Church Blog

September 1 2010 at 2:45 pm

‘A Front Row Seat’ at Introducing God

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Small group discussion at Introducing God

In the fall of 2009, I found myself fresh out of college with loads of unscheduled time. God had been working in my heart in the area of evangelism, largely due to the influence of Jon Smith, who is now leading the OneU campus ministry at University of Maryland, College Park. I’d really been struck by Jesus’ commission in Matthew 28 to “make disciples of all nations.” As I prayed about ways to evangelize, I recalled the amazing opportunity we have at Covenant Life Church through the Introducing God course.

There were many things that struck me as I led a discussion group. I was reminded that our guests are not projects that we target with the gospel, but real people I could begin loving, listening to, and sharing the love of Christ with. And yes, they do need the saving message of the gospel, since those who haven’t trusted in Christ for salvation are under God’s wrath. I was amazed as I watched God work in hearts, and humbled as I saw that it often had to do with God’s timing and not my “eloquent speech.” This drove me to pray more often and with more fervency. It’s funny how much more real and “alive” prayers can become when you’re thrown into a situation that you can’t control. God is the one who saves, and the only one who can change hearts. This truth resulted in much joy and confidence as I lead the group. I found myself praying even during the group times.

Not only was I humbled, but I learned how to listen better, love better, and pray more. And as I saw God work in the group, my faith grew. One girl in my group got saved in the first couple of weeks. He gave her a hunger for his Word, and she came to the point where she believed. Another guy in the group was quieter, but at the overnight (a weekend mini-retreat that’s part of Introducing God), he professed faith in Christ as well. Another is now a friend, is seeking to understand the gospel, and has come to Covenant Life many times since. I’m praying God will open his eyes. I’ve also heard countless testimonies from those whom God saved at the overnight; it was a sweet time of seeing the Spirit at work.

Finally, I was amazed at how God worked in me. I don’t normally expect to be the beneficiary when I go somewhere to “serve,” but I learned so much from the guests, from the teachings by Mark and Robin, and from working with my group.

If you have a hunger for evangelism and are trying to find a way to get a kick-start, try serving in IG. If you don’t have a desire to evangelize, come serve in IG and watch God grow you in this area. If you don’t have the time to commit to serving in IG, please pray for our volunteers and guests.

In John 3 God tells Nicodemus that he must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. Only God can bring the new birth, so let’s pray that he will do this in the lives of many who enter the doors of Covenant Life Church! God calls us all to evangelism, and IG is one way you can evangelize alongside other Christians, learn from them, and get a front row seat to how God is using this church to powerfully spread his gospel!

—Andrew “Ace” Leyva

 





July 28 2010 at 4:41 pm

A Job That Requires the Patience of Job

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God has blessed Covenant Life with many members who honor God in the workplace by being examples of faithfulness and excellence. The Baltimore Sun recently published an article about the work of Covenant Life member, Nick DeCarlo, pictured here with wife, Becky.

Enjoy reading about the rigors of Nick’s work as a cold case detective in Howard County.





July 8 2010 at 6:20 pm

Words of Care and Comfort for the Harris Family

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Dear Covenant Life family,

On July 4 our senior pastor suffered the loss of his mother, Sono Harris, to cancer. We have all experienced the fruit of her life through Joshua’s ministry.

Joshua and his family are grieving, but with great hope (1 Thess. 4:13-18). They know there will be a day of great joy when they will be reunited in him.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the father of mercies and the God of all comfort (2 Cor. 1:3), and I know we are all praying that he will comfort and be near the Harris family this coming weekend, and in the days ahead.

But the pastors wanted to create a place where Josh could hear words of care and comfort from his Covenant Life family. This is that place. Please feel free to share your prayers and expressions of gratefulness to Josh and the Harris family by leaving a comment. To do so, click on the word “Comments” at the top of this post.

Thank you for your partnership in the gospel, for your prayers, and for your expressions of care toward Josh and his family.

On behalf of the pastors,

—Kenneth Maresco

Pictured: Joshua Harris and family with Joshua’s mother, Sono. Left to right: Emma, Mary Kate, Shannon, Sono, Joshua Quinn, and Joshua





November 17 2009 at 9:07 pm

A Life of Servanthood

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A few weeks ago, I gave a message called “The Poor and Needy.” Below is a testimony of how a member in our church is living out this message. We asked Sherly Giglio to share about how her husband, Peter, has given of his time and money to bless others over the years. I hope this story will be both encouraging and provoking.

When I was asked to share about my husband’s generosity and his heart for the lost and needy, it was easy to come up with a life time of examples. For the past 32 years, I have seen Peter give, give, and give even more. He humbly serves without looking for recognition or anything in return. This is seen in many ways, such as: providing rides to people in need, opening our home and giving people a place to live, visiting a wounded soldier, going on mission trips, and giving financially to our church and other ministries, as well as to those in need.

I’d like to share the most recent example of his selfless generosity. It is something that was close to his heart:

Back in August of this year, Peter had the privilege of serving with Drew Garfield to help plan a work day at the Laytonia community, located across the street from Covenant Life. Initially, he gave of his time by attending planning meetings and liaising with the Laytonia Homeowners Association Board to see how we, as a church, could help them. This was followed by numerous trips to Home Depot and time spent organizing materials. Finally, the big work day came. Volunteers from Covenant Life and Gracia Soberana labored alongside people from the Laytonia community. What a joy it was to see multiple races, rich and poor, Christian and non-Christian working side by side each other. Most importantly, the work day provided an open door to share the gospel!

Another way Peter demonstrates his heart for the needy is that his main focus in business is to provide excellent service and be able to give even more money and time to further God’s kingdom. Peter recently did a commercial advertising our company. In the commercial, he let people know that a portion of the sales would be given to Give Uganda Water.

Peter recently returned from a trip to Fabens, Tex., where a team led by Grant Layman built an apartment for Dean Adamek (who runs an orphanage in Mexico that our church has partnered with). This apartment will allow his family and staff to have a place in the U.S. to stay when circumstances make it difficult to cross the border. 

I am reminded over and over again, through my husband’s heart and example, of how much he loves the Lord and gives of himself so that the gospel continues to go forward.





October 29 2009 at 8:14 am

A Generous Life

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The following is an e-mail I received from Rachel Robb after this Sunday’s message, “The Poor and Needy.” Thanks, Rachel, for honoring your dad and pointing to God’s grace in his life! (Pictured: Frank and Rachel, sharing a hat moment)

Hi Josh,

First of all, thank you SO much for the message that you preached today. It was very convicting and an excellent reminder. Personally, I was convicted of a few specific opportunities that God has given me to be supporting the poor. I also just wanted to share with you the amazing example that my father has set as someone who cares for the poor, the fatherless and the alien.

When he was first converted in South Africa, my dad would go out into the poor townships with a church group and teach the impoverished population how to grow vegetables. This was in a time when it was extremely dangerous for any white people to go into those areas.

Also, our home has always been a shelter for those who are needy. From visiting scientists from around the world, to PC families and people coming to conferences, my dad has led our family heroically and opened up our home generously and without hesitation. I literally cannot count how many people have stayed with us since I have been alive… Almost my entire life there has been at LEAST one visitor staying in our house. Many times, these people are from another country and in desperate need of friends and family. My dad has shown me what it means to love others selflessly.

Right now a missionary family from Israel is staying in our basement. They have been in Israel for the past six years, and when they were called to come back to the U.S. for a sabbatical-type-thing, my father graciously offered them our basement. He is generous to a ridiculous degree sometimes. When a charity is calling and they reach my mom, I will hear her telling them that Dad has already donated to their cause recently.

What’s even more amazing is that, when I encouraged Dad after the message and told him that he was the most generous and giving person that I knew, he was amazed and said that during the message he had been very convicted of his shortcomings in this area. That blew me away. He is the most humble man that I know.

I don’t really know why I wanted to share all that with you so badly, but I was so overwhelmed in the message at the amazing example of my dad in this area. I guess I just wanted to encourage you with the grace of God that is at work in our church!

May God bless you richly, Josh!

Rachel Robb

P.S. Also, thank you so much for honoring my mom. I love the fact that I, as her daughter, can heartily agree with everything you said about her being a faithful servant, and that I know that she is even more amazing and godly and self-sacrificing than anyone else (other than our family) will ever know.





October 9 2009 at 6:22 pm

More About Self-Control

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Here are more responses I received when I e-mailed church members last week asking how they were being affected by our recent messages from Proverbs. People responded to three questions (names have been removed from the responses): 1) Where is God calling you to exercise self-control? What do you feel he’s calling you to say “no” to?
2) Express how God has been speaking to you. 3) What do you think he’s calling you to do instead with your time? Is there an attitude, activity or behavior you’d like to “put on”? (see Ephesians 4: 24)

Thanks to everyone who responded! I hope you’re encouraged (as I was) to see how God is at work.

1) My tongue and my reckless words!
2) Proverbs 12:18 was read and I was convicted of how my reckless words said in anger contributed to a conflict with my daughter.
3) Encourage my daughter with Scripture for where God is at work in her life and hold my tongue.

1) Media. E-mail, Facebook, and text messaging I need to put down…
2) I believe that God has been reminding me that I have an eternal purpose. It is eye-opening to think how much I lose when I waste my time with media. I make God so small and not important and NOT the main focus in my heart.
3) I think he is calling me to spend time with people in person and pursue their hearts.

1) Playing on the computer, sweets, doing my work, etc.
2) God has spoken to me about being a sluggard. Since my bout with Lyme’s disease, I’ve gotten used to being lazy. Now that I’m better, though, I need to start working.
3) I’d like to serve more.

1) No to martha-isms - distractions of the home.
2) Conviction that my heart and mind are not fully engaged in my quiet times.
3) Be still.

1) Show kindness in my interactions with my children and husband, and not be so quick to anger. 
2) Show love, patience; enjoy time now because children grow up quickly.
3) Spend more time in prayer for my family, also, quality time in God’s Word.

1) No to the busy schedules. Slow down and spend more time for the Lord.
2) God gave me a very specific command about a week a go: he said: “Worship me!” I have been, and the Holy Spirit has renewed my heart.
3) To praise him, to be humble before him, adore him for the wonders he does in our life. Soak in the Spirit.

1) Food as an idol and web-surfing during my time at home with my kids during the day.
2) I am sensing that God wants to deepen my relationships with my children individually through my prayer time with HImself.
3) Praying for and with my children as their needs are brought to my attention.

1) No to: negative thought patterns that lead to dissatisfaction with the life God has chosen for me.
2) Especially thru Ben Wikner’s class on The Book of Ruth (“He is actively plotting for my good”) and Charles Spurgeon’s books: The Suffering Letters and The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith (I’ve had severe, long-term health problems for almost 20 years).
3) Spend more time in His presence: the Word, worship, prayer, service to others and biblical fellowship

1) With my thoughts, I have a tendency to let my mind run with too much concern, worry, lack of faith.
2) Self-control should apply to even how we use our mind.
3) Philippians 4:8

1) Less time wasted on the computer, be it editing pictures, checking e-mail, or watching movies.
2) I became aware of how I was wasting my time a few weeks ago, and Joshua Harris’ message helped confirm that I was not spending my time wisely. I have had the desire to spend my time better, but have lacked the motivation, even though I know every moment counts.
3) Open the Bible and read, work on cross-centered friendships, and involve others in all that I do.

1) I’m a very aggressive and judgmental person. I need to show the same grace Christ has shown me to others.
2) Mainly God has been working on how I need to depend on him and “look before I leap,” so to say. Show compassion and grace for others before judgment. It may take some time, but I’m just going to keep coming before him in prayer and reading his Word.
3) Less “me” time and more time helping others who may need it more then I need my time to relax.

1) Free time; spending more time with God rather than personal pleasure.
2) He’s been telling me to spend less time on the computer.
3) Rather than going on the computer for games, bring up the Bible on the computer to study.

1) Self-control for me is connected to faith and humility.
2) It takes faith to let go of those not-obviously-sinful impulses to do things which often seem much less interesting.
3) It takes humility to let go of my own ideas and desires because of my overrated view of myself.

1) Not eating unhealthy foods or over eating, and having the self-control to exercise.
2) As I pray the Lord’s prayer every day, the Lord has been speaking to me about having “no other Gods before him” and “do not fear.” When I am afraid, I often get a snack. I do not exercise self-control nor trust in the Lord in my eating.
3) I need to be aware of my eating response and pray and/or exercise when I’m aware of my fear.

1) Self-control in how I manage to spend my time. God is calling me to say “no” to laziness.
2) God has been speaking to me to take more initiative in planning.
3) Put on more of a servant’s heart to care for everyone I interact with in my life.





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