Eddie's Blog

Lords Supper November 18th

For the first time we decided to do the Lord’s Supper on a Sunday morning (Nov. 18^th).

We set up tables with juice and crackers around the worship center so people who wanted to participate could easily do so. Since communion is for Christians, we hesitated to do it on a Sunday morning because we reach so many lost people. We had to find a way to do both so that everyone could participate.

The first part of the service was about why we were asked by Jesus Christ to have communion, and the second part was the actual Lord’s Supper. We mixed in songs and videos with candlelight to create an atmosphere that was all about Jesus Christ. This Sunday was all about what Jesus did and how salvation was paid for by His own blood. I haven’t been a part of a service that moved so many people to tears.

We hear so many times that Jesus is the “reason for the season,” but in reality we were the reason for the season. Jesus was born to die and He did it for us. There can’t be love unless there is a choice: We have to choose to love and God chose to love us first. This Sunday was all about Jesus Christ.  It wasn’t about the lights or the videos or even how many people came. This was all about God and His love for us. It was an incredible day.

Our staff did an incredible job putting it all together. Lisa (Marketing), Cathey (Administration) Crystal (Volunteer Coordinator & Personal Asst.) did a great job decorating the worship center and thinking it all through. Special thanks to all the teams! It was an amazing service for all who were there.

This service deserves watching again, and you can see it all at marathonchurch.org. After debriefing the service Monday morning, we discovered that this is the best way to kick off the holidays. I can’t wait to do again next year. I have heard people say you can’t reach both lost people and touch the Christians in the same service, but we just proved that theory all wrong! People were saved, Christians were moved and Jesus Christ got all the glory!!!

Our Great Depression

Two weeks ago Lynn and I were speaking together on Sunday for the first time in about three years. We just talked about what had been going on in our lives as well as the life of the church. We simply called it “Pastor Chat,” except we were chatting with over 2000 people. I was very proud of Lynn (my wife) as she shared how going through depression for the last two years has changed her life, and how it has affected mine as a Pastor. Believe it or not, it is a common thing for Pastors, even their wives, to go through depression or face some sort of burn out due to the demands of the ministry. Lynn and I have talked about how many things we have missed and the friends we have lost due to the fact we didn’t have the energy or even the mental capacity to make a phone call. We are slowly getting to the place where we are starting to have dinners with people and making phone calls again. I know some of our closest friends have even wondered what’s been going on. Depression is a terrible thing and it can rob you of so many things in life. Here’s what I’ve learned over the past two years.

1. Pay attention to the ones you love; watch for changes in behavior; being withdrawn; lack of interest in hobbies; sleeps more and even finding it hard to answer the phone or even call someone.
2. Remember marriage is about “sickness and in health;” it is the love and the strength of God in your marriage that gives you strength.
3. Depressed people don’t know they are depressed, so get educated so you can help!
4. Depressed people need a specialist, not just a family doctor, but a clinical psychologist and a Christian counselor who know how to help!
5. Remember you are the one who will have to make the doctor’s appointment and you are the one who will have to take them -  they can’t do it on their own.
6. Make notes of their behavior and take them to the doctor with you, and don’t be surprised that your loved one who is depressed has no clue of what they are doing.
7. Pray, Pay attention and Prepare always. It is part of the love process.

8. Lynn

   has been through two depressions, and each time we have learned more about each other and about God. Our marriage has become stronger.
9. 65% of people in

   America

   will experience some form of depression.
10. Stay connected to family and friends: All of us need each other. The Bible makes it clear “Two are better than one.”

TV WMYA ?

The past year and a half we have been on TV. The program has been good, and our staff has done a great job putting it together and making it happen. The goal of TV was to get

Marathon

Church

into the home and inspire people to go to church and get connected with other people on the local level. There are 57 “one another” verses in the Bible, so God meant for us to be together with other people.

What we have discovered is that this may have done the opposite. People were staying home on Sunday mornings, even our own people who use to attend on a regular basis. We did some research and found that to be true in other places. Rick Warren has never been on TV, but he even said not to go on local TV. It is because people will stay home.

I don’t think God meant for TV to take the place of local church. He wants us to get together as a body of believers on a weekly basis. The one thing I’ve seen in the Christian walk is the isolation factor. The belief that we can do this on our own - all I need is God. But God even said that two are better than one. Jesus needed twelve people to help him with His mission, so I wonder why we think we can do it alone. So, as of the 2^nd weekend in November

Marathon

will no longer be on TV. We have given this much thought and prayer. In conclusion, God never meant for TV to take the place of Him or His church.

Why move our service to the web?

1. We will be able to see more of our service including music (1 hour service).

2. It will be Sunday’s message and it there won’t be a 2-week delay.

3. More people will be able to access

Marathon

at different times, not just Sundays at 9:30 AM.

4. People anywhere in the world, at anytime, will be able to watch our services.

5. We want people to get connected to a local church not just to a local TV program.

TO WATCH ONLINE GO TO: marathonchurch.org