respond when people say my views are unloving, or bigoted, or narrow minded, or archaic?

• How do I help my kids engage in culture with losing them to it?

Together, we will explore why panic and despair are never from God. We’ll see how humility disarms even our greatest of enemies. We’ll come to understand why genuine respect can cause those who will have nothing to do with God to listen to us. Standing for truth is about more than winning arguments. It’s about winning hearts. And if we’ll learn the art of connecting before correcting, we can respond to culture’s hard questions without compromising grace or truth.

I look forward to taking this journey with you.

-Mike Johnson

Be Ready to Say ‘Yes’

I am tremendously excited that we are restarting Bible classes today! It has been fourteen months since our classrooms were occupied by babies, children, teenagers and adults. Our nursery workers are ready for our babies. Lori Gallaher and her team are ready for our children. Dakota Thornton is ready for our teens. Dan Nix is ready for our adults.

In the coming weeks and months, we fully expect Bible class numbers to steadily increase as more people are vaccinated and feel comfortable being with us in person. This means we will need more class offerings, which means that we will need more teachers. At Mandarin, we don’t want those who volunteer to teach to be expected to fill that role until they burn out. In fact, ideally, we like for our adult teachers to teach for no longer than a quarter at a time. But the only way we can keep our teachers fresh and energized is by having a deep pool of volunteers.

In the coming weeks and months, there will be opportunities for training to teach or assist with an adult class. When that opportunity arises, would you please consider saying ‘yes?’ The training may reveal that you were wired for teaching all along, you just didn’t know it.

In the coming weeks and months, there will be opportunities to apprentice with a teacher in our children’s ministry. When that opportunity arises, would you please consider saying, ‘yes?’ The opportunity to partner with one of our existing gifted teachers may reveal that you are wired for teaching as well.

I can tell you from experience that there are few joys that compare with seeing Scripture come to life in the hearts of others because God used you as His tool to teach the Gospel. Be ready to say, ‘yes!’.

-Mike Johnson

Elder Reaffirmation

As you know, our process of reaffirming our shepherds for the next two years concludes today. Richard Dostie, David Frost, Chip McGehee, Dan Nix, and Tom McTighe have placed themselves before us as willing to serve. You have the opportunity to decide whether you want them to continue their service.

If you have not already done so, please respond to the Survey Monkey email (dated February 28) by the end of Sunday. Husbands and wives are asked to submit responses separately. If you do not have email access, or if for some reason, you do not receive the survey monkey via email, you may fill out an affirmation ballot and leave your completed ballot in the box at the Welcome Center. For the paper ballots, only signed forms will be considered. Husbands and wives may share one ballot and both sign it, or they may fill out separate ballots.

If you do not wish for one or more of our elders to continue serving, you have the opportunity to state your reasoning in a confidential way if you choose. Elders who receive a minimum of 75 percent yes of votes submitted will be reinstalled as shepherds on March 28.

Whether in this reaffirmation season or any time, if you have any questions or concerns about any of our shepherds, individually or collectively, or you have concerns about our overall direction, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of them. They eagerly desire to know what’s on our hearts.

Most importantly, keep praying for all our leaders and for the Mandarin Family as we work together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

-Mike Johnson

Elders' Corner - Live Like You Were Dying

In 2004, country music star Tim McGraw released a song entitled “Live Like You Were Dying” that went on to become a mega hit. The premise of the song revolves around a 40-year-old man who was recently informed that he has a very short time to live. When the reality of the moment sets in, he asks himself “Man, what do you do”?

Initially he decides on a few fun activities like sky diving, mountain climbing and even riding a mechanical bull named Fu Man Chu. However, in the ensuing verses and for the remainder of the song, he begins to fully examine his life and consider the things that are of most importance.

Listed below are the areas of his life that he chooses to focus on and address. You will note that they are very practical and make life more rewarding. I have listed a scripture next to each that I hope you will take the time to read.

“He Loved Deeper” 1Pet 4:8

“He Spoke Sweeter” Prov 16:24

“He Gave Forgiveness He Had Been Denying” Eph 4:31-32

“He Became the Husband He Hadn’t Always Been” Eph 5:25,28

“He Became A Friend That A Friend Would Like to Have” Prov 17:17

“He Finally Read The Good Book” Acts 17:11

“He Took A Good Long Look” 2 Cor 13:15

He ends the song with the realization that “Tomorrow is a Gift” and that we should all “Get to live like you were Dying”. As we contemplate the words and emotion of the song, it’s a reminder to us that tomorrow is the first day of the rest of our lives and that every day is a gift.

So………….

What are you going to do with it?

What are you going to do with it?

What are you ……..

-Richard Dostie

Mandarin Leadership

Two years ago, the Mandarin family nominated and affirmed five men to be our shepherds, Richard Dostie, David Frost, Chip McGehee, Tom McTighe and Dan Nix. When they were installed, they agreed to a set of guidelines where they would place themselves back before the congregation in two years for reaffirmation. That time has now come.

Starting today (February 28), you will have the opportunity to decide whether you wish to affirm our shepherds to continue for another two years. At the conclusion of worship, you will receive a Survey Monkey email, and we ask you to reply to that email by no later than March 14. Husbands and wives are asked to submit responses separately.

If you do not have email access, or if for some reason, you do not receive the survey monkey via email, you may fill out an affirmation ballot and leave your completed ballot in the box at the Welcome Center. For the paper ballots, only signed forms will be considered. Husbands and wives may share one ballot and both sign it, or they may fill out separate ballots. If, for some reason, you do not wish for one or more of our shepherds to continue serving, you will have the opportunity to state your reasoning in a confidential way if you choose. Elders who receive a minimum of 75 percent yes of votes submitted will be reinstalled as shepherds on March 28.

Whether in this reaffirmation season or any time, if you have any questions or concerns about any of our shepherds, individually or collectively, or you have concerns about our overall direction, please seek them out and talk to them. They love us dearly, and they want to know what’s on your heart. Please continue to be in prayer for our shepherds and our church family as we work together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

-Mike Johnson

Coming Soon

What a great time to be part of the Mandarin Family! God continues to bless us in ways beyond our imagination. Here are two things to look forward to in the weeks and months ahead.

1. We are in the process of working through logistics to be able to safely resume Sunday morning on-campus Bible classes in the coming weeks. We know our Bible classes are a critical component of carrying out our mission of guiding people into a growing relationship with Jesus, and we recognize that our children have missed nearly a year of in-person Bible classes. While we are working on plans for on campus Bible study, we will not neglect the adults who cannot yet join us, so online Sunday opportunities will continue in some form.

a. As we get classes going again, we are going need teachers and assistant teachers for children and adults. If you are interested in teaching or assisting in our Children’s Ministry or in Jr./We Worship, please see Lori Gallaher. If you are interested in teaching or assisting in our Youth and Family Ministry, please see Dakota Thornton. If you are interested in teaching or assisting in one of our on-campus or online adult classes, please see Mike Bennett. There is a place for you!

We look forward to sharing more with you about on campus Bible studies soon!

2. We are in the process of gradually upgrading our audio/video capabilities to enhance the online and on campus worship experience. Some of these upgrades will be subtle, while others will be quite noticeable.

We are grateful for all our deacons and ministry leaders who are laboring with great faithfulness in the midst of a pandemic as we work together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

-Mike Johnson

Contract or Covenant?

In Isaiah 55:3, God was speaking of His son Jesus when he said, “I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” This covenant in Isaiah is the ultimate covenant of love. When Israel turned its’ collective back on our Creator, God sent Jesus in the world to establish a covenant of love that would last forever, a covenant sealed with His own blood.

The Church of Jesus Christ is established on this covenant of love. God covenanted with us to redeem us by the blood of Jesus Christ, not because of what we could do for Him, but because of His love for us. So, what is our part in this covenant?

Jesus was once asked a similar question. When queried by a supposed expert on contract law about the greatest commandment, Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” In reality, that’s a relatively easy thing to do. How can we do any less than love a God of such mercy and grace? That’s the contract part, we love Him because he first loved us.

But Jesus didn’t stop there. He added these words in verse 39, “and the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s the covenant part. Loving others is about vulnerability. Loving others is about commitment that transcends circumstances. Loving others is about sacrificing our good for the good of someone else. And Jesus says in John 13:35 that it is this kind of love that shows the world we belong to Him.

On this Valentine’s Day, the love of your life wants to see how much you love him/her. But every day, the world needs to see how much we love Him by how much we love them. God keeps His covenant of love. How about you?

-Mike Johnson

Double the Blessing

Our shepherds have determined that the Mandarin Family’s first Double the Blessing for 2021 will be used to bless our ministry partner, Leroy Swaby, and his work with the Negril Church of Christ in Jamaica.

Our evangelism/mission ministry leaders, Gary Eaton and Troy Regas, visited with brother Leroy just prior to the pandemic. Upon their visit, they discovered an active, hard working church who are doing much with little. They have immediate needs for Bibles, song books, tables and chairs. They also have a very old van in dire need of radical repairs or replacement. In addition to problems with rust, air conditioning and tires, not to mention an old engine, Leroy has to enter through the passenger side to get to the driver side to operate the van. Repairs will cost thousands, if they can be done at all, and a good used replacement van could cost over $20,000, due to import fees, taxes, etc. This van is a critical ministry tool for transportation and evangelism.

Simply put, Negril could use some help! We took up a collection last November to assist, and you generously gave a little over $3,000 in the heart of Christmas season when we were asking you to be generous on multiple fronts. We would like to add as much as we can to that amount. After all, a little can help a little, but a lot can help a lot!

You can double the blessing in any of these ways:

· Leave a check in the marked box in the foyer, designating the funds to be used for Double the Blessing.
· Mail a check.
· Donate online, via text to give, or via Zell. Again, please designate your donation for Double the Blessing.

I am excited to see what God will do through you!

-Mike Johnson

Growth Opportunities

The Mandarin Family works together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus. Our all-in pursuit of this mission helps us be a place to love and be loved. Loving relationships requires continuing growth.

That’s why we’re starting off 2021 with our 7-5-2 prayer campaign, where we are asking all Mandarin Family members to pray 7 times a week for your family, 5 times a week with your family, and 2 times a week with your spouse. We believe this pursuit of a new normal will change our prayer lives, it will change our relationship with God, and it will change our relationships with the people who matter most to us.

Another growth opportunity is our virtual Bible classes. One of the blessings of the pandemic has been tapping into technology that allows all of us to participate in a Bible class from the comfort of our own homes.

Right now, we are offering a study of Proverbs on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 and Wednesday evenings at 7:00. One of the cool things about Proverbs is that each class stands on its’ own as opposed to building on the previous class, so if you are out for a week here and there, you can rejoin without feeling behind.

On Sunday evenings at 6:00, we are engaged in a short study called, “Can You Trust the Bible.” This study will continue into early February, then a new study will begin. Our intent with Sunday night classes is to do relevant studies of no longer than four to six weeks. That way, you don’t have to make a long-term commitment to participate.

I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to grow and to help others grow.

-Mike Johnson

Get Fit

How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? Most polls indicate over half those who make a get fit resolution do something out of alignment with that resolution within the first three days of a new year.

Cultivating new lifestyle habits is not easy. If we’re trying to get physically fit, we need accountability. We need someone in our lives who has permission to challenge us to keep going when we want to give up. It helps to set appointed times to engage in the behaviors that will help us reach our goals.

In the Mandarin Family, we are renewing our efforts to Get Fit spiritually. The Apostle Paul says, “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things” (I Timothy 4:8 NIV). Over the next several weeks, we will engage in specific training techniques to Get Fit. And out of all the habits in which we will engage, none is more important than prayer.

That’s why today, we are introducing a 40-day prayer campaign called 7-5-2. We are asking every Mandarin Family member to make a commitment between today and February 19 to:

· Pray for your family 7 days a week,
· Pray with your family 5 days a week,
· Pray with your spouse 2 days a week.

We need help to do this, so we’re providing you a wide variety of resources, and we’ll be offering consistent and positive encouragement as we pray together.

We believe that prayer changes things. In fact, we believe that prayer changes everything. Today I will be asking you to make a 7-5-2 commitment. Pursuing a new normal begins with this step. Are you ready?

-Mike Johnson

Cultivating Christ Followers in Our Homes

I am delighted that so many of you are already taking advantage of the wide array of resources in our Mandarin Home Garden! It’s wonderful to already be replenishing idea cards and pointer books.

Pointer books provide encouragement to be intentional about our faith in our current stages of life. They also address faith in the context of special circumstances. Some of the pointer books currently available address: Single Adulthood; Building a Strong Marriage; Intentional Parenting; Discipline with Young Children; Preparing Your Child for Adolescence; Launching Young Adults, and Influencing Grandchildren. There are also pointer books available for single parenting, grieving, addiction issues and sexual identity/gender confusion.

Idea cards create opportunities to discuss faith with your children and teens. There are also faith focused date night ideas for your marriage. Some of the idea cards topics include: Bedtime Parent Picture; Memory Minute; Blinded by Sin; Truth Treasure Map; Impression Points; and more. In addition, there are dinner and movie meal-time ideas for parents with their children and their teens.

You can access these resources on site at the Home Garden Center, located in the church foyer, underneath the painting. You also can go to mandarincc.com. and click on “Home Garden Center.” There you’ll find not only pointer books and idea cards, but also the Home Appraisal we did together a couple of weeks ago. We are keeping the Home Appraisal available so you can check your progress periodically.

Special thanks to Dakota Thornton and his team for researching these resources and providing a format to make them available to us. The Mandarin Home Garden is a great tool to help us work together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus.

-Mike Johnson

Welcome to the Mandarin Home Garden

I am pumped about our launch of the Mandarin Home Garden! As you know, our mission is working together to guide people into a growing relationship with Jesus. And a growing relationship with Jesus must be something that begins in a Christ-centered home. Hence, the Mandarin Home Garden is a resource to help equip you to cultivate a Christ-centered home.

The Mandarin Home Garden is filled with a wide variety of tools that are designed to help you be intentional about your faith in your personal life, marriage, and parenting. These tools will include, but are not limited to, ideas for family devotionals, discussions with your children and teens, and date night ideas for you and your spouse.

I want to emphasize that these tools are not limited to parents or married people. All of us have the responsibility to grow, and all of us have the responsibility to help others grow, especially the next generation. Whatever your life stage, you will find something of value in the Mandarin Home Garden.

All the Home Garden Tools will be found at the Home Garden Center in the Foyer and on the Mandarin Church of Christ website (mandarincc.com). Periodically throughout the year, more tools will be added to the Home Garden Center, along with an initiative to encourage you to continue cultivating a Christ-centered home.

Feel free to take Tools to give to friends and neighbors, or direct them to the Home Garden Center on our website.

Thank you to our world class youth minister, Dakota Thornton, and to his team for preparing the Mandarin Home Garden for this launch. I can’t wait to see what God does next!

-Mike Johnson