The Breakdown: "You The Birthday"

21:37 Welcome, Kendall. Thank you all for being here. So excited. And so let's just get started. And we'll start off by going over a little bit of review on Sunday. Sunday the title of the sermon was You're the Birthday. And the scripture was Colossians chapter 2, verses 6 and 7. Colossians chapter 2, verses 6 and 7. And so I'll read that for you hearing now. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. Just as you were taught abounding in thanksgiving. That's the scripture. Very simple text. But sometimes simplicity, we make it complex. And so but we'll see if we can break it down today. So a little bit of review. I want to take another look at really what's happening in the text. talk to you a little bit about what's happening in the text and then we'll jump in. So what's happening here is we have in Colossus, it was a small commercial city. And as a small commercial city, there was a lot going on, but there was a lot of different faiths, different religions that were happening. And so they were building a Christianity, a community of Christianity, but they were also being challenged by all of the different faiths and the communities, unlike the world. We go to work and there's different people that believe in different things. And so, um, Paul wanted to combat that. A lot of the teachings in the city were against the teachings of Jesus. And so Paul wanted to combat what was being spread so that the believers could stay strong. And what would happen is a lot of times they were also practicing Gnosticism or folklore. And so what that was is they were mixing religions because how they felt was maybe Christianity was not enough.

23:23 And you may think that's really strange. You know, God is enough. I love Jesus. Ain't nobody but God for me. But let's be honest. How many of you look and see what your horoscope is? Or you grew up reading your horoscopes or you would get the magazine. I remember that since magazine, I would turn to look for my horoscope my month I was born. And we identify people and we try to decide whether or not somebody's going to be good for us in the dating circle based on what their sign is. we're praying to God but we also want to know what their sign is and I grew up in a time I don't know about you guys we had what was called a rabbit's foot and so here I am a Christian little girl I didn't know walking around with a rabbit's foot on my keychain that's what this foolishness everything thinking yeah I'm going to trust God I'm going to believe God but at the same time let me just go on and add a little something to it some of y'all maybe I didn't get on your road yet but some of you I have to sleep in a certain clothes or sleep a certain way or wake up a certain way and have three cups of coffee unless it's not going to be a good day. Whatever it is, your superstition is. These are the things that we raise up that we think that we have to have in addition to God. And Paul wanted to combat that.

24:36 And so what he did, what he was preaching and what he was teaching was that Christ is enough. That when we receive Christ, we receive the fullness of God. And one of the things was they were having a hard time accepting Christ as 100% human and 100% God. So he was combating and submitting to them that God was indeed, Christ was the fullness of God. He was God, the visible God, the visible representation of an invisible God. And that those that received Christ had what they needed to endure life, to get through life. So this is what Paul was working on. So he let them know that their union in Christ was all they needed, that they were complete in Christ. And so I wanted us to look at a couple of scriptures really quick. I didn't speak on these on Sunday, but I just want to show you the argument that Paul was making as he's talking to the Colossians. So in Colossians chapter 1 verse 15, it says he is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

25:38 And then in chapter 2 verses 9 and 10, for in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him who is the head of all rule and authority. So what he's letting them know is everything that you need to live and for victory and to combat the enemy and anything that you may be facing, you have the fullness of God in Christ Jesus. He is enough. So you don't need the crystals. You don't need certain sheets. You don't need the rabbit's foot. You don't need your horoscope. all the things that we lean into besides God, that Christ is enough. And so that's the point that Paul is making that simple, but we make it so complex with our lives because we just seem to assume it's too easy. There's got to be something else that we have to do.

26:30 And so, but that's not the case. So then Paul encourages the Colossians as he's trying to prove, make the case for Christ. He encourages them of the certain things, just as he was accepted, which is verse 6 just as you accepted Christ continue to follow him so the the truth that you accepted him in the way that you accepted him in as we understand Christ to be continue to walk in that truth we know the moment there's a song I know we used to sing called take me back uh to the place where I first believed I think we talked about that last week and you want to go back when you think about when you first receive Christ the moment that you God is real and I want to be a heart of the kingdom. I want him to be my Lord and my savior. He's saying just as you were able to believe and trust in that moment when you accepted Christ, walk in that truth, walk in that faith, and continue to follow him because that's what's real. And then he says, let your roots grow down into Christ. Study yourself to be approved. Build some roots. Understand who God is. Don't let don't let people tell you about your God. Study about your God. It's kind of like in your life, always give the example, I can't come up to a child and tell them what their name is or tell them something way off of what their parents said. They know their parents. They know my mama would never tell you that. My mother would not say that because X, Y, Z, a confident child who knows their mama and their daddies not going to let me change the instruction or the message. They know. And so that's how we should know God in an intimate way. We should understand who he is, who he called us to be. And so when people begin to speak things that are to us that are contrary to his word, that we won't go and like, I always say, toss to and fro with every whim. Then he says, so let your roots grow down in Christ, but let your lives be built up in Christ. And so that's just how you handle your business. And so how, um, your grace and your love and how you show up, what we believe is how our lives should be reflective, okay?

28:32 And then he says, if you build down, if you continue to walk in how you receive Christ and you build your roots down and then you build your life up, so you're living for Christ. He says, that's what allows your faith to be established. That's what allows you to be confirmed is that you are living for Christ. When you live for Christ and you're studying God's word, then you'll see that the truth of God and who he has called himself to be is real. That's where your faith gets affirmed. And when your faith is affirmed, that then brings on thanksgiving and excitement and gratefulness. How many of you that are listening or how many of you that are in the room know that you've lived life long enough and like, okay, you'll do this with your parents. You'll say, mama used to tell me that and I didn't believe or dad used to say such and such, but now I experience life. And I know that's true.

29:23 How many of us have had that experience with God? The word said this, the word said, if you trust God with your finances, he would, you know, not allow your fruit to go bad. He would bless you. God said it. And if we keep walking in God's word, the longer we walk in it, the longer that we trust him, you'll see that it is true. And then you begin to celebrate like God ain't never lied. His word show is true and all those kind of things. And so that's all that Paul is saying. Just keep trying him, keep trusting him, and you'll see that he's real. and that sparks gratefulness. That sparks a praise. And so that's where we were. So I just want to look at one more scripture before I turn to these amazing young people because I know y'all like, be quiet. We won't hear from tribe. I'm just giving you the review. We gonna hear from them. So in Matthew chapter seven, Matthew chapter seven, these are the words of Christ. And so in my mind, if you don't get Paul, maybe you can get Jesus.

30:19 Matthew chapter seven, verse 24. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on a rock. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat on the house. But it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like foolish men who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against the house and it fell. and great was the fall of it. And so Jesus is saying, if you follow me, you solid, you're going to be all right. Doesn't matter what comes, you're going to be good. But if you don't, if you listen to me and you walk away and you want to do your own thing, then watch yourself fall, it's going to crumble. And so that's what Jesus has to say. It's the same thing. Put your roots in Christ, build your life on him and everything is going to be all right. Even when the rain comes and the wind blows, you'll still be standing.

31:17 Amen. amen okay so that's the review and so now let's get into the breakdown let's talk to these young people and um let's go try where you want to start i'll start okay so i'm going to start with the question that you posed um during service you said think back to the moment when you received christ how did you receive him and so my question to you is two parts can you meet christ for the first time, multiple times throughout your life, is it a different version of Christ or are you experiencing sovereignty on a deeper level as you grow in your walk? And just background on that question. Sure. Sure. So when you asked that question during service, I thought back to when I was a kid in elementary school. And so the neighborhood that I grew up in, there were always like these loose dogs that would attack kids as we went to and from school. And so my best friend at the time, she had gotten attacked by a dog. And so the dog bit off a chunk of her upper lip.

32:28 And so I was always very terrified of dogs. And so my grandma taught me who God was, and she taught me how to pray. And so I would pray every day, like, God, please protect me as I'm going to school. And so God truly protected me. I never had any issues. And so at that age, I knew that I was praying to something and I knew that something was named God. But then as I fast forward to high school, I knew I wanted to go to college, but I couldn't afford to go to college and nobody in my family could afford. So my sister told me about a scholarship that would pay for all four years. And so I think she told me this like my sophomore year. So I would pray every single day. And then my senior year, I found out that I received the scholarship. And so that was very monumental to me at that time in my life as a 16, 17 year old, because I didn't, I was just praying. I didn't know if God was going to answer, but God really answered. And so my faith grew stronger. And then in my twenties, um, I found out that my grandma had cancer, but it was very abrupt. We had no idea that she was sick. We, we got to the hospital. They, my aunt just said, come to the hospital. We got to the hospital and she told us that my grandma was dead and she had cancer. And so I was praying. I didn't know what to pray for. I was just like, God, do something. And so, um, long story short, she was not dead. She was in a deep sleep.

33:58 And so when she woke up, she saw me and my siblings, and she was like, I didn't think anyone would be here. She thought that she was going to die alone. And so God gave us an extra year with her, and we were able to, like, mend our broken relationship, and we were able to grow closer together, and she was able to see she was not going to die alone. And so that took my faith to an even stronger level. And so now today in my 30s, I have experienced life and it's been rough. And but everything that I've been through, God has always been there for me. And so last year was just especially a very rough year. And so I remember this day I'm sitting in my living room and on my balcony, like an army of pigeons came. and they just camped out on my balcony. They would not leave. They would come every single day like clockwork. And I was like, God, I don't know what, why are they here? If they're not of you, send them away. And so as the days went on, some pigeons would leave, but most of them were still there. But it was one day when it was a white dove. I'll never forget this. I had just enough time to look up. I saw the dove and it came and it flew on the balcony and it stood in the middle of the pigeons and then they all flew away and they, those pigeons never came back.

35:29 And so I was like, all right, God, I know, I know you're here. I know you got me. And now I'm just at a, at a level of my faith where no one could ever tell me God isn't real. Cause I already, I know too much. I've experienced God. I know that he's with me. I know that he's real. So I know I said a lot. I'll repeat my question. You want me to repeat it? All right. So can you meet Christ for the first time multiple times throughout your life? Is it a different version of Christ or are you experiencing his sovereignty on a deeper level as you grow in your walk? Yeah. Awesome. Awesome question. Thank you. And thank you for sharing and being transparent. I'm sure somebody's being encouraged that heard that story just now. So are those stories. And so I think in sharing, you know, your experiences, I think you answered the question. But of course we can meet God for the first time, multiple times.

36:28 I like the way you pose it. It's very poetic. And I'll tell you why. When you asked that question, I thought about Exodus when God was talking to the children of Israel. And he said to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I was El Shaddai, God Almighty, but I'm getting ready to be Yahweh for you.

36:50 He said, I didn't introduce them. I didn't introduce them to Yahweh. I'm going to show you Yahweh. And Yahweh is the Lord. And so that just got so excited because he said, we talk about in the name of, you know, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He said, I was El Shaddai to them, God Almighty. So I was just God throwing my weight around, showing up in the room, telling him what it ought to be. But now I'm getting ready to be Yahweh to you. And he was introducing another name. Yahweh is about a covenant God, a God that covers and a God that keeps. And the Latin word for Yahweh is Jehovah. So when we hear people go on that run, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Ra'ah, Jehovah Sikhanu. All of the things when we hear people talk about, they're saying Yahweh. Yahweh Jireh, Yahweh Rapha, Yahweh Ra'ah, Yahweh Sukhanu. We're saying that God is our banner, our protector, our healer, our way maker, our provider. That's what he's saying.

37:48 I'm getting ready to be I am for you. And so, and what you hear people preach sometimes is that when you don't know God is a healer till you've been sick. You don't know God is a way maker till you don't know which way you got to go. You don't know he's a judge until you get in some trouble, right? You don't know that he'll be a lawyer in the courtroom. All of the things. And so, yes, meet him every day in a new way. New mercies every day that we can get a new name for him. So I got excited when you began to ask that question. Thank you for that. So, yes, you can. I don't know if there's another part to that. No. Okay, we got it. Yeah, you got it. So, okay. Yes, yes, yes. Thank you. Good question.

38:40 That's good. I have a question for really everyone sitting up here. I'm going based off verse 6. It says, so then just as you receive Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him. My question is for young adults. As young adults navigating everyday life, what are or what can we be building our lives and faith on? And what does it practically look like to be rooted in Christ and live out that foundation? That's good. That's for y'all. That's for you too. Come on, Kendall. Let's go one more time.

39:17 As young adults navigating everyday life, what are we building our lives and faith on? And what does it practically look like to be rooted in Christ and live out that foundation? While they're thinking about it, Matthew, let your light so shine before men or before people that they may see your good works and glorify your father, glorify God, which is in heaven. So letting your light shine is what it looks like so that people can want to know and be in relationship with your God. Maybe it looks like again, like Matthew, like the Beatitudes, the blessed are the meek, blessed are the poor in spirit. blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness so go back and read and see what those are that's what it means to live your life before christ and also um i was thinking about uh now pastor haynes that it's not the quotas from him and now i'm even paraphrasing but he he taught us about our theology and that based on how our theology is then we build our anthropology anthropology then informs your sociology and basically what he says is that if you have um a skewed or your theology is off or your theology is sick then how you build your how you construct your life how you construct your communities the systems will then inform how we treat people and so when you're talking about living your life rooted in christ it matters how we see God because if we see God as a forgiving God as a loving God as a God that called us to do good works then when we construct our families and our neighborhoods and we write policies and all of the things we do them with God in mind but if we don't see God as an involved God as a personal God but somebody that sits high and does not look low as we see God as somebody that doesn't dwell in our day-to-day then we're not really concerned that who's going to check us and I can treat you any kind of way that I want to treat you. And so we have to be careful about how our theology is, which is why I love Friendship West. I love the fact that we have HTBI because

41:23 we get an opportunity to study God, to study His Word, to make sure our theology is healthy so that how we encounter others and how we do justice, that we do do justice, is aligned with who God has called us to be. I can go. So practically what it looks like for me, is making sure that I really live what I'm reading in the Word of God. And so from a day-to-day perspective when it comes to work, I have to be bold in what I believe and speak on it. And so that happened earlier this year. I was having a rough year at work. And one of my friends at work who's also a believer, she invited me to our Christian community. and I've been working at my job for seven and a half years. I had no idea that we had a Christian community. And so every week we meet, um, Fridays at two o'clock and we just talk about scripture and, um, God definitely prepares me for things. So I told you I was Sunday school teacher.

42:30 So I had no idea that I was going to be called on to lead those discussions. And so last Friday I had to leave. It was at the last minute. They just asked me if I could lead it, but I was able to leverage my Sunday school lesson. And so that, that really helped me. And then today, actually, right before this, we had like our competitors, we all got together with our Christian communities and we had this big event talking about faith at work. And it was like 500 people on the call. So had I not been bold in talking about my faith, I would have never known that this community existed. And if I may, I was looking for an opportunity to share this. So one of the presenters, he spoke from Colossians three. Oh, wow. And so, um, so some of the things that he said, he said, sometimes you just have to do what God asks you and then great things will happen. And I'm a living witness of that because I always will say no first, but I've learned to start saying yes, because I don't want to fight with God anymore. And he said, when you live a life of faith, everyone will recognize it. And then he said, this is a question to ask yourself, who am I really serving? So if you're at work, wherever you are, and you're going through challenges, ask yourself, who am I really serving? So remember, regardless of the challenge, we are ultimately serving the Lord in all we do.

44:02 So no matter how hard things get, we as believers can have comfort in knowing that we always have Christ to fall back on. And then I would just like to read the scripture. Sure, sure. So Colossians 3, 23 and 24, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord, as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Amen. Yeah, that's good. That's good. You got it, Kendall. I know, I know, but you can do this.

44:42 Truthfully, I think for me, it's kind of simple. I think of, so I'm from Mississippi, kind of raised on a farm. So like plants are like my thing. So when I think of roots, like your roots grab nutrients in the ground as you grow. And so I think of just like ensuring that we're in every situation as we spread our roots and as we deal with like different life challenges, what piece of nutrients are we going to pull from what we're connected to? Because that to me is just ultimately like what it means to be rooted is continuing to grab those pieces of nutrients that are going to help you to grow. and then, you know, on top of the surface, if your roots are strong, you know, you can deal with any type of storm, any type of weather. Things are going to come at you, but those roots are holding you. So I just think that it's so important to continue to reinforce yourself with the word of God.

45:39 I think that's my most practical advice for anybody. I love it. I love it. Did you have a way that you want to answer your own question? Well, come on then. I want to take from all of y'all. I like the question you asked. who are you doing it for and also like the true source. For me, I'm very close to my family and I think for young adults it can be easy to grab a hold of social media and relationships and family advice that you just live out your life for your family but really and truly going back to the Lord. Like Lord, you are my source. Though what my grandma is saying because I love my grandma, though what she's saying sounds good, God what are you telling me to do? And I think for young adults, we have to be patient enough and wait on the Lord and listen for him. So, um, I guess trusting the Lord and walking out your faith by constantly going back to him and prayer, but also being honest with your community as well. So they can pray for you and hold you accountable.

46:38 Amen. I think that's amazing. Good question and great answers. we in good hands so i'll roll with the next question so in a world where so many people think they know it all and they have these phones in their hands and their phones tell them everything there's rumors everywhere what are some practical ways that young adults can combat those false rumors and those people that think they know it all um i think we have to thank you for the question. I think one, the scripture tells us that we have to stay rooted, right? And that we were called to do good work. So making sure that you're staying in good works. I think you have to know your stuff so that when people try to introduce new knowledge to you, you can align that with the word of God and know whether or not to accept it or believe it, because it happens all the time.

47:39 I share with people, a lot of times, sometimes I share with people, but I'm obviously getting ready to share with everybody, is when you go to seminary, people think that, oh, I'm going to seminary, and we're going to be talking about Jesus every day. And that is not the whole of seminary. If you go to a seminary attached to a university, they will take everything you believe and shake it up. And they are proud of it, and they will tell you, we're going to throw everything you believe in the air, and you're going to have to grab back for what you know. So it's important that you know your stuff. It is important that you're grounded because it gets challenged in the university, in the classroom by people that call themselves Christians. And I've watched people get shaken to the point they come out of their pastors not knowing what they believe about the Holy Spirit, about Christ. You've got to know that. So you have to know your stuff. You have to have a clear mind. You have to have a good community of people that you can speak with.

48:33 And when I say good community of people, people that will cover you and that will pray with you, but also people that can challenge you when you may be stepping wrong or you start talking about something that may not be aligned with God. It's important. And everybody, they may not be the same. So you might have your friends that will cover you, support you, love you, that you laugh and you hang out with. but we all need somebody that can kind of come a little bit deeper into our business and ask us the difficult questions about where did you get that from and how are you moving and what's happening to help us stay connected and to make sure that we're doing what we're supposed to do that will ask us when is the last time you read your word when is the last time you know you prayed to God I understand you go to church but when is the last time you spent time with God and so I think um those practical ways and any other ways that we think we can do is just the quiet time, spending time with God that we have a routine. So we're not waking up and God is not expresso. Right. Um, so it's just happening really quick. Good morning, God, cover me while I go out today. And then anyway, you laying yourself down before you go to bed and on your pillow. Oh yeah, by the way, I thank you, Lord. Thank you for having me having a good day. So just all of those little, um, natural things, I think, uh, are ways. I don't know if anybody has any additional ones that they might want to add, but yes. Um, that's a good question, Kendall. Uh, for me, when there are so many rumors around and I'm one to think I know a lot. Um, so I have to humble myself, come before people, humble to know that I don't have the answer to everything, but I do know who does have the answer. Um, and remembering that I can come back to end of me with the word of God, which is the sword, um, holding on to who God is, but also, um, kind of lost my train of thought because, oh, I was thinking about pastor Grisby's, uh, sermon when she, and that's also yours as well when you mentioned um knowing who's you are knowing who you are and whose you are like that's right i know i don't have to answer everything because god is going to answer it knowing trust in and knowing that he goes before me as well and i don't have to answer everything that someone has for me so amen that's good that's good okay i guess i'll keep it rolling thank you for those

50:43 answers truly um so the next question is um this is kind of something personally that i struggle with the balance between Christ and culture. Culture has given us so many amazing things. But then as we grow up, we also see some of the pieces of culture that maybe counter Christ. So just would love to hear some thoughts about, like, how do we balance that in this current predicament? Or how do we define culture? Yeah. So thank you for that. I think that's important is how you define culture. because when you ask that question about weighing the balance of Christ and culture, what culture are you speaking of? So because as believers, we should have a culture. Maybe it's African-Americans or whatever ethnicity we are that we identify with is a culture where we come from. And then the world has a culture, right? So which culture are you talking about? As believers in our Christian culture, I think we, anytime that the scripture tells us to take captive any thought that raises itself against the knowledge of God, who we know God is to be, then we have to take those thoughts captive.

51:50 So the same, if anything, comes before us that doesn't align with who God has called us to be or God's ways, I think that's what you do. You're regularly measuring the world's culture up against the culture that you have chosen as a believer to see what that calls you to. I think you cannot be afraid to have asked the hard questions and then make the hard decision because sometimes what God is, who God has called you to be and what God has called us to do doesn't align with the world's culture. And, um, and so, uh, it's hard sometimes, especially as young adults, I can imagine to say, no, that I can't go to the party because I know what's going to be at the party. And, um, I want to, in that split second, oh Lord, come back um all right all right in my okay let me just tell you the example oh lord forgive me what i was thinking was um as believers it's knowing i'm sorry it just came in my head i was thinking about pd and everybody says i didn't stay at the party after 12 o'clock and so it's about knowing when to exit that i gotta go because i have to maintain my integrity and who I am or maybe just not showing up at all right that that's just not who you are and I'm not going to be in that room so that there doesn't have to be any question but also I was thinking about when you're thinking about culture um our capitalist society will tell us to be greedy and to get everything for yourself take care of you first but our biblical culture tells us to be mindful of others and um to feed the hungry to be mindful of the poor of the widow of the orphan, to think about somebody else.

53:38 And so how are we being mindful? I know that it's okay to get that job that pays six figures and beyond, but maybe where God is calling you is not that lucrative, but it'll fulfill your heart. It's asking the hard questions and making the hard decisions. Also, I wanted to say this, and it's gonna be a strange way that I say it, but I'll explain it, is to be quick to bury the bodies. And when I say be quick to bury the bodies, what I mean is you have to be quick that if what you have done or anything that you've said or done causes harm, be quick to apologize. Be quick to acknowledge the harm that you've caused. Apologize. Redirect your actions and what you've done. Change them. Don't do it again. And then move on. And the reason why I phrased it like that, be quick to bury the bodies is because we are in trying to get it right. We all have made mistakes and have made and made error.

54:37 And so we cannot live according to man's culture. This is no matter what, deny, deny, deny, deny. That's not walking in the truth of who God is. And so we have to acknowledge the hurt and the harm. But when I say bury the bodies, I mean, bring honor to the situation. because um in scripture or or in life when somebody's not buried it's dishonorable not to be buried right it's dishonorable not um to move on and recognize that this person is no longer with us so it's honorable to recognize harm as cause make it right in any way that you can but then i also say move on because you can't stay in that hurting place and so um and i just thought about that because society um doesn't want to own uh their their their errors they don't want to own their frailties everybody wants to cover up and blame somebody else and um and that's not our culture our culture is to walk in truth and um and so tell it at any time we can so I think that's what I'm saying when it do the hard thing walking in truth is not easy um and so it's it's hard and it's probably um outside the box if you can just be you know be vulnerable and transparent um and then move on and have fun oh and this last thing i'm sorry um have fun and don't other christ and when i say that i mean everybody's not everybody a lot of times when people are making the decision whether or not to be christian or whether or not to live for Christ they think that fun is on the other side that you can't live a life of excitement and and I'm just keeping up with the word fun and enjoyment by living for Christ and so we other like God is over there God is this thing and then but life is over here like don't put God outside of who you're trying to become and he is fun and he's amazing and when you learn about the power and authority that we have in God and the things that we can declare and watch the changes come and the transformation. That's fun. That's exciting when you get together and you watch people, um,

56:49 move in, in connection and in love with one another. So I'm rambling, I'm kind of going on, but I, I, um, and I want to hear what the ladies have to say, but, um, if you have anything that you want to say, but, um, so come on in and jump in. Cause I'll just keep talking. Cause stuff keeps popping in my head. So let's go. The only thing I'll say, I think it's just important to have a real intimate relationship with God so that you're one with the Holy spirit. And so you let the Holy spirit convict you where the Holy spirit needs to convict you when it comes to trying to balance culture and your faith walk. So for me, um, as I've gotten stronger in my, in my walk, I don't enjoy the things that I enjoyed when I was like in my twenties and the people. And I remember when I was starting this walk, like getting stronger in my twenties, one prayer that I would pray every day was God, whoever, like my friend circle, whoever I'm not supposed to be around, can you remove them from me? And, and God did in a major way. And it was, it, I thought that if he, if he did it, that I would feel some type of way, but honestly, I do feel a lot more safe.

57:57 and I feel a lot closer to God now that I don't have those people in my life. So I just think that the Holy Spirit will convict us where we need to make changes. Amen. He sure will. That's good. Thank you, Denise. The only thing I would say is, yeah, this life is lit with Christ. So I wouldn't go back to the old. I like it. I do miss the funness, but it was just temporary. So since being in Christ, I love the community. I love my brothers and sisters. And yeah, it's not just always in church. We have a ball. Yes. Yes. Thank you. That's tribe telling you. Come on over. Did you want to add to it? I think y'all did an amazing job.

58:46 Well, if Kendall said it was good, it was good. I do want to say this that I'd appreciate about the Christian culture. And I've been talking about this the last couple of days with people. it is such a joy and peace and and all the wonderful things and emotions when Christians walk according to our when we walk according to our culture when we do what God has called us to do and I mean by showing up and by covering one another for the ladies out there anytime you know when you when you have a sisterhood and you may be going through and maybe nobody knows but your sisters just happen to show up and check in on you and um or you find out somebody's going through and a church member show up and do what they have to do without being told. When you see the culture and the body of Christ show up in spaces, being there, covering, praying, it just does something. And I'll give a quick example, and then we got time.

59:40 We're moving on. I recently got a call sitting at home. I got a call early in the morning, and this lady said, Hi, good morning. I'm just calling everybody that's been popping into my head lately. I'm just giving them a call and checking on them. and so I said hey that's awesome thank you for being obedient when God put somebody on your mind that means so much thank you I got excited just seeing your name on the phone on the phone and so we just made small chatter and talk she said how's everybody I said fine I said thank you for calling you're so wonderful thank you for walking the bench blah blah blah and so she asked me again before you go how's everybody I said everybody's fine you'll be blessed I'm getting ready to get off the phone and then I hear within me kind of a voice and an unction to say be honest tell the truth because I was going with the, now I'm telling her, thank you for walking in obedience and being a Christian, but I'm lying because when she asked me if I was okay, I gave the blanket. Yes. And then something said, don't do that because you, you, you honored her and congratulated her. So you need to be honest back. So I was honest back with her and said, well, wait a minute, have this issue going on in my family. Can you cover it in prayer? When I shared what was happening she reminded me her daughter operates in this space where we needed some resources and some some concerns and some information I had totally forgotten I had I hung up and continued to walk in the lie and not had walked in what God I had not let me tell you I had not spoken to this woman in years she happens to call the phone the day after I pray and ask God about the circumstance and situation. God then moved on me not to lie to her and tell her what was going on.

1:01:23 She then connects me with her daughter. Her daughter and I began to talk and then she and I have a conversation and I'm able to pour back into her some things and some concerns that she had. It works. Christianity works. God's word works, but we have to show up and work it. And I was just so grateful that it started off with somebody being obedient by making a call. and then it started off by me being honest, and then so on and so forth. That's who we have in Christ. That's our culture, and this kept going back and forth and back and forth, mind-blown, and just so grateful. So thank you, Kendall, for the question. Thank you, God, for allowing me for that time. And I think we have time for maybe one or two more questions. We have another one? Yeah, we do. Come on, Janine. Thank you so much for that. Sure, sure, sure. At the end of verse 7, it encourages us to abound in thanksgiving. So beyond simply saying thank you to God, what does a life of gratitude towards him actually look like?

1:02:20 Yeah. Ooh, it is good. Okay, I'm going to be quick because I want to hear you guys talking too much. The life of gratitude, what it would look like is Philippians. Philippians 4 and 8, think on these things. Whatsoever things are lovely, so things are pure. Look up Philippians 4 and 8. what other things are lovely and pure and kind and that are worthy of praise, that have virtue or value, good value. Think on those things. I think that's what a life of gratitude looks like in thanksgiving to God is that you think on the good things. You have bad days. But what I realized for me in spaces where I'm always complaining or always looking at what I don't have or looking at the trouble and the situations, it one it takes me away from gratefulness but two it robs god of of what is due him of the worship and the praise is due him because could you imagine um as a parent if you're sitting around and all your children ever do is tell people yeah i like my mom and dad but they didn't give me the shoes that i wanted they didn't give me the food that i wanted and they're just always complaining and as a parent you would be saying what about your birthday party and what about the the house you sleeping in and you got your own bedroom and all of the things I don't think they would feel so good about it and it just popped in my head one day like what are you doing God has been a good God and so while you have difficult days and you have some trouble sometimes living a life of gratitude is taking the time to acknowledge it good morning God acknowledge that he's the birthday all these things that you've done for me that I'm going to acknowledge you as if and because it is because that's the whole idea about you, the birthday, that is all about you.

1:04:07 Thank you for covering me. Thank you for keeping me, lifting me up. And, you know, I don't know, the silver lining, looking for the silver lining on the gray clouds. That's what it looks like to me. And so every day may not be a good day, but every day can be a day of Thanksgiving. I like that.

1:04:27 I'll jump in. You know, as we're in this spirit of Sankofa this year, I just think that that ties this question, like it ties into this question, because when you practice looking back, when you really, like, take a day, I mean, I would encourage people to start a list. Like, just start a list as you look back of the things that God has done in your life. and and if you want to create a good and bad list you know what the old saints used to say is really true the good outweighs the bad and so as we're walking in this season right now I think that that's just a good thing for young adults to practice is really sit down for five minutes and and think about last week last year God is continuously moving us forward and I think that you have to continue to have that spirit just radiate through you throughout the days of your life. That's good. That's good. Take account. I'll read this devotional that I sent someone that I feel like really aligns with this question. We belong to a God who loves us and cares deeply for us. God's love and goodness will never end. Psalm 105 praises God for these things. For the for the Lord is good and his love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations.

1:05:51 So we thank God for what he has done in our lives, what he is currently doing, and what he will do in the future. We follow after him. And then practically, how do we show thanksgiving outside of just saying thank you? I like this. Do you know someone who's struggling? Send them a text. grab an extra cup of coffee, remind them of their good and faithful God. And so when I'm really going through things, sometimes what lifts me up is doing something nice for someone, sending someone flowers, because you never know what that person is praying for. And God could be using you to bless them on his behalf. That's right. That's good. That's good. Amen. And so thank you for all of that. And I think to just even wrap up with you all, we're just saying what I'm hearing is living consciously, living aware of what God is doing and where he is. And so and just be mindful of that and being intentional about our moves.

1:06:52 So this has been great. Before we wrap up, before we say goodnight and turn this corner and head home, I just do want to give you an opportunity. I want to say thank you for being here again tonight and doing this breakdown with us. But do you have any final thoughts, any final comments that you want to leave the good paper with? Nice people, any thoughts?

1:07:17 I'll go ahead and share. I just want to thank you for the message. I think that it's really on time. There's so much going on in our world right now. And, I mean, truly, the importance of being rooted and understanding that you're rooted, understanding your identity. I mean, this entire month is just gone to push that message. And I just think it was a great way to share with people and one that people can truly understand. We eat fruits and vegetables every day, hopefully. So understanding plants and what it means to be rooted. I just think it was very on time. So I thank you for that. Praise God. Praise God. I agree. For me, I know we're not going to always be young adults. So how can we be about our father's business while we are young adults and going forward as we continue to live? That's why I like the whole rooted and built up in Christ.

1:08:14 Continue to be about your father's business. That's good. For me, I think this season of my life is just focused on being obedient to God. Wherever he's pulling me or pushing me, I'm going to say yes because, again, I don't want to fight with God anymore. and just making sure that the word is truly rooted within me. Something that I struggle with is retaining scripture. And so I'm learning that God is now speaking to me through scripture. So sometimes I'll get a scripture through a song or sometimes I'll get a scripture from someone else. So I'm just focused on being very close to God and just listening to him and following him. Praise God. And so with that said, I'm going to read this scripture, Matthew 22, verses 37 through 39. Jesus replied, love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

1:09:17 This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself. Amen. Thank you, Tribe, for the breakdown and closing out Emerging Generations. Whitney Donnelly, Janine Smith, and Mr. Kendall Bunch. Thank you. How amazing. And we are all right. Our future, not our future, right now we are all right because they are leading us now. Thank you so much for the encouragement and all of the wonderful words. You guys were amazing. And for those that are in the room and those that may have been listening online, we don't want to take it for granted that everybody has this level of maturity in God or that you are secure in who you are. So if you're listening and you want to know the God that we've been speaking about, that we've been shouting about all month long, now is the time that you can come forth here. If you're in the sanctuary and you want to be in relationship with God, then come on down.

1:10:19 That's why we're here. if you are watching online you can call the number on the screen or use that QR code and reach out somebody will reach back you don't have to continue to walk this life alone and go through this world by yourself we are your family that God is calling you home so come on home and experience all that God has for you to be able to walk in the fullness experience Yahweh experience El Shaddai. Experience God in all his I am. And so the doors of the church are open for you to come. And so you have the number that you continue to use even after we say goodnight. So we just want to give God a praise. No one came forward in the sanctuary, but that might mean we all secure. We are all safe. So can we give God a praise? We are safe in his arms. We are all a part of the family of believers.

1:11:11 God is good. Amen. And so now before we go, just a few announcements or the giving opportunities. First, here are the giving opportunities. Here are all the ways that you can give that are on the screen. All the ways that you can give that are on the screen. You can text to give 972-294-19. You can use the Givelify app. You can give online in the church app. If you're in the sanctuary, you can still give the old school way with your envelope. and you can drop them as you go outside of the door. So we thank you so much for all the ways to give. And before you do, pray and ask God. We talked about walking in obedience. Pray and ask God what that looks like. And we thank you in advance for all of the kingdom business that we will be able to do because of your obedience. And so we thank you for that. And before we get out of here now, the announcements.

1:12:05 I am excited to tell you that we have our, we are going to close out our last eve of Emerging Generations day is Saturday August the 29th we will have our family field day our family field day we want to close out the month join us this Saturday August 29th from 9am to 3pm at the 616 Keese location for a day of family fun and fellowship and it's all indoors we'll kick things off with a special session led by the CEO and founder of Beyond the Ball featuring the game plan for raising triple threat athletes. Then you get ready, bring your skills, because there's going to be some ankle breaking in the house. That does not say this on here, but I'm just letting you know, we're going to have a three on three tournament, family obstacle course, and so much more tug of war. Dr. Grisby and I tested the rope in the office this week.

1:13:08 We won't say who won, but y'all come on out and we can't wait to have fun with you. It's completely free, completely free. And we can't wait to see you. We're going to have fun. We're going to close this month out laughing and loving. And so please join us. Freedom Summer Revival. We want to invite you to join us for the Justice Revival on Friday, August the 28th. Friday, August the 28th at 630. Come and be a part of an inspiring evening of faith, fellowship, and empowerment. Look at that flower. That flyer just breathes power. I want to be there. You want to be here too. Election Day Boot Camp Training Camp update. Please note that the Election Day Boot Camp training, originally scheduled for Saturday, August the 29th, has been postponed. If you've already registered, please look in your email for an update. And since you're not going to be at the boot camp, you may as well come over to the 616 and join the family field day.

1:14:08 A couple more. ARJ Founders Ball. If you've ever been to an ARJ Ball, you already know. Get your tickets. You don't want to miss it. They're going to be talking about it for months, and you're going to wish you had been there. Friendship West. Mark your calendars. Friday, October 23rd at 7 p.m. We will continue celebrating 50 years of Jesus and justice with our Founders Ball in collaboration with the Annette Reed Jordan Ministry. That's the ARJ Ministry. Tickets are $80. and are limited, so don't wait. This will be a beautiful, formal, black-tie affair, so come dressed to celebrate Friendship West. We look forward to seeing you at the Founders Ball. For more information, go to the Events tab on Friendship West webpage at friendshipwest.org. And we don't want to mistrive. October 30th. Did I get it wrong?

1:15:04 I'm sorry. October 30th. October 30th October 30th October 30th is the ARJ ball okay so now we gonna close out though by letting you know how you can connect with tribe tribe meets every first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. right here at 2020 and in the mezzanine it is on fire you want to miss it there's a lot of them it's not just three. It's a whole army of them. So y'all need to show up and be a part of them and come join them. And every Sunday, if you want to get rooted and built up in Christ the way that they are and go even deeper, then meet them on Sunday mornings at 830 in room D104 at 830 a.m. for Tribe Sunday School. And they have quarterly fellowships. So get connected and come join the family. I think that's all. So we're excited. Thank you for being here. Y'all ready to go?

1:16:01 Let's go. Thank everyone that joined us at home. Let's pray and thank God for these amazing young people and the amazing night that we've had on tonight. God, you're good. And we thank you for anybody that has responded to the invitation at home. But the people that were listening online and that were in the house that have been encouraged by the words and the inspiration of these young people, their lives. God, we thank you for the witness on tonight. So we pray that you would pour back into them all that they poured out for us on tonight. God we ask that you would bless your people that we would seek to do our best to be rooted and built up in you God we want you to know that you are the birthday and so thank you for continuing to use us and drawing us in so that we can live life in worship in praise unto you we pray that you receive the praise on today that you have been glorified and so Lord have your way as we leave this place cover and keep us until we can come together again but we thank you God for being God you the birthday we worship you we praise you in Jesus name the people of God said