Fast Five - "Watch Your Mouth"

5 things you need to remember from the message this week "Watch Your Mouth"
(scriptures: Prov. 18:31, Genesis 1:26, James 3:3-10, 1 Peter 4:11)

1. The outcome of what you say is your responsibility.
2. What you say is a seed that can produce your future.
3. God created everything with words & we are created in His image.
4. What you speak can direct where you will go!
5. Your tongue is a tool that is constructive or destructive, depending on how you use it.

Post these on your social media and use "#levelup" and "@radiatechurch". As always you can also go to radiatechurch.net to listen to the Level Up series by clicking on the "media" tab

5 Reasons NOT To Come To Christmas @ Radiate!

Regardless of popular opinion there are actually 5 reasons you DON'T want to come to Christmas @ Radiate Church this Saturday and Sunday! 

1. There will be family photo opportunities! 
And really, who wants a family photo... in a carriage... at Christmas... for free?
2. Frozen characters will be here for the kids! 
And seriously, haven't we all heard watched our kids freak out about Frozen enough over the past year?
3. Santa is visiting all 4 services! 
Really? Santa? At Christmas? Your kid doesn't need to see Santa and freak out about him visiting their church. Come on!
4. There is some awesome music planned!
Because NO ONE likes to hear GOOD/QUALITY Christmas music during the holidays!
5. You'll hear how your life actually means a lot!
Because, really, isn't it more fun to think our lives are meaningless?

BUT, if you insist on joining us for Christmas at Radiate we have 4 services to meet your busy schedule this weekend! Saturday @ 7pm and Sunday @ 8:30/10/11:30am - you can find more information at radiatechurch.net

See you there!

OCD Sweaters, Red Cups And What It Means To Me

Ok. So, I've been holding off on writing this for a while now. But, I just need to get it out, therefore I'll write it. 

Recently we've seen the events that have shaken our country. Everything from racism, to natural disasters, to a political competition that seems to be more focused on mocking and belittling competitors rather than adding solutions to problems. 

I try to keep up with the news and the "goings on" of the world. Yesterday as I was watching the news I saw a report about a new Christmas sweater that is the newest output of controversy... on the sweater it says "OCD: Obsessive Christmas Disorder". And there is literally a group of people that are getting together to ban the sales of the sweater due to "offense". All this on the coattails of a group of hypersensitive Christians that were offended because a SECULAR company isn't putting Christmas symbols on their Starbucks cups! (you know, because snowflakes and reindeer are the reason for the season after all.)

As I've grown increasingly frustrated with what seems to be the fact that we are a society that is offended by anything, yet feel as if we are owed everything - I've repeatedly thought on this verse. (I'm quoting from The Message Bible due to the ease of the wording.)

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,

    what God is looking for in men and women.

It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,

    be compassionate and loyal in your love,

And don’t take yourself too seriously—

    take God seriously.

Micah 6:8

I want to focus on this... "...And don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously." It seems as if we have all began to take ourselves too seriously. Life isn't about us, it's about the God in us and helping others meet Him! When we get to a point where a CHRISTMAS SWEATER offends us, we are taking ourselves way too seriously. When we get to a place where a bumper sticker causes you to question your loyalties, we're taking ourselves too seriously. When we get to a place where a secular business acting like, well, a secular business offends us...we are taking ourselves too serious. 

It's not about me in this life! It's not about my wants. It's not about my desires. It's not about everyone discounting what they feel/want to appease me. As a follower of Jesus, honestly, it's more about me understanding where someone that isn't a follower is coming from more than them understanding where I'm coming from.

And let me answer your criticism. NO...I don't think you should back off of your stance, beliefs, values, convictions. But I do believe we need to stop being so freakin' offended! IT'S NOT ABOUT ME OR YOU! It's about Him! I believe the enemy knows we are hyper-sensitive. I believe the enemy knows that if he can get us so offended at everything that we will focus on that rather than the real goal that Jesus told us about... "...Love God, love others..." and basically - the rest will work itself out.

My goal in this post isn't to stir controversy but to encourage us all in one thing. Don't play offense so much. Enjoy life. Enjoy people. Enjoy Jesus. You're not bound by the things that offend you, you're freed by the grace that others crave! Let's go out and make a difference and let's be more known for what we are FOR rather than what we're against! Because what I'm for can take care of what I'm against!

Fast Five Recap: 11/8/15 - Creating A Legacy

Use the following Fast Five Recaps to post on your social media accounts and hashtag "#radiatechurch" and "#weareradiate"

1. Reproducing myself isn't about me but about the God in me!
2. My setback is God's setup!
3. We are all on the same page, with the same goal, declaring the same God!
4. In order to properly reproduce ourselves we must be willing to trust and invest openly!
5. The way I handle my situations are the way my kids (physical & spiritual) will handle theirs!


See you next Sunday for week 5 of We Are Radiate - "That's MY Job!"

3 Ways To Say You Matter

Chick - Fil-A. The epitome of customer service. There are many people and businesses that try to model their customer service techniques on a strategic and daily basis. Why are they so successful at this? Because they make each and every customer feel like they matter! Feel like they are the only ones on the planet in that moment that wants a lemonade, a sandwich, or some Polynesian sauce!

Everyone on the planet likes a compliment every now and then. They at least like to know that what they are doing matters in some way, shape, or form. What if we, individually, thought of ways to make sure people, each month, know that they matter? I believe this life would be completely different than it is now! Below are 3 quick ways to say You Matter to someone today.

1. Show them they matter!
I say this a lot... "It's one thing to tell someone about Jesus, it's something else to show them Jesus!" Do something unique for someone else. And by "unique" I don't necessarily mean something no one else has done, I mean something the they wouldn't expect. Bake cookies for a neighbor, ask a co-worker if you can pray for something for them...anything really!

2. Say "THANK YOU"!
When someone does something for you, or lets you know something... tell them THANK YOU! And add in "you really helped me out today." or something to the like. Why do you think Chick-Fil-A always says "My Pleasure"? It's because that phrase let's someone know that it wasn't a burden and it was APPRECIATED that you let them give you more tea! Say Thank You! It'll go a long way!

3. Tell Them They Matter!
We can do all kinds of things that could show someone, but sometimes people just need to hear the words "You Matter"! Make an agreement within yourself to tell at least 3 people in the next 24 hours that THEY MATTER! Your spouse, your kids, your co workers, your boss... who cares!

The reality is that everyone matters to us and to God. Let's do everything we can to help people walk in that truth!

Oh, and guess what... YOU MATTER!

Share your thoughts... what are some ways that you are letting people know they matter? Share them with us!

Fast Five: Message Recap 11/1/15

We Are Radiate

Week 3

Relational

"You & Me"

Here's a Fast Five recap of the 5 main points from Sunday's message! Post, share, make a graphic and put on instagram Get it out there! See you next Sunday...and don't come alone!

1. My love for you isn't determined by your ability to impress me!
2. My love must always speak louder than my frustrations!
3. Who you are is more important than what plagues you!
4. Being relational isn't about picking and choosing, it's about loving...regardless!
5. We weren't created to do life alone! We must connect to get the most out of our calling.
BONUS: This church isn't built on the talents of a few, but the sacrifices of many! 

Next Sunday: "That's MY Job" - Responsible

Making A Difference

Across the great state of South Carolina for the past 3 days it has gone from the beautiful state we know, to something out of a movie. A land that is ravished with water, floods, homes being swept downstream, lives lost, and families losing everything. They call it the 1000 years flood, I don't think any of us ever thought we would see this in 1000 years! But it's in these times that we, as followers of Jesus and lovers of people are called to be RESPONSIVE!

So... here's the plan for Radiate for the next few days.

1. We will pray!

We realize that it's great to be responsive, but impossible to change lives without prayer! Pray for families, pray for communities, pray for our state, and pray for the First Responders that are and will be risking their lives in order to save the lives of others!

2. We will be responsive!

Radiate Church (1955 Legrand Road Columbia) will begin taking donations of the following:

- Non-Perishable foods (canned goods, rice, noodles, etc.)

- New Bottled Water

- Finances (no this is not a money grab. This is a chance to give to a church that will make sure the resources will be used to purchase whatever the community needs. You can give at www.radiatechurch.net)

To drop things off:

Since we do not know our full work schedule yet due to weather conditions you can drop things off at the front door, and we will get them. We are planning regular work hours beginning Wednesday, but with the road conditions consistently changing we feel this is the best way to just be consistent. When there are time changes for sure on this we will let you know ASAP!

3. We will continue moving forward!

If the Church (big "C") is supposed to be a beacon of light and a representation of it's community, then we can rest assured of this: If the Church stops moving forward so will the community! If the Church stops helping others, so will the community! We will be EXCITED to have church on Sunday! We will continue to prepare for our Revive Conference, we will continue preparing for Cover Columbia at the end of October, and we will continue to promote 1 - JESUS, 2 - RADIATE!

Thank you for all you do to serve our community! Should you need the church for any reason here is our contact information:

Phone: 803-810-9737

Email: YouMatter@radiatechurch.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/radiatecola

Twitter: www.twitter.com/radiatechurch

Web: www.radiatechurch.net

Thank you!