 Racing from the Finish Line
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All of the news about the Olympics has led me to realize even more the greatest good news of Christ as our Champion over sin and death! Following is a fictional description of a factual personal occurrence. :)
GRACE TO THE CROSS
I was born to run for my glory. To prove my worth. To be loved. To be accepted.
It was a race of my making. Sometimes I won, it seemed, and often I lost. So I kept making up new rules for my race so that I could win more and more.
I began to tire of this racing, but I kept pushing myself. I just had to prove my worth, I thought. I just had to make myself lovable and acceptable, I wished.
Unbeknownst to me, God in His grace diverted my race. And my tiredness increasingly grew. "Why is this becoming so difficult?" I despaired. I found out later it was because my race had been diverted up a long, long hill -- the hill of Mount Calvary!
I reached the foot of the cross totally exhausted, falling to the ground on my hands and knees. Gasping, I strained my head upward and immediately saw the swollen yet sweet eyes of Jesus looking at me. I managed a wimper as I, for the first time, looked honestly into His eyes, "Oh Jesus, forgive me."
RACE WITH THE CHRIST
That's the last I remember before falling flat onto
the ground -- dead. The next thing I remember is strong, yet tender,
hands -- nail-scarred hands -- lifting me up. I knew I had been
raised from the dead and was now being held by the sure hands of Christ. I squinted to adjust my new eyes to the glory of my risen Savior and Lord.
Christ assured me of His love for me and then turned me around to view the world from Mount Calvary. With this gift of repentance, I no longer yearn to get something out of the world for my glory. I now yearn to give something to the world for His glory -- His life and His victory.
As I gazed upon the world, I realized I was now standing alone on Mount Calvary, or so it seemed for just a moment. However, I soon realized Christ was not only my Savior and Lord, but He also indwelt me as my very Life (Colossians 1:27, 3:4)!
In my mind I recalled the world's way of starting a race, "On your mark, get set, go!" In contrast, in my spirit I heard Christ say, "It is finished Gregg. I have already won the race for you. And I have set your race before you. Go! Make disciples, teaching them all things I have taught you! And I promise to always be with you!"(Matthew 28:19-20).
CLOSING
Jesus didn't give us medals to wear around our necks. He gave us Himself to live inside and through our entire beings!
Jesus does, however, give us badges of honor to wear for His Name's sake. The world does not understand our badges of joy that we wear in the midst of trials and tribulations (James 1:2).
Thank you for running the race of discipleship with me!
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PS
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RUNNING CROSS-COUNTRY IN HIGH SCHOOL
(1972)
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About 
Discipleship through
Counseling
Teaching
Training
Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
Michael Chalmers
Training Director
Kellie Boggs
Fellowship Director
Joy Gibbons
Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator
Carole Blyth
Board member and women's ministry coordinator
Randy Garrick
Board member and Elder Holly Ridge Baptist Church
Paul Crews
Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church
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Partnership
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!
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Ministry News
Next 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training to start January 2013.
Gregg teaches freedom from anger through Christ at the Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg anytime!
Gregg is mentoring men and couples in an office at Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC and at an industrial plant in Duncan SC.
Michael is mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Pendleton Street Baptist Church,and Earle Street Baptist Church
all in Greenville SC.
Carole and Joy, along with 8 ladies trained through Journey in Christ, to provide more discipleship training to female employees at an industrial plant in Aug 15 through Oct 3.
Michael and I will be teaching the third set of sessions for our 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training August 8-11.
Michael teaching a couples retreat for Mountain Creek Baptist Church this Fall.
Michael taught our Grace Life Conference at Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville SC August 3-4. 17 attendees represented our largest group ever, and lives were transformed by God's Word!!
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Archives
Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
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Contact Info
New mailing address!
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
655 Fairview Road
Suite H-188
Simpsonville SC 29680
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
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