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Got Life A newsletter about spiritual enrichment for the Body of Christ
A Monthly Newsletter Oh Give Thanks With A Graceful Heart An address from the senior pastor. Page 2
Attitude vs. Gratitude Page 2
What’s Going On The monthly calendar, birthdays and anniversaries, and holiday activities in the city and surrounding area. Page 3
Church Information NLTC ministry staff, service information and statement of faith. Page 6 Little Chocolate Boy Charles Ademolu’s monthly column Page 5
We may look at what others are doing for God and think, “Hey, I’m not doing enough. Let me try what they are doing.” But over time we will notice that we have accomplished very little, while the other person has made great strides in Kingdom growth.
Overshot= Wrong Shot Last month Northwest flight 188 made national news due to the irresponsibility of its pilots. While it is not yet known with certainty what the pilots were doing after they crossed over Denver, Colorado, the plan overshot its destination by 150 miles. Whether the pilots were sleeping, arguing or playing on their laptops, we don’t know. But what we do know is that allowing something so small distract them cost them their career. As Christians, we know that we have an eternal destination. There are set guidelines that we must follow. However, there are times when temptation and trials come to distract us from reaching our eternal home in Heaven. If we push this thought even further, there are times when in our attempt to fulfill November
November 09
Why?
Be careful not to allow people, or personal desires, to cause you to overshoot what God has purposed for you.
our God given purpose, we become distracted by what other people or the church around the corner is doing and we shoot for their vision. Overtime we become bored, fatigued or confused by what seemed like a good godly idea. But the truth is we overshot our purpose. You see, there was a plan that was going further than flight 188, but that was their destination. Flight 188 was only suppose to fly to Minneapolis.
Because when you shoot outside of your purpose, you make the wrong shot at accomplishing God’s plan for your life. This happens in our personal walk with God, in church ministries and with churches as a whole. But if we are not attentive it can make us miss our blessings in seeing the intended destination. Be careful not to allow people, or personal desires, to cause you to overshoot what God has purposed for you. -Mel A. Perry Mel A. Perry serves as Global Relations Director and Assistant Pastor of NLTC.
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IN OTHER WORDS I get all excited when November rolls around. And while I’m a Spring/Summertime kind of girl, there is something special about the Christmas music that the stores start to play, the way coffee smells so much more delightful with the cool air, festivals one after another, and searching for chestnuts to roast. One of my most cherished events is my annual drive to Galveston on Thanksgiving to enjoy a splendid meal at the San Louis, usually alone.
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Oh Give Thanks With A Graceful Heart By Bishop Brenda K. Perry
Growing up, in my era of time as a small child, I recall hearing my parents and other adults tell us to say thank you when someone had given you something, or expressed kindness to you. No matter what was given or said, whether great or small, you Now many people would not find eating a liked it or not, the given Thanksgiving meal alone a pleasant treat. command was to say thank But on that day as I watch families share in you. Your response was to laughter and small talk, and I say my hellos to be clear and loud so the the many strangers I meet, I realize how other person could hear blessed I really am...how much I have to be you. Those two words were taught at a thankful for. very early age, so early I can’t remember Sometime we loose perspective when we have when they were introduced into my vocabulary. But they were there, or else. I a crowd or our comfort around us. But on do recall when our two daughters began. that day, I’m thankful for the very breath I take. I’m thankful to know that though my As soon as they could sound out words, family may be away, I still have a family. I and reaching to receive from what others become thankful for the meal that I’ll eat, presented to them. Maybe with one it because far too many people will not even was when there was a desire for an extra have a piece of bread to share with a friend. I bottle of food. But never the less, it was remember to be thankful for what I have had demanded of them to say thank you. and what I have at that moment. Please parents, let us not stop demanding that our children stop to say thank you. Over the years, Thanksgiving has come to They receive too much from us and mean a day to reflect on my many blessings. others not to be thankful. Most of all, let Sometimes I try to make a list, though it will never be completed. us be an example to our children. Even though this year I will not be taking my beloved pilgrimage, or be alone on this Thanksgiving, I still plan to take a moment to reflect on those past Thanksgivings and what they have taught me. I will remember to be thankful for every reminder that God has given me to be THANKFUL.
Blessings!
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where our help come from. The enemy wants us to murmur and complain when things are not going well with us. You can’t have praise in your mouth and at the same time you are murmuring and grumbling. When we do this God is displeased with us and can’t help us. When we grow and mature in the grace of God, we understand the tactics of the enemy and you learn to praises God anyway. The word “thanks” is a powerful tool because it helps you to forget about yourself, and continue on page 4
Attitude vs. Gratitude By Minister Isaac Bazile James 1:2-4 Philippians 1:12-21
Which of these is of more importance, your attitude or your gratitude? We have many times used the cliché “Your attitude determines your altitude”, when preaching a message or witnessing to a lost soul, emphasizing the importance of a good attitude as it pertains to our Christian walk. I believe that a good attitude and the expression of gratitude are both valuable and important. For example, in flying, the attitude of the airplane is what we call the position of the aircraft in relation to the horizon. It was God’s grace of love that looked The performance of an airplane depends on its attitude; it is necessary to change beyond our faults and saw our need. Jesus the attitude in order to change the has shine His love upon us, and called us performance. By bringing the aircraft out of darkness into His marvelous light. into a nose high attitude the plane begins Oh how graceful and thankful we should to climb and the speed is decreased. be for our new life in Christ. Looking at When you change the attitude you change the performance. the word thanks, or thank you, has such Just because a person has a good great effect upon and in our lives which attitude is no indicator that person is cannot always be seen by the natural eye. But the heart, the inner man which houses in any way perfect. the will, the emotions, thoughts, attitude James is not saying you're perfect and much more will display the realness in it.... you'll make some mistakes.... of a heart of thanks. but you are faithful!
You get up and go at it again when
Mel A. Perry
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Life is real. Whether you are in Christ you fail .... or not, life is real. And because life is real, the storms of life beat up on us so continue on page 4 much so that we Christian began to forget
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Looking Ahead Please mark your calendars for the upcoming events for November and December
November 5th – 7th Annual Staff Meeting 8th 6pm Service 10th Leadership Prayer 12th Gathering Place 14th CPR Training 15th Thanksgiving Offering 21st Bishop Speaking @ GWDAF Church Celebrate National Family Day 22nd National Family Volunteer Day Fellowship Dinner (spon. Deacons) 26th – 27th Thanksgiving Holiday December 3rd -4th Winter Revival 5th Staff Training Symposium 6th 6pm Service 10th Gathering Place 12th Leadership Prayer /Leader Director Breakout Meeting 13th Sunday School Breakfast (Adults) Gathering Place Annual Dinner Fund Raiser PLM 2nd Session Graduation 20th 6pm Christmas Service 24th -25th Christmas Holiday 31st New Year’s Eve Service
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Birthdays & Anniversaries Monthly birthdays and anniversaries of NLTC members. If your birthday is not listed, email the church office.
November 01! Phelisia Shepard November 04! Ray Dodd, Jr. November 10! Nicholas Sword November 14! Kija Colemon November 17! Marissa Davila November 19! Gwen Williams November 20! LaNeail Alexander November 20! Kevin Richards November 21! Steve Stephens November 23! Jasia Smith November 26! Robert Clay II November 30! Thomas Clark October 28!
Jaden Scott
October 29!
Donald Walters
October 29!
Rodney Wright
Raymond & Capricious Wright November 4th Jonathan & Rhodesia Davis November 12th Samuel & Margaret Darden November 17th
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Houston’s Fall & Holiday Activities With fall comes many great activities for families, friends and college students to do. In a city like Houston there are so many things to do that are rather inexpensive. Whether you are looking for something within the city or want to take a short road trip, there is plenty for you.
*Friday Story Time @ Borders - every Friday @ 11am, Borders in Market Street the Woodlands. Ideal for small children. *Dewberry Farm - Brookshire, TX, Now Nov. 30 www.dewberryfarm.com. Ideal for families, hayrides, corn maizes, pumpkin patch, rides and food. *Mary Poppins - Now - Nov. 8 www.broadwayacrossamerica.com *Texas Renaissance Festival - Plantersville, TX Now - Nov. 29 www.texrenfest.com *Festival of Lights - Moody Gardens, Galveston, TX, Nov. 14 - Jan. 2 www.moodygardens.com * Yuletide at Bayou Bend - Bayou Bend, Nov. 19 - Jan 3. http://mfah.org/bayoubend * Dickens On the Strand - Galveston, TX, Dec. 5 & 6, www.dickensonthestrand.org * Annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade, Kemah, TX - Dec. 9 * German Christmas Market - Tomball, TX - Old Town, Dec. 12 * Lights In the Heights - Dec. 12 @ 6pm 10pm, www.woodland-heights.org/events/ LITH/
Kenneth & Cecelia Thomas November 17th
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Graceful heart from page 2
set your mind upon your Redeemer, who is your present help in a time of need. No, you may not understand where life is taking you, but faith will bring you into a response of thanksgiving which pleases the Father. We know that the Word of God is true, but we have to apply it to our lives so it can be effective the way God wants it to be. 1Thessalonins 5:18 reads “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Before you say but, let’s look at the life of Job, a true story in the Word of God. Job lost everything that he had by the hand of the enemy. He did not rejoice that he lost everything, but he did give thanks in the midst of all. Yes, we know all the story of Job that at times in his trial he said some things that God reproved him of. God loved him enough to correct him to show his short coming. That’s what trials and tests do. They help refine us the more for God’s glory. Then He instructs us, like Job, into receiving our blessing from the storms. But we must come with the right spirit and intent of the heart. The Psalm goes on to say “and into His courts with praise.” The courts are the courses of life, for the earth is the Lords, and every court He places us in we must be thankful and give Him praise.
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thanks and thank you to others whether display fake gratitude in our worship, we like it or not, small or great. And let us our praise, and in our everyday living. say it loud and clear so the heavens can hear. Gratitude Is Always To Be
Expressed Attitude vs. Gratitude 2
When you are faithful in it --Your Character/ Your Attitude will begin to be molded and shaped. You will think more like Jesus. You're maturing in The Mind of Christ. *It's one thing to Persist with teeth gritted .... and a bad attitude .... -- It's another to Persist with a Good Attitude. Some people just have a bad attitude about life. We're born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse. Remember, you're unique, not just like everyone else. It's as bad as you think, and they are out to get you. You see, our attitude determines our approach to life. True gratitude can not be expressed with a bad attitude. I have experienced people who displayed a bad attitude, attempting to show gratitude for something I had done for them. I could not believe they truly were grateful.
We are commanded to "give thanks." Now that is excellent advice because a grateful person will be a happier person; a grateful person will be a healthier person; a grateful person will be a holier person. Gratitude is not an option, it is an obligation. You are just as obligated to give God your thanks, as you are to give God your tithe. It is a sin to be ungrateful. As a matter of fact, there may be no greater sin on the face of the earth than the sin of ingratitude. Our greatest discovery is not the world of sinful living, bad attitudes, or ungratefulness, but the things we have inside: empathy, sympathy, love and not only forgiveness but also, more importantly, the understanding that we need to be forgiven. Once we realize we are forgiven, we can understand that attitude and gratitude are synonymous with each other. Then we can be truly grateful to God for his Mercy, and have an attitude of Mercy toward others who have fallen short of the mark. I thank God for his mercy every day, and I am striving to improve my attitude toward Him, my family, lost souls, and the people of God. You never know when you will need someone to have an attitude of mercy for you.
Paul demonstrated through his life that he could maintain a victorious The word “thanks” from the Old attitude no matter how difficult the Testament means “to give public acknowledgement.” It is one of the situation or turbulence. (Philippians principal words for praise. Psalm 136:1 1:12-21) How about you? Do you reads “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He demonstrate a victorious attitude when is good! For His mercy endures forever. it looks like life has turned on you and Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For there is no relief in sight, or when the His mercy endures forever. Oh, give saints are talking about you in a thanks to the Lord of lords! For His negative way, or you have fallen into God bless and keep you. mercy endures forever.” Truly He is Lord sin and the enemy has tried to God Almighty, great and greatly to be convince you that repentance is a praised. waste of time, and that you can never Minister Isaac J. Bazile is the Director of Men of The Tower Ministry at New Life Temple As we see the season of Thanksgiving be forgiven? How is your attitude Church, as well as a staff writer for Got Life. approaching us, let us as Christian be then? God sees our heart, and he examples to the world in expressing knows when we have a bad attitude or 4
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LIL Chocolate
BoY Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. It is that time where Thanksgiving is celebrated with more fellowship, more family, and more FOOD! But let us not forget that in all we do, we should give God the thanks for allowing us to see yet another day, We should thank God that we have the ability to read this article at this very moment, whether using glasses or not. We should thank God for being able to thank Him once more. Yes, on Thanksgiving we get something to grub on, but everyone isn't as fortunate. This still should not be a reason to give God some praise because someone might be worse off than you. Even if you don't have a single thing to eat that day, praise God anyhow because you are still alive. There is always something to give God thanks for no matter how things may seem or appear. And let us make sure that the month of November isn't the only month that God gets some acknowledgment, for He works endlessly to show us that He will never leave nor forsake us and His love us unconditional. Let's keep lifting God up and sending sweet somethings in his ear, because from what I can recall, He keeps on blessing us,
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Are we ready for the change of season? Is there an anticipation that burns within your souls?
Lite The Side
the y for “Read ” n Seaso
It has been a while since I have set down to write my little ramblings about what is going on in my head. And I don’t know really what is going on up there. However, as I sit here, the sky looks a bit gray... totally making the Christmas music playing on my Mac seem appropriate. Yes, I did say I was playing Christmas music! I don’t think I’m the only one who is anticipating the coming Holiday Season. As I was driving down Kirby last month, I saw a house that had already put up their Christmas lights. Either on the radio or the television, there was a story about businesses who were already making the shift to the holiday ambience. Of course, we know that is to put people in the mood for spending the $$$. Hey there’s a thought! If you want people to “trick” people into spending more than they want to, even though you have raised the prices in preparation for the holiday “sale”, you create an atmosphere that will seduce the customer into giving you what they don’t have. Yea, that’s not the nicest way to put it, but it’s what they do. They create the “moment” even though it has not come yet. Even now, as I type, I have created an atmosphere to put me into the holiday mood, and believe me after this morning I need it. What would happen if God’s people would create the atmosphere, prepare if you will, for the “season” ? After all the holiday season starts when the retailers say it does. Why? Why because once they create that atmosphere, people began their holiday shopping. As the people of God, we are to create that atmosphere for the season where God IS. God is always moving. God is always doing. But you have to go where God is to know what God is doing. And the way we get to where God is, by creating that atmosphere that will take us to where God is.
The catch is that induced seasonal change is not something that happens one time or something that is last minute. Instead, the CEO’s and executives plan months in advance for their desired right moment to put the people in the mood to feel the holiday cheer. The department stores work hard at making sure every time you see their name or enter their store your mind is being transitioned to accept the change of season, even though it may be October. And if you are any thing like me, you probable say something like, “Can you believe the stores are putting up Christmas stuff already!” But the stores don’t care that their premature holiday displaces are out of place. They keep adding more and more. And before I know it, I’m in the holiday mood weeks before November. If I want to bring about the change of season in my life I have to realize that it will not happen over night. I can’t make the change for one day. Instead, I have to prepare my mind - I believe the Apostle Paul called it a transformed mind. No matter how strange it may appear, I have to continue in that place of change. It becomes a commitment to experiencing an intimate encounter with God. A daily hunger and thirsting after God, His will and purpose. Other people may find your worship to be strange. What’s with the new idea of total surrender? But when you are ready for the season, it ceases to be about people, but instead about what you and God want. Before long the educed seasonal change will be a natural birth into the place where God is. To some the Christmas music playing at this moment may be a bit strange. However, in these short hours it has come to seem rather fitting. The reason is because I am ready for the Season. There is a season where God is and He is waiting for us to accept the change, no matter how strange it may seem. If we will just let Him take us there it will soon seem like the most natural place...the place of worship. It’s time to get in the “season spirit”. After all, its where God is.
even when we don't deserve it. November
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The purpose of New Life Temple Church is to instill the faith of Jesus Christ into the lives of all people, bringing them into spiritual perfection with a spirit of excellence.
Weekly Service Schedule
NLTC Ministry Leaders
Bishop Brenda K. Perry, Senior Pastor pastor@newlifetemplechurch.com
Sunday Sunday School! !
Pastor Steve Stephens, Associate Pastor Sunday Worship ! sstep72508@sbcglobal.net
Pastor Elmer Powell, Associate Pastor elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net
Donna Ross-Powell, Administrator
Statement of Faith
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9:00am
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10:00am
Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study!
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7:30pm
Young People On Fire! !
7:30pm
donna.ross@newlifetemplechurch.com
Lela Chambers, Financial Manager office@newlifetemplechurch.com
Thursday Music Ministry! !
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7:30pm
Mel A. Perry, Global Relations Director global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.com
Saturday!
Roy & Veronica Seivwright, Head Deacons rs5587@att.com
Intercessory Prayer!
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9:00am
Pastor Elmer & Cathy Powell, Marriage Min. elmerpowell@sbcglobal.net Isaac Bazile, Men of the Tower lawfalcon@aol.com
raymondwright24@yahoo.com
dwbates@msn.com 6
We believe in being born again of waterby immersion in the name of the Lord “Jesus� Christ for the remission of sins, and in Spirit baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.
We believe in presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.
Pastor Raymond & Capricious Wright, Young People On Fire
David Bates, Outreach
We believe that - in Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.
We believe in divine healing, communion and foot washing.
Donna Stephens & Mary Colemon, Ladies of the Light dmstep2003@yahoo.com
Towanna Thompson, Perfecting Light Ministry towanna10@sbcglobal.net
We believe this one true God, who revealed Himself as Father in Creation, as Son in redemption, and as Holy Ghost in regeneration.
We believe in the death, burial and resurrection.
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We believe in one eternal God; infinite in power, holy in nature, attributes and purpose, as well as omniscient and omnipresent.
New Life Temple Church 4828 Almeda Genoa Houston, TX 77048
We believe in expressions of praise with lifted hands, hand clapping, playing of musical instruments, voice of praise and dancing.
713.991.5972 www.newlifetemplechurch.com
November