Do you remember the heart necklace that is made up of two separate pieces that fit together and worn by those in love?  Maybe you gave one or received one that represents a commitment that binds two hearts so they beat as one. ‘

God created His own necklace that adorns His graceful neck and is shared with those who obediently respond to His Son.

Grace and Mercy are two sides that make up a complete HEART for the HEART NECKLACE that is made possible by Jesus Christ our Savior.   God says, “I LOVE YOU!” with this beautiful necklace.

Grace is receiving what we do not deserve. Mercy is not receiving what we deserve. These compliment one another to give us the greatest love ever known, SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!!  

[4] But God, who is rich in MERCY, because of His GREAT LOVE with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by GRACE you have been saved), [6] and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of ayourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast. [10] For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  - Ephesians 2:4-10

Change can be great for some and difficult for others.  Change should never come at the expense of ignoring scripture and never be embraced when it does.  Change can be exciting when it is cast alongside of vision, provides clear direction, reflects a desired outcome, and is in keeping with the wonderful will of God.

 Thinking back to name changes in the scriptures, they appear to be connected to a personality, characteristic trait, or obvious conclusion based on proper reasoning and facts.  God changed Abram to Abraham because God had BIG plans and He wanted the new name to reflect His plans (Genesis 17:5). Jesus decided to give James and John a name change to “Boanerges” because it appears the name was descriptive of their personalities, “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17).  It was Jacob who renamed his son Ben-Oni (son of my trouble) to Benjamin (son of my right hand) for personal reasons as found in Genesis 35:18. The apostles called a Christian servant named Joseph by a new name descriptive of his character, Barnabas, “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36).  Saul (a Hebrew name) of Tarsus is also called Paul (a Latin name) (Acts 13:9). I assume Saul is called Paul in Gentile circles because he was specifically called by God to minister to the Gentiles (Romans 15:16). There are many more name changes in the scriptures but one of the more prominent ones is when Jesus changes the name of Simon (Hebrew) to Cephas (Aramaic)/Peter (Greek) as found in John 1:42.  

 We recently experienced a name change.  Understand it is only a location name change.  We will always keep the designation Church of Christ!  We are connected to that name (Church of Christ) by blood (Acts 4:12, 20:28).  A name that we are honored to be called. However, changing our location name from Westpark to Fulshear is a positive change with the excitement of building our future home in the city of Fulshear for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this place.  A name we proudly embrace and accept! Fulshear Church of Christ, now that’s nice!

I find it interesting at times I will search high and low to find scriptures that justify my condemning comments,
actions, attitude, or ways toward others. I will say things like, "Well, Jesus cleansed the temple didn’t He?" or "He
told them like it was!" and then I sit back and feel good about myself. I will even pat my own back or some brother
or sister will pat my back and say "tell ‘em brother!"

I must remember that I am not Jesus! I was called to be a blessing to others. The words of Peter ring in my ears,
"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be
courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary {BLESSING, KNOWING THAT YOU
WERE CALLED TO THIS, THAT YOU MAY INHERIT A BLESSING.} For "He who would love life And see good days, Let
him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let
him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their
prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:8-12.

I woefully forget that Jesus knew what was in a person's heart (an ability that I do not possess) and how to
handle the situation gracefully. He even spoke words like, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they
do." Luke 23:34. Even when they did awful things to Him and didn't ask Him for forgiveness, and He still offered it
with no condemnation! That’s Amazing Grace!! Something I must learn.

Jesus seemed to be aggravated mostly with the religious folks of His day and mainly because of their actions
toward the people of their day. The very people He came to save! Is it possible that is why He said, "Not everyone
who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. Matthew 7:21. I wonder if I am that person at times?

I think I forget words like those spoken by or Lord, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17.

I’m going to work harder to be tactful, gracious, and kind in my words, and actions. I will also do what I can to
bring them to Jesus, the Savior of the world.

You can be better if you first decide to do it.  You must put that desire into action.  No shortcuts. 

Faith without works is dead!!  

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”  — (James, the brother of Jesus Christ) 

You can talk a good game all day long.  However, the only way for others to see your determination, discipline, and success is through work. Otherwise it is just all talk!  

It takes absolutely no talent at all to outwork your opponent!!  Just faith, discipline, and hard work. 

EVERYONE CAN WORK HARD (few exceptions). 

Potential and expectation are only words and dreams but with faith, discipline, and hard work they can become reality.  A LITTLE work or effort in reality is just a waste of time and an easing of the conscience.  God expects so much more. 

HARD WORK PLUS TALENT EQUALS UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES!!

“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  — (Saul, from a place called Tarsus)

TOMORROW IS A BRAND NEW DAY — GO GET IT!!

MOMENTUM is the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.  

Momentum can carry a team to a win and even a championship.  It can help a business go from good to great.  It can help leaders move from MEDIOCRE to MAGNIFICENT.  Amelia Earhart said, “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”  Someone aptly stated, “A rolling stone gathers no moss but it sure gathers momentum.” You see, momentum is a game changer!! 

We are the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) and we have had had all parts moving here at Westpark over the last year. All parts have been working together (Ephesians 4:16) and things have been happening as a result!  

Many thanks are extended to everyone who has had a part in working to help make our future building on the hill a reality (a dream soon to be a realized!).  We have a lot of energy poured into setting up, serving, and

cooking for our services, fellowship meals, and activities.  There is also the weekly work that is done by selfless teachers who continue to help us grow in the Lord and pour into our lives.

We have recently been blessed to have new family members join us at Westpark, visitors come seeking the Lord and His work, better attendance (although that is not the only measure of a healthy church), and an added

presence of excitement (MOMENTUM) that is permeating throughout our family of God.

My observation is that we have MOMENTUM.  Let’s be convicted to not be complacent (collecting dust) but

rather active (stirring dust) and MOVING from GOOD to GREAT!  Let’s strive to be a going church for a coming Lord!!

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  For in fact the body is not one member but many”.  -- The Apostle Paul