The Grove Church » Will Parsons

The History of the Christmas Tree

Will Parsons — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:12:17 +0000

The earliest I could find is the Christmas tree dates back to the 7th or so century. A monk saw a fir tree and, while he looked at it, it reminded him of all three corners representing The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe today we have taken this time of the year, and turned it into a time that does not represent Christ. In other words, we have turned Christmas into a commercial holiday. We are consumed with receiving rather than giving. What’s the new hottest toy on the market? I remember when Tickle Me Elmo came out, everyone one had to have it. Then xbox 360 and Playstation 3 came out. We are a consuming society. That’s the truth. “The Cross is God’s Christmas tree,” James Vernon Magee says. It is the cross that give us grace and forgiveness of our sin. Mathew chapter 1:21 says “she shall bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sin” ESV That is the main gift God gives us: Forgivness. Another gift Christ gives us is peace - A calmness of sprit no matter what the outer circunstances. And finally, joy. Many people confuse joy and happiness. Happiness is is like for example I get a new car or a when my mom or dad comes to check me out of class early to see a movie in elementry school. On the other hand, joy comes from the sprit. It is an inner joy. May God bless you this christmas and remember the real meaning of Christmas.

What is a Care Pastor?

Will Parsons — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:37:02 +0000

Many people have wondered what is a Care Pastor? A Care Pastor is someone who cares for the congregation when a member or someone is in need. When I was younger, I always liked to help people. I believe that is one of my gifts. Whether it just be checking in on someone, encouraging, or making a hospital visit. Jesus emphasized care in his ministry that he had for three years. He cared for the outcasts, the prostitute, and the tax collector. They were people that were reaching out to fill a void in their heart. That is where my ministry comes in of caring for people. I have enjoyed being The Grove Church Care Pastor for our congregation. I also believe and encourage our congregation to pray. Prayer is a communication with God – not just a one way street where we talk – we must also learn to listen to God. Prayer goes both ways. As your Care Pastor, I encourage you to communicate with God on a daily basis.
In Kingdom Work,

Brother Will

Labor Day

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:12:26 +0000

As I write this blog, I’m thinking of what the Labor Day holiday represents for those who labor for our country. It was started for the union movement to help workers represent their needs so that employers won’t take advantage of them. My dad believed in unions. As a matter of fact, this past summer he was voted in as Vice President of IBEW local 605 . When compared to the kingdom of God, we as believers in Christ are to labor for the kingdom. Know that the bible says works wont get us into Heaven, but only faith can in Jesus Christ. We know that God took a break on the seventh day in Genesis and He says we also should rest. But remember, we as Christians should be laboring for the kingdom with the strength of Christ for “I can do all thing in Christ who strengthens me.” While this does not mean we can jump over a building, we can retrieve strength through Christ when we are doing something for Him. I hope you all have a good Labor Day and God bless!

Care Pastor
Will Parsons

Shifts in Life

Will Parsons — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 07:10:47 +0000

Whether you like it or not, from the time we are born until the time we die, we go through shifts in life. Some that we can mark are junior high, then high school, then its time for most of us to leave the nest and start a career or go to college. This shift can be very awkward, because for the first time in our life we are putting what we learned from the time we’re born and making it practical. Then there is young adulthood when it’s the time most people get married - which is a big step in someone’s life. Then come children, grandchildren, then eventually death. However, what makes your shifts in life come easier is having Christ with you. You see, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; but Jesus has come that we may have life, and have it to the full. In reality, the life of a christian is not easy. The Bible speaks of persecution and believers losing their life. The difference is not having an easier life, but having Jesus with you in the hard times. So whats your choice? Are you going to give up every thing, ask Christ to forgive you of your sin and save you, and live the shifts of life with His help?

APP WARS!

Will Parsons — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:54:19 +0000

You may not know it, but the student past (Britt) and I have a little competition going on. He has the the blackberry curve and Ihave the iphone. The competition is to see who has the best app for there phone. I have a new app I can’t wait to show him, but he always gets me when he says do you have the app that charges your phone and I respond they don’t have an app for that. We live in a society that is dependent on quick fixes and is amazed by new technology. People say they have an app for everything, but one thing they don’t have a app for is a broken heart.

It reminds me of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked “what must I do get into heaven.” Jesus responded to him, “sell all what you have and follow me.” Rather than following Jesus, he went back to his wealth and possessions living the life he wanted to live. So the truth is thatjesus is the only one can heal a broken heart that is filed with sin. Will you let him heal your heart and stop trying to fill your life with apps that leave you wanting more. Lets sayif we compare your self to a smart phone: what apps would you fiill your life with instead of Christ?

Well there is the Consumer app- This App is made up of Wall street, Ebay and Amazon which try to make you fill the void of unhappiness with quick fixes that don’t last.

Addicted app: This is your favorite app: the one you go to all the time. It can be sex, drugs, or alchohol

The Controller app: this app hasto be over someone or something, trying to fill your void with power and popularity.

You may realize one of these apps represent you. Remeber what I said about the only one who can fill the void. That is Christ and Christ alone!

In Christ Bro Will

Scrub a Toilet

Will Parsons — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:16:39 +0000

I remember when I was hired at The Grove Church. I was told my job description would be to learn about ministry in a church. Since we are a new church, we do not have a secretary or janitor, which means those duties fall upon the staff. The student pastor and I clean the church, take out trash, and clean the restrooms every Friday. While most people say those jobs are what a grunt or goffer does, and little respect is given to those who do these tasks, may I remind you that this true in the secular world, but not in the Christian world. I find it very humbling to do these tasks, although I also do other things for the church like teach, make visits, and help plan ministry events with our staff.
I remember hearing a pastor explain it like a pyramid. In the secular world, the CEO is on top, and the lowest people are on the bottom of the pyramid. Well in Christian leadership it’s the opposite. We lead by humility. We do not lead with pide and power, and the interesting way God reminds us where we are in our leadership is when we find ourselves scrubing toilets and washing dishes. We should remember that Christ washed the diciples feet in the upper room. The feet were dirty and smelly, but he washed them to show how a leader should lead. We may not wash feet in the 21st century, but I can tell you, we still can lead by humility! Today, may I recommend some reading? Study John chapter 14, or you can read Jesus on Leadership by C. Gene Wilks.

Energizer bunny

Will Parsons — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:40:22 +0000

Do you remember the energizer bunny commercial. He keeps going and going. That”s how I felt this last trimester at William Carey University. I just finished up the winter trimester and it was the most challenging semester I ever had in my life. Iit was sometimes frustrated with late nights of studying and writing papers I knew it would be hard to finish, but I knew I had to finish strong, because in James chapter one it tells us to persevere and finish strong. Let me ask you a question: when things happen in your life, do you finish strong? This semester I challenge you to finish strong! The Word says it’s going to be hard and I speak from experience that it is true. So in closing remember to be strong and finish strong.

In Christ Bro Will

We should be a light on Facebook

Will Parsons — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:55:56 +0000

When I was in junior college I did a research paper on social networking. It was kinda interesting that what people were posting on their facebook or MySpace. We can be the light and Salt of the world on Facebook and MySpace. I found out in my research that colleges and places of employment check social networking to see who you really are, so be careful of what you post on the Web. Remember we are the light of the world.

God Bless Bro Will.

–
Will Parsons Ministry Intern