Are you ready for Christmas?

(THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2008)

I am asked that at least every other day this month. This morning, while Jaysha cleaned my teeth, I found my answer.

Yes, I am ready for Christmas. No, I haven’t done all my shopping. No, I won’t be out looking for gifts at the last minute. Yes, I will have a Merry Christmas!
Can you say that? I think there are four parts to being ready for Christmas:
1. Say yes to Jesus- without the Savior, there is no Christmas. And let’s face it, you’ve been doing great running your life, right?
2. Say no to Madison Avenue. You DO NOT need to buy things people don’t need to say you gave them a gift.
3. Say Yes to relationships. Your family wants you, not stuff, unless you’ve totally corrupted them. And you can fix that still! You do not need to spend money on your children for them to know love. You do not need to send or give things to avoid guilt or make up for a lack of relationship- just fix the relationship! Why don’t you give time this year- time, activities, doing things for people. Stuff is SO OVERRATED!
4. Say yes to celebration and thanksgiving (there’s a reason it comes before the party season!). See or hear the Messiah. Go to a Christmas play. Sing Carols at a nursing home. Call your family. Celebrate the life given by Christ, not the sack of presents falsely promised by the world!
4a. Why don’t you take part of what you’re not spending on stupid gifts and give food, shelter, clothing or water to the needy? See me for details- you could change the world while letting God cure you of materialism!
Are you ready for Christmas?

There It Was There it was

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2008

It just stared at me. I used it, I went by and over it, I ignored it. But I had made a choice, so I had to face it- my floor.

I have made two decisions in these days with people important to me. I am giving up chocolate- which, more than any other food, has controlled me, as I support friends who are breaking habits with God’s help. The second is to exercise and lose weight, as I support my son in growing strong in Christ.
But both of these decisions are made not just in public, but in private. No one but God and I actually know if I exercise or avoid all chocolate. So I have to, daily, commit to making those choices part of who I am and what I do. So I face the floor, and my exercise, each day.
And every day I choose right instead of easy strengthens me, and every day I choose ease or comfort instead of strength weakens me. I am a disciple, and the choice I made makes the choices I make each day which make me the man God wants me to be. No one but we and God know if we are living the life all the time. But the choice we made makes the decisions we make and those decisions make the person we will be.
May God bless you with light, strength and power to let the choice you made in Christ make you through the Christ-like choice you make today.

Mom's Birthday (2008)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2008

Today is a special day for me- my Mother’s birthday. Dad taught me to have courage, and to give respect and love to others, and to have honor. Mom showed me a life hidden in Christ, and taught me to love God passionately and to do the common everyday things I need to do each day. Gone for 8 and 10 years, I still miss them every week, if not every day. Love your friends and family, care for those God puts in your path, and rejoice that you have been given this day with them!

"Pastor Joe, Should we get married?

Couples ask me this question. Some don't ask, already knowing what I will say.
But I love couples. I love marriage. But I don't love failed couples or marriage. So I say:

Yes, you can pray about getting married. If you can answer yes to 7 questions:

Love question- Do you love your intended with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 love? Do they love you that way? This is what love is supposed to be- if you don't have it, don't call lust or infatuation love.

Faith question- Does this person help you grow closer to Christ? If they don't, being with them now IS NOT God's will for you. I am sure.

Purity question- Do you love Jesus and the person you love enough to say no to sleeping with each other? - This is a test of faith, self-control and character- Matthew 6:33!- Also, if you can't say no to illicit sex now, what makes you think you can once you get married? Living together before marriage triples the possibility of divorce or infidelity in marriage.

Time question- Have you been in an exclusive relationship more than 24 months? That's how long infatuation lasts- then you are left with what might or might not be under that. Don't confuse passion with true love.

Honesty question #1- Do you lie to each other for any reason? Then don't get married
Honesty question #2- Have you talked with this person and another (preferably a pastor or counselor) about your past, plans and structure of family, faith, plans, dreams, money, sex, communication, fighting, health choices and family influence? If you haven't, you set yourself up to fail.

Family question- Do your friends & family, & your intended's, think this person is good for you? If they don't, do you know why? Could they be right? Approach this in the cold light of possibility. Listen to those who love you, even if you don't agree right away.

Future question- are their dreams for career, family, finances & faith compatible with yours? If not, understand that something will have to change, and make that change BEFORE you get married. Don't start a failed marriage because you were headed different places to begin with!

Final question- did you ignore any of these? Have you gone through these issues in prayer and with your intended? Are there Godly people who agree that this could be God's plan for you? Then go ahead, seek God for a final answer, and plan to serve this person in love, no matter what they do, for life- that's what marriage is about.

Benzing on Speaking

From David J Benzing - powerful words: For those of us in front of mics, crowds, our kids or just our spouse:

"Dear Speaker:
"Your ego has become a wall between yourself and me. You're not really concerned about me, are you? You're mostly concerned about whether or not this speech is really working … about whether or not you're doing a good job. You're really afraid that I will not applaud, aren't you? You're afraid that I won't laugh at your jokes or cry over your emotional anecdotes. You are so caught up in the issue of how I am going to receive your speech, you haven't thought much about me at all. I might have loved you, but you are so caught up in self-love that mine is really unnecessary.
"If I don't give you my attention it's because I feel so unnecessary here. When I see you at the microphone, I see Narcissus at his mirror … Is your tie straight? Is your hair straight? Is your deportment impeccable? Is your phraseology perfect? You seem in control of everything but your audience. You see everything so well [except] us. This blindness to us, I'm afraid, has made us deaf to you.
"We must go now. Sorry. Call us sometime later. We'll come back to you … when you're real enough to see us … after your dreams have been shattered … after your heart has been broken … after your arrogance has reckoned with despair. Then there will be room for all of us in your world. Then you won't care if we applaud your brilliance. You'll be one of us. Then you will tear down the ego wall and use those very stones to build a bridge of warm relationship. We'll meet you on that bridge. We'll hear you then. All speakers are joyously understood when they reach with understanding."
—Your Audience

Christmas 2011 - January 3 2012 Tweets

Pastor Joe Bell @Joe2355 Gastonia, NC Having a BLAST Loving God and Others and Making Disciples www.JoeBell.org

RT @Loren Hawkins Everyone thinks every girl's dream is to find the perfect guy-every girl's dream is eat what she wants without getting fat

@RachelHeldEvans on @PastorMark's book: Being a pastor doesn't make you a marriage counselor/Relating to Christ improves other relationships 3 hours ago 

@RachelHeldEvans on @PastorMark's book: Being a pastor does not mean one is an expert on sex, money, relationships or marriage. 3 hours ago 

Don't use technology to broadcast unilateral decisions. Do use technology to tap into the wisdom of crowds. bit.ly/AyeJPq 7 hours ago 

Top 40 business books to read in 2012 + a chance to win them for free! appsumo.com/~5Og1 via @appsumo 7 hours ago 

RT @Stevenfurtick It’s refreshing to talk with one who wanted to be someone else, but left that behind to become the best herself ever seen 7 hours ago 

"@CaseyGraham: Can't wait till next week at this time! #bcschampionshipgame" / Roll Tide! 20 hours ago 

Barrett Jones on BCS-"This game is for more than revenge, it's about restoring order." To understand why, read this: bit.ly/AlOrder 2 Jan 

RT @DaveRamsey: I hate change. But I love that it brings growth. If it isnt growing it is dying. So bring on the changes!!!! 2 Jan 

RT @Leadershipfreak: @LeadToday: In all of history merely thinking about doing something has never gotten it done. Do it today! 2 Jan 

RT @JohnCMaxwell: Your past is important but it is not nearly as important to your present as the way you see your future. -Tony Campolo 2 Jan 

RT @OsChambers Have you asked God what God is going to do? God does not tell you; He reveals to you Who He is. Know God- then live in that 2 Jan 

Don't start anything later- the time to change, grow & influence- to lead others to follow Jesus- is NOW! 2 Jan 

“9 Ways to Create a Winning Organizational Culture"...derwinlgray.com/2012/01/9-ways… 2 Jan 

Take the His Radio 7-7-1 Challenge- Listen for 1 week & it will change your life! Join me! ow.ly/1CQmfw 98.3 Gastonia,NC 2 Jan 

RT @pwilson: Over the bleached bones & jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the words,‘too late.’-MLKbit.ly/PWUrgent 2 Jan 

I'm currently reading day 1 of The Bible in a Year. To join in and read along go to: bible.us/r/2Y.1.5t 2 Jan 

Rt @MichaelWSmith bit.ly/tMcnfT Mother Teresa “People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway... 2 Jan 

Rt @OsChambers Phil.1:20-Shut out every other thing & keep this one thing-My Utmost for His Highest-be absolutely & entirely for God alone. 1 Jan 

Auburn Tigers -demolish Virginia Cavaliers 43-24- ESPNes.pn/scj6rK War Eagle! Go SEC! 1 Jan 

@DavidBusic Love & prayers to you- and keep an eye on Paul DeAngulo for us- he's our adopt-a-kid (ask him!) 1 Jan 

I pray God's best for you in 2012: to seriously bother whatever you haven't given to God's control; & to Matthew 6:33 bless everything else! 31 Dec 

RT @RickWarren: The ONLY way to grow leaders is let them lead! TRUST your next gen! ALL our services this wkend are led by our… 31 Dec 

Catalyst #3 Blog Post of 2011| 7 Random Pieces of Advice for the Younger Leader bit.ly/vuJ4Op /Check it out if you would lead others! 31 Dec 

The route to genuine & enduring satisfaction-generosity-giving our most valuable resources-time, talents, treasure & touch-Cathy & Blanchard 31 Dec 

RT @oschambers: Join the "I have plans for you" Fb page&receive updates that God has a purpose&plan for your life on.fb.me/Jer2911 31 Dec 

Rt @RickWarren @edgarvann “Never do anything permanently stupid because you’re temporarily upset.”/ Wow- VITAL words! 31 Dec 

RT @MichaelHyatt Goal-Setting: The 90-Day Challengebit.ly/Hyatt90 Spend 3 months seeing if goal-setting can transform your life! 30 Dec 

RT @nazcompassion: Learn about the church’s work through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries by going to ncm.org 30 Dec 

Rt @DaveRamsey Goals convert vision into energy.When you write your goals down,you immediately start feeling the earth move under … 30 Dec 

RT @CaseyGraham: “@IzzyGould: Barrett Jones says he will return to Alabama for 2012 season.” // Can you say 3 titles in 4 years?!!! 30 Dec 

Rt @CFALeadercast 3 Disciplines To Expand Influence- Selective listening; Active Reflection; Cultivating Care-Jason Young 30 Dec 

RT @CaseyGraham: Want to get out of debt?...save money?...give more? bit.ly/GRGoals 30 Dec 

RT @CaseyGraham: “@craigmattox: Is it to early to ask@CaseyGraham for his BCS Championship prediction?” AL 23-LSU 10/Right! Close for :20! 30 Dec 

RT @DamarisBruce If you have to justify something you're doing, you probably shouldn't be doing it. / Truth! 30 Dec 

bit.ly/cleanr Best cleaning product? an old one- baking soda & vinegar(with an orange peel chaser!) Tried it? Reply with experiences! 30 Dec 

RT @OsChambers People can't depend natural love, patience or purity. But as we surrender,God gives us the virtues of Jesus. /(Mt.6:33!) 30 Dec 

RT @compassion: Many Christians struggle in 4 key areas: commitment, repentance, activity & spiritual community-Barnacintl.us/lt 29 Dec 

Barrett Jones- "This game is for more than revenge, it's about restoring order." To understand why, read this: bit.ly/AlOrder 29 Dec 

Rt @LenSweet By 28, Mozart's hands were deformed from practicing, performing, & writing to compose. How dedicated will you be in 2012? 29 Dec 

RT @churchplanters: Get your team off to the right track in 2012 - get inspired at #velocity12 - bit.ly/r5ee3E/ Join me in Atlanta! 29 Dec 

RT @CaseyGraham: To run an organization that employees people without proper cash reserves is foolish./CG,What does that make most churches? 29 Dec 

RT @AndyStanley: RT @perrynoble: Covering laziness in prayer is not a spiritual discipline!/ Get off my toes! Pray for initiative this year! 29 Dec 

bit.ly/cleanr Best cleaning product? an old one- baking soda & vinegar(with an orange peel chaser!) Tried it? Reply with experiences! 29 Dec 

RT @lensweet: Maybe priests at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity have something.Replace guns with brooms & fight over who gets to clean… 29 Dec 

RT @Leadershipfreak, @LeadToday: "The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are." - C. S. Lewis” 29 Dec 

Rt @Stan Parker "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." Mohandas Gandhi 29 Dec 

The @ZAGGdaily iPad-a-day Giveaway is back! Each day is a new chance to win an iPad 2 - zagg.to/Cn5tEK 29 Dec 

RT @MichaelHyatt book list for my 2012 Mentoring Group. You can find it here bit.ly/Hyattbk / Love Michael Hyatt- check these out! 29 Dec 

My other great resource's book list- from DaveRamsey.combit.ly/RamseyBk - check them out! 29 Dec 

I'm getting a personalized report of my email usage from 2011, you should too! yearinreview.toutapp.com. 29 Dec 

Rt @MichaelHyatt Understand this question:“Are you for me, against me, or for yourself?” For your leaders & followers-what's the answer? 28 Dec 

RT @TonyMorganLive Church in decline: No clear mission/vision;no defined path to grow disciples;complex structure;inward focus;weak leaders 28 Dec 

All Music is God's Music- or not? Secular Music in Sacred Settingsbit.ly/rHirwW 28 Dec 

Trying this again- EVERYONE: What is your all-time favorite devotional book? Why? 28 Dec 

Student privacy at risk from feds—Emmett McGroarty & Jane Robbins - NYPOST.com nyp.st/v9pQ2S 28 Dec 

DerwinLGray Derwin L. Gray  Lord, please grant me the mercy to help others soar to new heights in 2012. 28 Dec 

Retweeted by  RT @mattadair: LSU's Will Blackwell to Erin Andrews on Alabama "We didn't really feel like they necessarily earned their spot in the game." 28 Dec 

32 of the Best Ways to Get Organized When You Have ADHDbit.ly/ufxesY/ This is good for people without ADD, too! 28 Dec 

RT@TonyMorganLive Stuck churches Don't empower/equip;unclear vision/mission;blame others;worship past;focus=activity vs.goals;i… 28 Dec 

RT @CSLewisDaily: To be low means to be raised: all good masters are servants: God washes the feet of men. #CSLewis 28 Dec 

RT @NazPublishing: In regeneration we are not merely declared righteous-we're made righteous. -Rob L. Staples 27 Dec 

I'm watching The Middle (32 others checked-in) bit.ly/tHtVW0@GetGlue @TheMiddle_ABC 27 Dec 

I unlocked the Yeah! First Check-in! sticker on @GetGlue!bit.ly/rLvW9A 27 Dec 

Love it! Redemption, commitment, adult (but not R-rated) humor!bit.ly/rUegZT @GetGlue @LastManABC 27 Dec 

RT @EntreLeadership:This is a great week to lay out your goals for 2012 in writing, specific, time sensitive, measurable, personal to you.12/27

Being Christian is a death sentence - Washington Times:wtim.es/rKwCxW/ While we still have a say, Christians must speak up!27 Dec 

7 Questions to Identify Who Should be on the Leadership TeamTonyMorganLive.com tonymorganlive.com/2011/10/24/who… 27 Dec 

RT @churchplanters: The clock on $79 #Velocity12 tix is clicking away ... snag 1 before 12/30! bit.ly/r5ee3E/ Join me there- Joe! 27 Dec 

Rt @CaseyGraham bit.ly/rrcQlc Visualize your faith, marriage, family. friendships, health, finances & church 1/1/2013- Then live it! 27 Dec 

RT @oschambers:Our battles are first won or lost in the secret places of our will in God’s presence/The only choice is to follow(MT6:33)12/27

 RT @DerwinLGray: Leadership is embodying what you want others to become. - http://ow.ly/8b7vG 27 Dec

RT @ Stan Parker: "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."- T. Jefferson 12/27

RT @JeffGoins Influence begins & ends with relationship. Why we miss: Pride, Laziness, Fear. To build relationships: Serve, Hustle & Risk

RT PerryNoble Ideas for Church Planters:

    13-You'll change your mind-innovative will become traditional. Don't allow pride make people talk about what God used to do!!

    12-You'll be tempted to copy success.BUT God called you & can trust you with what He's given you

    9- You are going to have to choose whether to please insiders or reach outsiders-you cannot do both.

    -You are going to have to be WAY more passionate about what you are for rather than what you are against!

    -If it is God's will then it is God's bill!What the King wants the King pays for!

    6-There will be financial pressure with God's vision."Is THIS what God wants" not "Can we afford it?"

    4 & 5-Some "great friends" & "always with you" will leave. Some you don't know now will be friends & partners

    2&3-You'll have doubters-those used to "pave the parking lot" not "reach the world" faith-especially you!

    1-You have to pray & take huge steps of faith to see dreams God placed in you become reality.

RT @CatalystLeader To Grow as a Leader:Read-leaders are readers.Serve-help where needed.Watch & learn from others.P… 26 Dec

RT @craiggroeschel You have everything you need to do what God wants you to do right now.When you don't, God's trying to tell you something 25 Dec 

RT @PerryNoble Church Planters 2-Sharing your vision brings doubt-especially churches used to "parking lot paving" not "world reaching"faith 25 Dec 

Rt @Michael Barefield "The only blind person at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart"-Helen Keller 25 Dec

God's love for us in Christ is a gift we cannot & will never be able to repay it. But doesn't the incarnation make you want to try forever?

Pastor Joe’s Online Thoughts for August 2011 (besides Oswald Chamber quotes!)

     Still dreaming for www.EastsideNC.org: God’s the same; People need Jesus; & We have love to change lives-Pray, help & give as you can. Thanks!

Football is coming- ROLL TIDE! - Back to the top this year! #BamaFootball

RT @Mary Thompson 'If God took the time to tell us 800 times to be glad & rejoice, he must have wanted us to do it.'-Pollyanna/ REJOICE!

I'm Challenging you to #30DaysOfThanks! Read the Backcountry Chaplain Devotion for September 1. ... wp.me/pmwIZ-9U - and GIVE THANKS!

RT @ashtondanea I may not want to, but He prompts me. I am not able, but He enables me. I can't do it alone, but He can do it through me.

How to Shave Ten Hours Off Your Work Weekmichaelhyatt.com/how-to-shave-t… via @michaelhyatt

I just got my FREE personal life plan ebook! Get yours too atmichaelhyatt.com/life-plan via @michaelhyatt

Do you, like me, have trouble delegating? How to go Further Faster - Guaranteed- Delegation wp.me/pJAk6-1BD /via @wordpressdotcom

Reserve your FREE breakfast entrée @ participating Chick-fil-A restaurants. Go 2 bit.ly/l9bfsY & make a reservation. #cfa4breakfast

RT @pwilson - Big Church Issues: Homosexuality, Universalism, Politics, Evolution, Women in Ministry, Internet/ Problem is lack of MT 6:33!

Study day! Working on 2012 NC NYI teen camp, 2011 Eastside messages, & planning my intentional disciple-making for coming weeks. #CAT11

Leadershipfreak Dan Rockwell - Wanting something to change doesn’t change anything. #leadership

If I believe Mt 6:33 for Eside, then I need to give everything to God every day & trust God to build the church if I work to make disciples!

RT @DisciplikeJesus Jesus was with His disciples all day long developing deep relationships. How much time do you spend with your Disciples?

@stevenfurtick: 2 real problems 4 pastors- bit.ly/rghAO3underestimating our fallenness without Christ & our Christ-filled potential!

Is Christ Enough? Do you have enough? A Lifestyle Of Enough | Catalyst catalystspace.com/content/read/A…

It's Alabama's state; Auburn's just living in it | al.comal.com/sports/index.s… OH YEAH!

I feel the need the speed—I’m with #TeamMaverick! | #TopGun 25th Anniv. Blu-ray w/Digital Copy 8/30 from @ParamountDVDs #dangerzone

If a Pastor you need a Pastor!If a Teacher you need a Teacher!If a Mentor you need a Mentor!We all need Accountability Partners!-T.Gadson

RT @DaveRamsey Just found out that Dave will be on NBC's TODAY show tomorrow (Wed.) morning around 9:05 ET/CT. Tune in!/ Love Dave Ramsey!

I won't judge others for smoking, drinking or other habits-but it doesn't lead people closer to Christ-why should I be part of it? Mt.6:33!

Habits-If you put anything before God, it puts distance between you & God. Only fence-sitters fight over which side they're on-others know.

Rt @Rob Dempsey, HIS Radio- 5.8 magnitude earth quake felt in DC not to long ago. My daughter felt it Mauldin, SC. You?/ We did in Gastonia!

Rt @Holiness Today-Someone you know needs your 2nd-mile efforts— shut-in, 1 grieving, your pastor, boss, neighbor—you know who it is.Do it!

Love @EntreLeadership - can't wait until the book comes out! #FF

DaveRamsey Dave Ramsey  RT @Marthas_Place: "Diamonds are only chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs." Malcolm Forbes

Check out Panda Cloud Antivirus FREE Edition atcloudantivirus.com. We use it- recommended by PC Magazine

RT @RickWarren: God didn't put you on earth just to read about what others do.He made you TO DO things others will want to read about!

Never served; my family have. Military retirement is not Entitlement, it is earned in years of service! Now Congress-they have entitlement!

RT @OsChambers– We follow our leaders until we get to the place where we depend on Christ alone- then we can lead others to follow Christ. (OK- It is Oswald, but it’s REALLY GOOD!)

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them!(Mark Twain)

I had a stark contrast today- Elevation baptized 1420+ today-20 x avg. church's attendance! Whatever "God is doing"4u-is it producing fruit?

"Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action." - Benjamin Disraeli (via Philip Smith)

We worship work, work at play,& play at worship->meanings & values leave, relationships break & we are characters in search of plot-G.Dahl

"I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born." ~ Ronald Reagan

ONECampaign ONE - Horn of Africa crisis: What you can do to help j.mp/nwl6Uz -> links to worldwide orgs helping people on the ground #famine #Somalia

boldham boldham - "It is amazing what can happen when God finds one fully consecrated, totally available, radically obedient partner." - Dr. Jerry Porter

RT @CSLewis We fool around with drink, sex & ambition when infinite joy is offered,like a child making mud pies in slums because he can't imagine a beach trip. We are far too easily pleased.

Find & Purchase Your Tickets For Courageous Now  You can now pre-purchase tickets for Courageous at a theater near you (Including Movies at Franklin Square!)

‎Stephen Andrew Bell is signed up for summer 2012 Driver's Ed- How old does that make YOU feel? :!) I'm just VERY grateful for the young man he's turning into. He's becoming one of my best friends.

Smile — It's ADHD Awareness Month! What is attention deficit? And why is it so misunderstood? You can help set the record straight with this information and these tips for ADHD Awareness Week

Trevecca Univ. holds annual cleanup day for freshmen www.wkrn.com Nashville's News 2, the ABC affiliate in Nashville, Tennessee, is your local source for late breaking news, sports, weather and traffic.

Africa Review - Famine in Somalia: The story you are not likely to hear anytime soon -www.africareview.com - The international community helped to create the current food crisis

Joe is attending International Talk Like A Pirate Day 2011 (September 18!)

‎"Take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off your relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself."-Susanna Wesley (Letter, June 8, 1725)

I love you people- but please GET SOMEONE ELSE TO TAKE YOUR FACEBOOK PICTURE- it looks bad to have you holding your phone up to the mirror!

Happy First Day of School, peeps! Praying for you to be light in the darkness this year!

Joe likes Celebrate Gaston and Oktoberfest and Carolina Smoke-Off & Celebrate Gaston Festival.

WAIT! Some think there's something more valuable to do with your Saturday night & Sunday than to rest, get up to learn of & worship God with Godly people- THERE'S NOT! Do what you need to tonight, but in thanks for life & salvation, get up & get to a Bible-preaching, people-loving, God-honoring reaching out church tomorrow! And if you don't have one, come to www.EastsideNC.org! Sunday School 9:45, Worship 10:50!

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and help, especially Shirley & Hank!
We ended up getting a below book value deal on a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, which gives us two Chevys for the first time since 2004. 

My thanks to McKenney Chrysler Jeep Dodge (www.McKenneycjd.com) and Gordon Haygood at Tindol Ford (http://www.tindolford.com/) as well- Gordon and the whole McKenney team were very helpful and we're glad to know some good honest car dealers!

Like Veggie Tales- they released a whole bunch of silly songs today!

VeggieTales: SUV Silly Song - www.youtube.com - Larry and Miss Achmetha sing of their admiration for each other's SUV's. But stuck in their sedentary lifestyles, they can only dream of going off-road or pe...

Got a GREAT new roof thanks to Allstate Insurance & www.CarolinaShingle.com - contact me for a referral! http://www.CarolinaShingle.com/ carolinashingle.com

WE LIVE IT! ROLL TIDE! [HQ] Share this with your Tide friends! Click "Share" right next to the "comment" button! Lets make sure every Tide fan sees this video! Roll Tide!

RT Vincent Hocutt - Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? We carried it in our purse. We flipped through it throughout the day. We went home to get it if we forgot it. We received messages from the text. We couldn't live without it. We gave it to kids as gifts. We used it in case of emergency. One more thing, it would never be disconnected. Jesus has already paid the bill. :)

Joe Bell added 58 new photos to the album Mission to MARS- 2011 VBS.- Mission to MARS- 2011 VBS Mission to MARS, Eastside's 2011 VBS August 9-13, 2011

Semi-going to bed with four teenage & almost teenage boys in the house. "Sleep with one eye open..."- love my Stephen Andrew Bell and his friends!

Tonight 6 new children asked Jesus to come into their hearts. Go God! (and thanks, Teresa Smith Bell and company for all your hard work!). Now let's make disciples! VBS 2011 - Mission to Mars (Meet A Risen Savior) Location: Eastside Church of the Nazarene

What a night! Water guns (!), Word Bird (thanks for that help, Steve Pennington(how about TCC seminar with R Scott Adkins , 1987!); great music (thanks for the help teaching the songs to us Brittany R. Sparrow- Waters & Amanda Sparrow!); and Godly discussions with wonderful kids & teens. Thanks to Daniel God'sGift Bellamy, Willie Monico, James Birch, Lisa Thomas, Malik Jennings, Stephen Andrew Bell, Cassey Anderson VBS 2011 - Mission to Mars (Meet A Risen Savior) Location: Eastside Church of the Nazarene

Gastonia Grizzlies - GRIZZLIES ARE GOING TO THE FINALS! Your Grizzlies beat the Forest City Owls 15-2 and will now host the Edenton Steamers in the CPL Championship on Friday night at Sims Park! The $5 Deal with a ticket, hot dog and a soda is back and will be available until Friday at 4:00! Tickets go on sale Thursday morning! GO GRIZZLIES!

What happens when you coach character? You get this kind of result! - Feature of the Month with Jeremiah Castille - In this segment we feature Jeremiah Castille, a former University of Alabama & NFL Football player, minister, motivational speaker and Alabama Football Team Chaplain.

Why is there an astronaut on Redbud? Eastside Church is having VBS tonight-Friday from 6:30-8:30! www.EastsideNC.org

JFFL (Fantasy Football league)

Going to bed- working on "wood" tomorrow at www.EastsideNC.org !

NC Teen Camp made the paper! http://bit.ly/pfqZZL Gaston County kids & Daniel Crofford, check for your names!

This is Discipling What would it look like if, as leaders, we focused less on the things that make our churches entertaining and more on making disciples? As shown by Kelly Tshibaka at Foursquare Connection 2011. Kelly and Niki Tshibaka own all the rights to the video...

Hey NC friends! How many Nazarene college students are at UNCC? Get me their names or have them Get in touch with Megan Hobbs about starting a Nazarene student group!

Guitar - By: Stephen Andrew Bell Photos: 2

Le'Ron McClain to sign with Kansas City Chiefs

Former All-Pro fullback Le'Ron McClain has agreed to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, giving the defending AFC West champs a short-yardage option to go with a talented group of speedy running backs.

I grew up in Birmingham, where we made a place for everyone (admittedly with some help). But black, white, Protestant, Catholic, Jew, and even atheists, agnostics & Auburn fans are welcome.
So right here, I stand up and say that I don't approve of illegal immigration, but I also think any group of people ought to have a chance to make their way in the land of the free and the home of the brave- unless that's not who we are still… This is what I understand about 'illegal' blog.al.com - Congratulations, Alabama. Now we're all godless, unAmerican, and less enlightened than the authors of Alabama's racist constitution.

I am so proud of Sarah Bell today! She was so brave and strong after her surgery! She has a cough, and even though one came out, still has one of her front teeth very loose, and her throat hurts. She and Teresa Smith Bell are sleeping together in the recliner tonight, but she's been a trooper! Please continue to pray for us- they say Friday & Saturday will be worst-ugh!

‎Stephen Andrew Bell got his acoustic guitar for an early birthday present, thanks to Aunt Phyllis Akers!

 2011 NYI Camp part 2 ( Sharon Franck Ward's album.)

The Daniel Plan - Get Rid of Acne- saddleback.com- In a 1971 article published in American Family Physician we see a quote, “Patients are deluded into thinking that their health can somehow be mysteriously harmed by something in their diet.” That’s not all.